Thursday December 28 Ag News

Struggling Agriculture Economy, Tax Reform, and Trade Top Ag Stories for 2017
Nebraska Farm Bureau Looks Ahead to Leading Issues in 2018

The ongoing struggle in Nebraska’s agriculture economy is among the top agriculture stories of 2017, Nebraska Farm Bureau said Thursday, Dec. 28, in releasing its annual list of the top five agricultural news stories of the year. Also included is a growing call for tax reform and property tax relief, trade and its impact on Nebraska agriculture, the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) withdrawal, and new leadership in the state and federal Department of Agriculture.

“A stagnant farm economy has slowed Nebraska's income growth to one of the lowest levels in the nation,” Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau said. “Net farm income is projected to stabilized for 2017 but that’s mostly due to farmers reining in spending, which is negatively affecting related industries and the greater economy,” Nelson said.

Weather also brought significant losses to some farmers. Late planting made for late harvest, then, in October, there were high winds that reduced yields. Low precipitation in part of the state also affected hay production and reduced yields as well.

Making the list is the action on the final federal tax reform bill. “This legislation addresses numerous tax related issues of interest to Nebraska farm and ranch families. Lower rates for pass-through businesses, expansion of Sect. 179 business expensing, as well as unlimited immediate expensing, were needed. Equally important is the fact that farmers and ranchers will continue to be able to fully deduct property taxes on agricultural land as a business expense,” Nelson said.

“While we would have preferred immediate repeal of the estate tax, the legislation doubles the estate tax exemption indexed for inflation, and continues the allowance for spousal transfer. These measures are a positive and immediate step that will ease the estate tax burden on farm and ranch families,” he said.

In addressing state property tax challenges, Nelson pointed to the organization’s ongoing efforts to address high property taxes in 2018.

“We continue to work to find a legislative solution to the property tax problem and I still believe there’s an opportunity to work with Gov. Ricketts and the Nebraska Legislature to deliver tax relief and get us on the right track with property taxes into the future,” said Nelson.

Nelson pointed out the importance of international trade to the bottom line of Nebraska farmers and ranchers, specifically, President Trump’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and his threats to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“The TPP reflected a major opportunity for the farmers and ranchers who grow and raise Nebraska’s top commodities. Economic analysis conducted by Nebraska Farm Bureau showed that virtually every county in Nebraska would have been positively impacted by the TPP agreement, with the state as a whole projected to see increased agricultural cash receipts by more than $378 million annually,” Nelson said.

There were several bright spots in 2017. One was stopping implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Waters of the U.S.” rule to expand federal regulatory authority over private land. Forcing the EPA to withdraw or vacate this far reaching federal regulation is welcomed news to Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and other landowners.

“The other was the changing landscape in agriculture with President Trump’s appointment of Sonny Perdue as head of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), then Nebraska’s former Director of Agriculture Greg Ibach being selected to serve in the role of USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and the selection of Steve Wellman as the next State Director of Agriculture. These changes are all positive for agriculture across the state and the nation,” Nelson said.

Looking ahead to 2018, Nelson predicted the Top Five Agriculture Stories of the New Year will be property taxes, the future of NAFTA, the next farm bill, regulatory concerns, and health care.
-    The farm bill. “Our members don’t want the government to guarantee a profit, but they want to maintain a strong crop insurance program,” Nelson said.
-    Property taxes. Farm Bureau will continue to work on a variety of ideas to reduce property taxes. “Our preference is to pass a relief bill in the Legislature, but we haven’t ruled out other means like a ballot initiative,” Nelson said.
-    Uncertainty of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA would not only undercut Nebraska’s farm and ranch families, but harm the underlying foundation of Nebraska’s agriculture based economy, according to a new report released by Nebraska Farm Bureau entitled “North American Free Trade Agreement and Nebraska Agriculture”. “The report shows that NAFTA could cost individual farmers and ranchers up to $55,000 annually,” Nelson said.
-    Regulatory concerns specifically ELD and CERCLA. Livestock transportation has been a point of concern in the light of recent U.S. Department of Transportation electronic logging device (ELD) regulations that failed to adequately recognize the uniqueness and challenges of transporting lives animals. Another concern is the mandated Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA) and Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) emissions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision to stay a mandate that agricultural entities file reports under the CERCLA and the EPCRA until Jan. 22, 2018. This is burdensome and unnecessary regulations on farmers and ranchers.
-    Health care. The majority of livestock and crop producers go to either the open market or health insurance exchanges to purchase health insurance, and they continue to bear the brunt of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) failure to actually make health insurance more affordable. Farm Bureau urges Congress to work on a plan that helps reduce the cost of health insurance and re-establish market fundamentals to the health insurance marketplace.



