Farmweek april 21 2014

Wheat fared well under recent snowy conditions, while peaches and blackberries suffered. page 4

Monday, April 21, 2014

Paying to get a rural road named after you may provide funds to fix roads and bridges. page 10

Illinois Farm Families won a national marketing award for its blog and Field Moms program. page 11

Critical need for ag teachers across Illinois

Two sections Volume 42, No. 16

READY TO ROLL

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Illinois faces a critical need for agriculture education graduates to instruct the state’s next generation of agronomists, animal scientists, agribusinessmen, farmers and ag teachers.

“Unless we develop a strong supply of ag teachers, we will have problems,” said Ellen Thompson, coordinator of the National Teach Ag Campaign and former ag teacher.

Illinois boasts a healthy 322 high school agriculture programs instructing more than 29,200 students statewide. More than 390 teachers teach agriculture and serve as FFA advisers to 17,640 FFA members.

Over the last five years, the state has averaged 48 ag

teacher vacancies annually, reported Jess Smithers, coordinator of Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education (FCAE). The total includes the opening of four new high school programs and expansion of three other programs by hiring an additional teacher.

Subtracting the number of positions filled by current teachers who move to a new district, the state needs on average 36 ag teachers each year.

Prospective ag teachers find teacher educator programs at Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, Western Illinois University and the University of Illinois. On average, the four universities produced 13 ag education graduates each year; however, a number of

Opposition to EPA proposal mounting Stymied by rain, Gordon Smith of Gorham (Jackson County) makes last-minute adjustments to a planter. Smith, a 25-year employee, works for CropWatcher Dean Shields. They plan to raise corn and soybeans again this year once Mother Nature accommodates. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

About a half-dozen members of Illinois’ congressional delegation signed a letter

urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw a proposed rule defining “waters of the U.S.” Illinois Farm Bureau, with the help of its members, urged legislators to sign a letter from Reps. Chris Collins, R-New York, and Kurt Schrader, D-Oregon.

So far, Reps. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; Bill Enyart, DBelleville; Adam Kinzinger, RManteno; Aaron Schock, RPeoria; and John Shimkus, RCollinsville, have signed the letter or agreed to sign it.

“The EPA and this administration have overreached on many issues over the years — from floating an idea to regulate farm dust to now proposing a rule regulating nearly

every body of water,” Shimkus said in a statement provided by his spokesman. “I adamantly oppose this rule.

Navigable waters is the legislative language. Creeks and wet-

‘Creeks and wetlands are not navigable.’

— Rep. John Shimkus Collinsville Republican

lands are not navigable.”

Spokesman Andrew Flach said Rep. Davis “is very serious about working to get this proposed rule withdrawn.”

“Not only have we written

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

to the EPA asking them to reconsider this misguided proposal, but we’re also beginning to work through the appropriations process to block funding for them to carry out their plan,” Flach said. “This issue just further illustrates the EPA’s overreach and misunderstanding of agriculture, and why Rep. Davis fought to get ag a place at the table at the EPA’s science advisory board.”

The proposed 370-page rule states that under the Clean Water Act: • Most seasonal and raindependent streams are protected.

• Wetlands near rivers and streams are protected.

• Other types of waters may be protected, if a case-specific analysis shows that they have a

Please see Critical, page 5

“significant nexus” — either alone or in combination with similarly situated “other waters” — to a traditional navigable water, interstate water or territorial seas.

Opponents, including IFB and American Farm Bureau Federation, say the proposal expands federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. EPA says the rule merely clarifies which wetlands and streams are “waters of the U.S.” Lauren Lurkins, IFB director of natural and environmental resources, said IFB also is working with AFBF to draft comments opposing the rule.

The groups also plan to request an extension of the 90-day comment period, which starts when the rule is published in the Federal Register.

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

Quick Takes

NEW DIRECTORS

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, April 21, 2014

HOUSE BILL EXTENDS SECTION 179 — A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would make permanent a Section 179 small business expense deduction limit of $500,000.

HR 4457 also includes a dollar-per-dollar phase-out threshold of $2 million.

Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, introduced the bill, which is co-sponsored by a half-dozen others, including Illinois Reps. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, and Danny Davis, D-Chicago.

Section 179 small business expense deductions are among dozens of tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013. The deduction limit was set at $250,000 in 2008 and 2009 and at $500,000 from 2010-2013. It dropped to $25,000 this year — and will remain at that level unless Congress acts.

The House plans to mark up individual bills and propose permanent tax extenders, while the Senate is debating a proposed tax package that includes temporary extensions.

ISA CAPTURES NATIONAL AWARD — Celebration of its 50th anniversary earned the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) Best Events-Internal honors from the National Agri-Marketing Association.

The yearlong observance of “Embracing the Past, Envisioning the Future” kicked off with a reception at the 2013 Farm Progress Show, and continued with a recognition program at the November Illinois Commodity Conference. The celebration will conclude at the ISA annual meeting in July.

For more information about ISA and its 50th anniversary, visit {ilsoy.org}.

ACHIEVING FINANCIAL SECURITY — When it comes to finances, comfortable, well-off and secure aren’t created equal, according to the latest COUNTRY Financial Security Index.

Fifty-nine percent of Americans said they aren’t sure or don’t believe it’s possible to achieve financial security with a middleclass income.

Just 3 percent of Americans consider themselves wealthy. This group is, however, more likely to say a lower income is all that’s necessary to be comfortable, financially well-off and financially secure.

The survey also found that as incomes rise, so do Americans’ view of how much you need to be “well-off.” All income groups said $50,000 to $100,000 is enough for an individual to live comfortably. However, the more they make, the more likely Americans are to say a higher income is necessary to be financially “well-off.”

LIVESTOCK GUIDE AVAILABLE — The Illinois Soybean Association has developed a guide for anyone interested in beginning a livestock operation.

The livestock guide provides information on animal care, locating a facility, odor control, contracts, nutrient management and financial considerations.

It also includes contact information for additional resources such as the Illinois Livestock Development Group and the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

Livestock producers represent the No. 1 customer of soybean growers.

The guide can be found at {ilsoy.org/animalag/livestockguide}.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 42 No. 16 April 21, 2014 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers.

FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701.

Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek.

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

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

POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Farm Bureau members should send change of addresses to their local county Farm Bureau. © 2014 Illinois Agricultural Association

STAFF Editor Chris Anderson (canderson@ilfb.org) Legislative Affairs Editor Kay Shipman (kayship@ilfb.org) Agricultural Affairs Editor Deana Stroisch (dstroisch@ilfb.org) Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant (dgrant@ilfb.org) Editorial Assistant Margie Fraley (mfraley@ilfb.org) Business Production Manager Bob Standard (bstandard@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Manager Richard Verdery (rverdery@ilfb.org) Classified sales coordinator Nan Fannin (nfannin@ilfb.org) Director of News and Communications Michael L. Orso 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

J. Larr y Miller joined the Illinois Farm Bureau board of directors i n D e c e m b e r. M i l l e r and his wife, Kaye, raise grain and beef near Thompsonville in Franklin County. (Photos by Ken Kashian)

Being involved important to new director

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

J. Larry Miller isn’t one to sit on the sidelines and watch.

“When I’m part of something, I want to be involved,” said Miller, who was elected in December to serve as Illinois Farm Bureau’s District 17 director.

Miller of Thompsonville has been an Illinois Farm Bureau member since 1978.

He served as Franklin County Farm Bureau vice president from 1978-79 and president from 1980-89. He also served as the county’s Farm Bureau manager from 2002 to August.

The seven-county district he now represents includes Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton and White counties.

“I think Farm Bureau is a great organization — there is absolutely no question about that,” he said. “I want to see that continue. I feel like I have some leadership qualities that will help that.”

Miller and his wife, Kaye, raise grain and beef. The couple, who recently celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary, has three children, Jerry, Jeff and Jenny. They also have six grandchildren.

The Millers are members of Immanuel Baptist Church, where he also teaches Sunday school to adults.

Miller grew up on a farm — and always wanted to be a farmer.

He enjoys being his own boss, watching livestock grow, seeing crops being planted and “the hope of a better day.”

“You never know how it’s going to turn out,” he said.

Miller attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture education in 1972.

He rented a small farm, and in 1972, he put out his first crop: soybeans.

He taught agriculture for two years at West Frankfort High School. He was then elected as Eastern Township Highway Commissioner and served a four-year term.

In 1980, he started farming full time.

And the challenges began.

Land prices fell. Interest rates soared.

“We had a major drought here in 1983 that really caused a lot of farmers to lose their operations because they couldn’t overcome that loss,” he said.

Reflecting on all the challenges, he said: “We were blessed and were able to survive.”

Miller’s son, Jerry, also farms. Jerry has his own farming operation, but they own a few pieces of equipment together, he said.

Jerry, who will turn 40 this year, has helped Miller adapt to new technology that has been introduced to agriculture.

“Having him in the operation has kept our operation relevant and using technology to our advantage,” he said. “I wonder sometimes if I would have been able to adapt if it hadn’t been for him.”

The next generation of farmers, he said, needs to be technologically savvy.

“If they’re not that — if they’re labor oriented like I was — that may be to their detriment today,” he said.

Miller hopes he is remembered for his involvement and leadership.

“I think as much as technology has been part of our world today, leadership is still needed,” he said. “We need to encourage people to be more involved in their communities and organizations like Farm Bureau.

“If we can some way get people involved, to take our places, then I think that would be a pretty good legacy.”

NEW FARMERS, YOUNG LEADERS

Page 3 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

Young Leader: Off-farm experience valuable commodity

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Many young people interested in farming must start their careers at other jobs in the industry due to limited opportunities in production ag.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, according to Ryan Voorhees, a member of the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader State Committee Ryan Voorhees from Washington (Tazewell County).

Off-farm jobs provide valuable experience and a financial base that improve the odds of starting and running a successful farming operation down the road.

“It seems we’re getting a few less people who go right out of high school or college directly into farming,” Voorhees told FarmWeek. “I see more (young people) stop at other jobs tied to agriculture.”

Grants available for beginning farmers

USDA last week announced the availability of $19 million this year in funding for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP).

The program provides competitive grants to community organizations, farm and ranch groups, academic institutions and Extension to provide education, outreach, training and technology assistance to beginning farmers.

“USDA is committed to the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers because they represent the future of agriculture and are the backbone of our rural

Voorhees knows the trend firsthand. He works on his family’s farm that produces corn and soybeans, and finishes 2,000 head of hogs and 300 beef cattle each year. Voorhees and his wife, Jennica, also grow and market carving pumpkins each fall.

