Thursday May 28 Ag News

2015 Nebraska Corn Interns Announced

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) are proud to support seven college students as interns starting this summer, including an international internship.

NCB will once again partner with the U.S. Grains Council to host an international student intern in their regional office of Panama City, Panama. Four of the other six internships will be hosted by national cooperators of Nebraska Corn: National Corn Growers Association in St. Louis, Missouri and Washington, D.C., the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Meat Export Federation in Denver, Colorado. The last two internships will be held in the Nebraska Corn offices in Lincoln and will be year-long internships.

“Nebraska Corn’s internship program has been engaging students for over 20 years, and year after year, we continue to hit homeruns, finding excellent students to fill the various internship opportunities,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, Executive Director for the Nebraska Corn Board. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our future agricultural leaders these great internship opportunities.”

The NCB office in Lincoln is excited to welcome Megan Hamling of Garland, Nebraska, for a year-long internship. Megan will be a sophomore in agriculture business with a minor in communications and leadership at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. As part of her internship, she will oversee crop progress report placement, contribute to communication and outreach programs and help with education and promotion activities.

The NeCGA office in Lincoln is happy to welcome Samantha Schneider of Cozad, Nebraska, for a year-long internship, supported by DuPont-Pioneer. Samantha will be a senior in agricultural journalism with an emphasis in strategic communication at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She will oversee NeCGA’s online communications as well as contribute to a variety of communication and outreach projects.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) office in Washington, D.C. will host Glen Ready of Scribner, Nebraska, as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Glen will be a senior in agricultural economics with an emphasis in public policy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will be involved with a variety of agricultural issues related to environmental regulations, transportation, free trade agreements, biotechnology, ethanol, and energy.

The National Corn Growers Association headquarters office in St. Louis, Missouri, will host Emily Scholting of Springfield, Nebraska, as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and NCGA. Emily will be a senior in political science with an emphasis in pre-law at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She will be assisting with production and stewardship projects, as well as participating in committee meetings and policy issues.

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will host Amanda Clymer of David City, Nebraska, as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USGC. Amanda is a junior in agricultural economics with a minor in entrepreneurship and leadership at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She will be working with the global programs team and assisting with preparation for international trade teams and other market development programs that help to develop demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products.

The U.S. Grains Council will host their second international intern, Greg Sullivan from Omaha, Nebraska, in Panama City, Panama, in cooperation with NCB. Greg earned bachelors in psychology from St. John’s University (Minnesota) and is currently working on his masters in agricultural business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He will be working on issues related to global trade in food and agricultural products, assisting with communication to importers and working on the upcoming USGC Regional Buyers Conference in Medellin, Colombia, July 7-8, 2015.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) will host Kaydee Caldwell of Edgar, Nebraska, as their summer intern supported by a partnership between NCB and USMEF. Kaydee is a junior in animal science with a management and reproduction option from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She will be assisting with beef, pork and lamb specific projects, as well as promotions and international relationship opportunities.

“We have very high expectations for these interns. Nebraskans should be very proud of our collegiate candidates who apply for these internships and go on to excel in agricultural focused careers,” added Brunkhorst.



WHEEL TRAFFIC REDUCES ALFALFA YIELD AND PERSISTENCE
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               If you expect to harvest alfalfa soon, be careful to minimize wheel traffic on wet soils.  It can have a large effect on alfalfa production.

               Every time you harvest a field of alfalfa, swathers, rakes, tractors, balers, and other equipment drive over nearly every plant one or more times.  During an entire year, some plants are driven on over 10 times.

               All this traffic has to cause some damage, but how much?  Studies have shown that when fields are dry and firm, plants driven on within one day of cutting and before regrowth occurs will yield about 5 to 7 percent less at next cutting.  But driving on these plants just seven days after cutting, when regrowth shoots have started to grow, reduces yield over 25 percent and survival of these plants is reduced.  Driving over the same plants a second or third time the same day caused about the same change in survival or yield as driving over them just once.

               However, when fields are wet, wheel traffic causes much more compaction.  When this happens, yield loss typically exceeds 30 percent, even if regrowth has not yet started.

