FarmWeek March 28 2011

AGRICULTURE IS CRUCIAL to infrastructure growth and vice versa, but inadequate locks and bridges raise concerns for the future. ............3

C O N S E RVA T I O N A N D renewable energy converge in a U.S. Energy Department-funded Livingston County project. ..................5

O L D C RO P C O N C E R N S may indicate a push on corn plantings this season, according to early predictions. .......................................6

Monday, March 28, 2011

Two sections Volume 39, No. 13

Pre-planting survey finds farmers cautiously optimistic

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Most farmers are optimistic heading into the planting season, based on the results of the most recent Agriculture Confidence Index (ACI).

But they’re not quite as bullish as they were just three months ago.

The ACI, conducted by DTN/The Progressive Farmer, is designed to take the economic pulse of the ag industry.

The overall index score of the most recent pre-plant survey was 111.

Anything above 100 is considered a positive outlook.

However, the index score this month was down considerably from the December score of 151.

The most recent survey of 500 farmers and ranchers nationwide was conducted during the first two weeks of March when corn prices were on a down-trend but still well above $6 per bushel.

“That made everybody worry there was more downside risk,” said Linda Smith,

markets editor for DTN/The Progressive Farmer. “And input costs certainly are an issue.”

The ACI is based on producers’ attitudes about input costs, net margins, and household income.

“A higher percentage of respondents said input costs are bad and will get worse,” Smith said.

USDA recently projected farm production expenses this year could reach a record-high $274 billion.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture in its biweekly production cost report released March 17 reported prices in the state averaged $770 to $820 per ton for anhydrous ammonia (up $4.71 from the previous report), $540 to $660 per ton for potash (up $5.94), and $3.42 to $3.72 per gallon for farm diesel fuel (up 18 cents).

The higher input costs and commodity price volatility likely played a role in far mers’ expectations of the next 12 months, which turned negative.

The ACI score for future expectations

dropped from 117 in December to 91 in March.

The future outlook still was positive in the Midwest, with a score of 111,

but was negative in the southwest (79) and southeast (70) where a lingering drought is weighing on the economic outlook for

far mers in those regions.

The results of the ACI can be viewed online at {www.AgricultureConfidence Index.com}.

GETTING READY FOR SPRING

Kevin Becker, left, and Ben DeClerck, right, of Christian County Farmers Supply Company, put new nozzle tips on a sprayer at the company’s Millersville facility in preparation for the spring season. The sprayer will be used this season to apply corn and soybean chemicals on an estimated 25,000 acres.

Initial field preparation work began in recent weeks at some locations around the state, particularly in Southern Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Grant)

Regional superintendents: Cuts would cost schools Periodicals: Time Valued

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

A group of school administrators said the governor’s plan to eliminate their budget would cost schools and hurt students.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed to eliminate the Regional Offices of Education and its $13 million budget. Quinn also is targeting the state’s 868 school districts and urging consolidation.

“This is the cut that doesn’t add up,” Gill Morrison, regional superintendent in DeKalb County, told reporters during a statehouse press conference last week.

Morrison and his fellow

administrators presented a laundry list of duties and responsibilities that fall to the 44 regional superintendents across the state. Those range from teacher and bus driver certification programs and school building safety inspections to running general equivalency diploma (GED) programs and providing alternative schools for at-risk students.

The governor’s proposal not only would eliminate 2,500 jobs but also would jeopardize $135 million in federal funding that comes to the state, according to Kathleen Pangle, regional superintendent for Ford and Iroquois counties.

“The rules and responsibili-

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

ties we have were created by the state legislature. It is prudent the state should pay those costs –- not the locals,” Pangle said.

“Economically challenged” counties depend on the regional superintendents for support with grants, proposals, and projects, said Ralph Grimm, superintendent of West Central District 235 in Henderson County.

For example, his regional superintendent offers a regionwide, six-week summer program for incoming high school freshmen.

“The governor’s proposal ... from a practical standpoint makes no sense,” Grimm said.

“I haven’t heard who will step

up and do the work (of regional superintendents).”

The state’s school code mentions the regional superintendents more than 700 times, and nearly every mention includes a duty or responsibility, Grimm continued.

Asked if the Illinois State Board of Education or local districts could take over those responsibilities, the superintendents answered the local districts already are strapped under the current budget, and the state superintendent has said he doesn’t have the resources.

“I don’t see how schools could pick up the slack,” Morrison said.

Illinois Farm Bureau®on the web: www.ilfb.org

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, March 28, 2011

MASTER FARMERS

Quick Takes SHAKEOUT TIMELY REMINDER — With Japan’s disaster serving as a fresh reminder, a multistate earthquake drill and preparedness activity, dubbed the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, couldn’t be more timely. The event will be 10:15 a.m. April 28 with a goal of drawing attention to the earthquake hazard that exists in Illinois and in other states in the region.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is encouraging schools, businesses, families, government agencies, medical facilities, colleges, universities, and non-profit groups to participate.

For more details and reference materials and to register for the drill, go to {www.shakeout.org/centralus/}.

This is one of several Midwest events to commemorate the New Madrid Bicentennial of the 1811-1812 earthquakes that occurred along the New Madrid Seismic Zone. The earthquakes during the winter of 1811-1812 were several of the largest historical earthquakes to strike the continental U.S. SHARE OF FOOD DOLLAR SMALL — U.S. farmers and agribusinesses receive 11.6 cents of every dollar spent on food in the U.S., according to USDA. Energy-related expenses, such as transportation, processing, and packaging, consume nearly three times the amount that farmers receive. In fact, transportation, packaging, and processing are the secondlargest contributor to food prices. Labor is the largest component.

‘E10’ ELIMINATION — Nebraska State Sen. Mark Christensen is championing a bill that would lift the state requirement for gas pumps offering E10 to use a label with what has become standard ethanol content.

The bill passed its first hurdle last week in a 25-12 vote. The measure’s supporters say mandatory labeling creates a false impression that ethanol is worse than other chemicals currently blended into gasoline.

Opponents say consumers have a right to know fuels contain 10 percent ethanol.

Removing labels for E10 in other states has proven to boost ethanol sales. States, such as Kansas and Michigan, have seen impressive gains in ethanol sales following the removal of E10 labels at the pump.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 39 No. 13

March 28, 2011

Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers.

FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701. Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek.

FarmWeek is published by the Illinois Agricultural Association for farm operator members. $3 from the individual membership fee of each of those members go toward the production of FarmWeek.

Address subscription and advertising questions to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, Illinois, and at an additional mailing office.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Farm Bureau members should send change of addresses to their local county Farm Bureau. © 2011 Illinois Agricultural Association

STAFF Editor Dave McClelland (dmcclelland@ilfb.org) Legislative Affairs Editor Kay Shipman (kayship@ilfb.org) Agricultural Affairs Editor Martin Ross (mross@ilfb.org) Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant (dgrant@ilfb.org) Editorial Assistant Linda Goltz (Lgoltz@ilfb.org) Business Production Manager Bob Standard (bstandard@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Manager

Richard Verdery (rverdery@ilfb.org) Classified sales coordinator

Nan Fannin (nfannin@ilfb.org) Director of News and Communications

Dennis Vercler Advertising Sales Representatives

Hurst and Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 1-800-397-8908 (advertising inquiries only) Gary White - Northern Illinois Doug McDaniel - Southern Illinois Editorial phone number: 309-557-2239 Classified advertising: 309-557-3155 Display advertising: 1-800-676-2353

Five IFB members are Master Farmers Five Illinois farmers, all members of Illinois Farm Bureau, have been selected as 2011 Master Farmers by Prairie Farmer magazine. They were honored last week at a ceremony in Bloomington.

And this year, for the first time in the award’s history, a woman has been named a Master Farmer.

Award recipients are David Bliss, Maquon (Knox County); Ken Greene, Durand (Winnebago County); Linnea Kooistra, Woodstock (McHenry County); Jim Purlee, Galesburg (Knox County); and Ron Tombaugh, Streator (LaSalle County).

Candidates are nominated by farmers, agribusiness leaders, and agricultural Extension specialists from throughout the state.

Once again, this year GROWMARK continued its role as the financial sponsor for the Master Farmer awards. In 2009, GROWMARK stepped in to provide the financial assistance that was necessary to continue the awards program.

The 2011 Master Farmers: David Bliss: The Maquon farmer, 72, rented his first farm as a junior in high school and still farms it today.

He’s attended the same church since he was 10 years old, and he and his wife, Brenda, have been married for 50 years.

Bliss left the University of Illinois and began farming fulltime in 1959 when his father became ill. At one point he was David Bliss raising 2,500 hogs from farrow to finish. He also operated a 60-head beef cow herd.

By the late 1980s, he sold the hogs and rented the facilities, giving himself more time for management. Today, he has liquidated the beef herd but still farms 1,700 acres.

Bliss began no-tilling in the early 1980s, modifying a commercial planter to suit his needs and pioneering several new planter options in his area. He deep tills in the fall on continuous corn ground, and spring tillage is done with a vertical tillage tool. He’s installed more than 150,000 feet of tile, sometimes at his own expense on rented ground.