Voorhees, chairman of the YL Education and Recruitment Committee, also works off the farm as an insurance specialist for 1st Farm Credit Services.

“There’s maybe not enough opportunities right off the bat

economy,” said USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “As the average age of farmers continues to rise, we have no time to lose in getting more new farmers and ranchers established.”

Applications for the current round of funding are due June 12.

USDA, via the new farm bill, will provide $100 million the next five years for BFRDP, $63 million for the Value-Added Producer Grain Program and $30 million annually for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

(for young people to enter production ag),” Voorhees said. But working other jobs in the industry “allows time to get experience and get a financial base to start a farm.”

Young farmers identified securing adequate land to grow crops and raise livestock as the top challenge this year in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers Program.

The average price of prime Illinois farmland soared to new heights (five digits) last

year, although the market calmed a bit in recent months due to lower crop prices.

“I think some of it (the trend of more off-farm work) is tied to land availability, unless you’re willing to play a high stakes cash rent game,” Voorhees said.

USDA, in an attempt to reduce risk for beginning farmers, recently expanded its microloan program and lowered premiums for some forms of crop insurance for beginning farmers.

“Little things like that help

young farmers compete more efficiently,” said Voorhees, who noted farm credit remains open for qualified candidates despite lower income on some farms. “The availability of credit is still there. There’s been no drastic changes.”

Overall, young farmers should continue to receive opportunities to enter the business as older farmers retire.

“The average age of farmers is getting older, which might be concerning to the general population,” Voorhees added. “But I’d say there are willing and able candidates to take their spots once they decide to retire.

They (younger farmers) just need the opportunity.”

The average age of a principal farm operator in the U.S. was 58.3 years in 2012, which continued a 30-year upward trend, according to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture.

A full report on the latest census will be released next month.

Farmer educators share resources, challenges of training new farmers

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Farmers — even new ones — share many traits in addition to challenging careers, according to educators who train and work with new farmers and ranchers across the country.

Last week educators representing 17 states attended a two-day Start2Farm Together Conference at the Illinois Farm Bureau office, Bloomington. The session highlighted national programs and resources along with those from individual states.

Educators brainstor med about everything from recruitment and land acquisition to food safety and

FarmWeekNow.com

Learn more about USDA and Farm Bureau’s efforts at training new farmers at FarmWeekNow.com.

product processing. They also shared practices that worked and failed, and included wish lists of

needed but unavailable resources.

“It is a benefit for Farm Bureau to partner with Start2Farm and support beginning farmer educators across the country,” said Lisa Hightower, American Farm Bureau Federation director of rural development. “American Farm Bureau Federation’s goal is to help farmers thrive and be economically Lisa Hightower viable.”

The USDA National Agriculture Library houses a wealth of information on education and training, finance, technical assistance and networking for beginning farmers and ranchers on its {start2farm.gov} website, said Jorie Porter, a clearinghouse librarian with the National Agriculture Library. The database includes information specifically for certain individuals, such as veterans and non-English speakers.

IFB was pleased to serve as the primary host for the Start2Farm national conference, said Cynthia Haskins, IFB manager of business development and compliance.

“It was a great experience to co-host with the U of I Extension and the Illinois Department of Agriculture,” Haskins said. “We had representatives from as far as Hawaii, New York, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and all points in between attend the Cynthia Haskins conference.”

Highlighted state programs included an Illinois program to train new fruit and vegetable growers. The 2-year-old program incorporates Extension educators and sessions on three U of I research farms, reported Rick Weinzierl, U of I Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education coordinator. Bilingual

sessions in Spanish are provided through cooperation with the Illinois Migrant Council.

To date, 157 participants from 47 counties have learned basic production information and gained skills.

Weinzerl cautioned educators not to stereotype new farmers: “We said we need new farmers, not young farmers.

We have some second career people in these classes. We can’t say you’re over 50 and can’t be in class.”

Illinois networking included additional discussion by an Illinois Local Food, Farms and Jobs Council working group earlier in the week. “We need to have farmer (participants). This is a great opportunity for people who work in this area to network,” said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, U of I Extension educator.

“Another key part (of the conference) was the variety of educators whom we worked with,” said AFBF’s Hightower. “We want to support all types of farmers and producers.”

USDA boosting programs to grow new and beginning farmers USDA has stepped up to grow a new generation of farmers, according to Lilia McFarland, USDA’s coordinator of New and Beginning Farmer and Lilia McFarland Rancher Program.

McFarland spoke last week during the national Start2Farm Together Conference at the Illinois Farm Bureau office, Bloomington. The meeting was coordinated by IFB, American Farm Bureau Federation, University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Department of Agriculture, and sponsored by Farm Credit Services.

America needs new farmers as its farmer population ages

and the number of farmers with 10 or fewer years of experience shrinks, McFarland said.

And USDA needs partners to work with and train those new people, she noted.

Two of new farmers’ greatest needs include access to capital and farm business skills, according to McFarland.

The new farm bill will address some of those needs with improved access to pro-

grams for new farmers. The farm bill expanded lending opportunities to new farmers and ranchers, she said. Last year, USDA started microloans for new farmers, McFarland added.

New farmers also will find assistance through conservation programs and farm storage programs, according to McFarland. USDA works to provide technical assistance “to

those who want to farm,” she said.

“A personal goal is to highlight agriculture as a profitable career,” McFarland said.

“Farming can be profitable and financially stable.”

For information on USDA and state new farmer programs, visit {afsic.nal.usda. gov/farms-and-community/ beginningnew-farmers}. — Kay Shipman

PRODUCTION

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, April 21, 2014

Wheat conditions good; crop tour to be held May 28

WORLDLY WHEAT ISSUES

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Unseasonably cold temperatures and isolated snow showers the first half of last week had little to no impact on winter wheat in Illinois.

The majority of the crop remains in good to excellent condition statewide, according to growers and the latest report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Illinois field office.

“I don’t see any damage in fields,” Kyle Brase, a farmer from Edwardsville (Madison County) and president of the Illinois Wheat Association (IWA) told FarmWeek.

“Wheat can take very cold temperatures,” he continued. “We didn’t get that cold (with lows of 29 to 30 degrees last week) and not very much of the wheat crop is at jointing (a growth stage when the crop becomes more susceptible to freezing temperatures).”

Winter wheat conditions the first of last week were rated 56 percent good to excellent, 35 percent fair and 9 percent poor to very poor, NASS reported.

The portion of the crop rated good to excellent increased 9 percent compared to last month, while the portion rated poor to very poor remained the same.

Brase estimated as much of 85 percent of the crop in his area appears to be in excellent condition.

Many growers in recent weeks applied nitrogen to their wheat crop.

“The warmer days have been good for wheat,” said Kevin Raber, a FarmWeek CropWatcher from Wabash County. “It seems to be growing quickly and has good color.”

Brase believes the majority of the crop survived the harsh winter with limited damage. He has no plans to tear up any fields at this point.

“We were worried about the below-zero temperatures in January with little snow cover,” he said. “I don’t have any fields that won’t be wheat. I feel good about the condition of the crop.”

Illinois wheat growers, end users and others next month plan to scout wheat fields and estimate yield potential. IWA on May 28 will host its annual southern Illinois Winter Wheat Tour.

More information about the wheat tour will appear in a future edition of FarmWeek and at FarmWeekNow.com. Information about the tour also can be found online at {illinoiswheat.org} or by calling the IWA office at 309-557-3619.

Above, Greenville farmer Jerr y Gaffner, in white coat, gives visiting Tasmanian farmers a glimpse of wheat recovering from a harsh w i n t e r. G a f f n e r a n d h i s d a d , C.W., raise wheat, corn and soybeans in Bond County.

Left, Tasmanian farmers, from left, Alex Downie, Dave Farmer, James Clutterbuck and Alex Isles inspect wheat on the Gaf fner farm. TP Jones, a Tasmanian agronomy ser vices company, sponsored a U.S. farm tour for 15 of its clients.

The company contacted Diane Handley, Illinois Wheat Association manager, to coordinate the Illinois wheat stop. (Photos by Cyndi Cook)

Harsh weather conditions bruise specialty crop outlook in Illinois

A late-season freeze last week added insult to injury for some specialty crop farms.

The mercury in some areas dipped 20 degrees or more below average last Monday and Tuesday.

But the bulk of the damage to some crops so far this season occurred in January and February when arctic temperatures invaded the state.

“The last few days didn’t help,” Kurt Range, a specialty crop grower at Braeutigam Orchards in Belleville (St. Clair County), said the middle of last week after consecutive cold nights. “But most of the (crop) damage was caused by the harsh winter.”

The 2014 winter destroyed the majority of the peach crop on some farms, including Braeutigam Orchards.

“We think we’ll have about 25 percent of a (peach) crop, which seems pretty good considering what it’s gone through,” Range said. “We originally thought we might have 5 to 10 percent of a peach crop.”

Peach losses typically occur if winter temperatures drop much below minus 10 degrees.

“We hit minus 16 in some

areas (in January),” said Elizabeth Wahle, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “It was a complete

along with apples and pumpkins.

“Right now we feel we have nearly a 100 percent apple crop.

We feel fortunate about that,”

last week watered those crops to protect the plants and blooms from cold overnight temperatures.

‘Many growers who didn’t cover (blackberries) are seeing some significant injuries.’

— Elizabeth Wahle U of I Extension horticulture educator

loss for some.”

Blackberries also suffered significant die-back due to the harsh winter.

The average statewide temperature was below normal 11 of the last 14 months, including the last five consecutive months, according to the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

“Many growers who didn’t cover (blackberries) are seeing some significant injuries,” Wahle said.

Range reported blackberry damage on his farm.

“Two of our four crops are really limited,” said Range. “It could be a tough year.”

Braeutigam Orchards produces blackberries and peaches

Range said. “And pumpkins — we don’t plant until June.”

Many strawberry growers

Wahle believes much of the strawberry crop remains in good shape.

“We had quite a bit of snow on the ground, so strawberries had good insulation,” she said.

“They came (out of winter) beautifully.”

Wahle estimated some grape growers experienced about 30 percent damage to primary buds. But grapes also produce secondary buds, so the horticulture specialist believes harvest of that crop still could be good.

Farmers planted some sweet corn prior to last week.

Any of that crop that emerged prior to last week’s cold snap could be damaged, Wahle added. — Daniel Grant

April cold snap triggers flashbacks to 2007

Last week’s cold snap reminded some specialty crop growers of the infamous Easter freeze in 2007.

