NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending August 27, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Significant rainfall of an inch or more was received across most eastern counties, however western counties and the panhandle area remained relatively dry. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 23 short, 66 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 29 short, 60 adequate, and 1 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 4 percent very poor, 9 poor, 24 fair, 47 good, and 16 excellent. Corn dough was 94 percent, equal to last year, and near 92 for the five-year average. Dented was 51 percent, behind 58 last year and 56 average. Mature was 1 percent, near 4 last year, and behind 7 average.
Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 poor, 25 fair, 54 good, and 11 excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 97 percent, near 95 last year and 96 average. Dropping leaves was 3 percent, near 7 last year and 5 average.
Sorghum condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 29 fair, 50 good, and 18 excellent. Sorghum headed was 98 percent, equal to last year, and near 94 average. Coloring was 38 percent, well behind 70 last year, but near 39 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 4 percent very poor, 9 poor, 29 fair, 46 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa third cutting was 92 percent complete, equal to last year, and near 89 average. Fourth cutting was 30 percent, behind 36 last year, but ahead of 20 average.
Dry edible beans condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 18 fair, 51 good, and 21 excellent. Dry edible beans setting pods was 94 percent, ahead of 88 last year. Dropping leaves was 5 percent, behind 17 last year and 15 average.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 7 percent very poor, 20 poor, 43 fair, 26 good, and 4 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 10 short, 88 adequate, and 0 surplus.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT
Iowa experienced below normal temperatures and received adequate rain throughout the western half of the state during the week ending August 27, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included haying, hauling grain, chopping corn, and harvest equipment preparation.
Topsoil moisture levels improved to 13 percent very short, 26 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture levels in south central Iowa were reported at 85 percent short to very short. This is the first time in 5 weeks that topsoil moisture has been less than 90 percent short to very short in that district. Subsoil moisture levels rated 18 percent very short, 31 percent short, 50 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop was in or beyond the dough stage, 8 days behind last year, but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Forty-one percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, 8 days behind last year and four days behind average. Sixty percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition.
Ninety-four percent of soybeans were setting pods, 2 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of average. Six percent of soybeans started to turn color, 3 days behind average. Soybean condition improved slightly to 60 percent good to excellent. Similar pests and weeds as last year were reported for soybeans, with limited reports of disease pressure such as sudden death syndrome or mold issues.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 82 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of average.
Pasture condition rated 17 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 22 percent good and 3 percent excellent. Lack of water in ponds and creeks continues to be an issue in the southern district for cattle, with reports of cattlemen hauling water and using CRP acres for emergency haying and grazing.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress
Soybean conditions improved slightly last week while corn conditions continued to hold steady, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. USDA estimated soybean conditions at 61% good to excellent as of Sunday, Aug. 27, up 1 percentage point from 60% the previous week. USDA said 93% of soybeans were setting pods as of Sunday, even with a year ago and above the five-year average of 92%. Six percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, up from 5% for both a year ago and the five-year average.
Meanwhile, corn progress continued to lag behind the average pace last week. USDA estimated that 86% of corn had reached the dough stage as of Sunday, down from 91% a year ago, and down slightly from the five-year average of 87%. Forty-four percent of corn was dented, down from 57% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 51% dented. Six percent of the corn crop was considered mature, down from 8% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 10% mature. Corn was rated 62% in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week.
Spring wheat harvest progressed to 76% complete as of Sunday, down from 79% a year ago, but above the five-year average of 66% harvested.
Sorghum was 49% coloring, behind the average of 54%, and mature was 29%, also behind the average of 31% mature. Sorghum harvested was 21%, near the average of 22%. Sorghum condition dropped slightly to 65% good to excellent from 66% good to excellent the previous week.
Barley was 83% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average pace of 73%. Oats were 86% harvested, behind the average of 90%.
Cotton was 93% setting bolls and 18% bolls opening compared to an average pace of 93% setting bolls and 20% bolls opening. Cotton condition improved to 65% good to excellent from 63% good to excellent the previous week. Rice was 24% harvested as of Sunday, ahead of the average of 20% harvested.
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
Monday, August 28, 2017
Monday August 28 Ag News
Nebraska Extension Back to Basics Ag Land Management Seminar
The Ag Land Management Seminar: Back to the Basics, 101 will provide those who own farmland with useful information and education about that ownership. Learn management strategies for this asset by attending this seminar at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, NE (formerly the Ag Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE), on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Topics include:
- Am I keeping the farm, or selling it?
- How do I manage a farm?
- If leasing, what are key lease provisions?
- What legal considerations do I have with this decision?
- How do we manage family communications and expectations when other family is involved?
- What does a soil test tell me?
- I hear about organic or natural production, how does that vary from what my farmer is currently doing?
- If corn and soybeans aren’t making money why don’t we raise other crops?
- What should I expect for communications between the landlord and tenant?
- What are key pasture leasing considerations?
“I am contacted monthly from citizens who have had their parents pass away, and now they are managing a farm for the first time in their lives,” said Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator and event speaker. “They may have even grown up there, but haven’t been around for 30 or 40 years, and need to understand that farming practices and management concepts have changed,” Vyhnalek continued.
The workshop is designed to provide primer education for those that haven’t been on the farm much, or on the farm much recently. It is also designed to be a refresher course for those that would like to have the latest information on land management and rental.
Pre-registration is requested by two days prior to the event. Registration fee is $20 per person or $30 per couple. The fee covers handouts, refreshments and lunch. Call 402-624-8030 to preregister.
The program is conducted by Allan Vyhnalek, Aaron Nygren, and Jim Jansen, Nebraska Extension Educators who provide farm land management and agronomy education in eastern Nebraska.
For more information or assistance, contact Allan Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension Educator, Farm Succession, at 402-472-1771 or avyhnalek2@unl.edu.
Additional Public Info: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enrec/BackToBasics.pdf.
NE Extension Seeks Info Into Your Dicamba Use and Suspected Injury in Soybeans
Nebraska Extension educators and specialists have appreciated hearing from growers and agriculture professionals on suspected injury to soybean from dicamba use in soybean and corn as this helps them understand what problems exist and to formulate helpful suggestions in the future. They would like to gather more specific information to help identify what factors may have led to increased soybean injury this year. They are asking for your cooperation by taking an online survey here... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VGXDBT9.
Please feel free to include additional information about your experience with dicamba application or suspected injury this summer via email to dicamba@unl.edu.
White Mold More Common This Year in Soybean
Loren Giesler - Extension Plant Pathologist
Once again we are seeing a lot of white mold in soybean. White mold or Sclerotinia Stem Rot is a disease that can be identified now, but management needs to have occurred previously, during bloom.
One of the main problems with white mold management is that the disease starts earlier in the season during flowering. The actual infection occurs on the senescing flower which the fungus uses as a food source. All infections in soybean typically start at a node. You can even tell when the infection occurred based on how high up the plant the stem lesions and fungal growth are. This year’s cool wet conditions during flowering were favorable for infection. More cool temperatures after infection were favorable for more growth of the fungus.
Symptoms at this point in soybean development will be individual or small pockets of dead or dying plants. Upon close inspection you will see a white cottony fungal growth on the stems which may also include dark black bodies (sclerotia) of the fungus on the stems. Stems of dead plants will be very light (bleached) in color and when dead stems are split, you will often see the sclerotia of the fungus inside.
The optimum temperature for growth of the fungus is 75°F. If temperatures move into the 90s, the disease will not spread much.
Some parameters to consider for your next soybean crop:
- Row spacing: Narrow rows favor early canopy which creates an environment conducive for infection. In some areas more disease is being observed in narrow rows.
- Fungicides: It’s too late now for rescue treatments. Fungicide applications need to be applied during flowering to have any effect on this disease.
- Irrigation: Altering your irrigation at this time will add more stress to the crop as most fields are at peak water use. Any change in irrigation should have been done during flowering, if at all possible.
Diagnosis and Plant Disease Information
As with any disease, correct diagnosis is critical to proper management. If you are uncertain of the cause of damage in your field, I encourage you to have it identified at the University of Nebraska Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.
Ricketts Announces Hall County as Newest Nebraska Livestock Friendly County
On Sunday, Governor Pete Ricketts designated Hall County as the newest county in Nebraska to be named a Livestock Friendly County (LFC). With the addition of Hall County, 42 of Nebraska’s 93 counties are now designated as livestock friendly.
“Agriculture and livestock are a major part of Hall County’s landscape,” said Governor Ricketts. “I’m pleased to be able to announce Hall County’s livestock-friendly status, as Grand Island and Hall County have always been extremely supportive of agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair. To keep growing Nebraska, we need to continue making Nebraska as livestock friendly as possible.”
The Livestock Friendly County program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and new livestock developments. The Livestock Friendly County program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).
“With feedlots, JBS beef processing, hog finishing, Case New Holland ag equipment manufacturing, Global Industries grain storage and handling, McCain Foods and other highly respected agricultural companies, Grand Island and Hall County support livestock and agriculture throughout the state and throughout the world,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “By requesting and receiving the state’s LFC designation, Hall County is saying that it can support growth and development in the livestock industry and turn it into more economic activity and job opportunities.”
A county wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing, and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation. Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-422-6692.
IA DEPT OF AG RECOGNIZES STUDENT ARTWORK FOR “FROM THE FARM TO YOU” CALENDAR
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized thirteen students from Iowa at the State Fair for providing the artwork that appears in the “From the Farm to You” calendar. The calendar was distributed to fairgoers by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and emphasizes the connection between the production of Iowa’s farmers and the products used by people every day
“Iowa’s rich soil and vast landscape has made Iowa one of the most productive areas for food and livestock production in the world,” Northey said. “These students are helping showcase Iowa agriculture and breakdown the idea that food comes from grocery stores, not from farms. It is great to be able to recognize them at the State Fair for their hard work and creativity.”
Northey presented the students with a certificate during the State Fair recognizing their selection. The winners of the contest are listed below. Photos from the presentation can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowaagriculture/albums/72157687852816266. Also, an electronic version of the calendar can be seen at http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/pdfs/2017/FarmToYouCalendar2017.pdf.
Students can submit drawings to be considered for inclusion in the calendar next year. Pictures should be drawn using only black lines on plain white paper, 8 ½ by 11 inches. The pictures should not be colored. They can be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Calendar Kids, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
Cattle on Feed Lower Than Pre-Reports
Katelyn McCullock, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
On August 1st there were 10.6 million head of cattle on feed, up 4% from the previous year. Cattle placed onto feed saw a noticeable slowing up only 3% from 2016, and the first month without double digit placements since February. Although last February was a leap year leading to one additional calendar day, and resulting in a 1% decline in cattle placed when comparing last year to this year's Cattle on Feed numbers. Every other month in 2017 placements have been between 11%-16% above a year ago.
As pointed out in last week's ICM feedlot returns have eroded rather sharply over the last couple of weeks, largely driven by a decline in fed steer prices. The five market slaughter steer prices has fallen #34.92 per cwt since its peak in early May. However, feedlot returns were still holding strong for most of the summer. July showed feedlot returns fell significantly from June to July and are expected to turn negative in August. June to July feeder prices fell about $12 per hundredweight, and weekly prices continue to slide, making feedlot more cautious about bidding aggressively for cattle. Marketings remained strong in July were up 4 percent, but with the deterioration in feeding returns its clear feedlots are thinking twice about filling pens with negative returns projected. Across the board, pre-report estimates were slightly higher than actuals, and had some rather wide ranges.
Cattle on Feed weight breakdown reflected smaller placements. Last month all three categories under 800 pounds showed increases in the neighborhood of 25% above a year ago. Comparatively, in June cattle under 600 pounds and over 800 pounds were up 2% each. 700-799 pound cattle had the higher increase over a year ago, up 7%. Nebraska continued to show high placements in cattle under 600 pounds and 700-799 pound weight categories. Texas noticeably had less placements, even with a year ago compared to the 18% jump seen in June. Colorado also was even with last year, showing only a gain in the heavy weight category of over 800 pounds. Last month, Colorado placements were up 19% over a year ago.
EPA and the Army Seek Input in the Review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold 11 sessions to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide recommendations on a revised definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will hold nine two-hour long teleconferences that will be tailored for specific sectors, plus one that will be open to the general public. The agencies will also hold one in-person session for small entities.
“EPA is committed to an open and transparent process for reviewing the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Receiving input from across the country will help us make informed decisions as we move through our two-step process that will return power to the states and to provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses.”
These sessions follow the February 28, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." The February Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the Nation's navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the States under the Constitution.
To meet these objectives, the agencies are following an expeditious, two-step rulemaking process. The recommendations gathered through these stakeholder sessions, in addition to the feedback the agencies are hearing through ongoing outreach to state, local and tribal governments, will help inform the step two rulemaking, which would revise the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.
The stakeholder sessions will be held on a weekly basis beginning September 19 and will continue each Tuesday thereafter for ten weeks. Each will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Information on how to register for each of these meetings is available on the EPA website. Registration for each webinar will close a week prior. Those wishing to provide verbal recommendations during the teleconference will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the expected volume of participants, individuals will be asked to limit their oral presentation to three minutes.
Stakeholder Sessions Schedule
September 19, 2017 – small entities (small businesses, small organizations and small governmental jurisdictions)
September 26, 2017 – environment and public advocacy
October 3, 2017 – conservation, e.g., hunters and anglers
October 10, 2017 – construction and transportation
October 17, 2017 – agriculture
October 24, 2017 – industry
October 31, 2017 – mining
November 7, 2017 – scientific organizations and academia
November 14, 2017 – stormwater, wastewater management and drinking water agencies
November 21, 2017 – general public
The agencies are also planning an in-person meeting with small entities, which will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the U.S. EPA’s Headquarters.
The agencies will also be accepting written recommendations on the step two rulemaking effort through a non-regulatory docket (EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0480), which will be available when the notice is published in the Federal Register. The agencies ask that this information be submitted on or before November 28, 2017.
Additional information: www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.
Crop Insurers Respond to GAO Calls for Additional Budget Cuts
National Crop Insurance Services
The farm economy is struggling, with depressed prices and falling farm incomes reminiscent of the farm crisis in the 1980s. Back then, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) studied the best way to help farmers through tough times and noted, "crop insurance is a more equitable and efficient way to provide disaster assistance" than both taxpayer funded disaster payments and emergency loans.
GAO then recommended strengthening the country's crop insurance program, which Congress did. Now, crop insurance is a cornerstone of America's farm policy, farmers call it their top Farm Bill priority, and taxpayers are saving money because farmers and private-sector crop insurers help fund farm policy.
Given crop insurance's success and popularity, it is disheartening that GAO recently recommended weakening farmers' primary risk management tool. It's even more troubling that GAO would gloss over important facts about the returns crop insurance providers receive for delivering America's farm safety net. For example:
- Insurance providers are not even achieving the returns targeted in the Standard Reinsurance Agreement with the USDA – GAO buried deep within its report the fact that actual returns have been 5 percentage points lower than USDA's target from 2011-2015.
- GAO's data do not take insurers' full business expenses into account – essentially, they are confusing gross and net returns.
- A 2017 study by economists from the University of Illinois and Cornell University noted that net returns for crop insurance providers were just 1.5% from 2011-2015.
Farmers all across the country are depending on crop insurance to help them weather the current economic crisis. And private-sector crop insurers are delivering that assistance in an efficient manner that has come in billions under budget.
Clearly the system is working and does not need to be weakened when it is needed most. Luckily, most lawmakers recognize crop insurance's value and are dedicated to keeping it affordable, widely available, and economically viable in the next Farm Bill.