Ken Greene: The Durand farmer tried his hand at a couple different careers before answering the call of farming.

Greene graduated from Illinois State University (ISU) in 1968 with an ag degree. While a senior in college, a family friend was diagnosed with cancer and asked him to farm his 200 acres.

He accepted, using his father’s Ken Greene equipment to farm the land, while also fulfilling his obligation to his Army Reserve unit for the next six years.

During this time, he married his wife, Becky, whom he met his junior year at ISU. They now have three children. He also worked part-time for Evergreen FS in McLean County each spring. In 1970, Greene bought into the family farm and began producing pork, beef, corn, and soybeans.

Greene adopted strip till on all his corn acres in the early 1990s and began using variable rate technology in 1991.

Linnea Kooistra: Kooistra is the first woman to be named a Master Farmer. From day

one, Kooistra and her husband, Joel, have been equal partners in their Woodstock dairy operation.

When the two graduated, Joel’s parents offered the couple an opportunity to farm with them. At the outset, they were milking 56 cows and farming Linnea Kooistra 1,000 acres. Shortly thereafter, they grew the business to 112 cows. In 1980, they purchased the herd and machinery and began renting the farm. Their first operating loan had an 18 percent interest rate.

Looking to expand their herd, the Kooistras participated in early FDA/Monsanto trials with rBST. To make room for more cows, the Kooistras built a new barn and milking parlor in 1992.

To this day, the Kooistras use the rBST technology they helped prove in the early 90s.

Today, the Kooistras are looking to downsize in order to spend more time with their two children and two grandchildren.

Jim Purlee: Purlee, 60, employs six men full time and another 14 during harvest. He’s pragmatic about grain storage, having built 1.5 million bushels of storage, much of it from scrap for 10 cents on the dollar.

He began his farming with 160 acres and a mortgage in 1978. By 1983, he bought machinery from a retiring Jim Purlee farmer, rented 600 acres, and went into production agriculture full time. Today he farms 8,000 acres, all within a 10-mile circle.

Since 1986, he has practiced no-till, and he split-applies his nitrogen as well. He also avoids burning gas to dry grain, using air instead. With none of his children involved in the operation, Jim is preparing his nephew, Sam Purlee, to take over.

Purlee and his wife, Suellen, have three grown children.

Among other activities, Purlee is an active board member of Big River Ethanol at Galva, a trustee for Knox College, and chairman at OSF St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg.

Ron Tombaugh: While still working on his ag degree at the U of I, Tombaugh and his father opened a New Holland dealership in the Streator area. Graduating in 1977, Ron returned to farm full-time with his father.

In 1983, he found his true calling — custom baling.

He bought a semi-tractor and drop-deck trailer in 1985 Ron Tombaugh and over the years, he has expanded the trucking business to its current size of three semi-tractors, three hopper trailers, and two flatbeds.

In 2003, when a friend came up short on a wheat straw contract for an Illinois mushroom farm, Tombaugh stepped in to fill it, establishing a new business enterprise in the process. Today, he has settled in at about 4,000 acres of straw each year, plus 1,700 acres of hay and grain.

Tombaugh’s wife, Sandy, had always lived in the Chicago suburbs (prior to their marriage in 2003), though her grandparents were farmers.

The couple has adopted Sandy’s grandson, Tyler.

Page 3 Monday, March 28, 2011 FarmWeek

TRANSPORTATION

Users’ ‘voice’ crucial in infrastructure growth

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Producers must let federal officials and policymakers know who’s footing the bill for the nation’s infrastructure inadequacies, a USDA transportation specialist advised Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington.

Nationwide transportation investment could help create “new economic activity that would help our economic competitiveness,” USDA Ag Market Services Transportation Service Director Bruce Blanton maintained.

However, he recognized farmers face “some controversial rail issues, some controversial barge issues, some controversial highway issues” — issues that cross legislative and agency jurisdictions.

Money is a central factor in expanding multimodal capabilities, from funding of port modifications or lock construction to authorization of highway projects under the next surface transportation bill.

Further, he noted a 2010 USDA-U.S. Department of Transportation study of rural transportation issues served as the sole “information base” at a recent White House Domestic Policy Council meeting on rail issues.

USDA plans to regularly update web-based transportation data to provide a “living reference,” but Blanton deemed farmers vital to crystallizing links between infrastructure, food production and costs, and the overall economy.

“You pay for these transportation costs, and your income is less if those are greater,” he told IFB Leaders. “It’s important for you to enter the fray and have your voice known — and not just by USDA. “It needs to be known by the Department of Transportation, by the (White House) Office of Management and Budget. It needs to be known

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and some of these other players, so that they understand that you’re paying the bill, so to speak.”

Continued transportation inadequacies could lead to lost jobs, reduced farm income, and lower economic activity, Blanton said. He noted ag freight comprises much of the commercial shipments on many major highway/rail arteries.

Infrastructure Investment generates markets for and raises revenues from ag goods, lowers consumer prices, “widens consumer choices,” lowers ag input costs, and helps foster ag specialization, he said.

Efficient transportation enables farms to locate where soils and climate are suited to individual crops and land is less costly, Blanton explained.

Trucking continues to capture a growing share of grain shipments — rail’s share declined in the 1990s but has stabilized over the past several years. Blanton said barge share continues to decline, in part because of “investment in the infrastructure that hasn’t occurred.”

New improvements to the Panama Canal “could actually be beneficial” in building grain barge demand, he told FarmWeek. At the same time, anticipated leaps in U.S. yields could “essentially double” necessary grain freight capacity by 2035 — Blanton argued “a lot of that has to be in rail.”

Blanton warned “‘barge’ here in Washington is a different way to spell ‘controversy,’” and suggested river interests will continue to face resistance without the prospect of “less public and more private” lock investment.

Rail expansion may prove quite a different story, Blanton told producers. “If the demand presents itself and the railroads can make money, they will invest,” he said.

Quinn announces deal for the next phase of high-speed rail Gov. Pat Quinn last week announced a $685 million agreement to begin construction on the next phase of a highspeed rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis.

Joining Quinn at the event were U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, railroad workers and suppliers, Union Pacific Railroad officials, and federal, state, and local leaders.

“Today’s agreement marks another major step towards making high-speed rail a reality in Illinois,” Quinn said. “This important partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Obama administration will boost our efforts to make Illinois the high-speed rail hub of the Midwest.”

The agreement allows for construction of new rail track using concrete ties between Dwight and Lincoln, as well as between Alton and the Mississippi River, along with the installation of a modernized signal system between Dwight and Alton.

Construction is to begin April 5 and is funded with $1.2 billion in federal money awarded to the state for expansion of passenger rail services. Illinois is providing more than $42 million in state capital funding.

“High-speed rail is more than just an alternative mode of travel — it is a shot in the arm to today’s recovering economy, and an investment in infrastructure that will serve us for generations to come,” Durbin said.

With Chicago as the hub, the Midwest high-speed rail network will create an estimated $23.1 billion in economic activity and 6,000 jobs over the next 10 years, Durbin added.

The first phase of the Chicago-St. Louis line, a $98-million upgrade of tracks between Lincoln and Alton, started in September, making Illinois the first state to break ground under the federal initiative.

The first trains traveling at 110 mph on the Chicago-to-St. Louis line will debut between Dwight and Pontiac as early as next year. Upgrades to the entire Dwight-Alton portion of the corridor are expected to be completed by 2014.

Bridge issue a significant funding, weight challenge More efficient — and sustainable — truck transportation is possible, according to U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, a Colona Republican on the House Ag Committee.

As ag groups tout the merits of higher truck weights, a new study by the advocacy group Transportation for America suggests as many as one in 12 Illinois

This bridge is near the Ill. 97 and Ill. 125 junction northwest of Springfield. The advocacy group Transportation for America cites bridge deterioration as a major impetus for increased federal transportation/infrastructure funding — while the Illinois Department of Transportation reports more than 500 bridges were repaired during a reconstruction campaign begun in 2009, that’s less than a quarter of the structures the group cited as “deficient.” (File photo courtesy of the Illinois Department of Transportation)

bridges may be crumbling.

The report named more than 2,300 bridges throughout the state that it feels are “structurally deficient” and in need of immediate repair.

According to the study, challenged by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), some of those bridges are crossed by as many as 8.1 million drivers a year.

IDOT maintains the bridges are regularly inspected and that there is no immediate or evident danger to drivers or pedestrians.

Transportation for America seeks what it calls “real transformational change in America’s transportation system” through reauthorization of federal surface transportation legislation. The group cites the need for $70.9 billion more in federal funding to repair bridges across Illinois.

But study findings also could complicate the debate over commercial truck weight limits and chiefly, a federal proposal to boost allowable weights on federal highways by as much as 20 percent.

Schilling notes claims even among environmental interests that higher allowable truck weights could reduce the number of haulers on the road,

‘ We h ave s o m e significant hurdles.’

— Bruce Blanton USDA transportation specialist

relieving highway congestion and cumulative fuel use, thus improving air quality and highway safety.

However, the freshman lawmaker/small businessman cites opposition from some in the competing rail sector, who suggest increased truck weights would aggravate wear-and-tear on roads and bridges.

