Monday March 7 Ag News

Winners (& Losers) in Battle with SCN
John Wilson, Extension Educator
Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist

Eleven years ago the Nebraska Soybean Board started what has become an extremely successful program to provide free soil analysis for soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) in Nebraska. SCN is the most devastating pest to US soybean growers. Last year SCN cost Nebraska farmers about $40 million and nationally over $1.5 billion in lost yields.

It started slowly, but has grown to more than 7,650 samples being processed by the UNL Plant Pathology department, almost one-third of which were positive for SCN.

For the third consecutive year, over 1,000 soil samples were processed from Nebraska growers.

In the 19 years prior to the sampling program SCN had been identified in only 27 counties. Since then it has been identified in another 31 counties. In many cases farmers had not suspected SCN prior to submitting soil samples.

This illustrates why it’s so important to test fields for SCN. This program more than doubled the rate at which SCN was confirmed across the state.

SCN losses can be reduced if a farmer knows it’s in a field, but that's the catch! Farmers can have yield losses of 20%-30% with no visible symptoms on the plant. Often the first indication of an SCN infestation is when soybean yields plateau or even start to drop off, while corn yields continue to increase in that field.

Nebraska Soybean Board Sponsored SCN Soil Tests
The best way to determine if SCN is in a field is to take a soil test. We are pleased to have the Nebraska Soybean Board as our partner. They recognized what a serious problem SCN was to soybean growers and have funded a project with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to encourage farmers to sample their fields for SCN.

Their support covers the cost of analyzing soil samples for SCN, normally a $20/sample expense. Without the Nebraska Soybean Board's support, we would not have been able to reach this many Nebraska farmers.

SCN Soil Test Winners
Based on the last year’s SCN soil tests results, we are announcing the 7th Annual 'Tode Award winners.

In the category of Most Samples Submitted:
    Winner: Buffalo County (187)
    Honorable Mentions: Boone (64); Kearney (53); Phelps (50)

In the category of Most Samples Positive for SCN:
    Winner:  Buffalo County (46)                
    Honorable Mention: Antelope (25); Madison (17); Seward (16)

In the category of Highest Percentage of Samples Positive for SCN: (must have submitted at least five samples)
    Winner: Rock County (71%)
    Honorable Mention: Antelope County (64.1%); Seward (64.0%); Richardson (60%)

In the category of Sample with Highest Egg Count: (number of eggs/100 ccs of soil)
    Winner: Antelope County (75,960)
    Honorable Mention: Wheeler (36,240); Kearney (31,520); Pierce (21,200)

And finally, in the category of Counties with First SCN Detection the winner is Brown.

Some might argue that the county in the last category is a loser, not a winner. However, now farmers in Brown County know SCN has been found in area fields so they can sample for it and start managing it if found.

Although it often goes undetected, SCN is here and it is reducing profitability for Nebraska soybean producers. To learn more about SCN or to pick up bags to submit soil samples, contact your local Nebraska Extension office.



IBACH ENCOURAGES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PESTICIDE APPLICATORS, SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS

As trees and plants green up and soil temperatures rise across the state, farm operations of all sizes and types are getting set to begin another planting season.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach is encouraging anyone who will be applying pesticide products during the busy spring season to be mindful of best management practices and use good communication with their neighbors. Pesticides include all categories of control applications such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.

“It’s important for our commodity crop farmers and our growing sector of specialty crop farmers to work together so everyone can be successful,” Ibach said. “Herbicide applications are critical for corn and soybean production, but there are a number of specialty crops, such as grape vines, that are sensitive to these products.”

One way farmers can open the door of communication is through DriftWatch™. This website is a free, voluntary service that allows those with pesticide sensitive crops, organic crops and beehives to report their field locations. Pesticide applicators can review the website to gain an understanding of the locations of specialty crops in their area.

“For example, Nebraska’s vineyards will soon begin ‘bud break,’ or the official start of the vines’ annual growth cycle, and these plants are extremely vulnerable during this time period,” Ibach said. “It’s also time for our commodity crop growers to ready their fields for planting, including herbicide applications. Communication between all parties is important to ensure successful crop production for everyone.”

Applicators also can register on the DriftWatch™ website, facilitating email notifications to the applicators when a new sensitive crop site is registered in their local area.

The DriftWatch™ website can be found online at http://www.fieldwatch.com. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture monitors the DriftWatch™ site for the state. For questions about it, contact Craig Romary with NDA at (402) 471-2351.



NRCS LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS PLANNED

            Local Working Groups that provide advice on the priorities for many U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs will be holding meetings across the state over the next several weeks. A list of scheduled meetings is available on the Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) website at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ne/technical/stc/, or by contacting your local NRCS field office.

            The public is encouraged to attend and express their natural resource concerns. Ideas generated from the public will help the U.S. Department of Agriculture tailor their natural resource programs to meet local needs.

            There is a Local Working Group in each Natural Resources District (NRD). Membership on the Local Working Group includes Federal, State, county, Tribal or local government representatives according to Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson with NRCS, whose agency guides the Local Working Groups. These work groups allows local input into how Federal dollars are spent, he said.

           “The Local Working Group recommends to the NRCS State Conservationist how conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), or the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) would be used most effectively in their area. Recommendations can include special target areas, cost share rates on conservation programs, which conservation practices should have cost assistance, or how many dollars could be needed,” said Derickson.

            Typically, Nebraska NRCS obligates anywhere between $45 million to over $75 million dollars to farmers and ranchers statewide through NRCS conservation programs. These programs helped landowners and operators make natural resource improvements to their land, water, or wildlife. This funding was allocated according to the priorities set by the Local Working Group.

Lewis & Clark NRD - USDA Service Center - Hartington, NE - March 9 - 9 AM
Lower Platte South NRD - USDA Service Center - Lincoln, NE - March 9 - 1 PM
Lower Elkhorn NRD - Lower Elkhorn NRD board room, Norfolk, NE - March 10 - 5:00-6:30 PM
Lower Platte North NRD - Lower Platte North NRD Office - Wahoo, NE - March 23 - 9am - noon
Papio - Missouri River NRD - TBA
Upper Big Blue NRD - TBA

            For more information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services they provide, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Upper Big Blue NRD Will Temporarily Close Current Office to Move to New Headquarters

The Upper Big Blue NRD will be temporarily closing while making the transition to its new headquarters during March 24-29.  The NRD will resume normal business working hours beginning at 8:00a.m. on Wednesday, March 30, at its new address at 319 East 25th Street (York).  The public will still be able to reach the NRD by phone at (402) 362-6601, throughout the moving process.  This phone number will remain the same at the new headquarters as well.  The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors and staff extend our thanks for your patience as the NRD staff transitions into the new headquarters facility.



PVC Monthly Meeting March 21st
Marcus Urban, President, Platte Valley Cattlemen

The month of March means something different for each Beef Producer. Some producers are in the middle of calving, others might be weaning their fall calves, and the cattle feeders are filling pens for hopeful positive returns. It’s safe to say a vacation is foreign to a Beef Producer this time of the year.

Our March meeting will be on Monday, March 21st at Wunderlich’s Catering in Columbus. The topic for the evening will be presented by Dr. Kent Tjardes with Purina. He will speak on feedlot animal nutrition and starting and growing calves in the feedlot.

Social hour will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is being sponsored by Settje Agri-Services & Engineering, Inc. The meal will be at 7:00 p.m. and sponsored by Kit Held Trucking/Mycogen Seed. See you Monday, March 21st, for drinks, steak, and great discussion.



DORMANT SPRAY FOR ALFALFA WEEDS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Recent warm weather soon will green up your alfalfa.  Before that happens, though, maybe you should do a little weed control.

               Weeds like pennycress, downy brome, mustards, cheatgrass, and shepherd's purse are common in first cut alfalfa.  They lower yields, reduce quality, lessen palatability, and slow hay drydown.  If you walk over your fields during the next few weeks when snow is gone you should be able to see their small, green, over-wintering growth.

               If your alfalfa variety is Roundup Ready, you can spray almost anytime without hurting your alfalfa.  Once conventional alfalfa starts growing, though, you can't control these weeds very well without also hurting your alfalfa.  However, if you treat your alfalfa as soon as possible during this spring-like weather, you can have cleaner, healthier alfalfa at first cutting.

               Before spraying these weeds, be sure they are causing economic damage to your alfalfa.  Spraying will give you more pure alfalfa but may cost some in total tonnage.

               Several herbicides can help control winter annual grasses and weeds in conventional alfalfa.  They include metribuzin, Velpar, Sinbar, Pursuit, Raptor, and Karmex.  They all control mustards and pennycress but Karmex and Pursuit do not control downy brome very well.

               To be most successful, you must apply most of these herbicides before alfalfa shoots green-up this spring to avoid much injury to your alfalfa.  If alfalfa shoots are green when you spray, its growth might be set back a couple weeks.  If it does get late, use either Raptor or Pursuit because they tend to cause less injury to your alfalfa.

               Timing is crucial when controlling winter annual weeds in alfalfa.  Get ready now, in the next couple of weeks before alfalfa greens up, to take advantage of nice weather when you get it.