That freeze devastated crops as it occurred weeks after many plants bloomed due to a warmer-than-normal March that averaged 7.1 degrees above normal.

The 2007 Easter freeze statewide caused about $146 million in crop losses — $106 million to winter wheat, $18 million to alfalfa, $12 million to peaches and $10 million to apples, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.

This year, the timing and severity of the spring freeze was different. The average temperature last month was 7 degrees below nor-

mal, so there wasn’t much in bloom last week.

“If you lose peaches, usually it’s because spring comes early and then you get another touch of winter,” said Kurt Range, a specialty crop grower at Braeutigam Orchards in Belleville. “This year it was kind of the opposite.”

Most damage to specialty crops this year, blackberries and peaches in particular, was caused by the now equally infamous polar vortex in January and February.

Range predicted harvest of numerous specialty crops in coming months could be less productive and a little later than normal due to the slow start to the season. — Daniel Grant

EMERGING ISSUES

Page 5 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

Illinois to pilot national ag ed campaign

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Illinois faces a shortage of high school ag teachers, but won’t confront the issue alone thanks to the state’s selection as a National Teach Ag Campaign pilot.

Ellen Thompson, the campaign coordinator and a former ag teacher, described the initiative during a recent ag education symposium in Springfield.

For details, visit {teachag.org}.

The campaign wants “to develop solutions to the shortage,� Thompson said. Nationwide, 70 high school ag programs didn’t reopen this year

Critical

Continued from page 1 those grads don’t pursue teaching, Smithers noted. “Secondary agriculture education is a difficult job. It’s also one of the most rewarding,� said Erica Thieman, University of Illinois agriculture education assistant professor.

Recently, state agriculture leaders and educators raised concerns about and discussed possible solutions to the current shortage, and state testing and licensure changes. The discussion occurred during a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE).

Jason Helfer, assistant state superintendent of education, addressed about 100 leaders who represented many sectors of Illinois agriculture and teacher education. He complimented ag education for its integration of a three-circle approach of classroom instruction, work experience and FFA. “You’ve got it right. You’ve got a model that’s as strong as anything I’ve seen,� Helfer said. “It’s not hyperbole when I say, ‘You really are 20 years ahead of the curve.’�

because of the teacher shortage. “Illinois is ahead because you have a lot of historical (ag education) data. Kudos for collecting this,� she said.

Campaign materials strive to empower a state to recruit and retain ag teachers.

Each state will develop its own strategy to address the shortage, according to Thompson.

Through the campaign network, states will share successful practices. She noted Midwestern states face the most severe ag teacher shortages. “We need to figure out the best way to get there,� Thompson said.

Despite ag education’s structural strengths, prospective agriculture teachers, including those graduating from Illinois universities, face increasingly difficult state licensing requirements and more wait on the horizon. Attracting ag education graduates, even those who are Illinois residents, from out-of-state universities isn’t an answer. “There are severe require-

Supply, demand Demand for high school agriculture teachers outstrips the supply of new ag education graduates nationwide. • 650 annual ag education graduates nationwide; • 460 annual ag ed graduates who become teachers; • 394 projected ag teacher shortfall nationwide accounting for program expansions, new programs and openings due to retirements or teachers leaving the profession; • 11 Illinois ag education graduates 2013; • 6 Illinois ag ed graduates became teachers; • 57 Illinois ag education openings 2012-2013 (56 were filled).

Sources: National Teach Ag Campaign, Illinois Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education

Education, protection among Conservation Congress priorities

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Delegates supported educating the public about conservation and protecting the environment from invasive species among key priorities during the recent Conservation Congress.

Lauren Lurkins, Illinois Farm Bureau director of natural and environmental resources; Blake Roderick, executive director of Pike and Scott County Farm Bureaus; and Ron Kern, Ogle County Farm Bureau manager, participated in the two-day congress at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) office, Springfield. Natural Resources Director Marc Miller presided both days.

Cooperation and communication among agencies and organizations comprised one

ments for teachers entering from other states. We’ve made it extremely difficult for teachers to enter this state,�

Helfer said. He added he has discussed the matter with the state superintendent and deputy superintendent.

Ag leaders brainstormed ideas to recruit new teachers and retain current ones. One group focused on state teacher testing and licensing. “This did not happen overnight because this (ag teacher shortage) has been happening for decades,�

Thompson told the leaders and educators. “You are the ones going to turn this around — going to identify and nurture ag teachers.�

Editor’s note: FarmWeek will explore issues and possible solutions to the Illinois ag teacher situation in future issues.

recommendation to tackle invasive species, including feral hogs. Education and outreach campaigns to inform the public about the invasive species also surfaced among the priorities.

A need for more public education about conservation and natural resources wove through several priority issues. Those targeted audiences include urban communities and landowners seeking help with wildlife.

One focus within public education will be drawing attention to natural resources within urban settings and encouraging residents to be active and protect those nearby resources.

Conservation Congress recommendations will be forwarded to IDNR for consideration.

Australian study: Honeybee losses linked more to pests and diseases

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

A host of factors from mites and diseases to nutrition and lack of genetic diversity likely cause honeybee health problems more than the use of neonicotinoids, according to a new Australian government study.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority released a comprehensive global assessment of honeybee problems with special attention to the situation in Australia. The 98-page, February 2014 “Neonicotinoids and Health of Honey Bees in Australia� may be viewed online at {www.apvma.gov.au}.

The study set out to determine if neonicotinoid (pronounced neonicotin-oid) use in Australia presented any more risk to honeybees than other insecticides. “Information and advice available ... suggests that, in Australia, honeybee populations are not in decline and insecticides are not a highly significant issue,� the study stated. “Neonicotinoids appear to be less frequently involved in bee poisoning incidents than many other insecticide classes ...

However, there are concerns that repeated exposures to sublethal concentrations of neonicotinoid residues in plants may make bees more susceptible to other stressors in the environment, including bee pests and diseases,� the study noted.

Not only are neonicotinoids less toxic to humans and other mammals compared to other insecticides, but by protecting seeds and seedlings, they require fewer in-field pesticide applications, according to the study.

An overall conclusion noted current scientific opinion links pollinator declines in some parts of the world to several factors, including habitat loss, honeybee nutrition, bee pests and pathogens, bee husbandry practices, climate change, and agricultural and horticultural pesticides and other chemicals intentionally used in hives.

The study summarized current USDA and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientific information that also focused on multiple factors. The parasitic varroa mite was recognized as the major underlying factor for colony bee loss in the U.S. The mites have developed widespread resistance to chemicals used in hives to control them.

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FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, April 21, 2014 Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: Since my last report, we have had lots of different weather. It has gone from near 70 degrees and sunshine to thunderstorms with 2 inches of rain last weekend (April 12-13). Last Monday (April 14) brought snow flurries all day, and 22 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday morning. I checked our soil temp two weeks ago, and it was 39 degrees. I checked it again Thursday, and it was still 39 degrees. The weather is supposed to straighten out after Easter, and should be near 70 most of next week.

There will be lots of fieldwork done when it does warm up. Hope everyone had a good Easter.

Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: Another cool week in Lake County. We got 2 inches of snow Monday night (April 14), otherwise a few sprinkles of rain the rest of the week.

Not much fieldwork done for another week. Hopefully, it will warm up this week and dry up for some fieldwork to be done. Winter wheat is greening up, but very spotty. The verdict is still out as to whether it will be saved or not. It’s not looking good right now. Alfalfa is very slow also. Easter has passed, so maybe spring will follow.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: The rain came on Sunday (April 13) and stopped any fieldwork until Thursday. I saw some anhydrous being applied. I received 2.25 inches of rain with a little snow Monday (April 14). Along the Wisconsin state line, the ground was white.

Cold temperatures of 22 degrees put a chill back in the ground. In reviewing the winter wheat, the rye and alfalfa field, I don’t see any winterkill to be concerned about. Soil temperatures of 41 degrees are slowing much growth in the pastures.

Conditions should improve after Easter weekend.

Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: It was a cold, dry week. The heavy weekend rains (April 12-13) stayed just northwest of here. I hoped to start planting corn Friday. I was sure glad to have a high schooler on spring break to show me how to plug in everything in the planter tractor cab yesterday.

Last year’s official county corn yield came out at 175 — below the state average — and I believe the only county with a lower yield than the year before. Mercer County had the highest state average in 2012 at 179.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received .6 of an inch of rain Sunday (April 13). Then it turned very cold and windy. No planting done early last week. On Thursday, the weather changed again and lots of herbicides were applied. A few planters were seen in the field.

We planned to start planting Friday after we worked some cattle through the head gate. Soil conditions are warming and working up very well for this early in spring.

Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: The first part of the week brought rain and then snow — a good inch. I saw a huge snowman on my way to the shop this week. Fieldwork started again at the end of the week. Hope you had a happy Easter.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: Area farmers are anxious to enter the fields. The .25 of an inch of snow we received Monday night did not help the cause. At the end of the week, some area farmers were beginning to enter their fields with sandier soils to begin planting. Some other farms did have floaters entering to apply herbicide or dry fertilizer. We have decided to plant soybeans on about 30 percent of the acres we farm this year. The last year we planted any soybeans in our operation was 2003. We still need our fields to warm up and dry out before we can get started. The local closing bids for April 17 were nearby corn, $4.68; new-crop corn, $4.63; nearby soybeans, $15.13; new-crop soybeans, $12.12.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: A cool week, but no rain gave farmers a chance to get a lot of work done.

Some spray activity has started and a little NH3 application even though the soil is cold and damp.

I see backhoes running around as we are fixing tile blowouts.

Warm weather is coming. Maybe we will have a spring.

Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: A lot of spraying, NH3 application and some pre-plant tillage work was accomplished last week. A few planters were planning to venture out over the weekend. Soils remain cold in the low 40s at 7 a.m., but sunshine and a warming trend are just what the doctor ordered. Seed beds are rated as excellent.

Corn, $4.80, fall, $4.74; beans, $15.14, fall, $12.04; wheat, $6.59.

Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: After a beautiful weekend for the Easter Bunny to spread joy, happiness and chocolate throughout the neighborhoods, planters are rolling in many fields. After .35 of an inch of rain early in the week, and the winter wonderland Monday evening, soils finally dried and warmed. We started planting Saturday.

Some farmers were waiting until after Easter, but rain is in Monday’s forecast.

After Monday’s rain, looks like we have a week of dryness with some temperatures in the 80s. We are finally out of the abnormally dry area of the drought monitor, so soil moisture has improved. Let’s be careful out there!

