Friday August 31 Ag News

BQA Trainings Hit the Road this Fall

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. (National BQA website)

BQA concerns itself with practices throughout the production process, mainly dealing with animal health, food safety and product quality.  No matter what the segment, from the cow-calf producer to the dinner plate, each step affects quality as well as the eating satisfaction of consumer.  BQA works with veterinarians and extension educators to conduct trainings for feedlots, livestock auction markets, anybody who handles cattle frequently.  We train people and keep them updated on latest animal health issues, products, and practices.

UNL Extension Educator Rob Eirich is the director of beef quality assurance (BQA) for the state of Nebraska.  The position is a partnership between University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Cattlemen, and the Nebraska Beef Council.

Upcoming BQA Trainings/Certification  (All Times Are Local Time Zone)
RSVP to the location you plan to attend!
    September 24, 5:00 p.m., Jefferson County 4-H Building, Fairbury - RSVP: 402-624-8030
    September 25, 2:00 p.m., Tecumseh Community Building, Tecumseh - RSVP: 402-624-8030
    September 25, 7:00 p.m., ENREC (ARDC), Ithaca - Meal Served, RSVP: 402-624-8030
    September 26, 10:00 a.m., Washington Co Ext Office, Blair - Contact: Larry Howard 402-372-6006
    September 26, 1:30 p.m., Homestead Center, Schuyler - Contact: Larry Howard 402-372-6006
    September 26, 6:30 p.m., Cuming Co Ext Office, West Point - Contact: Larry Howard 402-372-6006
    September 27, 6:30 p.m., Taylor's Grill, Pierce - Meal Served, RSVP: 402-254-6821
    October 2, 1:00 p.m., Ag Hall Fillmore Co. Fairgrounds, Geneva - Contact: Brad Schick 402-746-3417
    October 2, 6:30 p.m., Dick's Place, Lawrence - Meal Served, RSVP 402-746-3417
    October 3, 1:00 p.m., Kearney Co. Fairgrounds, Minden - Contact: Brad Schick 402-746-3417
    October 3, 6:30 p.m., Community Building/Fairgrounds, McCook - Meal Served, RSVP: 308-268-3105
    October 4, 1:00 p.m., Lied Library, Imperial - Contact: Erin Laborie 308-268-3105
    October 6, BQA Transportation, TBA, Schuyler - Contact: Rob Eirich 308-632-1230
    October 9, 6:30 P.M., TBA, Broken Bow - Meal Served, RSVP: 308-872-6831
    October 10, TBA, O'Neill - Contact: Steve Niemeyer 308-346-4200
    Oct. 11, 10:00 a.m., Brown Co Courthouse Conf Room, Ainsworth - Meal Served, RSVP: 402-387-2213
    October 16, 5:00 P.M., Sandhills Corral Restaurant, Thedford - Meal Served, RSVP: 308-645-2267
    Oct. 17, 5:00 P.M., Wagonhammer Bldg Gudmundsen Sandhills Lab, Whitman - Meal Served, RSVP: 308-645-2267
    October 23, 2:00 P.M., York County 4-H Building, York - Contact: Mariah Woolsoncroft 308-536-2691
    October 23, 6:30 P.M., Wunderlichs, Columbus - Meal Served, RSVP: 308-536-2691

BQA Certification:
Nebraska Beef Cattle Producers can obtain BQA certification or re-certification by contacting their Nebraska Veterinarian, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator, or Rob Eirich, Director of BQA.  The Certification Fee is $20 per individual for a 3 year certification.  There are discounts for operations certifying 3 or more individuals by contacting the Nebraska BQA Program.

Call Rob Eirich for more information at 308-632-1230, or visit www.bqa.unl.edu.



Recap of 2017-18 Eastern Nebraska Winter Wheat Crop
Nathan Mueller - NE Extension Educator

The winter wheat yield across Nebraska is projected by USDA-NASS to be 48 bushels per acre, which is up 2 bushels from 2017, but down 6 bushels from 2016. However, 2018 wheat yields in eastern Nebraska were significantly lower compared to the past two years (Figure 1). Let’s break down this past growing season by crop reporting districts.

