WHEat EXpErtS are advising far mers who plan to plant wheat this fall to resist the temptation to plant too early. ....................5
IN a NoNpartISaN campaign, Illinois Far m Bureau is encouraging members to vote Nov. 6 in the general election. .....2
uNlIMItED HaNDS-oN safety training and courses are possible at the new Asmark Institute Agricenter that opened last week. ...........9
Monday, August 27, 2012
Two sections Volume 40, No. 35
Merrigan: Drought will create ‘profound ripple effect’ BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek
The devastation caused by this year’s drought won’t end when the last field of crops is harvested, mowed down, or chopped for livestock feed. Farmers and consumers likely will face a number of issues created by the drought well into next year, according to ag leaders who visited two Central Illinois farms last week to view drought-stressed crops.
FarmWeekNow.com We have a video of Deputy Secretar y Kathleen Merriga n ’s v i s i t t o G r i d l e y a t FarmWeekNow.com.
David Meiss, Illinois Farm Bureau District 7 director, and Enid Schlipf, former IFB vice president, both of the Gridley area, last week gave tours of their stressed crop fields to Kathleen Merrigan, USDA deputy secretary; Bob Flider, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; Scherrie Giamanco, executive director of the Farm Service Agency in Illinois; and other officials. IFB President Philip Nelson met with the state and
federal officials during the tour to discuss implications of the drought on agriculture and the U.S. economy. “I’m not pleased by what we saw,” Merrigan said of the crop tour. “The ripple effect (from the drought) is quite profound.” Merrigan said the drought likely will cause food prices to rise, although not to the extent reported by some in the media. “Short-term there could be some dips (in food prices) as livestock producers liquidate their herds,” Merrigan said. “Whatever impact it has on the overall food supply likely won’t be felt until the first quarter of 2013.” USDA has projected food prices next year will increase 3 to 4 percent compared to the average yearly inflation of 2 to 3 percent. The largest increase in food prices in 2013 is a 4 to 5 percent hike projected for beef. The drought also could affect farmers next year as there could be tight seed and feed supplies, fewer operating funds, and smaller livestock herds. “There are a lot of tense moments in agriculture right now,” Nelson said. “This is
going to be a long-term recovery effort.” A down-income year for many farmers likely will result in weaker economies in rural communities, which rely on farmers for the purchases of supplies, inputs, and equipment, Meiss noted. “It’s not just farmers who suffer from this,” Meiss said.
Overall, though, Merrigan believes the U.S. this year will have enough crop supplies to meet most demand, including export markets. “Not everywhere has been hit as hard,” Merrigan said while standing in a McLean County cornfield that was chopped for emergency livestock feed. “We think at the
end of the year we can still provide the food we need for our families” and overseas customers. USDA earlier this month projected farmers nationwide will harvest 10.8 billion bushels of corn, down 13 percent from last year, and 2.69 billion bushels of beans, down 12 percent from a year ago.
David Meiss, left, IFB District 7 director from McLean County, gives a tour of his drought-parched farm near Gridley to, from left, Kathleen Merrigan, USDA deputy secretary; Bob Flider, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture; and Philip Nelson, IFB president and a farmer from Seneca. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Report to the board
Periodicals: Time Valued
Elimination of stalls could have unintended consequences
An ongoing push to eliminate the use of gestation stalls in the U.S. swine industry won’t necessarily improve the wellbeing of the animals. In fact, a move from stalls to group housing or other housing systems in some cases could have a negative impact on animal welfare and result in a number of unintended consequences, according to Janeen Salak-Johnson, associate professor of stress physiology and animal well-being at the University of Illinois. “Science tells me simply taking sows out of gestation stalls and putting them in group housing does not improve their well-being,” Salak-Johnson told the Illinois Farm Bureau board last week in Bloomington. Research conducted by the U of I found sows in group housing suffer more
lesions as the result of fighting and in some cases have weight issues due to competition for feed. “It’s hard to eliminate the social hierarchy of sows,” she said. “The more space you give sows, the more aggressive the encounters.” The issue of gestation stalls use heated up in recent months as a number of national food service providers announced plans to reduce the amount of pork purchased from farms that use the stalls or to study plans to phase out the use of stalls by their pork suppliers. Many of the corporate decisions were influenced by the Humane Society of the United States and other animal activist groups. “We need to find a (housing) system that improves the animals’ well-being, not
FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com
