Monday June 29 Ag News

CONTROLLING BLUEGRASS IN IRRIGATED ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Bluegrass is a common weed in irrigated alfalfa.  Fortunately, there are several ways to control this pesky plant.

               Irrigation can really boast alfalfa yields.  But weeds like bluegrass often invade, which lowers quality and shortens stand life.  Bluegrass competes so well because it likes moisture and it has many basal leaves that help it grow rapidly after alfalfa is cut.

               Effective control requires thick alfalfa stands, good water management, and sometimes, herbicides.  It is essential to start with thick stands, both to compete with the bluegrass and to have good yield potential after control is achieved.

               The key to slowing down bluegrass invasion is irrigation water management.  Irrigation must be timed so the top several inches of soil are dry at harvest — and they need to remain dry until alfalfa regrowth is several inches tall.  Bluegrass grows slowly in dry soil, but alfalfa roots will use subsoil moisture for regrowth if your previous irrigation stored a supply down below.  Once your alfalfa gets a little bit of growth, it will compete well with the bluegrass.

               If thick stands and water management are adequate, then herbicides like Select, Poast Plus, or Roundup might be cost effective to weaken or kill bluegrass.  Apply any one of these immediately after harvest.  Be especially careful using Roundup, though, if your alfalfa isn’t RoundupReady.  It should be used only if no new growth has developed from your alfalfa.  Otherwise, plants could be killed.  Of these herbicides, Select may work the best and is safe for your alfalfa.

               Bluegrass is a problem in many irrigated alfalfa fields, but it does not need to be.  You can control it.




 Landlord/Tenant Lease Workshops This August Across Nebraska

UNL will be offering Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease workshops this August to help landlords and tenants develop a lease that works for both parties while still maintaining positive farm leasing relations.

Ad for landlord-tenant workshopsTopics for discussion will include:

    Latest information about land values and cash rental rates for the area and state;
    Expectations from the lease, including typical lease arrangements;
    Lease termination, including terminating handshake or verbal leases where the deadline is August 31, 2015;
    Lease communication, determining appropriate information sharing for both the tenant and landlord;
    Alternative cash lease arrangements, flexible provision considerations for your situation
    Other topics, like irrigation systems, hay rent, pasture rental agreements, and grain bin rental will be covered as time allows.

A UNL Extension Educator team of Allan Vyhnalek, Robert Tigner, Jim Jansen, Jessica Groskopf, and Tim Lemmons will present information on these topics as well as common sense tips for landlords and tenants. It is helpful if both the tenant and landlord can attend together.  It is also helpful if the spouse attends.

These free workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board.  Refreshments and handouts are provided. Registration is requested by calling the host county of the workshop.  Register at least three days before the workshop you would like to attend to ensure there are enough handouts and refreshments.

This workshop has been held extensively across Nebraska for the past four years with over 2,800 people attending.  Both landlords and tenants have said they found the workshop to be very helpful in improving communications, setting rental terms, and learning about the use of flex lease provisions.  As crop budgets tighten, it is even more important to attend and listen to the latest discussion about leasing issues.  Dates and locations include

Date          City                 Location                                     Start Time     Registration Phone #
Aug. 10     Dakota City     Extension Office meeting room     1 p.m.     308-324-5501
Aug. 10     Ogallala     Fairgrounds     1 p.m.     308-284-6051
Aug. 11     Norfolk     Life Long Learning Center     1 p.m.     402-370-4000
Aug. 12     Fairbury     Jefferson County Fairgrounds     1 p.m.     402-729-3487
Aug. 12     North Platte     West Central REC     6 p.m.     308-532-2683
Aug. 17     Weeping Water     Cass County Fairgrounds     1:30 p.m.     402-267-2205
Aug. 17     Kimball     4-H Building, Fairgrounds     7 p.m.     308-235-3122
Aug. 18     Grand Island     Hall County Fairgrounds     9:30 a.m.     308-385-5088
Aug. 19     Leigh     Colfax County Fairgrounds     9:30 a.m.     402-352-3821
Aug. 19     Thedford     Thomas County Courtroom     1 p.m.     308-645-2267
Aug. 19     Valentine     Cherry County Extension Office     6 p.m.     402-376-1850
Aug. 19     McCook     Fairgrounds Community Building     1 p.m.     402-345-3390
Aug. 20     Chadron     4-H Building, Fairgrounds     9 a.m.     308-327-2312
Aug. 21     Plainview     Community Center     9 a.m.     402-329-4821
Aug. 24     Wayne     Wayne Fire Hall     9 a.m.     402-375-3310
Aug. 27     Columbus     Pinnacle Bank (east)     1 p.m.     402-563-4901
Aug. 27     Alliance     Library, Alliance     1 p.m.     308-762-5616
Aug. 28     Near Mead     UNL ARDC     9:30 a.m.     402-624-8030

