Thursday January 17 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Index Falls for January: More Than Forty Percent See Loan Defaults Biggest 2019 Challenge

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index for January fell, but remained above growth neutral, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.    

Overall: The overall index sank to 51.5 from December’s 54.2. This was the 11th time in the past 12 months the index has remained above growth neutral. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral.

“Our surveys over the last several months indicate the Rural Mainstreet economy is expanding outside of agriculture. However, the negative impacts of tariffs and low agriculture commodity prices continue to weaken the farm sector,” said Ernie Goss, PhD, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. 

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for January increased to 37.9 from 35.7 in December. This is the 62nd straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. 

The January farm equipment-sales index climbed to 40.9 from December’s 37.1. This marks the 65th consecutive month that the reading has remained below growth neutral 50.0.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for January sank to 50.9 from December’s 53.7. The state’s farmland-price index rose to 47.8 from last month’s 35.7. Nebraska’s new-hiring index fell to 53.4 from December’s 54.9. Over the past 12 months, Nebraska’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.2 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 1.8 percent.  

Iowa: The January RMI for Iowa rose to 54.2 from December’s 53.7. Iowa’s farmland-price index increased to 37.8 from December’s 35.6. Iowa’s new-hiring index for January sank to 53.4 from 54.8 in January.  Over the past 12 months, Iowa’s Rural Mainstreet economy added jobs at a 0.5 percent pace, while urban areas in the state increased jobs by 1.6 percent. 

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included.  

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



Nebraska Dairy Princess Candidates Sought

Midwest Dairy - Nebraska Division is seeking candidates to participate in the State Dairy Princess contest scheduled Feb. 26, 2019, at the Ramada Inn in Columbus, NE. The event is held in conjunction with the Nebraska State Dairy Convention.

The Nebraska Dairy Princess reigns for one year as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, making a variety of public appearances to help consumers understand dairy products and the responsible practices used by dairy producers.

The entry deadline is February 6, 2019.

Candidates must be 17 to 24 years old, at least a high school junior this year, unmarried and have parents or guardians who are actively engaged in the production of milk for sale to a licensed plant. A candidate also qualifies if she, her parents or guardian is employed on a dairy farm or a young lady sincerely interested and passionate about the dairy community. Candidates are judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.

The 2019 Nebraska Dairy Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to the first runner-up.

For complete rules and an application form, visit midwestdairy.com or contact Jodi Pulfer, Midwest Dairy – Dairy Princess Consultant, 402-375-2285, mpm@inebraska.com



Agronomy and Horticulture seminars begin Jan. 18

Nebraska’s Sam Wortman will kick off the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture’s spring seminar series at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 18 in Keim Hall, Room 150. Wortman, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, will discuss “Leveraging Nebraska’s Bioresources for Weed Control in Specialty Crops.”

The talk will explore how Nebraska’s bioresources can be used in specialty cropping systems to provide valuable agronomic functions. Wortman will highlight current research on bio-based mulches, seed meals, and sprayable films to manage weeds and increase profitability of vegetable production.

Dates and topics for the series are as follows:
Jan. 25 — Nevin Lawrence, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, integrated weed management specialist, “Integrated Weed Management in the Panhandle of Nebraska.”

Feb. 1 — Sabrina Ruis, postdoctoral research associate in agronomy and horticulture, “Cover Crops and Soil Ecosystem Services in the Great Plains.”

Feb. 8 — Justin McMechan, assistant professor, crop protection and cropping systems specialist, Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center, “Cover Crop Management and Insect Interactions.”

Feb. 22 — Leah Sandall, distance education coordinator in agronomy and horticulture; McKinzie Sutter, distance education specialist in agronomy and horticulture; Grace Troupe, online instructor in agronomy and horticulture, “Online Teaching: You Can Do It Too!”

March 1 — Sally Clayshulte, Bayer Crop Science, adjunct associate professor of agronomy and horticulture.

March 8 — Marilyne Stains, associate professor of chemistry, “How is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics taught in North American Universities?”

March 15 — Marty Williams, ecologist in the USDA-ARS, adjunct professor, University of Illinois, “From Transcripts to the Tri-State: Exploiting Plant Density Tolerance to Improve an American Delicacy.”

March 29 — Daran Rudnick, assistant professor of biological systems engineering, irrigation management specialist, West Central Research and Extension Center, “Input Use Efficiency and Farm Profitability as Influenced by Management Practices.”

