FarmWeek June 28 2010

T H E I L L I N O I S S TA T E Board of Education last week agreed to cut about $300 million from its budget, including the entire ag education line item. ........3

THE AMERICAN COALITION for Ethanol is challenging a tentative Environmental Protection Agency delay in approval for the 15 percent ethanol blends. ..................4

JIM DEAL, a retired McLean County far mer from Danvers, recreates old-time farm machinery and wagons, barns, and corn cribs from wood. ....................................12

Monday, June 28, 2010

Two sections Volume 38, No. 26

Ag budget integrity crucial

Nelson: Ag groups seeking varied policy goals

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

A House Ag Committee panel last Thursday puzzled over “how we can write a farm bill for less money that’s focused on programs that will

benefit producers,” Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson reported.

According to Nelson, who testified before the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Manage-

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson represented Farm Bureau last week at a U.S. House Ag subcommittee hearing on the farm bill. Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said the next farm bill may include reduced payments in order to meet deficit targets, but Nelson held the basic structure of the 2008 bill should be maintained even if overall funding is cut. (Photo courtesy American Farm Bureau Federation)

ment, ag interests presented a broad diversity of potential pieces for lawmakers to assemble into a 2012 farm bill.

At the Capitol Hill hearing, Nelson promoted the American Farm Bureau Federation’s five “farm bill principles” — fiscally responsible” policy options; adherence to the 2008 farm bill’s basic funding structure; farm bill benefits for all ag sectors; consideration of global trade rules in developing new policy; and respect for “the stable business environment that is critical to success in agriculture.”

“Ultimately, subcommittee members expressed a lot of concerns as to how current risk management products are working from the perspective of a farmer,” Nelson told FarmWeek.

“That dealt with everything from direct payments to the ACRE (average crop revenue election) program to the SURE (supplemental revenue) disaster program.

“Opinions were all over the board: There were philosophi-

cal differences between the (House) panel members, Farm Bureau, Farmers Union, barley producers, corn and soybean producers. It’s going to be a challenge to get all this into one package.”

For example, Nelson urged simplification of ACRE in the next farm bill: “It’s very complicated; it’s very onerous to get through the paperwork.”

But while IFB favors moving toward a county rather than the current state ACRE yield trigger, he noted many Mississippi producers with no major crop production history must use default “plug yields” that fall below actual county yields.

The American Soybean Association’s Rob Joslin sug gested ACRE “may be a better choice for producers in the largest soybeangrowing states than the traditional far m program.”

Joslin argued revenue guarantees provided under ACRE “can be strengthened and modified to make it more attractive in regions of the country where par-

ticipation is low.”

At the same time, Nelson noted concerns voiced before the subcommittee that poten-

FarmWeekNow.com See video of President Nelson’s testimony on the 2012 farm bill at FarmWeekNow.com.

tially higher payouts resulting from use of county triggers could raise World Trade Organization (WTO) domestic subsidy compliance issues.

Nelson and others were emphatic about the pitfalls of borrowing from one ag program to fund another.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) already plans to transfer crop insurance funding to conservation or other USDA-administered programs under its new standard reinsurance agreement (SRA).

Nelson noted federal budget baselines for many programs have decreased since passage of the last farm bill, while more See Nelson, page 4

Periodicals: Time Valued

Tax credit delay threatens ‘new’ biodiesel It’s touted as the answer to a variety of economic and environmental challenges, offering farmers a winter cover crop with high oil content, and a new crop that doesn’t compete for corn or soybean acres.

But pennycress’ potential as a biodiesel feedstock rides largely on extension of the federal biodiesel blenders tax credit. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Thursday fell three votes short of approval for a measure that would have expedited a vote on the credit and other tax extenders.

National Biodiesel Board officials thus met with Senate Ag Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) in hopes of finding a way to renew the $1-per-gallon

blender’s credit, which expired Dec. 31. Lincoln supports a measure that would extend the incentive for five years, possibly as an element of forthcoming energy legislation.

Credit expiration has hurt both existing biodiesel plants and prospective new producers such as Peoria-based Biofuels Manufacturers of Illinois (BMI). BMI’s planned 45-million-gallon-per-year biodiesel production facility has been sited and permitted, but BMI’s Peter Johnsen reported plant financing as well as long-term pennycress production plans effectively are in limbo until Congress acts.

Johnsen told FarmWeek biodiesel credit extension poses “larger implications for next

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

generation/advanced generation fuels” needed to fulfill long-range biofuels requirements under the federal renewable fuels standard (RFS2).

“We need this if we’re going to try to develop a policy to move to renewables, with a 2010 (RFS2) requirement of 1.12 billion gallons of biodiesel,” he said.

“It’s just not congruent if (Congress) won’t build a tax policy around an energy policy. It’s not going to happen.

“Capital investment and the current price of petroleum diesel are such that these projects just don’t get off the ground. This is just as much a lender issue for us as it is a practical operational aspect —

they (lenders) really want to see where the (profit) margins are going to come from.”

According to BMI, pennycress could generate 115 gallons of biodiesel per acre plus “bio-oils” that could be used for heating, power, or motor fuels. BMI is continuing a regional pennycress production program while selling oil to a few fuel/industrial manufacturers.

However, amid a “soft to non-existent” biodiesel sector, “we only plant as many acres as we can sell,” Johnsen said. “We have growers who really want to expand, and we’re telling them, ‘We’re not sure we can commit to that, because where are we going to put it?’,” he related. — Martin Ross

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

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, June 28, 2010

IFB IN ACTION

Quick Takes ASIAN CARP FOUND — A commercial fisherman caught an Asian carp last week in Lake Calumet, sparking renewed interest in closing the shipping locks that link the Illinois River and Lake Michigan.

“A few isolated incidents of Asian carp in this small section of the Illinois Waterway does not mean existing barriers have failed,” said Mark Biel, executive director of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois and member of the UnLock Our Jobs Coalition, which includes Illinois Farm Bureau.

The coalition seeks to protect the waterway connection between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.

Biel noted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has identified 21 opportunities that could allow Asian carp to exist north of an electronic barrier separating the river and lake systems.

However, Michigan lawmakers and environmental groups threatened to take more legal action to permanently close the shipping locks.

Michigan was one of six Great Lakes states that sued Illinois in December to close the locks. Illinois fought back, saying it would cause economic devastation, and the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to hear the case.

PUMPED UP — Ethanol producers are pumped by approvals for equipment aimed at promoting biofuels diversity.

Underwriters Laboratory (UL) last week issued safety certifications to both the Gilbarco Veeder-Root Encore E85 (85 percent ethanol) and Dresser Wayne Ovation Eco fueling E85 dispensers. These pumps are now certified and approved for dispensing any range of fuel ethanol from 0 percent through E85.

The industry is pushing installation of so-called “blender pumps” that give consumers a choice of fuels based on cost and mileage considerations.

Final UL certification of both fuel dispensers “represents a significant step in expanding our national effort to provide higher-level blends of ethanol directly to consumers,” said Tom Buis, CEO of the industry coalition Growth Energy.

“We anticipate a more rapid expansion in the number of higher-blend fueling facilities across the nation,” he said.

RISKY BUSINESS RESOLVED? — Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) credited common sense in House-Senate negotiators reaching a compromise on her proposal to force banks to spin off swap trading derivatives operations, allowing them to retain the bulk of their books but barring them from trading commodities.

The plan agreed to last week as part of a final financial reform package was not as sweeping as her original proposal, instead narrowing the focus to derivatives seen as riskier than interest rate and foreign exchange swaps that make up nearly 90 percent of the global swaps market.

“Quite frankly, common sense prevailed,” Lincoln said.

“Our objectives were to get the risky stuff out of banks. We figured out how to do that.”

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 38 No. 26

June 28, 2010

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

FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

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Larry Leach, in foreground, discusses his hydroponic tomato operation with Illinois Farm Bureau board members J.C. Pool, Steve Hosselton, Wayne Anderson, and Chris Hausman during a recent IFB board trip to Michigan.

IFB board visits northern neighbor

Michigan: more diverse ag, similar woes

BY CHRIS MAGNUSON

Less than an hour after crossing the Illinois state line, Illinois Farm Bureau board members were in a state with a much more diverse mix of farm production.

The IFB board visited Michigan to meet with the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors and to learn about that state’s agriculture and the challenges it faces.

“It was a good trip. We saw everything from grapes and wine-making to various types of other fruit, vegetables, green house nurseries, and flowers,” said IFB President Philip Nelson.

“It is a state we work closely with on the delegate floor at American Farm Bureau Federation.”

Michigan agriculture produces more than 100 commodities, second only to California. The state is the largest producer of blueberries, tart cherries, Niagara grapes, and several varieties of dry beans.

Dairy products, green-

house/nursery, and corn are the largest commodities in terms of gross receipts.

Sandy soils and moderate climate near the shores of Lake Michigan make it conducive for fruit and vegetable production.

One of the stops included Tabor Hill Winery, which became the first winery in the upper Midwest in 1967.

Now more than 32 wineries are located in Michigan, making it one of the fastestgrowing agriculture industries there.

Other fruit growers have embraced agritourism with Upick operations. Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm attracts urban visitors from Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit to pick apples, apricots, blueberries, and cherries.

Owner Herb Teichman has been a frequent guest of WGN’s Orion Samuelson over the years, and the farm is home to the annual International Cherry-Pit Spitting Championship.

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 Advertising Sales Manager

Richard Verdery Classified sales coordinator

Nan Fannin 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

Illinois Farm Bureau board members David Meiss, left, and Steve Hosselton watch an automated process at Herbruck’s Farm in Michigan in which cracked egg shells are detected. (Photos by Chris Magnuson)

“The stop at Herbruck’s was worth the trip all by itself,” said Nelson. Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch is home to 3 million laying hens.

Herbruck’s, the 12th largest egg producer in the country, has three Michigan locations and also produces cage-free and organic eggs.

In fact, it is the largest organic egg producer in the country, selling organic eggs for three times the cost of conventionally produced eggs.

“One of our customers inspects our operation several times a year,” said Steve Herbruck, one of the operation’s owners.

“We pay a great deal of attention to ensure we minimize environmental impact and meet the social expectations of our customers.”

Michigan recently implemented legislation to increase cage sizes for laying hens. Egg producers have 10 years to implement the new standards.

Michigan’s Berrien County Farm Bureau President Ed Kretchman indicated immigration reform and water usage are issues facing fruit and vegetable growers in southwest Michigan.

Despite the differences, one area Illinois and Michigan have in common is a difficult budget situation.

“Our Michigan Department of Agriculture budget is about 50 percent of what it was a few years ago,” stated Michigan Farm Bureau President Wayne Wood.

Chris Magnuson is executive director of Operations, News and Communications.

FarmWeek Page 3 Monday, June 28, 2010

STATE

Ag ed new victim of state budget cuts

Taking root

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) last week agreed to cut about $300 million from its budget, including the entire ag education line item.

“Ag education has done everything right — been accountable for every dollar,” said Jim Craft, Illinois FFA executive secretary.

“We’re used as a role model (for other education programs), and then we get our legs cut out from under us.”

ISBE was forced to make budget cuts because it needed the money to access federal funding that supplements state education dollars for certain programs, such as career and technical education, Matt Vanover, ISBE spokesman, told FarmWeek.

The federal government requires states to not reduce spending on those programs to be eligible for federal funds, he explained.

“We had to take money that was set aside for other purposes to meet the mandated federal (funding) effort,” Vanover said.

This year, the General Assembly passed a lump-sum education budget that was down by $480 million from the previous year’s budget, including a $150-million cut to grants, which cover the ag ed line item, Vanover noted.

“The state budget crisis continues to deteriorate. The latest action regarding the agricultural education program is disturbing,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson.

About 40 percent of the $3.043 million in ag ed funding goes directly to about 320 local ag ed programs that meet high-quality standards. Each program received an average of $3,000, according to Craft.

