Thursday April 4 Ag News

Meeting for Growing Annual Forages after a Flood for Cattle Producers – April 9

Due to historic flooding and farmland damage, over 180 farmers attended the USDA and Nebraska Extension Flood Disaster Recovery Meetings on Tuesday (April 2) in Scribner and Fremont and Wednesday (April 3) in Omaha. As a result of feedback from these meetings and individual producers, Nebraska Extension will be providing a meeting for cattle producers with USDA and Crop Insurance Partners to discuss how to utilize annual forages this season to supplement loss of hay and pasture in flood affected areas.

Growing Annual Forages after a Flood Meeting will be held this Tuesday, April 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Dodge County Extension Office located at 1206 West 23rd Street in Fremont near the airport.

Speakers include Daren Redfearn and Kristen Ulmer from Nebraska Extension, Brach Johnson - USDA-NRCS personnel, and crop insurance company representatives.

Topics will include discussion of the UDSA-NRCS EQIP program, preventative planting, selecting annual forage species and mixes, growing two annual forage crops in a year instead of corn or soybeans, and other important information about growing annual forages on your farm to help supplement damaged pastures and stored hay loss. The meeting will be recorded and video posted at croptechcafe.org.

Sponsored by Nebraska Extension. No pre-registration is required and there is no fee to attend. Water, pop, and a snack will be provided. Please visit croptechcafe.org to view the flyer and share this digitally.



USDA-NRCS Offers Post-Blizzard/Flood Assistance; Damage Assessments Underway

In the wake of the “bomb cyclone” and flooding in Nebraska, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is meeting with landowners, partners, and other agencies to assess damages and offer technical and financial assistance.

Disaster recovery assistance programs through NRCS include the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) Livestock Mortality Initiative.
 
Watershed Assistance
“EWP is designed to install recovery measures to safeguard lives and property as a result of a natural disaster,” said Craig Derickson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist. “We have teams assembled to complete damage survey reports. Our goal is to get the damage survey reports completed as quickly as possible so we can request funding for the recovery work.”

Watershed impairments that the EWP Program addresses include debris-clogged stream channels, scoured or eroded bridges, and undermined and/or unstable streambanks that pose an imminent threat to public infrastructure (i.e.: bridges, county roads, etc.).

“It is work we can do with a local sponsor to help mitigate damages so lives and property are protected and additional hardships are not heaped upon the devastated community,” Derickson said.

As farmers and ranchers cope with the aftermath of these disasters EWP-type services are key to preventing further damage. The program requires local government bodies or other sponsor to assist with on-the-ground work.

“Generally, NRCS will pay up to 75 percent of the restoration costs, and the sponsor is responsible for the remaining balance of funding needs, which can include in-kind support,” Derickson said.

Potential sponsors seeking assistance through EWP should work with their local USDA service center, which can be found at: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

Farmer/Rancher Assistance
Through the EQIP Livestock Mortality Initiative, farmers and ranchers can apply for assistance to properly dispose of livestock lost during the blizzard/flooding. Applications are being accepted now through May 1. Additional application cutoff dates may be announced if there is demand and available funding.

EQIP can also provide long-term support to repair livestock fencing and install conservation practices to reduce erosion and improve soil health. NRCS is taking applications and encourage interested landowners to contact their local office for more information.

For more information on available NRCS assistance, contact a local USDA service center, or visit www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov. Information about all USDA disaster assistance programs available to ag producers may be found at www.farmers.gov/recover.



Sasse Seeks Regulatory Relief For Farmers And Ranchers After Flood

Today, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, seeking regulatory relief for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers in the wake of the state’s historic flood.

“Agriculture took a big hit, but nobody outworks Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers,” said Senator Sasse. “Nebraska is going to get the job done, and we could use some help from our partners at the Department of Agriculture. We’ve got a long road ahead, but we’ll pull together.”

Sasse, who will spend Friday surveying damage alongside Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson and Nebraska Cattlemen President Mike Drinnin, asked the Department of Agriculture for three common-sense steps:

1. Providing additional flexibility as needed with deadlines in the Livestock Indemnity Program for Nebraskans still recovering from the disaster.

