Monday September 25 Ag News

Stalk Rot Diseases in Nebraska Corn Fields
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Extension Plant Pathologist

Various stalk rot diseases have been confirmed in samples from corn fields across Nebraska. Stalk rot diseases and the pathogens that cause them are common in corn. They can weaken corn stalks, leading to stalk lodging and harvest difficulties for producers.  These diseases also can impact yield if corn plants are killed prematurely. It’s important to be aware of their incidence in fields to better understand the risk of harvest difficulties if plants lodge. In addition, knowing which diseases are present in individual fields can help producers anticipate, manage and prevent them in subsequent growing years.

Unfortunately, the symptoms that stalk rotting pathogens cause can be misleading and make it difficult to diagnose. For example, some of the earliest symptoms of stalk rot disease may be the discoloration of leaves and rapid plant wilting and/or premature death. In recent weeks, several samples of dead leaves have been submitted to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic. Microscopic observation and testing of these samples has failed to identify any pathogens or provide a diagnosis we can be confident of, leading us to suspect stalk rot diseases.

Crown and Stalk Rot Sampling Tips
As you continue to scout fields late in the season, it is important to collect the right kind of sample to ensure proper diagnosis. Over the course of several days, the leaves can become necrotic with symptoms resembling sunscald. However, splitting the stalk and crown can reveal the real cause of leaf dieback. Certain stalk rots, such as Anthracnose, are managed through resistant varieties. Others, like Fusarium spp., are controlled through cultural practices that lessen plant stress – balanced fertility, proper planting populations, and insect control.

Even though the noticeable symptoms appear on the leaves, the pathogen is not present in the leaves. Additionally, it may be easier to cut the plant a few inches above ground level and leave the crown and roots, but the main difference between crown and stalk rots is where the pathogen is infected. If the crown and roots are left and the disease has not progressed up the stalk, it is difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Submitting entire plants is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis.  Proper management starts with a proper diagnosis.

Please do not send dead plants. It is difficult to ID the exact cause of death on a plant once other, opportunistic pathogens and microorganisms have had a chance to infect the weakened plant. Ideal samples are ones that are just starting to show symptoms. Keeping soil on the root ball is helpful in keeping the plant alive a little longer as we work through our diagnosis. Please enclose the root ball in a separate plastic bag to prevent soil from spreading to the rest of the plant. In order to fit the entire plant into a bag or shipping container it is fine to cut, or bend them to fit into a trash bag or large zip lock bag. 

As always, please fill out the sample ID form with as much information as possible.

Numerous stalk rot diseases occur in Nebraska and other states and your sample analysis results can identify one or more common pathogens in samples submitted to the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

Risk Factors for Stalk Rot
Crop stress during the growing season contributes to the development of some stalk rot diseases. Pay special attention to fields that have one or more of the following risk factors for stalk rot diseases and lodging:
-    Higher yielding hybrids
-    Lost leaf area (due to leaf diseases, hail, etc.)
-    Excessive rainfall/ponding
-    Stalk wounding, usually by hail or insect feeding
-    High planting populations
-    Thin stalks

Evaluating Stalk Strength Prior to Harvest
Walking through a field, randomly select a minimum of 100 plants representing a large portion of the field. To test for stalk rot you can PUSH the plant tops away from you approximately 30 degrees from vertical. If plants don’t snap back to vertical, the stalk may have been compromised by stalk rot disease. An alternative method is to PINCH the internodes of the lower stalk. If the stalks crush easily by hand, their integrity is reduced by stalk rot and they are prone to lodging. If more than 10% of plants exhibit stalk rot symptoms, harvesting that field first should be a priority over others at less risk in order to reduce the chance of plant lodging prior to harvest.

Several fungi are common in our production fields and can opportunistically cause stalk rot diseases in stressed plants. Some of the most common stalk rot diseases this year are listed below:

    Charcoal rot is one of the few diseases that is more common during drought conditions, and so, is more likely to affect corn in non-irrigated fields or pivot corners. The disease is characterized by the presence of many minute black round structures inside the stalk that can give it a gray to black appearance (Figure 3a). In addition, the fungus that causes charcoal rot, Macrophomina phaseolina, has a wide host range and can cause the same disease in several crops, including corn, soybean, sorghum, and alfalfa.