               These studies emphasize the benefits of baling and removing bales from hay fields as quickly as possible after cutting as well as minimizing driving on wet soils.  It also suggests that adjusting equipment so more wheels trail one another, or that following the same trail when removing bales or stacks from fields can reduce damage from wheel tracks.

               Alfalfa fields must be driven on during harvest, but you can lessen damage by controlling where, when and how often you drive.

RAISE CUTTING HEIGHT WHEN FIRST HARVEST IS DELAYED
               Rain has delayed many folks from cutting alfalfa.  If you haven’t taken first cutting yet, it might help if you slightly changed the way you cut this crop.

               Have you harvested your first cutting of alfalfa yet?  Even if it is not blooming heavily, you might be surprised to find that it already has started to grow your next cutting.

               Walk into your alfalfa field before cutting and look closely at the base or crown of the plants.  Do you see short, new shoots starting to grow?  If so, these new shoots are the new plants that your alfalfa hopes to turn into your second cutting.

               Look closely – how tall are these new shoots?  Are many of them a couple inches taller than your usual cutting height?  If you cut these new shoots off – along with the first growth – your alfalfa plants will have to start a whole new set of shoots for regrowth.  This could cause a delay in second cutting regrowth by as much as one week.

               Fortunately, you can avoid this delay.  All you need to do is raise your cutting height just a couple inches so that you avoid clipping off most of these new, second growth shoots.  Your regrowth then will have a head start towards next cutting.  And since the stubble you leave behind has quite low feed value anyway, the yield you temporarily sacrifice is mostly just filler.

               Normally I suggest cutting alfalfa as short as possible because that maximizes yield and it doesn’t affect rate of regrowth.  But a late cutting that already has new shoots growing is different.

               Don’t blindly start cutting alfalfa when harvest is delayed.  First look for new shoots, then raise cutting height if needed.



Nebraska Cattlemen Applauds Final Approval of LB 623 Driver's License Bill

Today,  the Nebraska Legislature gave final approval to LB 623 on a vote of 34 to 9.   With the passage of the bill, Nebraska joins 49 other states in granting driver’s licenses to young undocumented immigrants who have approved federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

The bill was a Nebraska Cattlemen priority bill the group helped write.

“Nebraska Cattlemen membership applauds the Legislature’s recognition of the importance of a thriving workforce in Nebraska,” said NC President Dave McCracken.  “LB 623 is good for business and good for Nebraska.”



Sasse Statement on EPA WOTUS Rule

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final Waters of the United States rule.

“This is the epitome of Washington absurdity: instead of tackling the serious crises we face, the federal government is dramatically expanding the EPA’s power over our Nebraska waters. It’s a clear picture of runaway government: it took the Homestead Act just two pages to open Nebraska for settlement but it takes the EPA nearly 300 pages to explain how it intends to displace state government’s regulation of local water.

“Nebraskans care deeply about conservation but we know that this rule isn’t about improving the environment— it’s about keeping bureaucrats busy at the expense of agriculture. The EPA’s Waters of the United States rule is bad news for our state’s farmers and ranchers. I’ll continue to do everything I can to oppose it.”

Background:
This week, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers released the final Waters of the United States rule under the Clean Water Act. The rule would dramatically expand federal authority and with it EPA’s power to levy fines and require additional permits and reporting.

Senator Sasse, an outspoken critic of the EPA’s regulatory push, invited Mr. Jeff Metz of Morrill County, Nebraska to testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee on March 24 as the EPA was still moving the proposal through the rulemaking process.



NeFU Hails Defeat of LB176 as a Victory For Family Farmers and Rural Communities
Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) said the legislative battle to modify the current statutory state prohibiting pork processors to directly own hogs in Nebraska was an important victory for family farmers and ranchers, and rural Nebraska.

“Where do we want the profit centers to be located for hog and livestock feeding in our state, rural Nebraska or Beijing, China?” asked John Hansen, NeFU President.  “When family farmers and ranchers own the livestock, the profits stay in rural communities and powers capital investment, equipment purchases, hiring of more labor, expansion, and improvements in the quality of life since that is where they and their families live.”

Hansen pointed out that Smithfield is a company owned by the Chinese government.  Smithfield owned 887,000 sows in the U.S. at the end of 2014, and 1,111,000 total when counting their operations in Mexico, Poland, and Romania according to Successful Farming magazine.  That is over twice as many sows as Triumph Foods, which includes five hog operations.  Smithfield is also the largest pork processor in the nation.  The top four hog processors control over 63% of all hog slaughter in the nation. 

