NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT
Based on September 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2017 corn crop is forecast at a record 1.72 billion bushels, up 1 percent from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Area harvested for grain, at 9.50 million acres, is down 1 percent from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 181 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels from last year.
Soybean production is forecast at a record 316 million bushels, up 1 percent from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.65 million acres, is up 10 percent from 2016. Yield is forecast at 56 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels from a year ago.
Sorghum for grain production of 10.3 million bushels is down 42 percent from a year ago. Area for harvest, at 110,000 acres, is down 37 percent from 2016. Yield is forecast at 94 bushels per acre, down 8 bushels from last year.
IOWA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT
Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.45 billion bushels according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 187 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel per acre from the August 1 forecast, and down 16 bushels per acre from last year. If realized, this will be the third highest yield and production on record behind 2016 and 2015, respectively. Acres harvested for grain remain unchanged at 13.1 million acres.
Soybean production is forecast at 567 million bushels. If realized, this will be the second highest production on record behind last year’s 572 million bushels. The yield is forecast at 57.0 bushels per acre, up 1 bushel per acre from the August 1 forecast, but down 3.5 bushels per acres from 2016. If realized, this will be the second highest yield on record behind 2016. Area harvested remained unchanged at 9.95 million acres.
The forecasts in this report are based on September 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next corn and soybean production forecasts, based on conditions as of October 1, will be released on October 12.
USDA: Corn Production Up Less Than 1 Percent from August Forecast
Soybean Production Up 1 Percent
Cotton Production Up 6 Percent
Corn production is forecast at 14.2 billion bushels, down 6 percent from last year but up less than 1 percent from the August forecast. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 169.9 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushel from the August forecast but down 4.7 bushels from 2016. If realized, this will be the third highest yield and production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 83.5 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but down 4 percent from 2016.
Soybean production is forecast at a record 4.43 billion bushels, up 1 percent from August and up 3 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 49.9 bushels per acre, up 0.5 bushel from last month but down 2.2 bushels from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record high 88.7 million acres, unchanged from August but up 7 percent from 2016.
Ricketts Touts Nebraska’s Beef and Tourism on Second Day of Trade Mission to Japan
Today, Governor Pete Ricketts began the second day of the Nebraska Trade Mission to Japan with an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review, which is the world’s largest financial newspaper with a daily circulation exceeding three million.
The Governor and Nebraska trade delegation then attended the morning session for the last day of the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Annual Conference before hosting a promotional lunch with the Nebraska Tourism commission. The purpose of the lunch was to provide those in the Japanese tourism industry an overview of what there is to see and do in Nebraska; provide sample itinerary lists of potential stops; and begin to build relationships within the Japanese tourism trade.
Following the lunch, members of the NE trade delegation met with State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Yosuke Isozaki about Nebraska’s beef trade with Japan. Governor Ricketts then met with board members of the American Chamber of Commerce Japan and with executives of Kewpie Corporation, who owns Henningsen Food which employs 185 people in Nebraska. The Governor followed this meeting up with a meeting with the Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane while other members of the trade delegation toured the Kashima Grain Storage and Processing facility.
The Nebraska trade delegation wrapped up the day two of the Nebraska Trade Mission to Japan with dinner at Alexander’s Steak House where they were able to promote Nebraska beef to their Japanese guests. Governor Ricketts ended his night with a call back with Nebraska media.
The Governor and Nebraska trade delegation will begin day three of the trade mission with Embassy and agricultural market briefings.
GRAZE TO KEEP GRASS HEALTHY
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Pastures sometimes have lots of weeds remaining this time of year. It’s tempting to graze hard enough to use those weeds, but is this actually good for the pasture?
Many pasture weeds can provide satisfactory protein and energy for cattle when eaten, but cattle avoid them due to poor palatability. That’s why they’re weeds! If pressed hard enough, though, cattle will eat many of them when there is nothing else to eat. While this gets rid of the weeds temporarily, if might not be healthy for the pasture.
Every pasture has millions of weed seeds in the soil and the potential to become weedy. Since some pastures stay relatively clean while other pastures become weedy, other factors undoubtedly influence the weed population. Simply grazing or controlling weeds by spraying or cutting does little to prevent weeds from coming back again unless these other factors are changed to better support desirable plants.
To control weeds, it is much more important to manage grazing to support healthy desirable plants than to weaken or remove unwanted weeds. Grazing that allows sufficient leaf area to remain following grazing that supports rapid regrowth, allows good winterizing, and holds snow and rain moisture on the land rather than running off will benefit the desirable grasses and legumes. Giving pasture plants adequate time to recover after grazing before grazing again is another way to improve or maintain pasture health and strengthen the competitive ability of desirable plants.
Weeds in a pasture can indicate that the pasture itself and the desired plants in it are not in a healthy condition. For improvement to occur, controlling weeds is not enough. Changing management to strengthen desired grasses and legumes also is essential.
NE Grangers Meet in Columbus for Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the Nebraska State Grange was held at the Ramada Rivers Edge Inn, Columbus, Nebraska, September 8-9-10. 2017.
Friday, at noon, Grangers met at Barcel Mill and Lumber Company. They took a tour of the shops and machines that cut, shred and other wise make the lumber useful. They use cottonwoods mostly, finding use for lumber that was once seen as worthless. They make pallets, mulch for both landscaping and playgrounds, and also find uses for beams and planks. The lumber mill is Mr. Barcel's business. He also uses his passion for making use of the unappreciated, by taking numerous foster children into his home, giving them a safe and warm place to be, and teaching them that they are important both in his eyes and God's, he is in the process of making a wonderful Tree House and other interesting attractions on his property, to give children a place where they can relax, play, and forget, for a while, the stress they have lived with. Those things are his gifts, no cost attached. He also has two Rottweiler dogs, trained as Therapy Dogs, that give the children comfort.
Resolutions endorsed by the delegates were 1, To keep commodity checkoffs subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); 2, To require that all Counties in Nebraska enforce noxious weed laws: 3. To make members of Congress and their staff participate in the same healthcare insurance as the general public; 4, To give each public school $1500 per year for each student enrolled K-12, and that each district is to offset their property tax by the same amount they receive in Foundation Aid; 5. To limit Congressional terms to 12 years, and that the current pension plan be identical to federal employee retirement plans; 6. Require voters to show personal identification to vote; 7. Continuing federal crop insurance at the at 2016-2017 levels. 8. To support legislation to require students attending Nebraska schools to be vaccinated for contagious diseases, except for legitimate medical reasons. 9. To limit the terms of US congress members to 12 continuous years, and that the congressional pension plan be identical to federal employee pensions. 10. To base tax on Agricultural land on production rather than valuation.
The National Representative this year was Amanda Brozana Rios, Director of Communications and Development. She is very energetic and enthusiastic person. Part of her message is that the purpose of Granges is to serve and care about their communities, help people learn basic skills so that they can do things for themselves, to look forward, seeing what will need to be done. There are so many opportunities to aid constructive projects, so we must find a need and try to fill it. We may disagree but we must find agreement to make a more Constructive America.
The Deaf Education Awareness Scholarship was presented by Shannon Cooksley, director, to Evangelina Ortiz, who has been hearing impaired since early childhood. She remembers hearing things for the first time when she was given hearing aids. She could hear rain hit the ground, the windshield wipers, and her Mother's voice. Things most of us take for granted.
Community Service Awards: honoring Granges for the number of hours members spent on projects to improve their communities. 1st place went to Riverview Grange, Blair NE., $100; 2nd place to Custer County Grange, Broken Bow NE, $75. 3rd place to Elkhorn VE Grange, $50. 4th place went to Geneva Grange, $25.
At he Annual Banquet, Dan Holtz provided the entertainment. His program is entitled, Nebraska Through Song and Story. He interweaves songs accompanied on guitar and harmonica with excerpts from works by Willa Cather, John Neihardt, Mari Sandoz and Bess Streeter Aldirch, in narratives from 1850 to 1904.
On Sunday morning a memorial service planned by State Grange Chaplin, Ricki Wulf, of Blair, honored Nebraska Grangers who passed on this year: Robert Smith, Broken Bow Ne., Dana Wolf, Blair, Ne., Irma Holstein, Blair, NE., Wilmer Dunkel, Broken Bow, Ne., Kay Kraus, Friend Ne., Mary Graf, Arapahoe, Ne., and Florence Lefever, Geneva, Ne.
Program Director, Darlene Janing, arranged for Jeanne K. Schieffer, from Nebraska Public Power, to give an interesting program about the history and growth of publicly owned power in our state. She had videos and pictures showing the many changes that have taken place since the beginning of Public Power.
Phyllis Tooker, from Ralston, Ne., Family Activities Committee Chairman, reported that 881 dictionaries were donated to 3rd graders in Nebraska, 92 blankets and 8 handmade toys, and caps for premature babies were donated this year. Phyllis is retiring, after serving for 15 years.
NPPC Seeks Waiver From ELD Mandate
The National Pork Producers Council today asked for a waiver and exemption for livestock haulers from U.S. Department of Transportation regulations that could have negative effects on animal well-being.
NPPC delivered to the office of DOT Sec. Elaine Chao a petition, which was filed on behalf of the U.S. pork industry and other livestock sectors, requesting the waiver and exemption because of concerns about the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule’s effects on animal well-being. It also asked the agency to address incompatibilities between the transportation of livestock and DOT’s Hours of Service rules. Those regulations limit truckers to 11 hours of driving daily, after 10 consecutive hours off duty, and restrict their on-duty time to 14 consecutive hours, which includes nondriving time.
“The ELD Rule presents some serious challenges for livestock haulers and the animals in their care,” said NPPC President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill. “We’re asking the secretary to exempt truckers transporting hogs, cattle and other livestock from this regulation because they have a moral obligation to care for the animals they’re hauling regardless of what some bureaucratic rule says.”
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act, enacted as part of the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, mandated ELDs by Dec. 18, 2017, for commercial motor vehicles involved in interstate commerce, when operated by drivers who are required to keep records of duty status. ELDs, which can cost from $200 to $1,000, record driving time, monitor engine hours, vehicle movement and speed, miles driven and location information.
DOT did recently issue an interpretation intended to address shortcomings in its Hours of Service rules, exempting from the regulations and from any distance-logging requirements truckers hauling livestock within a 150 air-mile radius of the location at which animals were loaded.
NPPC and other livestock groups also are supporting language included in the transportation fiscal 2018 funding bill that would delay the ELD mandate for one year for livestock haulers.
NCBA and Livestock Groups Petition Department of Transportation for ELD Waiver
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today joined other livestock groups in hand delivering to Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao a petition for a waiver followed by a limited exemption from compliance with the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) rule. The petition also asks the Department of Transportation (DOT) to address livestock industry concerns that the current Hours of Service (HOS) rules are not compatible with the realities of the livestock industry. Under current regulations, ELD’s must be implemented starting on December 18, 2017.
“U.S. beef producers and livestock haulers are focused on protecting public safety and ensuring the health and well-being of cattle transported around the country,” said NCBA President Craig Uden, a fourth-generation beef producer from Elwood, Nebraska. “A limited exemption from ELDs will allow for our haulers to continue to safely transport livestock while providing the livestock industry time to continue working with DOT to find workable solutions within the HOS rules that take into account the unique needs of livestock haulers.”
Livestock haulers have a challenging task of ensuring motorist safety while also maximizing the health and welfare of transported animals. To meet these demands, a large number of livestock haulers participate in specialized training programs covering safe animal handling and transportation methods. Unfortunately, the upcoming ELD rule would decrease driver safety, jeopardize the well-being of hauled animals, and force small business owners out of the marketplace.
More time is needed to address livestock industry concerns and educate all stakeholders to avoid disruption in an industry that already has concerns with driver shortages. NCBA will continue to work with the DOT to find a workable solution that allows our drivers, our cattle, and others on the road to move safely around the country and get where they need to go.
Background: Specific Asks of NCBA and Livestock Industry Partners on ELD and HOS
NCBA is actively engaging with the Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and Congress on the ELD and HOS rules. Echoing previous requests in meetings with FMCSA officials, and language currently found in the House Appropriations FY 18 Bill, NCBA continues to request:
Delayed ELD Enforcement: The current ELD enforcement deadline should be delayed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for no less than one year. Additional time will allow industry concerns to be addressed and provide training/educational opportunities for impacted stakeholders.
Increased Flexibility within HOS: Hours of Service (HOS) rules applying to livestock haulers must be made more flexible so that drivers can safely do their jobs while preserving the welfare of the animals.
Farm Bureau, Livestock Groups Request Waiver for Logging Device Mandate
Concerned about livestock haulers’ readiness to comply with a problematic electronic logging device mandate, as well as how the mandate will affect the transported animals’ well-being, the American Farm Bureau Federation and seven livestock organizations are asking the Department of Transportation for a waiver and exemption from the fast-approaching Dec. 18 ELD implementation deadline.
Unless Congress or the administration acts, carriers and drivers who are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ELD rule must install and use ELDs by Dec. 18. While most farmers and ranchers should be exempt because they can claim covered farm vehicle status, drivers who haul livestock, live fish and insects are likely to fall under the requirements.
Drivers who have to use ELDs would be limited to current hours of service rules, which restrict a driver to only 14 “on duty” hours, with no more than 11 active driving hours. Once a driver hits those maximum hour allotments, he must stop and rest for 10 consecutive hours, which would be problematic when transporting livestock and other live animals.
In their petition, the groups pointed out livestock haulers’ strong commitment to ensuring the safety of both the animals they’re transporting and the drivers they share the road with. In addition, livestock haulers often receive specialized training beyond that required for their counterparts driving conventional commercial motor vehicles. The pork industry’s Transport Quality Assurance Program and the beef industry’s Master Cattle Transporter program provide detailed instruction on proper animal handling and transportation methods.
“As reflected in FMCSA’s data, the emphasis these programs place on animal welfare benefits driver safety as it encourages livestock haulers to slow down, be more aware of their surroundings and road conditions, and avoid rough-road situations that could result in animal injury,” the groups noted.
Another major roadblock to implementation for livestock haulers is their lack of awareness of the rule. Because the livestock hauling industry is small compared to the overall trucking industry, it isn’t well-represented before or strongly engaged by DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
As a result, livestock drivers who are aware of the program have had difficulty researching the ELD marketplace and identifying cost-effective solutions that are compatible with livestock hauling. In addition, as with the agriculture industry as a whole, livestock haulers are likely significantly older than the average American truck driver, making them less familiar with the use of ELD technology and in need of more training on ELD use.
In their petition, the groups also asked DOT to address the incompatibilities between FMCSA’s hours of service rules and the structure and realities of the U.S. livestock sector.
“For many drivers, there is concern that there are those, with no understanding of or concern for animal welfare or livestock hauling, who will arbitrarily penalize them for choosing the proper care of animals over stopping in excessive heat or cold because of an arbitrary HOS cutoff,” the groups said.
While FMCSA’s recent change to include livestock in its interpretation of the 150-air mile exemption for agricultural commodities is a positive development, it doesn’t fully address livestock haulers’ struggles.
The organizations are committed to working with industry and FMCSA to address the issues presented by the ELD mandate and hope that FMCSA will grant additional time and flexibility for haulers who have a responsibility to care for the animals they are transporting.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Monday, September 11, 2017
September 11 Crop Progress & Condition Reports - NE - IA - US
NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending September 10, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal across western Nebraska, but two to six degrees below normal in the east, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was scattered and limited. Seed corn harvest was underway. There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 33 short, 56 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12 percent very short, 35 short, 53 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 4 percent very poor, 8 poor, 24 fair, 47 good, and 17 excellent. Corn dented was 86 percent, near 87 last year and 85 for the five-year average. Mature was 18 percent, behind 25 last year and 27 average. Harvested was 2 percent, near 1 last year and 3 average.
Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 poor, 27 fair, 51 good, and 12 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 28 percent, near 27 last year and 25 average.
Winter wheat planted was 7 percent, behind 17 last year and 13 average.
Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 29 fair, 50 good, and 18 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 84 percent, behind 94 last year, but ahead of 77 average. Mature was 15 percent, behind 21 last year, but ahead of 8 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 31 fair, 44 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 57 percent complete, ahead of 50 last year and 47 average.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 18 poor, 47 fair, 27 good, and 3 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 11 short, 88 adequate, and 0 surplus.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT
It was another dry week in Iowa with only localized showers during the week ending September 10, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, chopping corn for silage, seeding cover crops, hauling grain, and preparing for grain harvest.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 17 percent very short, 32 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. South central and southeast Iowa continue to be the driest parts of the state with over 80 percent of topsoil moisture rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture levels rated 19 percent very short, 34 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.
Seventy-six percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, three days behind the 5-year average. Fifteen percent of corn had reached maturity, six days behind last year and eight days behind average. Corn condition rated 60 percent good to excellent.
Forty-seven percent of soybeans were turning color, one day behind average. Eight percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, four days behind average. Soybean condition rated 61 percent good to excellent.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, over one week ahead of last year. There were some reports of producers starting to cut their fourth crop of alfalfa.
Pasture conditions declined to 41 percent poor to very poor due to continued dry conditions slowing growth. Livestock conditions remained good, with reports of cattlemen weaning calves.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress
Soybean conditions fell slightly from the previous week and the crop's progress fell behind the average pace, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. USDA said 22% of soybeans were dropping leaves, as of Sunday, Sept. 10, down from 24% a year ago and below the five-year average of 25%. Sixty percent of the soybean crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 percentage point from 61% the previous week.