Northeast and East Central Nebraska
Wheat grown in these two districts only makes up about 20% of the eastern Nebraska wheat acres. Overall, abnormally dry conditions were limited to the southern portion of the east central district during the growing season. Growers found wheat yields this July ranging from 40 to 80 bushels per acre for field averages with test weights of 56 to 62 pounds and protein from 12% to 14%. University of Nebraska Winter Wheat Variety Test results in Lancaster, Saunders, and Washington counties averaged 90 bushels per acre.

Looking back to the start of the season, above-average rainfall in early October delayed planting until the third and fourth week of October. An extremely dry November along with a colder than average first half of November combined with late planting led to reduced fall tillering. Soil moisture conditions were abnormally dry by December. Record cold temperatures in April significantly delayed development by two weeks, but a record hot May and hot June moved harvest back close to normal the second week of July. Daytime highs of over 100°F for several days at the end of May likely affected pollination and kernel abortion in the area.

Wheat was significantly shorter than in past growing seasons. Soil moisture was only a minor factor limiting growth in east central and northeast Nebraska. We know from past experience that late-planted wheat is likely going to be shorter. However, a combination of late planting, a very cold April followed by a hot May during vegetative growth/elongation likely led to the short-statured wheat crop. Unfortunately, heat stress, excessive rainfall, and too many cloudy days in June further reduced wheat yields. Though not common across the area, there was head shattering near Lincoln prior to harvest that impacted some varieties.

There was very little spring disease pressure and an absence of stripe rust unlike in the past several growing seasons. However, late season (after flowering) disease pressure from bacterial leaf streak, leaf rust, and Fusarium head blight was noticeable in June.

Stay Informed
Eastern Nebraska winter wheat growers stay connected and up-to-date throughout the season through an email group started earlier this year: the easternnewheat@listserv.unl.edu. They can correspond with and learn from each other while getting timely news for their operation from Nebraska Extension.



Visit Nebraska Corn at Husker Harvest Days!

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) are excited to participate in this year’s Husker Harvest Days to continue to address the importance of agricultural trade.

Over 95% of the world’s population lives outside of the United States and more than 97% of the anticipated population growth over the next 35 years will take place outside of U.S. borders. Ag exports help meet global demand while adding value to Nebraska’s corn industry.

In the midst of challenging times for ag trade, stop by the Ag Commodities Building at the 2018 Husker Harvest Days to become an advocate for trade. Record a short video to show your support for trade and receive a free t-shirt! While you’re there, learn more trade statistics and sign our #tradeSTILLmatters banner to show your support of ag trade.

Husker Harvest Days is also great time to sign up for a NeCGA membership to further advocate for Nebraska’s corn industry. Growers who join or renew their membership at Husker Harvest Days will receive a FREE gift.

As always, don’t forget to grab an ice-cold can of corn sweetened Coca-Cola while you’re in the building!



Nebraska Trade Delegation Returns from Mexico

Representatives from Nebraska agriculture, agribusiness, higher education and economic development returned from Governor Pete Ricketts’s trade mission to Mexico City last week. 

Larry Tonniges served as the Nebraska Soybean Board’s representative among the 25-person delegation. Tonniges said the main goal of the mission was to strengthen Nebraska’s relationship with trade partners in Mexico.

“The main thing Governor Ricketts tried to do was thank them for their past business and encourage them to keep or increase buying from us,” Tonniges said.

Over the course of the trip, the delegation met with Mexican business leaders, government officials and agriculture producers and importers.

“The people we talked to were very receptive and kind, were glad to see us there and appreciated the thank you,” Tonniges said.

It was a first-time visit to Mexico for Tonniges, who farms in Utica, Neb. He encouraged other producers to visit for themselves for a clearer picture of what life is like in Mexico—Nebraska’s second-largest export market.

“The first question someone around here asked me when I got back was, ‘is it as dirty as they say it is?’” Tonniges said. “I said no. It’s very clean and the climate is beautiful. I could live there—if it wasn’t for the traffic.”