CWT Assists with 487,222 Pounds of Cheese Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from a member cooperative that has a contract to sell 487.2 pounds (221 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from August through November 2017.
So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 47.5 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 3 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 18 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 502.299 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
U.S. and Mexican Dairy Industries Make United Call for NAFTA to Protect and Enhance Free Dairy Trade, While Rejecting Canadian and EU Trade-Distorting Practices
The U.S. and Mexican dairy industries released a unified list of priorities today that includes modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to solidify their strong dairy market partnership, and addressing concerns about Canadian and European dairy policies.
A list of nine shared priorities was agreed upon Thursday at a second annual summit meeting here between leaders of the two nations’ dairy industries, collectively called the United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. The written list of priorities was released today.
The U.S. dairy industry was represented by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Mexican dairy producer organizations included the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, Gremio de Productores Lechero de la República Mexicana, and the Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos Lecheros, along with Mexican processor organization Camara Nacional de Industriales de la Leche.
The summit occurred on the heels of the first round of NAFTA renegotiation talks. As NAFTA talks continue, the European Union (EU) is seeking, through direct negotiations with Mexico, to impose new barriers to dairy trade through the abuse of geographical indications. This is a significant concern to U.S. and Mexican cheesemakers because it would give the EU exclusive use of common cheese names like asiago, gorgonzola and feta.
Canada is also disrupting dairy trade in North America and beyond as its new Class 6/7 pricing scheme dumps artificially low-cost milk powder in global markets, displacing U.S. exports from the Canadian market.
“We want to strengthen our relationship as Mexico’s most trusted dairy trading partner so we can continue to work together for the benefit of dairy sectors on both sides of the border,” said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack. “That goal is all the more essential given other nations’ efforts to pursue harmful and disruptive approaches to dairy trade with Mexico through practices that hurt Mexican and U.S. dairy farmers and workers in the process.”
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, said, “We are very pleased that our friends in Mexico have joined us in expressing opposition to the abusive attempts of the European Union to confiscate common food names, as well as the trade distorting practices of Canada, at a time when we are working to facilitate new opportunities throughout North America. This meeting provided an opportunity to explore how we can deepen those efforts.”
Last year, representatives from the two nations’ dairy sectors held a two-day summit in Denver, Colo., that created a United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. This year in Guadalajara, the focus was on expanding areas of collaboration while preserving current trade. The NAFTA renegotiation talks emerged as an important topic because the agreement is the foundation of the industries’ mutually beneficial free-trade relationship.
Enacted in 1992, NAFTA removed barriers to trade, and has led to more than a six-fold increase in U.S. dairy exports to Mexico, to $1.2 billion in 2016. Round one of NAFTA modernization talks ended Aug. 20 in Washington, with a second round scheduled Sept. 1-5 in Mexico City, and a third round in Canada in late September.
Vilsack and Mulhern noted that, in contrast to Mexico’s open trade approach, Canada has retained sky-high dairy tariffs and implemented policies that hinder free trade between North American neighbors. Canada’s new Class 6/7 pricing policy has drawn strong concerns of both the United States and Mexico, and was a significant point of discussion at the meeting here.
Mulhern noted that the new Canadian pricing scheme “intentionally undercuts U.S. dairy protein exports to other world markets, and at the same time, hurts dairy farmers in the U.S., Mexico and around the world by artificially lowering world market prices.”
The U.S.-Mexico Dairy Alliance members agreed to continue to maintain an open communications channel between the industry organizations as they analyze and seek mutually beneficial solutions to problems affecting the dairy industries of both countries.
Vilsack said the meeting “illustrates how our industries are committed to seeing our relationship continue to flourish and to jointly rejecting unjustified barriers to dairy trade.”
FFA Thanks John Deere for Long-Standing Relationship and Partnership
This week, National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl and National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball visited John Deere to thank them for their long-standing support of agricultural education and FFA, helping to achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.
A platinum sponsor, John Deere is the longest running corporate sponsor of the National FFA Organization with 74 years of support. Their sponsorship of career development events, leadership programs, state officer programs, National FFA Officer programs, the Agriscience Fair and exhibit at the annual National FFA Convention & Expo, and scholarships helps FFA prepare students for careers in agriculture, and to be leaders and advocates for the industry.
Five years ago, John Deere and its dealers partnered with FFA to create a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue careers in the ag industry. In 2017, the John Deere scholarship program awarded 139 college scholarships to FFA members, valued at more than $278,000. Scholarships were awarded to 86 females and 53 males. Top majors included agricultural business management, animal science, agricultural education, agronomy and crop science, pre-vet/vet medicine, agricultural engineering, engineering, agricultural sciences, agricultural economics and agricultural communications.
“We are so thankful for John Deere and their dealers’ generous support of our mission and helping us grow our leaders and prepare them for career success,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president. “The scholarship program is just one way that Deere is ensuring a bright future for our FFA members as we diversify the pipeline of young people pursuing careers in agriculture.”
”We are proud to support the National FFA Foundation, with its strong legacy of developing youth into tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders; men and women who will be challenged to feed and clothe a growing global population,” said Amy Allen, manager of corporate sponsorships at John Deere.
Syngenta partners with Premier Crop Systems to turn data into knowledge
Syngenta and Premier Crop Systems, LLC, announce a commercial partnership to bring growers customized, variable-cost-per-bushel analysis maps – the first of this kind.
“We’re providing growers research at the speed of farming,” said Aaron Deardorff, head of digital agriculture solutions at Syngenta. “Providing valuable tools to help growers turn data into knowledge is a priority for Syngenta and Premier.”
Premier, an early developer of digital agriculture tools, currently provides data-driven agronomic recommendations for millions of acres of farmland. Its newest product, Enhanced Learning Blocks, enables the automation of large-scale, on- farm, replicated trials. By integrating products like this with the Syngenta AgriEdge Excelsior® program, Syngenta and Premier are giving growers needed tools to make data-driven decisions.
“The software integration provides growers an opportunity to understand how their cost of production varies within each of their fields,” said Mark Stelford, general manager at Premier Crop Systems. “As growers face tight margins, these insights will help optimize inputs and maximize yield, and improve return on investment.”
AgriEdge Excelsior from Syngenta is a whole-farm management program that helps growers increase and sustain their return on investment. It delivers trusted on-farm service, innovative products and the exclusive Land.db® software.
Land.db gives growers access to financial data, while Premier offers field-level productivity data. In combination, growers can review their within-field cost per bushel on blocks as small as 60 feet, and analyze up to 15 years of historical yield data. Field-relative yield maps will help growers identify opportunities to leverage their equipment’s variable-rate capabilities.
“Growers are looking for ways to get more out of everything they track,” said Stelford. “Growers are able to enter information into Land.db and get within-field cost of production information on precise maps through this integration. Premier’s capabilities also provide growers and their advisors with insights to build on their local agronomic knowledge and recommendations, using variable-rate technology.”
The maps demonstrate profitability per field from a cost-per-bushel perspective. Growers will also have access to specific farm prescriptions and the ability to run their own localized, on-farm trials, provided by Premier through their retailers.
“Syngenta is committed to helping growers feed the world,” Deardorff said. “We began using digital agriculture solutions to support that commitment more than 15 years ago, when the AgriEdge Excelsior program was started. Our broadened offers and integrations, like this collaboration with Premier Crop Systems, demonstrate that we are a partner to growers and a leader in the digital agriculture space.”
Currently, this integration is available to corn, soybean and wheat growers in the Midwest, with plans to expand in geography and crops. Growers interested in this offer should contact their retailer or local AgriEdge® Specialist.
New DuPont™ EverpreX™ Herbicide Gives Soybean Growers a Valuable Tool for Resistance Management
Soybean growers have a new option for giving crops a strong start to canopy development even when resistant weeds threaten yield and early season productivity. DuPont Crop Protection has introduced DuPont™ EverpreX™ herbicide, which provides extended residual control of ALS-, PPO- and/or glyphosate resistant weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed species.
“In the battle against resistant weeds, EverpreX™ is a valuable solution to help safeguard yield potential by minimizing competition for nutrients, moisture and sunlight,” said James Hay, business director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. “EverpreX™ is a critical component of effective resistance management strategies, which overlay contact plus residual herbicides to provide season-long control, prevent weed escapes and stop the spread of resistant biotypes.”
EverpreX™ (pronounced ever-PRE-ex) demonstrates excellent weed control when tank-mixed with glyphosate herbicides, such as DuPont™ Abundit® Edge. When tank-mixed with other pre- or postemergence herbicides, EverpreX™ provides residual control of Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, lambsquarters, nightshade, foxtails and other small-seeded grasses and broadleaf weeds. Studies have demonstrated that tank mixtures including S-metolachlor deliver more complete, consistent control of many ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant grass and broadleaf weeds.
Compatible and easily mixed with many other soybean herbicides, EverpreX™ contains S-metolachlor for residual control via inhibition of shoot- and root-tissue growth soon after weed germination. It has a wide application window with the flexibility to be applied 45 days prior to planting and up to 90 days before harvest. It can be used as an early preplant, preplant incorporated, pre-emergence or postemergence herbicide that provides recropping adaptability when rotating from soybeans to other crops.
This is the latest advancement from DuPont Crop Protection, which has been recognized with 21 Agrow Awards, including the Best R&D Pipeline Award in 2013 and 2014. For more on how EverpreX™ can help manage herbicide resistance and protect yield potential, visit everprex.dupont.com.
The Ag Land Management Seminar: Back to the Basics, 101 will provide those who own farmland with useful information and education about that ownership. Learn management strategies for this asset by attending this seminar at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, NE (formerly the Ag Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE), on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Topics include:
- Am I keeping the farm, or selling it?
- How do I manage a farm?
- If leasing, what are key lease provisions?
- What legal considerations do I have with this decision?
- How do we manage family communications and expectations when other family is involved?
- What does a soil test tell me?
- I hear about organic or natural production, how does that vary from what my farmer is currently doing?
- If corn and soybeans aren’t making money why don’t we raise other crops?
- What should I expect for communications between the landlord and tenant?
- What are key pasture leasing considerations?
“I am contacted monthly from citizens who have had their parents pass away, and now they are managing a farm for the first time in their lives,” said Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator and event speaker. “They may have even grown up there, but haven’t been around for 30 or 40 years, and need to understand that farming practices and management concepts have changed,” Vyhnalek continued.
The workshop is designed to provide primer education for those that haven’t been on the farm much, or on the farm much recently. It is also designed to be a refresher course for those that would like to have the latest information on land management and rental.
Pre-registration is requested by two days prior to the event. Registration fee is $20 per person or $30 per couple. The fee covers handouts, refreshments and lunch. Call 402-624-8030 to preregister.
The program is conducted by Allan Vyhnalek, Aaron Nygren, and Jim Jansen, Nebraska Extension Educators who provide farm land management and agronomy education in eastern Nebraska.
For more information or assistance, contact Allan Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension Educator, Farm Succession, at 402-472-1771 or avyhnalek2@unl.edu.
Additional Public Info: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enrec/BackToBasics.pdf.
NE Extension Seeks Info Into Your Dicamba Use and Suspected Injury in Soybeans
Nebraska Extension educators and specialists have appreciated hearing from growers and agriculture professionals on suspected injury to soybean from dicamba use in soybean and corn as this helps them understand what problems exist and to formulate helpful suggestions in the future. They would like to gather more specific information to help identify what factors may have led to increased soybean injury this year. They are asking for your cooperation by taking an online survey here... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VGXDBT9.
Please feel free to include additional information about your experience with dicamba application or suspected injury this summer via email to dicamba@unl.edu.
White Mold More Common This Year in Soybean
Loren Giesler - Extension Plant Pathologist
Once again we are seeing a lot of white mold in soybean. White mold or Sclerotinia Stem Rot is a disease that can be identified now, but management needs to have occurred previously, during bloom.
One of the main problems with white mold management is that the disease starts earlier in the season during flowering. The actual infection occurs on the senescing flower which the fungus uses as a food source. All infections in soybean typically start at a node. You can even tell when the infection occurred based on how high up the plant the stem lesions and fungal growth are. This year’s cool wet conditions during flowering were favorable for infection. More cool temperatures after infection were favorable for more growth of the fungus.
Symptoms at this point in soybean development will be individual or small pockets of dead or dying plants. Upon close inspection you will see a white cottony fungal growth on the stems which may also include dark black bodies (sclerotia) of the fungus on the stems. Stems of dead plants will be very light (bleached) in color and when dead stems are split, you will often see the sclerotia of the fungus inside.
The optimum temperature for growth of the fungus is 75°F. If temperatures move into the 90s, the disease will not spread much.
Some parameters to consider for your next soybean crop:
- Row spacing: Narrow rows favor early canopy which creates an environment conducive for infection. In some areas more disease is being observed in narrow rows.
- Fungicides: It’s too late now for rescue treatments. Fungicide applications need to be applied during flowering to have any effect on this disease.
- Irrigation: Altering your irrigation at this time will add more stress to the crop as most fields are at peak water use. Any change in irrigation should have been done during flowering, if at all possible.
Diagnosis and Plant Disease Information
As with any disease, correct diagnosis is critical to proper management. If you are uncertain of the cause of damage in your field, I encourage you to have it identified at the University of Nebraska Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.
Ricketts Announces Hall County as Newest Nebraska Livestock Friendly County
On Sunday, Governor Pete Ricketts designated Hall County as the newest county in Nebraska to be named a Livestock Friendly County (LFC). With the addition of Hall County, 42 of Nebraska’s 93 counties are now designated as livestock friendly.
“Agriculture and livestock are a major part of Hall County’s landscape,” said Governor Ricketts. “I’m pleased to be able to announce Hall County’s livestock-friendly status, as Grand Island and Hall County have always been extremely supportive of agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair. To keep growing Nebraska, we need to continue making Nebraska as livestock friendly as possible.”
The Livestock Friendly County program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and new livestock developments. The Livestock Friendly County program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).
“With feedlots, JBS beef processing, hog finishing, Case New Holland ag equipment manufacturing, Global Industries grain storage and handling, McCain Foods and other highly respected agricultural companies, Grand Island and Hall County support livestock and agriculture throughout the state and throughout the world,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “By requesting and receiving the state’s LFC designation, Hall County is saying that it can support growth and development in the livestock industry and turn it into more economic activity and job opportunities.”
A county wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing, and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation. Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-422-6692.
IA DEPT OF AG RECOGNIZES STUDENT ARTWORK FOR “FROM THE FARM TO YOU” CALENDAR
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized thirteen students from Iowa at the State Fair for providing the artwork that appears in the “From the Farm to You” calendar. The calendar was distributed to fairgoers by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and emphasizes the connection between the production of Iowa’s farmers and the products used by people every day
“Iowa’s rich soil and vast landscape has made Iowa one of the most productive areas for food and livestock production in the world,” Northey said. “These students are helping showcase Iowa agriculture and breakdown the idea that food comes from grocery stores, not from farms. It is great to be able to recognize them at the State Fair for their hard work and creativity.”
Northey presented the students with a certificate during the State Fair recognizing their selection. The winners of the contest are listed below. Photos from the presentation can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowaagriculture/albums/72157687852816266. Also, an electronic version of the calendar can be seen at http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/pdfs/2017/FarmToYouCalendar2017.pdf.
Students can submit drawings to be considered for inclusion in the calendar next year. Pictures should be drawn using only black lines on plain white paper, 8 ½ by 11 inches. The pictures should not be colored. They can be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Calendar Kids, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
Cattle on Feed Lower Than Pre-Reports
Katelyn McCullock, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation
On August 1st there were 10.6 million head of cattle on feed, up 4% from the previous year. Cattle placed onto feed saw a noticeable slowing up only 3% from 2016, and the first month without double digit placements since February. Although last February was a leap year leading to one additional calendar day, and resulting in a 1% decline in cattle placed when comparing last year to this year's Cattle on Feed numbers. Every other month in 2017 placements have been between 11%-16% above a year ago.