that makes (food companies or animal activists) happy,” Salak-Johnson said. She said she believes farmers should be allowed to use systems that work best on their farms. She also is concerned food companies rushed into decisions to eliminate one type of housing system without identifying good alternatives. “One size does not fit all,” said SalakJohnson, who noted there are about 96 possible housing combinations of group size, floor space, group management, and feeding systems. “That is what is frustrating to me. I believe science and experts should be driving these decisions. “Some people (on boards of food companies) made decisions (to limit or eliminate the use of gestation stalls) See Stalls, page 8
Illinois Farm Bureau®on the web: www.ilfb.org
FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, August 27, 2012
Quick takes RIVER TRAFFIC COULD BE SLOW –- A barge that was grounded on a sandbar, prompting the temporary closure of a portion of the Mississippi River, was freed last week. The incident occurred near Greenville, Miss. The U.S. Coast Guard temporarily closed the river to barge traffic, which caused a backup of about 1,500 barges. The river was reopened late last week. The severe drought this summer caused a significant drop in the water level on the Mississippi. Shippers for most of the summer have reduced barge loads by at least 25 percent. Every 1-inch loss of water decreases the carrying capacity of a barge by about 17 tons, according to the American Waterways Operators. The low water and barge-capacity issues are expected to last until at least October, which could slow shipments of corn and beans harvested in the Midwest. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has five dredges operating around the clock to try to ease the situation. ILLINOIS STATE FAIR ATTENDANCE UP — The Illinois State Fair reported 918,875 people visited the fair, a 13 percent increase compared to last year and the most in the past 10 years. Preliminary, unaudited figures indicate a 33 percent increase in admission and parking revenues for a total of $1.5 million. Part of the increase can be attributed to the increase in daily admission prices for adults and children and senior citizens. Adult prices went from $5 to $7 with children and seniors increasing from $2 to $3. NON-RAINY DAY SAVINGS? — In a letter to Rep. Jeff Landry (R-La.), American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman last week said the congressman’s Commercial Fishing, Farm and Ranch Risk (CFFR) Management Act (HR 6276) should be enacted without delay so farmers can more easily save for future financial needs. The legislation would allow farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to place up to 20 percent of their yearly taxable income into CFFR accounts. Deposits to these savings accounts could be held in reserve for up to 10 years, with funds taxed upon withdrawal. “For many producers, this year represents a classic example of how this policy would allow them to have access to funds in a time of need,” Stallman stated. “These reserves could be used in other low-income years to help them cover their operating expenses.”
(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 40 No. 35
August 27, 2012
Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers. FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau. FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701. Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek. FarmWeek is published by the Illinois Agricultural Association for farm operator members. $3 from the individual membership fee of each of those members go toward the production of FarmWeek.
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STAFF Editor Dave McClelland (dmcclelland@ilfb.org) Legislative Affairs Editor Kay Shipman (kayship@ilfb.org) Agricultural Affairs Editor Martin Ross (mross@ilfb.org) Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant (dgrant@ilfb.org) Editorial Assistant Linda Goltz (Lgoltz@ilfb.org) Business Production Manager Bob Standard (bstandard@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Manager Richard Verdery (rverdery@ilfb.org) Classified sales coordinator Nan Fannin (nfannin@ilfb.org) 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
goverNmeNt
IFB campaign encouraging farmers to vote on Nov. 6 BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Voting is critical for farmers to express their views and make their voices heard. Through a new nonpartisan campaign, Illinois Farm Bureau is encouraging mem-
FarmWeekNow.com Go to FarmWeekNow.com. to learn more about ”My Vote, My Future” and get registered to vote.
bers to vote Nov. 6 in the general election. The goal of the “My Vote, My Future” campaign is to mobilize Illinois farmers who aren’t registered to register by Oct. 9 and to encourage all farmers to vote in the Nov. 6 election.
To highlight the campaign, a new video with Farm Bureau members and others has been posted online at {www.ilfb. org/vote}. The website also offers links to help viewers find their local election authority, stay informed on election deadlines, and locate their districts and their candidates — especially important with
this year’s new legislative districts. County Farm Bureaus also have received related information and materials to assist with local promotions and activities that encourage members to vote. One of the first election deadlines is Sept. 27, which is the first day to apply for an absentee ballot.
