Friday December 14 Ag News

Continuing the Fight Against WOTUS
Rep. Adrian Smith

Our nation’s natural resources have no better friend than farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on them. From growing crops to raising livestock, their long term success is dependent upon sustainable practices. This is why President Obama’s oppressive Clean Water Rule, also known as Waters of the United States (WOTUS), was unwelcome and even offensive to people throughout the Midwest.

WOTUS sought to greatly increase the EPA’s authority to regulate “ephemeral streams” - those which flow only when it rains or snow melts – by expanding the definition of navigable waterways under the Clean Water Act. However, a vast array of legal scholars, state officials, and federal judges have agreed this Obama-era regulation is both outside the will of Congress and downright unconstitutional.

It’s not at all difficult to imagine the ways in which an activist administration might use these expanded powers to issue a litany of burdensome and unnecessary regulations surrounding everything from irrigation ditches to water puddles. As a result of the EPA’s actions, I introduced a joint resolution to repeal WOTUS under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to overrule any new regulations. The resolution easily passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by President Obama.

When President Trump took office, he attempted to roll back the rule almost immediately. Unfortunately, the courts intervened saying the current rule would have to be replaced with a completely new one, rather than rolled back. Much to the relief of farmers and ranchers across the country, the EPA announced a replacement rule this week which both honors past court decisions and includes a more appropriate definition of navigable waterways.

Under the new rule, the EPA will continue to do its job while respecting the rights of farmers and ranchers to steward our natural resources as they have for generations. I appreciate President Trump for his efforts to shield our agricultural producers from burdensome regulations and I’m proud to have played a part in bringing the Obama administration’s overreach to light. I look forward to this rule being finalized for the benefit of our rural economy.



The Career Academy Grows Poinsettias for the Holiday Season
www.neffafoundation.org 

Tom Wheeldon, a former teacher in Schuyler, NE and current teacher within The Career Academy at Southeast Community College offered to Lincoln Public Schools students, is helping expose students to the agricultural industry. FFA members in The Career Academy ag bioscience program have been working to grow poinsettias as a fundraiser in their greenhouse just in time for the holiday season.

Wheeldon says the intro class was in charge of taking care of the poinsettias while the FFA members marketed them. The members' hard work towards this project helped make the fundraiser a success. Overall, 150 poinsettias were grown in the greenhouse. All FFA members had the opportunity to take one home and the rest were successfully sold and distributed.

There are 20 high school juniors and seniors in The Career Academy ag bioscience program that make up the only FFA chapter in Lincoln. While participating in many of the same events that any other FFA chapter would, Wheeldon says they like to tie in urban agriculture into what they do.

For many students in The Career Academy FFA chapter, it is their first time being exposed to the agriculture industry. Wheeldon says that students in the program are very proud that they can be competitive with other FFA members even though they have only been newly introduced to the contests. He adds that a lot of the students “embrace the risk and do very well.” Wheeldon hopes to see more students join the chapter to help them grow personally in the future.



AMS Reaches a Consent Decision with JBS USA Food Company at Grand Island NE

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) reached a consent decision with JBS USA Food Company, also known as Swift Beef Company (JBS Swift), Greeley, Colo., for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act.  The consent decision was signed by Acting Chief Administrative Law Judge, Channing D. Strother, on November 21, 2018.

AMS conducted an investigation that revealed JBS Swift failed to maintain the identity of beef carcasses purchased on a hot weight basis to ensure accurate payment to livestock sellers at its Grand Island, Neb., facility.  During the period of December 14, 2017 through March 31, 2018 JBS Swift failed to record accurately the weights, grades and prices of carcasses on accountings issued to sellers.

JBS Swift was notified of such violations and immediately took corrective action by making adjustments to its carcass tracking procedures and computer software.  Under the consent decision, JBS Swift agreed to remit amounts owed to livestock sellers resulting from the inaccurate recording of weights, grades, and prices of carcasses.  In addition, the consent decision ordered JBS Swift to pay a $50,000 civil penalty, and to cease and desist from:
-    Failing to properly maintain the identity of each seller's livestock and the carcasses therefrom;
-    Failing, after determination of the amount of the purchase price, to transmit or deliver to the seller or his duly authorized agent a true written account of such purchase showing the number, weight and price of the carcasses of each grade (identifying the grade) and of the ungraded carcasses, an explanation of any condemnations and any other information affecting final accounting; and
-    Failing to maintain sufficient records to substantiate the settlement of each transaction.