April 5 — Michael Grusak, center director of the USDA-ARS Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center, “Impacting People’s Lives — Strategies to Provide Nutrient-Enriched Staple Food Crops.”

April 12 — Michelle Graham, research geneticist in the USDA-ARS, Iowa State University.

April 19 — Tonya Haigh, project manager rural sociologist of natural resources, National Drought Mitigation Center, “Decision-Making during Drought: What Spurs a Range Manager to Take Action?”

Each talk is in Keim Hall, Room 150, and can also be watched online. All seminars are free and open to the public and refreshments will be served at 3 p.m.



NEBRASKA CROP MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IS JAN. 28-29 IN KEARNEY

Managing weed challenges, integrating cover crops, and identifying and controlling new pest threats are among the featured topics at the Nebraska Crop Management Conference Jan. 28-29 in Kearney.

Geared to farmers and agribusiness professionals, the conference offers research-based, in-depth presentations on a variety of timely topics specific to Nebraska crop production, said Chris Proctor, conference coordinator and extension weed science educator. There will be 24 presentations, with many offered more than once so that attendees can be sure to catch priority sessions. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts will address the audience on the afternoon of Jan. 29.

Online registration for the conference, to be held at the Younes Conference Center, is available at https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC. Registration is $150 for both days or $80 for one day through Jan. 20, $165 for both days or $95 for one day after that.

“The conference offers unique opportunities to learn about recent research and new recommendations to address the current and developing challenges that crop managers face in Nebraska,” Proctor said. “It also offers opportunities for attendees to talk with researchers and crop and agribusiness experts from across the state.”

Speakers are from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and universities in neighboring states.

Laura Lindsey, Ohio State University soybean and small grain extension specialist, will address variable rate seeding and options for lowering soybean seeding rates while still achieving projected yields.

Rhae Drijber, professor of agronomy and horticulture at Nebraska, will explore how intensifying or diversifying corn cropping systems affects the structure and function of the bacterial communities, with possible impacts on crop productivity.

Other topics include:
> “How Much Cover Crop Growth is Needed for Weed Control: A Review of Cover Crop Research in the Corn Belt”
> “Corn Growth and Development: Updating an Old Paradigm of Dry Matter and Nutrient Accumulation and Partitioning”
> “Using Cover Crops as a Tool for Managing Herbicide-Resistant Weeds”
> “Trends in Technology for Irrigation Scheduling”
> “How to Implement Sensor-Based In-Season N Management via Manure, Fertigation or Sidedress”
> “Critical Time for Weed Removal in Corn and Soybean as influenced by PRE Herbicides”

To view the full agenda for the conference, visit https://go.unl.edu/ncmc-agenda.

The conference also provides commercial and private pesticide license recertification, up to 12 Certified Crop Adviser credits for both days, and dicamba training.

For more information, visit https://agronomy.unl.edu/NCMC.



AGRICULTURE COLLEGE AT NEBRASKA TO HOST VISIT DAY FEB. 13

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is offering potential students a glimpse at what it means to be a member of the CASNR community. The college’s annual Experience the Power of Red Visit Day will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 13.

With 30 diverse majors and a pre-professional program, the agricultural college creates an educational experience and positions students to have a lasting and impactful career that aligns with their passion. During the event, attendees will meet faculty, staff and current students to see what life in the college is like. Experience the Power of Red Visit Day will not only expose potential students to their academic future, but also the unique living-learning spaces on campus.

“CASNR is focused on fostering an inclusive environment that empowers students to be difference makers in the college, the state and the world,” said Sue Ellen Pegg, college relations director. “We look forward to showing potential students what that means at Experience the Power of Red Visit Day.”

The visit will begin with refreshments and a browsing session, where students will get a brief introduction to each department in the college. Following a welcome at 9:15 a.m., students and parents will attend academic sessions that offer more in-depth information about each academic program. The event concludes with lunch and a scholarship drawing at 11:45 a.m. Optional tours of City Campus and East Campus will begin at noon.

Advance registration is required by Feb. 6. To register and see the complete schedule, visit https://casnr.unl.edu/visitday.

For more information, visit http://casnr.unl.edu or contact Pegg at 402-472-0615 or spegg2@unl.edu.