As pointed out in last week's ICM feedlot returns have eroded rather sharply over the last couple of weeks, largely driven by a decline in fed steer prices. The five market slaughter steer prices has fallen #34.92 per cwt since its peak in early May. However, feedlot returns were still holding strong for most of the summer. July showed feedlot returns fell significantly from June to July and are expected to turn negative in August. June to July feeder prices fell about $12 per hundredweight, and weekly prices continue to slide, making feedlot more cautious about bidding aggressively for cattle. Marketings remained strong in July were up 4 percent, but with the deterioration in feeding returns its clear feedlots are thinking twice about filling pens with negative returns projected. Across the board, pre-report estimates were slightly higher than actuals, and had some rather wide ranges.
Cattle on Feed weight breakdown reflected smaller placements. Last month all three categories under 800 pounds showed increases in the neighborhood of 25% above a year ago. Comparatively, in June cattle under 600 pounds and over 800 pounds were up 2% each. 700-799 pound cattle had the higher increase over a year ago, up 7%. Nebraska continued to show high placements in cattle under 600 pounds and 700-799 pound weight categories. Texas noticeably had less placements, even with a year ago compared to the 18% jump seen in June. Colorado also was even with last year, showing only a gain in the heavy weight category of over 800 pounds. Last month, Colorado placements were up 19% over a year ago.
EPA and the Army Seek Input in the Review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold 11 sessions to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide recommendations on a revised definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will hold nine two-hour long teleconferences that will be tailored for specific sectors, plus one that will be open to the general public. The agencies will also hold one in-person session for small entities.
“EPA is committed to an open and transparent process for reviewing the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Receiving input from across the country will help us make informed decisions as we move through our two-step process that will return power to the states and to provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses.”
These sessions follow the February 28, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." The February Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the Nation's navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the States under the Constitution.
To meet these objectives, the agencies are following an expeditious, two-step rulemaking process. The recommendations gathered through these stakeholder sessions, in addition to the feedback the agencies are hearing through ongoing outreach to state, local and tribal governments, will help inform the step two rulemaking, which would revise the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.
The stakeholder sessions will be held on a weekly basis beginning September 19 and will continue each Tuesday thereafter for ten weeks. Each will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Information on how to register for each of these meetings is available on the EPA website. Registration for each webinar will close a week prior. Those wishing to provide verbal recommendations during the teleconference will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the expected volume of participants, individuals will be asked to limit their oral presentation to three minutes.
Stakeholder Sessions Schedule
September 19, 2017 – small entities (small businesses, small organizations and small governmental jurisdictions)
September 26, 2017 – environment and public advocacy
October 3, 2017 – conservation, e.g., hunters and anglers
October 10, 2017 – construction and transportation
October 17, 2017 – agriculture
October 24, 2017 – industry
October 31, 2017 – mining
November 7, 2017 – scientific organizations and academia
November 14, 2017 – stormwater, wastewater management and drinking water agencies
November 21, 2017 – general public
The agencies are also planning an in-person meeting with small entities, which will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the U.S. EPA’s Headquarters.
The agencies will also be accepting written recommendations on the step two rulemaking effort through a non-regulatory docket (EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0480), which will be available when the notice is published in the Federal Register. The agencies ask that this information be submitted on or before November 28, 2017.
Additional information: www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.
Crop Insurers Respond to GAO Calls for Additional Budget Cuts
National Crop Insurance Services
The farm economy is struggling, with depressed prices and falling farm incomes reminiscent of the farm crisis in the 1980s. Back then, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) studied the best way to help farmers through tough times and noted, "crop insurance is a more equitable and efficient way to provide disaster assistance" than both taxpayer funded disaster payments and emergency loans.
GAO then recommended strengthening the country's crop insurance program, which Congress did. Now, crop insurance is a cornerstone of America's farm policy, farmers call it their top Farm Bill priority, and taxpayers are saving money because farmers and private-sector crop insurers help fund farm policy.
Given crop insurance's success and popularity, it is disheartening that GAO recently recommended weakening farmers' primary risk management tool. It's even more troubling that GAO would gloss over important facts about the returns crop insurance providers receive for delivering America's farm safety net. For example:
- Insurance providers are not even achieving the returns targeted in the Standard Reinsurance Agreement with the USDA – GAO buried deep within its report the fact that actual returns have been 5 percentage points lower than USDA's target from 2011-2015.
- GAO's data do not take insurers' full business expenses into account – essentially, they are confusing gross and net returns.
- A 2017 study by economists from the University of Illinois and Cornell University noted that net returns for crop insurance providers were just 1.5% from 2011-2015.
Farmers all across the country are depending on crop insurance to help them weather the current economic crisis. And private-sector crop insurers are delivering that assistance in an efficient manner that has come in billions under budget.
Clearly the system is working and does not need to be weakened when it is needed most. Luckily, most lawmakers recognize crop insurance's value and are dedicated to keeping it affordable, widely available, and economically viable in the next Farm Bill.
CWT Assists with 487,222 Pounds of Cheese Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from a member cooperative that has a contract to sell 487.2 pounds (221 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from August through November 2017.
So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 47.5 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 3 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 18 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 502.299 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
U.S. and Mexican Dairy Industries Make United Call for NAFTA to Protect and Enhance Free Dairy Trade, While Rejecting Canadian and EU Trade-Distorting Practices
The U.S. and Mexican dairy industries released a unified list of priorities today that includes modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to solidify their strong dairy market partnership, and addressing concerns about Canadian and European dairy policies.
A list of nine shared priorities was agreed upon Thursday at a second annual summit meeting here between leaders of the two nations’ dairy industries, collectively called the United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. The written list of priorities was released today.
The U.S. dairy industry was represented by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Mexican dairy producer organizations included the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, Gremio de Productores Lechero de la República Mexicana, and the Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos Lecheros, along with Mexican processor organization Camara Nacional de Industriales de la Leche.
The summit occurred on the heels of the first round of NAFTA renegotiation talks. As NAFTA talks continue, the European Union (EU) is seeking, through direct negotiations with Mexico, to impose new barriers to dairy trade through the abuse of geographical indications. This is a significant concern to U.S. and Mexican cheesemakers because it would give the EU exclusive use of common cheese names like asiago, gorgonzola and feta.
Canada is also disrupting dairy trade in North America and beyond as its new Class 6/7 pricing scheme dumps artificially low-cost milk powder in global markets, displacing U.S. exports from the Canadian market.
“We want to strengthen our relationship as Mexico’s most trusted dairy trading partner so we can continue to work together for the benefit of dairy sectors on both sides of the border,” said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack. “That goal is all the more essential given other nations’ efforts to pursue harmful and disruptive approaches to dairy trade with Mexico through practices that hurt Mexican and U.S. dairy farmers and workers in the process.”
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, said, “We are very pleased that our friends in Mexico have joined us in expressing opposition to the abusive attempts of the European Union to confiscate common food names, as well as the trade distorting practices of Canada, at a time when we are working to facilitate new opportunities throughout North America. This meeting provided an opportunity to explore how we can deepen those efforts.”
Last year, representatives from the two nations’ dairy sectors held a two-day summit in Denver, Colo., that created a United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. This year in Guadalajara, the focus was on expanding areas of collaboration while preserving current trade. The NAFTA renegotiation talks emerged as an important topic because the agreement is the foundation of the industries’ mutually beneficial free-trade relationship.
Enacted in 1992, NAFTA removed barriers to trade, and has led to more than a six-fold increase in U.S. dairy exports to Mexico, to $1.2 billion in 2016. Round one of NAFTA modernization talks ended Aug. 20 in Washington, with a second round scheduled Sept. 1-5 in Mexico City, and a third round in Canada in late September.
Vilsack and Mulhern noted that, in contrast to Mexico’s open trade approach, Canada has retained sky-high dairy tariffs and implemented policies that hinder free trade between North American neighbors. Canada’s new Class 6/7 pricing policy has drawn strong concerns of both the United States and Mexico, and was a significant point of discussion at the meeting here.
Mulhern noted that the new Canadian pricing scheme “intentionally undercuts U.S. dairy protein exports to other world markets, and at the same time, hurts dairy farmers in the U.S., Mexico and around the world by artificially lowering world market prices.”
The U.S.-Mexico Dairy Alliance members agreed to continue to maintain an open communications channel between the industry organizations as they analyze and seek mutually beneficial solutions to problems affecting the dairy industries of both countries.
Vilsack said the meeting “illustrates how our industries are committed to seeing our relationship continue to flourish and to jointly rejecting unjustified barriers to dairy trade.”
FFA Thanks John Deere for Long-Standing Relationship and Partnership
This week, National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl and National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball visited John Deere to thank them for their long-standing support of agricultural education and FFA, helping to achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.
A platinum sponsor, John Deere is the longest running corporate sponsor of the National FFA Organization with 74 years of support. Their sponsorship of career development events, leadership programs, state officer programs, National FFA Officer programs, the Agriscience Fair and exhibit at the annual National FFA Convention & Expo, and scholarships helps FFA prepare students for careers in agriculture, and to be leaders and advocates for the industry.
Five years ago, John Deere and its dealers partnered with FFA to create a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue careers in the ag industry. In 2017, the John Deere scholarship program awarded 139 college scholarships to FFA members, valued at more than $278,000. Scholarships were awarded to 86 females and 53 males. Top majors included agricultural business management, animal science, agricultural education, agronomy and crop science, pre-vet/vet medicine, agricultural engineering, engineering, agricultural sciences, agricultural economics and agricultural communications.
“We are so thankful for John Deere and their dealers’ generous support of our mission and helping us grow our leaders and prepare them for career success,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president. “The scholarship program is just one way that Deere is ensuring a bright future for our FFA members as we diversify the pipeline of young people pursuing careers in agriculture.”
”We are proud to support the National FFA Foundation, with its strong legacy of developing youth into tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders; men and women who will be challenged to feed and clothe a growing global population,” said Amy Allen, manager of corporate sponsorships at John Deere.
Syngenta partners with Premier Crop Systems to turn data into knowledge
Syngenta and Premier Crop Systems, LLC, announce a commercial partnership to bring growers customized, variable-cost-per-bushel analysis maps – the first of this kind.
“We’re providing growers research at the speed of farming,” said Aaron Deardorff, head of digital agriculture solutions at Syngenta. “Providing valuable tools to help growers turn data into knowledge is a priority for Syngenta and Premier.”
Premier, an early developer of digital agriculture tools, currently provides data-driven agronomic recommendations for millions of acres of farmland. Its newest product, Enhanced Learning Blocks, enables the automation of large-scale, on- farm, replicated trials. By integrating products like this with the Syngenta AgriEdge Excelsior® program, Syngenta and Premier are giving growers needed tools to make data-driven decisions.
“The software integration provides growers an opportunity to understand how their cost of production varies within each of their fields,” said Mark Stelford, general manager at Premier Crop Systems. “As growers face tight margins, these insights will help optimize inputs and maximize yield, and improve return on investment.”
AgriEdge Excelsior from Syngenta is a whole-farm management program that helps growers increase and sustain their return on investment. It delivers trusted on-farm service, innovative products and the exclusive Land.db® software.
Land.db gives growers access to financial data, while Premier offers field-level productivity data. In combination, growers can review their within-field cost per bushel on blocks as small as 60 feet, and analyze up to 15 years of historical yield data. Field-relative yield maps will help growers identify opportunities to leverage their equipment’s variable-rate capabilities.
“Growers are looking for ways to get more out of everything they track,” said Stelford. “Growers are able to enter information into Land.db and get within-field cost of production information on precise maps through this integration. Premier’s capabilities also provide growers and their advisors with insights to build on their local agronomic knowledge and recommendations, using variable-rate technology.”
The maps demonstrate profitability per field from a cost-per-bushel perspective. Growers will also have access to specific farm prescriptions and the ability to run their own localized, on-farm trials, provided by Premier through their retailers.
“Syngenta is committed to helping growers feed the world,” Deardorff said. “We began using digital agriculture solutions to support that commitment more than 15 years ago, when the AgriEdge Excelsior program was started. Our broadened offers and integrations, like this collaboration with Premier Crop Systems, demonstrate that we are a partner to growers and a leader in the digital agriculture space.”
Currently, this integration is available to corn, soybean and wheat growers in the Midwest, with plans to expand in geography and crops. Growers interested in this offer should contact their retailer or local AgriEdge® Specialist.
New DuPont™ EverpreX™ Herbicide Gives Soybean Growers a Valuable Tool for Resistance Management
Soybean growers have a new option for giving crops a strong start to canopy development even when resistant weeds threaten yield and early season productivity. DuPont Crop Protection has introduced DuPont™ EverpreX™ herbicide, which provides extended residual control of ALS-, PPO- and/or glyphosate resistant weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed species.
“In the battle against resistant weeds, EverpreX™ is a valuable solution to help safeguard yield potential by minimizing competition for nutrients, moisture and sunlight,” said James Hay, business director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. “EverpreX™ is a critical component of effective resistance management strategies, which overlay contact plus residual herbicides to provide season-long control, prevent weed escapes and stop the spread of resistant biotypes.”
EverpreX™ (pronounced ever-PRE-ex) demonstrates excellent weed control when tank-mixed with glyphosate herbicides, such as DuPont™ Abundit® Edge. When tank-mixed with other pre- or postemergence herbicides, EverpreX™ provides residual control of Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, lambsquarters, nightshade, foxtails and other small-seeded grasses and broadleaf weeds. Studies have demonstrated that tank mixtures including S-metolachlor deliver more complete, consistent control of many ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant grass and broadleaf weeds.
Compatible and easily mixed with many other soybean herbicides, EverpreX™ contains S-metolachlor for residual control via inhibition of shoot- and root-tissue growth soon after weed germination. It has a wide application window with the flexibility to be applied 45 days prior to planting and up to 90 days before harvest. It can be used as an early preplant, preplant incorporated, pre-emergence or postemergence herbicide that provides recropping adaptability when rotating from soybeans to other crops.
This is the latest advancement from DuPont Crop Protection, which has been recognized with 21 Agrow Awards, including the Best R&D Pipeline Award in 2013 and 2014. For more on how EverpreX™ can help manage herbicide resistance and protect yield potential, visit everprex.dupont.com.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Friday August 25 Ag News
Pro Farmer 2017 Crop Estimates
Corn: 13.953 billion bu.; Average yield of 167.1 bu. per acre
Corn +/- 1% = 14.093 billion bu. to 13.813 billion bu.; 168.8 bu. to 165.4 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 180.5 bu. per acre. Nebraska was a pleasant surprise. Whereas dryland pulled up the lower end of yields in recent years, this year it was the irrigated corn that lifted the estimate.
Iowa: 183 bu. per acre. Drought-stressed crops in Iowa performed better than expected. But corn in western areas has cannibalized to maintain yield. This could lead to quality issues. Plus it will take more kernels to make a bushel this year.
South Dakota: 138 bu. per acre. The crop was suffering from some of the same cannibalization issues as Iowa. And Tour hit the best areas.
Minnesota: 184 bu. per acre. This looks more like the 2015 crop than the 2016 crop... good, but not great.
Illinois: 181 bu. per acre. The crop will be down from year-ago... the question is by how much. Impressive yields were scarce. Yields and crop health improved as scouts traveled west. However, holes, nitrogen deficiency and replants dragged down crop potential.
