Friday December 29 Ag News

Editor's Note:   Cheers!  Here's to the last post for 2017.   Happy New Year..... and stay warm this weekend!    -Chad



NEBRASKA EXTENSION OFFERS 2018 TRAINING FOR COMMERCIAL, NONCOMMERCIAL PESTICIDE APPLICATORS

Training dates are set for Nebraska's commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification, or recertification of their license, to use or purchase restricted use pesticides (RUPs)  in 2018. The statewide training is coordinated through the Nebraska Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

Again this year the training is offered at a variety of locations from January through April, said Clyde Ogg, Nebraska Extension pesticide safety educator.

Commercial and noncommercial applicators whose certifications expire in April are to be mailed a schedule booklet showing certification information and dates. The booklet also is available at local extension offices; by phoning PSEP at 800-627-7216 or 402-472-1632; or by visiting http://pested.unl.edu/commercialschedule.

In 2018 approximately 3,060 commercial and noncommercial applicators will need to be recertified. They include fumigators, ornamental and turf applicators, exterminators and others.

Separate training opportunities will be held for dicamba products XtendiMax, FeXapan and Engenia, now classified as RUPs. Information related to that training is to be available in early 2018.

"Commercial applicators are those using restricted use pesticides, and in some cases, general use pesticides, on a contract or for-hire basis," Ogg said. "Noncommercial applicators are those applying these same pesticides to sites owned by an employer or for a governmental agency or political subdivision of the state."

Advance registration is required for all initial commercial and noncommercial applicator training, as well as for most other training sessions. Each applicator pays an $80 fee, regardless of the number of training sessions. Required initial training study materials range from $10 to $30 per manual, depending on category.

Initial certification requires passing a general standards exam, Ogg said, in addition to one or more specific applicator categories. Applicants can study by themselves, although for best results Ogg recommends combining training with study materials.

"Training combined with individual study has the best track record for preparing someone to take the state license exams," Ogg said.

Recertification opportunities are available at extension offices in February and March, and at several annual conferences and trade association meetings early in 2018. The best opportunity for commercial applicators to recertify in the agricultural plant category and demo/research subcategory, other than by examination, will be at Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics in January.

Initial certification in several categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the schedule booklet or website for details. Those seeking initial certification must pre-register for one of the following training sessions and purchase study materials at least 10 days in advance. Preregistration is required at http://pested.unl.edu.
-    Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, March 20.
-    Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb. 27.
-    Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Highway 34, Feb. 1 and 27.
-    Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Feb. 8 and 27, April 12.
-    Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 1, March 20.
-    North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, Feb. 8, March 1 and 20, April 12.
-    Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, Feb. 1, March 1, April 12.
-    O’Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, April 19.
-    Scottsbluff: Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 8 and 27, March 1, April 12.
-    Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, March 20

Recertification in several applicator categories is offered at the following locations and dates. Available categories vary at each of the locations; check the pesticide applicator education schedule booklet for details. Preregistration is required at http://pested.unl.edu :
-    Beatrice: Gage County Extension Office, Fairgrounds, 1115 W. Scott, Feb. 15, March 13 and 22.
-    Columbus: Platte County Courthouse, 2610 14th St., Feb 22.
-    Grand Island: College Park, Hall County Extension Office, 3180 W. Hwy. 34, Feb. 6 and 15.
-    Holdrege: Phelps County Fairgrounds, Ag Center, 1308 2nd St., Feb. 13, March 27.
-    Lincoln: Lancaster County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Feb. 6 and 22, March 29.
-    Norfolk: Madison County Extension Office, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Feb. 6 and 15, March 13.
-    North Platte: Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Rd., Feb. 13, and 15, March 22.
-    O'Neill: Holt County Annex, 128 N. Sixth St., Suite 100, Feb. 13, March 22.
-    Omaha: Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Rd., Feb. 13, March 27 and 29.
-    Scottsbluff: UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Ave. I, Feb. 6 and 22, March 13.
-    Valentine: Cherry County Extension Office, 365 N. Main St., Suite 3, Feb. 22.

Nebraska Extension Crop Production Clinics also are a great way to recertify in the agricultural pest control -- plant category (01). Preregister online for $80 at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc to attend one of the following:
-    Jan. 10 – Gering, Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
-    Jan. 11 – North Platte, Sandhills Convention Center 2102 S. Jeffers St.
-    Jan. 15 OR 16 – Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.
-    Jan. 18 – Lincoln, Embassy Suites, 1040 P St.
-    Jan. 24-25 – Nebraska Crop Management Conference, Kearney, Younes Conference Center, 416 Talmadge Rd. (Recertification is available either day, registration is $80 per day. Two-day conference fee is $150.)

Recertification also is available through attending annual trade organization conferences. Conferences offering these opportunities for specific categories include:

    Nebraska Turfgrass Conference: Jan. 9-11, La Vista Conference Center, 12540 Westport Parkway, LaVista, recertification in ornamental and turf pest control category. Preregister at http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com/events/nebraska-turf-conference or call the Nebraska Turfgrass Association at 402-472-5351 with questions.

    Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference: Feb. 13-14, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln, recertification in structural/health-related pest control and wood-destroying organisms. Preregister at http://nspca.org or call the Nebraska State Pest Control Association, 402-476-1528 for copies of the program and registration information.

    Nebraska Aviation Trades Association Convention: Feb. 20-21, The Cornhusker Hotel, 333 S. 13th St., Lincoln, recertification in aerial pest control category. For more information, email nata@windstream.net or call the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association, 402-475-6282.