New Farm Poll Examines Farmers’ Perspective on their Land

Healthy soil can lead to better crop yields, reduce the need for chemical inputs and have positive impacts on water quality. Farmers’ perspectives on soil health is a focus of the 2015 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

Interest in the topic of soil health has been on the rise in Iowa and the Corn Belt region in recent years, but little was previously known about farmers’ familiarity with the concept. The 2015 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll was designed to gauge farmers’ beliefs about potential benefits of soil health, their soil health knowledge and management capacity and their assessments of landlords’ knowledge about soil health practices.

“Research efforts to understand what makes soil healthy are have increased in recent years, and conservation groups like the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service have made soil health a central part of their programs for farmers,” said J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr., associate professor of sociology and extension sociologist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Understanding what farmers know and think about soil health can help guide the development of research and extension programs on the topic.”

Farmers were presented a series of survey items about the potential benefits of soil health, their knowledge of soil health and capacity to manage for improved soil health, and the amount of attention the press and fellow farmers were paying to soil health. They were asked to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with each item on a five-point scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).

Not surprisingly, most farmers viewed healthy soils as beneficial; 93 percent agreed that healthy soil can lead to increased crop yields, 77 percent agreed that healthy soils can reduce vulnerability to drought conditions and 75 percent agreed that healthy soils can reduce crop input needs.

Farmers also expressed some concerns about the impacts of production practices on soil health. Eighty-four percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were concerned about the impact of compaction on soil health and 70 percent had concerns about the impact of pesticides on soil health.

The survey also gauged farmers’ knowledge of soil health and their confidence in their capacity to improve the health of the soils they farm. Most respondents - 72 percent - indicated they had given more thought to soil health in recent years, and 76 percent reported that they had taken steps to improve the quality of their soil. While about 70 percent felt that they have a good understanding of the concept of soil health, and two-thirds agreed that they know how to manage for improved soil health, only 54 percent indicated that they have an effective soil health management plan.

“Iowa farmers are paying more attention to soil health, and report that they are taking steps to improve it,” Arbuckle said. “That said, most farmers would like to learn more about how to manage for soil health, and there was a lot of uncertainty about the effectiveness of current management. I think there’s a demand for more research-based information on soil health.”

Most respondents indicated that they have noticed more discussion of soil health in the farm press, with 80 percent noticing a spike in information on the topic. Despite this jump in attention to the subject in the press, only 46 percent of farmers noticed more discussion among fellow farmers.

Because more than half of Iowa farmland is rented, the survey also asked farmers to assess their landlords’ awareness and knowledge of soil health. The reviews were mixed, with 28 percent agreeing that landlords know what farming practices can improve soil health while 27 percent disagreed. Twenty-two percent of respondents agreed that landlords have a good understanding of soil health while 29 percent disagreed.

“Almost half of farmers selected ‘uncertain’ when asked whether their landlords know about the concept of soil health and how to improve it,” said Arbuckle. “Those results suggest that a lot of farmers haven’t talked about soil health with their landlords.” 



January Meat Export Volumes up from Last Year, but Value Remains Lower

January exports of U.S. beef and pork were modestly higher than a year ago, but export value slipped for both products, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Beef exports increased 3 percent from a year ago to 82,301 metric tons (mt), but value was down 13 percent to $438.1 million. Exports to most Asian markets, which were impacted early last year by the West Coast port labor impasse, increased in January, but these gains were largely offset by lower volumes shipped to Western Hemisphere markets and the Middle East. January exports accounted for 12 percent of total beef production and 9 percent for muscle cuts only (steady with January 2015). Export value per head of fed slaughter was $239.88, down 11 percent from a year ago.

Pork exports increased 4 percent from a year ago to 167,010 mt, but value fell 11 percent to $404.7 million. Exports to China were up significantly from last year’s low volumes, reflecting recent reinstatement of several U.S. plants and continued strong demand for imported pork in China. Volumes also increased for Central and South America, the Caribbean and Oceania. January exports accounted for 22 percent of total pork production and 19 percent for muscle cuts only (up from 21 and 17 percent, respectively, last year). Export value per head slaughtered was $41.53, down 11 percent from a year ago.

Beef exports shows signs of rebound in Japan; Korea, Taiwan remain strong
Beef exports to Japan were the largest in six months at 16,762 mt, up 21 percent from a year ago, while export value edged 2 percent higher to $93.2 million. Exports to South Korea and Taiwan, which were bright spots for U.S. beef in 2015, were also above year-ago levels. Korea took 11,263 mt (+59 percent) valued at $67.2 million (+17 percent). Export volume to Taiwan was 2,890 mt (+35 percent) valued at $24.1 million (+3 percent). Led by a strong month in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, exports to the ASEAN region increased 71 percent in volume (1,638 mt) and 9 percent in value ($9.7 million). Exports to Hong Kong were up 19 percent (10,254 mt), although value declined 16 percent ($58.4 million).

“Although it is encouraging to see beef exports to the Asian markets performing above year-ago levels, these results are a reminder of how disruptive the West Coast situation was for our industry,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “While we still face a tariff gap in Japan compared to Australian beef, Australia’s recent slowdown in production presents an opportunity to reclaim market share – an opportunity the U.S. industry is pursuing very aggressively. U.S. beef is also capitalizing on the tight domestic supplies in Korea, making strides in both the retail and foodservice sectors.”

Beef exports to Mexico were severely challenged in recent months by the weakening peso, and January exports were the lowest since May 2013 at 15,247 mt (-25 percent). Export value dropped 35 percent to $68.8 million. Exports were also significantly lower to Canada (9,144 mt, -11 percent, valued at $54.8 million, -26 percent). Central and South America were the bright spots in the Western Hemisphere, driven by growth to Chile (913 mt, +30 percent) and Guatemala (404 mt, +13 percent). Exports to Egypt fell 11 percent in volume to 7,367 mt and 23 percent in value to $9.9 million.

Pork highlights include China, Honduras, Dominican Republic
U.S. pork exports to China/Hong Kong maintained the stronger pace established in October, with January volume up 84 percent from a year ago to 32,609 mt and value increasing 50 percent to $64.2 million.

“Having more pork plants and more product eligible for China is absolutely critical,” Seng explained. “Last year China, Korea and Mexico were the major destinations with an increased need for imported pork. The U.S. industry capitalized on two of those situations, but the EU reaped most of the benefits in China. It’s important that U.S. pork competes more vigorously in China in 2016.”

Led by strong exports to Honduras and Guatemala, January pork exports to Central and South America increased 6 percent from a year ago in volume (8,970 mt) but fell 13 percent in value ($20.9 million). Exports to Honduras performed especially well, reaching 1,966 mt (+73 percent) valued at $3.5 million (+35 percent). This helped offset lower exports to Colombia.

Following a record year in 2015, pork exports to the Dominican Republic continued to shine in January, increasing 51 percent in volume (2,210 mt) and 26 percent in value ($4.5 million).

The recent rebound continued for pork exports to Oceania, with volumes to both Australia and New Zealand up sharply from the low totals posted in January 2015. Exports to the region more than doubled in volume (5,764 mt, +105 percent) and increased 36 percent in value to $15.2 million.

January exports slowed to leading markets Mexico and Japan. Following a record month in December and the fourth consecutive record year for Mexico, January volume was down 7 percent to 55,042 mt, while value fell 24 percent to $85.8 million. In leading value destination Japan, volume was down 14 percent to 29,835 mt and value declined 13 percent to $113.5 million.

Pork exports to Korea performed very well in 2015, but slowed in the second half. That trend continued in January, as exports fell 20 percent in volume (12,192 mt) and 41 percent in value ($30.5 million).

Lamb export value down despite sharp jump in volume
January exports of U.S. lamb were 35 percent above last year’s low level at 971 mt, though value declined 13 percent to just over $1.5 million. Exports increased to Mexico and Canada, while Bermuda – once a top destination for U.S. lamb – also took its first significant volume in some time.



NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members

The National Pork Producers Council Saturday elected new officers and members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – held here.

Elected as president of the organization was John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa. In addition to raising hogs that are processed by JBS, he manages with his son Valley Lane Farms Inc., a grain and livestock operation. Weber has served on several NPPC committees, including the Strategic Investment Program Marketing Committee, the Environmental Policy Committee and the Farm Bill Policy Task Force. Weber also serves on the Iowa Pork Producers Association board of directors as well as on its Public Policy Committee. He’s a member of the board of directors of Iowa Pork Promotions Inc. and is active in his local farm bureau. Weber holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University.

Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill., was elevated to president-elect. Maschhoff is chairman of Maschhoff Family Foods and co-owner and chairman of The Maschhoffs, the third-largest pork producer in the United States. A fifth-generation pork producers, Maschhoff serves as a member of the board of directors of Midland States Bank and Midland States Bancorp Inc. and has served on numerous state and national boards on behalf of the pork industry.

Board member Jim Heimerl, of Johnstown, Ohio, was chosen as vice president. Heimerl and his wife Kathy, along with three sons and a daughter-in-law, run three farrow-to-finish farms in Ohio and 80 contract finishing farms in several states. Heimerl Farms LTD also consists of crops and cattle, as well as a trucking division and feed mill. Heimerl is president of the Ohio Pork Producers Council and a board member of the Ohio Soybean Association.