Indiana: 171 bu. per acre. As with much of the eastern Belt, the Indiana corn crop took a punch from Mother Nature, but it got up off the deck. Weather helped out. Grain length was up from year-ago, ear counts were down and variability — once again — is an issue.
Ohio: 163 bu. per acre. A wet spring led to planting delays and replants, so Ohio had the most immature crop we measured. Cold is less of a factor in the state since it is somewhat protected by the Great Lakes.
Soybeans: 4.331 billion bu.; Average yield of 48.5 bu. per acre
Soybeans +/- 2% = 4.418 billion bu. to 4.244 billion bu.; 49.5 bu. to 47.6 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 56.5 bu. per acre. A decent crop is in the works, but it won’t be anywhere near last year’s. Storm damage and disease pressure are lacking.
Iowa: 53.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts from western Iowa were shockingly low. They were better for the eastern areas, but the big numbers were still missing. And the crop was far enough along that it will not build yield potential. Much of Iowa’s crop flowered during the hottest part of the summer.
South Dakota: 40.5 bu. per acre. We found a lot of flat pods in the state. The potential is there, but the crop needs multiple rains to finish the job.
Minnesota: 48.5 bu. per acre. We found somewhat disappointing pod counts based on the tall, rank plants that are common in southern areas of the state. Northern areas (where we don’t sample) have been dry.
Illinois: 55.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts remained variable in Illinois and the crop needs more rain and sunshine to finish. Crop health was solid and insect pressure was lacking, as was the case for much of the Tour.
Indiana: 54.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts were essentially even with year-ago, but lagging maturity is a concern once again. Heavy rains during Tour should help the crop, but more rain and sunshine will be needed.
Ohio: 53.0 bu. per acre. Ohio was the only state where pod counts were up from yearago. The yield factory is there, but warmth and water are needed to fill out short, flat pods. Double-crop acres are down.
Note: These estimates are based on assumptions for normal weather through September. Weather next month will be especially important as an earlier-than-normal frost/freeze would damage later-maturing corn and soybeans. They raised harvested soybean acres by 500,000 to 89.231 million acres. Initial Farm Service Agency Certified acreage indicated soybean acres will be higher than estimated than in the June Acreage Report. They made no change to corn acreage.
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 3 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.16 million cattle on feed on August 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 3 percent from last year. Placements during July totaled 385,000 head, up 10 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of July totaled 445,000 head, up 3 percent from last year. Other disappearance during July totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED UP PERCENT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 650,000 head on August 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 3 percent from July 1, 2017 but up 8 percent from August 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 460,000 head on feed, down 8 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,110,000 head, down 5 percent from last month and down 1 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 60,000 head, a decrease of 17 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 40,000 head, up 11 percent from last month and up 60 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 100,000 head, down 7 percent from last month but up 8 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 79,000 head, down 1 percent from last month but up 4 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 77,000 head, down 8 percent from last month but up 83 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 156,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 32 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 4 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on August 1, 2017. The inventory was 4 percent above August 1, 2016.
Cattle on Feed - By State (1,000 hd - % of Aug 1 '16)
Colorado ......: 880 109
Iowa .............: 650 108
Kansas ..........: 2,180 103
Nebraska ......: 2,160 103
Texas ............: 2,650 105
Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.62 million head, 3 percent above 2016. Net placements were 1.57 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 360,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 370,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 190,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.
Placements by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 115 100
Iowa .............: 60 88
Kansas ..........: 430 97
Nebraska ......: 385 110
Texas ............: 380 100
Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.78 million head, 4 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 48,000 head during July, 4 percent below 2016.
Marketings by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 160 107
Iowa .............: 79 104
Kansas ..........: 430 115
Nebraska ......: 445 103
Texas ............: 390 98
LENRD approves a lower tax levy for fiscal year 2018 budget
The 2018 fiscal year budget for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) once again calls for a lower tax levy.
The operating budget was approved by the board of directors at their August 24th meeting with a tax request of $4,270,002. The budget of all expenditures shows a 5.52% decrease of $477,863 from last year.
The estimated levy based on the property tax request is 2.327 cents per $100 of valuation, which is a 2.74% decrease from the fiscal year 2017 levy of 2.401 cents per $100 of valuation. For example, if a person owns a $100,000 house, the taxes owed to the LENRD would have been $24.01 in 2017, and will be approximately $23.27 in 2018.
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “It’s becoming more difficult to continue decreasing the tax levy year after year. This is the 6th year in a row for a decrease in property tax asking. This year valuations flat-lined, and our levy asking decreased 2.74%, which is a historic low for the district, the lowest tax levy in 45 years.”
The funds received by the LENRD are returned to the citizens of the district, through projects, programs, and studies across all or parts of 15-counties in northeast Nebraska. Some of these conservation benefits include: water quality and quantity programs such as groundwater management, flood control, and nitrate management; as well as erosion control, cost-share to landowners who apply for conservation practices, recreation areas and trails, urban recreation and community forestry programs, and many other benefits that protect our natural resources.
Sousek, added, “We are working together to create a budget that not only addresses our 12 responsibilities, but that also focuses on improving the quality of life for the citizens across our district. We are doing more with less, by focusing on efficiencies and streamlining processes to protect our natural resources. With multiple flood protection projects coming down the pipeline, I am proud of the budget the board has put together.”
In other business, the board members voted to schedule a public hearing in November to receive public input regarding the proposed integration of the LENRD’s Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan. The hearing is the first in a multi-step process, and consideration of the adoption (or modification) of the proposed changes would proceed at a later date. If adopted, the integration of the goals and objectives of the Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan, would allow the district to respond to the challenges of an acute drought situation. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Visit our website to sign up for emails and special reminders for all upcoming meetings and events at www.lenrd.org
Sign up today for the LENRD Cover Crop Incentive Program
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to encourage landowners to participate in the Cover Crop Incentive Program, for land that is currently in a continuous no-till cropping system.
NRCS No-till Specialist, Dan Gillespie, said, “Cover crops enhance rainfall infiltration, drastically reduce soil erosion, and help prevent the development of ephemeral gully erosion in cropland.” He added, “Cover crops may be planted into corn, soybean or small grain fields. Highly Erodible Land (HEL) fields where corn has been cut for silage are not eligible.”
Each participant is eligible to enroll up to 80 acres with a $200 contract minimum.
Participants in this practice should apply at their local NRCS office each year, for up to three consecutive years. Applicants may pick from three cover crop seeding options and three cover crop seed mixture options.
Aerial application or ground application by hi-boy (system that can be used in standing crops) will be performed starting in the last week of August to third week of September. The optimum timing will be at or shortly before soybean and corn plant senescence or yellowing of the lower leaves.
Gillespie continued, “If the producer is not able to get the aerial seeding performed by the third week in September they must no-till drill the cover crop immediately following harvest (by October 25).”
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said “Participants may change seed mix alternatives and options during the three year period, but must have approval from the LENRD prior to planting the cover crop.” Becker added, “The producer is responsible for obtaining their own seed according to NRCS specifications and arranging for seeding either by pilot or ground application. Producers also must kill the cover crop per NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines, without inversion tillage.”
Funding is limited, anyone interested in applying for the Cover Crop Program should contact their local NRCS office for more details. A copy of the program guidelines is available on the LENRD website: www.lenrd.org/conservation/
CVA Purchased Green Plains – St. Ed Location
Central Valley Ag (CVA) has announced the purchase of the Green Plains Grain Company facility in St. Edward, Nebraska, expanding their ability to better serve member-owners.
The agreement between CVA and Green Plains Grain will finalize sometime prior to September 1, 2017. Following closing, CVA will operate the new facility in conjunction with their existing facility in St. Edward.
“We look forward to the opportunity to grow our business and serve the producers of St. Edward through our current facility, as well as the new acquisition,” said Matt Ashton, Senior Vice President of Grain at CVA. “With the purchase of this facility, CVA continues to make a strong commitment to the producers in the area to service their needs today and going forward.”CVA
TIPS ON MAKING GOOD SILAGE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
It's hard to believe, but summer is nearing an end and silage harvest time soon will be here. Let's talk today about making good silage.
Good silage can reduce feeding costs for your livestock. And to get good silage, it doesn’t matter whether its drought damaged, hailed, or a normal crop, the same techniques are used.
There are three keys to making good silage. The first is chop at the right moisture. Silage in bunkers should be about 65 percent moisture, and in upright towers around 62 to 65 percent is best. Bags work well between 60 and 70 percent. Silage chopped too wet will run or seep, carrying away many valuable nutrients, and it often has a sour, smelly, unpalatable fermentation. Silage chopped too dry usually develops some mold and the silage heats. Cattle eat it really well but protein and energy digestibility can be low in heat-damaged silage.
Next, you must eliminate oxygen. Proper moisture, tight packing, rapid filling, uniform distribution, and correct length of cut all help force air out of the silage. Then cover the top with plastic to prevent oxygen in the air from penetrating and spoiling the outside two or three feet.
Finally, encourage rapid fermentation to lower silage pH. Proper moisture at chopping and tight packing are a great start. Adding inoculants can speed fermentation and can help reduce storage losses. Sometimes they also improve silage feeding value. Inoculants are especially valuable with wet silage but they also can improve drier or proper moisture silage.
Good silage provides economical animal production. Correct moisture, a tight pack, and rapid lowering of pH can get you there.
Renewable Fuels Nebraska Launches HuskerFuel.com
Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) announced today that they have partnered with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to launch HuskerFuel.com, a website and brand campaign created to bring awareness to Nebraska-produced biofuels and higher ethanol blends, like E15 (a 15 percent ethanol blend), that are available to consumers across the state.
“We are excited to partner with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to promote biofuels in conjunction with the 2017-2018 Husker Football season,” said Ted Free, Renewable Fuels Nebraska chairman. “Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the country and we believe our partnership with Husker IMG Sports Marketing will help bring more awareness to a homegrown product that is good for our engines, good for the environment, and has helped our country become closer than ever to energy independence.”
HuskerFuel.com will provide the opportunity for Husker fans to learn more about E15 and help connect them to retailers across the state that offer the fuel blend. The campaign will also offer weekly prizes during the football season on HuskerFuel.com, radio advertising on the Husker Sports Network, Memorial Stadium branding, and other HuskerFuel.com branded materials that will be available to the campaign’s retail partners.
Nebraska is home to 25 ethanol plants across the state that produce 2 billion gallons of ethanol for fuel, and six million tons of distillers grains for high-protein, livestock feed. Over 30 retailers in Nebraska today offer E15, a fuel containing 15 percent ethanol that is approved for use in vehicles 2001 and newer.
Howard W. Buffett joins board of directors for the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has gained a strong ally in its mission to ensure water and food security, welcoming Howard W. Buffett to its board of directors.
“The University of Nebraska has an opportunity to lead the way in sustainably feeding the world. It’s an ambitious vision and we need the right people around the table to achieve it,” said NU President and DWFI Board Chair Hank Bounds. “Howard W. Buffett is one of those people. He has broad experience in agricultural development, policy, philanthropy, international relations and academia. He is well-connected and highly regarded. He cares deeply about the mission of the Daugherty Institute and the vital role higher education plays in solving the most urgent global challenges. Howard’s talents and guidance will be a great benefit to the Institute – and to the Nebraskans and people around the world we serve.”
DWFI leverages the university’s expertise in agricultural research and water management, expanding it through strong international partnerships with other universities, businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Buffett will join a prestigious team of advisors on the board, including NU President Hank Bounds, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation Chair Mogens Bay and Chancellor of The City University of New York James B. Milliken. Together with more than 120 NU Faculty and Global Fellows, DWFI works through research and policy development, education and communication to enhance knowledge, build capacity and develop innovative solutions to sustainably manage water and increase food security.
“We are delighted to gain Howard’s valuable input and leadership on our board of directors,” said Peter G. McCornick, executive director of the DWFI. “We have ambitious goals to further advance our research and policy impacts and Howard’s experience, international perspective and broad network will accelerate our success. Having been a farmer himself, Howard understands the many challenges to agricultural production and the urgent need for effective water management.”
“Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world,” said Howard W. Buffett. “Ensuring global food security may sound like an impossible goal, but it can be done. The Daugherty Institute at the University of Nebraska is leading the way in work and research toward this goal. I look forward to working with the institute, university leaders, faculty and students, as well as partners across borders, to create innovative and lasting solutions.”
Howard W. Buffett lectures on international food security, foreign aid, and agricultural policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a lecturer in international and public affairs at Columbia University. He was previously the executive director of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which distributes more than $100 million annually to initiatives that improve the lives of impoverished and marginalized populations across the world. Buffett also led agriculture-based economic stabilization and redevelopment programs in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Department of Defense. For his work, he received the highest civilian honor presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the request and approval of the combatant commanders. Buffett also served as a policy advisor in the White House, where he co-authored the President’s cross-sector partnerships strategy, and launched the White House Energy Innovation Conference Series. Prior to that, he was a member of the 2008-2009 Presidential Transition Team, serving on the Technology, Innovation, and Government Reform Policy Working Group in the Office of the President-Elect.
Buffett earned a BS from Northwestern University and an MPA in Advanced Management and Finance from Columbia University. He is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, and has served in advisory capacities for the Aspen Institute, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, Toyota North America Inc., and others. With his father, Howard G. Buffett, he co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World.”
Farmers: Get the Scoop on Soil Health!
What will improve soil health to make farmland more productive, efficient and sustainable for the next generation, and how does it impact the business side? Get the scoop from area farmers and other experts at a field day on Sept. 6 in Shelby, Neb. The event will focus on:
· Cover crops
· Equipment
· Soil Pit Observations
· Weed Management
Soil Health Partnership farmer Greg Whitmore will host area growers, cover crop experts and neighbors at the event, which takes place:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Central Valley Ag Coop
340 Oak Street
Shelby, NE 68662
An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, industry, foundations, federal agencies, universities and well-known environmental groups toward common goals.
“Healthy soil is more resistant to extreme weather, and provides water and air quality benefits,” said Jacob Ness, the SHP field manager working with Whitmore. “Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make our best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers.”
Lunch will be served for registrants. Please register prior to the event at soilhealthpartnership.org.
Hendrix Genetics expands US distribution of laying hens
One of Hendrix Genetics most recent development projects is completed. On August 15, they celebrated the grand opening of a brand new layer hatchery at Grand Island, Nebraska, in the US. The project is an important step in strengthening the distribution capacity in the US market.
The new layer hatchery will produce 24 million female chicks per year and create around 45 new jobs for local people. Key contract growers will rear and house the birds during production. They will invest in new barns with a capacity of 40 000 birds for each barn. Together this will complete the new ‘national production hub’ for Hendrix Genetics in the US.
“We ensure that our high production standards are maintained throughout the ‘hub’. Construction of eight of the eleven new barns is already complete.” Says: Ron Jöerissen, Production Director Layers.
Perfect layers for a changing market
Hendrix Genetics’ layer breeds are ideally suited to the changing US market. The demand for cage-free systems is growing, driven by animal welfare concerns. White birds are easier to manage in a cage-free environment. They produce a high number of first-class quality eggs. The Dekalb White in particular thrives in any system demonstrating outstanding laying capabilities.
With excellent livability and nest behavior, the breed is social and shows less stress and feather pecking behavior. All are particularly important factors in cage-free systems. Consumers in Europe have traditionally associated brown eggs/hens with cage-free production, and white eggs/hens with cage production. This perception is changing. White birds are becoming the preferred choice in many European countries. Hendrix Genetics expects that this will also happen in the US.
Meeting market demands
Construction of the new ‘production hub’ in Nebraska will enable Hendrix Genetics to meet another 10% of the total US layer market needs. It is one of many exciting development projects underway at Hendrix Genetics.
