Friday July 15 Ag News

 Soybean Gall Midge Update
Justin McMechan, NE Extension Cropping System Specialist

Soybean gall midge adults have been detected in emergence cages on this year’s soybean at multiple locations in eastern Nebraska. A significant spike in emergence was reported today in Saunders County near Mead, NE. This is about 10-14 days behind last year’s emergence of adults from the current year’s soybean crop. Adults are still emerging from last year's soybean at a few sites in east-central Nebraska but a very low numbers.

Wilting and dead soybean plants from larval feeding have been found in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota over the past week. In general, we have observed a reduction in larval number in the last 7-14 days indicating that larvae have likely gone to the soil to pupate and emerge as adults. We expect other sites will see adult emergence from this year's soybean in the next few days. Adult emergence activity for soybean gall midge can be found on the soybeangallmidge.org website.

We do not recommend taking any management action against soybean gall midge at this point in the season. Now is a good time to scout soybean fields for the presence of larvae at the base of the plant. Before you scout, check out the scouting videos at https://soybeangallmidge.org/scouting-for-soybean-gall-midge.

We will be conducting field surveys to detect the presence of soybean gall midge in several states across the midwest over the next couple of weeks. Any new county detections will be added to the soybean gall midge website under the "Distribution" button. If you find soybean gall midge larvae and your county is not indicated as infested, then please contact your state specialist under the contacts tab on the soybean gall midge website.



Japanese Beetles Emerging; Scout Corn and Soybean Fields
Robert Wright - Extension Entomologist

Japanese beetle adults are emerging in eastern Nebraska. Their distribution has been increasing in Nebraska the last few years and they are being seen in corn and soybeans more frequently, in addition to feeding on landscape trees and shrubs. They will continue to emerge for the next few weeks. First identified in counties along the state's eastern border several years ago, the beetles were found as far west as Scottsbluff County in 2019.

Japanese beetles have one generation per year. They often feed in clusters due to an attraction to the female sex pheromone and an attraction to volatile chemicals produced by damaged plants.

Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) can contribute to defoliation in soybeans, along with a complex of other insects, such as bean leaf beetles, grasshoppers and several caterpillar species. They feed by skeletonizing the leaves, leaving only the leaf veins. They feed primarily in the upper canopy, making the damage very visible. In soybeans insecticide treatment is recommended when insects are present and damage is expected to exceed 30% defoliation in vegetative stage and 20% in reproductive stage soybeans. For more information see Managing Soybean Defoliators, NebGuide G2259.

Similar to corn rootworm beetles, Japanese beetles will scrape off the green surface tissue on corn leaves before silks emerge, but prefer silks once they are available. Japanese beetles feed on corn silks, and may interfere with pollination if abundant enough to severely clip silks before pollination. University of Illinois Extension recommends: "An insecticidal treatment should be considered during the silking period if:
    There are three or more Japanese beetles per ear,
    Silks have been clipped to less than ½ inch, AND
    Pollination is less than 50% complete.

Be aware that Japanese beetle numbers are often highest on field margins, so scout across the whole field before making a treatment decision. Japanese beetle adults are about ½ inch long and have a metallic green head and thorax. A key characteristic is a series of white tufts of hair on each side of the abdomen.

A variety of insecticides labeled on corn and soybeans would be expected to provide control of Japanese beetles. For more information, see product labels or the "Insecticides for Field Crops" section from Nebraska Extension EC130 for rates and restrictions.

In some cases people have mistaken the Japanese beetle for its look-alike, the false Japanese beetle, or sand chafer, Strigoderma arboricola, which is a native Nebraska insect found across most of the state. Sand chafers are commonly found along the Platte River valley and other river valleys in Nebraska. False Japanese beetle adults are about the same size as Japanese beetles, but do not have a metallic green head. They may vary in color from coppery brown to black. They may have some white hairs on the side of the abdomen but they are not organized into tufts of hair.

Sand chafers are often noticed because they have a habit of landing on people and seem to be attracted to people wearing light-colored clothing. They have not been reported to cause economic damage to crops as adults, although the immature white grub has been reported to cause damage to potato tubers.



Grasshoppers Return ― It’s Time to Scout Field Borders
Robert Wright - Extension Entomologist

Populations of immature grasshoppers are being reported in areas bordering crop fields in several parts of Nebraska. If these grasshopper species are one of the four major species that are likely to infest cropland, control may be warranted if high numbers are present. These insects will likely continue to be a present for the rest of the summer.