For more information or assistance, please contact Allan Vyhnalek, UNL Nebraska Extension Educator in Platte County.  Phone: 402-563-4901 or e-mail avyhnalek2@unl.edu



Farm Finance and Legal Aid Clinics in July

One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics are held across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters.

July Clinic Sites and Dates
    Fairbury — Wednesday, July 1
    Grand Island — Thursday, July 2
    North Platte — Thursday, July 9
    Norfolk — Friday, July 10
    Lexington —Thursday, July 16
    Valentine — Friday, July 17
    Norfolk — Wednesday, July 22

To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.



Kinze Manufacturing to Lay Off 200 Workers

Farm equipment maker Kinze Manufacturing says it must lay off 215 workers as business has slowed because of the impact of low grain prices on farmer purchases.

The privately held company based in the eastern Iowa near Williamsburg makes planters and grain carts.

The company released a statement that says it had earlier this year implemented a 30-hour work week in an effort to avoid permanent cuts, but current demand for its products does not support full staffing.

Office and factory workers are affected. Remaining workers will return to a 40-hour work week.



President Obama Signs Trade Promotion Authority into Law

Trade promotion authority (TPA) will soon help create and strengthen international trade agreements, opening valuable markets and providing an advantage for U.S. farmers.

President Barack Obama signed TPA into law on Monday, June 29, 2015.

Soybeans represent the nation’s most important agricultural export and international trade plays a crucial role in the industry, as well as the many benefits trade yields for the country.

TPA was a key priority for the American Soybean Association (ASA) in the 114th Congress. The bill gives the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) the ability to get the best deal possible, and it provides Congress the oversight it needs to ensure every agreement will work for American farmers.

TPA is critical for soybean farmers because new trade agreements expand market access as we look to maintain our position at the vanguard of world agricultural trade.

In addition, new trade agreements will expand livestock product exports, which are also important for U.S. soybean farmers.

The passage of TPA is also vital to moving toward finalizing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) which includes important export markets for U.S. soybeans and meats, as well as the developing markets that grow in their demand for American soy every day.

ASA thanks the hundreds of farmers who contacted their lawmakers and worked to make soy growers’ voices heard on TPA for the past several months.



Regarding the Signing of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation
Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation

“President Obama’s signature today opens the door to creating new trade partnerships around the world that will drive American business forward in the international marketplace.

“The American economy stands stronger when we work together – and that’s just what Trade Promotion Authority enables us to do at the bargaining table. U.S. agriculture is ready for ambitious trade agreements that break down barriers to products grown and made in America, so our trading partners know we mean business.”



U.S. Wheat Growers See TPA as First Step to Increased Export Opportunity

Monday, June 29, 2015 - Today marks the end of a successful bipartisan effort and the beginning of better prospects for agricultural trade as President Obama signs Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) into law.

“With reauthorization of TPA, the President has a prime opportunity to help level the playing field for wheat growers and American agriculture,” said Brett Blankenship, NAWG President and a wheat grower from Washtucna, Wash. "It is now up to the Administration to use that authority to negotiate new wheat market access commitments in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and future trade agreements."

“Putting TPA in place is a step forward for American wheat growers,” said Roy Motter, USW Chairman and a Desert Durum® grower from Brawley, Calif. “Now we need a TPP agreement that will help growers overcome the tariff advantages a lot of our competitors get through free trade agreements with importing countries. That is important because wheat demand in many of those countries is growing rapidly and we can’t afford to lose out.”

NAWG and USW applaud the tireless work of Congress and the President to get to this point, and look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to finalize strong trade deals for America’s wheat farmers.



NCBA CEO Forrest Roberts Announces Resignation
 
Forrest Roberts has announced his resignation as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), effective July 31. Roberts has been the CEO of NCBA since 2009.

Roberts is leaving NCBA to pursue other opportunities in the cattle industry and agribusiness. He will remain with NCBA until the end of July to help NCBA with transition of staff leadership, including his roles in several industry related organizations.

