NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending October 20, 2013, an inch or more of precipitation early in the week covered much of the eastern two-thirds of the state, slowing harvest progress, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Most soybean acres were harvested with producer’s attention now moving to corn. Below normal temperatures and wet conditions combined to slow drydown of corn acres. Livestock producers were moving cattle to harvested corn fields as they became available. Statewide, producers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 23 short, 69 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 18 percent very short, 37 short, 45 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
All corn condition rated 7 percent very poor, 7 poor, 18 fair, 47 good, and 21 excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 84 percent good or excellent. Dryland corn conditions rated 46 percent good or excellent. Corn mature was 92 percent, behind 100 last year but equal to 92 average. Corn harvested was 32 percent, well behind 88 last year and 44 average.
Soybean conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 7 poor, 21 fair, 52 good, and 17 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves were 99 percent, near 100 last year and 100 average. Harvest was 80 percent complete, behind 94 last year but near 81 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 19 percent very poor, 21 poor, 25 fair, 33 good, and 2 excellent. Sorghum mature was 98 percent, near 97 last year but ahead of 85 average. Harvest was 32 complete, behind 60 last year but near 30 average.
Winter wheat rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 25 fair, 68 good, and 4 excellent. Wheat was 96 percent seeded, near 97 last year and 97 average. Wheat emerged was 73 percent, ahead of 56 last year but behind 80 average.
The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 89 percent complete, behind 100 last year but behind 96 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 6 percent very short, 14 short, 80 adequate, and 0 surplus. Pasture and range condition was 14 percent very poor, 23 poor, 36 fair, 25 good, and 2 excellent.
Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-10-21-2013.pdf.
Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE®ion=HPRCC.
Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
Mostly favorable weather allowed harvest of corn and soybeans to advance during the week ending October 20, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Fall tillage was underway in areas already harvested.
Recent rains have helped soil moisture levels. Topsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 34 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 29 percent very short, 38 percent short, 32 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Southeast Iowa remained the driest with over 95 percent of the topsoil moisture rated short and very short. Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 53 percent moderate to heavy this week. Ninety-seven percent of Iowa reported adequate or surplus off-farm grain storage availability and 90 percent reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability.
With almost the entire corn crop mature, 35 percent of the corn had been harvested for grain or seed, 15 percentage points behind normal. Moisture content of all corn in the field was estimated at 22 percent while moisture content of corn harvested was 19 percent. Corn lodging was rated at 67 percent none, 21 percent light, 10 percent moderate and 2 percent heavy. Corn ear droppage was rated at 75 percent none, 17 percent light, 6 percent moderate and 2 percent heavy. Corn condition was 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 37 percent good and 8 percent excellent.
With almost all the soybean crop dropping leaves, 70 percent of soybeans had been harvested, 11 percentage points behind normal. Soybean lodging was rated at 80 percent none, 15 percent light, 4 percent moderate and 1 percent heavy. Soybean shattering was rated at 76 percent none, 20 percent light, 4 percent moderate and 0 percent heavy. Soybean condition improved slightly to 8 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 36 percent good and 6 percent excellent.
Pasture condition improved to 22 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 16 percent good and 1 percent excellent. There were a few reports of livestock grazing on corn stubble. Hay supplies were considered 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus across Iowa with 91 percent rated in fair to good condition.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
The past reporting week brought mostly cooler than normal weather to Iowa. Sunday (13th) was the warmest day in most areas with highs generally in the 60’s with Clarinda, Logan and Shenandoah the hot spots at 70 degrees. Temperatures dipped below freezing over parts of the state on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with Pocahontas reporting the lowest temperature on Thursday morning at 24 degrees. However, much of southeastern Iowa has yet to record a freeze this season. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 3.0 degrees below normal. The week’s greatest rainfall came over about the western one-quarter of the state from late Sunday (13th) into Monday afternoon with amounts of one to two inches common. Light to moderate rain fell over most of the state Monday night into Tuesday morning. There were scattered light rain showers somewhere in the state almost every other day of the week. Weekly rain totals varied from only 0.04 inches at Iowa City Airport to 2.41 inches at Le Mars. The statewide average precipitation was 0.61 inches or just slightly more than the weekly normal of 0.56 inches. Soil temperatures were averaging in the low 50’s in most areas as of Sunday (20th).