Funding also supports the Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE) staff and development of innovative ag-based curricula and teaching resources that follow the state goals for learning.

Funds also went to teach not only ag educators, but also teachers of many subjects and grade levels how to use those resources.

“We are engaged in talking to key budget decision-makers about the agricultural education funding elimination and other crucial agricultural programs that rely on state funding,” IFB’s Nelson said.

Ag educators estimated the funding elimination would impact about 468,000 elementary students, 29,000 elementary teachers, nearly 30,000 high school students, about 400 high school teachers, 95 county ag literacy coordinators, and 2,796 ag literacy volunteers.

The ag education community launched an information campaign to inform state legislators “what that (budget cut) decision will mean,” Craft said.

Last week, the ISBE also directed State School Superintendent Christopher Koch to write Gov. Pat Quinn and the General Assembly requesting the release of additional funding for programs, Vanover said.

The state faces an estimated $13 billion budget deficit.

Bruce Yoakum, an employee of Designed Roofing Systems Inc., Springfield, readies a tray planted with sedum for installation on the Illinois Department of Agriculture roof at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The white roof of the rodeo arena is visible in the distance on the far right. The plants will help retain storm water runoff, improve air quality, and reduce utility costs. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

IDOA goes green with rooftop planters The Illinois Agriculture Department of Agriculture (IDOA) last week became the state’s greenest agency — literally.

Employees with Designed Roofing Systems Inc., Springfield, installed trays of sedum on the roof of IDOA headquarters at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield.

It is Illinois’ first “green” roof on a state-operated building, according to David Blanchette, the Capital Development Board (CDB) spokesman. CDB is overseeing the project.

Two-by-2-foot trays that are four inches deep were planted with 22,000

square feet of sedum and hoisted by a crane to the roof ’s upper central section.

T he plants are expected to retain as much as 75 percent of stor m water r unoff.

T he $1.8 million project included re pairs of the building’s leak y roof and the addition of a roofing membrane.

T he g reen project not only includes rooftop plants but also the recycling of 40 tons of metal from old solar panels that had been on the roof. — K ay Shipman

‘Broadband is the new electricity’ — Rural Utilities chief High-speed Internet service is essential for rural America today, much like electricity was in the 1930s. The federal government’s role is to entice development of broadband services with grants and lower-cost loans, the administrator of USDA’s Rural Utilities Service said.

Officials with USDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) met last week in Chicago with project representatives who were selected to share some of the $7.2 billion in federal stimulus dollars.

“Today, broadband is the new electricity,” said Jonathan Adelstein, Rural Utilities administrator, in an appearance last

‘Hopefully, we’ll develop an innovative model.

We’ll be able to come up with best management practices.’

— Jonathan Adelstein USDA Rural Utilities Service administrator

week on RFD Today.

“Rural areas are more expensive to serve because there are fewer customers for the same fixed costs — all for a smaller amount of revenue,” Adelstein said.

The market “is failing to provide a service that is essential for rural communities ... There is a role for government in

making sure that we get it (broadband) out to all parts of the country.”

Adelstein noted rural communities are missing out on potential economic development because businesses want broadband as well as water and other services. Broadband also offers distance learning, telemedicine, and other services

to rural residents, he added.

Broadband projects selected for federal funds in the first round plan to use an array of technologies, including wireless and cable systems.

“Hopefully, we’ll develop an innovative model,” Adelstein said. “We’ll be able to come up with best management practices so small rural communities of

tomorrow will be able to look at them and pick the best of them.”

Adelstein said he was hopeful the next round of selected projects would be announced in July and all projects would be selected by August.

The Illinois Broadband Deployment Council has helped with projects around the state. The state has committed to help fund some projects if they are selected to receive federal stimulus funding.

Earlier this year, a Northern Illinois regional project, known as the DeKalb Advancement of Technology, was selected to receive $11.8 million in federal funds. — Kay Shipman

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, June 28, 2010

GOVERNMENT ‘Pivotal year’ for biofuels

EPA delay confounds ethanol industry

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Brian Jennings sees 2010 as a “pivotal year” for ethanol, with much of the industry’s future turning on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ruling on E15.

Jennings’ American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) challenged a tentative EPA delay in approval for the 15 percent ethanol blends. Ethanol interests appealed to President Obama following word that the agency planned to postpone a decision regarding mid-

level blends until at least September, under potentially prohibitive terms.

Jennings argued EPA’s reported consideration of a dual, two-tiered E15 approval — initially for model-year 2007 and newer vehicles, with eventual clearance for cars produced after 2001 — “clearly represents a step backwards.”

EPA “wasn’t incredibly clear with us” regarding its original justification for a 2001 vehicle threshold, he related. It has offered no explanation for its newest proposal, which would

limit E15 use to “a tiny slice of the cars out there,” Jennings told FarmWeek.

He noted 2007 vehicles were “practically fresh off the assembly line” when the data was submitted proving blends beyond E10 are safe for all vehicles. Since then, he charged, “two years and millions of dollars have been wasted as EPA defends the status quo.”

“I almost get the impression they’re (EPA officials) coming up with some of their own data needs beyond what they told us they needed at the out-

set,” Jennings said.

“But it’s hard to know exactly what’s going on in their minds, and they haven’t been returning calls. There’s been a lot of research at the university level; there’s been a lot of research by other entities. All that data has been provided to EPA.” ACE serves as a clearinghouse for mid-level blend research. Neither university nor U.S. Department of Energy scientists have discovered anything that would challenge E12 or E15 safety or perfor-

mance, Jennings said.

As the administration grapples with the Gulf oil spill, he finds it “bizarre” EPA would delay a decision promoting biofuels “rather than speeding it up.”

Given delays in extending the biodiesel blenders tax credit (see accompanying story), he is concerned about congressional renewal of a 45-cent-per-gallon ethanol credit set to expire Jan. 1.

“The painful lesson of biodiesel is something we want to avoid at all costs,” he stressed.

Biofuels leaders: Drilling ban not route to oil independence Renewable energy heightened priority While biofuels producers aim to reduce American petroleum dependence, industry leaders argue a ban on domestic oil development is not the best route to energy balance.

Oil is “on our horizon for many years to come,” despite current “saber-rattling” in Washington, stressed Mike Bryan, chairman of the ethanol industry group BBI International, during a recent ethanol conference in St. Louis.

The question is “where our future oil is going to come from,” he said, calling for expanded U.S. oil exploration as well as “dynamic and aggressive” renewable fuels development focusing on fuel economy, research into new markets, and heightened production of flex-fuel vehicles.

“No one in this room is naïve enough to believe America is going to stop using oil today, tomorrow, or any time

in the near future,” national Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen told industry representatives.

“That should not deter us from aggressively proceeding with efforts to develop and deploy a wide range of ethanol technologies you in this room are developing. The lesson of the tragedy in the Gulf need not be that America stop drilling. Rather, it must be that we need not drill at all if we empower the people in this room to do their job.”

In light of the Gulf spill, Dinneen emphasized the need to “redouble our efforts toward plant safety and compliance before troubles occur.”

Industry consultants underlined the need for regulatory compliance to ensure not only community safety but also continued operations by troubled plants. Analyst Britta Bergland sees compliance key in resale

of closed or near-bankrupt plants, arguing “you never want to come into a facility that’s attached to bad perceptions.”

“Non-compliance these days is just an unacceptable exposure,” said Trevor Hinz with industry consulting firm ICM. The industry also is chipping away at production costs, in part to make ethanol pump prices more attractive. Technology provider Novozymes has unveiled a new enzyme that reportedly could boost per-bushel ethanol yields by more than a percent and save a “typical” plant $1 million or more per year.

Novozymes Global Head of Biofuels Poul Ruben Andersen sees the ethanol industry “really coming back.” “We certainly see great potential for further improvements, and we will continue to develop more efficient enzyme systems,” Andersen told FarmWeek. — Martin Ross

Faced with a major spill in the Gulf, the Obama administration last week laid out a new “roadmap” charting renewable energy as “a national priority.”

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, co-chairman of the president’s Biofuels Interagency Working Group, argued domestic renewable energy production “will create quality American jobs, combat global warming, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and lay a strong foundation for a strong rural economy.”

A new USDA report outlines a plan to develop regional strategies to boost biofuels production, marketing, and distribution. The federal renewable fuels standard mandates U.S. use of 36 billion gallons of biofuels per year by 2022.

Vilsack said he was “confident that we can meet this threshold,” but stressed need for investment in feedstock research and development, sustainable production/management systems, better conversion technologies, and high-value “bioproducts.”

“While corn-based ethanol production will remain important to America’s producers, we are also gearing up research efforts to assist growers of advanced biofuels to produce energy from new feedstocks on a regional basis and in an environmentally sustainable manner,” he said.

Collins: ACRE inadequate substitute for insurance Even a new, improved ACRE can’t replace current producer crop insurance protections, former USDA chief economist Keith Collins told FarmWeek last week.

National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) President Bob Parkerson noted speculation that cutbacks in federal crop insurance spending may be directed in part at promoting revenue-based farm payments as an eventual substitute for private insurance. “There is some major concern,” he said.

One focus of early 2012 farm bill discussions is possible retooling of ACRE (the average crop revenue election program) to provide greater individual protection. ACRE guarantees are based on national prices and state yields; lawmakers are eyeing proposals to move to county yields.

Collins, who helped NCIS ana-

lyze a new standard reinsurance agreement (SRA) (see page 5), noted farmers have a vested interest in crop insurance. They, therefore, more likely will make “active risk management decisions” on the types and levels of protection they need than they might under a farm program, Collins said.

The economist insists ACRE and crop insurance are “fundamentally different” options.

“Can ACRE substitute for crop insurance?” Collins posed.

“Can a ‘free’ farm program substitute for a risk management program a farmer has skin in the game with and pays for?

The philosophy of turning crop insurance into a farm program is something Congress really needs to think about.

“A second issue is, how do you pay for this? The ACRE program doesn’t cost too much because nobody participates in it.

You have 8 percent and 13 per-

cent (respectively) of the farmers and the acres in the program.

“If you were to scale that up and make it appealing nationwide, so there’d be heavy participation, there would be a substantial cost.”

Lawmakers also have floated the idea of developing ACRE into more of a whole-farm program, covering a variety of enterprises. Embracing currently non-ACRE-guaranteed crops under the program rather than through expanded insurance policies would further boost federal costs, Collins said.

Even if Congress incorporated a county-based yield trigger into ACRE, he argued the program would remain of questionable value to growers whose yields on average are “not highly correlated” with their county yields.

Farmers who favor countybased revenue protection

already may purchase group risk income protection policies — another target for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), Collins said.

RMA has discontinued GRIP availability in a number of counties across the U.S. because of low participation and, according to Collins, challenges in developing necessary county yield data.

Beyond that, Parkerson told FarmWeek ag lenders increasingly will be wary of extending

individual credit based on “what would happen on a county basis.”

The NCIS president was concerned that in “multiple hearings” to date on the new farm bill, House and Senate ag committees have failed to invite testimony from insurance industry leaders.

“At some point, given (insurers’) burden of delivery and the burden of sharing the risks and the costs of this program, somebody’s going to say, ‘Maybe we ought to hear from this crowd,’” he suggested. — Martin Ross

Nelson Continued from page 1 than 30 programs included in the 2008 bill “do not have any baseline at all.” RMA’s SRA “threatens to rob even more spending baseline,” he told subcommittee members.

“If you have a program that’s working and you take resources away from that, you may make it a non-functional program,” Nelson warned. “We need to figure out what funding is available and direct it to the programs that need funding. Illinois farmers rely on these risk management products.”

FarmWeek Page 5 Monday, June 28, 2010

PRODUCTION Next move up to USDA

Supreme Court ruling validates biotech process big a surprise,” though the justices argued the district court could have considered other The U.S. Supreme Court last week overoptions such as partial deregulation. USDA turned a lower court ruling that has effectively itself had offered that possibility. banned production of GMO Roundup Ready “We would hope USDA would move forward (RR) alfalfa since 2007. with what it’s already said it wanted to happen But after the court resolved major biotech and do a partial dereg so farmers would have regulatory issues, the co-authors of current access to this technology as soon as possible,” organic laws moved to keep the ban in place.