Schilling reported rail interests are “ramping up” efforts to maintain an 80,000-pound truck weight maximum, but suggested “the farmers would

want it at 96,000 (pounds)” to improve efficiency.

“It’s really hard to have a trailer-truck and have to fill it three-quarters full,” Pike County producer Bryan Koeller told Schilling. “But you have to have that size (of truck) to have the weight distributed.”

Bruce Blanton, director of transportation services with USDA’s Ag Marketing Service, argued the relationship between truck weights and road/bridge wear “actually depends on who you’re talking to.”

Blanton cited a number of studies that concluded addition of an axle to trailers “done the right way,” can eliminate road damage, but conceded “there are other studies that show the opposite.”

But federal bridge funding may be crucial to increasing truck weights and efficiency.

“Even if you have a bigger truck that can carry more, that has that axle, that won’t damage the road, it may be too heavy to go across a bridge,” Blanton said. “We have some significant hurdles.” — Martin Ross

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, March 28, 2011

GOVERNMENT

FEMA changes flawed approach to flood mapping

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Invisible levees? Not any more.

U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, and Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, praised a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decision to end its policy of disregarding some levees and flood control structures as it updates Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate reported his agency has been directed to discontinue the practice of using so-called “without levee” modeling in the FIRM modernization process.

Twenty-seven senators asked Fugate to terminate the practice because it eliminated some flood control structures from the map instead of more precisely determining their effectiveness.

They argued discounting the existence of federally uncertified levees ignores actual protection and could unnecessarily require property owners to purchase National Flood Insurance Program policies.

“This is big news to those in floodplains,” Illinois Farm Bureau’s Kevin Rund maintained.

Upper Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri River Association (UMIMRA) Executive Director Kim Robinson told FarmWeek

Fugate’s was a “welcome announcement,” though some “bigger-picture” issues remain regarding floodplain mapping.

If FEMA determines an area has a 1 percent annual chance of flood, property owners are required to purchase flood coverage if their mortgage is backed by the federal government.

Kirk argued that if a levee is present but not federally accredited, FEMA “should acknowledge its true protection level for a community.”

The without levee method “did not reflect the reality that, while a levee may be under repair or unable to control a 100-year flood (event), it still

could provide some level of protection,” Durbin said.

Fugate has directed FEMA staff to replace the without levee approach with “a suite of methodologies that are technically sound, credible and costeffective.” FEMA will temporarily withhold final determinations for communities whose levees do not meet accreditation requirements but who would “clearly benefit from this new approach,” he said.

Durbin sees FEMA’s action giving floodplain areas added time to “bring levees into a good state of repair.” He and Kirk emphasized the importance of levee modernization,

though UMIMRA’s Robinson stressed the necessary first step is Congress’ adoption of a Corps-developed Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan for Flood Control.

“We can talk about money, but the plan needs to be adopted, so everyone knows the level to which they can improve their levees without negatively impacting their neighbors,” Robinson said.

“There may be some levee districts or some states who can swing (improvements) on their own, and if so, great. But nobody can do anything — we’re at a complete stalemate — without a comprehensive plan.”

Biofuels supporters fight to maintain ethanol push Ethanol’s place is in energy policy, not the budget-cutting debate, supporters of continued biofuels incentives argued last week.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) hopes to avert a vote

on a budget amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) that would repeal the federal Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) — i.e., the ethanol “blender’s credit.”

Grassley sees two

SENATE SESSION

approaches to blocking Coburn — “either talking him out of it” or denying unanimous Senate consent to bring his measure up. He has urged Coburn to address the issue within the context of energy policy rather than as part of the spending debate.

Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Jim Reed stressed the need for continued biofuels subsidies similar to — but far less significant than — those long provided to the petroleum industry.

As oil prices continue to top $100 per barrel and the price gap between conventional gasoline and E85 (85 percent ethanol) widens, Reed sees the public recognizing

“we need alternative fuels.”

But producers first must address the immediate threat from lawmakers resistant to biofuels adoption and deficitreduction hawks.

“We have a lot of new people in (Washington), and a lot of people who ran on budget issues,” Reed told FarmWeek.

“A lot of them perceive ethanol as a drain on the budget. What we’re hoping to do is educate them.

“When you look at the overall economy — the jobs ethanol brings to the economy and the rural development aspect of it as well as the way it lowers prices at the pump — we see that ethanol very much has a part to play.”

USDA Office of Energy

Policy and New Uses Director Harry Baumes acknowledged “petroleum-sourced energy is not going to be going away,” citing the likely impact of Japan’s continuing crisis on future nuclear power. However, he stressed “there is going to be diversity in energy sources.”

Baumes deems VEETC and the renewable fuels standard (RFS2) — a mandate for longterm U.S. biofuels use — somewhat “duplicative” in driving demand.

But with daily U.S. oil imports running at roughly 100 million barrels, he argued “we’re exporting $1.4 billion a day at current oil prices.”

“That’s money that can’t be invested here,” he said. — Martin Ross

USDA eyes own regulations, helps guide EPA regulators U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, addresses policy questions and concerns during a Thursday discussion with Illinois Farm Bureau board members in Bloomington. (Photo by Martin Ross)

Senate committee planning public redistricting hearings The Senate Redistricting Committee has scheduled five public hearings on the redistricting process. The first is today (Monday) in Chicago. Dates and cities have been announced for the other four, but no times or specific locations.

Committee Chairman Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) says he intends to hold additional hearings after the fifth one, but no additional dates have been scheduled.

April hearing dates and cities are: April 6, Springfield; April 16, Kankakee and Peoria; and April 19, Cicero.

The purpose of the hearings is to gain public feedback on current legislative maps and how those maps have impacted different communities.

The Senate Redistricting Committee also established a website {www.ilsenateredistricting.com} that includes tools and resources to help the public understand the redistricting process.

Website information includes census data, current maps, hearing dates and locations, and information about committee members.

Even as USDA digs in on its own regulatory review, ag officials are working to ensure their environmental counterparts understand the consequences federal actions can have on farmers.

Deputy Ag Secretary Kathleen Merrigan noted her department’s ongoing response to President Obama’s recent call for review of potentially overlapping or inconsistent federal regulatory actions and the impact they have on various “constituent groups.”

Obama’s directive comes amid a growing congressional backlash against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in particular.

The full U.S. House is expected to take up the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, which would strike proposed pesticide permit requirements under the Clean Water Act, when it returns from its current recess.

Further, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last week filed an amendment to small business legislation that would pre-empt EPA from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. Merrigan, who sits on the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Regula-

tory Review Committee, noted USDA’s focus on a range of issues, from “size-sensible” loan paperwork requirements to improved conservation application/compliance procedures and measures to help assure small community access to rural development programs.

Merrigan also is participating in more frequent meetings with other agency deputies, in part to determine “where other parts of the government can help us.”

At the same time, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and EPA technical staffs this month convened to study models being used to prescribe nutrient regulation and management practices within the eastern Chesapeake Bay. “We are deeply engaged, particularly with EPA,” Merrigan told Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington. “I brought (EPA Deputy Administrator Robert Perciasepe) out to California on a three-day trip where we visited farms, talked about dust rules, talked about a bunch of different issues.

“It’s my job to make sure I’m making clear what the agricultural interests are in these decisions ... .” — Martin Ross

Page 5 Monday, March 28, 2011 FarmWeek

ENVIRONMENT

ISU study: Switchgrass no economic competitor with corn, soybeans

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek If switchgrass wants to compete with corn and soybeans for Illinois farmland, it needs yields of six to eight tons per acre, a market, and government support payments.

Paul Walker That’s the assessment of Paul Walker, an Illinois State University (ISU) agriculture professor.

“In Illinois, where we can grow corn and soybeans, switchgrass cannot compete,”

Walker told FarmWeek. “This (research field) is high fertility soil, I don’t see it (switchgrass) competing with corn and soybeans. I don’t see it competing with corn and beans on marginal soil.”

“The kicker,” Walker acknowledged, is what happens in the future with the biomass market and the federal Biomass Crop Assistance Program, a biofuel program under the Farm Service Agency.

Walker is researching switchgrass in a project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). He will study the irrigation of municipal waste water on corn, soybean, and switchgrass crops. A 320-acre no-till

field in McLean County has been divided into 40 acres of switchgrass, 160 acres of corn, and 120 acres of soybeans.

Walker will study the effect of the irrigated waste water on crop growth and yields as well as the nutrient levels in the soil and drainage tile water.

“We think this (method) is a much better way to treat waste water than most municipalities are doing,” Walker said. “DOE wants to know if switchgrass is a better crop for this (practice) than corn and beans, and if it will increase yields.”

Walker doesn’t have answers to those questions yet, but he does have preliminary production costs and returns. His cal-

culations include University of Illinois Extension custom rate values and $205-per-acre cash rent, the county’s average rate.

Walker also pro-rated over four years the establishment cost of the switchgrass crop. A farmer needs two years before he can harvest a switchgrass crop, he added.

Walker calculated the costs and returns for switchgrass yields of three, four, six, and eight tons per acre. A farmer harvesting switchgrass for 1,500-pound bales would need break-even prices of $47.66 per bale, $38.75, $29.83, and $25.32 with yields of three, four, six, and eight tons respectively.