For Tonniges, the trip also emphasized the importance of breaking down trade barriers.

“One thing I’d tell any Nebraska producer is that the Mexican people like the products we send them and are eager to have more,” Tonniges said.



Corn Residue Baling Workshop to be held at Husker Harvest Days
Mary Drewnoski - NE Beef Systems Specialist

Baling of cornstalk residue has been an increasing topic of interest among growers. Reasons are many including residue management when cattle don’t graze a field, use of residue as a feedstuff, and as was the case in 2017, to bale up much of the downed ears with the cornstalks. With this interest, we’ve had individuals contact us about custom baling residue as an additional income source.

With the topic of residue baling comes many questions. These include:
    What is the nutrient value of the residue removed from the field?
    What are the impacts of residual removal on subsequent yields and field soil properties?
    What is the feed value of that residue?
    How do I best set my current equipment to bale corn residue?
    Is my current equipment the best to bale corn residue?

This year, Nebraska Extension, Farm Progress, and several forage equipment manufacturers are partnering in a Corn Residue Baling Workshop at Husker Harvest Days (September 11-13). The workshop will be from 1:30-2:00 p.m. daily in the fields adjacent to the haying demonstrations, which begin at 2 p.m. Equipment manufacturers who have committed to the demonstration include: CNH, AGCO, Rowse Rakes, Vermeer, and Kubota.

Some of the manufacturers will be showcasing the same equipment in this workshop and in the haying demos. Each manufacturer will talk briefly about their equipment and specific settings that might be needed to make their machinery work better on residue. The equipment featured will include an eight-row, 30-inch row header attachment for a combine to help with harvest considerations on land where residue will be baled up, along with rakes, round balers and residue baling machinery and technology.

Because of the high moisture content of the corn residue during the Husker Harvest Days Show, equipment demonstrations of baling residue are not a possibility; however, videos of the manufacturers’ equipment in action can be viewed in the University of Nebraska Institute of Ag and Natural Resources building.

Any questions regarding this workshop can be directed to Brad Schick at (402) 746-3417.



Syngenta GMO Settlement Claims Due October 12 
J. David Aiken - NE Extension Water and Agricultural Law Specialist

Syngenta GMO litigation settlement claim forms are due October 12, 2018. Eligible producers and landlords must file their claims online no later than October 12, 2018. If you don’ t have internet access, call 1-833-567-2676 to request a paper form. Producers have indicated that filling out the form online takes about 10 minutes.

If you do not meet the October 12 deadline you will not receive anything even if you were entitled to receive a payment. To learn more about the Syngenta settlement, view this CropWatch article... https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2018/syngenta-gmo-settlement-claims-due-october-12-2018. 



Annual Iowa Forage and Grasslands Conference in Des Moines

 For the first time since 2014, the annual conference of the Iowa Forage and Grasslands Council will be held in Des Moines during November. The 2018 Iowa Forage and Grasslands Conference is set for Nov. 26-27 at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn. While plans are still being finalized, two featured speakers are sure to draw attention of IFGC members and others interested in forage, grazing and grasslands topics.

Jim Gerrish, renowned grazing consultant from American Grazinglands Services, and Byron Shelton, senior program director of the Savory Institute, are scheduled to speak during the Nov. 26 evening session and again in in-depth sessions on Nov. 27.

New this year, the event will begin with a bus tour of cover crop grazing farms in central Iowa. This tour is sponsored by the Fall Grazing Cover Crops project funded by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Award Number 2015-49200-24226, and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University. Following the tour, a producer panel will discuss cover crops, along with the presentations by Gerrish and Shelton.

The Tuesday agenda will include more in-depth sessions by Gerrish and Shelton as well as breakout sessions on grazing, wildlife and conservation and other production topics. Additional conference and registration information will be available soon on both the IFGC website http://iowaforage.org/ and the IBC website http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/.