If they are abundant, it's best to try to control grasshoppers while they are concentrated in the border areas before they spread into the crops and before they become adults and become harder to control.

Only four of the more than 100 species of grasshoppers found in Nebraska normally damage field crops. These species are the
    twostriped,
    redlegged,
    differential, and
    migratory grasshoppers.

(For a detailed guide on identifying these four species see Grasshopper Identification Guide for Cropland Grasshoppers Summer Feeding Species, EC1569.) These species feed on a wide range of plants and are most often found in mixed habitats that include broadleaf weeds.

Because grasshoppers move into cropland generally from untilled areas surrounding crop fields, scout and, if necessary, treat these adjacent untilled areas first. Sometimes grasshoppers may hatch out from eggs laid in no-till crop fields as well. If grasshoppers have already invaded the field, also sample field areas to determine if control is warranted. The grasshoppers are most likely to move from these areas to adjoining crops when their food supply in these borders dries up or the borders are mowed.



Summer Billboard Campaign Features Nebraska-shaped Steak

A new series of billboards touting the quality beef raised in Nebraska is now on display in the Omaha and Lincoln markets. The campaign, implemented by the Nebraska Beef Council, features a Nebraska-shaped steak along with a spin off the state's slogan creating a simple but straight forward statement: "Good Life. Great Steaks."

Through the June and July grilling months, 22 billboards will be displayed in various parts of Omaha in high-traffic areas. One digital billboard will also be placed on north 27th Street in Lincoln, one of the city's most traveled throughways. The total campaign will garner over 3 million impressions per week.

"The billboard placements provide a nice compliment to our other digital advertising efforts," said Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. "Nebraska truly is home to great beef and it's important to keep that message top-of-mind with consumers."

In addition to outdoor billboards, the campaign message will also be on display at the Omaha airport. Travelers arriving to and traveling from the airport will see the the messages in the terminal walkways. The in-door signage declaring Nebraska as "Home to the Good Life and Great Steaks" will be on display through the end of September with and average of 1.2 million impressions per month.

"Omaha has become a destination for a variety of national conferences and sporting events," said Wegner. "Having these display boards in the airport allows us to share our message about Nebraska's beef industry with a wide consumer audience."



Husker Athlete Outreach Programs

The Beef Checkoff partnered with the Husker Performance Nutrition team at UNL to host several events in July for student athletes. The first annual Husker Gourmet Burger Contest featured 12 Husker football players who competed to build beef burgers for a panel of judges and claim the title of “Gourmet Burger Champion.” The contest was held at the Lewis Training Table in Memorial Stadium and was open to all athlete spectators.

The Nebraska Beef Council was a supporting sponsor providing additional activities and education during the event. Athletes were given the opportunity answer beef nutrition trivia questions for a chance to win prizes.  

“The athletes had a lot of fun and created some unique burgers,” said Mitch Rippe, director of nutrition and education at the Nebraska Beef Council. “This event provided a great opportunity to educate the athletes on the importance of good nutrition and how the nutrients in beef can support their athletic performance.”

Later in the week, the Nebraska Beef Council again partnered with Husker Performance Nutrition to host a cooking class for UNL female athletes. The class showcased beef as a performance protein option and highlighted the versatility that beef provides. During the session, student athletes utilized chopped sirloin to create four recipes that could be utilized for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Beef provides the nutrients these students athletes need to perform at a high level,” said Rippe. “Our goal is to show them how to prepare it and how easy it can be to incorporate beef into their next meal.”



Fischer Continues Pressing Biden Admin. On Actions to Support U.S. Ag Producers, Reduce Fertilizer Costs

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, this week pushed the administration to take a series of actions that will help family farmers and ranchers.

First, Sen. Fischer joined 18 of her colleagues in a letter to Doug McKalip, President Biden’s nominee to be the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) chief agricultural negotiator. In their letter, the senators noted the Biden administration’s disastrous trade policies that have weakened America’s farmers and ranchers and urged McKalip, if confirmed, to seek trade agreements that support U.S. producers.