At $331.46, the soybean

crop generated more dollars in net return per acre, compared to the corn at $274.84.

“Both corn and soybeans far exceeded switchgrass in net return per acre,” Walker said.

Amortizing the establishment cost over four years means the switchgrass harvest would have to contribute $124.66 per acre, in addition to the other annual costs of production, harvest, and marketing, he said.

“At 6 to 8 tons, which is an optimistic (switchgrass) yield, a farmer’s costs are down enough that he might make money, but he’s not even close to the dollar per acre return on corn and beans,” Walker concluded.

Central Illinois watershed project seeks nutrient solutions One of USDA’s Mississippi River Basin Initiatives (MRBI) is planning a suite of conservation practices and demonstration projects to address water quality issues.

Located primarily in Livingston County, the Indian Creek Watershed is an 82square mile drainage area of about 52,840 acres. Indian Creek flows into the South Fork of the Vermilion River.

The goal is to study conservation practices and collect data that demonstrate the practices’ influence on water quality, said Christa Jones with the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), based in West Lafayette, Ind. CTIC and the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District are coordinating the overall project, and a steering committee of local farmer leaders, agribusinessmen, and a mayor is guiding the initiative, which will cover many practices.

For example, one study will

focus on efficient fertilizer use and involve drainage tile monitoring within a closed tile system. The watershed project has contracted with Harold Reetz of Reetz Agronomics to conduct several on-farm demonstration

projects within the watershed.

Last week, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) agreed to establish a water-flow monitoring station in the watershed, Jones said. “This (station) will give us more information we

FarmWeek

A USDA economist dismisses charges that ethanol is “robbing the corn market,” noting high food processing costs and recent production shortfalls have fed corn prices and thus should fuel a bounce-back in bushels.

Harry Baumes, director of the USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, insists ethanol hasn’t “shorted the market,” especially considering the contribution of high-value, high-protein, ethanol-derived distillers dried grains (DDGs) flowing into the feed market.

Meeting with Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington, Baumes noted the “negative media” that continues to arm corn ethanol critics is infused with “partial truths, half-truths.”

“First and foremost, markets work,” Baumes said. “The corn market’s not an ethanol market.

The initiative also has received financial and in-kind contributions from many corporations and agribusinesses. Most have made three-year commitments to the project, Jones said.

— Kay Shipman

Argonne researcher linking renewable energy, water quality A Livingston County field will be the focal point of a research project linking renewable energy and water quality issues.

“Farmers are in a tight spot; they have to produce for a certain (yield) target — and they’re at the mercy of the weather,” Cristina Negri, an agronomist and environmental engineer at Argonne National Laboratory, told FarmWeek.

Through her research, Negri said she hopes to develop an agronomic practice with biomass crops that would absorb excess nitrogen and prevent it from leaving fields — and at the same time provide farmers’ additional

income as a cash crop.

Negri’s research project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s office of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

She initially considered a research site in Nebraska before selecting a Fairbury field within the Indian Creek Watershed.

“We are taking this (project) from an R and D (research and development) perspective,” she said. “We hope to get feedback from the farming community.

The idea is to get constructive criticism.”

This year, Negri will collect background information about the 15-acre field, including data on soil variability and soil condition. Her project will involve

USDA countering food-fuel ‘half-truths’

BY MARTIN ROSS

can use to show long-term trends,” she added.

Indian Creek is receiving $1.01 million from USDA for cost-share funding to support nutrient management practices within the watershed.

We have a feed sector; we have exports; we have food and industrial use of corn that’s not ethanol. All those serve to establish demand component.

And there’s a supply side.

“It’s through the market interaction that we get a price. Right now, price is high, and certainly, ethanol as a demand source is helping keep price high. There are a lot of other factors influencing price: the international market, energy prices. It’s much more complex than it’s portrayed.”

He emphasized current corn prices were fueled by a countertrending 8 to 10 percent drop in average yield last year, resulting in a 700-million-bushel production shortfall. Baumes argued “The best cure for higher prices ... is higher prices. They stimulate production.”

In 2001, less than a billion bushels annually moved into ethanol; Baumes cites estimates

that ethanol will consume nearly 5 billion bushels this year.

Ethanol production accounted for 23 percent of the crop three years ago, 30 percent during the 2009-10 marketing year, and a current roughly 40 percent.

He concedes higher prices create higher costs for dairy and livestock producers and, potentially, higher retail meat and milk prices, but he maintained that over the full commodity “spectrum,” food price impact is modest. And Baumes stressed “the feed and the DDG (markets) continue to grow.”

USDA’s Agricultural Research Service is studying how the purportedly enhanced nutritive value of DDGs may further compensate for corn displacement and prices, he said.

“We’re finding we can actually feed rations with higher proportions with DDGs, across the board,” he told FarmWeek.

planting a biomass buffer along the edge of a cornfield, between the corn crop and a stream.

Negri’s research will focus on planting and harvesting of bushy willows, a fast-growing species developed at the State University of New York. She also will plant and study switchgrass and miscanthus and will study an existing wooded buffer along the field edge.

After the buffers have been planted, Negri will study the effect they have on nitrates in the soil, surface runoff, and the soil subsurface. The field has no subsurface drainage tiles.

Negri’s current plans are to send the harvested willows to the Argonne lab near Chicago

where they will be mixed with coal and burned. She also is discussing another possible market with “two major users of biomass” that she declined to name.

To gauge the economic viability of biomass buffers, Negri said she plans to use computer models to understand the benefits to farmers and to learn which buffer designs are the most economical.

“My hope would be for farmers to see it (biomass buffers) and for people to try it out,” Negri said. “The key is to not only remove nitrogen from the water, but to use it as passive fertilizer” for a biomass crop. — Kay Shipman

MOULTRIE CFB TOUR

Paul Roney, right, vice president of Moultrie County Farm Bureau, explains a combine to Crystal Allen, center, and her third-grade students, who toured the Mike Reedy farm near Lovington on Friday.

About 300 third-grade students visited several learning stations manned by county Farm Bureau directors and ag literacy committee members during the annual event. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, March 28, 2011

PRODUCTION

Planting intentions report to be issued Thursday Pre-report estimate favors corn, cotton

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Traders and end-users on Thursday will have a better idea of U.S. crop availability and production potential as USDA will release its highly anticipated prospective plantings and quarterly grain stocks reports.

The reports have added significance this year as stocks-to-use ratios are down to historically low levels (5 percent for corn and 4 percent for beans).

“We’re still concerned about tight supplies of oldcrop (corn),” said Darrel Good, University of Illinois Extension ag economist. “We need a good crop in 2011 to maintain consumption at current levels.”

USDA last month projected farmers this spring will increase

plantings from last year by 3.8 million acres for corn, 600,000 acres for soybeans, and 2 million acres for cotton.

U.S. farmers last fall increased winter wheat seedings by 3.7 million acres to 41

FarmWeekNow.com Listen to Darrel Good’s comments about Thursday’s planting intentions report at FarmWeekNow.com.

million acres. In Illinois, farmers last fall planted 740,000 acres of wheat compared to 330,000 in the fall of 2009.

Some of the wheat that didn’t make it through winter in good shape could be torn up this spring and planted to another crop.

Good believes the increase in wheat acres this year compared to a year ago also will boost double-crop soybean acres this season by an esti-

Agronomist: State wheat crop springs back after rough winter The wheat crop in many locations of Illinois apparently bounced back after it was planted last fall into dry soil, particularly in the south, followed by challenging winter conditions.

Steve Ebelhar, agronomist at the University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, last week estimated most stands this year could produce at least 80 percent of normal yields.

“For the most part, at least in Southern Illinois, there are not a lot of problems with wheat,” Ebehlar told FarmWeek last week.

Steve Ebelhar “We’re seeing decent stands now that last fall looked pretty suspect.”

Some farmers in recent weeks have been unable to apply nitrogen fertilizer to wheat due to soft soil conditions — heavy rains moved through parts of the state again last week — but Ebelhar said there still is time to complete that task without losing much, if any, yield potential.

Farmers typically can apply nitrogen on wheat until jointing (when the first node forms at the base of the plant) without sacrificing yield, according to the agronomist.

The crop ordinarily enters the jointing phase in early to mid-April in Southern Illinois and a week or more after that in the northern regions of the state.

“The only time you need to put (nitrogen) on early is if you’ve got a thin stand and you want to encourage tillering,” Ebelhar said.

The U of I recommends farmers base their nitrogen rates on the organic matter of their soils.

Wheat in soils with high organic matter may require as little as 50 to 60 pounds of N per acre. The N rate in wheat in low organic soils increases to 110 to 120 pounds per acre.

Ebelhar recommended farmers follow recommended rates this year despite a recent rise in fertilizer prices.

“The price of wheat still is strong relative to the price of nitrogen,” he said. “There’s no reason not to put on the full rate.”

Illinois farmers last fall seeded 740,000 acres of winter wheat compared to a record-low 330,000 in the fall of 2009.