Illinois ag seeks parallel state, federal CAFO rules Illinois’ new rules for permits under Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations should mirror federal CAFO rules, two ag representatives testified last week in Springfield. Illinois Farm Bureau Director Dale Hadden of Jacksonville and Jim Kaitschuk with the Illinois Pork Producers Association addressed the Illinois Pollution Control Board (PCB)during a hearing on the proposed rules. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has proposed rules for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for CAFOs in the state. In Illi-
nois, IEPA has authority over CAFO requirements. Last year, a federal court of appeals ruled the U.S. EPA cannot require livestock farmers to apply for NPDES permits unless the farmers’ operations actually discharge manure into U.S. waters. According to the ruling, non-discharging CAFOs don’t need permits. Hadden and Kaitschuk emphasized Illinois’ livestock farmers are committed to protecting the state’s natural resources, including its water. The state regulations should mirror those of the federal government to provide Illinois farmers with clarity on the
USDA Rural Development offers value-added grants Farmers may apply for USDA Rural Development grants to increase the value of their products. Nationwide, $14 million is available. The application deadline is Oct. 15. “These grants can be a catalyst to expand their product offerings, improve their revenue streams, and create more economic opportunity by bringing additional value to what they already produce,” said Colleen Callahan, state director of Rural Development. Independent farmers, farmer cooperatives, majority-controlled farmer-based business ventures, and farmer groups are eligible. The grants are available for planning activities or working capital expenses, but not for both. The maximum amount is $100,000 for planning and $300,000 for working capital. A past Illinois recipient is the Living Water Farms Inc., near Strawn, which grows hydroponic greens for specialty markets. Another recipient was the Marcoot Jersey Farm Inc. of Southern Illinois. That entity used a grant to diversify its products and now makes 12 cheese varieties. For information on how to apply, see page 48951 of the Aug. 15 “Federal Register” at {www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-0815/pdf/2012-20082.pdf.}
rules with which they must comply, Hadden said. IEPA and farmers need to have the same understanding of what would constitute a “discharge,” Kaitschuk noted in his testimony. “Unless there is an ongoing discharge, a federally derived NPDES permit is not required,” he added. “At the end of the day, we wish to ensure the (NPDES) rules are economically reasonable and technically sensible and feasible,” Kaitschuk said. The PCB has scheduled additional hearings before it makes a decision on the proposed rules. — Kay Shipman
Tuesday: • Jim Angel, state climatologist • Josh St. Peters, Pioneer • Kevin Black, GROWMARK insect and plant disease technical manager Wednesday: • Illinois Department of Agriculture • Rob Rhykerd, Illinois State University Department of Ag chairman • Amie Burke, ISU junior in ag communications • Larry Flannery, organizer of Kewanee Hog Days Thursday: • Illinois Soybean Association • Dave Newcomb and Dennis Spice, Illinois Fire Service Institute • Janeen Salek-Johnson, University of Illinois Friday: • Harry Cooney, GROWMARK energy • Bob Anderson, spokesperson for the Mississippi Valley Division of the Army Corps of Engineers • Alan Jarand, RFD radio director
Page 3 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
DROUGHT
Merrigan: ‘We need a farm bill, period’ BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek
While Ag Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan recognized the current “leadership divides” in the U.S. House, she stressed “we need a farm bill, period,” to keep farmers and USDA moving. In a FarmWeek-RFD Radio interview last week, Merrigan reported USDA is beginning to analyze the impact of the 2008 farm bill’s potential Oct. 1 expiration. However, she said she is hopeful the House will act to assure a new farm bill is in place by Sept. 30. Program authorizations and reauthorizations included in the 2012 farm bill will be crucial to USDA, said Merrigan, who oversees the USDA budget.
“There’s just no substitute,” she maintained. “I can do all the planning in the world, and I can try to move a little dollar here or there. But there’s not going to be anything I can do that will come close to what I need. “We’ve transferred $14 million into our Emergency Conservation Program from an unobligated (program) account. We got $16 million targeted (for assistance) in WHIP and EQIP (the Wildlife Habitat Incentive and Environmental Quality Incentives programs). But these are marginal adjustments we are able to do at this point in the (2012) fiscal year. Again, there’s no substitute for a farm bill.” Key 2008 farm bill disaster programs expired nearly a year ago, leaving drought-stricken livestock and specialty
crop farmers essentially with “nowhere to turn,” she noted. While the Senate may or may not address House-proposed cattle relief measures that temporarily resurrect two of those programs, Merrigan insists “the livestock guys and the specialty crop guys need a comprehensive farm bill, because they have nothing to stand on right now.” Donning her “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” hat, Merrigan cited the farm bill’s role in helping bring “our nutrition assistance side of USDA together with our farmer support/production side.” USDA continues to work on expanding food stamp use at farmers’ markets — a $4 million effort this year alone. Crop producers, meanwhile, need
the assurance of a renewed, up-to-date farm safety net anchored by crop insurance, Merrigan argued. “I started my career inside the Beltway in Washington on the Senate Agriculture Committee,” Merrigan related. “I remember as a committee staffer in 1988 when we had a very severe drought, that we didn’t have the kind of (crop insurance) enrollment and the kind of program we have now. We’re in a much, much better place now. “Back in ’88, we had total corn production of 4.9 billion bushels. We’re projecting 10.8 billion this year, even in these bad times. And we have people (enrolled) in crop insurance. Crop insurance will remain a major pillar of whatever farm bill comes out at the end of the process.”
IDOA tackles aflatoxin issues; IDOT allows wide hay loads BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and other state agencies continue to address drought-related issues as harvest gets under way and livestock farmers seek forage for their animals. IDOA is developing and soon will distribute guidelines for the handling of aflatoxincontaminated corn, Jeff Squibb, IDOA spokesman, told FarmWeek Friday. The guidelines will be sent to grain elevators, warehouses, processors, and feed mills. However, Squibb said few problems with aflatoxin have been reported at elevators so far. This week, IDOA will begin random tests of corn at elevators for three mycotoxins — aflatoxin, fumonisin, and vomitoxin — an action IDOA does each year, Squibb said. In each county, four samples will be taken from loads when they arrive at elevators. Half of the samples will be taken now and half later, allowing IDOA to obtain a representative sample, Squibb added. The test results will be posted on IDOA’s website and sent to the respective elevators.
