Tuesday October 29 Ag News

Ak-Sar-Ben Carcass Results

Cuming County 4-H members placed well in the livestock carcass contest that followed the live shows at the 86th annual Ak-Sar-Ben Livestock exposition according to University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educator in Cuming County, Larry Howard.

In the Beef contest, Hunter Schroeder of West Point placed 10th with his 1455 pound Calf Challenge Market Steer that has a 948 pound carcass.  His steer had a 17.2 inch rib eye area, .4 inch fat and graded low choice and received a purple.  Cuming County 4-H beef exhibitors received one purple and two blues.

In the Swine contest, Megan Groth of Beemer placed 16th with her 268 pound gilt that had a 207 pound carcass, a 9.38 inch loin eye area, .65 inch fat and a 57.52 lean index.  Blake Guenther of West Point placed 31st and 54th, Rachel Groth of Beemer placed 40th, Jamie Plagge of West Point placed 46th and Kiley Guenther of West Point placed 48th all receiving purples.  Cuming County 4-H Swine exhibitors received six purples, five blues, six reds and one white.

In the Sheep contest, Chase Ott of Wisner placed 22ns with his 136 pound lamb that had a 78.9 pound carcass, a 3.98 inch loin eye area, .2 inch fat and received a purple.  Cuming County 4-H exhibitors received one purple and four blues.



Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium to be Held in November

            Youth interested in Nebraska's beef industry can attend the Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium Nov. 22-24.

            The symposium will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus in the Animal Science Complex.

            Youth need to be at least freshman in high school. There will be two sessions available, one for freshman and sophomore students and another for juniors and seniors.

            "It's an excellent opportunity for youth to engage with each other and specialists on campus, extension personnel and industry leaders," said Lindsay Chichester, UNL Extension educator. "It's fun. They have a really good time with it."

            Check-in for freshman and sophomores will be at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 22.

            The freshman and sophomore session will provide an introduction to the beef industry and provide information about career options. The youth will be put into teams and each team will complete a media blast on the nutrition benefits of beef in the diet, which will be presented to parents and guests at the luncheon on Nov. 23.

            The junior and senior session will be held Nov. 23-24.

            Check- in will be held at 1:15 p.m. on Nov. 23. The session will feature in-depth information about the beef industry, meat science and marketing. Youth will have the opportunity to work with a professional chef and a meat science specialist to create a new beef dish.

            The culmination will be presentations in a "booth" atmosphere where UNL students and faculty can also interact with the groups about their projects.

            Registration is $30 per student. The registration fee is due Oct. 31. Registration after Oct. 31 and before Nov. 8 is $50.

            Four CASNR $500 scholarships will be awarded to juniors and seniors.

            To register or for more information, visit: http://animalscience.unl.edu/ANSCExtensionYouthProgramNYBLS. 



Nebraska Cattlemen to Celebrate 125th Anniversary at Annual Convention & Trade Show

Registration for the 2013 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show is underway. The 125th Annual Convention will be held in Kearney, Neb., December 4-6, 2013 and early registration is open until November 29, 2013.

2013 convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, and provide input on policy discussion. NC President Dale Spencer said the convention is a must for all cattlemen.

“Our Annual Convention is a great opportunity for members to shape policy and provide direction for leadership and staff,” said Spencer. “It will also be an excellent time for people to come together and celebrate the beef industry and the historic impact Nebraska Cattlemen has had over the past 125 years.”

To register for the 2013 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show, visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org or contact the NC office at 402.475.2333.



Enrollment Up Again at College of Ag Sciences and Natural Resources

            Undergraduate enrollment in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is up 5.2 percent over last year, the college's ninth straight annual increase.

            "This trend reflects what we're seeing in the job market," said Steve Waller, dean of CASNR.  "Jobs in agricultural and natural resources fields are expanding. This is a very good time to get a degree in one of these fields. CASNR had its largest ever Career Fair this fall."

            CASNR's undergraduate enrollment is at 2,114, its all-time high.  That number includes 15 students enrolled at CASNR through the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

            Degree programs with at least 25 students that grew in enrollment include:  Pre-veterinary Medicine, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and Environmental Studies.

            CASNR's increase ranked second among UNL colleges.  UNL's total undergraduate enrollment this year is 24,445, up 1 percent from a year ago.

            Graduate student enrollment in CASNR went up 6.5 percent, to 636.  In total, CASNR's total enrollment including graduate and professional programs is 3,296.

            Waller also noted that the number of CASNR graduates December 2012, May 2013 and August 2013 comprised the college's largest graduated class ever, up 6.4 percent to 451.

Other numbers from the fall 2013 CASNR class:
            – First-time student enrollment in CASNR increased 19.9 percent to 434.  The degree programs with the largest class of new freshmen were Animal Science, 56; Pre-veterinary Medicine, 54: Agribusiness, 49; Forensic Science, 39; and Agronomy, 35.
            – Nebraska residents comprise 77.6 percent of first-time freshmen.
            – The CASNR population is 58.4 percent male and 41.6 percent female.
            – The top five degree programs based on CASNR enrollment are:  Animal Science, 300; Agribusiness, 220; Agronomy, 200; Fisheries and Wildlife, 194; and PGA Golf Management, 111.  Biochemistry has a total enrollment of 259, with 85 of those in CASNR and 174 in the College of Arts and Sciences.



ISU Extension Offers Update Meetings for Ag Input Providers

Updates on the latest crop production products and recommendations are featured topics at two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach meetings planned for December. The update meetings will be held Dec. 2 in Iowa City and Dec. 11 in Ames.

Agriculture input providers will have an opportunity to meet with extension specialists from Iowa State and hear presentations on Pythium seedling disease, Palmer amaranth management, cover crops, soybean aphids and changes to nutrient management recommendations. Each meeting also will feature presentations on weed, insect and crop disease management as well as soil, water and nutrient management.

Update meetings will be hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists.
-    Dec. 2 – Highlander Conference Center, 2525 N Dodge Street, Iowa City. Hosts: Jim Fawcett, fawcett@iastate.edu, (319) 337-2145 and Virgil Schmitt, vschmitt@iastate.edu, (563 263-5701.
-    Dec. 11 – Quality Inn/Starlite, 2601 E. 13th Street, Ames. Hosts: Mark Johnson, markjohn@iastate.edu, (515) 979-9578, and Mark Licht, lichtma@iastate.edu, (515) 382-6551.

Registration is $70 if received by midnight, Nov. 25 (Iowa City) or Dec. 5 (Ames). Registration after those dates is $85. Online registration and printable registration forms are available at www.aep.iastate.edu/acu.

Continuing Education
Both meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits and recertification for Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10. Recertification is included in meeting registration; attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification.



Iowa Farm Bureau to Conduct Farm Income Tax Webinar

Annual farm income tax preparation is a real challenge with changing tax codes and regulations. To help farmers through this process, the Iowa Farm Bureau is hosting a farm income tax webinar on Nov. 15, at 1 p.m.

Event speakers will draw on their experiences to provide useful, timely information for participants. Speakers include Roger McEowen, director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT) at Iowa State University, and Charles Brown, president of AgriFinancial Services, LLC. The event will be available live, online to anyone wishing to attend. The webinar will also be recorded and available exclusively to Farm Bureau members online, along with webinar handouts.