For more details, contact either IFGC President Patrick Wall at patwall@iastate.edu or by phone at 515-450-7665, or IFGC annual meeting chairman Jeff Matthias at Jeff.Matthias@ia.usda.gov or phone at 515-323-2257. Wall is an extension beef specialist with IBC and ISU Extension and Outreach.



USDA Announces Final Rule for HPAI Indemnity Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule outlining the conditions under which the USDA will pay indemnity to farms affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The final rule, which includes updates to the interim rule issued in February, does three things:

- Allows indemnity payments to be split between poultry and egg owners and their contracted growers and provides a formula for the split;

- Adopts biosecurity principles established by the National Poultry Improvement Plan; and

- Requires auditable biosecurity plans to be in place for larger-sized operations to receive indemnity payments.

The split payments for HPAI in the final rule are in line with the split payments for indemnity in the existing low pathogenic avian influenza program.

"Growers that have birds or eggs destroyed due to HPAI will qualify for indemnity payments based on the terms in the contract they hold with the owners of the birds," said Danelle Bickett-Weddle, associate director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University. "The indemnity payment will vary depending on the contract language the two parties agreed to before the growing period began."

USDA APHIS will pay indemnity to growers and contractors based on the contract terms determined by the two parties.

The final rule allowed the USDA to address concerns about the interim rule raised by stakeholders, including whether self-certification of biosecurity was adequate. As a result, USDA is now requiring audits to ensure optimal biosecurity is practiced by large poultry facilities.

In the final rule, a facility that meets the minimum size requirements must have an auditable biosecurity plan. To be eligible for HPAI indemnity, the plan must address all 14 biosecurity principles in compliance with National Poultry Improvement Plan requirements.

"To help producers meet the biosecurity standards, USDA APHIS worked with veterinarians at the Center for Food Security and Public Health to create the 'Information Manual for Implementing Poultry Biosecurity,' which aligns with the 14 points in the checklist found in NPIP Standard E," Bickett-Weddle said.

The final rule can be viewed on the Federal Register. Additional biosecurity resources are also available at www.poultrybiosecurity.org.



Farm Sector Profits Expected To Decline in 2018
USDA Economic Research Service

Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast to decrease $9.8 billion (13.0 percent) from 2017 to $65.7 billion in 2018, after increasing $13.9 billion (22.5 percent) in 2017. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease $12.4 billion (12.0 percent) to $91.5 billion. In inflation-adjusted 2018 dollars, net farm income is forecast to decline $11.4 billion (14.8 percent) from 2017 after increasing $13.0 billion (20.3 percent) in 2017. If realized, inflation-adjusted net farm income would be just slightly above its level in 2016, which was its lowest level since 2002. Inflation-adjusted net cash farm income is forecast to decline $14.6 billion (13.8 percent) from 2017 to $91.5 billion, which would be the lowest real-dollar level since 2009. Net cash farm income encompasses cash receipts from farming as well as farm-related income, including government payments, minus cash expenses. Net farm income is a more comprehensive measure that incorporates noncash items, including changes in inventories, economic depreciation, and gross imputed rental income of operator dwellings.

Note: The 2018 forecasts for U.S. farm sector income and finances—including government payments, net farm income, and net cash farm income—do not include payments under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), announced on July 24, 2018. Details released August 27, 2018 on the package to assist farmers in response to trade disputes are here. ERS forecasts are developed assuming a continuation of existing policies. At the time the August forecast was released, it was too early to tell how many producers would complete the MFP enrollment process and receive a payment in 2018 versus 2019, or how the eligibility criteria would impact the total level of payments issued (which would change calendar-year 2018 farm income totals).

Cash receipts for all commodities are forecast to remain nearly stable in 2018 at $374.0 billion. Both total animal/animal product and total crop receipts are forecast to be relatively unchanged from 2017 as increases in receipts for some commodities are offset by declines in other commodities. Receipts for milk are expected to decline $2.8 billion (7.4 percent) in 2018 while receipts for poultry/eggs are expected to increase $5.2 billion (12.1 percent). A forecast $0.8-billion (1.8 percent) decrease in corn receipts will be partially offset by a forecast $0.5-billion (6.3 percent) increase in receipts for wheat. Direct government farm payments are forecast to decline $2.0 billion (17.4 percent) to $9.5 billion in 2018, with most of these declines due to lower anticipated Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program payments.