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: Fieldwork is picking up momentum around here, as we have only received .4 of an inch of rain since last report.

A few are planting but most are doing some form of tillage and NH3 application. Others were waiting until after Easter to roll out the planter or to get some moisture, as fields are drying down fast where they have been worked. Is this going to be a repeat of 2012? Have a good week.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: We planted corn last Friday (April 11) and started back up Thursday. A lot of fieldwork has been getting done the last two days. We only received .3 of an inch of rain over the weekend (April 12-13) and had a dusting of snow on Monday (April 14). Frost hit here and there Monday night. Asparagus got hit, but the apricot tree made it through!!

Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: Rainfall last Monday (April 14) was .8 to 1 inch, and coupled with the cold temperature, stopped any thought of fieldwork. It was doubtful that any major fieldwork would be accomplished going into Easter weekend. If we were able to avoid showers late in the weekend, farmers should be going gang busters by the time you read this report. It is great to see a week’s forecast with all 70s temperatures. Maybe spring will get here.

Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: There was quite a variance in the county last week. We had rain anywhere from .2 of an inch to 1.6 inches, which allowed fieldwork to start on the west side of Springfield and southwest of there. Corn was planted Tuesday through Thursday. Temperatures warmed up, but the soil is still extremely cool. Still a little moist where we are. As of Thursday, we hadn’t worked anything yet.

In the areas where it was drier, there was quite a bit of activity with a lot of planters rolling.

Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: As I wrote this report, planters were on the verge of starting to plant corn in the Coles County area. In a quick survey, several area producers were anxious enough to start Saturday, while others were going to wait until after Easter Sunday to get a little more drying on very borderline fields.

Rain chances are 50 percent on Monday and even more likely later in the week. It seems likely our window will be narrow, but some corn seed will be in the ground. Hopefully, temperatures stay warm enough to push the plants out of the ground quickly and finally green up the countryside a bit. A lot of us are anxious to see what this week brings.

Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Some farmers are in field. Planting by Assumption. Still wet in ponds.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: No ground work took place again last week. We had some rain early in the week, keeping fields extremely wet. Jack Frost appeared on the fields a couple of mornings. Off- and-on-showers are predicted again for this week.

Farmers are hoping to get the second shot of nitrogen on their wheat between showers using high flotation equipment. Temperatures are expected to be in the 70s this week.

Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Cold weather returned last week with a low of 33 degrees. Fortunately, we didn’t receive the predicted hard freeze and daytime temps warmed up to the 50s and 60s.

The area did have rain on Palm Sunday with amounts of up to 1.5 inches. Farmers were able to get some anhydrous applied to additional fields prior to the rain. Field spraying was limited to a few hours early in the day due to gusty winds that picked up as the weather fronts moved through the area. Conditions for spraying improved late in the week as fields dried off and warmer weather returned.

Some corn planting was rumored to have been done in the county. Most farmers were waiting until Easter for the predicted warmer weather to start planting corn.

Local grain prices are: corn, $4.95; soybeans, $15.18; wheat, $6.94. Have a safe week.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: Another cool, wet week. I had 1.3 inches of rain Sunday night (April 13) and 30 degrees several nights last week. Nothing much going on locally, other than spraying some wheat. Speaking of wheat, it has really taken off. I don’t think the freeze has hurt it, but with wheat, you are never sure how it’s going to do until it’s in the truck headed to the bin. Rain was predicted for Easter Sunday. Sure hope it doesn’t rain. The old wives tale says you can expect seven Sundays of rain if it rains on Easter.

Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Limited field activities last week. There were a couple of days that a few fields were dry enough to get over. The wheat crop looks good. I’m hoping to get my second shot of nitrogen on soon.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: Cold and wet was the start to last week, but it was dry enough toward the end of the week that I was able to get Harmony on my wheat. Still made some ruts in the low parts of the fields, but the wheat is starting to get some height to it. If I gave my wheat a rating, it would be a 6.

Stands in some fields are real good, others fair, but it’s more uneven than what I would like to see. Still no other fieldwork here to report. Weeds on no-till ground are going to be a real problem this spring. Giant ragweed is up about an inch tall. Soon many other weeds will follow. Most years we have our early burndown on, but not this year.

So, let the fun begin. Which chemical is going to clean the field up, or is tillage cheaper?

Page 7 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: The weather was nice last week. The ground is drying out. From the sound of it, most will start planting corn after Easter. The corn planters will probably be rolling pretty heavy. We also got a lot of bean ground sprayed with burndown and got set up for beans.

Looks like the weather didn’t hurt it too bad. Hopefully, we will have a good week this week barring any unnecessary wet weather.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: We managed to get a small amount of spraying done Saturday (April 12) before we had 2 inches of rain Sunday and Monday (April 13-14). Since then, it has been too wet and nothing has been done. We were hoping to get back in the field late Friday or Saturday. A chance of rain is forecast for Monday. It looks like it’s going to be another late start this year. Hope it turns out as well as last year after the late start. Please have a safe week.

Exports, ethanol production drive gains in corn demand Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com.

people realized.”

Current corn consumption projections increased from November projections by 350 million b ushels for Curt Kimmell e x p o r t s, 1 0 0 million bushels for ethanol and 100 million bushels for feed and residual use, Darrel Good, University of Illinois ag economist, noted.

And he believes corn use could exceed current expectations.

“With a slight increase in domestic ethanol consumption, an improvement in domestic rail logistics and a continued positive trade bal-

ance, it appears that ethanol production could exceed the cur rent projection,” Good said.

Corn exports this marketing year could reach 1.75 billion bushels based o n U S D A’s estimate.

But sales as of last week represented nearly 97 percent of exports needed to reach USDA’s Darrell Good projection, according to Good.

“While some sales may be canceled or rolled o ve r t o next year, it appears there is room for exports to exceed even the most recent USDA projection,” he said.

T he activity in the cor n market in recent months also

margin coverage is free. Additional insurance can be purchased — for a maximum of

ag ement provisions in the dairy title.

• Producers pay a $100 annu-

nois Farm Bureau’s livestock director.

“Don’t look at it as a way to make money, look at it as a way to protect your risk,” he said.

Fraley outlined the dairy and livestock disaster provi-

sions included in the 2014 farm bill during the third and final IFB webinar last week.

H e r e ’s w h a t p r o d u c e r s should know about the dairy margin program: • The voluntary program gives farmers a chance to protect their margin between the national average all-milk price calculated by USDA and the national average cost of feed.

• The cost of feed is determined by a “typical” dair y ration of hay, corn and soybean meal.

• Basic coverage protects 80 percent of production. Production is based on the highest annual production total in 2011, 2012 or 2013.

• Basic program at $4 of

$8 total — at 25 percent to 90 percent of the previous year’s milk production. During the first two years of the program, premiums will be reduced by 25 percent for all coverage levels except the maximum level of $8. The premium reduction is only for dairymen who produce fewer than 4 million pounds a year.

• There are no supply man-

al administrative fee to enroll.

• Coverage level between $5.50 and $6.50 appears to be the “sweet spot,” which is wh en p remiums “a re yo ur biggest bang for your buck,” Fraley said.

• A margin protection payment will be made when the actual dairy margin is less than the coverage threshold for a consecutive two-month period.

Fraley said payments aren’t made very often. Historically, milk margins rarely fall below $4, and if they do, they only stay there for a few months.

Fraley also covered livestock indemnity payments, which were reinstated with the passage of the farm bill. Under the program, payments: • Are retroactive to Oct. 1, 2011.

• Paid at 75 percent of the market value of the animal on the day before its death.

• Cover livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather or attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild. It’s unknown whether losses suffered under PEDV will qualify for payments.

High prices provide an incentive for cattlemen to expand the nation’s drought-riddled cow herd. With fewer cows in the nation’s breeding herd, producers need to make each cow count, according to a University of Illinois Extension beef specialist.

“The most obvious management strategy a cattle producer can deploy is conducting a breeding soundness exam (BSE) on bulls. All bulls that will be used in a breeding season need to be tested. Without a breeding soundness exam, producers are taking a huge risk,” said Travis Meteer.

Breeding soundness exams represent a low-cost method and provide a great return on investment, Meteer added. Infertile or poor fertility bulls will fail to settle cows.

“Evaluating bulls is crucial to making sure that cows get bred.

A breeding soundness evaluation should be conducted by a veterinarian each year prior to turnout.

Environmental factors, age and injury can all affect a bull’s fertility from year to year,” Meteer said.

Bulls should be evaluated for mobility, body condition score (BCS), age and other functional

traits. Bulls need to possess a free-moving gate with no signs of lameness. Hoof shape, joints and locomotion speed also need to be appraised. Long toes, cracked hooves or signs of foot rot are characteristics that can cause lameness and subsequent failure of that bull to service cows. Swollen, fluid-filled joints may be signs of structural incorrectness or injury that may affect the number of cows a bull can cover.

Bulls need to be in good body condition with an ideal BCS of 5 or 6. Bulls that are too thin or too fat can pose problems. Bulls

should also be transitioned nutritionally.

“Lush spring grass is not nearly as nutrient dense as hay and grain offered in the dry lot setting,” Meteer explained.

“Thus, transitioning bulls to pasture is important in making sure they don’t ‘melt’ or ‘crash’ when they go to pasture to breed.

“I suggest feeding a low-protein, high-energy supplement at 2 to 4 pounds per head per day.

This is very important if you are using yearling bulls. These bulls will have higher nutrient requirements than mature bulls because they are still growing.”

Once bulls are in the pasture or breeding pen, they need to be monitored for libido. Bulls need to be checked for activity. Sunup and dusk are good times to check to see if bulls are breeding cows.

“Open cows are a major drain on profitability for a cow/calf operation. There is no doubt that reproduction is a sensitive mechanism and is vulnerable to several factors. However, evaluating bulls to ensure they are capable of servicing cows is the starting point to making sure your breeding season is successful,” Meteer said.

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Crop demand, particularly for corn, remains strong and could pressure prices into the planting season.

USDA earlier this month raised its export projections by 125 million bushels for corn and 50 million bushels for soybeans.

T he ag depar tment also projected corn used for ethanol this year could total 5 billion bushels. If realized, the ethanol industry would consume 352 million more bushels of corn than it used last year.

“Demand keeps hanging in there,” said Curt Kimmel, market analyst with Bates Commodities in Nor mal.

