Thursday January 4 Ag News

NEW EXTENSION TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR APPLICATORS OF RUP DICAMBA

Online training for Nebraska applicators who plan to use new restricted use pesticide (RUP) dicamba products now is available through Nebraska Extension.

Nebraska applicators completing the new training may apply Monsanto’s XtendiMax, DuPont’s FeXapan and BASF’s Engenia on genetically modified Xtend soybeans. These herbicides kill broadleaf weeds but not Xtend soybeans. Since soybeans also are broadleaf plants, problems arise when traditional, or non-Xtend soybeans, have dicamba-related injuries.

“All state-licensed applicators, either private or commercial and who plan to use the new products in 2018, must undergo new, label-required training before applying them,” said Clyde Ogg, pesticide extension educator and coordinator of Nebraska Extension’s Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). PSEP, along with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), spearheaded the new video training.

Unlicensed individuals who plan to apply the new products must have both the traditional NDA-issued license to apply RUPs, AND have proof they have taken the new NDA-approved RUP dicamba training, Ogg said.

Ogg said the dicamba training is designed to help applicators better protect traditional soybeans and other sensitive crops from damage caused by particle drift, tank contamination, temperature inversions and volatility. Also, the training will help applicators better understand the extensive new dicamba requirements for timing and recordkeeping.

“The three new RUP dicamba labels have mandatory recordkeeping components that far exceed anything previously seen,” Ogg said.

The no-cost dicamba training is comprised of four video modules that should take less than two hours to complete. Topics include off-target herbicide movement and how to prevent it; equipment settings and weather restrictions; and information required specifically for Nebraska. Proof-of-training documentation will be issued to applicators who complete the online training.

“This proof is necessary to show that both private and commercial RUP applicators have taken the new required training before using any of the three new RUP dicamba products,” Ogg said.

Details for the online training can be found at https://pested.unl.edu. Look for “*NEW* Dicamba Label-Required Training.”

A comprehensive listing of dicamba topics from NDA is found at http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/pesticide/dicamba.html.

Individuals wanting training for both traditional RUP pesticides and the new RUP dicamba products have two other options for Extension training. One is through its Crop Production Clinics or the Nebraska Crop Management Conference, where commercial applicators may be recertified for traditional RUP licensing. The other is through county Extension offices providing private RUP applicator training; Check with an individual Extension office to see if the dicamba training is being offered.

Manufacturers of the new dicamba products also offer the required training.

The new training requirement comes after the federal Environmental Protection Agency in October classified the three newer dicamba products as RUPs, and added new application, timing and recordkeeping requirements to the labels. Nationally in 2017 more than 2,200 complaints about dicamba were said to have injured more than 3 million US soybean acres.



Young Farmers and Ranchers to Meet in Omaha

Registration is open for the 2018 Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Conference, Jan. 19-20 at the CoCo Key Water Resort in Omaha. The conference theme is “Waves of Opportunity” and is presented by Nebraska Farm Bureau, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services of America, and the Aurora Cooperative.

“More than 200 young farmers, ranchers and agribusiness professionals will benefit from relevant information to help them with their careers in the agriculture industry. The event features interesting tours of local agribusinesses, a dynamic keynote speaker, breakout sessions on leading issues facing agriculture in Nebraska, and a lot of fun and fellowship, including a casino night and the CoCo Key Water Resort,” Phil Erdman, NEFB vice president of membership said Jan. 4. 

The conference begins Jan. 19 with tours of local agribusinesses, including stops at: Claas, Valmont, Metropolitan Utilities District, Patriarch Distillers, and the Omaha Children’s Museum.

New to this year’s conference is a program called “Career Conversations,” a one-on-one visit with representatives from leading ag companies in Nebraska about potential career opportunities. It is also the start of the YF&R Discussion Meet that qualifies a young farmer or rancher to represent Nebraska at the 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation Discussion Meet.

The keynote speaker is Tim Hodges. Tim is a proud product of a one-room public school near his family’s farm in Southeast Nebraska. Hodges currently works as director of research for Gallup’s Education Division. He will share his background of growing up on a farm and his experience with Gallup to help attendees discover their strengths and ensure they are equipped to be strong, engaged leaders within the agriculture industry.

Break-out sessions on Saturday, Jan 20 will cover topics including healthcare solutions, entrepreneurship, federal policy, family finances, and direct marketing.

For more information and to register visit www.nefb.org/yf-rconf.  Registration includes a t-shirt, all meals, entertainment, tours, and breakout sessions. Registrants will be responsible for making their own hotel reservation and you don’t have to be a Farm Bureau member to attend.



Nebraska Soybean Board to Hold January Meeting

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) will hold its quarterly board of directors meeting Jan. 10–11 at the Ramada Columbus Hotel and Conference Center. Much of the Jan. 10 session will be devoted to updates on research projects funded by NSB. Roger Elmore and Katja Koehler-Cole from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will report on their study of cover crop practices in soybean and corn cropping systems. Other UNL faculty will discuss aquaculture feed, fungicide resistance and on-farm research initiatives.

Day 2 includes committee reports from board members and representatives from the United Soybean Board, the American Soybean Association and the Nebraska Soybean Association.



National Drought Summary for January 2, 2018
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

During the 7-day period (ending Tuesday morning), bitterly cold, mostly dry weather prevailed across the nation. However, light to moderate showers were observed along the central Gulf Coast, while moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow were reported in the nation’s northwestern quadrant. At the end of the period, a moderate to deep snowpack extended from the interior Northwest across the northern Plains into New England. The overall trend toward drought intensification persisted from the Four Corners to the southern Plains and south-central U.S., while modest reductions in drought intensity and coverage were made in northern Montana.

High Plains
Extreme cold gripped the region, accompanied by much-needed moderate to heavy snowfall. Temperatures for the period averaged 25 to 35°F below normal from eastern Montana into the Dakotas and northern Nebraska. There were no changes made to the drought depiction in central and eastern portions of the region, while reductions in Abnormal Dryness, Moderate Drought, and Severe Drought (D0-D2) were made in northwestern Montana to account for the favorable start to the Water Year and the easing of long-term moisture deficits; 12-month precipitation climbed to near-normal levels in western Montana, but was still less than 50 percent of normal in the lingering Extreme Drought (D3) areas.

Midwest
Bitter cold weather prevailed with a moderate to deep snowpack covering all but southern portions of the region. Changes were limited to a small increase of Moderate Drought (D1) in parts of Missouri, where 90-day precipitation was locally less than half of normal. Impacts are minor and generally confined to low groundwater levels (locally below the 10th percentile).

Looking Ahead
A rapidly-intensifying storm system near the Atlantic Seaboard will produce wind-driven snow from parts of the Mid-Atlantic into the Northeast. Substantial snow- and wind-related impacts are expected in New England, as well as coastal cities such as Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. In the storm’s wake, late-week temperatures will again plunge across the Midwest and Northwest. However, temperatures will rebound to above-normal levels by Sunday in all areas west of the Mississippi River. In the middle and lower Mississippi Valley and environs, some rain or freezing rain could precede the warmer weather. Elsewhere, periods of rain and snow will affect northern California and the Northwest, while dry weather prevails across the central and southern Plains. The NWS 6- to 10-day outlook for January 9 – 13 calls for above-normal precipitation across much of the nation, with drier-than-normal weather confined to the nation’s southern tier save for the Southwest. Colder-than-conditions will linger in the upper Midwest, while near- to-above-normal temperatures prevail elsewhere, with the greatest likelihood of abnormal warmth from the Rockies to the Pacific Coast.



UPDATE ON TUBERCULOSIS INVESTIGATION IN WHEELER COUNTY

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman today announced that the epidemiological investigation into a bovine tuberculosis (TB) positive cow in a beef cattle herd in Wheeler County continues to progress.  The infected cow was discovered as part of an epidemiological investigation from an infected herd in South Dakota.

“Cooperation between state and federal agencies along with the cooperation of the owner allowed us to quickly quarantine the herd and begin the epidemiological investigation to trace the movement of cattle into and out of the herd,” said Wellman.  “Fortunately, our investigation found no cattle had fence line contact with the infected herd.  At this time no testing of neighboring herds will be necessary.”

The infected herd will remain under quarantine until the entire herd has had multiple tests to verify no additional infection is present.

“We continue to trace and quarantine cattle that were dispersed from the herd earlier this year,” said Wellman.  “It appears that the dispersed cattle are all currently in feedlot settings, where they will remain until harvest.”

NDA will continue epidemiological investigations of any animals that entered Nebraska from the infected South Dakota herd.

TB is a slow, progressive disease and is difficult to diagnose in the early stages; however, as the disease progresses, animals can exhibit emaciation, lethargy, weakness, anorexia, low-grade fever, and a pneumonia with a chronic, moist cough.  If a producer sees any of these symptoms in their herd, they should contact their local veterinarian.  

Further information, including FAQ sheets on TB can be found on the NDA website at www.nda.nebraska.gov.



Perdue Announces Farm Service Agency State Committee Appointees
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee Appointees. State committees are selected by the Secretary, serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, and are responsible for carrying out FSA’s farm programs within delegated authorities.

“The State Committees will help to ensure USDA is providing our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers with the best customer service,” Secretary Perdue said. “They serve as a liaison between USDA and the producers in each state across the nation by keeping them informed and hearing their appeals and complaints. The committees are made up mostly of active farmers and ranchers, representing their peers and ensuring USDA’s programs are supporting the American harvest.”