Sioux City pork plant slaughters first hogs
The first hogs have been slaughtered at Sioux City's new pork plant as officials continue to test equipment ahead of a Sept. 5 opening.
Mayor Bob Scott said Seaboard Triumph Foods processed about 100 hogs at the Sioux City plant Wednesday.
The 925,000-square-foot plant, which will start with a single shift and up to 900 production workers, will have the capacity to process about 10,500 hogs per day initially. Two-thirds of the animals will come from the plant owners, a joint venture between Guymon, Oklahoma-based Seaboard Foods and St. Joseph, Missouri-based Triumph Foods. The rest would be purchased on the open market from independent producers.
The $300 million plant, announced in May 2015, has been under construction for nearly two years in Sioux City’s Bridgeport West Industrial Park.
“We are testing equipment to make sure that everything is going smoothly on the line and calibrating equipment,” Seaboard Triumph Foods spokesperson Tori O’Connell said Thursday. “We have a lot of state-of-the-art technology in there — a very technologically advanced facility — (and we’re) making sure those machines are set to proper specs.”
O'Connell confirmed commercial production is set to begin on Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day.
To operate its first shift at full capacity, Seaboard Triumph needs about 900 hourly workers, along with 200 office staff.
While metro Sioux City’s unemployment rate remains at historic lows, Scott said he has heard the company has been making steady progress on the hiring front.
Company officials have said they intend to start with a few hundred workers and quickly ramp up to about 1,100 for the first shift. A second shift, anticipated to begin in late spring or early summer of 2018, would require hiring an additional 900 production workers, bumping total employment to around 2,000.
With a second shift, the slaughter capacity would grow to about 21,000 hogs per day, or 6 million per year.
Iowa Water Summary Update Shows Improvements
Recent rains have improved conditions across most of the state, but 2 percent of Iowa is still experiencing extreme drought conditions, mostly in Clarke and Wapello counties.
Released Friday, the monthly Water Summary Update shows dry areas extending from northwest to southeast Iowa, including significant areas of moderate drought. Through the first three weeks of August, rain totals were as high as 9.51 inches at Guthrie Center, with totals of 6 inches or more widespread over much of northwest, west central and southwest Iowa. This was also the coolest start to August since 2004.
"Recent rainfall has helped to alleviate concerns in some areas of Iowa, but drought conditions still remain across parts of south-central Iowa," said Tim Hall, who coordinates DNR's hydrology resources. Substantial rainfall in the southwestern two-thirds of Iowa in the last two weeks has improved shallow groundwater conditions in northwest, central, and parts of southeast Iowa. Shallow groundwater conditions in the Skunk and lower Des Moines River watersheds are still in a moderate drought classification, and parts of Buena Vista, Clay, O'Brien and Cherokee counties are still in slight drought.
For a thorough review of Iowa's water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
Growth Energy Files Comments to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Support of High-octane Ethanol Blends
Growth Energy filed comments today with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as it prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles.
The comments consist largely of study and analysis that Growth Energy filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the use of a high-octane, midlevel ethanol blend.
"It has long been recognized that vehicles and fuels operate as a system, and to undertake significant changes and increases in the stringency of tailpipe GHG standards without an examination of potential changes in the fuel used by these vehicles makes little sense," Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley said.
"Ethanol is a proven high-octane fuel that significantly reduces emissions. Policymakers should examine the literature about the benefits of using a high-octane midlevel ethanol blend in conjunction with modern engines to achieve future fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards."
NMPF Says New Food Labeling Regulation in Development by USDA Should Not Disparage Biotechnology, Mislead Consumers
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to develop a regulatory standard for the labeling of bioengineered food ingredients, it must ensure that consumers receive clear, accurate information about the foods they eat, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).
In comments filed today with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service, NMPF said it supports a strict, science-based approach in determining how foods made using bioengineering should be regulated. Since bioengineered foods have repeatedly been found to be completely safe by both domestic and international science and research organizations, NMPF said the new standard under review by USDA should focus on providing consumers accurate information, while discouraging misleading marketing tactics or meaningless absence claims.
NMPF’s comments were among many submitted to USDA today by a variety of farm and food organizations that worked together last year through a broad coalition to help pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in July 2016.
There is “irrefutable scientific evidence that such foods are safe and not materially different from their conventional counterparts,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. However, he said, too many food companies utilize “fear-mongering” to vilify food biotechnology, as they seek to profit from the consumer confusion surrounding its use.
“We’ve long stood unequivocally behind the science that foods made through approved biotechnology techniques are completely safe, and have been since the first government approvals more than 20 years ago,” Mulhern said.
In its comments, NMPF emphasized that Congress clearly recognized in the new law that giving farm animals grains developed through biotechnology has no effect on the meat and milk derived from those livestock. Thus, Mulhern noted, “dairy foods are not genetically modified products and therefore there is nothing to label.” More than 60 other nations around the world have biotech disclosure requirements, and none have labeling requirements on milk or meats from animals that may have consumed bioengineered grains.
National Milk stressed that the bioengineered food disclosure standard is really a measure to regulate food marketing, not food safety. Therefore, in determining the level of a substance needed for a product to be considered bioengineered, NMPF suggested that USDA use the same 5-percent threshold employed by the National Organic Program (NOP), another marketing program administered by the department. Under this approach, the minimum disclosure level for bioengineered ingredients would be 5 percent, below which mandatory label disclosure would not be required.
“USDA should consider a threshold that supports continued use of bioengineered ingredients or substances and is consistent with other recognized standards,” according to NMPF’s comments.
To avoid consumer confusion and the use of ambiguous labels, NMPF suggested that only two designations be used to disclose bioengineered foods: “contains bioengineered ingredients” and “may contain bioengineered ingredients.” It also insisted that any disclosure be “non-disparaging” to bioengineering technology.
“A food label should not be designed to scare consumers into purchasing certain products, especially when such labels suggest a distinction in which there is no real difference. It’s not fair to try to manipulate consumers through unfounded fears, nor is it fair to the other food companies that don’t engage in such dishonest marketing,” said Mulhern. “We support honest labeling practices in the marketplace, and hope USDA will heed our comments to accomplish this goal.”
Year-to-Date Grain Barge Movements Consistent with 2016
For the week ending August 12, year-to-date grain barge movements on the locking sections of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers were 25.53 million tons, 0.41 million tons higher than the same period in 2016.
Corn barge movements were 15.6 million tons, 0.53 million tons lower than last year. Soybean barge movements were 8.13 million tons, an increase of .77 million tons over 2016..
In addition, there were slight increases in YTD barge shipments of wheat and other grains (sorghum, barley, and oats) as compared to last year.
Throughout the year, river conditions have been generally favorable for navigation, however, there have been sporadic disruptions on the river system due to lock and dam maintenance and repairs.
At present, there are significant delays at Illinois River La Grange Lock and Dam and at Ohio River Locks and Dam 52.
Due to the on-going repairs, La Grange Lock will be closed 10 hours each day and opened to traffic for 14 hours each day.
Corn: 13.953 billion bu.; Average yield of 167.1 bu. per acre
Corn +/- 1% = 14.093 billion bu. to 13.813 billion bu.; 168.8 bu. to 165.4 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 180.5 bu. per acre. Nebraska was a pleasant surprise. Whereas dryland pulled up the lower end of yields in recent years, this year it was the irrigated corn that lifted the estimate.
Iowa: 183 bu. per acre. Drought-stressed crops in Iowa performed better than expected. But corn in western areas has cannibalized to maintain yield. This could lead to quality issues. Plus it will take more kernels to make a bushel this year.
South Dakota: 138 bu. per acre. The crop was suffering from some of the same cannibalization issues as Iowa. And Tour hit the best areas.
Minnesota: 184 bu. per acre. This looks more like the 2015 crop than the 2016 crop... good, but not great.
Illinois: 181 bu. per acre. The crop will be down from year-ago... the question is by how much. Impressive yields were scarce. Yields and crop health improved as scouts traveled west. However, holes, nitrogen deficiency and replants dragged down crop potential.
Indiana: 171 bu. per acre. As with much of the eastern Belt, the Indiana corn crop took a punch from Mother Nature, but it got up off the deck. Weather helped out. Grain length was up from year-ago, ear counts were down and variability — once again — is an issue.
Ohio: 163 bu. per acre. A wet spring led to planting delays and replants, so Ohio had the most immature crop we measured. Cold is less of a factor in the state since it is somewhat protected by the Great Lakes.
Soybeans: 4.331 billion bu.; Average yield of 48.5 bu. per acre
Soybeans +/- 2% = 4.418 billion bu. to 4.244 billion bu.; 49.5 bu. to 47.6 bu. per acre
Nebraska: 56.5 bu. per acre. A decent crop is in the works, but it won’t be anywhere near last year’s. Storm damage and disease pressure are lacking.
Iowa: 53.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts from western Iowa were shockingly low. They were better for the eastern areas, but the big numbers were still missing. And the crop was far enough along that it will not build yield potential. Much of Iowa’s crop flowered during the hottest part of the summer.
South Dakota: 40.5 bu. per acre. We found a lot of flat pods in the state. The potential is there, but the crop needs multiple rains to finish the job.
Minnesota: 48.5 bu. per acre. We found somewhat disappointing pod counts based on the tall, rank plants that are common in southern areas of the state. Northern areas (where we don’t sample) have been dry.
Illinois: 55.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts remained variable in Illinois and the crop needs more rain and sunshine to finish. Crop health was solid and insect pressure was lacking, as was the case for much of the Tour.
Indiana: 54.5 bu. per acre. Pod counts were essentially even with year-ago, but lagging maturity is a concern once again. Heavy rains during Tour should help the crop, but more rain and sunshine will be needed.
Ohio: 53.0 bu. per acre. Ohio was the only state where pod counts were up from yearago. The yield factory is there, but warmth and water are needed to fill out short, flat pods. Double-crop acres are down.
Note: These estimates are based on assumptions for normal weather through September. Weather next month will be especially important as an earlier-than-normal frost/freeze would damage later-maturing corn and soybeans. They raised harvested soybean acres by 500,000 to 89.231 million acres. Initial Farm Service Agency Certified acreage indicated soybean acres will be higher than estimated than in the June Acreage Report. They made no change to corn acreage.
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 3 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.16 million cattle on feed on August 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 3 percent from last year. Placements during July totaled 385,000 head, up 10 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of July totaled 445,000 head, up 3 percent from last year. Other disappearance during July totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED UP PERCENT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 650,000 head on August 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 3 percent from July 1, 2017 but up 8 percent from August 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 460,000 head on feed, down 8 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,110,000 head, down 5 percent from last month and down 1 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 60,000 head, a decrease of 17 percent from last month and down 12 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 40,000 head, up 11 percent from last month and up 60 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 100,000 head, down 7 percent from last month but up 8 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 79,000 head, down 1 percent from last month but up 4 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 77,000 head, down 8 percent from last month but up 83 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 156,000 head, down 5 percent from last month but up 32 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 4 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on August 1, 2017. The inventory was 4 percent above August 1, 2016.
Cattle on Feed - By State (1,000 hd - % of Aug 1 '16)
Colorado ......: 880 109
Iowa .............: 650 108
Kansas ..........: 2,180 103
Nebraska ......: 2,160 103
Texas ............: 2,650 105
Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.62 million head, 3 percent above 2016. Net placements were 1.57 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 360,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 370,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 190,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.
Placements by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 115 100
Iowa .............: 60 88
Kansas ..........: 430 97
Nebraska ......: 385 110
Texas ............: 380 100
Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.78 million head, 4 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 48,000 head during July, 4 percent below 2016.
Marketings by State - (1,000 hd - % July '16)
Colorado ......: 160 107
Iowa .............: 79 104
Kansas ..........: 430 115
Nebraska ......: 445 103
Texas ............: 390 98
LENRD approves a lower tax levy for fiscal year 2018 budget
The 2018 fiscal year budget for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) once again calls for a lower tax levy.
The operating budget was approved by the board of directors at their August 24th meeting with a tax request of $4,270,002. The budget of all expenditures shows a 5.52% decrease of $477,863 from last year.
The estimated levy based on the property tax request is 2.327 cents per $100 of valuation, which is a 2.74% decrease from the fiscal year 2017 levy of 2.401 cents per $100 of valuation. For example, if a person owns a $100,000 house, the taxes owed to the LENRD would have been $24.01 in 2017, and will be approximately $23.27 in 2018.
LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “It’s becoming more difficult to continue decreasing the tax levy year after year. This is the 6th year in a row for a decrease in property tax asking. This year valuations flat-lined, and our levy asking decreased 2.74%, which is a historic low for the district, the lowest tax levy in 45 years.”
The funds received by the LENRD are returned to the citizens of the district, through projects, programs, and studies across all or parts of 15-counties in northeast Nebraska. Some of these conservation benefits include: water quality and quantity programs such as groundwater management, flood control, and nitrate management; as well as erosion control, cost-share to landowners who apply for conservation practices, recreation areas and trails, urban recreation and community forestry programs, and many other benefits that protect our natural resources.
Sousek, added, “We are working together to create a budget that not only addresses our 12 responsibilities, but that also focuses on improving the quality of life for the citizens across our district. We are doing more with less, by focusing on efficiencies and streamlining processes to protect our natural resources. With multiple flood protection projects coming down the pipeline, I am proud of the budget the board has put together.”
In other business, the board members voted to schedule a public hearing in November to receive public input regarding the proposed integration of the LENRD’s Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan. The hearing is the first in a multi-step process, and consideration of the adoption (or modification) of the proposed changes would proceed at a later date. If adopted, the integration of the goals and objectives of the Drought Mitigation Plan into the Groundwater Management Plan, would allow the district to respond to the challenges of an acute drought situation. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk. Visit our website to sign up for emails and special reminders for all upcoming meetings and events at www.lenrd.org
Sign up today for the LENRD Cover Crop Incentive Program
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to encourage landowners to participate in the Cover Crop Incentive Program, for land that is currently in a continuous no-till cropping system.
NRCS No-till Specialist, Dan Gillespie, said, “Cover crops enhance rainfall infiltration, drastically reduce soil erosion, and help prevent the development of ephemeral gully erosion in cropland.” He added, “Cover crops may be planted into corn, soybean or small grain fields. Highly Erodible Land (HEL) fields where corn has been cut for silage are not eligible.”
Each participant is eligible to enroll up to 80 acres with a $200 contract minimum.
Participants in this practice should apply at their local NRCS office each year, for up to three consecutive years. Applicants may pick from three cover crop seeding options and three cover crop seed mixture options.
Aerial application or ground application by hi-boy (system that can be used in standing crops) will be performed starting in the last week of August to third week of September. The optimum timing will be at or shortly before soybean and corn plant senescence or yellowing of the lower leaves.
Gillespie continued, “If the producer is not able to get the aerial seeding performed by the third week in September they must no-till drill the cover crop immediately following harvest (by October 25).”
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said “Participants may change seed mix alternatives and options during the three year period, but must have approval from the LENRD prior to planting the cover crop.” Becker added, “The producer is responsible for obtaining their own seed according to NRCS specifications and arranging for seeding either by pilot or ground application. Producers also must kill the cover crop per NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines, without inversion tillage.”
Funding is limited, anyone interested in applying for the Cover Crop Program should contact their local NRCS office for more details. A copy of the program guidelines is available on the LENRD website: www.lenrd.org/conservation/
CVA Purchased Green Plains – St. Ed Location
Central Valley Ag (CVA) has announced the purchase of the Green Plains Grain Company facility in St. Edward, Nebraska, expanding their ability to better serve member-owners.