At Friday’s meeting of the state drought task force, IDOA reported it is working with the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Poultry Council, and the Illinois Milk Producers Association to raise awareness about the potential aflatoxin problem in corn and actions needed to ensure a safe corn supply. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines rules and sets guidelines for allowable aflatoxin levels in livestock feed at so many parts per billion (ppb). Blending is not permitted without FDA approval. IDOA is prepared to ask FDA for permission to blend contaminated corn, but doesn’t want to take that step unless absolutely necessary, Squibb said. In conversations with FDA, IDOA officials “have been told blending (permission) would be granted only for corn testing above 300 ppb,” Squibb added. “We also are talking to licensed elevators and so far, anecdotally, no one has reported corn testing above 300 ppd. In fact, the elevators have been pleasantly surprised by
Terry Wellen of rural McLeansboro in Hamilton County raised clouds of black dust last week as he harvested a 36-acre cornfield. He said the field was averaging 83 bushels per acre, a little better than half the normal yield. The corn was the first that Wellen, his brother, Roger, and their father, Gerard, have harvested this year. It’s moisture was averaging 16 percent. Tests at the elevator showed no signs of aflotoxin, he said. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
what’s coming in,” Squibb said. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is helping livestock farmers move hay loads up to 12 feet wide on interstate highways with certain requirements. Details are posted online at
{www.farmweeknow.com}. A permit is not needed, but significant restrictions and requirements apply. Those include wide load signs, flashing amber lights, daylight limitations, construction-zone-width restrictions, and minimum levels of insur-
ance coverage. IDOA also offers farmers a free hay and straw directory online at {www.agr.state.il.us} or by calling 217-782-4925. Many new sources of hay have been added, according to IDOA.
and weather conditions. This year’s lack of rain slowed the microbial and chemical processes that break down the herbicides. Matt Montgomery, U of I Extension educator, described herbicide types and their potential for carryover. Carryover of ALS inhibitors, such as Pursuit and Accent, is more likely if the soil environment fails to break down the prod-
uct, when soil pH is high, or if too much product is applied. Other herbicide types that may carryover in dry soil environments are the triazines, such as atrazine, and those that inhibit pigments, according to Montgomery. Hager said farmers can do little to prevent carryover injury in fields with crop rotation. Planting fields with the
same crop next year would eliminate the potential injury, but he acknowledged that may not be possible in every field. If a crop rotation is required, Hager advised farmers to delay planting as long as possible to allow more time for the herbicide to degrade. For more recommendations, go to {www.farmweeknow.com}. — Kay Shipman
Weed specialists warn about potential herbicide carryover This year’s dry soils didn’t help soil-residual herbicides control weeds satisfactorily and may result in herbicide carryover next year, University of Illinois Extension specialists warned. “We have the strong potential to see carryover of many (soil-) residual herbicides this year,” said Aaron Hager, U of I weed specialist. “A lot of residual herbi-
cides were put on in the spring, and we didn’t get the control we wanted this year,” Hager said. “A lot of what (herbicides) we used this year is attached to clay (particles) and we needed more in soil (and water) solutions,” he continued. The amount of carryover varies depending on the herbicide characteristics, soil type,
FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, August 27, 2012
markets
Study, shipper cite missing infrastructure links BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek
The government and private industry have key roles in addressing missing links in the farm-to-market infrastructure. So suggests a new study, Farm to Market -– A Soybean’s Journey, which tracks how U.S. soybeans are transported state-by-state and nationally and identifies challenges to transportation efficiency and soy profitability. Soybean planted acreage is projected to rise by 11.5 million acres by 2021, for production of an added 1.1 billion annual bushels, the Soy Transportation Coalition
(STC) study notes. Meanwhile, China’s soybean import volume is expected to rise from 1.9 billion to 3.9 billion bushels, and demand for rail car loadings of U.S. beans is projected to increase by 36 percent and barge loadings by 55 percent. However, the STC study notes U.S. locks and dams largely “have exceeded the design life of the structures,” and extensive dredging of ports and channels must occur to maintain export capabilities (see accompanying story). Railroads, an increasingly crucial mode of commodity transportation, likely will not
keep pace with the needs of expanding soy production, it warned. Finally, despite recent passage of comprehensive surface transportation legislation, STC cites minimal investment in upgrading highways and bridges “to a standard 21st century agriculture requires.” The STC report stresses the importance of injecting “adequate, robust levels of qualified and strategically directed investment” into multimodal freight infrastructure. “This lack of investment across all of the (transportation) modes remains a real concern for us,” STC Executive Director Mike Steenhoek