The following is a list of State Committees released today:
    Nebraska
        Committee Chair Scott Spilker - Beatrice
        Cindi Allen - Ogallala
        Mark Jagels - Davenport
        Hilary Maricle - Boone County
        Geoff Ruth - Rising City
    Iowa
        Committee Chair Ray Gaesser – Corning
        Nathan Anderson – Cherokee
        Laura Cunningham – Nora Springs
        Jim Stillman – Palo Alto
        Pat Swanson – Ottumwa

State committees are appointed for a one year term which began on January 1, 2018. Each state committee has five members, one chairperson and four members. States that are not listed here or that have incomplete lists will be announced at a later date.



Iowa State Develops New Crush Margin App for Hog and Cattle Producers

Livestock producers who purchase feeder cattle or weaned pigs plus the feed, and then sell finished animals at a specific point in time, take on a significant amount of both input and output price risk. Feeder cattle, weaned pig and feed prices account for a significant share of the total input cost and along with market livestock prices are volatile, adding to a producer’s risk.

The crush margin, a term borrowed from the soybean processing industry, describes the margin that can be hedged using futures contract prices for soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil. A crush margin also can be calculated for cattle and hogs and can be used as a risk management tool. For fed cattle, the margin is live cattle value minus feeder cattle value and estimated corn fed value. For market hogs, the margin is lean hog value minus weaned pig value and estimated corn and soybean meal fed value.

Lee Schulz, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock economist, has been tracking the crush margins for cattle and hogs and posting them online for several years. The margin is calculated every Wednesday using the futures close on that date. The web page will continue and have historical margins in addition to comparing placement month margins.

This new ISU Livestock Crush Margin App is in addition to the ISU Livestock Crush Margin website and allows users to select cattle or hogs and pick their placement date for feeder cattle or weaned pigs. It will use the appropriate futures contract close price from the previous day to calculate the margin without any additional inputs. Historical basis information Schulz has compiled is programmed to be used in the app. Users also can enter their own prices or basis for the inputs if they wish to override the defaults.

Russ Euken, ISU Extension and Outreach livestock specialist, said the app was designed to minimize inputs, yet still provide some flexibility for users.

“The app is a web-based app and internet access is needed to use the app to access CME futures price," Euken said. "The app will run in a browser on your computer or the app can be saved on a smart phone for access by selecting the icon from the screen.”

The app was developed as part of a North Central Region Risk Management Education grant for livestock price risk management education. Schulz said evaluating margins and taking advantages of profitable opportunities can be a valuable asset to producers in managing risk.

“Using futures prices to evaluate and manage the crush margin between revenue and the major input costs, which change with market conditions, is a good price risk management strategy," Schulz said.

The assumptions used in calculating the margins and basis information are available as links on the crush margin app web page. The new app is listed on the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa Pork Industry Center, and ISU Economic crush margin websites. Look under Current Markets on the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa Pork Industry Center websites, or the  ISU Livestock Crush Margin App website.

For additional information on the livestock crush margin app contact Schulz, lschulz@iastate.edu or 515-294-3356, or Euken, reuken@iastate.edu 641-923-2856.



Wendy Wintersteen to keynote Farmer Research Conference next month

Iowa State University (ISU) President Wendy Wintersteen, Ph.D., will keynote a luncheon at the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) annual Farmer Research Conference, Feb. 6 – 7 at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines.

As former endowed Dean of ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), Wintersteen has worked hand-in-hand with ISA on a host of agricultural issues for more than a decade, and looks to continue that partnership as university president. In her lunch address on Feb. 7, Wintersteen will provide an update on ISU happenings, following a brief presentation from Joe Colletti, Ph.D., Wintersteen’s successor as interim dean of CALS.

The ISU representatives round out a diversified lineup of keynote speakers and conference presenters sharing insights on weather, economics and weeds, as well as the latest advancements in crop management, agronomic research and conservation practices. In addition, Certified Crop Advisers can obtain continuing education credits in the areas of nutrient management (4), soil and water management (5.5), integrated pest management (3.5), crop management (13) and personal development (2).

For full conference details, including schedules and registration information, visit iasoybeans.com/conference.



SowBridge Educational Series Begins Tenth Year in February

The successful distance education program, SowBridge, begins its tenth year in February. This low-tech distance education opportunity combines electronic materials with live presentations via teleconference, and focuses on topics most relevant to those working with sows, boars, piglets, and genetic and reproductive issues. Ken Stalder, Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist, said suggestions from subscribers help maintain the program’s value.

“Each year we ask participants for suggestions on topics and speakers, and follow through as much as possible to provide current content that people are interested in,” Stalder said. “SowBridge provides all participants with the opportunity to hear directly from experts, and to contact those experts following the individual sessions.”

SowBridge is designed to improve the understanding and application of various tools and techniques involved in daily care of the breeding herd and piglets. Operation owners, employees, technicians, managers and technical service providers are encouraged to consider registering.

“People from the United States, Canada and Ireland took part in the 2017 program, and told us they appreciated having the opportunity to participate in these learning opportunities, without having to worry about travel or other expenses,” Stalder said. “With the live phone presentation and slideshow available on a computer, participants do not need internet access and can take part from anywhere.”

Before each session, subscribers receive information on that session and a link to download the speaker’s presentation. Those who request it, also receive a CD with each session’s material. For the session itself, most participants will call a toll-free conference line to listen to and interact with presenters. Each session begins at 11:30 a.m. Central Time and lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Cost is $250 ($U.S.) for the first registration from an entity, and each subsequent registration is half that amount. Each registration provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials for each registration, including audio recordings of the live session.

“Materials, delivery process and program costs are slightly different for those with non-U.S. mailing addresses,” Stalder said. “Anyone with questions, regardless of location should contact Sherry Hoyer at Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State for more information.”

Hoyer can be reached by phone at 515-294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu.

To provide a look at the content of SowBridge sessions, an example video was created using the presentation material and audio recording from a 2017 session where speaker Corinne Bromfield presents “Identifying Scours.”

The yearlong program is offered by registration only with a Jan. 16 deadline to ensure participants will receive materials for the first session on Feb. 7. The program brochure has details and the registration form. Iowa residents who want more information can call Stalder at 800-808-7675.
2018 Sessions

Listed below are the dates, speakers and their industry affiliations, and topics covered for the upcoming session.

2018
    Feb. 7–Jamee Eggers, National Pork Board, “Common Swine Industry Audit: Updates and Opportunities for Improvement
    March 7–Jeff Bender, University of Minnesota, UMASH, “Needlestick Prevention”
    April 4–Thomas Parsons, University of Pennsylvania, “Managing Group Sow Gestation”
    May 2–Lee Johnston, University of Minnesota, and Brian Richert, Purdue, “Heat Mitigation for Sows”
    May 30–Robert Knox, University of Illinois, “On-Farm Semen Evaluation and Storage” (June session)
    July 5–Kara Stewart, Purdue University, “Intrauterine Insemination”
    Aug. 1–Ron Ketchem, Swine Management Services, “Batch Farrowing: Do You Need to Consider?”
    Sept. 5–Roy Kirkwood, University of Adelaide, Australia, “Reducing Stillbirths and Early Neonatal Mortality”
    Oct. 3–Dale Hentges, The Maschhoffs, "Day 1 Piglet Care”
    Nov. 7–Madonna Benjamin, Michigan State University, “Euthanasia on Farms: A Practical Approach”
    Dec. 5–Chris Rademacher, Iowa State University, “Biosecurity Practices: Before and After PEDv”

2019
    Jan. 9–Maria Pieters, University of Minnesota, “Controlling the Spread of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae”

SowBridge is sponsored by a group of 11 state universities – including Iowa State University – from the major swine producing states.



PorkBridge Educational Series Begins Thirteenth Year

PorkBridge, a distance education series for those who work with grow-finish operations, begins Feb. 1. This low-tech program features topics presented by recognized industry experts and is provided through the collaboration of swine faculty and staff from 11 land-grant universities. PorkBridge reaches producers and industry professionals across the country and around the world through an every-other-month series of six sessions.

Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist Ken Stalder is the Iowa contact for PorkBridge. He describes the program as a source of relevant and accurate information for those who own, manage or work in swine grow-finish facilities.

“Producers and others in the industry can get the information they need without the hassle of traveling or giving up an entire day to attend a meeting,” Stalder said. “PorkBridge participants can take part where it works best for them whether at home, in an office or in the swine unit. And all can listen later to the audio we record of each live session.”

PorkBridge combines electronic materials with teleconferenced presentations by topic speakers. About a week before each session, subscribers receive a web link to download the session’s presentation and any additional information provided by the presenter. Those who request it also receive the same materials via mailed CD. Participants call in for the audio portion of each session and follow along with their own copy of the presentation on their computer or other device.

Based on participant suggestions and personal experience, organizers decided to move up the time of these sessions to 11:30 a.m. Central Time. Stalder said they hope the slightly earlier timeframe will allow more people to participate in the live sessions. Sessions are generally scheduled for the first Thursday of each designated month, starting at 11:30 a.m. Central Time, but occasionally are moved up a week to avoid interference with national industry events. Each session lasts about 45 minutes.

“The registration amount has not changed since the program began in 2005. This remains a tremendous deal at only $125 for the entire year,” Stalder said. “Each subsequent registration from the same entity is half that amount. Each registration provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials for each registration, including audio recordings of the live session.”