Williams told FarmWeek.

The Supreme Court stated “Does USDA actually have the federal Ninth District Court the authority to do a partial abused its authority when it ‘ We would hope dereg? Based upon their comprohibited planting the biotech in supporting it, we would U S D A w o u l d ments alfalfa in 2007 at the behest of think they probably do.” move forward with organic producers. The opinion A new lawsuit is possible if stated that the lower court’s USDA approves partial deregwhat it’s already injunction on Roundup Ready ulation, a court ruling likesaid it wanted to ly wouldbut alfalfa, issued after federal take years, and plainhappen .’ agencies had signed off on its tiffs “won’t get any immediate safety and 220,000-plus acres injunctive relief because of had been planted, “cannot what just took place in the — Russell Williams Supreme Court,” Williams stand.”

American Farm The ruling allows USDA to said.

Bureau Federation permit planting pending a final Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) environmental impact statement and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) (EIS) on RR alfalfa. In the bigger picture, the last week led 49 House members and five senaruling means producers now “can choose to tors asking USDA to retain RR alfalfa’s regulatplant crops that are approved by the regulatory ed status. The pair, who helped create federal process in this country,” Monsanto Senior Vice organic standards, argued “consumers today President David Snively said. respect and rely on what the USDA certified The high court ruling was expected to have a organic seal represents, which includes no favorable bearing in a forthcoming case threat(GMO) contamination.” ening a permanent injunction against sale of RR alfalfa passed a U.S. Food and Drug Roundup Ready sugar beets in California.

Administration food safety review and was Monsanto now seeks USDA’s “partial dereg- granted non-regulated status by USDA in ulation” of RR alfalfa. USDA’s Animal and 2005. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Plant Health Inspection Service will consider review verified its safety, and prior to the disthe fact that Roundup Ready resistance is not a trict court injunction, it was planted by nearly “novel” trait as well as environmental and 5,500 growers. human health issues related to GMO alfalfa, While genetic drift can occur in alfalfa, according to American Farm Bureau Federation Williams said routine crop containment-buffer analyst Russell Williams. measures can protect non-GMO crops. The Williams noted USDA’s earlier draft EIS “infinitesimal” amount of genetic material that gauged “no significant impact” from RR alfalfa could be transferred from RR alfalfa “doesn’t use. He stressed the Ninth District Court transform your crop into a non-organic crop,” injunction was based on “socioeconomic” crite- Snively told FarmWeek. ria, and not on environmental or safety conWilliams rejected claims that RR alfalfa cerns. plantings could endanger USDA organic certifiHe said the higher court’s rejection of a bid cation. Growers are protected if they did not to overturn the planting ban itself “wasn’t that “knowingly” plant GMO seed, he said.

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Corn Belt would feel brunt of RMA insurance cuts A final agreement between USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the insurers who deliver federal crop policies poses particularly sobering ramifications for Illinois and other key Midwest states, industry analysts warn.

National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS), an industry trade group, was poring over the standard reinsurance agreement’s (SRA) 1,000-plus pages last week, attempting to define specifically insurers’ “responsibilities and liability,” NCIS President Bob Parkerson reported.

While RMA has indicated it could tweak a few minor provisions and technical details, Parkerson stressed the final provisions are pretty well set.

The “landmark” SRA is unprecedented in terms of the “cuts and complexities” it lays out, he said. It would redirect $4 billion in company federal crop insurance administration reimbursements over 10 years to deficit reduction, with an added $2 billion earmarked for conservation or other yet-unspecified ag programs.

Past SRAs have set the same terms for all 50 states, but under new provisions aimed at “rebalancing” insurance profits across the U.S., the deepest administrative funding cuts are focused on five highly profitable “Tier 1” states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. The other 45 states share the same SRA terms, but RMA would redistribute 1.5 percent of annual underwriting gains (policy profits) from companies in Tier 1 states to 17 “underserved” states.

The provision is an incentive for companies to serve regions where costs to insure growers are higher.

“The Corn Belt gets hit pretty hard,” Parkerson told FarmWeek. “With a $6 billion cut, you’re going to have to change a great deal and take a look at services and program changes.”

Parkerson questioned how his industry would weather new SRA reductions after already sustaining $6.4 billion in 2008 farm bill cuts. While SRA cuts would contribute “a drop in the bucket” to deficit reduction, he was concerned the agreement could spur industry consolidation and tighten potential rainy-day reserves for crop insurers.

According to NCIS consultant Keith Collins, insurers nationwide would see an average reduction of roughly 30 percent in reimbursements under the SRA, on top of a 12 percent drop under the last farm bill “that’s just going into effect now.” Parkerson suggested Tier 1 states could sustain a 46 to 47 percent reduction in administrative reimbursements.

But the Corn Belt’s “very substantial reduction” in underwriting gains poses an even greater hit, Collins said. Agent commissions would be capped relative to premiums, but RMA deemed Corn Belt commissions “excessive” vs. the rest of the nation, and those commissions would be further limited.

“Administrative costs and policies are based on commodity prices, and the high commodity prices a few years ago drove the commissions and the amount of dollars the agents received to an extremely high level,” Parkerson said.

“Of course, commodity prices go down as well as they go up, and they’re on their way back down. That has to be taken into consideration.” — Martin Ross

Prevent plant deadline approaching: Eye insurance options As the growing season progresses, Illinois corn growers should review their crop insurance options.

June 5 was final planting date for most insured Illinois corn (May 31 was the final date for Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union counties).

Producers unable to put seed in the ground by those deadlines must consider whether to declare “prevent plant” or shoot for a reduced insurance guarantee under lateplant provisions. Insured growers can declare prevent plant June 6 through July 3 (72 hours after an official June 30 deadline).

According to Tom Tracey,

Country Financial director of field claims, growers who declare prevent plant receive 60 percent of their insured crop guarantee if affected acres are left unplanted, unless they purchased a 5-10 percent prevent plant “buy-up” by the March 15 insurance sales closing date.

There are various county prevent-plant deadlines for Illinois soybean plantings, the earliest being June 15.

Growers also may plant corn after the final planting date, during a 25-day “lateplant” period. But their crop guarantee drops 1 percent each day they delay planting, from 100 percent on June 5 to 75 percent on June 30 (or June 25 for producers in the seven

southernmost counties).

After the late-plant period, there’s another option beyond planting cover crops. If producers with a June 5 final planting date plant soybeans on July 1 or after, they would get 35 percent of their (60-70 percent) qualifying corn prevent-plant guarantee.

If producers plant soybeans at any time during the late planting period for corn, there would be no prevent-plant indemnity at all. If they plant soybeans any time after the prevent-plant period for corn, they have to insure those soybeans (if their original policy covered beans in the affected county).

Growers with questions about prevent- or late-plant

requirements should contact their local crop insurance representatives.

Under “failed crop” provisions, growers have a choice of assuming all risk for the second crop or insuring the replacement crop and receiving 35 percent of the failed crop original guarantee. If the insured second crop doesn’t add to seasonal insured losses, the full guarantee is reinstated.

In a prevent-plant case, growers don’t have that choice: If their policy covers all corn and beans in a county, beans planted during the late-plant period must be insured.

The late-plant period for soybeans also is 25 days following the county planting date.

Producers under a June 20 final planting date who plant beans July 1 to collect 35 percent of the corn prevent plant guarantee will see a 10 percent reduction in their soybean guarantee for those acres.

The corn loss payment a farmer receives and any payment for soybean, which has had the guarantee reduced, may equal enough indemnity for one crop.

A prevent-plant declaration does not affect producer eligibility for potential disaster aid through the new supplemental revenue assistance (SURE) program. Crop insurance or federal non-insured crop protection is required for growers to receive SURE payments for a given season.

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, June 28, 2010

CROPWATCHERS Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: Much of the same again last week, with warm temperatures and rain every few days. We had about 1.7 inches of rain for the week, but southern parts of the county had 2 to 3 inches. Once again, we have avoided the damaging storms and the corn and beans are looking very good. Some of the early corn is shoulder high, and the beans are growing very fast. We had soybeans starting to flower before June 21 — that’s pretty unusual. Some beans on low ground are not flooded, but are way too wet. They are yellow and short. Lots of neighbors are looking for a chance to make a second cutting of hay.

Have a good week.

Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: Another wet and hot week in Lake County. Got rain five of the last seven days with only a total of almost 0.8 of an inch of rain in my area. Other parts of the county got more rain with severe winds. Most of the corn is shoulder high and looking dark green. Early-planted beans are looking great, but the later ones are more average. Winter wheat is turning fast, but still two weeks out. Spring grains have good color and are mostly headed out. Not much hay was baled last week. They are calling for rain for three of the next seven days. I hope they are wrong.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Rain, hurricane-type high winds on June 18, and then heavy rain on Monday (June 21).

Two tornado storms on Wednesday. We totaled 3.8 inches of rain for the week. Trees were down, power was out, and cornfields were tipped with some stalks broken off. Most fields will stand up again. Wet yellow areas are getting bigger. Hay making is at a standstill. Small grains took a bad hit. June rain total is 8.1 inches. Growing degree units total 1,028.

Ron Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Wow! Four inches of rain last week on saturated soils. Creeks are out of their banks, and all of the low spots are full of water. After numerous heavy rains, there are large areas of stunted and drowned-out crops. Weed pressure is a big problem this year because sprayers are unable to keep up with demand.

Crops are growing at a phenomenal rate.

Some corn is more than 6 feet tall and looks like it could be tasseling by July 4 or earlier.

Some beans are 16 inches tall and flowering.

The wheat looks ready to combine.

Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: Two storms moved through the Dixon area during the past week. The first included 70 mph winds and 2 inches of rain. A lot of the corn was tipped sideways; a few fields were flattened. By Wednesday, the corn had straightened up only to be knocked down by a more violent storm that did the most damage south and east of Dixon. It included 85 mph winds, a tornado sighting, hail, and another 2 inches of rain. Hail damage was severe in several fields. Some corn was stripped of its leaves — the worst I’ve seen. We have more than 200 acres of corn with shredded leaves. The leaves in whirl look OK, so they should grow out of it. I’m more worried about a field of soybeans that was about thigh high and are now not even knee-high. Bruised and broken stems and with most of the leaves gone, it made for a dismal site.

Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: There were multiple severe storms during the week. Most of the worst ones went around us, but plenty of rain fell — 3, 4 or more inches of rain.

It looked like the ring of fire will be moving on after the weekend.

A more normal weather pattern will be welcome. No fieldwork was done last week, unless by airplane. A record amount of prevented planting will happen here. Early-planted corn on soybean ground looks good if it wasn’t drowned out. It is getting tall enough to hide some of the damage. Grain hauling has stopped because the river is closed to barge traffic.

Joe Zumwalt, Warsaw, Hancock County: Last week was another wet week in Western Illinois. While the weather looks to be turning for the better, we still have to deal with the nearly 16 inches of rain that has fallen in June and nearly 40 inches so far for the year. Crops continue to show the impact of too much moisture. Still nearly 40 percent of the soybean crop hasn’t been planted. The corn at this point is extremely variable within every field. A lot of hay needs to be cut. Very little of the hay that has been cut has been taken up dry. Many are comparing this year to the weather of 1993. Until recently the river has not been an issue, but we expected a crest at about 20 feet this past weekend and then a gradual fall. Most are still hoping to plant their soybeans, but July 1-5 seem to be the magic dates when everyone will pull their planters in the shed and call 2010 good — or not so good!

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: Not much change from last week.

Another 2.5 inches of rain.

There has been no post spraying done in this area and still a few fields of beans to plant.