The agreement between CVA and Green Plains Grain will finalize sometime prior to September 1, 2017. Following closing, CVA will operate the new facility in conjunction with their existing facility in St. Edward.
“We look forward to the opportunity to grow our business and serve the producers of St. Edward through our current facility, as well as the new acquisition,” said Matt Ashton, Senior Vice President of Grain at CVA. “With the purchase of this facility, CVA continues to make a strong commitment to the producers in the area to service their needs today and going forward.”CVA
TIPS ON MAKING GOOD SILAGE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
It's hard to believe, but summer is nearing an end and silage harvest time soon will be here. Let's talk today about making good silage.
Good silage can reduce feeding costs for your livestock. And to get good silage, it doesn’t matter whether its drought damaged, hailed, or a normal crop, the same techniques are used.
There are three keys to making good silage. The first is chop at the right moisture. Silage in bunkers should be about 65 percent moisture, and in upright towers around 62 to 65 percent is best. Bags work well between 60 and 70 percent. Silage chopped too wet will run or seep, carrying away many valuable nutrients, and it often has a sour, smelly, unpalatable fermentation. Silage chopped too dry usually develops some mold and the silage heats. Cattle eat it really well but protein and energy digestibility can be low in heat-damaged silage.
Next, you must eliminate oxygen. Proper moisture, tight packing, rapid filling, uniform distribution, and correct length of cut all help force air out of the silage. Then cover the top with plastic to prevent oxygen in the air from penetrating and spoiling the outside two or three feet.
Finally, encourage rapid fermentation to lower silage pH. Proper moisture at chopping and tight packing are a great start. Adding inoculants can speed fermentation and can help reduce storage losses. Sometimes they also improve silage feeding value. Inoculants are especially valuable with wet silage but they also can improve drier or proper moisture silage.
Good silage provides economical animal production. Correct moisture, a tight pack, and rapid lowering of pH can get you there.
Renewable Fuels Nebraska Launches HuskerFuel.com
Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN) announced today that they have partnered with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to launch HuskerFuel.com, a website and brand campaign created to bring awareness to Nebraska-produced biofuels and higher ethanol blends, like E15 (a 15 percent ethanol blend), that are available to consumers across the state.
“We are excited to partner with Husker IMG Sports Marketing to promote biofuels in conjunction with the 2017-2018 Husker Football season,” said Ted Free, Renewable Fuels Nebraska chairman. “Nebraska is the second largest ethanol producing state in the country and we believe our partnership with Husker IMG Sports Marketing will help bring more awareness to a homegrown product that is good for our engines, good for the environment, and has helped our country become closer than ever to energy independence.”
HuskerFuel.com will provide the opportunity for Husker fans to learn more about E15 and help connect them to retailers across the state that offer the fuel blend. The campaign will also offer weekly prizes during the football season on HuskerFuel.com, radio advertising on the Husker Sports Network, Memorial Stadium branding, and other HuskerFuel.com branded materials that will be available to the campaign’s retail partners.
Nebraska is home to 25 ethanol plants across the state that produce 2 billion gallons of ethanol for fuel, and six million tons of distillers grains for high-protein, livestock feed. Over 30 retailers in Nebraska today offer E15, a fuel containing 15 percent ethanol that is approved for use in vehicles 2001 and newer.
Howard W. Buffett joins board of directors for the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska has gained a strong ally in its mission to ensure water and food security, welcoming Howard W. Buffett to its board of directors.
“The University of Nebraska has an opportunity to lead the way in sustainably feeding the world. It’s an ambitious vision and we need the right people around the table to achieve it,” said NU President and DWFI Board Chair Hank Bounds. “Howard W. Buffett is one of those people. He has broad experience in agricultural development, policy, philanthropy, international relations and academia. He is well-connected and highly regarded. He cares deeply about the mission of the Daugherty Institute and the vital role higher education plays in solving the most urgent global challenges. Howard’s talents and guidance will be a great benefit to the Institute – and to the Nebraskans and people around the world we serve.”
DWFI leverages the university’s expertise in agricultural research and water management, expanding it through strong international partnerships with other universities, businesses, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Buffett will join a prestigious team of advisors on the board, including NU President Hank Bounds, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation Chair Mogens Bay and Chancellor of The City University of New York James B. Milliken. Together with more than 120 NU Faculty and Global Fellows, DWFI works through research and policy development, education and communication to enhance knowledge, build capacity and develop innovative solutions to sustainably manage water and increase food security.
“We are delighted to gain Howard’s valuable input and leadership on our board of directors,” said Peter G. McCornick, executive director of the DWFI. “We have ambitious goals to further advance our research and policy impacts and Howard’s experience, international perspective and broad network will accelerate our success. Having been a farmer himself, Howard understands the many challenges to agricultural production and the urgent need for effective water management.”
“Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world,” said Howard W. Buffett. “Ensuring global food security may sound like an impossible goal, but it can be done. The Daugherty Institute at the University of Nebraska is leading the way in work and research toward this goal. I look forward to working with the institute, university leaders, faculty and students, as well as partners across borders, to create innovative and lasting solutions.”
Howard W. Buffett lectures on international food security, foreign aid, and agricultural policy in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also a lecturer in international and public affairs at Columbia University. He was previously the executive director of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, which distributes more than $100 million annually to initiatives that improve the lives of impoverished and marginalized populations across the world. Buffett also led agriculture-based economic stabilization and redevelopment programs in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Department of Defense. For his work, he received the highest civilian honor presented by the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the request and approval of the combatant commanders. Buffett also served as a policy advisor in the White House, where he co-authored the President’s cross-sector partnerships strategy, and launched the White House Energy Innovation Conference Series. Prior to that, he was a member of the 2008-2009 Presidential Transition Team, serving on the Technology, Innovation, and Government Reform Policy Working Group in the Office of the President-Elect.
Buffett earned a BS from Northwestern University and an MPA in Advanced Management and Finance from Columbia University. He is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, and has served in advisory capacities for the Aspen Institute, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the United Nations Office for Partnerships, Toyota North America Inc., and others. With his father, Howard G. Buffett, he co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World.”
Farmers: Get the Scoop on Soil Health!
What will improve soil health to make farmland more productive, efficient and sustainable for the next generation, and how does it impact the business side? Get the scoop from area farmers and other experts at a field day on Sept. 6 in Shelby, Neb. The event will focus on:
· Cover crops
· Equipment
· Soil Pit Observations
· Weed Management
Soil Health Partnership farmer Greg Whitmore will host area growers, cover crop experts and neighbors at the event, which takes place:
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Central Valley Ag Coop
340 Oak Street
Shelby, NE 68662
An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, industry, foundations, federal agencies, universities and well-known environmental groups toward common goals.
“Healthy soil is more resistant to extreme weather, and provides water and air quality benefits,” said Jacob Ness, the SHP field manager working with Whitmore. “Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make our best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers.”
Lunch will be served for registrants. Please register prior to the event at soilhealthpartnership.org.
Hendrix Genetics expands US distribution of laying hens
One of Hendrix Genetics most recent development projects is completed. On August 15, they celebrated the grand opening of a brand new layer hatchery at Grand Island, Nebraska, in the US. The project is an important step in strengthening the distribution capacity in the US market.
The new layer hatchery will produce 24 million female chicks per year and create around 45 new jobs for local people. Key contract growers will rear and house the birds during production. They will invest in new barns with a capacity of 40 000 birds for each barn. Together this will complete the new ‘national production hub’ for Hendrix Genetics in the US.
“We ensure that our high production standards are maintained throughout the ‘hub’. Construction of eight of the eleven new barns is already complete.” Says: Ron Jöerissen, Production Director Layers.
Perfect layers for a changing market
Hendrix Genetics’ layer breeds are ideally suited to the changing US market. The demand for cage-free systems is growing, driven by animal welfare concerns. White birds are easier to manage in a cage-free environment. They produce a high number of first-class quality eggs. The Dekalb White in particular thrives in any system demonstrating outstanding laying capabilities.
With excellent livability and nest behavior, the breed is social and shows less stress and feather pecking behavior. All are particularly important factors in cage-free systems. Consumers in Europe have traditionally associated brown eggs/hens with cage-free production, and white eggs/hens with cage production. This perception is changing. White birds are becoming the preferred choice in many European countries. Hendrix Genetics expects that this will also happen in the US.
Meeting market demands
Construction of the new ‘production hub’ in Nebraska will enable Hendrix Genetics to meet another 10% of the total US layer market needs. It is one of many exciting development projects underway at Hendrix Genetics.
Sioux City pork plant slaughters first hogs
The first hogs have been slaughtered at Sioux City's new pork plant as officials continue to test equipment ahead of a Sept. 5 opening.
Mayor Bob Scott said Seaboard Triumph Foods processed about 100 hogs at the Sioux City plant Wednesday.
The 925,000-square-foot plant, which will start with a single shift and up to 900 production workers, will have the capacity to process about 10,500 hogs per day initially. Two-thirds of the animals will come from the plant owners, a joint venture between Guymon, Oklahoma-based Seaboard Foods and St. Joseph, Missouri-based Triumph Foods. The rest would be purchased on the open market from independent producers.
The $300 million plant, announced in May 2015, has been under construction for nearly two years in Sioux City’s Bridgeport West Industrial Park.
“We are testing equipment to make sure that everything is going smoothly on the line and calibrating equipment,” Seaboard Triumph Foods spokesperson Tori O’Connell said Thursday. “We have a lot of state-of-the-art technology in there — a very technologically advanced facility — (and we’re) making sure those machines are set to proper specs.”
O'Connell confirmed commercial production is set to begin on Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day.
To operate its first shift at full capacity, Seaboard Triumph needs about 900 hourly workers, along with 200 office staff.
While metro Sioux City’s unemployment rate remains at historic lows, Scott said he has heard the company has been making steady progress on the hiring front.
Company officials have said they intend to start with a few hundred workers and quickly ramp up to about 1,100 for the first shift. A second shift, anticipated to begin in late spring or early summer of 2018, would require hiring an additional 900 production workers, bumping total employment to around 2,000.
With a second shift, the slaughter capacity would grow to about 21,000 hogs per day, or 6 million per year.
Iowa Water Summary Update Shows Improvements
Recent rains have improved conditions across most of the state, but 2 percent of Iowa is still experiencing extreme drought conditions, mostly in Clarke and Wapello counties.
Released Friday, the monthly Water Summary Update shows dry areas extending from northwest to southeast Iowa, including significant areas of moderate drought. Through the first three weeks of August, rain totals were as high as 9.51 inches at Guthrie Center, with totals of 6 inches or more widespread over much of northwest, west central and southwest Iowa. This was also the coolest start to August since 2004.
"Recent rainfall has helped to alleviate concerns in some areas of Iowa, but drought conditions still remain across parts of south-central Iowa," said Tim Hall, who coordinates DNR's hydrology resources. Substantial rainfall in the southwestern two-thirds of Iowa in the last two weeks has improved shallow groundwater conditions in northwest, central, and parts of southeast Iowa. Shallow groundwater conditions in the Skunk and lower Des Moines River watersheds are still in a moderate drought classification, and parts of Buena Vista, Clay, O'Brien and Cherokee counties are still in slight drought.
For a thorough review of Iowa's water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
Growth Energy Files Comments to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Support of High-octane Ethanol Blends
Growth Energy filed comments today with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as it prepares an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles.
The comments consist largely of study and analysis that Growth Energy filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of the use of a high-octane, midlevel ethanol blend.
"It has long been recognized that vehicles and fuels operate as a system, and to undertake significant changes and increases in the stringency of tailpipe GHG standards without an examination of potential changes in the fuel used by these vehicles makes little sense," Growth Energy Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley said.
"Ethanol is a proven high-octane fuel that significantly reduces emissions. Policymakers should examine the literature about the benefits of using a high-octane midlevel ethanol blend in conjunction with modern engines to achieve future fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards."
NMPF Says New Food Labeling Regulation in Development by USDA Should Not Disparage Biotechnology, Mislead Consumers
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to develop a regulatory standard for the labeling of bioengineered food ingredients, it must ensure that consumers receive clear, accurate information about the foods they eat, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).
In comments filed today with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service, NMPF said it supports a strict, science-based approach in determining how foods made using bioengineering should be regulated. Since bioengineered foods have repeatedly been found to be completely safe by both domestic and international science and research organizations, NMPF said the new standard under review by USDA should focus on providing consumers accurate information, while discouraging misleading marketing tactics or meaningless absence claims.
NMPF’s comments were among many submitted to USDA today by a variety of farm and food organizations that worked together last year through a broad coalition to help pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in July 2016.
There is “irrefutable scientific evidence that such foods are safe and not materially different from their conventional counterparts,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. However, he said, too many food companies utilize “fear-mongering” to vilify food biotechnology, as they seek to profit from the consumer confusion surrounding its use.
“We’ve long stood unequivocally behind the science that foods made through approved biotechnology techniques are completely safe, and have been since the first government approvals more than 20 years ago,” Mulhern said.
In its comments, NMPF emphasized that Congress clearly recognized in the new law that giving farm animals grains developed through biotechnology has no effect on the meat and milk derived from those livestock. Thus, Mulhern noted, “dairy foods are not genetically modified products and therefore there is nothing to label.” More than 60 other nations around the world have biotech disclosure requirements, and none have labeling requirements on milk or meats from animals that may have consumed bioengineered grains.
National Milk stressed that the bioengineered food disclosure standard is really a measure to regulate food marketing, not food safety. Therefore, in determining the level of a substance needed for a product to be considered bioengineered, NMPF suggested that USDA use the same 5-percent threshold employed by the National Organic Program (NOP), another marketing program administered by the department. Under this approach, the minimum disclosure level for bioengineered ingredients would be 5 percent, below which mandatory label disclosure would not be required.
“USDA should consider a threshold that supports continued use of bioengineered ingredients or substances and is consistent with other recognized standards,” according to NMPF’s comments.
To avoid consumer confusion and the use of ambiguous labels, NMPF suggested that only two designations be used to disclose bioengineered foods: “contains bioengineered ingredients” and “may contain bioengineered ingredients.” It also insisted that any disclosure be “non-disparaging” to bioengineering technology.
“A food label should not be designed to scare consumers into purchasing certain products, especially when such labels suggest a distinction in which there is no real difference. It’s not fair to try to manipulate consumers through unfounded fears, nor is it fair to the other food companies that don’t engage in such dishonest marketing,” said Mulhern. “We support honest labeling practices in the marketplace, and hope USDA will heed our comments to accomplish this goal.”
Year-to-Date Grain Barge Movements Consistent with 2016
For the week ending August 12, year-to-date grain barge movements on the locking sections of the Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas Rivers were 25.53 million tons, 0.41 million tons higher than the same period in 2016.
Corn barge movements were 15.6 million tons, 0.53 million tons lower than last year. Soybean barge movements were 8.13 million tons, an increase of .77 million tons over 2016..
In addition, there were slight increases in YTD barge shipments of wheat and other grains (sorghum, barley, and oats) as compared to last year.
Throughout the year, river conditions have been generally favorable for navigation, however, there have been sporadic disruptions on the river system due to lock and dam maintenance and repairs.
At present, there are significant delays at Illinois River La Grange Lock and Dam and at Ohio River Locks and Dam 52.
Due to the on-going repairs, La Grange Lock will be closed 10 hours each day and opened to traffic for 14 hours each day.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Thursday August 24 Ag News
Fifth Graders Get Up-Close Look at Agriculture at New Ag Festival
More than 300 fifth graders from Northeast Nebraska gained firsthand experience on where their food, fiber, and fuel come from by attending the first ever Growing Potential Ag Festival in Jackson, Neb., on August 24.