Corn progress also continued to lag behind the normal pace with USDA reporting 96% of corn in the dough stage as of Sunday, down from 99% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 97%. Seventy-five percent of corn was dented, down from 85% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 81% dented. Twenty-one percent of corn was considered mature, down from 31% a year ago and the five-year average of 31% mature. Five percent of corn was harvested as of Sunday, even with a year ago but down from the five-year average of 6% harvested. Sixty-one percent of corn was rated in good-to-excellent condition, the same as the previous week.
Spring wheat harvest was nearing completion with USDA reporting that 95% of spring wheat was harvested as of Sunday, up from 94% a year ago and above the five-year average of 87% harvested.
Winter wheat farmers have also begun planting next year's crop, with USDA reporting 5% of winter wheat planted as of Sunday, even with a year ago and below the five-year average of 6% planted.
Sorghum was 74% coloring, equal to the average pace, while mature was 35%, behind the average of 39%. Sorghum harvested was 24%, behind the average of 27%. Sorghum condition rose to 66% good to excellent from 63% the previous week.
Cotton was 34% bolls opening compared to an average pace of 40% bolls opening. Cotton harvest was estimated at 9%, ahead of the average of 4%. Nationwide, cotton condition fell to 63% good to excellent from 65% good to excellent the previous week.
Barley was 96% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average pace of 93%. Oats were 96% harvested, slightly behind the average of 97%. Rice was 43% harvested, slightly ahead of the average of 40% harvested.
For the week ending September 10, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal across western Nebraska, but two to six degrees below normal in the east, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was scattered and limited. Seed corn harvest was underway. There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 33 short, 56 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12 percent very short, 35 short, 53 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 4 percent very poor, 8 poor, 24 fair, 47 good, and 17 excellent. Corn dented was 86 percent, near 87 last year and 85 for the five-year average. Mature was 18 percent, behind 25 last year and 27 average. Harvested was 2 percent, near 1 last year and 3 average.
Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 poor, 27 fair, 51 good, and 12 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 28 percent, near 27 last year and 25 average.
Winter wheat planted was 7 percent, behind 17 last year and 13 average.
Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 29 fair, 50 good, and 18 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 84 percent, behind 94 last year, but ahead of 77 average. Mature was 15 percent, behind 21 last year, but ahead of 8 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 31 fair, 44 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 57 percent complete, ahead of 50 last year and 47 average.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 18 poor, 47 fair, 27 good, and 3 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 11 short, 88 adequate, and 0 surplus.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT
It was another dry week in Iowa with only localized showers during the week ending September 10, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, chopping corn for silage, seeding cover crops, hauling grain, and preparing for grain harvest.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 17 percent very short, 32 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. South central and southeast Iowa continue to be the driest parts of the state with over 80 percent of topsoil moisture rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture levels rated 19 percent very short, 34 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.
Seventy-six percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, three days behind the 5-year average. Fifteen percent of corn had reached maturity, six days behind last year and eight days behind average. Corn condition rated 60 percent good to excellent.
Forty-seven percent of soybeans were turning color, one day behind average. Eight percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, four days behind average. Soybean condition rated 61 percent good to excellent.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, over one week ahead of last year. There were some reports of producers starting to cut their fourth crop of alfalfa.
Pasture conditions declined to 41 percent poor to very poor due to continued dry conditions slowing growth. Livestock conditions remained good, with reports of cattlemen weaning calves.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress
Soybean conditions fell slightly from the previous week and the crop's progress fell behind the average pace, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. USDA said 22% of soybeans were dropping leaves, as of Sunday, Sept. 10, down from 24% a year ago and below the five-year average of 25%. Sixty percent of the soybean crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 percentage point from 61% the previous week.
Corn progress also continued to lag behind the normal pace with USDA reporting 96% of corn in the dough stage as of Sunday, down from 99% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 97%. Seventy-five percent of corn was dented, down from 85% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 81% dented. Twenty-one percent of corn was considered mature, down from 31% a year ago and the five-year average of 31% mature. Five percent of corn was harvested as of Sunday, even with a year ago but down from the five-year average of 6% harvested. Sixty-one percent of corn was rated in good-to-excellent condition, the same as the previous week.
Spring wheat harvest was nearing completion with USDA reporting that 95% of spring wheat was harvested as of Sunday, up from 94% a year ago and above the five-year average of 87% harvested.
Winter wheat farmers have also begun planting next year's crop, with USDA reporting 5% of winter wheat planted as of Sunday, even with a year ago and below the five-year average of 6% planted.
Sorghum was 74% coloring, equal to the average pace, while mature was 35%, behind the average of 39%. Sorghum harvested was 24%, behind the average of 27%. Sorghum condition rose to 66% good to excellent from 63% the previous week.
Cotton was 34% bolls opening compared to an average pace of 40% bolls opening. Cotton harvest was estimated at 9%, ahead of the average of 4%. Nationwide, cotton condition fell to 63% good to excellent from 65% good to excellent the previous week.
Barley was 96% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average pace of 93%. Oats were 96% harvested, slightly behind the average of 97%. Rice was 43% harvested, slightly ahead of the average of 40% harvested.
Monday September 11 Ag News
Walk in the Woods held at Wilderness Park, West Point
It was a beautiful day to walk in the woods! That’s what 120 fourth graders found out at the 9th Annual Walk in the Woods held on Wednesday, September 6th at Wilderness Park in West Point. The hands-on learning day focused on the importance of trees, wildlife, and prairie. Students from West Point-Beemer Elementary, Guardian Angels Catholic School in West Point, St. Paul Lutheran School in West Point, and Wisner-Pilger Elementary attended the event.
Pam Bergstrom, Forester with the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) said, “This experience gives students the opportunity to learn about trees and nature by observing and learning through their senses rather than just reading or being taught about it in a classroom. Wilderness Park, with its maintained trails, is an awesome forest and prairie setting for the event, and allows the foresters and wildlife biologists to present the information in a fun and unique way.”
Steve Rasmussen, District Forester with the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) said, “This continues to be a very good program to teach youth about our natural resources right in their backyard. The students get physical education, science, history, and math all in one morning session.”
Julie Wragge, LENRD Information & Education Specialist said, “It’s so wonderful to get students out in the woods. Their eyes light up when they get to use their senses to experience the wonders of our natural resources. We are so privileged to be a part of helping young people learn more about the world around them.”
The Walk in the Woods event is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, the Great Plains Society of American Foresters, and the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. Other presenters and volunteers included staff from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.
Ricketts Leads Second Japan Trade Mission to Expand Trade Opportunities
For the second time in two years, Governor Pete Ricketts and key administrative officials are leading a delegation of ag and business leaders to expand trade and investment opportunities for Nebraskans in Japan. The Governor’s 2017 international trade mission to Japan began in Tokyo today and will include visits to Shizuoka and the Kansai region later this week. Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger and Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Mat Habrock are helping lead the Governor’s Nebraska Delegation, which includes members of the state’s business and agricultural sectors.
This morning, the Governor and the delegation participated in the Midwest US-Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-Midwest US Association Conference. MWJA is comprised of nine Midwestern states, including Nebraska, and was formed to bolster international relationships with companies with a particular interest in growing in the central United States.
“The U.S. Midwest Japan Association Conference is an outstanding opportunity for Nebraska to thank our number one direct foreign investor and for our ag and business leaders to build relationships that grow bilateral trade,” said Governor Ricketts. “Nebraskans who understand Japan’s markets and resources are in a unique position to grow business relationships with our state’s number one trading partner outside of North America. The connections fostered here are invaluable, and we look forward to hosting the association’s 50th anniversary in Omaha next year.”
In 2016, Gov. Ricketts addressed delegates during the 48th annual conference in St. Louis and announced that Omaha will host the 2018 joint conference. Nebraska joined MWJA shortly after the organization’s inaugural event in 1967, when members of Chicago’s Association of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation from the Japan Committee for Economic Development. Next year’s event in Omaha will mark the 50th anniversary of the conference.
During this trip to Tokyo, Gov. Ricketts is highlighting Nebraska’s long-standing relationship with a number of foreign companies. Omaha-based Tenaska employs nearly 300 Nebraskans and specializes in power plant, electric, and natural gas development. The company has built partnerships with several Japanese firms, including J-Power, Mitsubishi, and Itochu.
“For the past 30 years, Tenaska has successfully built its reputation in the U.S. and abroad,” said DED Director Courtney Dentlinger. “Development of the company’s strong, bilateral relationships resulted in plans for a $500 million natural gas generating company in Pennsylvania, made possible through investments from both countries. Nebraska’s international trade missions continue to showcase the great work of Nebraska companies around the world.”
Later this week, Gov. Ricketts will visit Japan’s independent government agency established to consolidate the country’s efforts in export promotion. The Japan Export Trade Research Organization (JETRO) supports efforts by foreign companies interested in entry and expansion in the Japanese market. In 2016, JETRO Chairman Hiroyuki Ishige met with Gov. Ricketts in Lincoln on the Nebraska Innovation Campus. This week’s meeting will focus on additional opportunities to strengthen Nebraska’s relationship with JETRO officials.
Director Dentlinger and Assistant Director Habrock will address Tokyo-area businesses at JETRO’s investment and trade promotional event to highlight Nebraska as an attractive, business-friendly location for continued foreign investment. Total agricultural and manufactured exports from Nebraska to Japan equaled an estimated $1.13 billion in 2015.
“The Nebraska agriculture industry has proven itself as a dependable and consistent supplier of agricultural products and services worldwide,” Assistant Director Habrock said. “We appreciate and welcome the opportunity to provide potential investors with information about the abundant resources available in Nebraska that have made our state one of the top producers of crops, livestock, agricultural equipment, and biotech products in the United States.”
On Thursday, Gov. Ricketts and the trade delegation will visit Shizuoka, a sister city of Omaha, Nebraska to promote additional investment opportunities in the state.
The trade delegation will spend the last two days of the trade mission in the Kansai region, where they will host a variety of events and meetings in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. Kawasaki and several other Japanese companies with investments and operations in Nebraska are based in the Kansai region.
Review Herbicide Restrictions Before Planting Forage Cover Crops
Amit Jhala - NE Extension Weed Management Specialist
If you're planning to plant cover crops this fall, particularly forage cover crops, you'll likely want to plant as soon after crop harvest as possible to assure the longest growing season possible for your cover crops. As you prepare for the hectic harvest season, this is a good time to check the label plant-back restrictions of any herbicides applied previously in the field as you plan your cover crop planting and use.
Following are two resources with further information on herbicide considerations when planting forage cover crops.
Herbicide Options for Planting Forage Cover Crops after Corn and Soybean (http://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/herbicide-options-planting-forage-cover-crops-after-corn-and-soybean), a March 2016 CropWatch article. This article outlines what to consider and includes Herbicide Label Plant-Back Restrictions, as of the publication date, for pre- and post-emergence in corn and soybean. Always check the herbicide labels for the products previously applied and use the most restrictive plant-back restrictions applicable. See the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska for more information on herbicides labeled for use in Nebraska and their restrictions.
Herbicide Options for Planting Forage Cover Crops Following Corn and Soybean (Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2276) by Nebraska Extension Specialists Amit Jhala, Daren Redfearn, Bruce Anderson, Mary Drewnoski, and Chris Proctor. As the use of cover crops increases in Nebraska, with many acres being planted after corn and soybean harvest, this publication looks at herbicide recommendations in respect to forage cover crops and includes tables fof Herbicide Label Plant-Back Restrictions. Requirements for integrating forage cover crops within a herbicide program are the most restrictive of the cover crop uses. In the NebGuide the authors write:
"Most herbicide labels list crop rotation intervals or plant back restrictions that limit how soon a subsequent crop can be planted following a herbicide application. It is important to note that this is different from the grazing or forage restrictions posted on a herbicide label for crops to which a herbicide is directly applied. When planning a fall-planted forage cover crop following corn or soybean, a herbicide crop rotation interval or plant back restriction should be short enough to allow the forage cover crop to establish. If the forage cover crop species you intend to plant is not listed on the label, you must follow the rotation restriction listed for “other crops.” In addition, the rotation restriction for a forage cover crop mixture is dictated by the species in the mixture with the longest restriction. Meeting these requirements can be challenging, as many forage cover crop species are not listed on herbicide labels and as a result replant restrictions fall outside the ideal fall planting window. Hail or other crop damage, seed corn, and silage corn all provide opportunities for earlier forage cover crop planting; however, herbicide plant back restrictions still must be observed in these situations.
PUBLIC POWER EXECUTIVES TO BE FEATURED LUNCH SPEAKERS AT UPCOMING WIND & SOLAR CONFERENCE
Top executives of Nebraska’s three largest public power utilities will be the luncheon speakers on Monday, November 13, at the Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference. The conference is a two-day event that brings together people from across the country united by their passion for advancing wind and solar energy.
Among the featured speakers are Tim Burke, CEO of Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) - Pat Pope, CEO of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) - and Jason Fortik, Vice President of Power Supply at Lincoln Electric System (LES).
The conference runs Monday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 14 with these speakers at the luncheon on Monday, November 13 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, 333 S. 13th Street in Lincoln, NE.
“The presentation by public power executives is always one of the most well-attended sessions,” said John Hansen, conference co-chair. “The panel provides a wealth of information on the current state of renewables in the public sector and the role they will play in the future growth of Nebraska’s public energy.”
Registration is $125 until October 15 and student registration is $65. More information is available on the conference website http://nebraskawsc.com. Contact admin@nebraskawsc.com to register.
Facebook: NEWindandSolarConference | Twitter: @NebraskaWSC10 | Instagram: @NebraskaWSC10
To view last year’s presentations, go to http://www.neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-solar/wind_solar_conference.htm
Propane Availability Forecast
Are hurricane Harvey or Irma likely to affect propane availability for farmers and rural Nebraska homeowners for winter 2017-18?
Not in the long run as propane availability is good, said Gregg Walker, director of communications for the Propane Education and Research Council. Hurricane Harvey delayed exports from Texas ports for a few days and may have hampered processing at some facilities, but “we make more than enough propane to meet US supply,” Walker said.
He does encourage rural users to work with local suppliers to order propane early to guarantee they’ll have what they need when they need it this winter.
“Nebraska is fairly close to a major distribution center at Conway, Kansas, which puts Nebraska markets in a good position,” Walker said; however, propane competes for space with other energy commodities in the transportation system and sometimes there just aren’t enough rail cars or trucks available to get it where it needs to go on a short deadline. Ordering early helps everyone in the supply chain better identify and plan for domestic need and respond to potential export sales.
“The US produces more propane than any other country in the world and is the world’s largest exporter,” he said. That means that even if the US were to have a mild winter, if Europe had an unusually long and bitterly cold winter, export needs would increase, affecting supplies.
Growers may still remember 2013-14 when there was a high demand for grain drying, followed by a tough winter. As the “Polar Vortex” dipped down, the US sustained record lows over an extended time, increasing propane needs for many rural Americans, sometimes beyond normal expectations.
Rural users can take steps to help ensure they have a ready supply when they need it, just as they would with other farm inputs, Walker said. He recommends users establish a good relationship with their local supplier and make plans with them soon regarding winter propane needs and purchases.
While growers may take a risk that the price of propane moves higher or lower after the price is contracted, setting the price early can help with budgeting and provide peace of mind that the fuel will be available when needed, said Anthony Barrett, farm financial consultant at Nebraska Farm Business Inc. Growers purchasing inputs in the fall also may be able to lock in cash discounts.
Seaboard Triumph Foods Sioux City pork processing plant completes first week of commercial production
PrairieFresh Premium Pork donated to Operation BBQ Relief for hurricane disaster relief
After a successful opening week of commercial production at the Sioux City pork processing plant, Seaboard Triumph Foods announced that a trailer load of PrairieFresh® Premium Pork from the first week’s production will be donated to Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) for disaster relief. OBR will be able to serve more than 100,000 meals from this donation.
Commercial operations started Sept. 5 at the newly constructed processing plant that is ramping up toward full one-shift capacity to process 10,000 head of market hogs a day with 1,100 employees.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our workforce and their commitment to producing high-quality, wholesome pork,” says Mark Porter, Seaboard Triumph Foods chief operating officer. “The product quality looks great. We’re on our planned schedule after the first week, and grateful that some of the product we produced this first week can be donated to help Operation BBQ Relief serve hot, delicious meals to those dealing with the aftermath from the recent natural disasters.”
Operation BBQ Relief mobilizes barbecue cook teams into natural disaster areas to provide hot barbecue meals to those impacted and the many people who come to help. OBR completed an 11-day deployment this past weekend in Texas where the non-profit group prepared 371,760 meals. Today, OBR is preparing for deployment in Florida following Hurricane Irma.
PrairieFresh® Premium Pork is the official premier pork supplier to OBR. The Seaboard Triumph Foods Sioux City plant, owned equally by Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods, produces PrairieFresh® Premium Pork branded products along with other fresh pork product for domestic and international markets.
In addition to the PrairieFresh® Premium Pork donation from the Sioux City plant, about 2 more trailer loads of fresh pork produced by the St. Joseph and Guymon plants have been donated to OBR for disaster relief in the past two weeks.
To learn more about Operation BBQ Relief and to donate, visit www.operationbbqrelief.org.
$14 Million Committed for Iowa State’s Feed Mill and Grain Science Project
Kent Corporation is committing $8 million, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board $4 million and Sukup Manufacturing Co. $2 million in support of a new Iowa State University educational and research facility for feed milling and grain science.
The $14 million in gifts are the first to be announced for the $21.2 million feed mill and grain science complex, which will be funded entirely through private giving, according to a Sept. 8 news release published by Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Science.
The commitments made by Kent Corporation and Iowa Corn Promotion Board represent the largest gifts each has ever made. Sukup Manufacturing Co.’s commitment will be in-kind support, including the complex’s grain storage bins.
