Thursday October 25 Ag News

CASNR dean finalists to visit campus

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has selected three finalists in its search for dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. The candidates will visit campus and participate in public presentations between Oct. 29 – Nov. 20.

The candidates, selected through a national search, will spend time with university administrators and in the college interacting with the leadership team, faculty, staff and students. Alumni, college partners and the university community are invited to attend public presentations and provide feedback.

The finalists, listed by public presentation date, are:

Oct 29 - Deborah VanOverbeke, assistant dean for academic programs, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University. Her presentation is 1:30 – 3 p.m. in Room A132 of the Animal Science Complex.

Nov. 5 - Tiffany Heng-Moss, interim dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her presentation is from 1:30 – 3 p.m. in the Goldenrod/Sunflower Room of the Nebraska East Union.

Nov. 19 - Prasanta Kalita, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His presentation is 1:30 – 3 p.m. in the Goldenrod/Sunflower Room of the Nebraska East Union.

Additional candidate information, including brief biographies and evaluation forms, are available here... https://ianr.unl.edu/casnr-dean-candidates.

The new CASNR dean will take the reins at a pivotal moment in the college’s trajectory. Now in its 146th year, CASNR is experiencing its largest enrollment in history. The total number of CASNR undergraduate, graduate and professional students for the 2018 fall semester is 3,199, which is a 3.4 percent increase from the previous academic year. To learn more, visit casnr.unl.edu.



Iowa grocery shoppers pay attention to food labels, favoring real meat and dairy

The majority of Iowa grocery shoppers regularly eat pork, beef, turkey, chicken, eggs and dairy and do not feel marketers of imitation products should be able to use the words “milk” or “meat” on their labels, according to the latest Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index®. In fact, only a minority of Iowa grocery shoppers say they would even purchase these types of fake milk or meat products.

The annual survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll, among 508 Iowans ages 20 to 60, with grocery shopping responsibilities, shows which choices and issues are motivating them to make their food purchase decisions.  The Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® shows more than 8 in 10 (82 percent) Iowa grocery shoppers pay attention to labels.  Nearly 7 in 10 (69 percent) do not agree that plant-based and lab-grown meat substitutes should be allowed to use “meat” on their labels.  And only 3 in 10 (31 percent) would be likely to buy imitation meat, even if it was readily available.  Nearly 6 in 10 (57 percent) also don’t agree that plant-based milk substitutes should be allowed to use “milk” on their labels and less than half (47 percent) would buy almond milk or other dairy substitutes.  That percentage goes down even more once grocery shoppers learn more about milk substitutes, with just 2 in 5 (41 percent) favoring almond milk or other substitutes instead of dairy milk.

Iowans Like Real Meat, Milk
The 2018 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® once again shows Iowa grocery shoppers continue to like their meat, milk and eggs.  In fact, more than 9 in 10 (95 percent) say their households eat meat at least weekly. More than 8 in 10 eat beef (88 percent), chicken (84 percent), and eggs (83 percent) at least weekly, 6 in 10 (60 percent) eat pork at least weekly, and more than half of Iowa households consume milk daily.  That preference for Iowa meat, milk and eggs has remained consistent over the last four years of the survey.   After learning that the “highest quality proteins” (proteins containing all of the essential amino acids in amount that humans need) come from meat, eggs, and dairy, two-thirds of Iowa grocery shoppers (66 percent) say they are likely to increase their consumption of meat, milk and dairy.

This comes as no surprise to Iowa State University’s Dr. Ruth MacDonald.  MacDonald, nationally-lauded Professor and Chair of ISU’s Food Science and Human Nutrition and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, says Iowans realize “the nutritional benefits of animal foods (meat, dairy and eggs) are significant for all stages of life. In addition to providing high quality, easily digested proteins, these foods contribute micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that are well absorbed and not found in high amounts in plant foods. Plant-based alternative foods are typically fortified with additives to raise their nutritional value. In some cases (for example plant-based beverages), they may also contain added sugar and other flavorings.”

Once again, the survey shows price (66 percent), freshness (63 percent) and taste (61 percent) are the top three factors driving meat/poultry choices for grocery shoppers, more than any other factors, including nutrition, convenience or how or where the meat/poultry was produced.

