Wednesday August 22 Ag News

Farm Credit Services of America Announces Enhanced Patronage Program

Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) today announced enhancements to its patronage program to share more of the cooperative’s earnings with eligible customer-owners.

At its August meeting, the FCSAmerica Board of Directors approved targeting a cash-back dividend equal to 0.90 percent of a customer’s eligible average daily loan balance, the highest payout since the patronage program’s inception in 2004. The enhancement will be effective for the 2018 fiscal year, and eligible customers should see the higher cash dividend payout in their March 2019 patronage distributions.

Jennifer Zessin, FCSAmerica board chair, said, “We assess the cooperative’s financial strength each year to ensure adequate capital levels. Once those are met, the board typically approves payment of a portion of net income back to our stockholders. Barring an unforeseen event or significant change in the environment, the outlook for our cooperative positions us to provide more certainty around our patronage intentions going forward. We think it is important that our customer-owners know they can count on their cooperative in these challenging times for agriculture.”

FCSAmerica has returned $1.5 billion since 2004 to its customer-owners in a four-state area. “It’s one of the most tangible benefits of our cooperative business model,” Zessin said. “Those dividends flow to rural communities all across our service area.”

Craig Kinnison, chief financial officer at FCSAmerica, said, “We’ve spent years building the association’s financial strength and operating efficiencies. Our capital base has never been stronger, and the ability to stress test our loan portfolio under a variety of scenarios gives us confidence to target a higher level of patronage for our current planning cycle.”

The FCSAmerica board annually approves a capital plan for the association based on projected asset levels, earnings, economic conditions, possible loan losses and other contingencies. The board’s patronage payout assumes the association meets its financial goals and other factors do not adversely impact the cooperative.



Ricketts Urges Business & Ag Leaders to Join the 50th Annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference in Omaha

Today, the Office of Governor Pete Ricketts urged Nebraska agriculture and business leaders to register for the 50th Annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference in Omaha this September 9th-11th.  Each year, the conference attracts 400 U.S. and Japanese business executives, and will highlight the strong relationship between Japan and Midwestern states.

“Our state has the great honor of hosting the 50th Annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Governors, business executives, and hundreds of people from both Japan and the United States will converge on Omaha for a three-day conference focused on growing trade and job opportunities between our two countries.  This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to highlight Nebraska as a great place to do business and invest for major companies.”

The conference is known as the pinnacle forum for dialogue on Midwest U.S.-Japan business relations.  Event highlights will include globally recognized speakers and panelists, an opening luncheon at Jun Kaneko Gallery, a celebration of Nebraska agriculture dinner, and a gala dinner sponsored by Kawasaki and Union Pacific at the Durham Western Heritage Museum.

Japan is Nebraska’s fourth-largest international trading partner and largest foreign investor.  Governor Ricketts has led two trade missions to Japan.  Lt. Governor Mike Foley will be joining a Governors Forum hosted by the National Governors Association next week in Tokyo.



DON BACON RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM NEBRASKA CATTLEMEN
 
Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) received support in his re-election campaign this week from the Nebraska Cattlemen. Representing the interests of thousands of farmers and ranchers across Nebraska, the NC Board voted to officially support Bacon due to his work promoting and defending Nebraska agriculture.

"I'm grateful to have earned the support of the Nebraska Cattlemen," said Bacon. "From their beginnings in 1888 until now, the Nebraska Cattlemen have been strong advocates for our state's largest industry - cattle. Thanks in part to their hard work Nebraska has led United States in beef exports for the last two years. With sales totaling more than $6 billion per year, the impact this industry has on our economy is substantial."

In recognition of his work for Nebraska's farmers and ranchers, Bacon has received support and endorsements from others in the agricultural sector, including being named a 'Friend of Ag' by the Nebraska Farm Bureau earlier this summer.

"Don Bacon is a strong friend to Nebraska Cattlemen and a champion for Agriculture," said Pete McClymont, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Nebraska Cattlemen.

This support from the Nebraska Cattlemen joins a growing list of local and national support for Bacon including every Mayor in his district, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Omaha Police Officers Association, Governor Pete Ricketts, Senator Deb Fischer, the National Federation of Independent Business, Susan B. Anthony List, American Conservation Coalition, and many others.



EMERALD ASH BORER DISCOVERED IN LINCOLN, FREMONT

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), confirmed finding emerald ash borer (EAB), in an EAB trap located in Lincoln.  This trap was set and monitored by USDA as part of the National EAB survey.  An ash tree with signs and symptoms indicating an EAB infestation was also recently discovered in Fremont by a local arborist.  EAB, an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees, was first found in Nebraska in June of 2016.