Program costs are slightly different for those with non-U.S. mailing addresses. To have questions about the program answered, contact Sherry Hoyer at Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University. Hoyer can be reached by phone at 515-294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu.

A video of a sample PorkBridge session, https://youtu.be/F2SPe6-pWgM, was created using the 2017 Dale Ricker presentation material and audio recording “Sights, Sounds and Smells of a Normal Finisher Barn.”

The subscription and payment form is available online for download; payment must be received by Jan. 16 to assure receipt of program materials in time for the first session on Feb. 1. Iowa residents who want more information can call Stalder at 800-808-7675.

PorkBridge 2018 Sessions
The dates, speakers and their industry affiliations, and topics to be covered during the 2018 PorkBridge educational series are:
    Feb. 1 – Jamie Eggers, National Pork Board, “Common Swine Industry Audit—Updates and Opportunities for Improvements
    April 5 – Kyle Coble, New Fashion Pork, “How Non-Antibiotic Farms are Successful”
    May 31 – Dave Thompson, Michigan State University “Effective Disinfectant Rotations”
    Aug. 2 – Pete Raynor, University of Minnesota, UMASH, “Factors Influencing Air Pollutant Levels in Swine Barns”
    Oct. 4 – Maria Pieters, University of Minnesota, “Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Diagnostics”
    Dec. 6 – Mike Ellis, University of Illinois, “Sorting Pigs in Wean-to-Finish Facilities to Maximize Output”



EIA: Ethanol Stocks Climb

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Thursday, Jan. 4, a big build for U.S. fuel ethanol inventories while domestic plant production and blending demand declined during the week-ended Dec. 29.

The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed fuel ethanol stockpiles jumped 600,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.7%, to a 22.6 million bbl six-month high, up 3.9 million bbl, or 20.9%, versus a year ago. 

Domestic plant production declined 58,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 5.3%, to 1.032 million bpd last week, down 11,000 bpd, or 1.1%, year over year. For the four weeks ended Dec. 29, fuel ethanol production averaged 1.072 million bpd, 35,000 bpd, or 3.3%, higher than a year ago.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, tumbled 91,000 bpd, or 9.6%, to 855,000 bpd last week while up 10,000 bpd, or 1.2%, year over year. For the four-week period ended Dec. 29, blending demand averaged 907,000 bpd, up 9,000 bpd, or 1.0%, versus a year ago.



Wheat Farmers Experience Extreme Winter Conditions Calling for Swift Reauthorization of the Farm Bill

Recent extreme winter conditions in major wheat-producing states re-affirm the need for a 2018 Farm Bill and strong federal crop insurance program. According to Radiant Solutions, a data collection and analysis company based in Herndon, Virginia, “solid snow cover in the northern Plains and Midwest gave wheat fields enough protection from the bitter cold conditions, but temperatures that dipped as low as 40 degrees below zero did plenty of damage this past week in the central and southern Plains and southern Midwest.”

“To the best of our ability, wheat growers do what we can to mitigate risks on our farms,” said Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers and Outlook, Montana farmer. “However, we are still at the mercy of Mother Nature and strong Farm Bill safety net programs, like crop insurance, can help enable us to farm another year if hit by a devastating weather disaster.”  

Radiant Solutions also reported that as a result of the unusually cold temperatures and snowy conditions, “damage occurred in about a quarter of the hard red wheat belt in the central Plains, with about 5 percent of the soft red wheat belt in the Midwest seeing impacts.” The company also predicts “additional winter kill in southern Indiana, southern Ohio, and northern Kentucky on Friday.”

“As we continue negotiations on the 2018 Farm Bill, it is important for Congress to remember agriculture faces systemic risks,” continued Stoner. “There are many factors that are out of farmer’s control, especially weather. It’s vital that federal crop insurance remains widely available and affordable for all farmers across the country.”

NAWG continues to advocate for no cuts to the federal crop insurance program and is looking forward to working with Congress to pass a strong Farm Bill this year that provides effective support for wheat growers. NAWG has advocated for maintaining a producer choice in Title 1 programs, increasing the wheat reference price in the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, doubling funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, and other key priorities for improving the safety net.



Most Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher in Last Week of 2017

Average retail prices for most fertilizers continued to move higher as 2017 drew to a close, according to retailers surveyed by DTN.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were higher the fourth week of December compared to a month earlier. Anhydrous was 12% more expensive compared to last month and had an average price of $468 per ton. MAP was 6% higher, as well, with an average price of $488/ton.

The remaining five fertilizers were higher compared to the prior month, though none were up by a significant amount. DAP had an average price of $448/ton, potash $344/ton, urea $348/ton, 10-34-0 $407/ton and UAN28 $216/ton.

Just one fertilizer was lower from the previous month. UAN32 was 6% lower compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $254/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.38/lb.N, anhydrous $0.29/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.40/lb.N.

Five fertilizers are now higher compared to last year. Anhydrous is 1% more expensive, both DAP and urea are 4% higher, potash is 7% more expensive and MAP is now 10% higher.

The remaining three fertilizers are still lower compared to a year prior. Both UAN28 and UAN32 are 1% lower, while 10-34-0 is 9% less expensive.



USDA Dairy Products November 2017 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.05 billion pounds, 2.8 percent above November 2016 but 2.0 percent below October 2017.  Italian type cheese production totaled 455 million pounds, 3.6 percent above November 2016 but 0.6 percent below October 2017.  American type cheese production totaled 401 million pounds, 0.6 percent above November 2016 but 4.0 percent below October 2017.  Butter production was 146 million pounds, 1.8 percent above November 2016 and 1.6 percent above October 2017.

Dry milk products (comparisons with November 2016)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 140 million pounds, up 9.7 percent.
Skim milk powder - 41.8 million pounds, down 11.9 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with November 2016)
Dry whey, total - 81.8 million pounds, up 11.6 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 88.1 million pounds, up 1.4 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.7 million pounds, up 3.6 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with November 2016)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 49.5 million gallons, down 4.6 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 26.2 million gallons, down 7.3 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.41 million gallons, up 24.0 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.78 million gallons, down 10.7 percent.



Looking Forward: KORUS Benefits U.S. Feed Grain Exports

A long tradition of partnership and dedicated interaction by organizations like the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has established South Korea as one of the largest and most loyal trading partners for the United States. 

The United States and South Korea will begin to formally examine the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) during talks in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 5. Emphasizing the benefits of KORUS to further solidifying and expanding exports is an important part of that discussion.

“Korean consumers and traders recognize the United States as a leading origin for imported agricultural goods of good quality and value,” stated a November 2017 Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). “[KORUS], implemented in March 2012, coupled with ongoing recovery of the Korean economy should generate greater export opportunities for American products in Korea in the coming years.”

The KORUS agreement offered key market access provisions for U.S. feed grains and co-products, including immediate duty-free access for U.S. corn and sorghum exports. The agreement also includes a 2,500 ton (nearly 115,000 bushels) duty-free quota for U.S. barley, which increases 2 percent each year while full tariffs are phased out, as well as important provisions offering increasing market access for beef, pork and poultry products.

As a result, U.S. exports of feed grains in all forms to South Korea have steadily increased, reaching 8.32 million metric tons in 2016/2017, a 57 percent increase year-over-year. The 2016/2017 sales numbers include a six year-high for U.S. corn at 5.6 million tons (220 million bushels), placing South Korea as the third largest world buyer.

In addition, 96 percent of feed millers in South Korea now include U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in their rations for the country’s livestock and poultry industries, thanks in part to work started by the Council in 2004 to introduce this feed ingredient. As the third largest buyer of U.S. DDGS in 2016/2017 at 980,000 tons, South Korea set a new record for imports, which the country has done every year since 2010/2011. Now the Council is working to increase inclusion rates for U.S. DDGS, which would provide additional opportunities for increased exports.

“South Korea is already U.S. agriculture’s fifth largest export market,” stated another FAS GAIN report, issued in December of last year. “Still, the unique market dynamics between South Korean consumption and economic expansion, U.S. production cycles, and the history of our bilateral relationship, demonstrate the special value of the [Republic of Korea] market for American agriculture.”

“Given the increasing number of Korea’s FTAs with other trading partners, even marginal real or future assumed tariff advantages can have an important impact on Korean buyers, especially those processing inputs into finished products for local consumption.”

South Korea has existing free trade agreements with 52 countries. The Korean government is also actively looking at trade agreements with both MERCOSUR (South America’s trading bloc) and Russia, meaning the United States needs the market access provided by KORUS in order to remain competitive in this market.

The Council celebrated 45 years of working in South Korea in 2017 during a joint officers mission with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) in November 2017. During the mission, leaders from both organizations recognized how the KORUS agreement shifted decades of market development into record exports to the East Asian nation.

“Our customers told us they have options too,” said Deb Keller, USGC chairman from Iowa. “The Council will maintain a strong presence in the South Korean market and work to keep communication lines open across feed, food and energy sectors.”



Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl Schedule, Roster Takes Shape

Land O'Lakes, Inc. today announced Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis as the latest roster addition to the Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl™. Bettis will compete against other current and former players on the field in a test of farm-inspired skill and agility. ESPN reporter Marty Smith will host the event, with multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks providing sideline commentary.

[The Land O’Lakes Farm Bowl trophy will be awarded to winners of the Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl, which will happen Thursday, Feb. 1 in Minneapolis. The event challenges teams of current and former professional football players and farmers to a series of farm-themed events, designed to inspire young people to consider careers in agriculture.]

