Wednesday December 26 Ag News

Farmers & Ranchers Cow/Calf College - 2019 Partners in Progress Beef Seminar
Monday, January 14, 2019 – US-MARC, Clay Center, NE

2019 AGENDA
9:30 a.m. Registration and Refreshments: Meat Animal Research Center Conference Room
9:55 a.m. Introductions – Brad Schick & Brandy VanDeWalle, Nebraska Extension Educators
10:00 a.m. Welcome to U.S. Meat Animal Research Center & Great Plains Veterinary Educ. Center
Dr. Mark Boggess and Dr. Dale Grotelueschen Directors – MARC and GPVEC
10:20 a.m. “To Graze or Not to Graze? Factors That Affect Risk of Nitrate Toxicity in Annual Forages” Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist
11:00 a.m. “Increasing Production Efficiency” - Rick Funston, Nebraska Extension Reproductive Physiologist
11:50 Session and Lunch Rotation
(First Rotation: 11:50-12:20 p.m. Second Rotation: 12:25-12:55 p.m.)
Rotation A: Brandy VanDeWalle, Extension Educator “Family Farm Stress”
Rotation B: Lunch: SC Research and Extension Center Meeting Room
1:00 p.m. “Top 3 Environmental Considerations During Short-term Cow-Calf Confinement” Amy Schmidt, Associate Professor, Biological Systems Engineering/Animal Science
1:45 p.m. “Animal Husbandry Strategies to Improve One’s Efficiency” - Kip Lukasiewicz, Sandhills Cattle Consultants Inc.
2:30 p.m. Coffee Shop Panel: Dr. Dale Grotelueschen, Moderator - Featuring: Kip Lukasiewicz, Rick Funston, Brandy VanDeWalle, Mary Drewnoski, Amy Schmidt
3:15 p.m. Closing Remarks, Door Prize for Surveys & Thanks to Sponsors/Presenters

There is no cost for the event; however early registration is necessary for a meal count. Register online at fillmore.unl.edu or by at: https://go.unl.edu/frcollegereg. (This saves time at registration.) You can also call the Fillmore Co. Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 or email Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu.



Initial and Recertification Chemigation Information
Aaron Nygren, NE Extension Educator, Colfax County

Based on NDEQ records, your chemigation certificate expires on December 31, 2018.  According to Nebraska law, if you plan to chemigate during 2019, you will need to attend a training session and pass a written test to become recertified.  The NDEQ records for chemigation licenses are found at: http://go.unl.edu/ndeqchemigate.

Requirements for initial and recertification are the same with no charge for the training, manuals or certification.  One option for individuals needing Initial or Recertification training is to attend one of the Nebraska Extension meeting’s listed on the back page of this letter and pass a written exam. 

Another option for those needing Recertification only is to complete an online training program and pass an online test after making an appointment at an exam testing location. The online course will take more time, but if interested, users can find information at: http://go.unl.edu/chemigation.
 
If you plan to become certified, please pre-register at the Nebraska Extension Office whose training session you plan to attend. Phone numbers are listed on the back of this letter for your convenience.  Upon registration you will be asked if you want to receive the training manual and calibration workbook to review prior to the training session. You can also find these materials online at the bottom of this link: http://go.unl.edu/chemigation.

On the day of the training session, please bring your Chemigation Training Manual, Calibration Workbook, No. 2 pencil, and calculator (you are NOT allowed to use your cell phone as a calculator) along to use during the training and testing.  Cell phones are turned off during testing.  If you do not pre-register, as a walk-in you can receive a new copy of the training materials the day of the training.  Review of the material prior to the training session will be very helpful when taking the exam.  Training and testing will take approximately 3 hours. 

