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April 12, 2012 Issue 252-16-8
Special Features
Scientists: Switchgrass Holds Greatest Potential
FFA Chapters. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-17, 20-27
Weather Al Dutcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
for Efficient Ethanol Production
Country Living House Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Lighter Side Lee Pitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Markets Grains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Livestock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Government Report Government Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ag Management LEAD Program Finishing 30th Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Livestock News USGS scientists have developed a new method for mapping grasslands that demonstrates high potential for growing biofuel crops with relatively little energy input and environmental impact. The pioneering investigation used remote sensing data from satellites to identify detailed areas of the Greater Platte River Basin " most of Nebraska and parts of adjacent states " that are best suited for producing cellulosic biofuel derived from hardy
switchgrass, a native plant that grows wild or is easily cultivated. "This innovative scientific study takes some of the guesswork out of deciding whether it could be feasible to raise a potentially high value crop for biofuels on America's grasslands," said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. "Using nonfood crops for fuel grown on land not now under cultivation is a low-impact step toward America's energy independence." The maps of areas with high biofuel production potential were
produced by combining satellitederived vegetation data with weather data, soil types, terrain, and other physical data. An analytical method developed by the authors helps separate the influence of long-term, year-toyear weather changes, such as drought, from short-term disturbance changes, such as fire or overgrazing, in order to identify suitable areas more accurately. The maps can be used to optimize
Heartland Cattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Production News Platte Basin Water Outlook Not Good ...................................8
Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-35
Continued on page 28
Farmland Still Valued Commodity By Lori Potter, The Kearney Hub LINCOLN - Most Nebraskans never will own a gold mine and they aren't standing on the world's next great pool of untapped oil. However, many still have one of the most valued commodities in a still-struggling U.S. economy directly under their feet. Values for Nebraska's irrigated farmland have risen by more than 30 percent in the past 12 months, according to a University of NebraskaLincoln farm real estate survey. Eye-popping bids of $10,000 per acre or more have made headlines in eastern parts of the state. "We're obviously on some very valuable resources in this part of the country," said UNL Ag Economist Bruce Johnson.
For daily agriculture news, updates and local happenings, visit the Heartland Express website at www.myfarmandranch.com
Nebraska leads the trend for huge land value increase in the past few years. A Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City fourth-quarter survey shows that irrigated land was up 36.1 percent in Nebraska, 22.6 percent in Oklahoma and 18 percent in Kansas. "Really, a key thing behind it is the income picture," Johnson said, specifically the amount of farmland income generated by the equally impressive rise in crop prices. "Farmland is an income-producing asset." Nebraska farmers also have benefited from favorable weather, a boost in export demand from developing countries with emerging middle classes and growth in the state's ethanol industry. "Corn-based ethanol was a contributor that has really kicked in," Johnson said, and now processes 40 percent to 45 percent of Nebraska corn before
the co-products, distillers grains, are sold as livestock feed. Farmland is a scarcity-driven market and demand is high. Johnson said there are few other opportunities that will yield similar returns on investment, especially for buyers who will farm the land themselves. That means owners want to keep their farmland for the same reasons others want to buy it. Three out of four buyers are active farmers, not speculators or absentee investors. Johnson said farmers know that opportunities are rare to buy land close enough to fit their operations, so they'll consider buying at almost any price. Young farmers must accept that it may be impossible now to get into the "land of gentry," he Continued on page 9
MARKET GLANCE Livestock and Products, Weekly Average
Crops, Daily Spot Prices Year Ago 4 Wks Ago 3/30/12
Nebraska Slaughter Steer 35-65% Choice, Live Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$124.55 129.25 Nebraska Feeder Steers, Med. & Large Frame, 550-600# . . . . . . . . . . . .160.08 186.96 Med & Large Frame, 750-800 # . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138.37 169.96 Choice Boxed Beef, 600-750# Carcass . . . . . . . . . .188.06 198.51 Western Corn Belt Base Hog Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88.22 86.92 Feeder Pigs, National Direct, 50#, FOB . . . . . . . . . . . .* * Pork Carcass Cutout, 185#, 51-52% Lean . . . . . . . .94.35 85.10 Slaughter Lambs, Ch. & Pr.,Heavy, SD Dir. . . . . . . . .202.75 * Nat. Carcass Lamb Cutout, FOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397.50 374.35
127.00 182.70 154.88 184.65 80.44 * 80.00 147.50 374.54
Wheat, No. 1, H.W. Imperial, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.60 Corn, No. 2, Yellow, Omaha, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.12 Soybeans, No. 1 Yellow Omaha, bu . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13.69 Grain Sorg. No. 2 Yellow, Dorchester, cwt . . . . . . . . .11.80 Oats, No. 2, Heavy Minneapolis, MN, bu. . . . . . . . . . .3.75
6.36 * * 11.25 3.35
6.20 6.37 13.64 10.88 3.71
Hay (per ton) Alfalfa, Lrg. Sq. Bales Good to Prem., NE Neb. . . . . .140.00 Alfalfa, Lrg. Rounds, Good, Platte Valley, . . . . . . . . .72.50 Grass Hay, Lrg. Rounds, Premium, Neb., . . . . . . . . . . .* Dried Distillers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213.50 Wet Distillers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75.50 * No market.
225.00 225.00 145.00 145.00 100.00 97.50 215.25 215.00 75.50 77.50