The Packers and Stockyards Division, which is in the AMS Fair Trade Practices Program, administers the P&S Act, a fair trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.



Nebraska Announces Tour to Italy

The Nebraska Cattlemen has announced Italy as the destination for its next international tour. Dates for the tour are September 8 – 17, 2019.

The tour was announced, and registrations began during the NC Convention in Kearney. The number of participants is limited to about 20, and the tour is expected to be a sellout. Previous NC trips have included Ireland, and Vancouver, British Columbia and Alaska. Participants who sign up before Christmas will also receive a gift basket of Italian goods.

The trip is custom made for NC, with departures out of either Denver and Omaha. Tour participants will be merged in LaGuardia International Airport in New Your, making travel from both western and eastern Nebraska convenient.

Regarding the itinerary, it is a five-senses tour through the countryside of northern Italy culminating in the historic cities of Florence and Rome and includes no-wait tickets at the major museums. Participants will be able to hunt truffles, see and learn about Ferraris, taste olive oils straight from the olive grove, visit the Sistine Chapel, taste Prosciutto di Parma, visit a local winery in the Piedmont region, enjoy a hands-on cooking class with Mama Paula, and explore one of the world’s oldest shopping malls (1867). Also, a meeting with the Italian Cattle Breeders Association is being planned.

NC Past President Jeff Pribbeno and his wife, Connie, will be NC official hosts for the tour.

Participation is open to NC members as well as friends and supporters. More details and a registration form are available on the NC website: www.nebraskacattlemen.org or by calling the NC office 402-475-2333.



Fremont Corn Expo Jan. 3

Eastern Nebraska corn growers can sharpen their marketing, production, and pest management strategies at the 2019 Fremont Corn Expo January 3 in Fremont.

The event, designed so growers can come and go among presentations, exhibits, and ag equipment, is free, said Nathan Mueller, event coordinator and Nebraska Extension Cropping Systems Educator in Dodge and Washington counties. It will be held at the Christensen Field Main Arena at 1730 West 16th St., starting at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast and time to view commercial and educational exhibits. Presentations will begin at 8:45 a.m.

“This program is unique in that it focuses on east central Nebraska and the challenges faced by corn growers here the last few years,” Mueller said. “It’s designed to allow plenty of opportunities so attendees can connect with exhibitors and other growers throughout the day.”

Keynote speaker will be Elaine Kub, an independent market economist and author of the book, Mastering the Grain Markets: How Profits Are Really Made. Kub, a regular contributor to Market Journal, will present on “Prepping for Grain Market Opportunities.”

Amelia Breinig, the new Nebraska Department of Agriculture assistant director, will discuss the three E’s of corn economics: production efficiency, ethanol, and exports and how they can help keep Nebraska corn trending upward.

Other presentations will include:
    Hail Know: Resources for Hail-Damaged Crops – Tyler Williams, Nebraska Extension educator
    Cover Crops and Insects: Finding a Balance Between Risk and Benefit – Justin McMechan, Nebraska Extension crop protection and cropping systems specialist
    Project SENSE: A Three-Year Review of Sensor-Based Nitrogen Management in Irrigated Corn Production – Joe Luck, Nebraska Extension precision ag engineer
    Business and Industry Update – Nebraska Farm Bureau, Fremont Chamber, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, and Nebraska Corn Board

The event is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the Fremont Chamber, Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Corn Board, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and many local ag businesses.

For more information on the program or speakers, visit http://croptechcafe.org/fremontcornexpo/.  Information from the presentations will be available on the website after the event.



Extension Successful Farmer Series Starts January 4
Tyler Williams - Cropping Systems Extension Educator

Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County is hosting a Successful Farmer Program Series on Fridays from January 4 to February 8, featuring timely topics for today's farmers. Multiple sessions and topics allow ag producers to pick the topics most relevant to them and their operation. All sessions will be 9-11:30 a.m. in Lincoln at the Lancaster Extension Education Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road. Sessions also will be livestreamed. To watch, register online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/ag.

Attendees at last year’s series estimated a $16 per acre value gained by participating.

