LENRD to host Open House Public Hearing regarding Drought Management Plan
The public is invited to an open house public hearing concerning the Drought Management Plan for this area. The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) will hold the hearing on Tuesday, November 21st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk.
The Drought Management Plan defines drought locally and identifies processes to respond to and manage the impacts of future drought events. The open house public hearing will allow for public comment regarding the proposed integration of the Drought Management Plan into the LENRD’s Groundwater Management Plan. The public is encouraged to spend as much or as little time as they like at the open house public hearing and it is important to note that written or oral comments carry equal weight in the decision-making process. The hearing is the first in a multi-step decision process, and consideration of the adoption (or modification) of the proposed changes will be determined at a later date.
LENRD Assistant General Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “If adopted, the integration of the goals and objectives of the Drought Management Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan, would allow the district to respond to the challenges of an acute drought situation. The geographic area impacted by the modifications to the District’s Groundwater Management Plan is district-wide, all or parts of 15 counties in northeast Nebraska.”
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “The LENRD is taking proactive steps to reduce the impacts of future drought events. One of these steps is the development of the Drought Management Plan.” He continued, “We must ensure that we protect the water resources of all current users in the district because this is the law. The protocol we are proposing for determining drought in the district is considered to be the most accurate method in the world.”
The full text of the proposed amendment is on page 105 of the Groundwater Management Plan, which is available at the LENRD office in Norfolk and on the district’s website at www.lenrd.org/latest-news/.
Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and service necessary for participation by contacting the LENRD by November 14, 2017. Testimony relevant to the purposes of the hearing may also be submitted in writing (prior to the close of the hearing) to the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District, 601 E. Benjamin Avenue, Suite 101, Norfolk, Nebraska 68701.
For more information on this planning effort, contact the LENRD at 402-371-7313 or lenrd@lenrd.org
NE Pork Prod. hosts FMD Crisis Tabletop Exercise
The deliberate or accidental introduction of a highly contagious foreign animal disease, such as Foot and Mouth Disease, into the U.S. will have an immediate and drastic effect on agriculture. In a first of its kind study funded by Pork Checkoff, a Center for Agricultural and Rural Development Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (CARD FAPRI) model estimated revenue losses to the pork and beef industries resulting from the introduction of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the U.S. would average $12.9 billion per year. Total cumulative revenue losses across the commodities modeled over a 10 year period was $199.9 billion including $57 billion for pork, $71.23 billion for beef, $0.98 billion for poultry, $44 billion for corn, $24.9 billion for soybeans and $1.8 billion for wheat.
Increasing foreign animal disease awareness and preparedness has been a pork industry priority and has resulted in the development and delivery of a unique tabletop exercise training tool for pork producers, veterinarians and stakeholders at the state and local level. The tabletop is an interactive training tool that utilizes a model of rural America including farms, livestock and a small town to help participants visualize what would occur locally during an animal disease disaster.
National Pork Board, NE Department of Ag, and NE Pork Producers Association invite pork producers, veterinarians, and stakeholders to attend Foot and Mouth Disease Crisis Tabletop in West Point on Wednesday, December 6th. Participants will walk through a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak focusing on the effects at the local level through communications and operations that must occur to contain, manage, and eradicate the disease while maintaining business continuity to help stabilize the agricultural economy.
The exercise walks participants through a foot and mouth disease outbreak focusing on the effects at the local level and the communications and operations that must occur to contain, manage and eradicate the disease while maintaining business continuity to help stabilize the agricultural economy.
Participants rapidly become a part of the response effort from diagnosing the first case, mobilizing the local response, controlling and eradicating the disease, and getting back to “business as usual.”
Register online at nepork.org.
Nebraska Cattlemen Host 2017 Annual Convention & Trade Show
The 2017 Annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention and Trade Show will be held in Kearney at the Younes Convention Center December 5th - 8th. This year's convention schedule is packed full of industry leaders, speakers and educational opportunities for all ages of cattlemen and women.
The week starts off on Tuesday, December 5, with the 2017 Cattlemen's College, sponsored by Zoetis. The event this year will be held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds Ag Pavilion to allow for a full day of classroom speakers and time at the chute. The program offers a wide range of speakers that will discuss nutrition, cover crops, vaccinations and so much more. This producer education program is designed to address issues that will improve production and profitability. The college will wrap up with a networking reception, NCBA update and panel on labor issues.
Wednesday will kick off at the Younes Convention Center with the Young Cattlemen's Round-table, sponsored by the YCC Class of 2016. The goal of the round table is to inspire members to get involved in the Nebraska Cattlemen and experience the benefits of the organization. Attendees will be able to discuss what is happening in the beef industry and what it means to them. Council meetings will fill the rest of the day and Wednesday will conclude with the General Session and time to mingle at the Welcome Reception in the Trade Show.
After a full day of committee meetings, Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Lunch and trade show happenings the annual banquet will wrap up the evening on Thursday, December 7th beginning at 7:00 p.m. As always a few cattlemen will be recognized for their dedication to the industry, great items will be up for grabs during the live auction and phenomenal food to be enjoyed by all. Convention will come to an end on Friday after the Market Outlook Breakfast and the Annual Business Meeting. The entire schedule can be viewed at http://nebraskacattlemen.org/convention.aspx.
Engineering Research Focusing on Next Generation of Ag Technologies
The next generation of agricultural technologies and systems is the focus of three USDA-funded research projects within the Biological Systems Engineering Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The projects were announced Oct. 17 by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
“Technology is front and center in agricultural production,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA is investing in research on precision and smart technologies to maximize production efficiencies, including water and fertilizer use, and to produce nutritious food, new biofuels and bioproducts.”
The projects focus on high-resolution depth sensing of soils, next-generation spray drift mitigation and variable rate irrigation technology. Work in these areas has already been established and with support from AFRI, Nebraska researchers can continue to develop these technologies.
“Three of the 17 agricultural technology projects recently funded by the USDA are led by Nebraska’s Biological Systems Engineering Department, which is a testament to the innovative approach by our researchers,” said David Jones, interim department head of biological systems engineering. “Through these research projects, we will be able to bring the latest engineering technology to Nebraska’s biological systems.”
The three projects are:
High-resolution depth sensing of soils. Yufeng Ge, assistant professor and advanced sensing systems engineer, was awarded a three-year $499,896 grant to develop an instrumented soil penetrometer for gathering real-time and simultaneous prediction of a number of soil properties.
Innovation in drift reduction technologies. Research led by Joe Luck, associate professor of biological systems engineering and precision agriculture engineer, is focused on reducing negative impacts to society and the environment resulting from spray drift of pesticides. The four-year, $499,916 project will introduce next-generation technologies for controlling spray droplets during field applications.
Advancing variable rate irrigation technology using unmanned aircraft systems. Advancing variable rate irrigation technology across the Great Plains and the Midwest through improved water efficiency of irrigated, row-crop agriculture is the focus of a three-year, $499,978 grant awarded to Christopher Neale, professor in the Biological Systems Engineering Department and director of research at the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska.
Online Crop Residue Exchange Links Growers and Grazers
Daren Redfearn - NE Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist
The Crop Residue Exchange is an interactive, online tool designed to help farmers and cattle producers connect and develop mutually beneficial agreements for using crop residue for grazing. A recent UNL survey funded by USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education showed that 17% of farmers list lack of access to cattle as the major reason cattle aren’t used to graze residue on their farmland. This new online exchange serves as a way for corn and other crop producers to market their crop residue to cattle producers.
The Crop Residue Exchange is available online at http://cropresidueexchange.unl.edu. After establishing a log-in account, farmers can list cropland available for grazing by drawing out the plot of land available using an interactive map and entering in basic information about the type of residue, fencing situation, water availability, and dates available. They also provide their preferred contact information. Livestock producers can log in and search the database for cropland available for grazing within radius of a given location of interest.
While the primary objective of this exchange is to assist in the development of farmer-cattle producer relationships, it’s expected that in the near future the exchange will provide educational material and tools to support these relationships. Items under development include
- a lease template to help cattle owners and farmers develop a contract;
- links to tools and guidelines to help farmers and cattle owners correctly stock crop residue fields,
- summary information on crop residue grazing rates.
These tools will be available to all registered users of the exchange. Development of the Crop Residue Exchange was made possible with funding support from the Nebraska Extension Innovation Grants Program.
Soybean stem canker research brings Serbian scientist to South Dakota State
Scouting soybean fields and identifying diseases are some of the tasks that Kristina Petrović performs as a research associate at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Serbia. She is expanding her work on pathogens that affect soybeans as a visiting scientist at South Dakota State University, where she is working with field crops pathologist Febina Mathew, an assistant professor in the Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science.
“I am happy when I find disease,” Petrović quipped. She was the first to report that three species of Diaporthe, the pathogen that causes stem canker of soybean, were triggering Phomopsis seed decay in Serbia. Petrović published two papers on her findings in Plant Disease, an American Phytopathological Society journal. When she told the journal editor that she wanted to do postdoctoral research in the United States, he circulated her credentials among the society’s members.
“After four days, Febina invited me to South Dakota State University to examine the Diaporthe species causing soybean disease in the United States,” Petrović recalled. Her 10-month residency, which began in August, is supported by a grant from the Serbian government and funding from the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops. She also received support for her SDSU research from the North Central Soybean Research Program and the South Dakota Agricultural Experimental Station.
The world has two main types of stem canker—the Northern variety, which likes cool temperatures and affects both South Dakota and Serbian soybeans, and the Southern, which can survive high temperatures. Both types like moisture, Petrović explained.
Plants are infected when raindrops hit pathogen-containing plant residue and splash the fungus spores onto the young soybean plants. “At the end of July or beginning of August, when soybeans are in their pod-fill stage, we see the first symptoms, dark brown lesions that spread up and down the plant,” she said.
“Planting resistant genotypes is the best option for producers,” Petrović explained. In Serbia, she said, “Our genotypes have good field resistance, but not complete resistance. However, we are trying to find the most resistant or tolerant soybean genotypes.”
In the United States, five Diaporthe species are causing soybean disease, according to Mathew. She and North Dakota State University Extension Plant Pathologist Sam Markell found Diaporthe gulyae, which causes Phomopsis stem canker in sunflowers, associated with stem disease on soybeans.
Recently plant scientists have seen an increase in soybean diseases caused by Diaporthe (Phomopsis) species in the United States, according to Mathew. Petrović’s research will help identify the pathogens behind this increased disease prevalence.
“I want to know more about the relationship among the Diaporthe species,” said Petrović. To do this, she’ll examine the pathogens’ diversity using phylogenetics. She and Mathew will also screen soybean genotypes to identify sources of resistance to Diaporthe species that will help breeders develop resistant soybean cultivars.
This research will help scientists develop strategies to manage the disease that will benefit farmers not only in the United States, but also in Serbia.
USMEF Members Examine Challenges ahead, Elect New Officer Team
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Arizona, Friday with the election of new officers for 2017-2018. Dennis Stiffler, Ph.D., who has served in many volunteer leadership roles for USMEF, was elected USMEF chairman.
“This is a very exciting time for USMEF – we have an extremely engaged executive committee with a lot of talented people,” said Stiffler, who is president of the Texas Division, Halpern's Steak and Seafood, headquartered in Atlanta. He recently retired as chief executive officer of Mountain States Rosen, a fabricator, processor and distributor of lamb and veal products. “Also, we are getting ready to embark on new executive leadership at USMEF, and it will be exciting to follow that transition through. It is going to be an important role for USMEF officers to play.”
Stiffler has 30 years of livestock, meat industry and international marketing experience, and spent 10 years at major universities involved in teaching, research and extension services. During his tenure in academia, Stiffler traveled abroad on numerous occasions representing both USMEF and the U.S. Grains Council in education and market development programs.
His first interaction with USMEF was back when he was on the faculty at Texas A&M University. He later held various positions in the red meat industry, including the export business. In 2010, as a member of the American Lamb Board, Stiffler was appointed to the USMEF Executive Committee.
“I believe it’s notable that in the 41-year history of USMEF, I am the first chairman representing the lamb sector,” said Stiffler. “I bring that background with me, along with my experience across the entire red meat industry. I was asked many times to go into international markets to work on technical aspects such as meat quality, production practices, product performance and food safety – giving me credibility in that area. “From a business standpoint, we are in the business of moving product into markets, and to do that you have to match science with consumer preferences.”
Stiffler lauded USMEF staff for its work at the Denver headquarters and in USMEF’s international offices. He also praised longtime USMEF CEO Philip Seng and Dan Halstrom, who succeeded Seng as USMEF president on Sept. 1 and will assume the title of president and CEO on Dec. 1.
“Phil has been a true leader and an icon in this industry, and we all owe him a great deal of gratitude,” said Stiffler. “I want to personally thank him for his leadership, his commitment, his passion for the international marketplace and his tireless dedication to this organization.”
Stiffler then introduced Halstrom, who thanked Seng and recalled their long relationship in the U.S. red meat industry.
“Phil’s tutelage, his guidance and his vison for this industry has been second to none,” said Halstrom, who then shared his thoughts about USMEF’s future opportunities and challenges.
Stiffler succeeds Bruce Schmoll, a corn and soybean producer from Minnesota, as USMEF chair.
Conley Nelson is the new USMEF chair-elect. Nelson is general manager of Smithfield Foods’ hog production division in the company’s five-state Midwest region and served as president of the National Pork Board in 2012-13. Serving as USMEF vice chair is Idaho cattle feeder Cevin Jones, who operates Intermountain Beef, a custom feedlot.
The newest USMEF officer is Secretary-Treasurer Pat Binger of Wichita, Kansas, who heads international sales for Cargill Protein Group. A 30-year Cargill employee, Binger first became involved with USMEF more than 25 years ago. He sees USMEF’s role in the export game as more vital than ever.
“The supply of red meat will continue to grow, so in order to benefit our industry we are going to need to export more product, and we fully expect to be able to do that,” said Binger. “For member companies, the many capabilities USMEF has are extremely important. I feel very good about being a part of this association.”
Friday’s closing business session also included a presentation titled “Spotlight on Brazil” in which panelists took an in-depth look at Brazil from several different angles – not only as a competing supplier of red meat, but also as a trading partner and a potential destination for U.S. beef, pork and lamb. (The Brazilian market recently reopened to U.S. beef but is currently closed to imports of U.S. pork and lamb.)
USMEF trade analyst Jessica Spreitzer presented a detailed overview and comparison of Brazil’s red meat production, consumption, exports and imports with that of the United States. Bob Macke, who leads the Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs at the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), addressed the broader U.S.-Brazil trading relationship, covering a range of agricultural sectors.
Otavio Migliorini, a native of Brazil who is a partner of PMI Foods operations while also serving as general manager of its South American division, focused on the challenges involved in doing business in Brazil, potential opportunities for U.S. beef and pork in the Brazilian market, and Brazilian consumers’ perceptions of U.S. meat products. Jessica Julca, USMEF’s South America representative based in Lima, Peru, highlighted the early promotional activities USMEF has conducted in the Brazilian market and previewed plans to expand promotions once more U.S. suppliers obtain clearance to ship product to Brazil. The panel was moderated by USMEF Technical Services Manager Cheyenne McEndaffer, who works closely with USMEF member companies to help them meet eligibility requirements in Brazil and other Latin American markets.
USMEF members also approved a resolution on market access for U.S. lamb – an amended version of a resolution originally adopted in 2012. It notes that U.S. lamb recently gained access to Taiwan and Guatemala but voices support for U.S. government efforts to negotiate access in key Asian and South American markets that remain closed due to issues related to transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).
The Strategic Planning Conference opened Wednesday with an address from Seng in which he discussed pressing issues affecting international meat trade, including the need for improved market access in key destinations such as Japan.
Seng explained that he fields many questions about the potential for a free trade agreement with Japan. While such an agreement is sorely needed, Seng doesn’t see U.S.-Japan negotiations anywhere on the horizon.
“The Japanese government has made it clear in its public statements that it doesn’t want to discuss an FTA with the United States at this point in time,” Seng said, noting that Japan is deeply involved in negotiations with the remaining participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and is looking to eventually expand TPP to include other East Asian countries in the agreement. Japan also recently completed negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with the European Union.
Seng also previewed the upcoming 2018 World Meat Congress, a biennial event that USMEF will co-host with the International Meat Secretariat May 30-June 1 in Dallas. The World Meat Congress is the world’s premier gathering of beef, pork, lamb and veal industry leaders. The conference brings together producers, exporters, marketing specialists, policy analysts, economists and meat scientists to exchange ideas and experiences on key issues affecting the international meat and livestock sectors.
“Hosting the World Meat Congress allows us to extol the U.S. model for agriculture,” Seng said. “We have a science-based agricultural industry, and we embrace science, so this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our way of production and our way of food safety assurance.”
Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice president for the Asia Pacific, followed with a detailed overview of current market conditions and opportunities in China, which is a mainstay market for U.S. pork and recently reopened to U.S. beef.
Conference attendees also learned how the evolution of shopping and dining habits in key international markets is playing a major role in determining USMEF’s strategies for promoting U.S. red meat. Panelists included Taz Hijikata, USMEF senior manager for consumer affairs in Japan, Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF director of marketing and trade development in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, and Jihae Yang, USMEF director in South Korea.
Thursday’s conference highlights included a look ahead at opportunities and challenges in the beef and pork exports markets, with CattleFax CEO Randy Blach leading a discussion that drew expertise from Binger and Jack Shao, Hormel Foods Corporation’s sales and marketing manager for Japan, Korea and international pork.
Anne Dawson, a senior trade advisor in her 19th year of service with FAS, received the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes an individual for leadership and lifetime contributions toward the achievement of USMEF’s export goals.
For more details on the conference, please visit www.usmef.org.
HEARING SET ON MEASURE TO PROTECT FARMERS FROM ‘CITIZEN LAWSUITS’
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment next Thursday will hold a hearing on a “discussion draft” bill that would protect farmers from citizen lawsuits related to solid waste such as manure. The legislation – the “Farm Regulatory Certainty Act” – sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., would amend the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to prohibit third-party citizen suits against an agricultural operation related to manure or crop residue that is stored or returned to the soil as fertilizer or soil conditioner if the state or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency already is working with the operation through a civil, criminal or administrative action to address identified problems.
U.S. PORK REPRESENTED ON NAFTA PANEL
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce this week hosted The Future of NAFTA: The Stakes for American Agriculture and Business, an event featuring past National Pork Producers Council president Randy Spronk, who represented the U.S. pork industry during a panel discussion that also included Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes. Following remarks by Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., the panel discussion highlighted the considerable harm a NAFTA termination would cause.