January 23 - 1:00 p.m. CST - ENREC, Ithaca - Aaron Nygren - 402-352-3821
January 29 - 1:00 p.m. CST - Madison Co. Ext Office, Norfolk - Wayne Ohnesorg - 402-370-4040
February 15 - 1:30 p.m. CST - Holt Co Courthouse Annex, O'Neill - Amy Timmerman - 402-336-2760
February 20 - 6:00 p.m. CST - Club Room, Ag Park, Columbus - Aaron Nygren - 402-352-3821
February 21 - 10:00 a.m. CST - Hartington City Auditorium - Amy Timmerman - 402-336-2760
February 26 - 9:00 a.m. CST - Madison Co Ext Office, Norfolk - Wayne Ohnesorg - 402-370-4040
March 5 - 1:30 p.m. CST - American Legion Hall, Neligh - Wayne Ohnesorg - 402-370-4040
March 11 - 1:00 p.m. CST - Casey’s Building, Fairgrounds, Albion - Aaron Nygren - 402-352-3821
March 12 - 1:30 p.m. CST - Holt Co Courthouse Annex, O'Neill - Amy Timmerman - 402-336-2760
March 14 - 9:00 a.m. CST - Madison Co Ext Office, Norfolk - Wayne Ohnesorg - 402-370-4040
March 14 - 9:30 a.m. CST - Bloomfield Community Center - Amy Timmerman - 402-336-2760
April 11 - 1:30 p.m. CST - Holt Co Courthouse Annex, O'Neill - Amy Timmerman - 402-336-2760

You must attend the entire class and pass the 50 question multiple choice test to be certified.  Upon successful completion of the class, chemigators may renew individual injection site permits administered by the local NRD office before June 1st.  For questions or additional information, don’t hesitate to call the Extension Educator contact listed.



Pacific Ethanol Idles Nebraska Ethanol Plant

Pacific Ethanol Inc. has laid off 26 employees at an ethanol plant in Nebraska due to low prices and a glut of product in the market. According to the Sacramento Business Journal, the company now has put nearly 20 percent of its total U.S. ethanol capacity offline.

"The ethanol market is over-supplied with the glut of this year's corn harvest and a seasonal weakening in demand for motor fuels following the summer driving season," said Neil Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol, in an interview. "Companies that have scale need to take responsibility" and not add more fuel into the glut."

Pacific Ethanol is the country's sixth-largest ethanol producer. It said in its third-quarter earnings report that it would reduce production due to low prices for its automobile fuel product.

U.S. ethanol makers are struggling with collapsing biofuel prices in part because of the loss of ethanol exports to China as a result of President Donald Trump's trade war.

In Aurora, Nebraska, the company idled a plant with a capacity of 45 million gallons of ethanol, and laid off the employees who operate it. The company is still running its neighboring ethanol plant with a 110-million-gallon capacity in Aurora, Koehler said.



Northeast agriculture students demonstrate the benefits of cover crops

The benefits of cover crops are numerous. The USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service reports they prevent erosion, improve physical and biological properties of soil, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve the availability of soil water, and break pest cycles, along with other advantages.

Each year, agriculture students at Northeast Community College conduct their own research into the use of cover crops and then discuss their findings of using best practices in order to improve yields during a field day held on the College farm.

“The species of the cover crop selected along with its management determine the benefits and returns,” said Bob Noonan, agriculture instructor. “Our field day allows us to showcase what the students have learned in the management of cover crops and why we even grow these crops as part of the soil health process. There are a number of soil health factors that have been shown to improve yields through the use of growing cover crops.”

Noonan said cover crops are planted shortly after summer crops, such as seed corn, soybeans, and silage, are harvested. Most often, they are species that survive over winter, such as cereal rye and winter wheat. Once planted, the roots of these crops grow down into the soil throughout the winter months.

Noonan said as a result, organic matter in the soil increases, which serves as a major component of good, healthy soil.

“It also brings nutrients that the crops didn’t use back up to the surface of the soil for next year’s crop.”

Northeast Community College has been conducting its cover crop experiments for five-years. In that time, the students and their instructors have seen organic matter in the soil increase by 63-percent. Noonan said one reason there is such a high rate is because the soil in the field where they conduct their research is very marginal.

“So you tend to see more rapid increases in these poorer soils,” he said.