Extension conducts the training programs, while the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issues the licenses. NDA testing is offered at initial training locations; in addition is computer-based testing for several categories at various testing centers. For information about this testing, see http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/pearson_vue_testing.html.  Questions about individual applicator license status should be directed to NDA by calling 402-471-2351, or 877-800-4080.



Researchers Study Impact of Cover Crops on Soil Health

Producers are open to innovative ideas that can improve soil health, but need more evidence before adding cover crops to their rotation plans, according to assistant professor Sandeep Kumar of the South Dakota State University Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science.

Kumar, who leads the SDSU project, is one of 26 scientists working on a U.S. Department of Agriculture project to determine how cover crops, such as oats, sorghum, turnips, radishes and millet, planted after harvest for grazing can affect soil health. Postdoctoral research associate Bishal Kasu, who surveyed producers, said, "If agricultural producers perceive the approach can contribute to the long-term farm profitability, then farmers are on board."

Researchers from four other universities--North Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology--along with USDA offices in Lincoln, Neb.; Mandan, N.D.; and Brookings are involved in the four-year National Institute of Food and Agriculture project.

The researchers are assessing the impact of incorporating grazing crops at seven sites covering three states--North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota. They are gathering data on soils, crop and livestock performance and environmental parameters, such as greenhouse gas emissions.

"The crops and grazing treatments are different in each state because of the variability in precipitation," Kumar noted. In South Dakota, the researchers are using cover crops in a three-year rotation, right after small grains, which are harvested in June and July.

At the Southeast Research Center near Beresford, for instance, the researchers are evaluating three treatments--corn-soybeans-oats, corn-soybeans-oats/cover crop and corn-soybeans-oats/cover crop with grazing. Associate professor Peter Sexton, coinvestigator of the funded project, oversees this part of the research.

Preliminary data from the first year of grazing shows no negative impacts to soil health, according to Kumar. Detailed analysis of last year's results as well as those from this fall will give producers that data regarding cover crops.

"Cover crops can add nutrients and organic matter to the soil," he said. Legumes provide nitrogen and tubers, such as radishes and turnips, create pores as the roots decay that allow the water/rainfall to penetrate deeper into the soil. This can also help reduce runoff into lakes and streams.

The goal is greater sustainability," Kumar noted.



Downward Pressure Expected on 2018 Cash Rents

As commodity prices fell over the past few years, many landowners across the country agreed to lower cash rents. The annual LandOwner/Pro Farmer Cash Rent and Values Survey shows a majority of the respondents expecting cash rents to continue their lower trend in 2018. LandOwner consultant and columnist Mike Walsten says the survey also shows the focus on lowering cash rents in the year ahead will likely lessen when compared to the past few years.

“53 percent of the survey respondents say they expect cash rents to continue their decline in 2018,” Walsten says. “While that’s still a majority, it’s down sharply from 74 percent last year, and 73 percent in 2015.”

The percentage of respondents expecting cash rents to stay the same as last year rose to 45 percent, up from 24 percent last year and 21 percent in 2015. Walsten says, “The boost in respondents expecting no change in their rental rates this coming year might be an indication that the bottom in cash rental rates may be near.”



Arkansas Plant Board to Review New Dicamba Regulations

The Arkansas Plant Board is scheduled to meet on January third, in order to consider possible revisions to previous proposed regulatory changes regarding dicamba application. The Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council requested the meeting. They’ll discuss potential revisions to the proposed changes during a pesticide committee meeting that day and then a full board meeting will start after that.

The state’s Plant Board voted on November 8 to approve changes to the state regulations on dicamba application, including no dicamba application from April 16 through October 31. The subcommittee then met in December and voted to hold the proposed rule and recommended that the Plant Board consider possible revisions based on a number of factors. They want the board to consider possible changes based on scientific-based evidence, a dividing line to create north and south zones, as well as ambient temperature and humidity applicable to temperature inversion during nighttime hours.

The Rules and Regulations Subcommittee will meet on January 16 to consider the outcome of the meeting with the Plant Board.



Agrium and PotashCorp Finalize Merger of Equals

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. announced that they have received clearance from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and have now obtained all regulatory approvals required to close their proposed merger of equals transaction. The transaction is expected to close effective January 1, 2018 and remains subject to customary closing conditions.

"This final clearance marks a significant milestone in bringing two industry leaders together," said Chuck Magro, president and CEO of Agrium. "Given our extensive integration planning work, we expect to move quickly upon closing to begin delivering on the many strategic benefits and synergy potential of this combination."

"We are pleased to have received final regulatory clearance and look forward to the formation of Nutrien," said Jochen Tilk, president and CEO of PotashCorp. "Nutrien will build upon the impressive legacies and best practices of both companies to create long-term value for all our stakeholders."

With the closing of the transaction on January 1, 2018, the common shares of Nutrien are expected to commence trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NTR" at the opening of market on January 2, 2018. Trading of Agrium common shares and PotashCorp common shares is expected to be suspended at the opening of market on January 2, 2018, and such shares will be delisted at the close of market on the same date. Cash entitlements in lieu of fractional Nutrien common shares will be based on the trading price of the Nutrien common shares on the TSX on the first five days of trading on such exchange. Such entitlements will be delivered as soon as practicable thereafter to former Agrium and PotashCorp shareholders who have submitted their duly completed letters of transmittal and elections forms in accordance with the procedures described in the applicable letter of transmittal and election form.