Aids to Selecting Soybean Varieties to Manage SCN
Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist
John Wilson, Extension Educator, Burt County
Soybean producers and farm managers have several great resources available to help with variety selection for fields infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN).
In 2010, the Nebraska Soybean Board funded a project to provide a standard evaluation platform for the most common soybean varieties grown in Nebraska in SCN infested fields. The goal of this project is to help producers identify soybean varieties that yield well, yet do not allow significant reproduction of SCN. That’s right — even though soybean varieties are marketed as resistant, they can vary in their effects on SCN populations by influencing reproduction differently. The 2010 results from this Nebraska program are available at http://pdc.unl.edu/agriculturecrops/soybean/soybeancystnematode and the 2011 data will be available by the end of the year.
Iowa State University also performs SCN variety evaluation on commercial varieties. Results can be found at: http://www.plantpath.iastate.edu/dept/labs/tylka/node/23. Their list of soybean cyst nematode-resistant soybean varieties is available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/CropNews/2011/1021tylka.htm.
If you’re not sure whether you have SCN and your soybean yields were lower than expected, please take advantage of the free soil testing service that is being funded through the Nebraska Soybean Board. Soil bags for this program can be picked up at your local UNL extension office or by contacting me directly at lgiesler1@unl.edu. Please include your return mailing address and the number of sample bags you would like to receive.
SCN continues to be the most yield robbing disease of soybean in Nebraska, costing producers an average of 5-6 bu/ac when susceptible soybeans are grown on infested fields.
Corps to Change Missouri River Plan
Changes to Be Made in Coming Winter, Spring
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will change its approach to managing the Missouri River following a summer of record flooding that damaged or destroyed nearly 400 homes, led to millions of dollars in road repairs and forced communities to scramble to build temporary levees.
The corps announced Monday that it will make the changes in the coming winter and spring. Those changes include getting as much water out of the river basin's reservoir system as possible this fall and winter, as well as analyzing how much more reservoir space might be reserved to ease the flooding.
The corps says the change came in response to concerns voiced by residents during eight public meetings held recently in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana and North Dakota.
NWS Hydrologist to Explain Causes of Missouri River Flood
David Pearson, senior service hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Omaha, will present "The Missouri River Flood of 2011: Its Causes and Impacts" at a seminar Nov. 8 on UNL’s East Campus. His talk, which is sponsored by UNL's School of Natural Resources, will be at 7 p.m. in the Hardin Hall auditorium at 33rd and Holdrege streets.
"The driving force for this flood was heavy rainfall and above-normal snowpack in Montana and the surrounding mountains," Pearson said. "If you've got heavy precipitation at the beginning of the river, at no point can that water leave the system. It has to travel through every reservoir." He noted that without the control over river flow that the reservoirs provide, the Missouri River in Omaha would have been about four feet higher, which would have strained the capability of the city's levees.
Flood mitigation is one of several objectives in managing the river system, Pearson said. Other key considerations are hydropower, recreation, wildlife habitat, drinking water, and irrigation.
The National Weather Service provides forecasts of river levels to the general public and to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is the agency that oversees operations of the reservoirs and dams on the river system.
Although Pearson will discuss the flooding along the entire length of the Missouri, the bulk of his presentation will focus on events that occurred along the river between Gavin's Point Dam in northeast Nebraska, and Rulo in southeast Nebraska.
There was no way to prevent the flooding this year, Pearson said. Floods closed Interstate 29, washed away roads, inundated farmland, and triggered "unusual event" declarations at two nuclear power plants in Nebraska.
EPA, DOE to Study Renewable Energy at West Haymarket
EPA and the Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory are collaborating on a project to evaluate the feasibility of siting renewable energy production on the West Haymarket Brownfield Site, in Lincoln, Neb.
The study, valued up to $35,000, will evaluate the technical and economic opportunities and challenges at the site, and explore the potential for wind power generation at the site.
The Union Pacific Railroad fueled trains and conducted other maintenance activities at the 32-acre West Haymarket site beginning in the late 1800s. In May 2010, voters approved a bond measure to revitalize the site with a focus on sustainability.
The West Haymarket Renewable Energy Project seeks to transform the current brownfield site into a site to generate renewable wind energy. Wind energy could be used to power the large-scale redevelopment's planned 16,000-seat arena, outdoor festival area, and other civic, commercial, and retail projects. The renewable energy project would help make the proposed $340 million redevelopment project more sustainable, reduce ongoing power costs, and reduce the project's carbon footprint.
"Renewable energy is a vital part of America's energy future. By using wind, solar, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources, we reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions from other sources of energy production," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks.
EPA's RE-powering America's Land Initiative encourages renewable energy development on current and formerly contaminated land and mine sites when it is aligned with the community's vision for the site. The collaboration pairs EPA's expertise on contaminated sites with DOE's expertise in renewable energy.
As part of the RE-Powering America's Land Initiative, EPA is investing approximately $1 million for projects across the United States aiming to decrease the amount of green space used for development while continuing to ensure the protection of people's health, the environment and provide economic benefits to local communities, including job creation. EPA Region 7, which is comprised of Iowa, Kansas Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations, is one of only three regions to have four sites selected, with one in each state of the region.
Biodiesel Industry Statement on Supreme Court RFS2 Decision
Court Affirms EPA Renewable Fuels Standard
The National Biodiesel Board, the U.S. trade association representing the biodiesel industry, released the following statement Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it has rejected a petition from the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association and the American Petroleum Institute challenging the EPA's Renewable Fuels Standard.
"The RFS program is working just as Congress intended. It's creating jobs across the country. It's breaking our addiction to oil. It's helping clean our air, and it's reducing greenhouse gases," said Anne Steckel, NBB's vice president of federal affairs. "This year alone, the biodiesel industry is on pace to produce at least 800 million gallons of advanced biofuel while supporting more than 31,000 jobs. We're pleased to see the Supreme Court put an end to this litigation as we continue building a strong U.S. biodiesel industry."
Biodiesel is America's first advanced biofuel - a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that is reducing U.S. dependence on foreign petroleum, creating green jobs and improving our environment. Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as agricultural oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats, it is the first and only commercial-scale fuel used across the U.S. to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's definition as an advanced biofuel. It is produced in nearly every state in the country and can be used in existing diesel engines and meets strict specifications of ASTM D6751.
Case Background:
NPRA's and API's petition challenging the RFS2 regulations was initially rejected on December 21, 2010, in a unanimous decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (D.C. Circuit).
On February 3, 2011, NPRA and API filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit requesting an En Banc Rehearing of the litigation. In general, a petition for an En Banc Rehearing is a request for all the judges that comprise the D.C. Circuit to review a matter previously decided by a three-judge panel of the Court. On Friday, April 22, 2011, rejected a request for an En Banc Rehearing of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) litigation filed by the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association NPRA and the API.
NPRA and API filed their petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court on July 22, 2011.
Integrated Crop Management Conference Nov. 30, Dec. 1
The Iowa State University Integrated Crop Management Conference will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1 on the Iowa State campus. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 30 in the Scheman Continuing Education Building; the program concludes at 4 p.m. on Dec. 1.
Conference attendees can choose from 34 different workshops that offer the latest information on crop production and protection technology in Iowa and surrounding states. Workshops are offered by Iowa State faculty and staff, and invited speakers from around the Midwest. The conference is hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the agricultural and biosystems engineering, agronomy, economics, entomology and plant pathology departments.
A popular feature of the conference is the variety of guest speakers on the program. "Each year Iowa State specialists invite colleagues from outside the university to share their research activities with conference attendees. This provides an opportunity to hear expertise and opinions from across the region and country at one location," said Brent Pringnitz, conference coordinator. Invited speakers this year include:
-- David Asbridge, NPK Fertilizer Advisory Service, discussing the fertilizer situation and outlook for the coming growing season.
-- Bob Nielsen, Purdue University, talking on what it will take to raise the bar for corn yields.
-- Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, speaking on the Iowa Statewide Nutrient Reduction Initiative.
-- Ken Ostlie, University of Minnesota, presenting what is known about recent performance issues with rootworm-resistant corn.
-- Pat Tranel, University of Illinois, discussing the past, present and future of herbicide resistance in waterhemp.
In recent years the conference has filled to capacity with nearly 1,000 producers and agribusiness people in attendance. "The conference has a loyal following of people that attend each year. While filling to capacity is a good problem to have, we hate to turn people away. We encourage people to register early," Pringnitz said. Attendees can obtain Certified Crop Adviser credits as well as recertification for Commercial Pesticide Applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C, 4 and 10.
To register online for this event or for more information, visit the conference website at www.aep.iastate.edu/icm. Registration is $185. Registration increases to $235 after Nov. 18. Enrollment is limited and no registrations will be accepted at the door.
New NASS Analysis Shows Iowa Ag Still a Powerhouse
Livestock production continues to provide important support to Iowa's economy. According to the recently-released Iowa Agricultural Statistics booklet, Iowa's cattle, hog and sheep producers' receipts grew by 20 percent last year, growing to $8.32 billion.
Information in the 136-page book is compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) Iowa Field Office, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The book consists of five sections: general information, county information, crops, livestock and farm economics. It also lists several agriculture-related websites on the back cover.
Iowa's farm sector dominance carries across several commodities, from livestock to crops. According to the booklet, the state continues to rank number one in hogs in the United States, raising 29 percent of the nation's hogs. Iowa also leads the nation is raising layer hens (and eggs) and is in the top ten for raising cattle and calves (seventh) and sheep and lambs (tenth).
"The livestock and poultry industries are positive economic factors that contribute to job growth in Iowa's rural communities. Our farmers continue to be more efficient and productive in the face of rising feed and energy costs," said Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) President Craig Lang. "They are poised to move forward, grow their businesses and continue to be national agricultural leaders."
Despite the cold and wet temperatures that led to planting and harvest delays last year, Iowa farmers continue to lead the nation in the production of corn and soybeans. May began with heavy rains, cold temperatures and widespread frost that caused soil erosion and planting delays. But, after dealing with the wettest June on record and snow during the second week of November, Iowa farmers raised the fourth-largest corn crop and the second-largest soybean crop on record.
The combination of strong livestock and crop sectors helped boost Iowa's overall ag economy, with Iowa farmers selling farm commodities worth $23.2 billion in 2010, up 6 percent from the previous year. The number of Iowa farmers dropped just slightly to 92,400.
"Continued improvements in the general economy during 2010, in both the United States and the world, supported higher commodity prices for Iowa farmers and improvements in net farm income," explained Dave Miller, IFBF director of research and commodity services. "Higher commodity prices helped farmers to overcome higher input prices and poor growing conditions across a significant portion of the state in 2010."
Greg Thessen, director of the NASS Iowa office, said the booklet is an important resource for many different audiences, including farmers, bankers, insurance agents, agribusinesses and more.
"This book wouldn't be possible if farmers didn't participate in our surveys that gather this information. The data not only offers historical perspective, but helps them as they plan for the next season and the future," said Thessen.
Iowa Farm Bureau publishes the book for Iowa Agricultural Statistics.
Weed Identification Guide available electronically
The popular Weed Identification Field Guide is now available electronically as an e-book and, for the first time, downloadable on iPad. The publication is distributed by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach. Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, has sponsored the capability for users to download the electronic versions for no charge.
The Weed Identification Field Guide, CSI 0003, authored in 2010 by Iowa State University Extension specialists, includes images and descriptions of 56 broadleaf weeds and 19 grass and grass-like weeds. The electronic publications, like the print version, include tools to aid in accurate weed identification, as well as weed lifecycle and herbicide management and stewardship information. They also include detailed diagrams, including 24 illustrations, and more than 250 zoomable, high-resolution photographs of weeds common to Iowa.
According to David Wright, ISA director of contract research and strategic initiatives, ISA and ISU Extension and Outreach are dedicated to providing farmers and crop specialists the right tools to increase soybean yield in high management production systems.
"The industry has rapidly adopted electronic technology for use in the field," Wright says. "With this field guide available in print, as an e-book and for the iPad, it gives farmers more options to access information. Plus, the ability to zoom in on high resolution photos will make identifying weeds, the soybean's biggest competitor, that much easier."
This is the second collaborative ISA/ISU Extension field guide to go electronic, with the first being Soybean Diseases. "By working with Iowa Soybean Association to provide electronic versions of the field guides, extension is placing Iowa State research and valuable information in the hands of even more people - and in a way that is convenient for them to access," said Daren Mueller, one of the guide authors. "By immediately identifying weeds, an effective management plan that is vital to maximizing crop production can be determined more accurately."
Field guides, print and electronic, can be found at www.iasoybeans.com/productionresearch or on the ISU Extension Online Store at https://store.extension.iastate.edu/.
Brazil Soybean Planting Speeding Along
Brazilian soybean planting sped forward last week as soil moisture levels remained high across most of the grains belt. With over 50% of the crop planted by the first week of November, farmers are way ahead of schedule, although some will be concerned about forecasts of irregular rain coverage over the next month. As of Nov. 4, farmers had planted 54% of a projected 62-million-acre planted area, according to Safras e Mercado, a local farm consultancy. That's 13 percentage points up from the 41% registered at the end of last week and 15 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 38% for this stage of the season.
The soybeans in the field are not only benefitting from decent rains but also abundant sunlight, leading farmers to become more optimistic about the crop by the day. The exceptions are parts of southern and western Mato Grosso, southern Goias and western Minas Gerais, where rain coverage has been irregular. The good news for farmers in those regions is that more rain is forecast for the center-west this week, although coverage will continue to be erratic, according to Somar Meteorologia, a Sao Paulo-based weather service. Southern fields will sit under blazing sun for most of the week, it added.
In Mato Grosso, Brazil's No. 1 soybean state, planting reached 75% of the crop as of Nov. 4, up from 61% from last week. In Parana, the No. 2 producing state, farmers had sowed 70% of the crop, up from 56% last week. In the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, planting is 23% complete, rising from 10% last week.
Farm Credit Systems Report Higher Net Income
The Farm Credit System reported combined net income of $1.0 billion and $2.9 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared with combined net income of $949 million and $2.633 billion for the same periods last year.
"The Farm Credit System continued to achieve positive results during 2011 due, in part, to a favorable funding environment and stable credit quality," remarked Jamie B. Stewart, Jr., President and CEO of the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. "We continue to have access to well-priced debt, reflecting our strong income trend and conservative balance sheet. The System's profitability has allowed us to further strengthen our capital levels. Capital as a percentage of assets has grown from 14.5% at December 31, 2010 to 15.8% at September 30, 2011, supporting the System's mission to provide for the financing needs of creditworthy farmers and ranchers throughout the United States."
Combined net income increased $59 million and $361 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared with the same periods in 2010.
The increase for the three-month period resulted from an increase in net interest income of $84 million and a decrease in the provision for loan losses of $40 million, partially offset by increases in net noninterest expense of $39 million and the provision for income taxes of $26 million.
RJ O'Brien Seeks USDA Report Delay
Commodities brokerage R.J. O'Brien sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture requesting it delay its monthly supply and demand report to give traders a chance to deal with fallout from MF Global's bankruptcy.
The brokerage asked the USDA to delay the report, scheduled to be released Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. CST, until Nov. 14, said Rich Feltes, R.J. O'Brien's senior vice president of research. The firm would have asked for a delay only until Friday, but federal offices are closed for Veterans Day, Feltes added.
The extra time is needed as traders seek to transfer accounts and recover money from MF Global, a large futures brokerage which filed for bankruptcy a week ago.
"They need more time to properly fund accounts that have that have been assigned to new (futures commission merchants)," Feltes said.
Delaying the report would be a rare step for the USDA. CME floor traders said they couldn't recall a delay in recent memory, aside from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
A CME Group (CME) spokesman said the exchange hasn't, at this stage, asked the USDA to delay Wednesday's report.
The monthly reports update supply and demand forecasts for a variety of agricultural commodities, and often cause significant price swings.
Feltes said the request was a long-shot, but said it was a step the USDA could take "to mitigate the aftershocks and the effects of bankruptcy on thousands of market participants."
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
Monday, November 7, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday November 5 Ag News
Farming After the Flood
Flooding events in 2011 and previous years have greatly impacted America's prime farmland. Floodwaters left sediment and debris, eroded large parts of producers' fields and, in many cases, left land devastated.
"Strategies to rebuild the soil, the foundation of all agricultural production, are essential to ensure that agricultural lands impacted by the floods are productive again," said Congressman Tom Latham (IA-4), co-chair of the Congressional Soils Caucus. "Sediment and debris removal and reconstruction of fields after erosion can be extremely costly. It is essential to have strategies and programs in place that assist producers in this regard."
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) sponsored a Congressional educational briefing, "Farming after the Flood", on October 26th. The briefing focused on the impacts, mitigation approaches, and costs related to farmland flooding. The three speakers providing information on these main aspects of flooding included:
-- Scott Olson, a farmer from Tekamah, Nebraska (NE), discussed the economic and environmental impacts that flooding has had on his family operated corn and soybean farm, as well as on other producers in Burt County, NE located near the Missouri River. Since May 28, Scott has documented the 2011 Missouri River Flood with over 3,000 aerial photographs. You can find photos of the flood at: www.leevalley.net.
-- John Wilson, an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, discussed the common problems farmers encounter in post-flood recovery and presented a series of management options for addressing these challenges. John co-leads a team of extension staff from Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to reclaim agricultural land devastated by the 2011 Missouri River Flood. Archives of related webinar presentations are located at: http://flood.unl.edu/crops.