“Why would it possibly be in the interest of Nebraska for the Legislature to help facilitate the ownership and control of the Nebraska hog industry by hog processors, especially from hog processors from China and Brazil?” Hansen asked.  “Hog processors ought to process hogs, and hog producers ought to own and raise hogs.  That is how we keep competition in the marketplace.  LB176 was a frontal assault on the structure of the hog marketplace.  It would have economically, socially, environmentally, and structurally changed how we raise hogs in our state, damaged the current hog market, and undermined the state ban on beef packer ownership of cattle.  LB 176 was a major change for the worse in our state.”

Hansen noted that according to AgWeb, only 3% of all hogs sold in the U.S. today are open market hogs sold on the cash market.  “When a marketplace has only 3% cash sales, that is a cry for regulatory help and a disgrace to our American free enterprise and competitive marketing system. The anti-trust division of the U.S. Justice Department has failed our nation.  The last thing rural America needs and hog producers need is to have the Chinese government take over control and ownership of our domestic hog industry,” Hansen said.

Hansen thanked the State Senators who stood up for family farm agriculture, including Senators Dave Bloomfield, Kate Bolz, Lydia Brasch, Ernie Chambers, Tanya Cook, Sue Crawford, Al Davis, Mike Groene, Ken  Haar, Sara Howard, Rick Kolowski, Bob Krist,John Kuehn, Beau McCoy, Jeremy Nordquist, Merv Riepe, David Schnoor, and Kate Sullivan for either voting “NO” or “Present Non-Voting.  “They stood up and fought for the interests of family farmers today” Hansen concluded.



National Drought Summary for May 26, 2015

An extraordinarily active weather pattern led to flood intensification across the central and southern Plains, culminating in a Memorial Day weekend deluge. The latest round of heavy rain pushed Oklahoma to its wettest month on record, based on preliminary data, supplanting October 1941. Showery weather extended beyond the Plains, reaching into the lower Mississippi Valley, parts of the upper Midwest, and much of the northern Intermountain West. Meanwhile, drier-than-normal conditions dominated much of the eastern U.S., where diminishing soil moisture began to have some adverse effects on pastures and summer crops. In contrast, beneficial rain dampened some of the hard-hit drought areas of the Far West, including parts of Oregon, Nevada, and northern California.

Great Plains
Mostly dry weather returned to North Dakota, but the remainder of the nation’s mid-section continued to receive substantial rainfall. A small pocket of moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) persisted from northeastern Nebraska into eastern South Dakota. Otherwise, the Plains were free of severe drought, with only a few remaining pockets of moderate drought—largely due to lingering hydrological concerns. In Texas, reservoirs were collectively 82.0% full by May 27, up from 73.2% a month ago and 62.5% six months ago. In the last month, reservoir storage in Texas has increased 2.77 million acre-feet.

By May 26, month-to-date rainfall totals climbed to 18.97 inches in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and 14.53 inches in Wichita Falls, Texas. In both locations, those values represent the highest monthly totals on record. Previously, Oklahoma City’s wettest month had been June 1989, with 14.66 inches, while Wichita Falls’ had been May 1982, with 13.22 inches. Oklahoma City’s total was boosted by a daily-record total (3.73 inches) on May 23, part of a broad heavy rain event that led to catastrophic flash flooding in portions of the south-central U.S. In Texas, for example, preliminary USGS data indicated that the Blanco River at Wimberly rose more than 35 feet in less than 8 hours, cresting on May 24 at 27.21 feet above flood stage. The preliminary high-water mark at Wimberly was 6.91 feet above the previous record set on May 28, 1929. The San Marcos River near Martinsdale, Texas, surged more than 51 feet in less than 24 hours on May 23-24, based on initial data.

Midwestern and Great Lakes States
Significant rain shifted eastward into Wisconsin and environs, leading to reductions in the coverage of dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1). During the week ending May 24, topsoil moisture rated very short to short declined from 24 to 20% in Wisconsin. Additional rain arrived on May 26, after the drought-monitoring period ended, and will be reflected next week. Further analysis of the previous week’s rainfall led to some additional reductions in drought coverage in Minnesota.