“It is … disappointing that not only has the Biden administration chosen to forego the pursuit of trade agreements of any kind which can provide enhanced market access for U.S. exporters, but in the case of U.S. dairy, the administration has failed to fully enforce existing trade agreements.  President Biden’s decision to put the U.S. agricultural industry on the backburner of his trade agenda disadvantages American farmers and ranchers while jeopardizing America’s strategic interests in the face of an emboldened and increasingly assertive China,” the senators wrote.

They continued, “In light of these concerns, if confirmed, we request your commitment to working to enforce, enhance and grow market access as part of trade negotiations in order to promote U.S. agricultural exports which will be critical to achieving much-needed economic recovery.”

Sen. Fischer also joined 28 of her colleagues in a bicameral letter to President Biden demanding that his administration waive import duties on fertilizer from Morocco and Trinidad and Tobago.

“The bottom line is that fertilizer is critical to national security and national defense. Its affordability is also critical to wrangling out-of-control inflation. As such, we strongly encourage you to take immediate action to waive duties on fertilizer imports from Morocco and Trinidad and Tobago,” the senators wrote.

BACKGROUND:
Record inflation and the war in Ukraine have disrupted the stability of the fertilize trade. In June, Sen. Fischer joined a letter urging U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to develop and execute a strategic plan for securing the United States’ long-term fertilizer needs.

In May, Sen. Fischer pushed Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on U.S. agriculture exports to Mexico. Secretary Vilsack committed to Senator Fischer that he would work with our trading partners in Mexico to provide certainty and market access for Nebraska corn producers.



NE Cattlemen host PAC in the Pasture event

You're invited to PAC in the Pasture on Tuesday, August 9th, at 6 p.m. MT!

This year's event is sponsored by Neogen and will be hosted by John and Julie Kraye at Kraye Angus Ranch in Mullen to benefit the Nebraska Cattlemen State Political Action Committee. There will be a live auction, cash bar, steak dinner, and B.J. Jamison with the Twin River Band will be performing!

Please be sure to RSVP by Monday, August 1st, to info@necattlemen.org , by calling (402) 475-2333, or by clicking the RSVP button below to fill out our online form!

To donate an auction item for the event, contact Bonita Lederer at (402) 450-0223 or blederer@necattlemen.org. You must be a member of Nebraska Cattlemen to donate.    



Bosselman Enterprises, Pearson Fuels to Share E15, E85 Retail Experience at ACE Conference

A flex fuel retailer panel will be part of the general session lineup again this year at the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 35th annual conference, August 10-12 in Omaha, Nebraska. ACE Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty will moderate a conversation between representatives with California-based Pearson Fuels, and Bosselman Enterprises, owner of the Nebraska-based Pump & Pantry convenience store chain.

With historically high gas prices and the push to net zero vehicles, fuel retailers offering higher ethanol blends are posting eye-popping low prices for lower carbon fuels, bringing in new customers and some of the best margins they’ve seen in years. Pearson Fuels and Bosselman Enterprises recognized the price advantage ethanol delivers, and learned how Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits, and state tax policy can save drivers a lot of money while giving ethanol blend marketers a huge competitive advantage – in California, Kansas and Nebraska fuel markets. The panel will cover the “math” associated with selling E15 and flex fuels, including LCFS credits and RINs, and highlight the volume ethanol blends like E15 and particularly E85 are moving, and could move, in the marketplace, in addition to how USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) supports these efforts.  

As one of the nation’s largest E85 distributors, Pearson Fuels’ sales have consistently increased despite the state’s distance from Midwest ethanol production. While electric vehicles dominate the carbon conversation, Pearson has been demonstrating how flex fuel vehicles have a big role to play now in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "I appreciate ACE's commitment to promoting low carbon fuels and I'm excited ACE is providing a platform for Pearson to share our E85 success story with the industry,” said Greg Jones, Director of Business Development with Pearson Fuels.

Bosselman Enterprises was one of the first marketers to sell E15 and E85 in Nebraska, and after gaining expertise on monetizing RINs, the knowledge helped them quickly gain market share. According to Gard, adding E15 and E85 and pricing both competitively has helped the company increase its gallons, customer counts, and average customer spend at its locations. “ACE helped us understand RINs and we connected with ethanol producers directly through our involvement with ACE and state level associations,” Gard said. “Those relationships helped us develop strategic supply agreements and connect the dots in the supply chain. We’ve also learned how to capitalize on ethanol’s price advantage and not only offer our customers a cleaner, better fuel, but also gain a competitive advantage in the market. As a retailer, we stand willing and able to drive the industry forward and I look forward to discussing this at the ACE conference.”