"The Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl is a unique event bringing together two seemingly unlike fields – football and farming – to celebrate the important work of farmers and inspire the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry," said Jerome Bettis, former running back and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "I look forward to competing and testing my skills alongside some great athletes and outstanding farmers."

The Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl will be held on Thursday, February 1 from 1-3 p.m. CST at 3M Arena at Mariucci, the home arena for the University of Minnesota's men's hockey team, which will be transformed into a farm-themed competition course. Admission to attend is free. During the live event, six teams – each with one athlete and one Land O'Lakes member farmer – will compete in a series of five challenges.

The six teams are:
-    Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis and Katie Dotterer-Pyle of Cow Comfort Inn of Union Bridge, MD
-    Minnesota Vikings' tight end Kyle Rudolph* and Darin Johnson of Johnson Farms in Wells, MN (*pending availability)
-    Former wide receiver Greg Jennings and Amber Horn-Leiterman of Hornstead Dairy in Brillion, WI
-    Former center, current farmer Jason Brown and Dave Ribeiro of Rib Arrow Dairy in Tulare, CA
-    Player to be named later and JJ Nunes of Nunes and Sons Dairy in Tulare, CA
-    Player to be named later and Craig Roerick of Roerview Dairy in Swanville, MN

While perhaps best known for its LAND O LAKES® butter, the company is a Fortune 209, farmer-owned food and agriculture company offering products and services from farm to fork, including the WinField United, Purina Animal Nutrition and Vermont Creamery brands. The Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl, as part of Land O'Lakes' Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee programming, aims to inspire the next generation of young leaders to consider careers in food and agriculture. By testing the skills of professional athletes on the farm, the event will showcase the intricacies and challenges of modern agriculture.

Final rosters and a complete schedule and event information will be announced soon. Fans can follow all the Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl action at www.TheFarmBowl.com.



AgriBank Pays Quarterly Preferred Stock Dividend

St. Paul-based AgriBank paid a quarterly cash dividend of $1.7188 per share on its 6.875 percent non-cumulative perpetual class A preferred stock to holders of record as of December 1, 2017.

AgriBank issued $250 million of preferred stock on Oct. 29, 2013 to provide the Bank and the 15-state Farm Credit District it serves with long-term access to high-quality capital, helping ensure the District is well-positioned to meet the long-term growth and credit needs of farmer and rancher customers.

AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with over $100 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System's cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 14 Farm Credit Associations.



Studies Find First-line Use of Draxxin® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution for BRD Treatment and Control Could Reduce up to 1.8 Million Courses of Antibiotics Annually

A meta-analysis of dozens of studies published in a recent issue of Bovine Practitioner assures beef cattle producers and veterinarians that they could potentially have significantly fewer repeat treatment courses for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) if they select Draxxin® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution as the first-line choice for control or treatment of BRD.1 According to this meta-analysis conducted by Zoetis, efficacy of the first-choice antibiotic for treatment and control of BRD can make a difference in helping reduce the necessity for subsequent antibiotic treatment courses and could potentially eliminate the need for up to 1.8 million antibiotic therapy courses annually for BRD treatment and control in the U.S.1

Fewer subsequent treatment courses
This comprehensive review of 31 studies evaluated the effectiveness of eight injectable antibiotics commonly used for control (metaphylaxis) or treatment (therapy) of BRD in U.S. feedlots by assessing the number of antibiotic treatment courses required for BRD control and treatment. Data included peer-reviewed articles and unbiased technical bulletins reporting efficacy of tulathromycin compared with at least one additional antimicrobial for treatment and/or control of BRD in feedlot cattle published within the past 26 years. A statistical analysis of the data presented in the reviewed articles showed that Draxxin resulted in statistically fewer treatment courses compared with an aggregated response of all other injectable antibiotics. Two other recent meta-analysis studies conducted at Kansas State University and Iowa State University shared similar results — Draxxin is the most effective first-choice for control and treatment of BRD.2,3

“The most responsible use of an antibiotic is to never need to use an antibiotic, but when a person or an animal is sick, using the most effective antibiotic first can help treat disease with one course of therapy and reduce the likelihood of needing to use another antibiotic or another class of antibiotic,” said consulting author Barbara Poulsen Nautrup,* DVM, PhD, EAH Consulting for Economics in Animal Health in Aachen, Germany. “Overuse may jeopardize the ability to treat disease in both animal and human medicine in the future, so efforts to help ensure antibiotics aren’t overused are crucial.”

Reduced number of overall treatment courses
This analysis went one step further to test if Draxxin could help reduce the number of antimicrobial treatment courses in the U.S. if used as a first choice for treatment or control of BRD.

“We applied the results from the meta-analysis to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test this,” said Ralph Cleale, PhD, research director, Outcomes Research at Zoetis and a contributing author of this meta-analysis. “Our purpose was to estimate magnitude of the difference in the number of antimicrobial treatment courses required with different antibiotics used as the first-line choice for control or treatment of BRD in U.S. feedlot cattle compared to Draxxin.”

The differences translated to estimated reductions in the number of antibiotic treatment courses for control and treatment of BRD per year in U.S. feedlots. Compared with an aggregated response of seven other commonly used injectable antibiotics, authors found using Draxxin as first-line therapy for control or treatment of BRD could potentially help reduce the number of antibiotic treatment courses by 800,000 to 1.8 million for feedlot cattle compared with using alternative antibiotic treatment choices.

Draxxin reduces the necessity for subsequent antimicrobial treatments and thereby helps contribute to more prudent use of antibiotics in livestock, the authors concluded in this analysis.

“There is a lot of discussion about responsible use of antibiotics,” Dr. Poulsen Nautrup said. “The goals are simple: maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize development of resistant microorganisms.”

For more information or to help find the right and most responsible solutions for managing BRD, talk to a veterinarian or visit BRD-Solutions.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: DRAXXIN has a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of 18 days in cattle. Do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do not use in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product.

Wednesday January 3 Ag News

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2018 WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE

Women in the agricultural industry looking to improve their business management skills are encouraged to register for the 2018 Women in Agriculture Conference organized by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The conference is Feb. 22-23 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 S. Second Ave. in Kearney.

The conference, one of the longest-running of its kind, allows women to network, attend workshops and gain knowledge to help them support their farms and ranches. The 2018 theme is "Growing Our Future, Valuing Our Traditions.”

The conference, which runs from 9:15 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 22 and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 23, includes more than 30 workshops focusing on financial, market, production, human and legal risk.

Participants can hear from Ruth Hambleton, the founder of Annie's Project, who will speak on empowering and educating women producers; Ann Finkner, Farm Credit Services of America senior vice president and chief administrative officer, who will share resources to help women recharge while dealing with complexity, stress and multi-tasking; and Leslie McCuiston, America's 2017 Pig Farmer of the Year, who will share her story.

Registration is available at http://wia.unl.edu. Paper registration forms can be requested by calling 402-472-1576. More information on the conference, including a full schedule, is available at the website.

Registration is $125 by Feb. 4 and $150 after that. Fees include workshop materials, registration, meals and breaks. Students attending a four-year college, two-year college or vocational/technical school can apply for a scholarship, as can 4-H and FFA members.

The conference is hosted by Nebraska Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics at Nebraska.



Attorneys General from Across U.S. Take Action Against California’s Flawed Prop 65 Regulation on Glyphosate

Attorneys General in Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin have filed an amicus brief in support of the preliminary injunction sought by agriculture groups against California’s flawed Prop 65 regulation. In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the California Chamber of Commerce filed their own amicus brief in support of the preliminary injunction to halt the regulation.

California is requiring products that may contain the herbicide glyphosate to bear a false and misleading label, even though there is no scientific evidence to support this move. 

“We are pleased that attorneys general from across the country are standing up for agriculture and consumers by standing against this unconstitutional action by California,” said Gordon Stoner, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.  “California’s flawed Prop 65 requirement will cause irreparable harm to the agriculture economy impacting American farmers and consumers everywhere. AGOur coalition is growing with the support of these attorneys general as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and California Chamber of Commerce who are supporting our efforts to immediately halt this flawed action.”

The amicus brief, filed by Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, includes Attorneys General Lawrence Wasden of Idaho, Curtis Hill of Indiana, Thomas Miller of Iowa, Derek Schmidt of Kansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Bill Schuette of Michigan, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Mike Hunter of Oklahoma, Marty Jackley of South Dakota and Brad Schimel of Wisconsin.

The National Association of Wheat Growers are the lead plaintiff in the case against California filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The plaintiffs include the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, the Agricultural Retailers Association, Associated Industries of Missouri, Iowa Soybean Association, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CropLife America, Missouri Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, South Dakota Agri-Business Association and United States Durum Growers Association.  In December, the group filed a temporary injunction asking the court to halt the regulation.



BILL TO FIX ARC INTRODUCED

Congressman Kevin Cramer introduced a bill cosponsored by Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) when computing average county yields for the purposes of the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) Program.

The 2014 Farm Bill included two new programs for covered commodities, Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), allowing the producer to choose once per farm bill which policy they believe would provide the most effective safety net. Unfortunately the design of ARC, and the manner in which USDA implemented the program has created problems for producers, particularly as it relates to inconsistent county yield data.

