Monday November 12 Ag News

Soybean Gall Midge: Adult Stage Identified
Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist
Thomas Hunt - NE Extension Entomologist
In late June of 2018, entomologists in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota began receiving reports of soybean fields with visible signs of dead or dying plants that were found to be associated with soybean gall midge infestations. Field surveys were initiated in these states and in neighboring Minnesota to determine the distribution and the extent of the damage.

Results found that soybean gall midge was present in 66 counties across the four states. This multistate map was the result of a collaboration with Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University Extension entomologist; Adam Varenhorst, South Dakota State University Extension field crops entomologist; Bruce Potter, University of Minnesota integrated pest management specialist; and UNL entomologists.

 A portion of the fields surveyed had significant levels of damage with a high frequency of dead plants at the field edge with decreasing damage from the edge into the center of the field. Live soybean plants in damaged areas of the field had dark discolorations at the soil surface that extended up to the unifoliate node. These plants easily snapped off at the soil surface revealing white to orange larvae that appeared to be feeding on the darkened areas of the plant. Additionally, infested plants were observed to have swollen stems near the soil surface or in close proximity to the feeding larvae.

Soybean Gall Midge Adults Identified
Adults of soybean gall midge had not been observed. In Nebraska, emergence cages were placed over midge-infested soybean plants on August 1 and adults later identified to the genus Resseliella were collected within 24 hours from these cages. Emergence of these adults continued for the next 18 days with the last observation on August 19. These specimens were sent to Raymond Gagne, collaborator in the USDA ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory, and Junichi Yukawa, emeritus professor of Kyushu University, Japan, leading authorities in midge identification.

Raymond and Junichi were able to connect these adults to the maggots that we had been observing in soybean fields. The identification of the adults will be critical for monitoring their emergence next spring in fields where there was a problem the previous year. Producers, consultants, and other ag professional are encouraged to follow UNL CropWatch or the authors on Twitter (@justinmcmechan, @BobWrightUNL) for updates on soybean gall midge emergence this spring.

Little to no information is available on soybean gall midge. As of now, soybean gall midge has only been identified to the genus Resseliella which encompasses 55 species worldwide, 15 of which have been identified in the United States. None of these species are known to occur on soybeans. DNA and morphological comparisons conducted by Junichi and Raymond indicate that it is likely a new species.

Management Practices
Studies with management practices such as planting date and soybean maturity group were evaluated for soybean gall midge damage at the Crop Management Diagnostic Clinic plots at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead. These plots are used for demonstration purposes and are not replicated. Soybeans were planted every three weeks beginning in late April through the end of June. Each planting date consisted of four maturity groups (1, 2, 3 and 4).

Dissections of random plants from each plot showed that all maturity groups within each planting date were infested with the exception of a late June planting date. This matches observations of later planted soybean fields in Iowa and South Dakota having reduced visual symptoms and lower infestation rates. Maturity groups 1 and 2 showed visible signs of damage at or near the soil surface whereas groups 3 and 4 showed signs of plant damage in the axils of the trifoliate approximately 6-8 inches from the soil surface.

Yield Losses
In heavily damaged fields, losses associated with soybean gall midge are inevitable due to the number of dead or dying soybean plants. Damage to the phloem and xylem of the plant is likely to result in yield reductions for surviving soybean gall midge infested plants. Additional losses are also anticipated due to the lack of stem strength, predisposing plants to increased risk of lodging if harvest is delayed. Yield loss estimates on a small sample of plants from a heavily damaged field indicate nearly complete yield loss from the field edge up to 100 ft., with about a 20% yield loss 200 and 400 ft. from the field edge.



Checklist for Winterizing Your Center Pivot
Troy Ingram - NE Extension Educator

Irrigation season has ended here in Nebraska and it’s time to evaluate your center pivot system to make sure it is ready for winter and for another growing season. Here is a list of things to check.