In his remarks, Spronk said, “If the administration follows through on its threats to withdraw from NAFTA, the giant sucking sound would be the air going out of the economy of rural America as farmers and ranchers take a major financial hit.”
Official renegotiation talks on the agreement are scheduled to resume Nov. 17 in Mexico City, with additional rounds extending into next year. NPPC continues to urge the Trump administration to remain committed to NAFTA and to maintain zero-duty market access for pork exports to Canada and Mexico. A U.S. withdrawal from NAFTA would cost the U.S. pork industry $1.5 billion.
RFA: US Ethanol Exports Down
The United States exported 86.4 million gallons of fuel ethanol in September, down 16% from August shipments, according to an analysis of government data by the Renewable Fuels Association.
RFA said the data shows Canada was again the top destination for U.S. exports at 28.8 mg or one-third of the total exports, but down 5% from August.
India was the surprise major player in the global ethanol market, raising its import rate of U.S. ethanol by 126% to 20.3 mg in September, edging out Brazil as the second-leading export destination.
U.S. ethanol exports to all destinations for the first three quarters of 2017 stood at 992.9 mg, an annualized export volume of 1.32 billion gallons.
For the first time in 16 months, Brazil was not one of the top two customers of U.S. ethanol exports, the data shows. The likely reason is a 20% tariff on imports of U.S. ethanol imposed by Brazil in early September.
Ethanol exports to Brazil decreased to 19.1 mg, down 29% from August and 70% below the peak of 64.3 mg in May.
Canada, India and Brazil accounted for a whopping 79% of all shipments in September while another 20% was parsed out among nine other markets.
September exports of undenatured fuel ethanol increased by 5% to 48.7 mg. India imported 20.3 mg after an August absence. The Philippines (2.1 mg), Netherlands (2.1 mg), Mexico (1.7 mg), and Jamaica (1.5 mg) rounded out the top five largest markets for undenatured product.
U.S. exports of denatured fuel ethanol fell in September by 39% to 31.7 mg. Both Canada (27.8 mg or 88%) and Peru (2.3 mg) cut their purchases by 5% from August, while Oman was quiet after making larger purchases in August.
Overseas sales of denatured ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes expanded to the highest volume in nine months at 3.3 mg. Belgium (1.3 mg) and Sweden (1.3 mg) were the largest markets.
Exports of undenatured ethanol for non-fuel, non-beverage purposes decreased 25% to 2.7 mg, with South Korea (1.2 mg) and Canada (1.0 mg) as our primary customers.
For the fifth straight month, the U.S. recorded meaningful ethanol import volumes with 10.7 mg of Brazilian undenatured ethanol on the books in September. Year-to-date fuel ethanol imports total 52.8 mg, an annualized volume of 70.4 mg.
Beef Checkoff Contractor Accused of Undermining Trump's Trade Policy
In a complaint and request for investigation filed with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and United States Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, R-CALF USA accused a major Beef Checkoff Program recipient, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), of attempting to influence governmental policy and action.
The Beef Checkoff Program is a federal program that disseminates government speech by assessing every U.S. cattle rancher a $1 tax on every head of cattle they sell and then giving that tax money to organizations to promote domestic as well as imported beef. Documents show the USMEF recently received about $9 million in checkoff dollars.
Recipients of the checkoff tax are prohibited from using the tax money in any manner to influencing governmental policy or action.
However, an Oct. 31 article in Meatingplace reported the CEO of the USMEF, Phil Seng, issued a warning about President Trump's trade policies, particularly his stated policy option of potentially withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
R-CALF USA seeks an investigation to determine if Seng's salary, office, communications services, or travel are cross-subsidized in any manner by Beef Checkoff Program tax dollars in direct violation of the federal Beef Checkoff Program.
The complaint states that unlike the multinational meatpackers whose interests the USMEF represents, America's ranchers have been harmed for decades by the NAFTA-generated trade deficit in the trade of cattle, beef, beef variety meats and processed beef. The letter states that trade deficit was $3.8 billion in 2014, $4.9 billion in 2015, and $3 billion in 2016.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said that this is a striking example of the swamp that President Trump needs to drain.
"Here you have a government-subsidized organization, with its hands deep inside the government's pockets, that is working in clear public view to undermine the very policy positions that President Trump was elected to fulfill.
"This needs to stop and we hope Secretary Perdue and Ambassador Lighthizer will put a stop to it right away," Bullard concluded.
Perdue Announces Farm Service Agency and Rural Development State Directors
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD) State Directors, all serving as appointees of President Donald J. Trump. FSA State Directors help implement U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies in planning, organizing, and administering FSA programs in their respective states. They are also responsible for running the day-to-day activities of the state FSA office. Similarly, RD State Directors work to help improve the economy and quality of life in rural America.
The following is a partial list of State Directors Perdue released today:
Nebraska: Nancy Johner
Nancy Johner comes to the USDA with over 25 years of senior executive leadership in county, state and federal government as well as the private sector.
Iowa: Amanda De Jong
Amanda De Jong most recently held the position of Senior Policy Advisor at the Iowa Corn Growers Association and she has also served in prior roles with U.S. Senator Charles Grassley and the USDA.
Kansas: David Schemm
David Schemm has served as President of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and President of National Association of Wheat Growers.
“These state directors will help ensure that USDA is offering the best customer service to our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural producers across the country,” Secretary Perdue said. “FSA and RD both play a critical role in helping the people of agriculture, and are able to connect with people in their home states. They are the initial points of contact for millions of our USDA customers. Our goal is to help rural America prosper, and these state leaders will be of great assistance in that task.”
Zoetis Reports Higher Quarterly Revenues, Net Income
Zoetis Inc. reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2017 and raised its full year guidance for revenue and net income.
The company reported revenue of $1.3 billion for the third quarter of 2017, an increase of 9% compared with the third quarter of 2016. Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $298 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, an increase of 25% and 27%, respectively, on a reported basis.
Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $322 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, an increase of 25%, on a reported basis. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2017 excludes the net impact of $24 million for purchase accounting adjustments, acquisition-related costs and certain significant items.
On an operational basis, revenue for the third quarter of 2017 increased 8%, excluding the impact of foreign currency. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2017 increased 25% operationally, excluding the impact of foreign currency.
Disney Supports Feeding America
The Walt Disney Company announced a contribution of $1 million to Feeding America, Chiago, to help food banks expand their local fresh produce sourcing and distribution programs that serve kids and families who need it most. The funds will be distributed to 60 food banks throughout the country. The announcement was made on ABC's "The Chew" today and kicked off Disney's "Share the Joy" campaign, inspiring families around the world to help others and make a positive impact in their community during the holidays.
This year, as part of Disney's "Share the Joy" campaign, Feeding America and Disney will expand access to healthy living options in neighborhoods where kids and families live, work and play. Increasing access to nutritious foods is part of Disney's long-standing commitment to create healthier generations. Disney|ABC Television Group will also inspire audiences to donate nutritious foods through Feeding America with a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that will run on ABC, Freeform, Disney Channel and Disney XD through December. Additionally, ABC-owned television stations in local markets will host volunteer events with local food banks.
During "The Chew" segment, Kids Cafe, a child nutrition program of the Houston Food Bank, was featured along with some volunteers. Carla Hall and Chew Super Fan Rhonda Russell (Houston, TX) help to give back to the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey with a visit to the food bank. The Houston Food Bank was one of several Feeding America food banks directly impacted by hurricanes that made landfall earlier this year. To support Feeding America and the food banks' disaster relief efforts, Disney made an additional donation of $500,000 earlier this year.
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief and food rescue organization in the United States, with a network of 200 member food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. Feeding America's goal is not only to provide meals for people in need, but also to provide nutritious foods that are the building blocks to a healthy life. Thanks to funding from Disney, food banks nationwide have been able to create strategic produce plans to grow local produce channels that help meet the needs in their service area. Funds have also supported investments in assets and infrastructure to help reduce barriers to sourcing and distributing fresh produce to the people they serve.
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
Saturday, November 4, 2017
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Nebraska Cooperative Council Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame
The 72nd Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Cooperative Council is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney. One of the highlights of this year’s meeting will be the induction ceremony for two new inductees into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Cooperative Hall of Fame.
The Council’s Board of Directors implemented the NCC Cooperative Hall of Fame in 1999 as a way to recognize individuals who have been unwavering in their support of the cooperative system in Nebraska. It is the Council’s intent that this prestigious award be reserved for only those who are held in the highest esteem by their peers.
The specific goal of the Cooperative Hall of Fame is to recognize those cooperative leaders whose leadership:
✧ Was instrumental in the growth and service of their respective cooperative.
✧ Fostered and promoted unity and a common approach to agricultural cooperatives.
✧ Improved and promoted a better understanding of the principles and practices of agricultural cooperatives.
✧ Was instrumental in the defense, protection, and enhancement of the agricultural cooperative movement.
On November 15th, the Council will induct the following two individuals into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Hall of Fame:
✧ Rodney Schroeder - Rod grew up on a farm near Leigh, Nebraska and began his career as an accountant at Gooch Mills in Lincoln. Ten months later at the ripe age of 21, he accepted a job at the Aurora Cooperative. Rod quickly rose through the ranks and was named CEO of the Cooperative in 1984.
Rod spent 18 years as CEO at Aurora, and during his tenure the sales of the cooperative grew from under $1 million per year to $162 million in his final year. During that same period, the cooperative grew from 3 locations to 23 locations.
In 2002, Rod left Aurora to join Agriliance, and during that time he provided leadership to bring the cultures of the regionals together to successfully run the business. Agriliance then integrated with Winfield Solutions, and through Rod's leadership pre-tax earnings grew from $40 million to $162 million.
In addition to his leadership and vision at work, Rod also served on many local, state and national boards during his career. These would include service as chairman of United Benefits Group and on the boards of the Co-op Retirement Committee, Farmers Commodity Corporation, Ag Retailers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, Crop Life America, Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company, Heritage Bank, FLM+, and Nebraska Energy Cooperative.
✧ Frederick Temme - Fred is truly one of the most dedicated cooperative supporters that the dairy industry in Nebraska has ever seen. His service on cooperative boards throughout his career distinguish him as a true leader of agricultural cooperatives.
Fred began farming near Wayne in 1955 after serving his country in the U.S. Army. He began share renting the farm from his father and milking 25 cows. Today the operation, that his son and grandson operate, includes over 1,000 acres of farmland and 850 milk cows.
While building a successful business, Fred also provided leadership throughout the industry. Fred began his service to his cooperative as a district officer for Associated Milk Producers Inc (AMPI) in 1977. He served on numerous AMPI committees throughout the years and as a corporate director until his retirement in 1998. He served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary of the Dairy Council of Central States ADA; Vice Chair of the Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board; and as a board director on the Federal Order 65 Production Board and Nebraska Dairy Review Board; and he also had the honor of testifying before Congress.
Locally Fred served on the Wayne County Extension Board, Wayne County Farm Bureau Board, Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation Board, and Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board. He also served on his local school board and church council.
Nebraska Project Aims to Improve Land Use Effiiency
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team will investigate how to improve land use efficiency through the integration of livestock and crop production systems.
The project is funded by a $1 million grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
The team, which includes members of a new Nebraska Beef Systems Research Initiative, expects an integrated system, which overlays cattle grazing with existing crop production systems, to increase output per acre and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with production. The team will also examine if the benefits of using cover crops are retained when they are used for livestock forage.
James C. MacDonald, associate professor of animal science and ruminant nutrition at Nebraska, will lead the team in its investigation of various outputs including yields, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the economic feasibility of adopting these new practices.
"It's very difficult for new or young farmers to get started," MacDonald said. "You may not own the land or need to work with a family member's existing system to start your own enterprise. Integrating cattle without disturbing crop production with minimal investment can help young producers get started and stay in agriculture."
The availability of perennial forage for livestock production has decreased as farms move to less diversified systems to grow individual crops. Highly specialized systems, such as monoculture, may be less sustainable than diversified approaches in terms of resource efficiency and long-term profitability.
"Cover crops are a long-term investment to improve soil health and reduce erosion, but they can be difficult for producers to pay for," MacDonald said. "If producers can graze cattle on cover crops, they could increase land efficiency and mitigate costs."
Producers will play a vital role in the research by participating in surveys and focus groups to gather input about how they make decisions. Outcomes of this study will help farmers and ranchers understand which practices will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while efficiently producing food in a diversified system.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska's 2nd District, said: "As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I know how important it is for producers to maximize livestock production and increase overall productivity. Nebraska is the number one state for beef and veal exports and for commercial red meat production. This grant will allow the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to contribute to the state's cattle production and research effective land use practices to help new farmers."
The project is supported by FFAR through its Seeding Solutions grant program, which calls for research proposals in the foundation's seven challenge areas. The grant is part of the Protein Challenge, which aims to enhance and improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability production of diverse proteins for a growing global population.
"As the population continues to expand, we must find more efficient ways to produce enough food to feed the growing population," said Sally Rockey, Executive Director of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. "FFAR is pleased to support a project that will help efficiently manage resources and provide economic opportunities for American farmers and ranchers."
The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Nebraska matched FFAR's support, resulting in $2.4 million dedicated to this research. The Platte River High-Plains Aquifer Long-term Agroecosystems Research Network is also a partner.
Other team members include Tala Awanda from Nebraska's Agricultural Research Division; Simanti Banerjee and Jay Parsons from the Department of Agricultural Economics; Humberto Blanco and Daren Redfearn from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Mary Drewnoski and Galen Erickson from the Department of Animal Science; Jane Okalebo and Andy Suyker from the School of Natural Resources; and George Burba from LI-COR Biosciences.
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established by bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill, builds unique partnerships to support innovative and actionable science addressing today's food and agriculture challenges. FFAR leverages public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation and partnerships critical to enhancing sustainable production of nutritious food for a growing global population.
Beef Blast Workshop Will Focus on Genetics
Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to attend Beef Blast at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, Iowa. The workshop, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa State Department of Animal Science, will teach participants about working with beef cattle.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 2 and concludes at 3:30 p.m. Workshop presenters include beef faculty, staff and graduate students from Iowa State.
Youth will have a variety of hands-on workshops to explore genetics, the program focus. Participants will be able to use an ultrasound, practice selection and learn about DNA.
“The goal of this workshop is to provide youth with opportunities for learning that they cannot get in their county or school program,” said Amy Powell, youth STEM specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “I hope that they will share the information learned at Beef Blast when they go back home.”
The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes all materials and lunch. Registration is due by midnight, Nov. 21 and space is limited. To register visit http://www.ans.iastate.edu/4-h-beef-blast-0. Parents are also welcome to attend for a cost of $12 which covers meals.
For further information contact Powell at 515-294-3441 or ampowell@iastate.edu.
U.S. Must Make Commitment To Agricultural Research
The National Pork Producers Council in testimony delivered today urged Congress to renew its commitment to funding agricultural research to help America’s farmers feed a growing world population, improve public health and strengthen U.S. national security by ensuring America’s food security.
NPPC chief veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom told the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology that the United States is the “lowest-cost and most technologically innovative producer of food in the world … and has the safest food on the planet” because of the country’s historical commitment to research.
She pointed out that research helped the U.S. pork industry deal with diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and the H1N1 influenza virus. But, she added, U.S. agriculture remains vulnerable to emerging and foreign animal diseases.
A disease the pork industry and other livestock sectors are particularly concerned about, Wagstrom testified, is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). The United States doesn’t have enough vaccine to address an FMD outbreak, which, if unchecked, would cost the pork, beef, corn and soybean sectors, alone, $200 billion over 10 years.
NPPC is urging Congress to establish and fund through the next Farm Bill a manufacturer-managed FMD vaccine bank and is requesting funds for animal disease diagnostics and research that “can help address the alarming gap in the government’s preparedness for an FMD outbreak.”
Wagstrom also told the subcommittee that the federal commitment to agricultural research seems to have waned recently, pointing out that from 1970 to 2008 50 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget went to research but by 2013 it was less than 30 percent.
One factor for that decline, she said, is the increased costs of operating federal research facilities. She asked Congress to ensure adequate funds for operating agricultural research facilities “over and above” research dollars.
“The U.S. pork industry strongly supports and urges a significant increase in funding for federal … agricultural research and grants to help America’s farmers and ranchers continue feeding the world with safe, wholesome and nutritious food,” Wagstrom told the subcommittee.
Farmers Applaud Move to Reform Tax Code
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
“Farm Bureau applauds Congress for its progress in reforming the tax code. This new tax plan moves us closer to a tax system that rewards the hard work and entrepreneurship of America’s farm and ranch families.
“Today’s proposal includes expanded, immediate expensing while continuing the business interest deduction important to so many farmers and ranchers. It also provides immediate relief from the estate tax with a repeal to follow in subsequent years. We will be studying the plan to ensure the new rate structure reduces the tax burden of our nation’s farmers and ranchers and gives them the flexibility they need to reinvest in their businesses.
“We are long overdue for a permanent tax code that recognizes the unique financial challenges farmers and ranchers face in managing their businesses and keeping their farms running from one generation to the next.”
Statement by Steve Nelson, NE Farm Bureau President, Regarding House Releases Sweeping Tax Overhaul Plan
“Today’s release of Congress’ first real attempt to reform our nation’s tax-code in over 30 years, represents a great first step in this long process. For the past several years, Nebraska Farm Bureau members have been working with members of Congress on a package that lowers taxes for Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.”
“The proposal, which includes important reforms to income taxes and farm succession taxes, also maintains the business interest deduction, which is extremely important to farmers and ranchers. We will continue to examine the full package and will remain engaged throughout this process moving forward. We must take advantage of this once in a generation opportunity to provide lower taxes that also recognizes the unique financial challenges facing Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.”
NBB Responds to House Republican Comprehensive Tax Reform Proposal
Today the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) responded to the release of the comprehensive tax reform proposal issued by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas):
“NBB members across the country are disappointed that this first draft of congressional tax reform legislation does not include an extension of the critical biodiesel tax incentives. For decades, stable federal tax incentives for oil and gas have contributed to the world-class, conventional energy industry of today, and NBB encourages legislators to create a similarly stable tax framework for biodiesel and renewable diesel. As the process moves along, NBB stands ready to work with Congressional lawmakers to craft a robust, biodiesel tax incentive that will provide public benefits such as rural job creation, a diversified national fuel portfolio, and fewer toxic pollutants in the air,” said Doug Whitehead, chief operating officer at the National Biodiesel Board.
NBB will continue to work with lawmakers to address these concerns and to include biodiesel tax incentives in comprehensive tax reform proposals moving forward.