“We are very grateful to Kent, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Sukup Manufacturing for their lead gifts that will jump-start in-depth planning and development of our feed mill and grain science complex,” said Benjamin Allen, interim president of Iowa State University. “Their tremendous generosity will help make this facility a valuable addition to hands-on student learning, meaningful faculty research, and extension and outreach to industry workforce.”
The facility will be a new venue for continuing education and extension programs for employees in feed milling and grain handling industries. These programs will help workers more effectively meet an increasing number of regulatory compliance issues, address biosecurity concerns and gain experience in advanced processing methods. They also will be valuable for demonstrating to international visitors the sophistication of the U.S. feed industry, and in educating visitors on how to best use U.S. corn and corn products in their own livestock industries.
The new facility will centralize feed production close to university animal teaching and research farms. It is expected to improve the quality of research by Iowa State faculty, serving as a source for custom-made animal feeds for academic studies. Variability and inconsistency in making experimental diets have been a stumbling block in the past — one that will likely be eliminated or reduced through use of the new facility. Researchers also will use the complex to study feed safety and biosecurity issues linked to transportation and handling of feeds.
The location for the feed mill and grain science complex will be on approximately 10 acres of university-owned land southwest of the intersection of Highway 30 and State Avenue in Ames. The land, managed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been the site of crop research, seed operations and crop yield performance trials for more than 50 years.
At the proposed facility, classes and short courses will be taught, research conducted and feeds prepared to meet the dietary requirements of animals housed at several university teaching and research farms in the Ames area.
The complex is envisioned to include a feed mill tower and feed milling and mixing structures, grain storage bins and a one-story classroom and laboratory building.
The Kent Corporation, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Sukup Manufacturing Co. commitments are part the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign, with a historic goal to raise $1.1 billion, which will help support Iowa State in becoming the premier land-grant university for the 21st century and beyond.
Iowa Learning Farms Webinar to Explore Edge-of-Field Practices
Edge-of-field nitrate reduction practices such as bioreactors, saturated buffers and wetlands are receiving increased attention for the role they play in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. As these practices gain in popularity, questions linger about how these practices work and the scale of implementation required to make progress towards strategy goals.
Matt Helmers, Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University and Dean’s Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will discuss how to increase awareness and understanding of these practices during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.
“For large-scale implementation of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy to be successful, we need trained individuals that can work with farmers and landowners in the private and public sectors,” Helmers said. “We need for everyone to understand where these practices are appropriate, how effective they are, and the scale and rate of practice implementation that is required.”
One of the most effective ways to convey information about edge-of-field practices is to show people how they work. Helmers will introduce the Conservation Station “On the Edge,” a new outreach tool designed to increase awareness and understanding of edge-of-field practices for both general and technical audiences.
Helmers researches the impact of nutrient management, cropping practices, drainage design and management and strategic placement of conservation practices on nutrient export from agricultural landscapes. His extension work is focused on increasing adoption of practices that have the potential to reduce downstream nutrient export.
The Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series will take place on the third Wednesday of each month at noon. To log in, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at 12 p.m. and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
NPPC MEMBERS TO LOBBY CONGRESS ON PORK INDUSTRY ISSUES
The National Pork Producers Council will host its fall Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13-14. The biannual fly-in draws from around the country more than 125 pork producers, including 15 who will be participating in NPPC’s Pork Leadership Institute, a grassroots leadership development program.
Producers will lobby congressional lawmakers on issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry, including asking them to urge the Trump administration to pursue bilateral trade agreements, to rescind regulations detrimental to agriculture and to support establishing and funding a Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank.
Over 150 Biofuels Champions in D.C. Today to Kick Off Industry’s Largest Advocacy Summit
Growth Energy is holding its annual advocacy conference in Washington, D.C., this week, bringing together over 150 leaders in the ethanol industry from across the country to champion the association’s policy priorities on Capitol Hill.
During Growth Energy’s Biofuels Summit, advocates will meet with members of Congress to urge support for protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and for securing a legislative fix for the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restriction that places barriers on consumer fuel choice during the summer.
“Now, more than ever, this industry is poised to drive the next great wave of economic development across the American heartland,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.
“We know that the most effective way to influence members of Congress is to connect them in person, face-to-face with the men and women moving this industry forward. The biofuels industry has a great story to tell and great people to tell it. The RFS has ensured lower fuel prices, a stronger rural America, and cleaner air. To continue this progress, we need Congress behind us. This summit gives us the opportunity to thank and build stronger relationships with our champions as well as foster new allies on Capitol Hill who share our commitment to increasing consumer choice at the pump through cleaner, homegrown biofuels.”
Growth Energy advocates will ask members of Congress to cosponsor the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517, H.R. 1311), which would correct an outdated regulation that restricts retailers from selling fuel containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) during the summer fueling season (June 1 through September 15).
More Than 300 Farmers Union Members ‘Fly-In’ to Washington to Lobby Congress, the Administration
Today, 320 Farmers Union members gathered in the nation’s capital for National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. The annual event allows Farmers Union members from across the country to meet directly with lawmakers, USDA leaders and other administration officials to discuss issues important to family farmers and ranchers.
“Times are tough right now for American family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “And when times get tough for farmers, Farmers Union members step up and advocate.”
“We’ve seen a dramatic, 50 percent drop in farm income over the past four years,” he continued. “At the same time, farmers are enduring major weather volatility due to climate change, uncertainty over foreign trade markets, massive consolidation of farms and agribusiness companies, and the ongoing degradation of farming and rural community infrastructure and services. The men and women who feed and fuel our nation need the support of their elected leaders, and that’s why 320 of them took four or five days out of their busy fall schedules to advocate at our Fly-In.”
NFU Fly-In participants are in Washington to lobby their elected officials on legislative solutions to issues that heavily affect their farming and ranching operations.
“Congress has a long list of issues to deal with this fall, and we want to make sure they’re considering the social and economic well-being of American family farmers and ranchers with every vote they cast,” said Johnson. “NFU members are especially concerned about the prospect of an adequate farm safety net through the 2018 Farm Bill, bipartisan health care system fixes that ensure accessible, affordable, quality health care, and expanded markets for American grown, renewable fuels, including E30 and advanced biofuels.”
The three-day event began today with a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NFU members heard from USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett, National Resources Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Administrator Hubert Hamer.
Informational sessions will continue this afternoon, as Fly-In participants meet with U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agriculture committees’ staff members to gain insight into the committees’ fall agendas. NFU members will then take to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet in small-group meetings with all 535 congressional offices, and to present 33 members of Congress with the Golden Triangle Award, the group’s highest legislative honor.
CWT Assists with 5.2 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 29 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 4.784 million pounds (2,170 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese, and 440,925 pounds (200 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from September through December 2017.
So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 53.091 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.454 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 20 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 567.731 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 affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
Canada Antitrust Agency Clears Fertilizer Merger
Canada's antitrust agency says it would not challenge the proposed fertilizer merger between Agrium and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan. In a statement, Canada's Competition Bureau says its probe concluded that the transaction would not result in a weakening, or prevention, of competition for products sold by both companies, including potash fertilizer, dry or liquid phosphate fertilizer and nitric acid. The agency says it conducted its probe in cooperation with the US Federal Trade Commission.
Last week, the two companies said they were working to resolve final issues with Canadian and US antitrust agencies, but noted authorities in China and India said approval was conditional on Potash Corp selling certain minority interests. Both firms say they expect the merger to close by end of 4Q.
Farm Bureau, John Deere Announce New Discount Partnership
Farm Bureau and John Deere are excited to announce a new partnership that will give Farm Bureau members in participating states special access to John Deere’s GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program, providing members with a free two-year Platinum membership. This new member discount program will strengthen the existing partnership between John Deere and Farm Bureau, and continue to grow John Deere’s dedication to strengthening their support of America’s farmers and ranchers.
“John Deere is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land. Together with Farm Bureau, we are strengthening our agricultural communities and building for the future,” said Steve Geick, John Deere director of ag industry relations, US/Canada. “The GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program for Farm Bureau members is John Deere’s way of rewarding those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land.”
Along with valuable equipment discounts, GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards Platinum members are eligible for special parts savings, Home & Workshop Products discounts, and other members-only promotions. Normally, a customer must initially purchase two pieces of qualifying equipment within 12 months to reach Platinum status. Farm Bureau members will automatically qualify by signing up through JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau for these benefits:
Equipment Discounts – Savings on everything from mowers to tractors to Gator Utility Vehicles purchased at your authorized John Deere dealer
Special Parts Savings – Money-saving parts coupons and offers to help keep your equipment at its best
Home & Workshop Product Discounts – A 10 percent discount off MSRP on eligible John Deere tools and workshop equipment – air compressors, generators, pressure washers and more
Exclusive Member Promotions – New exclusive offers and promotions delivered to your inbox – along with insider tips and great ideas for enhancing your equipment experience
Farm Bureau members in participating states are eligible. To participate, Farm Bureau members can visit their state Farm Bureau website or JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau. Once the registration is complete, the member will receive their GreenFleet member number and can instantly access program benefits. Members can simply purchase online at JohnDeere.com/BuyOnline or by visiting a local John Deere dealer.
It was a beautiful day to walk in the woods! That’s what 120 fourth graders found out at the 9th Annual Walk in the Woods held on Wednesday, September 6th at Wilderness Park in West Point. The hands-on learning day focused on the importance of trees, wildlife, and prairie. Students from West Point-Beemer Elementary, Guardian Angels Catholic School in West Point, St. Paul Lutheran School in West Point, and Wisner-Pilger Elementary attended the event.
Pam Bergstrom, Forester with the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) said, “This experience gives students the opportunity to learn about trees and nature by observing and learning through their senses rather than just reading or being taught about it in a classroom. Wilderness Park, with its maintained trails, is an awesome forest and prairie setting for the event, and allows the foresters and wildlife biologists to present the information in a fun and unique way.”
Steve Rasmussen, District Forester with the Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) said, “This continues to be a very good program to teach youth about our natural resources right in their backyard. The students get physical education, science, history, and math all in one morning session.”
Julie Wragge, LENRD Information & Education Specialist said, “It’s so wonderful to get students out in the woods. Their eyes light up when they get to use their senses to experience the wonders of our natural resources. We are so privileged to be a part of helping young people learn more about the world around them.”
The Walk in the Woods event is sponsored by the Nebraska Forest Service, the Great Plains Society of American Foresters, and the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. Other presenters and volunteers included staff from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.
Ricketts Leads Second Japan Trade Mission to Expand Trade Opportunities
For the second time in two years, Governor Pete Ricketts and key administrative officials are leading a delegation of ag and business leaders to expand trade and investment opportunities for Nebraskans in Japan. The Governor’s 2017 international trade mission to Japan began in Tokyo today and will include visits to Shizuoka and the Kansai region later this week. Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger and Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Mat Habrock are helping lead the Governor’s Nebraska Delegation, which includes members of the state’s business and agricultural sectors.
This morning, the Governor and the delegation participated in the Midwest US-Japan Association (MWJA) and the Japan-Midwest US Association Conference. MWJA is comprised of nine Midwestern states, including Nebraska, and was formed to bolster international relationships with companies with a particular interest in growing in the central United States.
“The U.S. Midwest Japan Association Conference is an outstanding opportunity for Nebraska to thank our number one direct foreign investor and for our ag and business leaders to build relationships that grow bilateral trade,” said Governor Ricketts. “Nebraskans who understand Japan’s markets and resources are in a unique position to grow business relationships with our state’s number one trading partner outside of North America. The connections fostered here are invaluable, and we look forward to hosting the association’s 50th anniversary in Omaha next year.”
In 2016, Gov. Ricketts addressed delegates during the 48th annual conference in St. Louis and announced that Omaha will host the 2018 joint conference. Nebraska joined MWJA shortly after the organization’s inaugural event in 1967, when members of Chicago’s Association of Commerce and Industry hosted a delegation from the Japan Committee for Economic Development. Next year’s event in Omaha will mark the 50th anniversary of the conference.
During this trip to Tokyo, Gov. Ricketts is highlighting Nebraska’s long-standing relationship with a number of foreign companies. Omaha-based Tenaska employs nearly 300 Nebraskans and specializes in power plant, electric, and natural gas development. The company has built partnerships with several Japanese firms, including J-Power, Mitsubishi, and Itochu.
“For the past 30 years, Tenaska has successfully built its reputation in the U.S. and abroad,” said DED Director Courtney Dentlinger. “Development of the company’s strong, bilateral relationships resulted in plans for a $500 million natural gas generating company in Pennsylvania, made possible through investments from both countries. Nebraska’s international trade missions continue to showcase the great work of Nebraska companies around the world.”
Later this week, Gov. Ricketts will visit Japan’s independent government agency established to consolidate the country’s efforts in export promotion. The Japan Export Trade Research Organization (JETRO) supports efforts by foreign companies interested in entry and expansion in the Japanese market. In 2016, JETRO Chairman Hiroyuki Ishige met with Gov. Ricketts in Lincoln on the Nebraska Innovation Campus. This week’s meeting will focus on additional opportunities to strengthen Nebraska’s relationship with JETRO officials.
Director Dentlinger and Assistant Director Habrock will address Tokyo-area businesses at JETRO’s investment and trade promotional event to highlight Nebraska as an attractive, business-friendly location for continued foreign investment. Total agricultural and manufactured exports from Nebraska to Japan equaled an estimated $1.13 billion in 2015.
“The Nebraska agriculture industry has proven itself as a dependable and consistent supplier of agricultural products and services worldwide,” Assistant Director Habrock said. “We appreciate and welcome the opportunity to provide potential investors with information about the abundant resources available in Nebraska that have made our state one of the top producers of crops, livestock, agricultural equipment, and biotech products in the United States.”
On Thursday, Gov. Ricketts and the trade delegation will visit Shizuoka, a sister city of Omaha, Nebraska to promote additional investment opportunities in the state.
The trade delegation will spend the last two days of the trade mission in the Kansai region, where they will host a variety of events and meetings in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto. Kawasaki and several other Japanese companies with investments and operations in Nebraska are based in the Kansai region.
Review Herbicide Restrictions Before Planting Forage Cover Crops
Amit Jhala - NE Extension Weed Management Specialist
If you're planning to plant cover crops this fall, particularly forage cover crops, you'll likely want to plant as soon after crop harvest as possible to assure the longest growing season possible for your cover crops. As you prepare for the hectic harvest season, this is a good time to check the label plant-back restrictions of any herbicides applied previously in the field as you plan your cover crop planting and use.
Following are two resources with further information on herbicide considerations when planting forage cover crops.
Herbicide Options for Planting Forage Cover Crops after Corn and Soybean (http://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/herbicide-options-planting-forage-cover-crops-after-corn-and-soybean), a March 2016 CropWatch article. This article outlines what to consider and includes Herbicide Label Plant-Back Restrictions, as of the publication date, for pre- and post-emergence in corn and soybean. Always check the herbicide labels for the products previously applied and use the most restrictive plant-back restrictions applicable. See the 2017 Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska for more information on herbicides labeled for use in Nebraska and their restrictions.
Herbicide Options for Planting Forage Cover Crops Following Corn and Soybean (Nebraska Extension NebGuide G2276) by Nebraska Extension Specialists Amit Jhala, Daren Redfearn, Bruce Anderson, Mary Drewnoski, and Chris Proctor. As the use of cover crops increases in Nebraska, with many acres being planted after corn and soybean harvest, this publication looks at herbicide recommendations in respect to forage cover crops and includes tables fof Herbicide Label Plant-Back Restrictions. Requirements for integrating forage cover crops within a herbicide program are the most restrictive of the cover crop uses. In the NebGuide the authors write:
"Most herbicide labels list crop rotation intervals or plant back restrictions that limit how soon a subsequent crop can be planted following a herbicide application. It is important to note that this is different from the grazing or forage restrictions posted on a herbicide label for crops to which a herbicide is directly applied. When planning a fall-planted forage cover crop following corn or soybean, a herbicide crop rotation interval or plant back restriction should be short enough to allow the forage cover crop to establish. If the forage cover crop species you intend to plant is not listed on the label, you must follow the rotation restriction listed for “other crops.” In addition, the rotation restriction for a forage cover crop mixture is dictated by the species in the mixture with the longest restriction. Meeting these requirements can be challenging, as many forage cover crop species are not listed on herbicide labels and as a result replant restrictions fall outside the ideal fall planting window. Hail or other crop damage, seed corn, and silage corn all provide opportunities for earlier forage cover crop planting; however, herbicide plant back restrictions still must be observed in these situations.
PUBLIC POWER EXECUTIVES TO BE FEATURED LUNCH SPEAKERS AT UPCOMING WIND & SOLAR CONFERENCE
Top executives of Nebraska’s three largest public power utilities will be the luncheon speakers on Monday, November 13, at the Nebraska Wind and Solar Conference. The conference is a two-day event that brings together people from across the country united by their passion for advancing wind and solar energy.
Among the featured speakers are Tim Burke, CEO of Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) - Pat Pope, CEO of Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) - and Jason Fortik, Vice President of Power Supply at Lincoln Electric System (LES).
The conference runs Monday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 14 with these speakers at the luncheon on Monday, November 13 from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, 333 S. 13th Street in Lincoln, NE.
“The presentation by public power executives is always one of the most well-attended sessions,” said John Hansen, conference co-chair. “The panel provides a wealth of information on the current state of renewables in the public sector and the role they will play in the future growth of Nebraska’s public energy.”
Registration is $125 until October 15 and student registration is $65. More information is available on the conference website http://nebraskawsc.com. Contact admin@nebraskawsc.com to register.