2. Waiving a narrow definition of “winter storm” that currently requires three consecutive days, which does not adequately cover the fast-moving and extreme weather conditions that Nebraska faced.

3. Detailing additional USDA personnel to help county and state Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.



Disposing of Flood-Soaked Grains and Forages
Amy Millmier Schmidt - NE Extension Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer

Regulatory Considerations
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) recognizes in NDEQ Guidance Document 11-023 that flood-soaked grain or hay is almost certain to be contaminated, making it unfit for use as food or feed. Therefore, the NDEQ has historically allowed spoiled grain or hay to be land-applied to agricultural fields, with consideration for the nature of contamination or spoilage, amount of material affected, application field topography, proximity to neighbors, etc.

Flood-damaged grain and hay have been demonstrated to be a danger to wildlife. As a result, the department recommends land application of flood damaged grain or hay to be disked into the soil within 24 hours of application. For additional information on NDEQ considerations, see Flood Damaged Grain and Hay Disposal.

Time is of the Essence
Flood-soaked grains and feeds will begin to heat and mold very quickly, making spoilage likely and spontaneous combustion of hays a possibility. The following guidance applies to water-damaged feeds that are not salvageable:

The temperature inside piles can be checked by driving a pointed pipe into the pile and lowering a thermometer inside the pipe. The thermometer should be left in place for about 20 minutes to allow the temperature reading to stabilize.

Alternatively, digging into the innermost layer of the pile with a spade or bucket loader to check for smoldering material or ash can reveal if dangerously high temperatures are present (Hellevang, 2010).
-    Remove flooded grain from bins and stack in a well-drained location away from farm facilities. If possible, separate wet and dry grain and store separately. Wet forages and hay that are no longer submerged in water can begin to generate heat within hours due to microbial activity. It is important to move these away from farm facilities and monitor the temperature of forage piles. Farmers need to be aware of the risk of sudden flair ups in stockpiled hay and forage. Don’t get too close to these stockpiles and allow room for escape routes. If already smoking, stay away because opening the pile and adding oxygen will almost certainly result in fire. If the temperature inside the pile approaches 150°F, the feed is composting and should be monitored closely. At 170°F, material may begin to smolder or catch fire (Hellevang, 2010).
-    Mix any pile that exceeds 150°F with a bucket loader to cool the interior of the pile. Be aware that temperatures will again begin to rise following mixing, so monitoring should continue and piles should be mixed whenever high temperatures are detected.
-    If field conditions will hinder access for land application of these materials for several days or more, continue monitoring and mixing the pile. The heating cycles, if allowed to continue, should eventually generate compost that can be safely stored until land application is possible. Instructions for compost pile establishment follow below. When the material no longer generates heat, it is a sign that the composting process is complete (i.e. no food remains for the microbes) or that the material has dried below about 40%. If the material dries out prior to fully composting, there may still be a risk to wildlife that consume the material following field application.
-    Inspect grain storage bins containing flood-soaked grains for possible damage due to grain swelling, and damage to electrical motors and controls. Grain swelling may cause bolts to shear, doors to misalign, or caulked seals to show signs of stretching.

Composting
Composting may reduce the potential for livestock and wildlife to consume the contaminated grain and would limit their exposure to potential toxins. It should also reduce the potential for germination of grain seeds following land application and the potential for volunteer corn in fields.

To actively compost the material, pile the wet feedstuffs in windrows four to six feet high. Smaller windrow can reduce the risk of piles over-heating and spontaneous combustion. Leave adequate space between windrows to provide access for a bucket loader to turn the piles. It is desirable to cover wet grain with damaged hay or other forage or residue.

As noted in the previous section, closely monitoring pile temperatures is essential to detect and manage excessive heating that could generate a fire. Good compost is achieved when temperature peaks between 140°F and 160°F Checking pile temperatures regularly and maintaining a water source nearby to suppress smoldering or burning material are advisable.

