NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 4 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.43 million cattle on feed on December 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 4 percent from last year. Placements during November totaled 475,000 head, up 2 percent from 2012. Fed cattle marketings for the month of November totaled 400,000 head, unchanged from last year. Other disappearance during November totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.
Iowa Cattle on Feed Up 6%
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,335,000 on December 1, 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office. The inventory is up 6 percent from November 1, 2013 and up 5 percent from December 1, 2012. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head had 610,000 head on feed, up 3 percent from last month but unchanged from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 725,000 head on feed, up 8 percent from last month and up 10 percent from last year.
Placements during November totaled 276,000 head, a decrease of 5 percent from last month but up 6 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head placed 122,000 head, down 5 percent from last month and down 1 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 154,000 head. This is down 6 percent from last month but up 12 percent from last year.
Marketings for November were 195,000 head, up 4 percent from last month and last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head marketed 100,000 head, up 4 percent from last month but unchanged from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 95,000 head, up 4 percent from last month and up 9 percent from last year. Other disappearance totaled 6,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down 5 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on December 1, 2013. The inventory was 5 percent below December 1, 2012. This is the second lowest inventory for December 1 since the series began in 1996.
Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.88 million, 3 percent below 2012. Net placements were 1.81 million head. During November, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 585,000, 600-699 pounds were 510,000, 700-799 pounds were 362,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 425,000.
Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.68 million, 5 percent below 2012. Other disappearance totaled 73,000 during November, 17 percent below 2012.
Number of Cattle on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2012 and 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : December 1, 2013
: : :--------------------------------------------
State :December 1, 2012 :November 1, 2013 : : Percent of : Percent of
: : : Number :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: --------------- 1,000 head -------------- ----- percent ----
Arizona ..........: 267 270 275 103 102
California ........: 490 495 505 103 102
Colorado ........: 1,020 950 970 95 102
Idaho .............: 245 220 225 92 102
Iowa ..............: 610 590 610 100 103
Kansas ..........: 2,190 2,050 2,050 94 100
Nebraska .......: 2,530 2,370 2,430 96 103
Oklahoma ......: 345 270 265 77 98
South Dakota .: 230 200 220 96 110
Texas ............: 2,700 2,530 2,510 93 99
Washington ....: 261 203 207 79 102
Other States ...: 460 449 458 100 102
United States ..: 11,348 10,597 10,725 95 101
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Cattle Placed on Feed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States: 2012 and 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : During November 2013
: During : During :--------------------------------------------
State :November 2012 : October 2013 : : Percent of : Percent of
: : : Number :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ----
Arizona ..........: 28 28 30 107 107
California ........: 65 55 64 98 116
Colorado .........: 150 230 170 113 74
Idaho ..............: 40 56 42 105 75
Iowa ...............: 123 128 122 99 95
Kansas ...........: 375 470 370 99 79
Nebraska ........: 465 630 475 102 75
Oklahoma .......: 56 65 42 75 65
South Dakota ..: 57 59 63 111 107
Texas ............: 465 530 405 87 76
Washington ....: 57 59 44 77 75
Other States ...: 62 78 55 89 71
United States ..: 1,943 2,388 1,882 97 79
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Cattle Marketed on 1,000+ Capacity Feedlots by Month - States and United States:2012 and 2013
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : During November 2013
: During : During :--------------------------------------------
State :November 2012 : October 2013 : : Percent of : Percent of
: : : Number :previous year :previous month
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ------------ 1,000 head ----------- ----- percent ----
Arizona ...........: 25 25 24 96 96
California .........: 51 55 52 102 95
Colorado .........: 155 145 145 94 100
Idaho ..............: 34 45 36 106 80
Iowa ...............: 100 96 100 100 104
Kansas ...........: 390 400 350 90 88
Nebraska ........: 400 455 400 100 88
Oklahoma .......: 54 78 45 83 58
South Dakota ..: 45 38 41 91 108
Texas .............: 415 440 405 98 92
Washington ....: 43 39 39 91 100
Other States ...: 49 43 44 90 102
United States ..: 1,761 1,859 1,681 95 90
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biodiesel Makes a Splash in the Big Apple
New York City is big. It’s big business. It’s big buildings. And, as of late, it’s big on biodiesel.
As you can imagine, a lot goes into powering the city that never sleeps. Whether it’s helping to fuel America’s largest city fleet, clearing snow off the runway at JFK in the dead of winter, or heating countless homes and buildings, biodiesel and Bioheat play an integral role in bringing the Big Apple to life.