-- James Callan, a crop insurance consultant, provided insight into the Federal crop insurance program that is available to mitigate the negative economic impacts from flooding damage and crop yield losses. James served six years in USDA, from 2003 to 2009, in the capacity of Chief of External Affairs, Associate Administrator, and Acting Administrator of the Risk Management Agency, which collectively administer the multi-billion dollar Federal crop insurance program.
During the briefing, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1), a member of the Congressional Soils Caucus, stated, "Scott and John are acutely aware of the economic impacts of the flooding and I appreciate that they took the time to visit D.C. to share their experience with members and staff here." He continued, saying "We have spent considerable time with the communities up and down the Missouri River to serve as a conduit of information on the recovery of economic losses incurred from the flood. It seems like the local communities have been working with the State in the good spirit of cooperation that still runs strong in Nebraska."
Many agricultural fields will need to undergo a significant recovery process, including the removal of sediment from fields, if crop yields are to recover. In many cases, the soil is physically damaged; therefore gullies need to be filled and top soil replaced. 'Flooded soil syndrome', a condition which occurs when flooding results in fields devoid of plant roots and decreases soil microbial and fungal populations, is also a serious problem. One way to stimulate soil microbial and fungal activity is to plant cover crops. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion, improve the structure for soil, conserve below-ground moisture, and provide a habitat for soil biology. Federal conservation and insurance programs can help offset some of the costs of mitigating the impacts of flooding. As producers seek to offset their losses from the flood, support for these programs is foremost on their minds. Cooperative extension, education, and research have been fundamental for providing producers with information on how to deal with this unique and devastating situation.
Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center Dedication Nov. 18
The new Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis is now complete with dedication scheduled at 1 p.m. Nov. 18.
Construction began in October 2010 on one of the largest and most innovative building projects in NCTA's history, said Weldon Sleight, dean of the college in Curtis. "This will not only increase our capacity to produce more students to return to their communities as farmers/ranchers and business owners, but also increase the quality of living and the learning atmosphere at NCTA," Sleight said.
For the last two years, four major projects have been completed at a cost of $15 million. The projects are the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center, a large addition to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital part of the Dr. Walter Long Veterinary Hospital Addition, the Aggie Central Residence Hall and the Biomass Project designed to heat the campus with red cedar wood chips. In addition, the George and Carol Garlick Aggie West Residence Hall will be recognized.
The Nebraska ag industry, alumni and friends provided substantial financial support for these projects, Sleight said.
"The Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center will be used a lot by the different ag industries in Nebraska that have supported it from the beginning," he said. Industry will use the center for meetings, conferences and educational purposes. New specialty programs that will encourage and help the students to return to their hometowns and farms are the 100 Beef Cow Advantage Program, the 100 Acre Farm Advantage Program and the Business Builders Program.
For more information about NCTA, visit http://ncta.unl.edu/.
New grain facility in Custer County
The Andersons, an Ohio-based diversified Ag company, broke ground Friday on a new grain elevator facility near Anselmo. Regional Director Jim Cripe says it will be a 110-car shuttle loading site along the Burlington Northern Railroad. It will have a storage capacity for nearly 4 million bushels of corn and soybeans. Producers will be able to dump 24,000 to 30,000 bushels of grain per hour. Cripe says they plan to have 7 to 10 full-time employees and be open in time for the 2012 harvest.
Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy was among the dignitaries participating in the groundbreaking. He said "you can sense the excitement from not only from the Andersons' group but, also the citizens here in Custer County". Custer Economic Development Director Liz Babcock has been working with The Andersons since February. She said it was an ideal location for the elevator because of the amount of grain that is raised and exported out of Custer County. Custer County ranked first in the state in corn production in 2010 according to data from the Nebraska Corn Board.
CHS Expands Soybean Processing Business to Iowa
CHS Inc., St. Paul, a leading energy, grains and foods company, today announced it has acquired Creston Bean Processing, LLC, Creston, Iowa, from DeBruce Grain, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gavilon, LLC, Omaha, Neb. Gavilon is a leading commodity management firm serving the agriculture and energy industries.
Gavilon will act as a purchasing agent for area producers, and will continue to source the more than nine million bushels of soybeans the CHS plant crushes annually from growers and cooperatives in 10 southwestern Iowa counties. Soybean sales for delivery to the CHS Creston plant will be eligible for patronage and will help meet growing protein demand. The crude soybean oil from Creston will be shipped to the CHS Mankato, Minn., soybean refinery, where it will be further processed for human consumption.
CHS supplies baking and snack and other food ingredient markets and industrial customers with soybean oil, soy flour, textured vegetable proteins and soy-based analogs. "Soybeans grown in southern Iowa provide a higher protein component, desired by many of our domestic and international customers," said Tom Malecha, CHS vice president of protein sales, Mankato, Minn.
The acquisition is part of the company's ongoing growth and expansion plans. "Increasing our profile in food and food ingredient markets is one of the company's strategic aspirations," Malecha said. The Creston plant and its 32 employees will become part of CHS Oilseed Processing within the company's Ag Business division.
United States and Canadian Hog Inventory up 1 Percent
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on September 28, 2011.
United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for September 2011 was 78.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from September 2010, but down slightly from September 2009. The breeding inventory, at 7.11 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 71.5 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 3 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 36.3 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 and up 1 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.60 million head, down 2 percent from last year and down 3 percent from 2009.
United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2011 was 66.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from September 1, 2010 but down slightly from September 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.81 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.8 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up 3 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 29.1 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 and up 1 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.90 million head, down 1 percent from 2010 and down 2 percent from 2009.
Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on October 1, 2011 was 12.0 million head. This was up 1 percent from October 1, 2010 and up slightly from October 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 1.31 million head, was up slightly from last year and up 1 percent from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.7 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.2 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 but down 2 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 699,000 head, down 2 percent from last year and down 5 percent from 2009.
Weak La Nina to Favor Brazil Soy, Corn
A weakened La Nina during the development of Brazil's 2011/12 (Oct/Sept) crops should have a limited impact on the country's soy and corn output, meteorologists said.
After an increase in planted area and in farmers' use of fertilizer, production could reach a record volume, they added.
"At least so far, farmers do not have anything alarming (to worry about related to La Nina)," said Ana Avila, director at Cepagri, a meteorological center linked to Universidade de Campinas, in Sao Paulo state.
Brazil is in the middle of soy and corn planting, and frequent, plentiful rains will still be necessary for at least the next two months for crops to grow properly.
La Nina, a phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean surface temperatures off Peru, affects weather. It tends to cause a later start of the rainy season in Brazil's center-west bread basket, as it did last season when rains started almost a month and a half later than normal.
"Unlike 2010/11, the main characteristic of the La Nina is that it will have a moderate intensity, it will be a 'lighter' version, and also shorter," said Somar meteorologist Marco Antonio dos Santos.
Last time, the La Nina anomaly lasted from June 2010 through the fall of 2011 (April-June). Now, it is expected to begin in the second half of spring (October-December) and last through fall.
"Problems will be minimal," Santos said of the latest La Nina. He said there will possibly be dry periods of 7 to 10 days in the southern portion of Brazil. It could also bring intense, isolated rains during the harvest period in the country's center-west and southeast regions.
But some governmental bodies and private analysts are being cautious about the next soy crop, despite an increase in planted area to around 25 million hectares, with farmers stimulated by high grain prices.
Crop supply agency Conab actually expects a drop in output, citing the return of La Nina.
The agency will release a revised forecast on Wednesday.
Despite a stronger La Nina last season, Brazil harvested an unprecedented soy crop of more than 75 million tonnes, with record average yield of 3.1 tonnes per hectare.
U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Convene 22nd Session of U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Chengdu, China
U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will co-chair the 22nd session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan on November 20-21, in Chengdu, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also take part in the discussions to address key agricultural trade concerns.
"The JCCT is an important opportunity to address and resolve key trade concerns with China," Bryson said. "Our goals are to help open markets to U.S. exports that will improve the lives of the Chinese people, and to work to level the playing field for American companies. Our year-long work on these and other issues on the JCCT agenda will help spur economic growth here at home by increasing exports to China, and help us meet our National Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014."
"The JCCT is a key venue for ensuring that our bilateral trade relationship moves in a positive direction to provide maximum benefits for American workers and businesses," Kirk said. "Through this year's JCCT, we are pressing China for concrete and measurable results on a number of significant issues including China's policies on intellectual property rights, investment and innovation, as well as a range of sector-specific industrial policies."
"Thanks to the productivity of America's farmers, ranchers and producers, our trading partners in China recognize the United States as a reliable supplier of the highest-quality food and agricultural products," Vilsack said. "Partnerships with a growing market like China are integral to the strength of the U.S. economy in the decades ahead. Under the Obama Administration, USDA has continued to expand markets for American goods abroad, worked aggressively to break down barriers to trade, and assisted U.S. businesses with the resources needed to reach consumers around the world."
Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China. The JCCT holds plenary meetings on an annual basis, while a number of JCCT working groups meet throughout the year in areas such as intellectual property rights, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, information technology, tourism, environment, and statistics.
Last year's JCCT was held in Washington, D.C., and during the meetings China agreed, among other issues, to improve intellectual property rights enforcement, to revise its indigenous innovation policies and to accelerate its accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.
China was the largest supplier of U.S. goods imports in 2010 and was the third-largest market for U.S. exports in 2010 (after Canada and Mexico). U.S. goods exports to China were $92 billion in 2010, up 468 percent since 2000. Trade in services with China (exports and imports) totaled $31 billion in 2010; services exports were $21 billion and services imports were $10 billion.
Huelskamp Calls for New Farm Bill Title to Address Overregulation
Congressman Tim Huelskamp, a fifth-generation farmer, announced this morning that he will introduce legislation to add a Regulatory Title to the “Farm Bill.” The Freeing Agriculture to Reap More (FARM) Act will prevent and prohibit job-killing overregulation of agriculture.
“We need to free up America’s farmers and ranchers so they can do their jobs,” Congressman Huelskamp said. “The economic impact of overregulation is so devastating that Congress must target it in the next Farm Bill. Overregulation negatively impacts all agriculture, so it is time Congress address the costs bureaucrats impose through excessive rules, red tape, and requirements.”
“At the 70 in-person town hall meetings I have hosted across the First District of Kansas – one of the largest agriculture districts in the country – time and again I have heard the same concern from farmers: Washington will be the death of them. They are not looking for more handouts from Washington, but rather need Washington to let them operate in the safe and responsible, yet productive, ways they have done for generations. The FARM Act allows our family farms to continue the family tradition without fear of expensive and unnecessary overregulation.”
The FARM Act will perform the following functions:
· Prohibit regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
· Clarify and expand current exemptions for farmers from federal commercial drivers license requirements.
· Prohibit regulation of farm dust.
· Permit the continued operation of sweep augers in grain bins.
· Allow farmers to haul adequate diesel fuel to the field to complete the job for the day.
· Prohibit the EPA from redefining the terms “navigable waters” and “waters of the United States” so as to impose additional regulations on water.
· Prohibit the creation of a livestock emissions tax.
· Increase the threshold for inspection and reporting requirements for animal dealers
· Prohibit funding for the White House Rural Council.
· Delay derivatives regulations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act until a cumulative analysis can be performed.
· Amend regulations on farm transport that affect transportation of commodities and supplies by and for agricultural purposes.
· Prohibit the Department of Labor from imposing proposed burdensome regulations relating to youth farm employment.
BASF Joins Farmers Alliance to Enhance Trust in Agriculture
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture.
"USFRA is proud to have partners like BASF supporting our mission to enhance consumer trust in the U.S. food production system, maintain and enhance the freedom of U.S. farmers and ranchers to operate in a responsible manner, and strengthen collaboration within the food production, processing and distribution systems," said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau and Chairman of USFRA. "It is critical that the entire agriculture industry unite to build public trust in the U.S. food system."
As a member of the IPC, BASF supports the mission, goals and objectives of USFRA. IPC members have the opportunity to participate in USFRA committees/task forces and the annual meeting, and support USFRA educational activities.
"BASF is proud to join with the farmers and ranchers of America in this important effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture," said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection, North America. "It is more important than ever that U.S. consumers feel absolutely confident in whatever food choice they wish to make."
USFRA's members represent nearly all aspects of U.S. agriculture uniting with one voice. The Alliance focuses on enhancing consumer trust in today's food production through education and communication with consumer influencers and thought leaders. An important Alliance goal is to lead the conversation about the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of today's agriculture.
Flooding events in 2011 and previous years have greatly impacted America's prime farmland. Floodwaters left sediment and debris, eroded large parts of producers' fields and, in many cases, left land devastated.
"Strategies to rebuild the soil, the foundation of all agricultural production, are essential to ensure that agricultural lands impacted by the floods are productive again," said Congressman Tom Latham (IA-4), co-chair of the Congressional Soils Caucus. "Sediment and debris removal and reconstruction of fields after erosion can be extremely costly. It is essential to have strategies and programs in place that assist producers in this regard."
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) sponsored a Congressional educational briefing, "Farming after the Flood", on October 26th. The briefing focused on the impacts, mitigation approaches, and costs related to farmland flooding. The three speakers providing information on these main aspects of flooding included:
-- Scott Olson, a farmer from Tekamah, Nebraska (NE), discussed the economic and environmental impacts that flooding has had on his family operated corn and soybean farm, as well as on other producers in Burt County, NE located near the Missouri River. Since May 28, Scott has documented the 2011 Missouri River Flood with over 3,000 aerial photographs. You can find photos of the flood at: www.leevalley.net.
-- John Wilson, an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, discussed the common problems farmers encounter in post-flood recovery and presented a series of management options for addressing these challenges. John co-leads a team of extension staff from Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to reclaim agricultural land devastated by the 2011 Missouri River Flood. Archives of related webinar presentations are located at: http://flood.unl.edu/crops.
-- James Callan, a crop insurance consultant, provided insight into the Federal crop insurance program that is available to mitigate the negative economic impacts from flooding damage and crop yield losses. James served six years in USDA, from 2003 to 2009, in the capacity of Chief of External Affairs, Associate Administrator, and Acting Administrator of the Risk Management Agency, which collectively administer the multi-billion dollar Federal crop insurance program.
During the briefing, Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1), a member of the Congressional Soils Caucus, stated, "Scott and John are acutely aware of the economic impacts of the flooding and I appreciate that they took the time to visit D.C. to share their experience with members and staff here." He continued, saying "We have spent considerable time with the communities up and down the Missouri River to serve as a conduit of information on the recovery of economic losses incurred from the flood. It seems like the local communities have been working with the State in the good spirit of cooperation that still runs strong in Nebraska."
Many agricultural fields will need to undergo a significant recovery process, including the removal of sediment from fields, if crop yields are to recover. In many cases, the soil is physically damaged; therefore gullies need to be filled and top soil replaced. 'Flooded soil syndrome', a condition which occurs when flooding results in fields devoid of plant roots and decreases soil microbial and fungal populations, is also a serious problem. One way to stimulate soil microbial and fungal activity is to plant cover crops. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion, improve the structure for soil, conserve below-ground moisture, and provide a habitat for soil biology. Federal conservation and insurance programs can help offset some of the costs of mitigating the impacts of flooding. As producers seek to offset their losses from the flood, support for these programs is foremost on their minds. Cooperative extension, education, and research have been fundamental for providing producers with information on how to deal with this unique and devastating situation.
Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center Dedication Nov. 18
The new Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis is now complete with dedication scheduled at 1 p.m. Nov. 18.
Construction began in October 2010 on one of the largest and most innovative building projects in NCTA's history, said Weldon Sleight, dean of the college in Curtis. "This will not only increase our capacity to produce more students to return to their communities as farmers/ranchers and business owners, but also increase the quality of living and the learning atmosphere at NCTA," Sleight said.
For the last two years, four major projects have been completed at a cost of $15 million. The projects are the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center, a large addition to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital part of the Dr. Walter Long Veterinary Hospital Addition, the Aggie Central Residence Hall and the Biomass Project designed to heat the campus with red cedar wood chips. In addition, the George and Carol Garlick Aggie West Residence Hall will be recognized.
The Nebraska ag industry, alumni and friends provided substantial financial support for these projects, Sleight said.
"The Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center will be used a lot by the different ag industries in Nebraska that have supported it from the beginning," he said. Industry will use the center for meetings, conferences and educational purposes. New specialty programs that will encourage and help the students to return to their hometowns and farms are the 100 Beef Cow Advantage Program, the 100 Acre Farm Advantage Program and the Business Builders Program.
For more information about NCTA, visit http://ncta.unl.edu/.
New grain facility in Custer County
The Andersons, an Ohio-based diversified Ag company, broke ground Friday on a new grain elevator facility near Anselmo. Regional Director Jim Cripe says it will be a 110-car shuttle loading site along the Burlington Northern Railroad. It will have a storage capacity for nearly 4 million bushels of corn and soybeans. Producers will be able to dump 24,000 to 30,000 bushels of grain per hour. Cripe says they plan to have 7 to 10 full-time employees and be open in time for the 2012 harvest.
Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy was among the dignitaries participating in the groundbreaking. He said "you can sense the excitement from not only from the Andersons' group but, also the citizens here in Custer County". Custer Economic Development Director Liz Babcock has been working with The Andersons since February. She said it was an ideal location for the elevator because of the amount of grain that is raised and exported out of Custer County. Custer County ranked first in the state in corn production in 2010 according to data from the Nebraska Corn Board.
CHS Expands Soybean Processing Business to Iowa
CHS Inc., St. Paul, a leading energy, grains and foods company, today announced it has acquired Creston Bean Processing, LLC, Creston, Iowa, from DeBruce Grain, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Gavilon, LLC, Omaha, Neb. Gavilon is a leading commodity management firm serving the agriculture and energy industries.