Farmers can access the webinar from their home or farm office by going to www.iowafarmbureau.com, finding the webinar banner and entering the forum as a guest on the day of the event. Local sites are also being organized where farmers will gather to view the event together. Interested farmers are encouraged to visit the Farm Bureau website for an updated list of local viewing sites. No pre-registration is required for online or local viewing sites.

"Today's farmers face numerous challenges, and yearly farm income tax preparation is one of those," said Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager. "Each year is unique and topics this year will include crop insurance deferral rules and major changes to the Section 179 expense election for 2014. We look forward to providing our members a timely farm income tax update and relevant information again this year."

For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org.



HSUS Attacks America’s Hog Farmers Again
A questionable undercover video from a Minnesota farm released today by Mercy for Animals, a front group for the Humane Society of the United States, is the latest attack against America’s hog farmers. In advance of a press conference that is expected to be full of misinformation, it is important to know the facts:

An independent veterinarian, who was taken by law enforcement to the Pipestone facility shown in the video, determined that there were no signs of inhumane treatment or violations of good production standards. Therefore, no charges were filed.

But that wasn’t good enough for this Pipestone farm. Its care for animals is so firmly rooted in its commitment to industry best practices that it did something consistent with its proactive approach to continuous improvement – it brought in a third party to investigate.

Though the MFA-produced undercover video was unfortunately never made available to Pipestone, the farm’s investigation determined that the employee involved had not been following animal care protocols, and he was immediately fired.

America’s pork producers are primarily family farmers who care about the animals they raise and the food they produce for the American consumer. It is the same food they produce for their own families. They don’t need questionable undercover videos produced by organizations with political agendas to remind them of their commitment to animal care.

American farmers have the trust of the American people and don’t deserve the onslaught they face from groups such as the Humane Society of the United States that have deep pockets from deceptive fundraising practices.

This latest attack by HSUS and MFA clearly is the result of the pressure they’re feeling after a year of significant state and federal legislative losses. HSUS has spent significant amounts of its donors’ money on futile legislative efforts and on a lawsuit that had nothing to do with animal welfare was dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge. HSUS donors, especially the many whose priorities are the protection of companion animals, deserve better than that.



Payments for Popular Conservation Program Ready Following Shutdown Delay

Farmers waiting for their Conservation Security or Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) payments should receive them in the coming days. The shutdown of the federal government delayed some of the $907 million in payments from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to CSP participants who have enrolled millions of acres to improve the overall conservation performance of their operations.

"Farmers and ranchers are stewards of our natural resources, and their efforts show the value of conservation – working farms, ranches, and forests can provide food and fiber as well as clean water and valuable wildlife habitat," NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. "We're happy to have our staff back in the field where they can continue working with farmers and ranchers to put conservation practices on the ground."

The payments are part of a financial assistance program for producers who are already established conservation stewards and are implementing additional conservation activities for higher, farm-level benefits on their property. This work leads to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and enhanced wildlife habitat, while also supporting rural economies.

The Conservation Stewardship Program, now in its fifth year, replaced the former Conservation Security Program. To date, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners have enrolled about 60 million acres into the programs.

Funding for other Farm Bill programs expired Sept. 30, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Grassland Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative and Healthy Forests Reserve Program. NRCS is not accepting applications for these programs at this time.



Legislative Interference on COOL Unwarranted

National Farmers Union (NFU), the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, American Sheep Industry Association and Consumer Federation of America sent a letter today to the 2013 Farm Bill conference committee members expressing continued strong support for Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) and opposition to any legislative changes to the law.

“Once again packer-producer organizations and their foreign counterparts that do not have the interest of U.S. family farmers and ranchers in mind have called for legislative interference on COOL,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Based on recent World Trade Organization (WTO) rulings, there is no reason for Congress to take action on COOL.”

A WTO panel affirmed the right of the United States to require COOL for meat products, but said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had to adjust some provisions in order to be fully compliant with WTO requirements. USDA followed a carefully considered, open and transparent process as it crafted changes to the rule which provides consumers with additional information on where each of the production steps for cattle -- born, raised and slaughtered -- occurs. The final rule complies with the WTO ruling and is consistent with U.S. law.

“The agribusiness and packer-producer groups are merely trying to scare members of Congress into changing the law to benefit their bottom lines,” said the letter. “We strongly oppose such action. COOL is a top priority for our organizations. Any effort to change it in the farm bill would affect our groups’ support of that legislation.”



House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Passes the FUELS Act

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) appreciates the action taken this afternoon by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in passage of the Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship (FUELS) Act (H.R. 311). This bi-partisan legislation, sponsored in the House by Rep. Eric Crawford (R-Akr.), was passed out of committee today by unanimous consent and is now ready to head to the House floor for full consideration.

“The FUELS Act would ease the burden placed on farmers and ranchers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) program,” said NCBA president and Cody, Wyo. cattlemen Scott George. “Under the FUELS Act, the burdens of the SPCC regulations would be greatly reduced and family farmers and ranchers would be exempted from having to develop and implement costly spill containment plans.”

SPCC regulations call for agricultural operations to develop an SPCC plan if the farm has an above ground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or a buried oil storage capacity of 42,000 gallons or more. Under the FUELS Act, the burden of the SPCC regulation is eased by raising exemption and self-certified levels for on-farm fuel storage. The legislation exempts farms with a storage capacity of 10,000 gallons or fewer from having to develop an SPCC plan. The legislation also allows more operations to self-certify by raising the self-certification level to up to 20,000 gallons of fuels storage. Operations with greater than 20,000 gallons will still be required to have a Professional Engineer (P.E.) certified spill plan.

“NCBA is pleased to see the exemption level of 10,000 gallons,” said George. “The language in this bill will keep many of our producers from having to undertake excess costs as a result of the EPA’s overregulation.”

Similar language is also contained in the House Farm Bill and as an amendment to the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). NCBA will work to ensure these important provisions are passed into law.



Maintenance on Rails, River Complicates Crop Shipments

Harvesting the largest U.S. corn crop on record and transporting it on railroads and rivers to markets here and abroad is driving up costs for rail cars, barges and trucks in the world's top crop producer and exporter. According to Reuters, after three years of crop shortfalls that left grain supply pipelines all but empty by late summer, the U.S. grain handling system is now tasked with quickly absorbing a huge corn crop--projected at a record 13.8 billion bushels, around half of which is already harvested.

With the bulk of the estimated 3.15-billion-bushel soybean harvest complete, farmers are turning their attention to the much larger corn crop, and yields so far are surprisingly big.

"People were projecting a sizable corn harvest, but yield results coming in from the field are better than expected. That's going to tax the system even more," said Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Already, costs for rail freight have surged this month, due in part to strong export demand for U.S. soybeans and hard red winter wheat. Also, grain traders say freight trains have been running slowly, especially in the western half of the country.

Service on the BNSF Railway, a major hauler of grain from Midwest to Pacific Northwest export terminals, has slowed after recent infrastructure upgrade projects fell behind due to adverse weather.

Meanwhile, industry sources said a growing number of ships were waiting for rail-delivered grain to load at Pacific Northwest export terminals.

"There are lots of vessels waiting in the Pacific Northwest that are waiting to be loaded and railroads are having trouble keeping up," said Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Rail cars are commonly traded in a secondary market by brokers who trade space on 100-car "shuttle trains," expecting the trains to make a certain number of trips. When the trains run more slowly, these brokers are forced to pay up for more freight to cover their commitments.