House Tax Proposal Would Raise Taxes on America’s Farmers
Chuck Conner, president & CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
By eliminating the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD), also known as Section 199, the "Tax Cuts and Jobst Act of 2017," the tax reform proposal released today by House Ways & Means Chairman Kevin Brady, would raise taxes on millions of farmers and depress economic activity throughout rural America. The value of the deduction for agriculture in a number of states is substantial: $136 million annually in California; $131 million in Minnesota; $80 million in South Dakota; $67 million in Iowa; and $60 million in Nebraska
“Initial calculations using assumptions based on the Unified Framework on tax reform show that the tax burden for an individual farmer could increase by thousands of dollars each year under Section 199 repeal. In the coming days NCFC will continue to analyze the impact of farmers now that more details of the plan have been provided.
“Farmers have been told that tax reform will give them more money in their pockets to invest back in rural communities. The House tax reform package takes money away from farmers at a time when they are suffering from extremely low commodity prices. Rural America strongly supports a pro-growth tax policy, but the proposal to eliminate Section 199 will have the exact opposite effect.”
Shift to More Regressive Taxation Would Increase Burden on Family Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. House of Representatives leadership today released its blueprint for sweeping tax reform, including significant cuts to individual and corporate tax rates and eventual repeal of the estate tax. The plan is estimated to cost $1.51 trillion over the next decade.
In response to the proposal, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson released the following statement:
“While NFU supports efforts to simplify the tax code, we adamantly oppose the overarching elements of this plan because they shift the nation’s tax burden from the top earners in our country to the backs of American family farmers, ranchers and the middle class.
“This plan offers significant tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. It repeals the estate tax, a significant revenue generator that affects only the wealthiest in our nation. And it does not provide adequate offsets for these cuts, translating to a $1.51 trillion increase to our federal deficit.
“While we await details on specific provisions for farming operations, NFU urges a shift towards simplified, progressive tax policy that recognizes the unique needs of family farming and ranching operations. This includes maintaining the estate tax and provisions like cash accounting, stepped-up basis, interest expensing, and others that are important to sustaining a family farm in the 21st Century.”
USDA Dairy Products September 2017 Highlights
Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.01 billion pounds, 2.7 percent above September 2016 but 1.4 percent below August 2017. Italian type cheese production totaled 435 million pounds, 1.4 percent above September 2016 but 0.2 percent below August 2017. American type cheese production totaled 394 million pounds, 4.2 percent above September 2016 but 1.3 percent below August 2017. Butter production was 135 million pounds, 0.3 percent below September 2016 but 2.8 percent above August 2017.
Dry milk products (comparisons with September 2016)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 133 million pounds, up 6.2 percent.
Skim milk powder - 30.4 million pounds, down 21.0 percent.
Whey products (comparisons with September 2016)
Dry whey, total - 91.3 million pounds, up 20.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.2 million pounds, up 0.3 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 38.7 million pounds, up 5.3 percent.
Frozen products (comparisons with September 2016)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 61.3 million gallons, down 3.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 33.0 million gallons, down 6.5 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.15 million gallons, down 6.4 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.91 million gallons, down 3.2 percent.
NMPF Celebrates Industry Collaboration and Innovation at 101st Annual Meeting in California
The importance of increased collaboration across the dairy community, defending the good name of dairy foods, and pursuing innovative new marketing strategies were key themes this week here at the National Milk Producers Federation’s 101st annual meeting, where 800 attendees heard from their policy and promotion organizations on how to create more opportunities for the U.S. dairy industry.
Hosted jointly by NMPF, the National Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association, this year’s event was themed “We Are Undeniably Dairy,” building on a campaign launched earlier this year that celebrates dairy’s undeniable goodness in the areas of nutrition, sustainability and community involvement. NMPF’s leaders, in their remarks to members, stressed the need for America’s dairy companies to do more in collaboration with other marketing cooperatives.
“We have to stop looking at other U.S. cooperatives as if we’re competitors,” said NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney in his remarks. “We have to recognize that in a globalized dairy market, our competitors are outside of America’s borders, and we have to work together to fight for a larger share of those markets.”
NMPF’s annual Town Hall event featured presentations from staff on the latest policy issues affecting the industry, including efforts in Congress to address immigration reform, the fight against misbranded dairy imitators, and NMPF’s extensive work this year to achieve a positive outcome in the ongoing NAFTA negotiations. Later in the day, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern discussed the organization’s work this year to improve the dairy safety net in the coming farm bill, as well as its new campaign, Peel Back the Label, which challenges the misleading marketing practices used by certain food companies.
“To surmount the hurdles that we face, and carry these efforts across the finish line, we must stand together as a united industry,” Mulhern said. “Our dairy community is unstoppable when we engage on these important issues.” He said major grassroots efforts will be needed in support of proposed congressional reforms to immigration laws. He also discussed how NMPF will be working more closely in the coming year with dairy processors on farm policy improvements.
Trace Sheehan, co-producer of the documentary “Food Evolution,” was the meeting’s keynote speaker. He shared his experience working on the film, which centers on the contentious debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Later that evening, attendees were invited to a screening of the documentary and a question-and-answer session with Sheehan.
In other meeting news, NMPF’s annual cheese contest was won by a pepperjack cheese made by Michigan Milk Producers Association in its Middlebury, Ind., processing plant. NMPF’s member cooperatives submitted a record 194 entries, totaling 3,070 pounds of cheese products.
Also this week, NMPF welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors: Tom Beringer of Bongards’ Creameries, Leon Berthiaume of St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Brad Nosbush of First District Association, and Brian Rexing of Dairy Farmers of America. NMPF also recognized retiring board members Ralph McNall of St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and George Mertens of Dairy Farmers of America for their contributions to the industry.
Dairy Farmers of America’s communications team scored several awards in NMPF’s annual communications competition, including the top “Communicator of the Year” award.
NMPF’s Young Cooperator Program hosted its own full day of speakers on topics including food marketing trends, optimizing dairy cattle feeding, and how to manage farm ownership transitions between generations. The 2018 YC Advisory Council also selected its leadership for the upcoming year. Justin and Jennifer Malott of Smithsburg, Md., who are members of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, were elected as the new Chaircouple. Josh and Emily Reinhardt of Red Bud, Ill., members of Prairie Farms, were elected Vice Chaircouple, and Nate and Jenny Elzinga of Zeeland, Mich., members of Michigan Milk Producers Association, were elected Secretary Couple.
Chinese Corn, Sorghum And DDGS Team Investigates U.S. Production And Quality
A team of Chinese buyers of corn, sorghum and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) traveled to the United States last month to investigate crop production and quality as well as gain a better understanding of U.S. feed grains and co-products as a valuable feed ingredient.
The Chinese trade team visited with farmers in Iowa and Kansas. Here, the team talks with Mike Paustian in Iowa to learn about his swine operation and corn production.
The team, organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), traveled from Iowa to Kansas, ending travels in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour encompassed the entirety of the U.S. marketing system from farms to export facilities, including visits to corn and sorghum operations, ethanol plants, country elevators, container trans-loading facilities and export terminals.
“This team marks the first time in a few years we have brought a buying team to major corn producing areas,” said Bryan Lohmar, USGC director in China. “Teams like these allow participants to see for themselves the efficiency of the logistics and marketing system in the United States.”
The Chinese team also met with U.S. trading companies and trained for two days at the IGP Institute on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. The China Contracting Workshop focused on the U.S. grain production and marketing system, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grain standards, U.S. export grain inspections as well as contracting methods and vessel- and container-loading systems.
China is an important market for U.S. feed grains, albeit a complex environment. The country was the top importer of U.S. sorghum in the 2016/2017 marketing year at 4.8 million metric tons (189 million bushels). China also purchased 807,000 metric tons (31.8 million bushels) of U.S. corn in 2016/2017, a 151 percent increase year-over-year, which follows Chinese changes to domestic corn policies.
In January 2017, the Chinese government started enforcing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on U.S. DDGS. Despite the subsequent decline in purchases, China remained the fifth largest market for U.S. DDGS for the 2016/2017 marketing year, purchasing 739,000 metric tons total.
“The team was very glad to see the good quality corn and sorghum crops this year,” said Yantian Zeng, USGC program manager in China who also traveled with the team. “Participants were very optimistic about sourcing more corn from the United States this year and in future years.”
Syngenta obtains non-exclusive IP license from Broad Institute for CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology for agriculture applications
Syngenta announced today it has attained a non-exclusive IP license from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard for CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology for agricultural applications.
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology complements Syngenta’s already robust plant breeding innovation toolbox. Syngenta is applying this technology in multiple crops, including corn, wheat, tomato, rice and sunflower.
“Gaining access to CRISPR-Cas9 technology will allow us to accelerate the rate of innovation in the development of new plant varieties, and bring novel traits into the hands of growers faster, and with greater efficiency,” said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, global head of seeds research at Syngenta. “Using this advanced technology will help us deliver on the 21st century food production challenges.”
The 72nd Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Cooperative Council is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15th at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney. One of the highlights of this year’s meeting will be the induction ceremony for two new inductees into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Cooperative Hall of Fame.
The Council’s Board of Directors implemented the NCC Cooperative Hall of Fame in 1999 as a way to recognize individuals who have been unwavering in their support of the cooperative system in Nebraska. It is the Council’s intent that this prestigious award be reserved for only those who are held in the highest esteem by their peers.
The specific goal of the Cooperative Hall of Fame is to recognize those cooperative leaders whose leadership:
✧ Was instrumental in the growth and service of their respective cooperative.
✧ Fostered and promoted unity and a common approach to agricultural cooperatives.
✧ Improved and promoted a better understanding of the principles and practices of agricultural cooperatives.
✧ Was instrumental in the defense, protection, and enhancement of the agricultural cooperative movement.
On November 15th, the Council will induct the following two individuals into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Hall of Fame:
✧ Rodney Schroeder - Rod grew up on a farm near Leigh, Nebraska and began his career as an accountant at Gooch Mills in Lincoln. Ten months later at the ripe age of 21, he accepted a job at the Aurora Cooperative. Rod quickly rose through the ranks and was named CEO of the Cooperative in 1984.
Rod spent 18 years as CEO at Aurora, and during his tenure the sales of the cooperative grew from under $1 million per year to $162 million in his final year. During that same period, the cooperative grew from 3 locations to 23 locations.
In 2002, Rod left Aurora to join Agriliance, and during that time he provided leadership to bring the cultures of the regionals together to successfully run the business. Agriliance then integrated with Winfield Solutions, and through Rod's leadership pre-tax earnings grew from $40 million to $162 million.
In addition to his leadership and vision at work, Rod also served on many local, state and national boards during his career. These would include service as chairman of United Benefits Group and on the boards of the Co-op Retirement Committee, Farmers Commodity Corporation, Ag Retailers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, Crop Life America, Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company, Heritage Bank, FLM+, and Nebraska Energy Cooperative.
✧ Frederick Temme - Fred is truly one of the most dedicated cooperative supporters that the dairy industry in Nebraska has ever seen. His service on cooperative boards throughout his career distinguish him as a true leader of agricultural cooperatives.
Fred began farming near Wayne in 1955 after serving his country in the U.S. Army. He began share renting the farm from his father and milking 25 cows. Today the operation, that his son and grandson operate, includes over 1,000 acres of farmland and 850 milk cows.
While building a successful business, Fred also provided leadership throughout the industry. Fred began his service to his cooperative as a district officer for Associated Milk Producers Inc (AMPI) in 1977. He served on numerous AMPI committees throughout the years and as a corporate director until his retirement in 1998. He served as Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary of the Dairy Council of Central States ADA; Vice Chair of the Nebraska Dairy Industry Development Board; and as a board director on the Federal Order 65 Production Board and Nebraska Dairy Review Board; and he also had the honor of testifying before Congress.
Locally Fred served on the Wayne County Extension Board, Wayne County Farm Bureau Board, Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation Board, and Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board. He also served on his local school board and church council.
Nebraska Project Aims to Improve Land Use Effiiency
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team will investigate how to improve land use efficiency through the integration of livestock and crop production systems.
The project is funded by a $1 million grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
The team, which includes members of a new Nebraska Beef Systems Research Initiative, expects an integrated system, which overlays cattle grazing with existing crop production systems, to increase output per acre and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with production. The team will also examine if the benefits of using cover crops are retained when they are used for livestock forage.
James C. MacDonald, associate professor of animal science and ruminant nutrition at Nebraska, will lead the team in its investigation of various outputs including yields, soil health and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the economic feasibility of adopting these new practices.
"It's very difficult for new or young farmers to get started," MacDonald said. "You may not own the land or need to work with a family member's existing system to start your own enterprise. Integrating cattle without disturbing crop production with minimal investment can help young producers get started and stay in agriculture."
The availability of perennial forage for livestock production has decreased as farms move to less diversified systems to grow individual crops. Highly specialized systems, such as monoculture, may be less sustainable than diversified approaches in terms of resource efficiency and long-term profitability.
"Cover crops are a long-term investment to improve soil health and reduce erosion, but they can be difficult for producers to pay for," MacDonald said. "If producers can graze cattle on cover crops, they could increase land efficiency and mitigate costs."
Producers will play a vital role in the research by participating in surveys and focus groups to gather input about how they make decisions. Outcomes of this study will help farmers and ranchers understand which practices will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while efficiently producing food in a diversified system.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, who represents Nebraska's 2nd District, said: "As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I know how important it is for producers to maximize livestock production and increase overall productivity. Nebraska is the number one state for beef and veal exports and for commercial red meat production. This grant will allow the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to contribute to the state's cattle production and research effective land use practices to help new farmers."
The project is supported by FFAR through its Seeding Solutions grant program, which calls for research proposals in the foundation's seven challenge areas. The grant is part of the Protein Challenge, which aims to enhance and improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability production of diverse proteins for a growing global population.
"As the population continues to expand, we must find more efficient ways to produce enough food to feed the growing population," said Sally Rockey, Executive Director of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. "FFAR is pleased to support a project that will help efficiently manage resources and provide economic opportunities for American farmers and ranchers."
The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Office of Research and Economic Development at Nebraska matched FFAR's support, resulting in $2.4 million dedicated to this research. The Platte River High-Plains Aquifer Long-term Agroecosystems Research Network is also a partner.
Other team members include Tala Awanda from Nebraska's Agricultural Research Division; Simanti Banerjee and Jay Parsons from the Department of Agricultural Economics; Humberto Blanco and Daren Redfearn from the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Mary Drewnoski and Galen Erickson from the Department of Animal Science; Jane Okalebo and Andy Suyker from the School of Natural Resources; and George Burba from LI-COR Biosciences.
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established by bipartisan congressional support in the 2014 Farm Bill, builds unique partnerships to support innovative and actionable science addressing today's food and agriculture challenges. FFAR leverages public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation and partnerships critical to enhancing sustainable production of nutritious food for a growing global population.
Beef Blast Workshop Will Focus on Genetics
Youth in grades 7-12 are invited to attend Beef Blast at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, Iowa. The workshop, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa State Department of Animal Science, will teach participants about working with beef cattle.
The program begins at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 2 and concludes at 3:30 p.m. Workshop presenters include beef faculty, staff and graduate students from Iowa State.
Youth will have a variety of hands-on workshops to explore genetics, the program focus. Participants will be able to use an ultrasound, practice selection and learn about DNA.
“The goal of this workshop is to provide youth with opportunities for learning that they cannot get in their county or school program,” said Amy Powell, youth STEM specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “I hope that they will share the information learned at Beef Blast when they go back home.”
The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes all materials and lunch. Registration is due by midnight, Nov. 21 and space is limited. To register visit http://www.ans.iastate.edu/4-h-beef-blast-0. Parents are also welcome to attend for a cost of $12 which covers meals.
For further information contact Powell at 515-294-3441 or ampowell@iastate.edu.
U.S. Must Make Commitment To Agricultural Research
The National Pork Producers Council in testimony delivered today urged Congress to renew its commitment to funding agricultural research to help America’s farmers feed a growing world population, improve public health and strengthen U.S. national security by ensuring America’s food security.
NPPC chief veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom told the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology that the United States is the “lowest-cost and most technologically innovative producer of food in the world … and has the safest food on the planet” because of the country’s historical commitment to research.
She pointed out that research helped the U.S. pork industry deal with diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and the H1N1 influenza virus. But, she added, U.S. agriculture remains vulnerable to emerging and foreign animal diseases.
A disease the pork industry and other livestock sectors are particularly concerned about, Wagstrom testified, is Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). The United States doesn’t have enough vaccine to address an FMD outbreak, which, if unchecked, would cost the pork, beef, corn and soybean sectors, alone, $200 billion over 10 years.
NPPC is urging Congress to establish and fund through the next Farm Bill a manufacturer-managed FMD vaccine bank and is requesting funds for animal disease diagnostics and research that “can help address the alarming gap in the government’s preparedness for an FMD outbreak.”
Wagstrom also told the subcommittee that the federal commitment to agricultural research seems to have waned recently, pointing out that from 1970 to 2008 50 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget went to research but by 2013 it was less than 30 percent.
One factor for that decline, she said, is the increased costs of operating federal research facilities. She asked Congress to ensure adequate funds for operating agricultural research facilities “over and above” research dollars.
“The U.S. pork industry strongly supports and urges a significant increase in funding for federal … agricultural research and grants to help America’s farmers and ranchers continue feeding the world with safe, wholesome and nutritious food,” Wagstrom told the subcommittee.
Farmers Applaud Move to Reform Tax Code
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall
“Farm Bureau applauds Congress for its progress in reforming the tax code. This new tax plan moves us closer to a tax system that rewards the hard work and entrepreneurship of America’s farm and ranch families.
“Today’s proposal includes expanded, immediate expensing while continuing the business interest deduction important to so many farmers and ranchers. It also provides immediate relief from the estate tax with a repeal to follow in subsequent years. We will be studying the plan to ensure the new rate structure reduces the tax burden of our nation’s farmers and ranchers and gives them the flexibility they need to reinvest in their businesses.
“We are long overdue for a permanent tax code that recognizes the unique financial challenges farmers and ranchers face in managing their businesses and keeping their farms running from one generation to the next.”
Statement by Steve Nelson, NE Farm Bureau President, Regarding House Releases Sweeping Tax Overhaul Plan
“Today’s release of Congress’ first real attempt to reform our nation’s tax-code in over 30 years, represents a great first step in this long process. For the past several years, Nebraska Farm Bureau members have been working with members of Congress on a package that lowers taxes for Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.”
“The proposal, which includes important reforms to income taxes and farm succession taxes, also maintains the business interest deduction, which is extremely important to farmers and ranchers. We will continue to examine the full package and will remain engaged throughout this process moving forward. We must take advantage of this once in a generation opportunity to provide lower taxes that also recognizes the unique financial challenges facing Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.”