Burning
The NDEQ guidance for flood damaged grains and hay suggests that burning might be a preferable method for disposal of flood-damaged foodstuffs. According to the NDEQ, open burning of these materials can be conducted without an air permit provided that the material is burned on the same site where it was damaged by flooding and no other debris or waste is combined with the grain and/or forages during burning. It is advisable, however, that the local fire department be contacted to secure a burn permit. Burning these materials may require careful monitoring over an extended period of time to ensure the fire is well-controlled and may produce significant smoke, which could generate nuisance complaints. Notifying neighbors prior to conducting disposal of feedstuffs in this way is recommended.

Land Application
If grain is spoiled but not capable of causing an infectious disease to humans (e.g. contaminated with human septage or sewage), then it may be either sent to a permitted municipal solid waste landfill or land applied. If the grain is applied to the land at an appropriate agronomic rate, prior approval from the NDEQ for land application of this material is NOT required. However, notifying NDEQ of your plans for land application is encouraged.

An agronomic application rate should be based upon nitrogen. Not all nitrogen in the flood-soaked feed would be available in the first year following application. If we assumed 50% availability, application rates shown in Table 1 would likely be a maximum acceptable rate for a typical rainfed field averaging 160 bushels/acre and an irrigated field average 225 bushels/acre. Table 1 includes application rate estimates for feed at both 30% and 50% moisture, and for corn silage at 70% moisture.

Because the moisture content of the feedstuff impacts your final application rate, if the table does not represent the moisture content of a material being considered for land application, an application rate estimate can be calculated by dividing the “Tons of Dry Matter Per Acre” value in the table for that feedstuff by the fraction dry matter (or 1 – fraction moisture). As an example, for corn at 65% moisture content, divide 4.3 tons DM/ac by (1 – 0.65) to arrive at an application rate of 12.3 tons/ac).

Additional considerations when land applying flood-soaked feeds include:
-    An in-season N assessment is recommended due to low predictability of applied organic N availability (50% assumption is likely high). Additional N application may be warranted and an option should be available for side-dressing corn.
-    Incorporation of land-applied feedstuffs is recommended to minimize risks to wildlife from toxins in the grains. A moldboard plow or other aggressive tillage practice may be necessary to completely bury grains. Flood-damaged grains can be particularly dangerous to bird wildlife. Composting grain before land applying should reduce palatability and risk of consumption.
-    Volunteer plant growth from land-applied grain is likely. If corn has herbicide tolerant traits, controlling volunteer plants will present unique challenges. Composting of grains should reduce germination of grain seeds.
-   If flood-soaked corn has herbicide-tolerant traits, it should NOT be applied to fields that will be used for human food production (e.g., popcorn production) or seed grain production in the following growing season.

Recordkeeping Recommendations
Document flood-damaged grains and forages with written records summarizing amounts of feedstuffs damaged and dates of flooding. Time-dated photos can be particularly valuable.

When land-applied, record the number of loads hauled (or scale records, if available), area covered by land application, and timing. Again, time-dated photographs are valuable. An estimate of moisture content of the grain or hay when land applied is also desirable for document application at an agronomic rate. If feedstuffs are incorporated into the soil, photographic documentation would be desirable.

Recovering Dry Grains in Flooded Bins
Any dry grain should be inspected, checked for moisture content, and possibly considered for re-use with animals. If the grain can be salvaged for use by animals, Ken Hellevang, agricultural engineer at North Dakota State University, recommends:
-    If the grain depth is less than 6 feet, use a natural-air bin drying system with a perforated floor and a high-capacity drying fan. Verify that the air is coming through the grain. Supplemental heat can be used to speed drying, but do not raise the air temperature more than 10 or 15 degrees F.
-    If a dryer is not available, spread the grain in as dry a place as possible. Don't pile it any higher than 6 inches. Stir it daily to prevent overheating and to speed drying. Watch for and remove molded grains.
-    Wet grain can be ensiled if it is intended for feed and the moisture content is between 25% and 35%. If using a conventional silo, contact an Extension educator about treating the grain with propionic acid to prevent mold.

Lastly, in a North Dakota State University publication, Hellevang and his co-authors warn: “Do not feed flood-damaged grains until they are tested for mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by fungi. Ask your county Extension agent for locations of testing laboratories. Even if the feed is deemed safe to use, watch animals carefully for signs of illness.”