Re-elected to the board for another three-year term were Jim Compart, of Nicollet, Minn., Maschhoff and AV Roth, of Wauzeka, Wis. Board member Kent Bang was re-elected to a two-year term for the Allied Industry Council seat. Jen Sorensen, of Ankeny, Iowa, with Iowa Select Farms, was elected as a new member of the board for a three-year term.

They join current directors Cory Bollum, with Hormel Foods Corp. in Austin, Minn. – who is the Packer Processor Industry Council representative – Phil Borgic, of Nokomis, Ill., David Herring, of Lillington, N.C., Bill Kessler, of Mexico, Mo., Dale Reicks, of New Hampton, Iowa, Kraig Westerbeek, of Warsaw, N.C., and Terry Wolters, of Pipestone, Minn.

Re-elected to the NPPC Nominating Committee, which vets candidates for the board, was Duane Stateler, a producer from Ohio. Joe Baldwin, a producer from Indiana, also was elected to the committee.

“In John, Ken, and Jim we have great leadership at the helm of NPPC, and the pork industry has some thoughtful leaders and innovators,” said NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “And the addition of Jen to the NPPC board gives us a good young leader who will help take the industry into the future.”



CWT Assists with 3.9 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 6 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Land O’Lakes, Maryland-Virginia Milk Producers Association and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) who have contracts to sell 1.581 million pounds (717 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 2.315 million pounds (1,050 metric tons) of butter (82% milkfat) to customers in Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and Central America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through September 2016.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 9.815 million pounds of cheese, 7.716 million pounds of butter and 6.848 million pounds of whole milk powder to thirteen countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 314.194 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



 
Some technical improvement but fundamental caution
Stephen R. Koontz, Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University

Cattle futures markets have provided some cautious optimism over the past several weeks.  The volatility has persisted but lower beef prices are doing what they are supposed to do: increase product moment and consumption.

So what do the technicals say?  Down trends were established with the market turn last summer and into the fall.  It's the first time we've had down trends on cattle charts in a number of years and trends were in place for contracts in the live cattle and feeder cattle markets.  Those trends have been broken so further sustained pushes downward are unlikely until the seasonally larger slaughter shows up later this summer.  Prior to the down trends being broken, support has been established in all the spring and early summer contracts, then tested twice and have held.  Live cattle attract a lot of buying interest at $114-118 and feeder cattle at $145-150.  While the down trends have been broken and support established, suggesting a firming up of market prices, resistance is also in place to limit up moves.  Live cattle attract a lot of selling interest at $128-130 and feeder cattle at $160-165.  And that's where we are.  I think we'll have reasons to trade higher in that range - with greening spring grass - and reasons to trade lower in that range - with demand issues and seasonal increases in supply come summer - and we'll trade that range until the underlying fundamentals change.

So what about those fundamentals?  In the short term, the cash-market-only red ink associated with cattle feeding has begun to moderate.  We have retreated from the record large losses that are a hair's breadth from $500 per head to a modest loss of $270 per head.  These figures are historically $50-100 per head and do not account for hedging.  Feedlots have marketed their way through the most expensive feeder cattle and this improved cash position will strengthen current feeder markets.  Showlists also appear to be somewhat cleaned up.  It's hard to tell from the data as the number of cattle on feed over 120 days display historically large seasonal increases in February and March.  The increases are there but it is not as large as last year or the typical seasonal increase.  Thus, there is continued news that the number of long-fed cattle are being whittled down.  But marketings refuse to show strength.  This cattle market wreck was managed in the fashion that can happen, with the industry placing its way out of excess market-ready cattle.  Of course that takes months.  And winter weather has brought slaughter weights down sharply.  All in time for spring.

But I am not counting on a strong seasonal spring rally.  The beef demand index, updated with fourth quarter consumption data, showed its first softening in six years.  Domestic consumers appear tired of record high retail beef prices.  Beef demand has shown strong growth over the past several years, especially in the fourth quarter of 2014 and first quarter of 2015.  This demand kick added strength to already high prices reflecting tight supplies and herd building.  Domestic demand will be worth watching through 2016, as will be the beef trade numbers.  Beef exports rebounded and imports were reduced in the fourth quarter.  This appears to be in response to lower wholesale beef prices.  But there is no reason for the US dollar to remain anything but strong.  It appears to me that demand news has a higher chance of being bad news through 2016.  Again, caution.

So it appears the cattle market wreck is over.  But, unlike our immediate prior years, that does not suggest higher prices are imminent.  Slaughter weights remain heavy and fed cattle marketings remain sluggish.  Many market analysts have forecasted higher beef production commensurate with herd expansion through the remainder of the year.  We have not seen that in terms of placement yet.  The fundamentals continue to suggest caution while technicals provide some limited optimism.



NASS Suspends Summer Cattle Reports

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is suspending the July Cattle report which was slated for release on July 22 and the U.S. and Canadian Cattle report scheduled for Aug. 23.

The Cattle report issued in July contains inventory numbers of all cattle and calves in the United States. The U.S. and Canadian Cattle report is a joint effort of Statistics Canada and NASS to report the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop for both countries within one publication.

"Before deciding to suspend these reports, we reviewed our estimating programs against mission- and user-based criteria as well as the amount of time remaining in the fiscal year to meet our budget and program requirements while maintaining the strongest data in service to U.S. agriculture. The decision to suspend this report was not made lightly, but was necessary, given our available fiscal and program resources. We will continue to review our federal agricultural statistical programs using the same criteria to ensure we provide timely, accurate and useful statistics," NASS officials said in a release.

NASS published the January Cattle report on Jan. 29 and will publish the U.S. and Canadian Cattle report, which uses data from the January Cattle report, on March 8.



USDA Secretary Discusses Diversification, Conservation and Trade at NFU Convention

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is also a National Farmers Union (NFU) member, addressed the organization’s 114th Anniversary Convention this morning, where he celebrated U.S. agriculture’s uniqueness, called on Congress to act on food labeling, and advocated for increased trade with Cuba.

“It is important to focus, not just solely on large-scale production agriculture, but it is important to continue to focus on diversifying opportunities for all sizes of operations,” he said, receiving thunderous applause from NFU’s diverse membership.

Prices for major commodities have fallen in recent years, but Vilsack believes investments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will equip rural America to weather the difficult times. Among the items he listed: renewable fuels initiatives, new and beginning farmer education programs, crop insurance, rural development grants and conservation.

Vilsack also called on lawmakers to act on labeling issues currently facing the country.

He explained that it would be “chaotic” to have state-by-state rules surrounding the labeling of food derived from genetically modified crops.  This could lead to consumer confusion, higher food prices, and even access issues, Vilsack said, noting, “Congress needs to address this, and they need to address it now.” 

The secretary added that it is possible to have a mandatory process that uses a “smart label” to balance a consumer’s right to know without punishing farmers or conveying the wrong impression about food safety.

“If Congress is unwilling to make these tough decisions…then delegate the responsibility to the Department of Agriculture,” Vilsack said. “We’ll be happy to make the tough decision.”

Vilsack told the group that Congress needs to act on another tough issue, too, by removing the Cuba trade embargo. The United States “should absolutely own that market,” he said of Cuba.

The secretary’s remarks were well received by the crowd and echoed many of the organization’s top priorities outlined the previous evening by NFU President Roger Johnson.  Of Vilsack, Johnson explained, “He is the best Secretary of Agriculture we’ve had in my lifetime.”



 Military Hero Rallies Farmers to Fight for Renewable Energy

“You’re not just farmers. You’re in the national security business, and we need you out there on the front lines protecting America’s economic future.” That was the call-to-action issued today by retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clak at the National Farmers Union 114th Anniversary Convention.

Clark, a West Point valedictorian who also served as the NATO Supreme Allied Commander, explained that oil dependence has dominated America’s foreign and military policy for too long and that renewable energy is key to breaking the cycle.

“How many more U.S. troops do we need to send abroad before the nation wakes up and says, ‘you can’t run foreign policy based on the price of a barrel of oil,’” Clark asked the group.

“Energy policy is national security policy,” he added, calling the Renewable Fuel Standard one of the most important pieces of energy policy ever passed because it boosts production of homegrown alternative energy sources.

“We need your support to keep the Renewable Fuel Standard in place,” Clark told the gathering of more than 500 farmers and ranchers from across the country.

But it won’t be easy and rural America will meet stiff resistance from Big Oil.  The oil industry is “the most powerful industry in the history of mankind,” he said, and it will use its money and political power to maintain a stranglehold on America and the energy market.

Calling ethanol “greener, cleaner, cheaper and better,” Clark said U.S. farmers have a positive story of success to share while fighting for America’s energy future.

“If we can stay with the Renewable Fuels Standard, we will beat the Saudis, the Russians, the Iranians or anybody else who tries to manipulate this country…we’ll put our own energy policy in place,” he concluded.  “I don’t want my grandchildren going out there to fight for someone else’s oil, and neither do you.”