On expert who was at this year’s cover crop field day was Jacob Ness, a field manager for the Soil Health Partnership (SHP). SHP, an initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, has been working with Northeast Community College as part of a ten-year applied research project. Students participate by selecting cover crop species to be used, planning management, and then determine what the benefits will be.

The field day, where the students present their findings, is not only open to other Northeast ag students, but to all producers. Noonan said in order to attract more producers and explain their benefits of the practice of cover crops in the future, they have a goal to plant early season silage in the field. In turn, this would allow for an August harvest followed by the planting of the cover crop. With this schedule, it would be possible to hold the field day prior to the fall harvest.

Noonan said just like any other species, cover crops are dependent on the weather.

“If the weather is warm, that rye will be looking like a green lawn in two-weeks. But this fall, like last fall, has been cold. There has been some growth, but warmer conditions play a huge role in their development. When you see green out there, that means you have live roots. That is so beneficial for soil microbial health.”

The live roots produce food that is beneficial for microbes that are in the soil. In addition, a better balance with good microbes can kill soil pests.

Noonan and his students are working with Ohio State University (OSU) on another initiative utilizing Northeast’s cover crop field. He describes it as an applied research project on how cover crops can help suppress weeds.

“Our students are out in that field, both in the fall and spring, reporting on germination rates, emergent rates, and monitoring the crop. We are sharing data back and forth with Ohio State. I’m also in the process of reviewing student videos that we will be sharing with (OSU) while they will also share their data and management practices with us.”

A few Northeast ag students come into their specific program with information on cover crops that they have used in their family operations. But the added benefit, according to Noonan, is that others who have not had the same experience, are taking what they have learned at Northeast back to their home operations.

“Many of them have had their parents consider using cover crops, but there are a lot of management techniques that you need to do so you don’t cause harm to your crop. So, the students learn all of those practices, know what to do, bring it home, and then mom and dad, or the person they work for, can have their questions answered and start applying the practices.”

It also goes beyond their home operations; students are taking these best practices into their careers in the ag industry.

“If these students are working as an agronomist or at a co-op, this will be one more tool for them to assist whomever they’re working for and not only improve soil health, but improve yields.”



RFV VS RFQ
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               When you receive forage test reports from a laboratory, you may see terms like relative feed value or relative forage quality.  Which one is best?  And why?

               For many years we used a forage testing system that measured two different types of fiber called NDF and ADF.  We used NDF to estimate how much hay cows would eat and we used ADF to estimate how much energy they would get from that hay.  Then we combined those values to give an overall estimate of forage quality that we called RFV, which stands for relative feed value.

               But ADF is not as accurate at estimating energy as we would like.  The problem is that RFV assumes all fiber has the same digestibility.  We know that is not true, and it especially misrepresents the forage quality of grasses.  Grasses have more fiber than legumes but grass fiber usually is more digestible than legume fiber.  Unfortunately, there used to be no other forage test available at an affordable cost that was any better.  But today there is!

               New, low-cost tests finally were developed several years ago that do a very good job of measuring digestible fiber.  Forage scientists and animal nutritionists have worked together with these tests to also revise the intake and energy estimates so results from these tests predict much more accurately how animals will truly perform.  Likewise, a new overall estimate of forage quality was developed, which now is called RFQ and it stands for relative forage quality.

               While this new RFQ test is especially useful when testing grassy hays, it also has been proven to be better with alfalfa and other legumes.  So when you test forages in the future, look for labs that offer relative forage quality.  Your numbers will be more accurate.



Beef Genetics Survey Respondents Needed
Kristen Ulmer, NE Extension Educator, Saunders County

To aid the development of new selection tools and their adoption by producers, researchers seek to understand current attitudes and perceptions of industry stakeholders. Producers and industry participants are encouraged to take part in an online survey to help inform the development of a new beef cattle selection decision support tool. This work is part of the activities funded through a recent USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Critical Agriculture Research and Extension grant (2018-68008-27888) awarded to research and extension faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University, USDA-ARS US Meat Animal Research Center and a leading genetic evaluation software developer, Theta Solutions, LLC.