“It’s better than what a lot of

FarmWeekNow.com

View Todd Gleason’s video with Darrel Good about corn usage this year at FarmWeekNow.com.

attracted investor interest.

“Fund interest is back in the marketplace,” Kimmel said. “(Commodity funds) went from huge shorts to some fairly long positions.”

Elsewhere, the crop markets in recent weeks gained support due to production and political uncer tainties in Ukraine, a major producer of feed g rains, along with concern about last week’s freeze in the U.S. Kimmel estimated 1 percent

of the hard red winter wheat crop was damaged by the freeze.

“It depends on the stage the wheat crop was in (when the freeze hit last week), but there was maybe 1 percent loss (of the hard red crop),” he said. “Wheat is pretty tough stuff.”

Most of the soft red wheat crop in Illinois likely avoided major damage from last week’s f r e e z e a s t h e c r o p w a s n’t mature enough to make it susceptible to that type of damage.

Looking ahead, a warmer weather forecast could weigh on the markets if planting activity and crop development explode in this and coming weeks, Kimmel added.

Final farm bill webinar covers milk, livestock programs

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Dair y margin insurance protects producers during catastrophic losses, but isn’t intended to be a money-maker, according to Jim Fraley, Illi-

FarmWeekNow.com

Go to FarmWeekNow.com to view last Thursday’s farm bill webinar on dairy programs and livestock disaster provisions.

Illinois Farm Bureau hosted three webinars explaining provisions included in the 2014 farm bill. Miss any? No problem! View the webinars at {ilfb.org/farmbill}.

Check bulls for breeding soundness; make cows count

RESEARCH

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, April 21, 2014

Dicamba-tolerant crops still in works

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Monsanto remains “on track” to commercially introduce dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton in 2015, according to company officials.

The products, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybean and Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton, still need regulatory approvals from various state and federal agencies, including USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

USDA required two separate environmental impact studies (EIS) — one for the 2,4-D-tolerant products (corn and soybeans) and one for the dicamba-tolerant products (soybeans and cotton).

“Because Dow submitted petitions to USDA for 2,4-Dtolerant corn and soybeans prior to Monsanto’s first dicamba-tolerant submission, USDA has elected to maintain that order as it completes the EIS process,” said Michelle Vigna, Monsanto’s dicamba launch lead. “We are excited to see completion of

the draft EIS for Dow’s products and look forward to USDA reaching this same milestone with respect to its review of dicamba-tolerant products in the coming months.”

Monsanto also needs federal EPA approvals for the use of dicamba over the top of dicamba-tolerant crops, as well as federal and state registrations of dicamba herbicide products. The company also will seek global import approvals.

Canada already approved the new trait. Argentina and Brazil are expected to approve it before the United States.

In the meantime, Monsanto has ramped up its efforts to educate far mers and employees about its dicamba-tolerant products.

A 25-member advisory team, which includes representatives from Illinois Far m Bureau and GROWMARK Inc., continues to meet and offer sug gestions to the company. The group recently had its 10th meet-

ing since it was for med in 2009.

Monsanto chemists showed the group results of drift trials, as well as how a proprietary tank deactivator can be used with dicamba for mulations.

By adding ferrous sulfate and concentrated hydrogen peroxide to the tank, any sprayer residue becomes neutralized into water and carbon dioxide.

“The big concern always with a dicamba product is that it could drift onto a sensitive crop or grass,” said Tamara Nelsen, IFB senior director of commodities. “It sure looks like if you do everything right, you are going to have minimal off-site movement and minimal damage to anybody anywhere close to you.”

Jeff Bunting, crop protection division manager for GROWMARK, said the “FS system will be ready to embrace the future technologies.

“We are spending a lot of time educating and training our members for the com-

Above, Untreated Palmer amaranth and other weeds grow in Monsanto’s St. Louis research greenhouse. Right, Paul Feng, Monsanto senior science fellow, tells members of a crop trait advisory group about dicamba-tolerant plant genes he developed. Enzymes carried in the genes do not “allow for the product to ‘get up and walk,’” Feng said. (Photos by Tamara Nelsen)

mercial launch and welcome the new products to be another tool for us in developing and executing weed management systems for our growers and customers that continue to be challenged by resistant weeds,” he said.

He applauded Monsanto for bringing together a diverse group of people to discuss the product and help with the commercial launch of the Roundup Ready Xtend System.

“The steps that Monsanto has taken … are impressive, but we will all still have to be cognizant of the

product characteristics to keep the herbicide on the target weed,” Bunting said.

“There will be a lot of discussion around volatility and off-target movement with these products, but implementing application strategies, such as nozzle selection, boom height, spray pressure, application speed, as well as weather conditions, will be critical to keep the droplet on the target.”

Tuesday: • “FarmWeek: the Early Word” • Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey • Ivan Dozier, Natural Resources Conservation Service: Earth Day • Tom Szaky, TerraCycle: recyclable product packaging Wednesday: • Suzanne Moss, Illinois Department of Agriculture: egg inspection program • Leigh Adcock, Women, Food and Agriculture Network: minority and underserved food availability • Rich Guebert Jr., Illinois Farm Bureau president • Matthew Prince, CloudFlare: protecting yourself from Heartbleed data breach

Thursday: • Tim Maiers, Illinois Pork Producers Association • Colleen Callahan, Illinois Director of USDA Rural Development • Lance Tarochione, Asgrow/DEKALB: challenges for planting season Friday: • Alan Jarand & Rita Frazier live from the Oblong FFA • Harry Cooney, GROWMARK • Kerry Travis, Oblong FFA • Chuck Baker, Crawford County Farm Bureau • Vanessa Midgett, Crawford County ag literacy coordinator To find a radio station near you that carries the RFD Radio Network®, go to FarmWeek Now.com, click on “Radio,” then click on “Affiliates.”

PRODUCTION

Page 9 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

Weed issues could pop up Planting pace to shift into overdrive soon

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek Weed populations so far this spring remain fairly tame compared to previous years.

But farmers shouldn’t be fooled by what they’re unable to see at this point, according to Aaron Hager, University of Illinois Extension weed scientist.

Emergence and growth of various weed varieties could explode in coming weeks once the temperature heats up.

“We haven’t seen the green-up as early or as lush as we’ve seen in previous years, likely due to the cold temperatures,” Hager told FarmWeek. “But once we have a sustained pattern of warmer temperatures, vegetation will take off.”

Farmers therefore should aggressively pursue weed control strategies as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of bigger issues later.

Hager recommended farmers target winter annual weeds with burndown herbicides during early growth stages prior to flowering.

“Everybody feels it will be a compacted spring season (due to lingering winter-like conditions in recent weeks),” Hager said.

“But that doesn’t mean you (farmers) should forego good weed management practices.”

Hager advised farmers to apply early burndowns to control winter annual weeds, use products with various modes of action and apply herbicides at rates recommended on labels.

A residual herbicide in some instances could be the only option farmers have to control problem weeds. If skipped, weeds could be an issue all season and possibly reduce crop yields in some fields.

It’s possible the harsh winter reduced vegetative activity in the soil. But even if weeds aren’t as prevalent, good management practices are crucial to control herbicide resistant weeds such as marestail.

“What we don’t have yet is a good feeling for what affect the rough winter may have had (on weed populations),” Hager said.

“Time will tell.

“We want to make farmers aware that just because some may not see as much marestail doesn’t mean it will be easier to control,” he continued. “The more integrated (weed management) system you use, the better off you’ll be.”

The use of residual herbicides is a must for farmers to control waterhemp, which in many cases developed resistance to multiple herbicides including glyphosate.

Farmers also should be on the lookout for Palmer amaranth, a spreading weed species confirmed in at least 30 Illinois counties.

For more information, visit the U of I Pest Management and Crop Development Bulletin online at {bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu}.

Hager recently posted more information about management of Palmer amaranth at the site.

Wed., Apr. 23. Online Only Unreserved Auction. bigiron.com Thurs., Apr. 24. 9 a.m. Farm and Construction Eq. Consignment Auc. TREMONT, IL. Cal Kaufman and Brent Schmidgall, Auctioneers. tremontconsignmentauction@yahoo.com Thurs., Apr. 24. 7 p.m. Perry Co. RE Auc. PINCKNEYVILLE, IL. buyafarm.com Sat., Apr. 26. 10 a.m. ~ Real Estate 1 p.m. Estate Auc. Forrest A. Feldt Est., SUMMERFIELD, IL. Mark Krausz Auction Service. krauszauctions.com Sat., Apr. 26. 10 a.m. Real Estate Auc. Clifton and Viola Buchholz, MURPHYSBORO, IL. Canning Auction Service. www.canningauctions.com or auctionzip.com Sat., Apr. 26. 9:30 a.m. Consignment Auction.

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Corn planting dragged or remained on hold last week in most parts of the state due to another shot of cold air, rain and even light snow in some areas.

Just 1 percent of the corn crop was in the ground statewide as of the first of last week compared to the five-year average of 10 percent.

Nationwide, 3 percent of corn was planted as of the first of last week compared to the average of 6 percent.

“It’s wet and still a little cold,” Allen Kasten, a farmer from Hillsboro and Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader State Committee member, said Thursday. “I’m going to try to plant (corn on Friday).”

The situation could change in a hurry in this and coming weeks, though. The forecast late last week called for high temperatures this week in the high-60s and 70s with isolated chances of showers early and late in the week.

“I think we’ll see a lot of dust flying (this) week,” said Curt Kimmel, market analyst with Bates Commodities in Normal. “The trade anticipates 40 to 45 percent of corn will

be in the ground by the end of the month.”

Farmers last year proved they could handle that type of task. Illinois farmers last year planted more than half of the corn crop (57 percent) in just one week in May.

‘I think we’ll see a lot of dust flying (this) week.’

— Curt Kimmel Market analyst

Farmers who planted early this year could deal with possible replant situations. Some areas last week received up to 3 inches of rain, while others dipped below freezing on consecutive nights.

“I’d say 1 percent of corn is planted around here,” said Kyle Brase, an Edwardsville farmer and president of the Illinois Wheat Association. “I haven’t seen any emerged yet, but I’m a little concerned about some of the corn in the ground.”

Fortunately, soil temperatures climbed last week and continue to warm. Topsoil moisture readings last week ranged from 52.6 degrees in northern Illinois to 61.5 degrees in southern Illinois.

Farmers typically wait for the soil to warm to at least 50 degrees before planting corn.

Soil moisture readings also improved. The majority of topsoil moisture (73 percent) statewide last week was rated adequate. Ten percent of topsoil moisture was rated short or very short, while the remaining 17 percent was surplus.

