Wednesday September 20 Ag News

SOIL TEST NOW FOR NEXT YEAR’S PLANTING
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Will you plant some new alfalfa next spring?  How about interseed legumes into pasture?  Production and profits can increase if you soil test and maybe even fertilize yet this fall.

               Alfalfa and other legumes need more nutrients than most other crops we grow.  For example, an average ton of alfalfa hay will contain about 50 pounds of nitrogen, 12 pounds of phosphate, 50 pounds of potash, and 4 pounds of sulfur.

               Fortunately, well-nodulated legume plants get their nitrogen from the air.  All other nutrients must come from fertilizer or the soil.

               Soil tests tell you how much nutrition your soil can provide to your alfalfa and pasture legumes.  Then we can determine how much more fertilizer, if any, should be applied for maximum profits.

               Collect and analyze samples this fall before soils freeze from fields you expect to plant or interseed next year.  In fact, gather a “special” soil sample as well.  Gather one sample from the usual seven or eight inch depth plus another one only a couple inches deep.  This shallow sample will determine if you have an acid surface layer that many growers have been finding recently.  If the pH of your surface layer is below 6, you need lime.  However, it the deeper sample is above 6.2, you need only about half the usual amount.  If possible, apply that lime this fall so it can neutralize that acidity, which will speed seedling establishment next spring.

               If you find out that you need phosphorus or sulfur or potash, they also can be applied this fall or you can wait until planting next spring.

               Alfalfa and pasture legumes can reduce nitrogen costs and boost production and profits.  Soil testing can help.



 Nebraska Youth Beef Symposium

The 14th annual Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium will be held at the Animal Science Complex on UNL's East Campus on November 17-19. This symposium introduces participants to careers and current issues within the beef industry. For more information on this event, visit animalscience.unl.edu/nebraska-youth-beef-leadership-symposium. Registration is due October 6th.

If you're selected to participate, there is a $75 registration fee. This covers the cost of hotel, meals, and materials.



 Agricultural Education Teachers Receive Awards

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is working to keep agricultural educators in Nebraska classrooms by awarding 16 Nebraska agricultural education teachers $14,750 toward their student loans.

“All 16 teachers show a continued commitment to teaching agriculture in Nebraska,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We’re very proud to be a part of supporting those who have a strong passion to teach agriculture, and we’re seeing that payoff as the number of schools that offer agriculture education and FFA here in Nebraska continues to grow,” she continued.

Recipients are all agricultural education teachers in their first through fifth year of teaching. Teachers are eligible for increasing awards each year. As the teachers’ impact grows in the classroom, in their FFA chapters, and in their communities each year, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation aims to recognize and support their contributions.

The 16 recipients of the scholarships are Evey Choat, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School; Reed Kraeger, Elwood Public Schools; Miranda Paitz, Cambridge Public School; Kathleen Cullinan, Kearney High School; Hannah Horak, Shelton Public School; Lacey Peterson, Riverside Public School; Tyler Schindler, Omaha Bryan High School; Wade Overturf, Wisner-Pilger Jr./Sr. High School; Nicole D’Angelo, Seward Public School; Shauna Roberson, Garden County Schools; Morgan Schwartz, Stanton High School; Victoria Armstrong, Maywood Public School; Jesse Bower, Sutton Public School; Justin Nollette, Sandhills Public School; Casey Carriker, Raymond Central Public School; Samantha Jensen, Bertrand-Loomis Public School.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION SEEKS FARM, RANCH SUCCESSION PLAN SURVEY PARTICIPANTS

Nebraska Extension is encouraging the state’s farmers and ranchers to complete a survey regarding their farm or ranch succession plans. The survey seeks to uncover how Nebraska farmers and ranchers are planning for succession or retirement, and how retirement would be financed.

The data collected will be used to design educational materials, website and meetings specific to Nebraska producers.

Allan Vyhnalek, farm succession extension educator; Dave Aiken, agricultural law specialist; and Kate Brooks, assistant professor, in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are the conducting the survey.

Vyhnalek, recently relocated to the department from Platte County Extension. He will provide succession planning support and education to Nebraska’s farms and ranches. Vyhnalek hopes to use the survey data collected to plan educational efforts.

“We hope that Nebraska farmers and ranchers understand the need to participate in the survey so we have correct information. We want to be able to design materials and educational outreach that fit the needs of Nebraskans,” Vyhnalek said.