The festival was put together by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the Northeast Corn Growers Association, with more than 15 sponsors coming together to help put on the successful event. FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner also volunteered at the event.
“With both of our organizations having an interest in agriculture and our next generation of leaders, we thought it would be a great idea to offer an event for local kids to learn about Nebraska’s number one industry,” said Courtney Schaardt, director of education outreach. “At the Foundation, we engage youth and share how important agriculture is to them and to the state of Nebraska.”
Students made their way around eight learning stations that covered different aspects of agriculture. At one station, the fifth graders discovered the process of planting and harvesting by getting an up-close look at a planter and combine with experts from Pender Implement Company showing students how the equipment works. Other activities included learning about the different parts of a corn plant, discovering potential careers in the ethanol industry, and seeing how farmers take care of the land through water management.
“It’s a very powerful thing and why we wanted to get students out here, because we knew that there would be so many different aspects of modern agricultural techniques our students could experience,” Nicholas Kleve, fifth-grade teacher from Lewis and Clark Elementary in South Sioux City, said. “It’s great to have my students see the behind the scenes of where their food comes from and how it gets to the grocery store. It just creates opportunities and curiosity that maybe they could have a career in agriculture.”
Information about the new one-day festival hit teachers’ mailboxes this spring, and available classroom spaces filled up within a day. Schools participated from towns across Northeast Nebraska including South Sioux City, Wisner, Ponca, Homer, Emerson, Laurel-Concord, and Hartington.
“We are so excited that these kids had such a great time today,” said Taylor Nelson, a member of the Northeast Corn Growers Association. “It was great to see all of these agriculture groups join together to teach their communities about all of the aspects of agriculture. We thank them for sharing their time and their resources,” he continued.
Sponsors and volunteers include American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Siouxland Ethanol, Pender Implement Company, CHS, Dekalb, Producers Hybrids, Croplan, Stine, DynaGrow, Pioneer, Sietec, Mycogen, Allegiant, Channel, Dixon County Farm Bureau, Keiser Ag and Irrigation, Lux Brothers Inc., and FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner.
ACE staff, member plant help educate youth on biofuel
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) staff and member plant, Siouxland Ethanol LLC, are partnering with the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers (NNCGA) in their effort to create and increase opportunities for Nebraska corn growers through advocacy, education, partnerships, and leadership development by participating in an ag youth literacy festival and showcase plot today in Jackson, Nebraska.
NNCGA in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is working to put together its first Growing Potential Ag Festival for about 300 middle school aged students in its member counties. The festival is a day-long event where students rotate through nine stations, including corn products and processing, corn planting, corn harvest, renewable fuels and ethanol production, corn feed and livestock, GMO education, parts of the corn plant and pollination, crop protection, and agricultural UAV technology.
ACE director of member and industry relations, Liz Bunkers, and director of special projects and outreach, Chuck Beck, will join Pam Miller, Siouxland Ethanol’s board chair and director of investor and industry relations, at one of the stations to show students products of the ethanol production process and discuss how it works, as well as educate them on future career opportunities and the variety of ways to get involved in the renewable fuels industry.
“We’re involving organizations like the Farm Bureau, corn growers and others in the industry, who are experts in their respective fields, to show ways that a variety of groups can contribute to this effort,” said Taylor Nelson, with NNCGA and owner of Jackson Express. “We hope to provide the kids with an all-day, hands-on, fun, and engaging learning opportunity, and have the chance to really tell the story of production agriculture the way it should be told.”
“From the farm to the gas station, there are a lot of people who have their hands in ethanol, and there are a variety of opportunities to get involved,” Bunkers said. “Even if a student isn’t necessarily interested in working directly on the farm or even in ethanol production, there is fuel research and testing, industry partners who work in advertising and marketing, and plenty of other careers in ethanol. We hope we can help create an initial awareness of these career paths, so students can keep it in mind as they explore careers in the future.”
“We want to create a positive initial awareness for these students of what’s going on in their communities and agricultural economy that could lead to career exploration in the future,” Nelson added. “We see educating the public and educating those who are not involved in agriculture as critically important to start at an early age, so they can continue building on that in high school and on into college.”
Conservation Lightning Talks Strike at Nebraska State Fair
More than 97 percent of land in Nebraska is privately owned, much of that in use for agriculture, putting Nebraska farmers and ranchers on the front lines when it comes to environmental stewardship. That's one of the reasons the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) encourages everyone to turn out for the inaugural "Conservation in Agriculture Day" offerings August 31st at the Nebraska State Fair.
"Nebraska's is the only state fair presenting this kind of conservation program," said Kristen Hassebrook, executive director of AFAN. "Nebraska farmers and ranchers go to great lengths to protect the environment, while raising safe and nutritious food. We are excited that consumers will have an opportunity to engage on this topic at the state fair and speak one-on-one with conservation experts."
Sponsored by Sand County Foundation, which presents the annual Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award (NE LCA), the educational sessions comprise three rounds of "lightning talks." Leading voices in their fields will give five-minute presentations to provide fair-goers the opportunity to hear about the importance that farmers and ranchers in Nebraska place on conservation.
"Over the past 11 years, we have been looking for a way to expand our education and outreach efforts," said Craig Utter, Nebraska coordinator for the Leopold Conservation Award for the Sand County Foundation. The Leopold Award, he said, "is more than an awards program. It's a platform from which to tell the great stories on conservation on private lands across Nebraska."
The lightning talks begin at 9 a.m., in the Raising Nebraska Building. The format will include three rounds of five speakers, each presenting about one of the five conservation topics - water, soil, wildlife, partnership and stewardship - as follows:
9:00 a.m.
1. WATER: Jacob Fritton, The Nature Conservancy
2. SOIL: Aaron Hird, Soil Health Specialist, NE Natural Resources Conservation Service
3. WILDLIFE: Laurel Badura, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4. PARTNERSHIP: Andy Bishop, Rainwater Joint Venture
5. STEWARDSHIP: Homer Buell, rancher
9:30 a.m.
First five speakers available to discuss topics one-on-one in the Conversation Pit.
10:00 a.m.
6. WATER: Katie Pekarek, University of Nebraska Extension
7. SOIL: Patrick Peterson, Plum Thicket Farms
8. WILDLIFE: Andy Houser, Pheasants Forever
9. PARTNERSHIP: David Sands, Nebraska Land TRust
10 STEWARDSHIP: Kalkowski family, ranchers
10:30 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 available to discuss topics one-on-one in Conversation Pit
11:00 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 present again
Speakers 6-10 available in Conversation Pit area for one-on-one discussions.
Cargill to Invest $18 Million in Nebraska Facility
A multi-million dollar project to upgrade the Cargill grain facility in Gibbon, Neb., is underway. Once complete, growers will have access to an additional 2 million bushels of upright grain storage space and an increased unload capacity of 65,000 bushels per hour.
"The Gibbon area features high production, mostly irrigated farm ground that historically produced consistently high yields. We're excited to expand our capabilities and improve service to growers in the area," said Jim Reiff, Northwest commercial leader for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "In addition, the facility is on the Union Pacific mainline rail, connecting our growers to export markets in the U.S. Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Mexico, and helping to meet the needs of key end user customers in California."
The facility, located at 46750-70th Rd, Gibbon, Neb., has eight full-time employees who handle corn, soybeans and wheat. The improvements, which will be complete by early 2019, are being done in phases, with no shutdowns planned throughout construction.
"These improvements are in line with our growth strategy and ensure we can continue to provide a competitive offering to Cargill customers," said Dave Baudler, grain managing director for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "The upgrades in Gibbon will have a positive impact on both long and local supply chains. It will continue to enhance the service we can provide to key strategic customers and reinforces our goal of being a trusted partner for American farmers and a leader in U.S. grain and oilseeds."
The Gibbon, Neb. location is one of 16 facilities Cargill operates across the state of Nebraska, where it has over 3,800 employees.
Red Meat Production Up 3 Percent from Last Year
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.99 billion pounds in July, up 3 percent from the 3.87 billion pounds produced in July 2016.
Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.61 million head, up 6 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from the previous year, at 1,333 pounds.
Veal production totaled 5.7 million pounds, 1 percent above July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,000 head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 7 pounds from last year, at 250 pounds.
Pork production totaled 1.86 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.02 million head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 277 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 4 percent from July 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 167,400 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 132 pounds, down 2 pounds from July a year ago.
By State (million pounds - % July '16)
Nebraska ...........: 633.6 101
Iowa ..................: 525.9 104
Kansas ...............: 478.5 110
January to July 2017 commercial red meat production was 29.3 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
Dairy Webinar Series “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Offered in September
Dairy specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host webinars on Sept. 19 and 26, entertaining and educating with a dairy version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
Both webinars will begin at noon and will include information on how to analyze a dairy for profits and the profitability of various dairy systems. The Sept. 19 webinar will focus on conventional and hybrid dairy systems while the Sept. 26 webinar will discuss organic and organic “grass-fed” dairy systems.
The webinars are sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach and the North Central Risk Management Education Center. Participants may join the webinars by logging onto https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/isuedairy.
For more information contact ISU Extension and Outreach diary specialists Larry Tranel (tranel@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496) or Jenn Bentley (jbentley@iastate.edu, 563-382-2949).
Trump: Inevitable U.S. Will Withdraw from NAFTA
President Donald Trump, speaking on Tuesday night in Arizona near the Mexican border, said it looks inevitable the U.S. will pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement. It's a now familiar threat -- but no less concerning given the U.S. just this week wrapped up the first round of negotiations with Mexico and Canada to revise the trade agreement by early next year.
Trump's comment that "we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point" may add to a lurking fear that he won't have the patience to see the process through.
"The danger is that the president either with a very short fuse or his 'my way or the highway approach"' will torpedo the talks, Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., said on the sidelines of NAFTA talks in Washington. To be sure, it could be a scare tactic. Trump backed down from an earlier threat to scrap the pact after seeing a map of states with NAFTA-dependent economies that helped vote him in office.
According to Bloomberg, Mexico could have the most to lose if the pact unspools, as the country has been Trump's prime target. Its foreign minister, Luis Videgaray, said Wednesday that talks are continuing and if Trump really wanted to break up NAFTA he would have done so already. Canada expects "moments of heated rhetoric," during the discussions, its Foreign Ministry said.
Apply Now for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program
The American Soybean Association (ASA), DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection are seeking applicants for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program (DYL).
For more than 30 years, the ASA DuPont Young Leader program has identified and developed grower leaders who have shaped the agricultural industry.
“The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program has had a tremendous impact on not only the soybean industry, but all of agriculture. Since the program’s inception in 1984, it has recognized the value gained from engaging and encouraging a diverse agricultural leadership which includes farmers – both men and women. Through participation in this state-of-the-art training program, growers are able to realize their leadership potential while creating meaningful relationships that lead to increased collaboration that influences the industry,” said ASA President Ron Moore, a farmer from Roseville, Ill. “We can’t thank DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection enough for their longstanding support of the program.”
The ASA DuPont Young Leader program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the 2017-18 program will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 28-30, 2017. The program continues Feb. 25-28, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.
“The ASA DuPont Young Leader program opened my eyes to the diversity and complexity that is found within our agriculture today,” said Monica McCullough, 2017 DuPont Young Leader alumni. “The leadership development and personal connections that have occurred during this program have given me the skill set to authentically engage with others and to share our story about agriculture in a way that is welcoming to all. This is an industry were very few people shoulder the responsibility of feeding so many, with that being said, we all have a responsibility to engage in the ways in which our time and talents allow. The ASA DYL program has helped me on my journey of finding my role within agriculture.”
Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, the latest agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario and DuPont, will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program.
“America’s farmers provide the strongest voice for, not only agriculture, but also for rural America. We are proud to support the young leader program, which is developing the next generation of grower leaders and advocates for U.S. agriculture,” said Randy Wanke, sr. manager industry relations, DuPont Pioneer.
Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here www.soygrowers.com for additional program information and to apply.
Reaching Consumers With Beefy Messages
Did You Know ... This July, the beef checkoff hosted a “Be Your Own Butcher” Facebook Live event from the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Culinary Center? The event featured a hands-on cutting demo by in-house meat scientist Bridget Wasser. Bridget educated the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Facebook community on how to save at the meat case by purchasing a whole tenderloin and cutting strips, steaks, kabobs and medallions at home. This event reached nearly 140,000 consumers on the Facebook platform, with more than 38,000 views and 1,300 engagements (likes, comments, shares) – the highest performing Facebook Live event to date.
Did You Know ... Consumers across the U.S. are showing a definite interest in beef, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for delicious and nutritious checkoff-funded recipes? In fact, since the beginning of the fiscal year (October 2016), BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com has circulated more than 1.4 million recipes and counting, a marked increase over the website’s recipe dissemination goal (1.15 million recipes). Some of the more recently popular recipes – such as the Basil Beef Asian Pasta Stir-Fry, Steak Kabobs & Wild Rice with Mushrooms, and the Hearty Steak and Bean Chili – all offer consumers the instruction they need to confidently create the perfect meal for their friends and family.
To learn more about your checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
Time is Running Out to Enter Cattle for WDE 2017
Owners of North America’s finest dairy cattle are encouraged to enter their lineup for the 2017 World Dairy Expo® Dairy Cattle Show by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (CDT). Entry fees increase on September 1, as late online entries continue to be accepted through September 10; after that, paper entries will continue to be honored until the day of the show for an additional fee.
All animals must have an official USDA AIN or Canadian CCIA RFID number listed on their entry form at the time of submission. Animals lacking this number – or with a pending identification number – will not be accepted. More information regarding identification requirements, along with entry forms, schedule of events, rules and other updates are available online at www.worlddairyexpo.com and included in the Premium Book – mailed to recent dairy cattle exhibitors on July 1.
Questions related to cattle entries and the WDE Dairy Cattle Show may be directed to Laurie Breuch, Dairy Cattle Show Coordinator, at lbreuch@wdexpo.com or Ann Marie Magnochi, Dairy Cattle Show Manager, at amagnochi@wdexpo.com, or by calling the Expo office at 608-224-6455.
Famous Dave's Founder to be Inducted into BBQ HoF
Famous Dave's of America, Inc. announced that the American Royal Association has named the "Famous Dave" Anderson, to the 2017 class of inductees to the Barbecue Hall of Fame. The formal induction ceremony will take place during the 2017 Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal at the Kansas Speedway over Labor Day weekend.
Each year, three individuals are awarded the prestigious honor and are recognized by the Barbecue Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the barbecue community and demonstration of achievement in barbecue excellence. "Famous Dave" Anderson will be honored along with Jeff Stehney and Melissa Cookston at the ceremony.
Mike Lister, Chief Executive and Operating Officer, commented, "This honor certainly comes as no surprise having worked with Dave for the past twenty years. He has brought great barbecue to millions and is an incredible mentor and visionary in our community. Dave is a barbecue ambassador who truly lives and breathes the values he preaches every day."
Founder Dave Anderson said, "People consistently ask how I got involved in barbecue, and I always answer that I was born into barbecue. My dad, a Choctaw Indian from Isabel, Oklahoma, loved his Southern Home Cooking and his Real Pit Barbecue done the 'Old School Way' of smoke and meat, smoldered over live burning embers. I've never thought of what I do as a business, but a way of life. Barbecue has been my life's passion and there's nothing more that I love than making people happy with the foods I grew up with and that is what makes me happy in life! Being told that my peers had nominated me to be inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal is humbling, amazing, and incredible for a kid that grew up with nothing more than a dream and a willingness to work hard... proving nothing is impossible!"