These two companies are excellent examples of ACE’s marketer-to-marketer approach to overcoming constant misinformation being fed to prospective higher ethanol blend retailers. “Hearing the real-world success stories of marketers like Jones and Gard at trade shows, workshops, and the flexfuelforward.com website breaks through the ‘noise’ and resistance to E15 and flex fuels and gets other retailers thinking about their own opportunities,” Lamberty said. “The best and fastest increases in higher blend availability and overall ethanol volume happen when retailers who have already done it share their strategies with their peers.”

Stay tuned for more details on a pre-conference event for fuel retailers to learn about how to take advantage of the latest round of USDA HBIIP funds that’s slated to be made available this summer.



WET HAY MEADOW OPTIONS
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

Depending on where you are in the state, your meadows may be wet or bone dry and the grass is short. Many have already harvested their meadows while others are just getting started.

Subirrigated meadows in some parts of the state remain too wet to hay while most have had a good window to put it up for the first time in two or three years. If the cool-season grasses are short this year because of the challenging spring, they still may be high quality. As the summer progresses and the plants become more mature, the quality of the standing hay continues to decrease.

In the Sandhills, hay cut on August 1st had a crude protein content of 6.4% but can vary by year. Grazing in the winter may be the only option for wet meadows. Temporary fence and water may be another cost, but there will be no expense of putting up the hay. This also eliminates the risk of damaging the meadow from equipment or risking bales sitting in water until winter. Dry cows can do well during the winter grazing mature meadows and may only require some protein supplementation to maintain body condition.

What if the hay can get put up but it’s put up late resulting in low quality hay? Regrowth after an early August cutting was measured in September and the regrowth contained 16.5% crude protein. This is a great grazing option for weaned calves or even dry cows if stocked correctly.

More meadows are being hayed this year than the last few years. With meadows that remain wet, these options may work better every year for an operation.

 

HARVESTING SUMMER ANNUAL FORAGES
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Forage & Pasture Specialist

It can be a little tricky to put up good quality hay from summer annual grasses like sorghum-sudan hybrids, pearl millet, and forage sorghums.  Here are some tips to help make sure these types of hay are of good quality and that hay is dry and will not heat or mold.

Nearly all problems making good summer annual grass or cane hay are caused by their stems.  Stems are low in protein and energy, they are unbearably slow to dry, and the lower stems could contain potentially toxic nitrates.

There usually is a wide range of spring and early summer planting dates for these annuals but cutting early before plants become excessively tall is important.  When cut at about 4 feet in height, stems are smaller, they’re eaten more readily, and the hay contains more protein and energy.  Also, there is less plant volume.  So, with smaller stems and fewer of them, the hay will dry quicker.  Although you will have less tonnage when cutting early, you are creating more days for regrowth and a good second cutting.

Regardless of when you harvest though, cut it high, leaving eight to ten inches of stubble.  Tall stubble pays off three ways – it helps plants begin regrowth quicker, it holds hay off the ground so air can help dry underneath, and it keeps many nitrates out in the field stubble rather than harvesting them all in your hay.

And finally, always crimp the hay.  Even when stems are small, the waxy coating on the stems cause slow drying.  But if you break open these stems by crimping, water will be able to escape and evaporate more quickly.

So cut it early, cut it high.  Crimp the stems and they will dry.



Officers elected to lead Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Program

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Young Farmer Advisory Committee has elected new leaders for 2022-23. These officers and district representatives organize networking and educational opportunities in their communities and plan IFBF’s Young Farmer Conference, an event that draws hundreds of young farmers and agribusiness leaders together every year.

“Young people are a valuable part of our organization,” says IFBF President Brent Johnson. “They come with new perspectives, unique backgrounds and specific challenges. The young farmer committee understand their peers and are successful in creating an atmosphere where farmers can learn and grow together in their ag and farming careers.”

Elected to officer positions were:
    Megan Hansen, East Pottawattamie County, Chair
    Keaton Keitzer, Des Moines County, Vice-Chair
    Vanessa Trampel, Hancock County, Secretary
    Dee Pickard, Marshall County, and Megan Kregel, Dubuque County, PR Co-Chairs

Megan Hansen and her husband, Dan, raise four kids on their family farm. The Hansens also own and manage an ag consulting business focused on fertility management, seeding prescriptions and soil sampling. Megan has also represented Iowa in the American Farm Bureau national discussion meet.