Eleven representatives from the Nebraska Soybean Board recently joined more than 90 other representatives from the United Soybean Board (USB), American Soybean Association (ASA), and nine other state soybean boards in New York City to see how biodiesel and Bioheat are being used to help clean up the city’s energy portfolio. Representatives from Nebraska at the New York City Department of Sanitation office on the 2013 Biodiesel/Bioheat Tour included Richard Bartek, Ithaca; Loyd Pointer, Sargent; Geri Lanc, Lincoln; Victor Bohuslavsky, Brainard; Greg Anderson, Newman Grove; Tony Johanson, Oakland; Ron Pavelka, Glenvil, Drew Guiney, Lincoln; Andy Chvatal, Waverly; and Dale Fike, DeWeese
What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is America’s first advanced biofuel. Biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning replacement for traditional diesel made from a diverse mix of feedstocks such as soybean oil, animal fats, and recycled cooking oil.
What is Bioheat?
Bioheat is traditional home heating oil blended with biodiesel. By 2015, all buildings in New York City that use heating oil will be required to use a B5 blend of Bioheat, meaning that it contains 5% pure biodiesel.
New York City has led the way in embracing alternative fuels such as biodiesel and Bioheat. In 2007, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his Plan NYC, which brought 25 city agencies together to help tackle some of the toughest issues facing New York City in the years to come. As a part of this visionary plan, Mayor Bloomberg called for a 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2017.
Keith Kerman, the chief fleet officer and deputy commissioner for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, said biodiesel and Bioheat have played key roles in helping the city meet its GHG reduction goal. “As of last year, we had reduced our emissions by 9.3%, and we fully expect that number to be over 20% after this year,” Kerman said.
On the tour, the group learned that Kerman has been a champion for biodiesel for many years. In his current role, he manages the largest city fleet in the country – more than 26,000 vehicles, 10,000 of which are diesel. Kerman said the city runs biodiesel all year round in its diesel vehicles and they don’t see any problems. “I would love to increase the blend rate. We don’t see any issues in regards to performance in the vehicles. Our biggest issue comes from how we manage storage in some of the older tanks.”
The group also met with the Department of Sanitation, another major user of biodiesel. Rocco Dirico, the deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Support Services, said he manages more than 5,500 vehicles in this fleet. Dirico said they run a B20 blend in the warm months and a B5 blend in the cold months and haven’t seen any problems. “You guys can spread the word that I said we use this fuel and everything’s fine. We don’t have any issues,” Dirico said. In typical New York fashion, Dirico doesn’t like to mince words on something he’s passionate about. To put things in perspective, the department uses roughly 9 million gallons of diesel fuel per year. At an average blend rate of 12.5%, the department burns more than 1.1 million gallons of B100 per year. That’s a lot of biodiesel!
The Nebraska Soybean Board has been major funders of biodiesel and Bioheat education and outreach on the East Coast, and the investment seems to be paying off.
Victor Bohuslavsky, the executive director of the Nebraska Soybean Board, said “New York City is one of the largest markets for using biodiesel year round. Bioheat also gives us a large market for wintertime use that we don’t see in the Midwest and farming sector. It’s very satisfying to see their enthusiasm for using alternative fuels such as biodiesel and their commitment to improving our environment and air quality in the long term.”
Upper Big Blue NRD Board Approves New Changes to RULE 5 Pertaining to Allocation and Metering
The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors met on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at 1:30 p.m., to discuss the proposed changes to District Rule 5 pertaining to water allocation and flow meters, as well as other NRD business. After receiving public comment and taking into consideration historical groundwater use, the Board has passed the following new rules and regulations which will become effective on February 1, 2014:
1). Allocation Amount & Duration: The Board set the first allocation period of 30 acre inches over a three years. A second allocation period would be activated for 45 acre inches over five years. The Allocation Trigger on the Upper Big Blue NRD’s average groundwater level chart has been in place since 1990. Because of the 2012 drought, and subsequent heavy pumping of groundwater to irrigate crops, the average groundwater level in the Upper Big Blue NRD has seen its largest one year decline since record keeping began in 1961. “We could get to allocation in one dry season, or we might get a wet season or two, and not get there for a few years, but the measures are in place to continue to maintain the sustainability of groundwater in our District” stated John Turnbull, General Manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD.
2). Flow Meters: The rule change now requires that ALL wells with a pumping capacity greater than 50 gpm be equipped with a mechanical flow meter if the District average groundwater level falls below the Allocation Trigger, or by January 1, 2016, whichever occurs first. It should be noted that, electronic flow meters will be grandfathered up to February 1, 2014, when the new rule changes take effect. Flow meters are necessary to accurately record water use.
3). NO RESTRICTION on expansion of irrigated acres; NO MORITORIUMS on well drilling: (Except for the already designated fully-appropriated area in Northern Hamilton County). Otherwise, there is no well drilling moratorium, and no restriction of expanding acres for irrigation.
4). Groundwater Transfers Would CEASE: Groundwater transfers will no longer be allowed if the Allocation Trigger is reached.
