Tuesday January 8 Ag News

Pribnow recognized by NA-BA

The Nebraska Agri-Business Association is holding its annual Expo at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha this week.  The event kicked off with the annual awards recognition Monday evening at the neighboring Hilton Hotel.  Awards presented included:
  - Certified Crop Advisor of the Year, Jeff Pribnow, Kaup Seed & Fertilizer, West Point
  - STEP Award - Mark Kimball, Progressive Fertilizer, Callaway
  - Industry Partner Award, Greg Krueger, UNL West Central Research & Extension Center, North Platte
  - Industry Person of the Year, John Menghini, Midwest Labratories, Omaha
  - Award for Industry Distinction, Paul Kolterman, United Suppliers (retired), Norfolk

Other Expo events include commercial pesticide certification and recertification, continuing education sessions, a social gathering and fundraiser auction for the association's foundation, and a large trade show.  The Expo wraps up Wednesday noon.



Preparing for the Upcoming Calving Season
Larry Howard, NE Extension Educator, Cuming County

For some producers the calving season is almost upon them, while for others, the start of the calving season is still a few months away. Here are some items that need to be considered when preparing for the calving season.

Make sure to pay attention to nutrition needs of bred heifers or cows prior to calving. Adequate body condition at the time of calving for young females and mature cows is important as it impacts stamina during delivery of the calf, colostrum quality, calf vigor, and also impacts subsequent rebreeding. Adequate nutrition during the last trimester of pregnancy and especially the last 50-60 days prior to calving is important. Two-year-old heifers and three-year-old cows are vulnerable during this time period. The impact of this condition can be compounded when this time period prior to calving coincides with cold weather and available forage that is low in energy and protein. Body condition can deteriorate rapidly under these conditions.

Be sure to review your herd health plan with your veterinarian. Utilize treatment records from last year to identify particular areas where problems occurred and  use this information to develop a plan to address management options to reduce health problems that have historically been an issue. 

Examine calving facilities making sure they are in good working order. Inspect gates, pens, alleys and head catches, fixing or replacing broken items. Good lighting is an important part of a calving facility. Thoroughly clean calving areas, pens and barns.  Plan to provide wind protection along with a clean, dry environment. Wet, muddy conditions are stressful both to cows and calves.

Check all your calving supplies. Make sure you have on hand plastic sleeves, obstetrical lube, obstetrical chains or straps, esophageal feeders, calf feeding bottles, calf puller, flashlights, spotlights and any other equipment that you may need. 

Have colostrum or colostrum replacement products on hand. The calf’s ability for absorption of immunoglobulin across the intestine decreases rapidly 6-12 hours after birth. Therefore it is critical that the calf receive colostrum during this time. It is a good practice to immediately milk out a heifer or cow when she is assisted at calving and provide this colostrum to the calf.  If quality or quantity of the colostrum is a concern, other sources of colostrum or colostrum replacement products should be used. Use caution when bringing outside sources of colostrum into the herd as disease transfer can occur. The best source of colostrum is from within your own herd. Colostrum replacement products can be a good option to utilize when calves are not vigorous at birth, after a prolonged calving event, cold stress or where there is poor maternal bonding. Visit with your veterinarian about which colostrum replacement products are best for your operation.

Have a plan and equipment for warming calves if calving during cold weather. Calves born during cold, wet conditions can quickly face hypothermia. Have facilities, tools and supplies on hand to deal with this type of event. For mild hypothermia, (body temperature between 94 and 100°F) giving a calf warm, body temperature colostrum or colostrum replacement products along with drying the calf off can quickly bring a calf’s temperature back to normal. For extreme hypothermia a combination of warm colostrum with a warm bath can be used. Calves should be dry, alert and have a normal body temperature before being returned to their mother.

There are several good Extension resources available to producers related to calving. “Assisting the Beef Cow at Calving Time” http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec1907.pdf from Nebraska Extension is a good resource.



White paper analyzes legal principle impacting Nebraska's landowners

Adverse possession, a common law principle that dates back to 2000 B.C., was mentioned in 5,046 court cases in the United States between 1960 and 2015. During the same period, there were 176 cases in Nebraska.

Does a land use law created centuries ago still have a place in today’s modern society? The Center for Rural Affairs examines this question in its white paper “Adverse to change: a modern look at adverse possession” released today.