Corn Harvested - Selected States
[These 18 States harvested 93% of the 2012 corn acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State : October 20, : October 13, : October 20, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 62 (NA) 39 48
Illinois .......: 91 (NA) 51 61
Indiana ........: 70 (NA) 43 52
Iowa ...........: 92 (NA) 35 50
Kansas .........: 93 (NA) 68 73
Kentucky .......: 94 (NA) 65 84
Michigan .......: 46 (NA) 21 32
Minnesota ......: 95 (NA) 19 49
Missouri .......: 97 (NA) 63 73
Nebraska .......: 88 (NA) 32 44
North Carolina .: 94 (NA) 95 94
North Dakota ...: 90 (NA) 14 37
Ohio ...........: 47 (NA) 31 36
Pennsylvania ...: 56 (NA) 44 43
South Dakota ...: 95 (NA) 31 44
Tennessee ......: 98 (NA) 71 91
Texas ..........: 94 (NA) 77 88
Wisconsin ......: 64 (NA) 27 35
18 States ......: 85 (NA) 39 53
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybeans Harvested - Selected States
[These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State : October 20, : October 13, : October 20, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
:
Arkansas .......: 73 (NA) 46 56
Illinois .......: 78 (NA) 68 67
Indiana ........: 66 (NA) 64 66
Iowa ...........: 96 (NA) 70 81
Kansas .........: 56 (NA) 60 58
Kentucky .......: 52 (NA) 25 52
Louisiana ......: 91 (NA) 90 87
Michigan .......: 76 (NA) 56 66
Minnesota ......: 100 (NA) 80 83
Mississippi ....: 94 (NA) 82 83
Missouri .......: 48 (NA) 36 46
Nebraska .......: 94 (NA) 80 81
North Carolina .: 10 (NA) 7 13
North Dakota ...: 100 (NA) 54 75
Ohio ...........: 59 (NA) 71 61
South Dakota ...: 100 (NA) 75 78
Tennessee ......: 46 (NA) 23 50
Wisconsin ......: 93 (NA) 53 68
18 States ......: 79 (NA) 63 69
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 87% of the 2012 winter wheat acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State : October 20, : October 13, : October 20, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 34 (NA) 29 27
California .....: 23 (NA) 10 22
Colorado .......: 98 (NA) 95 98
Idaho ..........: 91 (NA) 86 90
Illinois .......: 66 (NA) 68 59
Indiana ........: 68 (NA) 64 62
Kansas .........: 90 (NA) 87 85
Michigan .......: 85 (NA) 76 79
Missouri .......: 51 (NA) 32 42
Montana ........: 81 (NA) 90 90
Nebraska .......: 97 (NA) 96 97
North Carolina .: 12 (NA) 12 13
Ohio ...........: 63 (NA) 80 68
Oklahoma .......: 84 (NA) 84 80
Oregon .........: 66 (NA) 84 75
South Dakota ...: 82 (NA) 93 91
Texas ..........: 73 (NA) 69 72
Washington .....: 91 (NA) 90 93
18 States ......: 80 (NA) 79 79
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 87% of the 2012 winter wheat acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State : October 20, : October 13, : October 20, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 17 (NA) 13 11
California .....: 1 (NA) 2 6
Colorado .......: 64 (NA) 73 78
Idaho ..........: 49 (NA) 38 53
Illinois .......: 26 (NA) 24 26
Indiana ........: 23 (NA) 28 24
Kansas .........: 59 (NA) 61 60
Michigan .......: 46 (NA) 40 43
Missouri .......: 32 (NA) 15 21
Montana ........: 34 (NA) 60 57
Nebraska .......: 56 (NA) 73 80
North Carolina .: 2 (NA) 3 3
Ohio ...........: 20 (NA) 54 29
Oklahoma .......: 57 (NA) 61 57
Oregon .........: 26 (NA) 25 33
South Dakota ...: 13 (NA) 62 64
Texas ..........: 50 (NA) 42 46
Washington .....: 67 (NA) 68 73
18 States ......: 48 (NA) 53 54
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winter Wheat Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 20, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 3 4 35 56 2
California .....: - - 20 50 30
Colorado .......: - 7 39 44 10
Idaho ..........: - 1 19 68 12
Illinois .......: - - 16 81 3
Indiana ........: - 1 27 61 11
Kansas .........: - 2 35 60 3
Michigan .......: - - 13 75 12
Missouri .......: - 1 59 37 3
Montana ........: - 2 37 48 13
Nebraska .......: - 3 25 68 4
North Carolina .: - - 44 41 15
Ohio ...........: - 1 18 68 13
Oklahoma .......: 1 3 27 58 11
Oregon .........: - 4 11 81 4
South Dakota ...: - 2 23 63 12
Texas ..........: 2 3 28 62 5
Washington .....: - 3 29 62 6
18 States ......: 1 3 31 58 7
Previous week ..: (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)
Previous year ..: (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Look Up and Look Out for Power Lines
Due to numerous recent contacts with overhead power lines with oversized equipment, Cuming County Public Power District would like to send out a safety message about being safe around power lines.