USDA Celebrates 50 Years of School Breakfast, Offers $6.8 Million in Grants to Support Healthy School Meals

As schools around the county take part in School Breakfast Week celebrations this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorates the 50th anniversary of its School Breakfast Program by shining a light on the positive impacts of school breakfast. Over the course of this administration, participation in school breakfast programs has increased by almost 27 percent; over 14 million students are now eating school breakfast each day. To help support the ongoing success of the School Breakfast Program and other child nutrition programs, Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced today that USDA will award up to $6.8 million in competitive Team Nutrition Training Grants to help schools and child care sites sustain the successful implementation of the healthier meals made possible by the bipartisan Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010.

"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the School Breakfast Program, we reflect on the great strides the program has made in strengthening the health and nutrition of children in America. The School Breakfast Program allows millions of students to start their day with a well-balanced breakfast, which, in turn, is linked to better performance in the classroom, better attendance, and better health," said Concannon.

Research using USDA data found that students with access to school breakfast tend to have a better overall diet and a lower body mass index (BMI) than did nonparticipants. Other research has shown that students who consume breakfast make greater strides on standardized tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent or visiting the nurse's office. School breakfast is especially important for teens, who are less likely to eat breakfast than other age groups, and lower income students who may be at risk of food insecurity.

USDA has been committed to ensuring that students around the country can enjoy the benefits of school breakfast by helping schools implement and enhance their school breakfast programs. USDA has also worked with schools to encourage the use of the Community Eligibility Provision, a cost-sharing agreement that allows high-poverty schools to serve both breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost to the student. Subsequently, the reach of the School Breakfast Program has rapidly increased over the past seven years. More than 14 million children participated in school breakfast during the last school year, an increase of nearly 3 million, since the beginning of the administration. In fact, last year over 2.3 billion breakfasts were served by more than 90,000 schools and child care sites.

School Breakfast Week is celebrated in the midst of National Nutrition Month, commemorated each March. Throughout the month, USDA is highlighting the results of our efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation. For example, since the updated school nutrition standards were implemented in school year 2013-14, school breakfasts are healthier than ever before, including a serving of fruit, whole-grain-rich grains, and low fat or fat free milk.

The Team Nutrition grants announced today aim to continue the advancement of the child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast Program. "The $6.8 million in grant funds USDA is offering to support school breakfast and other child nutrition programs demonstrates our commitment to providing schools and child care sites the resources and support they need to help kids start their day off right and continue strong all day long," said Concannon.

USDA's Team Nutrition initiative provides technical assistance, training, and nutrition education resources for schools and child care providers participating in USDA's child nutrition programs. Grants through this program are intended to conduct and evaluate training, nutrition education, and technical assistance activities to support the implementation of USDA nutrition standards for snacks and meals, like school breakfast. For more information on the request for grant applications as well as summaries of activities conducted by previous grantees, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants.



AgriBank Reports Fourth-Quarter 2015 and Year-End Financial Results

Today St. Paul-based AgriBank announced financial results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 with strong net income and credit quality, and robust liquidity and capital.

Highlights: 
-    Stable net interest income: Although net interest income from the core lending business remained relatively stable, net income decreased $89.6 million, or 15.7 percent, to $480.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily driven by lower mineral income due to continued low oil prices.
    
-    Strong credit quality: Loan portfolio credit quality remained strong, as acceptable loans stood at 99.7 percent.
    
-    Robust liquidity and capital: Cash and investments totaled $16.2 billion at year-end, compared to $16.4 billion at the end of 2014. End-of-the-year liquidity was 136 days, well above the regulatory requirement. Capital also remained well above the regulatory minimum and company targets.

“AgriBank continued to achieve strong financial results as we faced a more challenging operating environment,” said Bill York, AgriBank CEO. “We are well-positioned to maintain financial strength and stability with adequate earnings and robust capital. From this foundation, we will continue to provide reliable, consistent funding to affiliated Associations as they begin a second century of supporting rural communities and agriculture.”

Year-End 2015 Results of Operations
Net income decreased $89.6 million, or 15.7 percent, to $480.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Net interest income decreased slightly to $520.0 million, compared to $525.0 million for 2014. The decrease in net interest income was primarily attributable to increased interest expense on Farm Credit System-wide debt securities and, to a lesser extent, lower interest rates earned on AgriBank’s retail loan portfolio due to increased competitive pressures. These impacts on net interest income were substantially offset by growth in loan volume year-over-year.

Provision for loan losses was $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $3.5 million for the same period in 2014.

Non-interest income decreased to $91.9 million, compared to $159.9 million for 2014. This decrease was primarily driven by lower mineral income due to continued low oil prices and a decrease in non-recurring net gains on sales of available-for-sale investment securities during 2015.
 
Fourth-Quarter 2015 Results of Operations
Fourth-quarter 2015 net income was $117.2 million, compared to $147.3 million for the same period of 2014. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in mineral income and non-recurring net gains on sales of available-for-sale securities.

Loan Portfolio
Total loans increased 6.8 percent year-over-year to $82.8 billion, primarily due to increases in wholesale loans to affiliated Associations. The AgriBank retail loan portfolio grew during 2015 due to increased loan participation interests in retail equipment financing originating from the AgDirect program, significantly offset by normal borrower repayments on purchased real estate mortgage loan participations.

The solid liquidity and equity positions of many retail borrowers are reflected in the strong credit quality of the AgriBank portfolio at 99.7 percent acceptable loans at year-end. Acceptable loans represent the highest quality assets. Credit quality has been steadily improving since 2009 and remains consistent with the position as of December 31, 2014; however, these historically strong positions are expected to decline to more normal levels over time. The credit quality of our retail loan portfolio (excluding wholesale loans to affiliated Associations) declined slightly to 97.3 percent acceptable at year-end, compared to 97.6 percent acceptable as of December 31, 2014. Nonaccrual loans at year-end remained low at $43.4 million in 2015 and $37.8 million in 2014.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA-ERS) projected U.S. aggregate net farm income (NFI) to decline from $90.5 billion in 2014 to $56.4 billion in 2015. The overall decline in 2015 NFI is driven by continued low commodity prices and lower livestock prices resulting in a decline in receipts for both crops and livestock. This overall decline is projected to be partially offset by lower expenses driven primarily by lower energy and feed costs. Despite the significant decline in 2015 farm income, the U.S. farm economy entered 2015 in perhaps its strongest financial condition in over 50 years. Over the course of the next few years, this strong financial condition is expected to experience some limited deterioration primarily due to small declines in farm asset values and a small increase in projected aggregate farm debt.

USDA-ERS projects similar economic conditions during 2016, resulting in a slight decline in NFI to $54.8 billion. Relative to recent history, the outlook for most crop producers is expected to be challenging. Prices for corn, soybean and wheat are expected to stay at or near break-even levels due to increased inventories of each commodity as a result of continued strong yields coupled with a projected reduction in exports as a result of the appreciation of the U.S. dollar. The realization of cost efficiencies, along with the use of farm programs and timely application of market risk management strategies, should mitigate some of the negative impact of continued low crop prices.
 
Capital Resources and Liquidity
Total capital remains very strong, increasing $258.1 million during the period to $5.2 billion, driven primarily by net income, partially offset by patronage and dividends.

Cash and investments totaled $16.2 billion at year-end, compared to $16.4 billion at the end of 2014. The Bank’s end-of-the-period liquidity position represented 136 days coverage of maturing debt obligations which supports AgriBank’s operational demands and is well above the 90-day minimum established by AgriBank’s regulator.
 
About AgriBank
AgriBank is one of the largest banks within the national Farm Credit System, with nearly $100 billion in total assets. Under the Farm Credit System’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 17 affiliated Farm Credit Associations. The AgriBank District covers America’s Midwest, a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. With about half of the nation’s cropland located in the AgriBank District and nearly 100 years of experience, the Bank and its Association owners have significant expertise in providing financial products and services for rural communities and agriculture. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.



Branded products offer benefits generics don’t

In an era of lower commodity prices and tighter margins, growers are looking for ways to cut costs. But supply-chain experts advise them to remember the important value branded products offer when considering generic alternatives.

Research and development is one area where this value is reflected, said Jamie Eichorn, head of technical services at Syngenta. It can take more than 10 years and $100 million to bring a branded product to market. Each year, Syngenta invests almost $1.4 billion in R&D and employs nearly 5,000 scientists around the globe to provide new, improved technologies for growers. In 2016 alone, Syngenta will bring 16 new products to the U.S. marketplace.

“This is a dynamic, exciting time when you consider the number of new products we are bringing to market,” said Jamie Eichorn, head of technical services at Syngenta. “This is a clear benefit Syngenta provides, and it’s not easily matched.”

Active ingredients aren’t the only components that can affect a crop input’s performance, noted Tim Danberry, an agronomist with Crystal Valley Coop in Janesville, Minnesota. Inert ingredients and other co-formulants are also important.

“The biggest risk with a generic is that you have no clue what inactive ingredients the product contains,” said Danberry “That means you have no idea what you’re actually putting on your fields.”

Generic products also often require users to measure and mix additional products, but branded crop protection products offer complete solutions in one container.