The influx of newly harvested crops has also raised costs for shipping grain on Midwest river barges to export terminals at the U.S. Gulf Coast, particularly on the lower Ohio River, where a lock construction project has caused severe delays near its confluence with the Mississippi.



DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

Retail fertilizer prices are continuing their six-month slide, according to DTN's national retailer survey for the third week of October.  All eight of the major fertilizers averaged lower prices compared to last month, although all decreases were fairly insignificant, as all were only between 1% and 3% lower.  DAP and potash each dropped about 3% in the past month, while MAP, urea, 10-34-0 and UAN28 all were only about 2% lower. Also, anhydrous and UAN32 fell about 1% each.

All eight of the major fertilizers have tumbled by double digits in price compared to a year ago.  Urea dropped the most from last year -- 26% -- and now averages $442 per ton. Anhydrous saw the next largest drop since last year at 22%, and averages $654/ton. Potash also had a significant drop -- it is 20% less expensive than last year, averaging $491/ton. DAP was 17% lower than last year, averaging $524/ton last week.  Both MAP and UAN28 fell 16% since this time last year, averaging $566 and $323, respectively.  Also, 10-34-0 fell by 15% since last year and averaged $524/ton. The smallest drop was UAN32 which fell just 13% from a year ago, averaging $367/ ton.



Recent Forward Contracting of Fed Cattle
Matthew A. Diersen, Professor, Department of Economics, South Dakota State University

The high cash prices and high nearby futures prices have been the talk in the fed cattle market. The historically tight supply of cattle is supporting prices. In addition, the feeder cattle market is seeing solid demand and some limits to supply as producers weigh the longer-run benefits from retaining heifers. Whenever rallies happen, it is a good idea to check the opportunities in the related forward contract market. A good source for that information is the USDA-AMS report "LM_CT153", which covers weekly fed cattle volume contracted with related basis levels.

Recent weeks also encompassed the federal shutdown that caused a loss of current market information. The weeks leading up to the shutdown were marked by increased forward contract activity and a steady increase in the total or cumulative volume outstanding. Conceptually, it is like futures volume and open interest. After reaching a low in early July 2013 at 833,237 head, the outstanding volume increased to 1,387,554 head in the 09/29/2013 report. During the shutdown, the AMS did not convey the information mandated by the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act, but it was collected and submitted by packers. On October 21, 2013 the AMS released the backlog of information.

Did the absence of reporting matter? It is difficult to tell. For the first two weeks in October, the new signings totaled 167,115 head, which suggests a slower pace of contracting compared to the surrounding weeks. However, volume changes are common in October. More interesting was what happened to forward basis activity. During the last week in September, the average basis for April 2014 was -$1.51. During the shutdown, the average basis narrowed to -$0.98. The basis increase would not have been transparent. As might have been expected, the basis range for April deliveries did not change, suggesting that both parties tried to roll things ahead during the shutdown.

Aside from the shutdown, the total volume contracted has again been on the increase. The most recent report (10/28/13) shows total volume is 1,539,781 head. For the April 2014 delivery month the volume is ahead of year ago levels. This suggests the forward contract share of slaughter volume in the coming months will increase. While most of the contracts outstanding have delivery months out for the next six months, there are some as deferred as January of 2015.

Formally "LM_CT153" is titled, "National Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle: Prior Week Slaughter and Contract Purchases" or "Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle - Packer Owned Cattle". The report gives the weekly volume (number of head) of new forward contract signings between feeders and packers. AMS also tracks the cumulative volume and a breakdown by delivery month with an average basis and a basis range of the related futures contract. The report is available at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lm_ct153.txt. 



Late Harvest Extends Deadline for New Leader Program
With harvest running a little later and growers in the field longer than expected, the first session of the NCGA DuPont New Leader Program, previously scheduled for November, has been moved to January by the National Corn Growers Association. The application deadline for the program has been extended to Dec. 6, to allow more growers the opportunity to get involved.

"We hope that this will lead to fuller participation by all NCGA affiliated states for an excellent communications and leadership training program after a corn harvest that is running late in several areas," said NCGA President Martin Barbre. "This program was developed to help our state affiliates identify emerging leaders and recruit potential board members, we especially appreciate the support of our program co-sponsor DuPont."

One couple or single person per state will be chosen to participate for this hands-on leadership and communications training program designed for corn growers interested in strengthening their existing skills so they can better serve the industry at local, state and national levels.

The program is implemented in three phases, with two plenary sessions and an interim project. Session I now will be held Jan. 27-30, 2014, in Des Moines. Participants will choose interim projects to take place between January and July. Session II will take place in Washington and Wilmington, Del., July 13-18, 2014.

January's session will include communications, presentation and social media training as well as a tour of DuPont Pioneer's facilities and the selection of interim projects. Participants should plan to arrive in Des Moines the afternoon of Jan. 27, and can depart the morning of Jan. 30.

Participants must be at least 21 years of age, active in corn farming, NCGA members and not currently serving in a state affiliate officer position or as a Corn Congress delegate or alternate. This program is for growers who are just beginning active association involvement. While couples are preferred, qualified individuals will be considered.

Qualified corn growers interested in participating are asked to contact their state corn association before Friday, Dec. 6. Complete and updated information on the NCGA DuPont New Leader Program is available at www.ncga.com/nlp.



National FFA Convention Kicks-Off in Louisville

The 86th annual National FFA Convention & Expo opens in Louisville this week. The annual event is expected to attract nearly 60,000 visitors and generate about $40 million for the local and state economy.

The convention and full slate of associated events will use all of the space at the Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, with additional activities planned at the downtown KFC Yum! Center.

The national convention is returning to Louisville, which hosted the meeting from 1999-2005, and will alternate between Louisville and Indianapolis for the foreseeable future.

Louisville will get the convention, usually a four-day event in late October, in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Then it goes to Indianapolis for three years. But after that, Louisville has an option to have the convention in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The convention will then go to the Hoosier capital again for three years, but Louisville will again have first rights for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Meanwhile, the convention has a full slate of educational and entertainment events. Country star Dierks Bentley will perform a special FFA-only concert and the World's Toughest Rodeo will entertain the convention-goers. Rick Pitino will be the opening session's headline speaker, followed by several inspirational speakers throughout the session. The young adults can choose to attend leadership and personal growth workshops.



CWT Assists with 525,000 Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted four requests for export assistance from Northwest Dairy Association and Upstate Niagara (O-AT-KA) to sell 304,238 pounds (138 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese and 220,462 pounds (100 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia and North Africa. The product will be delivered in November and December 2013.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 111.635 million pounds of cheese, 81.008 million pounds of butter, 44,092 pounds of anhydrous milk fat and 218,258 pounds of whole milk powder to 37 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 2.854 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by helping to maintain inventories of cheese and butter at desirable levels. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.



CFTC Vote to Drop Position Limit Appeal

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission voted to abandon a court challenge of a rule designed to limit speculation in commodity markets, agreeing to drop the agency's appeal as it works to advance a revised version of the rule.

The CFTC voted to drop its appeal of a September 2012 decision tossing out the agency's "position limits" rule, which aimed to curb sharp price spikes by limiting the percentage of the market any one firm can control in certain commodities.