    Fusarium stalk rot is especially common during damp conditions, but may occur anywhere. One of the most common symptoms is the development of crown rot inside the lower stalk, below the soil line, near where roots attach to the stalk. The pathogen, Fusarium verticillioides, can sometimes be visible as white fungal growth on the outside of stalk nodes. Eventually, the disease may cause a pink or salmon discoloration to the inside of stalks.

    Anthracnose stalk rot can also cause a leaf disease and is a common cause of top rots in corn. In more advanced stages the disease can cause the development of black lesions visible on the outside of the stalk and is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola.

Managing for Stalk Rots in Corn
There is nothing to be done at this point in the season to stop stalk rots as affected stalks will continue to degrade over time, further weakening them. Growers can minimize losses by identifying which fields have the worst stalk rot diseases and adjust the harvest order of those fields. Consider harvesting or chopping fields heavily impacted by stalk rots first or earlier than others to minimize losses that can occur after lodging. Some seed companies provide ratings for their hybrids’ reactions for a few stalk rot diseases that may be helpful in selecting hybrids for fields with chronic stalk rot disease.



Natural Air Drying of Binned Soybeans 
Paul Jasa, NE Extension Engineer

If you're looking at storing soybeans harvested at over 13% moisture, you'll want to dry them to 13%, the recommended level for longer term storage.

The time to dry soybeans, or any grain, depends on a number of variables:
    The initial moisture content, %
    The desired moisture content, %
    The average ambient air properties — temperature and relative humidity
    Airflow through the bin — cubic feet per minute per bushel
    Whether the incoming air is heated

A grain drying program was used to estimate the time it would take to dry soybeans (see Table 1). It estimated the days to dry soybeans in a grain bin using natural air and 1 cubic foot per minute per bushel of grain in the bin. When drying in the bin, avoid using the stirator as it can damage soybeans.

Weather conditions are a huge factor in how long it takes to dry grain.  Click here to read more....  https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2017/drying-soybeans-bin. 



NEBRASKA ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has released the results of its 2016 Certified Organic Survey. Certified organic operations in Nebraska sold a total of $96 million in organic products in 2016, up 33 percent compared to 2015. The number of certified organic operations in Nebraska totaled 162, up 1 percent from last year.

The 2016 Certified Organic Survey is a census of all known U.S. farmers and ranchers with certified organic production in 2016. The survey collected acreage, production, and sales data for a variety of certified organic crop and livestock commodities.



Heuermann Lecture:  Nebraska: If Not Immigrants, Who? 

Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center
2021 Transformation Drive, Lincoln, NE
October 3, 2017 - 3:30 p.m. CST
Reception preceding lecture at 3:00 p.m.

Lourdes Gouveia, professor emerita of sociology and co-founder of the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, will speak at the first Heuermann Lecture of the season Oct. 3. Gouveia will examine the role that immigrants have played, and continue to play, in the social, economic and cultural development of Nebraska and its diverse communities.

Gouveia has authored and co-authored a number of articles aimed at documenting the profound sociodemographic changes and processes of immigrant incorporation occurring in new destination states such as Nebraska. As OLLAS director, she was charged with the task of producing a number of policy-relevant reports, which have been offered as key evidence by Nebraska state senators opposing the passage of draconian bills seeking to restrict immigrant rights.

Gouveia’s current work focuses on the growing exodus of middle-class, highly educated Venezuelans. The work is situated within the contest of increasing global precarity of unskilled and skilled labor alike, and the compounded impacts of Latin America’s failed development and governance modes. The theme for the seventh year of Heuermann Lectures is “Think Globally, Act Locally.” The lectures are funded by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips.

Heuermann Lectures are free and open to the public.  Lectures are streamed live online at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu.



Pork Checkoff’s Asian Trade Mission Offers Insight

With a clearer vision on how to elevate U.S. pork as the global protein of choice, three National Pork Board officers and two members of the senior leadership team have returned from an Asian trade mission. The team representing the Pork Checkoff toured Japan and China from Sept. 5–16, visiting with pork processors, distributors and retailers, as well as importers and traders. Asian team members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) also accompanied the Pork Checkoff crew.

“Pork is the No. 1 most consumed protein in the world, and that was certainly obvious as we toured parts of Japan and China,” said National Pork Board CEO Bill Even. “It is important for us to see firsthand how pork is raised, processed and promoted in Asia. The Asian customer and consumer culture is unique, and we need to understand the global motivation to purchase U.S. pork.”