The survey can be completed online at http://go.unl.edu/succession. The survey will take between 5 to 10 minutes to complete and participants must be 19 years or older to participate. 

For more information or assistance, please contact Vyhnalek at 402-472-1771 or avyhnalek2@unl.edu.



Agrisure Duracade® Import Approval Gives Rob-See-Co™ Seed Customers Greater Options

China’s grain import approval on July 17, 2017 of the Agrisure Duracade® corn rootworm trait will open many more grain marketing options to U.S. corn producers. Hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait are available through Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Waterloo, NE.

Rob-See-Co has been offering Agrisure Duracade-traited seed corn since 2014, but prior to this approval, the grain produced could only be used by growers as livestock feed on their own farms or delivered to a designated, approved dairy, feedlot or feed mill. With the import approval by China, farmers will now have more choices and outlets for their grain during the 2018 growing season and beyond.

"Agrisure Duracade is highly effective in controlling corn rootworm and offers farmers a choice compared to what’s available today, not only in terms of a new mode of action, but also as a different technology provider," said Rob Robinson, CEO of Rob-See-Co.

Rob-See-Co corn hybrids containing the Agrisure Duracade trait deliver dual mode of action control for both above- and below-ground insect pests, and feature a unique mode of action that provides a higher level of corn rootworm control to help growers achieve healthier crops for greater yields. A study conducted by Dr. Bruce Hibbard at the University of Missouri showed a 99.7 percent reduction in adult corn rootworm beetle emergence by using Agrisure Duracade, a highly significant improvement over a single mode of action rootworm trait.

Rootworms are known as the “billion dollar bug,” costing farmers more than $1 billion annually in lost yields and insect control costs. In addition, biological shifts that reduce effectiveness of current control methods are forcing farmers to change their approach to managing this insect. For the greatest efficacy and to minimize resistance, farmers should deploy a comprehensive protection plan against corn rootworm.  This should include crop rotation, using the dual mode-of-action Agrisure Duracade trait stack and adding a soil insecticide in cases of expected heavy pressure. Use of a beetle spray program to reduce adult populations during the prior year, followed by planting an Agrisure Duracade hybrid, is also an effective program.

With the recent grain import approval by China, Rob-See-Co customers will now have a greater choice in the number of hybrids available with Agrisure Duracade, as well as expanded marketing opportunities for the grain they produce. All hybrids with the Agrisure Duracade trait stack are also E-Z Refuge, which means growers have the simplicity and convenience of a 5% integrated refuge in the bag.

“Agrisure Duracade is the best trait on the market to fight corn rootworm,” said Eric Ford, head of product management.  “Farmers need every tool at their disposal to battle this difficult pest, and we are excited to provide our customers with Agrisure Duracade options at an even greater level than before.”



 Studies Show Ethanol Crop Residues Provide A Billion-Dollar Business Opportunity

Two new studies show that generating energy from ethanol industry byproducts can fuel a billion-dollar business opportunity for the farm economy.  Reports from the studies are available at http://trestleenergy.com/economic-analysis.

Iowa-based Regional Strategic, Ltd. examined the economic impact of collecting, processing, and delivering corn stover byproducts of ethanol – the stalks, leaves, and stems of corn plants – for use in generating electricity. The stover is compressed into biomass pellets that can be burned like coal in existing power plants, reducing CO2 emissions and increasing renewable energy supplies. This is similar to the use of wood pellets in European power plants.

The studies reveal that with modest infrastructure investments, building even a single pellet facility can deliver large quantifiable economic benefits across farm economies. Developing a broader industry around corn stover represents a multi-billion dollar opportunity.

For farmers, harvesting stover means reaping more value from their crops. For electric utilities, burning biomass pellets provides low-cost emissions reductions and renewable energy from existing facilities without the intermittency challenges of wind and solar.  For ethanol-producing states, expanding bioenergy capacity delivers significant economic benefits, including an increase in jobs, economic output, and state GDP.