The CFTC is working to modify the rule--authorized by the 2010 Dodd-Frank law--to address problems identified by a federal court last year, including providing further legal justification for the limits as well as a more thorough cost-benefit analysis. The agency is expected to vote on the revised rule next week.

Last September, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia sent the rule back to the CFTC, saying the Dodd-Frank statute was ambiguous as to whether the limits were mandatory and that regulators didn't properly justify the imposition of the limits. The ruling was a big setback for the agency as it was trying to implement the Dodd-Frank law.

Republican Commissioner Scott O'Malia Tuesday said the CFTC wasted taxpayer dollars by pursuing an appeal of the court ruling at the same time it worked to revise the rule.

"As I pointed out at the time, the district court concluded that the commission had failed to do its homework in drafting the rule," Mr. O'Malia said in a statement. "The clear lesson for the commission, then, was that it needed to go back to the drawing board and propose a new rule with the proper statutory and empirical foundation."



Vilsack Highlights First-Ever Report on Agroforestry on Farms

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday released the first-ever report on USDA's role advancing agroforestry. Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America details how agroforestry practices are helping farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance agricultural productivity, protect the environment and increase profits.

"USDA has invested less than one percent of its budget into tree-based practices. Yet that small investment allows us to help create private goods and public services that reap great rewards, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and more resilient agricultural lands," Vilsack said. "However, much work remains to promote and sustain agroforestry practices, which have great potential to promote economic growth and job creation in rural communities."

Agroforestry is a management approach that intentionally combines agriculture and forestry to create more sustainable land-use systems. Over the last five years, USDA has assisted landowners financially and with technical guidance to establish roughly 336,000 acres of windbreaks, riparian forest buffers and alley cropping; about 2,000 acres of silvopasture; and about 500 acres of forest farming. Those acres represent less than 1 percent of the potentially suitable land for applying those practices, suggesting there is an opportunity to significantly expand the application of agroforestry in the United States.

"Agroforestry provides benefits beyond rural areas," Vilsack said. "In suburban areas, agroforestry practices can improve wildlife habitat, mitigate the movement of odors and dust, serve as noise barriers and act as filters that help keep water clean."

Agroforestry: USDA Reports to America is a cross-Departmental effort from eight agencies serving on the Agroforestry Executive Steering Committee: Agricultural Marketing Service; Agricultural Research Service; Farm Service Agency; National Agricultural Statistics Service; National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Rural Development; and U.S. Forest Service. These agencies work closely with the USDA National Agroforestry Center to advance the science, practice and application of agroforestry, and guide implementation of the USDA Agroforestry Strategic Framework. A longer version of the report will be posted by USDA soon.

With the release of this report on agroforestry, USDA wants to start a national conversation about agroforestry with producers, landowners, communities and young people - America's future farmers.

"Our goal is and always has been to help landowners understand that trees - and other permanent vegetation - planted in the right place for the right reason, will add value to their lands," said Wayne Honeycutt, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Deputy Chief for Science and Technology, who chairs USDA's Agroforestry Executive Steering Committee. "Through the report, we are able to show landowner successes. In some cases, family farms have been saved and woodlands spared from development. We hope by showing these stories, more landowners will see the potential for their operations."

To access the report, visit www.usda.gov/agroforestry. Send comments and questions about the report and USDA's role in agroforestry to agroforestry@USDA.gov.



FARMERS GAIN NEW WEED-CONTROL INCENTIVES WITH 2014 ROUNDUP READY PLUS® WEED MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS PLATFORM

Farmers taking proactive steps to manage weeds on their farm will have even more incentive to do so in the 2014 growing season, Monsanto announced today. The company has expanded its popular Roundup Ready PLUS®Weed Management Solutions platform to include additional herbicides for use in cotton and soybeans, has expanded the financial incentives to include Arizona cotton, and has increased the number of available products in Texas. These additional herbicides and incentives – combined with the recommendations of weed scientists, academics and industry partners – help farmers develop economical approaches to controlling tough-to-manage weeds through Diversified Weed Management Practices (DWMPs), while earning cash-back incentives for soybeans, cotton or corn acres when using Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides or Roundup Ready PLUS-endorsed products. 

“Farmers understand the importance of a proactive weed management program utilizing residual herbicides,” said Chris Reat, Roundup Ready PLUS marketing manager. “We’re working with industry partners to offer herbicides and incentives that will help farmers manage tough-to-control and herbicide-resistant weeds. We’re seeing continued strong adoption of the Roundup Ready PLUS platform, and farmers who follow the recommendations are reporting improved weed control.”

Cotton farmers will have three new herbicides to battle tough-to-manage weeds in the 2014 growing season, and farmers in Arizona are now eligible for incentives.

In 2014, soybean farmers will have the added benefit of Authority® MAXX herbicide in the Roundup Ready PLUS platform. Authority MAXX will be labeled to control difficult weeds – such as waterhemp, velvetleaf and pigweed – in soybeans.

Warrant® Herbicide will continue providing cotton and soybean farmers the flexibility and control they need to battle tough-to-manage and herbicide resistant weeds. Warrant Herbicide came on the market labeled for post-emergence applications, but has since been approved and labeled for both pre- and post-emergence application.  The wider window of application includes early preplant, at-planting, pre-emergence and post-emergence (through first flower in cotton and up to R2 growth stage in soybeans) and provides up to 30 days residual control.

October 28 Crop Progress and Condition Report

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For  the week ending October 27, 2013, dry weather  throughout  the state was welcomed by corn and soybean producers who were busy harvesting their crops.  Cooler than average temperatures however, slowed crop dry-down in some areas. Ranchers were moving cattle to winter feeding areas and weaning calves. Statewide, producers had 6.2 days  suitable  for  fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture  supplies  rated 8 percent very short,  27  short, 64  adequate,  and  1  surplus.   Subsoil moisture  supplies  rated  18  percent very  short,  37  short,  45 adequate, and 0 surplus. 
 
Field Crops Report: 
All  corn  condition  rated  7  percent  very  poor,  6  poor,  19  fair,  48  good,  and  20  excellent.  Irrigated  corn  conditions  rated  81  percent  good  or  excellent.   Dryland  corn  conditions  rated  49  percent  good  or excellent.  Corn mature was 97 percent, behind 100 last year but near 95 average.  Corn harvested was 55 percent, well behind 93 last year and equal to 55 average.  

Soybeans harvest was 94 percent complete, behind 98 last year but ahead of 88 average.  

Sorghum conditions rated 16 percent very poor, 18 poor, 26 fair, 37 good, and 3 excellent.  Sorghum harvest was 64 percent complete, well behind 82 last year but ahead of 45 average.

Winter wheat rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 24 fair, 64 good, and 8 excellent.   Winter wheat emerged was 94 percent, well ahead of 72 last year and 88 average.  

The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 91 percent complete, behind 100 last year and 99 average.
 
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 13 short, 81 adequate, and 1 surplus.  Pasture and range condition was 18 percent very poor, 24 poor, 32 fair, 24 good, and 2 excellent.  
  


Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-10-28-2013.txt.

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE&region=HPRCC.