Some wheat fields still are likely to be torn up and planted to another crop this spring. Ebelhar said there were incidents of winterkill, particularly in areas where ice covered the crop or standing water froze and smothered it. — Daniel Grant

mated 2 million to 2.5 million acres.

Overall, USDA last month predicted farmers this year will boost plantings of all crops by 9.8 million acres compared to last year. Corn plantings were projected to total 92 million acres while farmers were projected to plant 78 million acres of soybeans.

But pre-report estimates from Allendale Inc. favored corn and cotton plantings and were less enthusiastic about potential bean acres.

Allendale projected farmers this year will plant 91.3 million acres of corn (up 3.1 million acres from last year), 77.2 million acres of beans (down 211,000 acres from last year), and 12.4 million acres of cotton (up 2 million acres from a year ago).

The western Corn Belt will put fewer acres into beans and more into corn, but in the South, cotton is expected to

take acres away from corn, according to Allendale.

“Profit certainly favors corn (over beans) on the balance sheet,” said Rich Nelson, director of research at Allendale. “The key question is will (current acreage projections) be enough to satisfy demand.”

Allendale’s acreage esti-

mates combined with trendline yields this year would result in a projected 13.55-billion-bushel corn crop and a 3.32-billion-bushel bean crop.

“There’s not a dramatic rise in ending stocks (based on the projections),” Nelson said.

Supplies “still would be very tight.”

U.S. swine inventory grows; economists remain bullish 3 percent for the second and third quarters, sugUSDA in its quarterly hogs and pigs report gest pork supplies could tighten this year.

Friday reported the inventory of all swine in the But demand is not expected to slip. In fact, it U.S. (63.96 million head) as of March 1 was up 1 likely will increase this year, according to the percent, compared with the same time last year. economists.

The breeding inventory, at 5.79 million head, “Weakness of the dollar, relative to other curalso was slightly higher compared to a year ago. rencies, will continue to be supHowever, a number of facportive (of the hog market),” said tors, including reduced farrowFarmWeekNow.com ing intentions and strong export Listen to analysts’ comments Altin Kalo, economist with Steinsales, point toward continued on the latest hogs and pigs re- er Consulting in Manchester, port at FarmWeekNow.com.

N.H. “And demand in Japan (the bullishness in the hog market, top export destination for U.S. according to ag economists who pork) was not affected by the earthparticipated in a teleconference quake. If anything, it may increase.” hosted by the National Pork Board.

Kalo predicted the U.S. economy could grow “This market is really on fire, and it’s not just a by as much as 4 percent over the second half of flash-in-the-pan or one-time event,” said Daniel 2011. If realized, the economic growth would Bluntzer, director of research for Frontier Risk drive domestic demand for pork at a time when Management in Corpus Christi, Texas. competitors such as Europe and Brazil are not Bluntzer predicted prices of the CME lean hog index this year could average $84.70 per hun- shipping as much pork products.

Kalo predicted carcass prices this year could dredweight, which would be up 12.5 percent reach the mid-$90s in the second quarter and possicompared with last year.

Meanwhile, Erica Rosa, economist at the Live- bly peak above the $100 mark in the third quarter.

“We continue to be very bullish about the stock Marketing Information Center in Lakepork market,” he said. wood, Colo., predicted the national average base Kalo predicted the U.S. hog industry likely will price this year could average between $79 and $83 not expand until producers see signs of a signifiper hundredweight, which would be up 11 to 12 cant increase in U.S. corn production. percent from last year.

The break-even carcass price for 2011 is “Those prices could move higher,” Rosa said.

Rosa noted the recent rise in swine inventory is expected to average $82.50 per hundredweight, according to Steve Meyer, president of Paragon due to a record-high 9.8 pigs-saved-per-litter.

However, farrowing intentions, which were down Economics. — Daniel Grant

FDA bans some Japanese milk, produce imports The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week banned imports of milk and fresh fruit and vegetables from areas near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant that was damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The FDA issued an import alert last week, allowing the agency to detain certain food at the border. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare confirmed the presence of radioactive iodine in dairy, fresh produce, and infant for-

mula from areas around the nuclear power plant.

Specifically, the import alert affects dairy and produce products from the four Japanese prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Gunma.

FDA said it will continue to flag all food entries from Japan test food and feed shipments from the affected area for radiation contamination.

However, FDA said it appears food produced in Japan since the earthquake has not reached the U.S.

Page 7 Monday, March 28, 2011 FarmWeek

YOUNG LEADERS

Young Leaders see diversity of ag industry in Arizona

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders (YL) who participated in the YL Ag Industry Tour this month discovered there is much more to Arizona than the Grand Canyon, desert terrain, and spring training baseball.

Young Leaders while in Arizona visited an egg farm, a dairy, a vegetable farm, and an ostrich farm.

“It was quite a tour,” said Todd VerHeecke, an IFB Young Leader State Committee member from Geneseo. “Agriculture in Arizona

is very diverse.”

IFB Young Leaders on the tour also met with young farmers from Arizona and discussed issues that are easy to take for granted in Illinois, such as border security and water availability.

“It was great to meet other (young farmers) in another state,” VerHeecke said. “They have a lot of stuff to deal with.”

IFB Young Leaders in Arizona witnessed the harvest of cilantro and lettuce, which is all done by hand at Top Flavor Farms.

“It was pretty interesting,” VerHeecke said of the vegetable harvest. “Within four or

five days, it goes from the field to the supermarket.”

Meanwhile, Young Leaders saw all phases of egg production at an Arizona egg farm.

They also learned at the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch that ostriches are valued for everything from feathers and eggs to hides and meat.

The most recent YL Ag Industry Tour was held March 1-5. Next year’s tour will take IFB Young Leaders to Northeastern U.S.

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders watch workers hand pick lettuce at Top Flavor Farms in Arizona during the YL Ag Industry Tour. Young Leaders, pictured left to right, are Darrin Storm, Christine Smith, Todd VerHeecke, Allen Kasten, Kyle Scheaffer, Daniel Korte, Heather Pierson, Ryan Henke, Jacob Smith, and Keith Mellert. (Photo by Jennifer Smith, IFB Young Leader manager)

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders, left to right, Deb Bremmer, Christine Smith, and Darrin Doehring, feed ostriches at the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch in Arizona during the Young Leaders Ag Industry Tour.

Cultivating Master Farmers applications due Thursday Sometimes the best learning method is a conversation with someone who’s been there, done that.

The Cultivating Master Farmer (CMF) program since 2005 has provided expert farm and family guidance from folks who have walked the walk. This unique mentoring program links young farmers with a wealth of information from Prairie Farmer’s Master Farmers.

CMF program leaders currently are recruiting members for the fourth class. Applications, which can be found online at {www.ilfb.org/youngleaders}, are due Thursday.

Classes of approximately 10 young farmers (21 to 35 years old) and 10 Master Farmers will be selected for the two-year program, which features six ag-related events. The Class of 2011, which graduates in July, toured the East St. Louis Cargill river terminal, the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, the 2009 Farm Progress Show, and Monsanto’s biotechnology research center. They also heard from acclaimed speakers on estate/succession planning, fertilizer supply and demand dynamics, marketing strategies, and managing working relationships with family members.

However, the real backbone of the program is the roundtable discussion, where young farmers learn from Master Farmers and vice-versa. Upon completion of the two-year program, most participants have developed lasting relationships that continue to yield solid farm advice. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from the best,” said Jennifer Smith, IFB Young Leader manager. Applicants for the Class of 2013 must meet the following criteria: • Reside in Illinois.

• Between the ages of 21 to 35 as of Dec. 31, 2010.

• Actively engaged in production agriculture.

• Willing to actively participate in the two-year program.

Couples are encouraged to apply.

The Class of 2013 will be selected in April. The inaugural meeting will be held July 7 at Farm Credit Services of Illinois in Mahomet. The CMF program is sponsored by 1st Farm Credit Services, Farm Credit Services of Illinois, GROWMARK, Illinois Farm Bureau, Monsanto, and Prairie Farmer.

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, March 28, 2011

IFB IN ACTION

Knox County Young Farmers donate rescue tubes, training

BY KELLY WAGAHOFF

The Knox County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee recently donated grain entrapment rescue tubes to five local fire departments in Knox County and provided training on the equipment’s proper use to 60 firefighters.

Illinois leads the nation in grain bin fatalities. Last year, 10 of the nation’s 58 grain-bin related deaths occurred in Illinois.

To address the growing concerns of grain bin entrapments, the Young Farmer’s Committee raised money to buy grain entrapment rescue tubes for the fire departments of Galesburg, Oneida-Wataga, Abingdon, Knoxville, and Williamsfield.

The rescue units were presented during the training session attended by members of ,ZJVY[LK ;V\YZ :PUJL

com

7HUHTH *HUHS *Y\PZL ;V\Y =HJH[PVU 7HJRHNLZ *HSS . .*(9(=(5 =PZP[ *HYH]HU.JVT.

each fire department.

During training, firefighters learned how to use the tubes for rescues from a grain engulfment.

The tube stops the flow of grain toward a victim and blocks additional pressure that may hinder rescuers from reaching an entrapped victim.