Facebook: NEWindandSolarConference | Twitter: @NebraskaWSC10 | Instagram: @NebraskaWSC10
To view last year’s presentations, go to http://www.neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-solar/wind_solar_conference.htm
Propane Availability Forecast
Are hurricane Harvey or Irma likely to affect propane availability for farmers and rural Nebraska homeowners for winter 2017-18?
Not in the long run as propane availability is good, said Gregg Walker, director of communications for the Propane Education and Research Council. Hurricane Harvey delayed exports from Texas ports for a few days and may have hampered processing at some facilities, but “we make more than enough propane to meet US supply,” Walker said.
He does encourage rural users to work with local suppliers to order propane early to guarantee they’ll have what they need when they need it this winter.
“Nebraska is fairly close to a major distribution center at Conway, Kansas, which puts Nebraska markets in a good position,” Walker said; however, propane competes for space with other energy commodities in the transportation system and sometimes there just aren’t enough rail cars or trucks available to get it where it needs to go on a short deadline. Ordering early helps everyone in the supply chain better identify and plan for domestic need and respond to potential export sales.
“The US produces more propane than any other country in the world and is the world’s largest exporter,” he said. That means that even if the US were to have a mild winter, if Europe had an unusually long and bitterly cold winter, export needs would increase, affecting supplies.
Growers may still remember 2013-14 when there was a high demand for grain drying, followed by a tough winter. As the “Polar Vortex” dipped down, the US sustained record lows over an extended time, increasing propane needs for many rural Americans, sometimes beyond normal expectations.
Rural users can take steps to help ensure they have a ready supply when they need it, just as they would with other farm inputs, Walker said. He recommends users establish a good relationship with their local supplier and make plans with them soon regarding winter propane needs and purchases.
While growers may take a risk that the price of propane moves higher or lower after the price is contracted, setting the price early can help with budgeting and provide peace of mind that the fuel will be available when needed, said Anthony Barrett, farm financial consultant at Nebraska Farm Business Inc. Growers purchasing inputs in the fall also may be able to lock in cash discounts.
Seaboard Triumph Foods Sioux City pork processing plant completes first week of commercial production
PrairieFresh Premium Pork donated to Operation BBQ Relief for hurricane disaster relief
After a successful opening week of commercial production at the Sioux City pork processing plant, Seaboard Triumph Foods announced that a trailer load of PrairieFresh® Premium Pork from the first week’s production will be donated to Operation BBQ Relief (OBR) for disaster relief. OBR will be able to serve more than 100,000 meals from this donation.
Commercial operations started Sept. 5 at the newly constructed processing plant that is ramping up toward full one-shift capacity to process 10,000 head of market hogs a day with 1,100 employees.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our workforce and their commitment to producing high-quality, wholesome pork,” says Mark Porter, Seaboard Triumph Foods chief operating officer. “The product quality looks great. We’re on our planned schedule after the first week, and grateful that some of the product we produced this first week can be donated to help Operation BBQ Relief serve hot, delicious meals to those dealing with the aftermath from the recent natural disasters.”
Operation BBQ Relief mobilizes barbecue cook teams into natural disaster areas to provide hot barbecue meals to those impacted and the many people who come to help. OBR completed an 11-day deployment this past weekend in Texas where the non-profit group prepared 371,760 meals. Today, OBR is preparing for deployment in Florida following Hurricane Irma.
PrairieFresh® Premium Pork is the official premier pork supplier to OBR. The Seaboard Triumph Foods Sioux City plant, owned equally by Seaboard Foods and Triumph Foods, produces PrairieFresh® Premium Pork branded products along with other fresh pork product for domestic and international markets.
In addition to the PrairieFresh® Premium Pork donation from the Sioux City plant, about 2 more trailer loads of fresh pork produced by the St. Joseph and Guymon plants have been donated to OBR for disaster relief in the past two weeks.
To learn more about Operation BBQ Relief and to donate, visit www.operationbbqrelief.org.
$14 Million Committed for Iowa State’s Feed Mill and Grain Science Project
Kent Corporation is committing $8 million, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board $4 million and Sukup Manufacturing Co. $2 million in support of a new Iowa State University educational and research facility for feed milling and grain science.
The $14 million in gifts are the first to be announced for the $21.2 million feed mill and grain science complex, which will be funded entirely through private giving, according to a Sept. 8 news release published by Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Science.
The commitments made by Kent Corporation and Iowa Corn Promotion Board represent the largest gifts each has ever made. Sukup Manufacturing Co.’s commitment will be in-kind support, including the complex’s grain storage bins.
“We are very grateful to Kent, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Sukup Manufacturing for their lead gifts that will jump-start in-depth planning and development of our feed mill and grain science complex,” said Benjamin Allen, interim president of Iowa State University. “Their tremendous generosity will help make this facility a valuable addition to hands-on student learning, meaningful faculty research, and extension and outreach to industry workforce.”
The facility will be a new venue for continuing education and extension programs for employees in feed milling and grain handling industries. These programs will help workers more effectively meet an increasing number of regulatory compliance issues, address biosecurity concerns and gain experience in advanced processing methods. They also will be valuable for demonstrating to international visitors the sophistication of the U.S. feed industry, and in educating visitors on how to best use U.S. corn and corn products in their own livestock industries.
The new facility will centralize feed production close to university animal teaching and research farms. It is expected to improve the quality of research by Iowa State faculty, serving as a source for custom-made animal feeds for academic studies. Variability and inconsistency in making experimental diets have been a stumbling block in the past — one that will likely be eliminated or reduced through use of the new facility. Researchers also will use the complex to study feed safety and biosecurity issues linked to transportation and handling of feeds.
The location for the feed mill and grain science complex will be on approximately 10 acres of university-owned land southwest of the intersection of Highway 30 and State Avenue in Ames. The land, managed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, has been the site of crop research, seed operations and crop yield performance trials for more than 50 years.
At the proposed facility, classes and short courses will be taught, research conducted and feeds prepared to meet the dietary requirements of animals housed at several university teaching and research farms in the Ames area.
The complex is envisioned to include a feed mill tower and feed milling and mixing structures, grain storage bins and a one-story classroom and laboratory building.
The Kent Corporation, Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Sukup Manufacturing Co. commitments are part the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign, with a historic goal to raise $1.1 billion, which will help support Iowa State in becoming the premier land-grant university for the 21st century and beyond.
Iowa Learning Farms Webinar to Explore Edge-of-Field Practices
Edge-of-field nitrate reduction practices such as bioreactors, saturated buffers and wetlands are receiving increased attention for the role they play in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. As these practices gain in popularity, questions linger about how these practices work and the scale of implementation required to make progress towards strategy goals.
Matt Helmers, Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University and Dean’s Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will discuss how to increase awareness and understanding of these practices during the Iowa Learning Farms webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m.
“For large-scale implementation of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy to be successful, we need trained individuals that can work with farmers and landowners in the private and public sectors,” Helmers said. “We need for everyone to understand where these practices are appropriate, how effective they are, and the scale and rate of practice implementation that is required.”
One of the most effective ways to convey information about edge-of-field practices is to show people how they work. Helmers will introduce the Conservation Station “On the Edge,” a new outreach tool designed to increase awareness and understanding of edge-of-field practices for both general and technical audiences.
Helmers researches the impact of nutrient management, cropping practices, drainage design and management and strategic placement of conservation practices on nutrient export from agricultural landscapes. His extension work is focused on increasing adoption of practices that have the potential to reduce downstream nutrient export.
The Iowa Learning Farms monthly webinar series will take place on the third Wednesday of each month at noon. To log in, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at 12 p.m. and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for viewing at any time at www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
NPPC MEMBERS TO LOBBY CONGRESS ON PORK INDUSTRY ISSUES
The National Pork Producers Council will host its fall Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13-14. The biannual fly-in draws from around the country more than 125 pork producers, including 15 who will be participating in NPPC’s Pork Leadership Institute, a grassroots leadership development program.
Producers will lobby congressional lawmakers on issues of importance to the U.S. pork industry, including asking them to urge the Trump administration to pursue bilateral trade agreements, to rescind regulations detrimental to agriculture and to support establishing and funding a Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine bank.
Over 150 Biofuels Champions in D.C. Today to Kick Off Industry’s Largest Advocacy Summit
Growth Energy is holding its annual advocacy conference in Washington, D.C., this week, bringing together over 150 leaders in the ethanol industry from across the country to champion the association’s policy priorities on Capitol Hill.
During Growth Energy’s Biofuels Summit, advocates will meet with members of Congress to urge support for protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and for securing a legislative fix for the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) restriction that places barriers on consumer fuel choice during the summer.
“Now, more than ever, this industry is poised to drive the next great wave of economic development across the American heartland,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.
“We know that the most effective way to influence members of Congress is to connect them in person, face-to-face with the men and women moving this industry forward. The biofuels industry has a great story to tell and great people to tell it. The RFS has ensured lower fuel prices, a stronger rural America, and cleaner air. To continue this progress, we need Congress behind us. This summit gives us the opportunity to thank and build stronger relationships with our champions as well as foster new allies on Capitol Hill who share our commitment to increasing consumer choice at the pump through cleaner, homegrown biofuels.”
Growth Energy advocates will ask members of Congress to cosponsor the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517, H.R. 1311), which would correct an outdated regulation that restricts retailers from selling fuel containing 15 percent ethanol (E15) during the summer fueling season (June 1 through September 15).
More Than 300 Farmers Union Members ‘Fly-In’ to Washington to Lobby Congress, the Administration
Today, 320 Farmers Union members gathered in the nation’s capital for National Farmers Union’s (NFU) Fall Legislative Fly-In. The annual event allows Farmers Union members from across the country to meet directly with lawmakers, USDA leaders and other administration officials to discuss issues important to family farmers and ranchers.
“Times are tough right now for American family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “And when times get tough for farmers, Farmers Union members step up and advocate.”
“We’ve seen a dramatic, 50 percent drop in farm income over the past four years,” he continued. “At the same time, farmers are enduring major weather volatility due to climate change, uncertainty over foreign trade markets, massive consolidation of farms and agribusiness companies, and the ongoing degradation of farming and rural community infrastructure and services. The men and women who feed and fuel our nation need the support of their elected leaders, and that’s why 320 of them took four or five days out of their busy fall schedules to advocate at our Fly-In.”
NFU Fly-In participants are in Washington to lobby their elected officials on legislative solutions to issues that heavily affect their farming and ranching operations.
“Congress has a long list of issues to deal with this fall, and we want to make sure they’re considering the social and economic well-being of American family farmers and ranchers with every vote they cast,” said Johnson. “NFU members are especially concerned about the prospect of an adequate farm safety net through the 2018 Farm Bill, bipartisan health care system fixes that ensure accessible, affordable, quality health care, and expanded markets for American grown, renewable fuels, including E30 and advanced biofuels.”
The three-day event began today with a briefing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NFU members heard from USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett, National Resources Conservation Service Acting Chief Leonard Jordan and USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Administrator Hubert Hamer.
Informational sessions will continue this afternoon, as Fly-In participants meet with U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agriculture committees’ staff members to gain insight into the committees’ fall agendas. NFU members will then take to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet in small-group meetings with all 535 congressional offices, and to present 33 members of Congress with the Golden Triangle Award, the group’s highest legislative honor.
CWT Assists with 5.2 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 29 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 4.784 million pounds (2,170 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese, and 440,925 pounds (200 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from September through December 2017.
So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 53.091 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.454 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 20 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 567.731 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 affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
Canada Antitrust Agency Clears Fertilizer Merger
Canada's antitrust agency says it would not challenge the proposed fertilizer merger between Agrium and Potash Corp of Saskatchewan. In a statement, Canada's Competition Bureau says its probe concluded that the transaction would not result in a weakening, or prevention, of competition for products sold by both companies, including potash fertilizer, dry or liquid phosphate fertilizer and nitric acid. The agency says it conducted its probe in cooperation with the US Federal Trade Commission.
Last week, the two companies said they were working to resolve final issues with Canadian and US antitrust agencies, but noted authorities in China and India said approval was conditional on Potash Corp selling certain minority interests. Both firms say they expect the merger to close by end of 4Q.
Farm Bureau, John Deere Announce New Discount Partnership
Farm Bureau and John Deere are excited to announce a new partnership that will give Farm Bureau members in participating states special access to John Deere’s GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program, providing members with a free two-year Platinum membership. This new member discount program will strengthen the existing partnership between John Deere and Farm Bureau, and continue to grow John Deere’s dedication to strengthening their support of America’s farmers and ranchers.
“John Deere is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land. Together with Farm Bureau, we are strengthening our agricultural communities and building for the future,” said Steve Geick, John Deere director of ag industry relations, US/Canada. “The GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards program for Farm Bureau members is John Deere’s way of rewarding those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land.”
Along with valuable equipment discounts, GreenFleet Loyalty Rewards Platinum members are eligible for special parts savings, Home & Workshop Products discounts, and other members-only promotions. Normally, a customer must initially purchase two pieces of qualifying equipment within 12 months to reach Platinum status. Farm Bureau members will automatically qualify by signing up through JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau for these benefits:
Equipment Discounts – Savings on everything from mowers to tractors to Gator Utility Vehicles purchased at your authorized John Deere dealer
Special Parts Savings – Money-saving parts coupons and offers to help keep your equipment at its best
Home & Workshop Product Discounts – A 10 percent discount off MSRP on eligible John Deere tools and workshop equipment – air compressors, generators, pressure washers and more
Exclusive Member Promotions – New exclusive offers and promotions delivered to your inbox – along with insider tips and great ideas for enhancing your equipment experience
Farm Bureau members in participating states are eligible. To participate, Farm Bureau members can visit their state Farm Bureau website or JohnDeere.com/FarmBureau. Once the registration is complete, the member will receive their GreenFleet member number and can instantly access program benefits. Members can simply purchase online at JohnDeere.com/BuyOnline or by visiting a local John Deere dealer.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Friday September 8 Ag News
2017 Dodge County Crop Tech Cafe Yield Tour: September 5-7
Nathan Mueller, NE Extension Educator, Dodge County
The 2017 corn preharvest yield estimate was 197 bu/ac, which is up 13 bu/ac from a year ago and similar to 2015 (Table 1 below). Irrigated and rainfed yields averaged 224 bu/ac and 173 bu/ac, respectively. Irrigated yields were 12 bu/ac and 15 bu/ac higher than 2016 and 2015, respectively. However, rainfed yields are up 6 bu/ac from 2016, but 15 bu/ac less than 2015. Ear counts across the county averaged 28,200/acres, which is up from 2016 (July 5 Wind Storm impacted 75,000 acres with green snap) and similar to 2015. Corn maturity is behind from last year but ahead of 2015 (tours roughly the same time each year, so not a perfect comparison).
The 2017 soybean preharvest yield is estimated at 56 bu/ac for the county (averaged across rainfed and irrigated), down 7 bu/ac from a year ago and down 2 bu/ac from 2015 (Table 2 below). The county average for pods per 1/10,000 of acre was down nearly 100 pod from 2016 but similar to the pod count in 2015. Seeds per pod was 2.5 that is similar to the 2.4 in 2016 and 2.6 in 2015. Maturity was only slightly behind from last year, but ahead of 2015 similar to corn.
Click the link to see all the details on each section of Nathan's crop tour, and see the methodology behind the tour.... http://croptechcafe.org/2017-dodge-county-crop-tech-cafe-yield-tour/.
NDA AT HUSKER HARVEST DAYS
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has an important role at Husker Harvest Days and other ag-related events. This year at Husker Harvest Days, NDA staff will be on hand to share information on farm mitigation and negotiations, livestock development, pesticide management and the NextGen Beginning Farmer program. Husker Harvest Days is celebrating its 40th anniversary Sept. 12-14 in Grand Island.
“Husker Harvest Days is a great opportunity for Nebraska farmers and ranchers to see what’s new and innovative in the way of equipment, supplies and technology,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “This long-standing event supports agriculture and gives people the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Nebraska’s number one industry as well as the role of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.”
NDA staff will be at Husker Harvest Days to answer questions and share information about various agriculture programs that affect farmers and ranchers in Nebraska. Here is more information about the NDA programs featured at Husker Harvest Days and where staff can be found.....
- Farmer mitigation, negotiations and NextGen Beginning Farmer program: Look for NDA staff in the Nebraska Farmer Hospitality Tent;
- Animal health: NDA’s Animal Health Protection programs will be represented in the Livestock Industries Building in the northwest corner;
- Pesticide/fertilizer management: NDA staff from the Pesticide/Fertilizer program will be in the Nebraska Farmer Hospitality Tent (at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue);
- Noxious weed control: Staff from NDA’s Noxious Weed program will be at the Nebraska Weed Control Association Tent (Lot 1016, in the northeast part of the grounds); and
- Livestock development: NDA Ag Promotions & Development will be represented in the Nebraska Commodities Building (Lot 8, at the east end of Main Street).
WEEDS IN ALFALFA MAY SUGGEST RESEEDING
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Did weeds take over your alfalfa this summer? Well, join the crowd. So, why were the weeds so vigorous and what might happen to your alfalfa?
Weeds seemed to show up everywhere in alfalfa fields during August. And I'm not exactly sure why. One thing is for sure, though. The weeds were worst in older fields, thinner stands, and in areas where rainfall was higher than normal.
Summer weeds that invade alfalfa when rain is heavy isn't unusual, especially if it is wet right after harvest. Alfalfa stubble just doesn't compete well with weeds, so weed growth gets a jump start on the alfalfa.
If the alfalfa plants are healthy and vigorous, though, this weed invasion should be just a temporary problem. After the next cutting, or maybe as late a next year, most weeds will disappear and the alfalfa will take over again.