Scheduled topics are:
    Friday, Jan. 4 – Cover Cropping 2.0 with Justin McMechan, Extension Cropping Systems Specialist and Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer
    Friday, Jan. 11 – Alternative Crops with Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator and Stephen Baenziger, Professor of Agronomy
    Friday, Jan. 18 – Spray Drift Management (featuring a mobile lab) with Greg Kreuger, Associate Professor
    Friday, Jan. 25 – Changes in Ag with Tyler Williams, Extension Educator and Hilary Maricle, Commonground Nebraska and an Ag Tech Panel with Joe Luck, Associate Professor, Kelly Maaske, Midwest Farmers Cooperative, and a local ag producer
    Friday, Feb. 1 – Diseases and Nutrient Deficiency ID with Kyle Broderick, Coordinator, UNL Plant & Pest Lab and Ellen Paparozzi, Professor of Agronomy
    Friday, Feb. 8 – Ag Marketing (All attendees will be given access to a computer to follow along.) with Austin Duerfeldt, Extension Educator & Cory Walters, Associate Professor

Presenters are experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Other experts will be available to address more specific questions or interact with attendees during the breaks.

Registrations are not required, but are appreciated two days prior to the session(s) you want to attend. Register by contacting Karen Wedding at kwedding2@unl.edu or 402-441-7180, or going to https://lancaster.unl.edu/ag. The cost is $5 per session or $15 for all six sessions. Pay at the door with cash or check. Debit/credit card payment available for an additional fee. Refreshments will be provided.

Certified Crop Advisor education credits will be available.



Ag Estate Planning Workshops this January in West Point and Blair

Nebraska Extension is hosting two Estate Planning Workshops this January for landowners, ranchers, and farmers. The first will be Wednesday, January 16 at the Nielsen Community Center in West Point from 2 to 5 p.m. The second will be Wednesday, January 23 at the Public Library in Blair from 2 to 5 p.m.

Registration is requested to ensure proper handouts for participants. To register for the West Point meeting call the Nebraska Extension office in Cuming County at 402-372-6006 or stop by the office. To register for the Blair meeting call Nebraska Extension in Washington County at 402-426-9455 or stop by the office.

The event is free and designed to help anyone thinking about how they should proceed with plans to retire, exit, or transfer the farm or ranch business.

Presentations will be made by Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator working in farm succession/transfer, and Brandon Dirkschneider, certified financial planner and certified farm/ranch transition coordinator.

Workshop topics will include the importance of having a plan, proper family communications, proper family negotiations, needed end of life documentation, estate planning options using wills, trusts, and/or other business entities.  A feature of this program will be to provide information about how insurance products can be used with estate planning.

Reactions from past participants can be summarized into one comment: Most participants wished that they had attended this workshop years earlier. Retiring or passing the farm to the next generation is difficult to think about and is an admission of your own impending demise; however, it is a necessary step and with good planning can be made as painless as possible.

For more information about the program, please contact Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, at 402-472-1771 or e-mail avyhnalek2@unl.edu. For registration questions contact the host office.



Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics this January

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. The clinics offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Sites and Dates
    Norfolk — Friday, January 4
    York — Thursday, January  10
    Norfolk — Thursday, January 17
    Valentine — Friday, January 18
    Fairbury — Wednesday, January  30

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.




Prescribed burn training workshops scheduled

Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host prescribed burn training workshops across the state early in 2019.

These workshops will provide guidance and instruction for completing safe and effective prescribed fires. Landowners, resource professionals, volunteer fire departments and other interested persons are invited to attend. No prior burn experience is required. Most workshops are scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Basic workshops will be held Jan. 17 in Grand Island and Wayne, Jan. 23 in Alma, Jan. 24 in Lincoln, Jan. 28 in Rushville, Jan. 29 in Scottsbluff, and Feb. 28 in Sumner.

Advanced topics will be covered at workshops that will be held Jan. 9 in Broken Bow, Jan. 10 in Curtis, Jan. 16 in Stockville, Jan. 23 in Niobrara, Jan. 30 in Imperial, and in March or April in Wahoo.

The $10 workshop fee includes a meal and training materials. To register, visit NebraskaPF.com and then click on Events, or call 308-850-8395.



“Ranching for Profitability” Meeting to be held as webinar across Nebraska

Efficiency and sustainability are important topics to beef consumers and the future success of the beef industry. These topics are also the theme of Nebraska Extension’s Ranching for Profitability session in 2019.

In January, Ranching for Profitability will be offered as a webinar that beef producers can join from any of 13 downlink locations across Nebraska, or from their home via the internet. A list of sites and registration information follows.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, Jan. 17, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Mountain Time (6:30-9:30 p.m. Central). Expert university and industry speakers will address genetic changes in cattle breeds; consumer preferences at the meat counter; and protecting herd health.