The survey is accessible until December 31, 2018, at: https://kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXJA9F3EyMfmSpf

The results from this survey will help form the development of a web-based decision support platform for genetic selection (e.g., bull selection) and the educational efforts around helping people use it.



Zwagerman Appointed Director of Drake Agricultural Law Center

Drake University Law School announces the selection of Jennifer Zwagerman as the next director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center. Neil Hamilton, the Dwight D. Opperman Professor of Law, has served as the director since the founding of the center in 1983 and will retire later.

"Drake Law School leads the nation in the field of agricultural law, thanks to Professor Hamilton's leadership and vision. I am confident that Jennifer Zwagerman has the knowledge, background, and energy to further our international reputation for research and teaching in this important area," Dean Jerry Anderson says of the appointment.

Jennifer Zwagerman is a 2004 graduate of Drake Law School, graduating with her certificate in food and agricultural law. As a student she was recognized as an Opperman Scholar and served as editor-in-chief of the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law.

Zwagerman became director of the Career Development Office at the law school in 2011, and associate director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center in 2015. She initially taught courses at the law school as the Faegre & Benson Visiting Scholar in 2010 and has continued to teach since. Congruent with her director duties, Zwagerman has also been named assistant professor of law. Prior to joining Drake Law School, she was an attorney in the Des Moines office of Faegre & Benson (n/k/a Faegre Baker Daniels) with a national food and agribusiness practice and served as a law clerk to the Honorable David R. Hansen on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Zwagerman takes an active part in industry organizations and bar activities. She recently completed a term as the 2017-2018 president of the American Agricultural Law Association, continuing her service on the board now as immediate past-president. Zwagerman is currently on the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) Board of Directors and the Iowa State Bar Association Agricultural Law Council and Rural Practice Committees.

"I am honored to be chosen to continue the work of the Drake Agricultural Law Center and build upon the reputation established by Professor Hamilton," shares Jennifer Zwagerman. "The Drake Agricultural Law Center is what initially brought me to Drake as a student, and I want to ensure that future students have the same opportunities and experiences I had to explore and contribute to this important area of law and policy."

Zwagerman holds a Master of Laws in Food and Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law, a Juris Doctor degree from Drake University Law School, and a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Communications from Michigan State University.

Drake Law School will officially welcome her in this new capacity beginning August 2019.

"I am very pleased the faculty selected Jennifer to continue Drake's pioneering work on agricultural law," comments Hamilton. "I cannot think of anyone more suited to take on this role and I am very proud of her achievements."

Drake Law School will host a symposium and dinner on March 29 honoring Hamilton and his significant contributions to the University, Law School, and the field of agricultural law. For details, visit www.drake.edu/law/alumni/events/supreme-court/.



Nitrogen Fertilizers Lead Retail Prices Higher

Nitrogen fertilizers continue to lead retail prices higher the third week of December 2018, with anhydrous and UAN prices significantly higher than last month, according to prices tracked by DTN.  It's the second week of sharp price jumps. Six of the eight major fertilizers are higher with three fertilizers having substantially higher prices.

Anhydrous prices are 9% higher compared to last month with an average price of $565. That's a $45-per-ton increase in the past month. UAN28 prices are 8% higher than the prior month. The nitrogen fertilizer has an average price of $265/ton, up $19/ton. UAN32 is 6% more expensive from last month and is up $17/ton with an average price of $304/ton.

Three other fertilizers' prices were slightly higher. DAP had an average price of $508/ton, up $7/ton; MAP was $532/ton, up $2/ton; and potash prices averaged $377/ton, $9/ton higher.

The average urea price was fractionally lower than last month at $407/ton, while starter fertilizer, 10-34-0, was unchanged at $457/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.44/lb.N, anhydrous $0.34/lb.N, UAN28 $0.47/lb.N and UAN32 $0.48/lb.N.

