Wednesday November 15 Ag News - EPA Update on Reporting Air Emissions from Livestock operations

EPA UPDATE: New Email Option for Reporting Air Releases of Hazardous Substances from Animal Waste at Farms

Due to the potential for large call volumes to the National Response Center (NRC) related to new air release reporting requirements, the center has established a temporary email option for initial continuous release notifications from farm operators.

Rather than calling the NRC, farm owners/operators may now elect to notify the center by email at NRC-CERCLA-EPCRA-REPORT@uscg.mil.  This expedited option will allow one email notification for owners/operators with multiple farms.

From the EPA.gov web site
"Farms with continuous releases do not have to submit their initial continuous release notification until the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issues its order, or mandate, enforcing the Court’s opinion of April 11, 2017.  No reporting is necessary until the mandate is issued.

"EPA will update this website once the mandate is issued and as new information becomes available.

"To expedite your initial continuous release notification to the National Response Center, you may use the temporary email option. This option avoids potential large call volumes and delays. It allows one email notification for owners/operators with multiple farms."

Additional details and instructions regarding the reporting requirement, to include the new e-mail option, can be found at: https://www.epa.gov/epcra/cercla-and-epcra-reporting-requirements-air-releases-hazardous-substances-animal-waste-farms#step1. 



Cuming County Farm Service Agency Reminds Producers of Grain Loan Requirements, Urges Timely Visit to Office for 2017 Assistance
 
Farmers who may be considering a Marketing Assistance Loan to assist with farm financing for 2017 should stop into the Cuming County Farm Service Agency (FSA) office as soon as possible to begin the application process.

Cuming County FSA Executive Director Sarah Beck said Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) provide producers with interim financing after harvest to help them meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are typically at harvest-time lows.

“With Nebraska’s large corn and soybean harvests this year, we know a great deal of grain went into storage,” Beck said. “Marketing Assistance Loans offer short-term financing at a reasonable interest rate. It can be a useful tool to meet immediate financing needs and income balancing goals.”

MALs are available for feed grains, soybeans and other oilseeds, wheat, pulse crops, wool, honey and other commodities. The loan rates for key commodities in Cuming County are $1.90/bushel for corn, $4.86/bushel for soybeans and $3.16/cwt (hundred weight) for grain sorghum. The November MAL interest rate is 2.375 percent.

“For Cuming County FSA to best serve those interested in marketing assistance loans for the current calendar year, producers should schedule a loan appointment prior to December 15, 2017,” Beck said. “That should allow us appropriate time to process the loan by December 31, 2017.”

To be eligible for a MAL, producers must have a beneficial interest in the commodity. They also must comply with conservation and wetland protection requirements, submit an acreage report to account for all cropland on the farm and meet adjusted gross income limitations. There are additional requirements and actions that need to be taken before a loan can be processed. Beck encouraged producers to call (402) 372-2451, Ext. 2 to schedule an appointment and to learn what information they should bring to the appointment.



2017 NeFB Silver Eagle Award Honors Merlyn Carlson

Nebraska Farm Bureau has selected former Nebraska Director of Agriculture Merlyn Carlson as the 2017 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. The award will be presented to Carlson on Dec. 5 at the 2017 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Kearney.

Merlyn Carlson and his wife Janice raised their family on their ranch near Lodgepole, where they raised cattle. Carlson has made a tremendous impact on Nebraska agriculture and has held a long list of national positions in agriculture. In 1999, Carlson was appointed Director of Agriculture for the State of Nebraska, where he served as an advocate for Nebraska agriculture, promoting agricultural products in both domestic and foreign markets.

Carlson left his post with the state in 2005 to work alongside then Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns at the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA). He served as an Under Secretary for the Natural Resources Conservation Service from 2005-2007.

“Merlyn presided over the state department during one of the worst droughts in Nebraska history and the mad cow case that resulted in U.S. beef being banned in many countries. He left his mark by increasing value-added agricultural opportunities, improving trade relations, and dealing with weather concerns. While at the USDA he focused on conservation efforts, especially related to crafting the 2007 farm bill,” Steve Nelson, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau said Nov. 15.