A meal was served to the firefighters and all the donors.

Food was donated by the Knox County Cattlemen’s Association, the Knox County Pork Producers, Thrushwood Farms, and Krista Swanson, Knox County Young Farmer.

The Young Farmer’s Committee raised more than $20,000, exceeding its initial fund-raising goal, and will start an ag safety fund for additional projects to promote safety in rural communities in the county.

Donations were made by

Firefighters from Knox County learn how to use rescue tubes during March 19 training. The equipment was donated and the training coordinated by the Knox County Farm Bureau Young Farmers. (Photo by Karlie Bowman, Knox County Farm Bureau Young Farmer)

Bowman Insurance, CPS, Dyna-Gro Seed, Knox County Corn Growers, Winship Farm Management, Woodhull Coop, Birkey’s Farm Equipment, Pioneer, Jeff Link via a Mon-

santo charitable grant, 2010 Young Farmer Chairman Kelly Compton, Strom Farms, VandeVoorde Sales Inc., Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation, and the Galesburg Com-

munity Foundation.

Kelly Wagahoff is manager of the Knox County Farm Bureau.

Her e-mail address is kwagahoff@knoxcfb.org.

Cook County 3rd graders help celebrate Ag Day Approximately 400 third grade students visited the Chicago High School for Agriculture Sciences to learn about Illinois agriculture in celebration of National Agriculture Day. This is the fourth annual Ag Day event titled, “High 5 Illinois!” sponsored by the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation.

“Agriculture is an industry that employs one in four Illinois’ residents,” said Mike Rauch, chairman of the Ag

Grass pellet production to be workshop focus The Agricultural Watershed Institute (AWI) is sponsoring a free workshop about on-farm production of warm-season grass pellets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Macon County Conservation District’s Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur.

The workshop will be of interest to anyone interested in growing prairie grasses for wildlife habitat and making grass pellets for heating fuel.

AWI and Andrew Clarkson, a Macon County hay producer, also will provide an overview of AWI’s local bioenergy initiative and experience making grass pellets with AWI’s pellet mill.

For more information, contact Steve John with AMI at 217-877-5640 or e-mail him at sfjohn@agwatershed.org.

Literacy Team at the Cook County Farm Bureau.

“It’s important to give students an understanding of the

word agriculture, introduce them to careers available, and to let them know at a young age that agriculture is more than farming.

“It’s an industry with more than 300 careers that include engineering, science, communications, and so much more.”

Participating Chicago schools included O. A. Thorp Academy, Mount Greenwood, Nathan Hale Elementary, and St. Symphorosa. Also participating was Meadow Lane Elementary of Merrionette Park.

Third graders participating in the event spent two hours rotating through seven stations manned by the high school’s FFA Chapter members.

By introducing students to this national event, the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation hopes to instill the importance of agriculture in the minds of these young children, the teachers, and the community.

For more information, contact Haley Loy-Siergiej, director of ag literacy and public relations, at 708-354-3276.

Page 9 Monday, March 28, 2011 FarmWeek

FROM THE COUNTIES

B

UREAU — The Bureau, Henry, and Stark County Farm Bureaus, along with the Kewanee Fire Department, will sponsor a SAFE (Surrounding Area Farm Emergency) course for fire, rescue, and EMS providers in those counties.

The eight-hour session will be Saturday, May 21, at the Kewanee Fire Department.

Cost is $10. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-875-6468 for more information or a registration form. Deadline for registering is May 6.

OOK — The Commodities and Marketing Team will sponsor a “Farming on Your Balcony” workshop from 9 to 11 a.m.

Saturday, April 9, at the Farm Bureau office. The workshop is for members interested in raising vegetables in small places. Call the Farm Bureau office at 708-354-3276 by Wednesday, April 6, for reservations or more information.

• The Member Relations Team will host a workshop on preparing wills and trusts and transferring non-title property from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the JC Restoration Building, 3200 Squibb Ave., Rolling Meadows. Call the Farm Bureau office at 708354-3276 for reservations or more information.

• The Member Relations Team will sponsor a free shred day from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30, at the Rolling Meadows Country Financial Building. Call the Farm Bureau office at 708-354-3276 for reservations or more information.

RAWFORD — Farm Bureau has a $1,000 scholarship for a high school senior or current college student who is pursing an agrelated degree. Applicants must be a Crawford County Farm Bureau voting member or a dependent of a member.

Applications are available at the Farm Bureau office.

Deadline to return applications is 4:30 p.m. Friday.

ONROE — Members are invited to a retirement open house for Sue Kunkel, administrative assistant, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday at the Farm Bureau office.

EORIA — Applications for five $1,000 scholarships from the Farm Bureau Foundation are due to the Farm Bureau office by Thursday. The scholarships will apply toward the tuition of students enrolled in a twoyear college or four-year university pursuing an agriculture-related degree.

ICHLAND — Farm Bureau will hold an open house from 2 to 5:30

C

C

M P

R

p.m. Thursday at the Farm Bureau office for retiring manager Herman Ginder.

TARK — The Bureau, Henry, and Stark County Farm Bureaus, along with the Kewanee Fire Department, will sponsor a SAFE (Surrounding Area Farm Emergency) course for fire, rescue, and EMS providers in those counties. The eight-hour session will be Saturday, May 21, at the Kewanee Fire Department. Cost is $10. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309286-7481 for more information or a registration form.

Deadline for registering is May 6.

TEPHENSON — An e-mail and intermediate Internet class will be from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, at the Farm Bureau office. A second class will be offered during the same time Tuesday, April 12, if there is a demand.

The class is free for Farm Bureau members and $10 for non-members. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-232-3186 for reservations or more information.

• Scholarship applications from the Stephenson County Farm Bureau Foundation are available at the website {www.stephensoncfb.org} or at the Farm Bureau office.

Deadline for the five $500 scholarships for high school seniors is April 15. Collegelevel scholarship deadline is June 30.

ERMILION — Farm Bureau will have a display Thursday at the Danville Area Community College (DACC) Ag Day in the Mary Miller Gym. A 50-cent lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Other activities featured from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be a farm animal exhibit, pedal tractor ride, and a remodeled DACC greenhouse.

• Vermilion County Farm Bureau Foundation is accepting applications for the Andrews-Brummet Scholarship until Friday, April 8. The scholarship is available to any Vermilion County high school graduating senior who will attend Danville Area Community College next fall. Applications are available at the Farm Bureau office or on the website {www.vcfb.info}.

INNEBAGO — The Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Carroll County Farm Bureaus will sponsor a bus trip Friday, April 8, to the Case IH Tractor Plant, Racine, Wis. The bus will leave at 7 a.m. from the Winnebago Farm Bureau office. The group will have lunch at the Old Country Buffet and stop at the local Kringle Bakery.

Cost is $27 for members and $30 for non-members. Call

S

S

V

W

the Farm Bureau office for reservations or more information.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor a bus trip Wednesday, April 13,

to Circa 21’s “Happy Days: A Musical” in Rock Island. The bus will leave the Farm Bureau office at 9:15 a.m. Lunch will be served at the play. Cost is

$63, which includes transportation, lunch, and entertainment. Call the Farm Bureau office for reservations or more information.

Extension surveying farmer applicators The University of Illinois Extension is conducting a comprehensive statewide private applicator survey of more than 2,000 Illinois farmers over the next few weeks.

A high survey response rate is critical, said Matt Montgomery, U of I Extension local foods and small farms educator.

“We strongly encourage producers to take a few moments to provide feedback in this very important programming area,” Montgomery said. “Taking a few moments to fill out this survey is invaluable to those of us involved in agricultural education within the state.”

The surveys have been distributed and the surveying should be completed by the first week of April.

All survey responses will be confidential.

The survey is funded by the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The goal is to gain farmer input about recent changes in private applicator training and to determine the factors that influence pest management decisions, according to Montgomery.

In Illinois, private applicators must renew their certification every three years. IDOA

administers the applicator licensing program and the certification exam. The U of I provides pre-test training in cooperation with IDOA. Pre-test training is part of the university’s Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). “The goal of PSEP is to reach all users of pesticides in the state of Illinois with educational information on the effective, economic and environmentally sound use of pesticides,” Montgomery said.

Recently, staff and budget constraints required Extension to move applicator training from county-level locations to regional ones.

Using survey results and other analysis, U of I officials hope to design and enhance future pesticide safety education programs.

“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been one very important pillar within PSEP, and the need to practice IPM is emphasized,” Montgomery said. He noted most IPM proponents agree the current approach could be more effective.

The survey will attempt to estimate the current rate of IPM use in the state, evaluate the use of IPM practices, and determine individual factors that may influence IPM adoption with a goal of improving IPM education.

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, March 28, 2011

PROFITABILITY

‘Teach your children well’ when it comes to farm safety

BY DOUG DEFILIPPO

“Teach your children well.” That haunting line from the 1970 song by Crosby, Stills, and Nash is important for all adults, but especially to farm families.

A recent article in FarmWeek mentioned a survey on how the injury rate for children on farms and ranches decreased 60 percent in the last 10 years. This is certainly welcome news, yet heartbreaking that there still are children

injured and killed on the farm.