CVA Receives Top Ten CFA Award

Central Valley Ag (CVA) was recently recognized by The Cooperative Finance Association (CFA) as a leader in using the Input Finance Program for the 2017 crop year within the CFA member base. Chuck Bibb, CFA Customer Relationships Manager, presented the 2017 award to Peggy Hopwood, CVA SVP of Member Services.

For the 2017 Crop Year, over 400 CVA customers took advantage of the Input Finance Program offered by the cooperative and supported by CFA. These customers were approved for secured lines of credit to support their agronomy purchases from CVA and the total loan dollars committed for the 2017 crop year totaled more than 45 million dollars.

The number of customers, as well as total loan dollars committed to the Input Finance Program for the 2017 crop year was an all-time record for CVA. In addition to setting this local record, CVA was also the number one cooperative within CFA’s membership base for the 2017 crop year based on total loan commitments for the second year in a row.

“We are very excited this is the second year in a row CVA has received this award,” said Peggy Hopwood. “Thank you for your continued support as patrons, because without you, achievements like this would not be possible.”



NE Motor Fuels Tax Rate Set for Jan. 1 Through June 30

The Nebraska motor fuels tax rate for January 1 through June 30 will be 28.4 cents per gallon, up from 27.0 cents per gallon. The components of the future and current rates include wholesale, variable, and fixed rates.

The wholesale tax rate is set depending on the wholesale price of fuel. The variable rate is adjusted to comply with legislative appropriations for Transportation. The fixed rate will increase annually through FY 2019 as a result of LB 610.

Questions regarding the calculation of the variable percentage rate may be directed to the Nebraska Department of Transportation at 402-479-4635.

Statistical information regarding motor fuels tax receipts can be found on the Nebraska Department of Revenue's (Department's) website under Motor Fuels, and Statistics.

The Petroleum Release Remedial Action Fee is not included in the state motor fuels tax and remains unchanged at 0.9 cents per gallon on motor vehicle fuels and 0.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuels.

Current and historical motor fuels tax rates per gallon can also be found on the Department's website under Motor Fuels, and Fuel Tax Rates. For questions about the motor fuels tax, please contact Motor Fuels Taxpayer Assistance at 800-554-FUEL (800-554-3835) or 402-471-5730.



Iowa Corn Provides Farmers Insights at Harrison/Crawford County Crop Fair

In the tradition of providing farmers the latest industry insights, the Harrison County Corn Growers along with the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will host a crop fair in Missouri Valley, Iowa on January 16, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Rand Center.

“The crop fairs give Iowa corn farmers access to information they might not get elsewhere,” explained Larry Buss, an ICPB director and farmer from Logan who chairs the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, Membership & Checkoff (GNMC) Committee. “Crop fairs are customized to include topics that fit each region of the state, with opportunities for farmer-to-farmer learning and a chance to interact with subject area experts on a variety of topics including legislative policy, water quality, market development and risk management.”

Registration will open at 8:00 a.m. and lunch will be provided at 12:15 a.m. to attendees.