Dr. David Lalman from Oklahoma State University will lead off the evening on the topic “Genetic Trends for Maternal and Growth Traits in Major Cattle Breeds.”  Lalman will explore the implications of the tremendous genetic change of the last 50 years to input costs and productivity for cow-calf producers.

Dr. Kim Stackhouse, Director of Sustainability at meat-processing company JBS, will give a beef processor’s perspective on the kind of product sought by grocers and the food-service industry to meet consumer demands for “sustainably produced” meat. Understanding consumer desires will help producers understand ways to effectively tell how they efficiently utilize resources to sustainably produce beef.

Dr. Brian Vander Ley, Nebraska Extension Veterinarian, will wrap up the evening discussing “(Re)Moving the Needle on Herd Health.”

To attend a webinar host site, please contact the local Nebraska Extension office where you plan to attend by Jan. 15 to insure enough program materials are available.

Those who would like to attend from home can register for a remote webinar seat, by contacting their local Beef Extension Educator to receive program information and the webinar link.

Cost is $10 per person.  Those wishing to participate in the online meeting will need to pay their local Beef Extension Educator prior to receiving the webinar link.  Those attending a downlink site can pay at the door.

Please call to register for the webinar meeting at one of these locations:
Ainsworth (Brown County Courthouse), 402-387-2213;
Broken Bow (Mid-Plains Community College Campus), 308-872-6831;
Burwell (Garfield County Courthouse), 308-346-4200;
Curtis (NCTA Education Center Auditorium), 308-367-5284;
Columbus (Platte County Extension Office), (308)536-2691;
Kearney (Buffalo County Extension Office), 308-236-1235;
North Platte (West Central Research and Extension Center), 308-532-2683;
O’Neill (Holt County Courthouse Annex), 402-336-2760;
Rushville (Sheridan County Extension Office), 308-327-2312;
Scottsbluff (Panhandle Research and Extension Center), 308-235-3122;
Sidney (South Platte NRD Meeting Room), 308-235-3122;
Valentine (Cherry County Courthouse), 402-376-1850;
West Point (Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room), 402-372-6006;

For questions about the “Ranching for Profitability” Meeting, please contact Extension Educator Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 oraberger2@unl.edu.



Crop Production Clinics, Recertification Training at 5 Sites

Updates on university research on cover crops, cropping systems, crop residue removal, fertility and soil nutrition, irrigation, and pest management are among the topics to be featured at the 2019 Crop Production Clinics. Programs will be held at five sites across the state in January and include pesticide applicator recertification training.

"Individual clinics will be customized to address topics specific to that area of the state, allowing growers to get research-based information on the issues they face locally," Proctor said. For example, the eastern Nebraska programs (LaVista, York, and Norfolk) will include information on removing crop residue through grazing and baling and the potential effects of removal on soil nutrition and erosion. Extension Educators Jenny Rees and Keith Glewen will present these sessions.

At LaVista Extension Educator Nathan Mueller will discuss university research on winter wheat production in eastern Nebraska and UNL Agronomy Professor Andrea Basche will summarize a broad range of research studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of cover crops for controlling weeds. At the York and LaVista meetings Justin McMechan, extension crop protection and cropping systems specialist, will present on the soybean gall midge, a relatively new pest in soybean.

Greg Kruger, extension weed science and application technology specialist, will present on dicamba drift and highlight the most current research and recommendations to reduce off-target movement at multiple locations. Other topics will include double-cropping field peas, marketing, farm management, and agribusiness.

“We strive to provide practical, profitable, environmentally sound, high-impact training for agricultural professionals and producers,” said Chris Proctor, weed management extension educator and clinic coordinator.

Complete agendas and online registration for each site will be available at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc.

CCAs and Registration
Online registration is required for the clinics to provide meals and materials. To view topics and speakers at individual sites and register, go to http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. The cost for registration is $80, which includes the 2019 Guide for Weed, Disease and Insect Management in Nebraska, the 2019 crop production clinic proceedings with further information on the topics being discussed, a meal and refreshments.

A maximum of six Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available per day in these areas: crop production (two), nutrient management (one), integrated pest management (six), water management (one) and professional development (two).

Pesticide Applicator Recertification
The clinics will be the first opportunity of the year for commercial and non-commercial pesticide applicators to renew their licenses in the following categories: ag plant and demonstration/research. The crop production clinics also will serve as a venue for private pesticide applicators to renew their licenses. Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will be present to verify attendance.