ONE PROBABLE CASE OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN HAMILTON COUNTY

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to a probable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Hamilton County.  With the new announcement, Iowa now has 68 cases of the disease in the state. The Department has quarantined the premise and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Hamilton 1 – Turkey farm with an estimated 17,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.



FY 2015 Ag Export Forecast Lowered to $140.5 Billion, $12.0 Billion Below Record FY 2014 Exports
Fiscal 2015 agricultural exports are forecast at $140.5 billion, down $1.0 billion from the February forecast and down $12.0 billion from fiscal 2014. If realized, this would be the lowest level of exports since fiscal 2012. Lower exports of high-value products (nonbulk) make up nearly the entire decline from the previous forecast. Exports of horticultural products are down $1.0 billion with slower-than-expected shipments of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and other horticultural products. The forecast for livestock, poultry, and dairy is lowered $500 million on smaller exports of dairy due to strong global competition and reduced poultry exports due to greater trade restrictions. Cotton exports are unchanged. Oilseed and product exports are raised $100 million as higher soybean meal values more than offset lower soybean prices. The grain and feed export forecast is raised $600 million, with record exports of sorghum and stronger-thanexpected exports of feed and fodders, including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

U.S. agricultural imports are forecast at a record $117.0 billion, down $2.0 billion from February, but $7.8 billion higher than in fiscal 2014. The U.S. agricultural trade surplus is forecast at $23.5 billion, down from $43.3 billion in fiscal 2014.

See the complete report here.... http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/1847182/aes86_final-3-.pdf. 



Vilsack on Updated Forecast for U.S. Agricultural Exports

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's third quarter Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade.

"The strong pace of American agricultural exports continues, with a trade surplus of more than $23 billion, a $1 billion increase from earlier projections for fiscal year 2015. Fiscal years 2009 to 2014 represent the strongest six years in history for U.S. agricultural trade, with U.S. agricultural product exports totaling $771.7 billion. For many American products, foreign markets now represent more than half of total sales. U.S. agricultural exports now support more than one million jobs here at home, a substantial part of the 11.7 million jobs supported by exports all across our country. Expanded U.S. trade overall has added roughly $13,000, on average, to every American family's income. Fiscal year 2015 exports are now forecast to be the third-highest on record, led by a strong performance in bulk commodities such as grains, animal feeds, and oilseeds.

"This most recent forecast also underscores how free trade agreements have benefitted the American economy through farm goods. In the combined 20 countries where the United States has free trade agreements, agricultural exports have remained relatively steady so far this fiscal year. Exports to countries where the United States lacks the assurances offered by trade agreements have declined this year, highlighting why it is so important for Congress to act and pass strong trade promotion authority legislation.

"Every day without trade promotion authority, American agriculture suffers as competitors negotiate their own agreements and lower global standards when it comes to environmental impact, consumer safety, and working conditions. USDA will continue to fight to get the best deal for farmers and ranchers, but our ability to open new markets and create new customers is limited without Congressional action."



Ethanol Stocks Tumble, Production Soars

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a report late morning Thursday showing ethanol stocks in the United States fell to the lowest level this year while domestic output rose to a five-month high during the week-ended May 22.

The report shows total ethanol inventories were drawn down 300,000 barrels (bbl), or 1.6%, to 20.1 million bbl last week, trimming a year-on-year surplus to 2.6 million bbl or 14.9%.

The EIA report showed soaring production, as domestic output jumped 11,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.15%, last week to a 969,000 bpd, the highest since Dec. 26, 2014, while up 4.5% year over year.

Blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, eased last week, down 1,000 bpd to 905,000 bpd, while up 1.12% year over year.

Implied demand for gasoline surged 473,000 bpd last week to 9.734 million bpd, 4.6% higher than the same week last year, EIA data showed.



USBCA Recommits to Common Cause, Reviews Achievements

Last week, the U.S. Biotech Crops Alliance's Board of Directors met in Washington to recommit to the alliance and update the business plan. During the meeting, representatives from all parts of the value chain worked together, reviewing working group findings and planning for a future meeting to address the future of biotechnology and potential market impacts.