Rather than the current policy of prioritizing inconsistent survey data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Cramer’s three page bill (H.R.4654) would direct the Secretary to prioritize Risk Management Agency (RMA), or crop insurance, data over all other forms in counties where RMA offers county-wide insurance products, while also allowing the Secretary of Agriculture flexibility for all other instances.  Additionally, the legislation codifies USDA’s earlier decision to operate the program based on the physical location of the base acres, rather than requiring producers to elect one county for all payments.           

“Even though it is anticipated most producers will utilize Price Loss Coverage going forward, our legislation provides a surgical fix to ARC in case the program is reauthorized in the next Farm Bill,” said Cramer.

“As Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, I’m working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to improve existing farm bill programs. While I’ve never been a fan of ARC I do believe we can make improvements to its data sources that will give producers more confidence in the program. This bill is a good starting point for reauthorizing the farm bill next year,” said Peterson.



Survey shows Iowans trust farmers are caring for livestock and the land

Iowa grocery shoppers place a great deal of trust in Iowa farmers and according to the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®, large majorities are confident that Iowa farmers take care of their animals and the environment responsibly.  The news is detailed in the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®, an annual survey conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) to shed light on what Iowa grocery shoppers are putting in their carts, as well as the issues and factors that may influence their choices in the new year.

The latest survey of over 500 Iowa grocery shoppers shows nearly 9 in 10 (87 percent) are confident Iowa farmers are caring for their animals responsibly, with a third (33 percent) saying they are very confident.  “This is encouraging news for farmers who look for ways to improve the environments and efficiencies of livestock in their care.  There are so many ways that farmers raise animals today and this survey also shows consumers want and expect that flexibility to bring them more choices and nutritional options at the grocery store.  In fact, 84 percent of Iowans say it is important that farmers have the flexibility to use a variety of farming practices to provide them with different choices and price options at the grocery store and over a quarter (27 percent) say that farmer flexibility is very important to them,” says IFBF President, Craig Hill.

“Iowans who don’t farm have questions about those who do, so Iowa Farm Bureau, together with the Iowa Pork Producers Association, in cooperation with Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, launched Iowa Farm Animal Care, a unique coalition which works to provide voluntary independent professional evaluations, increase awareness of how Iowans care for their animals and provide additional information and resources about the latest in animal care.   IFAC is the first-of-its-kind network in Iowa, bringing together experienced animal science experts and veterinarians from Iowa State University’s Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa State Veterinarian office at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), as well as animal welfare experts at the Animal Rescue League, the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association and farmers,” says Hill.

The good news for farming innovation and flexibility is also apparent when it comes to farmers embracing conservation practices that work best for their farms.  According to the 2017 survey, over three-fourths (77 percent) of Iowa grocery shoppers are confident Iowa farmers are caring for the environment responsibly, with 1 in 4 (24 percent) being very confident.  Asked unaided, nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) Iowa grocery shoppers say they are confident that Iowa farmers are taking on the challenge of improving water quality and they like to learn more about those efforts.  For example, hearing how farmers are installing cover crops, wetlands, and bioreactors, which is keeping more than 3.8 million pounds of nitrogen from reaching Iowa's water (source: 2015-2016 Iowa Water Quality Initiative Annual Progress Report) makes over 4 in 5 (84 percent) more confident that farmers are taking on the challenge of improving water quality, with 33 percent saying they are much more confident.  “Progress is happening and this survey underscores the importance of sharing that information.  Iowans can visit conservationcountsIowa.com to learn more and see for themselves how farmers are managing their most precious resources,” says Hill.

The July 24-August 8, 2017, Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of the IFBF among 507 adults aged 20-60, residing in Iowa who have primary or shared responsibility for household grocery shopping. 



NCBA, Cattle Genetics Experts Team Up For 2018 Genetic Webinar Series

Cattle genetics will be the focus of a new set of webinars to help cattlemen and women better use the tool in their operations.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is teaming up with six genetics specialists from across the country to offer the NCBA Cattlemen’s Genetics Webinar Series, which will kick off Jan. 18, 2018.

Titled “Fake News: EPDs Don’t Work,” the January webinar will be followed by sessions in February, March and April that explore other aspects of genetic utilization that will give cattle producers a knowledge boost on cattle selection and breeding.

Providing expertise to producers through the webinar series is the eBEEF team, a group of six genetic specialists from five academic institutions that have invested time and resources in the advancement of the cattle industry through genetics. Members of the team are: Darrh Bullock, Ph.D., University of Kentucky; Jared Decker, Ph.D., University of Missouri; Alison Van Eenennaam, Ph.D., University of California-Davis; Matt Spangler, Ph.D., University of Nebraska; and Megan Rolf, Ph.D., and Bob Weaber, Ph.D., Kansas State University.

                The Cattlemen’s Genetics Webinar Series is being coordinated by the NCBA producer education team. The January session on EPDs will feature Van Eenennaam and Spangler, with other members of the eBEEF team conducting future webinars.

                According to Josh White, NCBA executive director of producer education, the genetics webinar series is an extension of NCBA educational webinars started several years ago. “Our model has been to do six or seven timely and seasonal webinars a year, geared to times that producers are looking at specific production practices,” White said. “We noticed that some of our largest viewership has been when we focused on genetics in the spring. We are excited to be partnering with the eBEEF team to expand the offering in 2018.”

                Darrh Bullock said the eBEEF team was created to expand the understanding of genetics beyond their own states. “Genetics specialists are a limited resource,” he said. “Even though we provide education in our own states, we feel an obligation to provide more education on a national basis, recognizing that many states don’t have genetics specialists.”

                Bullock said one of the creations of the eBEEF team is a website on eBeef.org where cattlemen can find out much of what they need to know about the genetics of beef cattle, featuring videos, factsheets, frequently-asked-questions and other resources. The new opportunity to work with NCBA on the webinar, he said, is an extension of the team’s outreach.

                “We have worked informally with NCBA for years, through Cattlemen’s College and individual webinars on genetics,” he said. “This new program is an opportunity to provide cattlemen with more information in advance of the upcoming breeding season, getting them up-to-date genetics information. There really is no better way to get the word out about this topic than through NCBA and the educational programs they coordinate. They reach many cattlemen.”

                Bullock said the upcoming webinar series is geared for any producer who would benefit from genetics knowledge, from the experienced seedstock breeder to someone who might be new to the cattle industry and needs to better understand genetics.

               Cattle producers are invited to join the webinars live, or access recordings of them following the sessions. For more information on the NCBA Cattlemen’s Genetics Webinar Series go to the producer education tab of the NCBA.org website. Recordings of previous webinars are also available on the site.



2018 BQA Producer Forum Open to All Cattle Producers

Attention all dairymen, cattle farmers and ranchers: There will be a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Producer Forum during the annual Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville in February. The forum is open to all cattle producers and BQA stakeholders. This is a time for cattle producers to have their voices heard about the checkoff-funded BQA program and where it’s headed in the future.

Join us for the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Producer Forum at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention on Thursday, February 1, at 11:00am. The producer forum will feature updates on BQA’s most recent initiatives including online training and the launch of the BQA Transportation Training and Certification program.

Highlights of the recently completed Beef Industry Traceability Report will also be shared during this meeting, the presentation will include the findings of the feasibility study regarding opportunities and challenges for the beef industry.  Producers will have the opportunity to share their input regarding the BQA program and open discussion is encouraged.

For more information about the forum, please contact Chase DeCoite (cdecoite@beef.org). For more information about BQA, visit bqa.org, and for more on your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



Farm Groups Launch “Farm Town Strong” Campaign to Address Rural Opioid Epidemic
As farming communities face mounting challenges with the nation’s opioid epidemic, the nation’s two largest general farm organizations are teaming up to confront the issue. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU) today announced a new campaign, “Farm Town Strong,” to raise awareness of the crisis’ impact on farming communities. The campaign will also provide resources and information to help farm communities and encourage farmer-to-farmer support to overcome the crisis.

The groups have launched a new website, FarmTownStrong.org, to provide easy access to information and resources that can help struggling farm families and rural communities.

The Farm Town Strong campaign comes on the heels of a recent survey commissioned by AFBF and NFU that highlighted how the opioid epidemic has hit farmers and farm workers especially hard. While just under half of rural Americans say they, a family member or friend have been directly impacted by opioid abuse, for farmers and farm workers it’s 74 percent.  A strong majority of respondents also support increasing public awareness of anti-opioid resources and reducing the stigma that surrounds addiction to help solve the opioid crisis.

“Farm country has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic – even harder than rural America as a whole, or big cities,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s going to take everyone working together to combat this crisis to make a difference. That’s why Farm Bureau and Farmers Union are teaming up to show unity on this issue and encourage farm families to help their neighbors. If you or a family member has been affected by opioid addiction, it’s important to talk about it so that others will know they are not fighting this alone.”

“Opioid addiction—along with all of its consequences—is a silent, but very real, crisis for our farming communities,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “The lack of services, treatment and support exacerbates the issue in rural areas, and the negative stigma associated with addiction makes it hard for farmers to discuss the problem. Too often, those struggling with addiction and their family members don’t seek the support they need. Through the Farm Town Strong campaign, we’re tackling this crisis head-on by encouraging more dialogue, more information sharing, and more farmer-to-farmer engagement.”

The two organizations will also hold public events and launch a social media campaign, #FarmTownStrong, to highlight the crisis and share resources. AFBF President Zippy Duvall and NFU President Roger Johnson will lead a discussion on overcoming the opioid crisis on Monday, Jan. 8, at the 2018 AFBF Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.