Carlson has also served on the Board of Governors of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, was chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the National Cattlemen Association, and served on the USDA Animal Disease Committee. He has held key positions in many Nebraska agriculture organizations as well. Some of his past work includes chairmanship of the Nebraska Beef Council and president of the Nebraska Stock Growers Association.

He also worked in the political arena both at the state and national campaign levels, for Presidents George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, Congresswoman Virginia Smith, Senator Chuck Hagel, and Governors Charles Thone, Kay Orr, and Mike Johanns.

“Merlyn has not just been a friend of agriculture as a tireless advocate, but he is a friend of many who make their living within agriculture. His years of accomplishment make him more than qualified for receiving Nebraska Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. We thank him for his service to the farmers and ranchers of Nebraska agriculture,” Nelson said.

Today, the Carlson’s are partially retired and living in Sun City West, Arizona.



I-29 Moo University 2018 Winter Workshop Series Set

The I-29 Moo University collaboration will be offering their Winter Workshop Series Jan 8-12. They encourage all dairy producers, students, stakeholders and industry personnel to attend.

The series focus is From Field to Bunk: Growing and Feeding Dairy Quality Forages. The workshop series will take place in five locations including: Mandan, N.D.; Watertown, S.D.; Pipestone, Minn.; Orange City, Iowa and Norfolk, Neb.

Register by Dec. 29. Registration is $50 per person and $25 for students. Late registration is late $65 and $30 for students. Late registration fees begin Dec. 30.

Workshop series details are:
- North Dakota workshop will be held Jan. 8 in Mandan at the Baymont Inn & Suites (2611 Old Red Trail Northwest)
- South Dakota workshop will be held Jan. 9 in Watertown at the Codington County Extension Complex (Kitchen Mtg. Room) (1910 West Kemp Ave.);
- Minnesota workshop will be held Jan. 10 in Pipestone at the Pipestone Veterinary Services (1801 Forman Dr.);
- Iowa workshop will be held Jan. 11 in Orange City at the Sioux County Extension Office (400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700); and
- Nebraska workshop will be held Jan. 12 in Norfolk at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College (NECC), (601 East Benjamin Ave.) . Learning Objectives: To improve the sustainability of the dairy production system.

Attendees can expect the following:
- Learn to incorporate cover crops and new forage genetic lines into the forage production system for dairies.
- Producers will increase their understanding of forages and cover crops in dairy rations.
- Improve dairy and labor management skills in the areas of feeding management and safety protocols.

Workshop agenda presenters include:
- New Forage Genetic Lines and how they Impact the Dairy Industry - Bruce Anderson, Professor of Agronomy, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
- Cover Crops - incorporating them into your Forage Production System - Sara Berg, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist
- Incorporating Cover Crops into Dairy Rations - James C. Paulson, Associate Professor Forage Specialist and Nutritionist
- Silage Pile Safety training for you & your employees - Keith Bolsen, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University, "The Silage Man," Nationally known speaker in silage production and safety practices.
- Evaluating Dairy Diets from the Nutritionist, to the Employee, to the Cow.- Co-presented - Fernando Diaz, DVM, PhD - Dairy Nutrition and Management Consultant - Rosecrans Dairy Consulting & Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist

For more information, contact the I-29 Moo University Winter Workshop: From Field to Bunk, Program Committee Chairs; Tracey Erickson, SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist by email or 605-882-5140; or Kimberly J. Clark, UNL Extension Dairy Educator by email or 402.472.6065.



NEBRASKA STUDENTS TO TRAVEL TO TAIWAN AS PART OF NDA STUDENT EXCHANGE

Two Nebraska high school seniors are traveling to Taiwan next week to represent the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) as part of a student exchange program. Selected by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), the students will learn about Taiwan’s agricultural industry and how Nebraska ag exports benefit Nebraska and Taiwan.

“This long-standing student exchange program helps students understand the importance of the international marketplace,” said NDA Interim Director Mat Habrock. “The students have the unique opportunity to experience the agriculture, technology and culture of a different country and learn firsthand how Nebraska ag impacts foreign markets.”