The U.S. Drought Monitor last week showed normal conditions across the state with the exception of two small areas, one in northwest Illinois and one in the southwest north of St. Louis, rated abnormally dry.

Brase and Kasten believe most farmers will stick with their planting intentions despite the slow start. Kasten estimated 75 to 80 percent of anhydrous ammonia was applied in his area, while Brase said as much as 95 percent of anhydrous was applied in his area in recent weeks. — Daniel Grant

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AROUND ILLINOIS

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, April 21, 2014

ISA working to improve soy infrastructure

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Just think: A rural bridge or road could be named after you.

A team of engineers, bankers, lawyers and consultants assembled by the Illinois Soybean Association is studying infrastructure needs in Peoria County — and exploring ways to pay for them.

Financing options floated so far range from municipal bonds to selling the naming rights to county bridges and roads, and even selling ad space on bridge sidewalks.

“Those may seem outlandish, and it may be a dis-

traction for drivers, and there may not be the volume of traffic in rural areas to support one or another of those ideas, but bridges and roadways are a network of infrastructure that support the soy complex,” said Scott Sigman, ISA transportation and export lead. “Identifying where the corridors are that are most important will enable microspokes and microhubs to develop to serve the major spokes and major hubs as soy and agriproducts move from farm to market.”

The work is part of a pilot project, which ISA ultimately

‘You can only do so much each year with federal and state funding.’

— Brian Elsasser Peoria County Board member

hopes will result in a publicprivate partnership.

“We are of the belief that communities today are stressed, that rural communities in many cases are declining in population and consequently in tax base,” Sigman said. “So, some of the town-

ships are hard-pressed to have the resources available to take care of the increasingly expensive infrastructure.”

Peoria County Board member Brian Elsasser said a handful of bridges in Peoria County last year either had to

be closed or restricted.

The width of one heavilytraveled bridge near an elevator in his district had to be narrowed, but is still wide enough to allow farm equipment to pass through.

The county is trying to prioritize what repairs are needed, he said.

“You can only do so much each year with federal and state funding,” Elsasser said.

ISA’s team has been working in Peoria County for nearly a year and hopes to make recommendations to the Peoria County Board later this year.

The group plans to quantify the economic impact agriculture has in Peoria County and identify the “critical soy infrastructure needs.”

Sigman said ISA hopes its work in Peoria County can serve as a template for use by other farmer organizations and groups in other counties throughout the state.

EPA taking comments on ADM permit until May 30

Get Ready to Unleash the Potential of Your Soybeans.

100 Bushels. Your New Goal.

Soybeans have a remarkable yield potential, and if managed for high yield, 100 bushels per acre is possible and within reach in Illinois.

For more details and to register, please visit www.soyyieldchallenge.com or email yieldchallenge@ilsoy.org.

The ISA Yield Challenge puts innovative techniques and approaches to the test, pushing soybeans to unleash their full yield potential. Be the grower with the highest percentage yield increase in your district and you’ll take home $500. Come in second and you’ll take home $250. The grower who reaches the highest number of bushels above the 100 bushel per acre mark takes home $5,000!

Registration Fee: Only $25 per participant! We encourage companies to sponsor and work with growers to test new technologies and farming practices!

So set a new goal for your yields and make this YOUR year! Take the 2014 Yield Challenge today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments on a permit that would allow Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Co. to inject and store carbon dioxide deep underground in Decatur.

Comments are being accepted until May 30.

EPA will hold a public hearing starting at 7 p.m. May 21 in the Decatur Public Library.

Oral and written comments will be accepted. Before the hearing, two question-andanswer sessions will occur in the library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m.

ADM plans to capture carbon dioxide emitted during ethanol production at its Decatur facility and to inject the carbon dioxide into a deep underground well.

ADM’s annual goal is to capture and inject 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of eliminating carbon emissions from 232,000 cars.

Submit comments online at {epa.gov/region5/water/uic/ adm} or mail them to Allan Batka, U.S. EPA (WU-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill., 60604-3590.

FARM FAMILIES

Page 11 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

IFF wins national NAMA awards

Illinois Farm Families® (IFF) coalition measures success with every Field Mom tour and each blog post sharing the moms’ experiences. The proven farm and food consumer education program now boasts a National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) award.

NAMA named the IFF blog best in its category for 2014. MorganMyers, a Wisconsin-based public relations firm, shared the honor as blog designer.

Members of the IFF include the Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association and Midwest Dairy Association.

“The blog reflects our continuing attempts to reach out to consumers. A large debt of gratitude goes to all of our farmer volunteers, Field Moms and guest bloggers, who contribute blogs and provide a voice of agriculture on the topics of the day,” said Linda Olson, IFB consumer communications manager.

IFF also earned a NAMA Merit Award in the producer- or companyfunded public relations campaign directed at consumers. The award focused on the IFF program, which includes Chicago Field Mom Farm Tours.

Field Moms from Chicago tour farms throughout the year. They share their experiences with consumers at {watchusgrow.org}.

Western Illinois Farm Families plan activities

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

The NAMA collegiate winners included the Illinois State University (ISU) NAMA Chapter. ISU was recognized as the Outstanding Student NAMA Chapter at the recent

2014 National Agri-Marketing Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. The ISU chapter competed with chapters from 35 U.S. and Canadian universities for the honor.

Three western Illinois farmers will explain food production to 11 Quincy-area women participating in the Western Illinois Farm Families program.

The program includes support from Adams, Brown, Hancock, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler and Scott County Farm Bureaus.

Between April and October, the nonfarm moms will tour a hog farm, corn and soybean farms, and a winery. Ryan and Jim Corrie will host the first tour on their Schuyler County farm.

The women will ride along with the farmers during planting and harvest.

Each mom will record her observations with photos, videos and journal entries. Following their farm experiences, the women will share what they learned online at {WatchUsGrow.org} and {facebook.com/Western-Illinois-FarmFamilies}.

Starting its second year, the program expanded the number of participants and tours.

In addition to county Farm Bureau sponsors, corporations and organizations providing support include Niemen Foods Inc., Western Illinois Pork Producers, Ursa Farmers Co-op and Cargill Meat Solutions.

The Western Illinois Farm Families program seeks to educate nonfarming consumers in that region of the state about farmers and farming practices.

Did you miss the farm bill webinars?

Illinois Far Farm m Bur Bureau eau® of offered fffer fered thr three ee farm farm bill webinars this month as a service to members.

Commodity Title Options Crop Insurance Changes & Supplemental Coverage Option Dairy Provisions & Livestock Disaster Provisions

www.FarmWeekNow.com www.ilfb.org/farmbill

Wa Watch atch F FarmWeek armWeek k®, FarmWeekNow.com FarmWeekNow.com and and listen listen to to your your local local radio radio station sttation that that carries carries the he RFD RFD Radio Radio Network Network® ffor or a additional dditional iinformation nformation in in the the coming coming days, days, weeks weeks and and months months about about new new farm farm bill bill news news you you can can use. use.

EDUCATION

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, April 21, 2014

U of I Global Academy studying Taiwan’s biodiversity, environment Participants in the University of Illinois College of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Academy for Global Engagement are learning about biodiversity in Taiwan.

The National Taiwan University (NTU) and its departments of agronomy, environmental sciences and biological engineering are hosting the U of I group, which includes Gary Letterly, U of I Extension energy and environmental stewardship educator.

“We were taken to one of the NTU experimental farms to observe data collection associated with carbon dioxide flux in upland tree areas of subtropical regions,” Letterly said.

From an 80-foot collection tower, the measurements provide a gradient measurement of carbon dioxide exchange and other related plant respiration measurements, he said.

NTU controls about 1 percent of Taiwan’s land and uses

Terraces sculpt the sides of a highland farm in central Taiwan about four hours south of Taipei, the capital city. The farm grows oolong tea, a high-value cash crop that is harvested by hand. (Photo courtesy Gary Letterly, University of Illinois Extension)

it for research, training and outreach similar to Extension in the U.S. The demand for arable land exceeds the capacity to produce enough to feed its 23 million people, so produce imports from the U.S. help meet that demand, according to Letterly.

The U of I group visited an oolong tea farm in central Taiwan. The high-value tea is harvested by hand and each farmer guards the steps used to process tea leaves, Letterly noted. Each farm sells its prized brand of oolong to domestic and international customers.

Helping you make backyard memories.

FSA announces tree assistance

Orchard owners and tree nursery growers who experienced losses from natural disasters on or after Oct. 1, 2011, may be eligible for tree assistance, according to Scherrie Giamanco, Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director.

Eligible growers may sign up for the tree assistance program that was authorized as a permanent disaster program in the new farm bill.

The program provides financial assistance for replanting or rehabilitating eligible trees, bushes and vines that produce an annual crop for commercial purposes and were damaged by natural disasters.

Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees for commercial sale. Trees used for pulp or timber are ineligible.

To qualify, Illinois growers must have suffered qualifying tree, bush or vine losses of more than 15 percent, after a 3 percent

adjustment for normal mortality, from an eligible natural disaster.

The trees, bushes or vines must have been owned when the natural disaster occurred; however, eligible growers are not required to own the land on which the eligible trees, bushes and vines were planted.

Qualified applicants must replace eligible trees, bushes and vines within 12 months from the application approval date.

The cumulative total quantity of acres planted to trees, bushes or vines for which a producer can receive payments cannot exceed 500 acres a year.

For more information, growers should contact a local FSA county office or USDA Service Center.

Illinois will receive $654,970 in federal grant money for programs that support specialty crop growers, USDA announced last week.

A portion of the grant money will fund the Illinois Specialty Grant Program, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). The department will accept applications until 4 p.m. May 1.

Last year, 13 programs received block grant awards totaling $540,000.

Illinois’ award was part of $66 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants awarded last week to state departments of agriculture.

Funding comes from the Agricultural Act of 2014. State funding is based on a formula that takes into consideration specialty crop acreage and production value.

“The federal funding announced today will support hard-working Illinois farmers by raising awareness about the benefits of locally grown crops,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, said in a statement.

Find out about the program at {agr.state.il.us} and click the specialty crops logo, or contact IDOA’s Delayne Reeves at 217524-9129 or delayne.reeves@ illinois.gov.

Grants available for specialty growers

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FROM THE COUNTIES

Page 13 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

Community college students receive ag safety training

Illinois community college agriculture students will receive hands-on safety training May 1 at the Asmark Institute Agricenter, Bloomington.