As a barge tow passes through Mississippi River Lock 18 near Gladstone in Henderson County, concrete repairs and replacement can be seen at the site’s accompanying dam. Concrete deterioration is one of several structural issues related to the lock and dam, which opened in 1937. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Guebert: Lock policy awareness lagging? Proposed federal lock legislation faces key political and funding challenges. According to Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President Rich Guebert Jr., supporters of the measure also face something of a high-level awareness gap. In recent testimony before the congressionally authorized Mississippi River Commission, Guebert stressed the need for major Illinois-Upper Mississippi lock and dam improvements and channel maintenance. Guebert urged commissioners to support congressional Rich Guebert Jr. appropriations for lock construction and maintenance and passage of “WAVE4” — a measure aimed at replenishing barge industry trust fund revenues used to match federal lock funding. WAVE4 also would attempt to improve efficiencies and operations within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Probably six people encouraged the commission’s support for WAVE4,” reported Guebert, who chairs Southwest Illinois’ Prairie du Rocher-Modoc Drainage/Levee District. “The shocking thing was, some of the commissioners there didn’t know what WAVE4 was. “That was pretty disappointing. They’re supposed to know what’s going on up and down
the river. They’re to gather opinions and comments from the stakeholders on the river on what needs to be done and how to do it, and then report to Congress every year.” Navigation upgrades are critical in light of President Obama’s goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015 and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s push to significantly grow the state’s trade prospects, he said. While near-term ag exports may come up short because of the drought, Guebert noted key industrial-consumer staples including coal, fuel, and lime also move up and down the Upper Miss system. The current drought underlines concerns “that if there’s a failure of one of the locks on the river, commerce will be stopped on the river,” he said. Authorities reopened the Mississippi River to some boat traffic last week after freeing a barge that ran aground in dangerously low waters. The temporary closure, one of several in August, stalled 33 northbound and 72 southbound barge tows. Guebert noted recent St. Louis-area river stages of 1.1 to 1.3 feet (the area record is a negative 2 feet). “It’s really a challenge for barge operators to avoid getting hung up on sand bars,” he said. “This really causes havoc on the southern part of the river.” — Martin Ross
told FarmWeek. Washington can provide key infrastructure funding. But fundamentally, “freight movement is a private enterprise,” according to Edward Zaninelli, California-based vice president of transpacific westbound trade with Orient Overseas Container Lines and a keynote panelist at a Sept. 17-19 Soy and Grain Trade Summit in New Orleans. Steenhoek cites projections of added production emerging in the U.S. Northwest, arguing “those areas are going to be heavily reliant on rail.” He anticipates a significant increase in rail car loadings even in states such as Iowa and Illinois with access to the inland waterway system. Later this year, STC plans to outline strategies to encourage greater rural rail investment. One potential driver would be retroactive extension of a now-expired federal tax credit designed to help shortline and regional railroads maintain track: Steenhoek said the nation’s 550 short-line railroads provide relatively “marginal” ag freight volume but often “originate the long journey” of crops to market. “There certainly are opportunities to achieve greater balance between the interests of
railroads and the interests of rail customers, but, ultimately, I think we have an investment problem, not a regulation problem,” he said. Improved rail service and capabilities will go only so far in bolstering U.S. export potential. Steenhoek cites interest at many ports in developing grain or oilseed “trans loading” facilities that can transfer commodities from truck, rail, or barge to outgoing ships, but Zaninelli sees a major disconnect in U.S. “intermodal” infrastructure. Zaninelli notes the lack of major grain transfer stations at the Port of Los Angeles, a major conduit for exports to Asia. Facilities are unlikely to materialize soon, given unavailability of industrial land that could be set up to handle larger 110- to 220-car trains, he told FarmWeek. “That’s the only way to make it viable,” he said. “There are a number of transload stations that can do 20 cars or 15 cars or 10 cars. There might even be one that can do 25, but that’s it. “You could probably load 500-600 containers a day at a full-fledged, full-time facility in L.A. if we could get trains to a place where they could work it.”
Illinois offers advantages to growing bioindustry BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Illinois’ natural resources, research facilities, and farmers give the state a competitive edge in the bioeconomy, according to industry experts at a recent summit hosted by the Vision for Illinois Agriculture, iBIO, and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Illinois has competitive advantages over other states,” said Beth Calabotta, director of Monsanto Co.’s BioEnergy. At Illinois State University, the Ag-Bio Industrial Summit surfaced hurdles and challenges faced by the state’s biotech sectors as well as new opportunities for growth. David Miller, iBIO president, told summit participants his organization and other members of the Vision for Illinois Ag would pursue developments of the state’s biotech sector. “We will also look for barriers and impediments to progress and eliminate them whenever we find them,” Miller said. The groups will assess and report on their progress and the next actions, he added. In addition to Illinois’ productive soils, the state’s research in corn and soybean production “is an excellent enabler” for bio-industrial sectors, Calabotta said. Illinois farmers also are quick to adopt new technology and research-based information from the state’s research universities, she added. Illinois’ advantages extend beyond the state’s borders and offer opportunities for Midwest regional collaboration in the bio-industrial sector, noted John Banta, managing director of IllinoisVentures LLC, a venture capital firm. Jennifer Hutchins with DuPont Industrial Biosciences suggested the nation’s bioeconomy will be based on regional biobased systems. “Illinois is going to play a big role in the bioeconomy,” Hutchins said.