Under the doctrine, individuals who have occupied a parcel of land for 10 years can claim ownership if they meet certain legal requirements. To claim adverse possession under current Nebraska law, the requirements are:
-    Actual, requiring use of the property.
-    Exclusive, meaning only the trespasser is in possession.
-    Open and notorious, meaning occupancy is not hidden from the owner or general public.
-    Hostile, done without permission of the owner.
-    Continuous occupation over a 10-year period.

“There is cause for concern when a landowner who has been paying property taxes on a parcel of land loses it to a claim of adverse possession,” said Johnathan Hladik, policy director at the Center for Rural Affairs and co-author of the report. “Nebraskans take great pride in land ownership, and we should be treated fairly when we follow the rules and and pay the taxes we owe.”

Unlike 18 other states, Nebraska code allows an adverse possessor to claim ownership to a parcel of land even if the original owner has been consistently paying taxes on the property. When this happens, the original owner not only loses the land, but is stuck paying taxes for property they didn’t use. This can result in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars, according to Hladik.

“Adverse possession is an important doctrine that encourages productive use of property, but can be manipulated to take advantage of a landowner acting in good faith,“ he said. “Other states have addressed this by giving courts the power to award damages for property taxes paid when doing so is fair and equitable to all parties involved. This is needed in Nebraska, and we encourage the Unicameral to make this change.”

The white paper provides a historical perspective of adverse possession and explores the legislative solutions enacted around the country to address issues of fairness. To view “Adverse to change: a modern look at adverse possession,” visit cfra.org/publications/AdversePossession.



EXTENSION CROP PRODUCTION CLINICS COMING TO FIVE SITES IN JANUARY

The 2019 Nebraska Crop Production Clinics will feature research updates and information tailored to regional crop issues and grower interests. Session topics will include cover crops, cropping systems, crop residue removal, soil nutrition, irrigation, pest management and marketing.

Sponsored by Nebraska Extension, the programs will be at five sites in January and include pesticide applicator recertification training at each. Dates and locations are:
> Jan. 9 — Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St., Gering
> Jan. 10 — Sandhills Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers St., North Platte
> Jan. 15 — La Vista Conference Center, 12520 Westport Parkway, La Vista
> Jan. 17 — Holthus Convention Center, 3130 Holen Ave., York
> Jan. 23, 24 — Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 601 E. Benjamin Ave., Norfolk

"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," said Chris Proctor, weed management extension educator and clinic coordinator.

For example, the eastern Nebraska programs will include information on removing crop residue through grazing and baling, and the potential effects of removal on soil nutrition and erosion, he said. A presentation on what’s driving off-target dicamba movement and recommended strategies to reduce it will be at multiple sites.

“We strive to provide practical, profitable, environmentally sound, high-impact training for agricultural professionals and producers,” Proctor said.

Complete agendas and online registration for each site are at http://agronomy.unl.edu/cpc. Pre-registration is required and costs $80.

A maximum of six Certified Crop Adviser 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).

The clinics also will serve as a venue for commercial, non-commercial and private pesticide applicators to renew their licenses.



Teachers Recognized for Bringing Agriculture into the Classroom

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation has selected two teachers for 2019 Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year honors. The Teacher of the Year is awarded to two outstanding teachers that incorporate agriculture into their classroom through innovative ideas and lessons.

Carolyn Dolezal, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Peter’s Catholic School in Lincoln, and Abbey Spaulding, a second-grade teacher at Fredstrom Elementary School in Lincoln, were honored at surprise ceremonies at their schools on Jan. 8.

“Both Carolyn and Abby demonstrate how teachers can enhance core-subject learning by featuring agriculture and the many ways it impacts our lives here in Nebraska. They are engaging the next generation in critical thinking about where their food, fiber and fuel comes from, and we are happy to honor their important work,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.

Dolezal has been part of the Ag Pen Pal Program for 15 years. Her classroom’s pen pals are Neal and Carol Pavlish in Saline County. Her fourth-grade students eagerly read the letters about their pen pals’ crops, facts about the animals, and the perseverance of being on a farm. Each spring, Dolezal’s class takes a field trip to Pavlish’s farm in Crete where the Pavlish family shares the joys and day-to-day work at the farm. This includes gathering eggs from their chickens, the process of planting corn using a planter and tractor, and getting up close with the cows.

“A favorite activity is feeding the Black Angus steers hay through the fence,” said Dolezal. “At the farm is where they begin to understand the fact that these steers provide meat at their homes or in restaurants.”