More than 300 fifth graders from Northeast Nebraska gained firsthand experience on where their food, fiber, and fuel come from by attending the first ever Growing Potential Ag Festival in Jackson, Neb., on August 24.
The festival was put together by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the Northeast Corn Growers Association, with more than 15 sponsors coming together to help put on the successful event. FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner also volunteered at the event.
“With both of our organizations having an interest in agriculture and our next generation of leaders, we thought it would be a great idea to offer an event for local kids to learn about Nebraska’s number one industry,” said Courtney Schaardt, director of education outreach. “At the Foundation, we engage youth and share how important agriculture is to them and to the state of Nebraska.”
Students made their way around eight learning stations that covered different aspects of agriculture. At one station, the fifth graders discovered the process of planting and harvesting by getting an up-close look at a planter and combine with experts from Pender Implement Company showing students how the equipment works. Other activities included learning about the different parts of a corn plant, discovering potential careers in the ethanol industry, and seeing how farmers take care of the land through water management.
“It’s a very powerful thing and why we wanted to get students out here, because we knew that there would be so many different aspects of modern agricultural techniques our students could experience,” Nicholas Kleve, fifth-grade teacher from Lewis and Clark Elementary in South Sioux City, said. “It’s great to have my students see the behind the scenes of where their food comes from and how it gets to the grocery store. It just creates opportunities and curiosity that maybe they could have a career in agriculture.”
Information about the new one-day festival hit teachers’ mailboxes this spring, and available classroom spaces filled up within a day. Schools participated from towns across Northeast Nebraska including South Sioux City, Wisner, Ponca, Homer, Emerson, Laurel-Concord, and Hartington.
“We are so excited that these kids had such a great time today,” said Taylor Nelson, a member of the Northeast Corn Growers Association. “It was great to see all of these agriculture groups join together to teach their communities about all of the aspects of agriculture. We thank them for sharing their time and their resources,” he continued.
Sponsors and volunteers include American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Siouxland Ethanol, Pender Implement Company, CHS, Dekalb, Producers Hybrids, Croplan, Stine, DynaGrow, Pioneer, Sietec, Mycogen, Allegiant, Channel, Dixon County Farm Bureau, Keiser Ag and Irrigation, Lux Brothers Inc., and FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner.
ACE staff, member plant help educate youth on biofuel
The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) staff and member plant, Siouxland Ethanol LLC, are partnering with the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers (NNCGA) in their effort to create and increase opportunities for Nebraska corn growers through advocacy, education, partnerships, and leadership development by participating in an ag youth literacy festival and showcase plot today in Jackson, Nebraska.
NNCGA in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is working to put together its first Growing Potential Ag Festival for about 300 middle school aged students in its member counties. The festival is a day-long event where students rotate through nine stations, including corn products and processing, corn planting, corn harvest, renewable fuels and ethanol production, corn feed and livestock, GMO education, parts of the corn plant and pollination, crop protection, and agricultural UAV technology.
ACE director of member and industry relations, Liz Bunkers, and director of special projects and outreach, Chuck Beck, will join Pam Miller, Siouxland Ethanol’s board chair and director of investor and industry relations, at one of the stations to show students products of the ethanol production process and discuss how it works, as well as educate them on future career opportunities and the variety of ways to get involved in the renewable fuels industry.
“We’re involving organizations like the Farm Bureau, corn growers and others in the industry, who are experts in their respective fields, to show ways that a variety of groups can contribute to this effort,” said Taylor Nelson, with NNCGA and owner of Jackson Express. “We hope to provide the kids with an all-day, hands-on, fun, and engaging learning opportunity, and have the chance to really tell the story of production agriculture the way it should be told.”
“From the farm to the gas station, there are a lot of people who have their hands in ethanol, and there are a variety of opportunities to get involved,” Bunkers said. “Even if a student isn’t necessarily interested in working directly on the farm or even in ethanol production, there is fuel research and testing, industry partners who work in advertising and marketing, and plenty of other careers in ethanol. We hope we can help create an initial awareness of these career paths, so students can keep it in mind as they explore careers in the future.”
“We want to create a positive initial awareness for these students of what’s going on in their communities and agricultural economy that could lead to career exploration in the future,” Nelson added. “We see educating the public and educating those who are not involved in agriculture as critically important to start at an early age, so they can continue building on that in high school and on into college.”
Conservation Lightning Talks Strike at Nebraska State Fair
More than 97 percent of land in Nebraska is privately owned, much of that in use for agriculture, putting Nebraska farmers and ranchers on the front lines when it comes to environmental stewardship. That's one of the reasons the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) encourages everyone to turn out for the inaugural "Conservation in Agriculture Day" offerings August 31st at the Nebraska State Fair.
"Nebraska's is the only state fair presenting this kind of conservation program," said Kristen Hassebrook, executive director of AFAN. "Nebraska farmers and ranchers go to great lengths to protect the environment, while raising safe and nutritious food. We are excited that consumers will have an opportunity to engage on this topic at the state fair and speak one-on-one with conservation experts."
Sponsored by Sand County Foundation, which presents the annual Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award (NE LCA), the educational sessions comprise three rounds of "lightning talks." Leading voices in their fields will give five-minute presentations to provide fair-goers the opportunity to hear about the importance that farmers and ranchers in Nebraska place on conservation.
"Over the past 11 years, we have been looking for a way to expand our education and outreach efforts," said Craig Utter, Nebraska coordinator for the Leopold Conservation Award for the Sand County Foundation. The Leopold Award, he said, "is more than an awards program. It's a platform from which to tell the great stories on conservation on private lands across Nebraska."
The lightning talks begin at 9 a.m., in the Raising Nebraska Building. The format will include three rounds of five speakers, each presenting about one of the five conservation topics - water, soil, wildlife, partnership and stewardship - as follows:
9:00 a.m.
1. WATER: Jacob Fritton, The Nature Conservancy
2. SOIL: Aaron Hird, Soil Health Specialist, NE Natural Resources Conservation Service
3. WILDLIFE: Laurel Badura, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4. PARTNERSHIP: Andy Bishop, Rainwater Joint Venture
5. STEWARDSHIP: Homer Buell, rancher
9:30 a.m.
First five speakers available to discuss topics one-on-one in the Conversation Pit.
10:00 a.m.
6. WATER: Katie Pekarek, University of Nebraska Extension
7. SOIL: Patrick Peterson, Plum Thicket Farms
8. WILDLIFE: Andy Houser, Pheasants Forever
9. PARTNERSHIP: David Sands, Nebraska Land TRust
10 STEWARDSHIP: Kalkowski family, ranchers
10:30 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 available to discuss topics one-on-one in Conversation Pit
11:00 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 present again
Speakers 6-10 available in Conversation Pit area for one-on-one discussions.
Cargill to Invest $18 Million in Nebraska Facility
A multi-million dollar project to upgrade the Cargill grain facility in Gibbon, Neb., is underway. Once complete, growers will have access to an additional 2 million bushels of upright grain storage space and an increased unload capacity of 65,000 bushels per hour.
"The Gibbon area features high production, mostly irrigated farm ground that historically produced consistently high yields. We're excited to expand our capabilities and improve service to growers in the area," said Jim Reiff, Northwest commercial leader for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "In addition, the facility is on the Union Pacific mainline rail, connecting our growers to export markets in the U.S. Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Mexico, and helping to meet the needs of key end user customers in California."
The facility, located at 46750-70th Rd, Gibbon, Neb., has eight full-time employees who handle corn, soybeans and wheat. The improvements, which will be complete by early 2019, are being done in phases, with no shutdowns planned throughout construction.
"These improvements are in line with our growth strategy and ensure we can continue to provide a competitive offering to Cargill customers," said Dave Baudler, grain managing director for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "The upgrades in Gibbon will have a positive impact on both long and local supply chains. It will continue to enhance the service we can provide to key strategic customers and reinforces our goal of being a trusted partner for American farmers and a leader in U.S. grain and oilseeds."
The Gibbon, Neb. location is one of 16 facilities Cargill operates across the state of Nebraska, where it has over 3,800 employees.
Red Meat Production Up 3 Percent from Last Year
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.99 billion pounds in July, up 3 percent from the 3.87 billion pounds produced in July 2016.
Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.61 million head, up 6 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from the previous year, at 1,333 pounds.
Veal production totaled 5.7 million pounds, 1 percent above July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,000 head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 7 pounds from last year, at 250 pounds.
Pork production totaled 1.86 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.02 million head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 277 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 4 percent from July 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 167,400 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 132 pounds, down 2 pounds from July a year ago.
By State (million pounds - % July '16)
Nebraska ...........: 633.6 101
Iowa ..................: 525.9 104
Kansas ...............: 478.5 110
January to July 2017 commercial red meat production was 29.3 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
Dairy Webinar Series “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Offered in September
Dairy specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host webinars on Sept. 19 and 26, entertaining and educating with a dairy version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
Both webinars will begin at noon and will include information on how to analyze a dairy for profits and the profitability of various dairy systems. The Sept. 19 webinar will focus on conventional and hybrid dairy systems while the Sept. 26 webinar will discuss organic and organic “grass-fed” dairy systems.
The webinars are sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach and the North Central Risk Management Education Center. Participants may join the webinars by logging onto https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/isuedairy.
For more information contact ISU Extension and Outreach diary specialists Larry Tranel (tranel@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496) or Jenn Bentley (jbentley@iastate.edu, 563-382-2949).
Trump: Inevitable U.S. Will Withdraw from NAFTA
President Donald Trump, speaking on Tuesday night in Arizona near the Mexican border, said it looks inevitable the U.S. will pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement. It's a now familiar threat -- but no less concerning given the U.S. just this week wrapped up the first round of negotiations with Mexico and Canada to revise the trade agreement by early next year.
Trump's comment that "we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point" may add to a lurking fear that he won't have the patience to see the process through.
"The danger is that the president either with a very short fuse or his 'my way or the highway approach"' will torpedo the talks, Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., said on the sidelines of NAFTA talks in Washington. To be sure, it could be a scare tactic. Trump backed down from an earlier threat to scrap the pact after seeing a map of states with NAFTA-dependent economies that helped vote him in office.
According to Bloomberg, Mexico could have the most to lose if the pact unspools, as the country has been Trump's prime target. Its foreign minister, Luis Videgaray, said Wednesday that talks are continuing and if Trump really wanted to break up NAFTA he would have done so already. Canada expects "moments of heated rhetoric," during the discussions, its Foreign Ministry said.
Apply Now for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program
The American Soybean Association (ASA), DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection are seeking applicants for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program (DYL).
For more than 30 years, the ASA DuPont Young Leader program has identified and developed grower leaders who have shaped the agricultural industry.
“The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program has had a tremendous impact on not only the soybean industry, but all of agriculture. Since the program’s inception in 1984, it has recognized the value gained from engaging and encouraging a diverse agricultural leadership which includes farmers – both men and women. Through participation in this state-of-the-art training program, growers are able to realize their leadership potential while creating meaningful relationships that lead to increased collaboration that influences the industry,” said ASA President Ron Moore, a farmer from Roseville, Ill. “We can’t thank DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection enough for their longstanding support of the program.”
The ASA DuPont Young Leader program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the 2017-18 program will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 28-30, 2017. The program continues Feb. 25-28, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.
“The ASA DuPont Young Leader program opened my eyes to the diversity and complexity that is found within our agriculture today,” said Monica McCullough, 2017 DuPont Young Leader alumni. “The leadership development and personal connections that have occurred during this program have given me the skill set to authentically engage with others and to share our story about agriculture in a way that is welcoming to all. This is an industry were very few people shoulder the responsibility of feeding so many, with that being said, we all have a responsibility to engage in the ways in which our time and talents allow. The ASA DYL program has helped me on my journey of finding my role within agriculture.”
Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, the latest agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario and DuPont, will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program.
“America’s farmers provide the strongest voice for, not only agriculture, but also for rural America. We are proud to support the young leader program, which is developing the next generation of grower leaders and advocates for U.S. agriculture,” said Randy Wanke, sr. manager industry relations, DuPont Pioneer.
Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here www.soygrowers.com for additional program information and to apply.
Reaching Consumers With Beefy Messages
Did You Know ... This July, the beef checkoff hosted a “Be Your Own Butcher” Facebook Live event from the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Culinary Center? The event featured a hands-on cutting demo by in-house meat scientist Bridget Wasser. Bridget educated the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Facebook community on how to save at the meat case by purchasing a whole tenderloin and cutting strips, steaks, kabobs and medallions at home. This event reached nearly 140,000 consumers on the Facebook platform, with more than 38,000 views and 1,300 engagements (likes, comments, shares) – the highest performing Facebook Live event to date.
Did You Know ... Consumers across the U.S. are showing a definite interest in beef, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for delicious and nutritious checkoff-funded recipes? In fact, since the beginning of the fiscal year (October 2016), BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com has circulated more than 1.4 million recipes and counting, a marked increase over the website’s recipe dissemination goal (1.15 million recipes). Some of the more recently popular recipes – such as the Basil Beef Asian Pasta Stir-Fry, Steak Kabobs & Wild Rice with Mushrooms, and the Hearty Steak and Bean Chili – all offer consumers the instruction they need to confidently create the perfect meal for their friends and family.
To learn more about your checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
Time is Running Out to Enter Cattle for WDE 2017
Owners of North America’s finest dairy cattle are encouraged to enter their lineup for the 2017 World Dairy Expo® Dairy Cattle Show by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (CDT). Entry fees increase on September 1, as late online entries continue to be accepted through September 10; after that, paper entries will continue to be honored until the day of the show for an additional fee.
All animals must have an official USDA AIN or Canadian CCIA RFID number listed on their entry form at the time of submission. Animals lacking this number – or with a pending identification number – will not be accepted. More information regarding identification requirements, along with entry forms, schedule of events, rules and other updates are available online at www.worlddairyexpo.com and included in the Premium Book – mailed to recent dairy cattle exhibitors on July 1.
Questions related to cattle entries and the WDE Dairy Cattle Show may be directed to Laurie Breuch, Dairy Cattle Show Coordinator, at lbreuch@wdexpo.com or Ann Marie Magnochi, Dairy Cattle Show Manager, at amagnochi@wdexpo.com, or by calling the Expo office at 608-224-6455.
Famous Dave's Founder to be Inducted into BBQ HoF
Famous Dave's of America, Inc. announced that the American Royal Association has named the "Famous Dave" Anderson, to the 2017 class of inductees to the Barbecue Hall of Fame. The formal induction ceremony will take place during the 2017 Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal at the Kansas Speedway over Labor Day weekend.
Each year, three individuals are awarded the prestigious honor and are recognized by the Barbecue Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the barbecue community and demonstration of achievement in barbecue excellence. "Famous Dave" Anderson will be honored along with Jeff Stehney and Melissa Cookston at the ceremony.
Mike Lister, Chief Executive and Operating Officer, commented, "This honor certainly comes as no surprise having worked with Dave for the past twenty years. He has brought great barbecue to millions and is an incredible mentor and visionary in our community. Dave is a barbecue ambassador who truly lives and breathes the values he preaches every day."
Founder Dave Anderson said, "People consistently ask how I got involved in barbecue, and I always answer that I was born into barbecue. My dad, a Choctaw Indian from Isabel, Oklahoma, loved his Southern Home Cooking and his Real Pit Barbecue done the 'Old School Way' of smoke and meat, smoldered over live burning embers. I've never thought of what I do as a business, but a way of life. Barbecue has been my life's passion and there's nothing more that I love than making people happy with the foods I grew up with and that is what makes me happy in life! Being told that my peers had nominated me to be inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal is humbling, amazing, and incredible for a kid that grew up with nothing more than a dream and a willingness to work hard... proving nothing is impossible!"
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