“Growers like simple and easy,” Danberry said. “Generics aren’t always easy, and they can create too much room for error. I like Syngenta because all the work has been done for you, plus you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues.”

Unlike generics, branded products have strong networks of support standing behind them. For example, Syngenta has local sales representatives, field agronomists and a knowledgeable technical support team to work with growers when they need help and advice. And for immediate assistance, the Syngenta Customer Service Center is just a phone call {1-866-SYNGENT(A)} or click away.

“If you need help with a Syngenta product right away, you’ve got a whole support system to help,” said Robert Templeton, a sales consultant with Crop Production Services in Sikeston, Missouri. “With generics, you’re on your own.”

Additionally, branded product suppliers offer careful forecasting and extensive distribution networks to make sure the right product gets to the right place at the right time. This proven reliability is more important than ever, considering that the whole U.S. corn and soybean crop can be planted in 10 to 14 days, weather permitting.

The value of branded products makes good sense from a return-on-investment perspective, according to Templeton. “Saving on the front end can easily cost you more in the long run,” he said. “This is a clear benefit that branded products provide over generics, and it’s not easily matched.”

Friday March 4 Ag News

A farmer from Cornlea appointed to LENRD Board
Bob Noonan, a farmer from Cornlea, was appointed as the newest member of the LENRD Board of Directors at last night’s board meeting.  Noonan fills Cory Beller’s seat.  Beller recently moved outside of his subdistrict boundaries and could no longer serve.

Noonan teaches agronomy and diversified agriculture at Northeast Community College in Norfolk.  He was selected from among four applicants to serve the nine-month term.  He has also filed for election to a two-year term to the board to complete Beller’s four-year term.  The other three applicants were:  Gene Hemmer of Humphrey, Dave Kathol of Norfolk, and Bob Lueninghoener of Stanton.



Excellence in Agriculture Award Luncheon March 15th in Fremont

The Fremont Chamber-Ag Business & Natural Resources Council is hosting the inaugural Excellence in Agriculture awards luncheon on Tuesday, March 15th, 11:30am at the Fremont Golf Club.  The keynote speaker for the day will be CommonGround volunteer Joan Ruskamp, farmer/feeder from Dodge, NE.  Three awards will also be presented.... Farm Family of the Year to the Ray Kucera Jr. Family;  Ag Business of the Year to Hormel Foods;  and Innovator of the Year to CropMetrics.  Individual tickets are $30 each, or tables of eight can be bought for $250.  Go to fremontne.org or call 402-721-2641 to get more information and reserve your spot.



Act Now to get Cuming County Feeders Banquet Tickets

Cuming County Livestock Feeders President Steve Ott invites you to the annual banquet set for Saturday April 2nd at the Wisner Auditorium.  There's a great evening of fun and entertainment planned, with social hour starting at 6pm, a prime rib dinner with all the fixings at 7pm, and a performance by Gayle Becwar to close out the evening.

Tickets are $50 each.  Corporate sponsors are also welcome ($1000), along with Grand Champion Sponsors ($500) or Reserve Champion Sponsors ($300).  Ticket requests should be made by March 15th so they can be sorted and mailed out by March 21.  Contact Angie Ernesti for more information at 402-372-3036 or 402-372-8036. 



March Clinics Offer Free Financial & Legal Counseling

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. They offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.

March Clinic Sites and Dates
    Grand Island — Thursday, March 3
    Norfolk — Thursday, March 10
    North Platte — Thursday, March 10
    Valentine — Friday, March 11
    Lexington —Thursday, March 17
    Fairbury — Tuesday, March 22
    Norfolk — Thursday, March 24

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.  To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.



UNL joins initiative to help farmers control the data they collect

    The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has joined a new initiative aimed at helping farmers better control, manage and maximize the value of the data they collect every day in their fields.

    The Agricultural Data Coalition is the result of years of planning and coordination by UNL, AGCO, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Auburn University, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, Ohio State University, Mississippi State University, Raven Industries and Topcon Positioning Group.

    The coalition's goal is to build a national online repository where farmers can securely store and control the information collected by their tractors, harvesters, aerial drones and other devices. Over time, that data can be scrubbed, synced and transmitted in an efficient and uniform way to third parties including researchers, crop insurance agents, government officials, farm managers, input providers and farm advisers.

    "There have been extensive activities focused on agriculture data management platforms within the past couple of years and we're excited to be part of such advances in which the farmers' needs are at the core of the platform development process with input from a variety of industry partners," said Joe Luck, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. "I think the development approach taken by the ADC will serve as an industry model for adding value to small and large farm operations with respect to agricultural data privacy, access and utilization."

    A press briefing took place March 3 in New Orleans for media attending the annual Commodity Classic.

    "The key is that farmers are in complete control, and they decide who is allowed access to their data," said Matt Bechdol, interim executive director of the coalition. "That's what sets ADC apart. This is not about profit for others, it's about streamlining data management, establishing clear lines of control and helping growers utilize their data in ways that ultimately benefit them."

    Farmers interested in learning more about data collection and organizations interested in joining the coalition's efforts should visit http://www.agdatacoalition.org.



Strode, Hoer named NCTA Aggies of the Month                                                                         

Two students from eastern Nebraska garnered honors at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis during February as “Aggies of the Month.”

Adrienne Strode of Lincoln and Shane Hoer of Blair were recognized by faculty and staff for their contributions to academic and student life at the agricultural college, said NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.

“Adrienne and Shane exemplify the character and dedication of our students here at NCTA,” Rosati noted.

Strode, who attended Waverly High School, is a first-year veterinary technology student studying to be a certified veterinary technician.  She likes working with cats and a variety of small animals. One of her duties in the Facilities Management course is daily care of animals, birds and exotics in the Veterinary Technology complex.

“Addie has a real desire to help animals. Her family and she have donated a wonderful turtle habitat, two turtles and water filtering system to our veterinary technology animal facility,” said Judy Bowmaster-Cole, veterinary technology assistant professor. “She monitors the habitat to be sure everything is functioning correctly for the good health of our turtles.”

In addition to her academics, Strode is a member of NCTA’s Student Technicians of Veterinary Medicine Association.

As a second-year student in Agriculture Production Systems, Shane Hoer’s emphasis is agriculture education, leadership and communications. He is president of NCTA Student Senate and Collegiate 4-H and FFA Club, and competes on the senior livestock judging team.  He also is a student worker in the Assistant Dean’s Office and is a Resident Assistant in NCTA’s residence hall.

Hoer was active in FFA in high school and hopes to continue his college career in leadership and agricultural literacy.

“Shane is a great student for NCTA. He is always looking for ways to make our campus a better place to go to college and to live,” said Jennifer McConville, assistant dean.



ICA Opposes CME’s Proposed Worthing Discount

The CME Group recently announced changes to amend the Live Cattle futures rules concerning delivery. ICA strongly advises CME to reject the current proposal specific to live cattle futures contract specifications for the Worthing, SD delivery point.

The proposed change would add a seasonal discount of $1.50/cwt on deliveries tendered to Worthing, SD for the October contract month. According to the CME, since it’s inception in 2009, 50.9% of all delivered loads of cattle were originally tendered to Worthing, SD.

ICA members feel that if this discount is added, the CME is setting a dangerous precedent for additional modifications, leading to confusion and distrust in the system.

“The Live Cattle Futures Contract through the CME has served as a meaningful risk management tool for cattlemen,” states Dustin Puhrmann, ICA Feedlot Council Chair. “The CME needs to maintain its revered consistency for delivery points across the country. Distribution of cattle on feed nor types of cattle fed and marketed should make a difference on the tendered location.”  

ICA members are concerned that the CME proposal as presented will negatively impact effective use of the Live Cattle Futures Contract to mitigate risk and convergence of the cash and futures market.

Comments on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s (CME) Request for Market Feedback on Proposed Changes to Live Cattle Futures Contract Specifications are due Monday, March 21st. Comments should be sent to: 

Andrew Crafton
Commodity Research & Product Development
Andrew.Crafton@cmegroup.com
312-634-8923

Thomas Clark
Agricultural Products Business Line
Thomas.Clark@cmegroup.com
312-930-4595

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will be submitting comments on behalf of members and strongly encourages producers to submit additional comments.



 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey Provides Guidance for Hiring

 Hiring others to do custom machine work is a common practice for farmers across Iowa. The 2016 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey canvassed 182 farmers, custom operators and farm managers from the state, putting together a guide for pricing custom machine work.

The publication, which can be found online at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Store (FM 1698) or on the Ag Decision Maker website as Information File A3-10, provides rates for custom work in the following categories: tillage, planting, drilling and seeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, drying and hauling grain, harvesting forages, complete custom farming, labor, and both bin and machine rental.

The survey found there was a 2 percent price decline across all surveyed categories. When the categories with the 5 percent highest and lowest change were removed, the average decline in rate became 2.6 percent.

“This change is tied to lower crop prices,” said Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The bad news is the decline in price for those who hire custom work is dwarfed by the overall decline in crop prices.”

The average rate and range for each machine work function were compiled into the survey as usual, but this year the median charge and number of responses for each category were added to provide additional context to the findings. The additions were included to make the publication more useful and user-friendly, providing clarity on how far apart the average and median charge were. Another addition to the 2016 survey are responses for scouting crops with a drone.