NBB Responds to House Republican Comprehensive Tax Reform Proposal
Today the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) responded to the release of the comprehensive tax reform proposal issued by U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas):
“NBB members across the country are disappointed that this first draft of congressional tax reform legislation does not include an extension of the critical biodiesel tax incentives. For decades, stable federal tax incentives for oil and gas have contributed to the world-class, conventional energy industry of today, and NBB encourages legislators to create a similarly stable tax framework for biodiesel and renewable diesel. As the process moves along, NBB stands ready to work with Congressional lawmakers to craft a robust, biodiesel tax incentive that will provide public benefits such as rural job creation, a diversified national fuel portfolio, and fewer toxic pollutants in the air,” said Doug Whitehead, chief operating officer at the National Biodiesel Board.
NBB will continue to work with lawmakers to address these concerns and to include biodiesel tax incentives in comprehensive tax reform proposals moving forward.
House Tax Proposal Would Raise Taxes on America’s Farmers
Chuck Conner, president & CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
By eliminating the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (DPAD), also known as Section 199, the "Tax Cuts and Jobst Act of 2017," the tax reform proposal released today by House Ways & Means Chairman Kevin Brady, would raise taxes on millions of farmers and depress economic activity throughout rural America. The value of the deduction for agriculture in a number of states is substantial: $136 million annually in California; $131 million in Minnesota; $80 million in South Dakota; $67 million in Iowa; and $60 million in Nebraska
“Initial calculations using assumptions based on the Unified Framework on tax reform show that the tax burden for an individual farmer could increase by thousands of dollars each year under Section 199 repeal. In the coming days NCFC will continue to analyze the impact of farmers now that more details of the plan have been provided.
“Farmers have been told that tax reform will give them more money in their pockets to invest back in rural communities. The House tax reform package takes money away from farmers at a time when they are suffering from extremely low commodity prices. Rural America strongly supports a pro-growth tax policy, but the proposal to eliminate Section 199 will have the exact opposite effect.”
Shift to More Regressive Taxation Would Increase Burden on Family Farmers and Ranchers
U.S. House of Representatives leadership today released its blueprint for sweeping tax reform, including significant cuts to individual and corporate tax rates and eventual repeal of the estate tax. The plan is estimated to cost $1.51 trillion over the next decade.
In response to the proposal, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson released the following statement:
“While NFU supports efforts to simplify the tax code, we adamantly oppose the overarching elements of this plan because they shift the nation’s tax burden from the top earners in our country to the backs of American family farmers, ranchers and the middle class.
“This plan offers significant tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. It repeals the estate tax, a significant revenue generator that affects only the wealthiest in our nation. And it does not provide adequate offsets for these cuts, translating to a $1.51 trillion increase to our federal deficit.
“While we await details on specific provisions for farming operations, NFU urges a shift towards simplified, progressive tax policy that recognizes the unique needs of family farming and ranching operations. This includes maintaining the estate tax and provisions like cash accounting, stepped-up basis, interest expensing, and others that are important to sustaining a family farm in the 21st Century.”
USDA Dairy Products September 2017 Highlights
Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.01 billion pounds, 2.7 percent above September 2016 but 1.4 percent below August 2017. Italian type cheese production totaled 435 million pounds, 1.4 percent above September 2016 but 0.2 percent below August 2017. American type cheese production totaled 394 million pounds, 4.2 percent above September 2016 but 1.3 percent below August 2017. Butter production was 135 million pounds, 0.3 percent below September 2016 but 2.8 percent above August 2017.
Dry milk products (comparisons with September 2016)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 133 million pounds, up 6.2 percent.
Skim milk powder - 30.4 million pounds, down 21.0 percent.
Whey products (comparisons with September 2016)
Dry whey, total - 91.3 million pounds, up 20.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 95.2 million pounds, up 0.3 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 38.7 million pounds, up 5.3 percent.
Frozen products (comparisons with September 2016)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 61.3 million gallons, down 3.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 33.0 million gallons, down 6.5 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.15 million gallons, down 6.4 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.91 million gallons, down 3.2 percent.
NMPF Celebrates Industry Collaboration and Innovation at 101st Annual Meeting in California
The importance of increased collaboration across the dairy community, defending the good name of dairy foods, and pursuing innovative new marketing strategies were key themes this week here at the National Milk Producers Federation’s 101st annual meeting, where 800 attendees heard from their policy and promotion organizations on how to create more opportunities for the U.S. dairy industry.
Hosted jointly by NMPF, the National Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association, this year’s event was themed “We Are Undeniably Dairy,” building on a campaign launched earlier this year that celebrates dairy’s undeniable goodness in the areas of nutrition, sustainability and community involvement. NMPF’s leaders, in their remarks to members, stressed the need for America’s dairy companies to do more in collaboration with other marketing cooperatives.
“We have to stop looking at other U.S. cooperatives as if we’re competitors,” said NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney in his remarks. “We have to recognize that in a globalized dairy market, our competitors are outside of America’s borders, and we have to work together to fight for a larger share of those markets.”
NMPF’s annual Town Hall event featured presentations from staff on the latest policy issues affecting the industry, including efforts in Congress to address immigration reform, the fight against misbranded dairy imitators, and NMPF’s extensive work this year to achieve a positive outcome in the ongoing NAFTA negotiations. Later in the day, NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern discussed the organization’s work this year to improve the dairy safety net in the coming farm bill, as well as its new campaign, Peel Back the Label, which challenges the misleading marketing practices used by certain food companies.
“To surmount the hurdles that we face, and carry these efforts across the finish line, we must stand together as a united industry,” Mulhern said. “Our dairy community is unstoppable when we engage on these important issues.” He said major grassroots efforts will be needed in support of proposed congressional reforms to immigration laws. He also discussed how NMPF will be working more closely in the coming year with dairy processors on farm policy improvements.
Trace Sheehan, co-producer of the documentary “Food Evolution,” was the meeting’s keynote speaker. He shared his experience working on the film, which centers on the contentious debate over genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Later that evening, attendees were invited to a screening of the documentary and a question-and-answer session with Sheehan.
In other meeting news, NMPF’s annual cheese contest was won by a pepperjack cheese made by Michigan Milk Producers Association in its Middlebury, Ind., processing plant. NMPF’s member cooperatives submitted a record 194 entries, totaling 3,070 pounds of cheese products.
Also this week, NMPF welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors: Tom Beringer of Bongards’ Creameries, Leon Berthiaume of St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Brad Nosbush of First District Association, and Brian Rexing of Dairy Farmers of America. NMPF also recognized retiring board members Ralph McNall of St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and George Mertens of Dairy Farmers of America for their contributions to the industry.
Dairy Farmers of America’s communications team scored several awards in NMPF’s annual communications competition, including the top “Communicator of the Year” award.
NMPF’s Young Cooperator Program hosted its own full day of speakers on topics including food marketing trends, optimizing dairy cattle feeding, and how to manage farm ownership transitions between generations. The 2018 YC Advisory Council also selected its leadership for the upcoming year. Justin and Jennifer Malott of Smithsburg, Md., who are members of Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, were elected as the new Chaircouple. Josh and Emily Reinhardt of Red Bud, Ill., members of Prairie Farms, were elected Vice Chaircouple, and Nate and Jenny Elzinga of Zeeland, Mich., members of Michigan Milk Producers Association, were elected Secretary Couple.
Chinese Corn, Sorghum And DDGS Team Investigates U.S. Production And Quality
A team of Chinese buyers of corn, sorghum and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) traveled to the United States last month to investigate crop production and quality as well as gain a better understanding of U.S. feed grains and co-products as a valuable feed ingredient.
The Chinese trade team visited with farmers in Iowa and Kansas. Here, the team talks with Mike Paustian in Iowa to learn about his swine operation and corn production.
The team, organized by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), traveled from Iowa to Kansas, ending travels in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour encompassed the entirety of the U.S. marketing system from farms to export facilities, including visits to corn and sorghum operations, ethanol plants, country elevators, container trans-loading facilities and export terminals.
“This team marks the first time in a few years we have brought a buying team to major corn producing areas,” said Bryan Lohmar, USGC director in China. “Teams like these allow participants to see for themselves the efficiency of the logistics and marketing system in the United States.”
The Chinese team also met with U.S. trading companies and trained for two days at the IGP Institute on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. The China Contracting Workshop focused on the U.S. grain production and marketing system, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grain standards, U.S. export grain inspections as well as contracting methods and vessel- and container-loading systems.
China is an important market for U.S. feed grains, albeit a complex environment. The country was the top importer of U.S. sorghum in the 2016/2017 marketing year at 4.8 million metric tons (189 million bushels). China also purchased 807,000 metric tons (31.8 million bushels) of U.S. corn in 2016/2017, a 151 percent increase year-over-year, which follows Chinese changes to domestic corn policies.
In January 2017, the Chinese government started enforcing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on U.S. DDGS. Despite the subsequent decline in purchases, China remained the fifth largest market for U.S. DDGS for the 2016/2017 marketing year, purchasing 739,000 metric tons total.
“The team was very glad to see the good quality corn and sorghum crops this year,” said Yantian Zeng, USGC program manager in China who also traveled with the team. “Participants were very optimistic about sourcing more corn from the United States this year and in future years.”
Syngenta obtains non-exclusive IP license from Broad Institute for CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology for agriculture applications
Syngenta announced today it has attained a non-exclusive IP license from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard for CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing technology for agricultural applications.
CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology complements Syngenta’s already robust plant breeding innovation toolbox. Syngenta is applying this technology in multiple crops, including corn, wheat, tomato, rice and sunflower.
“Gaining access to CRISPR-Cas9 technology will allow us to accelerate the rate of innovation in the development of new plant varieties, and bring novel traits into the hands of growers faster, and with greater efficiency,” said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne, global head of seeds research at Syngenta. “Using this advanced technology will help us deliver on the 21st century food production challenges.”
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Wednesday November 1 Ag News
Nebraska Dairy Producer Recognized for Judicious Use of Antibiotics
Boehringer Ingelheim recognized three dairy producers who demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of animals, consumers and the industry with the judicious use of antibiotics in their Producers for Progress recognition program.
Megan Hickey of Prairieland Dairy in Firth, Nebraska, was chosen as the grand prize winner out of nearly 200 applicants. “I’m honored to be selected as the grand prize winner and advocate for the judicious use of antibiotics,” said Hickey. “As an industry, we need to do things better because our consumers are demanding it. If we don't listen to what consumers want, then we're not going to have a market for our product. We have to focus on preventive medicine and health.”
Because of the increased scrutiny from consumers, Hickey encourages all dairy producers to take a look at their antibiotic use to see where they can make improvements. “I personally believe in judicious use of antibiotics, from the cow's standpoint and animal care standpoint,” she explained. “For the past four years our operation has been very tuned in to using antibiotics only where they are needed. This means a cow does not get an antibiotic unless she is clinically diagnosed with a fever or a Gram-positive culture. We strive to treat every animal case-by- case and use little-to- no blanket mastitis treatment.”
The first-place winner, Becky Czarnezki of Miltrim Farms Inc. in Athens, Wisconsin, explained that her operation focuses on prevention to help reduce their antibiotic use. “Prevention is key,” she said. “We focus on finding the cause of illnesses in our cows to prevent them from happening.” When they have to treat, she said communication and good records help to hold them accountable. “If any treatments are given it is vital to ensure label usage and the proper milk withhold are being followed.”
Emily Gigandet of Envision Dairy LLC in Amsterdam, New York, is the second-place winner. Gigandet believes that reducing antibiotic use on the farm is a smart financial decision and moral obligation. “We work very closely with our team of veterinarians to adjust our treatment protocols and make sure they are as relevant and up-to- date as possible,” she explained. “We also pay close attention to our cow-side exam and diagnosis to ensure we are treating accordingly.”
Like most dairy producers, mastitis is Gigandet’s worst enemy. “Prevention is our best tool for mastitis, so proper vaccination is very important to us, along with cleanliness, routine maintenance and employee training.”
The perks of being a producer for progress? All applicants received a hooded sweatshirt for participating. Plus, Hickey will receive a John Deere Gator™ Basic Package XUV625i 4x4; Czarnezki will receive five pairs of Bogs® Rancher boots; and Gigandet will receive 10 Udder Tech® milking aprons for her team.
Each producer will also receive $250 to donate to the charity or nonprofit organization of their choice.
Hickey will be donating the money to the nonprofit organization Love in Action International Ministries, which built an orphanage in Guayaramerín, Bolivia. Hickey traveled to the orphanage in late September and is passionate about its goals.
“They are trying to make the orphanage self-sufficient,” explained Hickey. “They can't drink any of the water there, so plans are in place to build a processing plant and dairy farm where they can bottle milk and water. The goal will be to build a small store in town to where they can sell the products to make the orphanage profitable.”
The new Producers for Progress recognition program was announced in July as part of BI’s pledge to help protect the future of the industry. “Antibiotics are important to the well-being of
cattle, but we have a responsibility to use them at the right time, at the proper dosage, for the appropriate length of time, and with veterinary oversight,” said Dr. Craig Jones, director, cattle professional services for BI. “We are excited to salute these producers who have demonstrated a significant commitment to these practices.”
The program was targeted to customers of BI mastitis treatment products, and applicants were asked to answer questions about their preventive management practices, their views on
judicious use of antibiotics, and to describe their mastitis treatment protocols. Applicant names and operations were anonymous and judging was based on the following selection criteria:
- Demonstrated understanding of and passion for judicious use of antibiotics
- Commitment to animal well-being
Judges for the program included Dr. Sandra Godden, DVM, University of Minnesota; Dr. Patrick Gorden, DVM, Iowa State University; Dr. Linda Tikofsky, DVM, BI; and Dr. Craig Jones, DVM, BI.
Farmers Encouraged to “Keep the Stubble” During No-Till November
During a special month-long campaign called “No Till November”, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Nebraska farmers to “keep the stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health.
The project is mirrored after the national cancer awareness “No Shave November” campaign. The “No Till November” campaign encourages farmers to keep a different kind of stubble by parking tillage equipment in their machine sheds this fall and keep crop stubble on their fields.
“No till farming is a cornerstone soil health practice, which also promotes water quality while saving farmers time and money,” said Acting State Conservationist Myron Taylor. “One of the first soil health principles is ‘do not disturb.’ This campaign is a fun way to remind farmers about the important relationship between tillage and soil health.”
Improving soil health increases soil biological activity, which provides erosion control, nutrient benefits and can simulate tillage.
Nebraska State Conservation Agronomist Corey Brubaker says fall tillage disturbs soil and removes valuable cover that can leave soil exposed and unprotected during harsh winter months. Other field-disturbing practices like baling corn stalks also removes valuable cover and nutrients from the field.
“Farmers who bale cornstalks for livestock bedding or sell it to other livestock producers could be entering into a losing proposition due to the lost nutrient value and soil health benefits,” Brubaker said.
Based on current commodity prices and the nutrient value in each bale, Brubaker says farmers should leave crop residue in the field especially if the fields are highly erodible and subject to conservation compliance.
“The plant residue left in the field after harvest is a valuable resource,” says Brubaker. “The value in cornstalks can be better used for reducing soil erosion, providing extra organic matter content in the soil, and contributing nutrients back to the soil.”
In Nebraska, cornstalk bales are currently selling for $45-75 per ton. The estimated cost of baling cornstalks, considering the value of the nutrients removed ($28/ton*), custom raking ($3/ton), and custom baling ($22/ton), is about $53 per ton. If bales are sold at the lower end of the current rate, farmers are not only losing money, but also the benefits of leaving residue on their fields.
Conservationists at the Natural Resources Conservation Service say the best thing producers can do for their cropland is to leave it undisturbed as much as possible. They encourage producers this November to not till their fields and keep crop residue in place to replenish the soil.
For more information on how to protect and improve soil quality, contact your local NRCS office or to www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
Cattle producers invited to 2017 Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit
Cattle producers and friends of the industry are invited to attend the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting on December 7 and 8. The event will be held at the CPMI Center in Ames. Interested attendees may register online at www.iacattlemen.org or call 515-296-2266.
Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit
The leadership summit will bring together the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to celebrate the past year’s successes and work towards improving Iowa’s beef industry into the future.
The event begins on Thursday morning with registration at 9:00 and the keynote at 10:00.
Speakers throughout the day will cover beef exports, the impact of Iowa’s beef industry, and future opportunities for beef industry growth. Attendees will also hear from leaders of successful county cattlemen’s organizations and past presidents of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Lunch will be served by The Smokin’ Hereford, the winner of the 2017 Iowa’s Best Burger contest.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association policy meetings will also be held on Thursday, and the day will be capped off with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation banquet and auction.
Friday morning will begin with a continental breakfast and keynote, followed by the Iowa Beef Industry Council annual meeting and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting.
There is no cost to attend the Leadership Summit, but RSVPs are appreciated. Visit www.iacattlemen.org to for more information and to RSVP.
Use ISU Extension and Outreach Publications to Make Informed Manure Decisions
Harvest has arrived, and with it manure application season has begun. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has resources available to help farmers make informed decisions about manure application this fall.
Manure can be a valuable commodity on a farm, and ISU Extension and Outreach publication “Manure: A Valuable Commodity” (AE 3607) looks at the value of manure and how its characteristics have changed.
“The first step to understanding how to get the most from manure is to collect a sample,” said Dan Andersen, assistant professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University. “Believe me, this is worth your time and effort as manure offers a potential value of around $8 an acre.”
The steps for analyzing manure can be found in ISU Extension and Outreach publication “How to Sample Manure for Nutrient Analysis” (PM 1558). Two additional resources to help farmers make better manure application decisions after sampling are “How to Interpret your Manure Nutrient Analysis” (PM 3014) and “Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production” (PMR 1003).
After determining how to apply manure, the final step is to get the manure into the ground.
“The biggest things to think about are the timing of application, method of application and making sure you are getting the most from your equipment,” Andersen said. “Regarding equipment, there are two things to check – making sure we are hitting the rate we want and then making sure the application is as uniform as possible.”
ISU Extension and Outreach publications “Calibrating Liquid Tank Manure Applicators” (AE 3601A) and “Distribution of Liquid Manure Application” (AE 3600) provide information on how to set up and monitor the amount of manure applicators are spreading.
The timing of manure application is also important. Delaying application until the soil temperature is less than 50 degrees F and cooling helps to ensure nitrogen will be there next year for crops to use. Anderson’s blog, The Manure Scoop, details the science behind the recommendation. Insuring this temperature recommendation is met is more important on ammonium-rich manures like liquid swine manure where the nitrogen is more readily available.