Landlord-Tenant Farmland Rent Workshop – February 25
   
Current and future landowners and tenants should make plans to attend a free land management workshop sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. “Managing Agricultural Land for the 21st Century” will cover current trends in cash rental rates, lease provisions, and crop and grazing land considerations.

This meeting is being held in David City at Butler County Events Center, Butler County Fairgrounds, on February 25, 2019.  Registration is at 9:15 a.m., program starting at 9:30 a.m., and ending by 3:00 p.m.  The meeting is free, participants will be released for lunch on their own, but please register by calling 402-367-7410 by February 21st.

Nebraska Extension Educators Allan Vyhnalek, Aaron Nygren, and Jim Jansen conduct research and outreach in land management, agronomy and beef production. They will address common agricultural landlord and tenant questions. What does an equitable rental rate look like for my land? How do I manage a farmland lease? What should I expect for communications between the landlord and tenant? What does a soil test tell me? I hear about organic or natural production; how does that vary from what my farmer is currently doing? If corn or soybeans are not making money, should something else be raised on my land? What are key pasture leasing considerations including stocking rates? Who is responsible for cedar tree removal from grazing land?

“Landlords and tenants often struggle with land management questions.” said Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator and workshop presenter. “Both are concerned with fair treatment but it can be difficult to keep up with the current trends. Our workshop will provide participants with up-to-date information so they can be confident about their lease arrangements.”

This program is free and open to the public with funding provided by the North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2015-49200-24226. 

For more information or assistance, please contact Melissa Bartels, 402-367-7410 or email mbartels6@unl.edu at Butler County Extension; Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator, Farm Succession, at 402-472-1771 or e-mail avyhnalek2@unl.edu; or contact Jim Jansen, Extension Economist for eastern Nebraska at 402-261-7572 or e-mail jjansen4@unl.edu.   



Summit to tackle climate in Nebraska for Nebraskans

Nebraska State Climate Office and Nebraska Extension are bringing the Fourth National Climate Assessment to Nebraskans with a summit planned for March 21 at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Drive, Lincoln.

“Climate change is affecting us now, and ultimately, it is a local issue,” said Martha Shulski, director of the state climate office based at the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Our role as climate professionals is to translate the regional- and national-scale reports to a relevant scale for determining meaningful actions.”

Shulski, Tyler Williams, Extension climatologist, and partners across the university and state will lead the one-day information session on climate and climate change. Topics will include:
-    Highlights of climate projections and impacts from the NCA4 (includes a panel discussion);
-    The future of climate and expected affects for Nebraskans;
-    Weather and climate monitoring;
-    Climate scenario planning by Nebraska Extension;
-    Climate and agriculture;
-    Climate and health; and
-    Climate and municipalities.

Across the state, Nebraskans already have noted an increase in high-rain events, as well as warmer temperatures. Agriculture producers have seen longer growing seasons and warmer summers, requiring increased water resources; and wetter springs, preventing efficient planting schedules. Both urban and rural dwellers have seen more extreme rain events, resulting in increased runoff and soil erosion.

These changes are expected to multiply — potentially affecting the health of people, crops, livestock, ecosystems and energy — as temperatures continue to increase into the future.

But they don’t have to.

“The NCA4 is a jumping off point,” Shulski said. Now, it’s up to climatologists with the NSCO, High Plains Regional Climate Center, National Drought Mitigation Center and Nebraska Extension “to start a dialogue — or continue one — with stakeholders as we dive deeper to address these issues.”

“This summit is the next step forward,” she said, so “Nebraskans can tackle climate changes issues facing the state together.”

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a break from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. 



Conservation efforts recognized at Lower Elkhorn NRD Awards Banquet

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) board of directors honored outstanding conservationists at their annual awards banquet on Friday, January 11th.  The event was held at the Stables Event Center in Norfolk.

Outstanding Tree Planter Award
The Outstanding Tree Planter Award is presented to individuals within the district who have shown a strong commitment to the planting and care of trees.  The Rodney Wiese family of Oakland were honored as the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding Tree Planter Award.  Rodney, and his wife, Joan, accepted the award, along with their son, Andrew.

The Wiese family was nominated by LENRD Forester, Pam Bergstrom.  Bergstrom said, “The Wiese family has planted so many varieties of evergreens, hardwood trees, and shrubs it is almost like an arboretum at their acreage.  Varieties of trees or shrubs that they couldn’t get from the Lower Elkhorn NRD came from various nurseries around Nebraska.”