Page 5 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
production
Renewed interest in wheat shouldn’t alter planting date BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek
Interest in planting winter wheat this fall is expected to be high. The wheat crop in Illinois this year averaged an impressive 65 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from the previous year. Meanwhile, some livestock producers could plant more wheat to help meet feed needs and for the straw, according to Steve Stallman, a Randolph County farmer and president of the Illinois Wheat Association (IWA). “Wheat seemed to be the bright spot in Illinois (this year),” Stallman told FarmWeek last week at the IWA-hosted Illinois Wheat Forum in Highland. “The quality was excellent
and the yields and prices were above average,” he continued. “It may encourage more people to plant more wheat.” The hot, dry summer helped reduce diseases in wheat. It also could set the stage for more wheat plantings in cornfields that were burned up or cut down. “Corn is an easier previous crop for wheat when the (corn) yield is low,” said Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois Extension crop systems specialist. “There’s less residue, more nitrogen left over, and less disease pressure.”
Management critical to maximize winter wheat yields in Illinois It often is said wheat is such a durable crop a farmer can plant it and forget about it until harvest. But farmers who intensively manage the cereal crop typically get much better results with yields and ultimately their bottom line, according to university and industry experts. “The greatest thing that changes the break-even that you have (some) control over is yield and doing things in your (farm) management that increase yield,” Darren Frye, president of Waterstreet Solutions in Peoria, said last week during the Illinois Wheat Forum in Highland. The annual event was hosted by the Illinois Wheat Association. Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois Extension crop systems specialist, said wheat should be able to yield about half of an average corn yield. So a field that produces 150-bushel corn should be able to produce 75-bushel wheat. “One of our challenges is to figure out a way to break through the 70 (bushel) barrier,” Nafziger said at the forum. “Some farmers are doing much better at that, and others are doing much worse.” Nafziger advised farmers to plant wheat after the fly-free date (usually about the first week of October in Southern Illinois), choose top-yielding varieties, use adequate seeding rates (about 1.3 million to 1.5 million seeds per acre), and consider using a seed-applied insecticide. U of I research showed seed treatments last year provided a yield bump of about 8 bushels in Southern Illinois and 3.5 bushels in Northern Illinois. A seed treatment must provide at least a 2-bushel increase in yields in order to pay for itself. “In Southern Illinois, it (a seed treatment) pays in most cases,” Nafziger said. Carl Bradley, U of I plant pathologist, also recommended farmers choose wheat varieties with resistance to diseases that often affect the wheat crop in Illinois, especially fusarium head blight (scab), stripe rust, and barley yellow dwarf. “Scab really was not an issue (last year) but the pathogen is still out there. It’s still a risk,” Bradley said. “Keep the variety component in mind (when selecting seed) and pay attention to the susceptibility of scab.” Farmers also should pay more attention to the movement of stripe rust, which does not overwinter in Illinois and moves up the Mississippi River Valley each spring. “Some of the new strains (of rust) are better adapted to warmer temperatures,” Bradley said. “I think that’s why it was such a problem in the Midwest this year.” The use of fungicides — strobilurin for preventive measures and triazoles to treat infections — usually will help boost yields. “Fungicides look like a good way to manage diseases, especially on varieties that are more susceptible,” Bradley added. Farmers can track the movement of rust and other diseases online each season at {www.ars.usda.gov} or {http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu}. — Daniel Grant
Farmers who plant wheat in failed cornfields won’t need to use as much, if any, nitrogen fertilizer. But it’s too early to suggest specific rates. “Wheat will be able to take up some of the nitrogen not used by the corn,” Nafziger said. “It’s a real guessing game (how much) at this point. It depends on how much water enters the soil between now and next April or May.” Nafziger and Stallman also urged farmers to resist the temptation to plant wheat early. The fly-free date generally is the first or second week of October in Southern Illinois and mid- to late October in the northern two-thirds of the state.
Early planting could increase the amount of insect and disease pressure on the crop. It also could promote too much fall growth and make the crop more susceptible to winter kill. “Planting wheat in September almost never turns out well,” Nafziger said. Stallman added: “Just because you use (a seed treatment) doesn’t give you the right to plant early.” Illinois farmers last year planted 660,000 acres of wheat compared to 800,000 the previous year. Stallman believes plantings this year will increase but will be limited to an extent by seed availability.