Much more information about the use of manure is available through The Manure Scoop, which is updated throughout the year.
EIA: Ethanol Stocks, Output Rise
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a weekly report Wednesday, Nov. 1, showing increases for U.S. ethanol inventory, plant production and blending demand during the week-ended Oct. 27.
The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed fuel ethanol stocks rose by 500,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.4%, to 21.5 million bbl, with a year-over-year surplus at 1.8 million bbl, or 9.1%.
Domestic plant production rose 17,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.6%, to 1.056 million bpd during the week reviewed, while up 34,000 bpd, or 3.3%, year over year. For the four weeks ended last week, ethanol production averaged 1.020 million bpd, up 27,000 bpd, or 2.6%, against the year prior.
Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, rose 5,000 bpd, or 0.5%, to 930,000 bpd, while up 8,000 bpd, or 0.9%, year over year. For the four-week period ended Oct. 27, blending demand averaged 929,000 bpd, up 11,000 bpd, or 1.2%.
USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.36 million tons (145 million bushels) in September 2017, compared to 4.55 million tons (152 million bushels) in August 2017 and 4.15 million tons (138 million bushels) in September 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.70 billion pounds down 3 percent from August 2017 but up 5 percent from September 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.39 billion pounds during September 2017 decreased 8 percent from August 2017 but increased 2 percent from September 2016.
Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 194 thousand tons in September 2017, compared to 152 thousand tons in August 2017 and 213 thousand tons in September 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 165 million pounds up 30 percent from August 2017 but down 10 percent from September 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 150 million pounds during September 2017 was up 10 percent from August 2017 but down 13 percent from September 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 38.3 million pounds during September 2017 was down 24 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016.
Edible tallow production was 77.5 million pounds during September 2017, down 5 percent from August 2017 but up 13 percent from September 2016. Inedible tallow production was 298 million pounds during September 2017, down 6 percent from August 2017 and down 4 percent from September 2016. Technical tallow production was 85.6 million pounds during September 2017, down 12 percent from August 2017 and down 18 percent from September 2016. Choice white grease production at 103 million pounds during September 2017 decreased 7 percent from August 2017 and decreased 8 percent from September 2016.
USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 500 million bushels in September 2017. Total corn consumption was down 8 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016. September 2017 usage included 91.3 percent for alcohol and 8.7 percent for other purposes. Corn total corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.54 million bushels, down slightly from August 2017 but up 27 percent from September 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 448 million bushels, was down 7 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016. Corn consumed in September 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 89.8 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.
Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.85 million tons during September 2017, down 10 percent from August 2017 and down 6 percent from September 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.28 million tons in September 2017, down 5 percent from August 2017 but up 7 percent from September 2016.
Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 322 thousand tons during September 2017, down 13 percent from August 2017 and down 1 percent from September 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 280 thousand tons in September 2017, down 14 percent from August 2017 and down 8 percent from September 2016.
USDA Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the third quarter 2017 was 234 million bushels, up 4 percent from the second quarter 2017 grind of 224 million bushels and up slightly from the third quarter 2016 grind of 233 million bushels. Third quarter 2017 total flour production was 108 million hundredweight, up 4 percent from the second quarter 2017 and up slightly from the third quarter 2016. Whole wheat flour production at 5.63 million hundredweight during the third quarter 2017 accounted for 5 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the third quarter 2017 was 1.64 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the third quarter 2017 was 1.62 thousand hundredweight.
Durum wheat ground for flour and semolina production during the third quarter of 2017 totaled 16.2 million bushels, up 1 percent from the second quarter 2017 but down 1 percent from the third quarter 2016. Third quarter 2017 durum flour and semolina production was 7.79 million hundredweight, up 2 percent from the second quarter 2017 and up 1 percent from the third quarter 2016. Whole wheat durum flour and semolina production was 194 thousand hundredweight, up 55 percent from 125 thousand hundredweight in the second quarter 2017 and up 7 percent from 181 thousand hundredweight from the third quarter 2016. Third quarter durum wheat millfeed production was 111 thousand tons and the daily 24-hour milling capacity for durum and semolina production was 127 thousand hundredweight.
Rye ground for flour during the third quarter of 2017 was 406 thousand bushels, down 8 percent from the second quarter 2017 and down 14 percent from the third quarter 2016. Rye flour production during the third quarter of 2017 was 206 thousand hundredweight, compared to 215 thousand hundredweight and 233 thousand hundredweight in the previous quarter and the same quarter
previous year. The daily 24-hour milling capacity for rye milling was 9.39 thousand hundredweight for the third quarter 2017.
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2017
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for November 2017. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for November is 1.375 percent, up from 1.250 percent in October.
The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during November is 2.375 percent, up from 2.250 percent in October.
Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November are as follows, 1.625 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.500 percent in October; 1.875 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in October; 2.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in October; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 2.125 percent in October and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.250 percent in October.
Major Fertilizer Prices Stabilize
Prices for the eight major fertilizers appear to be stabilizing as only UAN32 and urea showed increases the fourth week of October 2017 compared to one month earlier, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.
UAN32 led the way with an average price increase of about 8% to $262 per ton. The average price of urea came in 1% higher at around $325/ton.
The average prices of three fertilizers dropped. Anhydrous, 10-34-0 and UAN28 all saw 1% drops, at $393/ton, $407/ton and $205/ton, respectively.
The prices for MAP, DAP and potash remained virtually unchanged at $453, $431 and $347 per ton, respectively.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.35/lb.N, anhydrous $0.24/lb.N, UAN28 $0.37/lb.N and UAN32 $0.41/lb.N.
Four of the eight major retail fertilizers are now lower compared to one year earlier. Two of the four are double digits lower. Anhydrous is now 17% lower from a year ago, while 10-34-0 is 10% less expensive and UAN28 is 8% lower. UAN32 and MAP remain unchanged, while potash and urea are higher by 11% and 3%, respectively.
Sixty-Four House Members Tell Pruitt RFS has Failed
A bipartisan group of 64 lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday asked U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to consider what they say are the negative effects of the Renewable Fuel Standard, in a letter sent to Pruitt.
Pressure applied to EPA on potential changes to the RFS in recent weeks by Midwest members of Congress, led the agency to back down. This week, the EPA sent the final 2018 renewable volume obligations in the RFS to the Office of Management and Budget.
As a result of the agency's actions, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is holding up the confirmation of Bill Northey to a key USDA post, in attempt to convince President Donald Trump's administration to meet with federal lawmakers from oil-producing states about their RFS concerns.
The letter sent to Pruitt on Wednesday is led by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, Peter Welch, D-Vermont, Steve Womack, R-Arkansas, and Jim Costa, D-California.
"For over a decade, the American people have been forced to live with the Renewable Fuel Standard, a well-intentioned but deeply flawed policy that has negatively impacted families and businesses across the United States," the letter said.
"When the RFS was first passed in 2005, it was designed to reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil, to protect the environment, and to revitalize rural America. However, as we look in the rear-view mirror, it's clear that the RFS accomplished none of these goals. By diverting more than 35% of the annual corn harvest to fuel additive, the RFS has raised the cost of livestock production, increased food price volatility and insecurity, decreased fuel efficiency, damaged small-engine equipment, hurt the environment, and chipped away at household budgets. The combined effects of this ethanol mandate have created a hidden tax on every American consumer. Simply put, in its current state, the RFS has run out of gas.
"American families and our economy have shouldered the costs of the failed ethanol mandate for far too long. As members of Congress representing communities in every region of the United States, we urge the EPA to continue to acknowledge that the RFS has significant pitfalls and costs in future rulemaking. We look forward to working with you to put forth well-founded biofuels policies that reflect market realities and benefit American families and businesses."
The EPA had announced in a notice a proposal to further reduce the renewable volume blend requirements for advanced biofuels, biomass-based diesel volumes for 2018 and 2019, and the total renewable fuel volumes in the RFS.
EPA also reportedly considered a proposal from Valero Energy to leave renewable identification numbers, or RINs, attached to U.S. ethanol gallons produced in the U.S. and exported. Currently, the credits are removed from exported gallons. The biofuels industry is concerned that doing so would flood the market with RINs and harm domestic biofuel producers.
NMPF Building Support in Congress to Approve DAIRY PRIDE Act, Force FDA to Take Action on Mislabeled Dairy Imitators
Efforts to expose the deceptive labeling and marketing of plant-based products that exploit the nutritional halo of real dairy products continues to gain traction and “has these fake food marketers worried,” attendees here at the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual meeting heard this week by the organization’s leadership.
NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern told the organization that he remains committed to achieving passage in Congress of the DAIRY PRIDE Act (DPA), legislation in the Senate and House that would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce existing food labeling standards and prevent misbranded plant-based imitators from appropriating federally-defined dairy terms on their labels.
The Senate bill, S. 130, was introduced in January by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The companion House bill, H.R. 778, was introduced later that month by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Joe Courtney (D-CT), David Valadao (R-CA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA).
FDA regulations (CFR 131.110) define “milk” as a product of a cow, with similar definitions for yogurt and cheese products. Though existing federal policy is clear on this classification, “the FDA has unfortunately allowed these decidedly non-dairy copycats made from nuts, beans, seeds and grains to label their products using dairy-specific terms,” Mulhern said.
Mulhern told the dairy farmer members of NMPF during the organization’s 101st annual meeting that the U.S. regulatory system for food labeling is failing consumers, as it fails to adjust to the proliferation of foods mimicking real dairy products. He said that in the absence of a strong federal role in food labeling, nutritionally inferior imitators will continue to pass themselves off as suitable substitutes for real milk.
He noted that vegan organizations have organized to oppose the DPA “because they recognize that the attention we’ve brought to this issue through the introduction of the DAIRY PRIDE Act shines a spotlight on the nutritional inferiority of fake dairy products, in comparison to real milk and dairy products. Once Congress enacts this legislation, FDA will no longer be able ignore their own existing regulations.”
While FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has recently expressed interest in having his agency look more carefully at the labeling issue, passage in Congress of the DPA is needed to force the FDA to act on the matter.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. Announces Increased Third Quarter 2017 Results
Land O'Lakes, Inc. today announced increased third quarter 2017 financial results with quarterly net earnings of $47.5 million, up from third quarter net earnings in 2016 of $8.1 million. Similarly, year-to-date net earnings were also higher at $270.4 million on sales of $10.2 billion versus net earnings of $246.4 million on sales of just under $10 billion for the same time period in 2016, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 9.8 percent. Third quarter sales remained constant at $2.8 billion for both 2017 and 2016.
Third quarter earnings benefitted from strong performance in Crop Inputs and Animal Feed which was partly offset by lower earnings in Dairy Foods and investments in Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN. Earnings in Crop Inputs were driven by higher volumes in alfalfa and improved margins in crop protection products. Animal Feed volumes were lower than 2016 levels but margins and product mix improved across the portfolio. Dairy Foods benefited from strong volumes in foodservice but overall margins were lower due to declines in global milk powder markets, which impacted pricing.
"Despite strong headwinds and volatility in commodities, Land O'Lakes, Inc. continues to grow based on smart investments and a focused strategy," said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "The recently finalized merger between WinField and United Suppliers has given the company the opportunity to drive costs out of our business and improve pricing and service for our members, giving them an advantage in the market and the ability to run their operations more profitably."
Ames, Iowa-based United Suppliers and Land O'Lakes, Inc.'s crop protection and seed businesses combined in October 2015 and operate as WinField United. The two companies completed their merger in early October 2017.
Also during the third quarter, the company celebrated the grand opening of the WinField United Innovation Center in River Falls, Wisconsin, a 55,000-square-foot product and technology development and testing facility that will help give farmers better tools to grow crops more sustainably. In July, the company kicked off the Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl, a celebration of modern farming as part of its Founding Partnership with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee.
ADM Reports Lower Earnings During Third Quarter
Citing a challenging agricultural services and oilseeds environment, Archer Daniels Midland Co. reported on Tuesday earnings below expectations for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. ADM posted third-quarter earnings of 34 cents per share, 45 cents per share on an adjusted basis.
The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 55 cents per share.
Results overall were also down compared to the third quarter of 2016. ADM reported segment operating profit of $485 million, compared to $645 million the prior year. Net profit attributable to ADM was $192 million from $341 million in 2016. Revenue was $14.83 billion, down 6.3 percent.
Some good news was in corn processing, which includes ethanol operations, where profit was reported at $253 million compared to $214 million last year. Ag services fell from $195 million in 2016, to $87 million year over year, while oilseeds processing dropped from $145 million to $119 million.
This comes on the heels of a second quarter in which ADM surprised Wall Street with a profit of $276 million, exceeding analysts' expectations.
Hormel to Buy Premium Deli-Meat Producer for $850 Million
Hormel Foods Corp. said Tuesday it will buy Arbor Investments' deli-meat business for roughly $850 million, the latest ripple in a wave of consolidation hitting the packaged foods industry.
The Spam maker is betting that adding Columbus Manufacturing Inc., which focuses on high-end cuts of meat, to its portfolio will help the company appeal to shoppers who are increasingly looking for fresher foods that they perceive are healthier.
"Columbus is capitalizing on one of the fastest-growing areas in the retail grocery store with premium, authentic products that are on-trend with today's consumers who are looking for unique experiences, flavors, and products," said Hormel Chief Executive Jim Snee in a statement.
Chicago-based Arbor Investments, which focuses on food and beverage business, bought Columbus Manufacturing Inc. in 2012 for an undisclosed sum. Since the acquisition, the private-equity firm's assets under management have grown to $1.5 billion from $700 million.
Arysta LifeScience Unveils EVEREST® 3.0 Herbicide
Greater weed control with improved ease of product use is now available to wheat growers.
Arysta LifeScience North America recently introduced EVEREST® 3.0 Herbicide, the patent-pending formulation with built-in safener technology.
“EVEREST 3.0 changes the game for weed control in spring, durum and winter wheat,” said Chad Effertz, Head of Research and Development, Arysta LifeScience. “With greater stability of the product’s active ingredients, wheat growers will note enhanced performance in weed control, longer shelf life for the product and unsurpassed ease of use.”
Even Tougher on the Toughest Weeds
The new carrier technology in the patent-pending EVEREST 3.0 formulation helps growers get rid of even the hardest-to-kill weeds, including:
yellow foxtail,
wild oat,
green foxtail,
bromes,
barnyard grass, and
rattail fescue.
Easier to Use
With low use rates and best-in-class crop safety, the highly concentrated formula of EVEREST 3.0 now features unsurpassed ease of use.
“Arysta LifeScience listened when wheat growers said that with no-till farming and the ever-changing climate, they are fighting a different grass weed spectrum today than years before. They needed a better, more comprehensive, broader-spectrum solution on hard-to-kill weeds,” Effertz added. “While the formulation in EVEREST 3.0 may be new, growers will get the same, dependable Flush after flush® control of key grass and broadleaf weeds with this herbicide. It’s a highly concentrated formula with a new ultra-low use rates partnered with application and tank-mix flexibility. It’s no wonder wheat growers call it the best Group 2 herbicide out there.”
Boehringer Ingelheim recognized three dairy producers who demonstrated their commitment to the well-being of animals, consumers and the industry with the judicious use of antibiotics in their Producers for Progress recognition program.
Megan Hickey of Prairieland Dairy in Firth, Nebraska, was chosen as the grand prize winner out of nearly 200 applicants. “I’m honored to be selected as the grand prize winner and advocate for the judicious use of antibiotics,” said Hickey. “As an industry, we need to do things better because our consumers are demanding it. If we don't listen to what consumers want, then we're not going to have a market for our product. We have to focus on preventive medicine and health.”
Because of the increased scrutiny from consumers, Hickey encourages all dairy producers to take a look at their antibiotic use to see where they can make improvements. “I personally believe in judicious use of antibiotics, from the cow's standpoint and animal care standpoint,” she explained. “For the past four years our operation has been very tuned in to using antibiotics only where they are needed. This means a cow does not get an antibiotic unless she is clinically diagnosed with a fever or a Gram-positive culture. We strive to treat every animal case-by- case and use little-to- no blanket mastitis treatment.”
The first-place winner, Becky Czarnezki of Miltrim Farms Inc. in Athens, Wisconsin, explained that her operation focuses on prevention to help reduce their antibiotic use. “Prevention is key,” she said. “We focus on finding the cause of illnesses in our cows to prevent them from happening.” When they have to treat, she said communication and good records help to hold them accountable. “If any treatments are given it is vital to ensure label usage and the proper milk withhold are being followed.”
Emily Gigandet of Envision Dairy LLC in Amsterdam, New York, is the second-place winner. Gigandet believes that reducing antibiotic use on the farm is a smart financial decision and moral obligation. “We work very closely with our team of veterinarians to adjust our treatment protocols and make sure they are as relevant and up-to- date as possible,” she explained. “We also pay close attention to our cow-side exam and diagnosis to ensure we are treating accordingly.”
Like most dairy producers, mastitis is Gigandet’s worst enemy. “Prevention is our best tool for mastitis, so proper vaccination is very important to us, along with cleanliness, routine maintenance and employee training.”
The perks of being a producer for progress? All applicants received a hooded sweatshirt for participating. Plus, Hickey will receive a John Deere Gator™ Basic Package XUV625i 4x4; Czarnezki will receive five pairs of Bogs® Rancher boots; and Gigandet will receive 10 Udder Tech® milking aprons for her team.
Each producer will also receive $250 to donate to the charity or nonprofit organization of their choice.
Hickey will be donating the money to the nonprofit organization Love in Action International Ministries, which built an orphanage in Guayaramerín, Bolivia. Hickey traveled to the orphanage in late September and is passionate about its goals.
“They are trying to make the orphanage self-sufficient,” explained Hickey. “They can't drink any of the water there, so plans are in place to build a processing plant and dairy farm where they can bottle milk and water. The goal will be to build a small store in town to where they can sell the products to make the orphanage profitable.”
The new Producers for Progress recognition program was announced in July as part of BI’s pledge to help protect the future of the industry. “Antibiotics are important to the well-being of
cattle, but we have a responsibility to use them at the right time, at the proper dosage, for the appropriate length of time, and with veterinary oversight,” said Dr. Craig Jones, director, cattle professional services for BI. “We are excited to salute these producers who have demonstrated a significant commitment to these practices.”
The program was targeted to customers of BI mastitis treatment products, and applicants were asked to answer questions about their preventive management practices, their views on
judicious use of antibiotics, and to describe their mastitis treatment protocols. Applicant names and operations were anonymous and judging was based on the following selection criteria:
- Demonstrated understanding of and passion for judicious use of antibiotics
- Commitment to animal well-being
Judges for the program included Dr. Sandra Godden, DVM, University of Minnesota; Dr. Patrick Gorden, DVM, Iowa State University; Dr. Linda Tikofsky, DVM, BI; and Dr. Craig Jones, DVM, BI.