“NDA and USDA staff set and monitor traps across the state looking for EAB infestations,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “While it’s unfortunate we found EAB in Lincoln and signs of an infested tree in Fremont, it is not unexpected considering we have confirmed EAB infestations in Douglas and Cass counties.”

EAB is a small, metallic-green beetle that is about ½ inch long. The larvae of this wood-boring insect tunnel under the bark of ash trees, disrupting the flow of water and nutrients, ultimately causing the tree to die. EAB-infested ash trees will exhibit thinning or dying branches in the top of the tree, S-shaped larval galleries under bark, D-shaped exit holes and suckers (along the trunk and main branches).

Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington and Dodge counties remain under a quarantine order that was issued in 2016 which includes prohibiting ash nursery stock from leaving the quarantine area and regulating the movement of hardwood firewood and mulch, ash timber products and green waste material out of quarantined areas. Quarantines are put in place to reduce the human-assisted spread of EAB into non-infested areas. NDA and USDA staff work with the public and impacted industries to ensure compliance of quarantines.  NDA will make any updates to the state EAB quarantine this fall, after adult flight is over and trapping has been completed.

The Nebraska EAB Working Group, which includes NDA, Nebraska Game and Parks, the USDA and the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) ,offers the following suggestions to help prevent the human-assisted spread of the insect:
-    EAB can easily be moved in firewood.  Use locally-sourced firewood, burning it in the same county where you purchased it.
-    Consider treating healthy, high-value ash tress located within a 15-mile radius of a known infestation. Treatment will need to be continually reapplied and will only prolong the tree’s life, not save it. Trees that are experiencing declining health should be considered for removal.
-    If you feel you have located an EAB infestation, please report it to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2351, the Nebraska Forest Service at (402) 472-2944 or your local USDA office at (402) 434-2345.

“Based on the experiences of other states, we anticipate finding additional EAB infested areas as more people learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of EAB in their ash trees,” said Director Wellman.  “While we can’t completely eliminate EAB, the quarantine will help slow the spread of the pest and give homeowners and municipalities across the state additional time to consider their options and make decisions about the future of their ash trees.”

Additional information on EAB, including quarantine information, can be found on NDA’s website at: http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/plant/entomology/eab/.  Additional information on EAB and Nebraska-specific recommendations for homeowners and municipalities can be found on the Nebraska Forest Services’ website at www.eabne.info.



Farm Bill Conference Public Meeting Sept. 5

Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., today announced a public meeting of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee.

“We are pleased to announce a meeting of the full Farm Bill Conference Committee,” Senate and House Agriculture Committee leaders said. “We are committed to working together on a Farm Bill that delivers certainty and predictability to our farmers and families as quickly as possible.”

Date:   Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Time:  9:30 a.m.
Place:  325 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC

The Farm Bill Conference Committee is composed of 56 members, including nine Senators and 47 Representatives.



Sham Investigation Into NCBA WOTUS Video Wastes Taxpayer Dollars

About a year ago, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association released a video on the 2015 WOTUS rule that featured an interview with then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Radical environmental groups cried foul, and House Representatives Elijah Cummings, Peter DeFazio, Betty McCollum, and Frank Pallone asked the GAO to investigate whether Pruitt's appearance violated federal anti-lobbying and propaganda laws. Today the GAO concluded definitively that the video "did not violate the publicity or propaganda, grassroots lobbying, or Interior anti-lobbying provisions."

Today Colin Woodall, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, released the following statement in response to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report B-329504:

“Radical environmental activists and their allies in Congress first requested this sham investigation to distract from the real issue: Their misguided support for the gravely flawed 2015 WOTUS rule. It is a shame to think about the wasted taxpayer dollars that were devoted to this report in a vain attempt by Representatives Cummings, DeFazio, McCollum, and Pallone to grab a few headlines. From the beginning, we have known there was absolutely nothing wrong with the EPA Administrator encouraging stakeholders to comment on a rule that impacts their livelihoods. We are glad to see this issue finally put to rest so that we can focus on killing the 2015 WOTUS rule once and for all.”



July 2018 Cold Storage Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on July 31, 2018 were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 8 percent from the previous month and up 12 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 1 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 28 percent from last month but up 119 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on July 31, 2018 were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 5 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 10 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 5 percent from last month but down 1 percent from July 31, 2017.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on July 31, 2018 were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 3 percent from July 31, 2017. Butter stocks were down 6 percent from last month but up 3 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were up 24 percent from last month but down 9 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 9 percent from last month but down 3 percent from a year ago.



Fertilizer Prices Evenly Mixed

Retail fertilizer prices are mixed for the second week of August with half lower than last month and the other half higher, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. It has been several months since this many fertilizers have been lower.