Gavilon will act as a purchasing agent for area producers, and will continue to source the more than nine million bushels of soybeans the CHS plant crushes annually from growers and cooperatives in 10 southwestern Iowa counties. Soybean sales for delivery to the CHS Creston plant will be eligible for patronage and will help meet growing protein demand. The crude soybean oil from Creston will be shipped to the CHS Mankato, Minn., soybean refinery, where it will be further processed for human consumption.
CHS supplies baking and snack and other food ingredient markets and industrial customers with soybean oil, soy flour, textured vegetable proteins and soy-based analogs. "Soybeans grown in southern Iowa provide a higher protein component, desired by many of our domestic and international customers," said Tom Malecha, CHS vice president of protein sales, Mankato, Minn.
The acquisition is part of the company's ongoing growth and expansion plans. "Increasing our profile in food and food ingredient markets is one of the company's strategic aspirations," Malecha said. The Creston plant and its 32 employees will become part of CHS Oilseed Processing within the company's Ag Business division.
United States and Canadian Hog Inventory up 1 Percent
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the United States hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. United States inventory numbers were previously released on September 28, 2011.
United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for September 2011 was 78.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from September 2010, but down slightly from September 2009. The breeding inventory, at 7.11 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 71.5 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 3 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 36.3 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 and up 1 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.60 million head, down 2 percent from last year and down 3 percent from 2009.
United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2011 was 66.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from September 1, 2010 but down slightly from September 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.81 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.8 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up 3 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 29.1 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 and up 1 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.90 million head, down 1 percent from 2010 and down 2 percent from 2009.
Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on October 1, 2011 was 12.0 million head. This was up 1 percent from October 1, 2010 and up slightly from October 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 1.31 million head, was up slightly from last year and up 1 percent from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.7 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.2 million head, was up 1 percent from 2010 but down 2 percent from 2009. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 699,000 head, down 2 percent from last year and down 5 percent from 2009.
Weak La Nina to Favor Brazil Soy, Corn
A weakened La Nina during the development of Brazil's 2011/12 (Oct/Sept) crops should have a limited impact on the country's soy and corn output, meteorologists said.
After an increase in planted area and in farmers' use of fertilizer, production could reach a record volume, they added.
"At least so far, farmers do not have anything alarming (to worry about related to La Nina)," said Ana Avila, director at Cepagri, a meteorological center linked to Universidade de Campinas, in Sao Paulo state.
Brazil is in the middle of soy and corn planting, and frequent, plentiful rains will still be necessary for at least the next two months for crops to grow properly.
La Nina, a phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean surface temperatures off Peru, affects weather. It tends to cause a later start of the rainy season in Brazil's center-west bread basket, as it did last season when rains started almost a month and a half later than normal.
"Unlike 2010/11, the main characteristic of the La Nina is that it will have a moderate intensity, it will be a 'lighter' version, and also shorter," said Somar meteorologist Marco Antonio dos Santos.
Last time, the La Nina anomaly lasted from June 2010 through the fall of 2011 (April-June). Now, it is expected to begin in the second half of spring (October-December) and last through fall.
"Problems will be minimal," Santos said of the latest La Nina. He said there will possibly be dry periods of 7 to 10 days in the southern portion of Brazil. It could also bring intense, isolated rains during the harvest period in the country's center-west and southeast regions.
But some governmental bodies and private analysts are being cautious about the next soy crop, despite an increase in planted area to around 25 million hectares, with farmers stimulated by high grain prices.
Crop supply agency Conab actually expects a drop in output, citing the return of La Nina.
The agency will release a revised forecast on Wednesday.
Despite a stronger La Nina last season, Brazil harvested an unprecedented soy crop of more than 75 million tonnes, with record average yield of 3.1 tonnes per hectare.
U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to Convene 22nd Session of U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade in Chengdu, China
U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will co-chair the 22nd session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan on November 20-21, in Chengdu, China. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also take part in the discussions to address key agricultural trade concerns.
"The JCCT is an important opportunity to address and resolve key trade concerns with China," Bryson said. "Our goals are to help open markets to U.S. exports that will improve the lives of the Chinese people, and to work to level the playing field for American companies. Our year-long work on these and other issues on the JCCT agenda will help spur economic growth here at home by increasing exports to China, and help us meet our National Export Initiative goal of doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014."
"The JCCT is a key venue for ensuring that our bilateral trade relationship moves in a positive direction to provide maximum benefits for American workers and businesses," Kirk said. "Through this year's JCCT, we are pressing China for concrete and measurable results on a number of significant issues including China's policies on intellectual property rights, investment and innovation, as well as a range of sector-specific industrial policies."
"Thanks to the productivity of America's farmers, ranchers and producers, our trading partners in China recognize the United States as a reliable supplier of the highest-quality food and agricultural products," Vilsack said. "Partnerships with a growing market like China are integral to the strength of the U.S. economy in the decades ahead. Under the Obama Administration, USDA has continued to expand markets for American goods abroad, worked aggressively to break down barriers to trade, and assisted U.S. businesses with the resources needed to reach consumers around the world."
Established in 1983, the JCCT is the main forum for addressing bilateral trade issues and promoting commercial opportunities between the United States and China. The JCCT holds plenary meetings on an annual basis, while a number of JCCT working groups meet throughout the year in areas such as intellectual property rights, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, information technology, tourism, environment, and statistics.
Last year's JCCT was held in Washington, D.C., and during the meetings China agreed, among other issues, to improve intellectual property rights enforcement, to revise its indigenous innovation policies and to accelerate its accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement.
China was the largest supplier of U.S. goods imports in 2010 and was the third-largest market for U.S. exports in 2010 (after Canada and Mexico). U.S. goods exports to China were $92 billion in 2010, up 468 percent since 2000. Trade in services with China (exports and imports) totaled $31 billion in 2010; services exports were $21 billion and services imports were $10 billion.
Huelskamp Calls for New Farm Bill Title to Address Overregulation
Congressman Tim Huelskamp, a fifth-generation farmer, announced this morning that he will introduce legislation to add a Regulatory Title to the “Farm Bill.” The Freeing Agriculture to Reap More (FARM) Act will prevent and prohibit job-killing overregulation of agriculture.
“We need to free up America’s farmers and ranchers so they can do their jobs,” Congressman Huelskamp said. “The economic impact of overregulation is so devastating that Congress must target it in the next Farm Bill. Overregulation negatively impacts all agriculture, so it is time Congress address the costs bureaucrats impose through excessive rules, red tape, and requirements.”
“At the 70 in-person town hall meetings I have hosted across the First District of Kansas – one of the largest agriculture districts in the country – time and again I have heard the same concern from farmers: Washington will be the death of them. They are not looking for more handouts from Washington, but rather need Washington to let them operate in the safe and responsible, yet productive, ways they have done for generations. The FARM Act allows our family farms to continue the family tradition without fear of expensive and unnecessary overregulation.”
The FARM Act will perform the following functions:
· Prohibit regulation of emissions of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
· Clarify and expand current exemptions for farmers from federal commercial drivers license requirements.
· Prohibit regulation of farm dust.
· Permit the continued operation of sweep augers in grain bins.
· Allow farmers to haul adequate diesel fuel to the field to complete the job for the day.
· Prohibit the EPA from redefining the terms “navigable waters” and “waters of the United States” so as to impose additional regulations on water.
· Prohibit the creation of a livestock emissions tax.
· Increase the threshold for inspection and reporting requirements for animal dealers
· Prohibit funding for the White House Rural Council.
· Delay derivatives regulations of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act until a cumulative analysis can be performed.
· Amend regulations on farm transport that affect transportation of commodities and supplies by and for agricultural purposes.
· Prohibit the Department of Labor from imposing proposed burdensome regulations relating to youth farm employment.
BASF Joins Farmers Alliance to Enhance Trust in Agriculture
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture.
"USFRA is proud to have partners like BASF supporting our mission to enhance consumer trust in the U.S. food production system, maintain and enhance the freedom of U.S. farmers and ranchers to operate in a responsible manner, and strengthen collaboration within the food production, processing and distribution systems," said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau and Chairman of USFRA. "It is critical that the entire agriculture industry unite to build public trust in the U.S. food system."
As a member of the IPC, BASF supports the mission, goals and objectives of USFRA. IPC members have the opportunity to participate in USFRA committees/task forces and the annual meeting, and support USFRA educational activities.
"BASF is proud to join with the farmers and ranchers of America in this important effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture," said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection, North America. "It is more important than ever that U.S. consumers feel absolutely confident in whatever food choice they wish to make."
USFRA's members represent nearly all aspects of U.S. agriculture uniting with one voice. The Alliance focuses on enhancing consumer trust in today's food production through education and communication with consumer influencers and thought leaders. An important Alliance goal is to lead the conversation about the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of today's agriculture.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday November 3 Ag News
JOHANNS BILL RESTORES STATE ROLE IN CLEAN AIR STANDARDS
U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today is introducing legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to respect longstanding state prerogatives when it comes to enforcing federal Clean Air Act standards. Unless action is taken, states are facing an accelerated timeline to comply with new EPA regulations that could lead to layoffs, tens of millions of dollars in increased utilities costs, and dramatically increased electricity prices for many Americans. The bill introduced today by Johanns would require EPA to give states at least two years to submit their own regulatory plan and prohibits EPA from implementing a federal plan if states have not been given enough time.
"EPA is crafting new rules left and right with little to no regard for their practicality and negative consequences," Johanns said. "Complying with these rules under the current timeline is not feasible and freezing states out of the process is wrong. Our states deserve the chance to develop their own rules under a reasonable timeline to protect jobs and avoid skyrocketing electricity bills, which is exactly what this legislation accomplishes. I've met with many representatives of public power providers in Nebraska, large and small, and their frustration with EPA's unreasonable approach cannot be exaggerated. We all want clean air and a healthy environment, but federal rulemaking cannot occur in a vacuum."
States have long been given the power to develop their own regulatory regimes, with federal intervention occurring only under limited circumstances. EPA in recent months has taken steps to disregard this process by implementing federal emissions rules on a rushed timeline without giving states adequate time to develop their own plans.
Under this legislation, compliance with EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which addresses power plant emissions the agency has identified as crossing state lines, would be delayed until states have been given at least two years to develop a state regulatory plan. The EPA rule became final in July 2011 and requires compliance just six months later, by January 2012. The significant changes demanded by this rule make compliance by January virtually impossible.
USMEF Conference Kicks Off in Tucson
The U.S. Meat Export Federation's (USMEF) 35th Anniversary Strategic Planning Conference opened Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz., with a wide range of guest speakers, each of whom offered a unique perspective on the importance of red meat exports.
Dr. Harry Kaiser, a Cornell University economist, presented the findings of his recently completed study on the effectiveness of USMEF’s foreign marketing efforts. “An Economic Analysis of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Export Market Development Programs” was commissioned by USMEF to quantify the returns that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs receive from their investments in USMEF’s export market development programs. The independent study was funded by the USDA and Dr. Kaiser was chosen from several researchers who proposed to do the research.
“Basically what we found is very good news,” Dr. Kaiser told the audience. “The U.S. Meat Export Federation’s beef and pork market development programs were found to have a positive and statistically significant impact on imports of U.S. red meat in all of the eight markets that were analyzed.”
The economic model showed that combined producer and USDA marketing expenditures increased U.S. red meat exports by more than 30 percent per year.
“If we compare the results of this study to the results of 16 published studies for other commodities, the bottom line is that these USMEF programs have had a larger impact on import demand than the majority of similar programs for other commodities.”
Bill Rupp, president of JBS USA’s beef division, also addressed the audience on the importance of exports, driving home the critical role the international markets play in his company’s profitability.
“When you look at some of the products that we export, you see a price volatility in some cases,” Rupp said. “But there’s a constant return over what we could expect if we had to ‘disappear’ these products into a domestic market. So I want to say thanks for the great job USMEF does in helping us promote and position our products in the export markets. Clearly today, we’re not in business without strong international growth.”
John Bellinger, CEO of Food Safety Net and Agri-West International, spoke not only to the importance of exports to the U.S. meat industry, but also to the health of the entire U.S. economy.
“There’s one way for our country to get out of this economic recession,” Bellinger said. “We have to export our way to prosperity. Do you think China became an economic powerhouse by selling to its own people? They exported. They exported their way out of poverty. We’re just trying to export our way out of a little recession – China exported its way out of poverty.”
USMEF Chairman Keith Miller and President and CEO Philip Seng also addressed the opening general session audience, recapping export results in 2011 and discussing the challenges that lie ahead. Market updates were provided by regional directors who represent USMEF in Japan, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
Thursday’s general session will include a global market review and updates from China, Taiwan, South Korea and the ASEAN region. Committee activity on Thursday will include meetings of the USMEF Exporter Committee, Beef and Allied Industries Committee, Pork and Allied Industries Committee and the Feedgrain and Oilseed Caucus.
NCGA CEO Sees Growing Potential for Ag Exports to China
“Over the past 25 years, we kept predicting China would grow into an important market for U.S. agriculture ‘in a few more years.’ I hadn’t realized, and I’m guessing many growers haven’t realized that in 2010 China became our number one export market,” reported Rick Tolman, chief executive officer for the National Corn Growers Association.
Tolman, who traveled to China with U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr, found dramatic changes compared to 11 years ago when he served as Council's executive director for international operations.
“Now they have become a great export market for us, especially for soybeans, cotton, distiller’s dried grains, and wood,” he noted. “They are taking some corn, too. There needs to be more awareness of their importance among U.S. growers.”
Chinese sources delivered a wide range of messages about China’s long-term outlook as a customer for U.S. corn, Tolman reported: “We heard everything from ‘absolutely not, never’ to ‘yes, and there will be significant growth over the next few years.’”
“In my opinion, the environment is right for U.S. sales to grow further. With economic growth and population growth, China can become a more and more significant market for us,” he concluded.
Changing attitudes on both sides of the Pacific could further benefit the U.S.-China trade relationship, according to Tolman.
“Among the general public, we tend to think about China in terms of a U.S. trade deficit, but in agriculture, the United States has a comparative advantage and our trade balance with China is positive. We have a growing agricultural trade surplus.
“I was thinking that our relationship is most often described in terms of our differences – whether it’s over currency or some other issue – and that’s what makes the headlines. But our differences should pale in comparison with our huge trading relationship,” he said. “We need to focus less on our disputes and more on where we have interests in common and good reasons to work together.”
Tolman also warned of the dangers of linking trade with other issues.
“It is very clear from listening to them that our political leaders on both sides tie trade into politics, and we need to change that culture. Trade ought to be independent of politics – we should have learned that from the grain embargoes in the 1970s or from the recent delays in confirming free trade agreements,” he said.
“We in agriculture have a lot to gain, and we should work on getting over that.”
Despite World Economy, India Poised for Growth
India’s growth outlook “appears more subdued than last year,” but analysts still expect to see it hover around 8 percent, reported U.S. Grains Council Consultant Amit Sachdev.
The International Monetary Fund now pegs Indian growth at 7.8 percent for 2011/2012, citing challenges from high inflation and higher interest rates, which could dampen demand. The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, meanwhile, projects growth close to 8 percent.
The Reserve Bank of India recently raised interest rates for the twelfth time in 18 months in an effort to slow inflation and reduce demand, but since borrowing by Indian households is low, consumers have liquidity to absorb the increase. Monthly installment payments on loans represent less than one percent of Indians’ total household income.
Even with a slowdown, India’s growth is likely to outstrip many other nations’ this year. India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, following the United States, China and Japan, and is about to surpass the Japanese economy in size. In 2010, the Japanese economy was valued at $4.31 trillion, but since then, the tsunami and earthquakes have meant major economic losses. Meanwhile, India’s economy, valued at $4.06 trillion last year, has continued to grow.
In the agricultural sector, India’s government is trying to boost production, including especially the output of oilseeds and pulses, and scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research are concentrating especially on developing crop varieties that require less water.
This year, however, the issue has been excessive precipitation, as monsoon rains were 39 percent above normal in the first week of September. While heavy rains are likely to increase crop plantings, they are also delaying the harvest of mature crops, including cotton, soybeans, onions and corn.
August 2011 & Weekly Ethanol Production 10/28/2011
It's a new month and the middle of the week, so that means a double dose of ethanol production data from the RFA and our friends at the Energy Information Administration.
In August 2011, ethanol production averaged nearly 908,000 barrels per day (b/d). That is up from 891,000 b/d in July and a year over year increase of 37,000 b/d. EIA also reported ending stocks of 17.9 million barrels, or 19.2 days of supply based upon RFA calculations of 933,000 b/d of total ethanol demand in August. Additionally, EIA reported 456,000 gallons of imports versus export demand of 52.3 million gallons.
Weekly ethanol production data for the week ending 10/28/2011
According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 916,000 barrels per day (b/d) – or 38.472 million gallons daily. That is up 7,000 b/d from the previous week and the highest weekly average since January. The 4-week average for ethanol production stood at 898,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 13.77 billion gallons.
Stocks of ethanol stood at 17.2 million barrels.
Gasoline demand for the week averaged 357.76 million gallons daily.
Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.75%.
On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.889 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 103,070 metric tons of livestock feed, 91,979 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.37 million pounds of corn oil daily.
The co-products calculations in this report reflect an update in assumptions made by the RFA based upon industry research and publicly available data on feed and corn oil production at U.S. ethanol biorefineries. Specifically, the RFA makes the following assumptions:
1.) industry weighted average ethanol yield of 2.77 gallons/bushel of corn processed;
2.) dry mills represent 89% of current operating capacity;
3.) 35% of operating dry mill capacity is extracting corn oil;
4.) Dry mills extracting corn oil produce 15.75 lbs. distillers grains and 0.55 lbs. corn oil per bushel;
5.) Dry mills not extracting corn oil produce 16.75 lbs. distillers grains per bushel;
6.) Wet mills produce 13.5 lbs. corn gluten feed, 2.5 lbs. corn gluten meal, and 1.3 lbs. corn oil per bushel.