Farmers Encouraged to “Keep the Stubble” During No-Till November
During a special month-long campaign called “No Till November”, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging Nebraska farmers to “keep the stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health.
The project is mirrored after the national cancer awareness “No Shave November” campaign. The “No Till November” campaign encourages farmers to keep a different kind of stubble by parking tillage equipment in their machine sheds this fall and keep crop stubble on their fields.
“No till farming is a cornerstone soil health practice, which also promotes water quality while saving farmers time and money,” said Acting State Conservationist Myron Taylor. “One of the first soil health principles is ‘do not disturb.’ This campaign is a fun way to remind farmers about the important relationship between tillage and soil health.”
Improving soil health increases soil biological activity, which provides erosion control, nutrient benefits and can simulate tillage.
Nebraska State Conservation Agronomist Corey Brubaker says fall tillage disturbs soil and removes valuable cover that can leave soil exposed and unprotected during harsh winter months. Other field-disturbing practices like baling corn stalks also removes valuable cover and nutrients from the field.
“Farmers who bale cornstalks for livestock bedding or sell it to other livestock producers could be entering into a losing proposition due to the lost nutrient value and soil health benefits,” Brubaker said.
Based on current commodity prices and the nutrient value in each bale, Brubaker says farmers should leave crop residue in the field especially if the fields are highly erodible and subject to conservation compliance.
“The plant residue left in the field after harvest is a valuable resource,” says Brubaker. “The value in cornstalks can be better used for reducing soil erosion, providing extra organic matter content in the soil, and contributing nutrients back to the soil.”
In Nebraska, cornstalk bales are currently selling for $45-75 per ton. The estimated cost of baling cornstalks, considering the value of the nutrients removed ($28/ton*), custom raking ($3/ton), and custom baling ($22/ton), is about $53 per ton. If bales are sold at the lower end of the current rate, farmers are not only losing money, but also the benefits of leaving residue on their fields.
Conservationists at the Natural Resources Conservation Service say the best thing producers can do for their cropland is to leave it undisturbed as much as possible. They encourage producers this November to not till their fields and keep crop residue in place to replenish the soil.
For more information on how to protect and improve soil quality, contact your local NRCS office or to www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.
Cattle producers invited to 2017 Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit
Cattle producers and friends of the industry are invited to attend the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting on December 7 and 8. The event will be held at the CPMI Center in Ames. Interested attendees may register online at www.iacattlemen.org or call 515-296-2266.
Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit
The leadership summit will bring together the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to celebrate the past year’s successes and work towards improving Iowa’s beef industry into the future.
The event begins on Thursday morning with registration at 9:00 and the keynote at 10:00.
Speakers throughout the day will cover beef exports, the impact of Iowa’s beef industry, and future opportunities for beef industry growth. Attendees will also hear from leaders of successful county cattlemen’s organizations and past presidents of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
Lunch will be served by The Smokin’ Hereford, the winner of the 2017 Iowa’s Best Burger contest.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association policy meetings will also be held on Thursday, and the day will be capped off with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation banquet and auction.
Friday morning will begin with a continental breakfast and keynote, followed by the Iowa Beef Industry Council annual meeting and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting.
There is no cost to attend the Leadership Summit, but RSVPs are appreciated. Visit www.iacattlemen.org to for more information and to RSVP.
Use ISU Extension and Outreach Publications to Make Informed Manure Decisions
Harvest has arrived, and with it manure application season has begun. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has resources available to help farmers make informed decisions about manure application this fall.
Manure can be a valuable commodity on a farm, and ISU Extension and Outreach publication “Manure: A Valuable Commodity” (AE 3607) looks at the value of manure and how its characteristics have changed.
“The first step to understanding how to get the most from manure is to collect a sample,” said Dan Andersen, assistant professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University. “Believe me, this is worth your time and effort as manure offers a potential value of around $8 an acre.”
The steps for analyzing manure can be found in ISU Extension and Outreach publication “How to Sample Manure for Nutrient Analysis” (PM 1558). Two additional resources to help farmers make better manure application decisions after sampling are “How to Interpret your Manure Nutrient Analysis” (PM 3014) and “Using Manure Nutrients for Crop Production” (PMR 1003).
After determining how to apply manure, the final step is to get the manure into the ground.
“The biggest things to think about are the timing of application, method of application and making sure you are getting the most from your equipment,” Andersen said. “Regarding equipment, there are two things to check – making sure we are hitting the rate we want and then making sure the application is as uniform as possible.”
ISU Extension and Outreach publications “Calibrating Liquid Tank Manure Applicators” (AE 3601A) and “Distribution of Liquid Manure Application” (AE 3600) provide information on how to set up and monitor the amount of manure applicators are spreading.
The timing of manure application is also important. Delaying application until the soil temperature is less than 50 degrees F and cooling helps to ensure nitrogen will be there next year for crops to use. Anderson’s blog, The Manure Scoop, details the science behind the recommendation. Insuring this temperature recommendation is met is more important on ammonium-rich manures like liquid swine manure where the nitrogen is more readily available.
Much more information about the use of manure is available through The Manure Scoop, which is updated throughout the year.
EIA: Ethanol Stocks, Output Rise
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a weekly report Wednesday, Nov. 1, showing increases for U.S. ethanol inventory, plant production and blending demand during the week-ended Oct. 27.
The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed fuel ethanol stocks rose by 500,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.4%, to 21.5 million bbl, with a year-over-year surplus at 1.8 million bbl, or 9.1%.
Domestic plant production rose 17,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.6%, to 1.056 million bpd during the week reviewed, while up 34,000 bpd, or 3.3%, year over year. For the four weeks ended last week, ethanol production averaged 1.020 million bpd, up 27,000 bpd, or 2.6%, against the year prior.
Net refiner and blender inputs, a measure for ethanol demand, rose 5,000 bpd, or 0.5%, to 930,000 bpd, while up 8,000 bpd, or 0.9%, year over year. For the four-week period ended Oct. 27, blending demand averaged 929,000 bpd, up 11,000 bpd, or 1.2%.
USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.36 million tons (145 million bushels) in September 2017, compared to 4.55 million tons (152 million bushels) in August 2017 and 4.15 million tons (138 million bushels) in September 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.70 billion pounds down 3 percent from August 2017 but up 5 percent from September 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.39 billion pounds during September 2017 decreased 8 percent from August 2017 but increased 2 percent from September 2016.
Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 194 thousand tons in September 2017, compared to 152 thousand tons in August 2017 and 213 thousand tons in September 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 165 million pounds up 30 percent from August 2017 but down 10 percent from September 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 150 million pounds during September 2017 was up 10 percent from August 2017 but down 13 percent from September 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 38.3 million pounds during September 2017 was down 24 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016.
Edible tallow production was 77.5 million pounds during September 2017, down 5 percent from August 2017 but up 13 percent from September 2016. Inedible tallow production was 298 million pounds during September 2017, down 6 percent from August 2017 and down 4 percent from September 2016. Technical tallow production was 85.6 million pounds during September 2017, down 12 percent from August 2017 and down 18 percent from September 2016. Choice white grease production at 103 million pounds during September 2017 decreased 7 percent from August 2017 and decreased 8 percent from September 2016.
USDA Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production
Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 500 million bushels in September 2017. Total corn consumption was down 8 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016. September 2017 usage included 91.3 percent for alcohol and 8.7 percent for other purposes. Corn total corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.54 million bushels, down slightly from August 2017 but up 27 percent from September 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 448 million bushels, was down 7 percent from August 2017 but up 3 percent from September 2016. Corn consumed in September 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 89.8 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.
Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.85 million tons during September 2017, down 10 percent from August 2017 and down 6 percent from September 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.28 million tons in September 2017, down 5 percent from August 2017 but up 7 percent from September 2016.
Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 322 thousand tons during September 2017, down 13 percent from August 2017 and down 1 percent from September 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 280 thousand tons in September 2017, down 14 percent from August 2017 and down 8 percent from September 2016.
USDA Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the third quarter 2017 was 234 million bushels, up 4 percent from the second quarter 2017 grind of 224 million bushels and up slightly from the third quarter 2016 grind of 233 million bushels. Third quarter 2017 total flour production was 108 million hundredweight, up 4 percent from the second quarter 2017 and up slightly from the third quarter 2016. Whole wheat flour production at 5.63 million hundredweight during the third quarter 2017 accounted for 5 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the third quarter 2017 was 1.64 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the third quarter 2017 was 1.62 thousand hundredweight.
Durum wheat ground for flour and semolina production during the third quarter of 2017 totaled 16.2 million bushels, up 1 percent from the second quarter 2017 but down 1 percent from the third quarter 2016. Third quarter 2017 durum flour and semolina production was 7.79 million hundredweight, up 2 percent from the second quarter 2017 and up 1 percent from the third quarter 2016. Whole wheat durum flour and semolina production was 194 thousand hundredweight, up 55 percent from 125 thousand hundredweight in the second quarter 2017 and up 7 percent from 181 thousand hundredweight from the third quarter 2016. Third quarter durum wheat millfeed production was 111 thousand tons and the daily 24-hour milling capacity for durum and semolina production was 127 thousand hundredweight.
Rye ground for flour during the third quarter of 2017 was 406 thousand bushels, down 8 percent from the second quarter 2017 and down 14 percent from the third quarter 2016. Rye flour production during the third quarter of 2017 was 206 thousand hundredweight, compared to 215 thousand hundredweight and 233 thousand hundredweight in the previous quarter and the same quarter
previous year. The daily 24-hour milling capacity for rye milling was 9.39 thousand hundredweight for the third quarter 2017.
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2017
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for November 2017. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for November is 1.375 percent, up from 1.250 percent in October.
The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during November is 2.375 percent, up from 2.250 percent in October.
Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November are as follows, 1.625 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.500 percent in October; 1.875 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in October; 2.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in October; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 2.125 percent in October and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.250 percent in October.
Major Fertilizer Prices Stabilize
Prices for the eight major fertilizers appear to be stabilizing as only UAN32 and urea showed increases the fourth week of October 2017 compared to one month earlier, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.
UAN32 led the way with an average price increase of about 8% to $262 per ton. The average price of urea came in 1% higher at around $325/ton.
The average prices of three fertilizers dropped. Anhydrous, 10-34-0 and UAN28 all saw 1% drops, at $393/ton, $407/ton and $205/ton, respectively.
The prices for MAP, DAP and potash remained virtually unchanged at $453, $431 and $347 per ton, respectively.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.35/lb.N, anhydrous $0.24/lb.N, UAN28 $0.37/lb.N and UAN32 $0.41/lb.N.
Four of the eight major retail fertilizers are now lower compared to one year earlier. Two of the four are double digits lower. Anhydrous is now 17% lower from a year ago, while 10-34-0 is 10% less expensive and UAN28 is 8% lower. UAN32 and MAP remain unchanged, while potash and urea are higher by 11% and 3%, respectively.
Sixty-Four House Members Tell Pruitt RFS has Failed
A bipartisan group of 64 lawmakers in the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday asked U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to consider what they say are the negative effects of the Renewable Fuel Standard, in a letter sent to Pruitt.
Pressure applied to EPA on potential changes to the RFS in recent weeks by Midwest members of Congress, led the agency to back down. This week, the EPA sent the final 2018 renewable volume obligations in the RFS to the Office of Management and Budget.
As a result of the agency's actions, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is holding up the confirmation of Bill Northey to a key USDA post, in attempt to convince President Donald Trump's administration to meet with federal lawmakers from oil-producing states about their RFS concerns.
The letter sent to Pruitt on Wednesday is led by Reps. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virginia, Peter Welch, D-Vermont, Steve Womack, R-Arkansas, and Jim Costa, D-California.
"For over a decade, the American people have been forced to live with the Renewable Fuel Standard, a well-intentioned but deeply flawed policy that has negatively impacted families and businesses across the United States," the letter said.
"When the RFS was first passed in 2005, it was designed to reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil, to protect the environment, and to revitalize rural America. However, as we look in the rear-view mirror, it's clear that the RFS accomplished none of these goals. By diverting more than 35% of the annual corn harvest to fuel additive, the RFS has raised the cost of livestock production, increased food price volatility and insecurity, decreased fuel efficiency, damaged small-engine equipment, hurt the environment, and chipped away at household budgets. The combined effects of this ethanol mandate have created a hidden tax on every American consumer. Simply put, in its current state, the RFS has run out of gas.
"American families and our economy have shouldered the costs of the failed ethanol mandate for far too long. As members of Congress representing communities in every region of the United States, we urge the EPA to continue to acknowledge that the RFS has significant pitfalls and costs in future rulemaking. We look forward to working with you to put forth well-founded biofuels policies that reflect market realities and benefit American families and businesses."
The EPA had announced in a notice a proposal to further reduce the renewable volume blend requirements for advanced biofuels, biomass-based diesel volumes for 2018 and 2019, and the total renewable fuel volumes in the RFS.
EPA also reportedly considered a proposal from Valero Energy to leave renewable identification numbers, or RINs, attached to U.S. ethanol gallons produced in the U.S. and exported. Currently, the credits are removed from exported gallons. The biofuels industry is concerned that doing so would flood the market with RINs and harm domestic biofuel producers.
NMPF Building Support in Congress to Approve DAIRY PRIDE Act, Force FDA to Take Action on Mislabeled Dairy Imitators
Efforts to expose the deceptive labeling and marketing of plant-based products that exploit the nutritional halo of real dairy products continues to gain traction and “has these fake food marketers worried,” attendees here at the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual meeting heard this week by the organization’s leadership.
NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern told the organization that he remains committed to achieving passage in Congress of the DAIRY PRIDE Act (DPA), legislation in the Senate and House that would require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce existing food labeling standards and prevent misbranded plant-based imitators from appropriating federally-defined dairy terms on their labels.
The Senate bill, S. 130, was introduced in January by Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The companion House bill, H.R. 778, was introduced later that month by Reps. Peter Welch (D-VT), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Joe Courtney (D-CT), David Valadao (R-CA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA).
FDA regulations (CFR 131.110) define “milk” as a product of a cow, with similar definitions for yogurt and cheese products. Though existing federal policy is clear on this classification, “the FDA has unfortunately allowed these decidedly non-dairy copycats made from nuts, beans, seeds and grains to label their products using dairy-specific terms,” Mulhern said.
Mulhern told the dairy farmer members of NMPF during the organization’s 101st annual meeting that the U.S. regulatory system for food labeling is failing consumers, as it fails to adjust to the proliferation of foods mimicking real dairy products. He said that in the absence of a strong federal role in food labeling, nutritionally inferior imitators will continue to pass themselves off as suitable substitutes for real milk.
He noted that vegan organizations have organized to oppose the DPA “because they recognize that the attention we’ve brought to this issue through the introduction of the DAIRY PRIDE Act shines a spotlight on the nutritional inferiority of fake dairy products, in comparison to real milk and dairy products. Once Congress enacts this legislation, FDA will no longer be able ignore their own existing regulations.”
While FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has recently expressed interest in having his agency look more carefully at the labeling issue, passage in Congress of the DPA is needed to force the FDA to act on the matter.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. Announces Increased Third Quarter 2017 Results
Land O'Lakes, Inc. today announced increased third quarter 2017 financial results with quarterly net earnings of $47.5 million, up from third quarter net earnings in 2016 of $8.1 million. Similarly, year-to-date net earnings were also higher at $270.4 million on sales of $10.2 billion versus net earnings of $246.4 million on sales of just under $10 billion for the same time period in 2016, reflecting an overall increase of approximately 9.8 percent. Third quarter sales remained constant at $2.8 billion for both 2017 and 2016.
Third quarter earnings benefitted from strong performance in Crop Inputs and Animal Feed which was partly offset by lower earnings in Dairy Foods and investments in Land O'Lakes SUSTAIN. Earnings in Crop Inputs were driven by higher volumes in alfalfa and improved margins in crop protection products. Animal Feed volumes were lower than 2016 levels but margins and product mix improved across the portfolio. Dairy Foods benefited from strong volumes in foodservice but overall margins were lower due to declines in global milk powder markets, which impacted pricing.
"Despite strong headwinds and volatility in commodities, Land O'Lakes, Inc. continues to grow based on smart investments and a focused strategy," said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "The recently finalized merger between WinField and United Suppliers has given the company the opportunity to drive costs out of our business and improve pricing and service for our members, giving them an advantage in the market and the ability to run their operations more profitably."
Ames, Iowa-based United Suppliers and Land O'Lakes, Inc.'s crop protection and seed businesses combined in October 2015 and operate as WinField United. The two companies completed their merger in early October 2017.
Also during the third quarter, the company celebrated the grand opening of the WinField United Innovation Center in River Falls, Wisconsin, a 55,000-square-foot product and technology development and testing facility that will help give farmers better tools to grow crops more sustainably. In July, the company kicked off the Land O'Lakes Farm Bowl, a celebration of modern farming as part of its Founding Partnership with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee.
ADM Reports Lower Earnings During Third Quarter
Citing a challenging agricultural services and oilseeds environment, Archer Daniels Midland Co. reported on Tuesday earnings below expectations for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. ADM posted third-quarter earnings of 34 cents per share, 45 cents per share on an adjusted basis.
The results did not meet Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 55 cents per share.
Results overall were also down compared to the third quarter of 2016. ADM reported segment operating profit of $485 million, compared to $645 million the prior year. Net profit attributable to ADM was $192 million from $341 million in 2016. Revenue was $14.83 billion, down 6.3 percent.
Some good news was in corn processing, which includes ethanol operations, where profit was reported at $253 million compared to $214 million last year. Ag services fell from $195 million in 2016, to $87 million year over year, while oilseeds processing dropped from $145 million to $119 million.
This comes on the heels of a second quarter in which ADM surprised Wall Street with a profit of $276 million, exceeding analysts' expectations.
Hormel to Buy Premium Deli-Meat Producer for $850 Million
Hormel Foods Corp. said Tuesday it will buy Arbor Investments' deli-meat business for roughly $850 million, the latest ripple in a wave of consolidation hitting the packaged foods industry.
The Spam maker is betting that adding Columbus Manufacturing Inc., which focuses on high-end cuts of meat, to its portfolio will help the company appeal to shoppers who are increasingly looking for fresher foods that they perceive are healthier.
"Columbus is capitalizing on one of the fastest-growing areas in the retail grocery store with premium, authentic products that are on-trend with today's consumers who are looking for unique experiences, flavors, and products," said Hormel Chief Executive Jim Snee in a statement.