Both the Domestic Working Group and the International Working Group reported back to the board on their progress over the past year. Progress by the International Working Group was found to be particularly encouraging, as it managed to elevate issues related to biotechnology and trade to the president's agenda on his most recent trip to China. Additionally, it became evident that the group's work has established USBCA as the go-to resource for the U.S. government on all issues related to agricultural biotechnology and trade.

Established under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2012, the USBCA already has developed, and is working to implement, consensus positions on key policy issues designed to improve the introduction, stewardship, domestic and international regulatory policy, and distribution in U.S. and export markets of commodities and processed products containing or derived from modern biotechnology.

The USBCA's founding organizations are the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, American Seed Trade Association, Biotechnology Industry Organization, National Grain and Feed Association, and North American Export Grain Association.  Other national organizations that subsequently have become participants in the USBCA include American Farm Bureau Federation, Corn Refiners Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Millers' Association, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Soybean Export Council. 



Pork professionals from 41 countries will convene at the 2015 World Pork Expo

Twenty thousand pork producers and other professionals from throughout the world will visit World Pork Expo, June 3-5, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Expo presents the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, educational seminars with the latest information, national youth swine shows, plenty of pork barbecue and much more. To date, producers, exhibitors and media from 41 countries have registered to attend.

“World Pork Expo has evolved into a one-stop-shopping place for the newest equipment, software and technology-based products that help pork producers remain competitive in a global economy,” says Ron Prestage, D.V.M., NPPC president and South Carolina pork producer. “It also presents a great opportunity to interact with fellow producers and exchange ideas in an environment that is ideal for your entire team of employees.”

At the heart of Expo is the trade show, which will feature hundreds of commercial exhibits from companies based in North America, Asia and Europe. The trade show will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 5.

While some outdoor exhibits will be in new locations to accommodate fairgrounds renovations, attendees will once again find more than 310,000 square feet of exhibit space to explore. For the first time, America’s Best Genetics Alley will be in two locations — in the Agriculture Building and on the second floor of the Varied Industries Building.

“Expo-goers will want to download the World Pork Expo mobile app, as well as pick up an official program once they arrive, to find exhibitors easily,” says Doug Fricke, director of trade show marketing, NPPC. “Both also provide details about business seminars, PORK Academy and other activities. As an added bonus, the app offers interactive maps, social media updates and other notifications when you customize your own schedule.”

Another record-setting year for Expo’s Junior National
This year, the World Pork Expo Junior National is expected to establish another record for participation in its educational programs, contests and shows. After setting a new standard in 2014 with nearly 750 youth from 24 states exhibiting more than 1,600 hogs, even more junior members have registered to participate in 2015 — 200 of which are first-time participants.

Entries for the swine shows, including both the Junior National and the open shows, are 33 percent higher than in 2014. The Expo staff is preparing for as many as 3,500 hogs to be on site. The shows, which kick off with youth showmanship on Tuesday, June 2, will take place in the Swine Barn each day. Classes in one of the two show rings will be live-cast as well as recorded for future viewing.

Seminars and social activities abound
Expo is the place to collect the most current, useful insights on pork-production topics ranging from swine health and reproductive management to pork quality and marketing strategies. Throughout Wednesday and Thursday, a series of business seminars and PORK Academy will present more than a dozen educational seminars, all of which are free and will take place in the Varied Industries Building.

Once again, MusicFest will be the social highlight of World Pork Expo from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4. With the stage set on Grand Avenue of the Iowa State Fairgrounds, this special event will feature four diverse musical acts that offer something for everyone. Entertainment will include an encore show by Jake McVey; the crowd-pleasing group, Hot Rod-Chevy Kevy; Denny Laine, formerly with Paul McCartney and Wings; and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Terry Sylvester.

There’s always plenty of tasty pork for visitors to enjoy at Expo, especially at the ever-popular Big Grill. Staffed by Iowa’s Tama County Pork Producers Association, it serves up free pork lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. all three days of Expo.

“If you miss World Pork Expo, you will miss a great opportunity to connect with fellow pork producers,” says Prestage. “And, when you come to Expo, be sure to engage with NPPC directors and staff. It’s a great place to hear the latest on the many developments that are important to your business.”