The recent power line incidents involved combines and excavators coming into contact with power lines. There were no injuries or damage, but here at CCPPD safety is our number one priority. We want to be proactive in letting our customers know how dangerous it can be and to be aware of your surroundings.
These days, equipment is bigger and taller. Please think about all of your field entries every time you purchase new equipment. An example that is heard around the ag community is, “I have passed under that power line for 40 years, I didn’t even think about how much taller the new combine was.“
Please call CCPPD immediately if you think your clearance isn’t high enough. We can safely measure the clearance for you and come up with a solution.
Here are some added tips when moving equipment around power lines:
· Use a spotter when operating large machinery near lines.
· Use care when raising augers or the bed of grain trucks around power lines.
· Keep equipment at least 10 feet from lines—at all times, in all directions.
· Do not use metal poles when breaking up bridged grain inside and around bins.
· Inspect the height of the farm equipment to determine clearance.
· Always remember to transfer equipment at the lowest height possible.
· Never attempt to move a power line out of the way or raise it for clearance.
· If a power line is sagging or low, call CCPPD immediately.
· If a dangerous electrical situation occurs (such as a power line being down) immediately contact CCPPD and keep the area clear until CCPPD arrives.
“Always remember to periodically look up and be aware of your surroundings,” Duane Lammers, CCPPD Operations manager, adds. “If you can’t safely pass under a power line, choose a different path or contact CCPPD immediately.”
Fischer Writes Farm Bill Conferees to Highlight
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced today she has written a letter to the farm bill conferees to bring their attention to significant livestock losses in western Nebraska due to the severe snow storm earlier this month.
In the letter, Fischer highlighted Nebraska’s significant cattle losses to make the case for a speedy reauthorization of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which will be included in the final farm bill conference report. LIP provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths resulting from disaster.
Citing the substantial economic impact suffered by livestock producers because of the severe weather combined with drought conditions throughout the region in recent years, she writes, “LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.”
On October 5 and 6, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths resulting from the storm number 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties.
Full text of the letter is included below....
October 17, 2013
Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Lucas, Senator Cochran and Congressman Peterson:
I am writing to make you aware of a significant natural disaster that occurred in western Nebraska in early October 2013, which unfortunately killed thousands of cattle and sheep. As you move forward with the 2013 farm bill conference deliberations, I request that you consider the livestock losses impacting the lives and operations of many Nebraska producers. Specifically, I ask that you ensure that coverage of these livestock losses is included as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) within the farm bill conference report.
On October 5 and 6, 2013, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Unfortunately, several key factors combined to dramatically escalate the death of livestock, including the lack of physical cover and protection from winter elements, cold wind and freezing rain which preceded the blizzard conditions, and the inability of the animals to naturally protect themselves from the sudden cold weather due to a lack of winter coat and hide conditioning.
Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths numbering 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality are currently compiling and coordinating the damage assessment reports necessary to support a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial disaster declaration for western Nebraska.
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman issued an Emergency Declaration for this region on October 7, 2013, stemming from damage incurred during winter storm and blizzard conditions on October 5 and 6, 2013.
The economic impact suffered by Nebraska livestock producers in the affected area is significant. In addition, this region of Nebraska has endured drought and near drought conditions in recent years, with the 2012 drought causing substantial economic loss for the livestock industry. LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for any assistance you may be able to provide in securing relief for 2013 Nebraska livestock losses as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program within the 2013 farm bill conference report.
cc: U.S. Senate and U.S. House Farm Bill Conference Committee Members
Day @ the Farm Video Contest Call for Entries
The Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture are hosting the Day @ the Farm video contest inviting classrooms, grades K-12, from across the state to educate students on where their food, fuel and fiber come from.
Three winning classrooms will win an all-expense paid trip to a farm or ranch. To enter classrooms are asked to submit a video answering the question – What would your life be like without Nebraska Agriculture? Entries are due Nov. 15. For more on the contest, click here... http://www.nefb.org/public/901/foundation/day--the-farm-video-contest.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service and advocacy efforts. More than 56,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit nefb.org.