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

Corn  and  soybean  harvest  advanced  rapidly  in  Iowa  during  the week ending October 27, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.  With soybean harvest now slightly ahead of normal, this marked the first time all season soybean progress was ahead of the 5-year  average.   Statewide  there were 6.0 days  suitable  for  fieldwork.  Other  activities  for  the  week  included  fall  tillage,  as  well  as  liquid manure and fertilizer applications.  Snow fell in the northern part of the state, and a killing frost finally reached southern Iowa.

Topsoil moisture  levels  rated  21 percent  very  short,  32 percent  short, 47 percent  adequate  and  0 percent  surplus.    Subsoil  moisture  levels rated  31 percent  very  short,  36 percent  short,  33 percent  adequate  and 0 percent  surplus.   Grain movement  from  farm  to  elevator was  rated 60 percent  moderate  to  heavy.    Ninety-six percent  of  Iowa  reported adequate  or  surplus  off-farm  grain  storage  availability  and  88 percent reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability.

Iowa farmers harvested 20 percent of their corn for grain or seed during the  week.    Fifty-five percent  has  now  been  harvested,  5 percentage points  behind  normal.   Moisture  content  of  all  corn  in  the  field  was estimated  at  21 percent while moisture  content  of  corn  harvested was 19 percent.  Corn lodging was rated at 65 percent none, 21 percent light, 11 percent moderate and 3 percent heavy.  Corn ear droppage was rated at  75 percent  none,  16 percent  light,  8 percent moderate  and 1 percent heavy.    Corn  condition  was  5 percent  very  poor,  13 percent  poor, 33 percent  fair,  40 percent  good  and  9 percent  excellent.  

Soybean harvest  increased  17 percentage  points  and  stands  at  87 percent complete, 2 days ahead of normal. 

Pasture  condition  rated  23 percent  very  poor,  26 percent  poor, 32 percent  fair,  17 percent  good  and  2 percent  excellent.    Stress  on livestock was minimal during the week.   Hay supplies were considered 16 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus across Iowa with 91 percent rated in fair to good condition.


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

It was  a very  cool week  across  Iowa with  temperatures  averaging 9.2 degrees below normal.  A few locations across the south and west edged a  little warmer  than  normal  on  Sunday  (20th)  but  all  of  the  state was well below normal  the  remainder of  the  reporting week.   Keokuk was the warm  spot with  a  70  degree  high  on Sunday  (20th) while  Stanley (Buchanan Co.) and Mount Ayr dipped  to 18 degrees on Friday  (25th) morning.  A hard freeze was recorded in many areas on Tuesday (22nd), Friday (25th) and Sunday (27th) mornings.  The last few southeast Iowa locations  that  had  avoided  a  freeze  this  season  finally  had  one  on Friday.   Meanwhile  light  rain and/or snow moved  into northwest  Iowa Monday  (21st)  evening  and  spread  across  all but  the  far northeast  and southwest  corners  of  the  state  on  Tuesday  (22nd).    Snow  briefly accumulated along a  line  from Sioux Falls  to  the Quad Cities with  the greatest amounts of around  two inches falling across east central  Iowa.  Light  rain, with some snow  flurries,  fell across  the southwest one-half of the state on Wednesday (23rd).  The remainder of the week was dry.  Only  a  few  sprinkles  or  flurries  occurred  over  far  northeast  and southwest  Iowa  during  the  week  while  Davenport  reported  the  most precipitation  with  0.47 inches  (falling  as  1.5  to  2.5 inches  of  snow).  The  statewide  average  precipitation was  0.13 inches while  normal  for the week  is  0.56 inches.    Soil  temperatures  as  of  Sunday  (27th) were mostly in the mid to upper 40’s but may briefly climb back into the low 50’s by midweek.



Corn Harvested - Selected States
[These 18 States harvested 93% of the 2012 corn acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :               Week ending               :           
                :-----------------------------------------:           
      State     : October 27, : October 20, : October 27, :  2008-2012
                :    2012     :    2013     :    2013     :   Average 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                        percent                      
Colorado .......:     78            39            59            62    
Illinois .......:         94            51            74            68    
Indiana ........:      80            43            59            62    
Iowa ...........:       96            35            55            60    
Kansas .........:     97            68            81            78    
Kentucky .......:     96            65            76            89    
Michigan .......:      56            21            31            41    
Minnesota ......:     98            19            48            61    
Missouri .......:      99            63            77            77    
Nebraska .......:     93            32            55            55    
North Carolina .:    96            95            97            97    
North Dakota ...:    94            14            33            48    
Ohio ...........:        62            31            49            47    
Pennsylvania ...:    63            44            54            52    
South Dakota ...:    99            31            49            55    
Tennessee ......:     99            71            84            95    
Texas ..........:        96            77            92            90    
Wisconsin ......:     75            27            39            47    
18 States ......:      91            39            59            62    
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Soybeans Harvested - Selected States
[These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :               Week ending               :           
                :-----------------------------------------:           
      State     : October 27, : October 20, : October 27, :  2008-2012
                :    2012     :    2013     :    2013     :   Average 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                        percent                      
Arkansas .......:     83           46            60            68    
Illinois .......:         86           68            85            77    
Indiana ........:       79           64            78            79    
Iowa ...........:        97           70            87            86    
Kansas .........:     72           60            75            69    
Kentucky .......:     68           25            38            65    
Louisiana ......:      96           90            96            92    
Michigan .......:      86           56            66            79    
Minnesota ......:     100           80            91            88    
Mississippi ....:      97           82            89            88    
Missouri .......:       60           36            51            58    
Nebraska .......:      98           80            94            88    
North Carolina .:      16            7            11            20    
North Dakota ...:     100           54            73            80    
Ohio ...........:          77           71            81            76    
South Dakota ...:     100           75            87            84    
Tennessee ......:       63           23            36            63    
Wisconsin ......:       99           53            69            79    
18 States ......:        86           63            77            77    
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 87% of the 2012 winter wheat acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :               Week ending               :           
                :-----------------------------------------:           
      State     : October 27, : October 20, : October 27, :  2008-2012
                :    2012     :    2013     :    2013     :   Average 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                        percent                      
Arkansas .......:     52            29            44            42    
California .....:       29            10            15            32    
Colorado .......:     99            95            98            99    
Idaho ..........:       97            86            99            96    
Illinois .......:        79            68            89            74    
Indiana ........:      84            64            83            78    
Kansas .........:     95            87            94            90    
Michigan .......:     90            76            89            88    
Missouri .......:      65            32            51            56    
Montana ........:     84            90            96            94    
Nebraska .......:     99            96            99            99    
North Carolina .:     19            12            22            23    
Ohio ...........:         80            80            90            83    
Oklahoma .......:     91            84            90            87    
Oregon .........:        82            84            91            88    
South Dakota ...:    93            93            95            96    
Texas ..........:        81            69            75            78    
Washington .....:     97            90            94            97    
18 States ......:       87            79            86            85    
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 87% of the 2012 winter wheat acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :               Week ending               :           
                :-----------------------------------------:           
      State     : October 27, : October 20, : October 27, :  2008-2012
                :    2012     :    2013     :    2013     :   Average 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                :                        percent                      
Arkansas .......:     32            13            24            21    
California .....:        2             2             5            12    
Colorado .......:     75            73            87            87    
Idaho ..........:       61            38            68            65    
Illinois .......:         46            24            47            44    
Indiana ........:       51            28            51            44    
Kansas .........:     74            61            74            72    
Michigan .......:     71            40            54            61    
Missouri .......:      43            15            26            33    
Montana ........:     49            60            66            71    
Nebraska .......:     72            73            94            88    
North Carolina .:      5             3             7             6    
Ohio ...........:        38            54            70            47    
Oklahoma .......:     69            61            73            69    
Oregon .........:       45            25            33            47    
South Dakota ...:    22            62            65            73    
Texas ..........:        60            42            56            54    
Washington .....:    78            68            70            79    
18 States ......:      61            53            65            64    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday October 28 Ag News