5). Certified Groundwater Use Acres and Pooling: The new changes to Rule 5 provide for the combining of certified groundwater use acres into units. A unit of groundwater use acres consists of acres in the same government survey section or irrigated by the same well that are under the control of one groundwater user. The term “pooling” refers to the combining of certified Groundwater Use Acres (irrigated acres) for the purpose of determining what lands will be assigned an allocation.
“The Board of Directors has been concerned about irrigation demands during the current dry cycle of 2012 and 2013, and the decline in the groundwater. They listened to constituents, reviewed data, considered staff recommendations, and held a public hearing. They discussed what changes to make in the NRD Groundwater Regulations at several committee and Board of Directors meetings. Through all of that, careful consideration was given that while allocation is necessary for groundwater sustainability, flexibility is essential for producers,” stated Turnbull. “The regulations adopted allow the producer to spread the allocation over several years, more in dry years and less in wet years. Also pooling allows the producer to irrigate more on gravity fields and less on center pivot ground provided the water use stays within the allocation limits.”
A copy of the newly amended changes to Rule 5 is available upon request at the NRD office at 105 N. Lincoln Avenue, York, Nebraska, and on the NRD website at: www.upperbigblue.org. Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected Board of Directors. The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state. For more information please call (402) 362-6601.
Johanns Leads 42 Senators in Bipartisan Letter on OSHA’s Illegal Regulatory Actions
U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today led an effort with 42 of his Senate colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, in requesting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) immediately stop their unlawful regulation of family farms. The senators also direct OSHA to issue updated guidance correcting their misinterpretation of current law. The request was made in a joint letter to Department of Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, who oversees OSHA.
As Johanns has said since raising the issue on the Senate floor earlier this week, “This is the latest attempt by the Administration to expand their regulatory reach by making an end-run around Congress and the American people. OSHA is out of line here, not our hard working ag producers. I am going to work to ensure OSHA – and the rest of the Administration – plays by the rules. This letter is a strong first step and I appreciate the support of my colleagues.”
Since 1976, Congress has exempted small, family-run farms from OSHA regulations, but in a 2011 memo OSHA asserted that on-farm grain storage and handling was not part of farm operations. The memo essentially expanded OSHA’s regulatory scope to nearly every farm in the country without going through the established rule making process that allows Congressional review and public comment, in defiance of the law.
In addition to Johanns, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), John Thune (R-S.D.), David Vitter (R-La.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
A copy of the senators’ bipartisan letter is below:
Dear Secretary Perez:
We write to you regarding reports that regulators at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have begun taking regulatory actions against farms that are specifically exempted by Congress from regulatory enforcement conducted by OSHA. Since 1976, Congress has included specific language in appropriations bills prohibiting OSHA from using appropriated funds to apply requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1976 to farming operations with 10 or fewer employees.
It has come to our attention that OSHA is now interpreting this provision so narrowly that virtually every grain farm in the country would be subject to OSHA regulations. OSHA’s interpretation defies the intent of Congress in exempting farming operations from the standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
In viewing a farm’s “grain bin operation” as somehow distinct from its farming operation, OSHA is creating an artificial distinction in an apparent effort to circumvent the Congressional prohibition on regulating farms. The use of grain bins is an integral part of farming operations. Without grain bins, farmers must sell corn and soybeans immediately after harvest, when prices are usually low. Storing grain in bins is thus a fundamental aspect of farming. Any farm that employs 10 or fewer employees and used grain bins only for storage prior to marketing should be exempt, as required by law, from OSHA regulations.
A memo issued by the Director of Enforcement Programs on June 28, 2011, stated that “many of these small farm employers mistakenly assume that the Appropriations Rider precludes OSHA from conducting enforcement activities regardless of the type of operations performed on the farm.” The memo declares that all activities under SIC 072—including drying and fumigating grain—are subject to all OSHA requirements (the memo did not even mention grain storage). There are many farms that have grain dryers on-farm to address wet harvest conditions or fumigate grain to prevent pests from ruining a crop prior to marketing. These are basic, common, and responsible farming activities that OSHA has arbitrarily decided are non-exempt.
Worker safety is an important concern for all of us—including the many farmers who probably know better than OSHA regulators how to keep themselves and their employees safe on farms. If the Administration believes that OSHA should be able to enforce its regulations on farms, it should make that case to Congress rather than twisting the law in the service of bureaucratic mission creep. Until then, Congress has spoken clearly and we sincerely hope that you will support America’s farmers and respect the intent of Congress by reining in OSHA.
We would ask that you direct OSHA to take the following three steps to alleviate this concern. First, OSHA should cease all actions predicated on this interpretation, which is inconsistent with Congressional intent. It is important that OSHA also issue guidance correcting this misinterpretation of the law. We suggest consulting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and organizations representing farmers to assist with this guidance. Finally, we ask that OSHA provide a list and description of regulatory actions taken against farms with incorrectly categorized non-farming activities and 10 or fewer employees since the June 2011 memo. Given the nearly four decades of Congressional prohibition of OSHA enforcement against farms, this should be a simple request to fulfil.