House Ag Subcommittee Holds Hearing on TMDL Implementation Plans and Impacts on Farmers
(from the National Corn Growers Association)
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry held a hearing on the EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. TMDLs are a common pollution control mechanism established by the Clean Water Act. The TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay watershed sets a firm limit on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that can be discharged in six states and the District of Colombia. Today's hearing focused on state Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and their impacts on rural communities.
EPA Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin testified on behalf of the Agency, and he was asked tough questions about the validity of the Chesapeake Bay computer model, which forms the basis for the TMDL. Members of the Subcommittee expressed concerns that EPA's flawed model does not take into account many of the voluntary best management practices that are currently undertaken by farmers in the watershed. In addition, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) stated that the cost of implementing the TMDL and WIPs could cost into the billions, yet a cost-benefit analysis has never been conducted for the regulation.
It was also noted by subcommittee members that this same regulatory approach might be considered for other watersheds across the country, including the Mississippi River Basin and Great Lakes, which is why the precedent causes great concern for all of American agriculture.
NCGA and other agricultural allies filed a lawsuit in federal court in Pennsylvania in January challenging the legality of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, including the scientific validity of the computer modeling. A decision in the case is not expected until next year.
ISU's Vet Medicine and Human Sciences Fully Accredited
The Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Iowa State University announced that the university's College and Sciences received full accreditation of their animal programs and facilities.
The organization granting the accreditation is the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The AAALAC evaluates organizations that utilize animals in research, teaching or testing to ensure and promote animal well-being.
Iowa State's program underwent an extensive internal self-study of all aspects of animal care and use, including policies, animal housing and management, veterinary care and facilities. External evaluators then conducted an on-site assessment.
Mary Sauer, Iowa State's Attending Veterinarian and representative on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, coordinated the self-study and assessment process at Iowa State.
"This accreditation shows that ISU is committed to continuous improvement in our animal care and use program," she said. "AAALAC complemented us on the strong administrative support for our program as well as our active and engaged animal care and use program."
The process involved the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Lab Animal Resources, the Office for Responsible Research, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College Human Sciences, as well as Iowa State's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
"This was made possible by the work of a large team of ISU faculty and staff working together," said Sauer.
Ronald Morgan, director of Iowa State's Laboratory Animal Resources, prepared facilities for the AAALAC evaluation and responded to inquiries. He says this is a major accomplishment for Iowa State.
"The report was very complimentary on the upkeep of our facilities," said Morgan.
After an institution earns accreditation, it must be re-evaluated every three years in order to maintain its accredited status.
Lisa K. Nolan, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of the College Veterinary Medicine, congratulated the Iowa State faculty and staff whose efforts made the accreditation possible.
"AAALAC accreditation is an important step toward a better future for Iowa State," she said.
Eighteen Iowa College Students Named To Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team
Eighteen Iowa college students have been named to the second Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team.
The Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. The Iowa Corn CAT assists the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) in developing programs that target and enhance Iowa Corn’s relationship with students who are pursuing careers in agricultural production and agriculture business and industries.
“The newly named Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team is made up of excellent students from across Iowa who are passionate about the future of agriculture in our state,” said Bob Hemesath, an ICGA director and chair of the committee overseeing the program. “We are excited to work with this team on ideas and programs that will benefit future leaders of the agriculture industry.”
Participants of the newly selected team are: Adam Bierbaum, Iowa State University; Kasey Deaver, Des Moines Area Community College; Brent Drey, Iowa State University; Kyle Fischer, Iowa State University; Dalton Frana, Ellsworth Community College; Clayton Hester, Kirkwood Community College; Cale Juergensen, Iowa Lakes Community College; Jordan Lyon, Muscatine Community College; Tyler Martens, Southwest Community College; Joe Mickelson, Graceland University; Evan Sieck, Iowa State University; Shaniel Smith, Indian Hills Community College; Chanel Vorrath, Iowa Western Community College; and Tyler Woodward, Dordt College.
Also chosen to return to the CAT from the inaugural team are: Alyssa Foster, Iowa State University (transferred from Kirkwood Community College); Andrew Lauver, Iowa State University; Logan Lyon, Iowa State University (transferred from Ellsworth Community College); and Steve Roose, Iowa Central Community College.
USDA Farm Service Agency Urges Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections Beginning Friday, Nov. 4
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson announced today that the 2011 FSA county committee elections will begin tomorrow, Nov. 4, with USDA mailing ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 5, 2011.
“The role and input of our county committee members is more vital than ever at a time when our country faces important choices regarding the funding and operation of our government,” said Nelson. “New county committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of disaster and conservation programs. With better participation in recent years, we have also seen promising increases in the number of women and minority candidates, helping to better represent the richness of American agriculture. ”
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1.
Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can obtain ballots from their local USDA Service Center. Dec. 5, 2011, is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers. Ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked no later than Dec. 5. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2012.
Close to 7,700 FSA county committee members serve in the 2,244 FSA offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Approximately one-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. More information on county committees, such as the new 2011 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/electionsor at a local USDA Service Center.
SOYBEAN FARMERS GAIN WEED MANAGEMENT OPTIONS, INCENTIVES WITH 2012 ROUNDUP READY PLUS® WEED MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS PLATFORM
Soybean farmers in the Plains, Midwest and Northeast regions will have more choices for managing weeds and earning financial incentives under the 2012 Roundup Ready PLUS® Weed Management Solutions platform, Monsanto Company announced today. Valent’s Cobra and Phoenix herbicides will provide additional post-emergence weed control and each can earn farmers $3/acre.
The Roundup Ready PLUS platform serves as a resource for recommendations on weed management in Roundup Ready crops backed by third-party endorsements, and offers incentives to farmers for using multiple modes of action in their weed control systems. Soybean farmers can receive up to $10 per acre in incentives under the 2012 platform. Corn farmers are eligible for separate incentives.
“Roundup Ready PLUS continues to improve based on academic recommendations and farmer experience,” said Chris Reat, Roundup Marketing Manager. “This season, we’re adding more choices and increasing the total dollar amount per acre a farmer can receive. Most importantly, Roundup Ready PLUS continues to represent a sustainable, effective and economical weed control strategy supported by many industry academics.”
In addition to Valent, the Roundup Ready PLUS platform partners include Syngenta AG, FMC Corporation, Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc. (MANA), and AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Each of the industry partners supply important products to the Roundup Ready PLUS platform including both pre- and post-emergence herbicides. To see detailed information about recommendations and incentives included in the Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Management Platform, go to www.RoundupReadyPLUS.com.
Argentina OKs GM Corn Strain
Swiss agroscience group Syngenta AG has received approval from Argentine authorities for a new strain of genetically modified corn it will start to sell in the South American country for the 2012-13 season, the company said in a statement Thursday. Argentina is the world's second-largest corn exporter behind the U.S. Syngenta has already launched the corn in Brazil, the world's third largest corn exporter. The new corn strain combines the Bt11, MIR162 and GA21 traits which make the corn resistant to a host of boring insects and the herbicide glyphosate, the company said. Argentina is a big backer of genetic modification technology in crops, with the vast bulk of its grain output based on transgenic seed varieties.
U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today is introducing legislation that would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to respect longstanding state prerogatives when it comes to enforcing federal Clean Air Act standards. Unless action is taken, states are facing an accelerated timeline to comply with new EPA regulations that could lead to layoffs, tens of millions of dollars in increased utilities costs, and dramatically increased electricity prices for many Americans. The bill introduced today by Johanns would require EPA to give states at least two years to submit their own regulatory plan and prohibits EPA from implementing a federal plan if states have not been given enough time.
"EPA is crafting new rules left and right with little to no regard for their practicality and negative consequences," Johanns said. "Complying with these rules under the current timeline is not feasible and freezing states out of the process is wrong. Our states deserve the chance to develop their own rules under a reasonable timeline to protect jobs and avoid skyrocketing electricity bills, which is exactly what this legislation accomplishes. I've met with many representatives of public power providers in Nebraska, large and small, and their frustration with EPA's unreasonable approach cannot be exaggerated. We all want clean air and a healthy environment, but federal rulemaking cannot occur in a vacuum."
States have long been given the power to develop their own regulatory regimes, with federal intervention occurring only under limited circumstances. EPA in recent months has taken steps to disregard this process by implementing federal emissions rules on a rushed timeline without giving states adequate time to develop their own plans.
Under this legislation, compliance with EPA's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which addresses power plant emissions the agency has identified as crossing state lines, would be delayed until states have been given at least two years to develop a state regulatory plan. The EPA rule became final in July 2011 and requires compliance just six months later, by January 2012. The significant changes demanded by this rule make compliance by January virtually impossible.
USMEF Conference Kicks Off in Tucson
The U.S. Meat Export Federation's (USMEF) 35th Anniversary Strategic Planning Conference opened Wednesday in Tucson, Ariz., with a wide range of guest speakers, each of whom offered a unique perspective on the importance of red meat exports.
Dr. Harry Kaiser, a Cornell University economist, presented the findings of his recently completed study on the effectiveness of USMEF’s foreign marketing efforts. “An Economic Analysis of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Export Market Development Programs” was commissioned by USMEF to quantify the returns that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs receive from their investments in USMEF’s export market development programs. The independent study was funded by the USDA and Dr. Kaiser was chosen from several researchers who proposed to do the research.
“Basically what we found is very good news,” Dr. Kaiser told the audience. “The U.S. Meat Export Federation’s beef and pork market development programs were found to have a positive and statistically significant impact on imports of U.S. red meat in all of the eight markets that were analyzed.”
The economic model showed that combined producer and USDA marketing expenditures increased U.S. red meat exports by more than 30 percent per year.
“If we compare the results of this study to the results of 16 published studies for other commodities, the bottom line is that these USMEF programs have had a larger impact on import demand than the majority of similar programs for other commodities.”
Bill Rupp, president of JBS USA’s beef division, also addressed the audience on the importance of exports, driving home the critical role the international markets play in his company’s profitability.
“When you look at some of the products that we export, you see a price volatility in some cases,” Rupp said. “But there’s a constant return over what we could expect if we had to ‘disappear’ these products into a domestic market. So I want to say thanks for the great job USMEF does in helping us promote and position our products in the export markets. Clearly today, we’re not in business without strong international growth.”
John Bellinger, CEO of Food Safety Net and Agri-West International, spoke not only to the importance of exports to the U.S. meat industry, but also to the health of the entire U.S. economy.
“There’s one way for our country to get out of this economic recession,” Bellinger said. “We have to export our way to prosperity. Do you think China became an economic powerhouse by selling to its own people? They exported. They exported their way out of poverty. We’re just trying to export our way out of a little recession – China exported its way out of poverty.”
USMEF Chairman Keith Miller and President and CEO Philip Seng also addressed the opening general session audience, recapping export results in 2011 and discussing the challenges that lie ahead. Market updates were provided by regional directors who represent USMEF in Japan, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.
Thursday’s general session will include a global market review and updates from China, Taiwan, South Korea and the ASEAN region. Committee activity on Thursday will include meetings of the USMEF Exporter Committee, Beef and Allied Industries Committee, Pork and Allied Industries Committee and the Feedgrain and Oilseed Caucus.
NCGA CEO Sees Growing Potential for Ag Exports to China
“Over the past 25 years, we kept predicting China would grow into an important market for U.S. agriculture ‘in a few more years.’ I hadn’t realized, and I’m guessing many growers haven’t realized that in 2010 China became our number one export market,” reported Rick Tolman, chief executive officer for the National Corn Growers Association.
Tolman, who traveled to China with U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr, found dramatic changes compared to 11 years ago when he served as Council's executive director for international operations.
“Now they have become a great export market for us, especially for soybeans, cotton, distiller’s dried grains, and wood,” he noted. “They are taking some corn, too. There needs to be more awareness of their importance among U.S. growers.”
Chinese sources delivered a wide range of messages about China’s long-term outlook as a customer for U.S. corn, Tolman reported: “We heard everything from ‘absolutely not, never’ to ‘yes, and there will be significant growth over the next few years.’”
“In my opinion, the environment is right for U.S. sales to grow further. With economic growth and population growth, China can become a more and more significant market for us,” he concluded.
Changing attitudes on both sides of the Pacific could further benefit the U.S.-China trade relationship, according to Tolman.
“Among the general public, we tend to think about China in terms of a U.S. trade deficit, but in agriculture, the United States has a comparative advantage and our trade balance with China is positive. We have a growing agricultural trade surplus.
“I was thinking that our relationship is most often described in terms of our differences – whether it’s over currency or some other issue – and that’s what makes the headlines. But our differences should pale in comparison with our huge trading relationship,” he said. “We need to focus less on our disputes and more on where we have interests in common and good reasons to work together.”
Tolman also warned of the dangers of linking trade with other issues.
“It is very clear from listening to them that our political leaders on both sides tie trade into politics, and we need to change that culture. Trade ought to be independent of politics – we should have learned that from the grain embargoes in the 1970s or from the recent delays in confirming free trade agreements,” he said.
“We in agriculture have a lot to gain, and we should work on getting over that.”
Despite World Economy, India Poised for Growth
India’s growth outlook “appears more subdued than last year,” but analysts still expect to see it hover around 8 percent, reported U.S. Grains Council Consultant Amit Sachdev.
The International Monetary Fund now pegs Indian growth at 7.8 percent for 2011/2012, citing challenges from high inflation and higher interest rates, which could dampen demand. The Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, meanwhile, projects growth close to 8 percent.
The Reserve Bank of India recently raised interest rates for the twelfth time in 18 months in an effort to slow inflation and reduce demand, but since borrowing by Indian households is low, consumers have liquidity to absorb the increase. Monthly installment payments on loans represent less than one percent of Indians’ total household income.
Even with a slowdown, India’s growth is likely to outstrip many other nations’ this year. India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, following the United States, China and Japan, and is about to surpass the Japanese economy in size. In 2010, the Japanese economy was valued at $4.31 trillion, but since then, the tsunami and earthquakes have meant major economic losses. Meanwhile, India’s economy, valued at $4.06 trillion last year, has continued to grow.
In the agricultural sector, India’s government is trying to boost production, including especially the output of oilseeds and pulses, and scientists at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research are concentrating especially on developing crop varieties that require less water.
This year, however, the issue has been excessive precipitation, as monsoon rains were 39 percent above normal in the first week of September. While heavy rains are likely to increase crop plantings, they are also delaying the harvest of mature crops, including cotton, soybeans, onions and corn.
August 2011 & Weekly Ethanol Production 10/28/2011
It's a new month and the middle of the week, so that means a double dose of ethanol production data from the RFA and our friends at the Energy Information Administration.
In August 2011, ethanol production averaged nearly 908,000 barrels per day (b/d). That is up from 891,000 b/d in July and a year over year increase of 37,000 b/d. EIA also reported ending stocks of 17.9 million barrels, or 19.2 days of supply based upon RFA calculations of 933,000 b/d of total ethanol demand in August. Additionally, EIA reported 456,000 gallons of imports versus export demand of 52.3 million gallons.
Weekly ethanol production data for the week ending 10/28/2011
According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 916,000 barrels per day (b/d) – or 38.472 million gallons daily. That is up 7,000 b/d from the previous week and the highest weekly average since January. The 4-week average for ethanol production stood at 898,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 13.77 billion gallons.
Stocks of ethanol stood at 17.2 million barrels.
Gasoline demand for the week averaged 357.76 million gallons daily.
Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.75%.
On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.889 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 103,070 metric tons of livestock feed, 91,979 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.37 million pounds of corn oil daily.
The co-products calculations in this report reflect an update in assumptions made by the RFA based upon industry research and publicly available data on feed and corn oil production at U.S. ethanol biorefineries. Specifically, the RFA makes the following assumptions:
1.) industry weighted average ethanol yield of 2.77 gallons/bushel of corn processed;
2.) dry mills represent 89% of current operating capacity;
3.) 35% of operating dry mill capacity is extracting corn oil;
4.) Dry mills extracting corn oil produce 15.75 lbs. distillers grains and 0.55 lbs. corn oil per bushel;
5.) Dry mills not extracting corn oil produce 16.75 lbs. distillers grains per bushel;
6.) Wet mills produce 13.5 lbs. corn gluten feed, 2.5 lbs. corn gluten meal, and 1.3 lbs. corn oil per bushel.
House Ag Subcommittee Holds Hearing on TMDL Implementation Plans and Impacts on Farmers
(from the National Corn Growers Association)
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry held a hearing on the EPA's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. TMDLs are a common pollution control mechanism established by the Clean Water Act. The TMDL for the Chesapeake Bay watershed sets a firm limit on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that can be discharged in six states and the District of Colombia. Today's hearing focused on state Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs) and their impacts on rural communities.
EPA Region 3 Administrator Shawn Garvin testified on behalf of the Agency, and he was asked tough questions about the validity of the Chesapeake Bay computer model, which forms the basis for the TMDL. Members of the Subcommittee expressed concerns that EPA's flawed model does not take into account many of the voluntary best management practices that are currently undertaken by farmers in the watershed. In addition, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) stated that the cost of implementing the TMDL and WIPs could cost into the billions, yet a cost-benefit analysis has never been conducted for the regulation.
It was also noted by subcommittee members that this same regulatory approach might be considered for other watersheds across the country, including the Mississippi River Basin and Great Lakes, which is why the precedent causes great concern for all of American agriculture.