Dolezal grew up on a farm in Pawnee County. She often relates agriculture back to what the kids are learning in school. She processed honey for her family table, so she shares the importance of bees as pollinators to her students. Her family also milked cows and sold cream, so when her students make butter out of cream she can help them understand where butter comes from.

This year is Spaulding’s third year participating in the Ag Pen Pal Program. Her class also attends the Foundation’s popular Virtual Field Trips. These field trips use technology to allow farmers and ranchers to open their barn doors to show students what happens on their farms and ranches. The farmer or rancher uses a tablet to connect with classrooms to be a part of a live video-chat allowing students to ask questions. Spaulding’s class attended a virtual field trip to a pig farm where they got to see baby pigs and learn about the care they receive and how they grow.

“It’s amazing how technology can connect students to a far-away place and make them feel like they are there from our very own classroom!” Spaulding said. “Many of my students do not have experience with agriculture or rural life on the farm or ranch, so this has given them the chance to see what farm life is like first hand.”

Spaulding’s grandfather was a farmer in Minden for most of his life, so she knows firsthand what it takes to work the land, grow the crops, and put so much of yourself into this career. Spaulding feels an obligation to pass the import lessons her grandpa gave her to her students.

“Farming is the cornerstone to our economy in Nebraska, and we need to teach our students these lessons,” Spaulding said. “Being a native Nebraskan has given me the opportunity to share those values and experiences that are so deeply rooted in living in the Midwest!”

Each teacher will receive an expense-paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, an accurate agriculture book bundle featuring 12 books and corresponding literature guides, and a $250 cash prize. The conference, held June 18-21 in Little Rock, AR, brings educators together from all over the United States to learn how to use agricultural concepts to effectively teach core subjects such as reading, math, science, and social studies. The conference features recognition for Teacher of the Year honorees, educational workshops, traveling workshops to agribusinesses and research facilities, and farm tours.




 NDA’S 2019 POSTER CONTEST TO HIGHLIGHT COLORFUL NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE

From vibrant colors of crops, to colorful livestock, to the flavorful food on your plate, Nebraska agriculture is diverse and full of color. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is asking students to show just how colorful the state’s ag industry is by entering NDA’s annual poster contest. The contest, in its 16th year, is open to all Nebraska students in grades 1-6.

“Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry, and our annual poster contest is a great way for students to show what they know about Nebraska agriculture while highlighting the many contributions agriculture makes to our state,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “This year’s poster contest theme, ‘The Many Colors of Nebraska Agriculture,’ gives students the chance to showcase the state’s ag industry with the colors that are all around.”

NDA’s annual ag poster contest is divided into three age categories: first and second grade students; third and fourth grade students; and fifth and sixth grade students. Entries must be postmarked by the March 1, 2019, deadline.

“This poster contest also gives teachers and parents the opportunity to teach children more about the extensive role agriculture plays in their day-to-day lives,” Wellman said. “We look forward to seeing the students’ creativity.”

NDA will announce the winners of the poster contest during National Ag Week, March 10-16, 2019. National Ag Week highlights the diversity of agriculture and celebrates the food, feed and fuel that farmers and ranchers provide every day. NDA will feature winning entries on its website and in promotional materials and publications.

Contest rules and official entry forms are available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov/kids.
For more information, contact Christin Kamm at 402-471-6856 or by email at christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.



New farm bill activity halted due to shutdown

A partial government shutdown has been in effect for 18 days after lawmakers in Washington, D.C., failed to pass funding bills. Anna Johnson, policy manager of the Center for Rural Affairs, says the timing and length of this shutdown is cause for concern, and the new Congress should pass a bill to reopen the government, immediately.

“Legislators spent the better part of 2018 negotiating a new farm bill,” she said. “While not perfect, it offers a great deal of certainty for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities for the next five years.”

However, activity on the new farm bill is essentially halted due to the shutdown.

“Right now should be one of the busiest times at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): they have hundreds of pages of new marching orders in the new farm bill,” Johnson said.

Instead, USDA activities ranging from farm loans and farm payments to rural development loans and grants are shut down. Other halted activities include investigation of fraudulent and anti-competitive activities by packers and stockyards, and more.

“To serve the country and do their jobs effectively, USDA employees need to be at work,” Johnson said. “Congress should pass a spending bill to reopen the government, and override any potential presidential veto.”



Iowa Corn “Future of Agriculture” Scholarships Available

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) are again offering the Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture scholarships to aid in the development of future talent for the Iowa agriculture industry.  This year, Iowa Corn will award sixteen (16) $1,000 one-year scholarships to deserving, qualified students enrolled at an accredited U.S. 2-year or 4-year junior college, college or university, or graduate school, in a program of study that can equip the student to contribute to the agriculture industry in Iowa. 