USDA’s Farm Service Agency Issues ACRE Revenue PaymentsFarm Service Agency (FSA) State Director Dan Steinkruger announced that both non-irrigated corn and non-irrigated soybeans have been determined eligible in Nebraska for revenue payments, called “ACRE” payments, under the provisions of the 2012 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE).     Additional Nebraska crops qualifying for ACRE revenue payments include both irrigated and non-irrigated barley and dry peas.  “The impact to our corn and soybean yields resulting from the extreme drought conditions during the 2012 growing season caused revenue declines that are now compensated by the ACRE program” Steinkruger added.   ACRE revenue payments will assist in mitigating the portion of a revenue loss not covered by crop insurance indemnities.

The ACRE program, as a part of the 2008 Farm Bill, provides a revenue safety net which protects declines in either yield or price.  Nebraska qualified to have irrigated and non-irrigated acreages of corn and soybeans considered as separate crops.   ACRE crops may be eligible for payment when the actual state revenue is less than the crop’s state ACRE guarantee.    In order to earn payments, each farm participating in ACRE must also hit the “farm trigger”, which means the actual 2012 farm revenue is less than the farm’s benchmark revenue.  Benchmark revenue is calculated using a 5-year average yield, and a 2-year average national market price.  Actual revenue cannot be determined until the end of a crop’s marketing year, which was August 31, 2013 for 2012 crop corn and soybeans.

Under the provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill, farmers and landowners had an opportunity each year to elect participation in either the ACRE program or the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP).  The ACRE election could be made in any year, but was then irrevocable through the end of the Farm Bill.   In exchange for the revenue protection offered by ACRE, participants gave up 20% of their direct payments.  ACRE payments are calculated using 85% of the planted acres, not to exceed a farm’s base acres.

Nebraska had approximately 17,000 farms participating in ACRE in 2012.  Individual questions on payments and calculations should be directed to the local FSA Office where the ACRE contract is administered.  For more information on DCP, ACRE and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA Service Center or www.fsa.usda.gov.



Soil Moisture Levels Recovering
With Normal Snows, Likely to Reach Field Capacity by Spring
Al Dutcher, UNL State Climatologist

Soil moisture recharge across most of the state is better than at the start of the 2013 growing season, according to information presented to the Nebraska Climate Assessment and Response Committee October 23. They met to discuss the current drought status across Nebraska and prospects for more moisture before the start of the 2014 crop season. The committee examined impacts of the Colorado flood, the South Dakota blizzard, and above normal precipitation in October that has led to widespread drought reductions across most of Nebraska.

Although massive flooding along the front range of the Rockies resulted in large infrastructure damage to numerous Colorado communities, flooding on the South Platte watershed scoured the channel of water-consuming vegetation and helped recharge the alluvial aquifer.

It has been over a month since the flood surge reached Nebraska. River flows at Roscoe stand at 650 cubic feet per second, five times the average daily flow for this time of year. Flows from now through the spring snow melt are likely to be significantly greater than the past few years because only a small fraction of the water will be lost to infiltration into the alluvial aquifer.

With the alluvial aquifers in the South Platte and along with the Platte east of Lake McConaughy recharged, normal snowmelt likely will have a greater hydrological impact than we’ve seen since 2011. There is enough space available to hold 2.6 million acre feet of runoff. We could mimic the winter snows of 2010-2011 and still have 400,000 acre feet of storage available by the end of snowmelt.

By all accounts, the winter of 2010-11 produced a snowpack of 140%-150% in the northern branch of the Platte. Two significant snow events have hit the headwater region this October and month to date precipitation averages are running over 150% of normal in north central Colorado to 170% of normal across south central Wyoming. With soils moist going into winter, it is expected that much of the snow melt early next spring could become runoff.

Streamflow rates also are likely to benefit from October moisture events, including the Panhandle blizzard at the start of the month and subsequent rainfall from two systems moving through the state. Soil moisture reports across the entire Panhandle are now above average which may enhance flow rates into Lake McConaughy next spring. Of course, these benefits will be contingent on periodic moisture events.
Soil Moisture Recharge Mostly Good

Soil moisture levels in other areas of the state are also showing significant benefits from the intense storm activity of the past 30 days. A few pockets of central and northeast Nebraska have as much soil moisture in the top 4 feet of the profile as was measured in late April and early May of this year. Only one site in the High Plains Regional Climate Center’s soil moisture monitoring network is currently showing less soil water content than it had at the beginning of March.

In short, current soil moisture water content is four to five months ahead of last year and is within 1 inch of normal for all areas except southwest and south central Nebraska. With normal moisture from now through April 2014, most of eastern Nebraska would have 7-8 inches of stored soil moisture and be at or close to field capacity in the top 4 feet of the profile.

The situation is a little more precarious in south central and southwest Nebraska where they haven’t seen as much moisture as other areas of the state. While soil moisture is higher than in March, these sites all had less than an inch of stored moisture in the top 4 feet of the profile. Our best estimate is that it will take approximately 120% of normal precipitation through next April for this area of the state to return to normal soil moisture levels.

Drought Outlook Improves for Nebraska
The positive impacts of recent storm activity can be seen on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Nebraska. The October 24 Drought Monitor indicates that 13.35% of the state is not classified in drought, 38.8% is abnormally dry, 20.46% is experiencing moderate drought, while 27.39% of the state is experiencing severe drought or worse.

If storm activity continues through the winter at the same intensity we saw in early October, snowpack levels will be sufficient to provide the necessary runoff to bring reservoirs on the northern branch of the Platte back to near capacity. However, if the winter is mostly dry, abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions are likely to appear in these areas.



Adjusting Cash Rents for 2014
Allan Vyhnalek, UNL Extension Educator in Platte County

I’ve already had landlords and tenants, but especially tenants, contact me regarding cash rents for 2014. The questions is generally, “What should I charge (or pay) for cash rent next year?” The best answer that I can give is “It depends.” That sounds kind of like a non-answer, so let me explain.

Logically, if you look at the top rents mentioned at places of socialization, like places where people gather for coffee, it seems to me that rent should go down some. The economics just do not support $350 per acre for dryland rent, or $500 per acre for irrigated ground cash rent.

Let’s look at where the rent might be based on average yields and expected commodity price levels for 2014. For illustration and discussion, I am using eastern Nebraska data. Too many times, the landlord wants to calculate rent on the best yield and the price of about $8.00 per bushel, which is the best price of the last year. The tenants want to calculate rent on the poorest yielding year of the last 10 years and the lowest price of the last year, which might be about $3.90 per bushel. Neither point of view is fair or realistic.