System Flush
-    If you have water quality issues or if your well is pumping some sand, flush out the system.
-    Clean out the sand trap.
-    Drain water from all aboveground pipe.

Panel Boxes
-    Check for loose or damaged connections.
-    Seal up openings to avoid rodent damage.
-    Check the grounding connection and grounding rod.

Structure
-    Check sprinkler chart for proper sprinkler placement.
-    Check for worn or broken components, sprinklers, and regulators.
-    Replace every 7,000 – 10,000 hours.
-    Check for boots, gaskets, and mid-drains for leaks.
-    Chick span to span grounding connection.

Drive Train
-    Drain water from gearboxes and top off with the proper lubricant.
-    Check for oil leaks around seals on the gearboxes.
-    Check knuckles for wear and make sure shields are in place.
-    Check tire pressure.

Pivot Tracks
-    Fill wheel tracks in the fall so they can firm up over the winter.

Park Pivot
-    Position system parallel to prevailing winds.
-    Park on a level surface not in an old track so the system can expand/contract with the freezing temperatures.

System Security
-    Lock and secure the system. You don’t want the system to be turned on during the offseason without the grower’s knowledge as ice could build up and damge the pivot structure.

Sanitation
-    Clean up vegetation around the pivot point and well.
-    Make the space less inviting to rodents.

Chemigation Pumps
-    Drain and clean pump and hoses.

Protection from Cattle
-    If grazing cattle on stalks, protect the system and pumping plant from cattle.

Recordkeeping
-    Take time this fall to note problems you encountered during the growing season and plan how to address them before the next irrigation season.



7 Tips for Farmers to Develop a Strong Marketing Plan

One of the keys to success for today’s agricultural producers is a strong marketing plan which includes knowing break-even costs, having a solid action plan and keeping emotions out of it, according to a tip sheet released by the American Bankers Association today at the ABA National Agricultural Bankers conference in Omaha, Neb. The tip sheet—developed by members of the ABA Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee—includes seven tips to help farmers and ranchers manage their risk.

“A well-developed marketing plan can take some of the price risk off the table, which is especially important in today’s ag economy,” said Ed Elfmann, senior vice president, agricultural and rural policy at ABA. “It’s also a useful tool to help farmers and ranchers communicate with their banker.”

For producers who haven’t developed a marketing plan or need to take a fresh look at the one they have, ABA’s Agricultural and Rural Bankers Committee recommends starting with these tips:

Know your break-even costs
Factor in all of your costs including input, debt service and family living expenses. To get a better idea of what your yield might be, take your three-year, five-year or Olympic average (eliminate the high and low of the last five years and average the rest). You can also find ballpark figures from university agricultural extension services or an advisory firm. Use an excel spreadsheet to add up and track your costs.
    
When there’s an opportunity to profit, act on it
Once you understand your production costs, you’ll have a better idea of when you can sell for a profit. You’re not always going to hit the high, but selling at a profit—even a small one—takes some of the risk off the table. One of the biggest mistakes can be inaction because you think prices are going to go up or you’re going to miss a rally.
    
Set a goal and stick to it
You could set a date to have all of your marketing completed, plan to market 10 percent each month, or set a goal to market one, two or even three years out. Creating a plan will help you stay on track. With so much volatility in agriculture, no one can be totally sure what’s going to happen, but having an organized plan can help.
    
Take the emotions out of it
Finding the right person or company to work with can go a long way to remove your emotions from the mix. Talk to your banker for recommendations and understand your options. Whether it’s a marketing advisory firm, programs offered by your local co-ops and elevators, or your in-house financial manager—find someone you trust and are comfortable with.
    
Keep things simple
You don’t have to do a lot of fancy footwork to make a profit. You may not always hit a homerun but sticking to your marketing plan can help you stay in business. When you do make a decision, accept it and move on. Don’t beat yourself up afterward if the market moves one way or another.
    
Avoid spot markets
Don’t wait until you need to make a loan payment or you need cash. That will leave you vulnerable to what the market can give you at that time. Keep track of your local basis and understand the benefits of forward pricing.
    