Iowans Trust Farmers to Care for the Land and Animals
The latest survey shows large majorities of Iowa grocery shoppers continue to have confidence that farmers are taking care of their land and animals. In the 2018 survey, more than 9 in 10 (93 percent) said they place trust in farmers. Nearly 9 in 10 (86 percent) said they are confident farmers care for their animals responsibly, which is unchanged from 2017 results.  And nearly 3 in 4 (74 percent) said farmers care for the environment responsibly and are taking on the challenge of improving water quality (66 percent).

Methodology
The August 27-September 4, 2018, Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index® was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the IFBF among 508 adults aged 20-60, residing in Iowa who have primary or shared responsibility for household grocery shopping.  The 2017 study was conducted online among 507 adults with the same qualification criteria.  For a complete methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Laurie Johns at ljohns@ifbf.org.



Red Meat Production 5 Percent Below Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.19 billion pounds in September, down 5 percent from the 4.41 billion pounds produced in September 2017.

By State            (mil lbs.  -  % Sept '17)
Nebraska ......:     658.7             94      
Iowa .............:     601.7             97      
Kansas ..........:     488.5             98      

Beef production, at 2.16 billion pounds, was 3 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.62 million head, down 3 percent from September 2017. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 1,358 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.0 million pounds, 1 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 48,600 head, up 11 percent from September 2017. The average live weight was down 26 pounds from last year, at 215 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.01 billion pounds, down 7 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.65 million head, down 6 percent from September 2017. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 280 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.4 million pounds, was up 1 percent from September 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 172,700 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 132 pounds, up 4 pounds from September a year ago.

January to September 2018 commercial red meat production was 39.5 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up 3 percent from last year, veal was up 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.



ACE CEO encourages USDA Secretary, SD dignitaries to help expedite E15 rulemaking for 2019 summer driving season

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings attended a roundtable discussion in Chancellor, South Dakota, today with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, along with SD Senator Mike Rounds and SD Congresswoman Kristi Noem, and other ethanol and corn grower representation, to discuss the rollout of a rule to allow the sale of E15 year-round. This follows President Donald Trump’s decision to extend Reid vapor pressure (RVP) relief to E15 by instructing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking process in Iowa over two weeks ago. Below is a statement from Jennings:

“As we stated a few weeks back, ACE is sincerely grateful the President has directed EPA to issue a rule allowing E15 access to the market year-round, and we’re appreciative of the leadership Secretary Perdue and Senator Rounds played in urging the President to tee-up the E15 rulemaking process. Now, it’s up to EPA to drive it home before the 2019 summer driving season begins.

“As Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley said this week, EPA bureaucrats already appear to be slow-walking the rule, which raises doubts it can be done by June 1. While ACE members are grateful Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler clarified EPA has the legal authority to move forward on E15 year-round without Congress, waiting for a proposed rule until February falls short of our expectations and I encouraged Senator Rounds and Secretary Perdue in the meeting today to join Senator Grassley in pressing the White House to insist EPA puts a rule out for public comment sooner than this timeframe.

“Oil refiners are already threatening to sue over RVP relief for E15 despite the fact EPA has yet to publish the rule for public comment, coupling it with Renewable Identification Number (RIN) transparency reforms will only complicate and prolong the rulemaking process. We cannot accept EPA slow-walking the process after the President made such a big splash announcing it for rural America, particularly our farmers who are hurting from low corn prices.

“ACE will continue to work with EPA to develop a legally-defensible approach, while encouraging the Agency to move the rulemaking process forward in a timelier manner.”



Nine International Grain Buying Teams Visit Midwest States After Export Exchange

After three days in Minneapolis attending Export Exchange to better understand the global grain market for corn, its co-products and sorghum, nine teams of international grain buyers are visiting the U.S. Midwest to talk to farmers and see firsthand the U.S. grain value chain.

Members of the teams hail from the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America, Southeast Asia and China and will make stops in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas - showing the diversity of attendees of the Export Exchange events as well as U.S. Grains Council (USGC) members who support the organization's efforts to reach out to global grain buyers.

“The United States can boast some inherent trade advantages including value chain transparency and reliability, nine years of corn quality data, diversity of products and customer service at every point along the way,” said USCG Chairman Jim Stitzlein. “We are happy to share these qualities firsthand through trade team visits in various corn-producing states after Export Exchange as a means of strengthening the bond between U.S. suppliers and our partner countries.”