Several years ago, the Wiese family purchased the acreage they now live on between Craig and Oakland, and knew they wanted to put in new trees, specifically to enhance and renovate the old windbreaks that blocked the wind from the north and the west in the winter.  In the past 7 years they have planted over 1,200 trees and shrubs and renovated a 2 ½ acre windbreak system all by hand.

When the family renovated the windbreak, they completed a ½ acre at a time by cutting down the old trees with chainsaws and then saving the wood for their fire pit that they utilize for themselves and for the Scouts of America Troops that visit their acreage.  Bergstrom said, “When I even mentioned bringing in a bulldozer, they cringed, not at the price, but at the damage it would do to the understory trees.  In a world where machinery has made it easy to wipe the slate clean and do a complete demolition with a bulldozer; the Wiese family wanted to save the younger trees and incorporate them into the refurbished windbreak.”

Besides trees, the family also put in solar panels to provide electricity to their home and out buildings. Since putting in the solar panels, the family has noticed a decrease in their monthly electric bill and feel good about producing green energy on their acreage.  They also have a large garden on which they do their own version of no-till.  Bergstrom said, “They are very contentious about wildlife and planted a variety of shrubs in rows and thickets that allow for habitat and food sources throughout the year.”

Bergstrom added, “They are very deserving of this award.  We congratulate the Wiese family as the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding Tree Planter Award!”

Outstanding Partnership Award
The LENRD works with various agencies and partners each year as we strive to improve the quality of life for the citizens across Northeast Nebraska.  The Outstanding Partnership Award recognizes excellence in community outreach efforts that highlight our mission of protecting our natural resources for future generations.

At the banquet, the LENRD recognized the Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau for their outstanding partnership, and for their efforts in promoting the LENRD’s projects and programs across the Norfolk Area.

The Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau has been actively pursuing different ways to get people to stop, look, and learn in Northeast Nebraska.  It was about a year ago when Executive Director, Traci Jeffrey, contacted the district about the possibility of partnering to develop a Moon Walk program in our area.  LENRD Board Chairman, Dennis Schultz, said, “We formed a committee with the Bureau and other agencies, and before long we had three Adult Education events scheduled.  The “Stars, Strolls, and S’mores” events were a big hit with over 250 people attending the learning sessions last summer.  The committee has already met with plans for three more events in 2019.”

The Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau has also been a big promoter of our Recreation Areas.  Schultz continued, “When people are looking for things to see and do, the Bureau has always recommended the Willow Creek State Recreation Area near Pierce as well as the Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area near Stanton.  We appreciate their support of our area projects.”

As Norfolk continues to grow, and we look for more recreational opportunities closer to home, the Norfolk Riverfront Project has taken center stage.  The Bureau was very instrumental in gathering support for the project and working with the Lower Elkhorn NRD to secure funding for this endeavor.  Schultz said, “This is an exciting project, not only for Norfolk, but for the citizens across our district, and we are proud to be a partner!”

Executive Director, Traci Jeffrey, and Marketing Coordinator, Stacie Wilken, accepted the award on behalf of the Bureau.  Schultz added, “We want to thank you for your continued partnership and we look forward to working with you well into the future as we strive to improve the quality of life for the residents of our district.  Congratulations!”

Service Awards:
Jill Barr, of Norfolk, was honored for her years of service to the district.  Barr was on the board of directors since 2016.

Chairman Schultz added, “Congratulations to all of our winners tonight.  We thank you for your hard work and continued efforts in protecting our natural resources.”



IOWA ISSUES SPECIAL LOCAL NEEDS LABEL OUTLINING DICAMBA-SPECIFIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced it has issued a Special Local Need registration for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology Herbicide, FeXapan Herbicide plus VaporGrip Technology, and Engenia Herbicide. The registration outlines topics that must be covered during the auxin-specific (dicamba) training required as part of the EPA product registration.

“We worked closely with Iowa State University to develop these updated training topics. This additional training requirement is specifically for farmers and applicators who will be using dicamba products during the upcoming growing season. This training is separate and distinct from the pesticide applicator continuing instruction courses that are already in place for applicators,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “It is important that applicators closely follow all aspects of the product label when using dicamba products.

The Department is working with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa to provide a listing of approved training on the website http://DicambaTrainingIowa.org.