The U.S. is facing record-breaking pork production in 2017. The Pork Checkoff is committed to growing demand, not only in the U.S., but also among top customers in Asia. In terms of pork volume (pounds), China/Hong Kong and Japan are currently the No. 2 and 3 export customers of the U.S. Combined volume in these areas is 534,953 metric tons (or about 1.18 billion pounds). In terms of pork value (U.S. dollars), Japan is No. 1 and China/Hong Kong is No. 3, with a combined value of nearly $1.6 billion of exports, both according to the most recent (through July) USMEF data.

“Marketing pork comes down to building long-term relationships and having a safe, dependable, high-quality product that is presented well to the buyer,” said Pork Board President Terry O’Neel, a producer from Friend, Nebraska. “Consumers are encouraged to experience U.S. pork through fun events and social activities.”

While in Japan, the trade team were able to see specifically how U.S. pork is marketed, including through USMEF’s current Gochipo (sumptuous pork) campaign. That marketing campaign extols the virtues of high-quality, delicious U.S. pork and the rising value of U.S. pork products.

“My most distinct takeaway as a producer is the vital and versatile role that U.S. pork plays in the Asian diet,” said Pork Board Treasurer Brett Kaysen, a producer from Nunn, Colorado. “No matter the level of retail outlet in Japan – from discount to high-end – U.S. pork is present.”

After spending five days on the ground in Japan, Checkoff leadership traveled to China. While in China, O’Neel and Even presented the U.S. pork production perspective at the annual China Swine Industry Symposium. O’Neel spoke on managing financial, environmental and labor risk in U.S. pork production.

“China is a huge market in terms of volume and opportunity,” said Pork Board Vice President Steve Rommereim, a producer from Alcester, South Dakota. “While China is 98 percent self-sufficient in pork production, we need to further our outreach efforts here. The economic growth and infrastructure development we saw in China is intimidating, to say the least. This level of growth points to a greater dependence on foreign market imports, with price a key buying criteria.”

Kaysen added, “In China, I envision cold pork storage experiencing dramatic growth as the population grows and as the country continues to consume more meat. Our job is to make U.S. pork truly recognized in the meatcase at the retail level in China as much as it is in Japan.”

O’Neel called the Board’s Asia trade mission a great success.

“Our leadership gained a greater understanding of the Asian market by visiting with people in the Japanese and Chinese meat trade,” O’Neel said. “U.S. pork is doing well in Asia, but we can do more to improve. Free trade issues remain both a barrier and a pathway to future U.S. pork export growth.”

Rommereim agreed, saying, “This was an important trip for the officers to make. As the U.S. pork industry expands, our dependence on these markets becomes even more important and valued. Through increasing our level of knowledge, we are better qualified to spend Checkoff dollars wisely to expand exports.”

Including both muscle cuts and variety meat, exports have increased to 27.5 percent of total production in 2017 (up from 25.6 percent last year). Growing that amount is the result of developing Asian customer relationships and working with USMEF and the National Pork Producers Council.



Producing safe food is chief goal for Iowa pig farmers

The men and women who raise hogs in Iowa are celebrating National Pork Month in October and want consumers to know they are firmly committed to the We Care ethical principles of pork production.

This means protecting and promoting animal well-being, humanely producing safe food, safeguarding natural resources, ensuring all production practices protect public health, contributing to a better quality of life in their communities, and providing a safe work environment on the farm.

These six ethical principles were adopted in 2008 and help guide each person who raises hogs in Iowa and across the nation. The purpose of the We Care initiative is to maintain a safe, high-quality pork supply.

"The ethical principles define our values and who we are," says Iowa Pork Producers Association President Curtis Meier of Clarinda. "Consumers can be confident that the pork they eat was raised using the ethical principles."

Pork Month is a celebration of all things pork and farmers want to make sure that today's consumers, many of whom are generations removed from the farm, know how pork is raised today.

"If you eat, you have a connection to a farmer," said Meier. "October Pork Month is an opportunity to reestablish that producer-to-consumer relationship. Our mission is to produce safe, nutritious food in a responsible manner, and we need to share how we do that with consumers."

Pork is the world's most widely eaten meat, representing 42 percent of all meat consumed, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

The top five most popular cuts sold in the United States are center-cut chops, assorted chops, back ribs, blade roasts and center-cut loin roasts, according to Nielsen Perishable Group retail sales data for the 52 weeks ending July 1, 2017. In terms of value, center-cut chops accounted for more than $980 million in sales, assorted chops for $484 million, back ribs for $422 million, blade roasts for $289 million and center-cut loin roasts for $275 million.