Challenges and Opportunities for Reducing Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic resistance (ABR) has been around for millennia; genes showing ABR have been found in woolly mammoth fossils. It's a natural occurrence, and scientists need to account for this when doing studies on ABR.
Lisa Durso, PhD, USDA ARS Nebraska, will present "Challenges and Opportunities for Reducing Antibiotic Resistance in Agricultural Settings," on Nov. 5. The presentation is part of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings, Nov. 3-6 in Tampa, Florida. The theme of this year's conference is "Water, Food, Energy, & Innovation for a Sustainable World" (www.acsmeetings.org).
The vast majority of Americans do not have direct contact with food animals. Thus, other pathways to how humans contract ABR bacteria need to be studied. Currently, there are so many different kinds of antibiotic resistance, scientists cannot agree on the best way to measure it, and sometimes even scientists measuring the same ABR gene can get different results. Although some ways to measure ABR bacteria have been standardized in the medical field for decades, there are no standards for how to measure and track ABR in agriculture and in soil sciences.
There are three components of studying antibiotic resistance: the drugs (antibiotics), the bugs (bacteria) and their genes. Manure is how the ABR genes get into the soil; it's the vehicle to transport the bugs.
How these bugs are then getting into the food supply--or another method of human contamination--is an interdisciplinary study.
Official Animal ID Necessary for Interstate Exhibition
As exhibitors and their families prepare for two upcoming national livestock shows, Chris Clark, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, reminds everyone to be aware of the new USDA rule requiring official identification for all interstate commerce.
“The final rule for animal disease traceability went into effect March 11, 2013. It requires official identification and an official certificate of veterinary inspection for nearly all livestock crossing state lines,” Clark said. “This includes all livestock, including cattle and bison less than 18 months of age, moving across state lines for exhibitions, rodeos, shows and similar events.”
Generally, beef cattle and bison under 18 months of age are exempt and do not require official ID at this time, but Clark said this general exemption does not apply to livestock traveling for exhibition.
“All cattle and bison traveling across state lines for exhibitions, rodeos and other recreational events require official ID, regardless of age," he said.
With the American Royal in Kansas City set for Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, and the North American International Livestock Exhibition in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 9–22, it is vital that those intending to exhibit at either show make sure they have all proper show and USDA required identification and other forms now. The same will be true for future regional and national livestock exhibitions like the Fort Worth Stock Show and the National Western Stock Show.
Official livestock identification
Clark said official identification is specifically defined for each species and it is imperative that exhibitors and their families understand what constitutes official identification for the species they intend to exhibit.
“On the Iowa Beef Center website, we’ve posted a summary of official identification information that includes resources to help explain the various acceptable forms of identification,” Clark said. “In addition, livestock owners should be aware that 4-H and FFA tags do not count as official identification.”
See the two-page animal disease traceability summary resource at www.iowabeefcenter.org/information/AnimalDiseaseTraceabilityInfo.pdf.
Cattle and bison can be officially identified by brands or registration tattoos when this is agreed upon by the state of origin and the state of destination, Clark added.
“In these situations, brands must be registered with brand inspection and accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate and registration tattoos must be accompanied by a certificate of breed registration,” he said.
Because the USDA rule is separate from the show requirements for each individual show, show entry forms and catalogs may or may not describe this official identification as a requirement. But without official identification, it is very possible that an animal could be deemed ineligible for exhibition. Exhibitors should plan ahead and use all available resources to ensure compliance with the official ID requirements.
Animal Agriculture Report Highlights Advances
The Animal Agriculture Alliance (AAA), of which the National Pork Producers Council is a member, today released a report detailing the efforts and progress America’s livestock, poultry and egg producers have made over more than a decade in ensuring animal well-being, protecting the environment, using antibiotics responsibly and producing the world’s safest food.
Titled “Advances in Animal Agriculture; What the Center for a Livable Future, Pew Commission and Others Aren’t Telling You About Food Production,” the report will provide stark contrast to a report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for a Livable Future, the organization that initiated “Meatless Mondays.” Its report, expected to be released Oct. 22, is an update of a report issued in 2008 by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production that was highly critical of modern food-animal production.
“America’s ranchers and farmers, including pork producers, always have strived to provide good care to their animals, to be good stewards of the environment and to produce safe food,” said NPPC President Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn. “The AAA report documents what we’ve done for decades in those areas, and it serves as a counter to the misinformation about modern food-animal production offered by groups that would have farmers and ranchers revert to a system that would be bad for animals, the environment and consumes.”