Keaton Keitzer and wife, Keely, farm corn and soybeans with their family and raise pigs. Keaton also works as an agronomist, is active in his church and serves on a local school’s ag advisory committee.

Vanessa Trampel is a licensed practical nurse. Her and her husband, Kody, have two children and raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, cattle and hogs on their farm. The Trampels serve with North Iowa Ag in the Classroom and enjoy attending livestock shows.

Dee Pickard farms grain, cattle and hogs with her husband, Brandon, and two children. She also coaches high school color guard and enjoys being involved in her kids’ activities from dance and showing cattle to softball.

Megan Kregel and her fiancé, Ted McAllister, are dairy farmers. Kregel has amassed a large following on TikTok where she uses the platform to dispel myths about dairy farming and share everyday farm life. She was also named one of Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award winners.  

New district representatives joining the committee include Ted McAllister and Megan Kregel of Dubuque County, Mitchell and Bradi Sievers of Buena Vista County and Zac and Alyssa Preston of Warren County. These new committee members will serve three-year terms as communicators for their districts.



Six new National Junior Angus Board directors announced, one from Iowa

Growing future industry leaders is an important part of the legacy of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). Each year, six junior members get the opportunity to serve on the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) to further develop their leadership skills and represent Angus youth. The six new directors were announced during the awards ceremony at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show on July 8 in Kansas City, Missouri.

For many members, running for the board symbolizes a culmination of years of involvement and a chance to pursue a dream set at an early age. The newly elected candidates will serve two years on the NJAB — the first year as directors and the second as officers. The NJAB members travel the country assisting with shows and conferences, supporting juniors at state and national events and furthering the mission of the NJAA.

The new NJAB officers were also selected after a thorough interview process. The team will be led by Chairman Nicole Stevenson of Joliet, Montana, and Vice Chairman, J. Gordon Clark of Gretna, Virginia. The officer team also includes Foundation Director Marcie Harward, Richfield, North Carolina; Communications Director Kinsey Crowe, Eaton, Ohio; Events Director Kathryn Coleman, Modesto, California; and Education Director Avery Dull, Westminster, Maryland.

The six new directors embarking on their two-year term include Jack Dameron, Towanda, Illinois; Jayce Dickerson, Paradise, Kansas; Lauren Gilbert, Oldfield, Missouri; Lani LeBeouf, Deridder, Louisiana; Avery Mather, State Center, Iowa; and Colter Pohlman, Hereford, Texas.

Meet the six new directors
Jack Dameron joins the board from Towanda, Illinois as an animal science major at the University of Illinois. Dameron’s passion for serving the Angus family was instilled in him from his family’s involvement with the Association. During his term, he hopes to inspire juniors to pursue big goals and take advantage of every opportunity the NJAA offers.

"Growing up, I was always shy," Dameron said, "But with the help of the junior board, I was able to gain confidence and be more involved. I want to give back in the same way and set juniors up for a successful future."

Jayce Dickerson is a Paradise, Kansas native and looks forward to serving the junior association. As a current sophomore at Butler Community College, Dickerson comes from a six-generation cattle ranch where he has started his own string of Angus cattle. Dickerson hopes to bring energy and fun to the membership as a leader and role model.

"Ever since I was little, I looked up to the junior board," Dickerson said. "I always thought they are the best of the best, so this is a dream come true to be a part of this team."

Lauren Gilbert represents the state of Missouri and is an agricultural communications junior at the University of Missouri. As a first-generation Angus breeder, Gilbert understands the impact a board member can make on juniors. Her path in the NJAA began with a board member seeking her out at a youth conference and simply making her feel welcome. As she begins her term, she hopes to make a similar impact on Angus youth.

"No matter what Angus event you’re at, the green coats are always there greeting you with a smile," Gilbert said. "I hope to positively influence juniors in the same way [junior] board members impacted me."

Lani LeBeouf resides in Deridder, Louisiana, and currently studies nursing at Northwestern State University. LeBeouf was inspired to run for NJAB director by previous junior board members who challenged her to get more involved and become a leader. She hopes to use this opportunity to exert the same positive influence on younger members and be a role model to the membership.