"Consumers are putting more pork on their fork," said Meier. "To ensure a flavorful eating experience, we remind consumers to cook pork until the internal temperature reaches between 145 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest."



Yes, Larger Placements, But Let's Dig Deeper in the Report
David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist
Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University

Feedlot placements bucked seasonal trends in July by declining, but rebounded in August according to USDA's Cattle on Feed Report.  Placements were reported up 2.6 percent over a year ago.  The 1.928 million head placed were the most for an August since 2012.  While the average pre-report estimates were for placements to be below a year ago, a 2.6 percent increase was within the range of estimates.  It's also interesting to note that the range of pre-report placement estimates was large, about 16 percentage points, reflecting a lot of uncertainty prior to this report.  That uncertainty reflected regional placement patterns, red ink in recent closeouts, drought in the Northern Plains, but abundant grass likely holding calves in other regions.  All in all, this report was likely a surprise for some market participants.

The distribution of placements by weight was, perhaps, the most interesting part of the report.  All of the increase in placements was in the 800-899 (up 50,000 head) and the 900-999 pound category (up 15,000 head).  That 65,000 head increase in placements was slightly offset by lower placements in the 600-699, 700-799, and 1,000 pound plus categories.

Digging in a little deeper suggests more evidence of cattle numbers pushing on-feed inventories to reflect older seasonal patterns.  It is normal for August placements to exceed those in July.  Most years during this decade that month to month increase has been around 100,000 head.  This year's increase from July was 313,000 head, slightly larger than last year's 307,000 head and the largest July to August increase since 2010.  In the decade of the 2000's it was not uncommon to have over a 400,000 head increase in placements over the July to August period.

Before we all freak out about placements being above the average expectation, a little perspective is in order.  Total placements were 49,000 head above August 2016.  That's not a large number compared to total placements of 1.9 million.  The 65,000 head increase in the heavier categories marketed over a likely 2 month period is about 1,500 head per day, likely early in 2018, with maybe a few in late 2017.  And remember, marketings exceeded placements in August for the first time since 2013, pulling down on-feed inventories.  Feedlot marketings continued at their rapid pace, up 6 percent, which is preventing backed up supplies.

Cattle on feed were reported up 3.6 percent.  It's likely that if a year ago we would have said that cattle on feed would be up about 3.6 percent in mid-late 2017 most would have said "that seems about right."  The on-feed number is not really out of line with longer term trends in cow herd and calf crop estimates.  I think it's also fair to say that USDA's rounding of the placement and on-feed numbers in the report makes the headline numbers seem more alarming.  On-feed up 4 percent seems a lot worse than 3.6 percent.

Fed cattle sold at about $108 this week, up $2 from last week.  It's worth remembering also that current prices reflect the current market.  The cattle on feed report contains information about market affecting supplies that will affect prices some months down the road.  If anything, there is some fundamental market information that would suggest $108 fed cattle might be underpriced.



ASA Steps up Urgency in Search for Answers on Dicamba Damage

As nationwide reports of dicamba-related damage to soybeans and other crops continue to climb, American Soybean Association (ASA) President and Illinois farmer Ron Moore reiterated the association’s commitment to find a solution to the issue:

“This issue isn’t going away—in fact, it’s only getting worse. There are now a reported 2,242 complaints affecting 3.1 million acres of soybeans in 21 of our 30 soybean-growing states, and we expect that number to continue to rise. This is unacceptable, and we are committed to establishing both a cause and a path forward on the dicamba issue, including what actions need to be taken to assure that soybean farmers can use the product safely without damaging their own or their neighbors’ crops.

“We continue to strongly support independent research underway at several land grant universities and coordinated by the national soybean checkoff to find answers. This includes research at the University of Arkansas, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, the University of Kentucky, University of Missouri, Mississippi State University, the University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Tennessee, and University of Wisconsin.

“We need this independent university research as well as other efforts by the national and state soybean checkoffs to determine the root causes of this widespread problem and how to address them, whether that be additional education, application restrictions, or other actions to ensure that low-volatility formulations of dicamba stay on target and don’t damage neighboring crops.