NCGA and other agricultural allies filed a lawsuit in federal court in Pennsylvania in January challenging the legality of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, including the scientific validity of the computer modeling. A decision in the case is not expected until next year.
ISU's Vet Medicine and Human Sciences Fully Accredited
The Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Iowa State University announced that the university's College and Sciences received full accreditation of their animal programs and facilities.
The organization granting the accreditation is the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International. The AAALAC evaluates organizations that utilize animals in research, teaching or testing to ensure and promote animal well-being.
Iowa State's program underwent an extensive internal self-study of all aspects of animal care and use, including policies, animal housing and management, veterinary care and facilities. External evaluators then conducted an on-site assessment.
Mary Sauer, Iowa State's Attending Veterinarian and representative on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, coordinated the self-study and assessment process at Iowa State.
"This accreditation shows that ISU is committed to continuous improvement in our animal care and use program," she said. "AAALAC complemented us on the strong administrative support for our program as well as our active and engaged animal care and use program."
The process involved the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Lab Animal Resources, the Office for Responsible Research, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College Human Sciences, as well as Iowa State's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
"This was made possible by the work of a large team of ISU faculty and staff working together," said Sauer.
Ronald Morgan, director of Iowa State's Laboratory Animal Resources, prepared facilities for the AAALAC evaluation and responded to inquiries. He says this is a major accomplishment for Iowa State.
"The report was very complimentary on the upkeep of our facilities," said Morgan.
After an institution earns accreditation, it must be re-evaluated every three years in order to maintain its accredited status.
Lisa K. Nolan, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of the College Veterinary Medicine, congratulated the Iowa State faculty and staff whose efforts made the accreditation possible.
"AAALAC accreditation is an important step toward a better future for Iowa State," she said.
Eighteen Iowa College Students Named To Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team
Eighteen Iowa college students have been named to the second Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team.
The Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. The Iowa Corn CAT assists the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) in developing programs that target and enhance Iowa Corn’s relationship with students who are pursuing careers in agricultural production and agriculture business and industries.
“The newly named Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team is made up of excellent students from across Iowa who are passionate about the future of agriculture in our state,” said Bob Hemesath, an ICGA director and chair of the committee overseeing the program. “We are excited to work with this team on ideas and programs that will benefit future leaders of the agriculture industry.”
Participants of the newly selected team are: Adam Bierbaum, Iowa State University; Kasey Deaver, Des Moines Area Community College; Brent Drey, Iowa State University; Kyle Fischer, Iowa State University; Dalton Frana, Ellsworth Community College; Clayton Hester, Kirkwood Community College; Cale Juergensen, Iowa Lakes Community College; Jordan Lyon, Muscatine Community College; Tyler Martens, Southwest Community College; Joe Mickelson, Graceland University; Evan Sieck, Iowa State University; Shaniel Smith, Indian Hills Community College; Chanel Vorrath, Iowa Western Community College; and Tyler Woodward, Dordt College.
Also chosen to return to the CAT from the inaugural team are: Alyssa Foster, Iowa State University (transferred from Kirkwood Community College); Andrew Lauver, Iowa State University; Logan Lyon, Iowa State University (transferred from Ellsworth Community College); and Steve Roose, Iowa Central Community College.
USDA Farm Service Agency Urges Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections Beginning Friday, Nov. 4
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Bruce Nelson announced today that the 2011 FSA county committee elections will begin tomorrow, Nov. 4, with USDA mailing ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Dec. 5, 2011.
“The role and input of our county committee members is more vital than ever at a time when our country faces important choices regarding the funding and operation of our government,” said Nelson. “New county committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of disaster and conservation programs. With better participation in recent years, we have also seen promising increases in the number of women and minority candidates, helping to better represent the richness of American agriculture. ”
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1.
Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can obtain ballots from their local USDA Service Center. Dec. 5, 2011, is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers. Ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked no later than Dec. 5. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2012.
Close to 7,700 FSA county committee members serve in the 2,244 FSA offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Approximately one-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. More information on county committees, such as the new 2011 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/electionsor at a local USDA Service Center.
SOYBEAN FARMERS GAIN WEED MANAGEMENT OPTIONS, INCENTIVES WITH 2012 ROUNDUP READY PLUS® WEED MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS PLATFORM
Soybean farmers in the Plains, Midwest and Northeast regions will have more choices for managing weeds and earning financial incentives under the 2012 Roundup Ready PLUS® Weed Management Solutions platform, Monsanto Company announced today. Valent’s Cobra and Phoenix herbicides will provide additional post-emergence weed control and each can earn farmers $3/acre.
The Roundup Ready PLUS platform serves as a resource for recommendations on weed management in Roundup Ready crops backed by third-party endorsements, and offers incentives to farmers for using multiple modes of action in their weed control systems. Soybean farmers can receive up to $10 per acre in incentives under the 2012 platform. Corn farmers are eligible for separate incentives.
“Roundup Ready PLUS continues to improve based on academic recommendations and farmer experience,” said Chris Reat, Roundup Marketing Manager. “This season, we’re adding more choices and increasing the total dollar amount per acre a farmer can receive. Most importantly, Roundup Ready PLUS continues to represent a sustainable, effective and economical weed control strategy supported by many industry academics.”
In addition to Valent, the Roundup Ready PLUS platform partners include Syngenta AG, FMC Corporation, Makhteshim Agan of North America, Inc. (MANA), and AMVAC Chemical Corporation. Each of the industry partners supply important products to the Roundup Ready PLUS platform including both pre- and post-emergence herbicides. To see detailed information about recommendations and incentives included in the Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Management Platform, go to www.RoundupReadyPLUS.com.
Argentina OKs GM Corn Strain
Swiss agroscience group Syngenta AG has received approval from Argentine authorities for a new strain of genetically modified corn it will start to sell in the South American country for the 2012-13 season, the company said in a statement Thursday. Argentina is the world's second-largest corn exporter behind the U.S. Syngenta has already launched the corn in Brazil, the world's third largest corn exporter. The new corn strain combines the Bt11, MIR162 and GA21 traits which make the corn resistant to a host of boring insects and the herbicide glyphosate, the company said. Argentina is a big backer of genetic modification technology in crops, with the vast bulk of its grain output based on transgenic seed varieties.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Wednesday November 2 Ag News
Livestock Traceability Meetings Will Explain New Program
Nebraska Farm Bureau has worked with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to schedule a series of meetings to explain USDA's new Livestock Traceability Program. Livestock producers are encouraged to attend one of the meetings to learn details about the program and the opportunity to comment on some aspects of the program. Meetings are scheduled for Monday, November 7th, 7pm at Columbus Sales Pavilion, Tuesday, November 8th, 2pm at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, and Thursday, November 10th, 7pm at Beatrice 77 Livestock Market. Click here for the entire meeting schedule... http://www.nefb.org/media/optimized_LS_Traceability_MeetingsA.jpg.
Texas Geoscientist to Speak on Consequences of Increasing Oil Demands
If the world wants to continue consuming more fossil fuels, it has to be willing to accept the risks of more oil spills, a Texas geoscientist and oil industry expert warns.
"Ultimate responsibilities for oil spills lie within a mix of competing demands and expectations -- a mix far more complicated than most people are aware of or are willing to consider," said W.C. "Rusty" Riese, a Houston-based geoscientist and petroleum industry expert who will give a free public lecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Hardin Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Hardin Hall is on UNL's East Campus at the intersection of North 33rd and Holdrege streets.
Riese has taught at Houston's Rice University for more than 25 years, writing and lecturing extensively on such topics as economic geology, biogeochemistry, uranium ore deposits and coalbed methane petroleum systems. He holds numerous domestic and international patents from nearly 40 years of working in the mineral and petroleum industries. He is currently an adjunct professor at Rice University, as well as at Colorado State University and the University of New Mexico, where he sits on the Caswell Silver Endowment advisory board.
"In light of interest in and controversies surrounding the possibility for transporting oil-bearing tar sands across Nebraska, we feel very fortunate to be able to offer a speaker of Risee's expertise and experience on this topic," said UNL soil scientist and Conservation and Survey Division director Mark Kuzila.
"Corporations supplying (oil) energy have been pressed into increasingly challenging environments to meet demands for inexpensive energy. Unfortunately, as we are reminded by the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon incident, accidents can happen, the environment can be damaged, and people can lose their lives when we operate at the leading edges of technology," Riese said.
What will continue to drive consumption of fossil fuels will be the conflict between developing nations wanting more of the world's resources and "groups worried that continued dependence on fossil fuels may cause runaway global warming and climate change that could destroy earth's ecosystems," Riese said
Informa Ups Corn Production Forecast
Memphis-based analytical firm Informa Economics on Wednesday pegged 2011 U.S. corn yield per acre at 149.5 bushels per acre, unchanged from its outlook in October. Informa forecast U.S. corn production at 12.549 billion bushels, up from the firm's October estimate for 12.519 billion. The firm's corn forecast is above the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) October outlook for 12.433 billion and the corn yield also is above USDA's October forecast for 148.1 bushels per acre.
Informa pegged U.S. soybean production at 3.082 billion billion bushels, below its previous outlook for 3.087 billion and above USDA's forecast in October for 3.060 billion.
FCStone Trims Soy, Corn Forecasts
Commodity brokerage INTL FCStone on Tuesday lowered its estimate of the U.S. corn and soybean crops this year due to disappointing harvest results in areas east of the Mississippi River. FCStone predicted a corn crop of 12.457 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 148.4 bushels per acre. The brokerage cut its outlook for soybean production to 3.109 billion bushels and lowered its yield estimate to 42.2 bushels per acre. The estimates are based on a survey of the firm's customers, among other factors.
A month ago, FCStone forecast corn production at 12.553 billion, based on an average yield of 148.7 bushels per acre. Soybean production last month was pegged at 3.157 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 42.8 bushels per acre.
USDA will release its November crop production report on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
ACE expresses disappointment with mostly one-sided Congressional hearing on RFS
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today contacted members of the Congressional House Science Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and expressed its disappointment on the one-sided tone of today’s hearing on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).
In the letter to Congressmen Andy Harris (R-MD) and Brad Miller, (D-NC) ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says that while he understands that some of the groups testifying oppose the RFS because it threatens their profitable status quo, Congress should realize that data proves that the RFS is succeeding in fulfilling its energy security intent.
Jennings wrote: “According to a May 2011 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. dependence on imported oil has dramatically declined since peaking in 2005 (when the original RFS was enacted). The EIA report adds, by the broadest measure, U.S. dependence on imported oil fell from 60.3 percent in 2005 to 49.3 percent in 2010.”
Jennings also noted in the letter the number of jobs that the ethanol industry supports thanks to the RFS and also reminds the congressional panel that continuing to support RFS will help advanced biofuels.
EU Group Seeks Duties on US Ethanol
ePURE, a trade association of European ethanol producers, has requested the European Commission "to act against unfair imports of fuel ethanol from the United States," according to a news release from the association.
The trade group pointed to 20 years of government support for the U.S. ethanol industry, including blending tax subsidies, import tariffs and federally mandated demand. ePURE said this policy has made the U.S. the world's largest producer of ethanol.
"This policy is legitimate as long as it does not prejudice the development of ethanol for fuel use in other countries," said ePURE. "But U.S. operators, which are faced with a domestic ethanol market that is nearing saturation, have chosen to allocate a growing share of their production to exports towards the European Union."
The trade group says U.S. ethanol exports to Europe have surged 500% from 2008 to 2010.
"In 2011, these imports are expected to be twice as high as in 2010. This impressive trend is the direct result of U.S. federal and sub-federal subsidies, which allow U.S. operators to adopt aggressive pricing practices on the European market," said ePURE.
The trade group said the "very low prices have a direct and negative impact on the EU industry," which is described as small and still in its infancy when compared with the U.S. industry.
"Massive and sudden imports of U.S. ethanol, combined with unfairly low prices over the last few years, have seriously damaged the economic situation of European producers," said Rob Vierhout, secretary-general. "The unfair competition of U.S. imports is simply depriving the EU industry from the benefit of this positive evolution on its own domestic market."
The news release said the Brussels-based association has requested the European Commission to investigate the U.S. trade practices and their impact on the EU industry.
"ePURE is confident that the Commission's investigation will confirm that these practices are causing a serious prejudice to European producers and will clearly establish the need to impose dissuasive duties on U.S. imports of fuel ethanol in order to restore fair conditions of competition as early as possible," said the trade association.
ePURE said it has "also requested the European Commission to impose a registration of U.S. imports so that duties are imposed retroactively to take account of possible manipulation during the investigation period."
NMPF Urges Food and Drug Administration to Defend Laws Against Raw Milk Sales
The nation’s top public health organization needs to stand firm in the face of mounting pressures to further legalize the direct sale to consumers of a potentially dangerous product: raw milk, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said today, as it urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to waver in the face of pressure tactics from raw milk supporters.
Those supporters were out in force today at the FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, urging FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to cease federal efforts to ban the trafficking in raw milk sales across state lines. Current FDA law prohibits the interstate sales of raw milk, although the majority of states allow some form of in-state sales and/or distribution of raw milk.
Raw milk supporters have increased their criticism of the FDA interstate sales restriction “in spite of the clear and compelling documentation that raw milk is a proven means of transmitting serious human pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella,” said NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak. “We hope that Commissioner Hamburg looks at the evidence, and doesn’t just listen to the noise from those who would weaken public health protections.”
While raw milk advocates have made numerous statements touting the benefits of consuming raw milk, these claims mislead consumers and have not been supported by science-based studies, Kozak said.
“Raw milk consumption is inherently dangerous because the product can contain pathogens that are capable of causing foodborne illness,” Kozak said. “Pasteurization is one of the most effective food safety tools developed and, when properly conducted, is the only way to ensure that milk is free from disease-causing microorganisms.”
Kozak said it is particularly concerning that a key constituency in the raw milk movement includes mothers who wish to purchase the product to feed to their children. He noted that more than three-quarters of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with raw milk or milk products involve a child.
“Kids are particularly vulnerable to the diseases caused by the pathogens that may be consumed with raw milk. There are numerous cases where long-term illnesses have resulted from the ingestion of raw milk,” Kozak said. “The FDA needs to stand on the side of protecting public health, especially the health of minors whose parents may not fully grasp the potential consequences of the hazards they are exposing their kids to.”
“Many diseases are not preventable, but where there is a clear and effective prevention against milk-transmitted foodborne illness, why would we allow the myths and untruths to remove that protection?,” Kozak asked.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights the 150th Anniversary of USDA
Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Old Illinois State Capitol to announce the year-long celebration of USDA's 150th anniversary in 2012. Secretary Vilsack was in the hometown of USDA's founder – President Abraham Lincoln - who signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture in 1862.
"Through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as "The People's Department"– touching the lives of every American, every day," said Vilsack. "As we commemorate 150 years, we will look for lessons from the past that can help us strengthen USDA in the future to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America."
President Lincoln established USDA because he recognized the potential of America's farmers to find new ways to cultivate the land and that with advances in research and technology, America's farmers and ranchers could provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world. In one of President Lincoln's only speeches on agriculture at the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society on September 30, 1859, he said, "…no other human occupation opens so wide a field for the profitable and agreeable combination of labor with cultivated thought, as agriculture."
Today, America's farmers and ranchers are responsible in no small way for the health and strength of this nation. Today's event readies USDA for a historic year for the Department. In February 2012, at USDA's Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the Department will formally launch the 150th anniversary commemoration. Throughout 2012, USDA will recognize important events, such as President Lincoln's signing of an Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862, and the July signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities. Employees in USDA field offices across the country will find ways to celebrate this landmark throughout 2012. Learn more about President Lincoln's agricultural legacy.
USDA will use a 150th anniversary graphic to mark the occasion and created a web page, www.usda.gov/usda150 that goes live today. The site will give the American people a sense of where USDA has been – and where USDA is headed in the 21st century. This web page will provide information about events, facts and goings-on related to the anniversary.
Secretary Vilsack is currently working to transform USDA into a higher performing organization – one that is open and responsive; more collaborative, inclusive and effective to meet the needs of the American public. USDA is also building a workforce that looks like and reflects the values of and understands the broad range of Americans the Department serves.
National Grangers To Hold 145th Annual Convention
The National Grane will hold its 145th Annual Convention Tuesday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Grange, America's oldest nonprofit organization advocating for agriculture and rural America, boasts a membership of more than 200,000 people and more than 2,700 local Grange chapters across the United States.
Delegates from the 36 State Granges, as well as Grange members from across the country, will gather to discuss 158 resolutions, passed in states and sent to the National Grange for consideration to become policy for the organization. Resolutions that pass then become policies for the National Grange, which then advocates on behalf of those measures to elected officials and government agencies for its members.
National Grange President Ed Luttrell said the annual session is especially exciting because this is the first time Oklahoma will host a National Grange convention. "We have a strong presence in the Sooner State, which has over 35 million acres of farmland and vast rural stretches, because the hometown values of our organization resonate with the people of Oklahoma," Luttrell said.
Luttrell will open the convention with his annual address at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Sequoia Room of the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills hotel. Luttrell will focus his attention on the need for continued investment in the expansion of rural broadband, creative solutions to benefit the U.S. Postal Service in order to maintain rural free mail delivery, the simplification of the tax code, and the desire for legislative and regulatory roadblocks to be removed so that clean energy production may soon become reality. The address and other convention events is open to the public.
Grange members who attend the convention can receive the Seventh Degree, the Order's highest level and enjoy fellowship with other Grange members. Everyone can participate in workshops and discussions on topics related to agriculture and rural America. Several Granges will receive awards for community service, deaf awareness and other programs the Grange supports, and 19 Granges will be honored as Distinguished Granges. Several individuals will also be honored as Heroes of the Grange on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The entire schedule for the convention is available at the National Grange website under Events.