"I am blessed to have this opportunity to achieve my biggest goal — wearing the green jacket," LeBeouf said. "I hope to give my full commitment to leave a lasting impact on junior members and give back to juniors."

Avery Mather comes from a long lineage of Angus breeders. Hailing from State Center, Iowa, Mather is an agricultural business junior at Iowa State University. As a fifth-generation Angus breeder, serving the junior association was a goal Mather set at an early age. During her tenure, she hopes to focus on mentoring younger juniors and helping members achieve success inside and outside the show ring.

"I always looked up to the green jackets," Mather said. "I always knew I wanted to be a role model for the upcoming generation of kids, but also help juniors find and pursue their goals."

Colter Pohlman calls Hereford, Texas home and is an agricultural and applied economics and business administration freshman at Texas Tech University. As a fourth-generation Angus breeder and second-generation junior board member, Pohlman is passionate about carrying on the Angus tradition. He hopes to use this leadership opportunity to form closer connections with members from coast to coast.

"Being elected to the board allows me to fulfill a lifelong dream of mine," Pohlman said. "I am excited to give back to the association that has given me so many friends and so many lifelong skills."

To learn more about the NJAB, visit https://www.angus.org/NJAA/home/board.



California Takes Big Step Toward E15 Approval with Release of Emissions Study

The state of California took an important step toward approving the use of cleaner, lower-cost E15 today by releasing the results of a multi-year study of the fuel’s emissions impacts. The results of the study, which tested 20 vehicles, show that shifting from E10 to E15 reduces emissions of most pollutants that contribute to ozone formation and, ultimately, “smog.” California is one of only two states across the country today that doesn’t currently allow the sale of E15.

“Ozone forming potential showed a decreasing trend for E15 compared to E10, indicating that the introduction of E15 in the California gasoline market will likely not contribute to increases in ozone formation,” according to the study released today. The report also shows E15 significantly reduces emissions of particulate matter, which is another key ingredient in “smog.” The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California-Riverside, was supported by the Renewable Fuels Association, California Air Resources Board (CARB), U.S. Council for Automotive Research, National Corn Growers Association, and Growth Energy.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate that E15 cuts emissions of the nasty tailpipe pollutants that contribute to dirty air and cause respiratory illnesses and other serious health concerns,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “In addition to reducing the potential for smog, E15 also cuts greenhouse gas emissions, displaces petroleum, lowers consumer pump prices, and supports renewable energy jobs in California and across the country. The benefits of E15 to the Golden State are compelling and obvious, and we encourage CARB and the Environmental Policy Council to move swiftly to approve the fuel. Now more than ever, California consumers want and need the option to choose lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 at the pump.”

Among the study’s key conclusions:
-    Particulate matter (i.e., the “soot” or particles that contribute to smog) showed “strong, statistically significant” reductions of 16-54% for E15 compared to E10 across the fleet of 20 vehicles. Solid particle number emissions were 12% lower for E15 than E10, at a statistically significant level.
-    Total hydrocarbon (i.e., unburned hydrocarbons that contribute to ozone) emissions showed statistically significant reductions of 5-6% for E15 compared to E10. For non-methane hydrocarbon emissions, E15 showed a 7-15% reduction compared to E10.
-    Carbon monoxide emissions showed statistically significant reductions of 12-27% for E15 compared to E10.
-    Carbon dioxide tailpipe emissions showed a reduction for E15 compared to E10.
-    Fuel economy showed a reduction of just 1% for E15 compared to E10 across the fleet of 20 vehicles.

CARB noted today that its comprehensive review of the impacts of E15 is “currently in its third year and staff expects the…process would likely take at least another full year to complete.” Once the full review is complete, CARB and other agencies will make a recommendation to the state’s Environmental Policy Council, followed by the adoption of regulatory amendments allowing E15 use in California.



FCA board issues request for comment on regulatory burden

At its monthly meeting today, the Farm Credit Administration board issued a notice of intent and a request for comment to solicit input from the public and other interested parties on the appropriateness of FCA’s regulatory requirements on the Farm Credit System (System).

The notice seeks public input on FCA regulations that may duplicate other requirements, are ineffective, are not based on law, or impose burdens that are greater than the benefits received. To comply with the Farm Credit System Reform Act of 1996 to continue a comprehensive review of our regulations, FCA issues a request for comment on regulatory burden approximately every five years.