Chicago-based Arbor Investments, which focuses on food and beverage business, bought Columbus Manufacturing Inc. in 2012 for an undisclosed sum. Since the acquisition, the private-equity firm's assets under management have grown to $1.5 billion from $700 million.
Arysta LifeScience Unveils EVEREST® 3.0 Herbicide
Greater weed control with improved ease of product use is now available to wheat growers.
Arysta LifeScience North America recently introduced EVEREST® 3.0 Herbicide, the patent-pending formulation with built-in safener technology.
“EVEREST 3.0 changes the game for weed control in spring, durum and winter wheat,” said Chad Effertz, Head of Research and Development, Arysta LifeScience. “With greater stability of the product’s active ingredients, wheat growers will note enhanced performance in weed control, longer shelf life for the product and unsurpassed ease of use.”
Even Tougher on the Toughest Weeds
The new carrier technology in the patent-pending EVEREST 3.0 formulation helps growers get rid of even the hardest-to-kill weeds, including:
yellow foxtail,
wild oat,
green foxtail,
bromes,
barnyard grass, and
rattail fescue.
Easier to Use
With low use rates and best-in-class crop safety, the highly concentrated formula of EVEREST 3.0 now features unsurpassed ease of use.
“Arysta LifeScience listened when wheat growers said that with no-till farming and the ever-changing climate, they are fighting a different grass weed spectrum today than years before. They needed a better, more comprehensive, broader-spectrum solution on hard-to-kill weeds,” Effertz added. “While the formulation in EVEREST 3.0 may be new, growers will get the same, dependable Flush after flush® control of key grass and broadleaf weeds with this herbicide. It’s a highly concentrated formula with a new ultra-low use rates partnered with application and tank-mix flexibility. It’s no wonder wheat growers call it the best Group 2 herbicide out there.”
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Tuesday October 31 Ag News
Grazing Corn Stalk Fields with Beef Cattle
Larry Howard, NE Extension, Cuming County
This past week, we have heard reports in parts of the state where high winds have caused some downed corn and has left 20-70 bushels per acre of corn on the ground. Prior to grazing cornstalks with cattle, an estimate should be made of the amount of corn that is present in the field. University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an excellent publication that addresses this issue. Extension Circular EC 287 Grazing Crop Residues with Beef Cattle http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec278.pdf provides information on a simple method for estimating the bushels of corn that are on the ground.
An 8-inch ear of corn contains about 0.50 lb of corn grain; therefore, 112 8-inch ears would equal 1 bushel (1 bushel = 56 pounds). By counting the number of ears, the amount of corn can be estimated. If corn is planted in 30-inch rows, count the number of ears in three different 100-foot furrow strips and divide by two to give an approximate number of bushels per acre.
For example, after walking three, 100-foot strips, a total of 30 ears of corn were counted. Total ears of corn, which is 30, divided by 2, equals an estimated 15 bushels of corn per acre on the ground. Small ears and broken ears should be counted as half ears, while very large ears could be counted as an ear and a half. Any amount beyond 8-10 bushels per acre will require a well-planned grazing strategy to ensure that too much grain is not consumed by grazing cattle.
If it is determined that there is excessive corn on the ground, the following are strategies to implement to help minimize the risk of digestive upsets (acidosis), lameness and abortions for cattle grazing the cornstalks.
· Limit access to corn by cross fencing the field and using a method called “strip grazing” where cattle are only given access to the determined amount of corn that they should eat for a given day. This method is the most reliable method for controlling corn intake. If downed corn is on an irrigated center pivot, one option for strip grazing is to attach the electric fence to the center pivot and move the pivot to move the fence.
· Consider the class of livestock that is going to be grazed. Cattle that haven’t grazed cornstalks before, such as weaned calves or yearlings, will often take time before they actively seek out corn. This can give the cattle time to adjust and acclimate to the corn. Weaned calves or yearlings can also make best use of the corn and convert it into a saleable product as they are growing and adding pounds that can be marketed.
· Non-pregnant cows that would benefit from gaining weight are another class of livestock that can be a good choice for grazing downed corn. Cull cow prices often seasonally increase from the late fall into the spring which complements the use of this resource.
· Cows that have previous experience with grazing cornstalks will seek downed corn immediately. Cows should be adjusted to corn prior to giving them access to the field. Start cows on 2-3 pounds of corn a day and work them up to 10-12 pounds per day over a 7-10 day period. Adjusting cows to corn will help to reduce the risk of digestive upsets.
· Have cattle full prior to turning out for grazing and provide good quality hay so cattle don’t over consume corn immediately. Feeding palatable hay or other feed daily can also help to reduce the amount of corn that cattle will be eating.
· The use of a Monensin supplement fed daily can help to stabilize feed intake and reduce the risk of founder and bloat which are caused by overeating.
Managing cattle that are grazing cornfields with excessive downed corn can be a challenge for producers. However, with planning and strategy, cattle can clean up and make good use of this situation, benefiting both the farmer and the cattle producer.
Nebraska Extension Beef Webinar - Wednesday, November 1
Nebraska Extension is hosting another webinar, this one is specifically focused for feedlot owners and employees. These are starting a monthly get together using webinars to hit timely topics, and allow for some discussion of educational needs. The webinar is Wednesday, November 1 from 12:30 to 1:30. You can access it easily by clicking the link below. We are using a program called zoom which is free to download.
The topic tomorrow will be new information related to manure value and why we need to recycle this resource. The information will hopefully help with moving manure more easily to cropping neighbors, or provide insight on why you want to use it on your own acres.
They will have a discussion before the formal information is shared about topics that you may need help on or more information provided. An example will be this current proposed reporting requirement or other information you want to know more about.
Please plan to participate, or any employees too. They did the first one in early October and has been viewed 125 times since we recorded it. So, these will be available for searching on our youtube channel as well.
Link to webinar: https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/j/751919398
To access the webinars using a telephone dial 408-638-0968 or 646-876-9923. The meeting id is 751-919-398.
NE Cattlemen Convention Registration Open!
The Annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention & Trade Show held Dec. 5-8 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE will feature beef industry experts and related industry vendors.
Some of this year's convention speakers & topics include:
- Young Cattlemen's Round Table - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: "Be Inspired, Be Impactful, Get Involved"
- Feedlot Council - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Update - Jim Macy, Director, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality & University of Nebraska - Lincoln Feed and Feeding Efficiency Research - Galen Erickson, Ph.D., UNL
- Natural Resources & Environment Committee - Thursday Dec. 7th, 2017: Compliance with New Federal Air Emissions Reporting and more!
- Education and Research/ Taxation Joint Committees - Thursday Dec. 7th, 2017: 2018 Nebraska Tax Reform and Relief & Future of Education Funding in Nebraska
- General Session - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: Hear from Nebraska Cattlemen and National Cattlemen's Beef Association leaders!
You won't want to miss this convention jam-packed with educational opportunities. Not to mention an entire day of Cattlemen's College on Tuesday! Many other great speakers will be presenting during the council and committee meetings. The trade show will be open Wednesday evening and Thursday. You won't want to miss the opportunity to converse with our industry partners.
View full schedule here... http://nebraskacattlemen.org/CMDocs/NebraskaCA/ConventionSchedule17.pdf.
USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting Nov. 1, 2017, farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018.
“Since shares and ownership of a farm can change year-to-year, producers must enroll by signing a contract each program year,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “I encourage producers to contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to enroll.”
The producers on a farm that are not enrolled for the 2018 enrollment period will not be eligible for financial assistance from the ARC or PLC programs for the 2018 crop should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. Producers who made their elections in previous years must still enroll during the 2018 enrollment period.
“This week FSA is issuing approximately $850 million in rice payments,” said Peterson. “These payments are part of the $8 billion in 2016 ARC and PLC payments that started in October to assist enrolled producers who suffered a loss of revenue or price, or both. Over half a million producers will receive ARC payments and over a quarter million producers will receive PLC payments for 2016 crops.”
The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and offer a safety net to agricultural producers when there is a substantial drop in prices or revenues for covered commodities. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. For more details regarding these programs, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.
For more information, producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office.
Voting Begins for 2017 FSA County Committee Elections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2017 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.
“County committee members play an indispensable role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “They provide local input as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and emergency programs. I strongly encourage all eligible producers to cast a vote for a candidate that brings expertise and a diverse perspective to their local committee.”
To ensure their votes are counted, producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4, 2017. Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Approximately 1.7 million producers are currently eligible to vote in this year’s election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote.
Farmers and ranchers will begin receiving their ballots the week of Nov. 6. Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee election. FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can pick one up at their local FSA offices. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 4, 2017. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.
For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Harvest Revenue Insurance Prices
The month of October is important for growers in the key Corn Belt states who purchase revenue-based crop insurance policies. It's when the harvest prices for those policies are set.
With 22 trading days in October now finished, the running average as of 10/31/17: $3.49 per bushel for corn and $9.75 per bushel for soybeans.
For the vast majority of spring-planted crops, planting price guarantees calculated in February were soybeans $10.19 and corn $3.96.
You can also check out a running tally of RMA's harvest prices and prices recently in discovery here: http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/…
Revenue policies with harvest-price protection cover losses caused by a difference in the harvest price (determined in October) from the projected price (determined in February). They also cover revenue losses in the event prices tumble between planting and harvest, as they did for corn in 2008.
For producers in 31 states, the closing price of the December corn contract during each trading day of February is averaged to determine a revenue-insurance-projected price guarantee. The November contract closes are averaged during February for projected price for soybean revenue-based insurance contracts. The September Minneapolis spring wheat closes are averaged for wheat revenue insurance. States with earlier planting have their spring guarantees set at a different time.
"The amount of insurance protection is based on the greater of the projected price or the harvest price," according to the Risk Management Agency's website. "If the harvested plus any appraised production multiplied by the harvest price is less than the amount of insurance protection, the producer is paid an indemnity based on the difference."
NAWG President Defends NAFTA Trade Deal at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Today, NAWG President Gordon Stoner, along with several U.S. agricultural stakeholders and business community representatives, participated in a NAFTA panel titled “The Future of NAFTA: The Stakes for American Agriculture and Business.” The panel took place at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. and was moderated by Neil Herrington, the U.S. Chamber’s Vice President of the Americas.
“The NAFTA trade agreement was key in growing international markets for U.S. wheat,” stated NAWG President and Montana Grower Gordon Stoner. “Just last year alone, Mexico was our largest export market with about 3 million metric tons of wheat and is consistently in the top 10.”
Each year U.S. wheat production is about 58 million metric tons, or about 2.13 billion bushels. The United States exports around 50% of its wheat (1 billion bushels) to more than 100 countries each year.
“With U.S. wheat farmers already enduring financial distress, open access to the Mexican and Canadian markets is needed now more than ever. Our farm economy is struggling, and we look to current and new trade markets to sell our high-quality product,” continued Stoner. “As the Administration continues to be flippant about NAFTA re-negotiations, Mexico has already begun sourcing wheat from other countries. NAWG continues to stress for the Administration to ‘Do No Harm’ and to look ahead for opportunities for new trade deals.”
Additional panelists included:
- Mr. Randy Spronk, Managing Director, Spronk Brothers III; Ranger Farms
- Dr. Dermot Hayes, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chair in Agribusiness, Iowa State University
- Mr. Bob Peterson, Chairman & CEO of Melton Truck Lines, Inc.
- Dr. Albert M. Green, CEO, Kent Displays, Inc.
U.S. Grains Council Adds Overseas Staff To Boost Global Presence, Grain Sales
The U.S. Grains Council is adding a new strategic director in Asia and assistant director in Southeast Asia as part of a global resource expansion meant to capture near-term demand for feed grain sales and build long-term demand for ethanol among global customers.
"Over the past year, the Council's leadership has heard loud and clear that what our members want is new demand, and they are willing to invest in it by allowing us to hire high-quality people around the world," said Tom Sleight, Council president and CEO. "Particularly as we have pivoted to promoting ethanol exports globally, we have focused on ensuring we have the right people in our overseas offices to do this work well and quickly."
Tim Tierney joined the Council as director of strategic marketing/ethanol, North Asia, on Monday, filling a new role that seeks to capitalize on both longstanding relationships in the region and emerging opportunities for biofuels. Tierney will be based in Singapore.
Tierney came to the organization from Syngenta and DuPont, where he worked on products developed for the ethanol industry. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Council for more than 10 years as director in Japan, director of international operations based in Washington, and as a trade servicer.
Caleb Wurth will join the Council's Southeast Asia regional office in Kuala Lumpur as assistant director in November.
Most recently with ADM, he has experience marketing corn and corn co-products to feedlots and working on containerized grain export logistics, both of which are particularly relevant to the region in which he will be working. As a student at Kansas State, he took part in a Council- and FFA-sponsored I-CAL program to educate young leaders on international trade issues.
These additions complement other staff expansions over the last year that are meant to help find, develop and capture wholly new demand for corn, sorghum, barley, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol.
"We know that farmers need sales now to deal with the economic conditions they are facing. Demand supports prices, and we are in the business of both increasing sales over time and capturing purchases being made for this marketing year," Sleight said.
Many of the additional roles focus on ethanol, with consultants newly on board in Latin America, Canada, China and Mexico. The Council has added feed grain-focused consultants in Vietnam, the Arabian Gulf and Western Mexico. Assistant directorships in Mexico and Kuala Lumpur have been in place since late 2016.
This staffing-up process also included offering several existing staff promotions within the organization's global operations and filling positions that came open for consultants in Latin America and Egypt and staff in Tunis and China.
"A robust network of staff and consultants is what makes the Council so effective globally," Sleight said. "We are appreciative of the support and the confidence of our members, and we have our marching orders to find new sales wherever possible."
AGCO Reports Third Quarter Results
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, reported net sales of approximately $2.0 billion for the third quarter of 2017, an increase of approximately 12.8% compared to the third quarter of 2016. Reported net income was $0.76 per share for the third quarter of 2017, and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses, was $0.79 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $0.50 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses, of $0.51 per share for the third quarter of 2016. Excluding favorable currency translation impacts of approximately 2.7%, net sales in the third quarter of 2017 increased approximately 10.1% compared to the third quarter of 2016.
Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were approximately $5.8 billion, an increase of approximately 8.7% compared to the same period in 2016. Excluding unfavorable currency translation impacts of approximately 0.1%, net sales for the first nine months of 2017 increased approximately 8.8% compared to the same period in 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, reported net income was $1.77 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses and a non-cash expense related to waived stock compensation, was $1.91 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $1.20 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses and a non-cash deferred income tax adjustment, of $1.63 per share for the first nine months of 2016.
Third Quarter Highlights
- Reported regional sales results(1): North America +6.7%, Europe/Middle East (“EME”) +15.2%, South America +4.5%, Asia/Pacific/Africa (“APA”) +29.4%
- Constant currency regional sales results(1)(2): North America +5.8%, EME +10.9%, South America +4.8%, APA +25.9%
- Regional operating margin performance: North America 5.6%, EME 9.7%, South America 3.3%, APA 7.3%
- Maintaining full-year outlook for net income per share
“AGCO delivered solid sales and earnings performance in the third quarter, while continuing to make strategic investments in new technologies, productivity enhancements and new market development,” stated Martin Richenhagen, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We produced sales growth and operating margin improvement across all regions while market demand remained at low levels. Long-term growth continues to be a key focus, and we are working to expand our product offerings through internal product development efforts and through bolt-on acquisitions. We recently completed two acquisitions that broaden our product portfolio. In September, we acquired Precision Planting, a leader in innovative planting technology, and in October, we completed the purchase of the forage division of the Lely Group, which significantly enhances our hay and forage product line in Europe.”
McDonald's Sets New Welfare Standards for Chickens
McDonald's Corp will require suppliers to follow new standards for raising and slaughtering chickens served in its restaurants, the company said on Friday, the latest changes affecting popular menu items like McNuggets.
Animal activists said the mandates fall short of commitments made by other restaurants, such as Burger King and sandwich chain Subway, and failed to address their primary concern about chicken production: birds bred to grow quickly to large sizes, reports Reuters.
Under McDonald's updated guidelines, suppliers such as Tyson Foods Inc and Cargill Inc must comply by 2024 with rules dictating the amount and brightness of light in chicken houses, provide birds with access to perches that promote natural behavior, and take other steps to improve animal welfare.
The world's largest restaurant chain by revenue also pledged to conduct trials with suppliers to measure the wellbeing of different chicken breeds.
The treatment of animals in the food chain has become increasingly important to some consumers in recent years as animal welfare groups have released undercover videos showing abuse at U.S. facilities, including those associated with Tyson.
McDonald's requirements are the latest changes to affect its menu that address concerns about animal and human health. It previously stopped buying chicken meat for U.S. restaurants from birds raised with antibiotics deemed important to human health and said it would shift to using cage-free eggs in the U.S and Canada.
ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES POLICY PRIORITIES
The Organic Farmers Association recently announced their 2017-2018 Policy Priorities, including policy positions on hot organic issues such as hydroponics, animal welfare, organic checkoff and the farm bill.
Last week, the Organic Farmers Association Steering Committee voted to approve the organization's first policy positions, established as "urgent policy positions," because they occurred outside their annual policy development process. Policy Committee members reviewed and approved submitting the positions to the OFA certified organic farm membership for a vote and comment. With high farmer support for all the proposed policies the Steering Committee voted to approve their use.
The policies are timely as the National Organic Standards Board meeting begins today, Tuesday, October 31 in Jacksonville, Florida and a highly contentious topic regarding whether hydroponic production will be allowed under the organic standards will be discussed. OFA farm members voted to follow the recommendations of the NOSB Crops Subcommittee and not allow hydroponics under the organic label.
Dave Chapman, OFA Policy Committee member says, "having Organic Farmers Association certified organic farmers vote to oppose organic hydroponics speaks volumes. We have seen a growing outcry from farmers over this issue for the past few years and farmers are adamant that healthy soil is the foundation of the organic label. We must keep the soil in organic."
Other OFA policies address issues such as the organic checkoff, where 77% of OFA certified organic farmer members voted to oppose the proposed Organic Research and Promotion Program (ORPP) that would mandate organic farmers and handlers to pay an assessment on organic net sales each year. The membership also voted to urge the USDA to implement the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule (OLPP) without further delay, scheduled to go into effect November 14.
"We urge the USDA to act on behalf of America's sustainable family farmers and listen to their needs by implementing the organic animal welfare act and discontinuing the organic checkoff proposal," says Jim Riddle, OFA Steering Committee Chair and Minnesota organic farmer.