Management Recommendations for Irrigation Equipment Affected by Flooding
Aaron Nygren - Extension Educator

With the recent widespread flooding, many irrigation systems across the state have been affected by flooding. As waters drain and soils dry out, part of the recovery process will include checking irrigation systems for damage and performing maintenance/repair before those systems can be used.

Above all else, staying safe is critical, so make sure that electricity is shut off when inspecting electrical components. Double check to confirm that power is off and that it cannot be restored prior to completion of the inspection/repair work.

It is advised to contact your local well or pivot company service technician to get your systems inspected, as damage may have occurred and more damage could be caused by operating the system. Depending on the water level, inspection and maintenance might be needed for the power unit, irrigation well, and center pivot. Listed below are areas to look at with each of these components.
Power Unit

If water reached the power unit, maintenance is needed before operating the system. Do not attempt to start the electric motor until it has completely dried out or damage may occur. This may require the motor being removed and brought into the shop and disassembled to make sure everything is OK, so it is recommended to check with your pump company. Once dry, it is advised to drain the oil and replace. In addition, be sure to grease the motor bearings by removing the relief plug and adding grease until old grease is expelled.

If the water completely submerged the internal combustion engine, it will require major servicing which should be performed as quickly as possible and may require a complete rebuild. This will include draining and replacing the oil, pulling injectors or spark plugs to make sure no water is in the cylinders before turning over the engine, and replacing all filters. Electrical systems may be damaged and need repair or replacement. Also, check the fuel system for water and drain if water is present.
Irrigation Well

Once the power unit is inspected, the next concern is if the well had contamination or debris go down the column. This is of more concern if the system had an open discharge pipe such as a gravity irrigation system. Wells with proper functioning backflow valves should be less likely to have contamination or debris. If debris is possible, make sure the pump turns freely before operation or damage may occur to the impellers.

Once the power unit is operable, it may be helpful to start up wells that were flooded to pump contaminates out. As a precaution, you may choose to shock chlorinate the well to kill any bacteria that might be present. (For more information see Restoring a Flooded Well to Service.)

Well gearheads are usually sealed well, but it is still advised to drain the oil, flush if possible, and refill with new oil.

Center Pivot
The main components to check on center pivots are the wheel and center drive gearboxes, center drive motors on electric drive pivots, tower boxes if the water reached them, and the pivot panel. Hydraulic drive pivots would still need the wheel gearboxes checked, but the hydraulic system should be OK unless the pump and/or oil reservoir were submerged.

With gearboxes, drain any water present. If the oil appears contaminated, drain and refill with new oil. The center drive motors should be inspected to make sure they are dry and free of debris, which may require removing the stator housing from the motors.

If water reached the pivot panel and/or the tower boxes, it is recommended to have a service technician or electrician inspect them. Be sure to let them dry out completely before servicing. Both basic and computer panels may operate after drying out and cleaning, but often they will need to be replaced.



Midwest Dairy Elects Leadership

Allen Merrill, a dairy farmer from Parker, South Dakota, was re-elected chairman of Midwest Dairy during the organization’s annual meeting held in conjunction with the Western Dairy Forum in Phoenix, Arizona.

Elections for the Corporate board officer team also were held. Charles Krause, Buffalo, Minnesota, was re-elected first vice chairman; Dan Hotvedt, Decorah, Iowa, was re-elected second vice chairman; Lowell Mueller, Hooper, Nebraska, was re-elected secretary and Barb Liebenstein, Dundas, Minnesota, was re-elected treasurer.

New members elected by their Divisions to the Midwest Dairy Corporate board include:
Sheri Atteberry, Conway, Missouri;
Kelly Cunningham, Atlantic, Iowa;
Margaret Johnson, Fountain, Minnesota;
Brent Mueller, Garden Prairie, Illinois; and
Joyce Racicky, Mason City, Nebraska.

Division board officers and new members are as follows:

Iowa Division
Chairman – Dan Hotvedt, Decorah;
Vice Chairman – Bruce Brockshus, Ocheyedan;
Secretary – Jonna Schutte, Monona; and
Treasurer – Larry Shover, Delhi.
Patrick Jones, Spencer, was seated as a new member of the Iowa Division board.