“A factor in the future success of Iowa corn growers and Iowa agriculture is the ability of Iowa Corn to offer support, relevant programming, advocacy and services to those entering Iowa’s agricultural sector,” said Larry Buss, an ICPB director and farmer from Logan who chairs the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, Membership & Checkoff (GNMC) Committee. “This scholarship program provides some relief toward tuition, school supplies or student housing. We encourage as many students to apply for this opportunity."

Apply now for an Iowa Corn Future of Agriculture Scholarship
-    Eight (8) $1,000 “First-year Scholarships” are reserved for high school seniors entering their first year of college, one from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
-    Eight (8) $1,000 “Upperclassmen Scholarships” are reserved for students entering their second, third, or fourth year of college, or who are enrolled in a graduate program -one from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
-    Scholarships are for one year, and previous winners may reapply.
-    Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, school supplies, or student housing.
-    Funds will be issued on behalf of each student to his or her college financial aid department in August 2019 but entering freshman must successfully complete the first college term and those funds will be applied to second term expenses.
-    Scholarships are awarded for the 2019-2020 school year.

Click here or www.iowacorn.org to download an application. All materials must be completed and postmarked by February 01, 2019. Questions can be directed to Jim Gumpert, Iowa Corn Director of Grower Services at (515) 225-9242 or jgumpert@iowacorn.org.



Perdue on Extension of Market Facilitation Program Deadline

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today extended the deadline for agricultural producers to apply for payments under the Market Facilitation Program as provided by the trade mitigation program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The original deadline had been January 15, 2019, but farmers have been unable to apply for the program since the lapse in federal funding caused the closure of USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices at the end of business on December 28, 2018.

Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:

“President Trump instructed me, as Secretary of Agriculture, to craft a program that would protect farmers from unjustified retaliatory tariffs from foreign nations.  As part of that package, the Market Facilitation Program has been making payments directly to farmers who have suffered trade damage.  Using existing funds, we were able to keep FSA offices open as long as possible, but unfortunately had to close them when funding ran out.  We will therefore extend the application deadline for a period of time equal to the number of business days FSA offices were closed, once the government shutdown ends.  Farmers who have already applied for the program and certified their 2018 production have continued to receive payments.  Meanwhile, I continue to urge members of Congress to redouble their efforts to pass an appropriations bill that President Trump will sign and end the lapse in funding so that we may again provide full services to our farmers and ranchers.”



China Approves Five Crop Traits, Including Enlist E3 Soybeans

 China announced it will approve the import of five corn and soybean biotech traits, some of which have waited many years to be fully commercialized.  The approved traits are:
-- Enlist E3 soybeans (DAS-44406-6): Tolerance to glyphosate, 2,4-D choline and glufosinate herbicides, owned by Corteva Agriscience, the agriculture division of DowDuPont.
-- Qrome corn (DP4114): Tolerance to glufosinate herbicides, along with a new molecular stack of current Bt proteins targeting both above and belowground insects, owned by Corteva.
-- MGI soybeans: Tolerance to mesotrione, glufosinate and isoxaflutole herbicides, developed by Syngenta and Bayer.
-- RF3 canola: Tolerance to glufosinate, along with a pollination control system, owned by BASF.
-- MON 88302 canola: Tolerance to glyphosate, owned by Bayer.

The approvals mark the end of a 1.5-year lag in any Chinese crop trait approvals. "We are pleased with this and look forward to receiving the official safety certificates," said Gregg Schmidt, a spokesperson for Corteva, which owns Qrome and Enlist E3 technology.



New Study Shows U.S. Pork’s Long-term Sustainability Progress

A new study from the University of Arkansas has confirmed what many have known for some time – America’s pig farmers are producing a product that has become increasingly sustainable over the past five decades.

According to the new study, A Retrospective Assessment of U.S. Pork Production: 1960 to 2015, the inputs needed to produce a pound of pork in the United States became more environmentally friendly over time. Specifically, 75.9 percent less land was needed, 25.1 percent less water and 7.0 percent less energy. This also resulted in a 7.7 percent smaller carbon footprint (see infographic.)

“The study confirms what we as producers have been doing to make good on our ongoing commitment of doing what’s best for people, pigs and the planet, which is at the heart of the industry’s We CareSM ethical principles,” said Steve Rommereim, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Alcester, South Dakota. “It’s a great barometer of our environmental stewardship over the years and gives us a solid benchmark for future improvements.”