While four major fertilizer prices declined, the move to the lower side was fairly muted. Urea had an average price of $363 per ton, anhydrous $481/ton, UAN28 $233/ton and UAN32 $271/ton.

Prices for the remaining half were slightly higher than last month. DAP had an average price of $487/ton, MAP $508/ton, potash $356/ton and 10-34-0 $446/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.39/lb.N, anhydrous $0.29/lb.N, UAN28 $0.42/lb.N and UAN32 $0.42/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices shifting higher in recent months. Potash is 5% higher, 10-34-0 is 6% more expensive, both UAN28 and UAN32 are 8% higher, MAP is 11% higher, DAP is 12% more expensive, anhydrous is 15% higher and urea is 19% more expensive compared to last year.



EIA: Ethanol Supplies, Output Higher

Domestic ethanol stocks posted a fourth straight weekly build during the week ended Aug. 17 as production edged up and demand declined, according to Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday, Aug. 22.

EIA reports ethanol inventories increased 242,000 barrels (bbl) last week to 23.259 million bbl, a 1.8 million bbl, or 8.4%, year-over-year supply surplus.

Plant production edged up 1,000 bpd to 1.073 million bpd during the week ended Aug. 17 and was 2.0% higher than the same week in 2018. Four-week averaged production was 1.077 million bpd versus 1.031 million bpd during the corresponding four-week period in 2017.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand fell 5,000 bpd to 943,000 bpd during the week-ended Aug. 17, down 5,000 bpd versus a year ago. For the four weeks ended Aug. 17, blending demand averaged 945,000 bpd, 1,000 bpd below the same period in 2017.



NIAA 2018 Strategy Forum on Livestock Traceability

“NIAA excels at finding consensus and creating an environment for discussion and collaboration,” says Glenn Fischer, past Board Chair of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture. NIAA is bringing a new Strategy Forum on Livestock Traceability to Kansas City, Missouri, September 24-26, 2018.

“Traceability is a challenging topic that touches every head of cattle across the country,” says Fischer. Different producers have a different point of view. “Some see it as value creation, others see it as an industry insurance policy, while some strongly feel it is an intrusion of privacy. The cattle industry, beef and dairy, is working hard to reconcile these perceptions on this challenging topic.”

NIAA brings together people with very different perspectives on this topic, but is uniquely positioned to bring parties together, according to Fischer, not to create a lobbying vehicle or to push one particular point of view, but to look for solutions that work for everyone.

“Check your hat at the door and be prepared to roll up your sleeves to work together to create industry-driven solutions,” says Fischer, who is the co-chair of the NIAA Animal Identification & Information Systems Council and works on the Strategy Forum Planning Committee.

The 2018 Strategy Forum is part of a continuing dialogue that Fischer says shows how the National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has been involved in traceability going back to the early 1990’s, when traceability initiatives around the world came in to play.

First, the European union mandated traceability for livestock and that lead to programs in Australia, New Zealand and Canada for cattle within in those markets. Other markets followed. Those initiatives were primarily for disease traceability, but their systems evolved to benefit international trade. “Traceability systems can provide a “leg up” on other exporters who don't have one,” says Fischer.

For the last 15 years, there have been renewed efforts in the US by Industry, State Animal Health Officials and the USDA to create a national traceability framework. The USDA’s Animal Disease Traceability system continues to evolve and to create an environment where industry can drive a traceability system which can cooperatively meet the needs of government, States, and industry. Fischer says the USDA is working very hard to move traceability forward as a key priority. “Under Secretary Ibach has a great team and they are very keen on finding out what solutions will work for the industry, and have shown that they will support those efforts,” says Fischer.

The USDA Traceability Team will be at the September Strategy Forum discussing how to advance key Traceability Initiatives and to discuss what is going to help create value for producers, markets, feeders, backgrounders, and the rest. “NIAA helps the USDA bring all stakeholders together to focus everyone’s energy to move this important initiative forward,” Fischer says.

Another featured report will be from an independent group which grew out of the NIAA 2017 Strategy Forum, co-hosted with USAHA. The Cattle Traceability Working Group, Fischer says, is not “beholden to NIAA or any other organization, nor is anyone obligated to adopt any ideas that come out of it,” but the 40-member group has come together to look at the challenges of traceability and address the topics around ID and traceability through five task groups.

Fischer, who is the North American President of Allflex, is one of many volunteers working in this Group, which will give an update at the September Forum.

“NIAA has been a facilitator for the ID discussions for the past two decades and this forum is another example of bringing together stakeholders in government, industry and production to work toward solutions that will work for all,” reiterates Fischer. “That is what NIAA does so brilliantly; it literally is a gathering point for the industry to solve some of its most difficult challenges.”