Pesticide applicator recertification training will be available in these categories: commercial/non-commercial in ag plant, and demonstration/research; and private applicator.

2019 Schedule
Check-in each day is from 8 to 8:30 a.m., with sessions from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jan. 9 – Gering: Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St.
Jan. 10 – North Platte: Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers St.
Jan. 15 - LaVista: LaVista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Pkwy
Jan. 16 - York: Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave.
Jan. 23, 24 – Norfolk: Lifelong Learning Center, NECC, 601 E. Benjamin Ave.  (Two one-day sessions)
Nebraska Crop Management Conference, Jan. 24 & 25 – Kearney

Pesticide recertification and CCA credits are also available for this event, to be held at the Younes Conference Center, 416 W. Talmadge Road. 

View the Agenda and Register for NCMCs here.... https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC. 



Commercial Manure Applicator Training Scheduled for Jan. 3, 2019

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct a Commercial Manure Applicator training on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Commercial manure applicators can attend the annual training to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements.

The training will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at 76 locations in Iowa and one location in Minnesota. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. There is no fee for the workshop, but applicators must register by Dec. 26 with the ISU Extension and Outreach county office where they plan to attend. A complete list of workshop locations can be found at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/.

Commercial manure applicators needing to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend. All currently certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2019. Those wanting to renew must complete training requirements and submit forms and fees to the DNR prior to March 1 in order to avoid paying late fees. The law requires all commercial manure applicators to attend three hours of training annually to meet certification requirements. Businesses that primarily truck or haul manure of any type or from any source are also required to meet certification requirements.

Those unable to attend the program on Jan. 3 need to schedule time with their ISU Extension and Outreach county office to watch the training video. Due to scheduling conflicts, many extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch the video, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. If you can’t attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates at your county extension office, you will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at your convenience.

If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour video is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam. Another option for commercial manure applicators is to take their training online at the DNR MAC eLearning site at https://elearning-dnr.iowa.gov. The applicator will need to sign-in and get an A&A account.

In addition to the commercial manure applicator training offered on Jan. 3, ISU Extension and Outreach will also offer six dry/solid manure workshops for commercial manure applicators in February 2019. Information regarding these workshops and locations is also contained in the link to the brochure listed above. Program requirements are the same as the regular commercial training program, but this training program is geared more toward dry/solid manure issues. 

For questions about the commercial manure applicator certification program, contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.



Confinement Site Manure Applicator Workshops Scheduled for 2019

Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January and February 2019. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees to complete certification requirements.

“Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period or take and pass an exam once every three years,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State.

A total of 67 counties will participate in the confinement site manure applicator workshops. In addition, a series of six dry/solid manure applicator certification meetings will be held in February. A complete list of workshop dates and locations can be found online at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/ or by contacting an ISU Extension and Outreach county office.

The workshops serve as initial certification for those applicators who are not currently certified, recertification for those renewing licenses and continuing education for those applicators in their second or third year of their license.

Due to uniform certification deadlines, applicators are encouraged to attend workshops prior to March 1 to avoid being assessed a late fee of $12.50 for those who are re-certifying. Those unable to attend one of the workshops need to schedule time with the ISU Extension county office to watch the training video. Due to scheduling conflicts, many extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these videos, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. Anyone requesting an individual reshow of the training video will be charge a $10 fee to view the training.

If attending the workshops or watching the two-hour training video is not convenient, confinement site manure applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam to meet certification requirements.

Applicators also have an online certification option. Training is available online at the DNR MAC eLearning site at https://elearning-dnr.iowa.gov. The applicator will need to sign-in and get an A&A account.

Contact an ISU Extension and Outreach county office for more information about the Manure Applicator Certification Program or visit http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.



Dry Manure Applicator Certification Workshops Offered

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will offer manure applicator certification workshops for dry/solid manure operators on six different dates and locations in February. These workshops meet manure applicator certification requirements for both confinement site manure applicators and commercial manure applicators who primarily apply dry or solid manure.

“The information in this workshop will benefit not only those needing certification, but anyone using dry or solid sources of manure as a nutrient resource,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University.