The studies, commissioned by Larksen LLC, Trestle Energy's affiliate for biomass supply, focus on Nebraska and Iowa, two leaders in U.S. ethanol production, with an eye toward how building out a new biomass industry would impact the economies of these states. Nebraska's ethanol industry produces roughly 8.32 million tons of harvestable corn stover annually, and Iowa's industry produces around 15.6 million tons. Utilizing this stover to reduce carbon emissions elsewhere in the economy reduces the overall carbon footprint of ethanol – increasing the value of that ethanol in jurisdictions with Low Carbon Fuel Standards or Clean Fuel Standards ("LCFS/CFS"). This increased value helps farmers earn extra profits from their stover and fuels a new economic engine for agricultural states.

The economic impacts show that building a corn stover industry to complement ethanol production in Iowa could deliver over $1 billion in additional labor income and contribute $2 billion to Iowa's GDP by 2030. In neighboring Nebraska, the analysis shows the potential to generate $840 million in labor income and $1.5 billion in GDP over the same period. This can be achieved using mature technologies.  What is required is modest infrastructure investments to enable coal-fired power plants to blend biomass into their fuel mix. Agricultural states can start reaping the benefits today by enabling infrastructure investments that open the door for this billion-dollar business opportunity.



NCGA Supports Funding Increase for MAP, FMD Programs

The National Corn Growers Association praised the introduction today of the CREAATE Act, a bill to increase investment in two federal programs with a proven track record of building global demand for U.S. agricultural products.

The bipartisan bill, introduced by Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Joe Donnelly (D-Indiana), and Susan Collins (R-Maine), would increase investment in the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD). A companion bill was introduced in the House earlier this year.

MAP and FMD are public-private partnerships that promote U.S. agriculture. Together, they are responsible for 15 percent of U.S. agricultural export revenue—$309 billion since 1977.

“MAP and FMD are critical programs for building and expanding global markets for American agricultural exports. We must increase investment in these programs,” said Wesley Spurlock, a Texas farmer and president of NCGA.

“These programs deliver a strong return on investment. Every $1 invested in MAP and FMD generates $28 in exports—that means more American jobs, and more money coming into our communities. Now more than ever, we need to invest in export and market development programs like these to build global demand and help farmers’ bottom lines,” said Spurlock.

Funding for MAP and FMD has not kept pace with inflation, administrative costs, the growth of the global marketplace, or the investments other countries have made in their own export promotion. The FMD program is also under threat to lose its baseline funding when the farm bill expires in 2018.

The CREAATE Act would gradually increase MAP funding from $200 million to $400 million per year and FMD funding from $34.5 million to $69 million per year, over the next five years.

“Thank you to Senator King, Senator Ernst, Senator Donnelly, and Senator Collins for leading the effort to strengthen the MAP and FMD programs. These programs have already been successful, but with increased investment, they can help even more American farmers and ranchers compete around the world,” said Spurlock.



ASA Supports CREAATE Act in Senate

American Soybean Association (ASA) Vice President John Heisdorffer signaled the association’s strong support today for legislation that would double the funding for the Foreign Market Development program and the Market Access Programs, two federal cost-share efforts at the core of the soybean industry’s overseas market development work. Heisdorffer, who farms in Keota, Iowa, welcomed the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, introduced by his home state senator Joni Ernst, along with Sens. Angus King (I-Maine) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.). The Senate version of the CREAATE Act accompanies similar legislation introduced in May by Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).

“MAP and FMD are two of the real success stories when it comes to partnerships between American farmers and the federal government. We work together with the U.S. Soybean Export Council to leverage MAP and FMD funds to establish and expand markets for American soy in all corners of the globe, and the CREAATE Act will go a long way to ensuring that good work can and will continue.

“These are programs that yield exponential benefits for farmers and for our economy, generating almost $30 in net return for every dollar invested. Those dollars have gone to expanding overseas demand in the fields of animal agriculture, cooking oils, and the emerging field of aquaculture, which will be key as our industry works to provide protein to a growing global population in places like Southeast Asia and Latin America.

“We applaud Sens. King, Ernst and Donnelly for introducing the CREAATE Act in the Senate, and we take the time to again thank Reps. Newhouse and Pingree for their version in the House. We hope that leadership in both chambers will commit to moving this important legislation forward as quickly as possible.”



Senators Introduce Legislation Strengthening Trade Programs for the Wheat Industry

Today, Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) introduced the “Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act” which will increase the funding for the Foreign Market Development Program from $34.5 million to $69 million annually and the Market Access Program from $200 million to $400 million. On May 03, 2017, Congressmen Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the companion bill, CREAATE Act (HR 2321), in the House.