The corn is growing, but most of it is yellow, and the prospects for average yields go down everytime it rains. No hay has been baled since my last report. One of my daily chores is to check the flood gaps in my pastures to see if they are still there instead of being washed away. We got 1.6 inches of rain on Wednesday. Ponds in fields are deeper than ever. No wind damage to report.

Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: A wet week in Central Illinois.

Pop-up thunderstorms every day bringing anywhere from 0.01 of an inch to 3 inches. In Wednesday’s rain, I received 2.1 inches. All the low-lying areas are flooded and and the water does not seem to go down. Corn is getting more yellow in the wet spots with every rain, and soybeans are starting to show signs of wet feet. I have a rain gauge out to see what the weekly rain total is, but evidently my dad is right and I need a bigger rain gauge because it was overflowing. I still have some soybeans I would like to plant, but it is not looking too promising at this time. I have soybeans that need sprayed and corn that is not going to get sprayed anymore.

Tim Green, Wyoming, Stark County: Another wet week. The last four weeks in a row we have had 3 or more inches of rain in Stark County.

Corn on corn is starting to look really bad and has really gone backward the last couple of weeks. Corn on beans is starting to show the effects of all of the water, too. The beans seem to be taking the water pretty well except where they were drowned out. They still look like they are growing and have a little color to them. I don’t know a lot about diseases right now because the fields have been too wet for the scouts to really scout well. A few Japanese beetles are being reported on the very eastern side of the county. We are hoping for sun and a little warm weather. I don’t want the rain to stop, but I would sure like it to slow down.

Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Another week of wild weather that included high winds, lightning, and more rain. Post spraying of soybeans is at a critical phase and ponding is preventing access to fields. Corn was hit with 50 to 60 mph straightline winds and is goosenecked in many locations. Foliar diseases, Japanese beetles, and corn rootworm are being scouted. Corn is pretassel with many fields to pollinate around the 4th. Corn fungicide aerial application plans are being made. Corn, $3.26; fall, $3.21; soybeans, $9.66; fall, $8.69; wheat, $3.88.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: We have been busy the last two weeks emptying rain gauges and recording rain amounts. Our area has received 6 inches of rain in the last two weeks. The northern part of the county has received 12 inches. Soils are completely saturated. Corn that was green has now turned yellow again in some areas. Some corn is down or leaning as there are hardly any roots with this wet June. My neighbor said, “It’s like putting a corn plant in pudding and blowing on it with strong winds.” We are running many sideby-side tests on using the full rate of insecticide on rootworm-treated corn, especially since this is the epicenter of rootworm populations. Soybeans are really hurting because of the wet weather. They are yellow, stunted, or dead in the ponds.

Hopefully, this week will dry fields out so everyone can spray the beans with herbicides. Don’t forget to spray the poison hemlock, as it seems to be taking over if left unchecked. Thistles are also bad this year.

Markets are in a trading range as traders feel that rain makes grain in the long run.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: We had rain on June 18, 21, 22, and 23. That means it rained on nine out of 13 days from June 11 to June 23. Where I farm, we had a range of 2.8 to 4.5 inches. For the month of June thus far I have received a range of 4.6 to 7.5 inches. Someone east of Gilman said they have received more than 14 inches in June. The soils are saturated. The only farm activity was mowing roadsides when it wasn’t raining, but now many road ditches contain water. Corn in the local area is anywhere from the V8 to the V13 growth stage. Leaf diseases are beginning to appear with the humid weather. Rust has been in every field I checked. The winds that came with the storms blew corn plants over and green-snapped some plants. The leaning plants have straightened out, unless they are in standing water. Japanese beetles also made their appearance last week. Area soybean fields are anywhere from V2 to the R1 growth stage, which is the beginning bloom stage. Many soybean fields have drowned-out areas and a few fields have not been planted yet. Many soybean fields have weeds since the herbicides have not been applied due to the wet soils. Local closing prices for June 24: nearby corn, $3.24; newcrop corn, $3.27; nearby soybeans, $9.59; new-crop soybeans, $8.73.

Steve

Ayers,

Champaign, Champaign County: Thunderstorms in the morning, thunderstorms in the evening, thunderstorms at suppertime.

We love Illinois weather, because it changes all the time!

We received 0.35 of an inch of rain on June 19; 0.87 of an inch on June 21; 3.91 inches on June 22; and 0.27 of an inch on June 23 for a total of 5.4 inches. We are no longer the garden spot we were two weeks ago. We have lots of ponds, some yellowing of beans and corn, and varying height of corn within the same field. The soybean fields that were woolly two weeks ago are a lot woollier with volunteer corn and weeds (hopefully there are a few beans in the succotash). Looks like focus for this week will be spraying soybeans, mowing, and scouting. A few tassels are popping. Let’s be careful out there.

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: Hooray! We’re actually beginning to dry out a little bit after a couple days of sunshine.

My gauge recorded about 1 inch of rain this past week after raining nearly every day with some strong winds. So far for June, my gauge says 5.25 inches, while the local airport (which is less than half mile away from my gauge) is reporting 7.17 inches, so I put up another gauge. As for crops, there is just about everything in the book around here from corn almost ready to tassel to little plants about 6 inches tall, and all colors from light green, to almost yellow, to very dark green.

There are also many drowned-out areas. Most soybeans are small with spots that have drowned out also. Locally, I don’t think 50 percent of the beans are in the ground because many fields are still untouched. Even mowing lawns involves a “squish” through the water.

Have a safe week.

Page 7 Monday, June 28, 2010 FarmWeek

CROPWATCHERS Carrie Winkelmann, Menard County: With 2.84 inches of rain last week, it was impossible to get in the fields to get any spraying done. The beans seem to be doing well, except in the wet spots where they never came up. I am not sure if it will ever get dry enough to patch in some replant. We still have many farmers in the area who have not gotten their bean fields planted. The weed pressure is coming fast and furious. There is some good looking corn throughout the county and in some of our earliest-planted fields tassels are starting to emerge, but there are some equally horrible looking fields that show just how much damage working in wet fields can have after doing it for three years. Japanese beetles showed up the end of last week.

Jimmy Ayers, Rochester, Sangamon County: We had rain, rain, and more rain.

It finally cleared up on Thursday and Friday.

On June 22 Springfield recorded rainfall of 1.94 inches. For the week, we received 6.06 inches. One of my neighbors had a little more than 7 inches this past week. The corn seems to be responding to the hot and humid weather. Cornfields are still not even, but they’ve greened up and look pretty good.

The beans seem to be liking the weather. We had three rainstorms come through on June 22. Wheat is real close to being cut. Be sure to stop at all intersections in the country. The crops are tall enough now that it’s hard to see at some intersections. County fairs are going on.

Support your community by going to your small-town celebrations.

Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Pretty much what we did last week was empty rain gauges. We’ve had 13.5 inches of rain for the month so far. Ponded areas are dead. A lot of that corn is just falling over. The corn on the rolling ground I am sure is going to be great because there is no ponding in those places. Cash prices for the week: cash corn, $3.26; fall corn, $3.34; January corn, $3.46. Prices at Decatur at the processor without trucking taken off: cash corn, $3.46; fall corn, $3.48; January corn, $3.63 at the processor. Cash beans, $9.49; fall beans, $8.85; January beans, $8.94. At Decatur without trucking taken off: cash beans, $9.77; fall beans, $9; January beans, $9.22. So, there is not much carrying in the market. No incentive for holding grains. The market is wanting the grain now. Soybeans haven’t grown hardly at all. They don’t look that great. They are dying in places, too. We need some dry weather to get things turned around here.

There is a lot of weed pressure in the soybean fields, and I am sure in the southern part of the county there is planting still to be done. Be safe out there and wear rubber boots.

David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: We experienced a few showers here in the southern part of the county, but none amounted to much rainfall — maybe 0.2 to 0.3 of an inch. The northern part of the county received quite a bit more — up to 2 inches. Lots of tassels are appearing in the cornfields, so we are hoping for good weather. Replant corn looks excellent also. As of right now, our corn potential looks very good — as good as 2004 or better. The guys who had soybean acres to plant got them in during the last couple of days along with some replanting and spotting in. Some of the beans don’t look that impressive right now. Farmers who had wheat are harvesting in between showers. Reports are 30 to 70 bushels per acre with some a little less than that and some a little more. Most are running in the mid-50bushel range. The test weight is from 51 to 61 pounds. It’s also been a struggle for guys to get hay put up. Cleaning grain bins out, mowing roadsides and waterways, and finally getting some beans sprayed have been farm activities.

Ted Kuebrich, Jerseyville, Jersey County: Jersey County received about 0.5 of an inch of rain last week. Temperatures are running in the high 90s with high humidity. The early-planted corn started to tassel and is looking very good. The beans in Jersey County are at different stages of growth, so when the weather is right and it is not raining, farmers are out post spraying their beans. The Japanese beetles are here and working on the edges off the bean fields. It has been hard to get the hay cut and baled between rainstorms. There is very little wheat to harvest in Jersey County this year because of the late, wet fall we had last year. The only yield that I have heard so far is just a little more than 65 bushels per acre. With all the rain, the Illinois River is on the rise. The flood stage is 425 feet and the river stage Friday morning was at 431.7 feet.

In the low land outside of the Nutwood Levy District the water is back out in the fields.

Prices at Jersey County Grain, Hardin: June corn, $3.41; fall delivery corn, $3.28; June beans, $9.71; fall delivery beans, $8.88; July wheat, $4.36.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: Finally a week without rain and now we could use a good shower. The big wheat harvest is over already.

Yields were no record-setters, but were very good. I think most all of the planting is finally done.

It’s been a long time since April 10. Corn is trying to tassel, but I guess with the 100-degree temperatures, it doesn’t know whether it wants to stick them out or not.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Another wet week. It rained almost every day.

Some wheat has been cut and straw baled between showers.

Some chemicals were applied. A little planting took place in isolated areas on Wednesday afternoon. The river has returned to its banks, leaving considerable damage in the low-lying areas. There is still quite a bit of planting and replanting that needs to be done. We have had a couple of cool days, but the heat and humidity was expected to return during the weekend.

Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: The weather was hot and humid last week.

Kind of miserable. No rain to speak of, so had a good week to catch up what was left to do here in Jackson County. The farm river bottom land, is dried out now. We were able to get most of it planted. The interesting thing about that was as we pumped the water out a lot of dead fish were left behind. We have had several bald eagles flying around. It was a beautiful sight to see. We’re still planting some beans, but we have some beans that look very good right now. Wheat harvest is about over and yields I’ve heard are anywhere from 50 to 80 bushels per acre.

Bob Biehl, Belleville, St. Clair County: Just a few isolated showers this past week. Most of the week was spent drying out from the prior week’s 3 inches of rain. Those who needed to finish up some beans are getting that done now. Others are spraying beans for the first time and maybe the last, because these 90-degree temperatures everyday have really speeded up bean development. Drilled beans almost have the ground shaded already and 15-inch rows are not that far behind. Wheat harvest kicked off for many this past week, but ended quickly, because no one had too many acres of wheat. Two or three days of wheat cutting wrapped up the harvest. Wheat was good quality. Yields averaged around 50 bushels per acre when you factored in all the thicker and thinner stands.

We are making some straw — as many think the market may reward those who take the time to do that. Corn is starting to tassel and looks good right now. It’s hard to believe we were finishing up corn planting at this time last year.

Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: We had several days of extreme heat this past week. Highs in the 90s with heat indexes over 100. The crops seemed to withstand it well — better than I did. We still have moisture, but a few more days of warm and windy weather will make a difference. The Wabash River bottoms have excess moisture, about 3 to 4 feet too much. It is still above flood stage, but it seems to have stopped rising. Wheat harvest is over. Yields probably were average but quality was good.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: It’s still hot here in deep Southern Illinois. Temperatures are running in the mid- to upper 90s with high humidity. It is really uncomfortable to be outside. I’m really concerned because there is an awful lot of corn pollinating right now. I don’t know what these temperatures are going to do to the pollination process. We are still trying to spray for weeds in soybeans. Seems like they never quit growing. I think wheat harvest is pretty much over in the area. We didn’t have any wheat this year, but from the people I have talked to, yields ran somewhere in the upper 50 to 60-bushel area. Test weights and quality were pretty good, but not anything to write home about. Please remember to be careful in this hot weather.