Nebraska Division
Chairwoman – Joyce Racicky; Mason City; and
Vice Chairwoman – Mary Temme, Wayne; and
Secretary/Treasurer – Jodi Cast, Beaver Crossing.
Mike Henn, Norfolk, was seated as a new member of the Nebraska Division board.




Nebraska Corn Board Seeks Candidates for Vacancies

Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board will expire June 30, 2019, and Nebraska’s corn checkoff program is seeking candidates to petition for those districts. The open positions represent Districts 1, 4 and 5.

    District 1: Includes the counties of Butler, Cass, Douglas, Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Seward and Richardson (Note:  David Bruntz, the current District 1 director, has indicated he will pursue re-appointment).

    District 4: Includes the counties of Burt, Cedar, Colfax, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton, Thurston, Washington and Wayne (Note: Debbie Borg, the current District 4 director, has indicated she will pursue re-appointment).

    District 5: Includes the counties of Buffalo, Dawson, Hall, Howard and Sherman (Note:  Tim Scheer, the current District 5 director, has indicated that he will not pursue re-appointment).

Appointments to the board for Districts 1, 4 and 5 are made by the Governor of Nebraska. Any candidate for appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board. Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in Nebraska for a period of five years and derive a substantial portion of their income from growing corn. Board members who currently represent these districts are also eligible to re-petition.

Petitions may be obtained by writing the Nebraska Corn Board (P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509-5107), by calling 800-632-6761 or emailing nikki.bentzinger@nebraska.gov. A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district. All petitions must be received by the Nebraska Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. central time on Friday, May 17, 2019.  Faxed copies do not qualify.



Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honors, elects new members

The Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement honored Bob Dickey and Al Svajgr at a banquet on March 29 at Nebraska East Union in Lincoln.  

Formed in 1916, the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement is dedicated to preserving and improving Nebraska agriculture. Each year, the group recognizes at least one honoree and elects new members.

Dickey is a third generation farmer raising cattle, hogs, soybeans and corn on his farm near Laurel. As he became more established in farming, he invested in Nebraska agribusinesses, including Specialty Protein Producers in Norfolk, Husker Ag Processing in Plainview and Advanced Bioenergy at Fairmont.

Dickey has served in many volunteer and civil organizations. He was director and chairman of the Farm Credit Bank Board, representing Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Wyoming. A member of the Nebraska Corn Board for 21 years, he served as its chairman. Dickey worked in many different leadership roles, including president, in the National Corn Growers board. As a member and chairman of the United States Grains Council, he worked to build alliances between many U.S. commodities to improve cross-industry partnerships.

Svajgr’s passion for the beef industry began while growing up on the family farm in Diller, where he was involved with 4-H cattle and FFA. He is currently the owner of Agrow, feeding approximately 5,000 head of cattle annually. Svajgr is also original owner and board chairman of Darr Feedlot, which markets over 100,000 head of cattle each year. He is director of Waypoint Bank and chairman of Midwest Banco, a bank holding company.

Svajgr is a past president of Agriculture Builders of Nebraska and the Nebraska LEAD Board. He has served on the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chancellor’s Advisory Board and Animal Science Advisory Committee. Currently, he is on the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Advisory Board, chairman of the Cozad Hospital Board, and on the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska board.

NHAA also welcomed new members at the banquet. New members were nominated by a fellow member of the hall for their significant contributions to the state’s agriculture industry.

This year’s new NHAA members, listed by hometown are:
    ANSELMO: Barbara Cooksley, cattle rancher, range conservationist
    GORDON: Nancy Peterson, veterinarian, Plum Thicket Farms
    GRANT: Ted Tietjen, agribusiness consulting
    HARRISBURG: Douglas Olsen, owner, Olsen Ranches, Inc.
    LINCOLN: Mary Garbacz, emeritus professor of practice, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Terry Hejny, director, Nebraska LEAD Program; Pete McClymont, executive vice president, Nebraska Cattlemen; Richard Rasby, associate dean, Nebraska Extension
    NORTH PLATTE: Chuck Burr, extension educator, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
    POTTER: Rick Larson, farmer and rancher
    SUTHERLAND: Roric and Deb Paulman, owners, Paulman Farms



NBB Thanks Representatives for Proposed Biodiesel Tax Incentive Extension

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today thanked Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-IA), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) for introducing bipartisan legislation that would provide a two-year extension of the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive. The Biodiesel Tax Credit Extension Act of 2019 (HR 2089) would provide certainty for 2018 and 2019 to biodiesel producers and their employees. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ, and John Larson (D-CT).