We would appreciate your response by February 1, 2014, to include a copy of the corrected guidance, the data regarding enforcement actions on farms, and confirmation that OSHA will cease such enforcement.
New Edition of Nebraska Groundwater Atlas is Available
After more than two years of research, writing and editing, the third edition of the "Groundwater Atlas of Nebraska" is available.
"Rather than just reproduce maps that have been published in the past, we wanted our readers to know that our understanding of groundwater in Nebraska has evolved over the past half-century," said Jesse Korus, survey geologist and lead author/coordinator of the third edition atlas. "In some cases, it has improved substantially. In other cases, things we once thought we knew are now being questioned, and more work is needed to provide accurate and detailed maps on a statewide level."
The atlas is produced by the Conservation and Survey Division, a multidisciplinary research, service and data-collection organization in UNL's School of Natural Resources.
Korus and his co-authors created maps, wrote text and compiled and interpreted data for topics that fell within their respective areas of expertise.
"Since the authors have a variety of regularly assigned duties, production of the atlas had to be scheduled around field work, service tasks and other high priority projects," Korus said. "As much as 30 percent of our time was spent working on the atlas."
One of the challenges the authors faced was deciding which topics to include in the latest edition of the atlas.
"Groundwater impacts the lives of Nebraskans in so many ways that we were reluctant to exclude any topic," Korus said. "We focused on our best developed understandings, (which are) those relating to the physical and chemical aspects of groundwater hydrology."
The third edition atlas has several unique editorial features, including an additional 20 maps and diagrams that illustrate aspects of groundwater not covered in previous editions. It also includes new chapters describing the interconnections among groundwater, surface water and the hydrochemical aspects of groundwater.
"Some maps in the third edition show detailed characteristics that were made possible only through the use of digital cartography and computerized geographic information systems," Korus said.
Those technologies were not widely used when the first and second editions were published in 1986 and 1998, respectively. Moreover, the first edition was modeled after a 1966 publication of the same title.
"The previous two editions of the atlas have been among the most popular publications ever produced by the Conservation and Survey Division," Korus said. "They have been used for decades as a general source of information for a wide audience."
That audience includes well drillers, teachers, conservationists, farmers, ranchers and other professionals. The atlas is also a popular resource for training and licensing programs.
"We expect the third edition to be used in much the same way," Korus said. "No one atlas or book can contain everything there is to know about groundwater, but the 'Groundwater Atlas of Nebraska' is a good starting point for someone seeking answers to questions about Nebraska's most valuable natural resource."
"The Groundwater Atlas of Nebraska" is available for $15 from the Nebraska Maps and More Store on the first floor of Hardin Hall at 33rd and Holdrege streets. The book can also be purchased online at http://nebraskamaps.unl.edu and http://amazon.com. To place an order via phone, call 402-472-3471.
University of Nebraska Water Lectures Begin Jan. 15, Run Through April
Eight public lectures on a varied slate of state and regional water issues will form the University of Nebraska's spring semester water seminar that begins Jan. 15.
The free public lectures continue on a roughly every-other-week basis through April 23, each on Wednesday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of Hardin Hall, northeast corner of N. 33rd and Holdrege Sts, University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus, Lincoln.
Lecture dates are Jan. 15 and 22, Feb. 12 and 26, March 12, and April 2, 9 and 23.
Lecture topics include groundwater quality in Nebraska, owner responsibilities for private water wells, source water protection planning, variable rate irrigation as a means of improving agricultural water use efficiency, potential concerns over nitrates and uranium in drinking water and managing water resources for multiple benefits.
"The lectures collectively form a very broad overview of water and water-related topics that are important to and of interest to all Nebraskans," said Chittaranjan Ray, director of NU's Nebraska Water Center, which has helped sponsor and organize the annual spring semester lecture series on water topics for more than 40 years.
"One of the great traditions of this lecture series is the level and variety of speakers it has attracted over the years," Ray said.
This year, outstate speakers hail from the University of Illinois, Purdue University, George Mason University and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, while instate speakers are from UNL, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Hastings Utilities and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.
Cosponsoring the lectures with the Nebraska Water Center, part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute, is UNL's School of Natural Resources, which also offers the lecture series as a course for student credit.
The complete January through April schedule appears below and is posted online at watercenter.unl.edu. Individual lecture videos and speaker PowerPoint presentations will also be posted at that web address within a few days after the lecture.