Reports received Friday morning.

Expanded crop information available at FarmWeekNow.com

Japanese beetle emergence being reported

BY KEVIN BLACK

Japanese beetles and their feeding are now being reported from parts of Illinois.

These beetles have a broad host range, but they are particularly fond of plants in the rose family, fruit trees and berries, linden (basswood) trees, pin oaks, and many other species.

For ornamental trees and other plants, it is now too late to use the imidacloprid soil drenches. These drenches need to be applied early in the season so that the insecticide can Kevin Black move to all branch tips and leaves.

In spite of the Japanese beetle’s fondness for garden and ornamental plants, our primary concern is with corn and soybeans. Both the beetles and their grubs are pests in these crops.

Japanese beetle emergence is not synchronous.

Beetles will emerge over the next several weeks.

These beetles will feed and mate, females will lay eggs, and then they will repeat the process, laying eggs over an extended period of time.

This means that grubs of different sizes will be found over much of the growing season, contributing to the severity of damage from this pest.

Insecticides are effective in controlling Japanese beetles in either agricultural crops or in the home garden or landscape.

Check with your local FS crop specialist for guidelines on controlling this pest. Avoid the use of Japanese beetle traps, which seem to attract more beetles than they kill.

Kevin Black is GROWMARK’s insect and plant disease technical manager. His e-mail address is kblack@growmark.com.

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, June 28, 2010

PRODUCTION

Different week, same story: Severe storms slam state dous amount of rain,” said Ron Moore, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Warren County. “We’re in worse shape than last year.”

Moore replanted 90 acres in late May only to see the field flooded by heavy rain on Memorial Day weekend. He said the field has remained underwater since then.

“I don’t anticipate ever getting those acres planted,” he said.

And crops that are in the ground, particularly in lowlying areas, could take a yield hit due to excess moisture and the possibility of disease, according to Moore.

“Hundreds if not thousands of acres of corn are yellow in my area,” he said. “It’s a combination of leaching nitrogen and a lack of oxygen in the soil due to all the water.”

Meanwhile, straight-line winds clocked as high as 80 mph damaged trees, buildings, and knocked out power in parts of the state last Monday (June 21) followed by another round on Wednesday.

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The onslaught of severe weather in the state continued last week as heavy rains, flash floods, damaging winds, and a possible tornado in the western suburbs of Chicago were reported.

“We’ve had several episodes of severe weather,” said Chuck Schaffer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Lincoln. “It’s been a situation where the storm track has been persistent in this part of the Midwest since the start of the month.”

Schaffer reported that it already is the wettest June on record in Lincoln with a total of 10.75 inches of rain, which surpassed the previous record of 9.83 inches set in 1947.

And June rainfall totals were even higher in other parts of the state, particularly Western Illinois on a line from Quincy to the Quad Cities.

Galesburg had received 12.71 inches of rain for the month.

“We’ve just had a tremen-

In Ford County, a 680,000bushel grain bin that was in the final stages of construction was destroyed at Alliance Grain in Gibson City.

“They were down to putting the last ring on it (before strong winds collapsed the 105-foot diameter grain bin and knocked it onto a 78foot diameter bin, which damaged the roof of the smaller bin),” said J.B. Daughenbaugh, grain merchandiser at Alliance Grain. “Right now it’s still unknown if we can replace it” in time for harvest.

Alliance Grain still has 4 million bushels of storage capacity at the site and 13 locations around the state.

“We should be OK,” Daughenbaugh said. “We were just hoping to eliminate some of the bushels we had to pile outside.”

The weather pattern could calm down this week as computer models predicted a stretch of hot, humid, and dry conditions, the NWS’ Schaffer said.

Rainfall for the month in

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other parts of the state as of June 23 totaled 8.04 inches in Springfield, 7.94 inches in Urbana, 7.36 inches in Van-

dalia, 6.34 inches in Peoria, 4.83 inches in Rockford, and 4.78 inches at Chicago’s O’Hare airport.

A brand new 105-foot diameter grain bin that was one ring away from completion sat in ruins last week at Alliance Grain in Gibson City. Severe storms, which brought strong winds, pummeled the state again last week and caused the new bin, which would have had the capacity to store 680,000 bushels of grain, to topple onto a smaller 78-foot diameter bin and damage the smaller facility’s roof. (Photo courtesy of Kae Walters)

Weather issues could benefit Soy Yield Challenge The challenging weather conditions in May and June actually could benefit a major effort that’s under way to boost soybean yields in the state.

Organizers of the Illinois Soybean Yield Challenge told FarmWeek they expect to obtain a wealth of data this year on soybean production that eventually could be used to improve yields.

The Soybean Yield Challenge is a program spearheaded by the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) that combines the talents of growers, students, and agribusinesses to test production skills and compete for higher yields in an effort to develop new and innovative farming practices.

“We do have a few cases where people were not able to get their plots in,” said Jim Nelson, Yield Challenge coordinator.

“But most are in and look good.”

Nelson said there are 300 locations of side-by-side plots that will provide 600 data sets during this initial year of the program.

He expects participation and sponsorship of the Yield Challenge to expand once the program generates valuable production information this harvest.

“This will give us some of the most extensive data ever collected statewide,” Nelson said.

Nelson and Ron Moore, ISA president and a grower from Warren County, believe the program will not experience any setbacks this season due to weather-related challenges.

“I think we’ll get a lot of good information,” Moore said.

“There are a lot of places in the state where the crops went in on time unlike my farm (where flooded fields have been a problem).”

In fact, the weather challenges could be a good test of vital production and genetic information, according to Nelson.

Planting dates this spring were all over the board.

“I think (the weather challenges) will be good in a strange way. It will help us define traits (and farming practices) that could help boost yields,” he said. “If everything went right, it would be easy to raise good beans.”

Organizers of the Soybean Yield Challenge will provide information about the program to growers and agribusinesses at these University of Illinois Extension agronomy field days; Wednesday, Urbana; July 6, Pike County Orr Center; July 7, Monmouth; July 15, Belleville; July 15, DeKalb; July 29, Brownstown; Aug. 5, Dixon Springs; Aug. 19, Urbana; and Sept. 9, Ewing. — Daniel Grant

FarmWeek Page 9 Monday, June 28, 2010

LIVESTOCK

U.S. pork, beef supplies shrink to multi-year lows

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Tight supplies of pork and beef in the U.S. likely will continue to support current farm prices and possibly spur higher prices at the retail level.

USDA in its cold storage report last week found U.S. beef supplies as of May 31 (363.8 million pounds) were down 13 percent compared to last year.

U.S. pork supplies were projected at 448.3 million pounds, down 23 percent

compared to the same time last year.

Supplies of chicken (699.5 million pounds), on the other hand, as of May 31 were up 11 percent from the end of April and 9 percent compared to the same time last year. “The hog and cattle markets will feel pressure from chicken,� said Rich Nelson, market analyst and director of research at Allendale Inc. in McHenry. “But we think prices will be able to hold up as the amount of pork and beef for con-

Hog inventory declines; no expansion until 2011 It appears U.S. hog farmers are in no rush to rebuild their herds after absorbing massive losses in 2008 and 2009.

The inventory of all hogs and pigs in the U.S. (64.4 million head) as of June 1 declined 3.6 percent compared to last year, USDA reported in its quarterly hogs and pigs report Friday.

Meanwhile, the breeding inventory (5.79 million head) declined 3 percent in the past quarter while the market hog inventory (58.6 million head) dipped 3.7 percent. “Production gains (a record 9.81 pigs-saved-per-litter) continue to be quite impressive,� said Victor Aideyan, market analyst with HisGraiin Commodities in Ontario, during a teleconference hosted by the Pork Checkoff. “But it’s still a smaller herd.�

‘One of the biggest limitations, I believe, is the banks and how much money is out there for operating loans.’ — John Nalivka Sterling Marketing

Sow farrowings from March through May totaled just 2.87 million head, down 5 percent from last year.

Producers from June to August intend to have 2.89 million sows farrow, USDA reported. If realized, farrowings in the current quarter would be down 2 percent from last year. “The tight supply situation likely will extend through the

fall and winter and into next year,� Aideyan said.

The decline in U.S. swine numbers is due in part to a sharp drop-off in imports of live animals from Canada.

Canadian producers culled 105,000 sows as part of a national program, and the inventory of hogs and pigs in

sumers is at sharp lows.�

USDA reported the supply of beef in the U.S. is at a fiveyear low while the pork supply is at a two-and-half-year low.

The tight supplies are expected to keep pressure on retail meat prices this summer.

In fact, Nelson reported the amount of beef available to U.S. consumers is down 4 to 6 percent due to lower produc-

tion, strong exports, and weak imports while the amount of pork currently available to U.S. consumers is about 5 percent smaller than a year ago.

However, Nelson does not foresee any bull runs ahead in the cattle or hog markets, despite the tight supplies.

Allendale recently projected demand numbers will remain stable, rather than increase,

due to renewed concerns about the economy.

Nelson projected the hog market will trade sideways into August and cash cattle could continue a seasonal decline.

Overall, current livestock prices still are well above yearago levels and should provide some profits to hog and cattle producers this summer, he added.

Harland appointed to Beef Board Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed Jeanne Harland, a cow-calf producer from LaFayette, to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB).

CBB oversees administration of the national beef checkoff program. Harland will serve the final three years of the term of former CBB Chairman Dave Bateman, who resigned from the board for personal reasons.

Jeanne Harland Harland and her husband, A.J., farm in eastern Knox County on land that has been in the Harland family since 1937.

The Harlands and seven other beef produc-

ers in the state helped create Illinois Crown Beef, a branded beef company.

She also is president of the Knox County Board of Health and is a member of the Knox Ag Roundtable. Her “Taste of Illinois Beef � column appears regularly in the Illinois Beef magazine and the Galesburg Register Mail.

Harland also serves as the legislative chairperson of Extension Partners — a statewide organization that supports University of Illinois Extension programs — and she serves on the Research Committee of the Council on Food and Agricultural Research.

She previously served as the product promotion chairperson for the Illinois Beef Association and president of the Illinois CattleWomen.

FarmWeekNow.com Visit FarmWeekNow.com to check out the latest hogs and pigs report.

Canada as a result is 22 percent off its peak. “That’s contributing to the overall decline of the U.S. herd,� Aideyan said.

Concerns about the economy also are limiting expansion in the U.S. hog industry, according to John Nalivka, president of Sterling Marketing in Vale, Ore. “Feed costs are down 2.5 percent and lean carcass prices are up 24 percent, so with stronger prices and margins it begs the question, “When are we going to have expansion?,� he said. “One of the biggest limitations, I believe, is the banks and how much money is out there for operating loans.�

Hog producers may not expand near-term, but it appears they could remain in the black this year after the industry from October 2007 to February 2009 lost an estimated $6 billion.

Chris Hurt, ag economist with Purdue University, predicted Eastern Corn Belt carcass prices could average $78 per hundredweight in the third quarter and $68 in the fourth quarter.

The economist projected feed costs this year will decline by $6 to $7 per hundredweight.

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FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, June 28, 2010

CONFERENCES

IFB Commodities Conference planned for July 28 in Normal Illinois Farm Bureau will host its annual Commodities Conference on Wednesday, July 28, at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal.

The theme of the conference this year is “Changing Your Game.”

The event will provide opportunities for farmers and agribusiness professionals to learn about current markets, trends, and how they can gain an advantage in a changing farm environment.

The conference has a little something for everyone, Mike Doherty, IFB senior economist, told RFD Radio. “Other people beyond the agricultural audience might be interested.”

Topics that will be discussed at this year’s conference include the energy market and policy, climate change, weather, and farm policy.

“Energy is a big issue right now with the Gulf situation.

