Tuesday November 25 Ag News

Animal Scientist Funston Gets Regional Extension Award

            Nebraska Extension beef cattle reproduction specialist Rick Funston has been honored for his beef and heifer management work.

            Funston won the 2014 Regional Excellence in Extension award for the North Central Region from Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

            Funston, also a professor in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Animal Science, is based at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte.

            Funston's research and extension work have helped provide ranchers new market options and reduced feed costs. He has been a leader in the concept of fetal programming, a concept in the livestock industry based on the notion that the nutrient status of gestating cows has various long-term implications on their offspring.

            UNL studies by Funston and colleagues reported on cows that were either supplemented or not supplemented during the last third of gestation. He found that heifer calves born to a herd fed 28 percent protein distillers-based supplement had a heavier adjusted 205-day weight, pre-breeding weight, weight at pregnancy diagnosis and higher pregnancy rate.

            Funston also reported an increase in calf weaning weights from supplemented cows. Heifer progeny from supplemented cows reached puberty earlier and tended to have a higher pregnancy rate compared to heifer progeny from non-supplemented cows. Results from these studies suggest the idea that cow nutrition during late gestation does affect the overall performance of heifer progeny.

            Funston joins five other Nebraska Extension professionals in winning this prestigious award (two more than any other state). "We are extremely proud of the excellence and value that people like Rick Funston bring to our Extension clientele," said Chuck Hibberd, dean and director of Nebraska Extension.

            Extension and the USDA's NIFA present annual Excellence in Extension Awards to honor visionary leadership and diversity in educational programming. Robert Kallenbach from the University of Missouri received the National Excellence in Extension Award and Cesar Asuaje from the University of Florida received the National Extension Diversity Award.

            Regional Excellence in Extension recipients are presented in five regions, including the North Central Region that includes Nebraska.



Nebraska Has the Resources in Place for Solid Livestock Expansion, A-FAN Shareholders Told

There has never been a better time for animal agriculture in Nebraska, according to featured speakers at the annual stakeholders meeting of the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) on November 24th. 
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Nebraska Corn Board Director Kelly Brunkhorst opened up the meeting discussing the importance of Nebraska’s Golden Triangle, which is the combination of resources: corn, soybeans and bio-fuels, that can be used to open the gate of opportunity for expansion of livestock production. 

Willow Holoubek, Executive Director of A-FAN, presented an overview of the work that the organization has accomplished during the past year.  The organization has focused on livestock development issues  and helping rural communities become more economically viable through growing animal agriculture in their areas.

“Unlocking the Gate of Opportunity with Livestock” was the theme of the keynote address by Dr. Kate Brooks, an extension livestock economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Dr. Brooks, an expert in the economics of meat and livestock production, began her presentation explaining that the tools like the “Golden Triangle” are in place for expansion of animal agriculture in Nebraska. “We have water, land, corn, soybeans, and distiller grains, available,” she said.  She shared statistics about beef, pork and dairy production over the last 20 years.  Looking at where we have been, and being able to look at current global trends about the consumption of protein, Dr. Brooks predicts that Nebraska will see growth in livestock production.   

Dr. Brooks also explained that it is important on a personal level for producers to ask themselves if they have the knowledge, the management, the land and the money to expand their operations.  She reminded the audience that “Nebraska has the tools in place for expansion, but it is a personal decision.”

Ben Rice, of Prairieland Dairy, said he “was interested in the statistics shared by Dr. Brooks, showing how we have increased the amount of milk produced by each cow, despite the fact that Nebraska has fewer dairy cows than in the past.  These are numbers that I will take back and share with others in the industry,” he added.

Lisa Lunz, soybean farmer from Wakefield, said the meeting “was a good reminder that livestock expansion is important for the economy of our state.  We need to expand in order to keep our communities viable.”   

Prairieland’s Rice agreed, saying that “opening the gates of opportunities is possible if we work together as an industry. As we learned today, Nebraska has the resources to thrive.”

Following the presentations, attendee’s enjoyed a buffet lunch sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board.  The left-over food from the buffet was donated to Matt Talbot’s Kitchen & Outreach.  



Farmland from Academy Award-Winning Director James Moll Now Available via On-Demand Digital Platforms

Academy Award®-winning filmmaker James Moll's feature length documentary, Farmland, is now available for rent and purchase via On Demand platforms - providing more people with the opportunity to view the film from their own homes and digital devices. The film's move to digital platforms takes place this month, following a successful four-week run on Hulu.com and Hulu Plus. 