“For the past 6 years it has been a privilege to serve as CEO of NCBA,” Roberts said. “While I have decided to turn a new chapter in my career, I leave NCBA with many great memories of the time I spent working with the NCBA staff, state partners, members, producer leadership and stakeholders across the global beef industry.”

According to NCBA President Phillip Ellis, Roberts contributed significantly to the organization and the industry. “Under Forrest Roberts’ leadership NCBA membership has increased significantly, NCBA is in a solid financial position, convention attendance is at record levels and the NCBA-managed programs to build consumer demand for beef as a contractor to the beef checkoff are achieving significant results. In addition, Roberts has strengthened industry partnerships domestically and internationally,” he said. “We wish him well as he pursues other interests in the cattle industry and agribusiness.”

NCBA Chief Operating Officer Kendal Frazier has been named interim CEO to manage the day-to-day operations, including NCBA staff, until a new CEO is identified. “Frazier has more than 30 years of experience working in the different areas of NCBA,” Ellis said. “I know he will do a good job of guiding the organization during the transition period.”

Ellis said the NCBA officers will work with the NCBA Executive Committee to develop a process to search for and identify a new CEO.

“Even as our leadership changes, our commitment does not,” said Ellis. “At this critical time in the beef business, the NCBA directors and staff will move forward aggressively to protect the interests of our members and the industry.”



Administration Places Politics Over Producers

Today, USDA APHIS released their final rules for the Importation of Fresh Beef from Northern Argentina and a Region in Brazil. With this step by the Administration, these areas with a known history of Foot-and-Mouth disease would be allowed to begin the inspection process to import fresh and frozen beef products into the United States. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association stands firmly opposed to this regulation, not on the basis of trade but on the basis of animal health concerns; no trade is worth jeopardizing our herd health.

“The arrogance of this administration in continuing to press forward with rules that have a profound impact on industry, without consulting those affected, is appalling,” said NCBA President and Chugwater, Wyoming, cattleman, Philip Ellis. “FMD is a highly contagious and devastating disease, not just for the cattle industry, but for all cloven-hoofed animals and it can be introduced and spread through the importation of both fresh and frozen products. In 1929, our industry took profound and personally devastating steps to eradicate this disease and the United States has been FMD free ever since. But the actions of this administration for purely political gain threaten the very viability of our entire industry and threaten hundreds of thousands of American cattle-producing families.”

NCBA has demonstrated through numerous public comments and in person through meetings with staff and members, our concerns regarding the importation of fresh and frozen product from Northern Argentina and these 14 states in Brazil. There is a long history of repeated outbreaks in many of the neighboring South American countries, as well as a history of problems in both Argentina and Brazil with compliance to animal health and food safety regulations. Despite this long history of such an economically devastating animal disease, the Administration did not conduct an objective quantitative risk analysis for this rule, as was performed in 2002 for Uruguay.

“The haste and sloppy nature of this rulemaking points clearly to the Administration’s political agenda in forcing this rule forward, literally in spite of the science,” said Ellis. “This rule violated the federal rulemaking process, violated Executive Orders mandating scientific integrity in rulemaking, circumvented the ongoing Government Accountability Office’s review of the risk analysis process, and withheld critical information from stakeholders. Our office actually received over 600 pages of documents relevant to Brazil in Portuguese and over 25 percent of the documents for Argentina were posted to the Federal Register in Spanish, neither with any translation available. No one should have to learn a second language to review a proposed U.S. government regulation.”

The effect of an FMD outbreak in the United States would be devastating to animal agriculture and our entire economy with estimates for total economic losses ranging from $37 billion to $228 billion, depending on the size of an outbreak. Moreover, innumerable losses would occur through the closure of export markets, lost domestic sales, lost opportunities, and a loss of consumer confidence in beef.

USDA APHIS has worked for over 80 years to keep our country free of FMD, now is not the time to give up on that commitment simply to fulfill a political legacy.



Enrollment for 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program to Begin July 1

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. Harden made the announcement while visiting Wolfe’s Neck Farm and dairy school in Freeport, Maine.

"More than half of our nation’s dairy producers enrolled in the 2015 program, which exceeded our expectations for the first year of the program," said Harden. "We are confident that dairy farmers across the country will again take advantage of this safety net program for 2016. USDA will continue outreach efforts, including partnering with cooperative extension services, to ensure dairy producers are fully informed about the protections that this safety net program can provide during periods of market downturns.”