Admission purchased at the gate is $20 per adult and $3 for youths aged 6 to 11; there is no charge for children 5 years of age and younger. This price of admission includes entry into Expo for all three days. A special rate of $10 is available for adults arriving on Friday.

Additional information is available at worldpork.org.



Zoetis Introduces New AUREOMIX-S Without Penicillin

Zoetis announces the availability of AUREOMIX® S — a medicated feed additive that combines the proven safety and therapeutic strength of chlortetracycline and sulfamethazine without the use of penicillin. AUREOMIX S replaces AUREO S-P 250® and AUREOMIX® Granular 500, the chlortetracycline/sulfamethazine/penicillin combinations that Zoetis voluntarily withdrew last year.

“We worked voluntarily with the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] to remove penicillin from these combinations as a confirmation of our commitment to the responsible use of antibiotics,” said Shelley Stanford, DVM, MS, MBA, Director, U.S. Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “We all can help maintain the effectiveness of these important resources through practicing responsible use.”

AUREOMIX S is indicated for treatment of bacterial swine enteritis and cervical abscesses during times of stress. The granular formula offers several benefits such as excellent flowability, improved medication distribution in the feed, less dust and stability under high temperatures. AUREOMIX S is available in two formulations:
·         Type A: AUREOMIX S 40/40
·         Type B: AUREOMIX S 10/10

Along with a portfolio of antimicrobial products, Zoetis also offers a full line of vaccines that help prevent disease and is committed to educating producers on proper and responsible uses of these tools. Training programs, such as Individual Pig Care, provide guidelines so pig caregivers can identify sick animals sooner to help ensure they are treated with the right product at the right time.

Zoetis supports the FDA’s Guidance for Industry 209 and 213 to phase out the use of all medically important antibiotic products labeled for growth promotion and is committed to helping veterinarians, pork producers and the livestock feed industry stay informed in a changing regulatory environment. To learn more about the Zoetis commitment to responsible use of antibiotics, talk to your local representative or visit ResponsibleAntibioticUse.com.



GENUITY® TECHNOLOGY TOOLS HELP FARMERS MANAGE PEST PRESSURE THROUGHOUT THE 2015 GROWING SEASON

Pest pressure in corn and soybean plants is an ongoing concern for farmers throughout every growing season. Genuity® has launched important updates to two key technology tools, the Genuity Rootworm Manager application and Genuity sponsored InsectForecast.com. These both proved to be valuable resources to farmers last season. Farmers who use these tools as part of a comprehensive integrated pest management approach are able to help maximize their yield potential while reducing their pest risk.

The free Genuity Rootworm Manager iPad® device application debuted in May 2014 as a first-of-its-kind technology to help farmers asses their risk for corn rootworm pressure and provide field-specific recommendations for the farmer. At the end of the 2014 growing season (March-Sept.), the app had been downloaded almost 750 times and had received a National Agri-Marketing Award (NAMA) for Best Tablet App. During the 2015 season, growers who take advantage of this app will now experience improved ease of use and the ability to backup data through Apple iCloud® storage.

The Genuity sponsored InsectForecast.com monitors corn earworm, Western bean cutworm, corn rootworm and soybean aphids. This tool was developed by climatologist and meteorologist Mike Sandstrom to help farmers understand their current pest pressure and make more accurate predictions for future migrations. During the 2014 growing season, more than 18,000 users accessed the site. Farmers who sign up for this free tool will now be able to experience a more responsive mobile phone and tablet experience with larger map images. Along with the map images, users will now be able to see the migration patterns of all four monitored insects for the past growing season as well as the current season.

“Understanding and managing pest pressures will always be a critical part of any farm operation, but tools like the Genuity Rootworm Manager App and InsectForecast.com have made it easier for farmers to scout effectively throughout the growing season,” says Sean Evans, technology development manager for Monsanto. “I would strongly encourage farmers who haven’t had a chance to utilize these free tools to do so for the 2015 season and integrate them into their pest management strategies for both corn and soybeans.”

Corn and soybean farmers can sign up at www.insectforecast.com to receive free email alerts to pest pressures that pose a risk in their geographic area. Corn farmers at risk for rootworm pressure can visit Genuity.com/RootwormManager or visit the iTunes® App Store for a free download.