For the past 14 years, as part of this exchange program, students from an ag high school in Taiwan have visited Nebraska to attend the annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute, a week-long summer program coordinated by NDA. In return, NDA chooses NAYI delegates to travel to Taiwan.

This year the students will leave for Taiwan on Nov. 19 and will return to Nebraska on Nov. 24 While in Taiwan, the students will be staying at the Taichung Senior High School of Agriculture and Technology.

Their visit will include touring the campus, interacting with Taiwanese students, participating in presentations, and visiting local farms and agricultural research institutes. Students also will have the opportunity to do some sightseeing.

The two students going to Taiwan this year are:
·         Wyatt Hubbard from Elm Creek. Wyatt is a senior at Elm Creek High School and is the son of Neal and Tracy Hubbard; and
·         Hal Moomey from Kearney. Hal is a senior at Kearney High School and is the son of Travis and Dori Moomey.

The trip is coordinated by NDA and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Denver and is sponsored by the Nebraska Farm Bureau and TECO.

The students going to Taiwan will share their experiences from their trip at the 2018 Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute this summer in Lincoln.



TENTH ANNUAL NEBRASKA WIND & SOLAR CONFERENCE: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR

The Nebraska Wind & Solar Conference & Exhibition recently concluded its tenth annual event, November 13-14, 2017 at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln, NE. This year’s conference attracted over 325 attendees, 28 exhibitors, and featured 38 speakers from the wind and solar industries. Individuals came from across the country to participate in 18 general session and workshop presentations that shared the latest and best information on wind and solar energy development. A diverse set of stakeholders that included private sector developers, public officials, landowners, environmental interests, wildlife interests, public utilities, as well as the public at large attended.

Conference attendees were welcomed on Monday by Mayor Chris Beutler, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, and Nebraska Energy Director, David Bracht, who provided an update on the status of wind and solar development in Nebraska. Keynote speaker, Tom Kiernan, CEO of American Wind Energy Association, opened up the general sessions with an overview of the “State of the National Wind Industry” and state senators provided a policy and legislative update just before lunch.

Noon luncheon speakers were executives of the three largest Nebraska public utilities—LES, OPPD, and NPPD. Monday afternoon consisted of breakout sessions featuring first-hand experience from Nebraska’s wind project landowners, an update on the R Project from Tom Kent of NPPD, solar and battery storage, and how to balance community concerns. George Ashton of Sol Systems, Adam Cohen of Ranger Power, Tom Green of SoCore, and Mike Kruger of SEPA provided conference attendees with four national perspectives on the “State of the National Solar Industry.”

Steve Noe from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) kicked off Tuesday morning with discussion surrounding TVA’s renewable energy projects. The breakouts that followed included an update on Nebraska’s first wind decommissioning project and insight into renewable energy development by local public power.

The Tuesday luncheon featured Paul Clements of Facebook and Tim O’Brien of OPPD discussing their partnership and what corporate companies look for when it comes to renewable energy procurement. David Gardiner added a national perspective to the discussion. The conference wrapped up with discussions pertaining to wind impacts on Nebraska and Southwest Power Pool and how to navigate wildlife and regulatory pathways with state and federal officials.

Conference Co-Chairman, John Hansen, commented “It was an outstanding conference. Attitude was positive and the information provided was great. This reflects the enormous progress and momentum we have as we continue to grow in the future”.

Conference presentations will be posted on the Nebraska Energy Office website within the next few weeks.



Iowa Soybean Association disputes pending ‘carcinogenic’ glyphosate label
Kirk Leeds, Iowa Soybean Association CEO

“The Iowa Soybean Association board of directors unanimously approved joining as a co-plaintiff in the legal challenge to California’s Proposition 65 and the listing of glyphosate as a carcinogen. The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) arbitrary determination that glyphosate negatively impacts consumers and food producers sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the continued availability of other valuable food production tools.