What I'm more concerned about are your older fields, those fields starting to get a little thin. I've noticed this year that many alfalfa fields seemed to be getting weaker and weaker as the year went on, especially if they were harvested within a month of the previous cut. What I think is happening is that alfalfa plants in many fields have slowly been weakened naturally by root and crown diseases, but they weren't killed. Then, as the summer went on, the weakened root systems eventually couldn't handle the stress caused by frequent harvesting. So plants slowly died. And weeds invaded the open areas.
If this scenario describes one or more of your alfalfa fields, check it closely this fall. It might be time to reseed.
Preparing to reseed now will help avoid bad surprises next spring.
Striking Conservation Conversations
We know that Nebraska farmers and ranchers go to great lengths to protect the land and animals in their care, all while raising safe and nutritious food to help feed America and beyond.
It was that focus on stewardship that drew the Aliiance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) to help promote the inaugural "Conservation in Agriculture Day" at the Nebraska State Fair this year.
As part of its outreach to help Nebraska farmers and ranchers achieve viability and opportunity for long-term growth, AFAN worked with the Sand County Foundation to promote a series of State Fair presentations by conservation experts.
"The messages to consumers who stopped in to listen to the 'lightning talks' focused on the importance of conservation of water, soil and wildlife to our world's future," said AFAN Livestock Development Coordinator Emily Skillett.
"It was a great opportunity for experts to share sound research and stories about all of the things that farmers and ranchers do to protect the land, animals and resources they steward on a daily basis," she said. "I think some consumers are surprised to hear the truth about agricultural conservation when they're faced with emotionally charged misinformation in mainstream media and life every day."
Participants in the lightning talks at the fair got information firsthand from not only representatives of respected organizations such as The Nature Conservancy , the Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nebraska Land Trust, and University of Nebraska Extension, but also directly from Nebraska farmers, including The Kalkowski Family Ranch in north Central Nebraska; Patrick Peterson of Gordon, Nebrask a's Plum Thicket Farms; and Rose, Nebraska rancher Homer Buell (pictured, above).
"Nebraska's is the only state fair presenting this kind of conservation program," Skillett said. "It was exciting to see consumers engaging on these important topics and speaking one-on-one with conservation experts. We hope this is just the first of many such opportunities to come at the Nebraska State Fair."
The priorities of Kalkowski Family Ranches featured during the talks do a good job of summarizing the importance of agricultural conservation: "We will remember that we are only stewards of the soil and have a grave obligation to conserve all natural resources and do everything possible to protect and preserve the land."
2017 Iowa Farm Bureau Summer Policy Conference Held This Week
The voting delegate body of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots general farm organization, met in West Des Moines this week to develop the legislative policy direction on issues important to members statewide. The voting delegates, representing each Iowa county, again is making conservation a priority, seeking to maximize the environmental benefit of conservation programs. Members also approved policies to protect taxpayers and combat the spread of Palmer amaranth.
“IFBF’s annual, two-day Summer Policy Conference provides our organization with a clear policy direction for the upcoming year to serve our membership,” says IFBF President Craig Hill. “IFBF’s year-round policy development process is truly grassroots with engagement and input from members in each county of the state culminating with the Summer Policy Conference. This process helps to ensure a strong, unified voice on behalf of our membership to support Iowa agriculture.”
The delegates affirmed support for conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and will seek to maximize the environmental benefit of the program and also create opportunities for young and beginning farmers.
Palmer amaranth, an invasive weed which can devastate corn and soybean yields, was a major concern for the delegates. The weed has spread rapidly across Iowa and caused a significant economic impact for Iowa farmers. The planting of native grasses to promote pollinator habitat has inadvertently brought the noxious weed to the state and has spread from just five Iowa counties in 2016 to as many as 80 today.
“Palmer amaranth spreads so much faster than any other weed,” said Jason Russell, a voting delegate from Linn County. “If your neighbor makes a mistake letting Palmer amaranth get established, it becomes your problem as well. That’s why I feel that better labeling should be required. Let’s not dance around it; let’s make sure we know what we’re doing.”
The delegates enacted policy for all CRP seed mixes to be certified noxious weed free, to eliminate the possibility of unintentional planting of the weed when establishing pollinator habitat.
The IFBF Summer Policy Conference is the culmination of a year-round grassroots policy process in each of the 100 county Farm Bureaus across the state. National policies are subject to debate during American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) policy discussions, which will take place at the AFBF Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, January 5-10, 2018.
Management Recommendations, Scouting for Fall Corn Diseases
As the 2017 growing season comes to an end, agronomists and farmers are reminded to scout for stalk and ear rots of corn as harvest nears. According to Alison Robertson, professor and extension crop plant pathologist at Iowa State University, stalk rots may be more prevalent this year, due to the stressful growing season across most of Iowa.
So far, Robertson has started seeing some anthracnose and Fusarium stalk rot, along with some Gibberella and Fusarium ear rot. While Robertson believes the moisture that Iowa has received over the past two weeks has likely mitigated some risk, she recommends farmers and agronomists begin scouting now.
“Farmers should start scouting for ear and stalk rots from approximately the one-half milk line and onwards,” said Robertson. “If less than 10 percent of plants in the field are affected, they should think about scheduling an earlier harvest.”
To help farmers and agronomists identify, scout and manage corn diseases, a new Corn Diseases booklet, published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is now available to crop producers and industry professionals. The up-to-date publication provides current recommendations for management, along with identification and scouting information. Also included are illustrated disease cycles for primary diseases, a foliar disease estimation chart and corn growth and development and staging information.
“We update these publications every so often to make sure they remain current with new information and to increase the usefulness to farmers and ag business personnel,” said Adam Sisson, extension specialist for the Integrated Pest Management Program at Iowa State. “The revised Corn Diseases publication includes many new images and updated disease listings such as bacterial leaf streak and tar spot.”
The Corn Diseases publication is available to purchase online at the Extension Store. A hard copy of the publication costs $5; boxed quantities of 50 for a reduced price of $3.50 per publication also is available. Printable downloads are $2.50 each.
To stay updated on specialists’ findings of crop diseases, insects and weeds across Iowa, visit Integrated Crop Managment Blog, and look to Integrated Crop Managment News for management recommendations based on current conditions.
ROUND TWO OF NAFTA TALKS COMPLETED
The United States, Mexico and Canada completed the second round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks, a five-day meeting that ended on Sept. 5 in Mexico City. While media reports suggested considerable differences on key issues, the lead negotiators signaled solid progress.
At a press conference following the talks, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said, “I am hopeful we can arrive at an agreement that helps American workers, farmers and ranchers, while also raising the living standards of workers in Mexico and Canada."
The third round of talks is set to take place Sept. 23-27 in Ottawa. Retaining zero tariff rates and the enormous benefits realized by the U.S. economy and agriculture are among top trade advocacy priorities. The National Pork Producers Council says withdrawing from NAFTA would cost the U.S. pork industry $1.5 billion.
NPPC JOINS CALL FOR INCREASED USDA MARKET DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports were among the signatories to a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture this week emphasizing the need for enhanced international market development. The coalition is calling for increased U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for the agency’s key export programs: the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) initiative. The coalition asked the committee to consider $400 million and $69 million of increased annual funding for MAP and FMD, respectively, through the 2018 Farm Bill. These programs have not seen budget increased since 2002.
Nathan Mueller, NE Extension Educator, Dodge County
The 2017 corn preharvest yield estimate was 197 bu/ac, which is up 13 bu/ac from a year ago and similar to 2015 (Table 1 below). Irrigated and rainfed yields averaged 224 bu/ac and 173 bu/ac, respectively. Irrigated yields were 12 bu/ac and 15 bu/ac higher than 2016 and 2015, respectively. However, rainfed yields are up 6 bu/ac from 2016, but 15 bu/ac less than 2015. Ear counts across the county averaged 28,200/acres, which is up from 2016 (July 5 Wind Storm impacted 75,000 acres with green snap) and similar to 2015. Corn maturity is behind from last year but ahead of 2015 (tours roughly the same time each year, so not a perfect comparison).
The 2017 soybean preharvest yield is estimated at 56 bu/ac for the county (averaged across rainfed and irrigated), down 7 bu/ac from a year ago and down 2 bu/ac from 2015 (Table 2 below). The county average for pods per 1/10,000 of acre was down nearly 100 pod from 2016 but similar to the pod count in 2015. Seeds per pod was 2.5 that is similar to the 2.4 in 2016 and 2.6 in 2015. Maturity was only slightly behind from last year, but ahead of 2015 similar to corn.
Click the link to see all the details on each section of Nathan's crop tour, and see the methodology behind the tour.... http://croptechcafe.org/2017-dodge-county-crop-tech-cafe-yield-tour/.
NDA AT HUSKER HARVEST DAYS
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has an important role at Husker Harvest Days and other ag-related events. This year at Husker Harvest Days, NDA staff will be on hand to share information on farm mitigation and negotiations, livestock development, pesticide management and the NextGen Beginning Farmer program. Husker Harvest Days is celebrating its 40th anniversary Sept. 12-14 in Grand Island.
“Husker Harvest Days is a great opportunity for Nebraska farmers and ranchers to see what’s new and innovative in the way of equipment, supplies and technology,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “This long-standing event supports agriculture and gives people the opportunity to expand their knowledge of Nebraska’s number one industry as well as the role of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.”
NDA staff will be at Husker Harvest Days to answer questions and share information about various agriculture programs that affect farmers and ranchers in Nebraska. Here is more information about the NDA programs featured at Husker Harvest Days and where staff can be found.....
- Farmer mitigation, negotiations and NextGen Beginning Farmer program: Look for NDA staff in the Nebraska Farmer Hospitality Tent;
- Animal health: NDA’s Animal Health Protection programs will be represented in the Livestock Industries Building in the northwest corner;
- Pesticide/fertilizer management: NDA staff from the Pesticide/Fertilizer program will be in the Nebraska Farmer Hospitality Tent (at the corner of Main Street and Central Avenue);
- Noxious weed control: Staff from NDA’s Noxious Weed program will be at the Nebraska Weed Control Association Tent (Lot 1016, in the northeast part of the grounds); and
- Livestock development: NDA Ag Promotions & Development will be represented in the Nebraska Commodities Building (Lot 8, at the east end of Main Street).
WEEDS IN ALFALFA MAY SUGGEST RESEEDING
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Did weeds take over your alfalfa this summer? Well, join the crowd. So, why were the weeds so vigorous and what might happen to your alfalfa?
Weeds seemed to show up everywhere in alfalfa fields during August. And I'm not exactly sure why. One thing is for sure, though. The weeds were worst in older fields, thinner stands, and in areas where rainfall was higher than normal.
Summer weeds that invade alfalfa when rain is heavy isn't unusual, especially if it is wet right after harvest. Alfalfa stubble just doesn't compete well with weeds, so weed growth gets a jump start on the alfalfa.
If the alfalfa plants are healthy and vigorous, though, this weed invasion should be just a temporary problem. After the next cutting, or maybe as late a next year, most weeds will disappear and the alfalfa will take over again.
What I'm more concerned about are your older fields, those fields starting to get a little thin. I've noticed this year that many alfalfa fields seemed to be getting weaker and weaker as the year went on, especially if they were harvested within a month of the previous cut. What I think is happening is that alfalfa plants in many fields have slowly been weakened naturally by root and crown diseases, but they weren't killed. Then, as the summer went on, the weakened root systems eventually couldn't handle the stress caused by frequent harvesting. So plants slowly died. And weeds invaded the open areas.
If this scenario describes one or more of your alfalfa fields, check it closely this fall. It might be time to reseed.
Preparing to reseed now will help avoid bad surprises next spring.
Striking Conservation Conversations
We know that Nebraska farmers and ranchers go to great lengths to protect the land and animals in their care, all while raising safe and nutritious food to help feed America and beyond.
It was that focus on stewardship that drew the Aliiance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) to help promote the inaugural "Conservation in Agriculture Day" at the Nebraska State Fair this year.
As part of its outreach to help Nebraska farmers and ranchers achieve viability and opportunity for long-term growth, AFAN worked with the Sand County Foundation to promote a series of State Fair presentations by conservation experts.
"The messages to consumers who stopped in to listen to the 'lightning talks' focused on the importance of conservation of water, soil and wildlife to our world's future," said AFAN Livestock Development Coordinator Emily Skillett.
"It was a great opportunity for experts to share sound research and stories about all of the things that farmers and ranchers do to protect the land, animals and resources they steward on a daily basis," she said. "I think some consumers are surprised to hear the truth about agricultural conservation when they're faced with emotionally charged misinformation in mainstream media and life every day."
Participants in the lightning talks at the fair got information firsthand from not only representatives of respected organizations such as The Nature Conservancy , the Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Nebraska Land Trust, and University of Nebraska Extension, but also directly from Nebraska farmers, including The Kalkowski Family Ranch in north Central Nebraska; Patrick Peterson of Gordon, Nebrask a's Plum Thicket Farms; and Rose, Nebraska rancher Homer Buell (pictured, above).
"Nebraska's is the only state fair presenting this kind of conservation program," Skillett said. "It was exciting to see consumers engaging on these important topics and speaking one-on-one with conservation experts. We hope this is just the first of many such opportunities to come at the Nebraska State Fair."
The priorities of Kalkowski Family Ranches featured during the talks do a good job of summarizing the importance of agricultural conservation: "We will remember that we are only stewards of the soil and have a grave obligation to conserve all natural resources and do everything possible to protect and preserve the land."
2017 Iowa Farm Bureau Summer Policy Conference Held This Week
The voting delegate body of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state’s largest grassroots general farm organization, met in West Des Moines this week to develop the legislative policy direction on issues important to members statewide. The voting delegates, representing each Iowa county, again is making conservation a priority, seeking to maximize the environmental benefit of conservation programs. Members also approved policies to protect taxpayers and combat the spread of Palmer amaranth.
“IFBF’s annual, two-day Summer Policy Conference provides our organization with a clear policy direction for the upcoming year to serve our membership,” says IFBF President Craig Hill. “IFBF’s year-round policy development process is truly grassroots with engagement and input from members in each county of the state culminating with the Summer Policy Conference. This process helps to ensure a strong, unified voice on behalf of our membership to support Iowa agriculture.”
The delegates affirmed support for conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and will seek to maximize the environmental benefit of the program and also create opportunities for young and beginning farmers.
Palmer amaranth, an invasive weed which can devastate corn and soybean yields, was a major concern for the delegates. The weed has spread rapidly across Iowa and caused a significant economic impact for Iowa farmers. The planting of native grasses to promote pollinator habitat has inadvertently brought the noxious weed to the state and has spread from just five Iowa counties in 2016 to as many as 80 today.
“Palmer amaranth spreads so much faster than any other weed,” said Jason Russell, a voting delegate from Linn County. “If your neighbor makes a mistake letting Palmer amaranth get established, it becomes your problem as well. That’s why I feel that better labeling should be required. Let’s not dance around it; let’s make sure we know what we’re doing.”
The delegates enacted policy for all CRP seed mixes to be certified noxious weed free, to eliminate the possibility of unintentional planting of the weed when establishing pollinator habitat.
The IFBF Summer Policy Conference is the culmination of a year-round grassroots policy process in each of the 100 county Farm Bureaus across the state. National policies are subject to debate during American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) policy discussions, which will take place at the AFBF Annual Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, January 5-10, 2018.
Management Recommendations, Scouting for Fall Corn Diseases
As the 2017 growing season comes to an end, agronomists and farmers are reminded to scout for stalk and ear rots of corn as harvest nears. According to Alison Robertson, professor and extension crop plant pathologist at Iowa State University, stalk rots may be more prevalent this year, due to the stressful growing season across most of Iowa.
So far, Robertson has started seeing some anthracnose and Fusarium stalk rot, along with some Gibberella and Fusarium ear rot. While Robertson believes the moisture that Iowa has received over the past two weeks has likely mitigated some risk, she recommends farmers and agronomists begin scouting now.
“Farmers should start scouting for ear and stalk rots from approximately the one-half milk line and onwards,” said Robertson. “If less than 10 percent of plants in the field are affected, they should think about scheduling an earlier harvest.”
To help farmers and agronomists identify, scout and manage corn diseases, a new Corn Diseases booklet, published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, is now available to crop producers and industry professionals. The up-to-date publication provides current recommendations for management, along with identification and scouting information. Also included are illustrated disease cycles for primary diseases, a foliar disease estimation chart and corn growth and development and staging information.
“We update these publications every so often to make sure they remain current with new information and to increase the usefulness to farmers and ag business personnel,” said Adam Sisson, extension specialist for the Integrated Pest Management Program at Iowa State. “The revised Corn Diseases publication includes many new images and updated disease listings such as bacterial leaf streak and tar spot.”
The Corn Diseases publication is available to purchase online at the Extension Store. A hard copy of the publication costs $5; boxed quantities of 50 for a reduced price of $3.50 per publication also is available. Printable downloads are $2.50 each.
To stay updated on specialists’ findings of crop diseases, insects and weeds across Iowa, visit Integrated Crop Managment Blog, and look to Integrated Crop Managment News for management recommendations based on current conditions.
ROUND TWO OF NAFTA TALKS COMPLETED
The United States, Mexico and Canada completed the second round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks, a five-day meeting that ended on Sept. 5 in Mexico City. While media reports suggested considerable differences on key issues, the lead negotiators signaled solid progress.
At a press conference following the talks, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said, “I am hopeful we can arrive at an agreement that helps American workers, farmers and ranchers, while also raising the living standards of workers in Mexico and Canada."
The third round of talks is set to take place Sept. 23-27 in Ottawa. Retaining zero tariff rates and the enormous benefits realized by the U.S. economy and agriculture are among top trade advocacy priorities. The National Pork Producers Council says withdrawing from NAFTA would cost the U.S. pork industry $1.5 billion.