8:30 a.m. - Dicamba Dilemma: Where do we go from here?  Prof. Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri
9:30 a.m. - 2018 Weather Outlook - Elwynn Taylor, ISU Climatologist
10:30 a.m. - When Will Corn Prices Respond to “Lower” Prices - Chip Flory, Host of AgriTalk
11:30 a.m. - Ag in the Trump Administration - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (invited)
12:15 p.m. - Lunch

R.S.V.P. by January 15 to Janelle Kracht at jkracht@iowacorn.org or by calling (515) 229-9980.

“Through the power of your membership we are able to advocate at both the state and federal level for issues which directly impact your bottom-line. If you aren’t a member, I encourage you to join us today to have your seat at the table and get engaged on issues impacting your farm,” said GNMC committee Vice Chair Roger Wuthrich, an ICGA director and a farmer from Bloomfield.

Crop fair sponsors include MidStates Bank, Performance Ag Service, Missouri Valley Insurance, King Agri Sales, Iowa Corn Growers Association District 4 Committee, the Harrison/Crawford County Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.



IOWA ISSUES SPECIAL LOCAL NEEDS LABEL REQUIRING DICAMBA-SPECIFIC TRAINING

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has issued a Special Local Need registration for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology Herbicide. The registration would require auxin-specific (dicamba) training for farmers and certified applicators using the product.

“This training requirement is specifically for farmers and applicators that will be using dicamba products and is separate and distinct from the pesticide applicator continuing instruction courses that are already in place for private, commercial, public, non-commercial applicators, and handlers,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.  “This past growing season showed how important it is that applicators closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products and the additional training requirements will hopefully help reduce off-site impact from the product.”

The Department worked with Iowa State University to develop program topics and the Department will approve the training, which will be delivered through a registered provider.  The Department is working with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to provide a listing of approved training on the website http://DicambaTrainingIowa.org.

The expanded training requirement is based on the need to provide Iowa farmers and applicators with training around the risks associated with dicamba and should help reduce problems associated with off-target movement.

The following program topics will be included in approved auxin-specific (dicamba) training in Iowa:
-    New Use Pattern for Dicamba-Tolerant Soybeans
-    Application Requirements to include Wind Speed and Direction, and Use of a Buffer
-    Temperature Inversions
-    Changes in Record-Keeping Requirements
-    Sprayer Tank Clean-Out
-    Off Target Movement

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints and investigating potential misuse of pesticides.  In addition, education and testing on the safe use of pesticides is administered to all licensed pesticide applicators by the Department in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

It is important all applicators read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using. Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, application rates, personal protective equipment needed, appropriate crops to be treated, tank mixes, avoiding drift and more.  It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.

If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an “Incident Report” with the Department’s Pesticide Bureau by phoning 515‐281‐8591 or by emailing the information to pesticides@IowaAgriculture.gov. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.

More information about activities of the Department’s Pesticide Bureau can be found at  www.iowaagriculture.gov/pesticides.asp.



Iowa School Districts Receive $3,000 Grants from CHS, Central Valley Ag for Propane-powered School Bus Program

Most people cannot tell from simply glancing at one as it passes down the road, but propane-powered school buses are becoming increasingly popular in communities across the country, including Hinton and Lawton, Iowa, where each community school district recently received $3,000 for its propane autogas school bus program. The donations were made possible by a partnership between Central Valley Ag cooperative and CHS – America’s largest farmer-owned cooperative.

“We’re honored to be supplying the children of Hinton and Lawton-Bronson schools and the entire district with safe, affordable and environmentally friendly propane autogas,” says Kane Kuehl, energy manager, Central Valley Ag. “It’s a good feeling knowing their fleet is benefiting from the use of propane autogas and providing quieter rides for the kids.”

There are more than 11,000 propane school buses operating in the United States. More communities are switching to propane school busses, which helps save districts money while reducing emissions and providing quicker start-ups during cold winter months. Propane autogas buses can start in temperatures as low as -40 F and require less time to warmup prior to driving. The Hinton community school district currently has two propane powered buses and plans to add more to their fleet in the future.  Lawton-Bronson has 5 propane powered busses, and also plans to expand in the future.