Please register for one of the workshops by calling the number listed with the selected site. All workshops begin at 1 p.m.
    Feb. 7, Wright County, Heartland Museum, Clarion. Call 515-532-3453 to register.
    Feb. 11, ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County office, Washington. Call 319-653-4811 to register.
    Feb. 18, Adair County, Warren Cultural Center, Greenfield. Call 641-743-8412 to register.
    Feb. 19, ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County office, Orange City. Call 712-737-4230 to register.
    Feb. 22, Hamilton County, Kamrar Lions Community Building, Kamrar. Call 515-832-9597 to register.
    Feb. 26, ISU Extension and Outreach Buena Vista County office, AEA Office, Storm Lake. Call 712-732-5056 to register.

The workshops are free to attend and open to all. Applicators will be required to submit certification forms and fees to the Iowa DNR to meet manure applicator certification requirements.



Webinar Outlines 2019 Market Expectations

Due to the magnitude of the rallies and breaks in the cattle business, there has never been a more critical time for market participants to be fully engaged in market and industry information. An upcoming free CattleFax webinar is an opportunity to become more informed, as the webinar will provide an outlook for the cow-calf and entire beef industry for 2019.

The CattleFax Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar, which is free to attendees thanks to sponsor Elanco Animal Health, will be held Jan. 23, 2019, at 5:30 p.m. MT. To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers and industry leaders simply need to register online at https://www.cattlefax.com/#!/about.

Even though one of the most aggressive U.S. beef cowherd expansions in the last four decades has recently slowed its pace, the rapid expansion has increased beef supplies and caused cow-calf profitability to be reduced back toward long-term levels. As profits have narrowed, well-informed producers can maintain healthy margins by adjusting production, marketing and risk management plans with increasing supplies in mind.

CattleFax analysts will discuss a variety of topics in the one-hour session, including:
    Cattle and feedstuff market projections for the next 12 to 18 months
    Supply expectations for the cattle and beef industry as well as competing meats
    Margin expectations for cow-calf producers
    Profitability and risk management strategies for cattle producers

The Trends+ webinar series updates cattle producers about current market conditions and provides decision-friendly advice regarding management decisions. To date the analysis and strategies shared through the webinar series has reached more than 6,000 producers.



NMPF Strongly Supports EPA Efforts to Exempt Manure Air Emissions Reporting Under EPCRA

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) filed comments today in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Nov. 14 proposal to exempt manure air emissions reporting from the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (ECPRA).

In October 2017, EPA concluded that air emissions from manure did not need to be reported under EPCRA while signaling it would take a substantive approach through rulemaking to explain its thinking on the issue. EPA’s assessment largely was based on the fact that the air emissions were a result of “routine agricultural operations” exempt from EPCRA reporting.

EPA’s current actions with EPCRA are consistent with Congress’ recent action to exempt manure emissions reporting requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

In today’s comments, NMPF expressed support for that approach and noted that the legislative history of EPCRA showed that Congress did not intend for continuous air emissions reports to be filed under EPCRA if they were not required under CERCLA. In further support of EPA’s action, NMPF has noted that the emergency response community has no use for these reports and that they impede their emergency response function.

“The record is clear,” NMPF said in its comments. “Congress, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Emergency Responders around the country all oppose air emissions from manure reporting. We appreciate the opportunity to share our views on this important topic and commend the agency for its diligence.”

NMPF also concurred with EPA’s proposed new definitions of “Animal Waste” and “Farms.” NMPF looks forward to EPA finalizing this rulemaking as proposed.



 RMA Announces New Crop Insurance Coverage Option

Farmers now have a low-cost option for insuring small parcels of land in one county by combining them into a single enterprise unit with land in a neighboring county under their crop insurance. The USDA's Risk Management Agency is offering the new endorsement known as the Multi-County Enterprise Unit for farmers interested in covering two counties in the same state under their crop insurance policy.

"Today's farmers and ranchers face tremendous challenges. Access to affordable, flexible crop insurance options shouldn't be one of them." said RMA Administrator Martin Barbre. "This simple policy change will help producers manage their overall production risk by combining acreage into a larger unit, which could also lead to lower insurance premiums for policyholders. It's a win-win."

The endorsement is available for spring crops with a November 30, 2018, and later contract change date. Initially targeted crops include coarse grains (corn, grain sorghum, soybeans), cotton, canola, peanuts, rice, small grains (barley, wheat), and sunflowers.

To qualify for the endorsement, one county must qualify independently for an enterprise unit and the other county must not qualify for an enterprise unit. Both county crop policies in the Multi-County Enterprise Unit must be with the same Approved Insurance Provider and have the same elections for Multi-County Enterprise Units, insurance plan, coverage level, and enterprise unit by practice.