NPPC JOINS CALL FOR INCREASED USDA MARKET DEVELOPMENT FUNDING
Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports were among the signatories to a letter to the House Committee on Agriculture this week emphasizing the need for enhanced international market development. The coalition is calling for increased U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for the agency’s key export programs: the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) initiative. The coalition asked the committee to consider $400 million and $69 million of increased annual funding for MAP and FMD, respectively, through the 2018 Farm Bill. These programs have not seen budget increased since 2002.
Friday, September 8, 2017
Thursday September 7 Ag News
Big Red Grain Mkt & Risk Mgt Breakfast
Extension is hosting a "Big Red Grain Marketing & Risk Management" breakfast meeting on Friday Sept 15th at ENREC (formerly ARDC) near Mead. Breakfast at 745am, featured speaker at 8:15am. Guest speakers are Jeff Peterson with Heartland Farm Partners, NE Extension Economist and Ag Mkt Sp. Cory Walters, and Saunders Co FSA Exec. Dir. Tim Davis. You're asked to RSVP with Keith Glewen by noon on Sept 13th.... call 800-529-8030 or email kglewen1@unl.edu.
DON'T OVERGRAZE WARM-SEASON GRASSES
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Remember the old grazing adage “take half and leave half”? Let’s see how it applies to your pastures this fall.
"Take half and leave half” was the grazing management recommended for many years on rangeland and for planted warm-season grasses. And in many cases it still is. But today, more emphasis is on grazing techniques that use cross-fences to form multiple paddocks. These techniques are known by many names like management intensive grazing, controlled grazing, even mob grazing. Used correctly, they permit increased stocking rates and can produce excellent animal performance.
How you graze your pastures, though, does not affect the basic growth processes of your grasses. If you severely graze a pasture short, plants in that pasture need extra time to recover before they are grazed again. And warm-season grasses are particularly sensitive to recovery periods that are too short. This is true regardless of whether the plants are in a continuously grazed pasture or the plants are separated into many rotationally grazed paddocks.
Recovery time is particularly important as winter approaches. Extra rain on many pastures recently allowed grass to thrive. You still may have enough growth to provide grazing for another month or two. But plants grazed hard earlier this summer may not have fully recovered yet despite the rain. Severe grazing now, before full recovery from earlier grazing, will weaken plants as they go into winter. Plants probably will survive, but next spring they will green-up later, early growth will be slow, and they'll compete poorly with weeds.
As we approach winter, “take half and leave half” still may be a good management technique. It helps assure that your pastures will be healthy and grow vigorously again next year.
Farmers elected to Iowa Soybean Association, national leadership posts
Soybean farmers were elected to leadership positions at the September meeting of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors.
Those tabbed to serve as ISA officers were: Lindsay Greiner, Keota — president-elect; Stephanie Essick, Dickens — treasurer; Tim Bardole, Rippey — secretary; and Dave Walton, Wilton — executive committee.
Bill Shipley of Nodaway accepted the gavel as president and welcomed the newly elected state soybean leaders to their key posts.
“It’s an important time in agriculture as we work to manage the variability and uncertainty that accompanies erratic weather, trade and regulations,” he said. “The Iowa soybean board is committed to serving the needs of farmers by providing the tools and resources to manage the continuous changes that impact our competitiveness as farmers.
“I look forward to working with our executive committee and all directors to represent the needs of all farmers,” he added, “while effectively managing the investment soybean farmers make in their industry courtesy of the soybean checkoff.”
ISA directors also elected John Heisdorffer of Keota to serve a third term as a director of the American Soybean Association.
Heisdorffer said he looks forward to helping craft a new farm bill and serving fellow farmers and soybean growers.
“We’ll continue to focus on trade given the importance of finding markets for America’s most valuable export,” he said. “We’ll also remain actively engaged in production issues, including the use of dicamba. It’s important we work with industry to review, investigate and, where necessary, resolve any performance issues related to this important tool for managing weeds.”
U.S. Beef Exports Stay Red-hot in July; Pork Exports Lower
U.S. beef exports remained well above last year’s pace in July, posting one of the highest monthly export value totals on record, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). July pork export volume dipped below its year-ago level for the first time in 15 months, with export value also down slightly.
July beef exports totaled 104,488 metric tons (mt), up 5 percent year-over-year, while export value reached $623.7 million – up 18 percent from a year ago and the highest since December 2014. For January through July, exports increased 11 percent in volume (711,364 mt) and 15 percent in value ($3.97 billion) compared to the first seven months of last year.
Exports accounted for 13.2 percent of total U.S. beef production in July and 10.7 percent for muscle cuts only. These were the highest ratios of 2017, but down from 14.2 percent and 11 percent, respectively, last July. For January through July, beef exports accounted for 12.8 percent of total production and 10 percent for muscle cuts – roughly steady with last year. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $299.21 in July, up more than $35 (or 13 percent) from a year ago. Through July, per-head export value was up 9 percent to $273.52.
Pork exports totaled 173,675 mt in July, down 4 percent year-over-year, valued at $488.9 million, down 0.6 percent. January-July volume was still up 11 percent from a year ago to 1.43 million mt, while export value was up 13 percent to $3.7 billion.
Exports accounted for 26 percent of total pork production in July (down from 27.5 percent a year ago) and 21 percent for muscle cuts only (down from 23 percent). For the first seven months of the year, with U.S. production at a record pace, the percentage of total production exported increased from 25.6 percent to 27.5 percent. For muscle cuts only, the increase was from 21.6 percent to 23 percent. Export value per head slaughtered in July was $54.22 – up slightly from June but 3 percent below last July. The January-July per-head average increased 10 percent from a year ago to $54.11.
“July was certainly a solid month, especially for beef exports, but these results remind us that the U.S. red meat industry operates in an intensely competitive global environment,” said USMEF CEO Philip Seng. “At a time when some of our most essential trade agreements are under review, we must be mindful of how these agreements have helped make U.S. beef, pork and lamb more readily available and more affordable for millions of global customers, to the benefit of U.S. producers and everyone in the U.S. supply chain.”
Beef export volume to Japan largest in four years; value highest of post-BSE era
Beef exports to leading market Japan totaled 27,689 mt in July, up 20 percent from a year ago and the largest since July 2013 – which was shortly after Japan increased the eligible U.S. cattle age to 30 months. July export value to Japan increased 36 percent to $175.7 million, the highest monthly total since 1996. For January through July, exports to Japan were up 23 percent in volume (178,501 mt) and 29 percent in value ($1.08 billion). USMEF’s featuring of chilled beef in Japan continues to pay dividends as chilled exports were up 39 percent to 83,951 mt valued at $613 million (up 40 percent). Driven by strong growth in Japan’s foodservice industry, especially the gyudon beef bowl chains which heavily rely on U.S. short plate, U.S. frozen beef exports to Japan were up 12 percent to 64,928 mt (valued at $250 million, up 18 percent). But Japan’s frozen beef safeguard was triggered in late July, increasing the duty on frozen beef imports from suppliers without a trade agreement with Japan, including the U.S., from 38.5 percent to 50 percent. The impact of the safeguard is not likely to surface until the September export data is available. But since August, U.S. frozen beef has been at an even larger tariff disadvantage compared to Australian beef, which is subject to a duty rate of 27.2 percent under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement.
Beef exports to South Korea dipped below the large volume of last July to 15,587 mt (down 5 percent), but were still the largest of 2017. July export value to Korea increased 8 percent from a year ago to $101.7 million. Through July, exports to Korea increased 9 percent in volume (98,944 mt) and 19 percent in value ($629.4 million), including an impressive 83 percent increase in chilled beef exports (22,432 mt) valued at $199 million (up 88 percent). The U.S. is now the largest supplier of beef to both Japan and Korea on a value basis, with the U.S. share of Korea’s imports increasing from 43 percent to 48.5 percent.
Other January-July highlights for U.S. beef exports included:
After a slow start in 2017, beef exports to Hong Kong continue to rebound. Exports were up 13 percent year-over-year in volume (65,379 mt) and 21 percent higher in value ($417.8 million). July was the first full month for exports to China, as exports totaled 137 mt valued at $1.3 million.
Beef exports to Taiwan increased 16 percent from a year ago in volume (24,234 mt) and 24 percent in value ($215.5 million), including chilled beef exports of 9,883 mt (up 19 percent) valued at $114 million (up 22 percent). U.S. beef holds more than 70 percent of Taiwan’s chilled beef market, the highest share of any Asian destination.
Led by strong growth in Chile, Peru and Colombia, beef exports to South America increased 20 percent year-over-year in volume (16,159 mt) and 21 percent in value ($63.2 million). Exports to Brazil, which launched in late April, reached 1,198 mt valued at $3.2 million.
A strong performance in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam fueled 79 percent year-over-year growth in export volume to the ASEAN region (23,376 mt), with value up 59 percent to $114.1 million. This region is especially strong for beef variety meat exports, as volume reached 7,145 mt (up 176 percent) valued at $12.5 million (up 164 percent).
Within North America, beef exports were fairly steady with last year as Mexico continues to be the second-largest volume destination for U.S. beef exports while Canada ranks fourth. Exports to Mexico increased 2 percent in volume (134,543 mt) but slipped 2 percent in value ($544.8). Exports to Canada were up 1 percent in volume (68,097 mt) and 4 percent in value ($475.7 million).
July pork exports slip despite powerful growth in Mexico, Korea, South America
Pork exports to Mexico remained on pace for a sixth consecutive annual volume record, with July volume up 7 percent from a year ago to 58,625 mt and value increasing 9 percent to $122.9 million. Through July, exports increased 20 percent in volume (457,190 mt) and 26 percent in value ($854.4 million). Both the U.S. and domestic pork industries continue to reap the benefits of Mexico’s rapidly growing per capita pork consumption, which has increased by about one-third over the past 10 years to 18 kilograms annually (based on USDA estimates).
Leading pork value market Japan saw a year-over-year decline in July, as exports dipped 7 percent in both volume (28,314 mt) and value ($120.5 million). Through July, exports to Japan remained modestly higher year-over-year in both volume (228,489 mt, up 2 percent) and value ($931.1 million, up 6 percent). This included chilled pork exports of 122,755 mt (down 3 percent) valued at $577 million (up 3 percent), as Canada continues to compete strongly for Japan’s high-value chilled pork market.
Other January-July highlights for U.S. pork exports included:
In South Korea, pork exports continued to capitalize on strong red meat consumption growth, especially for convenience products and home meal replacement items, as exports to Korea climbed 30 percent in volume (103,142 mt) and 36 percent in value ($282.6 million).
Led by strong growth in Colombia and Chile, pork exports to South America more than doubled year-over year in both volume (56,345, up 104 percent) and value ($143.6 million, up 109 percent). The White House recently announced that Argentina will soon open to U.S. pork, adding further opportunities in this growing region.
Led by Honduras, exports to Central America are on a record pace, reaching 38,720 mt, up 6 percent from a year ago, valued at $92.4 million (up 8 percent). 2017 is also shaping up as a record year for pork exports to the Dominican Republic, where exports totaled 21,278 mt (up 42 percent) valued at $47.8 million (up 49 percent).
Strong growth in the Philippines fueled a 24 percent increase (to 26,710 mt) in pork exports to the ASEAN region, valued at $68.8 million (up 34 percent). Exports also increased to Singapore and were steady to Vietnam.
In the China/Hong Kong region, July exports dropped significantly from a year ago to 32,167 mt (down 33 percent) valued at $68.8 million (down 27 percent). July variety meat exports were the smallest in 18 months at 22,960 mt (down 10 percent). As China’s domestic pork production continues to rebound in 2017, January-July exports to the region were 8 percent below last year’s pace in volume (306,404 mt) but slipped just 1 percent in value ($627.1 million).
Lamb exports lose momentum in July
U.S. lamb export volume in July was below last year’s level at 593 mt (down 13 percent) while value was fairly steady at $1.48 million. Through July, lamb exports were down 13 percent from a year ago in volume (4,348 mt) but increased 8 percent in value to $11.1 million. For lamb muscle cuts only, January-July exports were up 13 percent in volume (1,264 mt) and 18 percent in value ($7.7 million) including year-over-year growth to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Canada.
U.S. Exports Of Feed Grain In All Forms Breaks Record In 2016/2017 Marketing Year
The U.S. government released international trade figures for July on September 6, the eleventh month of data for the 2016/2017 marketing year for corn and sorghum. With just one month of data still unpublished, U.S. exports of feed grain in all forms (GIAF) has set a new record high, the result of increased demand, competitive U.S. prices and extensive marketing efforts by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).
Thus far this marketing year (September-July), U.S. GIAF exports increased 17 percent from the same time the year prior (Sept.-July) to 106.4 million metric tons, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USGC analysis. The 11-month total now exceeds to previous record set for the full 2015/2016 marketing year.
Impressive year-over-year gains for corn and the grain equivalent of ethanol bolstered the record for exports. Corn exports totaled 54.7 million tons (2.15 billion bushels) during the first 11 months of the marketing year, a 29 percent jump year-over-year and the best performance for U.S. corn exports since 2007/2008.
With one month of data still remaining, current ethanol exports of 1.3 billion gallons have already exceeded the all-time high of 1.1 billion gallons set in 2011/12, largely due to record-setting exports to Brazil and India.
Additionally, increases in the grain equivalent of beef, pork, and poultry meat exports realized an 11 percent gain in corn compared to the same time the year prior and account for more than 21 million tons (827 million bushels) of corn equivalent exported in the form of meat.
These large export increases offset declines in other coarse grains (sorghum and barley) of 30 percent for a year-to-date export total of 5.8 million tons. Of note, exports for U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten meal fell only slightly year-over-year, despite the absence of the top two traditional buyers - China and Vietnam - the latter of which announced a return to the market as of Sept. 1, 2017. Other markets, including the Southeast Asian region and countries like Mexico, have diversed the marketplace this year by increasing purchases.
All Fertilizers Lower at End of August
Retail fertilizer prices continued to move lower the fifth week of August 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.
All eight of the major fertilizers were lower compared to last month. But, like last week, only two were down by any significant amount. UAN32 was 6% lower compared to the previous month and had an average price of $248 per ton. UAN28 was also lower, down 5% compared to last month. UAN28 had an average price of $215/ton.
The remaining six fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $433/ton, MAP $457/ton, potash $338/ton, urea $303/ton, 10-34-0 $418/ton and anhydrous $417/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.33/lb.N, anhydrous $0.25/lb.N, UAN28 $0.38/lb.N and UAN32 $0.39/lb.N.
All but one retail fertilizer are lower compared to a year earlier. Three of the eight major fertilizers are double digits lower.
Anhydrous is now 18% lower from a year ago, while 10-34-0 is 15% less expensive and UAN32 is 10% lower. UAN28 is 8% less expensive, urea is 7% lower, DAP is 4% less expensive and MAP is 2% lower.
The one fertilizer that is higher compared to last year is potash, which is now 3% more expensive.
Application Deadline for Conservation Legacy Awards Extended to Sept. 15
Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation, and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award at the next Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. This program showcases farm management practices of U.S. soybean producers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable. If you’re using conservation practices on your farm such as cover crops, reduced tillage, or other valuable conservation practices, don’t miss your opportunity to apply for this award. The deadline to enter is extended to Sept. 15.
All U.S. soybean farmers are eligible to enter to win a Conservation Legacy Award. Entries are judged on soil management, water management, input management, conservation, environmental management and sustainability. Three regional winners and one national winner are selected.
Award Winners Receive:
• An expense paid trip for two to Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif.
• Recognition at the ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic.
• A feature on your farm and conservation practices in Corn & Soybean Digest and a special online video.
• Potential opportunity to join other farmer-leaders on a trip to visit international customers of U.S. soybeans.
The Conservation Legacy Awards are sponsored by the American Soybean Association, BASF, Corn & Soybean Digest, Monsanto, the United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff and Valent. More information on past winners of the award and how to submit your application is available here... www.soygrowers.com. All applications must be submitted by Sept. 15, 2017.
Cattlemen Launch Monthlong Media Campaign for Comprehensive Tax Reform
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association today kicked off a media and advertising campaign that will shine a spotlight on how various federal tax provisions impact America’s cattle and beef producers. The campaign, which will focus heavily on the death tax, aims to build support in Washington for comprehensive tax reform that makes our tax code fair for agricultural producers. The campaign will be centered around a new website, CattlemenForTaxReform.com, and will run through September.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enact truly comprehensive tax reform, and we can’t afford to let this opportunity pass or to get it wrong,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Craig Uden. “Family ranchers and farmers deserve a full and permanent repeal of the onerous death tax, which charges them in cash on the often-inflated appraised value of their property and equipment. This campaign will shine a spotlight on the stories of real ranchers who have had to deal with this issue, and it will also highlight current tax provisions that we need to maintain, such as stepped-up basis, cash accounting, and deducibility of interest payments.”
In addition to the launch of the new website, the campaign kicked off with a two-minute video that will be heavily promoted on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. The campaign’s first video features fifth-generation California rancher Kevin Kester, whose family struggled for a decade to pay a large death-tax bill after his grandfather passed away. With the specter of the death tax still looming, Kevin is forced to spend precious time and energy – not to mention thousands of dollars – planning for how to pass the ranch on to his children and grandchildren.
“Without a doubt the biggest challenge that keeps me up at night is trying to figure out how to pass the ranching operation – our family operation on to the next generation,” Kester says in the video as he drives across his Bear Valley Ranch near Parkfield, Calif. “The current tax code is…leading toward more fragmentation of farms and ranches, which is not good for the environment or our ranchers and farmers.”