Understand the tools available
Hedge-to-arrive contracts, forward pricing, marketing loans to cover hedging expenses, hedging lines of credit, the role of crop insurance—it’s complicated, but your banker is there to help you make sense of the options. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and find the best solution for you and your operation.



Changing Supplementation Frequency May Impact Cow Weight and Body Condition Score
Steve Neimeyer – Extension Educator

This article is a summary of the 2016 Kansas Agricultural Experimentation Station Research Reports: Vol. 2: Iss.1. “Effects of Altering Supplementation Frequency During the Pre-Partum Period of Beef Cows Grazing Dormant Native Range.”   C.J. McMullen, J.R. Jaeger, J.W. Waggoner, K.R. Harmoney and K.C. Olsen were collaborators on this research study and report.   The report is summarized by Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator.

Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is a common protein supplement for cows that are grazing dormant low quality forages.   Previous research studies have shown no difference in cow body weight or body condition score by supplementing the same total amount either daily, once every three days or once every six days.   Reducing the frequency of feeding from every day to once every three or six days can reduce feeding expenses.

Prior research of supplementing cows consuming hay with DDGS once every six days indicated that on the day cows were fed supplement there was a lower number of cows consuming hay during the 60 minutes after the supplement was fed as compared to hay fed cows that were fed DDGS supplement daily.   If cows are consuming less total forage during the day following a delivery of a large amount of supplementation, this could be impacting total organic matter intake.   From these observations, it was decided to study the effect of changing the frequency of supplementation being fed to cows during the last 28 days prior to calving to determine if this would impact cow performance. It was hypothesized that more frequent daily supplementation during the last month of gestation may increase the total amount of organic matter intake and thus improve cow performance.

A total of 238 pregnant Angus cows were used in the study over a two year period.   Cows were grazing dormant native range for 88 days prior to calving.   For the 88 days prior to calving, the cows were stratified by age, weight and body condition score randomly into four groups. 
·    The first group (D1) consisted of cows that were fed 2.60 lbs. per head per day on a dry matter basis of DDGS daily throughout the 88 day trial.
·    The second group (D6) consisted of cows that were fed 15.6 lbs. per head of DDGS every six days on a dry matter basis throughout the 88 day trial.
·    The third group (D1-D6) consisted of cows that were fed 2.60 lbs. per head per day on a dry matter basis of DDGS daily from day 1 through day 60 of the trial.   Day 61 through day 88 the cows went from being fed daily to being fed 15.6 lbs. of DDGS once every 6 days.
·    The fourth group (D6-D1) consisted of cows that were fed 15.6 lbs. per head of DDGS every sixth day on a dry matter basis from day 1 through day 60 of the trial. Day 61 through day 88, the cows were then fed 2.6 lbs. per head per day of DDGS on a daily basis.

When results from the two year study were analyzed, there were no significant differences between body weight gain or body condition score for the first, second and third groups.   However, for the fourth group (D6-D1), which was the cows fed DDGS every sixth day from day 1 through day 60 and then fed DDGS daily for the last 28 days, there was a difference in cow body weight and a tendency for a difference in cow body condition score. The first three groups of cows gained on average 106 lbs. while the D6-D1 group only gained 81.2 pounds. The first three groups had an average body condition score on day 88 of the study of 5.8.   The D6-D1 group of cows had an average body condition score of 5.6.

In summary, supplying the same amount of DDGS supplement to cows as infrequently as once every sixth day resulted in similar cow performance during the 88 day study.   These results are consistent with prior studies that demonstrated protein supplement can be feed as infrequent as once a week without negatively impacting cow performance.   However, switching the frequency from every sixth day to daily during the last 28 days of gestation in this study decreased body weight gain and body condition score when compared to their contemporaries.   It is important to point out that cows were still gaining body weight and were in good body condition at the time of calving.   Producers delivering fiber based protein supplements to cows grazing low quality forages may be able to reduce the frequency of supplementation to as infrequent as once very sixth day without impacting cow performance.