The following program topics will be included in all approved 2019 auxin-specific (dicamba) training in Iowa:
-    The use of buffers to reduce pesticide exposure to nontarget species.
-    Websites listed on the pesticide label including nozzles, tank mix partners, EPA Bulletins Live, and sensitive crop registry.
-    Weather conditions and timing of application to include wind speed, temperature, humidity, and time of day.
-    Sprayer system cleanout and approved tank mixes.
-    Recordkeeping requirements to include crop planting date, buffer requirement, sensitive crop awareness, product label, and time of day.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Pesticide Bureau is responsible for responding to complaints and investigating potential misuse of pesticides.  In addition, education and testing on the safe use of pesticides is administered to all licensed pesticide applicators by the Department in conjunction with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

It is important that all applicators read and follow the label directions on any pesticide when using. Product labels give applicators information about safe handling, application rates, personal protective equipment needed, appropriate crops to be treated, tank mixes, avoiding drift and more.  It is a violation of state and federal law to use a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with label directions.

The Department will also continue to maintain FieldWatch, the free online registry for apiaries and commercially grown crops sensitive to pesticides. Applicators are encouraged to check FieldWatch before applying pesticides. Iowans with qualifying crops or beehives should register their locations at www.FieldWatch.com.

If there is concern about a specific pesticide misuse incident, Iowans can file an “Incident Report” with the Department’s Pesticide Bureau by phoning 515‐281‐8591 or by emailing the information to pesticides@IowaAgriculture.gov. This report must be filed within 60 days after the alleged date that damages occurred.

More information about activities of the Department’s Pesticide Bureau can be found at  www.iowaagriculture.gov/pesticides.asp.



2019 legislative priorities for Iowa Farm Bureau
Members of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), Iowa’s largest grassroots farm organization, will focus their 2019 legislative lobbying strength on issues most important to members, including enhancing the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program, water quality and soil conservation, and taxpayer protection.

“The long-term sustainability of Iowa’s family farms is critical to Iowa and our communities,” says IFBF President Craig Hill.  “To maximize opportunities for the next generation of Iowa farmers, IFBF will work to enhance the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program that helps pave the way for young and beginning farmers.” 

As a long-time advocate for taxpayers, IFBF will again work to protect property taxpayers whose tax burden has doubled in the last two decades to $5.75 billion in fiscal year 2019.  The organization is dedicated to working with legislators to maintain current levels for the Homestead Property Tax Credit and the Ag Land/Family Farm Tax Credit, and to continue to extend other key provisions beneficial to property taxpayers.

Another focus for IFBF during the 2019 legislative session will be working to ensure the state concentrates on maintaining and investing in Iowa’s existing parks and conservation areas, as opposed to alternative approaches that focus merely on acquiring more land.  “Iowans take great pride in our state parks and recreation areas, and Farm Bureau members overwhelmingly support the notion that taxpayer dollars are best used for improving, staffing, and maintaining our current state parks,” says Hill.

“Iowa farmers have eagerly stepped up to take on the challenge of improving Iowa’s water quality, and IFBF will work to protect the increased funding levels that were passed last year for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, as well as maintaining current funding levels for other successful conservation programs, including conservation cost share programs to achieve our goals set out by the Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” says Hill.

“One of the many strengths of the Iowa Farm Bureau is the year-round grassroots policy development process led by our members in all 100 county Farm Bureaus,” says Hill. “Our members are excited to work with their legislators during the 2019 legislative session to advocate for the issues important to our members and all Iowans.”



China, U.S. Swine Industries Gather To Address African Swine Fever

Members of the Chinese and U.S. swine industries gathered in Beijing to seek possible solutions for rising occurrences of African swine fever.

Despite ongoing trade challenges between their two countries, members of the swine industries in the United States and China gathered in mid-January to seek possible solutions for the growing number of African swine fever outbreaks in China.

The 7th U.S.-China Swine Industry Symposium, held on Jan. 10 in Beijing, was co-organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the China Animal Agriculture Association, the China Meat Association, as well as the China Chamber of Commerce for the Import/Export of Native Produce and Agricultural Products.

With a theme of "Animal Disease Prevention and Mitigation in a Global Pork Industry," the event attracted about 200 professionals from swine industry associations, academies and enterprises in China, the United States and Europe.