“With a long history of doing business in rural communities, CHS is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we serve,” says Andy Ernst, manager of propane marketing and business development. “We are committed to developing programs to help make the conversion to propane autogas affordable for our cooperatives and school districts, like the one that will benefit both Hinton and Lawton-Bronson.”



USDA Statement on New Procedures for U.S. Soybean Exports to China

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is making U.S. soybean farmers and exporters aware of a new procedure to comply with China’s phytosanitary import requirements. The new procedure, which applies to both bulk and container shipments of raw, unprocessed soybeans to China, goes into effect January 1, 2018, and is necessary to maintain the uninterrupted flow of U.S. soybeans to the United States’ largest export market.
“Working closely with our Chinese counterparts and U.S. soybean industry representatives, our top priority was to establish a new procedure that would address China’s phytosanitary concerns and keep U.S. soybeans moving without delay through China’s ports of entry,” said Greg Ibach, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

In September, Chinese officials notified APHIS of foreign material exceeding Chinese standards as well as weed seeds of quarantine concern in U.S. soybean shipments to that country.  “We worked closely with our partners in China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on a practical solution that addresses their concerns and provides for the uninterrupted flow of U.S. soybeans for our soybean producers and exporters,” said Osama El-Lissy, Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine program.

The new procedure involves APHIS notifying China when a soybean shipment exceeds 1 percent foreign material by placing an additional declaration on the phytosanitary certificate that says, “This consignment exceeds 1 percent foreign material.”

Chinese officials have assured the United States that this notification will allow all U.S. soybean exports to China, including those with more than 1 percent foreign material, to continue without interruption until the United States is able to fully implement a series of science-based measures from farm to export terminal, called a systems approach, during the 2018 crop year and reduce the volume of foreign material and weed seeds in soybean shipments to China.

“We look forward to working with APHIS and other stakeholders in the U.S. soybean value chain to develop the components of the systems approach, including weed seed control best practices to be implemented on-farm, starting with the 2018 soybean growing season,” said Randy Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Grain and Feed Association. 

Jim Sutter, Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) added: “Over the coming months and years, USSEC will work together with partner organizations to promote effective implementation of the systems approach throughout the U.S. soybean supply chain, including ongoing efforts by our organization to promote the development of timely, science-based technologies that U.S. farmers need to produce the best quality product possible. We are confident that this agreement will allow U.S. soybean farmers and exporters to continue to service the important Chinese market without interruption.”



Relaunch of National "Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner." Campaign Sparks State Extensions

              A new generation of consumers is getting to know beef through the new beef checkoff-funded Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. campaign, launched in October. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its introduction, the iconic brand has been refreshed, celebrating its reintroduction to a variety of today’s consumers, channel partners and food influencers.

              State beef councils are beginning to extend the campaign’s content and features, educating and exciting their states’ consumers about the many benefits beef provides to their lives.

                Of special interest to state councils has been the campaign’s “Rethink the Ranch” anthem video and related video spots, showcasing real, hard-working farmers and ranchers from around the country. Nationally, the videos have generated more than 765,000 video views to date, and reached more than 3.5 million consumers. State beef councils have downloaded various Rethink the Ranch content for use on their own social media properties and through other consumer and thought leader outreach.

           “Our state and national partnership is particularly valuable to Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner., as the campaign showcases the people behind beef as well as beef’s powerful nutrition story,” according to Alisa Harrison, senior vice president for Global Marketing and Research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program.  “Our team travelled across the United States to capture and develop the most factual and thoughtful stories about how today’s beef is brought from the cattle raiser to the dinner table. Together with the information about the high-quality beef being delivered, it’s a message that’s compelling to consumers today.”

           Councils in several states, including Kansas and Missouri, will be promoting the Rethink the Ranch anthem video in a YouTube campaign launching mid-January. The Ohio Beef Council is producing its own video series to bring to life local producer stories, and is using the familiar sound of Copland’s Rodeo music and the new Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. logo in its own state materials.