“There is an important good neighbor aspect to consider here as well. While damage may be related to product sprayed over soybeans, the effects have reportedly impacted other adjacent crops, including tree fruit and other specialty crops. As the policy representative for soybean farmers, ASA has a duty to ensure that we are successfully coexisting with other crops, so we take these reports very seriously.

“And, we continue to engage the relevant technology providers to determine what went wrong and how we can move forward. Their cooperation will be key as we try to find answers to questions regarding product performance or volatility, environmental conditions, off-label application or use of older formulations, tank mixing and clean-out, or other causes. It is very important to recognize that we do not yet have all of the data we need to clearly determine the causes of this problem, or the next steps we’ll need to take.

“It is absolutely true that farmers need and want new technologies to help fight resistant weeds, and we are going to support the marketing of those new technologies and new formulations. That need is not blind, however, and we need to ensure that these products can be used by farmers in varied climates and growing regions safely.”



CWT Assists with 1.7 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 9 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 1.296 million pounds (588 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 385,809 pounds (175 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from September through December 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 55.148 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 4.115 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 21 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 601.598 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.



CHS Foundation Strengthens Partnership with the National FFA Organization

The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable contributions from CHS Inc., and  a key National FFA supporter for more than 40 years, recently announced a $3.8 million commitment to the National FFA Organization, growing its support to a platinum sponsorship level.

This investment helps ensure that the National FFA Organization continues to support members as they strive to become a workforce that understands the food and agriculture industry, and develop the leadership skills necessary to pursue careers in agriculture.

“Generous, broad and continued support from the CHS Foundation has an impact on our members and agriculture education teachers at the local, state and national levels,” said Molly Ball, president of the National FFA Foundation. “With an estimated 60,000 jobs opening every year and with 27 percent of those being in agriculture, FFA is working to ensure that our career development events and proficiency award areas align with our students’ evolving interests and emerging challenge areas in food, fiber and natural resources. The continued contributions of the CHS Foundation help us achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture, and supplying the talent pipeline to fill those needs.”

This new commitment provides ongoing support to the diversified crop, environmental and natural resources management proficiencies, the environmental and natural resources management CDE, increased support of teacher education and retention programs through National Teach Ag and CASE institute teacher scholarships. New funding is dedicated to developing cooperative education curriculum and sponsorship of the New Century Farmer program.

“The CHS Foundation is proud to continue our long standing relationship with National FFA that began more than four decades ago,” says Nanci Lilja, CHS Foundation president. “Through our continued support of National FFA and Teach Ag, we are building on our commitment to develop the next generation of ag leaders and ensure ag education teachers have the resources they need to be successful teaching agricultural concepts in the classroom.” 



FB:  Bacon and Chicken Up, OJ Too

Higher retail prices for several foods, including bacon, chicken breast, orange juice, sliced deli ham and flour resulted in a slight increase in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Fall Harvest Marketbasket Survey.

The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $51.13, up $1.43, or about 3 percent, compared to a survey conducted a year ago. Of the 16 items surveyed, 12 increased and four decreased in average price.

Several foods showed significant retail price increases from a year ago, including bacon, chicken breast and orange juice, according to Dr. John Newton, AFBF’s director of market intelligence.

“Bacon was up significantly because of the lower inventory and higher prices of pork bellies. We saw a rally in wholesale bacon prices this summer and fall which is being reflected at the retail level,” Newton said. “Bacon is a sexy food item in restaurants and everywhere else, creating an inventory decline and thus a price increase.”

The following items showed retail price increases from a year ago:
-    bacon, up 19 percent to $5.24 per pound
-    chicken breast, up 9 percent to $3.13 per pound
-    flour, up 7 percent to $2.37 per 5-pound bag
-    orange juice, up 6 percent to $3.46 per half-gallon
-    vegetable oil, up 5 percent to $2.52 for a 32-ounce bottle
-    sliced deli ham, up 3 percent to $5.62 per pound
-    sirloin tip roast, up 3 percent to $5.17 per pound
-    whole milk, up 3 percent to $2.93 per gallon
-    white bread, up 2 percent to $1.61 for a 20-ounce loaf
-    toasted oat cereal, up 1 percent to $2.84 for a 9-ounce box
-    shredded cheddar, up 1 percent to $4.11 per pound
-    apples, up 1 percent to $1.61 per pound

These items showed moderate retail price decreases compared to a year ago:
-    bagged salad, down 16 percent to $2.41 per pound
-    ground chuck, down 3 percent to $3.99 per pound
-    eggs, down 3 percent to $1.44 dozen per dozen
-    potatoes, down 2 percent to $2.68 for a 5-pound bag
   
“Supply and demand for chicken breasts is tight, which is why retail prices are higher,” Newton said. In addition, he said the price increase for orange juice is related to the lower supply of oranges, which could worsen due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey.