Lecture dates, topics, and presenters include:
Jan. 15, Groundwater Quality in Nebraska, Marty Link, associate director, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Jan. 22, Williams Memorial Lecture: Rural Private Wells: Concerns and Well Owner Responsibilities, Steve Wilson, groundwater hydrologist, Center for Groundwater Science, Illinois State Water Survey at The Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Feb. 12, Social Capacity: Getting Producers to the Conservation Table, Linda Prokopy, associate professor of natural resources planning, Purdue University
Feb. 26, A Vision for an Ultra-High Resolution Integrated Water Cycle Observation and Prediction System, Paul Houser, professor of global hydrology, George Mason University
March 12, Kremer Memorial Lecture, A New Approach to Source Water Protection Planning: Groundwater Site Investigations, Becky Ohrtman, SWP program director, and Dan Cook, project manager, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
April 2, The Potential to Increase Agricultural Water Use Efficiency through Variable Rate Irrigation, Tim Shaver, nutrient management specialist, UNL West Central Research and Extension Center
April 9, Nitrate and Uranium in Drinking Water, Marty Stange, environmental supervisor, Hastings Utilities, and Karrie Weber, assistant professor, UNL School of Biological Sciences
April 23, Managing Water Resources for Multiple Benefits, Don Kraus, general manager, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District
Winter Manure Application Rules Kick in Saturday in Iowa
Runoff and nutrient loss are more likely following winter manure application because manure can't be injected into the soil or incorporated into the field.
Research shows that the later in the season and the closer to spring snowmelt that you land apply manure, the greater the risk that it will reach a stream. So, it pays to be careful when winter application is necessary, both to make the best use of the nutrients and to protect water quality.
For animal producers with totally roofed (confinement) facilities, state law also sets some dates, Dec. 21 and Feb. 1, when liquid manure cannot be applied on snow-covered or frozen ground. These limits affect confinement facilities with liquid manure that have 500 or more animal units. Generally, 500 animal units is 1,250 finishing hogs; 5,000 nursery pigs; 500 steers, immature dairy cows or other cattle; or 357 mature dairy cows.
Except in emergencies, the law limits liquid manure application from Dec. 21 to April 1 if the ground is snow-covered with an inch or more of snow or one-half inch of ice. If manure can be properly injected or incorporated, it can be land applied during this time. Starting Feb. 1, liquid manure application on frozen ground is restricted.
Producers must call the local DNR field office to report emergency applications before they apply.
While the law affects confinements with liquid manure, open feedlots and poultry producers can help keep manure in place by using common sense and choosing application areas far from a stream, on flat land with little snow cover.
All producers must follow setbacks from certain buildings and environmentally sensitive areas.
Search for more information on separation distances at www.iowadnr.gov/afo/. Recommendations from the Iowa Manure Management Action Group about applying manure in winter are available at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/pubs/imms/vol3.pdf.
The rules are available online under Chapter 65 of the Iowa Administrative Code/Environmental Protection Commission.
ADVISORY TEAM TO HELP LEAD IOWA FOOD & FAMILY PROJECT
More than 20 food and agricultural leaders will help lead conversations with consumers about today’s farms and food system as members of the Iowa Food & Family Project advisory team.
The Iowa Food & Family Project, created by the Iowa Soybean Association in 2011, involves more than 35 partners. Working together, they offer Iowans opportunities to become better acquainted with the dedicated farmers who grow their food and more knowledgeable and confident in how food is grown.
Advisory team members serve a key role in fulfilling this mission. Participants meet twice annually and also serve on working groups to bring vision, insight and expertise to enhance the project’s reach, influence and success.
Michelle Hurd, executive director of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA) and advisory team member, says the initiative rallies a broad coalition of food and farming stakeholders around a common mission and purpose.
“Food is an essential part of life and is a centerpiece of almost every occasion,” she says. “Purchasing and preparing food is also an increasingly social activity. Members of the IGIA want to be part of the conversation and answer the questions people have about food choice, safety and affordability.”
Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist of the Iowa Turkey Federation and a founding Iowa FFP advisory team member, agrees. Farmers, she adds, are eager to share their insight given their role as food providers and environmental stewards.
“Farmers have embraced technology and continually educate themselves on the latest research. But over the years their goal of providing a safe, nutritious and environmentally sustainable protein has not changed,” Irwin says. “Their farms remain family owned and operated. Our turkey farmers, and all farmers, value the opportunity to feed their family, neighbors and Americans.”
Joining Hurd and Irwin as 2014 Iowa FFP advisory team members are:
Kim Abels, Iowa Sports Foundation; Cory Berkenes, Iowa Food Bank Association; Sara Clausen, KEY Cooperative; Nancy Degner, Iowa Beef Industry Council; Chris Freland, Midwest Dairy; Linda Funk, The Soyfoods Council; Joyce Hoppes, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Clarence Hudson, Iowa Sports Foundation; Jeff Jorgenson, Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors; and Jim Knuth, Farm Credit Services of America.