Over the coming weeks, NCBA will roll out several other promoted videos and infographics featuring profiles of ranchers and other members of the cattle-production community. The products will enable American cattlemen and women to share their priorities for tax reform in their own words. The campaign will also connect grassroots ranchers and producers with their elected officials on Capitol Hill as tax-reform legislation is considered this autumn.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there on the tax debate – especially when it comes to who’s affected by the death tax,” Uden said. “This campaign will educate elected officials, the media, and the general public about how the tax code affects our American farmers and ranchers, who literally feed the world.”
American Biofuels Producers Demand U.S. Government Respond to Brazilian Tariff
Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the U.S. Grains Council are calling upon the U.S. government to develop an immediate response to Brazil’s newly implemented tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports, a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs.
On August 23, 2017, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade imposed an immediate two-year tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system for ethanol imports. Under the TRQ, a 20 percent tariff will be applied to purchases from the U.S. after a 600 million-liter (158.5 million gallon) quota is met. This year fuel ethanol exports to Brazil are at 1.17 billion liters (310 million gallons) through July, according to Census Bureau trade data.
The three organizations, which work jointly and with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop overseas markets for U.S. ethanol, are imploring the Administration to immediately engage their Brazilian counterparts on the future of our relationships with regard to biofuels. It is vital that the Administration take immediate action and consider all avenues to encourage Brazil to either revoke the TRQ or substantially increase the tariff-free quota level to better reflect the current ethanol market and trade realities.
Brazil’s tactics are the latest step in a troubling global trend towards protectionist tariffs and other actions against the American biofuels industry. As the largest ethanol export market for American producers, the impact of this economic attack is both damaging and thoroughly counterproductive. American jobs, farms, and businesses are at risk; this cannot go unanswered.
As the two largest democracies and economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the U.S. share one of the world’s most important trade and economic relationships. However, this decision will not only hurt America’s ethanol industry, because ultimately, Brazil’s consumers will also pay the price as this will drive up their costs at the pump. Our hope is that this decision will be reversed.
“Brazil’s action is a violation of our mutual, longstanding agreement to maintain open trade between our countries, and the United States should not take this lying down,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.
“When faced with the consequences of their decisions and bad economics, countries are shifting the pain to the American corn farmer. Brazil’s actions undermine the zero-ethanol tariff arrangement between our two countries that has been in place for several years and that damage the potential cooperation between our two countries to expand global ethanol demand and trade. President Trump has been a strong supporter of America’s biofuels producers, and decisive action to defend this crucial domestic industry will be a clear reminder of the Administration’s continued commitment to strengthen the American economy. With ethanol production remaining a significant market for American corn and America’s farmers facing low commodity prices, government inaction on this vital issue would signal a detrimental economic downturn,” Skor said.
"About a decade ago, the U.S. and Brazil put aside a long-standing dispute over trade policy and began a process of mutual trade barrier disarmament,” said Renewable Fuel Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “In fact, U.S. policies like the RFS actually created additional opportunities that further incentivized the importation of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. Both countries have benefited greatly from the free and fair trade that resulted from the elimination of arcane barriers, and the U.S. and Brazilian ethanol industries worked arm-in-arm to build a robust global market for renewable fuels. Unfortunately, Brazil’s recent protectionist actions are turning back the clock to an era of isolationism and inefficient global trade. In the end, Brazil’s new trade policy not only harms U.S. ethanol producers, but also penalizes Brazilian consumers who will be forced to pay more for their fuel as a result of CAMEX’s actions,” he added.
“We are encouraging our leadership to take action that will get us working together again,” said U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight. “I look forward to the day we are back to working together on global markets rather than putting in place protectionist measures that will ultimately hurt the global industry and our collective ability to reap the benefits of biofuels.”
Deere to Advance Machine Learning Capabilities in Acquisition of Blue River Technology
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blue River Technology, which is based in Sunnyvale, California and is a leader in applying machine learning to agriculture.
"We welcome the opportunity to work with a Blue River Technology team that is highly skilled and intensely dedicated to rapidly advancing the implementation of machine learning in agriculture," said John May, President, Agricultural Solutions, and Chief Information Officer at Deere. "As a leader in precision agriculture, John Deere recognizes the importance of technology to our customers. Machine learning is an important capability for Deere's future."
As an innovation leader, Blue River Technology has successfully applied machine learning to agricultural spraying equipment and Deere is confident that similar technology can be used in the future on a wider range of products, May said.
Blue River has designed and integrated computer vision and machine learning technology that will enable growers to reduce the use of herbicides by spraying only where weeds are present, optimizing the use of inputs in farming – a key objective of precision agriculture.
"Blue River is advancing precision agriculture by moving farm management decisions from the field level to the plant level," said Jorge Heraud, co-founder and CEO of Blue River Technology. "We are using computer vision, robotics, and machine learning to help smart machines detect, identify, and make management decisions about every single plant in the field."
Already in 2017, Blue River Technology has been listed among Inc. Magazine's 25 Most Disruptive Companies, Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, CB Insights 100 Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies in the World, and the Top 50 Agricultural Innovations by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Deere said it will invest $305 million to fully acquire Blue River Technology. Deere plans to have the 60-person firm remain in Sunnyvale with an objective to continue its rapid growth and innovation with the same entrepreneurial spirit that has led to its success. The transaction is expected to close in September.
May said the investment in Blue River Technology is similar to Deere's acquisition of NavCom Technology in 1999 that established Deere as a leader in the use of GPS technology for agriculture and accelerated machine connectivity and optimization.
Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. Releases Seed Relabeling Report
Farmer’s Business Network, Inc., analyzed more than 7,500 seed labels, 2,550 unique genetic varieties from 110 seed companies, and 10,000 seed price invoices, and released the industry’s first-ever Seed Relabeling analysis. Comprising at least a $2.5 billion segment of the US corn and soybean market, Farmers Business Network℠ analysts set out to study the impact of relabeling on American farms and to add transparency to farmers’ arguably most important purchasing decision.
Seed Relabeling is a practice in which identical seed varieties and hybrids are sold by under multiple different brand names, often in the same market for very different prices. Seed companies use different “brand names” for each seed, which are almost always different than a seed’s actual genetic “Variety ID”, making it nearly impossible for farmers to track which products are resold by which brands.
Through its analysis, the report found that a full 38% of corn seed analyzed, and 45% of soybean seed analyzed, are relabeled and re-sold by multiple different brands. Individual corn seeds were found being sold by as many as 12 brands, for as much as a $97/bag price difference (35%) in the same state.
Over 63% of FBN℠ members planted seeds sold by multiple brands, and 95% of FBN members planted seeds from a seed company that engages in relabeling. Relabeled varieties are planted on at least 17% of FBN corn and soybean acres.
Seed Relabeling and Its Impact on Farmers
Seed relabeling has been a major frustration for farmers for a long time, but has lacked any transparency. Farmers can substantially over pay for seed by not knowing that the identical seed is sold by other brands at a lower price. It also means the actual genetic diversity available within each crop is much smaller. And most importantly, it can create the dangerous potential for farmers to accidentally concentrate genetic risk, leading to increased resistance issues.
An Industry-Wide Practice, Not Just Smaller Companies
Seed Relabeling was found to be common amongst the vast majority of seed companies. 71% of corn seed companies, and 79% of soybean companies studied, were found to be relabeling at least some of its seeds. More than 50 corn seed companies relabeled more than 50% of its seeds, and 10 companies more than 80%.
Many smaller, regional, and independent seed companies without breeding programs utilize relabeling to increase their product offerings and compete on price and service. However, the study also found widespread relabeling amongst the major consolidated agrichemical companies. Amongst the very largest seed and agrichemical companies, it is not uncommon to see more than 60% of a company’s seed product portfolio being relabeled and re-sold by multiple brands.
First Ever Broad Analysis
Seed Relabeling is relatively common knowledge but there’s been little transparency brought to the table to decode how prominent seed relabeling is. University researchers have in the past created variety matching analysis in particular crops, but have never been able to analyze the majority of the seeds available on the national market.
“This was only possible by crowdsourcing from thousands of farmers, nationwide, simultaneously this planting season,” said FBN network Head of Analytics, Matt Meisner. “We rigorously examined every seed label and pricing invoice to build our cross-matching database.”
“We are a network of and by farmers whose mission it is to put Farmers FirstSM,” said Co-Founder & VP of Product, Charles Baron. “This information is critical for farmers and is their basic right as consumers.”
Likely A Conservative Estimate
As widespread as the practice of relabeling was found to be, FBN analysts still believe the estimates are actually conservative. “Each additional new seed entered in our system, the likelihood that it matches another seed increases. As the data set expands to encompass all seeds on the market, the percent of each brand’s relabeling will almost certainly rise,” said Meisner.
FBN Network Providing Resources to Assist Farmers in Identifying Relabeled Seeds
As a part of the FBN membership, FBN analysts create a personalized Seed Relabeling assessment for any farm that adds seed tags. Later this fall, Seed Relabeling analysis will be incorporated into the industry leading FBN Seed Finder product.
“Once you’ve determined if your brands relabel,” said Baron, “it’s critical to identify identical hybrids to find the best prices and make the most informed seed purchase possible.”
Extension is hosting a "Big Red Grain Marketing & Risk Management" breakfast meeting on Friday Sept 15th at ENREC (formerly ARDC) near Mead. Breakfast at 745am, featured speaker at 8:15am. Guest speakers are Jeff Peterson with Heartland Farm Partners, NE Extension Economist and Ag Mkt Sp. Cory Walters, and Saunders Co FSA Exec. Dir. Tim Davis. You're asked to RSVP with Keith Glewen by noon on Sept 13th.... call 800-529-8030 or email kglewen1@unl.edu.
DON'T OVERGRAZE WARM-SEASON GRASSES
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Remember the old grazing adage “take half and leave half”? Let’s see how it applies to your pastures this fall.
"Take half and leave half” was the grazing management recommended for many years on rangeland and for planted warm-season grasses. And in many cases it still is. But today, more emphasis is on grazing techniques that use cross-fences to form multiple paddocks. These techniques are known by many names like management intensive grazing, controlled grazing, even mob grazing. Used correctly, they permit increased stocking rates and can produce excellent animal performance.
How you graze your pastures, though, does not affect the basic growth processes of your grasses. If you severely graze a pasture short, plants in that pasture need extra time to recover before they are grazed again. And warm-season grasses are particularly sensitive to recovery periods that are too short. This is true regardless of whether the plants are in a continuously grazed pasture or the plants are separated into many rotationally grazed paddocks.
Recovery time is particularly important as winter approaches. Extra rain on many pastures recently allowed grass to thrive. You still may have enough growth to provide grazing for another month or two. But plants grazed hard earlier this summer may not have fully recovered yet despite the rain. Severe grazing now, before full recovery from earlier grazing, will weaken plants as they go into winter. Plants probably will survive, but next spring they will green-up later, early growth will be slow, and they'll compete poorly with weeds.
As we approach winter, “take half and leave half” still may be a good management technique. It helps assure that your pastures will be healthy and grow vigorously again next year.
Farmers elected to Iowa Soybean Association, national leadership posts
Soybean farmers were elected to leadership positions at the September meeting of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors.
Those tabbed to serve as ISA officers were: Lindsay Greiner, Keota — president-elect; Stephanie Essick, Dickens — treasurer; Tim Bardole, Rippey — secretary; and Dave Walton, Wilton — executive committee.
Bill Shipley of Nodaway accepted the gavel as president and welcomed the newly elected state soybean leaders to their key posts.
“It’s an important time in agriculture as we work to manage the variability and uncertainty that accompanies erratic weather, trade and regulations,” he said. “The Iowa soybean board is committed to serving the needs of farmers by providing the tools and resources to manage the continuous changes that impact our competitiveness as farmers.
“I look forward to working with our executive committee and all directors to represent the needs of all farmers,” he added, “while effectively managing the investment soybean farmers make in their industry courtesy of the soybean checkoff.”
ISA directors also elected John Heisdorffer of Keota to serve a third term as a director of the American Soybean Association.
Heisdorffer said he looks forward to helping craft a new farm bill and serving fellow farmers and soybean growers.
“We’ll continue to focus on trade given the importance of finding markets for America’s most valuable export,” he said. “We’ll also remain actively engaged in production issues, including the use of dicamba. It’s important we work with industry to review, investigate and, where necessary, resolve any performance issues related to this important tool for managing weeds.”
U.S. Beef Exports Stay Red-hot in July; Pork Exports Lower
U.S. beef exports remained well above last year’s pace in July, posting one of the highest monthly export value totals on record, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). July pork export volume dipped below its year-ago level for the first time in 15 months, with export value also down slightly.
July beef exports totaled 104,488 metric tons (mt), up 5 percent year-over-year, while export value reached $623.7 million – up 18 percent from a year ago and the highest since December 2014. For January through July, exports increased 11 percent in volume (711,364 mt) and 15 percent in value ($3.97 billion) compared to the first seven months of last year.
Exports accounted for 13.2 percent of total U.S. beef production in July and 10.7 percent for muscle cuts only. These were the highest ratios of 2017, but down from 14.2 percent and 11 percent, respectively, last July. For January through July, beef exports accounted for 12.8 percent of total production and 10 percent for muscle cuts – roughly steady with last year. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $299.21 in July, up more than $35 (or 13 percent) from a year ago. Through July, per-head export value was up 9 percent to $273.52.
Pork exports totaled 173,675 mt in July, down 4 percent year-over-year, valued at $488.9 million, down 0.6 percent. January-July volume was still up 11 percent from a year ago to 1.43 million mt, while export value was up 13 percent to $3.7 billion.
Exports accounted for 26 percent of total pork production in July (down from 27.5 percent a year ago) and 21 percent for muscle cuts only (down from 23 percent). For the first seven months of the year, with U.S. production at a record pace, the percentage of total production exported increased from 25.6 percent to 27.5 percent. For muscle cuts only, the increase was from 21.6 percent to 23 percent. Export value per head slaughtered in July was $54.22 – up slightly from June but 3 percent below last July. The January-July per-head average increased 10 percent from a year ago to $54.11.
“July was certainly a solid month, especially for beef exports, but these results remind us that the U.S. red meat industry operates in an intensely competitive global environment,” said USMEF CEO Philip Seng. “At a time when some of our most essential trade agreements are under review, we must be mindful of how these agreements have helped make U.S. beef, pork and lamb more readily available and more affordable for millions of global customers, to the benefit of U.S. producers and everyone in the U.S. supply chain.”
Beef export volume to Japan largest in four years; value highest of post-BSE era
Beef exports to leading market Japan totaled 27,689 mt in July, up 20 percent from a year ago and the largest since July 2013 – which was shortly after Japan increased the eligible U.S. cattle age to 30 months. July export value to Japan increased 36 percent to $175.7 million, the highest monthly total since 1996. For January through July, exports to Japan were up 23 percent in volume (178,501 mt) and 29 percent in value ($1.08 billion). USMEF’s featuring of chilled beef in Japan continues to pay dividends as chilled exports were up 39 percent to 83,951 mt valued at $613 million (up 40 percent). Driven by strong growth in Japan’s foodservice industry, especially the gyudon beef bowl chains which heavily rely on U.S. short plate, U.S. frozen beef exports to Japan were up 12 percent to 64,928 mt (valued at $250 million, up 18 percent). But Japan’s frozen beef safeguard was triggered in late July, increasing the duty on frozen beef imports from suppliers without a trade agreement with Japan, including the U.S., from 38.5 percent to 50 percent. The impact of the safeguard is not likely to surface until the September export data is available. But since August, U.S. frozen beef has been at an even larger tariff disadvantage compared to Australian beef, which is subject to a duty rate of 27.2 percent under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement.
Beef exports to South Korea dipped below the large volume of last July to 15,587 mt (down 5 percent), but were still the largest of 2017. July export value to Korea increased 8 percent from a year ago to $101.7 million. Through July, exports to Korea increased 9 percent in volume (98,944 mt) and 19 percent in value ($629.4 million), including an impressive 83 percent increase in chilled beef exports (22,432 mt) valued at $199 million (up 88 percent). The U.S. is now the largest supplier of beef to both Japan and Korea on a value basis, with the U.S. share of Korea’s imports increasing from 43 percent to 48.5 percent.
Other January-July highlights for U.S. beef exports included:
After a slow start in 2017, beef exports to Hong Kong continue to rebound. Exports were up 13 percent year-over-year in volume (65,379 mt) and 21 percent higher in value ($417.8 million). July was the first full month for exports to China, as exports totaled 137 mt valued at $1.3 million.
Beef exports to Taiwan increased 16 percent from a year ago in volume (24,234 mt) and 24 percent in value ($215.5 million), including chilled beef exports of 9,883 mt (up 19 percent) valued at $114 million (up 22 percent). U.S. beef holds more than 70 percent of Taiwan’s chilled beef market, the highest share of any Asian destination.
Led by strong growth in Chile, Peru and Colombia, beef exports to South America increased 20 percent year-over-year in volume (16,159 mt) and 21 percent in value ($63.2 million). Exports to Brazil, which launched in late April, reached 1,198 mt valued at $3.2 million.
A strong performance in the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam fueled 79 percent year-over-year growth in export volume to the ASEAN region (23,376 mt), with value up 59 percent to $114.1 million. This region is especially strong for beef variety meat exports, as volume reached 7,145 mt (up 176 percent) valued at $12.5 million (up 164 percent).
Within North America, beef exports were fairly steady with last year as Mexico continues to be the second-largest volume destination for U.S. beef exports while Canada ranks fourth. Exports to Mexico increased 2 percent in volume (134,543 mt) but slipped 2 percent in value ($544.8). Exports to Canada were up 1 percent in volume (68,097 mt) and 4 percent in value ($475.7 million).