All eight of the major fertilizers are now higher compared to last year with prices shifting higher. Potash and MAP are both 10% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 13% higher, DAP is 14% more expensive, urea is 17% higher, UAN32 is 20% more expensive, UAN28 is 22% higher and anhydrous is now 23% more expensive compared to last year.



CWT Assisted Export Sales Top 131 Million Pounds of Dairy Products in 2018

Total 2018 Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) assisted member sales reached 72.5 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 17.4 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 41.6 million pounds of whole milk powder. The milk equivalent of these sales is 1.364 billion pounds on a milkfat basis.

For the week of December 17th, member cooperatives accepted 23 offers of export assistance from CWT that helped them capture sales contracts for 3.214 million pounds (1,458 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, 204,462 pounds (100 metric tons) of butter and 476,199 pounds (216 metric tons) of whole milk powder. The product will be delivered during the period from January through June 2019.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers and all dairy cooperatives by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price. It does this by helping member cooperatives gain and maintain world market share for U.S dairy products. As a result, the program has significantly expanded the total demand for U.S. dairy products and the demand for U.S. farm milk that produces those products.



AVMA Combating Suicide Amongst Veterinary Professionals

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) participated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in researching Suicide among veterinarians in the United States from 1979 through 2015. The study, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, reported female veterinarians were 3.5 times as likely, and male veterinarians were 2.1 times as likely, to die from suicide as the general population. According to a 2016 CDC report, 45,000 Americans, ages 10 or older, died by suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and is on the rise.

Every profession has unique challenges and stressors that must be addressed. Just as veterinarians are passionate about their profession and dedicated to improving the health and welfare of people and animals, the AVMA is committed to the health and wellbeing of their members. Prior to the release of this and other studies, the AVMA, and a broad coalition of partners from industry, state and allied veterinary medical associations (VMAE), academia (American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges), representatives of private and corporate practices, the North American Veterinary Technicians Association (NAVTA), practice managers, the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), independent veterinary communities and others, joined together to tackle this issue.

"Too many of our colleagues have either contemplated, attempted or died by suicide," said Dr. John de Jong, AVMA President. "And one suicide, is clearly too many. Working with our colleagues throughout the veterinary community will help us find solutions more quickly. This issue is affecting not only our profession, but society as a whole, in numbers greater than ever before."

In addition to their partners within veterinary medicine, the AVMA is working closely with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and other suicidology experts.

"As medical professionals we need to understand and learn about the clinical signs associated with suicide and work with other medical professionals to confront and combat this serious problem," Dr. de Jong said.

The AVMA and partners are creating and developing resources, not only for those in distress, but for those who love and want to help those who are suffering. A key program available to help veterinarians identify and refer at risk colleagues, is QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training. The AVMA offers this one-hour, online 'gatekeeper training' free of charge to every member and veterinary student. It teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide and helps them to establish a dialogue.

"Often times, people may suspect someone is suffering but they don't know what to say, or they worry that what they say may make the situation worse," said Dr. Brandt. "It is my goal to have every veterinarian complete the QPR training. It provides guidance on what to say and ways in which you can enhance a sense of belonging and help alleviate the sense of fear that some may have about being a burden to their friends, family or colleagues."

Programs and tools available to tackle specific stressors include:

Moral/ethical distress--the result of a medical caregiver's unique relationship with a patient, through which empathy allows the caregiver to "take on the burden" of an ill or dying patient. The AVMA has collected and developed a number of resources to help veterinarians combat moral/ethical distress.

Financial burdens can also play a part in harming veterinarians' mental health. With average student debt loads on the rise, veterinarians may be struggling to make ends meet and find it difficult to plan for the future. The AVMA has resources on financial planning--including a personal financial planning tool, salary calculator and tips on student loan repayment--to help veterinarians address these concerns.

Availability of controlled substances - The potential for drug abuse and addiction is higher in medical professions than in other workplaces because of the increased access to controlled drugs. To address these issues, the AVMA has developed an online wellbeing and peer-assistance toolkit.

Student debt and other early career stressors? MyVeterinaryLife.com, a website aimed at students and early career veterinarians geared to helping them navigate wellbeing, finances, and career concerns.