The AAA report includes information provided by organizations representing beef, chicken, dairy, egg, pork and turkey farmers and ranchers and showcases specific accomplishments in five areas: animal care, responsible antibiotics use, food safety, environmental sustainability and industry research initiatives.
The report also explains how animal agriculture has embraced technology to improve animal well-being and food safety and to increase productivity to feed a world population that’s expected to rise by 30 percent by 2050.
The Alliance will be hosting a teleconference tomorrow from 11 a.m. to noon EST, with third-party animal agriculture experts to discuss the efforts presented in the Alliance report. The presenters also will answer questions about the Center for a Livable Future’s re-release of the Pew Commission’s 2008 report. Experts participating in the teleconference include:
• Dr. Richard Raymond, former Under Secretary, Food Safety Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Dr. Scott Hurd, former Deputy Acting Under Secretary, Food Safety, USDA
• Janeen Salak-Johnson, PhD, University of Illinois, Associate Professor Animal Science
• Dr. John Glisson, DVM, MAM, PhD, Retired Department Head of Population Health and former Head of the Department of Avian Medicine, University of Georgia; Vice President, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
• Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Extension Specialist, Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis
• Dr. Guy Loneragan, PhD, Department of Animal Sciences, Texas Tech University
A copy of the report is available on the Alliance website at www.animalagalliance.org.
USDA Issues Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments, Direct Payments and ACRE Payments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA
has begun distributing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental
payments to participants across the country. USDA also will distribute
2013 direct payments and 2012 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE)
program payments beginning Oct. 24. Payments originally were scheduled
to be issued earlier in the month, but were delayed by several weeks due
to the lapse in Federal funding.
“Farmers,
ranchers and rural landowners across the country count on USDA programs
and the payment delays due to the shutdown were an unnecessary burden,”
Vilsack said. “USDA has prioritized making these scheduled payments
without any further delay and Farm Service Agency staff have worked hard
to get this assistance out the door as quickly as possible.”
Producers
will receive payments on almost 700,000 CRP contracts on 390,000 farms
covering 26.8 million acres. In exchange for a yearly rental payment
provided by USDA on contracts ranging from 10 to 15 years, farmers and
ranchers enrolled in CRP agree to remove environmentally sensitive land
from agricultural production and plant grasses or trees that will
improve water quality and improve waterfowl and wildlife habitat. CRP
reduced runoff and leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways by
an estimated 605 million pounds and 121 million pounds, respectively,
in 2012, and soil erosion reductions totaling 308 million tons in 2012.
Direct
payments for 2013 for the DCP and ACRE programs are being made to the
more than 1.7 million farms enrolled in the Farm Service Agency’s
programs. Producers with base acres of certain commodities are eligible
for DCP payments. ACRE payments for 2012-crop barley, corn, grain
sorghum, lentils, oats, peanuts, dry peas, soybeans, and wheat are
scheduled to be released beginning Oct. 24 and contingent upon national
average market prices and yields in each state. ACRE payments for large
chickpeas, small chickpeas, canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard seed,
rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflowers are scheduled to be made in
early December and for long grain rice and medium and short grain rice
in early February 2014 when the final 2012/13 market year average price
data becomes available.
The
2008 Farm Bill, extended by the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012,
provides authority to enroll land in DCP, ACRE and CRP through Sept. 30,
2013, however, no legislation has been enacted to reauthorize or extend
this authority. Effective Oct. 1, 2013, FSA does not have legislative
authority to approve or process applications for these programs.
For more information on CRP, DCP and ACRE, producers should contact their local FSA office or visit FSA's website at www.fsa.usda.gov.
Drought-Stricken Farmers Have Time to Replace Livestock
Farmers and ranchers who previously were forced to sell livestock due to drought, like the drought currently affecting much of the nation, have an extended period of time in which to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.
Farmers and ranchers who, due to drought, sell more livestock than they normally would may defer tax on the extra gains from those sales. To qualify, the livestock generally must be replaced within a four-year period. The IRS is authorized to extend this period if the drought continues.
The one-year extension of the replacement period announced today generally applies to capital gains realized by eligible farmers and ranchers on sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes due to drought. Sales of other livestock, such as those raised for slaughter or held for sporting purposes, and poultry are not eligible.
The IRS is providing this relief to any farm located in a county, parish, city, borough, census area or district, listed as suffering exceptional, extreme or severe drought conditions by the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC), during any weekly period between Sept. 1, 2012, and Aug. 31, 2013. All or part of 38 states are listed. Any county contiguous to a county listed by the NDMC also qualifies for this relief.