The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA) in partnership with the Asmark Institute will offer the training to prepare students for ag retail employment.

“One thing missing in the agricultural work force is a variety of young, talented and properly trained individuals prepared to enter the ag retail industry,” said Allen Summers, Asmark Institute president. “If we can offer agriculture stu-

dents proper safety training, then we have done a great service to the industry by preparing the next generation.”

The students will be trained how to properly prepare driver qualification files.

Training also will cover confined space entry, forklift safety, blood borne pathogens, anhydrous ammonia safety, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), hazard communication, proper personal protective equipment, worker protection standards, fire extinguisher, lockout-tagout and respirator basics.

One goal is to reduce work-

SCHUYLER ADOPTED LEGISLATOR VISIT

Schuyler County Farm Bureau Treasurer Kent Prather, from left, adopted legislator Illinois Sen. Christine Radogno and county Farm Bureau President Ryan Corrie recently discussed agricultural and rural economic issues in Springfield. Schuyler County Farm Bureau adopted Radogno, R-Lemont, in 2002. The Adopt-A-Legislator program helps foster open communication between county Farm Bureau members and Radogno. (Photo by Mary Lou Frank, assistant to Sen. Radogno)

ISB petitions due May 15

Petitions are available for director positions on the Illinois Soybean Board (ISB).

Petitions can be obtained from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, local University of Illinois Extension offices and the Illinois Soybean Association office. They must be filed

by May 15.

Six Illinois districts will hold director elections this year: • District 1: Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago; • District 5: Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Putnam and Tazewell; • District 7: Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion; • District 9: Cass, Logan, Mason, Menard, Morgan and Sangamon; • District 12: Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Pike, Scott; and • District 13: Bond, Fayette, Marion and Montgomery.

To be eligible, candidates

must be Illinois residents and live in the district he or she seeks to represent, of legal voting age and contribute to the soybean checkoff.

Petitions filed with the Illinois Director of Agriculture must contain signatures of at least 5 percent of the soybean growers from the district — District 1, 178 signatures; District 5, 155; District 7, 121; District 9, 135; District 12, 128; and District 13, 109.

Farmers can also be a write-in candidate if they request a declaration of intent form by July 1. Letters of request should be sent to Illinois Department of Agriculture, Attn: Bob Reese, P.O. Box 19281, Springfield, Ill. 62794-9281.

Elections will be held July 8 at county Extension offices in the districts where vacancies exist. Those elected will be seated for a three-year term Aug. 1.

place accidents while simultaneously giving students a jump start on required safety training before they join the ag retail work force.

“This unique program is now in its second year,” said Kevin Runkle, IFCA director of regulatory services. If the program generates continued interest from Illinois community colleges, more training will be offered, Runkle said.

The safety training started when Rich Teeter, Lincoln Land Community College assistant ag professor, sought safety training for students before graduation.

“We decided to offer training courses that satisfy” training requirements for federal environmental, safety and transportation agencies as well as those for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Runkle said.

The ag safety training program won the 2013 Illinois Council of Community College Administrators Innovation Award.

For more information, call Runkle at 309-827-2774.

B

UREAU — The Young Leader Committee farm pool listing is complete. The list of residents interested in full- or part-time agriculturalrelated labor is available at the Farm Bureau office.

Contact the Farm Bureau office at 875-6468 for more information.

• Ag Service Award applications are being accepted at the Farm Bureau office. Contact the Farm Bureau office at 875-6468 for selection criteria. Nomination deadline is May 15.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor a trip July 20-23 to St. Louis, Mo. An informational program about the trip will be at 10:30 a.m. April 28 at the Farm Bureau office. Call the Farm Bureau office at 875-6468 for more information. Deadline to register for the trip is May 30.

OOK — Farm Bureau will sponsor stroke prevention screenings at 9 a.m. May 13 at the Farm Bureau office.

C

Members will receive a discount. Call 877-7328258 for an appointment

by May 9.

UPAGE — Farm Bureau will offer two scholarships. One will be awarded to a graduating high school senior and the other to a college student in their freshman, sophomore or junior year majoring in an ag-related field of study. Application deadline is May 1.

ILL — Farm Bureau will cosponsor a community garage, craft and vendor sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 7 on the Farm Bureau grounds. Cost for a vendor space is $20. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation scholarship fund. Call the Farm Bureau office to register or for more information by May 29.

D

W

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

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PROFITABILITY

FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, April 21, 2014

Planting requires preparation of what, when and where According to the calendar, spring has arrived.

However, as I sit and write this article, it appears hesitant based on the local forecast calling for low temperatures and even a small chance of snow today!

Perhaps by the time this makes your mailbox, we will be enjoying more seasonal temperatures and conditions will soon allow some field activity.

As you get ready to head to the fields, I would encourage you to document what, when and where as it relates to growing your 2014 crop.

Most field controllers have this abiliSid Parks ty, yet not everyone takes the time to use it. If you feel you have a good record keeping system in place, you probably already recognize the value of these records.

BY SID PARKS

Recording accurate manufacturer and product information, including hybrid or variety, actual and intended planting populations, or rates of crop protection products and fertilizers may prove invaluable at year’s end when trying to evaluate new products or practices.

Treated and nontreated areas can become management zones which may be used for advanced analysis, helping in demonstrating the value of any treatment or new product. The ability to accurately analyze data depends on knowing the details around the operation.

For some producers, the 2014 growing season means new technology purchased over the winter will be used for the first time. For others, returning to existing technology for recording data might require some refreshing of steps necessary to make things work properly before going to the field. Take extra time to clean up any old data or start with a fresh data card, and then input the necessary information as you begin any field operation.

While this is one potential benefit of using precision technologies, it is also a huge frustration for many users. Knowing how to properly operate the equipment is only part of the challenge. Getting the data to the right person after collecting it is often an issue.

GROWMARK, along with other equipment companies, has invested in technology to help make it easier to move data between the field equipment and office or mapping center. This wireless data transfer technology utilizes modems and the cellular phone network, and is already available in some equipment in 2014.

If you have questions, your FS crop specialist has access to tools and services to help with information management, empowering you to be able to use this information for future managerial decisions. Have a good spring!

Sid Parks serves as GROWMARK’s agronomy information systems manager. His email address is sparks@growmark.com.

Proper tank clean-out a top priority to prevent contamination

Very shortly, we will be entering the “crisis phase” of 2014 agriculture. We have anhydrous ammonia applications, and corn and soybean herbicide applications that need to be made all at the same time!

This will require selfdiscipline as Barry Nash well as a lot of common sense. A key part of handling all of this stress at once is to pre-plan for the time constraints that we soon face.

During the last five years,

BY BARRY NASH

tank contamination has been in our top three “frequency of complaints” within the GROWMARK system. Thus, understanding the value and implementing proper tank clean-out procedures are, and will soon become a huge part of our future.

The safest and most thorough tank clean-out procedure requires two key areas of focus: time and patience. Without these two ingredients, tank contamina-

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Total Composite Weighted Average Receipts and Price (Formula and Cash): Weight Range Per Head Weighted Ave. Price 10-12 lbs. (formula) $37.50-$62.57 $47.25 40 lbs. (cash) $125.00-$143.00 $136.88 Recipts

This Week 71,445 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Last Week 59,995

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week Change $111.29 $119.01 -$7.72 $82.35 $88.07 - $5.71

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price (Thursday’s price) Steers Heifers

This week $146.22 $145.98

Prev. week $148.00 $150.00

tion is and will be eminent.

Listed below are key steps we all need to follow for proper tank clean-out — especially when we finally switch crops.

• If at all possible, maintain dedicated rigs to corn and soybeans.

• A complete tank clean-out will take approximately 12 to 24 hours.

• A thorough clean-out of a 1,200 gallon tank, for example, requires three separate and timeconsuming rinses utilizing a minimum of 900 gallons of water.

• Use a minimum of 300 gallons of water for each rinse.

• The first rinse is water only. Be sure to circulate the sprayer thoroughly to ensure that agitation reaches above

the sparge lines.

• Recirculate for a minimum of 30 minutes; an hour is preferred.

• Drain the entire tank and lines.

• Immediately, add another 300 gallons of water plus the labeled rate of tank cleaner. If you’re using FS Clean Supreme, apply 1 quart per 100 gallons of water. If you’re using our new FS RinseOut, apply 2 quarts per 100 gallons of water.

• Thoroughly recirculate for an hour. Charge the booms.

Let sit for a minimum of four hours; overnight is preferred.

• The next day, drain the entire rig. Remove and check all strainers and screens.

• Be sure to clean the end caps from each section of the boom.

• Completely drain the tank.

Add another 300 gallons of pure water and recirculate for a minimum of 30 minutes; an hour is preferred.

Change -$1.78 -$4.02

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

(Prices $ per hundredweight) Prev. week Change This week $178.95 $178.30 $0.65

Lamb prices Negotiated, wooled and shorn, 110-169 lbs. for 142-182 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 156.04); 172-206 lbs. for 142-160 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 150.13)

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 4/10/2014 9.8 25.1 57.0 4/03/2014 18.7 23.0 51.6 Last year 6.6 23.7 14.7 Season total 1504.5 1000.8 990.9 Previous season total 1232.3 845.1 457.7 USDA projected total 1495 1125 1450 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

• Drain the entire tank and lines.

• Prior to spraying the next load, give yourself 30 to 60 seconds of full spray prior to applying to the crop.

While we realize this is a frustrating and time consuming process, it is extremely important to exercise tank clean-out procedures with utmost attention. Recall that most “off-target” crops are sensitive to plant growth regulators at the parts per billion level.

Barry Nash serves as GROWMARK’s weed science technical manager. His email address is bnash@growmark.com.

USDA

Farm Service Agency

NEW FARM BILL PROVIDES PERMANENT LIVESTOCK DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS — The 2014 farm bill, entitled the Agricultural Act of 2014, makes the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) permanent programs and provides retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.

LFP provides compensation to eligible producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought and fire. LIP provides compensation to livestock producers who suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to eligible adverse weather events.

USDA has made implementing the livestock disaster programs a top priority and opened livestock disaster program enrollment April 15.

As USDA begins implementing the livestock disaster assistance programs, producers should record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including: • Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses.

• Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.

• Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures.

• Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.

• Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records.

USDA continues processing interpretation of farm bill program regulations. Additional information will be provided as it is received. In the meantime, producers can review the LIP and LFP Fact Sheets.

For the latest on 2014 farm bill programs, visit {fsa.usda.gov/farmbill}.