More information on the campaign can be found at FarmTownStrong.org.



NMPF Tells State, Federal Regulators: Enforcement Action Needed Against Doubly Deceptive Kite Hill “Almond Milk Yogurt”

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) urged state and federal regulators today to take enforcement action against a plant-based food company whose imitation “yogurt” violates the federal definition for dairy foods and fails to provide the same nutrition as real yogurt.

NMPF called out Hayward, California-based Kite Hill for illegally labeling its line of products and implying the nut-based foods are suitable substitutes for the real dairy foods it attempts to mimic.

NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern said that Kite Hill’s line of products “is doubly deceiving, first as it declares the use of ‘almond milk’ as the main ingredient in their foods, and second in calling the resulting product ‘yogurt.’ A whitened slurry of nuts does not make milk, and adding bacteria to that mix and pouring it in a cup does not make yogurt.”

In letters sent today to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) and California Department of Food and Agriculture, NMPF said that under existing federal regulations, the proper term for Kite Hill’s products is “imitation yogurt product.” The FDA standard of identity for yogurt defines a product made by culturing cream, milk, partially skimmed milk, or skim milk, alone or in combination, with specific lactic acid bacteria. NMPF said that “without real milk’s many nutrients as a base, this fake yogurt product fails to deliver the same nutrition as the real thing.”

NMPF noted that the Kite Hill imitation delivers 40 percent more calories and 10 more grams of fat compared to an equivalent serving of vanilla yogurt, while providing one-third less protein and zero calcium. “This is another outrageous example where plant foods misappropriate the names of real dairy products, but offer inferior levels of nutrition,” Mulhern said.

“Adding a word or two in front of the name of a standardized dairy food does not represent an appropriate common or usual name of the food. It only adds confusion for consumers about the nutritional content of foods,” according to the letter signed by Beth Panko Briczinski, Ph.D., NMPF’s Vice President of Dairy Foods and Nutrition.

National Milk also wrote to the California Department of Food and Agriculture because Kite Hill is based in northern California, and because the agency has jurisdiction over the labels of products manufactured and marketed in that state.

NMPF is revealing the company’s nutritionally inferior product in a shareable graphic, the latest installment in NMPF’s “Dairy Imitators: Exposed” effort that illustrates the nutritional disparities between imitation foods and real dairy foods, such as yogurt.



Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 11

Only a few days remain to take advantage of early registration discounts for the 2018 Commodity Classic to be held Tuesday, February 27 through March 1, 2018 in Anaheim, California. Thursday, January 11, 2018, is the last day for early registration discounts.  Lesser registration discounts are available through January 29.

Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Members of the sponsoring commodity associations receive additional discounts on registration.

Full registration covers all three days.  One-day registration is also available.  Details are available on the website.

The 2018 Commodity Classic will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center. The schedule includes a robust line-up of educational sessions on a wide range of current and relevant topics and issues.  Commodity Classic also boasts a huge trade show, the latest in agricultural innovation and technology, inspiring speakers, an evening of entertainment and the opportunity to network with farmers from across the United States.

There are also a number of optional tours available for those who want to explore the culture, history and scenery of southern California.

A detailed schedule of events is available at www.commodityclassic.com. This year’s Commodity Classic will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday—providing an opportunity for families to come in early or stay late to enjoy a weekend in the Anaheim area.

All registration and housing reservations should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.  Experient is the official registration and housing provider for Commodity Classic.  In order to stay at an official Commodity Classic hotel, reservations must be made only through Experient to ensure favorable rates, reasonable terms and confirmed hotel rooms.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



Applications Now Open for 2018 Pork Industry Scholarships

The National Pork Board announces the opening of the application period of the 2018 Pork Industry Scholarships. This program is open to college juniors and seniors who have plans to pursue a career in swine production management or a related field. In addition, students who will be seeking to attend veterinary or graduate school with an emphasis on swine are encouraged to apply. The National Pork Board will award up to 21 scholarships in 2018 totaling $48,000. The top applicant will receive $5,000, the second-ranked applicant will receive $3,500 and all others will receive $2,000.

“Developing human capital and identifying future leaders is critical to the continued success of the swine industry,” said Chris Hostetler, animal science director for the Pork Checkoff. “The National Pork Board’s Animal Science Committee understands  this need and continues its commitment to recognize excellence and encourage students through awarding scholarships.”

The guidelines for the scholarship application and the online form can be found at www.pork.org/scholarship. The deadline for application submission is Feb. 16, 2018. Following review and selection, recipients will be notified in April.

“Students who meet the scholarship criteria are encouraged to submit an application for consideration.” Hostetler said. “This is an excellent opportunity to provide financial assistance to students seeking swine-oriented careers.”

About 80 percent of the previous recipients of the Pork Industry Scholarship have pursued advanced degrees as they prepared to serve the industry as veterinarians, nutritionists, reproductive biologists and management consultants.



Hog Prices Supported by Strong Demand
 Chris Hurt, Purdue University

In USDA's December Hogs and Pigs report, pork producers indicated they continue to increase the breeding herd at a slow-sustainable pace. The breeding herd was up one percent and the market herd was up two percent. These were in alignment with pre-report market expectations.

The U.S. breeding herd has expanded by seven percent since the start of 2014. The major states that have the largest increases over this period are: Missouri +30%; Ohio, Oklahoma, and Nebraska each up 10%, and Illinois up 6%.

Pigs per litter reached another record in 2017 at 10.59, a .9 percent increase for the year and a remarkable 15 percent improvement over the past decade.

There was some indication that producers will expand more rapidly in 2018 than the one percent larger breeding herd. Farrowing intentions this winter were up three percent followed by a two percent increase in the spring quarter. If producers follow through, this will increase pork production more rapidly in the last-half of 2018.

Taking the numbers from the report's inventory count, pork production is expected to rise by three percent in the first-half of 2018 and by near four percent in the last-half of 2018.

The theme for the pork market in 2017 was higher production and higher prices when pork production rose by 2.5 percent and hog prices were up 10 percent. The reason was strong pork demand around the world. That was led by bacon demand in the U.S. where retail prices were up about seven percent and by pork exports expanding around seven percent.

For 2018, we once again ask if hog prices can be higher with a 3.5 percent increase in supply and with sizable increases in competitive meats as well. The lean hog futures market is currently saying, YES!

Why might the futures market be correct? The foundation of the argument lies with demand. In 2018, the U.S. economy will grow more rapidly. The unemployment rate will drop modestly and is already at the lowest level since 2000. With the economy growing and most people working, wage rates will rise more rapidly. In addition, the new federal income tax law is likely to increase the size of the average paycheck (but certainly not for every family).

In 2018, the world economy is expected to be the strongest since the 2008/09 recession. USDA analyst expect net pork trade (exports minus imports) to increase by nine percent. Finally, packer demand will continue to strengthen as newly opened processing plants continue to expand toward full capacity in 2018. Stronger packer demand can increase the percentage of the pork value that is received by producers.

Beef will be a big competitor with pork for those extra dollars in many consumer's paychecks in 2018. Beef supplies are expected to rise by near five percent with chicken production up two percent and turkey up fractionally. All meat supplies will rise by about three percent. The question remains, "Can hog prices be higher in 2018 with all that meat?

Live hog prices are expected to be higher in 2018 according to the current lean futures market prices. Live hog prices are expected to average around $53 in 2018 compared to about $51 in 2017. Prices are expected to be in the low-$50s in the first quarter and then move up seasonally to average in the higher $50s for the second quarter, then back to the mid-to-higher-$50s for the third quarter and finish the year in the mid-to-higher $40s.

Cost of production is expected to be slightly higher for 2018 due to somewhat higher corn prices in the fall of 2018. Total costs is estimated to be around $50 per live hundredweight. Estimated profits for 2017 were around $5 per head above all cost of production. For 2018, that estimate is slightly better at $5 to $10 per head of profit.

All of the animal industries have now increased their production in alignment with U.S. average corn prices at $3.50 per bushel or lower and high-protein soybean meal at $350 or lower. Strong demand has helped carry animal prices in 2017 and is expected in 2018. However, the pork and beef industries will not be able to continue expanding at the nearly four percent annual rates of increase since 2014 where pork production is up about 16 percent and beef is up 14 percent (the four years from 2014 to 2018).

Avoiding supply expansion to a point where prices are not profitable is the goal for the animal industries. Secondly, the 2017 crops are now the fourth consecutive year of great yields and low feed prices. History suggest that these forces will not continue forever. Finally, for those pork producers who believe hog prices cannot be higher again in 2018, the lean futures market is currently providing strong pricing opportunities.



 Cargill reports fiscal 2018 second-quarter results

Cargill today reported financial results for the fiscal 2018 second quarter and first half ended Nov. 30, 2017. Key results include:
-    Adjusted operating earnings totaled $948 million, an 8 percent decrease against last year’s strong comparative of $1.03 billion.
-    For the first half, adjusted operating earnings stood at $1.84 billion, down 1 percent from last year.
-    Net earnings for the quarter on a U.S. GAAP basis were $924 million, down 6 percent from $986 million a year ago. First-half net earnings increased 3 percent to $1.9 billion.
-    Second-quarter revenues rose 8 percent to $29.2 billion, bringing the year-to-date figure to $56.5 billion.

“Even as conditions vary across our global markets, we continue to realize greater benefits from operating as an integrated company with a unique combination of talent, assets, insights and solutions,” said David MacLennan, Cargill’s chairman and chief executive officer.