Interested farmers should contact their crop insurance agent to discuss options. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.



EU-JAPAN TRADE AGREEMENT RATIFIED BY EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The European Union parliament this week approved the EU-Japan trade agreement. The agreement removes tariffs on 97 percent of European exports, with agriculture exports seeing significant tariff reductions. The pact will enter into force Feb. 1, 2019. In addition, the 11 nation CPTPP regional trade agreement will come into effect on December 30 with a second round of tariff cuts coming again on April 1, 2019.

In 2016, Japanese consumers purchased almost $1.6 billion of U.S. pork products. With the CPTPP deal and the EU-Japan trade pact in place, the National Pork Producers Council feels U.S. pork is at risk of losing market share in one its largest export markets. NPPC continues to urge the Trump administration to expeditiously negotiate a trade agreement with Japan to avoid market share loss.



Secretary Perdue Hosts Former Secretaries of Agriculture at USDA

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with four former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture today at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Those in attendance included former Secretaries John Block, Dan Glickman, Ann Veneman, and Mike Johanns. The Secretaries discussed several issues including trade, wildfires, agriculture research, infrastructure, cell-based meat, and rural prosperity.



USDA to Survey Sheep and Goat Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will measure sheep and goat inventories, including lambs and kids, as well as wool and mohair production utilizing the nationwide Sheep and Goat Survey starting in December.

Beginning in late December, operators surveyed will be asked to provide detailed information about their sheep and goat inventories, counts of lambs and kids born during 2018, plus production and prices received for wool and mohair.

Accurate data on sheep and goat production is a critical decision-making tool for USDA and the industry and enables them to be more responsive to domestic and international markets and consumer needs. The information can also help create public appreciation for the many benefits of U.S. sheep and goats and their products.

To make it as easy as possible for producers to participate in the survey, NASS offers the option of responding via the Internet, telephone, mail, or a personal interview with a local NASS representative.

As is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes results in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified. The January Sheep and Goat report will be released on January 31, 2019. 



USDA Updates Branding Rules for Mexican Cattle

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is revising branding requirements for cattle imported from Mexico. This change simplifies the branding process, while continuing to ensure Mexican cattle are easily identifiable and traceable for the rest of their lives, in the event of an animal disease detection.

Feeder cattle will be branded with a single "M" on the right hip, and breeding bovines will be branded with a single "M" on the right shoulder. The "M" brand will be larger in size and allow for better readability. An "MX" ear tattoo is still an option for breeder cattle instead of a brand since they have not caused a readability problem and are considered a permanent form of identification. Permanent identification on Mexican cattle is important because they are known to frequently carry tuberculosis and brucellosis, two diseases that are very limited in the United States. Cattle imported from Mexico will still require an official eartag for traceability purposes.

USDA has already allowed Mexico to use these updated branding requirements which has reduced errors and uncertainty at border ports. The change has proven beneficial to both countries by decreasing the need for rebranding and reducing the incidence of cattle rejections at port-of-entry inspection.

The agency issued a proposed rule in April and received 12 comments during the 60-day comment period.



NSP Announces Annual Yield Contest Winners

National Sorghum Producers is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 NSP Yield Contest. Farmers from 24 states entered to win this year’s contest. Producer yields are highlighted in five different categories. This year’s top yield and Bin Buster winner is Michael Ball of Idaho, with 219.1 bushels per acre.

"Throughout the trials and tribulations sorghum has faced this past year, it is inspiring to see farmers pushing through and showcasing their perseverance and dedication to finish the yield contest," said NSP board of directors Chairman Dan Atkisson. "We know harvest conditions were not ideal this year and interfered with many contestant entries, but we congratulate the winners, and I look forward to meeting each one at the upcoming Commodity Classic."

The 2018 first place winners of the NSP Yield Contest were Michael Ball of Idaho in the Irrigated-Tillage West category with a yield of 219.1 bushels per acre; Michelle Santini of New Jersey in the Irrigated-Tillage East category with a yield of 192.7 bushels per acre; Beckman Farms of Kansas in the Irrigated-No Till West category with a yield of 196.7 bushels per acre; Jeffrey Barlieb of New Jersey in the Irrigated-No Till East category with a yield of 183.89 bushels per acre; Lee Pifer of Kansas in the Dryland-Tillage West category with a yield of 170.63 bushels per acre; Harry Johnston of Pennsylvania in the Dryland-Tillage East category with a yield of 202.71 bushels per acre; David Knoll of South Dakota in the Dryland-No Till West category with a yield of 178.6 bushels per acre; Winter Johnston of Pennsylvania in the Dryland-No Till East category with a yield of 198.39 bushels per acre; and Mike Baker of Nebraska won the Food-Grade category with a yield of 172.52 bushels per acre.