2013 ACRE — Participants in the 2013 ACRE program must submit production reports for planted acres for the covered commodities planted on the enrolled farm by July 15. Failure to report production for the covered commodities planted on ACRE farms may result in contract termination. If the contract is terminated, all payments, including direct payments previously received, plus interest, will be required to be refunded.

PROFITABILITY

Page 15 Monday, April 21, 2014 FarmWeek

CASH STRATEGIST

Chinese bean demand problems persist

As much as the trade tries to ignore it, the Chinese demand problems just won’t go away.

Chinese buyers are said to be taking an increasingly hard line approach to avoid taking huge losses in the domestically depressed market. It was said this past week that they may default on another 1.2 million metric tons (mmt) of soybean purchases. It’s readily thought they may have defaulted on 500,000 metric tons in recent weeks. And that doesn’t include cargoes they have canceled or resold to another buyer.

The general manager of Shandong Sunrise Group said trading firms have refused to make payments on as much as 20 percent of their shipments in that area.

Cargoes involved were delivered before the buyers had lined up credit. And given the losses they would incur in completing the purchases, they chose not to pay for them. If demand and prices don’t improve, and it doesn’t look good, future shipments may be canceled.

The situation has developed

because soybean meal demand was disappointing this winter.

Chicken and pork demand suffered, weighing on prices of both. That caused producers to start scaling back operations.

Soybean meal demand from the poultry sector alone is thought to have declined as much as 30 percent in the first quarter.

Companies behind the shipments are thought to have 80 to 100 cargoes scheduled for delivery through July. There’s talk circulating that shipments through July may not average much, if any, better than 5 mmt per month.

If imports are no better than that through summer, China’s imports may be closer to 64 to 65 mmt for the marketing year, instead of the 69 mmt USDA has been projecting.

That would lift the world soybean ending stocks to 74 to 75 mmt at summer’s end with all of tadditional supplies in Brazil and Argentina. That would leave both with larger quantities to ship this fall, cutting into our early shipping campaign.

World stocks that large would be the largest absolute level in history. From a stocks/use perspective, it would be nearly as large as they were in 2007 and 2011, the largest historical ratios.

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Corn Strategy

ü2013 crop: Export demand has been good, but there are signs the higher prices are moderating interest. Weekly export sales, although good, are off the winter pace. Use rallies to make catch-up sales. Now is the time to price any inventory you don’t want to carry into summer. ü2014 crop: Use rallies over $5 on December futures to make catch-up sales. We expect additional pricing opportunities, but they may not come until summer, and may not necessarily be as good. vFundamentals: The apparent shift in the weather and the beginning of planting has softened bullish enthusiasm in the corn market. Weather forecasts for May look generally normal except for the persistence of cooler temps in the Northern Plains and far northern parts of the Corn Belt. Over the next two weeks, it looks like moisture is more probable in the Central Plains and Western Corn Belt, where it is most needed. It will be welcomed even though it slows planting.

Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2013 crop: While traders continue to focus on domestic tightness, news out of China about soybean demand continues to get more dire. And Brazilian basis levels continue to decline enhancing import potential. We do not recommend owning inventory. ü2014 crop: The demand news out of China is just as important for our new-crop market. It could mean the fall shipping program gets off to a slow start. Use rallies to get sales to recommended levels. vFundamentals: The soybean market has come down to a battle between the tight domestic situation and the moderately abundant world situation. Stories continue to surface about the difficulties in the Chinese processing industry, and their import sector. While it won’t impact oldcrop U.S. exports as we have already shipped nearly all of the purchases, it will weigh on South American prices. And the wider those discounts to the U.S. get, the larger the probability of seeing imports from there increase.

Wheat Strategy

ü2013 crop: Export demand continues to wane for old crop. Unless it improves, there’s risk they could fall short of the current USDA target. Weather may be the primary feature that could lift prices higher, but that’s more important to new crop than old. Complete sales now. ü2014 crop: If the current forecast holds, cold weather threats may be a thing of the past. There appears a way to resolve problems in Ukraine, too. While neither will send

prices sharply lower, both may place a lid on them for now.

Prices near $7 on July futures still look like a good spot to be 40 percent priced. Price more of a “comfortable” crop if you sell wheat at harvest. vFundamentals: Even though weather continues to take its toll on our Southern Plains wheat crop, it’s important to recognize the world situation still looks reasonably abundant. Without weather taking a “bite” out of the other crops somewhere this year, our new-crop exports could soften, leaving us with a comfortable fundamental situation.

Nurturing ag’s next generation PERSPECTIVES

FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, April 21, 2014

T

he first warm Saturday in months found 35 volunteers spending the day indoors working with future Illinois FFA leaders.

Twenty ag professionals and 15 teens donated their time for the good of the cause — Illinois agriculture’s future.

Not unusual.

On any day, evening or weekend across the state, you’ll find a smorgasbord of farmers, ag bankers, crop advisers, Farm Bureau managers, KAY ag journalists and SHIPMAN other professionals helping students learn about ag careers, give a better public speech or improve their resumes and bookkeeping records.

All of which they’ll use in the future.

Illinois agriculture understands the nurturing of its next generation. It’s how we were raised. What others did for us.

But view this tradition through the eyes of someone who didn’t grow up on a farm or belong to 4-H and FFA. You come to realize what a valuable legacy exists.

Jason Helfer, Illinois’ assistant state superintendent of education, noted high school ag teachers and their students are involved in their communities. Helfer, whose background is in elementary and music education, acknowledged he prepped for his speech to ag leaders by learning about ag education. He discovered it integrates classroom instruction, work experience and student organization/leadership training.

“I thought, ‘This group gets it.’ ...

You’re ahead of the curve,” Helfer told ag leaders.

Agriculture is finding itself ahead of the curve by doing what it’s always done — teaching through practical, hands-on application and personal experience. We

know who provides some of those applications and experiences.

Ag professionals speak to classes at all levels, provide animals for livestock judging, open their businesses and farms for class tours, hire summer interns and donate to fund drives and auctions.

Agriculture does this, but not other sectors. Not to this degree.

Other than the occasional career fair or bringyour-child-towork day, I’m not aware of other professions that are as deeply involved with students until they attend college.

As for honing students’ leadership skills? I can name several civic groups and veterans organizations that provide leadership opportunities, but not another industry. And usually those groups limit leadership experiences to high school and college students.

Another positive for Illinois agriculture? The peaceful coexistence of 4-H and FFA programs. Apparently

that’s not the case in every state. Seems trivial and detrimental to compete for some of the same young people and supporters.

Here’s to the ag professionals across Illinois who invest their time and talents in young people. Thanks to those who had the wisdom to plant the seeds that continue to nurture future generations.

That legacy of service is so ingrained, we take it for granted.

“Agriculture education, stick to your guns,” Helfer told ag leaders. “What you’re doing is important.”

Kay Shipman serves as FarmWeek legislative affairs editor. She serves on the Illinois Committee for Agricultural Education and is vice chairman of the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education.

Milkweeds for monarchs campaign slogan?

For hundreds, maybe thousands of the Urquharts reared monarch butteryears, monarch butterflies flapped and flies and, with the help of a cadre of floated across prairies and through “citizen scientists,” attached bands to woodlands of the eastern United the wings of the insects and tracked States. But unlike the bison and the their southward movements. The bobcat, the monarch butterflies solbanded-monarch trail always seemed diered on. to end in Texas.

Each spring the bronze-colored But in 1975, naturalists Kenneth butterflies with the Brugger and his wife, Cathy, who were distinctive black-line working with the Urquharts, were able markings begin a to pinpoint that millions of monarch northward trek. butterflies were taking refuge in the Along the way, the mountains of Mexico during winter butterflies sip nectar, months. mate and deposit But now the population of eggs on milkweed monarch butterflies seems to be on TOM plants. the decline.

TURPIN Come fall, secondAs is the case with all insects, life of and third-generation a monarch butterfly descendants of the spring is a perilous jourmonarchs head south. ney. But to Some start as far north as monarch watchers, the southern regions of two factors conthe Canadian provinces trolled by humans of Quebec, Ontario and seem to be at the The Illinois Department forefront when it Saskatchewan. of Natural Resources These fall monarchs comes to success of set off on a very long and (IDNR) seeks the public’s the butterfly. dangerous journey. Some help to increase the The first is the have to travel more than state’s monarch butterfly maintenance of the population.

2,000 miles with only habitat in the overIDNR suggests home- wintering sites in favorable winds and wing muscles to carry them owners include milkweed, Mexico. The areas along. They all head to a the monarch’s host plant, have come under little spot, a few square and native flowering logging pressure miles, in the mountains of plants in their landscapand are declining in central Mexico. These ing. Nineteen species of size. Some of the fall-migrant monarchs milkweed grow in Illinois. sites have been deshave never been there, A variety of information ignated as nature but it’s a place where win- and educational materials preserves to save tering monarchs have are available online at the habitat. avoided the lethal cold {dnr.illinois.gov}.

The other major and snows of northern problem for the climates for untold generations. monarch butterfly is the availability of Because of their size, coloration caterpillar feeding sites. Monarch and migration habit, the monarch is caterpillars need milkweed plants as a one of the most recognized and most food source. Because of modern agriadmired of the butterfly species. Many cultural technology, a weed plant such books and poems extol the virtues of as the milkweed is now easily conthis insect, which is native to North trolled compared to 20 years ago. As a America. result, milkweed populations are probIn spite of the adulation of and the ably at their lowest level in history. press about the monarch, the facts This means monarchs can’t find plants regarding its migration were unknown on which to lay eggs and, as a result, for many years. Historical entomolobutterfly populations decline. gist J. H. Comstock of Cornell UniIt is obvious that any “save the versity wrote in his 1895 book, “Man- monarch” campaign must be based on ual for the Study of Insects”: “It is programs dedicated to providing milkbelieved, however, that the species weed plants. This can be done individdies out each year in a large part of ually in home garden sites or in statethe northern States, and that those mediated programs to maintain milkbutterflies which appear first in this weeds in state parks and in nonmowed region, in June or July, have flown areas of interstate highways and other hither from the South where they roadways. hibernated in the adult state. In the Anyone have any good campaign extreme South, they fly all winter.” slogans? How about “Feed a The research to finally unravel the Monarch, Plant a Milkweed”? Or mystery of the monarch migration “Milkweeds for Monarchs.” was conducted by University of Toronto zoologist Fred Urquhart and Tom Turpin serves as an entomology professor his wife, Norah. Beginning in 1937, at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.

IDNR seeking public’s help for monarchs