As a result, farmers and ranchers in these areas whose drought sale replacement period was scheduled to expire at the end of this tax year, Dec. 31, 2013, in most cases, will now have until the end of their next tax year. Because the normal drought sale replacement period is four years, this extension immediately impacts drought sales that occurred during 2009. But because of previous drought-related extensions affecting some of these localities, the replacement periods for some drought sales before 2009 are also affected. Additional extensions will be granted if severe drought conditions persist.
Details on this relief, including a list of NDMC-designated counties, are available in Notice 2013-62, posted today on IRS.gov. Details on reporting drought sales and other farm-related tax issues can be found in Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide, also available on the IRS web site.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 10/11/2013
Due to the government shutdown, publication of EIA’s petroleum status report and related data for the week ending 10/11/2013 was delayed. EIA released the data this morning.
According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 869,000 barrels per day (b/d) — or 36.50 million gallons daily. That is up 1,000 b/d from the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 861,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 13.20 billion gallons.
Stocks of ethanol stood at 15.4 million barrels. That is a 0.2% increase from last week.
Imports of ethanol were zero b/d, unchanged from last week.
Gasoline demand for the week averaged 381.2 million gallons daily.
Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 9.57%.
On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.176 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 96,983 metric tons of livestock feed, 86,461 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.53 million pounds of corn oil daily.
NCBA Kicks Off 2013 Fall Membership Drive
This coming year, Congress will address many legislative issues that directly affect cattlemen and women including border security, international trade and the continually increasing number of environmental regulations. As the country’s oldest and largest organization representing the cattle industry, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has a strong voice in Washington, D.C. and a great opportunity to represent the forceful, unified influence of America’s beef producers.
NCBA is urging more cattle producers to join in this fight. According to NCBA Policy Division Chair Philip Ellis, a fifth-generation rancher from Chugwater, Wyo., it is NCBA’s producers that give us the strength to advocate effectively in Washington D.C.
“This year’s membership drive focusing on partnership, process and legacy hits the mark,” said Ellis. “As cattlemen and women our legacy of growth, profitability and sustainability for future generations is key. And we are calling on all producers to not only join, but engage in the grassroots process to keep our industry strong. As cattle producers, we need to be engaged at the legislative and regulatory levels, but we also have to fight against groups like the Humane Society of the United States, that are actively working to put us out of business.”
Ellis said while we made great progress this past year, the year ahead continues to hold challenges for the cattle industry.
“We had a number of successes in this past year; thanks to our strong membership base, we were able to keep federal inspectors on the job during the furlough and we were able to keep HSUS out of the farm bill” according to Ellis. “But as we look to this next year, we expect Congress to discuss border security and the Trans Pacific Partnership, all while keeping an eye on overzealous federal regulation. My NCBA membership keeps me at the forefront of all of these issues.”
Your NCBA membership not only helps support our efforts in Washington, D.C., but comes with great benefits including a one liter bottle of Dectomax® pour-on from Zoetis, and discounts from New Holland Agriculture, Roper and Stetson boots and apparel, John Deere, Cabela’s and Caterpillar. You will also receive a subscription to National Cattlemen and correspondence and updates from Washington. For complete information and to join visit www.beefusa.org or call 1-866-BEEFUSA (1-866-233-3872).
USDA Announces Availability of Funding to Develop Advanced Biofuels Projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $181 million to develop commercial-scale biorefineries or retrofit existing facilities with appropriate technology to develop advanced biofuels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. Today's announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy.
"This financing will expand the number of commercial biorefineries in operation in the U.S. that are producing advanced biofuels from non-food sources," Vilsack said. "USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program is yet another way USDA is helping to carry out the Obama Administration's 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy to develop every possible source of American-made energy. But the benefits go beyond reducing our dependence on foreign oil. These biorefineries are also creating lasting job opportunities in rural America and are boosting the rural economy as well."
The Biorefinery Assistance Program was created through the 2008 Farm Bill and is administered by USDA Rural Development. It provides loan guarantees to viable commercial-scale facilities to develop new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels. Eligible entities include Indian tribes, State or local governments, corporations, farmer co-ops, agricultural producer associations, higher education institutions, rural electric co-ops, public power entities or consortiums of any of the above.