The Margin Protection Program gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins July 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2015, for coverage in 2016. Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year. Producers also have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year. Margin Protection Program payments are based on an operation’s historical production. An operation’s historical production will increase by 2.61 percent in 2016 if the operation participated in 2015, providing a stronger safety net.

USDA also has an online resource available to help dairy producers decide which level of coverage will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The enhanced Web tool, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine their unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, mobile phone, or tablet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dairy operations enrolling in the program must meet conservation compliance provisions. Producers participating in the Livestock Gross Margin insurance program may register for the Margin Protection Program, but this new margin program will only begin once their Livestock dairy insurance coverage has ended. Producers must also submit form CCC-782 for 2016, confirming their Margin Protection Program coverage level selection, to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. If electing higher coverage for 2016, dairy producers can either pay the premium in full at the time of enrollment or pay a minimum of 25 percent of the premium by Feb. 1, 2016.

The Margin Protection Program was established by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy for more information, or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the Margin Protection Program.



CWT Assists with 2.4 Million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 17 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) who have contracts to sell 354,944 pounds (161 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda, and Monterey Jack cheese, and 2.028 million pounds (920 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from June through November 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 38.402 million pounds of cheese, 30.395 million pounds of butter and 22.099 million pounds of whole milk powder to twenty eight countries on five continents. The amounts of cheese, butter and whole milk powder in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 1.200 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

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. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



July 4th Cookout Costs Less This Year, Still Under $6 Per Person

A Fourth of July cookout of Americans’ favorite foods including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk will cost slightly less this year and still comes in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost for a summer cookout for 10 is $55.84, or $5.58 per person. That’s about a 3-percent decrease compared to a year ago.

“Based on our survey, food prices overall appear to be fairly stable. Prices for beef have continued to increase this year, but prices for other meats are generally declining. Dairy product prices are also quite a bit lower,” said John Anderson, deputy chief economist at AFBF.

“Meat production is starting to increase substantially. Beef prices have started to stabilize but have not declined yet. On the other hand, retail pork prices have been declining all year,” Anderson said.

“Fuel and other energy prices have also generally been lower so far this year compared to last year,” Anderson said. “This helps keep prices down on the more processed items in the basket. Energy is an important component of the final price for these products.

“As a nation, we continue to enjoy a consistent, high-quality supply of meats and poultry at prices that are remarkably affordable for most consumers,” he said.

AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, watermelon for dessert, and ketchup and mustard.

A total of 88 Farm Bureau members (volunteer shoppers) in 30 states checked retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.



Land O’Lakes, Inc. and United Suppliers Announce Plans to Merge Crop Inputs Businesses

Land O’Lakes, Inc. and United Suppliers, Inc. of Ames, Iowa today announced their intent to merge their crop inputs businesses. Together, the two organizations will provide owner customers’ expanded product offerings, enhanced precision agriculture services, tools and technologies, improved product insights, consulting services and more.

“This move comes at a time when scale is increasingly important in addressing changing industry dynamics, including rapid consolidation on the supplier, retailer and grower levels, fast-paced technological innovation and the need for increasing and expanded service offerings for customers,” said Chris Policinski, President and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. “We are excited to come together with United Suppliers and expect our members, owners and customers will benefit greatly from this merger.”

Under this agreement, the intention is to merge United Suppliers, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. The first step of the merger will be to combine the two companies’ seed and crop protection businesses, and a second step to follow will bring in the crop nutrient business. This merger builds on the recent successes of the two companies and aims to create a single, strong, relevant and competitive entity. In 2014, WinField had $4.9B in seed and crop protection product sales and United Suppliers had $2.6B in crop protection, seed and crop nutrient sales.

“United Suppliers is excited to join with Land O’Lakes, Inc.,” said Brad Oelmann, President and CEO of United Suppliers. “We are both experiencing great growth in this industry and together we view this merger as a continuation of that journey.”

Going forward, both organizations will continue with their existing go-to-market strategies and will draw upon each other’s expertise to better meet customer needs. Before the deal is final, both United Suppliers’ owners and Land O’Lakes, Inc. members will need to vote on the details surrounding the merger. Those votes are slated for August 2015, with the closing anticipated in October 2015.