BASF Joins U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Effort to Enhance Public Trust in Today's Agriculture
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced today that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture.
"USFRA is proud to have partners like BASF supporting our mission to enhance consumer trust in the U.S. food production system, maintain and enhance the freedom of U.S. farmers and ranchers to operate in a responsible manner, and strengthen collaboration within the food production, processing and distribution systems," said Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau and Chairman of USFRA. "It is critical that the entire agriculture industry unite to build public trust in the U.S. food system."
As a member of the IPC, BASF supports the mission, goals and objectives of USFRA. IPC members have the opportunity to participate in USFRA committees/task forces and the annual meeting, and support USFRA educational activities.
"BASF is proud to join with the farmers and ranchers of America in this important effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture," said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection, North America. "It is more important than ever that U.S. consumers feel absolutely confident in whatever food choice they wish to make."
USFRA's members represent nearly all aspects of U.S. agriculture uniting with one voice. The Alliance focuses on enhancing consumer trust in today's food production through education and communication with consumer influencers and thought leaders. An important Alliance goal is to lead the conversation about the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of today's agriculture.
Nebraska Farm Bureau has worked with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to schedule a series of meetings to explain USDA's new Livestock Traceability Program. Livestock producers are encouraged to attend one of the meetings to learn details about the program and the opportunity to comment on some aspects of the program. Meetings are scheduled for Monday, November 7th, 7pm at Columbus Sales Pavilion, Tuesday, November 8th, 2pm at the Lifelong Learning Center in Norfolk, and Thursday, November 10th, 7pm at Beatrice 77 Livestock Market. Click here for the entire meeting schedule... http://www.nefb.org/media/optimized_LS_Traceability_MeetingsA.jpg.
Texas Geoscientist to Speak on Consequences of Increasing Oil Demands
If the world wants to continue consuming more fossil fuels, it has to be willing to accept the risks of more oil spills, a Texas geoscientist and oil industry expert warns.
"Ultimate responsibilities for oil spills lie within a mix of competing demands and expectations -- a mix far more complicated than most people are aware of or are willing to consider," said W.C. "Rusty" Riese, a Houston-based geoscientist and petroleum industry expert who will give a free public lecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Hardin Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9. Hardin Hall is on UNL's East Campus at the intersection of North 33rd and Holdrege streets.
Riese has taught at Houston's Rice University for more than 25 years, writing and lecturing extensively on such topics as economic geology, biogeochemistry, uranium ore deposits and coalbed methane petroleum systems. He holds numerous domestic and international patents from nearly 40 years of working in the mineral and petroleum industries. He is currently an adjunct professor at Rice University, as well as at Colorado State University and the University of New Mexico, where he sits on the Caswell Silver Endowment advisory board.
"In light of interest in and controversies surrounding the possibility for transporting oil-bearing tar sands across Nebraska, we feel very fortunate to be able to offer a speaker of Risee's expertise and experience on this topic," said UNL soil scientist and Conservation and Survey Division director Mark Kuzila.
"Corporations supplying (oil) energy have been pressed into increasingly challenging environments to meet demands for inexpensive energy. Unfortunately, as we are reminded by the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon incident, accidents can happen, the environment can be damaged, and people can lose their lives when we operate at the leading edges of technology," Riese said.
What will continue to drive consumption of fossil fuels will be the conflict between developing nations wanting more of the world's resources and "groups worried that continued dependence on fossil fuels may cause runaway global warming and climate change that could destroy earth's ecosystems," Riese said
Informa Ups Corn Production Forecast
Memphis-based analytical firm Informa Economics on Wednesday pegged 2011 U.S. corn yield per acre at 149.5 bushels per acre, unchanged from its outlook in October. Informa forecast U.S. corn production at 12.549 billion bushels, up from the firm's October estimate for 12.519 billion. The firm's corn forecast is above the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) October outlook for 12.433 billion and the corn yield also is above USDA's October forecast for 148.1 bushels per acre.
Informa pegged U.S. soybean production at 3.082 billion billion bushels, below its previous outlook for 3.087 billion and above USDA's forecast in October for 3.060 billion.
FCStone Trims Soy, Corn Forecasts
Commodity brokerage INTL FCStone on Tuesday lowered its estimate of the U.S. corn and soybean crops this year due to disappointing harvest results in areas east of the Mississippi River. FCStone predicted a corn crop of 12.457 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 148.4 bushels per acre. The brokerage cut its outlook for soybean production to 3.109 billion bushels and lowered its yield estimate to 42.2 bushels per acre. The estimates are based on a survey of the firm's customers, among other factors.
A month ago, FCStone forecast corn production at 12.553 billion, based on an average yield of 148.7 bushels per acre. Soybean production last month was pegged at 3.157 billion bushels, based on an average yield of 42.8 bushels per acre.
USDA will release its November crop production report on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
ACE expresses disappointment with mostly one-sided Congressional hearing on RFS
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today contacted members of the Congressional House Science Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment and expressed its disappointment on the one-sided tone of today’s hearing on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).
In the letter to Congressmen Andy Harris (R-MD) and Brad Miller, (D-NC) ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings says that while he understands that some of the groups testifying oppose the RFS because it threatens their profitable status quo, Congress should realize that data proves that the RFS is succeeding in fulfilling its energy security intent.
Jennings wrote: “According to a May 2011 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. dependence on imported oil has dramatically declined since peaking in 2005 (when the original RFS was enacted). The EIA report adds, by the broadest measure, U.S. dependence on imported oil fell from 60.3 percent in 2005 to 49.3 percent in 2010.”
Jennings also noted in the letter the number of jobs that the ethanol industry supports thanks to the RFS and also reminds the congressional panel that continuing to support RFS will help advanced biofuels.
EU Group Seeks Duties on US Ethanol
ePURE, a trade association of European ethanol producers, has requested the European Commission "to act against unfair imports of fuel ethanol from the United States," according to a news release from the association.
The trade group pointed to 20 years of government support for the U.S. ethanol industry, including blending tax subsidies, import tariffs and federally mandated demand. ePURE said this policy has made the U.S. the world's largest producer of ethanol.
"This policy is legitimate as long as it does not prejudice the development of ethanol for fuel use in other countries," said ePURE. "But U.S. operators, which are faced with a domestic ethanol market that is nearing saturation, have chosen to allocate a growing share of their production to exports towards the European Union."
The trade group says U.S. ethanol exports to Europe have surged 500% from 2008 to 2010.
"In 2011, these imports are expected to be twice as high as in 2010. This impressive trend is the direct result of U.S. federal and sub-federal subsidies, which allow U.S. operators to adopt aggressive pricing practices on the European market," said ePURE.
The trade group said the "very low prices have a direct and negative impact on the EU industry," which is described as small and still in its infancy when compared with the U.S. industry.
"Massive and sudden imports of U.S. ethanol, combined with unfairly low prices over the last few years, have seriously damaged the economic situation of European producers," said Rob Vierhout, secretary-general. "The unfair competition of U.S. imports is simply depriving the EU industry from the benefit of this positive evolution on its own domestic market."
The news release said the Brussels-based association has requested the European Commission to investigate the U.S. trade practices and their impact on the EU industry.
"ePURE is confident that the Commission's investigation will confirm that these practices are causing a serious prejudice to European producers and will clearly establish the need to impose dissuasive duties on U.S. imports of fuel ethanol in order to restore fair conditions of competition as early as possible," said the trade association.
ePURE said it has "also requested the European Commission to impose a registration of U.S. imports so that duties are imposed retroactively to take account of possible manipulation during the investigation period."
NMPF Urges Food and Drug Administration to Defend Laws Against Raw Milk Sales
The nation’s top public health organization needs to stand firm in the face of mounting pressures to further legalize the direct sale to consumers of a potentially dangerous product: raw milk, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said today, as it urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to waver in the face of pressure tactics from raw milk supporters.
Those supporters were out in force today at the FDA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, urging FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to cease federal efforts to ban the trafficking in raw milk sales across state lines. Current FDA law prohibits the interstate sales of raw milk, although the majority of states allow some form of in-state sales and/or distribution of raw milk.
Raw milk supporters have increased their criticism of the FDA interstate sales restriction “in spite of the clear and compelling documentation that raw milk is a proven means of transmitting serious human pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella,” said NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak. “We hope that Commissioner Hamburg looks at the evidence, and doesn’t just listen to the noise from those who would weaken public health protections.”
While raw milk advocates have made numerous statements touting the benefits of consuming raw milk, these claims mislead consumers and have not been supported by science-based studies, Kozak said.
“Raw milk consumption is inherently dangerous because the product can contain pathogens that are capable of causing foodborne illness,” Kozak said. “Pasteurization is one of the most effective food safety tools developed and, when properly conducted, is the only way to ensure that milk is free from disease-causing microorganisms.”
Kozak said it is particularly concerning that a key constituency in the raw milk movement includes mothers who wish to purchase the product to feed to their children. He noted that more than three-quarters of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with raw milk or milk products involve a child.
“Kids are particularly vulnerable to the diseases caused by the pathogens that may be consumed with raw milk. There are numerous cases where long-term illnesses have resulted from the ingestion of raw milk,” Kozak said. “The FDA needs to stand on the side of protecting public health, especially the health of minors whose parents may not fully grasp the potential consequences of the hazards they are exposing their kids to.”
“Many diseases are not preventable, but where there is a clear and effective prevention against milk-transmitted foodborne illness, why would we allow the myths and untruths to remove that protection?,” Kozak asked.
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Highlights the 150th Anniversary of USDA
Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Old Illinois State Capitol to announce the year-long celebration of USDA's 150th anniversary in 2012. Secretary Vilsack was in the hometown of USDA's founder – President Abraham Lincoln - who signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United States Department of Agriculture in 1862.
"Through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as "The People's Department"– touching the lives of every American, every day," said Vilsack. "As we commemorate 150 years, we will look for lessons from the past that can help us strengthen USDA in the future to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America."
President Lincoln established USDA because he recognized the potential of America's farmers to find new ways to cultivate the land and that with advances in research and technology, America's farmers and ranchers could provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world. In one of President Lincoln's only speeches on agriculture at the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society on September 30, 1859, he said, "…no other human occupation opens so wide a field for the profitable and agreeable combination of labor with cultivated thought, as agriculture."
Today, America's farmers and ranchers are responsible in no small way for the health and strength of this nation. Today's event readies USDA for a historic year for the Department. In February 2012, at USDA's Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the Department will formally launch the 150th anniversary commemoration. Throughout 2012, USDA will recognize important events, such as President Lincoln's signing of an Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862, and the July signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities. Employees in USDA field offices across the country will find ways to celebrate this landmark throughout 2012. Learn more about President Lincoln's agricultural legacy.
USDA will use a 150th anniversary graphic to mark the occasion and created a web page, www.usda.gov/usda150 that goes live today. The site will give the American people a sense of where USDA has been – and where USDA is headed in the 21st century. This web page will provide information about events, facts and goings-on related to the anniversary.
Secretary Vilsack is currently working to transform USDA into a higher performing organization – one that is open and responsive; more collaborative, inclusive and effective to meet the needs of the American public. USDA is also building a workforce that looks like and reflects the values of and understands the broad range of Americans the Department serves.
National Grangers To Hold 145th Annual Convention
The National Grane will hold its 145th Annual Convention Tuesday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Grange, America's oldest nonprofit organization advocating for agriculture and rural America, boasts a membership of more than 200,000 people and more than 2,700 local Grange chapters across the United States.
Delegates from the 36 State Granges, as well as Grange members from across the country, will gather to discuss 158 resolutions, passed in states and sent to the National Grange for consideration to become policy for the organization. Resolutions that pass then become policies for the National Grange, which then advocates on behalf of those measures to elected officials and government agencies for its members.
National Grange President Ed Luttrell said the annual session is especially exciting because this is the first time Oklahoma will host a National Grange convention. "We have a strong presence in the Sooner State, which has over 35 million acres of farmland and vast rural stretches, because the hometown values of our organization resonate with the people of Oklahoma," Luttrell said.
Luttrell will open the convention with his annual address at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Sequoia Room of the Tulsa Marriott Southern Hills hotel. Luttrell will focus his attention on the need for continued investment in the expansion of rural broadband, creative solutions to benefit the U.S. Postal Service in order to maintain rural free mail delivery, the simplification of the tax code, and the desire for legislative and regulatory roadblocks to be removed so that clean energy production may soon become reality. The address and other convention events is open to the public.
Grange members who attend the convention can receive the Seventh Degree, the Order's highest level and enjoy fellowship with other Grange members. Everyone can participate in workshops and discussions on topics related to agriculture and rural America. Several Granges will receive awards for community service, deaf awareness and other programs the Grange supports, and 19 Granges will be honored as Distinguished Granges. Several individuals will also be honored as Heroes of the Grange on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The entire schedule for the convention is available at the National Grange website under Events.
BASF Joins U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Effort to Enhance Public Trust in Today's Agriculture
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) announced today that BASF is participating in USFRA as a member of its Industry Partners Council (IPC). BASF joins a national farmer- and rancher-led effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture.
"USFRA is proud to have partners like BASF supporting our mission to enhance consumer trust in the U.S. food production system, maintain and enhance the freedom of U.S. farmers and ranchers to operate in a responsible manner, and strengthen collaboration within the food production, processing and distribution systems," said Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau and Chairman of USFRA. "It is critical that the entire agriculture industry unite to build public trust in the U.S. food system."
As a member of the IPC, BASF supports the mission, goals and objectives of USFRA. IPC members have the opportunity to participate in USFRA committees/task forces and the annual meeting, and support USFRA educational activities.
"BASF is proud to join with the farmers and ranchers of America in this important effort to enhance public trust in today's agriculture," said Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President of BASF Crop Protection, North America. "It is more important than ever that U.S. consumers feel absolutely confident in whatever food choice they wish to make."
USFRA's members represent nearly all aspects of U.S. agriculture uniting with one voice. The Alliance focuses on enhancing consumer trust in today's food production through education and communication with consumer influencers and thought leaders. An important Alliance goal is to lead the conversation about the industry's commitment to continuous improvement and the importance of today's agriculture.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday November 1 Ag News
Beef Checkoff Hosts Dietitians at Food, Farm and Science Event
The Beef Checkoff, through a partnership between the New York Beef Industry Council and the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative hosted 25 registered dietitians in Hyde Park, N.Y. The inaugural event focused on three aspects of the beef industry: food, farm and the science behind protein research. Dietitians traveled from 10 states to attend including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky.
The dietitians kicked off the event by touring The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), to experience firsthand where the nation's top chefs began. Dave Zino, executive chef for the Beef Checkoff, was also on hand to discuss the power of umami and beef cookery.
Scientific and consumer research experts lead participants through an exploration of the many food choices and discussed the latest research. Guest speakers included Doug Paddon-Jones, Ph.D., associate professor from the University of Texas; Penny Kris Etherton, Ph.D., RD, F.A.H.A, distinguished professor from The Pennsylvania State University; Terry Etherton, Ph.D., distinguished professor from The Pennsylvania State University; and Mark McCully, assistant vice president of Production for Certified Angus Beef.
The participants finished the first day of the event with a beef and wine pairing dinner in one of the CIA's award-winning restaurants. The dinner was sponsored in part by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and Certified Angus Beef.
Day two led the dietitians through the rolling hills of Millbrook, N.Y., to Rally Farms. Allen Lawyer, manager of Rally Farms, helped the dietitians gain true understanding of beef production on a hayride touring the farm's seedstock operation.
Participants also heard from a diverse panel of farmers representing all segments of the beef industry. The panelists included Craig Uden, Nebraska feed lot; Dennis Byrne, Pennsylvania cow/calf; Allen Lawyer, New York seedstock; Pattie Dollarhide, RD, Cargill-Kansas; Mike Baker, Ph.D., Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at Cornell University; and Paul Slayton, Pennsylvania producer, who acted as the panel moderator. The colorful New York foliage was the perfect setting for a lunch on the farm sponsored in part by Certified Angus Beef.
This event was a learning and networking opportunity for everyone that participated. One dietitian noted, "I loved the Food, Farm and Science event -- the CIA, the food, the tours, learning about beef/ranchers/feed lots, nutrition and networking with fellow RD's -- what a wonderful opportunity!"
Northeast Nebraska RC&D Council Meets
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D met on Monday, October 24, 2011. The Council met with several of our partners and two of our sponsors to talk about what the future holds for the RC&D Council. Discussion ensued regarding how many dollars the RC&D has brought into the six county area through grants and projects. In the year 2010 alone, nearly $125,000 was accounted for through 1099’s which is a financial boost to the local economies.
Scott Wessel, Nebraska Game & Parks, spoke about the good things the RC&D has done and should continue to do with the removal of cedar trees and restoring the land for habitat and grazing. Sandy Patton spoke about the good that have been done through the Farmers Market programs. Many Farmers Markets have been established and help the producers market their products and the customers to buy local fresh vegetables and fruits which is a win-win situation. Lucas Negus, Northeast Nebraska Weed Management Area spoke about the areas that have benefited through the invasive weeds species. This group covers more than the six-county area and has done many experiments with insects to help destroy invasive weeds. All felt what has been done through the RC&D has been very beneficial and to keep doing these things as more work needs to be done. It is ongoing as there will always be recycling, tours, weeds, food, water issues and many other needs in the area.
The group was very pleased to see Jan Jorgensen with a big “Welcome Back” since her retirement from the NRCS the end of September. Jan is volunteering two days a week to the RC&D and the Council is so glad to have her back. She encouraged the Council to keep moving forward and doing good things for the area.