We have three speakers that will be addressing various aspects of energy,” Doherty said.

Conference registration and the trade show exhibits will open at 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The cost to attend, $35 per person, includes all conference materials, lunch, and breaks.

Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done through local Farm Bureau offices or online at {www.ilfb.org}.

The pre-registration deadline is July 16. Any cancellations received after July 19 will not be refunded.

If hotel accommodations are needed, contact the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal at 888-2362427.

A special room rate of $119 will be available through July 13 by requesting the IFB rate.

CHECKING WHEAT

Jim Luketich, maintenance supervisor with Mennel Milling Co.’s Mt. Olive facility, checks old-crop wheat being delivered from an elevator in Champaign County. Luketich said the amount of new-crop wheat coming to the mill is down significantly due to the smaller number of acres planted. The wheat will be used to make cookies, cakes, and biscuits. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

International herb conference scheduled in Collinsville Come Stick Your Neck Out at Your Young Leader Discussion Meet.

Show your art of discussion for hot agricultural topics - and compete for great prizes, including a chance to represent Illinois in the National Discussion Meet.

District & State Discussion Topics:

State Winner

• Farm Bureau is the leading voice for agriculture but not the only voice.

How do we encourage other agricultural groups to work together for the common good of our industry?

• Has technology become essential for American farmers? Should Farm Bureau influence and encourage all generations of farmers, ranchers and agriculturalists to embrace technological opportunities?

June 1 - Aug. 1, 2011 (2 mo. use) or 100 hrs. use maximum (whichever comes first) on a Massey-Ferguson MF8650 4WD tractor, 200 PTO hp. CVT transmission (additional terms apply) (courtesy of AGCO) $ 1,000 Cash (courtesy of IFB)

Additional State Topics:

Trip to 2011 AFBF® Annual Meeting, January 9-12, Atlanta, GA

• Government has always been involved in agriculture. Is the current level of government involvement a net hindrance or a net benefit to agriculture?

Trip to 2011 IFB® Young Leader Conference, January 28-30

• How will food movements such as “foodie” and “locavore,” which are focused primarily in urban centers, influence national agricultural production and federal programs?

• Given recent challenges, such as volatile food prices and limited world food supplies, do American consumers adequately appreciate the importance of US-produced food? Will American consumers consider American agriculture important to our security in the future?

Entry Deadline August 3 (to Illinois Farm Bureau)

Trip to 2011 GROWMARK Annual Meeting

First Runner-Up $600 Cash (courtesy of 1st Farm Credit Services & Farm Credit Services of Illinois)

Four State Finalists

Contact your county Farm Bureau® for eligibility and contest information.

$ 200 Cash (courtesy of COUNTRY® Financial)

IAA District 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 & 12 13 & 17 14 15 & 16 18

1 yr. membership to Illinois Soybean Association (courtesy of IL Soybean Association)

Date August 25 August 30 August 12 August 23 August 24 August 23 August 23 August 25 August 24 August 26 August 26 August 26 August 31 August 24 August 23

Starting Time 7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Location DeKalb County FB, Sycamore Carroll County FB, Mount Carroll Henry County FB, Cambridge Quality Inn & Suites, Dixon Grundy County FB, Morris Livingston County FB, Pontiac Woodford County FB, Eureka Knox Agri-Center, Galesburg Hancock County FB, Carthage Menard County FB, Petersburg Macon County FB, Decatur Edwards County FB, Albion Effingham County FB, Effingham St. Clair County FB, Belleville Williamson County FB, Marion

1 free registration to IL Commodity Conference (courtesy of IL Soybean Association)

District Winners COUNTRY® prize $50 Fast Stop gift card for fuel or merchandise (courtesy of GROWMARK, Inc.) Trip to 2010 IAA Annual Meeting in St. Louis with specific expenses to be paid

My240NO

The International Herb Association is holding its annual conference July 10 to 12 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Collinsville. Pre- and post-conference tours will be held on Friday, July 9, and Tuesday, July 13.

On Sunday and Monday, the professional portion of the conference will consist of sessions on horseradish, the Herb of the Year for 2011, and a variety of business and herbal topics.

“Four distinguished International Herb Association members, Sal Gilbertie, Betsy Williams, Carolee Snyder, and Jim Long, will present a business forum on Sunday after-

noon,” said Chuck Voigt, University of Illinois Extension vegetable and herb specialist and conference host.

Other presenters will include Voigt, Deborah Lee, John Pike, Elizabeth Wahle, and J.W. “Bill” Courter.

“These two professional days are jam-packed with educational seminars,” Voigt said.

Conference details and registration are available at {www.ilherb.org}.

“The tours, dinners, vendor space, public day and professional program days are all priced separately, so you can pick and choose what you’d like to attend,” Voigt said.

Ag Watershed Institute to host July 10 bioenergy workshop The Agricultural Watershed Institute will host a bioenergy workshop from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at the Decatur Civic Center, Decatur.

The workshop is designed especially for farmers and landowners who are interested in growing energy grasses as a cash crop and for conservation. Businesses or individuals who are interested in using biomass crops for heat or electricity are encouraged to attend.

The event will feature presentations, exhibits, equipment demonstrations, and the opportunity to network with researchers, educators, farmers, and entrepreneurs. Participants also may tour several Decatur-area energy grass plots after the workshop. Maps and plot information will be provided.

The event will start with registration and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

The registration fee is $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Onsite registration is subject to space limitations.

For more information or to register, call the Ag Watershed Institute at 217-877-5640 or go online to {www.agwatershed. org}.

FarmWeek Page 11 Monday, June 28, 2010

EDUCATION

Filling education’s plate: ISA launches new middle school curriculum, fills gap

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) couldn’t have picked a better time to offer a new soy-based curriculum for Illinois middle school students. Just a week earlier, ag educators around the state identified the need for more ag curriculum for students in grades 5 through 8.

Considered “a foot in the door,” ag-based lessons for junior high students help maintain younger students’ interest in agriculture until they enter high school and can take agriculture classes, according to teachers.

“The (junior high) kids love them (hands-on ag-based) lessons, said Lee Meteer, agriculture instructor at Taylorville High School. Meteer’s high school students have used ag curriculum to teach lessons to junior high science students.

Funded by the Soybean Checkoff, the Pod to Plate curriculum is adaptable for grades 4 through 8 and takes a comprehensive look at the soybean industry and related sectors, according to Amy Roady, ISA communications manager.

Roady noted the curriculum, which closely follows state learning standards, also explores how Illinois soybeans are transported and exported. “It was important for us to include that information as well. It was not a big part of what was done in the past,” she said.

Around the state, some school districts offer junior high students exploratory ag classes to prepare them for high school, said Parker Bane, Pontiac High School agriculture teacher.

Bane welcomed news of additional resources

for middle school students. “It seems we have a lot of resources for young students, and there’s a focus on high school students. That junior high age (student) is a different animal,” Bane said.

Pod to Plate materials are available on a new ISA website {www.podtoplate.org}. The site offers students self-guided lessons on production, transportation, processing, products, and exports. Students create their own biodiesel semi truck to electronically travel through different lessons and subject matters.

The website also has worksheets, quizzes, and teacher guides. ISA also is offering a DVD version of the website for teachers whose classes lack Internet connections or have slower connections that would make it difficult for students to use the materials.

During a recent ag education symposium, ag educators and ag ed groups agreed more agbased education materials and resources are needed for middle school students.

The Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education and the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education agreed to give more attention to middle school programs in the coming year.

Offering ag-based curriculum will benefit schools as well as their students, Pontiac’s Bane pointed out. The education system is focusing more on reading, math, and the sciences, causing schools to seek new ways to interest and teach students in those subjects, he added.

“Districts want these things as (education) standards go up,” Bane said. “They want to get kids interested in science.”

Golfers to raise money for ag literacy, IAITC On Aug. 5, golfers again will participate in a golf outing to benefit agriculture literacy in Illinois.

The 14th annual Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) Golf Outing, a fundraising event hosted by the IAA Foundation, will take place at the Wolf Creek Golf Club and Elks Country Club in Pontiac.

“The money raised during the outing will help bring Agriculture in the Classroom to more schools across Illinois,” said event chairman Steve Wentworth.

Driving ranges will open at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at

10:30 a.m. for the scramblestyle tournament.

Golfers will compete for a number of prizes, including a golf getaway to the Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena, two round-trip AirTran airline tickets, gift certificates, and other prizes.

A social hour, auction, and dinner sponsored by Country Financial will conclude the evening.

The registration fee is $130 for an individual golfer, or $520 for a foursome. Banquetonly tickets are available for $50 each.

Registration is available on the IAA Foundation website at

{www.iaafoundation.org} or by calling the IAA Foundation office at 309-557-2230.

“Since 1982, IAITC has successfully taught hundreds of thousands of students about agriculture,” said Susan Moore, the foundation’s director.

“While IAITC has made a very positive impact, our goal is to increase IAITC efforts until we have reached every student in the State of Illinois with our message of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives,” Moore said.

IAITC is the top funding priority of the IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau’s charitable foundation.

USDA launches redesigned educational website Sci4Kids, an educational website operated by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at {www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids} has a new look.

The site educates children, ages 8 to 13, about the importance of agriculture and science in their daily lives. Since

1998, Sci4Kids has posted more than 126 stories about what USDA scientists do and the discoveries they’ve made.

The website offers a “Teachers’ Desk” with classroom resources and activities and also includes science fair project ideas.

New features include: • Science Spotlight, where Internet users may find the latest news ARS research; • Interactive games, such as “Color a Pepper Plant,” which demonstrates how plant breeders can change the features of crops.

Matt McClelland, left, director of operations for Prairie Farms Dairy, chats with Katrina Kaeb, who will study psychology at Eastern Illinois University and received a scholarship sponsored by Prairie Farms, and Illinois Farm Bureau Director Kent Schleich, an IAA Foundation trustee.

Kaeb and other foundation scholarship recipients last week at a meeting in Bloomington heard about careers and internships available in the IFB family of companies. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

IAA Foundation scholars learn about future careers with IFB, family of companies College students learned last week not only are Illinois Farm Bureau and its family of companies investing in their educations with scholarships, but they also are potential employers.

“Agriculture is not a dead-end industry,” quipped Steve German, GROWMARK university relations and member employment manager.

German and Dan Schlipmann, employment coordinator at Country Financial, described a variety of career opportunities and internships available at IFB, GROWMARK, Country Financial, and the family of companies.

Scholarship recipients from across Illinois participated in a program before they met with IFB board members and some scholarship donors.

Matt McClelland, director of operations for Prairie Farms Dairy, said it is important for his cooperative to invest in education through scholarships.

“Education is paramount,” McClelland said. “Not only are we educating the public about agriculture, but we’re also educating the youth.”

During the presentations, the college students learned about the areas of study and experiences that would help them prepare for positions within IFB and its family of companies. They were encouraged to seek information about job openings from the companies’ websites.

German and Schlipmann reminded the students to attend college career fairs and to start applying for internships in the fall.

“Come see us early,” German added.

The two recruiters gave the students tips on the qualifications, resumes, and cover letters that would appeal most to future employers.

They also warned the students to be careful about the kinds of photos and personal information they post on the Internet, reminding them that that information is accessible to future employers. — Kay Shipman

Chicago Farmers to tour Chicago Ag School The Chicago Farmers will venture to the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago, on July 16 for the group’s summer tour. The reservation deadline is July 14.

The program will start at 9:30 a.m. with a tasting of student recipes using produce they have grown. An overview from students and staff will follow. The group will tour the grounds, classrooms, and the school’s farm stand.

The cost is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. For reservations or information, call 312-388-3276 or go online to {www.chicagofarmers.org}.

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, June 28, 2010

AROUND ILLINOIS

FARMING

Right photo: McLean County farmer Jim Deal points out details on a model wagon that he built in his home near Danvers. Behind Deal is a gable barn complete with working haymow and pulley system that moves bales.