Farmer2Farmer: Where the Future of Farming is Created
Join America’s most progressive, independent farmers in Omaha, Neb., Dec. 12-14, 2018

Farmer’s Business Network®, is the largest and fastest growing information and business network of farmers in North America. December 12 - 14, 2018, FBN® is holding its annual conference, Farmer2Farmer IV. It’s where innovation meets agriculture, thinking is challenged and brutally honest conversations are had. We're expecting more than 2,000 of our members to attend, and you will want to be there!  It’s where innovation meets agriculture, thinking is challenged and brutally honest conversations are had.

At this informative event you’ll hear from and meet innovative farmers who are pioneering new approaches to this proud yet challenging profession. Learn from industry professionals AND our farmer members — leaders who have rejected “business as usual” to create new ways of working together as they Take Control to improve their balance sheets and fight to keep the bottom line in the black. We’ll talk:
    Matching data to risk mitigation
    Forward-thinking soil and crop management
    Innovative technologies and on-farm use case(s)
    The ROI of conventional seed
    F2F Genetics in a consolidating environment
    The true power of data when aggregated, analyzed and fed back
    Unbiased and industry first reports including Seed Relabeling and Seed Zone Pricing
    Using big data to make extra cents
    Best data management practices and real-life application
    The truth behind the economics of organic production at scale
    Storage, decision making and marketing strategies for commodity and specialty crops
    Decision aids to optimize ROI and efficiency
    The new farm media – the farmer driven revolution
    The trade war and farm bill – what does that mean for farmers in 2019?
    We’ll announce more exciting “firsts” for the industry

In addition to Farmers Business Network leaders and farmer speakers, Farmer2Farmer is featuring legendary pilot Captain Sully Sullenberger and Discovery Channel’s MythBuster Adam Savage who will keynote the conference.

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, through Friday, Dec.14, 2018

WHERE: CHI Health Omaha Arena, 455 N 10th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
REGISTER HERE:  www.farmer2farmer.ag




Baling Cornstalks Detrimental to Soil and Wallet

Baled crop residue is often used for livestock bedding or feed, but leaving it in the ground provides the best value for the resource.Iowa farmers who bale cornstalks for livestock bedding or sell it to other livestock producers are entering into a losing proposition due to the lost nutrient value and soil health benefits, according to officials with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Based on current commodity prices and the value in each bale, Neil Sass, agronomist with NRCS in West Union, says farmers should leave crop residue in the field. "The plant residue left in the field after harvest is a valuable resource," says Sass. "The value in cornstalks can be better used for reducing soil erosion, providing extra organic matter content in the soil, and contributing nutrients back to the soil."

One ton cornstalk bales are currently selling for $20-$30 per bale across Iowa. The latest estimates show that each one ton bale has a value of about $32 when considering the nutrients ($7/ton), custom raking ($3/ton), and custom baling ($22/ton).

Harvesting Crop Residue: What is it worth?
Sass says farmers should also consider the nutrient value of hay, given today's prices. "Selling hay bales or cornstalk bales and removing them from the farm at current prices is equivalent to having a fertilizer sale," he said. "Rather than selling them, farmers should consider using them for bedding."

Rick Bednarek, state soil scientist with NRCS, says plant residue contributes directly to soil performance through added organic matter. "The additional organic matter crop residue provides helps the soil's nutrient availability, nutrient holding capacity, and water holding capacity," he said.

"Crop residue also protects the soil from the impact of raindrops, helping to maintain soil aggregate stability, which affects infiltration, aeration and drainage," he said.

Farmers who decide to harvest crop residue are encouraged to adopt the following practices:
- Reduce or eliminate tillage operations.
- Adjust crop rotations to minimize low residue crops.
- Grow cover crops.
- Add manure to fertility plan.