AVMA's 100 Healthy Tips to Support a Culture of Wellbeing -- this guide offers strategies and practical steps one can take at work and at home to support healthful living and create a positive work environment.

Peer assistance programs around the country can be found at veterinary peer assistance programs.

Veterinary Wellbeing Summits -- These summits provide veterinary practitioners, as well as those in industry, academia, researchers and others, an opportunity to discuss what steps should be taken to support enhanced wellbeing throughout the profession.

Numerous educational efforts through public speaking and webinars aimed at creating cultures of wellbeing are ongoing.

AVMA is working with the United Kingdom's (UK) Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) to improve the health and wellbeing of all those who work on veterinary teams across the globe.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 93,000 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. Visit www.avma.org for more information.



Heart of America Dairy Expo Program Announced

Dairy farmers from all over the Midwest will be gathering in Springfield, MO, January 17-19, for the seventh annual Heart of America Dairy Expo presented by Hiland Dairy Foods.

The Heart of America Dairy Expo features an FFA Ag Career Day, Pre Conference Seminar on dairy grazing, nationally known dairy speakers, a producer panel and the largest dairy specific trade show in the southern Midwest at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center.

“We are moving forward during a very challenging time of economic conditions caused by depressed milk prices at the farm,” says Expo Chairman and dairy farmer Ted Sheppard of Cabool, MO.  Sheppard also serves as president of the Missouri Dairy Association which is the official host of the Heart of America Dairy Expo.

“Our program will provide attendees with new directions on dairy grazing, quality milk production, federal dairy programs and managing robotic dairies,” says Sheppard.

“First, we are holding our second annual FFA Ag Career Day on Thursday afternoon January 17 at 3 PM.  It is open to all FFA chapters and 4-H youth in Missouri and surrounding states.  There is no cost to the students and their advisors.

“We follow that with our Thursday evening Grand Opening Buffet Reception at 6 PM we call “Cattlemen’s Night at the Dairy Expo.”   All Missouri cattle producers and their families are welcome to join us for a beef and ham dinner.  After dinner, Kyle Langham of the American National Insurance Company will address “Dairy Quality Center—what it can do for you.”

"Friday's program starts at 9:25 AM.  Jorge Delgado of Alltech will be discussing “Building a Winning Team on your Dairy.”

“Rounding out the morning program will is Kevin Gubbels of Insure My Forage, who will cover “What you need to know about USDA’s RMA’s New Dairy Revenue Protection”, sponsored by Insure My Forage.

"Friday's Pork Chop Luncheon, sponsored by Hiland Dairy Foods and the Missouri Pork Association will feature remarks by Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson followed by a key note presentation on “Staying Profitable in Tight Margins” by Matthew Lange of Compeer Financial in Wisconsin sponsored by Central Life Sciences," says Sheppard.

"After lunch, attendees will hear from Dr. Mike Brouk of Kansas State University presenting “Managing Robotic Dairies for Success and Profitability” courtesy of DeLaval and Flory Dairy Equipment.  A dairy farmer panel follows discussing “Adjusting Your Dairy to These Prices” moderated by Dr. Scott Poock of the University of Missouri and sponsored by MFA Inc., Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Mycogen Seeds and ST Genetics.

"The Expo program also includes the annual meetings of the Missouri Dairy Association, Missouri Holstein Association, Missouri Brown Swiss Association, Missouri Guernsey Breeders Association, Missouri Jersey Cattle Club, Midwest Milking Shorthorn and the Missouri Ayrshire Association," says Sheppard.
 
 “Last year we drew almost 500 attendees from 15 states," says Dave Drennan, Expo Sales Manager and Executive Director for the Missouri Dairy Association.
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“Registration is free for dairy farmers and their families with a nominal registration fee for allied industry representatives.  All dairy farmers and allied industry, regardless of state, are invited to attend.