The Checkoff-funded study used a comprehensive life-cycle assessment approach and used the best available methodology along with a field-to-farm gate approach. This meant including material and energy flows associated with the full supply chain, beginning with extraction of raw materials through production of live, market-weight pigs, including marketed sows. Unlike previous studies, this research accounts for global warming potential and the use of dried distillers grains in many swine rations.

“This report’s accurate methodology can clearly be seen when you see specific events, such as a sudden spike in mortality rates due to a national disease outbreak, a drought or a change in feed rations,” said Dave Pyburn, DVM, senior vice president of science and technology for the Pork Checkoff. “This level of accuracy offers a lot of transparency on a yearly basis as to what may negatively affect certain sustainability metrics and could help us find solutions to prevent or mitigate them in the future.”

As it has for decades, the U.S. pork industry will continue to make strides in overall efficiency, which is the major driver behind improving sustainability across all metrics. This may come in terms of nutrition, genetics, health management, crop management, overall technology adoption and more. This ongoing trend is clearly seen in the new study. Feed conversion (pounds of feed needed for pound of pork gained) started at 4.5 in 1960 and ended at 2.8 in 2015 – a 38 percent improvement even while market hog weights went from 200 pounds to 281 pounds during the same period.

“Consumers may be surprised at how much progress America’s pig farmers have made in sustainability over the years,” Rommereim said. “We not only want them to know that we’ve got a good track record, but that we’re not satisfied with the status quo. We plan to use the information to produce an even more sustainable product in the future.”

Because feedstuffs make up the biggest part of pork’s sustainability footprint, the National Pork Board recently signed a memorandum of understanding on improving sustainability with the United Soybean Board and the National Corn Growers Association. The three organizations will cooperate to conduct research directly related to the environmental sustainability indicators of carbon (greenhouse gases), water use, land use, water quality and soil health.

“It’s important for us to look for partners who will collaborate with us to find new ways to make U.S. pork even more sustainable in the years to come,” said Brett Kaysen, the Pork Checkoff’s assistant vice president of sustainability. “We plan to build on the past decade of the We Care initiative by making its ethical principles more visible to the public. Our goal is to increase the understanding of the true commitment that America’s pig farmers have to improving sustainability.”



EPA and Army Postpone Public Hearing on Proposed New “Waters of the United States” Definition

Due to the lapse in appropriations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA and the Department of the Army (Army) announced today they will postpone the planned January 23 public hearing on the proposed new “Waters of the United States” definition until after appropriations have passed to fund the EPA. Publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register is also postponed.

A notification of public hearing was issued in the Federal Register on December 28, 2018 to hold a hearing in Kansas City, Kansas. EPA and Army will notify the public of the revised date for the public hearing, the start of the public comment period, public webcast and other outreach activities after appropriations have passed. Information on the status of the public hearing will be posted on the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/revised-definition-waters-united-states-proposed-rule.

Background: On December 11, 2018, EPA and Army signed a proposed rule that would provide a clear, understandable, and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act while respecting the role of states and tribes in managing their own land and water resources. The agencies have submitted the proposed rule to the Office of the Federal Register for publication.  A pre-publication version publication version of the Federal Register notice is available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/step-two-revise.

EPA and Army will take comments on the proposal for 60 days after publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register. Comments can be submitted online at https://www.regulations.gov or provided orally at the public hearing once rescheduled. Please follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0149. In addition, oral comments and supporting information presented at the public hearing will be considered with the same weight as written statements and supporting information submitted during the public comment period.



Mosaic Co. Receives Approval for New Phosphate Mine in Florida

The Mosaic Company announced that it has acquired the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit for its Ona phosphate mine project in Hardee County, Florida. This was the final remaining permit for the project and secures 160.2 million tons of phosphate rock for future mining.

The overall project covers 22,483 acres with 16,778 acres of land permitted for mining. The western extent of the project will extend the life of Mosaic's Four Corners mine by fourteen years, while the eastern extent will provide mining for future decades at the South Pasture mine once production resumes at that facility.

"This important project helps secure the continued operation of our Florida manufacturing facilities," said Mosaic President and CEO Joc O'Rourke. "It will deliver tremendous value to the local community, our employees and our investors well into the future."

Permitting efforts for the Ona project began in 2011. Mining permits from the State of Florida were issued in 2015 and local government permits were secured in July 2018.