Also: Greta Lang, McCormick Company; Shannon Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, Amanda Rinehart, DuPont Pioneer; Greg Rinehart, Rinehart Family Farms (Ogden); Seth Shannon, American Institute of Architects — Iowa Chapter; Troy Shoen, Feed Energy; Jen Sorenson, Iowa Select Farms; Kevin Vinchattle, Iowa Poultry Association; Tony Wilson, Applied Art & Technology, Des Moines; Janet Wilwerding, Iowa Corn Growers Association; and Cat Wood of Machine Shed Restaurant.
The Iowa Food & Family Project proudly serves as presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games and supporter of Live Healthy Iowa and engages thousands of Iowa State Fairgoers with unique food and farming exhibits located in the south atrium of the Varied Industries Building. It also conducts innovative activities including “You on the Farm,” a unique program offering families a chance to spend time on an Iowa farm and “Join My Journey” featuring influential “Iowa Girl Eats” blogger Kristin Porter.
USDA Farm Service Agency Urges Farmers and Ranchers to Vote in County Committee Elections
Corrected Ballots will be Mailed to Eligible Producers Friday, Dec. 20
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia announced that the FSA County Committee Elections begin today, Dec. 20, with the mailing of ballots to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to local FSA offices is Jan. 17, 2014.
Producers have been instructed to destroy the FSA County Committee Election ballots (FSA-669’s) mailed on Nov. 4. The new ballots mailed to producers will have the word “corrected” printed on the outside of the mailing, the ballot itself, and the return envelope. Producers must complete and return the corrected FSA-669 to have their vote counted.
Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the coming week can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center. The last day for voters to submit corrected ballots in person to local USDA Service Centers is Jan. 17, 2014. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Jan. 17. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Feb. 18, 2014.
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1.
Close to 7,700 FSA county committee members serve in the 2,124 FSA offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Approximately one-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. More information on county committees, such as the 2013 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.
A New Farm Bill to Carry On America’s Record Agricultural Trade
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
Over the course of 2013, we’ve seen yet another banner year for U.S. agricultural exports. Exports of U.S. farm and ranch products reached a record $140.9 billion in 2013 and supported about a million U.S. jobs. In fact, compared to the previous five-year period from 2004-2008, U.S. agricultural exports from 2009-2013 increased by a total of nearly $230 billion.
All told, the past five years represent the strongest five-year period in our nation’s history for agricultural exports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has focused on two key factors in recent years to help make this success possible. First, an unprecedented effort by USDA and our Federal partners to expand and grow markets around the world. Second, a commitment to make sure our farmers and ranchers have the tools to grow more, even in the face of uncertainty.
Thanks to the Farm Bill, particularly the Foreign Market Development Program and Market Access Program, USDA has been able to work with hundreds of U.S. businesses since 2009 to expand trade. We have led more than 150 U.S. agribusinesses on agricultural trade missions and helped more than 1,000 U.S. companies and organizations promote their wares at trade shows around the world.
Together, these trade promotion programs yield $35 in economic benefits for every dollar invested. Unfortunately, without a new Farm Bill, these programs can’t continue.
The trade promotion programs complement USDA efforts with our Federal partners to expand trade agreements and break down unfair barriers to trade. In the past five years, the Obama Administration has challenged more than 750 sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers, compared to less than 400 such challenges in the previous five-year period. We’ve also helped achieve new trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, along with equivalency agreements for organic products to Canada, the European Union and Japan.
But the Farm Bill stands at the heart of our trade promotion effort, and companies across the nation need a renewed commitment to agricultural trade promotion that only a new Farm Bill can provide.
As we have undertaken record efforts to promote U.S. trade, we’re also hard at work here at home to help America’s farmers and ranchers increase their productivity.
Since 2009, USDA has provided a record number of farm loans – more than 159,000 – to help farmers get started and keep growing. Additionally, using Farm Bill programs that have since expired, we stepped in to help hundreds of thousands of producers facing disaster. So, in addition to the many trade-related benefits of the Farm Bill, USDA is awaiting passage of this legislation to continue helping farmers and ranchers grow the food needed to drive exports even higher. A new Farm Bill would continue assistance to farm businesses through loans and loan guarantees, while also reauthorizing disaster assistance programs and providing retroactive help to livestock producers who have been hit particularly hard in the past two years.
American agriculture has been an economic success story in recent years – growing more despite adversity, sending more food around the world and creating more jobs here at home. There is even more success ahead, but we need a new Farm Bill as soon as possible to keep this record momentum going.
NCGA Announces National Corn Yield Contest Winners for 2013
Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2013 National Corn Yield Contest. Entrants continued to far surpass the national average corn yield, setting a contest record with a new all-time high yield of 454 bushels per acre. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
The National Corn Yield Contest is in its 49th year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members, setting a new participation record this year with 8,827 entries. This surpasses the previous record of 8,431 entries, set in 2011, and far outstrips the 8,263 entries received in 2012.