July pork exports slip despite powerful growth in Mexico, Korea, South America
Pork exports to Mexico remained on pace for a sixth consecutive annual volume record, with July volume up 7 percent from a year ago to 58,625 mt and value increasing 9 percent to $122.9 million. Through July, exports increased 20 percent in volume (457,190 mt) and 26 percent in value ($854.4 million). Both the U.S. and domestic pork industries continue to reap the benefits of Mexico’s rapidly growing per capita pork consumption, which has increased by about one-third over the past 10 years to 18 kilograms annually (based on USDA estimates).
Leading pork value market Japan saw a year-over-year decline in July, as exports dipped 7 percent in both volume (28,314 mt) and value ($120.5 million). Through July, exports to Japan remained modestly higher year-over-year in both volume (228,489 mt, up 2 percent) and value ($931.1 million, up 6 percent). This included chilled pork exports of 122,755 mt (down 3 percent) valued at $577 million (up 3 percent), as Canada continues to compete strongly for Japan’s high-value chilled pork market.
Other January-July highlights for U.S. pork exports included:
In South Korea, pork exports continued to capitalize on strong red meat consumption growth, especially for convenience products and home meal replacement items, as exports to Korea climbed 30 percent in volume (103,142 mt) and 36 percent in value ($282.6 million).
Led by strong growth in Colombia and Chile, pork exports to South America more than doubled year-over year in both volume (56,345, up 104 percent) and value ($143.6 million, up 109 percent). The White House recently announced that Argentina will soon open to U.S. pork, adding further opportunities in this growing region.
Led by Honduras, exports to Central America are on a record pace, reaching 38,720 mt, up 6 percent from a year ago, valued at $92.4 million (up 8 percent). 2017 is also shaping up as a record year for pork exports to the Dominican Republic, where exports totaled 21,278 mt (up 42 percent) valued at $47.8 million (up 49 percent).
Strong growth in the Philippines fueled a 24 percent increase (to 26,710 mt) in pork exports to the ASEAN region, valued at $68.8 million (up 34 percent). Exports also increased to Singapore and were steady to Vietnam.
In the China/Hong Kong region, July exports dropped significantly from a year ago to 32,167 mt (down 33 percent) valued at $68.8 million (down 27 percent). July variety meat exports were the smallest in 18 months at 22,960 mt (down 10 percent). As China’s domestic pork production continues to rebound in 2017, January-July exports to the region were 8 percent below last year’s pace in volume (306,404 mt) but slipped just 1 percent in value ($627.1 million).
Lamb exports lose momentum in July
U.S. lamb export volume in July was below last year’s level at 593 mt (down 13 percent) while value was fairly steady at $1.48 million. Through July, lamb exports were down 13 percent from a year ago in volume (4,348 mt) but increased 8 percent in value to $11.1 million. For lamb muscle cuts only, January-July exports were up 13 percent in volume (1,264 mt) and 18 percent in value ($7.7 million) including year-over-year growth to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and Canada.
U.S. Exports Of Feed Grain In All Forms Breaks Record In 2016/2017 Marketing Year
The U.S. government released international trade figures for July on September 6, the eleventh month of data for the 2016/2017 marketing year for corn and sorghum. With just one month of data still unpublished, U.S. exports of feed grain in all forms (GIAF) has set a new record high, the result of increased demand, competitive U.S. prices and extensive marketing efforts by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC).
Thus far this marketing year (September-July), U.S. GIAF exports increased 17 percent from the same time the year prior (Sept.-July) to 106.4 million metric tons, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USGC analysis. The 11-month total now exceeds to previous record set for the full 2015/2016 marketing year.
Impressive year-over-year gains for corn and the grain equivalent of ethanol bolstered the record for exports. Corn exports totaled 54.7 million tons (2.15 billion bushels) during the first 11 months of the marketing year, a 29 percent jump year-over-year and the best performance for U.S. corn exports since 2007/2008.
With one month of data still remaining, current ethanol exports of 1.3 billion gallons have already exceeded the all-time high of 1.1 billion gallons set in 2011/12, largely due to record-setting exports to Brazil and India.
Additionally, increases in the grain equivalent of beef, pork, and poultry meat exports realized an 11 percent gain in corn compared to the same time the year prior and account for more than 21 million tons (827 million bushels) of corn equivalent exported in the form of meat.
These large export increases offset declines in other coarse grains (sorghum and barley) of 30 percent for a year-to-date export total of 5.8 million tons. Of note, exports for U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn gluten meal fell only slightly year-over-year, despite the absence of the top two traditional buyers - China and Vietnam - the latter of which announced a return to the market as of Sept. 1, 2017. Other markets, including the Southeast Asian region and countries like Mexico, have diversed the marketplace this year by increasing purchases.
All Fertilizers Lower at End of August
Retail fertilizer prices continued to move lower the fifth week of August 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.
All eight of the major fertilizers were lower compared to last month. But, like last week, only two were down by any significant amount. UAN32 was 6% lower compared to the previous month and had an average price of $248 per ton. UAN28 was also lower, down 5% compared to last month. UAN28 had an average price of $215/ton.
The remaining six fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $433/ton, MAP $457/ton, potash $338/ton, urea $303/ton, 10-34-0 $418/ton and anhydrous $417/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.33/lb.N, anhydrous $0.25/lb.N, UAN28 $0.38/lb.N and UAN32 $0.39/lb.N.
All but one retail fertilizer are lower compared to a year earlier. Three of the eight major fertilizers are double digits lower.
Anhydrous is now 18% lower from a year ago, while 10-34-0 is 15% less expensive and UAN32 is 10% lower. UAN28 is 8% less expensive, urea is 7% lower, DAP is 4% less expensive and MAP is 2% lower.
The one fertilizer that is higher compared to last year is potash, which is now 3% more expensive.
Application Deadline for Conservation Legacy Awards Extended to Sept. 15
Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation, and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award at the next Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif. This program showcases farm management practices of U.S. soybean producers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable. If you’re using conservation practices on your farm such as cover crops, reduced tillage, or other valuable conservation practices, don’t miss your opportunity to apply for this award. The deadline to enter is extended to Sept. 15.
All U.S. soybean farmers are eligible to enter to win a Conservation Legacy Award. Entries are judged on soil management, water management, input management, conservation, environmental management and sustainability. Three regional winners and one national winner are selected.
Award Winners Receive:
• An expense paid trip for two to Commodity Classic, Feb. 27 – March 1, 2018, in Anaheim, Calif.
• Recognition at the ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic.
• A feature on your farm and conservation practices in Corn & Soybean Digest and a special online video.
• Potential opportunity to join other farmer-leaders on a trip to visit international customers of U.S. soybeans.
The Conservation Legacy Awards are sponsored by the American Soybean Association, BASF, Corn & Soybean Digest, Monsanto, the United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff and Valent. More information on past winners of the award and how to submit your application is available here... www.soygrowers.com. All applications must be submitted by Sept. 15, 2017.
Cattlemen Launch Monthlong Media Campaign for Comprehensive Tax Reform
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association today kicked off a media and advertising campaign that will shine a spotlight on how various federal tax provisions impact America’s cattle and beef producers. The campaign, which will focus heavily on the death tax, aims to build support in Washington for comprehensive tax reform that makes our tax code fair for agricultural producers. The campaign will be centered around a new website, CattlemenForTaxReform.com, and will run through September.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enact truly comprehensive tax reform, and we can’t afford to let this opportunity pass or to get it wrong,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Craig Uden. “Family ranchers and farmers deserve a full and permanent repeal of the onerous death tax, which charges them in cash on the often-inflated appraised value of their property and equipment. This campaign will shine a spotlight on the stories of real ranchers who have had to deal with this issue, and it will also highlight current tax provisions that we need to maintain, such as stepped-up basis, cash accounting, and deducibility of interest payments.”
In addition to the launch of the new website, the campaign kicked off with a two-minute video that will be heavily promoted on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. The campaign’s first video features fifth-generation California rancher Kevin Kester, whose family struggled for a decade to pay a large death-tax bill after his grandfather passed away. With the specter of the death tax still looming, Kevin is forced to spend precious time and energy – not to mention thousands of dollars – planning for how to pass the ranch on to his children and grandchildren.
“Without a doubt the biggest challenge that keeps me up at night is trying to figure out how to pass the ranching operation – our family operation on to the next generation,” Kester says in the video as he drives across his Bear Valley Ranch near Parkfield, Calif. “The current tax code is…leading toward more fragmentation of farms and ranches, which is not good for the environment or our ranchers and farmers.”
Over the coming weeks, NCBA will roll out several other promoted videos and infographics featuring profiles of ranchers and other members of the cattle-production community. The products will enable American cattlemen and women to share their priorities for tax reform in their own words. The campaign will also connect grassroots ranchers and producers with their elected officials on Capitol Hill as tax-reform legislation is considered this autumn.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there on the tax debate – especially when it comes to who’s affected by the death tax,” Uden said. “This campaign will educate elected officials, the media, and the general public about how the tax code affects our American farmers and ranchers, who literally feed the world.”
American Biofuels Producers Demand U.S. Government Respond to Brazilian Tariff
Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association, and the U.S. Grains Council are calling upon the U.S. government to develop an immediate response to Brazil’s newly implemented tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports, a trade barrier that threatens over $750 million in U.S. exports and American jobs.
On August 23, 2017, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade imposed an immediate two-year tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system for ethanol imports. Under the TRQ, a 20 percent tariff will be applied to purchases from the U.S. after a 600 million-liter (158.5 million gallon) quota is met. This year fuel ethanol exports to Brazil are at 1.17 billion liters (310 million gallons) through July, according to Census Bureau trade data.
The three organizations, which work jointly and with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop overseas markets for U.S. ethanol, are imploring the Administration to immediately engage their Brazilian counterparts on the future of our relationships with regard to biofuels. It is vital that the Administration take immediate action and consider all avenues to encourage Brazil to either revoke the TRQ or substantially increase the tariff-free quota level to better reflect the current ethanol market and trade realities.
Brazil’s tactics are the latest step in a troubling global trend towards protectionist tariffs and other actions against the American biofuels industry. As the largest ethanol export market for American producers, the impact of this economic attack is both damaging and thoroughly counterproductive. American jobs, farms, and businesses are at risk; this cannot go unanswered.
As the two largest democracies and economies in the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and the U.S. share one of the world’s most important trade and economic relationships. However, this decision will not only hurt America’s ethanol industry, because ultimately, Brazil’s consumers will also pay the price as this will drive up their costs at the pump. Our hope is that this decision will be reversed.
“Brazil’s action is a violation of our mutual, longstanding agreement to maintain open trade between our countries, and the United States should not take this lying down,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said.
“When faced with the consequences of their decisions and bad economics, countries are shifting the pain to the American corn farmer. Brazil’s actions undermine the zero-ethanol tariff arrangement between our two countries that has been in place for several years and that damage the potential cooperation between our two countries to expand global ethanol demand and trade. President Trump has been a strong supporter of America’s biofuels producers, and decisive action to defend this crucial domestic industry will be a clear reminder of the Administration’s continued commitment to strengthen the American economy. With ethanol production remaining a significant market for American corn and America’s farmers facing low commodity prices, government inaction on this vital issue would signal a detrimental economic downturn,” Skor said.
"About a decade ago, the U.S. and Brazil put aside a long-standing dispute over trade policy and began a process of mutual trade barrier disarmament,” said Renewable Fuel Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “In fact, U.S. policies like the RFS actually created additional opportunities that further incentivized the importation of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol. Both countries have benefited greatly from the free and fair trade that resulted from the elimination of arcane barriers, and the U.S. and Brazilian ethanol industries worked arm-in-arm to build a robust global market for renewable fuels. Unfortunately, Brazil’s recent protectionist actions are turning back the clock to an era of isolationism and inefficient global trade. In the end, Brazil’s new trade policy not only harms U.S. ethanol producers, but also penalizes Brazilian consumers who will be forced to pay more for their fuel as a result of CAMEX’s actions,” he added.
“We are encouraging our leadership to take action that will get us working together again,” said U.S. Grains Council President and CEO Tom Sleight. “I look forward to the day we are back to working together on global markets rather than putting in place protectionist measures that will ultimately hurt the global industry and our collective ability to reap the benefits of biofuels.”
Deere to Advance Machine Learning Capabilities in Acquisition of Blue River Technology
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Blue River Technology, which is based in Sunnyvale, California and is a leader in applying machine learning to agriculture.
"We welcome the opportunity to work with a Blue River Technology team that is highly skilled and intensely dedicated to rapidly advancing the implementation of machine learning in agriculture," said John May, President, Agricultural Solutions, and Chief Information Officer at Deere. "As a leader in precision agriculture, John Deere recognizes the importance of technology to our customers. Machine learning is an important capability for Deere's future."
As an innovation leader, Blue River Technology has successfully applied machine learning to agricultural spraying equipment and Deere is confident that similar technology can be used in the future on a wider range of products, May said.
Blue River has designed and integrated computer vision and machine learning technology that will enable growers to reduce the use of herbicides by spraying only where weeds are present, optimizing the use of inputs in farming – a key objective of precision agriculture.
"Blue River is advancing precision agriculture by moving farm management decisions from the field level to the plant level," said Jorge Heraud, co-founder and CEO of Blue River Technology. "We are using computer vision, robotics, and machine learning to help smart machines detect, identify, and make management decisions about every single plant in the field."
Already in 2017, Blue River Technology has been listed among Inc. Magazine's 25 Most Disruptive Companies, Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, CB Insights 100 Most Promising Artificial Intelligence Companies in the World, and the Top 50 Agricultural Innovations by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
Deere said it will invest $305 million to fully acquire Blue River Technology. Deere plans to have the 60-person firm remain in Sunnyvale with an objective to continue its rapid growth and innovation with the same entrepreneurial spirit that has led to its success. The transaction is expected to close in September.
May said the investment in Blue River Technology is similar to Deere's acquisition of NavCom Technology in 1999 that established Deere as a leader in the use of GPS technology for agriculture and accelerated machine connectivity and optimization.
Farmer’s Business Network, Inc. Releases Seed Relabeling Report
Farmer’s Business Network, Inc., analyzed more than 7,500 seed labels, 2,550 unique genetic varieties from 110 seed companies, and 10,000 seed price invoices, and released the industry’s first-ever Seed Relabeling analysis. Comprising at least a $2.5 billion segment of the US corn and soybean market, Farmers Business Network℠ analysts set out to study the impact of relabeling on American farms and to add transparency to farmers’ arguably most important purchasing decision.
Seed Relabeling is a practice in which identical seed varieties and hybrids are sold by under multiple different brand names, often in the same market for very different prices. Seed companies use different “brand names” for each seed, which are almost always different than a seed’s actual genetic “Variety ID”, making it nearly impossible for farmers to track which products are resold by which brands.
Through its analysis, the report found that a full 38% of corn seed analyzed, and 45% of soybean seed analyzed, are relabeled and re-sold by multiple different brands. Individual corn seeds were found being sold by as many as 12 brands, for as much as a $97/bag price difference (35%) in the same state.
Over 63% of FBN℠ members planted seeds sold by multiple brands, and 95% of FBN members planted seeds from a seed company that engages in relabeling. Relabeled varieties are planted on at least 17% of FBN corn and soybean acres.
Seed Relabeling and Its Impact on Farmers
Seed relabeling has been a major frustration for farmers for a long time, but has lacked any transparency. Farmers can substantially over pay for seed by not knowing that the identical seed is sold by other brands at a lower price. It also means the actual genetic diversity available within each crop is much smaller. And most importantly, it can create the dangerous potential for farmers to accidentally concentrate genetic risk, leading to increased resistance issues.
An Industry-Wide Practice, Not Just Smaller Companies
Seed Relabeling was found to be common amongst the vast majority of seed companies. 71% of corn seed companies, and 79% of soybean companies studied, were found to be relabeling at least some of its seeds. More than 50 corn seed companies relabeled more than 50% of its seeds, and 10 companies more than 80%.
Many smaller, regional, and independent seed companies without breeding programs utilize relabeling to increase their product offerings and compete on price and service. However, the study also found widespread relabeling amongst the major consolidated agrichemical companies. Amongst the very largest seed and agrichemical companies, it is not uncommon to see more than 60% of a company’s seed product portfolio being relabeled and re-sold by multiple brands.
First Ever Broad Analysis
Seed Relabeling is relatively common knowledge but there’s been little transparency brought to the table to decode how prominent seed relabeling is. University researchers have in the past created variety matching analysis in particular crops, but have never been able to analyze the majority of the seeds available on the national market.
“This was only possible by crowdsourcing from thousands of farmers, nationwide, simultaneously this planting season,” said FBN network Head of Analytics, Matt Meisner. “We rigorously examined every seed label and pricing invoice to build our cross-matching database.”
“We are a network of and by farmers whose mission it is to put Farmers FirstSM,” said Co-Founder & VP of Product, Charles Baron. “This information is critical for farmers and is their basic right as consumers.”
Likely A Conservative Estimate
As widespread as the practice of relabeling was found to be, FBN analysts still believe the estimates are actually conservative. “Each additional new seed entered in our system, the likelihood that it matches another seed increases. As the data set expands to encompass all seeds on the market, the percent of each brand’s relabeling will almost certainly rise,” said Meisner.
FBN Network Providing Resources to Assist Farmers in Identifying Relabeled Seeds
As a part of the FBN membership, FBN analysts create a personalized Seed Relabeling assessment for any farm that adds seed tags. Later this fall, Seed Relabeling analysis will be incorporated into the industry leading FBN Seed Finder product.
“Once you’ve determined if your brands relabel,” said Baron, “it’s critical to identify identical hybrids to find the best prices and make the most informed seed purchase possible.”
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