“The swine industries in China and the United States - the world’s two largest - are closely connected through trade in meat and feed products, and issues that affect the two industries have significant implications for global markets,” said USGC China Director Bryan Lohmar, who spoke at the event. “Deepening cooperation between the two industries will benefit both countries as well as consumers all over the world.”

The symposium had three sessions, focused on strategies to control and eradicate disease outbreaks, global and national efforts to control such diseases, and the impact of animal diseases on trade patterns and the swine industry.

At each, industry speakers shared their disease control practices as a means for further discussion about handling animal disease outbreaks. The symposium highlighted various perspectives on African swine fever from Chinese and U.S. veterinarians, U.S. swine industry reaction and insights on how the disease is influencing China’s grain, trade and demand structure.

"Fortunately, a large share of China's pork production comes from modern operations with strict biosecurity protocols, and that will help spare much of China's production," Lohmar said. "Learning more about how the disease spreads and expanding biosecurity protocols will be critical to containing the outbreak over the next few years."

Launched in 2012, the symposium has become an important platform for industry experts to share their knowledge and highlight business cooperation between the two nations and the world.



Scientists Finding Solution to SCN Resistance in Soybeans

In some soybean-growing areas, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is overcoming the main source of genetic resistance (PI 88788) used in 95 percent of commercially available SCN-resistant soybean varieties - and negatively impacting yields. So research scientists funded by the soybean checkoff (United Soybean Board and the North Central Soybean Research Program) have been developing new sources of genetic resistance and new SCN resistance management strategies.

This effort includes expanding the use of the Peking source of resistance which is currently used only in about 5 percent of commercial soybean varieties, identifying entirely new sources of SCN resistance and stacking multiple sources of resistance in the same variety. The ultimate goal is to identify alternative resistance genes and gene combinations that, when used in rotation, will reduce SCN population densities and slow selection pressure on SCN to adapt.

"It's clear that SCN populations are shifting," says Melissa Mitchum, nematologist in the Division of Plant Sciences and Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri. "Every 10 years we conduct a statewide survey. Over the past 30 years we've seen a shift to populations that are able to reproduce on PI 88788."

A resistant variety should allow less than 10 percent reproduction of SCN populations. In other words, a resistant variety should stop 90 percent of the SCN in a field from reproducing.

"In the most recent survey, 100 percent of the SCN populations we tested in Missouri had elevated reproduction on PI 88788," she adds. "In fact, a majority of Missouri SCN populations are capable of reproducing at 50 percent or more on PI 88788."

Mitchum explains that researchers are working to solve two problems. "We have growers in some areas - like Missouri, Iowa and Illinois - with high SCN population densities and high aggressiveness on SCN-resistant (PI 88788) varieties. We need to help those growers drive their SCN populations down. We also have growers who haven't been using SCN-resistant varieties, and they need an SCN management strategy so they don't wind up with the first problem."

The good news is: University researchers are discovering, stacking and testing new resistance genes.



New Bill Would Require USDA to Buy American First

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) announced today she will file legislation to stop the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from lining the pockets of global corporations at the expense of U.S. taxpayers and family farmers. Known as the Buy American Agriculture Act, the bill would require that whenever possible, purchases of agricultural commodities made by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must be from domestically owned enterprises. It would also require the secretary to publish the rationale for awarding the purchasing contracts and whether those enterprises are domestically owned.

Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) extends its gratitude to Representative DeLauro and urges swift passage of the bill, especially as USDA currently plans to award $22 million in U.S. taxpayer funds to one of the largest meatpacking corporations in the world, Brazilian-owned JBS, under the bailout program meant to help American farmers hurt by the trade war. In November 2018, Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods rescinded its bid for bailout money after a backlash on Capitol Hill over the award.

A petition circulated by OCM calling on USDA and Congress to halt payments to the Brazilian behemoth garnered over 1,000 signatures in less than a week. OCM now urges its members and supporters to contact their two U.S. senators and representative and encourage them to co-sponsor the Buy American Agriculture Act.

“We are encouraged that there are some in Washington, D.C. who are listening to U.S. farmers and ranchers, unlike USDA Secretary Perdue who’s lying in the lap of global corporations and putting their interests before those of American farmers and ranchers who are paying a heavy price for this trade war," said Mike Callicrate, Kansas cattleman, co-founder and board member of the Organization for Competitive Markets. "Foreign-owned, transnational corporations should not be the beneficiary of U.S. tax dollar bailouts, nor any government purchasing program, for that matter. It’s time to stop the forced taxpayer subsidization of the world's largest, most abusive corporations.”