Total production expenses (including operator dwelling expenses) are forecast up $11.8 billion (3.3 percent) in nominal terms to $365.9 billion in 2018, led by increases for fuels/oil, interest, feed, and hired labor.

The farm business average net cash farm income is forecast to decline $16,600 (19.9 percent) to $66,700 in 2018. This would be the 4th consecutive decline since 2014 and the lowest average income recorded since the series began in 2010. All categories of farm businesses are expected to see declines with dairy farm businesses expected to see the largest decline. Every resource region of the country is forecast to see farm business average net cash farm income decline as well.

Farm sector equity is forecast up by $21.8 billion (0.8 percent) to $2.62 trillion in 2018. Farm assets are forecast to increase by $35.6 billion (1.2 percent) to $3.0 trillion in 2018, reflecting an anticipated 1.8-percent rise in farm sector real estate value. Farm debt is forecast to increase by $13.8 billion (3.5 percent) to $406.9 billion, led by an expected 4.4-percent rise in real estate debt. The farm sector debt-to-asset ratio is expected to rise while the total rate of return to farm assets is expected to decline in 2018.

Median Income of Farm Operator Households Expected To Decrease Slightly in 2018
Farm households typically receive income from both farm and off-farm sources. The total median income of U.S. farm households increased steadily over 2010-14, reaching an estimated $81,637 in 2014 in nominal terms.

Median household income fell 6 percent in 2015 and has since decreased slightly. It is forecast to fall 0.7 percent from its 2017 level (2.8 percent in inflation-adjusted terms) to $75,474. Median farm income earned by farm households is estimated at -$800 in 2017 and is forecast to decline to -$1,691 in 2018. In recent years, slightly more than half of farm households have had negative farm income each year. Most of these households earn positive off-farm income—and median off-farm income is forecast to increase 2.8 percent from $67,500 in 2017 to $69,392 in 2018. (Because farm and off-farm income are not distributed identically for every farm, median total income will generally not equal the sum of median off-farm and median farm income.)



Net Farm Income to Drop 13 Percent in 2018, USDA Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) today projected net farm income to be $65.7 billion in 2018, a $9.8 billion, 13 percent decrease from 2017.

National Farmers Union (NFU), an advocacy organization for American family farmers and ranchers, says the projection highlights the need for the Trump administration and Congress to act quickly on the 2018 farm bill, trade protections, and biofuel market expansion. The organization will host 350 of its farmer members in Washington, DC, in September to lobby administration officials and members of Congress on progressive federal policy priorities for family farmers and ranchers.

NFU President Roger Johnson issued the following statement in response to the ERS report:

“Many farm families are in significant financial stress right now. They are burning through equity—farm income has been cut in half over the past five years, and a majority of family farmers are currently earning negative farm income. Now, largely because of volatility in trade and depressed biofuel markets, there is no improvement in prices in sight.

“What family farmers and rural America need right now is action. They need a farm bill passed on time this year. They need strong, fair trade agreements, and they need long-term solutions to current trade market disruptions that are depressing farm prices even further. They also need the administration to deliver on its promises to support the RFS and expand our use of biofuels, which opens new markets for American family farmers and rural communities.

“As harvest approaches, these low farm prices are going to strike an even harder blow than they have in the past several years. The Trump administration and congressional leadership must right the wrongs of failed farm and trade policies, and provide necessary support before more family farmers and ranchers have to shutter their barn doors.”



Ag Trade Surplus to Shrink

Agriculture is consistently one of the few areas of the American economy that sells more overseas than it buys. However, Farm Journal’s Ag Web Dot Com says that’s going to drop in the upcoming year. The surplus is set to shrink as shipments to China collapse because of the trade war with the U.S. A government forecast says the world’s biggest ag exporter will see a surplus of $18 billion in the fiscal year that starts October 1st. The USDA says that number is almost eight percent lower than in 2017. USDA forecasts $144.5 billion in exports and projects $126.5 billion in imports.