            Nationally, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. team has reached more than 20 million people in the first quarter of this fiscal year (starting Oct. 1) with positive messaging about beef. Overall, more than 2 million people visited the BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com website from Oct. 3 to Dec. 18, 2017. The team has successfully driven web traffic to the Raising Beef section of the website to encourage visitors to view the Rethink the Ranch videos, with almost 400,000 page views since the launch. Those people stayed on website pages 42 percent longer (compared to 2016), and the Raising Beef section – core content for the relaunch campaign – became the second top viewed section of the site, right after the recipes.

              Retailers, foodservice operators and other beef marketers are also being engaged and encouraged to learn more about beef and feature it more often through one-on-one outreach and through a LinkedIn campaign, which targeted business decision-makers. Major media outreach has resulted in more than 30 million impressions for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. relaunch, including a major story in the Wall Street Journal online and print editions.

            The effort is also reaching out to food and health influencers, such as registered dietitians, bloggers and doctors, to share the positive information about the brand and website. More than 36,000 health professionals have been reached through outlets such as Nutrition 411, a popular e-newsletter for dietitians.

           “Teamwork has always been an element of pride for the cattle and beef industry,” said Harrison. “With this campaign, we’re able to celebrate and capitalize on our state and national partnership, and make the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand as broad, extensive and cost-effective as possible.”



Prices Higher for All But One Fertilizer

Average retail prices for all but one fertilizer continued to move higher the third week of December 2017, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers are now higher compared to a month ago. Anhydrous is 12% more expensive compared to last month and has an average price of $461 per ton. MAP was 6% higher, as well, with an average price of $485/ton.

The remaining five fertilizers were higher compared to the prior month, but none were up by a significant amount. DAP had an average price of $445/ton, potash $344/ton, urea $348/ton, 10-34-0 $405/ton and UAN28 $218/ton.

Just one fertilizer was lower compared to the previous month. UAN32 was 7% lower compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $254/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.38/lb.N, anhydrous $0.28/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.40/lb.N.

Five fertilizers are now higher compared to last year. UAN28 is 1% more expensive, DAP is 3% higher, urea is 4% more expensive, potash is 7% higher and MAP is now 11% more expensive.

The remaining three fertilizers are still lower compared to a year prior. UAN32 is 1% lower while anhydrous is 2% less expensive and 10-34-0 is 9% lower.



Ethanol Stocks Ease

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released their Weekly Petroleum Status Report on Thursday, Dec. 28, that showed another draw for U.S. fuel ethanol inventories, while domestic plant production and blending demand climbed during the week-ended Dec. 22.

The EIA reported fuel ethanol stockpiles declined by 300,000 barrels (bbl), or 1.3%, to a 22.0 million bbl, although up 3.3 million bbl, or 17.6%, versus a year ago.

Domestic plant production rebounded after two straight weekly declines, up 13,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.2%, to 1.090 million bpd last week, and 62,000 bpd, or 6.0%, higher year over year. For the four weeks ended-Dec. 22, fuel ethanol production averaged 1.091 million bpd, 59,000 bpd, or 5.4%, higher than a year ago.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, rose by 32,000 bpd, or 3.5%, to 914,000 bpd last week, while up 11,000 bpd, or 1.2%, year over year. For the four-week period ended Dec. 22, blending demand averaged 915,000 bpd, up 10,000 bpd, or 1.1%, versus a year ago.



November Prices Received Index Increased 4.2 Percent

The November Prices Received Index (Agricultural Production), at 91.0, increased 4.2 percent from October 2017. At 81.4, the Crop Production Index decreased 1.0 percent. The Livestock Production Index, at 101.7, increased 8.1 percent. Producers received higher prices for market eggs, cattle, hogs, and broilers but lower prices for lettuce, corn, apples, and turkeys. Compared with a year earlier, the Prices Received Index is up 9.1 percent. The Crop Production Index increased 1.1 percent and the Livestock Production Index increased 18 percent. In addition to prices, the indexes are influenced by the volume change of commodities producers market. Increased monthly movement of cattle, corn, milk, and cotton offset the decreased marketing of soybeans, grapes, potatoes, and wheat. The Food Commodities Index, at 99.9, increased 7.7 percent from the previous month and 12 percent from November 2016.