NAWG CEO Chandler Goule made the following statement:

“With the United States exporting 50% of its wheat, a strong trade agenda is essential for growing and opening new markets for wheat growers abroad.

“The Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program have proven to have excellent return on investment and increase the global demand for wheat while raising farm income here at home.

“These programs provide the U.S. agricultural community with the tools needed to retain its edge in an increasingly competitive global economy.

“NAWG commends Senators King, Ernst, and Donnelly for working across party lines to introduce the CREAATE Act which will help American farmers create, expand, and maintain access to foreign markets.”



EIA: Ethanol Stocks Flat

 The Energy Information Administration's weekly supply report released Wednesday, Sept. 20, showed total ethanol inventory was unchanged for the third straight week while both plant production and blending demand declined during the week-ended Sept. 15.

The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed fuel ethanol stocks were steady at 21.1 million barrels (bbl) while posting a 1.1 million bbl, or 5.5%, year-on-year surplus.

Domestic plant production fell 14,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.3%, to 1.033 million bpd during the week reviewed, while up 51,000 bpd, or 5.3%, year-on-year. For the four weeks ended last week, fuel ethanol production averaged 1.045 million bpd, up 43,000 bpd or 4.3%.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, decreased 3,000 bpd to 898,000 bpd, while down 22,000 bpd, or 2.4%, year-on-year. For the four-week period ended Sept. 15, blending demand is down 7,000 bpd. or 0.8%.

The report also showed gasoline demand declined 178,000 bpd to 9.441 million bpd during the week-ended Sept. 15, down 2.2% versus the same week in 2016. Over the last four weeks, gasoline product supplied averaged over 9.517 million bpd, down 0.2% from a year ago.



America's Farmers Grow Communities Enrollment Now Open

Nonprofit organizations help rural communities thrive, and farmers across the U.S. have an opportunity to help these organizations. Through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, farmers can enroll for a chance to direct a $2,500 donation to a local eligible nonprofit organization.

New this year, all farmers are now eligible to enroll in the program, if they meet the requirement of being 21 years old and actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres or more. The Grow Communities program will award more than $3 million to nonprofits in rural America in 2018.

These funds are used to provide support to a variety of rural nonprofit organizations that reflect the makeup and character of their local communities, including food banks, emergency response organizations, youth agriculture programs and many others. Since the program began in 2010, the Grow Communities program has awarded more than $26 million in donations.

Randy & Linda Bialas, a 2017 winning farmer from Phelps County directed the donation to the Holdrege FFA Chapter. The chapter will use the funds for leadership and chapter development opportunities for chapter officers and members to attend COLT Conference, Washington Leadership Conference, a chapter retreat and Youth Farm Safety camp this fall.

Jeff Moore, Holdrege FFA Chapter Advisor, said to KRVN, “This grant will allow our chapter members to develop leadership skills through various programs and provide an educational opportunity for Phelps County Youth.  Monsanto’s continued support of this funding is valuable to developing young leaders in the field of agriculture locally and across the nation.”

Through the years, we have seen this program impact countless local communities, and we are proud to partner with farmers on this initiative to continue supporting nonprofit organizations important to them,” said Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Because of farmers’ commitment to the Grow Communities program, their donations have provided vital support to organizations that make a lasting impact in local communities throughout the U.S.”

Farmers can easily enroll in the Grow Communities program from now to Nov. 1, 2017. Online enrollment, as well as a complete list of program rules and eligibility information, can be found at www.GrowCommunities.com or by calling 1-877-267-3332 toll-free. 



Bayer Now Expects Monsanto Deal to Close in Early 2018

Bayer AG on Tuesday said that it submitted an application on Monday to extend the European Commission review deadline for its planned acquisition of Monsanto and that it now expects the deal to close in early 2018.

Bayer said that it requested the extension in order to facilitate "an appropriate evaluation given the size of the transaction," reports Dow Jones news.

In late June, Bayer filed a submission to obtain antitrust approval for the deal from the European Commission. The European Commission initiated an in-depth investigation into the deal on Aug. 22.

Bayer's application on Monday requested a ten-working-day extension of the review deadline to Jan. 22, 2018.



ASI Accepting Nominations for Annual Awards

"We have brilliant and dedicated people and organizations in the sheep business that do impressive things with sheep production or lamb and wool processing and marketing," said ASI President Mike Corn. "We wanted to test the interest in a new award that would recognize innovations in the sheep business. ASI awards have traditionally recognized service and media coverage associated with the organization, so this Industry Innovation Award is an exciting addition."