As the House and Senate Agriculture committees work to draft the 2018 farm bill, OFA now has its farm bill priorities clearly outlined and directed by their farm membership.
Michael Adsit, an organic farmer in Michigan and member of both the OFA Steering and Policy Committees commented, "as a member of OFA leadership, I am pleased we now have formal policy directive from organic farmers across the country that detail the USDA programs farmers need to be successful now and in the future. The future of agriculture is organic, and we must have a farm bill that helps fulfill this growing market demand with US supply."
To view the full Organic Farmers Association Policy Priorities, visit OrganicFarmersAssociation.org/policy-position/.
Organic Farmers Association will continue to engage their members in policy development and plan to begin their annual policy development process in the next few months. These policy positions will be ratified by the certified organic farm members before becoming permanent pieces of OFA policy platform.
Larry Howard, NE Extension, Cuming County
This past week, we have heard reports in parts of the state where high winds have caused some downed corn and has left 20-70 bushels per acre of corn on the ground. Prior to grazing cornstalks with cattle, an estimate should be made of the amount of corn that is present in the field. University of Nebraska-Lincoln has an excellent publication that addresses this issue. Extension Circular EC 287 Grazing Crop Residues with Beef Cattle http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec278.pdf provides information on a simple method for estimating the bushels of corn that are on the ground.
An 8-inch ear of corn contains about 0.50 lb of corn grain; therefore, 112 8-inch ears would equal 1 bushel (1 bushel = 56 pounds). By counting the number of ears, the amount of corn can be estimated. If corn is planted in 30-inch rows, count the number of ears in three different 100-foot furrow strips and divide by two to give an approximate number of bushels per acre.
For example, after walking three, 100-foot strips, a total of 30 ears of corn were counted. Total ears of corn, which is 30, divided by 2, equals an estimated 15 bushels of corn per acre on the ground. Small ears and broken ears should be counted as half ears, while very large ears could be counted as an ear and a half. Any amount beyond 8-10 bushels per acre will require a well-planned grazing strategy to ensure that too much grain is not consumed by grazing cattle.
If it is determined that there is excessive corn on the ground, the following are strategies to implement to help minimize the risk of digestive upsets (acidosis), lameness and abortions for cattle grazing the cornstalks.
· Limit access to corn by cross fencing the field and using a method called “strip grazing” where cattle are only given access to the determined amount of corn that they should eat for a given day. This method is the most reliable method for controlling corn intake. If downed corn is on an irrigated center pivot, one option for strip grazing is to attach the electric fence to the center pivot and move the pivot to move the fence.
· Consider the class of livestock that is going to be grazed. Cattle that haven’t grazed cornstalks before, such as weaned calves or yearlings, will often take time before they actively seek out corn. This can give the cattle time to adjust and acclimate to the corn. Weaned calves or yearlings can also make best use of the corn and convert it into a saleable product as they are growing and adding pounds that can be marketed.
· Non-pregnant cows that would benefit from gaining weight are another class of livestock that can be a good choice for grazing downed corn. Cull cow prices often seasonally increase from the late fall into the spring which complements the use of this resource.
· Cows that have previous experience with grazing cornstalks will seek downed corn immediately. Cows should be adjusted to corn prior to giving them access to the field. Start cows on 2-3 pounds of corn a day and work them up to 10-12 pounds per day over a 7-10 day period. Adjusting cows to corn will help to reduce the risk of digestive upsets.
· Have cattle full prior to turning out for grazing and provide good quality hay so cattle don’t over consume corn immediately. Feeding palatable hay or other feed daily can also help to reduce the amount of corn that cattle will be eating.
· The use of a Monensin supplement fed daily can help to stabilize feed intake and reduce the risk of founder and bloat which are caused by overeating.
Managing cattle that are grazing cornfields with excessive downed corn can be a challenge for producers. However, with planning and strategy, cattle can clean up and make good use of this situation, benefiting both the farmer and the cattle producer.
Nebraska Extension Beef Webinar - Wednesday, November 1
Nebraska Extension is hosting another webinar, this one is specifically focused for feedlot owners and employees. These are starting a monthly get together using webinars to hit timely topics, and allow for some discussion of educational needs. The webinar is Wednesday, November 1 from 12:30 to 1:30. You can access it easily by clicking the link below. We are using a program called zoom which is free to download.
The topic tomorrow will be new information related to manure value and why we need to recycle this resource. The information will hopefully help with moving manure more easily to cropping neighbors, or provide insight on why you want to use it on your own acres.
They will have a discussion before the formal information is shared about topics that you may need help on or more information provided. An example will be this current proposed reporting requirement or other information you want to know more about.
Please plan to participate, or any employees too. They did the first one in early October and has been viewed 125 times since we recorded it. So, these will be available for searching on our youtube channel as well.
Link to webinar: https://nebraskaextension.zoom.us/j/751919398
To access the webinars using a telephone dial 408-638-0968 or 646-876-9923. The meeting id is 751-919-398.
NE Cattlemen Convention Registration Open!
The Annual Nebraska Cattlemen Convention & Trade Show held Dec. 5-8 at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney, NE will feature beef industry experts and related industry vendors.
Some of this year's convention speakers & topics include:
- Young Cattlemen's Round Table - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: "Be Inspired, Be Impactful, Get Involved"
- Feedlot Council - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Update - Jim Macy, Director, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality & University of Nebraska - Lincoln Feed and Feeding Efficiency Research - Galen Erickson, Ph.D., UNL
- Natural Resources & Environment Committee - Thursday Dec. 7th, 2017: Compliance with New Federal Air Emissions Reporting and more!
- Education and Research/ Taxation Joint Committees - Thursday Dec. 7th, 2017: 2018 Nebraska Tax Reform and Relief & Future of Education Funding in Nebraska
- General Session - Wednesday Dec. 6th, 2017: Hear from Nebraska Cattlemen and National Cattlemen's Beef Association leaders!
You won't want to miss this convention jam-packed with educational opportunities. Not to mention an entire day of Cattlemen's College on Tuesday! Many other great speakers will be presenting during the council and committee meetings. The trade show will be open Wednesday evening and Thursday. You won't want to miss the opportunity to converse with our industry partners.
View full schedule here... http://nebraskacattlemen.org/CMDocs/NebraskaCA/ConventionSchedule17.pdf.
USDA Announces Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that starting Nov. 1, 2017, farmers and ranchers with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net program may enroll for the 2018 crop year. The enrollment period will end on Aug. 1, 2018.
“Since shares and ownership of a farm can change year-to-year, producers must enroll by signing a contract each program year,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “I encourage producers to contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment to enroll.”
The producers on a farm that are not enrolled for the 2018 enrollment period will not be eligible for financial assistance from the ARC or PLC programs for the 2018 crop should crop prices or farm revenues fall below the historical price or revenue benchmarks established by the program. Producers who made their elections in previous years must still enroll during the 2018 enrollment period.
“This week FSA is issuing approximately $850 million in rice payments,” said Peterson. “These payments are part of the $8 billion in 2016 ARC and PLC payments that started in October to assist enrolled producers who suffered a loss of revenue or price, or both. Over half a million producers will receive ARC payments and over a quarter million producers will receive PLC payments for 2016 crops.”
The ARC and PLC programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and offer a safety net to agricultural producers when there is a substantial drop in prices or revenues for covered commodities. Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. For more details regarding these programs, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.
For more information, producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office.
Voting Begins for 2017 FSA County Committee Elections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the 2017 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.
“County committee members play an indispensable role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Acting Administrator Steve Peterson. “They provide local input as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and emergency programs. I strongly encourage all eligible producers to cast a vote for a candidate that brings expertise and a diverse perspective to their local committee.”
To ensure their votes are counted, producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 4, 2017. Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Approximately 1.7 million producers are currently eligible to vote in this year’s election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote.
Farmers and ranchers will begin receiving their ballots the week of Nov. 6. Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee election. FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can pick one up at their local FSA offices. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 4, 2017. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.
For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Harvest Revenue Insurance Prices
The month of October is important for growers in the key Corn Belt states who purchase revenue-based crop insurance policies. It's when the harvest prices for those policies are set.
With 22 trading days in October now finished, the running average as of 10/31/17: $3.49 per bushel for corn and $9.75 per bushel for soybeans.
For the vast majority of spring-planted crops, planting price guarantees calculated in February were soybeans $10.19 and corn $3.96.
You can also check out a running tally of RMA's harvest prices and prices recently in discovery here: http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/…
Revenue policies with harvest-price protection cover losses caused by a difference in the harvest price (determined in October) from the projected price (determined in February). They also cover revenue losses in the event prices tumble between planting and harvest, as they did for corn in 2008.
For producers in 31 states, the closing price of the December corn contract during each trading day of February is averaged to determine a revenue-insurance-projected price guarantee. The November contract closes are averaged during February for projected price for soybean revenue-based insurance contracts. The September Minneapolis spring wheat closes are averaged for wheat revenue insurance. States with earlier planting have their spring guarantees set at a different time.
"The amount of insurance protection is based on the greater of the projected price or the harvest price," according to the Risk Management Agency's website. "If the harvested plus any appraised production multiplied by the harvest price is less than the amount of insurance protection, the producer is paid an indemnity based on the difference."
NAWG President Defends NAFTA Trade Deal at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Today, NAWG President Gordon Stoner, along with several U.S. agricultural stakeholders and business community representatives, participated in a NAFTA panel titled “The Future of NAFTA: The Stakes for American Agriculture and Business.” The panel took place at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. and was moderated by Neil Herrington, the U.S. Chamber’s Vice President of the Americas.
“The NAFTA trade agreement was key in growing international markets for U.S. wheat,” stated NAWG President and Montana Grower Gordon Stoner. “Just last year alone, Mexico was our largest export market with about 3 million metric tons of wheat and is consistently in the top 10.”
Each year U.S. wheat production is about 58 million metric tons, or about 2.13 billion bushels. The United States exports around 50% of its wheat (1 billion bushels) to more than 100 countries each year.
“With U.S. wheat farmers already enduring financial distress, open access to the Mexican and Canadian markets is needed now more than ever. Our farm economy is struggling, and we look to current and new trade markets to sell our high-quality product,” continued Stoner. “As the Administration continues to be flippant about NAFTA re-negotiations, Mexico has already begun sourcing wheat from other countries. NAWG continues to stress for the Administration to ‘Do No Harm’ and to look ahead for opportunities for new trade deals.”
Additional panelists included:
- Mr. Randy Spronk, Managing Director, Spronk Brothers III; Ranger Farms
- Dr. Dermot Hayes, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chair in Agribusiness, Iowa State University
- Mr. Bob Peterson, Chairman & CEO of Melton Truck Lines, Inc.
- Dr. Albert M. Green, CEO, Kent Displays, Inc.
U.S. Grains Council Adds Overseas Staff To Boost Global Presence, Grain Sales
The U.S. Grains Council is adding a new strategic director in Asia and assistant director in Southeast Asia as part of a global resource expansion meant to capture near-term demand for feed grain sales and build long-term demand for ethanol among global customers.
"Over the past year, the Council's leadership has heard loud and clear that what our members want is new demand, and they are willing to invest in it by allowing us to hire high-quality people around the world," said Tom Sleight, Council president and CEO. "Particularly as we have pivoted to promoting ethanol exports globally, we have focused on ensuring we have the right people in our overseas offices to do this work well and quickly."
Tim Tierney joined the Council as director of strategic marketing/ethanol, North Asia, on Monday, filling a new role that seeks to capitalize on both longstanding relationships in the region and emerging opportunities for biofuels. Tierney will be based in Singapore.
Tierney came to the organization from Syngenta and DuPont, where he worked on products developed for the ethanol industry. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Council for more than 10 years as director in Japan, director of international operations based in Washington, and as a trade servicer.
Caleb Wurth will join the Council's Southeast Asia regional office in Kuala Lumpur as assistant director in November.
Most recently with ADM, he has experience marketing corn and corn co-products to feedlots and working on containerized grain export logistics, both of which are particularly relevant to the region in which he will be working. As a student at Kansas State, he took part in a Council- and FFA-sponsored I-CAL program to educate young leaders on international trade issues.
These additions complement other staff expansions over the last year that are meant to help find, develop and capture wholly new demand for corn, sorghum, barley, distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol.
"We know that farmers need sales now to deal with the economic conditions they are facing. Demand supports prices, and we are in the business of both increasing sales over time and capturing purchases being made for this marketing year," Sleight said.
Many of the additional roles focus on ethanol, with consultants newly on board in Latin America, Canada, China and Mexico. The Council has added feed grain-focused consultants in Vietnam, the Arabian Gulf and Western Mexico. Assistant directorships in Mexico and Kuala Lumpur have been in place since late 2016.
This staffing-up process also included offering several existing staff promotions within the organization's global operations and filling positions that came open for consultants in Latin America and Egypt and staff in Tunis and China.
"A robust network of staff and consultants is what makes the Council so effective globally," Sleight said. "We are appreciative of the support and the confidence of our members, and we have our marching orders to find new sales wherever possible."
AGCO Reports Third Quarter Results
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, reported net sales of approximately $2.0 billion for the third quarter of 2017, an increase of approximately 12.8% compared to the third quarter of 2016. Reported net income was $0.76 per share for the third quarter of 2017, and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses, was $0.79 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $0.50 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses, of $0.51 per share for the third quarter of 2016. Excluding favorable currency translation impacts of approximately 2.7%, net sales in the third quarter of 2017 increased approximately 10.1% compared to the third quarter of 2016.
Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were approximately $5.8 billion, an increase of approximately 8.7% compared to the same period in 2016. Excluding unfavorable currency translation impacts of approximately 0.1%, net sales for the first nine months of 2017 increased approximately 8.8% compared to the same period in 2016. For the first nine months of 2017, reported net income was $1.77 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses and a non-cash expense related to waived stock compensation, was $1.91 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $1.20 per share and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses and a non-cash deferred income tax adjustment, of $1.63 per share for the first nine months of 2016.
Third Quarter Highlights
- Reported regional sales results(1): North America +6.7%, Europe/Middle East (“EME”) +15.2%, South America +4.5%, Asia/Pacific/Africa (“APA”) +29.4%
- Constant currency regional sales results(1)(2): North America +5.8%, EME +10.9%, South America +4.8%, APA +25.9%
- Regional operating margin performance: North America 5.6%, EME 9.7%, South America 3.3%, APA 7.3%
- Maintaining full-year outlook for net income per share
“AGCO delivered solid sales and earnings performance in the third quarter, while continuing to make strategic investments in new technologies, productivity enhancements and new market development,” stated Martin Richenhagen, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We produced sales growth and operating margin improvement across all regions while market demand remained at low levels. Long-term growth continues to be a key focus, and we are working to expand our product offerings through internal product development efforts and through bolt-on acquisitions. We recently completed two acquisitions that broaden our product portfolio. In September, we acquired Precision Planting, a leader in innovative planting technology, and in October, we completed the purchase of the forage division of the Lely Group, which significantly enhances our hay and forage product line in Europe.”
McDonald's Sets New Welfare Standards for Chickens
McDonald's Corp will require suppliers to follow new standards for raising and slaughtering chickens served in its restaurants, the company said on Friday, the latest changes affecting popular menu items like McNuggets.
Animal activists said the mandates fall short of commitments made by other restaurants, such as Burger King and sandwich chain Subway, and failed to address their primary concern about chicken production: birds bred to grow quickly to large sizes, reports Reuters.
Under McDonald's updated guidelines, suppliers such as Tyson Foods Inc and Cargill Inc must comply by 2024 with rules dictating the amount and brightness of light in chicken houses, provide birds with access to perches that promote natural behavior, and take other steps to improve animal welfare.
The world's largest restaurant chain by revenue also pledged to conduct trials with suppliers to measure the wellbeing of different chicken breeds.
The treatment of animals in the food chain has become increasingly important to some consumers in recent years as animal welfare groups have released undercover videos showing abuse at U.S. facilities, including those associated with Tyson.
McDonald's requirements are the latest changes to affect its menu that address concerns about animal and human health. It previously stopped buying chicken meat for U.S. restaurants from birds raised with antibiotics deemed important to human health and said it would shift to using cage-free eggs in the U.S and Canada.
ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES POLICY PRIORITIES
The Organic Farmers Association recently announced their 2017-2018 Policy Priorities, including policy positions on hot organic issues such as hydroponics, animal welfare, organic checkoff and the farm bill.
Last week, the Organic Farmers Association Steering Committee voted to approve the organization's first policy positions, established as "urgent policy positions," because they occurred outside their annual policy development process. Policy Committee members reviewed and approved submitting the positions to the OFA certified organic farm membership for a vote and comment. With high farmer support for all the proposed policies the Steering Committee voted to approve their use.
The policies are timely as the National Organic Standards Board meeting begins today, Tuesday, October 31 in Jacksonville, Florida and a highly contentious topic regarding whether hydroponic production will be allowed under the organic standards will be discussed. OFA farm members voted to follow the recommendations of the NOSB Crops Subcommittee and not allow hydroponics under the organic label.
Dave Chapman, OFA Policy Committee member says, "having Organic Farmers Association certified organic farmers vote to oppose organic hydroponics speaks volumes. We have seen a growing outcry from farmers over this issue for the past few years and farmers are adamant that healthy soil is the foundation of the organic label. We must keep the soil in organic."
Other OFA policies address issues such as the organic checkoff, where 77% of OFA certified organic farmer members voted to oppose the proposed Organic Research and Promotion Program (ORPP) that would mandate organic farmers and handlers to pay an assessment on organic net sales each year. The membership also voted to urge the USDA to implement the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule (OLPP) without further delay, scheduled to go into effect November 14.
"We urge the USDA to act on behalf of America's sustainable family farmers and listen to their needs by implementing the organic animal welfare act and discontinuing the organic checkoff proposal," says Jim Riddle, OFA Steering Committee Chair and Minnesota organic farmer.
As the House and Senate Agriculture committees work to draft the 2018 farm bill, OFA now has its farm bill priorities clearly outlined and directed by their farm membership.
Michael Adsit, an organic farmer in Michigan and member of both the OFA Steering and Policy Committees commented, "as a member of OFA leadership, I am pleased we now have formal policy directive from organic farmers across the country that detail the USDA programs farmers need to be successful now and in the future. The future of agriculture is organic, and we must have a farm bill that helps fulfill this growing market demand with US supply."
To view the full Organic Farmers Association Policy Priorities, visit OrganicFarmersAssociation.org/policy-position/.
Organic Farmers Association will continue to engage their members in policy development and plan to begin their annual policy development process in the next few months. These policy positions will be ratified by the certified organic farm members before becoming permanent pieces of OFA policy platform.
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