Sapphire Energy's "Green Crude Farm" in Columbus, N.M., is an example of how this program is supporting the development of advanced biofuels. In 2011, USDA provided Sapphire Energy a $54.5 million loan guarantee to build a refined alga oil commercial facility. In continuous operation since May 2012, the plant is producing renewable algal oil that can be further refined to replace petroleum-derived diesel and jet fuel. According to the company, more than 600 jobs were created throughout the first phase of construction at the facility, and 30 full-time employees currently operate the plant. The company expects to produce 100 barrels of refined algal oil per day by 2015, and to be at commercial-scale production by 2018. After receiving additional equity from private investors, Sapphire was able to repay the remaining balance on its USDA-backed loan earlier this year.
In 2011, USDA issued a $12.8 million loan guarantee to Fremont Community Digester for construction of an anaerobic digester in Fremont, Mich. The digester, which began commercial operations late last year, is the largest commercial-scale anaerobic digester in the United States. It has the capacity to process more than 100,000 tons of food waste annually to produce biogas and electricity. Biogas from the digester runs generators that total 2.85 megawatts in capacity. The electricity produced is sold to a local utility and is providing power for about 1,500 local homes.
Applications for biorefinery assistance are due by January 30, 2014. More information about how to apply is available in the October 2, 2013 Federal Register announcement or by contacting the USDA Rural Development National Office.
Since the start of the Obama Administration, the USDA Biorefinery Assistance Program has provided approximately $684 million in assistance to support biofuels projects in eight states.
Secretary Vilsack noted that today's funding announcements are another reminder of the importance of USDA programs such as the Biorefinery Assistance Program for rural America. A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy, Vilsack added, saying that's just one reason why Congress must get a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.
Russia Grain Exports Up 7%
Russia's grain exports between July 1, the beginning of the current marketing year, and Oct. 16, totaled 9.97 million metric tons, 7% more than in the corresponding period last year, the federal statistics service said Monday.
The statistics service said grain exports during Oct. 10-Oct. 16 totaled 1.07 million tons, including 832,000 tons of wheat, 153,000 tons of barley, 75,000 tons of corn and 8,000 tons of other minor grains.
The agriculture ministry expects this year's grain harvest to rise to 88-90 million tons from 71.7 million tons in 2012 when crops were damaged by drought.
Russia's grain exports in the 2012-2013 marketing year fell to 15.69 million tons from 27.2 million in the previous marketing year. In the current marketing year, July 2013-June 2014, the agriculture ministry expects Russia's grain exports to rise to 18-20 million tons.
UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORTS UP 9.8%
Ukraine's grain harvest volumes and pace of exports are higher compared with last year, the agriculture ministry said Monday.
Ukraine exported 7.79 million metric tons of grain between July 1--the beginning of the current marketing year--and Oct. 18, a rise of 9.8% on the year-earlier period.
The total exported grain volumes comprised 4.8 million tons of wheat, of which 3.65 million tons was milling wheat, as well as 1.734 million tons of barley, 1.19 million tons of corn, and some small amounts of other minor grains.
This year's grain harvest is forecast at 53 million-54 million tons, up from 46.2 million tons last year, when crops were damaged by drought.
The ministry expects grain exports in the 2013-2014 marketing year, which runs from July to June, to rise to 26 million tons from about 23 million tons in the previous marketing year.
INDIA 2013-14 SUMMER OILSEEDS OUTPUT UP 11%
India's summer oilseeds output during this marketing year will likely rise 11% to 16.9 million metric tons, mainly because of an increase in the area under cultivation and better monsoon rains, the Central Organization for Oil Industry and Trade said Monday.
This year, monsoon rains covered the entire country by the middle of June, a month earlier than usual. Total rainfall during the June-September monsoon season was 6% above average, one of the best in the past decade.
The expected increase in local production may reduce the demand for imported edible oil by the world's biggest buyer, and depress global palm oil prices. India imports more than half the edible oil it consumes and palm oil accounts for 70% of total imports.
Local palm oil production is estimated to increase to 110,000 tons during the current year, from 80,000 tons last year, the trade body said in its latest forecast.
India's availability of vegetable oil from summer oilseeds crop is estimated to increase 10% to 5.8 million tons in 2013-14, it said.
However, production of soybean is expected to fall by 4.4% to 10.2 million tons as heavy rains that fell after the usual monsoon season have affected the crop in some regions.
Valmont Announces Third Quarter 2013 Results
Valmont Industries, Inc, a leading global provider of engineered products and services for infrastructure and mechanized irrigation equipment for agriculture, reported third quarter sales of $778.0 million compared with $729.8 million for the same period of 2012. Third quarter 2013 operating income was $109.9 million versus $90.4 million in 2012. Including the impact of a non-cash income tax expense, third quarter net income was $56.5 million versus $56.7 million in 2012, which resulted in quarterly diluted earnings per share of $2.10 compared to $2.12 in 2012.