The only acceptable loss ratio is zero. Education and training of children must start at the earliest opportunity.

I’m reminded of a safety poster at the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in Peosta, Iowa. It showed an adult operating an older, open-style tractor, with a small child sitting in his lap.

The caption reads: “It’s easier to bury a tradition than a child.” The message is clear; don’t put your children in harm’s way, no matter how fun it may seem, or how much the child begs.

Agriculture continues to be

one of the top three occupational categories for fatalities and injuries. Many victims are children and teenagers working on the farm.

There are several valuable resources with excellent materials for educating children and yourself on farm hazards. Farm Safety 4 Just Kids at {www.fs4jk.org}, the Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation’s North American Guidelines for Children’s Agriculture Tasks (NAGCAT) at {www.nagcat.org}, and your local Farm Bureau are three good places to start.

Take advantage of the fun and educational materials and

programs they have to educate yourself and your children.

GROWMARK Safety and Insurance Services conducts an annual safety poster contest for children and grandchildren of FS system employees. How do the children know about these hazards? Certainly from their parents and grandparents who recognize and deal with them. The teaching is happening early.

My wife grew up on a farm.

When she was 8 years old, she was walking across a field following her father. He jumped a barb wire fence, putting his hand on a fence post and

doing a scissors kick-style jump over the wire.

Imitating her father, she tried the same maneuver, got hung up on the barb wire, and has carried a four-inch scar on her left leg ever since. When she was 10 years old, her grandfather was killed in a tractor rollover.

The emotional and physical scars of incidents on a farm can last a lifetime.

“Teach your children well!”

Doug DeFilippo is GROWMARK’s safety services manager.

His e-mail address is ddefilippo@growmark.com.

Fertilizer prices move up; supply appears adequate for spring demand is expected to be pretty big,” Kilgus said.

“But there are no real concerns about supplies this spring, mainly because we had such a good fall with almost record movement of product.”

BY DANIEL GRANT This month fertilizer prices in Illinois ranged FarmWeek from $770 to $820 per ton for anhydrous Farmers this spring likely will have to pay ammonia, $650 to $710 for DAP, and $540 to more for fertilizer than last year. $660 for potash, according to the Illinois Fortunately, though, it appears supplies are Department of Agriculture. adequate to meet the strong FarmWeekNow.com Prices last winter, by comparison, demand that is expected once the Additional coverage of GROW- averaged $517 per ton for ammoplanting season kicks into high MARK’s Media Day from RFD nia, $447 for DAP, and $495 for gear.

Radio reporter Julie Root is at potash.

“Supplies I think are good,” FarmWeekNow.com.

Most other input costs are up Joe Kilgus, GROWMARK area as well. In fact, USDA last month sales manager/Southern Illinois, estimated farm input costs this year will reach said last week during the GROWMARK media day that featured visits to the company’s Menard an all-time high.

Farmers can manage the input price risk fuel terminal and Christian County Farmers Supply Co.’s Millersville facility. “Our warehouses are through the FS Agri-Finance program, according to Rosita Creager, area manager of FS Agrifull and ready for a busy season.”

Finance.

Members of the media got a first-hand look The program allows farmers to lock in input at the new fertilizer facility in Millersville. It costs through contracting and also take advancurrently has about 6,000 tons of potash and tage of discounts.

800 tons of diammonium phosphate (DAP) in “I think it’s more important than ever to lock storage, according to Mike Builta, general manin prices,” Creager said. “You can contract at ager of Christian County Farmers Supply Co. good prices and take advantage of any disKilgus said GROWMARK is planning for counts.” an increase in corn acres in Illinois, particularMore farmers are using the program to manly if the weather is good in coming weeks. age their risk. FS Agri-Finance last year had Last month USDA estimated U.S. farmers about $400 million in approved loans, which is could increase corn plantings by nearly 4 milabout four times higher than the total loans lion acres compared to last year. about 15 years ago.

“There will be more corn acres, so (fertilizer)

GROWMARK financing helps farmers manage input risk

Kyle Zehr, left, GROWMARK supply chain analyst, and Mike Builta, right, general manager of Christian County Farmers Supply Co., view large piles of potash and diammonium phosphate (DAP) in storage at the company’s Millersville facility. (Photo by Daniel Grant)

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Weight 10 lbs.

40 lbs.

50 lbs.

Receipts

Range Per Head Weighted Ave. Price $33.87-51.44 $41.71 $72.00-76.46 $75.10 n/a n/a This Week Last Week 23,943 33,578 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week $83.21 $79.08 $61.58 $58.52

Change 4.13 3.06

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price Steers Heifers

This week 112.00 114.00

(Thursday’s price) Prv. week Change 112.91 -0.91 112.96 1.04

CME feeder cattle index — 600-800 Lbs. This is a composite price of feeder cattle transactions in 27 states.

(Prices $ per hundredweight) Prev. week Change 128.82 2.43

This week 131.25

Lamb prices N/A

USDA clarifies position on antibiotics USDA this month issued a clarification of recent statements about livestock producers overusing antibiotics and about that overuse leading to antibiotic resistance in humans.

The statements reportedly were misinterpreted in a March 16 story in the Wall Street Journal.

In testimony before the House Appropriations Com-

mittee’s agriculture subcommittee, USDA Agricultural Research Service Administrator Dr. Edward Knipling, said his department is conducting research on antibiotic use in livestock and antibiotic resistance. Knipling said that, while data suggests “in some cases, there are problems and concerns,” it also shows “this is not as severe an issue as it

USDA confirms major corn sale Export inspections (Million bushels)

Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 3-17-11 27.7 25.7 29.5 3-10-11 33.9 28.6 38.9 Last year 32.8 20.2 45.4 Season total 1241.5 937.8 916.7 Previous season total 1212.8 676.9 938.4 USDA projected total 1590 1300 1950 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

The U.S. sold a whopping 1.25 million tons (49 million bushels) of corn last week to a single buyer, USDA reported.

The confirmation of the sale to an unspecified buyer, believed to be China, ended a week of speculation that roiled the markets, Reuters news service reported.

The corn sale reportedly is the sixth-largest in USDA records. Corn futures on Friday were back above $7 per bushel in response to the sale.

might be otherwise portrayed.”

Despite those statements, the Wall Street Journal reported hog farmers are overusing antibiotics on their herds and that may be creating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a threat to human health.

The story’s headline stated government data supports that contention.

In its clarification statement, USDA said: “Dr. Knipling never said that swine producers were overusing antibiotics in the herds.”

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said claims that pork producers are overusing antibiotics, which is leading to antibiotic resistance, have no basis in fact or science.

FarmWeek Page 11 Monday, March 28, 2011

PROFITABILITY Corn Strategy

C A S H S T R AT E G I S T

Don’t ignore March 31 stocks report Most years, the trade and the farm community look forward to USDA’s Prospective Planting report more than they do the Quarterly Grain Stocks report. But this year, because the ending stocks estimates for corn and soybeans are so tight, it makes the grain stocks report just as important as the planting report. The planting estimates still are important, but the grain stocks may have as much, or more, influence on prices in the weeks ahead.

The March 1 corn stocks number may be the one the trade is interested in the most because of the volatility of last year’s quarterly corn stocks numbers. To remind you, the June stocks came in 300 million bushels less than expected, with the Sept. 1 stocks that same amount above what analysts expected.

The June stocks were particularly important. Analysts took them as a sign the production estimate and previous stocks numbers were likely too high because of implications of the light test weight of the 2009 crop.

Because there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding the actual stocks at different points in the previous marketing year, there’s related uncertainty as to the size of the feed and residual consumption for each of the quarters. With that, it makes it difficult for analysts to

Basis charts

estimate the size of feed and residual use this year. In turn, that leads to higher-than-normal uncertainty when analysts develop their estimates for this year’s March 1 corn stocks.

The soybean stocks number is not as difficult with usage documented each month.

Hence the industry has a better idea of how much is being used.

Still, there’s an unexplained residual for soybeans that’s tied to unexplained use, possible inaccuracy in the crop size, and statistical error in the report itself. All of those combine to leave some uncertainty when developing an estimate for the size of the March 1 inventory on any year. Normally it’s not that important, but the small ending stocks estimate has increased the potential impact this year.

The last couple of years residual use uncertainty has been compounded by the extremely large early-season export program. The large increase in bushels in the pipeline to service that export program increases the possibility of inaccurate accounting of pipeline inventories when the survey is taken.

Still, it’s back to the current small ending stocks estimates and perceived need for big acres that highlight the importance of the stocks numbers this year, especially ahead of the new growing season.

To put it in perspective, a 20 million bushel miss by the trade on their soybean stock expectations is the equivalent of a half million new-crop acres. For corn, 80 million bushels is the equivalent to that same half million acres.

The stocks number is not so important to wheat because of the moderately burdensome old-crop ending stocks projection. Even with a smaller new crop this year, because of problems in the Southern Plains, ending stocks next year are still expected to be comfortable.

None of this takes away from the importance of the first planting estimate. It only highlights the importance of the other report that will be released on March 31.