For the survey, the average is calculated as the simple average of all responses. The median is the response that splits all the ordered responses (from smallest to largest) in half. The range consists of the second-lowest value and the second-highest value in the sample.

The values presented in the survey are intended only as a guide. There are many reasons why the rate charged in a particular situation should be above or below the average. These include the timeliness with which operations are performed, quality and special features of the machine, operator skill, size and shape of fields, number of acres contracted, and the condition of the crop for harvesting. The availability of custom operators in a given area will also affect rates.

The Ag Decision Maker website offers a Decision Tool to help custom operators and other farmers estimate their own costs for specific machinery operations. Plastina and Ann Johanns, program specialist in economics with ISU Extension and Outreach, authored the publication.



Research Shows Extra Cover Crop Growth Prior to Soybeans Provides Benefits

Research at Iowa State University, funded by the United Soybean Board (USB), suggests that an additional period of cover crop growth prior to soybeans results in high cover crop biomass production, nitrogen retention and has no negative effect on yield.

Iowa State University associate professor in agronomy, Mike Castellano, has been working on the project over the last three years to show the effect of cover crops preceding soybeans. The study consisted of three major experiments that included corn and soybean systems with and without the cover crop, winter cereal rye. The cover crop prior to corn was terminated about seven to 10 days before planting corn, while the cover crop prior to soybeans was terminated at two different times; the same day the cover crop was terminated in corn and approximately three weeks later, the day before soybean planting.

Winter cereal rye that grew an extra three weeks prior to soybean planting produced about 300 to 400 percent more biomass with a 100 percent increase in nitrogen retention, when compared with the early terminated cover crops.

“The extra three weeks of cover crop growth is like getting three to four years of cover crop production in the system and organic matter into your soil,” said Castellano. “This is clearly a way to speed up the process of receiving the benefits of biomass production.”

The study also showed that cover crops left in the field for an additional three weeks before soybean planting increased the nitrogen in the cover crop from 40 pounds per acre to over 80 pounds per acre.

“It really goes to show that you get a lot of bang for your buck in those extra three weeks,” said Castellano. “And despite letting the cover crop grow an extra three weeks, we saw the same soybean yields.”

While the research so far has demonstrated what an extra period of growth can do for cover crop biomass, the overall goal of the research is to link the amount of cover crop biomass directly to economic benefits.

“At the present time, we can say with confidence that we can retain a lot more nitrogen in the system and lose less to the environment with increased biomass production,” said Castellano. “In the short term, that’s a great benefit for water quality challenges. In the long term, adding that biomass and keeping that nitrogen in the system will build soil health.”

Future Cover Crop Research
In the future, Castellano believes the effects of additional biomass production and nutrient retention will lead to reduced fertilizer rates and increased yields, due to the improvement of soil characteristics such as lower compaction, more organic matter, aeration and water-holding capacity. Daren Mueller, extension plant pathologist, and Leonor Leandro, associate professor of plant pathology and microbiology, at Iowa State have also been working on the soybean and cover crop research project, focusing on the effects of cover crops on insects and disease.

“To date, we have not found any of the cover crops we have evaluated to increase disease in the field,” said Mueller. “We’ve found that some of the cover crops may get infected with some pathogens, but this has not led to an increase in diseases in the main crop.”

Mueller and Castellano intend to continue research on cover crops in a corn and soybean system to find short term economic benefits for the farmer by looking at extra cover crop biomass through pest management.

“We think exploring the potential reduction for fungicide sprays and other pesticide applications are good opportunities for the farmers to see some short term benefits from the extra cover crop biomass,” said Mueller.

Currently, farmers can go online to the ISU Extension and Outreach Soybean Planting Tool to see how the planting date of different soybean varieties will effect their predicted yield. Farmers can use this tool, at http://agron.iastate.edu/CroppingSystemsTools/soybean-decisions.html , to see if there are potential advantages to planting later for extra cover crop growth without damaging yield.  



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the month of February 2016, temperatures averaged four to six degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Snowfall occurred early in the month across much of the State, with heaviest amounts in central and northeastern counties. By the end of February, the snow had melted leaving little or no snow cover statewide. The mild conditions have been good for the calving season. The frost was coming out of the ground, leaving feedlots muddy. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 14 short, 80 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 15 short, 80 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 38 fair, 49 good, and 10 excellent.

Livestock Report:
Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 13 fair, 73 good, and 14 excellent. Calving was 10 percent complete. Cattle and calf death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 72 average, and 27 light.

Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 21 fair, 77 good, and 2 excellent. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 62 average, and 37 light.  Hay and roughage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 6 short, 88 adequate, and 5 surplus.  Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 91 adequate, and 1 surplus.



IOWA CROP & WEATHER SUMMARY, FEB 2016

Iowa experienced above normal temperatures for the month of February, which resulted in virtually no snow cover throughout the State. There were numerous reports of drainage tile running, as well as standing water in low-lying areas according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. As February came to a close, average snow depth was 0 inches. Fieldwork activities for the month of February were limited to scattered manure and dry fertilizer applications.

February topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. The south central portion of Iowa reported the highest moisture level with 45 percent rated surplus.

Grain movement rated 34 percent none, 39 percent light, 24 percent moderate, and 3 percent heavy. Nearly three-quarters of the grain movement for the month of February was rated light to none, although grain movement increased overall from the previous month. North central Iowa recorded the least grain movement with 85 percent rated light to none for the month of February.

Availability of hay and roughage supplies was 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Cattle feeding was reported to be a challenge due to muddy conditions.



IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry J. Hillaker, State Climatologist
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

General Summary. Iowa temperatures averaged 28.1° or 4.1° above normal while precipitation totaled 0.92 inches or 0.13 inches less than normal. This ranks as the 31st warmest and 65th driest February among 144 years of records. Snowfall averaged 9.0 inches or 2.2 inches above normal to rank as the 37th snowiest February among 129 years of records. This was the seventh consecutive snowier than normal February.

Temperatures. Bitter cold weather made a relatively brief appearance in Iowa during February with subzero temperatures reported on only the 4th, 5th and 10th through 13th. Temperatures were above average every day from the 15th through the end of the month with only a handful of locations seeing readings dip below 20° during the second one-half of February. Cresco reported the month’s lowest temperature with a -17° reading on the morning of the 13th. Temperatures reached 73° at Shenandoah and Sidney on the 18th while Sidney reached 75° on the 27th. These are the highest February temperatures recorded in Iowa since 1999 (76° at Glenwood on Feb. 10). In response to the milder late-month weather soils began to thaw across central and southern Iowa on the 19th and were completely frost-free over about the southern one-half of Iowa at month’s end. The late-month warmth also melted most of the snow cover that had persisted over northern Iowa since December 28. Some flooding occurred in response to the snowmelt and ice jams that resulted from the break-up of river ice.

Heating Degree Day Totals. Home heating requirements, as estimated by heating degree day totals, averaged 25% less than last February and 8% less than normal. Season-to-date degree day totals are running 17% less than last season at this time and 14% less than normal. The warmer weather and lower energy prices should result in considerably smaller heating bills this winter compared to recent years.

Precipitation. Over one-half of the month’s precipitation fell very early in the month with the major winter storm of the 2nd-3rd. Heavy snow fell across the northwest one-half of Iowa with greatest amounts reported of 14.0 inches at Washta, 13.6 inches at Akron and 13.5 inches at Sheldon. However, only a cold rain fell across extreme southeast Iowa with this storm. There were very frequent light snow and/or rain events between the 3rd and 21st. The largest of these events came on the 13th-14th when 2 to 4 inches of snow fell over much of the northeast one-half of the state. However, winds gusts of 40 to 50 mph combined with light snowfall and deep snow cover left from the Groundhog Day storm system to create blizzard conditions over north central Iowa from the night of the 7th through the morning of the 9th. Finally, winter weather made a return visit late on the 29th into March 1st with 2 to 5 inches of snow falling across the northern one-third of the state. Overall monthly precipitation totals were well below normal over east central and southeast Iowa and well above normal over the northwest. February precipitation totals varied from 0.35 inches at Gilman and Toledo to 1.92 inches at Sheldon. Monthly snowfall totals varied from only 1.3 inches at Clarinda to 23.4 inches at Sheldon. Snow totals have been well above normal in three of the past four months in northwest Iowa.

Severe Weather. Wind gusts in the 50 to 60 mph range were common statewide on the 19th with Iowa City Airport reporting the highest gust at 63 mph. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Winter Summary. Temperatures over the three mid-winter months averaged 26.8° or 4.7° above normal while precipitation totaled 6.57 inches or nearly double the seasonal normal of 3.34 inches. This ranks as the wettest and 17th warmest winter among 143 years of state records. The last warmer winter came four years ago (2011-2012), averaging 1.1° warmer than this one. Despite slightly below normal precipitation in January and February these two months brought enough precipitation when combined with December 2015’s record total to easily surpass the 6.00 inch total of the 1914-15 winter for the wettest on record.