"Sales and earnings comparisons were positive in each reportable segment," said Mogens C. Bay, Valmont's chairman and CEOr. "Gross profit margins increased due to improved sales mix and pricing in certain markets combined with somewhat lower input costs. This increase, plus improved operating leverage, drove operating profit improvement.
"Achieving 14.1% operating income as a percent of sales in a third quarter is a record," said Bay. "This is the result of good performances in our all of our segments, including significant improvement in the Engineered Infrastructure Products Segment, which continues to face challenges in several markets."
Utility sales of $229.4 million were 5% higher than 2012. Substantial utility investment in the North American transmission grid continues to drive increased demand. Late in the third quarter, at the request of customers, some shipments were deferred into the fourth quarter. Utility sales in international markets, which remain project based, declined.
Increasing transmission grid reliability is a national priority. Regulatory measures effected in 2005 and 2010 created a compelling framework for substantial new investment in transmission infrastructure. Enhancing the interconnectivity of regional grids, and accommodating increased use of renewable energy sources are additional drivers of demand. Valmont believes the size of these opportunities combined with our market leadership, should result in further growth over the next few years.
Operating income rose 37% to $41.5 million, which represents 18.1% of segment sales. The increase in operating income was due to increased SG&A leverage, sales mix, and improved gross profit margins.
Center pivot and linear move mechanized irrigation equipment and parts for agriculture in global markets
Irrigation Segment sales increased 12% to $175.1 million, led by strong North American demand. Sales in international markets also improved. Despite lower third quarter crop prices than last year, the outlook among farm customers remained positive and drove sales increases above last year's record levels.
Over 80% of global irrigated acres still use less efficient flood methods rather than efficient mechanized irrigation equipment. This creates tremendous long-term market opportunities for Valmont's irrigation segment. Population growth, improved diets and competing demands for water are additional factors that will drive the need for more efficient mechanized irrigation use over time.
Operating income rose 15% to $31.1 million resulting in operating income as a percent of sales of 17.8%.
Lighting, traffic and highway safety products, wireless communication structures and components, and industrial gratings and access systems worldwide
Third quarter sales were $260.3 million, a 6% increase over 2012. Sales gains reflect increases in North America and Europe as well as the addition of $16.8 million in revenue from the February 2013 acquisition of the Locker Group in Australia.
In North America, lighting and traffic products sales were flat with last year. Wireless communication product sales increased over last year reflecting increased carrier investment in 4G infrastructure to support the increased network demands of data.
In Europe, lighting and traffic product sales were comparable to last year.
In the Asia-Pacific region, additional sales from acquired businesses more than offset declines in engineered access systems sales in Australia. Lighting and traffic products revenues in the region increased, while wireless communication product sales declined.
Operating income increased 37% to $25.7 million, or 9.9% of segment sales. This increase was driven by improved operating productivity, increased demand for wireless communication products in North America, improved cost structures in North America and Europe, and the contribution of the Locker Group.
Hot-dip galvanizing, and other coatings to protect against corrosion of steel and aluminum in global markets
Sales of $89.0 million were 6% higher than last year. North American sales rose due to $9 million revenue contribution from the acquisition of a Canadian galvanizer in December, 2012 and increased internal demand. Sales declined in the Asia Pacific region due to softer market conditions in Australia and the slight revenue loss from a divestiture during the second quarter.
Operating income increased 7% to $19.8 million, or 22.3% of segment sales which was similar to last year's levels.
"Looking to the fourth quarter, new capacity coming on-line in the Utility Support Structures Segment combined with a strong backlog should lead to record fourth quarter segment results. In the Irrigation Segment, we expect a good quarter, although not to last year's levels as a later harvest in North America will likely reduce customer traffic in dealerships. We expect our Coatings business to continue its good performance. In the Engineered Infrastructure Products Segment, our outlook is for positive comparisons in sales and operating income. In summary, we expect full-year diluted earnings of approximately $11.00 per share, even after absorbing the $0.31 in higher tax expense this quarter.
"Looking to 2014, at this early juncture our expectations are for continued improvement in the Utility Support and Engineered Infrastructure Support segments. Market demand should result in continued strength in the Coatings Segment. For the Irrigation Segment, it remains too early to assess the outlook for 2014.
"We believe that the long term drivers present in our two core markets, engineered products for infrastructure and efficient irrigation equipment for agriculture provide compelling, global and enduring opportunities for Valmont's continued growth going forward," concluded Bay.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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