The Statewide Annual Conference will be sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska RC&D in the fall of 2012. Plans are being made where to hold this event and what areas to visit. Please watch for more details.
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D Annual meeting will be held on November 28, 2011 with a place and time yet to be decided. Watch for more details to follow.
Launching the Next Generation of Nebraska Farmers
Farm Beginnings Nebraska is a farmer-led educational training and support program designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. Participants engage in a mentorship experience and network with a variety of successful, innovative farmers; attend practical, high quality seminars, field days and conferences; and receive resource materials. They also create links with experienced farmers through farm partnerships, land and equipment use and/or rental.
Farm Beginnings Nebraska participants:
-- Tap the knowledge of some of the most innovative and skilled farmers operating in the Midwest.
-- Develop lifelong friendships and networks with other beginning farmers.
-- Learn critical farm management skills such as creative financing and innovative marketing strategies.
-- Mentor with a farmer engaged in a similar enterprise.
-- See sustainable farming practices being used on real farms under a variety of conditions.
-- Learn to view a farm as an interconnected system and learn how goals determine farming practices.
-- Craft a tailor-made farming/business plan.
A new class is forming and will be held in Syracuse, Neb., in the basement of the First National Bank located at 320 5th St., beginning on Dec. 10. Classes will be held on Saturdays, and registration includes a full registration to the annual Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) conference, this year to be held at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City.
For more information and to register please contact William Powers, executive director of NSAS, at farmbeginningsnebraska@gmail.com or visit, www.nebsusag.org/farmbeginningsnebraska.htm.
NCGA Disappointed Senate Did Not Act Before Deadline on NPDES Legislation
The National Corn Growers Association expressed disappointment in the Senate's failure to act on legislation that would have clarified federal permits are not required when applying pesticides according to their EPA-approved label.
“NCGA is disappointed the Senate did not approve H.R. 872 prior to the October 31 deadline when the NPDES pesticide permitting program takes effect,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, an Illinois corn farmer, said. “Despite broad bipartisan support for the proposal, lawmakers were unable to identify a path forward for this important legislation. As a result, farmers like me are now exposed to a new set of legal liabilities and regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, without a guarantee of any additional environmental benefits.”
For most of the past four decades, water quality concerns from pesticide applications were addressed within the registration process under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), rather than a Clean Water Act permitting program. H.R. 872 would amend both the Clean Water Act and FIFRA in order to restore the previous regulatory framework.
Under a federal court ruling in 2009, certain pesticide applicators would have to apply for an NPDES permit if the chemical reaches a body of water, which could include ditches and culverts. The complex new requirements will expose farmers to potential citizen action suits for routine pesticide applications that have already been deemed safe by the EPA.
“It is not too late for Congress to provide regulatory relief to America’s farmers,” Niemeyer said. “We strongly urge Senate Republicans and Democrats to work together to resolve this issue in a timely manner.”
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for November 2011. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for November 2011 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in October 2011. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during November 2011 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in October 2011.
In accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November 2011 are as follows, 1.500 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.500 in October 2011; 2.000 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.125 in October 2011 and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.375 percent in October 2011.
Nebraska Farm Service Agency Reminds Producers of December 1 Sales Closing Date for Noninsurable Crops
Thurston County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Josie Waterbury urges producers who want to purchase coverage through the Noninsurable Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to do so before the sales closing date of December 1, 2011.
The NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to normal disasters.
"Purchasing a crop insurance policy is an easy way for producers to practice risk management," said Waterbury. "This year alone has proved that natural disasters can directly affect the profitability and recovery of agricultural operations," she said.
The following crops have a NAP application closing date of December 1, 2011: Apples, Asparagus, Cherries, Grapes, Honey, Plums, and Strawberries.
In order to meet eligibility requirements for the NAP, crops must be noninsurable, commercially-produced agricultural commodity crops for which the catastrophic risk protection level of crop insurance is not available. If the Risk Management Agency (RMA) offers coverage for a crop in the county, then NAP coverage is not available for that crop.
In the event of a natural disaster, NAP covers the amount of loss greater than 50 percent of the expected production based on the approved yield and reported acreage.
Eligible producers can apply for coverage using form CCC-471, Application for Coverage. Producers must file the application and service fee by the December 1 deadline. The service fee is the lesser of $250 per crop or $750 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,875 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties.
For more information on the sales closing dates and the NAP, contact your county FSA office.
Northey: $360,000 for Repairs to Conservation Practices
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Monday announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has $360,000 available to help repair conservation practices damaged by storm events during the 2011 crop year.
The funding is available in sixty counties that were granted disaster designation by the United States Department of Agriculture. The designation applies twenty seven Iowa counties that were affected by severe storms, excessive rain and flooding during the 2011 crop year; plus thirty-three contiguous counties are also covered by the designation.
"Much of Iowa was impacted by severe weather this summer, and as a result damage to conservation practices was also widespread," Northey said. "I encourage farmers with practices that need repair to work with their local Soil and Water Conservation District office. It's important these practices are repaired so they continue keeping the soil on the farm and out of our lakes and rivers."
The maximum cost share rate for repairing practices will be 75 percent. The deadline to apply for the repair funding is Dec. 30 and all repairs must be complete by June 30, 2012.
Eligible Soil and Water Conservation District offices will begin offering funding to repair conservation practices in these sixty counties immediately on a first come first serve basis.
The $360,000 is the funding still remaining from the $6.5 million the Department received in 2009 from the state bonding plan to support conservation efforts.
The 27 counties included in this declaration are: Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Fremont, Henry, Jefferson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Page, Polk, Tama, Taylor, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington, Wayne and Woodbury.
The additional 33 counties were named as contiguous disaster counties. Those counties are: Adams, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Cherokee, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Grundy, Hardin, Harrison, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Muscatine, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Story, Union and Warren.
IPPA and IPIC to offer risk management education
Volatile agricultural markets, high input costs and rising amounts of capital for farm operation have driven the importance of effective risk management for pork producers. For these reasons, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is coordinating with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Pork Industry Center to offer regional risk management educational seminars for Iowa pork producers and allied industry representatives. The regional sessions will be followed by a series of in-depth small group sessions for those interested in additional information about day-to-day swine risk management decisions. All regional sessions are hosted from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dates and locations are:
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Northwest Iowa Community College
Highway 18 West
Building C, Room 349
Sheldon
Wednesday, Dec. 7
The Borlaug Learning Center
ISU Northeast Research Farm
3327 290th St.
Nashua
Thursday, Dec. 8
Johnson County Extension Office
3109 Old Highway 218 S.
Iowa City
Conference organizers have slated a tremendous lineup of expert speakers to discuss effective risk management in pork production.
Dr. John Lawrence, associate dean of the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Extension ag and natural resources will open the session by helping attendees understand the magnitude of risk farmers face today.
Dr. Chad Hart, ISU assistant professor of economics and Extension grain marketing specialist, will outline the big picture issues impacting feed and livestock prices including value of the dollar, demand for corn and soybean meal, world economy, exports, production levels and more.
Mark Greenwood, vice president of agri-business capital, Ag Star Financial Services, ACA, will outline the most important components of a successful risk management strategy. He will discuss the importance of a competitive cost structure, the mindset it takes to capture opportunities for profit and the critical nature of combining feed cost risk with the lean hog market price.
A local producer with proven success in risk management will explain how to implement risk management based on crush margin, allowing producers to lock in profits while the window is there.
Local ISU swine specialists will close each session by helping attendees apply lessons learned from the day’s session, make tools available for implementing change and preface small group sessions for further risk management education opportunities.
Attendees also are encouraged to attend an optional 9 a.m. session at each location to review the basics of hedging, options, insurance and other risk management tools. This session will be hosted by Shane Ellis, ISU Extension livestock marketing specialist.
“Knowing the basics is an important step in risk management implementation,” said Dave Stender, ISU Extension swine specialist. “Even if one is hiring an outside firm for risk management strategies, it is important to understand the common tools and strategies used.”
The seminars cost $10 for those pre-registered or $15 at the door. Lunch and meeting materials will be guaranteed to those pre-registered. For more information or to pre-register, please contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org.
“Effectively managing risk is increasingly important in today’s volatile ag markets,” said Leon Sheets, IPPA president. “We hope these conferences can help pork producers and allied industry representatives build on their knowledge, more effectively manage risk, better serve customers and remain profitable.”
Dead Calm for Most Fertilizer Prices
Until harvest is over and weather cooperates with fall field work, fertilizer prices seem to be in a holding pattern: Except for anhydrous, retail fertilizer registered miniscule changes compared to a month earlier, DTN found in its weekly survey of more than 300 retailers nationwide.
Anhydrous prices actually advanced an average of $24 per ton to $819/ton in the last month, but few other fertilizers managed meaningful price shifts. DAP averaged $709/ton, MAP $744/ton, potash $660/ton, urea $624/ton, 10-34-0 $822/ton, UAN28 $407/ton and UAN32 $458/ton. The slight gains for anhydrous failed to erase its wide advantage as the least expensive form of N on a per-pound-of-nitrogen basis. By that measure, the average urea price was at $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.73/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.
All eight major fertilizers are now showing double-digit increases in price compared to one year earlier. Leading the way higher is 10-34-0. The starter fertilizer skyrocketed earlier this year and is now 62% higher compared to the fourth week of October 2010. During this same period, urea has jumped 36% while potash has climbed 31% and both UAN28 and UAN32 have increased 26% from a year ago. Anhydrous has climbed 21% compared to year earlier. The two phosphorus fertilizers continue to show the most price resistance. Both DAP and MAP are 11% higher compared to October of 2010.
Antibiotic Use in Food Animals Symposium Establishes New Benchmark for Information, Science
Researchers and experts in animal health and human health shared scientific and thought-provoking information that elicited numerous “a-hah’s” from participants of the “Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, Oct. 26-27, in Chicago. Sponsored by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the symposium proved to be a two-way dialogue, with attendees asking pointed questions and adding to the discussions.
“The symposium established a new benchmark of valuable information and science that can be used to further communicate valid and essential facts to animal agriculture producers as well as consumers regarding the use of antibiotics in food animal production,” states Dr. Leonard Bull who served an Planning Committee Chair for the symposium. “Divergent opinions were openly expressed, and areas of consensus were developed.
“If the symposium was summarized in just two words, those words would probably be ‘dynamic’ and ‘eye-opening.’ I can’t remember when I obtained so much good information in a 24-hour period.”
Human health and animal health experts agreed that the judicious use of antibiotics in food animals is sometimes required to provide safe, nutritious food at a reasonable price, and that the prevention of infectious disease improves animal health and human health.
“Antibiotics is one of the technological tools that can be used to ensure affordable food,” stated Dr. Tom Shryock, Senior Research Advisor of Microbiology, Elanco Animal Health. In his “Initiaitives to Ensure Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals” presentation, Shryock pointed out that the public’s concern regarding antibiotic use in food animals has presented a conundrum to veterinarians. After all every graduate entering the veterinary profession swears an oath not only to protect animal health but also welfare and to not only relieve animal suffering but to prevent it. And that today can require the use of antibiotics in food animals.
Speaker after speaker made it clear that the use of antibiotics in food animal production is a complex issue that is often over simplified by consumer media trying to make the topic understandable to readers and listeners. Unfortunately, this simplified presentation of a complex issue often results in the public being misled and misperceptions take root.
Numerous messages delivered by the 13 animal health and human health experts centered on the hot topic of antibiotic resistance. Information shared included:
· Using an antibiotic—or using more of it—will not necessarily cause resistance that antibiotic to appear or to increase from current levels. Likewise, ceasing to use an antibiotic—or using less of it—will not necessarily cause resistance to that antibiotic to disappear or decrease from current levels.
· Concern about resistance is used as ammunition for other agendas, and their arguments assume a vacuum in which no new drugs are developed.
· There’s much the human health community doesn’t know about why antibiotic resistance occurs. As such, antibiotics should be used appropriately—and as little as possible—not only in animal agriculture but also in the human population.
“Antibiotic use in animal agriculture is not a black-and-white issue. If it was an easy issue to understand and explain, we would have the issue solve a long time ago. That said, we in animal agriculture need to get in the same boat and row together—across species,” stated Scott Lormore, Director of Dairy Veterinary Operations for Pfizer Animal Health, in the symposium’s final presentation “Reaching Out to Consumers.”
Lormore underscored the importance of the animal agriculture industry building trust with consumers by consistently and effectively communicating and demonstrating its food safety commitment to the food chain. He stressed that consumers want and deserve information regarding on-farm production practices.
Emphasizing that “no one know what you know until they know you care,” he advised individuals to provide friends, family and other consumers with information that pairs science with true compassion.
Lormore said messages to consumers should center on four key facts:
· Farm animals are under the care of licensed veterinarians.
· Vaccines are used to protect animals from various illnesses.
· Sick animals are treated with medicines, such as antibiotics, to restore their health, and protections are in place to ensure that their meat and milk is safe for people.
· If medicine such as an antibiotic is administered to help sick animals, then their meat or dairy products are not allowed to enter the food supply until the medicine has sufficiently cleared the animal’s system.
Presentations by the speakers are available online at www.animalagriculture.org. Topics covered include the changing landscape of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and antibiotic product development; human health implications relative to antibiotic use; government regulatory oversight and risk mitigation; livestock MRSA; and connecting with consumers. A white paper is being developed and will be available online at NIAA’s website as well.
USDA Dairy Products September 2011 Highlights
Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 867 million pounds, 0.6 percent below September 2010 and 0.2 percent below August 2011. Italian type cheese production totaled 370 million pounds, 0.8 percent above September 2010 and 1.9 percent above August 2011. American type cheese production totaled 337 million pounds, 4.2 percent below September 2010 and 3.2 percent below August 2011. Butter production was 138 million pounds, 21.0 percent above September 2010 and 3.5 percent above August 2011.
Dry milk powders (comparisons with September 2010)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 104 million pounds, down 5.0 percent.
Skim milk powders - 35.6 million pounds, up 103.7 percent.
Whey products (comparisons with September 2010)
Dry whey, total - 77.1 million pounds, down 0.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 83.1 million pounds, up 5.9 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 35.6 million pounds, down 1.1 percent.
Frozen products (comparisons with September 2010)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 67.2 million gallons, down 6.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 34.0 million gallons, up 2.9 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.18 million gallons, down 7.6 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.42 million gallons, down 1.9 percent.
ADM Q1 Net Up 33%
Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 33% as a surge in agricultural services offset profitability pressure in corn and oilseeds processing. The grain processor's agricultural services division, which handles and transports grain from farm to market and accounts for the largest portion of the company's earnings, reported a jump in operating profit of 85%.
Previously, the company has reported profit growth in its largest segments -- those for grain transport and oilseed processing -- while its corn-processing segment's profitability waned in the fourth quarter because of higher corn costs. In the latest period, however, both the oilseeds and corn processing units struggled with margin pressure. The oilseeds processing unit's profit dropped 28% while volume slinked down 0.8% as challenging margin pressured profitability. And earnings from the corn-processing business slumped 48% even though processed volume was up 4.7%, as corn costs more than doubled.
For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the company posted a profit of $460 million, or 68 cents a share, from $345 million, or 54 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 30% to $21.9 billion.
2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Registration Underway
Registration for the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is underway. The 114th Annual Convention will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1-4, 2012, and advanced registration is open until Jan. 11, 2012.
2012 convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and enjoy a Cowboy’s Night at the Grand Ole Opry and admission to the Honky Tonk Party. NCBA President and Montana rancher Bill Donald said the convention is a must for all cattlemen.
“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest convention for the cattle business,” Donald said. “The convention and trade show create a unique environment for cattle industry members to come together to work toward the future of the industry and have some fun.”
In addition to access of all the 2012 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show.
To register for the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org or contact Kristin Torres at ktorres@beef.org.
The Beef Checkoff, through a partnership between the New York Beef Industry Council and the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative hosted 25 registered dietitians in Hyde Park, N.Y. The inaugural event focused on three aspects of the beef industry: food, farm and the science behind protein research. Dietitians traveled from 10 states to attend including New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky.
The dietitians kicked off the event by touring The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), to experience firsthand where the nation's top chefs began. Dave Zino, executive chef for the Beef Checkoff, was also on hand to discuss the power of umami and beef cookery.
Scientific and consumer research experts lead participants through an exploration of the many food choices and discussed the latest research. Guest speakers included Doug Paddon-Jones, Ph.D., associate professor from the University of Texas; Penny Kris Etherton, Ph.D., RD, F.A.H.A, distinguished professor from The Pennsylvania State University; Terry Etherton, Ph.D., distinguished professor from The Pennsylvania State University; and Mark McCully, assistant vice president of Production for Certified Angus Beef.
The participants finished the first day of the event with a beef and wine pairing dinner in one of the CIA's award-winning restaurants. The dinner was sponsored in part by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and Certified Angus Beef.
Day two led the dietitians through the rolling hills of Millbrook, N.Y., to Rally Farms. Allen Lawyer, manager of Rally Farms, helped the dietitians gain true understanding of beef production on a hayride touring the farm's seedstock operation.
Participants also heard from a diverse panel of farmers representing all segments of the beef industry. The panelists included Craig Uden, Nebraska feed lot; Dennis Byrne, Pennsylvania cow/calf; Allen Lawyer, New York seedstock; Pattie Dollarhide, RD, Cargill-Kansas; Mike Baker, Ph.D., Beef Cattle Extension Specialist at Cornell University; and Paul Slayton, Pennsylvania producer, who acted as the panel moderator. The colorful New York foliage was the perfect setting for a lunch on the farm sponsored in part by Certified Angus Beef.