He noted that during the quarter, the company announced more than $1 billion in agreed acquisitions, joint ventures and new investments in facilities. “Thanks to the results of our recent strong performance, we are reinvesting in ways that enable our teams to achieve more for our customers and lead for growth.”
Segment results

Adjusted operating earnings in Animal Nutrition & Protein narrowly exceeded last year’s strong second quarter. Animal nutrition earnings rose across the global business, with improvement led by premix and feed additives. Protein results in North America decreased slightly against a strong comparative period. As cattle costs moved up, retail demand for beef remained brisk, as did exports of U.S. beef. Pre-season marketing by the U.S. turkey business drove whole-bird sales in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The segment’s global poultry business trailed the year-ago quarter, as good performance in parts of Southeast Asia was offset by softer earnings elsewhere. In total, Animal Nutrition & Protein was the largest contributor to adjusted operating earnings in the second period.

Cargill completed several acquisitions in December that expand its focus on animal micro-nutrition. It purchased Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Diamond V, a developer and manufacturer of natural feed additives, known as microbials, which improve animal health and performance by optimizing digestive function and immune strength. The acquisition complements Cargill’s recently formed partnership with Austria’s Delacon, a leading maker of natural, plant-based feed additives. Both investments support the market shift toward sustainable, natural feed ingredients that improve animal health and embrace changing consumer values.

The company also acquired Brazilian cattle feed producer Integral Animal Nutrition. It specializes in free-choice minerals that help grazing cattle meet their nutritional needs. Cargill bought full ownership of its premix joint venture in South Africa, which increases the company’s presence in a region where protein demand is growing.

In poultry, Cargill is forming a joint venture with U.K.-based Faccenda Foods. Once completed, the venture will serve the country’s food retailers and foodservice companies with fresh chicken, turkey and duck. With regard to organic growth, Cargill is investing $146 million in its cooked meats facility in Nashville, Tennessee. Acquired last year, the new outlay will double the plant’s pizza toppings capacity and fund the construction of a pepperoni production facility. The two projects will come on line in mid-2018 and mid-2019, respectively.

Earnings in Food Ingredients & Applications were up broadly, with a majority of the segment’s food ingredient businesses posting good gains for the quarter. Cocoa and chocolate products, malts for brewers, distillers and food manufacturers, as well as sweeteners and starches for food and other applications led results in most regions. The segment’s Asia-based businesses also contributed strongly to the quarter. Salt results decreased from the prior year, due in part to lower sales volume for deicing products after two mild North American winters. In addition to deicing and other industrial applications, the business serves food manufacturers with a wide range of salt ingredients and sodium reduction products.

Origination & Processing was down moderately from last year’s second quarter, as another year of very large U.S. corn and soybean crops added to the buildup in global stocks. Although global demand continues to grow, today’s abundant supplies have weighed on markets, diminishing volatility and trading opportunities. Even so, trading performance in North America was ahead of last year as was oilseed processing in Asia.

The segment is focused on deploying technologies that will better connect its global operations, enhance trading analytics and risk management, and increase supply chain sustainability – capabilities that bring additional value to customers. Supporting this effort are selective investments in new facilities. The company began constructing a $90 million biodiesel facility in Wichita, Kansas, marking its third such facility in the U.S. The new plant, which is set to open in early 2019, will allow Cargill to better serve biofuel producers in the Midwest and Southwest, and create an additional consumption flow for U.S. soybean production.

Results in Industrial & Financial Services pulled ahead of the prior year, buoyed by increased returns from asset management investments as well as improved profits in ocean transportation. Trade and structured finance was up slightly against a strong comparative period; it provides financial solutions that facilitate trade and mitigate trade-related risks for companies doing business in emerging and developed markets. In late December, Cargill completed the sale of its U.S. metals business to Japanese steel trader and distributor Metal One. Cargill remains active in energy and ferrous markets through its biofuels, financial risk management, metals and shipping businesses.
New solutions for positive impact

Numerous projects demonstrate how Cargill is advancing traceability and sustainability in supply chains. During the quarter, a pilot in the turkey business used blockchain technology to track Honeysuckle White® birds from the farm to Thanksgiving tables, providing consumers in select markets with information about the farms where individual animals were raised. In Canada, Cargill is launching a pilot to trace and verify a fully certified beef supply chain that meets the criteria for the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef. Through the program, customers will receive fully audited beef, while farmers and ranchers will earn a financial credit for participating. And Cargill’s cocoa business released its latest Cocoa Promise Report, celebrating five years of the Cargill Cocoa Promise that is helping ensure a vibrant cocoa sector for generations to come.

Cargill also is developing products that satisfy consumers’ changing preferences for healthier, simpler foods. The first product in the new SimPure™ line blends tapioca and potato starches to give food makers the same taste, texture, appearance and stability of modified starch with simplified, easier-to-understand labeling. More SimPure products are slated to arrive on the market in the near future. And in December, Cargill’s edible oils business announced the next generation of its Clear Valley® line of high-oleic canola oils, with 35 percent less saturated fat than previous offerings. The new product will continue to deliver the same taste and performance to food ingredient and quick-service restaurant customers, and will be available early in 2018.

“We are building businesses today that will provide our customers and consumers with the products and solutions they are seeking tomorrow,” MacLennan said. “We are thinking differently about how to create positive impact and increase consumer trust.”

Tuesday January 2 Ag News

Seventeen Beef Workshops will be held in Eastern Nebraska

During the winter of 2018 Nebraska Extension will host 17 Beef Profitability Workshops in Eastern Nebraska counties. To help beef producers evaluate their operations to make them more profitable through the latest research information. Extension Educators will present topics such as Composting Livestock Mortality Carcasses, Mineral Nutrition, Grass Production, Cover Crop Production, Hay Storage and Hay Waste, Fencing and Watering Options on Crop Residue, Nebraska Fence Laws and others. These workshops have been held across Nebraska for the pasts fifteen years. The cost is $15.00 but may vary from location depending on local sponsorship. Please register three days before the location you plan on to attending to the local Extension Office.

2018 LOCATIONS SITES ARE AS FOLLOWS: (NO MEALS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

January 16, 2018- Cedar County Extension Office in Hartington, NE at 1:00 p.m. contact Jackie Steffen 402-254-6821

January 17, 2018 – Knox County Extension office at 1:00 p.m. @ Center, NE contact Ruth Vonderohe (with Private Pesticide class.) 402-288-5611

January 18, 2018 – Pierce County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ Pierce, NE contact Ann Fenton 402-329-4821

January 30, 2018- Loup County Fair Grounds at 1:00 p.m. @ Taylor, NE contact Steve Niemeyer 308-346-4200

February 6, 2018- Wheeler County @ Ericson Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. contact Steve Niemeyer 308-346-4200

February 8, 2018 - Fillmore County @ Fairgrounds Ag Hall in Geneva, NE at 1:00 p.m. Contact Brad Schick 402-746-3417

February 15, 2018- Boyd County Extension Office at 1:30p.m. @ Butte, NE contact Amy Timmerman (along with private pesticide training) 402-336-2760

February 20, 2018- Holt County Extension Office at 6:30 p.m. @ O’Neill, NE contact Amy Timmerman (along with private pesticide training) 402-336-2760

February 22, 2018 – Antelope County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ Neligh, NE contact Bradly Averill 402-887-5414

February 26, 2018- Saunders County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ ENRE Mead, NE contact Kristen Ulmer 402-624-8030

February 27, 2018 – Johnson County- Meeting at Nemaha Natural Resource District room at 1:00 p.m. Contact Jessica Jones at 402-335-3669

February 28, 2018 – Saline County at 1:00 p.m. @ Lutheran Church in Wilber, NE contact Randy Pryor 402-821-2151

March 6, 2018 – BKR at 1:30 p.m. @ Methodist Church in Bassett, NE Contact BKR office 402-387-2213 (along with Pesticide Training)

March 13, 2018 – Wayne County at 1:00 p.m. @ Wayne Fire Hall in Wayne, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

March 14, 2018 – Colfax County at 1:00 p.m. @ Colfax County Fairgrounds Leigh, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

March 15, 2018 – Washington County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @Blair, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

Boone-Nance- TBA



2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

The 2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report is now available. The report provides a summary of the latest beef cattle research conducted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The report can be accessed at https://beef.unl.edu/2018-nebraska-beef-cattle-report.   



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the month of December 2017, topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 37 short, 56 adequate, and 1 surplus, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 27 short, 66 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 29 fair, 58 good, and 6 excellent.

The next monthly report (for January) will be issued January 29, 2018. Weekly reports will begin April 2nd for the 2018 season.



Still Time to Apply for NE Corn Growers PRIME Program

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is accepting application for Class II of its PRIME Program. This program is designed for Nebraska producers who want to increase their knowledge and better themselves and their operation in all aspects. All sessions are focused on maximizing the long-term viability of the operation through the latest research, emerging technologies, farm management practices, and peer relationships.

The program consists of three sessions, lasting approximately two days each, plus attendance at the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Annual Meeting. Participants can expect a total time commitment of 6-8 days away from the farm over a 12-month period. The material will be relevant and presented by the best that the industry has to offer. Locations of the sessions will be determined once the class has been selected.  The tentative schedule is Session 1 - March 2018, Session 2 - June/July 2018, Session 3 - December 2018. 