China was the largest buyer of U.S. farm products last year. They’ll fall to third this year, behind Canada and Mexico. The forecast says China will fall to fifth in fiscal year 2019, behind the European Union and Japan. Shipments to China are expected to drop by 37 percent to $12 billion in the next fiscal year. Other trading partners are expected to step up their purchases, which should lead to exports increasing by $500 million, coming in at $144.5 billion.



EPA Refocuses Agency Priorities, Recognizes Stewardship of Beef Producers

Today Colin Woodall, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency's transition from National Enforcement Initiatives to National Compliance Initiatives:

“Cattlemen and cattlewomen take their role as environmental stewards seriously. Now, rather than being the targets of continuous prioritized enforcement, they can finally operate on a level playing field. We are grateful that Acting Administrator Wheeler and his team have refocused the agency’s priorities. This action clearly reflects the continued commitment beef producers make to protecting our nation’s precious natural resources, and the commitment of this administration to ensuring that stakeholders and regulators work together to find solutions.” 



 JUDGE LIFTS GAG ORDER IN N.C. NUISANCE SUITS

U.S. District Court Judge Earl Britt today lifted a gag order on communications related to nuisance lawsuits filed against more than two dozen North Carolina hogs farms. Britt issued the gag order in late June as the second nuisance trial was wrapping up. He imposed it on the parties, lawyers and potential witnesses in the lawsuits. The judge said a “significant increase in trial publicity” and the “volume and scope of prejudicial publicity” about the first two cases – one decided in early May and the other two days after the gag order was implemented – could taint future cases. Britt lifted the order before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Va., could rule on a petition to overturn and vacate it.

In early August, the National Pork Producers Council and the North Carolina Pork Council filed a friend-of-the-court brief with Court of Appeals, asking it to overrule the District Court’s prior restraint on speech, noting that “All but the most carefully crafted, narrow gag orders are unconstitutional.” NPPC and NCPC argued that there is no compelling need for the gag order, the District Court did not consider alternatives to the order – including the jury selection process or jury instructions – the order is overbroad and vague, and it won’t be effective. On the latter point, they said it’s “not reasonable to think that any gag order will reduce coverage of these cases or blunt the public’s interest” in them.



White House Announces Intention to Sign Renegotiated NAFTA

After more than a year of renegotiations, President Donald Trump today sent Congress notice of intent to sign an amended North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The plan’s provisions will be established over the coming weeks and made public at least 60 days before it is signed.

In response to the president’s announcement, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson issued the following statement:

“National Farmers Union continues to support a renegotiated NAFTA that prioritizes fair trade principles and protects U.S. sovereignty. For the past 25 years, unfettered free trade policies have contributed to our massive trade deficit, enabled currency manipulation, drained jobs and wages from rural communities, and facilitated corporate consolidation on an international scale. A new agreement must rectify the substantial damage wrought by these policies by strengthening our rural economies and by putting the needs of family farmers and ranchers above those of corporations.

We remain hopeful that the highly flawed investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) arbitration procedure will be either eliminated or profoundly reformed. This policy encourages the offshoring of domestic jobs, undermines the jurisdiction of the U.S. and its trading partners, and is partly responsible for the consolidation of money and power into the hands of multinational companies.

However, improvements on behalf of American farmers and ranchers should not occur at the expense of farmers across the border. U.S. negotiators should not insist on removing Canada’s dairy supply management system, which has maintained a stable dairy market for the country’s dairy farmers and consumers. Indeed, the United States should take a page from Canada’s book and establish similar policies to support American dairy farmers, who have been enduring chronic oversupply and critically low prices for a number of years.

Renegotiation is also an opportunity to reinstate Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL). By providing fair and accurate information, COOL empowers American consumers to make informed purchasing decisions and allows independent producers of high-quality, American-grown beef to differentiate their products. The administration should ensure that this mutually beneficial policy is included in the finalized agreement.”