Consumers saw a slight decline in egg prices. “Egg supplies are fully rebuilt from what we saw a few years ago and we are seeing egg prices continue to come back to where they were prior to the bird flu a few years ago,” Newton said.

Price checks of alternative milk choices not included in the overall marketbasket survey average revealed the following: 1/2 gallon regular milk, $2.07 and 1/2 gallon organic milk, $4.27.

For many food items, the year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 15.6 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.

Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $51.13 marketbasket would be approximately $8.00.

AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, began conducting informal quarterly marketbasket surveys of retail food price trends in 1989. The series includes a Spring Picnic survey, Summer Cookout survey, Fall Harvest survey and Thanksgiving survey.

According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 81 shoppers in 25 states participated in the latest survey, conducted in September.



New Corn Product Could Open Door to Multiple Future Uses

In a continuing effort to discover new uses for corn, the National Corn Growers Association is proud to announce an investment with QMaxx Products Group to develop a bio-renewable gun oil for use in both the civilian market and potential military applications.

"The National Corn Growers Association recently completed negotiations with QMaxx to provide financial support for military specifications testing of their bio-renewable based cleaning, lubricating, and protecting (CLP) gun oil," said Larry Hoffmann, chairman of NCGA's Corn Productivity and Quality Action Team. "With our support QMaxx will submit a formulation derived from corn sweeteners to the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)."

The QMaxx formulation is designed to meet the high-performance standards required by our military.  In addition, it will meet federal bio-renewable standards and reduce soldiers' exposure to some harmful components.

Hoffmann, a former U.S. Army officer, said "It's exciting to think CLP, a product I used almost daily in the Army, soon may contain the corn I produce every year on the farm." Hoffmann further noted "while we project only a modest increase in additional corn demand from QMaxx's CLP product there are other potential applications of this same corn-derived chemical that have significant market potential."

"QMaxx is pleased to have this opportunity to work with the National Corn Growers Association," said President and CFO Craig Hiddleston. "QMaxx has other initiatives in the works that will utilize similar corn-derived chemicals - we hope to work with the National Corn Growers Association on these initiatives also." 

Since 2010, QMaxx Products Group, a Fenton, Missouri-based company, has been developing, manufacturing and distributing anti-corrosion, water-displacing products for industrial and consumer markets. QMaxx uses state-of-the-art technology to interrupt the rust and corrosion cycle-creating a durable, long-lasting solution for rust prevention. It also has the benefit of being an all-in-one solution that cleans, lubricates, prevents rust and corrosion and protects all metal surfaces. QMaxx gun cleaning oils are popular with gunsmiths, hunters and competitive shooters. For more information on their line of products, please visit: https://www.qmaxxproducts.com/. 



States Will Lose Billions in Tax Revenue to Internet-only Sellers

Unless Congress acts on legislation to promote fair competition between Main Street retailers and internet-only sellers, states will lose more than $211 billion in tax revenue over the next five years, according to new analysis released by the Marketplace Fairness Coalition.

Currently, a legal loophole allows some online retailers to avoid collecting the sales tax due during a transaction. While consumers are still liable for paying what’s owed, few do, which gives online stores a strong advantage over their Main Street competitors.

One of farmers and ranchers’ biggest concerns about the lack of fair competition between brick-and-mortar stores and internet-only sellers is that local governments and schools often try to make up for the lost sales tax revenue by increasing property taxes, a burden that falls heavily on land-based business owners.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is backing two bills, the Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2017 (H.R. 2193) and the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 (S. 976), that would allow states to apply sales tax laws uniformly.

“The businesses that line the streets of our nation’s small and rural towns provide essential goods and services to the farmers and ranchers who work the fields that surround them. But hometown businesses are at a disadvantage when they compete with online-only retailers who don’t have to collect sales taxes. When this disadvantage causes a ‘Main Street’ business to close or scale back, the impact is especially hurtful to already struggling small and rural towns,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a letter to House and Senate lawmakers encouraging them to support the bills.