Farmland is available for digital download via iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On Demand, Sony PlayStation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube. The cost to download and own the film ranges from $14.99 to $19.99 for high definition and $12.99 to $14.99 for standard definition format. Online rental will cost approximately $4.99 to $7.99 for high definition and $3.99 to $6.99 for standard definition format.

Farmland will also be available to traditional satellite and cable television subscribers via their respective Video-on-Demand or Pay-per-View platforms in December 2014. DirecTV and DISH subscribers will have access to Farmland through their Video-on-Demand or Pay-per-View channels beginning on December 2. The film is also being made available to companies that deliver Video-on-Demand (VOD) or Pay-per-View (PPV) content to ATT U-Verse, Verizon Fios, Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner Cable. Viewers are encouraged to check their local VOD/PPV channels on their respective cable and satellite television providers for details.

During its theatrical debut this year, Farmland was shown in more than 170 theaters across the country including Regal Cinemas, Marcus Theatres, Carmike Cinemas, Landmark Theatres, and many key independent theaters.



Net Irrigate Combats Copper Theft and Unveils WireRat® 4.0 Technology
The leader in copper theft alarm solutions updates its latest technology

Net Irrigate, a manufacturer of Wireless Agricultural Irrigation Monitoring (WAIM) technology, is excited to announce WireRat® 4.0, an update to its WireRat technology that offers pivot owners new benefits like the ability to self-test the system and increased battery performance. Since its release in 2011, WireRat technology has become the agriculture industry’s best selling alarm solution for copper theft on center pivot irrigation systems and additional agriculture equipment.

WireRat technology offers farmers the ability to better protect the valuable copper wire on their pivot irrigation systems and other equipment by immediately sending alerts to your phone when a span cable is cut. The technology works seamlessly with all brands of center pivots and requires no external power. New for the WireRat 4.0 is the ability to self-test by simulating span cable cuts without causing any damage to your equipment. Every month the system will auto-test the copper wire, ensuring the alarm is not compromised during the off season.

“In the past, the only absolute way to test the alarm would be by actually disconnecting conductors or cutting wire,” says Edward DeSalle, CEO of Net Irrigate. “The new WireRat technology reduces the risk of the alarm becoming inadvertently disarmed due to pivot maintenance and eliminates the need for physical testing, saving farmers valuable time.”

WireRat 4.0 also includes increased battery performance, with a battery pack design that can last up to seven years with average pivot usage, representing a 40 percent increase over the previous version.

"Farmers are extraordinarily busy people with plenty to worry about,” says Scott Young, service technician at Chester Inc. Ag Systems in North Judson, Ind. “A copper theft alarm system that auto tests itself and lasts for multiple years undoubtedly will create peace of mind for farmers, especially in the off season. The WireRat 4.0 technology definitely helps combat the copper theft problem that continues to plague agriculture."

In addition to the ability to self-test and increased battery performance, the new technology now also operates globally, with the ability to deliver voice, email and text notifications to recipients in more than 170 countries.

Net Irrigate is currently accepting orders for WireRat 4.0 enabled devices. For more information on WireRat 4.0, visit http://www.netirrigate.com/.  Net Irrigate will also be at the Nebraska Power Farming Show in booth #1011 on Dec 9-11 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. 



Farm Sector Profitability Expected To Weaken in 2014

Net farm income is forecast to be $96.9 billion in 2014, down over 21 percent from 2013’s estimate of $122.8 billion. The 2014 forecast would be the lowest since 2010, but would remain $16 billion above the previous 10-year average. Offsetting changes in crop and livestock receipts leaves higher expenses as the main driver of changes in 2014 net farm income from 2013. Net cash income is forecast at $108.2 billion, down over 19 percent from the 2013 estimate. Net cash income is projected to decline less than net farm income primarily because it reflects the sale of carryover stocks from 2013.

Crop receipts are expected to decrease by $27.2 billion (12.3 percent) in 2014, led by a projected $10.5-billion decline in corn receipts and a $7.9-billion decline in soybean receipts. Livestock receipts are forecast to increase by $25.7 billion (14 percent) in 2014 largely due to anticipated record prices for beef cattle and milk. The elimination of direct payments under the Agricultural Act of 2014 results in only a projected 4-percent decline in government payments due to offsetting supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance payments related to drought.  Total production expenses are forecast to increase $19.8 billion in 2014 extending the upward movement in expenses that has occurred over the past 5 years.