Massey Ferguson Introduces the RB Series Silage Baler at Farm Progress Show 2018

AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, debuted the Massey Ferguson® RB Series Silage Baler during the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, August 28 – 30. The RB Series Silage Baler is a tough, heavy-duty choice for producers baling corn stover and it is ideal for small dairy operations and small- to mid-sized cow-calf operations who want to bale high-moisture forages as a feed source for their livestock. The RB Series Silage Baler is the first silage-specific baler to be offered by Massey Ferguson and produces high-quality, high-density silage and corn stover bales.

“Forage drydown is a big challenge in areas with high humidity and frequent rain events,” says Matt LeCroy, tactical marketing manager for hay and forage at AGCO. “Harvesting forage as baleage is an effective way to produce a quality feedstuff in environments where drydown is a concern. It’s becoming an increasingly popular option for dairy and beef operations, allowing them to cut, rake, bale, package and store the crop in one day without sacrificing feed quality.”

Engineered for throughput, durability and reliability
This heavy-duty premium baler is engineered to deliver the throughput and reliability required for the demanding job of making bales from heavy, high-moisture crops and dry, course material such as corn stover or wheat straw. The cam-less pickup needs no cam track, so there are fewer moving parts, which makes the pickup quieter, less sensitive to wear and more reliable. It also means less maintenance and fewer adjustments to save operators time and increase productivity in the field.

The pickup has an 84-inch tine-to-tine pickup width and a five-tine heavy-duty bar design that ensures clean pick-up of heavier wet forages and smooth intake into the bale chamber. Long, heavy-duty tines feature a large coil for added flexibility that reduces the chance of tines breaking when picking up heavy crop.

Well-shaped, dense bales increase output and efficiency
Several features of the RB Series baler design ensure the uniform, well-shaped bales that optimize baling, transporting and storage efficiency.
-    The compact pick-up is positioned close to the rotor, ensuring smooth, consistent crop flow into the bale chamber, well-shaped uniform bales and increased baling output.
-    These variable-chamber balers feature the Constant Pressure System (CPS), which increases the pressure as the surface of the bale grows, so density stays consistent through the entire baling process.
-    Four continuous belts, made of multiple layers of rubber and synthetic material, have great tensile strength for a firm grip on the crop and significant pressure on the bale. The belts are manufactured with substantial overlap rather than joined with a seam, for less potential for belt breakage and downtime.
-    The bale chamber has two rollers above the feed system and large CPS springs help the belts flex, allowing a quick start but ensuring that plenty of pressure is put on the crop right from the beginning as the core of the bale is formed.
-    A crop press roller helps the pick-up feed in smaller volume crops, ensuring efficient flow and improving bale shape. It also levels out large quantities of crop to prevent lumps.

Unique features reduce downtime and offer operator control and convenience
Both models are equipped with the exclusive HydroFlex Control two-stage anti-plugging protection system that minimizes downtime. The automatic mechanical floor can flex downward underneath the rotor so that a rock or crop bunch can pass through. In addition, the hydraulically controlled floor can be lowered by the operator from the cab, to clear crop from the chamber before a plug occurs. 

The RB series silage balers also feature the Xtracut™ 17 with two sets of hydraulically operated knife banks giving operators the option of not chopping or having 8, 9 or 17 knives engaged, allowing for smaller cuts and adjustable cutting lengths up to 2.65 inches. The Xtracut 17 also is controlled from the cab, for quick adjustment so operators can cut the forage to best match crop conditions and animal feed requirements.

Varionet™ wrapping ensures the net wrap is applied evenly across a bale and wraps ‘over the edge’. Bales not only look good but are protected against harsh weather and feed-quality losses. The easy load system (ELS) carries two spare rolls on the baler, so roll replacement can be done in a matter of minutes.

“Massey Ferguson is a world leading brand with extensive experience in hay and forage production,” says LeCroy. “The RB Series Silage Baler is a cost-effective option for operations who want to put their high-moisture forage into bales and those that need a heavy duty baler that can handle the tough conditions of baling corn stover.”