Below: A model corn crib made

by Deal is accurate down to the last ear of corn being loaded into the crib. Note also, the handmade harness on the horse. This har vest scene is one of the 87year-old self-taught model maker’s favorite creations.

on a small scale

McLean County farmer recreates farm machinery, buildings of past

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

(Photos by Ken Kashian)

Upper photo: Deal lifts the roof of a wooden model corn crib that he constructed in his home. Left photo: Deal uses jewelry pliers to bend wire for many of his farm-model creations. Deal recreates antique farm machinery and buildings from wood and other materials.

A museum of toy-sized farm implements and buildings has emerged from Jim Deal’s memories and creativity.

Deal, a retired McLean County farmer from Danvers, recreates the horse-drawn farm machinery and wagons, barns, and corn cribs of the past from walnut, birch, and other woods.

He relies on his memory only — no drawings or plans — not even for his intricate gable barn with a working pulley system that moves toy bales into the haymow.

Deal, 87, chalked up his recall for details to his experience. “When I was 18, before I was in the (military) service, I was in every barn in the country,” he said with a chuckle.

A self-taught model maker, Deal said he never took woodworking or shop classes in school. He started farming with his wife, Doris, in 1947 after World War II. Later, he farmed with his son, David, until he retired in 1990 and David took over the operation. After Doris died in 2007, Deal focused more on his hobby.

Draft horses, especially Percherons, and horse wagon hitches were another of Deal’s passions.

He and his family, including daughter, Patricia Meridith, won several prizes for showing draft horse teams over eight years.

One of his favorite creations, a six-horse show hitch complete with canine mascot and twinkling wagon lights prances proudly across his fireplace mantel.

Although Deal buys all the model horses, he makes all their harness by hand — even handsewing the horses’ collars.

“I bet I’ve harnessed 150 head of (toy) horses,” he quipped.

Deal applies his incredible attention to details to each model, down to the tiny extra chains hanging in the back of a walnut semi-tractor trailer. “All the horse-drawn implements have their own oil cans,” he noted, showing a tiny wooden oil can that went with a hay rake.

Deal applies his ingenuity to create scenes that have unusual uses for some materials. Belts for a vacuum cleaner cover the rims of an ornate circus wagon that pulls lions and other wild animals across his kitchen. Bits of paper grocery sacks sprout as corn leaves with dowel rod stalks for an Amish farm harvest scene in another room.

“I make stuff out of scraps that people throw away,” Deal, said.

Deal may be particular with each model’s details, but he doesn’t keep track of the hours he has spent on each of his creations. “Some of this stuff is tedious and sometimes you got to get away from it,” he said.

Previously, the only way to glimpse Deal’s amazing creations was to visit his farm home.

Later this summer, he will have his first exhibit in a museum in Danvers during the community’s Danvers Days Aug. 20-22.

To see more photos of Jim Deal, go to Ken Kashian’s Photo Gallery at {www..ilfb.org}.

FarmWeek Page 13 Monday, June 28, 2010

FROM THE COUNTIES

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UREAU — Bureau and Lee County Farm Bureaus will sponsor their first annual golf outing Friday, July 9, at Shady Oaks Country Club, Amboy. It will be a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Proceeds will benefit the Bureau and Lee County Agriculture in the Classroom programs. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815875-6468 or e-mail bcfb@comcast.net to register or for more information.

HAMPAIGN — Farm Bureau will sponsor summer toolshed meetings Thursday. Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau governmental affairs and commodities executive director, will be the speaker.

The following times and places are: 7:30 a.m. breakfast at Norman Uken’s, Urbana; 10:30 a.m. Philo Tavern with lunch being served; and 3 p.m. at Larry Dallas’ farm, Tuscola, with Sidney Dairy Barn ice cream available. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217352-5235 for reservations or more information.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor a land use seminar from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 7,

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at the Farm Bureau auditorium. Cost is $10 or $15 for two sessions (the second one will be Tuesday, Aug. 3). Registration forms are available at the Farm Bureau office. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217-352-5235 for more information or to register.

ERSEY — The Marketing Committee will sponsor a pork promotion from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, at the State Street Farmers’ Market. Stop by the Farm Bureau stand and buy a sandwich while you shop.

ASALLE — The LaSalle County 4-H and Junior Fair will be July 1418. Season tickets are $12, which will provide entrance to the fair, rodeo, tractor pull, demolition derby, and truck pull. Tickets are available at the Farm Bureau office. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-433-0371 for more information.

ASON — The allmember picnic will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, at Samuell Park, Easton.

Cost is $2. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309-5434451 by Tuesday for reserva-

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A spruced-up “Looking for Lincoln” exhibit can now be seen on the Carthage square, thanks to the Hancock County Farm Bureau. (Photo courtesy of Hancock County Farm Bureau)

Hancock County FB updates ‘Looking for Lincoln’ exhibit

BY KOURTNEY PARKS

The Hancock County Farm Bureau recently updated a “Looking for Lincoln” exhibit in a vacant lot on the south side of the square in Carthage.

The exhibit has attracted attention from visitors to Carthage, but the lot was in need of sprucing up and updating.

Joe Scheetz cut down a large pine tree, allowing more light into the space. Marion Barr, Joe Zumwalt, and Rod McGaughey helped carry limbs and other debris to a waiting flatbed trailer.

They also placed the “Looking for Lincoln” sign in an area where more visitors will be able to view it.

After the cleanup, a new landscape design was created, and the plants were put in and mulched. With two days of work and the help of the Hancock County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, the park is now an enjoyable place to have a meeting, eat lunch, or rest.

The Hancock County Farm Bureau would like to thank the City of Carthage, Paula Wright of Wright’s Place, and the library board for all of their help on this project.

This area should encourage more people to visit the downtown area.

Kourtney Parks is an Illinois Farm Bureau manager trainee.

tions or more information.

CLEAN — The Young Leaders will sponsor a breakfast meeting at 7 a.m. Thursday, July 8, at the Chateau Conference Center, Bloomington. Laura Daniels, dairy farmer and consumer advocate, will be the featured speaker. There will be a silent and live auction. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Farm Bureau office. Proceeds will support McLean County 4-H. Call the Farm Bureau office at 309-663-6497 or go online at {www.mcfb.org} for more information.

ONROE — A grain bin extraction and farm safety program will be at 6 p.m. Monday, July 12, at the Gateway FS Elevator, Evansville. Fire department volunteers, first responders, and farm families are invited to attend. Dinner will be served.

Call the Farm Bureau office at 939-6197 or e-mail mcfarm@htc.net by Friday for reservations or more information.

EORIA — A farmland assessment public meeting will be at 6:30 p.m.

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Thursday, July 8, at the Farm Bureau auditorium. Dave Ryan, Peoria County supervisor of assessments, will moderate the meeting.

• Orders for Michigan blueberries are due Friday, July 9, to the Farm Bureau office.

Blueberries are available in five-pound and 10-pound containers. Delivery to the Farm Bureau office will be Thursday, July 15.

• Entries are due by Friday, July 9, for the golf scramble Saturday, July 17, at Laurel Greens. The shotgun start is at 7 a.m. Cost is $15 for golf and cart.

IATT — The Farm Bureau appreciation dinner will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at the Forest Preserve, Monticello. A pork chop dinner will be served and the String Town Lane Band will provide the entertainment. Call the Farm Bureau office at 762-2128 for reservations or more information.

• The Wildlife Committee will sponsor a photo contest that runs through July 15.

Photos must be original 8 x 10 prints. Categories are habitat

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and wildlife. Entry fee is $5 per photo for members and $10 per photo for non-members. Voting will take place at the appreciation dinner on July 29.

ANDOLPH — A grain bin extraction and farm safety program will be at 6 p.m. Monday, July 12, at the Gateway FS Elevator, Evansville. Fire department volunteers, first responders, and farm families are invited to attend. Dinner will be served. Call the Monroe County Farm Bureau office at 939-6197 or e-mail mcfarm@htc.net by Friday for reservations or more information.

TARK — The Young Farmers Committee will sponsor a kiddie pedal pull at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, during the Wyoming Corn Boil. Trophies will be awarded to the top three in different age divisions.

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“From the counties” items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.

FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, June 28, 2010

PROFITABILITY

Oil, fuel prices projected to creep higher

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Brian Milne, Telvent DTN refined fuels editor/analyst, offered consumers and farmers some good news and some bad news last week in his quarterly fuel price outlook.

The bad news for fuel buyers is that prices in coming weeks could creep higher. The national average price of gasoline last week increased 4 cents per gallon to $2.74 while the average price for diesel increased 3

cents per gallon to $2.96, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Milne projected the national average price of regular gasoline could touch or surpass $3 per gallon for at least one week this summer after an unusual downtrend in prices from mid-May to mid-June.

“I think there is a chance we could see $3 for at least one week this summer,” said Milne, who noted summer is the peak driving season, sum-

mer fuel blends are more expensive to produce, and the U.S. economy is projected to grow this year by 2.8 percent.

In Illinois, the average price of regular gas last week jumped from $2.80 to $2.87 per gallon, according to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report.

So, what’s the good news if fuel prices are trending up in the near-term?

Overall, Milne believes high oil and gasoline stocks combined with weak demand will keep a lid on fuel and oil prices

for the foreseeable future despite the possibility of shortterm run-ups.

He predicted oil prices in the third quarter mostly will trade between $75 and $85 per barrel.

“Demand (for fuel) has been weak,” said Milne, who reported gasoline demand so far this year is down 0.9 of a percent compared to last year while demand for diesel is 1.2 percent below last year’s pace.

EIA this month lowered its projected average price of crude oil for the year by $3 per

barrel to $79 per barrel compared to its May estimate. It also reduced the projected average price of regular gasoline during the summer driving season (April 1 to Sept. 30) by 15 cents to $2.79 per gallon.

So while $3 gas is a possibility, the dreaded $4 mark isn’t even on the radar.

The gasoline price estimate, if realized, still would be a sizable increase from last year when the regular gas price averaged $2.44 per gallon during the summer driving season.

Gulf spill could have indirect effect on oil prices More than two months have passed since the start of the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico, and the crude oil market has yet to sustain a serious bull run.

Prices the past six weeks fluctuated from a high of $86 per barrel on May 3 to a low of $65 per barrel on May 25. Last week prices hovered in the $70s.

Meanwhile, the national average price of a gallon of regular gasoline last week remained slightly below $3.

After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, gas prices temporarily spiked from $2.50 to as much as $6 per gallon in some areas.

Harry Cooney, GROWMARK senior energy ana-

lyst, said the current oil spill is not affecting prices the way hurricanes often do because the majority of petroleum used in the U.S. is imported and the spill thus far has not stopped those shipments from entering the country.

“Hurricanes cause oil rigs to actually shut down all along the coastline,” Cooney said. “When you have to shut down production, this affects the supply of oil, which leads to the change in fuel prices.

“In reference to the oil spill,” he continued.

“Demand has not changed and supply is not being limited.”

The Associated Press

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 $34.92-$45.00 $38.22 $58.11-$67.00 $64.02 n/a n/a This Week Last Week 35,057 22,413 *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 $79.09 $78.28 $58.53 $57.93

Change 0.81 0.60

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price Steers Heifers

This week $90.71 $90.91

(Thursday’s price) Prv. week Change $90.95 -0.24 $90.97 -0.06

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

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week Change 110.96 108.35 2.61

Lamb prices Confirmed lamb and sheep sales This week 681 Last week 661 Last year 746 Wooled Slaughter Lambs: Choice and prime 2-3: 90-110 lb., $118; 110-130 lbs., $127-$132. Good and choice 1-2: 60-90 lbs., $128.

Slaughter Ewes: Utility and good 1-3: $43-$45. Cull and utility 1-2: $40-$43.