“The unreasonable listing by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of glyphosate as a carcinogen as compelled by Prop 65 violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution because it compels the plaintiffs in the case to make false, misleading and highly controversial statements about their products. Should labeling proceed, the ripple effect could mean environmental concerns, increased production costs — to be passed along to the consumer — and a threat to the viability of the state and country’s soybean crop given intensified weed pressures. This could be a devastating blow to Iowa soybean farmers and an industry valued at more than $5 billion.

“Glyphosate is one of the safest herbicides ever developed and has been rigorously tested by the U.S. government for decades, continually passing as non-carcinogenic. The determination by IARC, a France-based, non-scientific organization, that glyphosate is ‘probably carcinogenic’ counters the conclusion of every global regulator that has examined the issue over the past 40 years. Not only does the scientific community disagree with IARC’s findings, the organization’s internal process for reviewing glyphosate — along with other ‘possible’ or ‘probable carcinogens’ like French fries and coffee — has also been roundly criticized.

“The Iowa Soybean Association is proud to join other plaintiffs, including the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, in defending farmers, science and a safe and abundant food supply.”



Agriculture Coalition Takes Action Against California’s Flawed Classification of Environmentally-Safe Herbicide

Agriculture groups from across the country today joined forces to file a lawsuit in federal court against the State of California for ignoring science and conclusions from regulatory bodies around the world in a fundamentally flawed regulatory classification of Glyphosate, an environmentally-safe and widely-used herbicide. The coalition’s case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.

“The unified voice of this diverse coalition of agriculture and business groups illustrates the devastating impact California’s flawed action would have across the country,” said Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, the lead plaintiff in the case.  “California’s erroneous warning about glyphosate is unconstitutional and would result in higher food costs, crushing blows to state and agricultural economies and lost revenue up and down the entire supply chain."

Fellow agricultural association plaintiffs in the case include Associated Industries of Missouri, the Iowa Soybean Association, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri Farm Bureau, the National Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association and the United States Durum Growers Association.cleardot

At issue is California’s July action ignoring their own scientific reviews, as well as studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and every other leading regulatory body around the world and falsely classifying the environmentally-benign herbicide as a probable carcinogen.” This erroneous warning is based entirely on a highly-controversial and deeply flawed finding by a non-regulatory, French-based foreign body called IARC.

As a result of California’s Prop 65 false warning, manufacturers of products containing glyphosate, or residues thereof, sold in California will need to affix a false and misleading warning label to their products. This violates the First Amendment, which protects individuals and businesses from compelled false speech. As a result, farmers, manufactures and distributors of products that are legally permitted under strictly enforced federal regulations, would have to place a warning label on those products they know to be false.



Cover Crop Workshop Planned for Dec. 6 near Carroll

Iowa Learning Farms, along with Elk Run Watershed and Practical Farmers of Iowa, will host a cover crop workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The 12-2 p.m. field day will be held in the Wapiti Room at the Swan Lake Conservation Education Center near Carroll. The event is free and open to the public and includes a complimentary meal.

The event will feature local cover crop farmers including Bill Frederick, Greene County, and Mark Thompson, Webster County. They will discuss how they have incorporated cover crops into their farming operations, tips for success and suggestions for overcoming challenges. Frederick will share his experiences with grazing cover crops and Thompson will provide a professional farm manager perspective to the discussion. Also speaking at the field day is Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms event coordinator. She will share results from on-farm cover crop research projects and ideas for maximizing cover crop benefits. Diane Ercse will provide an update on the Elk Run Watershed project and provide ways to get involved.

The field day will be held in the Wapiti Room at Swan Lake Conservation Education Center, 22676 Swawn Lake Drive, Carroll. The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.

For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the website: http://www.iowalearningfarms.org.

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation, encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms are the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319), and Conservation Districts of Iowa.

Elk Run Watershed Project is a partnership of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Clean Water Iowa, and Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance.



USRSB Unveils Sustainability Tools for the Beef Community

The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) today announced the release of USRSB Sustainability Metrics, the latest tool helping those who raise, buy, and sell beef understand ways to balance and improve their environmental impact, social responsibility, and financial bottom line.