Join NIAA and the animal agriculture industry in Kansas City, Missouri at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center September 24 - 26, 2018 for this important and vital livestock traceability discussion and a Technology Showcase with the most current technology, products and services focused on cattle traceability.

Register now at www.animalagriculture.org. 



Syngenta introduces Force 6.5G corn insecticide for the 2019 growing season

Syngenta announced that Force® 6.5G, a high-load granular corn insecticide for control of corn rootworm, is registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and will be available for the 2019 growing season.

“We’re launching Force 6.5G to meet the changing needs of growers,” said Meade McDonald, product lead for insecticides at Syngenta. “This higher-load formulation goes farther and results in fewer stops to refill insecticide boxes, which allows faster, more efficient planting with less hassle.”

Part of that convenience is enhanced application flexibility. Force 6.5G can be applied through a wide variety of existing “open” system granular application equipment. Other improvements include a 50 percent lower dust-off rate, compared to Force 3G, and a convenient 20-acre bag.

“Force brands have led the market for more than 25 years because of their proven performance,” said McDonald. “Force 6.5G will deliver the same superior root protection and maximize yield potential, when used on either conventional corn or CRW traits (single or double stack).”

Force 6.5G is the latest addition to the evolving portfolio of crop protection products from Syngenta.



New Miller Nitro Series Sprayers Join Case IH Lineup of High-Efficiency Application Solutions

Case IH is introducing two new Miller Nitro® series sprayers — the Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 front boom models — to its complete lineup of high-efficiency application equipment solutions. Designed for late-season crop fertility and protection applications, the new models are ideal for custom applicators and growers who are looking for a highly efficient and productive high-clearance sprayer to meet their full season application needs. The Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 models offer superior crop clearance, with large tank capacities and several front boom width options, along with a wide range of precision technology selections designed to enable custom applicators and growers to achieve the most efficient and accurate applications possible.

“By adding the new Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 models into the Case IH portfolio, we offer an efficient, high-clearance, high-capacity, long-boom sprayer option for increased productivity throughout the full season of use,” said Mark Burns, Case IH application equipment marketing manager. “We continue to see an increased need in the market for late-season fertility and crop protection applications.”

Engineered with more than 6 feet of ground clearance, the two new Miller Nitro models allow for late-season spraying in tall crops, ensuring critical yield-boosting applications are made when needed, regardless of crop height or maturity. The front cab and boom configuration gives operators a full front view of every nozzle without having to look back.

Power, comfort, precision
Operators will appreciate the power, comfort and precision technology that are standard and as options on the Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 models. Both models are equipped with 8.7-L, Tier 4B emissions FPT engines with 328-rated (244 kW) and 382-rated (284 kW) horsepower respectively for maximum power and fuel efficiency. FPT engines are the same engines included in all Case IH application equipment, allowing Case IH dealers the ability to service and repair engines on Miller Nitro 7000 series sprayers if needed.

Maximum operator comfort is achieved in the new Miller Nitro ultra-quiet cab. Designed specifically for the Miller Nitro models, the cabs feature 121.15 cubic feet of interior space, full-height windshield, air-suspension ride, pressurized charcoal filtration system and much more.

“Operator comfort is a top priority in the Miller Nitro series,” Burns said. “When you settle into the high-back adjustable seat and experience the quiet cab environment, you’ll appreciate the comfort of the air-ride cab with engine noise isolated behind the tank. It goes a long way in enhancing productivity and application efficiency.”

Standard on Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 high-clearance sprayer models is a spray information monitor bar. Located in the roof panel directly in front of the operator, the monitor provides information about important sprayer operational activity, including status of rinse and product tank sump operation, master spray switch and boom sections on/off, foam marker operation, autosteer engagement, product pump functionality and more.

A basic function monitor — engine speed, coolant temperature, fuel, rpm, outside temperature, cab HVAC information and systems alarm — is also standard. Plus, an ergonomically designed chassis monitor, located on an adjustable arm by the armrest, allows the operator to monitor and adjust several other systems, including heating/cooling, electrical, 4-wheel steer, camera and product circuit.

With Miller Nitro models 7370 and 7410, operators can choose between the Miller SprayView IV or Raven Viper 4+ field computer. These displays provide operators with information specific to spray function, section control, mapping, autosteer, boom leveling and Miller exclusive IntelliSpray technology.

Complete lineup of application solutions
From ground-engaging pull-type models to highly productive self-propelled equipment, Case IH offers a full line of application solutions that help feed, protect and nurture crops — from start to finish, through every season. The addition of the Miller Nitro 7370 and 7410 models to the Case IH application solutions portfolio provides custom applicators with additional offerings engineered for late-season, highly efficient application jobs.