Current National Drought Summary
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Early in the period, a strong storm system tracked from the western Gulf Coast northeastward into interior New England, triggering numerous and widespread showers and thunderstorms across most of the eastern third of the Nation. Some of the storms produced severe weather that included numerous reports of tornadoes, some with fatalities, in the Southeast (February 23) and the mid-Atlantic (February 24). As the system traversed the Northeast, moderate to heavy (more than 2 inches) rain fell on most locations as temperatures were well above freezing. In the central Great Lakes region, however, colder air allowed snow to fall, with up to 15 inches measured in northwestern Indiana. As the storm exited the U.S., colder and drier weather enveloped the East. Elsewhere, after a dry start, weak Pacific systems brought light precipitation to the Northwest during the last 4 days of the period, eventually spreading eastward into the Midwest and south-central Great Plains by week’s end. Unfortunately, precipitation bypassed most of the southwestern quarter of the lower 48 States and northern Plains, and weekly temperatures averaged above normal in the West and across the northern half of the Nation. The El Nino induced dryness across Hawaii has started producing negative impacts as parts of the islands were degraded.

Central and Northern Plains
From South Dakota into Kansas, little or no precipitation fell, except for a band of precipitation (0.2-0.5 inches) in southeastern Montana, central South Dakota, southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. Recent surplus precipitation, however, over the past several months was enough to keep this region drought free with the exception of a few small lingering D0 areas. A watchful eye, however, will be necessary from northeastern Oklahoma northeastward into northwestern Illinois as short-term (2-months) dryness has so far been offset by very wet conditions at 3-months and longer. For example, as of March 1, Kansas City, MO had 28 consecutive days without measurable precipitation, the longest stretch since 41 days in 2002; however, Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2015 precipitation totaled 7.67 inches, or more than twice of normal (208%).

In southwestern North Dakota, recent dryness at 60- and 90-days, along with unseasonably mild readings and minimal snow cover (mainly due to melt, sublimation, and evaporation), created similar conditions that justified the merging the two D0 areas in southeastern Montana and central North Dakota. In southeastern Montana, however, re-evaluation of the tools pointed to wet conditions out to 4 months, thus the D1(S) was removed there.

Looking Ahead
During the next 5 days (March 3-7), heavy precipitation is expected to drench the Pacific Coast. Totals include up to 9 inches in western Washington, 7.3 inches in northwestern California, 8.2 inches in the northern Sierra Nevada, 5 inches near San Francisco, and 1-2 inches near San Diego and Los Angeles. The precipitation will extend eastward into the Intermountain West and northern Rockies, albeit with lower amounts. Unfortunately, little or no precipitation is forecast for the Southwest and southern half of the High Plains. Light to moderate amounts are predicted for most of the eastern half of the Nation, except for dry conditions in Florida. Temperatures should average above-normal in the western half of the U.S., especially the High Plains, and below-normal in the Northeast.

For days 6-10 (March 8-12), the odds favor above-median precipitation in the western third and eastern half of the Nation, with the highest probabilities in Oregon and northern California, and the Delta. Below-median probabilities were limited to the northern half of Alaska. Above-median temperatures are likely in the eastern two-thirds of the lower 48 States and southern Alaska, especially the eastern Great Lakes region and Ohio Valley, while below-normal temperatures are favored in the Southwest and western Alaska.



 U.S. Pork Exports Struggle But Finish 2015 Strong

Despite struggling for most of 2015, U.S. pork exports posted a strong finish during December, ending a tough year on a high note. December export volume was up 3 percent from 2014. For the year, U.S. pork and pork variety meat exports totaled 4.7 billion pounds in volume and $5.58 billion in value, down 2 percent and 16 percent, respectively from 2014.

“Without a doubt, 2015 was a difficult year for U.S. pork exports,” said Becca Nepple, vice president of international marketing for the Pork Checkoff. “The West Coast port slowdown, market-access challenges, the strong U.S. dollar and strong competition led to last year’s decrease in exports.”

However, pork exports accounted for 24 percent of total 2015 pork and pork variety meat production. Export value per head averaged $48.31, down 23 percent from 2014.

“With projections for increased pork production this year, the Checkoff is committed to strengthening its partnership with our international customers,” Nepple said. “The National Pork Board has allocated funding toward focused in-country promotions of U.S. pork with the U.S. Meat Export Federation during 2016.”

During 2015, more than 100 countries around the world imported U.S. pork.
-    The top five markets in total pounds of pork exported were Mexico (1.585 billion pounds), Japan (895.5 million pounds), Canada (747.5 million pounds), China and Hong Kong (443.1 million pounds) and Korea (369.3 million pounds).
-    The top five markets in total value exported were Japan ($1.586 billion), Mexico ($1.267 billion), China and Hong Kong ($778.8 million), Canada ($700.4 million) and Korea ($470.3 million).



NPPC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS, BOARD MEMBERS AT ANNUAL MEETING

The National Pork Producers Council today elected new members to its board of directors at its annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – in Indianapolis. Re-elected to the board for another three-year term were Jim Compart, of Nicollet, Minn., Maschhoff and AV Roth, of Wauzeka, Wis. Board member Kent Bang was re-elected to a two-year term for the Allied Industry Council seat. Jen Sorensen, of Ankeny, Iowa, with Iowa Select Farms, was elected as a new member of the board for a three-year term. They join current directors Cory Bollum, with Hormel Foods Corp. in Austin, Minn. – who is the Packer Processor Industry Council representative – Phil Borgic, of Nokomis, Ill., Jim Heimerl, of Johnstown, Ohio, David Herring, of Lillington, N.C., Bill Kessler, of Mexico, Mo., Dale Reicks, of New Hampton, Iowa, Kraig Westerbeek, of Warsaw, N.C., and Terry Wolters, of Pipestone, Minn.

Re-elected to the NPPC Nominating Committee, which vets candidates for the board, was Duane Stateler, a producer from Ohio. Joe Baldwin, a producer from Indiana, also was elected to the committee. 

Coming up on Saturday, March 5, NPPC President-election John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa, will be elevated to president, and Vice President Ken Maschhoff, a producer from Carlyle, Ill., will be elevated to president-elect. The vice president will be picked by the board of directors that day.



NPPC QUESTIONS FINDINGS OF STUDY DETERMINING FEASIBILITY OF CSDE INSURANCE

The National Pork Producers Council this week submitted comments questioning the legitimacy of a study commissioned by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to determine the feasibility of developing an appropriate insurance program for swine producers as protection against a catastrophic swine disease event (CSDE).

The study, completed in December 2015 and open to public comments until March 1, determined that CSDE insurance is unfeasible. NPPC commented that the study lacked necessary institutional knowledge, creativity and necessary attention to the pork industry’s legitimate concerns. NPPC advocated for the study to be completed during the 2014 Farm Bill talks.

A meeting between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and pork industry leaders was requested to further discuss the need for a swine CSDE insurance program.



2016 Sees Change in Forage Coverage Under ARPI

An important change to RMA's Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) was made for the 2016 crop year as it relates to grazing acreage. Effective for the 2016 crop year, the ARPI-Forage policy will only cover hay production. Rotational grazing, or any other grazing practice, has been removed from the ARPI-Forage policy. Producers interested in insuring forage with the intended use of grazing can utilize the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage (PRF) plan of insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) through the Farm Service Agency.

Previously, in ARPI counties, NAP was only available for "native grass" with an intended use of forage and/or grazing. The 2016 crop year change will mean NAP is available in ARPI counties for native grass as well as other grass types with intended use of grazing.

The deadline for 2016 NAP coverage for perennial forage pasture (grazing) is March 15.



Brazilian Soy Harvest 41% Complete, Matopiba Weather a Concern

Rain fell across most of the principal Brazilian soybean-producing regions last week.  But fieldwork still progressed eight percentage points in the period to reach 41% complete as of Friday, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 39% for this stage of the harvest, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

Of concern is the dry spell in the Mapitoba region in the eastern Cerrado, which has lasted a month and has caused irreversible damage to the crop, the consultancy reported.  In the key Mapitoba state of Bahia, where harvesting is 10% complete, hot, dry conditions are hurting crops going through reproductive stages. The situation is similar in Tocantins and Piaui.

In Mato Grosso, soybean harvesting is 64% complete, slightly behind the 66% registered a year before. Rainfall has been reasonably frequent across the state in recent weeks but not sufficient to affect quality of harvested beans, said AgRural.

In the south, incessant rain is causing problems, particularly in Parana.  In Cornelio Procopio, northern Parana, AgRural reported that 15% of the crop is ready to harvest and desiccated fields have up to 40% damage.  Harvest efforts in Parana are 53% complete, ahead of the 47% registered one year before.

In the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the harvest has just started at 1% complete.



23,000 Dairy Operations Enroll in MPP for 2016 Coverage

More than 23,000 dairy operations representing 162.3 billion pounds of milk enrolled in MPP for the 2016 coverage year, according to recently released data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. The overwhelming majority of farms enrolled in MPP did so at the base level of $4.00/cwt. catastrophic coverage.