I have suggested that a starting point for rent should be about 30% of the gross revenue per acre, which would be paid to the landlord. I also insist that this calculation be completed by taking an average yield times a fall 2014 price at the local elevator or grain processor. So, an average irrigated corn yield of 200 bushels per acre times an expected fall 2014 price of about $4.40 would be $880 gross revenue per acre. By multiplying that amount by 30% you arrive at a suggested rent of $264 per acre. This would be the starting point for negotiating rent for 2014.

You can see from this simple calculation, if cash rent for irrigated corn ground is less than $200 per acre, it may be appropriate for the rent to go higher. If rent is above $350 per acre, a decrease in rent seems appropriate.

Now having said that, rent will be determined by what the tenant is willing to pay and what the landlord is willing to accept. Not by a suggested calculation. True economics of a particular commodity is still determined by supply and demand. With land economics, the demand is still exceeding supply from what I am able to determine. That said, cash rents will probably still remain strong in Nebraska. So, a specific rent on a specific farm will vary. This proves why I am right with my original answer. Where will cash rent be in 2014? “It depends!”



2013-14 Farmers & Ranchers College Programs

The Farmers and Ranchers College was formed in January 2000 with the purpose of providing high quality, dynamic, timely educational workshops for agricultural producers in south central Nebraska. It was developed and is supported through a collaborative effort of business, industry and higher education leaders. Last year nearly 400 producers from 14 Nebraska counties and two Kansas counties paticipated in the programs. Participants responding to a survey said the information they gained provided about $21 of benefit per acre.

Following is the schedule of upcoming programs:
-    November 20 — Land Leasing Workshop*, Shickley Community Building, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration at 8:45 a.m. (Information for young or new farmers will follow the leasing discussion.)
-    December 9 — “Positioning Your Business for Agriculture’s Next Decade” featuring David Kohl, Virginia Tech professor emeritus in agricultural economics, at the Bruning Opera House, Bruning, at 1 p.m.
-    January 28 — Partners In Progress – Beef Seminar* at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., registration at 9:30 a.m.
-    March 18 — Agricultural Water Update* at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Geneva from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration at 9:45 a.m.

These programs are free, but registration is appreciated for a meal count. Please call the Fillmore County Extension Office at (402) 759-3712 one week prior to the program.



I-CON PREPARES FOR EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) have invited R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard to their annual Convention in O’Neill, Nebraska, on Saturday, November 9, at the O’Neill Community Center.

Bullard will talk about Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and the pending lawsuit filed by the international meatpacking industry. R-CALF USA, Food & Water Watch, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and Western Organization of Resource Councils have been given the nod by United States District Court for the District of Columbia to intervene and defend COOL.

“As the largest producer-only trade association representing the U.S. cattle industry, we will take this opportunity to aggressively defend COOL for U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard in a recent press release from R-CALF USA. “R-CALF USA fought for more than a decade to implement COOL with these very allies and together we are prepared to fight even harder to defend it.”

The R-CALF USA press release went to explain the history of COOL, ‘The requirement for mandatory COOL was first passed in the 2002 Farm Bill, but its implementation was repeatedly delayed by meatpacker pressure on Congress. A coalition of meatpackers (both domestic and international) and packer-producer trade associations sued USDA to block COOL in July 2013, nearly five years after COOL was included again in the 2008 Farm Bill, and additionally sought a preliminary injunction to halt COOL’s implementation immediately.’

After a morning panel of Nebraska state senators, a catered noon luncheon, and Sheriff Richard Mack talking about states’ rights, Bullard will speak.

The day will start with registration at 8 a.m. and the ever popular Senator Panel will begin at 9 a.m. Senator Al Davis, ICON director, will be joining Senators Mark Christensen, Jerry Johnson and Tom Carlson for the ICON panel. The ICON membership is always intrigued by visiting with the Senators in a one-to-one situation. Registration is $50 and pre-payment is also appreciated so ICON staff can order meals.

A Social Hour will precede a Prime Rib Evening Banquet and auction for the Jim Hanna Memorial Scholarship. The evening entertainment will follow. The charge for the evening banquet is $25 and must be reserved before Oct. 30. The evening entertainment is $10 at the door for non-convention participants. Everyone is welcome.

This past year ICON has been deeply involved in the brand issue as a form of animal identification and disease traceability. It supports a bill which would make Nebraska a state-wide brand state.

           More convention information and registration forms will be available in the October issue of the Rancher’s Review and online at http://www.independentcattlemen.com/ , by calling communications director Linda Wuebben at 402-357-3778 or email at linbo@gpcom.net.



Senators Aim to Reduce Some EPA Regulations
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan is leading a bipartisan group of 12 senators in urging the Senate Agriculture Committee to include a provision in the 2013 Farm Bill that eliminates a duplicative Environmental Protection Agency regulation on pesticides.

"This redundant regulation creates unnecessary liability and paperwork burdens on farmers, state and local governments, public health officials and small businesses," Hagan said. "This is not about whether pesticides should be regulated, but rather it is about eliminating an unnecessary and duplicative regulation that wastes taxpayer dollars and provides little to no environmental or public health benefits.

Agriculture is our state's largest industry, and we need to be breaking down barriers that keep farmers from growing jobs, not adding more paperwork. I am hopeful that Agriculture Committee leaders in both the Senate and the House will remove this burdensome requirement in the final 2013 Farm Bill."

Until recently, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) required EPA to conduct a comprehensive review of pesticides before they could enter the market. However, in 2011 the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Clean Water Act permits are also required for aquatic application of pesticides.

"We urge you to include a provision in the final version of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act that specifies that these duplicative permits are not required for the lawful application of FIFRA approved pesticides," the Senators concluded.

Hagan previously introduced a bipartisan bill to eliminate this redundant regulation. The House included similar language in their version of the Farm Bill, but the Senate farm bill did not include the measure. The Senate and House are now in a conference committee to work out the details on a new Farm Bill to reauthorize the current law.



Dairy Producers Reminded of November 1 Deadline to Submit Production Evidence for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program

Juan M. Garcia, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminds producers that final production evidence and any supporting documentation for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program for eligible months (including fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013) that MILC payments were available must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2013.

“The MILC program helps dairy producers get through tough economic times, and is another reason we need a new Farm, Food and Job bill," said Garcia. "When low dairy prices create a hardship for dairy producers, payments are made to those who participate in the program to ensure they have the financial assistance they need to maintain their business. An additional benefit is the stimulation of local economies.”

Statutory authority for the MILC program expired Sept. 30, 2013. New legislation must be enacted before the MILC program, or its replacement, can provide assistance.

Dairy operations can obtain more information on MILC by contacting a local FSA office or search “MILC” at www.fsa.usda.gov.



Organic Center announces New Science Advisory Board

The Organic Center (The Center) today announced the names of 24 scientists who have agreed to serve on its newly formed Science Advisory Board.

“We are pleased with the response from prominent scientists to serve on our Science Advisory Board,” said Jessica Shade, Ph.D., The Organic Center’s Director of Scientific Programs. She added, “All are distinguished researchers who are recognized for excellence in the field of organic research.”

The Science Advisory Board will augment The Center’s internal scientific expertise and act as an outside evaluator voice on issues that arise in the organic field. It will serve as a support system for internal scientific management, and provide oversight on the progress of The Center’s scientific initiatives.

Specifically, board members will act as experts in their field to inform The Center on a broad array of organic topics. They will also respond to emerging issues of importance to the organic agriculture, help The Center identify future scientific focus areas, and collaborate with The Center on conducting research in priority areas.