Most trade teams will be visiting farming operations, farmer cooperatives, ethanol plants and transloading facilities to give them a clearer perspective on how U.S. farmers get their grains to end-users in their respective countries. Teams will also learn more about the U.S. marketing system for feed grains and co-products and have specialized crop tours of the 2018 harvest.

Two such teams of feed grain industry importers – from South America and China – are heading to the southern United States to meet with suppliers and exporters. The Council is working with the teams in cooperation with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP).

“We are excited to host the trade teams and grow our network at Export Exchange 2018 as sorghum exports have represented a large portion of the U.S. sorghum marketplace over the last few years,” said Florentino Lopez, Sorghum Checkoff executive director. “The Sorghum Checkoff is dedicated to building strong relationships between buyers and sellers, resulting in continued sorghum sales.”

The members of the South American delegation will visit export facilities in New Orleans and an ethanol plant and corn and sorghum farms Texas. The Chinese delegation will visit corn and sorghum farms in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas as well as an ethanol plant, local elevators and transloading facilities.

Other teams from Israel, the European Union, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco will also be canvassing U.S. farm country. While visiting these respective states, the individuals participating in these activities will be able to directly do business and make connections to facilitate future sales.



Automakers Explicitly Approve E15 for More than 93% of New 2019 Vehicles

More than 93 percent of 2019 model year (MY) vehicles are explicitly approved by the manufacturer to use 15 percent ethanol blends (E15), according to the results of an annual analysis of warranty statements and owner’s manuals conducted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). That is up from last year, when approximately 89 percent of MY 2018 vehicles were formally approved by automakers to use E15.

In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) legally approved the use of E15 in cars and light-duty trucks built in 2001 or later, representing more than 92 percent of all registered cars and trucks on the road today. However, automakers did not start including E15 as an approved fuel in owner’s manuals and warranty statements until 2012, the year E15 was first sold commercially.

For the first time, Subaru is approving the use of E15 in several of its most popular models for MY 2019, including the Ascent, Crosstrek and Impreza. Other highlights of the RFA analysis include:
-    General Motors, the first automaker to approve the use of E15, is listing E15 as an approved fuel for its vehicles for the eighth straight model year.
-    MY 2019 will be the seventh straight year that Ford has listed E15 as an approved fuel.
-    After approving the use of E15 in some models in MY 2018, Nissan is approving E15 for all MY 2019 models. The Infiniti QX80 is the only non-flex fuel model in the Nissan/Infiniti family still lacking E15 approval.
-    Hyundai has approved E15 for its MY 2019 Sonata, which was the one model not listed for E15 in MY 2018.
-    Mini approves the use of up to 25 percent ethanol (E25) in all MY 2019 models.
-    Mercedes-Benz and Mazda are the two largest auto lines that do not yet include E15 as an approved fuel, each accounting for about 2 percent of the market. However, some Mercedes models are available as flex fuel vehicles.
-    BMW, Volvo, and Mitsubishi are the only other remaining laggards amongst major automakers.

“As this analysis shows, virtually all new vehicles are clearly approved by the manufacturer to use E15, a cleaner and cheaper fuel blend that is available today at more than 1,400 stations in 29 states,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “While ethanol opponents continue to spread false and misleading information about E15, American drivers deserve to know the truth—nine out of 10 vehicles on the road today are legally approved by EPA to use E15, and 28 of the 32 vehicle lines reviewed in this analysis carry the manufacturer’s approval of E15,” he said.

“We applaud Subaru for approving E15 in many of its new models for the first time, and we will continue to work with the few remaining automakers who do not yet list E15 as an approved fuel,” Cooper added.



IGC Boosts Global Grain Forecast

The International Grains Council said Thursday that it has increased its forecast for global grain production for both this season and the last.

The IGC's fresh monthly forecasts boost expected 2018/2019 production by 9 million tons to 2,081 million metric tons, and expected 2017-18 production by 9 million metric tons to 2,104 million tons.

The changes both represent increases of 0.4% on the grain body's figures from last month's report.