Nominations for the accolade - as well as ASI's traditional awards - are now open. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 13.

The Industry Innovation Award will recognize the accomplishments of an individual or organization that improves the American sheep industry in a game-changing way, regardless of whether its impact is felt at the regional, state or national level.

There are four other awards also open for nominations: The McClure Silver Ram Award, the Camptender Award, the Distinguished Producer Award and the Shepherd's Voice Award.

The McClure Silver Ram Award is dedicated to volunteer commitment and service and is presented to a sheep producer who has made substantial contributions to the sheep industry and its organizations in his/her state, region or nation. The award may recognize a lifetime of achievement or may recognize a noteworthy, shorter-term commitment and service to the industry.

Nominees should be recognized as industry leaders with nominations spelling out the candidates' contributions to the industry and its producers. Producers should be actively involved in sheep production and may or may not produce sheep as their sole income. However, their nominations should not be based in any part on a paid position serving the sheep industry.

The Camptender Award recognizes industry contributions from a professional in a position or field related to sheep production. Nominees should show a strong commitment and a significant contribution to the sheep industry, its organizations and its producers above and beyond what is called for in his/her professional capacity. Nominees should be well respected in their fields by their peers and by sheep producers.

Nominees may be involved with the industry as teachers, consultants, scientists, youth leaders, promoters, event managers, journalists or any other position directly related to the sheep industry, enabling the nominee to affect the sheep industry in a positive and long-lasting way. Nominees may be recognized for lifetime service to the sheep industry or may be recognized for a shorter-term commitment that resulted in significant benefits for the sheep industry.

The Distinguished Producer Award was launched in 2014 to recognize the 150th anniversary of the national organization - the oldest livestock association in the country. This award is a way to recognize an individual who has had a significant long-term impact on the industry, including involvement with the National Wool Growers Association or American Sheep Producers Council, the predecessor organizations to ASI.

The Shepherd's Voice Award for Media recognizes outstanding year-long coverage of the sheep industry by either print or broadcast outlets. The award excludes all publications and affiliates related solely to the sheep industry, allowing for recognition of outlets with general coverage for excellence in covering sheep industry issues.

Nominations may be publications, networks or specific reporters exhibiting a strong commitment to balanced reporting and consistent coverage of the sheep industry locally, statewide and/or nationally.

Nominations must be submitted to the ASI national headquarters by Nov. 13, and past recipients of these awards are not eligible. Awards will be presented at the ASI Annual Convention, Jan. 31-Feb. 3 in San Antonio. To receive an application, call or email: 303-771-3500 or info@sheepusa.org. The one-page nomination form can also be downloaded at http://sheepusa.org/ResearchEducation_Awards#a.



NFU President Joins Advisory Board of New Energy America

In a move to further National Farmers Union’s (NFU) commitment to promoting American grown, renewable energy sources, NFU President Roger Johnson today joined the advisory board of New Energy America, a new organization created to promote clean energy jobs in rural America.

Johnson and NFU will support New Energy America’s engagement with communities and lawmakers in rural America to demonstrate how policies that support the deployment of clean energy create jobs in rural America.  While the fossil fuel industry enjoys support from the politicians elected in these states, the data is clear that policies that support reducing emissions are creating good jobs in rural America.

“National Farmers Union members have long been staunch supporters of clean, renewable energy, especially when that energy development puts folks to work on the farm and in rural communities,” said Johnson. “I’m eager to work with my colleagues at New Energy America to ensure the success of the America renewable energy sector for the benefit of American family farmers, ranchers, and their rural communities.”

As part of its launch today, New Energy America released the first Fifty State Clean Energy Jobs Report, which contains a detailed analysis of clean energy jobs in each of the 50 states. The report shows that clean energy jobs outpace fossil energy jobs in 41 states.

“Too often the debate in Washington misses the fact that what is good for clean energy is good for rural America.  We will no longer let politicians off the hook,” said Mike Carr, Executive Director of New Energy America.  “New Energy America will make sure that rural America knows that clean energy policies are creating jobs in their communities.”

The 2017 Fifty State Clean Energy Jobs Report, and more information about New Energy America, can be found at www.newenergyamerica.org.