For more information about conservation planning and financial assistance programs, contact your local NRCS office or go online to www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.



Iowa State Dairy Association To Hold Annual Meeting December 5-6

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will hold its Annual Meeting Dec. 5-6, 2018 at the Quality Inn & Suites, 2601 E. 13th St, Ames, IA 50010.

All ISDA members are invited to attend, along with anyone interested in dairy who wishes to explore opportunities for becoming a member.

This year’s meeting will kick off on Dec. 5th with an educational session put on by Matt Lange with Compeer Financial. In this session, Matt Lange will review the strategies and tactics some dairy businesses are implementing and executing to place themselves in the top 25% of operations based on net income. Attendees will get to review performance metrics that they can take back home to evaluate on their own operations to help benchmark against.

The keynote speaker on Dec. 6th will be Secretary Tom Vilsack, President and CEO of the United States Dairy Export Council. Secretary Tom Vilsack will give remarks on US Trade relations and gaining the next 5% of dairy exports. Additional speaker will include Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and ISU Director, Food Supply Veterinary Medicine Dr. Pat Gordon.

The business meeting on Dec. 6  includes ISDA’s officer reports and activity updates. In addition, changes to ISDA policy will be discussed and voted on by the  ISDA voting delegates.

lunch is included, and there is no cost to attend. A detailed agenda, registration details, current ISDA policy and weather-related meeting status notifications can be viewed at www.iowadairy.org/registration. 



Online Course Offers Assistance in Developing Weed Management Plan

Designing an effective weed management plan to combat troublesome weeds and delay the development of herbicide resistance requires careful planning. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of dealing with herbicide resistance once it occurs to be $20-60 per acre. Developing long-term weed management plans that reduce the chances of resistance developing will minimize the cost of resistance.

An online course offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, titled “Herbicide Resistance and Weed Management,” provides farmers and agribusinesses the tools and resources needed to help design an effective long-term weed management plan to help delay the development of herbicide resistance.

The interactive and self-paced course contains presentations narrated by ISU Extension and Outreach faculty and specialists, along with lesson activities that can be completed according to the user’s timetable.

The cost of the course is $50 and can be purchased through the ISU Extension Store. 

Those who complete the course are eligible for 3.0 integrated pest management Certified Crop Advisor continuing education units. In order to receive CCA credits, the entire course must be completed.

Additional course information can be found at www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds.



Antibiotic Stewardship: A Conscious Choice for U.S. Pig Farmers

America’s 60,000 pig farmers remain committed to using antibiotics responsibly as they take steps each day on doing what’s right for the health of people, pigs and the planet. In recognition of the 2018 U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and World Antibiotic Awareness Week, Nov. 12-18, America’s pig farmers want consumers to realize the continuous improvement and antibiotic stewardship efforts underway. Part of that commitment is participating in the global One Health initiative with organizations including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Using antibiotics responsibly, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian, is a part of daily life on pig farms and has been for many years,” said National Pork Board President Steve Rommereim, a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “When it comes to keeping our pigs healthy, we continue to use many management strategies on our farms, including biosecurity measures, vaccinations, housing management, and more, to maintain the health and well-being of the pigs in our care.”

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, directed by the CDC, is an annual observance to raise the awareness of antibiotic resistance risks and the importance for all sectors – human and animal health and the environment – to responsibly use antibiotics. More than 300 organizations observe Antibiotic Awareness Week, including federal agencies, health departments, professional societies, corporations and advocacy groups. The CDC’s educational effort theme – Be Antibiotics Aware: Smart Use, Best Care – is highlighted during the week’s activities, but is a year-round effort (see #USAAW18 and #BeAntibioticsAware).

Additionally, the National Pork Board continues its participation and collaboration with the CDC’s newly developed Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Challenge (#AMRChallenge). This yearlong effort is an avenue for governments, private industries and non-governmental organizations worldwide to make formal commitments to advance the progress to mitigate antimicrobial resistance. The challenge encourages a One Health approach, recognizing that the health of people, animals and the environment is all connected.