“The Oasis Hotel and Convention Center offers a convention hall which will house over 55 dairy exhibits and equipment inside.  It is also conveniently located on the north side of Springfield, MO at Glenstone and Interstate 44,” says Drennan.

“We also don’t want travelers to forget that Branson is only 45 miles away from Springfield so we hope they plan a trip and enjoy all Missouri has to offer,” concludes Drennan.

Meal reservations are requested and may be made by viewing www.heartofamericadairy.org for more details and the complete Expo schedule.

Sleeping room reservations may be made by calling the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center directly at 417/866-5253 or 888/532-4338 and ask for the Heart of America Dairy Expo room block. 



Legal Hemp Raises Questions About Pesticides

The legalization of industrial hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill is good news for farmers -- especially tobacco growers dealing with declining demand for their crop. The bad news? If they find pests or disease damaging hemp crops, there are no pesticides that are considered safe or legal to protect them.

Industrial hemp, which can be used for fiber in textiles, is a member of the cannabis species but contains less than 0.3 percent Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives users a high, and also cannabidiol (CBD), which is purported to have multiple uses. Since cannabis has until now been a federal schedule 1 drug -- akin to heroin and LSD - it was illegal to grow, and pesticides have never been approved for use on the plant.

That will change when the provisions of the Farm Bill go into effect, but potential growers still face many hurdles. In a paper published in the journal Crop Protection, Purdue University researchers lay out the problems surrounding the lack of pesticide regulations for cannabis.

"Pesticide regulations are narrow and confusing. A product approved for use on soybeans or corn can only be legally used for those products. It's illegal to go off-label and use a pesticide on another crop," said Janna Beckerman, a Purdue professor of botany and plant pathology and co-author of the study. "It can take many years for manufacturers to prove the safety and efficacy of their pesticides, and many more to get all the federal approvals. In the meantime, our hands are tied."

In the paper, Beckerman, Leah Sandler, a Purdue graduate research assistant, Fred Whitford, director of Purdue Pesticide Programs, and Kevin Gibson, a Purdue professor of botany and plant pathology, call for a clear federal framework that defines pesticide rules for cannabis, research funding that will lead to valuable information for hemp growers, and policies and procedures that will ensure the safety of products derived from cannabis.

"There's already a lot of interest from potential growers, and if the farming community sees hemp as a viable crop, then we need to be working to address the concerns they're going to have surrounding crop protection," Sandler said. "You'd really rather have everything in place before you have people growing cannabis or hemp, but that hasn't happened. It will take considerable effort to take the steps necessary to ensure that cannabis can be grown safely and that growers will have the tools necessary to protect their crop investments."

The researchers also suggest that any federal pesticide regulations for cannabis should clearly define how those rules apply to cannabis grown for use as marijuana. Thirty states have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, and the Pew Research Center reports that 62 percent of American support marijuana legalization, suggesting that more states may adopt similar laws.

Still, if the federal government continues to categorize marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, anyone growing cannabis for marijuana use in the 30 states that have legalized it will still be prohibited from using pesticides on their plants, whether they are grown commercially or for personal use.

That could lead to confusion and serious consumer safety issues, Beckerman said, because of the differences in the ways hemp and marijuana are used. A pesticide that is safe for hemp being turned into fiber may not be safe for use on marijuana or for CBD, since those products are often concentrated and consumed or inhaled by consumers.

"When a highly valued crop has problems, people are going to apply pesticides. But unlike many of our currently regulated crops, cannabis can be dried or turned into oils, concentrating it and any chemicals put onto the plants," Beckerman said. "We don't know how those concentrations might affect users who ingest and inhale the end products."

But growers go off-label to protect their cannabis plants, as evidenced by lab tests of marijuana that show illegal pesticide residues.

"There are some natural, herbal types of pest- and disease-control products out there, but they are not regulated, kind of like herbal supplements you see at the store that promote health benefits. We don't know if they're safe, and we don't know if they work," Whitford said. "So growers go off-label, and not only is that dangerous, but it risks their crop as well. If those crops are tested and show any levels of illegal pesticide use, the entire crop can be confiscated."