A registration fee of $190 is required up enrollment. The fee will be waived for NeCGA 3-year members. All other costs of the program will be covered by NeCGA. The class will consist of 8-12 corn farmers selected from applications and local association board recommendations.

Applications should be submitted by January 12, 2018. Details at www.necga.org.  Participants will be selected and notified by early February. Primary selection criteria will be the applicant’s desire and ability to participate and contribute during all sessions. Diversity among farm size, geographic location, and background will be sought as well.



Proposed credit benefits veterans looking to start farming
Officials in rural areas of Nebraska continuously seek ways to attract residents to their communities and into the agricultural sector. Now, military veterans may soon have an extra incentive to call these communities home.

During the 2018 state legislative session, Sen. Carol Blood, of Bellevue, will introduce the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit. The bill seeks to expand Nebraska’s existing beginning farmer tax credit program by adding a 1 percent incentive for property and landowners who rent to a qualified beginning veteran farmer.

“A veteran’s sense of service and work ethic draw a distinct parallel to the skills and dedication required for successful farming and ranching,” said Jordan Rasmussen, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “However, access to the land and financial resources needed to transition from military service to farming can be a challenge.”

Under current statute, a 10 percent tax credit on cash rent, or 15 percent credit on the value of a sharecrop or cow-calf share rent, is available to the property owner when they rent to a qualified beginning farmer. The proposed revision would increase the incentive to 11 percent and 16 percent if the property is rented to a qualified beginning veteran farmer.

“By encouraging agricultural property owners to rent to veterans, they are more readily able to pursue farming,” Rasmussen said. “As farmers and landowners look to transition their operations, renting to a beginning veteran farmer is not only an investment in an individual but also an investment in rural communities and the state’s economy.”

The Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit will be introduced as part of Sen. Blood’s Military Families Initiative for Nebraska legislative package.

The Center for Rural Affairs understands the challenges beginning veteran farmers and ranchers face, and has endorsed the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit.



FORMER TYSON FOODS EXECUTIVE TO DELIVER JAN. 9 LECTURE AT NEBRASKA

Donnie Smith, former president and CEO of Tyson Foods, will discuss global food security during the second Heuermann Lecture of the 2017-18 season on Jan. 9.

Smith said he believes the story of agriculture must be told truthfully to strengthen the ability to feed a growing population. He will highlight the role conventional farming must play in this effort and why the public should vigorously and vocally defend the practice.   

The free lecture, sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive.

While president and CEO of Tyson Foods from 2009 to 2016, he led the company to focus on feeding the world high-quality, affordable food, while also making a positive difference in people's lives. Under his leadership, the company achieved four straight years of record profits, multiplying stock value six times in seven years.

He joined the company in 1980, working in poultry operations for seven years in Tennessee before moving to the company's headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, where he started as a commodity buyer. He was named director of commodity purchasing in 1991 and during the next several years added complementary responsibilities to his management portfolio. He moved into the company's consumer products division in 2008 and was named senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods in early 2009. He is now a consultant for the company, while also focusing on his work to feed the world.

Smith earned his bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

The theme for the seventh year of Heuermann Lectures is "Think Globally, Act Locally." The lectures are funded by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips. The Heuermanns are longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

Lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and air live on campus channel 4. Lectures are archived after the event and are later broadcast on NET2.



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to hold educational forums

Feedlot Forums, educational events for feedlot operators, will be held in Sioux Center and Carroll.

The Feedlot Forums will cover topics important to Iowa’s cattlemen and women. “Producers always want to know what to expect from the cattle markets, so there will be a market outlook at each event,” says Merle Witt, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Western Iowa Membership Coordinator. “We’ll also talk about international markets, because we know that trade has a big impact on the prices we see for cattle in Iowa.”

The first Feedlot Forum, held in partnership with ISU Extension, will take place on January 16 in Sioux Center. Topics covered include a domestic and international markets for beef, how to respond to a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, and the 2016 National Beef Quality Audits. Registration for the Sioux Center Feedlot Forum is $25 per person, with a special reduced rate of $10 for students. Registration includes a steak dinner and $10 beef certificate. Register at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office by Jan. 11. For more information, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office at 712-737-4230.

On January 17, another Feedlot Forum will be held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn from 9:00 - 3:00. Topics there will also be timely and important to the future success of Iowa’s feedlot producers. Markets, trade, the beef checkoff, and cattle buildings will all be discussed, in addition to an ICA listening session.

The Carroll event is free of charge and includes lunch. RSVP by Friday, January 13 to 515.296.2266 or tristen@iabeef.org.



Iowa Beef Center to Offer Cow-Calf Short Course

A two-day short course that combines both classroom learning and hands-on instruction will be offered by the Iowa Beef Center on Feb. 6-7. The cow-calf short course will instruct advanced cattlemen in areas specific to beef cow nutrition, reproduction and calving management.

The program will be held at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 and continuing until 5 p.m. Feb. 7.

“There will be several experts making presentations about reproduction and calving management, all in the same room,” said Erika Lundy, program specialist with the Iowa Beef Center. “The morning of day two will be a hands-on, intensive ‘Calving College.’ These sessions include a dystocia demonstration with a calving simulator (nicknamed Frosty the cow) and information on planning for calf size and newborn calf health management and processing.”

Other short course topics include:
-    Body condition scoring demonstration
-    Setting the female up for a successful pregnancy
-    Exploring alternatives in the cow herd
-    Beef Quality Assurance certification

Registration for the course is $100 and includes materials and meals. Online registration and a downloadable registration form are available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/cowcalf/. Registration is due by Jan. 31; any cancellation requesting a refund must also be received by midnight Jan. 31.

Course instructors include:
-    Taylor Grussing, cow-calf extension specialist at South Dakota State University
-    David Bruene, beef teaching farm manager, Iowa State University
-    Dr. Chris Clark, extension beef specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
-    Dr. Grant Dewell, extension beef veterinarian, ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Dr. Tyler Dohlman, professor of vet diagnostic and production animal scienc, Iowa State
-    Erika Lundy, beef program specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Marshall Ruble, Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center director, Iowa State
-    Joe Sellers, extension beef specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach

“Because our agenda was designed to be very hands-on and interactive, we anticipate a high level of interest,” said Lundy. “People who want to attend need to act quickly because registration is limited to 30 participants.”

For questions on the short course content contact Lundy at ellundy@iastate.edu. For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on the status of your registration contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu.



USDA:  Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.20 million tons (173 million bushels) in November 2017, compared to 5.28 million tons (176 million bushels) in October 2017 and 5.12 million tons (171 million bushels) in November 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.98 billion pounds down 2 percent from October 2017 but up 1 percent from November 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.46 billion pounds during November 2017 decreased 9 percent from October 2017 but increased 1 percent from November 2016.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 151 thousand tons in November 2017, compared to 184 thousand tons in October 2017 and 209 thousand tons in November 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 130 million pounds down 17 percent from October 2017 and down 27 percent from November 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 127 million pounds during November 2017 was down 13 percent from October 2017 and down 22 percent from November 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 45.5 million pounds during November 2017 was down 15 percent from October 2017 and down 7 percent from November 2016.

Edible tallow production was 91.4 million pounds during November 2017, up 25 percent from October 2017 and up 12 percent from November 2016. Inedible tallow production was 322 million pounds during November 2017, up 18 percent from October 2017 and up 2 percent from November 2016. Technical tallow production was 120 million pounds during November 2017, up 16 percent from October 2017 but down 5 percent from November 2016. Choice white grease production at 117 million pounds during November 2017 increased 8 percent from October 2017 but decreased 8 percent from November 2016.



USDA:  Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 525 million bushels in November 2017. Total corn consumption was up 1 percent from October 2017 and up 9 percent from November 2016. November 2017 usage included 92.3 percent for alcohol and 7.7 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.45 million bushels, up 16 percent from October 2017 and up 3 percent from November 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 476 million bushels, was up 1 percent from October 2017 and up 5 percent from November 2016. Corn consumed in November 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.2 percent and 9.78 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 2.00 million tons during November 2017, up 2 percent from October 2017 and up slightly from November 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.38 million tons in November 2017, up 3 percent from October 2017 and up 7 percent from November 2016.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 312 thousand tons during November 2017, down 12 percent from October 2017 but up 1 percent from November 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 303 thousand tons in November 2017, up slightly from October 2017 but down 7 percent from November 2016.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for January 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for January 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for January is 1.625 percent, up from 1.500 percent in December.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during January is 2.625 percent, up from 2.500 percent in December.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for January are as follows, 1.875 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in December; 2.125 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in December; 2.250 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.250 percent in December; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in December and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in December.



Beck's Hybrids to Expand Seed Production Plant

Beck's announced an on-going expansion project for their processing and distribution facility in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The expansion will begin with a new warehouse and dock space that is projected to be complete in November 2018.

Future plans also include a new structure for bulk storage and installation of a new color sorter technology. "Not only is Iowa one of our fastest growing markets, but our marketing area continues to expand further to the west," said Scott Beck, president of Beck's.

"As we continue to grow, it's important we have the infrastructure in place to serve farmers with the best in quality seed, performance and customer service. By expanding the processing capacity at our Mt. Pleasant facility, we'll be able to provide farmers with a high level of service that helps their operation succeed."

Purchased in 2014, Beck's Mt. Pleasant facility sits on 62-acres and currently features more than 105,000 square feet of warehouses, 500,000 bushels of bulk storage capacity, three double-pass dryers, machinery storage, as well as sales and agronomic support.