“While this contest provides individual growers a chance for good-natured competition with their peers, it also advances farming as a whole,” said Don Glenn, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques and practices contest winners develop provide the basis for widely used advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations, including drought. This contest highlights how innovation, from both growers and technology providers, allows us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 354.6 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 160.4 bushels per acre in 2013. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers overall production categories topped out at 454.9837.
The all-time high yield record of 454 bushels per acre was set by David Hula of Charles City, Va. The five national entrants recording yields of more than 400 bushels per acre are: David Hula of Charles City, Va.; Johnny Hula of Charles City, Va.; Double ‘SA’ Farms Inc. of Hart, Texas; Randy Dowdy of Valdosta, Ga.; and Dowdy Farms/Curtis Davis/Renato Lamas of Valdosta, Ga.
For a complete list of winners, please visit NCGA website www.ncga.com.
2013 Harvest Report Indicates High Quality US Corn Ready to Market
Record production, high quality, and minor weather-related impacts are the top-line findings of the 2013/2014 Corn Harvest Quality Report, released today by the U.S. Grains Council.
“After a record drought last year, the world has been watching intently the 2013 U.S. corn crop,” said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight. “Production has rebounded, and quality is high despite some weather challenges. It’s good news all around.”
Total U.S. corn production of 13,989 million bushels (355.3 million metric tons) is an all-time record, and the average yield of 160.4 bushels/acre (10.1 tons/hectare) is the second highest on record. Weather was again the challenge, as a cold and wet spring delayed planting across much of the corn belt. Some areas also experienced flash-drought conditions in mid-summer, although this was generally offset by cooler temperatures.
These weather adversities slightly reduced planted acreage and yield, while harvest quality remained very high. As compared to prior years, weather related impacts were modest and predictable. Aflatoxins were significantly lower than in the 2012 crop, with 99.4 percent of the samples testing below the FDA aflatoxin action level of 20 parts per billion. Starch content was up, while protein content, which is inversely related to starch, was down slightly. Oil content was similar to 2011 and 2012. Moisture content, reflecting weather conditions, was slightly higher, as were stress cracks, but total damage levels remained very low, comparable to 2012 and below 2011 levels. Average test weight remained well above the limit for No. 1 grade corn, indicating overall good quality.
“The report compares a wide range of quality factors across time,” Sleight noted, “and after the rollercoaster ride last year, the message in 2013 was that there were no surprises. A few test factors ticked up, others ticked down, consistent with weather conditions, while overall quality at harvest was very high. With record production, this is certainly a good news report.”
Corn quality will be affected by further handling, so the Council annually publishes a second report, the Corn Export Quality Report, which assesses quality at the point of loading for international shipment. The 2013/2014 Export Quality Report will be published in March 2014.
The two reports, utilizing consistent methodology to permit the assessment of trends over time, are intended to provide reliable, timely, and transparent information on the quality of U.S. corn as it moves through export channels.
“The takeaway message this year is that the United States has abundant supplies of high quality corn,” Sleight said. “We would remind buyers that they will get the quality level that they contract for, but with record production and good quality, it is a buyers’ market as we head into 2014.”
CHS Foundation grant supports new student program
A new program to allow university students to interact with industry leaders is being launched by Farm Foundation, NFP through a grant from CHS Foundation.
The $8,800 grant will make it possible for six undergraduate and graduate students to spend two days with agricultural and food system leaders at the January meeting of the Farm Foundation® Round Table.
"The opportunity to meet and visit with agricultural leaders is a valuable opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain insights into the industry," says William Nelson, CHS vice president for corporate citizenship and President of the CHS Foundation. "This program is a good fit with the CHS Foundation focus on education and leadership development to build a strong rural America."
In operation since 1946, the CHS Foundation is the major giving entity of CHS, an energy, grains and foods company with a stewardship focus of building vibrant communities.
The grant funds provided will cover expenses for six students to participate in the Farm Foundation® Round Table in Houston, Texas, in early January 2014. A Round Table member will serve as a mentor to each student, introducing them to other leaders and encouraging their participation in discussions. The students' work will be highlight at a reception during the meeting.
"The Cultivators' Program provides a link for students about to enter the work force to connect with the men and women leading agriculture and food businesses across the value chain," explains Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin. "This academic-to-real world linkage allows students to see their potential role in the industry, and the opportunities ahead."
The program began in June 2013 when six students attended the Round Table meeting in Ames, Iowa. Six new students will participate in the Houston meeting: E.M. Sajeev, a graduate student at Purdue University; Maci Lienemann and Ryan Hanousek, both undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska; Duminda A. Gunawardena and Luis Enrique Secaira, both graduate students at Texas A&M University; and Garrett Lister, a graduate student at Kansas State University.