In its predictions for the 2018/2019 production season, the IGC left its expected corn production unchanged at 1,074 million tons. That was accompanied by 1-million-ton cuts to both soybean and rice forecasts, which were cut to 369 million tons and 490 million tons respectively.

Wheat was responsible for the majority of the change, with the IGC upping its 2018-19 forecast to 729 million tons from 717 million tons.

China is responsible for most of that change, the IGC said.

"Wheat output is also placed slightly higher than before in the EU, Russia and Algeria, but reduced for Argentina and Australia. A larger projection for consumption absorbs some of this month's increase in estimated supply and the forecast for world grains stocks at the end of 2018/19 is raised month on month, though this is mainly in China," the body said.



National FFA Organization Names Iowa Resident 2018 Star in Agriscience Winner

Not many teenagers have an ethanol-producing facility in their basement, but for Eric Koehlmoos, a student from the South O'Brien FFA Chapter in Paullina, Iowa, it was all part of his supervised agricultural experience (SAE).

Eric's idea for his high school SAE sprung out of a science fair project for biology class. He looked at the ethanol industry and was curious if ethanol could be made from switchgrass and prairie cordgrass. He began his research, utilizing knowledge from his animal science class.

"A cellulosic ethanol plant and a cow's rumen are two very, very similar things," Eric said.

Creating ethanol from prairie grasses, Eric said, is important because it can "better the tool box" for potential energy sources that will eventually replace oil.

"It can help use less of the high-quality ground that we can grow corn on and other types of crops, and then on poor quality ground we can grow switchgrass and prairie cordgrass and produce ethanol," Eric said.

With his at-home, ATF-approved ethanol facility, Eric had to get creative to match the processes used in a commercial ethanol plant. In high school, his research competed nationally and internationally against the work of college researchers with more funding and better facilities, and Eric said he was proud of and took value in his research experience.

Now, as an agricultural education student at Kansas State University, Eric has participated in research with the Kansas FFA Agriscience Fair, evaluating how the fair can grow and how to deal with barriers that Kansas agricultural education teachers may deal with regarding the fair.

Eric said his goal is to be a high school agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor, utilizing the skills he strengthened through his FFA and research experiences to help "spark some ideas in the next generation of agriculturists."

He is the son of Lisa and Douglas Koehlmoos. His advisor is Eric Kumm.

Missouri Resident Named Star Farmer at 91st National FFA Convention & Expo
Like a good bread recipe or a cowboy tall tale, farming is a tradition Austin Stanton’s family has passed through generations. After his ancestors’ emigration from Ireland nearly 200 years ago, Austin sustains his farming operation on the same land.

Austin, from the Centralia FFA Chapter in Centralia, Mo., operates a multifaceted agricultural enterprise with his brother called Stanton Brothers. His hallmark product is eggs—he owns more than 15,000 hens and sells the eggs to neighbors, restaurants, local grocery chains and the University of Missouri dining halls. Austin also raises swine and grows potatoes and radishes to diversify his operation.

In addition to producing food, Austin has a field spraying service called AHS Services. He also maintains a placement SAE experience by working for his family’s farm, Stanton Farms, which produces field crops and beef.

Minnesota Resident 2018 Star in Agricultural Placement Winner
For Colin Wegner, family is the big motivator behind his career in agriculture. In high school, his FFA advisor told him to take advantage of the opportunity to be involved on the family farm and so the native of Wells, Minn., did.

Colin’s placement supervised agricultural experience (SAE) throughout high school and college involved working on his family’s farm, Wegner Farms. The operation involves corn, soy and hay production and seed sales. He started in ninth grade, completing smaller tasks on the farm before moving up to operating equipment as he learned to drive.

Now as a graduate of South Dakota State University, he works full-time with Wegner Farms and is active in making decisions for the business.

Illinois Resident 2018 Star in Agribusiness Winner
For Ben Curtin of the Taylorville FFA Chapter in Illinois, a crossroads of art and agriculture exists in his metalworking business. He started his supervised agricultural experience (SAE) and business, Curtin’s Creations, during his sophomore year of high school after some encouragement from his agricultural education teacher.

“My ag teacher approached me, and he said, ‘Why don't you do a metal fabrication shop which specializes in building products for around the farm?’" Ben said. “I also liked building industrial furniture, so he approached me and also said, ‘Well, why don't you offer that, as well?’"