“The USRSB Sustainability Metrics are a result of two years of work from the entire beef community and I am proud of the results,” said Nancy Labbe of World Wildlife Fund, a member of the USRSB. “I believe these metrics are where we need to start. They address areas that are truly important in the beef sustainability conversation.”

As part of volunteer leadership, Labbe helped guide over 100 members as they developed USRSB Sustainability Metrics, a process that allowed each sector of the beef value chain to oversee their own metric development while receiving feedback from all members.

In 2016 the USRSB released High Priority Indicators to address areas of sustainability most important to the beef industry. USRSB Sustainability Metrics accompany High Priority Indicators and will serve as a self-assessment tool to aid the beef community as they examine their sustainability footprint and share their personal story.

Steve Wooten, a rancher from Colorado, shared out how the USRSB Sustainability Metrics overcame segmentation challenges within the beef industry. 

“When you bring together such a diverse group of stakeholders, you have to work out loud and listen to the conversation. This is how we landed on metrics that speak to areas I care about as a producer, and thoughtfully address needs of a successful operation.” said Wooten.

The USRSB hopes this tool will move the curve for beef sustainability ensuring the industry continues to be a global leader in beef sustainability. To learn more about the USRSB and explore the USRSB Indicator and Metric Summary visit www.USRSB.org.



October Soybean Crush Beats Expectations

US soybean processors crushed more oilseed than expected in October, just short of last year's monthly record. The National Oilseed Processors Association says members crushed 164.2M bushels last month, according to traders, up from 136.4M in September but below 164.6M a year earlier. October soyoil stocks fell to 1.224B pounds from 1.302B a month earlier. That was also below last year. CBOT January soybean futures rise 0.6% to $9.73 3/4 a bushel.



Look Beyond Input Marketing Claims

Collecting unbiased data from well-designed research can have a large impact on farmers' bottom.

"Farmers spend millions of dollars on agronomy products each year. The best way to determine if a product or practice is effective prior to purchase or implementation, is to ask for the data and research backing a company's claims," explained Sara Berg, SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist.

Berg is part of a multi-state team of Extension personnel working together to clear up confusion among producers when it comes to research. Together they have published a series of articles which delve into four research topics including: replicated vs. side-by-side comparisons, how to set up on-farm research, interpreting research terms and data, and the topic of this article, interpreting and clarifying ag product marketing claims.

This is the fourth and final article, written by this team, to help producers see legitimate research from biased information produced to sell inputs. To view past articles, visit iGrow and search by Sara Berg's name.

In addition to Berg, the team includes: Lizabeth Stahl, University of Minnesota; Josh Coltrain, Kansas State University; John Thomas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

New on-farm technology provides many farmers with real-time data access. "With large amounts of data and fast access to information and product marketing, producing a commodity requires many decisions," Berg added. "Knowing that a product has been tested and shown to make a difference should be a deciding factor when making purchases. Yet, it is not that simple in most cases."

The reason? Berg explained that although data may be included on packaging, sometimes companies leave vital information off when advertising because many view it as confusing and unnecessary.

"False research claims or partial truths are found alongside accurate claims about quality products in marketing around the world," Berg said. "Separating falsified or misleading claims from those that are not is crucial."

One method Berg said some marketers use is to display limited data in a skewed or biased manner by changing the scale of a graphic. Another method is to add disclaimers, or provide vague information and/or nothing to compare the product claims to. However, some companies and institutions provide excellent data with honest results for farmers to choose from; even in these cases, one must understand how to interpret the data.

"When a product is falsely promoted, often the customer is provided only baseline information needed to make a sale. It is vital that farmers take time to look over product information, ask questions and understand data presented to them," Berg said. "Marketing claims are not always falsified or skewed, but knowing how to spot poorly-backed claims can provide farmers peace of mind in knowing they are investing in products or adapting practices that have been properly tested."

For more information on research trials and statistics see parts 1, 2, and 3 of this 4-part article series linked at igrow.org/news/look-beyond-input-marketing-claims/. If questions should arise, contact an Extension agronomy team member for data interpretation assistance.