Export inspections (Million bushels)

Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 06-17-10 7.2 11.5 24.5 06-10-10 7.9 14.0 41.3 Last year 15.3 13.9 42.6 Season total 1353.2 34.0 1439.0 Previous season total 1117.4 39.5 1353.9 USDA projected total 1445 900 2000 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

reported the gushing well as of last week had spilled 126.3 million gallons of oil into the Gulf since it ruptured April 20. The Mississippi River, by comparison, pours 1 billion gallons of water into the Gulf every five minutes.

The ongoing situation in the Gulf could have an indirect effect on oil prices,

however, according to Brian Milne, Telvent DTN refined fuels editor/analyst.

“If we ban offshore drilling, we could expect (oil) prices to spike,” said Milne.

He projected oil prices could reach and surpass $100 per barrel before the end of the year if the U.S. banned offshore drilling in response to the current disaster.

A federal judge in New Orleans last week blocked a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling projects that was put in place by the Obama administration after the BP disaster in the Gulf.

Deepwater drilling currently accounts for 7.8 percent of the global oil supply compared to 2.2 percent in 2000, Milne reported.

A look at propane prices, supply

BY RANDY MILLER

Propane, produced from both crude oil and natural gas, continues to follow crude oil prices.

While still below earlyyear highs, prices have firmed since Memorial Day. As unpreRandy Miller dictable as markets are, let’s look at what we might expect in the propane world this summer.

Demand: Midwest propane demand for grain drying at this point looks much different from a year ago. Corn planting has been completed closer to normal and heating degree days are ahead of last year.

However, weather now through September will play a huge role in determining grain drying needs for fall. While it is too early to put much stock in winter forecasts, recent trends suggest slightly below normal temperatures, which implies we should plan on strong propane demand for this winter.

Midwest vs. Gulf Coast: Propane stocks in the Midwest build in the summer and have grown by nearly 8 million barrels since March. In the Gulf Coast, propane stocks have grown by 7.5 million barrels, yet total stocks remain 10 million barrels below last year.

However, last year stocks were at near record levels, and comfort levels for summer builds in the U.S. call for total stocks to reach 60 million, a target that is reachable at this point. It’s likely that, even with exports from the gulf, stocks will be adequate to start the fall/winter season.

Crude oil: One impact of the oil spill is that crude oil futures have developed a sizable “carry” in the price curve.

Carry means that prices in the future are higher than current prices.

Crude oil futures in 2015 carry nearly a $17 premium to nearby prices. Market trends suggest higher prices down the road with expectations for a review of drilling regulations.

What will the future bring?

Certainly it will be full of surprises and new challenges. For peace of mind, forward contracting continues to be the best tool for managing volatility and uncertainty in today’s market.

Additionally, take advantage of your retailer’s even-payment plan. Doing so helps your cash flow by spreading your heating costs evenly over the entire season.

If you haven’t already, take time to visit with your local FS member cooperative about its contracting and even-payment programs.

Randy Miller is GROWMARK’s director of propane operations. His e-mail address is rmiller@growmark.com.

FarmWeek Page 15 Monday, June 28, 2010

PROFITABILITY Corn Strategy

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

Cents per bu.

2009 crop: Market performance over the past few sessions suggests the market is entering a period of correction. We will hold off on catch-up sales.

2010 crop: The December contract slipped below the $3.71 region and is now flirting with the $3.64-$3.67 support area. We recommend holding off on making additional sales as the best pricing opportunities might not come until early to mid-July.

Fundamentals: Generally speaking, the corn crop is looking good despite persistent rainfall throughout the region. Weekly crop progress reports indicated 75 percent of the crop was in good to excellent condition, which was down 2 points from the previous week but still above last year’s average of 70 percent.

On the international front, it appears growing conditions in China remain less than favorable as it remains hot and dry.

Fail-safe: We have no fail-safe

Soybean Strategy

Will exports continue to grow?

Soybean export shipments since last fall have been running well above USDA projections.

Basis charts

The pace started to cool early this spring as business shifted to South America.

Corn shipments and exports have been maintaining a steady rate, but they still lag expectations.

The wildcard going forward for both corn and soybeans will be if China remains a buyer of U.S. commodities.

Over the past several months, the Chinese have continued to purchase U.S. corn and the first cargo in four years recently was unloaded in China. In addition, China announced it would shift toward a more flexible exchange rate for the yuan, which has the potential to result in increased grain imports.

Wheat exports remain stagnant as the supply of wheat both domestically and internationally remains abundant. In addition, winter wheat harvest in the U.S. is progressing and bringing additional inventory into the pipelines.

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2009 crop: July slipped below the $9.60 support, suggesting this first move up out of the cycle low could be near an end. The next significant levels of support come in at the $9.46 and $9.42 region.

2010 crop: With the market entering a period of correction, it leaves the possibility the November contract could test the $9 to $9.07 region.

After that, prices should move back higher. Hold off on catch-up sales.

Fundamentals: The weather forecast is calling for improved conditions. While thunderstorms are still in the forecast this week, it appears t h e l o n g e r- t e r m m a p s a r e anticipating a period of drying.

All of the excessive moisture has taken its toll on the soybeans. This was reflected in the latest weekly crop progress report that pegged the crop at 69 percent good to excellent vs. 73 percent the previous week.

Fail-safe: We have no fail-safe.

Wheat Strategy 2010 crop: The wheat market is trading in a sideways formation between the 20- and 50-day moving averages. Upside momentum is going to be limited, as significant resistance lies at the $4.87 region. We sug g est making catch-up sales near $4.80 on the September contract, but will hold off on making any additional sales until a seasonal low can be confirmed.

Fundamentals: Conditions in Canada have not

shown any signs of relief and the market remains concerned about wheat production and quality issues. The combination of persistent rainfall and cool weather in the spring wheat region has resulted in delayed planting and a reduction in acreage. In addition, it is likely the crop will experience a drop in quality. The hard red wheat crop is best known for its high protein levels. However, history indicates that crops grown in extreme moisture have a tendency to have lower protein levels.

FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, June 28, 2010

PERSPECTIVES

Local vs. world in food production, marketing A struggle has been under way for some time over how best to produce food.

In one corner — with USDA’s assistance and encouragement — are those who believe in local food, sustainability, and embrace the idea that you should “know your farmer.”

In the other corner are those who believe that every farmer should be as efficient and productive as WILLIAM possible to help BAILEY feed the world, keep food prices low, and maintain an adequate food reserve in case of a bad crop year.

Helping out in this corner, which I will call world food, are a variety of agribusinesses, including Monsanto and BASF (chemicals).

Fortunately, farmers are in both corners.

This struggle between world food and local food has been going on for some time. It even received national attention many years ago when presiden-

tial candidate Michael Dukakis suggested, in Iowa of all places, that farmers should grow Belgian endive rather

than corn and soybeans.

The search for alternative crops and alternative production practices continues today, but at more local levels. Alternative crops, for example, have been investigated for some

time at Western Illinois University in Macomb.

Some of you may be familiar with efforts there to commer-

and could be useful to help the oil spill tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. farmers long have tried to balance sustainable farming practices with ones that boost productivity.

For example, one farmer, in 1940, produced enough food to feed 19 people. Today, one farmer feeds 155 people.

Between 1987 and 2007, 40 percent more corn and 30 percent more soybeans were produced in the U.S. using the same amount of land. Soil erosion has declined 43 percent in 20 years.

The keys to such growth in U.S. crop productivity and increased environmenAFBF tal attention are techgraphic nology, seed, and chemicals.

However, the technology, cially grow milkweed — a crop many farmers have spent much seed, and chemicals that proof their life trying to eradicate. pelled that surge in U.S. productivity are available to any That research program has farmer in the world, not just ended, but perhaps too soon.

U.S. farmers.

As it turns out, milkweed is Farmers in other countries an excellent absorber of oil

may not be quite as concerned about sustainability and environmental issues as U.S. farmers. It has been reported that Brazil regularly imports chemicals that are banned by the U.S. and the European Union.

These chemicals may increase productivity, but they hurt both the environment and people.

Although U.S. soybean production has increased 25 percent over the past decade, Brazil has doubled its soybean output. Combined, Brazil and Argentina now produce 25 percent more soybeans than the U.S. Chinese buyers of soybeans may not be interested in knowing their farmer, but they are interested in a good price.

U.S. farmers, as they look at the two competing forces of local food vs. world food, should consider if they wish to compete in the world’s food system. Whether they like it or not, the rest of the agricultural world is competing against them.

William Bailey is the director of the school of agriculture at Western Illinois University, Macomb. His email address is WC-Bailey@wiu.edu.

Farm dad lessons to kids: Keep everything in balance When I was growing up, being a farm kid wasn’t “cool.” There were certainly times I wished my dad DAL GROOMS did something guest columnist else so I could spend time with my friends rather than spending time doing chores.

Lucky for me, my dad wasn’t concerned with my definition of cool. He was concerned with taking care of the farm so it would take care of us.

I’ve given that simple approach to life a lot of thought. It’s because Dad’s approach, which is the approach most farmers have to their livelihoods, is nothing more than a system of balance and sustainability. It’s a system that applies to nature, to neighborhoods,

and to economies.

Although it’s simplistic, the system can go terribly wrong when it goes out of balance ... when one part of it tries to take more out than it’s putting in. My dad tried to help us understand that lesson by instilling values like honesty and hard work.

There is no way to cheat the system.

For example, trying to hurry along milking chores by rushing the cows through the barn would eventually lead to health issues in those cows that would cut milk productivity and quality.

When those went below par, income went down, too.

If each cow was milked the appropriate time based on the needs of her production cycle, herd health was maintained, and milk production and quality

improved. So did the income.

That kind of balance created sustainability. But my dad, like other farmers, also knew he could grow his farm operation by increasing the human inputs ... or as he would call it, “hard work.”

That hard work might include physical labor or brain power. The result might be improved feed rations, better pasture management, or barn improvements that made us more efficient or reduced the stress on the cows.

The more we put in, the more the cows gave back, either in increased production or a higher quality of milk — sometimes both.

For me, many important life lessons were learned in a dairy barn. As I look around at today’s broader world and the missteps of companies, communities,

and countries, I wonder if some recent events would have turned out better if those leaders had grown up on farms.

How might things be different if they applied some common farm wisdom about honesty and hard work?

A farmer could tell you that you can’t take out more than you put in. This farm kid can tell you that, too. Plus I can give you lots of examples of how I saw that happen on a daily basis as I was growing up on the farm.

Farm dads are still passing along those life lessons. And that’s kind of cool.

Dal Grooms, a new columnist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, is a native of the Midwest. She writes about rural and agricultural issues.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Global warming cause, not existence, disputed Editor: With respect to global warming: What most people call settled science is really agenda-driven political consensus.

The science is that sunspot cycles drive temperature cycles and these lead CO2 concentration cycles.

These cycles have existed for centuries and CO2 concentrations have been much high-

er during times well before our fossil fuels-based economy.

Stating that no one is proposing eliminating all CO2 diverts attention from the fact that what is being proposed will cripple our economy and increase government control of our lives horrendously.

Asserting that no reputable research organization has refuted the existence of global warming is true, but it is not true that none has challenged the assertion that CO2 and in

particular man-generated CO2 has caused it.

Those with the best credentials who challenge the political consensus have Ph.Ds. in meteorology.

Furthermore, satellite data show the earth has been in a global cooling phase of the current cycle for several years.

Tellingly, we learned recently through hacked e-mails and Dr. Phil Jones’ (former director of the Climate Research Unit) confession of very

unscientific data manipulation.

As we watched the Copenhagen Conference shiver to a close, it became apparent that the scientific case was weak to nonexistent, but that the political climate favored international socialism, particularly at the expense of the United States of America, the Constitution, and our independence.

If anyone gets disproportionate media coverage, it is not those who question the

assertions about the causes of global warming. I compliment FarmWeek for letting both sides be heard.

Remember, Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” has been foisted upon nearly every public school child in America and not one in a million of them has ever heard of Timothy Ball, Dr. Edward F. Blick, E. Calvin Beisner, or Lord Christopher Monckton.

DANIEL HARMS, Bone Gap