The 24 members include scientists from academic institutions such as Harvard University, the University of California-Berkeley, Cornell University, the University of Michigan, Tufts University, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Maine, and the University of Wisconsin, as well as Newcastle University in the United Kingdom

“This is an unprecedented gathering of the best minds on sustainable food and farming, and The Organic Center is honored to have such prestigious members of the science community on its Advisory Board. These individuals will be critical in adding to The Center’s knowledge base on specific issues, and will give it a broader level of expertise,” Dr. Shade added.

Individual Science Advisory Board members are already contributing to the work of The Center, and have been providing insight and guidance on emerging issues, such as the link between agricultural antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, speaking at events about their research, taking part in roundtable discussions exploring current knowledge gaps in scientific literature about organic food and farming, and collaborating with The Center on developing new projects to fill those knowledge gaps.

Members of the Science Advisory Board include:
    Catherine Badgley, University of Michigan, who focuses on the history of global biodiversity and includes extensive studies of ecosystem changes over geologic time, biogeography of modern mammals, and sustainable agriculture.
    Chuck Benbrook, Washington State University, who has done work examining pesticide use patterns.
    Jeffrey Blumberg, Tufts University, the Director of the Antioxidants Research Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
    Asa Bradman, University of California, Berkeley, who examines health hazards of pesticide exposure.   
    Andre Brito, University of New Hampshire, who examines pasture-based dairy systems and organic dairy cattle nutrition.
    Patrick Carr, North Dakota State University, who directs an organic research program that focuses on cropping systems and conservation tillage practices suited to horticultural and field crop production.      
    Cindy Daley, California State University, Chico, whose research works to enhance and support organic dairy, including sustainable feeding strategies, nutrient management and value-added marketing.
    Kathleen Delate, Iowa State, whose research focuses on the challenges of organic production.    
    Eric Gallandt, University of Maine, who works on weed management.
    Nguyen Hue, University of Hawaii, whose research examines soil chemistry and heavy metal accumulation.
    Molly Jahn, University of Wisconsin, whose current work focuses on the role of agriculture and our choices within agricultural and food systems in humanity’s long-term sustainable provisioning.    
    Carlo Leiffert, University of Newcastle, UK, who focuses on agricultural production system evaluation/modeling, and integration of agronomic and breeding strategies to improve resource use efficiency in crops and livestock production.
    Alex Lu, Harvard University, who focuses on assessing exposure to environmental chemicals.
    Bruce Maxwell, Montana State University, who works on weed management.
    Charles Mohler, Cornell University, who works on organic weed control.
    Joji Muramoto, University of California, Santa Cruz, who researches fertility and soil-borne disease management.
    Warren Porter, University of Wisconsin, who examines low-level contaminant/pesticide mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations that affect/alter developmental processes, neurological function, immune function, and endocrine function.
    Alex Racelis, University of Texas Pan American, whose current efforts focus on research in agroecology and sustainable agriculture in the subtropics, and on increasing student diversity in the agricultural sciences through curriculum development and experiential learning.
    Chris Reberg-Horton, North Carolina State University, who looks at organic breeding for fertility management and organic no-till, especially in corn, soybeans, and wheat.
    Jim Riddle, The Ceres Trust, whose interests focus on organic requirements, genetic engineering, soil and water conservation, and organic research needs.
    Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin, whose research includes projects involving organic no-till production, organic cover crop systems, participatory breeding and trialing in organic systems, and cost-of-production tools for diversified organic vegetable producers.
    Phil Stansly, University of Florida, who works on integrated management of citrus and vegetable pests. 
    Danielle Treadwell, University of Florida, who focuses on integrating cover crops to reduce tillage and manage pests in subtropical and tropical horticultural crops.
    Mark Williams, University of Kentucky, whose research focuses on sustainable organic horticulture production.



CF, Mosaic Make Phosphate Deal

Mosaic Co. agreed to buy fellow fertilizer company CF Industries Holdings Inc.'s phosphate operations for $1.4 billion in cash, consolidating this business in Florida amid continued weakness across all fertilizer products.

This past summer, the $22 billion global market for another key fertilizer ingredient, that being potash, was hit by the collapse of a sales partnership that helped underpin potash prices. Mosaic Chief Executive James Prokopanko said it is "anybody's guess" whether there will be resolution to OAO Uralkali and Belaruskali's dispute, which has weighed on fertilizer prices broadly and prompted major buyers to hold off on purchases.

"It's pure speculation as to how and when it might be resolved," he said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Monday.

Prokopanko said Mosaic continues to invest "substantial sums" in developing its potash business alongside the phosphate operation, its biggest business by sales.

The major motivation behind the acquisition announced Monday was the opportunity to realize cost savings from combining the two companies' Florida-based phosphate operations.

CF's South Pasture mine is close to Mosaic's planned phosphate mine in Hardee County, allowing Mosaic to save about $500 million by not having to build a planned $1 billion plant and to use that money to reinvest, the company said.

That business "is the hole in the middle of the donut that Mosaic owns that surrounds the (CF) facility," Prokopanko said. "It offers substantial synergies."

Phosphate prices have been hit in recent months by an increased supply among other factors. This September, Mosaic joined other fertilizer giants in warning that results would be hit in the calendar third quarter. The Plymouth, Minn.-based company lowered its sales forecast for the period to between 2.6 and 2.8 million metric tons, from 2.9 to 3.3 mmt, and narrowed its phosphate price forecast to $430 to $440 a ton, from $430 to $465 in July.

Mosaic says the long-term fundamentals for this market are healthy given the major driver, the farming industry, is doing well.

"Farmers are doing well almost everywhere in the world ... and crops nutrients are very affordable," Prokopanko said.

Likewise, the executive said, he sees a rebound in potash prices, not least of all from Uralkali and the Belarusians eventually resolving their dispute.

"We think that the course of action taken by Uralkali does not make economic sense for anyone in the industry, including themselves," he said.

The Russian company abandoned its sales agreement and said it would ramp up production as it pursued a quantity-over-price sales strategy. Potash prices have fallen by around a quarter as buyers step back from the market waiting for further price advantage.

Prokopanko said that the collapse of Belarusian Potash Co. in late July does not affect the future of Canpotex, the North American sales partnership that Mosaic belongs to alongside Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (POT) and Agrium Inc. (AGU).

"Canpotex is a very valuable organization; it's a logistics and marketing organization so it does more than simply sell the product," he said.

The CF Industries facilities in Florida produce about 1.8 million tons of phosphate fertilizer per year, which would be added to the annual 8.2 million tons Mosaic produces.

The sale will enable CF Industries to sharpen its focus on its nitrogen business, Chief Executive Stephen R. Wilson said in a statement.

CF Industries recently has faced pressure to return more cash to shareholders from Third Point LLC, the hedge fund run by activist investor Daniel Loeb. Third Point took a roughly 1.5% stake in the company and in July called for it to increase its quarterly dividend. On Oct. 17, CF Industries said it would raise the dividend to $1 a share from 40 cents.

The deal, expected to close in the first half of next year, should add about 30 cents a share to Mosaic's earnings in 2015, the company said.

Mosaic also said Monday that it had also signed strategic supply agreements under which CF Industries will provide Mosaic with up to about one million tons of ammonia a year, starting no later than 2017.