EIA: Ethanol Data Mixed; Stocks Up

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a mixed supply report Wednesday showing U.S. ethanol stockpiles rose in the week-ended Nov. 10 while plant production eased and blending demand was unchanged.

The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed fuel ethanol stocks rose by 200,000 bbl or 0.9% to 21.5 million bbl, with a year-over-year supply overhang at 2.9 million bbl or 15.6%.

Domestic plant production edged down 3,000 bpd or 0.3% last week to 1.054 million bpd, easing from a two-month high a week earlier, while up 37,000 bpd or 3.6% year-over-year. For the four weeks ended last week, ethanol production averaged 1.052 million bpd, up 44,000 bpd or 4.4% against year prior.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand held steady at 918,000 bpd four-week high, while up 14,000 bpd or 1.5% year-over-year. For the four-week period ended Nov. 10, blending demand averaged 923,000 bpd, up 6,000 bpd or 0.7% against the comparable period a year ago.



Carefully Evaluate Firms before Entering into Deferred Price Contracts

There are many different types of contracts that can be used to sell grain. One of these is a deferred price contract, also known as a credit sale contract. These contracts are different from cash and priced forward contracts because they create a unique relationship between the two parties: the seller becomes an unsecured creditor of the buyer.grain storage elevators

“Deferred price contracts are marketing tools that producers have available to them, but there are risks that need to be understood,” said Keri Jacobs, assistant professor and extension economist with Iowa State University. “With these contract types there may be a delivery component or price component that is left open. Because ownership of the grain might be assigned to a company but the price and payment for it comes later, the credit-worthiness of the company you are doing business with needs to be established.”

Because of the additional risk to the seller, those thinking of using deferred price contracts should carefully evaluate the financial position of firms they are thinking of entering into an agreement with. The type of information sellers should be looking for is highlighted in Jacobs’ new ISU Extension and Outreach publication, “Evaluating a Company’s Financial Position before Selling Grain on Deferred Price Contracts” (FMR 1893).

“Typically there are a lot of questions about pricing components and price risk of this type of contract, but not about the credit risk,” Jacobs said. “If a producer sells grain on this type of contract they become an unsecured creditor. If the company they sold to goes bankrupt or cannot pay, the producer no longer controls the grain and may be last in line for settlement, behind secured creditors such as banks. This publication aims to help producers understand that part of their responsibility before entering into this type of contract is to make sure the firm they do business with is financially secure.”

There are several key financial indicators to think about when evaluating a company’s financial position. These include their working capital, ratio of working capital to sales, leverage, ratio of term debt to net fixed assets and their profits.

“Liquidity is probably the most important factor when trying to understand the short-term financial stability of a company,” Jacobs said. “Their working capital provides the most information about short term cash, inventory levels and what liabilities are against them. Can their current debts be met with their available liquid assets?”

Each indicator is examined, using examples and sample balance and statement sheets to help demonstrate how to evaluate a company’s financial position.

A farmer can more confidently enter into a deferred price contract when they are satisfied with the financial position of the company they are selling to.



Fertilizer Prices Continue Mixed

Average fertilizer prices were a mixed bag the second week of November 2017 with the majority moving higher and a couple moving lower, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month, with only two up a significant amount. UAN32 was 7% higher compared to the previous month with an average price of $272 per ton. UAN28 was 5% higher from last month and was at $216/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were just slightly higher in price. DAP had an average price of $434/ton, MAP $459/ton, urea $338/ton and anhydrous $409/ton.

Two fertilizers were lower in price compared to a month earlier -- one by a considerable amount; 10-34-0 was down 13% from last month with an average price of $355/ton. Potash was just slightly lower with an average price of $341/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.37/lb.N, anhydrous $0.25/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.42/lb.N.

Five fertilizers are now higher compared to last year. DAP is 1% higher, MAP is 2% more expensive, urea is 5% higher, UAN32 is 6% more expensive and potash is now 9% more expensive.

The remaining three fertilizers are lower compared to a year prior. UAN28 is 1% less expensive while anhydrous is 13% lower and 10-34-0 is 21% less expensive.