The rate of growth in farm assets is forecast to diminish in 2014 (2.4 percent) compared to recent years. The slowdown in growth is a result of lower net income leading to less capital investment, and moderation in the growth of farmland values. Farm sector debt is expected to increase 3.1 percent increasing more than assets for the first time since 2009. Most of the anticipated increase in debt is for nonreal estate loans with lower income spurring demand for operating funds. Despite the anticipated higher debt, the historically low levels of debt relative to assets and equity reaffirm the sector’s strong financial position.

Slight Decline Is Forecast for Median Farm Household Income in 2014
Median total farm household income is forecast to decrease slightly in 2014, to $70,564, down from $71,697 in 2013. Given the broad USDA definition of a farm, many farms are not profitable even in the best farm income years. The median farm income forecast for 2014, at -$1,682, is down slightly from the 2013 estimate of -$1,141. Most farm households earn all of their income from off-farm sources—median off-farm income is projected to increase 3.7 percent in 2014 to $64,825. (Note: Because they are based on unique distributions, median total income will generally not equal the sum of median off-farm and median farm income.) See more financial statistics for farm operator households.



NCBA's Cattlemen's College Lineup Set for Feb. 3-4 in San Antonio

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Cattlemen’s College, now celebrating its 22nd year, has established a reputation as one of the most thorough cattle producer education programs in the nation. Sponsored by Zoetis, the 2015 edition of Cattlemen’s College offers a wide range of informative, hands-on educational workshops designed for cattle operations of every size and sector.

The program will be held Feb. 3-4, 2015, in San Antonio, Texas, headlining the first day of activities at the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Early registration for Cattlemen’s College and the convention ends Jan. 9, 2015.

Cattlemen’s College workshops include an outstanding lineup of industry experts during the course of two jam-packed days. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, participants will first hear from Gary Smith, Keith Belk, Daryl Tatum and Dale Woerner on “Feeding to Increase the Quality, Consistency, and Competitiveness from Market Cows.” This first hands-on class will help attendees improve the beef from market cows, identify production practices and learn value concepts from feedlot to retail.

On Tuesday evening, Cattlemen’s College participants will be treated to a Texas BBQ Welcome Reception sponsored by Zoetis. The reception will be an opportunity to visit with fellow cattlemen as well as the afternoon’s speakers.

Starting Wednesday morning at 7:00 am, Cattlemen’s College classes begin with a keynote address by Scott Neal, Senior VP, Produce, Meat and Seafood for Walmart. Neal will address how Walmart perceives increasing beef prices, expanding exports, increased focus on sustainability, world-wide growth and how today’s Walmart customers view beef.

Following Neal’s address, classes focusing on rebuilding the herd, the future of beef production, and many other valuable topics will be held, concluding with lunch session, with legendary farm broadcaster Max Armstrong. Armstrong will talk about how in his view from nearly forty years as a broadcaster, it’s a great time to be in the beef business.

“Cattlemen’s College gives producers an opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts in topics that impact their cattle operations every day, as well as the chance to interact with those experts and ask questions,” said NCBA President and Texas cattleman Bob McCan. “Many of the presenters are legends in the beef industry, and the wide variety of classes offers something for every producer. We highly encourage cattlemen and women to take advantage of this informative and educational program."

Cattlemen’s College registration information, as well as a complete schedule for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show are available online at www.beefusa.org.



NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award Calls for Entries

Celebrating its 25th year, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program has opened its nomination season for 2015 award. Established in 1991 by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the program has recognized the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of U.S. cattle producers for more than two decades. Regional and national award winners are honored for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitat while operating profitable cattle businesses.

Seven regional winners and one national winner are selected annually by a committee of representatives from universities, conservation organizations, federal and state agencies, and cattle producers. The nominees compete for regional awards based on their state of residency, and these seven regional winners then compete for the national award. Candidates are judged on management of water, wildlife, vegetation, soil, as well as the nominee’s leadership and the sustainability of his or her business as a whole.

“Environmental stewardship and conservation have long been the focus of America’s foremost land stewards: farmers and ranchers,” said Texas cattleman and NCBA President Bob McCan. “Now in its 25th year, the ESAP program has recognized the outstanding accomplishments of cattle producers across the country and has encouraged producers to try new techniques.”

Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business who raises or feeds cattle. Past nominees are eligible and encouraged to resubmit their application; previous winners may not reapply. Along with a completed application, the applicant must submit one nomination letter and three letters of recommendation highlighting the nominee’s leadership in conservation.

The program is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Cattlemen’s Foundation; and NCBA.

Applications for the 2015 ESAP award are due Mar. 6, 2015. For more information and a complete application packet, visit www.environmentalstewardship.org.



Farmers Still Judging Fertilizer Plans

Retail fertilizer prices continue to move very little, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the third week of November. Fairly steady fertilizer prices have been a feature of the market for several months now and farmers are still assessing how to handle their 2015 growing season fertilizer needs.

Five of the eight major fertilizers had slightly lower prices compared to a month earlier, while the remaining three were up a bit. No fertilizer price moved any significant amount.

DAP, MAP, urea, UAN28 and UAN32 were all just slightly lower in price compared to the previous month. DAP had an average price of $576/ton, MAP $595/ton, urea $493/ton, UAN28 $322/ton and UAN32 $366/ton.

Potash, 10-34-0, and anhydrous were higher in price compared to a month earlier, but again these moves were fairly small. Potash had an average price of $479/ton, 10-34-0 $560/ton and anhydrous $709/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.54/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

Three of the eight major fertilizers are now double digits higher in price compared to November of 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. Urea is up 13% compared to a year earlier, followed by DAP which is 12% more expensive and anhydrous is up 10%.

In addition, 10-34-0 is up 8%, while MAP is 7% more expensive, and both UAN28 and UAN32 are 1% higher from last year.

Potash remains the only nutrient which is still lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. Potash is 1% less expensive compared to 2013.



Remember: Scholarships for College Ag Students Available

This holiday weekend, invest time applying for the opportunity to save money on next year's college tuition. The National Corn Growers Association and BASF Corporation are accepting applications for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field during the 2015-16 school year.

"NCGA understands that to remain successful as an industry we must focus on education and keeping our best and brightest interested in ag," said Tom Haag, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team. "This program is an important component of NCGA's commitment to fostering youth in agriculture and to the future of our rural communities.  It is an investment in not only their future but also our own."

Applicants for the NCGA William C. Berg Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program must be entering at least their second undergraduate year or any year of graduate study, and they or a parent or legal guardian must be an NCGA member. Scholarship applications must be postmarked on or before December 12, 2014.

Scholarship recipients will be selected in early 2015. Recipients and a parent or guardian will enjoy travel and lodging to attend the 2015 Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. to be recognized at the NCGA Banquet and have the opportunity to learn more about modern agriculture.



New Studies Reveal Best Disinfectants and Methods for Inactivating PEDV in Hog Trailers

A new paper from Iowa State University offers pork producers first-time insights on how various disinfectants and disinfection techniques work while also verifying existing knowledge about ways to battle Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV).

The four-study summary provides details of how individual aspects of trailer sanitation programs were evaluated, including thermo-assisted drying and decontamination (TADD) systems, along with multiple disinfectants. The research, led by Drs. Derald Holtkamp and Paul Thomas, identified disinfectants that may work well against PEDV even when feces is present.

The study also verified previous methods of combatting the virus. Specifically, PEDV in the presence of feces was inactivated by heating to 160°F (71°C) for 10 minutes or by maintaining room temperature at 68°F (20°C) for at least 7 days. No other combinations of time and temperature evaluated were shown to be effective at inactivating PEDV.

To learn more about these studies, including the disinfectant information, click to view the practical summary or the full study online at www.pork.org. 



Pig Barns Prep for More than Frigid Temperatures This Winter

Last year as Jack Frost nipped across the United States, the swine industry saw an immense spike in Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) cases. With the absence of summer heat and dry conditions to keep the virus at bay, the disease spread through barns across 31 states. Now with a renewed focus on biosecurity measures and nutritional management, the industry hopes to reverse this costly trend and avoid another surge in PEDv infections.

“As an industry, our focus needs to be on making sure our animals are prepared for anything that may come their way this season,” said Russell Gilliam, U.S. swine business manager for Alltech. “However, the winter does bring some additional challenges that producers need to be aware of in order to protect their pigs.”

While there are many facets of pig production that need to be set up and continually monitored to properly shield pigs from exposure to viruses and diseases this winter, Gilliam recommends swine producers concentrate on these five production areas:

    Herd flow – With potential risks for re-infection or spreading of the virus, it is essential to make sure there are proper check points for identifying infected animals and separating them from the rest of the herd. For example, conduct proper observance of the quarantine of replacement breeding stock with test and release procedures.