To be selected as a Cultivator, students must be nominated by their college Dean or academic advisor. Final selection is made by a committee of Farm Foundation® Round Table members.
Growing Markets Around the World For America's Agricultural Productivity
Yesterday, Agriculture Under Secretary Michael Scuse joined Tim Hamilton, Executive Director of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, as well as Dave Ramirez of Ohio-based Trophy Nut, to discuss the benefits of the Farm Bill to expand markets around the world and grow American agricultural exports. Secretary Vilsack has called on Congress to expedite passage of a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill that continues USDA support for market expansion around the world and builds on efforts that have helped achieve record agricultural trade over the past five years.
Under Secretary Scuse emphasized the importance of agricultural exports to job creation, as well as the critical need for a dependable safety net that will allow America's producers to continue providing a reliable food supply at home and abroad.
U.S. agricultural exports reached a record $140.9 billion in fiscal year 2013 and supported about a million U.S. jobs. In fact, compared to the previous five-year period from FY 2004-2008, U.S. agricultural exports from FY 2009-2013 increased by nearly $230 billion. The past five years represent the strongest five-year period in our nation's history for agricultural exports.
Meanwhile, America's farmers and ranchers remain the most diverse and productive on the planet. USDA support, provided in large part by the Farm Bill, has enabled producers to grow more in the face of complex uncertainty from the weather and markets.
As a result of America's agricultural productivity, U.S. families pay less for the food they consume at home, as a portion of their income, than the people of any other nation.
USDA has worked hard under the Obama Administration to open new markets for agricultural products around the world, while ensuring that our producers have the tools they need to grow more here at home. A new Farm Bill would continue these efforts.
-- A Farm Bill would continue trade promotion programs that provide $35 in economic benefits for every dollar invested. Specifically, a new Farm Bill would continue efforts under the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program.
-- Since 2009, USDA has led more than 150 U.S. agribusinesses on agricultural trade missions to China, Colombia, Ecuador, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam.
-- In addition more than 1,000 U.S. companies and organizations – about 70 percent of them small and medium-sized businesses – participated in USDA-endorsed trade shows around the world. A new Farm Bill will allow this number to grow further over the next several years by enabling even more direct efforts to market U.S. products abroad.
-- In addition to new trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, USDA helped achieve organic equivalency agreements with Canada, the European Union and most recently Japan – reducing red tape and boosting opportunity for organic growers.
Farm Bill programs would complement efforts that USDA has undertaken to break down unfair barriers to U.S. trade.
-- USDA has assisted in Administration efforts to challenge more than 750 sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers since 2009. These challenges in World Trade Organization monitoring and enforcement meetings have helped to ensure a level playing field for U.S. producers. This compares to less than 400 such challenges in the previous five-year period.
-- In 2013 alone, these efforts expanded market access for U.S. beef to nations around the world, including Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia, and contributed to record U.S. beef exports of $5.9 billion.
-- In recent years, USDA trade enforcement efforts have expanded access for U.S. dairy exports to China and the European Union; potatoes and rice to South Korea; horticultural products to Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia; cattle to Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam; poultry to Russia, the Gambia and Belarus; and more.
And a new Farm Bill would ensure that our producers have the tools they need to continue growing more at home, keeping food affordable for Americans and fueling exports around the world.
-- More than 159,000 direct and guaranteed farm operating and ownership loans since 2009 have helped America's producers keep growing. A new Farm Bill would allow for continued credit programs to assist farmers and ranchers across the nation.
-- Farm Bill disaster assistance provided more than 400,000 payments to farmers and ranchers before these programs expired in 2011. Critical assistance has been unavailable since that time for producers dealing with drought, floods, severe storms and many other disasters. A new Farm Bill would not only reauthorize disaster assistance – it would provide retroactive help for livestock producers who have been hit by drought and other disaster in recent years.
The Andersons, Inc. Announces Three-For-Two Stock Split
The Andersons, Inc. announces its board of directors has approved a three-for-two split of The Andersons stock.
Shareholders will receive one additional share for every two shares they own on the record date of January 21 in the form of a dividend to be distributed as of the close of business of February 18, 2014.
"Our stock's recent outstanding performance has enabled us to undertake this endeavor," said Chairman and CEO Mike Anderson. "We believe this action will enhance the liquidity of our shares and enable a larger universe of investors to purchase our shares."
In addition, the board approved a first quarter 2014 cash dividend of 16.5 cents ($0.165) per share, payable January 23, 2014, to shareholders of record on January 2, 2014.
This is The Andersons' 69th consecutive quarterly cash dividend since its listing on the Nasdaq on February 20, 1996. There are about 18.8 million common shares outstanding currently, and 28.2 million expected to be outstanding post-split.
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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