AgriVisor endorses crop insurance by

AgriVisor LLC 1701 N. Towanda Avenue PO Box 2500 Bloomington IL 61702-2901 309-557-3147 AgriVisor LLC is not liable for any damages which anyone may sustain by reason of inaccuracy or inadequacy of information provided herein, any error of judgment involving any projections, recommendations, or advice or any other act of omission.

Policies issued by COUNTRY Mutual Insurance Company®, Bloomington, Illinois AgriVisor Hotline Number

309-557-2274

Cents per bu.

2010 crop: Talk of a Chinese purchase lifted corn late last week, but corn still has difficulty moving up without support from wheat. Corn established what looks like its 40week cycle low, but the market loses momentum when May moves above $7. We wouldn’t sell weakness, but would use rallies above $7 on May for catch-up sales. Hedge-to-arrive (HTA) contracts for summer delivery are still the best tool.

2011 crop: Use rallies above $6.15 on December futures for catch-up sales. Plan to eventually boost sales to 50 percent by early summer. At this time, HTA contracts still look like the better marketing tool.

Fundamentals: The looming USDA March 31 reports are the most important near-term features, with the quarterly stocks number as important as the acreage estimate. If anything, the Chinese corn purchase and talk of need for more imports next year will keep a close focus on corn through the growing season. Near term, cool, damp conditions should be supportive to new-crop prices.

Soybean Strategy 2010 crop: Demand for U.S. soybeans is slowly subsiding. Export shipments will continue to slow through April.

Without a significant weather problem, lower prices are ahead.

Use rallies above $13.50 on May futures to wrap up sales.

2011 crop: The coming reports may have a lot of influence on new-crop soybean prices, especially with ideas plantings could decline from last year. Technically, the market is acting toppy, but there’s still a chance for one more push to a new high before a top is seen. Use rallies to $13.70 on November for catch-up sales.

Plan to increase them to 50 percent by early summer.

Fundamentals: Given the talk about moderately lower plantings this year, the March 31 acreage report looms large. South American harvest problems have supported oldcrop prices, but with Brazil now 60 percent complete they will start to fade somewhat.

There’s a growing consensus USDA may eventually raise its ending stocks estimate.

Wheat Strategy 2010 crop: The shortterm trend in wheat is not easily defined. Prices on the Chicago May contract are trading between $7.07-$7.42.

If support is taken out it would open the door for prices to test the $6.56 low. It still looks like the market is in the process of establishing a significant low, which should be followed by a good rally.

Therefore, don’t sell the break, but use rallies to the $7.50s to

wrap up sales. A HTA contract is still the best, but plan for a late April/May delivery.

2011 crop: Use rallies to $7.75 on Chicago July 2011 futures for catch-up sales.

Once this break is over, and it should end soon, there should be another rally for sales. We still prefer HTA contracts.

Fundamentals: With the crop now breaking dormancy, the focus on the crop in the Southern Plains will intensify.

Traders already are following state condition reports. But, it also continues to look like there’s good potential in other countries’ crops this year.

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, March 28, 2011

PERSPECTIVES

What if insects played basketball?

Adam Schroeder, a University of Illinois senior in animal sciences, feeds cattle at the U of I’s Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, Simpson. Schroeder completed a research internship there last summer. (Photo courtesy Adam Schroeder)

Dixon Springs internships give ACES students opportunities rience I gained from working on a large Several University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environ- cattle operation will be very helpful when looking for a career in the beef industry.” mental Sciences (ACES) students last Elvira de Mejia, academic coordinasummer braved the heat and completed tor of the ACES internship program, research-based internships at the Dixon explained, “An internship at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center.

Springs is a hands-on experiential learnOperated by U of I ing opportunity through observation, since 1934, Dixon Springs is a large experi- participation, and interaction with experts at the facility. mental station, near We focus on research programs releSimpson. Researchers there study topics in ani- vant to the needs of agriculture, food, local economics, the environment and mal science, natural communities in Southern Illinois.” resources and environSoils were a priority for Eric Schuler, a mental science, agronKIMBERLY junior in technical systems management omy, and veterinary HAWTHORNE science with a focus on who also served a Dixon Springs interncommercial agriculture. ship.

Interns were assigned individual Each summer, Dixon Springs hosts research projects, which they indepeninterns from ACES. The internship prodently managed and gram is funded by the analyzed throughout Office of Research and ‘Working with the summer. For his was created in 2008 by such a large num- project, Schuler built a Jozef Kokini, associate sensor to test various dean for research. ber of cattle on a soils in Southern IlliAdam Schroeder, a daily basis has nois. senior in animal sciences, made me much “I tested the electrifocused on cattle producmore comfortable cal conductivity of diftion for his internship at ferent soils under Dixon Springs. His daily handling them.’ increased pressure responsibilities included rates. The basic premise feeding and maintaining the health of 900 beef cat— Adam Schroeder was to understand how this relationship works tle. and varies between soil “This internship samples,” Schuler said. “Long-term beneallowed me to gain experience in the fits of the soil sensor would be to cow-calf industry, as well as become increase the accuracy of variable rate more acclimated to research,” Schroeder said. “Working with such a large number technology and fertilizer recommendations.” of cattle on a daily basis has made me The most valuable part of the internmuch more comfortable handling them.” ship for Schuler was gaining experience Although the internship requires relevant to careers in his field. mostly outdoor work in intense summer “I learned many hands-on principles heat, Schroeder recommended the experience to any student interested in animal that aren’t necessarily taught in a classroom setting,” he said. production or research.

“The internship confirmed my desire to study ruminant nutrition at the gradu- Kimberly Hawthorne, West Dundee, is a senior majoring in agricultural communications at the ate level,” Schroeder said. “I see great University of Illinois College of Agricultural, value in the research that is being conducted and think that the hands-on expe- Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.

March Madness! To gardeners such a malady might mean a last perusal of a seed catalog. To college sports fans, though, the term definitely means the journey to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four and the tournaments to determine a national champion in college basketball.

March Madness means sports fans debate favorite teams; television and radio commentators wax endlessly on team records, talent, and players’ physical well-being.

But what if there was an insect version of the march to the Final Four?

For ball-handling skills, I think dung beetles would be some of the best among the sixlegged cagers. Dung beetles construct more-orless round balls of mammal manure as food for their offspring.

The beetles roll the dung balls around in search of TOM an approTURPIN priate site to bury the balls.

Dung beetles also are quite adept at stealing dung balls from other beetles, obviously a good defensive attribute for basketball players.

Speaking of defense, some insects are good at defensive maneuvers.

Take bees and wasps, for instance. These insects possess a stinger to defend themselves and their nests.

In fact, it is the bees and wasps that clearly demonstrate what some sportscasters describe as a “swarming defense.”

Something easily understood by anyone who has ever disturbed a yellow

jacket nest with a lawnmower. Maybe that is why Georgia Tech adopted the yellow jacket as the mascot for its athletic teams.

Leaping ability comes in handy for basketball players. Some insects use the ability to leap as a tool for avoiding predators. Grasshoppers and crickets often can be observed leaping around when disturbed.

But the best of the insect leapers is no doubt the flea. These wingless ectoparasites not only can leap many times their own height, but in doing so will do a back flip in the air. For sure, such a maneuver on the part of a basketball player executing a slam dunk would bring the partisan faithful to their feet in uproarious applause.

The three-point shot is an important tool for a successful basketball team. The insects that seem most accomplished in this area are the bombardier beetles. Bombardier beetles are called that because they defend themselves against predators by firing a mixture of boiling hot chemicals from glands in their posterior.

Some of these beetles can hit targets 8 inches away. Comparatively speaking, that is a threepoint shot for an insect that size.

In addition, the beetles are accurate shooters and only launch hot chemicals when there is a good chance of success. I’ll bet some basketball coaches wished their players were as selective with their three-point attempts.

Quickness is another desirable characteristic in basketball players. In the insect world some of the quickest insects are cockroaches. Smaller species of cockroaches are espe-

cially able to zip around at high speeds.

Cockroaches also have the ability to change directions rapidly, something that makes them seem faster than they might actually be. In truth, the fastest cockroaches can only run at about 6 miles-per-hour.

Many humans can walk faster than that. But, relative to their body length, cockroaches move fast.

Another desirable characteristic of basketball players is height and leg length. In the insect world the best example of a tall and long insect is a walking stick, which get its name because it resembles sticks. These insects also have long legs. They are the sevenfooters of the insect world!

With March Madness in full swing, what would be the make up of an insect team that likely would make the Final Four?

First, I would want a quick point guard; a cockroach would do.

Bring in a bombardier beetle as the shooting guard. I want a walking stick as the center.

For power forward, a grasshopper with great leaping ability to shore up our rebounding. For the other forward, let’s have the dung beetle — a player that isn’t afraid to get dirty and that can take care of the ball. I would like to have a defensive specialist, such as a yellow jacket, to come off the bench.

Sounds like a bunch of bugs that would be hard to beat!

Tom Turpin is an entomology professor at Purdue University, whose men’s basketball team was upset by Virginia Commonwealth and didn’t advance.

Turpin’s e-mail address is turpin@purdue.edu.

“‘Crop dusting?’ I didn’t realize farmers were so tidy.”