New Democrats Added to House Ag Committee

After Iowa Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, was stripped of his committee assignments earlier this week, Iowa agriculture groups lamented in a Des Moines Register article that Iowa had maintained a member of the House Agriculture Committee going back 120 years.

The lack of Iowans on the Ag Committee lasted roughly a day as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recommended members for Agriculture, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Veterans' Affairs Committees for the new Congress.

Among the new members is Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, who was elected to represent Southwest Iowa.

Agriculture Committee
    Congresswoman Cindy Axne of Iowa
    Congressman Anthony Brindisi of New York
    Congresswoman Cheri Bustos of Illinois
    Congressman Salud Carbajal of California
    Congressman TJ Cox of California
    Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota
    Congressman Antonio Delgado of New York
    Congressman Josh Harder of California
    Congresswoman Jahana Hayes of Connecticut
    Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona
    Congressman Al Lawson of Florida
    Congressman Tom O’Halleran of Arizona
    Congressman Jimmy Panetta of California
    Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine
    Congresswoman Kim Schrier of Washington
    Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger of Virginia
    Congressman Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey

One list not released yet would be new Democrats added to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The significance there is E&C oversees biofuel policies.



NWF Officially Opens 2019 National Wheat Yield Contest

The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is pleased to announce that it is accepting grower enrollment for the 2019 National Wheat Yield Contest! The Contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. The Foundation is accepting entries for Winter and Spring Wheat. The deadline for Winter Wheat entries is May 15th with an early registration deadline of April 1st. The Spring wheat entry deadline is August 1st, with an early registration deadline of June 15th.

“America’s wheat farmers produce the highest quality wheat in the world which should be taken into account when determining criteria for this national contest,” stated NWF Board President and Idaho wheat grower Wayne Hurst. “2019 will be the first year that we truly see how a quality component will impact the rankings of growers and influence results.”

In order to be considered for a national or state award in the contest, growers must follow up each initial contest entry with a grain sample, which will be analyzed by an independent lab. To qualify, samples must meet a quality Grade of 1 or 2.

 “The National Wheat Foundation would like to thank our sponsors for helping to make the Contest available to all wheat growers across the United States,” continued Hurst. “As we incorporate the new quality component into Contest, we will need help from our partners to educate wheat farmers on this standard.”

The 2019 National Wheat Yield Contest sponsors include AgriMaxx, Ardent Mills, BASF, Corteva Agriscience, Indigo Ag, Grain Craft, John Deere, LimaGrain Cereals, Syngenta, and WestBred.



ZOLERA® FX Fungicide Receives EPA Registration for Use in Wheat

Wheat farmers now have a new systemic, broad-spectrum fungicide for stronger plant health and higher yields. Arysta LifeScience recently announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved ZOLERA® FX Fungicide for use in wheat production.

“ZOLERA FX has earned a reputation as a trusted ally for effective disease control in corn and soybean production,” says Royce Schulte, BioSolutions and Innovative Nutrition Business Manager, Arysta LifeScience. “Arysta LifeScience is pleased to report that ZOLERA FX is now available in wheat, providing growers an effective new tool to protect their crop investment and build healthier wheat plants that yield stronger.”

The fungicide combines fluoxastrobin, a fast-acting, highly systemic strobilurin, with tetraconazole, a highly systemic triazole. In both early season and flag leaf applications, it’s effective against Stripe rust, Leaf rust, Tan spot, Spot blotch, Septoria leaf and glume blotch and other diseases.

Featuring the best plant uptake and mobility within the plant for maximum plant coverage, ZOLERA FX brings multiple modes of action in a single application for stronger plant health plus preventative and curative disease control. In 18 replicated herbicide trials at herbicide timing (Feekes 2–5), ZOLERA FX provided a 4 bu/A yield increase over nontreated fields. In similar studies at flag leaf timing, ZOLERA FX provided a strong 9 bu/A yield increase over untreated fields.

“Our studies are showing that a smart investment in disease control and plant health will pay off for wheat growers,” Schulte says. “An application of ZOLERA FX at herbicide or flag leaf timing can lead to higher yields and a greater profit potential.”