This event was a learning and networking opportunity for everyone that participated. One dietitian noted, "I loved the Food, Farm and Science event -- the CIA, the food, the tours, learning about beef/ranchers/feed lots, nutrition and networking with fellow RD's -- what a wonderful opportunity!"
Northeast Nebraska RC&D Council Meets
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D met on Monday, October 24, 2011. The Council met with several of our partners and two of our sponsors to talk about what the future holds for the RC&D Council. Discussion ensued regarding how many dollars the RC&D has brought into the six county area through grants and projects. In the year 2010 alone, nearly $125,000 was accounted for through 1099’s which is a financial boost to the local economies.
Scott Wessel, Nebraska Game & Parks, spoke about the good things the RC&D has done and should continue to do with the removal of cedar trees and restoring the land for habitat and grazing. Sandy Patton spoke about the good that have been done through the Farmers Market programs. Many Farmers Markets have been established and help the producers market their products and the customers to buy local fresh vegetables and fruits which is a win-win situation. Lucas Negus, Northeast Nebraska Weed Management Area spoke about the areas that have benefited through the invasive weeds species. This group covers more than the six-county area and has done many experiments with insects to help destroy invasive weeds. All felt what has been done through the RC&D has been very beneficial and to keep doing these things as more work needs to be done. It is ongoing as there will always be recycling, tours, weeds, food, water issues and many other needs in the area.
The group was very pleased to see Jan Jorgensen with a big “Welcome Back” since her retirement from the NRCS the end of September. Jan is volunteering two days a week to the RC&D and the Council is so glad to have her back. She encouraged the Council to keep moving forward and doing good things for the area.
The Statewide Annual Conference will be sponsored by the Northeast Nebraska RC&D in the fall of 2012. Plans are being made where to hold this event and what areas to visit. Please watch for more details.
The Northeast Nebraska RC&D Annual meeting will be held on November 28, 2011 with a place and time yet to be decided. Watch for more details to follow.
Launching the Next Generation of Nebraska Farmers
Farm Beginnings Nebraska is a farmer-led educational training and support program designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. Participants engage in a mentorship experience and network with a variety of successful, innovative farmers; attend practical, high quality seminars, field days and conferences; and receive resource materials. They also create links with experienced farmers through farm partnerships, land and equipment use and/or rental.
Farm Beginnings Nebraska participants:
-- Tap the knowledge of some of the most innovative and skilled farmers operating in the Midwest.
-- Develop lifelong friendships and networks with other beginning farmers.
-- Learn critical farm management skills such as creative financing and innovative marketing strategies.
-- Mentor with a farmer engaged in a similar enterprise.
-- See sustainable farming practices being used on real farms under a variety of conditions.
-- Learn to view a farm as an interconnected system and learn how goals determine farming practices.
-- Craft a tailor-made farming/business plan.
A new class is forming and will be held in Syracuse, Neb., in the basement of the First National Bank located at 320 5th St., beginning on Dec. 10. Classes will be held on Saturdays, and registration includes a full registration to the annual Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) conference, this year to be held at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City.
For more information and to register please contact William Powers, executive director of NSAS, at farmbeginningsnebraska@gmail.com or visit, www.nebsusag.org/farmbeginningsnebraska.htm.
NCGA Disappointed Senate Did Not Act Before Deadline on NPDES Legislation
The National Corn Growers Association expressed disappointment in the Senate's failure to act on legislation that would have clarified federal permits are not required when applying pesticides according to their EPA-approved label.
“NCGA is disappointed the Senate did not approve H.R. 872 prior to the October 31 deadline when the NPDES pesticide permitting program takes effect,” NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, an Illinois corn farmer, said. “Despite broad bipartisan support for the proposal, lawmakers were unable to identify a path forward for this important legislation. As a result, farmers like me are now exposed to a new set of legal liabilities and regulatory requirements under the Clean Water Act, without a guarantee of any additional environmental benefits.”
For most of the past four decades, water quality concerns from pesticide applications were addressed within the registration process under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), rather than a Clean Water Act permitting program. H.R. 872 would amend both the Clean Water Act and FIFRA in order to restore the previous regulatory framework.
Under a federal court ruling in 2009, certain pesticide applicators would have to apply for an NPDES permit if the chemical reaches a body of water, which could include ditches and culverts. The complex new requirements will expose farmers to potential citizen action suits for routine pesticide applications that have already been deemed safe by the EPA.
“It is not too late for Congress to provide regulatory relief to America’s farmers,” Niemeyer said. “We strongly urge Senate Republicans and Democrats to work together to resolve this issue in a timely manner.”
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for November 2011. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for November 2011 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in October 2011. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during November 2011 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in October 2011.
In accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November 2011 are as follows, 1.500 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.500 in October 2011; 2.000 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.125 in October 2011 and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.375 percent in October 2011.
Nebraska Farm Service Agency Reminds Producers of December 1 Sales Closing Date for Noninsurable Crops
Thurston County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Josie Waterbury urges producers who want to purchase coverage through the Noninsurable Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) to do so before the sales closing date of December 1, 2011.
The NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to normal disasters.
"Purchasing a crop insurance policy is an easy way for producers to practice risk management," said Waterbury. "This year alone has proved that natural disasters can directly affect the profitability and recovery of agricultural operations," she said.
The following crops have a NAP application closing date of December 1, 2011: Apples, Asparagus, Cherries, Grapes, Honey, Plums, and Strawberries.
In order to meet eligibility requirements for the NAP, crops must be noninsurable, commercially-produced agricultural commodity crops for which the catastrophic risk protection level of crop insurance is not available. If the Risk Management Agency (RMA) offers coverage for a crop in the county, then NAP coverage is not available for that crop.
In the event of a natural disaster, NAP covers the amount of loss greater than 50 percent of the expected production based on the approved yield and reported acreage.
Eligible producers can apply for coverage using form CCC-471, Application for Coverage. Producers must file the application and service fee by the December 1 deadline. The service fee is the lesser of $250 per crop or $750 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,875 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties.
For more information on the sales closing dates and the NAP, contact your county FSA office.
Northey: $360,000 for Repairs to Conservation Practices
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Monday announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has $360,000 available to help repair conservation practices damaged by storm events during the 2011 crop year.
The funding is available in sixty counties that were granted disaster designation by the United States Department of Agriculture. The designation applies twenty seven Iowa counties that were affected by severe storms, excessive rain and flooding during the 2011 crop year; plus thirty-three contiguous counties are also covered by the designation.
"Much of Iowa was impacted by severe weather this summer, and as a result damage to conservation practices was also widespread," Northey said. "I encourage farmers with practices that need repair to work with their local Soil and Water Conservation District office. It's important these practices are repaired so they continue keeping the soil on the farm and out of our lakes and rivers."
The maximum cost share rate for repairing practices will be 75 percent. The deadline to apply for the repair funding is Dec. 30 and all repairs must be complete by June 30, 2012.
Eligible Soil and Water Conservation District offices will begin offering funding to repair conservation practices in these sixty counties immediately on a first come first serve basis.
The $360,000 is the funding still remaining from the $6.5 million the Department received in 2009 from the state bonding plan to support conservation efforts.
The 27 counties included in this declaration are: Clarke, Davis, Decatur, Fremont, Henry, Jefferson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marshall, Mills, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Page, Polk, Tama, Taylor, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington, Wayne and Woodbury.
The additional 33 counties were named as contiguous disaster counties. Those counties are: Adams, Appanoose, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Cass, Cedar, Cherokee, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Grundy, Hardin, Harrison, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Muscatine, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Story, Union and Warren.
IPPA and IPIC to offer risk management education
Volatile agricultural markets, high input costs and rising amounts of capital for farm operation have driven the importance of effective risk management for pork producers. For these reasons, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is coordinating with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Pork Industry Center to offer regional risk management educational seminars for Iowa pork producers and allied industry representatives. The regional sessions will be followed by a series of in-depth small group sessions for those interested in additional information about day-to-day swine risk management decisions. All regional sessions are hosted from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dates and locations are:
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Northwest Iowa Community College
Highway 18 West
Building C, Room 349
Sheldon
Wednesday, Dec. 7
The Borlaug Learning Center
ISU Northeast Research Farm
3327 290th St.
Nashua
Thursday, Dec. 8
Johnson County Extension Office
3109 Old Highway 218 S.
Iowa City
Conference organizers have slated a tremendous lineup of expert speakers to discuss effective risk management in pork production.
Dr. John Lawrence, associate dean of the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of Extension ag and natural resources will open the session by helping attendees understand the magnitude of risk farmers face today.
Dr. Chad Hart, ISU assistant professor of economics and Extension grain marketing specialist, will outline the big picture issues impacting feed and livestock prices including value of the dollar, demand for corn and soybean meal, world economy, exports, production levels and more.
Mark Greenwood, vice president of agri-business capital, Ag Star Financial Services, ACA, will outline the most important components of a successful risk management strategy. He will discuss the importance of a competitive cost structure, the mindset it takes to capture opportunities for profit and the critical nature of combining feed cost risk with the lean hog market price.
A local producer with proven success in risk management will explain how to implement risk management based on crush margin, allowing producers to lock in profits while the window is there.
Local ISU swine specialists will close each session by helping attendees apply lessons learned from the day’s session, make tools available for implementing change and preface small group sessions for further risk management education opportunities.
Attendees also are encouraged to attend an optional 9 a.m. session at each location to review the basics of hedging, options, insurance and other risk management tools. This session will be hosted by Shane Ellis, ISU Extension livestock marketing specialist.
“Knowing the basics is an important step in risk management implementation,” said Dave Stender, ISU Extension swine specialist. “Even if one is hiring an outside firm for risk management strategies, it is important to understand the common tools and strategies used.”
The seminars cost $10 for those pre-registered or $15 at the door. Lunch and meeting materials will be guaranteed to those pre-registered. For more information or to pre-register, please contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org.
“Effectively managing risk is increasingly important in today’s volatile ag markets,” said Leon Sheets, IPPA president. “We hope these conferences can help pork producers and allied industry representatives build on their knowledge, more effectively manage risk, better serve customers and remain profitable.”
Dead Calm for Most Fertilizer Prices
Until harvest is over and weather cooperates with fall field work, fertilizer prices seem to be in a holding pattern: Except for anhydrous, retail fertilizer registered miniscule changes compared to a month earlier, DTN found in its weekly survey of more than 300 retailers nationwide.
Anhydrous prices actually advanced an average of $24 per ton to $819/ton in the last month, but few other fertilizers managed meaningful price shifts. DAP averaged $709/ton, MAP $744/ton, potash $660/ton, urea $624/ton, 10-34-0 $822/ton, UAN28 $407/ton and UAN32 $458/ton. The slight gains for anhydrous failed to erase its wide advantage as the least expensive form of N on a per-pound-of-nitrogen basis. By that measure, the average urea price was at $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.73/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.
All eight major fertilizers are now showing double-digit increases in price compared to one year earlier. Leading the way higher is 10-34-0. The starter fertilizer skyrocketed earlier this year and is now 62% higher compared to the fourth week of October 2010. During this same period, urea has jumped 36% while potash has climbed 31% and both UAN28 and UAN32 have increased 26% from a year ago. Anhydrous has climbed 21% compared to year earlier. The two phosphorus fertilizers continue to show the most price resistance. Both DAP and MAP are 11% higher compared to October of 2010.
Antibiotic Use in Food Animals Symposium Establishes New Benchmark for Information, Science
Researchers and experts in animal health and human health shared scientific and thought-provoking information that elicited numerous “a-hah’s” from participants of the “Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, Oct. 26-27, in Chicago. Sponsored by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the symposium proved to be a two-way dialogue, with attendees asking pointed questions and adding to the discussions.
“The symposium established a new benchmark of valuable information and science that can be used to further communicate valid and essential facts to animal agriculture producers as well as consumers regarding the use of antibiotics in food animal production,” states Dr. Leonard Bull who served an Planning Committee Chair for the symposium. “Divergent opinions were openly expressed, and areas of consensus were developed.
“If the symposium was summarized in just two words, those words would probably be ‘dynamic’ and ‘eye-opening.’ I can’t remember when I obtained so much good information in a 24-hour period.”
Human health and animal health experts agreed that the judicious use of antibiotics in food animals is sometimes required to provide safe, nutritious food at a reasonable price, and that the prevention of infectious disease improves animal health and human health.
“Antibiotics is one of the technological tools that can be used to ensure affordable food,” stated Dr. Tom Shryock, Senior Research Advisor of Microbiology, Elanco Animal Health. In his “Initiaitives to Ensure Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare of Antibiotic Use in Food Animals” presentation, Shryock pointed out that the public’s concern regarding antibiotic use in food animals has presented a conundrum to veterinarians. After all every graduate entering the veterinary profession swears an oath not only to protect animal health but also welfare and to not only relieve animal suffering but to prevent it. And that today can require the use of antibiotics in food animals.
Speaker after speaker made it clear that the use of antibiotics in food animal production is a complex issue that is often over simplified by consumer media trying to make the topic understandable to readers and listeners. Unfortunately, this simplified presentation of a complex issue often results in the public being misled and misperceptions take root.
Numerous messages delivered by the 13 animal health and human health experts centered on the hot topic of antibiotic resistance. Information shared included:
· Using an antibiotic—or using more of it—will not necessarily cause resistance that antibiotic to appear or to increase from current levels. Likewise, ceasing to use an antibiotic—or using less of it—will not necessarily cause resistance to that antibiotic to disappear or decrease from current levels.
· Concern about resistance is used as ammunition for other agendas, and their arguments assume a vacuum in which no new drugs are developed.
· There’s much the human health community doesn’t know about why antibiotic resistance occurs. As such, antibiotics should be used appropriately—and as little as possible—not only in animal agriculture but also in the human population.
“Antibiotic use in animal agriculture is not a black-and-white issue. If it was an easy issue to understand and explain, we would have the issue solve a long time ago. That said, we in animal agriculture need to get in the same boat and row together—across species,” stated Scott Lormore, Director of Dairy Veterinary Operations for Pfizer Animal Health, in the symposium’s final presentation “Reaching Out to Consumers.”
Lormore underscored the importance of the animal agriculture industry building trust with consumers by consistently and effectively communicating and demonstrating its food safety commitment to the food chain. He stressed that consumers want and deserve information regarding on-farm production practices.
Emphasizing that “no one know what you know until they know you care,” he advised individuals to provide friends, family and other consumers with information that pairs science with true compassion.
Lormore said messages to consumers should center on four key facts:
· Farm animals are under the care of licensed veterinarians.
· Vaccines are used to protect animals from various illnesses.
· Sick animals are treated with medicines, such as antibiotics, to restore their health, and protections are in place to ensure that their meat and milk is safe for people.
· If medicine such as an antibiotic is administered to help sick animals, then their meat or dairy products are not allowed to enter the food supply until the medicine has sufficiently cleared the animal’s system.
Presentations by the speakers are available online at www.animalagriculture.org. Topics covered include the changing landscape of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and antibiotic product development; human health implications relative to antibiotic use; government regulatory oversight and risk mitigation; livestock MRSA; and connecting with consumers. A white paper is being developed and will be available online at NIAA’s website as well.
USDA Dairy Products September 2011 Highlights
Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 867 million pounds, 0.6 percent below September 2010 and 0.2 percent below August 2011. Italian type cheese production totaled 370 million pounds, 0.8 percent above September 2010 and 1.9 percent above August 2011. American type cheese production totaled 337 million pounds, 4.2 percent below September 2010 and 3.2 percent below August 2011. Butter production was 138 million pounds, 21.0 percent above September 2010 and 3.5 percent above August 2011.
Dry milk powders (comparisons with September 2010)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 104 million pounds, down 5.0 percent.
Skim milk powders - 35.6 million pounds, up 103.7 percent.
Whey products (comparisons with September 2010)
Dry whey, total - 77.1 million pounds, down 0.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 83.1 million pounds, up 5.9 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 35.6 million pounds, down 1.1 percent.
Frozen products (comparisons with September 2010)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 67.2 million gallons, down 6.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 34.0 million gallons, up 2.9 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.18 million gallons, down 7.6 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.42 million gallons, down 1.9 percent.
ADM Q1 Net Up 33%
Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s fiscal first-quarter earnings rose 33% as a surge in agricultural services offset profitability pressure in corn and oilseeds processing. The grain processor's agricultural services division, which handles and transports grain from farm to market and accounts for the largest portion of the company's earnings, reported a jump in operating profit of 85%.
Previously, the company has reported profit growth in its largest segments -- those for grain transport and oilseed processing -- while its corn-processing segment's profitability waned in the fourth quarter because of higher corn costs. In the latest period, however, both the oilseeds and corn processing units struggled with margin pressure. The oilseeds processing unit's profit dropped 28% while volume slinked down 0.8% as challenging margin pressured profitability. And earnings from the corn-processing business slumped 48% even though processed volume was up 4.7%, as corn costs more than doubled.
For the quarter ended Sept. 30, the company posted a profit of $460 million, or 68 cents a share, from $345 million, or 54 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 30% to $21.9 billion.
2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Registration Underway
Registration for the 2012 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is underway. The 114th Annual Convention will be held in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1-4, 2012, and advanced registration is open until Jan. 11, 2012.
2012 convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and enjoy a Cowboy’s Night at the Grand Ole Opry and admission to the Honky Tonk Party. NCBA President and Montana rancher Bill Donald said the convention is a must for all cattlemen.
“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest convention for the cattle business,” Donald said. “The convention and trade show create a unique environment for cattle industry members to come together to work toward the future of the industry and have some fun.”
In addition to access of all the 2012 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show.
To register for the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org or contact Kristin Torres at ktorres@beef.org.
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