Ben struck a deal with a local mechanic to buy old engines, building bar stools and other home décor items out of the engine metal. Then, after starting his education at Purdue University, Ben was able to expand his metalworking expertise by using two computer numerical control (CNC) machines: a plasma cutter and a wood router.

Through Curtin’s Creations, Ben has made agricultural and home products such as farm/ranch signs, universal mounting plates for skid steer equipment and tractor grapples.

Ben credits his FFA and agricultural education experience for some of the skills he uses in his business. He said FFA helped him understand the marketing side of his operation, plus agricultural mechanics classes improved his proficiency with technology.



John Deere Provides Community Engagement Grant to the National FFA Organization in celebration of Deere’s 75 years of FFA sponsorship

To commemorate 75 years of partnership with the National FFA Organization, John Deere is providing a $75,000 contribution to the FFA Living to Serve Platform. The funds are in addition to the wide range of support for FFA activities already sponsored by Deere.

Sam Allen, Deere & Company chairman and CEO, announced the contribution at the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, where he was a keynote speaker.

“The Living to Serve Platform inspires FFA members to put leadership into action through service activities and prepare them to be responsible leaders in agriculture and many other professions in the future,” said Allen.

The Deere contribution provides support for FFA chapters to build stronger communities through various service projects that address environmental responsibility, hunger, health and nutrition, community safety, and community engagement.

“We thank John Deere for their generous contribution and are excited to see where the next 75 years lead our organizations and the future of agriculture,” said Mark Poeschl, Chief Executive Officer, National FFA Organization.

John Deere is the longest-running corporate sponsor of FFA and is celebrating that partnership with the grant and with the presentation of a time capsule containing 75 items donated by FFA members, reflecting the past, present and future of FFA, John Deere, and the agriculture industry. The time capsule will be retained at the National FFA Organization headquarters in Indianapolis and opened by FFA members in 2093.

 Since it first made a $1,000 contribution in 1943, John Deere has provided funds totaling more than $13 million to the National FFA Organization. Deere sponsors a wide range of FFA activities, including a John Deere dealer scholarship program, the farm business management career development competition, and the international leadership seminar for state officers.

In 2014, Deere was one of the first corporate partners to form an FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter. Today, approximately 400 employees from Deere facilities across the U.S. volunteer to coach, mentor and train FFA chapters.

Earlier this year, Deere introduced FFA members to potential careers through a virtual field trip to Waterloo Tractor Cab & Assembly Operations in Waterloo, Iowa. The event was live-streamed to FFA classrooms in 49 U.S. states, Canada, Algeria, and Rwanda, attracting more than 44,000 students and educators.



Makers of CRYSTALYX® launch new self-fed protein supplement for beef cattle

With cow-calf producers across the U.S. prepare for fall and winter feeding conditions, adding supplemental protein should be considered to help improve forage utilization. CrystalBloxTM, a self-fed block supplement for cattle, is the first supplement of its kind to be brought to the market in nearly 40 years.

Developed by Ridley Block Operations, part of the Alltech feed division and the makers of CRYSTALYX® Brand Supplements, CrystalBlox is a new hybrid form that combines the economical nutrient delivery and fortification of compressed blocks with the consistent and predictable intake of low moisture block technology. CrystalBlox will fit into a wide variety of feeding situations in which protein delivery is critical.

“As a beef producer, you want your cattle to maintain good body condition through the fall and winter, when forages are at their lowest quality,” said Mark Robbins, director of research and nutrition services at Ridley Block Operations. “CrystalBlox provides supplemental protein so cattle can utilize those low-quality forages and maintain a good body score condition until calving.”

CrystalBlox is designed and formulated to provide supplemental protein to help improve forage utilization by promoting increased forage intake and improved fiber digestibility. In situations where forage crude protein levels are low due to drought or with advanced maturity such as fall and winter forages, CrystalBlox can provide supplemental protein that will help cattle extract more energy and nutrients from forage supplies.

Robbins, along with Alltech Feed Division nutritionist Tyler Melroe, recently appeared on Rural America Live to speak about CrystalBlox. Watch the video here.

For more information and to find a dealer location, visit CrystalBlox.com.