    Cleanliness – Severe cold temperatures make it extremely difficult to wash, clean and disinfect. Ensure all areas are completely clean and dry before exposing them to new pigs.

    Transportation – Animals coming in and going out are at risk for exposure by the transportation vehicles the operation is using. Guarantee their rides are completely clean and are from trusted sources that understand your biosecurity protocols.

    Employees – Examine foot traffic and implement proper bioesecurity measures for employees to reduce risk as employees can often work in different barns and, in some cases, for different producers. Reduce/restrict points of entry to breeding facilities.

    Nutrition – Animal performance is often dependent on feed quality and the performance of the feed itself. Include technologies in the feed that reduce the risk of pathogens and build immunity.

“Understanding the risk posed this winter is only part of the battle. The industry is more prepared than we were, but we can’t get complacent,” Gilliam said. “We need to keep improving methods for protecting our animals.

For more information on how to prepare barns this winter, contact your local Alltech representative or visit Alltech.com.



CWT Assists with 47,179 Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 2 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America and Tillamook County Creamery Association to sell 47,179 pounds (21 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese in Asia and the Middle East. The product will be delivered December 2014.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 99.150 million pounds of cheese, 53.591 million pounds of butter and 56.729 million pounds of whole milk powder to 45 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 2.535 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. Numbers are adjusted for cancellations.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them in the rapidly growing world dairy markets. This, in turn, positively impacts U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



USDA Food Safety Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Turkeys

Thanksgiving is the largest meal many cooks prepare each year. Getting it just right, especially the turkey, brings a fair amount of pressure whether or not a host is experienced with roasting one. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing food safety recommendations on how to properly prepare a turkey to make sure yours is both delicious and safe to serve.

“Unsafe handling and undercooking of your turkey can lead to serious foodborne illness, explains Maria Malagon, Director of Food Safety Education with USDA FSIS. “Turkeys may contain Salmonella and Campylobacter, harmful pathogens that are only destroyed by properly preparing and cooking a turkey.”

Consumers should follow certain steps to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. According to Ms. Malagon, “those handling and cooking Thanksgiving meals should be aware of the resources available to them and the measures they can take to keep food safe.”

Steps to follow before cooking a turkey:
    Read labels carefully. Temperature labels show if the bird is fresh or frozen. If you plan to serve a fresh turkey, purchase it no more than two days before Thanksgiving.
    Purchase two thermometers: a refrigerator thermometer to ensure the turkey is stored at 40 °F or slightly below and a food thermometer to make sure the cooked turkey reaches a safe 165 °F.
    Thaw the turkey by using the microwave, the cold water method, or the refrigerator. The refrigerator method is USDA recommended.

Steps to follow when cooking a turkey:
    Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before touching any food to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness.
    Do not wash the turkey. This only spreads pathogens onto kitchen surfaces. The only way to kill bacteria that causes foodborne illness is to fully cook the turkey.
    Keep raw turkey separated from all other foods at all times.
    Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils when handling raw turkey to avoid cross-contamination. Wash items that have touched raw meat with warm soap and water, or place them in a dishwasher.
    Cook the turkey until it reaches 165 °F, as measured by a food thermometer. Check the turkey’s temperature by inserting the thermometer in three places: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh, and the innermost part of the wing.

Steps to follow when consuming leftover Thanksgiving food:
    Refrigerate leftovers within two hours to prevent bacteria from growing on the food.
    Store leftovers in shallow pans or containers to decrease cooling time. This prevents the food from spending too much time at unsafe temperatures (between 40 °F to 140 °F).
    Do not store stuffing inside a leftover turkey. Remove the stuffing from the turkey, and refrigerate the stuffing and the meat separately.
    Avoid consuming leftovers that have been left in the refrigerator for longer than 3 or 4 days (next Tuesday to be exact). Use the freezer to store leftovers for longer periods of time.
    Keep leftovers in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs if the food is traveling home with a guest who lives more than two hours away.

Consumers with more food safety questions can visit FoodSafety.gov to learn more about how to safely select, thaw and prepare a turkey. They may also call the USDA Food Safety Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, in English or Spanish.

FSIS will provide Thanksgiving food safety information during November on Twitter, @USDAFoodSafety, and on Facebook, at Facebook.com/FoodSafety.gov.

Consumers needing help on Thanksgiving Day may contact the USDA Food Safety Hotline from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.