The notice issued today seeks comment on all FCA regulations that were effective before Jan. 1, 2022. The agency is particularly interested in how its regulations affect some System associations differently from others, depending on association size, location, and complexity of operations. These comments will be useful to FCA’s small association workgroup, which was formed earlier this year to study the needs and challenges of smaller System associations.

Following publication of the notice in the Federal Register, the public will have 90 days to submit comments. Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to reg-comm@fca.gov or through the public comment form on FCA’s website. The public may also submit comments by mail to Autumn R. Agans, Deputy Director, Office of Regulatory Policy, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102-5090. The public may read submitted comments at the FCA office in McLean, Virginia, or on the public comments page on FCA’s website.



Bring Relief to Drought-stressed Fields With New Biological Solution From Corteva Agriscience

Corteva Agriscience introduces Sosdia™ Stress abiotic stress mitigator to help farmers better manage drought-stressed crops. The new biological solution protects row crops from environmentally stressful conditions like drought, heat, excess salinity and excess sunlight. Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator allows plants to focus on growth and productivity — instead of on cell repair in challenging conditions — for optimum yield potential.

“Farmers in many areas of the country face environmental challenges such as drought each growing season. We’re so pleased to offer a sustainable solution that can help overcome those challenges to improve farmer productivity and ease their worries,” said Ryan Ridder, U.S. Product Manager, Biologicals and Fungicides, Corteva Agriscience. “Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator can fit easily into almost any growing operation and works with several row crops, including corn, soybeans and wheat.”

Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator contains naturally-occurring ingredients like proline and potassium, which help crops react to stress similarly to plants with higher levels of osmolytes. Osmolytes are naturally-occurring compounds that protect cell integrity, water balance and metabolism during stressful conditions.

“Think of it this way: Cacti are plants with naturally high levels of osmolytes. Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator helps row crops react to stressors like heat and drought more similarly to cacti,” Ridder said. “Crops treated with Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator lose less water vapor, maximizing the conversion of water into crop biomass for better yield potential.”

Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator is available for purchase in limited supply for the current growing season. It will be more widely available in 2023. Local retailers will have the most up-to-date information on the current availability of Sosdia Stress abiotic stress mitigator in your area. To learn more about this solution, visit the product website on Corteva.us.



Lumiscend Pro Fungicide Seed Treatment From Pioneer Sets New Standard for Disease Protection in Corn

Beginning with 2023 planting, corn growers can expect to have access to enhanced protection for the genetic potential of their seed investment against key early season diseases. Lumiscend Pro fungicide seed treatment, part of the LumiGEN seed treatment portfolio, will provide corn seedlings with enhanced protection against Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Pythium.

“Growers who chose Pioneer brand corn hybrids will benefit from Lumiscend Pro fungicide seed treatment, a new and exclusive corn product from Corteva Agriscience that provides an additional layer of protection against Rhizoctonia,” said Brad Van Kooten, Pioneer Seed Treatment Category Leader. “With less pressure from disease, corn seedlings can emerge stronger and more uniform with fuller, healthier root systems to get a strong start toward reaching their yield potential at harvest.”

In addition to improved disease protection, growers also can expect to see better yield consistency as they encounter higher disease pressure in fields. Lumiscend Pro fungicide seed treatment provides yield advantages over the current industry standard seed treatments. Across all environments, Lumiscend Pro fungicide seed treatment delivers a consistent 1 bu/A yield advantage, while in higher disease environments, the advantage jumps to 3 bu/A in multiyear trials.  

Lumiscend Pro fungicide seed treatment will be partnered with ipconazole fungicide seed treatment and L-2012 R biofungicide. This new premium combination for Pioneer® brand corn forms an industry-leading protection package with two modes of action for Pythium, three modes of action for Rhizoctonia and Fusarium,* and one mode of action against head smut.  

“The new additions to our LumiGEN seed treatment portfolio will further solidify our leadership position,” Van Kooten said. “We also recently introduced Lumialza nematicide seed treatment, which shields roots from yield-robbing nematodes and delivers a 3.7 bu/A yield advantage in fields with low nematode pressure and a 9 bu/A yield advantage in fields with high nematode pressure.”3

Growers can contact their local Pioneer sales representative to learn more about the benefits of LumiGEN seed treatments. More information on LumiGEN seed treatments for corn can be found at Pioneer.com.