November Prices Received by Farmers
Crop production: The November index, at 81.4, is 1.0 percent lower than October but 1.1 percent higher than November 2016. The Grain & Oilseed Index decrease more than offset the Fruit & Tree Nut Index increase.

Grain and oilseed: The November index, at 61.6, is down 5.8 percent from October and 1.4 percent from November 2016. The Oilseed Index and Feed Grain Index decreases more than offset the higher Food Grain Index.

Feed grain: The November index, at 52.8, decreased 3.5 percent from last month and 2.4 percent from a year ago. The corn price, at $3.15 per bushel, is down 11 cents from last month and 9 cents from November 2016. At $5.43 per cwt, sorghum grain is 8 cents lower than October but 84 cents higher than November a year earlier.

Food grain: At 73.5, the index for November is up 5.6 percent from the previous month and 18 percent from a year ago. The November price for all wheat, at $4.73 per bushel, is 9 cents higher than October and 85 cents higher than November 2016.

Oilseed: At 73.6, the index for November is unchanged from October but decreased 2.1 percent from November 2016. The soybean price, at $9.22 per bushel, 4 cents higher than from October but 25 cents lower than November a year earlier.

Other crop: The November index, at 81.2, is down 3.3 percent from the previous month but up 3.4 percent from November 2016. The all hay price, at $138.00 per ton, is $3.00 lower than from October but $12.00 higher than November 2016. At 67.1 cents per pound, the price for upland cotton is 0.3 cents higher than October but 0.1 cents lower than November 2016.

Livestock production
The index for November, at 101.7, increased 8.1 percent from the previous month and 18 percent from November a year earlier. Compared with a year ago, prices are higher for cattle, market eggs, hogs, broilers, calves, and milk. The price for turkeys is lower than a year earlier.

Meat animal: At 99.7, the November index increased 7.2 percent from the previous month and 19 percent from a year earlier. At $50.00 per cwt, the November hog price is $2.70 higher than October and $11.00 higher than a year earlier. The November beef cattle price of $119.00 per cwt is $10.00 higher than the previous month and $15.00 higher than November 2016.

Dairy: The index for November, at 90.0, is up 1.0 percent from the previous month and 1.6 percent from November a year ago. The November all milk price of $18.10 per cwt is 20 cents higher than October and 30 cents higher than November 2016.

Poultry and egg: At 114.6, the November index increased 15 percent from October and 26 percent from November 2016. The November market egg price, at $1.23 per dozen, is 55.0 cents higher than October and 92.0 cents higher than November 2016. The November broiler price, at 49.0 cents per pound, is 1.0 cent higher than October and 5.0 cents higher than a year ago. At 57.7 cents per pound, the November turkey price is 5.0 cents lower than the previous month and 23.8 cents lower than November 2016.

November Prices Paid Index Up 0.3 Percent
The November Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 107.9, is up 0.3 percent from October 2017 and 4.6 percent from November 2016. Higher prices in November for feeder pigs, nitrogen, feeder cattle, and diesel more than offset lower prices for feed grains, other services, hay and forages, and herbicides.



Deere Recalls Crossover Gator Utility Vehicles

John Deere has recalled more than 68,000 Crossover Gator utility vehicles because the steering shaft can separate from the steering rack assembly and result in a loss of steering control.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says John Deere has received 9 reports of steering loss. No injuries have been reported.

The recall is for models XUV825, XUV825 S4, XUV855, and XUV855 S4 Crossover Gator utility vehicles equipped with power steering. The serial number begins with 1M0825 or 1M0855 and is located on the passenger side of the frame under the cargo box.  The vehicles have seating for two or four passengers and were sold from March 2012 through November 2017.

Consumers should stop using the recalled utility vehicles and contact a John Deere dealer for a free repair. John Deere is contacting purchasers of the recalled utility vehicles directly.