“NBB and its members are grateful to Representatives Finkenauer, Kelly, Kind and Smith for their leadership to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive,” Kurt Kovarik, NBB’s Vice President of Federal Affairs, said. “We continue to appreciate the strong bipartisan support in Congress for biodiesel and renewable diesel industry workers.

“Biodiesel companies and their employees are facing an uncertain future because the biodiesel tax incentive has been expired for 15 months. The economic pressure is threatening the future of the industry, putting good-paying, blue-collar jobs and production of a low-carbon, domestic fuel at stake. It is adding economic pressure to farmers who have been hit from both sides by unfavorable weather and trade disputes. If enacted swiftly, this bill will provide the agricultural economy some certainty and relief for 2018 and 2019.”

The House legislative language mirrors the biodiesel tax incentive provision in Senate legislation introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), chairman, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate legislation (S.617) would provide a two-year extension of expired temporary tax incentives, including the biodiesel and renewable diesel tax incentive.

With plants in nearly every state, the U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports more than 60,000 jobs, paying more than $2.5 billion in annual wages and generating more than $11 billion in economic impact. Every 100 million gallons of biodiesel production supports 3,200 jobs.

The U.S. biodiesel market has grown from about 100 million gallons in 2005, when the tax incentive was first implemented, to more than 2.6 billion gallons annually since 2016. The biodiesel tax incentive helps producers across the country continue to invest in capacity for future growth.



Webinar Takes a Look at Why Improving the Soil Pays Dividend

The Iowa Learning Farms webinar Wednesday, April 17, will discuss the importance of soil quality for agriculture production.

The 12 p.m. webinar will cover how the quality of the soil impacts productivity of crops and how weather changes contribute to yield variation among years and within fields. Enhancing the soil pays dividends because of the improved water and nutrient availability during crop reproductive development stage. Jerry L. Hatfield, laboratory director and supervisory plant physiologist at the USDA National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, will explain how soil can be enhanced by changing the system to promote and sustain an active soil biological system.

“The research paves the way for reduced yield variation among years and within fields,” said Hatfield, whose research focuses on understanding the dynamics of the G x E x M (genetics x environment x management) complex to evaluate the role of soil, with the changing weather, in crop performance. He wants webinar participants to understand that soils can change quickly and create a path toward increased efficiency of water and nutrient use.

A Cover Crop Adviser board approved continuing education unit is available for those who are able to watch the live webinar. Information for submitting your CCA/CPAg/CPSS/CPSC number to earn credit will be provided at the end of the presentation.

To watch, go to www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars and click the link to join the webinar shortly before 12 p.m. April 17, to download the Zoom software and log in option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for watching at any time at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.



CHS Reports $596.3 million of net income for first six months of fiscal 2019

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, agronomy, grains and foods company, today reported net income of $248.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and $596.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2019.

"Our strong performance in the second quarter reflects our hard work at serving our owners and other customers better. We've refocused on serving our customers and improving our operations, and that has shown positive results in our financials for the first half of fiscal 2019," said Jay Debertin, CHS president and chief executive officer.  "Our performance also reflects the benefit of a diverse platform across business units that serves our cooperative and farmer-owners."

Key financial highlights for the quarter ending Feb. 28, 2019, include:
-    Consolidated revenues of $6.5 billion compared to $7.0 billion in the restated second quarter of fiscal year 2018.
-    Net income of $248.8 million compared to $166.0 million from the restated second quarter of fiscal year 2018.
-    Pretax income of $261.9 million compared to a loss of $21.7 million from the restated second quarter of fiscal 2018.
-    Favorable pricing for crude oil supplied to the CHS refinery business.
-    Higher earnings from the investments in CF Nitrogen and Ventura Foods.