Given USDA’s forecast for 211.9 billion pounds of milk produced in 2016, the milk enrolled in MPP represents 77 percent of the U.S. milk supply. Additionally, based on the number of licensed dairy operations in 2015, 54 percent of licensed dairy operations are participating in MPP for 2016. These participation rates are down slightly from last year, as 80 percent of the U.S. milk supply and 55 percent of licensed dairy operations participated in MPP during 2015.

Of the participating farms, 18,000 purchased the $4.00 catastrophic coverage while just over 5,300 farms purchased a higher level of coverage.



CWT members capture 12.1 million pounds of dairy product export sales contracts in February

Cooperatives Working Together members received 31 contracts in February to sell 3.95 million pounds of cheese, 2.54 million pounds of butter, and 5.59 million pounds of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, Oceania, and South America. The product will be shipped from February through August 2016.

Combined with the contracts member cooperatives captured in January, CWT-assisted transactions so far in 2016 total 8.23 million pounds of cheese, 5.4 million pounds of butter and 6.85 million pounds of whole milk powder going to customers in twelve countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 247.519 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT member cooperatives gain and maintain world market share through the Export Assistance program expands the long-term demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of products that directly impact their milk price.



U.N.'s Food Price Index Was Steady in February

The FAO Food Price Index was stable in February, as falling sugar and dairy prices offset a substantial jump in vegetable oil prices from the previous month. Averaging 150.2 points for the month, the FAO Food Price Index was virtually unchanged from a revised 150.0 points in January and down 14.5 percent from a year ago.

FAO also issued its first forecast for the world's 2016 wheat harvest, projecting 723 million tonnes of total production, about 10 million tonnes below last year's record output.

The FAO Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index tracking international market prices for five key commodity groups: major cereals, vegetable oils, dairy, meat and sugar.

Diverging from February's generally stable trend was a sharp increase in the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index, which rose 8.0 percent from the previous month. That was led by a 13 percent surge in palm oil, which gained on reports of falling inventories and a poor production outlook in the near future. Soy oil prices also firmed as a result.

But other staple commodities more than absorbed that rise. The FAO Sugar Price Index declined 6.2 percent from January, buoyed by strong global inventories and improved crop conditions in Brazil, the world's largest producer and exporter.

The FAO Dairy Price Index fell 2.1 percent on the month amid sluggish imports, especially by China.

Prices of the world's staple grains were broadly stable. The FAO Cereal Price Index inched down only around half a percentage point from the previous month but was 13.7 percent lower than a year earlier. Wheat prices fell 1.5 percent, maize prices slipped only slightly, while rice prices rose modestly.



DuPont Plans to Add Lumisena™ Fungicide Seed Treatment to Lumigen™ Seed Sense Portfolio

DuPont has announced plans to add the next member of the DuPont™ Lumigen™ seed sense portfolio. DuPont™ Lumisena™ fungicide seed treatment, pending U.S. EPA registration, will help deliver improved crop establishment and stand uniformity through Phytophthora control in soybeans and best-in-class downy mildew control for sunflower crops in the United States.

“Lumisena™ fungicide seed treatment will be the most advanced seed-applied technology to control Phytophthora in soybeans since the introduction of mefenoxam and metalaxyl,” said Mick Messman, director, DuPont Seed Treatment Enterprise. “Once registered, Lumisena™ is expected to help growers protect their crops through effective control against the oomycete pathogens that reduce soybean and sunflower production due to Phytophthora and downy mildew infection in developing crops.”

In university research trials, soybean seed treated with the active ingredient in Lumisena™ provided outstanding protection against Phytophthora compared with conventional seed treatment fungicides. In DuPont research trials across four growing seasons, seed protected with Lumisena™ had 32 percent reduced incidence of Phytophthora sojae versus untreated seed.

In sunflower university trials, seed treated with the active ingredient in Lumisena™ produced plants with significantly reduced incidence of downy mildew versus existing fungicide seed treatments. DuPont trials have shown seed treated with Lumisena™ had 76 to 96 percent less incidence of downy mildew compared to untreated seed, and 20 to 41 percent less incidence of downy mildew compared to conventional fungicide seed treatments. No cross-resistance to other seed-applied fungicides has been observed.

Oxathiapiprolin, the active ingredient in Lumisena™, is a DuPont discovery that received the Agrow Award for Most Innovative Chemistry in 2012. It is another example of the dynamic DuPont R&D pipeline, which has received 20 Agrow Awards over the last eight years, including the Best R&D Pipeline award in 2013 and 2014.

“The true benefit in using Lumisena™ is in how it works,” said Messman. “In development trials, this remarkable product controlled oomycete infestation during multiple stages of the pathogen life cycle, resulting in healthier plants and greater crop efficiency.”

Lumisena™ is expected to have a favorable environmental profile, given its ability to deliver highly effective pathogen control at extremely low use rates.

“The Lumigen™ seed sense portfolio is growing to meet the demands of our customers around the world,” said Messman. “Upon registration, Lumisena™ will follow DuPont™ Lumiderm™ insecticide seed treatment for canola in Canada, DuPont™ Dermacor® seed treatment products in the Brazilian soybean market, and DuPont™ Lumivia™ insecticide seed treatment for corn in the United States.”

The DuPont Integrated Seed Science Network, with state-of-the-art centers in Wilmington, Delaware, and Johnston, Iowa, is dedicated to testing industry-leading seed treatment formulations, matching seed treatments with genetics for integrated seed solutions, and exploring applications and seed-handling techniques to bring new tools to seed companies and growers.

“We are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise to help the industry,” Messman added. “Working together to help farmers get more from every acre is fundamental to delivering on the need to provide enough food for our growing global population.”



THE CLIMATE CORPORATION ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE DATA CONNECTIVITY AGREEMENTS, MAKING THE CLIMATE FIELDVIEW™ PLATFORM THE MOST BROADLY CONNECTED IN THE INDUSTRY

The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON), announced data connectivity agreements with several agronomic and retailer software systems as well as the John Deere Operations Center, enabling farmers and their trusted advisors to quickly and easily transfer certain field data between these systems and Climate FieldView. With Climate FieldView, farmers can visualize their farm data and gain customized, field-level insights to help them make operational decisions with confidence.

“It’s exciting to see the industry come together to help farmers sort through the clutter and get all of our data into one place, so that we can make the best decisions to achieve the greatest outcome,” said farmer Ken Dalenberg of Mansfield, Ill. “It’s extremely important for me to have the freedom and convenience to move my farm data to all of the resources I use in my precision ag management process. Not only do I need the ability to share my information with the advisors I work with on a regular basis, but I need to ensure my data is imported into my Climate FieldView account so I can easily visualize and analyze what’s happening in each of my fields throughout the season.”

These agreements connect Climate FieldView to the farm management platforms of more than 80 percent of the top retailers across the Corn Belt and the largest U.S. agricultural equipment provider. Improved data connectivity helps farmers maximize the value of their field data, while giving them full control over how their data is used and shared.

“Traditionally, data management has been difficult for farmers, because the tools for data collection, storage and analysis have been disconnected,” said Doug Sauder, senior director of product for The Climate Corporation. “We’re solving that problem by making data connectivity seamless. In just minutes, farmers can connect other software systems to Climate FieldView to gain a more complete understanding of their fields, simplify data sharing with their trusted advisors and make informed decisions for their operations.”

Through these new agreements, farmers will be able to transfer data such as field boundaries, field maps, management zones, variable rate seeding prescriptions, planting and harvest data, and soil test results into their Climate FieldView accounts.

Climate’s most recent agreement with John Deere will enable farmers to transfer current and historical field data between the John Deere Operations Center and Climate FieldView. This new data connectivity agreement is in addition to the agreement John Deere and Climate entered into in November 2015, which represents the first and only near real-time in-cab wireless connection by a third party to John Deere’s equipment.

Connectivity agreements between Climate and agronomic software and equipment platforms include: AgIntegrated OnSite®, Agrian®, SSI® Agvance Mapping, FS Advanced Information Services™, MapShots AgStudio®, John Deere Operations Center and SST Summit®. The agreements will enable a farmer’s data to easily flow between his or her Climate FieldView account and many farm management platforms used by the following top retailers:
-    CHS Inc. (select locations)
-    Crop Production Services
-    GROWMARK
-    Helena
-    MFA Incorporated
-    Simplot
-    South Dakota Wheat Growers
-    Southern States Cooperative
-    Winfield Solutions, LLC

In addition, farmers can wirelessly map their field data into their Climate FieldView account using the new Climate FieldView™ Drive, a device that easily transfers field data from a farmer’s equipment into their Climate FieldView account. Farmers can enjoy similar functionality with Precision Planting’s 20/20® monitors enabling them to use either device to collect, store and view field map data in real-time when used with Climate FieldView™ Plus software.

The integrated Climate FieldView digital agronomic platform also includes Climate FieldView™ Pro, a tool that provides customized, field-level agronomic insights powered by data science, and Climate FieldView™ Prime, a tool that provides field-level weather, notifications and scouting.

To experience seamless data connectivity through Climate FieldView, contact your local Climate dealer or visit www.climate.com. Some data transfer functions are enabled today, with others currently under development with planned deployment later this season. Exact data types available for transfer vary by agreement.