“Antibiotics are powerful tools for fighting disease, but if used inappropriately in people, animals or other applications, it can set the stage for antibiotic resistance,” said National Pork Board’s Heather Fowler, DVM, Pork Checkoff’s director of producer and public health. “Although resistance occurs naturally on its own, we recognize the role farming can play in that area. It is critical that farmers use medically important antibiotics only as necessary for the health and welfare of their animals to keep these compounds effective in the future.”

Fowler reiterates that for the National Pork Board and America’s pig farmers, staying focused on responsible antibiotic use is a year-round effort and not merely during Antibiotic Awareness Week. To understand this more fully, she recommends that people become familiar with the National Pork Board’s Antibiotic Use Position that was revised earlier this year.

A prime example of pig farmers’ long-term dedication to antibiotic stewardship, public health and animal care is the industry’s Pork Quality Assurance® Plus certification program, now in its third decade. The program trains and certifies pig farmers and their employees on all aspects of production. This includes farrowing, health monitoring, facility management, recordkeeping and more. This program is augmented by the third-party Common Swine Industry Audit.

Another example of continuous improving regarding antibiotics is the Checkoff research that U.S. pig farmers have funded, which totals $6.5 million since 2000. In 2018 alone, the Pork Checkoff funded nearly $400,000 across multiple research areas to evaluate antibiotic alternatives and other methods to minimize on-farm antibiotic use.

“Everyone has a role in responsible antibiotic use, whether it involves a medical doctor prescribing an antibiotic, a patient completing a dosage regimen or a producer working with a veterinarian monitoring herd health,” Fowler said. “It’s a lifelong commitment.”

You can follow U.S. Antibiotics Awareness Week on social media @CDCgov and @CDC_NCEZID on Twitter and on Facebook. Be sure to use #USAAW18 and #BeAntibioticsAware.



NMPF Urges Congress to Put Farmers First in Lame-Duck Session

Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), urged Congress to make passing a new farm bill a top priority in its lame-duck session that starts tomorrow, saying that dairy farmers harmed by low prices would benefit from the certainty and improvements likely to be part of the final law.

“Given the sustained low prices dairy farmers have faced, coupled with uncertainty in agricultural trade policy, it is more important than ever that Congress quickly enact the 2018 Farm Bill before adjourning for the year,” said Mulhern. “Both the House and Senate-passed bills make important reforms to dairy policy, making the Margin Protection Program a more effective safety net for producers and expanding producer access to additional risk management options.”

NMPF, whose member cooperatives produce the majority of milk in the United States, commended House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders for working to negotiate a final 2018 Farm Bill this year.

“We are grateful for the hard work the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have put in to get us to this point,” said Mulhern. “We stand ready to work with them and their colleagues in the coming weeks to get the job done.”

National Milk has actively worked toward securing federal aid for dairy farmers at levels appropriate to the hardships producers face. On Oct. 24, NMPF urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to consider four separate analyses into trade-related dairy losses that each indicate damages of more than $1 billion when USDA calculates its second round of trade-mitigation payments slated for later this year. NMPF members reiterated that call the following week at their annual meeting in Phoenix.



Chicago Fed Ag Conference Slated for November 27

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago announces its annual Agricultural Conference will be held at its offices on November 27. The theme of this year's forum focuses on 'Agricultural Technology's Impacts on Farming and the Rural Midwest.'

"During this challenging time for agriculture, new technologies provide a vital avenue for farm operations to improve their competitive advantages, especially in light of the strained environment for trade," said Reserve Economist and Conference Organizer David Oppedahl.

Attendees will hear from experts from academia, financial services, industry and policy institutions explore how technology is transforming agriculture and how it will be funded.

Educational sessions will include the effects of technology on both the industry and rural communities; broadband and the rural economy; and how technologies might be funded and implemented.

For more information, call the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago at 312-322-5757.