The national winners and new hall of fame member, Ki Gamble of Greensburg, Kansas, will be further recognized at Commodity Classic in Orlando, Florida, on March 1, 2018, at an awards dinner sponsored by Corteva.

To see a complete list of the NSP Yield Contest national, state and county results, or to learn more about the contest, visit http://sorghumgrowers.com/yield-contest. 



John Deere’s Lagemann Elected Chair of the Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers

John D. Lagemann, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Ag & Turf Division - Regions 3 and 4 for John Deere, has been elected 2019 Chair of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). He previously served as chair of the ag sector board for the association.

AEM is the North American-based international trade group representing 1,000 companies in the off-road equipment manufacturing industry, which includes the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors. Officers and directors of the association work on behalf of member companies to provide strategic direction for AEM’s business development initiatives in areas of public policy, market data and exhibitions, as well as technical, safety and regulatory issues training.

“We welcome our 2019 officers and new and returning directors and want to publicly thank them and their companies for continued support of the association and its goals,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “AEM could not succeed and grow without the dedication of its volunteer leadership and active member participation. They help ensure AEM delivers quality results that continue to strengthen member companies and the industries they serve.”

Lagemann works at the John Deere Ag Marketing Center in Olathe, Kansas, and brings 36 years of ag-industry experience to the AEM board. He began working at John Deere in various sales and marketing roles at the Kansas City branch in 1982, then served as factory marketing manager at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline, Illinois in 1994. Lagemann also spent two years in Brisbane, Australia, managing the company’s operations in Australia, New Zealand and East Asia before returning to the U.S. to become vice president of sales for the U.S. and Canada in 2002.

In 2012 Lagemann was promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s Ag and Turf Divisions for the Americas and Australia. A native of Concordia, Kansas, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Feed Science and Management and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kansas State University.



Douglas Products Creates Plant Health Division

Douglas Products announces the formation of a new Plant Health Division following the addition of two companies known for innovation in Biological plant nutrition and soil health. Growth Products, based in White Plains, New York, joined Douglas Products on October 19, 2018; and AgriEnergy Resources, based in Princeton, Illinois, joined on December 10, 2018. Growth Products produces and markets liquid nutrient and biological technologies serving the turf and ornamental, agriculture, arbor care and residential markets, and serves the citrus market in Florida through its G.P. Solutions division. AgriEnergy Resources specializes in the development and production of microbial and other soil fertility products for horticulture and row crops.

“We are excited to expand our resources and expertise with the addition of two companies which each have over 30 years of proven track record for developing innovative solutions aimed at improving soil health and increasing plant productivity,” says Wes Long, CEO. “The mergers are a major step in our company’s vision to expand its branded specialty chemicals and biological solutions portfolio for the Agriculture and Turf & Ornamental segments.”

“The announcement addresses an important issue within agriculture and T&O — the demand for proven sustainable biological technologies, adds Vince Adams, Chief Business Development Officer for Douglas Products.

“Under the Douglas Products banner, Growth Products and AgriEnergy Resources will capture R&D, Agronomical support and manufacturing synergies,” Adams says. “We will ensure that service and support to dealers, distributors and end-use customers will continue without disruption, but our main goal is to better serve customers by leveraging the combined strengths of all three companies. We will expand investment to develop new soil and plant health solutions both in the U.S. and overseas. And we will also take advantage of efficiencies in, logistics, warehousing, regulatory affairs and marketing.”

“Creation of a Plant Health Division is a strategic move,” Long adds. “Douglas Products has served agriculture for 103 years, primarily to protect grain. Its Ag product portfolio includes two postharvest fumigants, ProFume® gas fumigant and PH3 (phosphide) as well as several insecticide brands. The addition of Growth Products and AgriEnergy Resources now provides solutions from planting through post-harvest as well as expands the technology portfolio into the Turf & Ornamental market.”

Long says that Growth Products and AgriEnergy Resources will continue to operate from their current headquarter locations.