"The first six months of our fiscal year have returned overall good financial results," Debertin said. "But we face challenges, particularly in our Ag segment. These challenges of low commodity prices, trade difficulties and harsh winter weather impact all of agriculture, especially farmers. As we look to the rest of our fiscal year, we know there are factors such as the recent flooding we cannot control that will continue to affect agribusiness and those growing the food to feed the world."

Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 Segment Results
The following segment results were reported for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 as compared to second quarter fiscal 2018.
ENERGY
The $282.1 million increase in Energy pretax earnings reflects:
    Improved market conditions in the CHS refined fuels business, primarily driven by favorable pricing on heavy Canadian crude oil.

AG
The $8.9 million decrease in Ag pretax earnings was driven by:
    Significant pressure on grain volume and margin due to slower movement of grain caused by price, weather, logistics and unresolved trade issues.

NITROGEN PRODUCTION
The $6.2 million increase in Nitrogen Production pretax earnings reflects:
    Improved margins at CF Nitrogen, driven by increased sale prices of urea and UAN, which are produced and sold by CF Nitrogen.

CORPORATE AND OTHER
The $4.2 million increase in Corporate and Other pretax earnings reflects:
    Higher earnings from the company's investment in Ventura Foods and increased revenue from other corporate activities.



North American Grain and Oilseed Crushings 2018 Summary
Combined United States and Canadian Soybeans Crushed Up 10 Percent From 2017

This information is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service to release the soybean and canola seed crushings information for both countries within one publication. United States soybean and oilseed crushings numbers for 2018 were previously released on March 15, 2019. Canadian soybean and oilseed crushings were released on March 22, 2019.

Combined United States and Canadian soybeans crushed for crude oil was 65.2 million tons in 2018, an increase of 10 percent from 2017.  Crude oil production was 24.9 billion pounds compared to 22.9 billion pounds in 2017.

Combined United States and Canadian canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 12.1 million tons in 2018, up less than 1 percent from 2017.  Crude oil production was 10.7 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2017.



U.S. Sorghum Sales Continue To Spain, Italy

Recent sales of U.S. sorghum to Spain and Italy reinforce the importance of these European markets to U.S. farmers.

Italy purchased 36,600 metric tons (1.44 million bushels) of sorghum the week of March 14, and Spain has purchased just under one million tons (39.4 million bushels) of sorghum since April 2018.

A combination of factors has resulted in the return of these two buyers to the sorghum market this marketing year. In addition to ample supply of U.S. sorghum, a drought in Europe has driven up the price of European feedstock. U.S. sorghum is an attractive alternative with duty-free access to the market and no biotechology-related concerns.

The Council worked with Spanish buyers last spring by bringing sorghum sellers to Spain and conducting two purchasing conferences, resulting in purchases of diverted shipments from China. These activities paved the way for renewed interest in U.S. sorghum, and the Spanish have continued to purchase since that time, with U.S. sorghum destined for hog production.

“There has proven to be some demand in Spain for sorghum,” said Reece Cannady, U.S. Grains Council (USGC) manager of global trade. “I look forward to Spain being a partner with the sorghum industry in the United States for years to come.”

Italy also is looking for feed grains to fill the demand gap left by the European drought. The recent purchase allows Italian end-users to evaluate the economical and nutritional advantages of U.S. sorghum.

The Council will continue building on this positive momentum by conducting a buyers conference in Europe this summer to provide more information on the availability and value of U.S. sorghum to Spanish and Italian buyers, as well as those in other European countries.



American Farm Bureau Relieved that Border Will Remain Open
AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

“We are relieved by the administration’s announcement today that there will not be an immediate closure of our border with Mexico. That is good news for farmers and ranchers on two fronts – trade and access to agricultural workers. Our farm and ranch families continue to face an economic storm that would have become even more severe had the border been closed. Our ability to secure workers through the H-2A program is essential to many of our farmers and growers, and we continue to seek additional improvements to help our farmers secure the workforce they need to grow and harvest their crops and tend their livestock. When it comes to trade, Mexico is an essential partner and we will continue to push for congressional approval of the USMCA trade agreement.”