The milder temperatures and increased rainfall activity in recent weeks likely provided welcome relief for most people and animals. But the late-season rains apparently were too little too late to help most crops, based on results of the 20th annual Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour conducted last week. “We found basically what everyone expected,” Brian Grete, senior market analyst with Pro Farmer, said during a tour stop in Bloomington. “The drought has taken a major, major bite out of the corn and soybean crops.” The tour projected statewide average corn yields of 121.6 bushels per acre in Illinois, 113.2 bushels in Indiana, 137 bushels in Iowa, 156 bushels in Minnesota, and 131.8 bushels in Nebraska. The yield projection for Illinois is down considerably from the three-year average of 163 bushels. But it is higher than USDA’s yield estimate for Illinois of 116 bushels. Grete said he was prepared for the worst “but it still was somewhat shocking to sample corn acres that typically are
200-plus (bushels) and you come back with a result under 100. It potentially indicates USDA may have to come down (with its yield estimate) in some states.” Most farmers probably expect low corn yields but many could be disappointed with the yield they get from their soybeans. There has been optimism about a recovery in bean production lately due to August rains. However, the average pod counts for all 3-foot by 3-foot sections taken in Illinois totaled just 944, down substantially from the three-year tour average of 1,202. “Beans are the story. Nobody knows how bad they really are,” said Pete Meyer, director of ag research for Pira Energy Group in New York, who participated in the tour. “We found a lot of plants with no pods on the bottom 11 inches of the plant,” he continued. “I don’t think there’s any potential left for the beans I’ve seen.” Soy Capital Ag Services in Bloomington last week found similar results with its annual crop tour. Ear population was the lowest in the 10-year his-
“The seed supply is somewhat tight,” he said. “Some popular numbers are sold out already. “But that doesn’t mean there’s not adequate seed for more acres,” he continued. “A lot of seed is not patented, so there will be a lot of farmsaved seed.” The other possible constraint to more wheat acres this year is the fact that double-crop beans are poor in many areas. “I suspect much of the double-crop beans won’t be harvested,” Nafziger added. “We depend on (the economics of) double-cropping to make wheat work.”
Pro Farmer tour finds little improvement in crops
David Voigt, Madison County, stands on the platform of his combine to watch the transfer of corn from his combine to a wagon. Voigt started harvest last week in this field near Alhambra. He won’t have nearly as much corn to unload this year. The yield in this field (about 65 to 75 bushels) was about one-third of the field’s average. The moisture of the corn was about 20 percent.
Paul Neiffer, a farm owner from Yakima, Wash., displays some small, unfilled corn ears collected in Eastern Illinois during the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour during a stop in Bloomington. Pro Farmer estimated an Illinois corn yield average of 121.6 bushels per acre. Soybean pod counts in the state were well below the three-year average. (Photos by Daniel Grant)
tory of the tour and ear lengths were down significantly compared to previous years. The estimated average yield in McLean County is 112.4 bushels per acre, down 67 bushels from the 10-year average, Soy Capital Ag Services reported. Actual harvest results so far aren’t revealing many pleasant surprises. David Voigt of Madison County, last week harvested 20-percent moisture corn that averaged between 65 and 75 bushels per acre. The field typically averages 185 bushels per acre. “It’s worse than I thought,” Voigt said. “And the stalk quality is not very good.” Voigt said his farm received less than 2 inches of rain between crop emergence and pollination. “I don’t think it was the lack of rain that hurt as much as those two weeks of 100-degree heat,” he said. “That just finished it off.” Voigt this week plans to harvest an 80-acre field of corn he said probably won’t even make 20 bushels per acre. Corn harvest in Illinois last week was 3 percent complete. — Daniel Grant
FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, August 27, 2012
CROPWATCHERS Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: For the record, we received 0.1 of an inch of rain last week. The weather has warmed up to the high 80s and low 90s, and that is causing some stress on the soybeans, as they are trying to fill the pods. Lots of silo-filling was around here last week. Some third-cutting hay is being baled with variable yields. Still hoping for more rain.
Tim Green, Wyoming, Stark County: A cooler week and we greatly appreciate it. It gave us all time to walk a few fields and see what was out there. On my farm west of Wyoming, I picked what I considered a small ear, just to see how many kernels were on it. I shucked it, and it probably had 30 kernels on the ear. I threw it on the ground, and it rolled into a crack and was gone.
Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: Harvest began Thursday, the earliest any Winkelmann has ever started. Unfortunately, it is living up to the low expectations. The yield monitor is reporting varying moistures from 1525 percent, averaging out to around 19-plus. Yields are varied throughout the fields, being down about 50 percent from our normal yield. The bright spot is that we haven’t seen any sign of aflatoxin.
Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: A beautiful week in Lake County. Temperatures were very mild until Thursday and now we are in the 90s for a couple of days. I got 0.4 of an inch of rain on Monday, Aug. 20, while the north part of the county got almost 2 inches. Corn is doing well, but I wonder how the smaller stalk is going to manage the ears until harvest. The late rains seemed to have helped the soybeans, which are mostly looking good. There is some mite damage, though. Where has the summer gone?
Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: August is racing by. Schools have started, and farmers are getting their machinery ready for this early harvest. Moisture levels in the corn are a little high yet, as droughty corn does not dry properly due to dead stalks. Some corn blew over with recent winds, not because of a heavy ear. Soybeans look a little better after the rain. The pods seem to be filling now, but pod count is low. Pro Farmer tour concluded last week with some interesting numbers. Markets will continue to be volatile. Have you bought your nitrogen for next year?
Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: Harvest has started for more than half the farmers in the area. Yields and moistures are all over the board. On the first couple hundred acres we harvested, we got 120- to 160-bushel yields, but those 200 acres are some of our blacker, better ground, and we know yields will be dropping off dramatically after those acres are completed. Anything with a hill or light dirt is really seeing reduced yields. Moistures have been running 20-28 percent. No aflatoxin has been detected at our local elevator. It may become more of a problem as the corn dries down in the field. I am seeing some yellow leaves in soybeans, but the harvest is four weeks or more off. It’s very difficult to determine any type of yield on soybeans at this point, although 30- to 40bushel beans are still possible.
Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Dry and cooler days gave hay-makers and corn choppers good working conditions. I hope the predicted rain for the weekend materializes. Not much change in the crop conditions, as corn slowly moves toward maturity. Some farmers say they feel they still will have an average yield. Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Last week brought us cooler days and pleasant nights. After doing a lot of scouting, the verdict is still unclear on where yields will end up. Corn is denting and starting to dry down. Soybeans are trying to fill their most recent pods. Rain would still be welcome before harvest begins in a couple weeks. Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: What will corn yields be this fall? That’s got to be a tough question to answer, as the government tries to put a handle on the damages caused by this year’s drought. Some fields are fairly consistent from one end to the other, but others change more than my wife getting ready for a party. Walk into one area and the yield check shows a potential for 145 bushels. Move a little farther up a hill, and there’s hardly enough ears to do a check. Trying to determine how much of the field is good and how much is bad is next to impossible. With corn prices above $8 a bushel, it sure would be nice to know approximately how many bushels are out there. Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: I had a couple of tenths of rain at home last week with some hail. I don’t know of any harvest yet but some will be starting corn before Labor Day. We are very fortunate here, but there will still be some low yields in later planted and replanted corn. Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We did not receive any rain last week. Harvest has started in Warren County. When the local elevators were ready to take corn, farmers started delivering it. Early yield reports are ranging from 50 to 150 bpa. Moisture is in the low20s. The test weight appears to be normal and no worrisome levels of aflatoxin so far. The ears are small, and it will be hard to prevent above-average harvest losses. The beans have not started to turn yellow yet. They may have benefited from the rain we had two weeks ago. One can only hope. Corn harvest might be almost complete before any beans are harvested in this area. Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: It is back to the normal, dry conditions. Soybeans are starting to look very stressed again, and some are starting to ripen. The corn does not seem like it is drying down very well. I saw some corn harvested in the area last week.
Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: We had a shower last Monday, Aug. 20. Our farms received a range of 0.15 to 0.85 of an inch. Corn development ranges from the R4 (dough) growth stage on up to the R-6 (physiological maturity) growth stage. Most fields in the area are at R5. It is hard to make a good estimate of the yield due to the high variability in ear size caused by pollination problems. Kernel size also varies a lot. Local soybean fields are at the R5 (beginning seed) or R6 (full seed) growth stage. Most fields are at R6. The potential benefits the rain over the past 10 days will provide are limited by the low number of pods on the soybean plants. The local closing bids for Aug. 23: nearby corn, $8.24; new-crop corn, $8.22; fall 2013 corn, $6.14; nearby soybeans, $17.48; new-crop soybeans, $17.05; fall 2013 soybeans, $12.87. Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Zero to 60 has a very different meaning than when I was 16. It is now the yield range on most of our corn-on-corn. A few fields are coming in at high moistures. Local and national crop tours, which usually estimate lower than the final, are in the 100- to 120-bushel range. I put the yield in the 80-85 bpa range for our area as there are a lot of zeros. Aflatoxin protocol has everyone’s attention. Hopefully, it is not as big a problem as anticipated. Keep an eye out for those yellow school buses and their precious cargo. Corn, $8.20; fall 2013, $6.23; soybeans, $17.60; fall, $17.05; fall 2013, $12.95; wheat, $8.02. Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: A few combines out in the neighborhood are coming up with yields of 117 to 149 and moisture at 23.9 percent to 24 percent. Farmers southeast of Urbana are starting on an area of flattened corn from earlier storms. More soybean fields are yellowing, and rains have helped plump up the beans in the pods. Seed corn firms are starting harvest. Farmers are preparing harvest equipment, but many are waiting until after Labor Day. Let’s be careful out there! Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: It was another dry week. The last couple of days have seen high temperatures but no rain — not even our usual four drops. A few have started shelling with yields all the way from 20 to 120 bpa. depending where you are in the county. Some of the ears have no kernels at all. Soybeans mostly are still green. Some of the lower leaves are turning yellow. Beans are still waiting for the pods to fill. Weathermen promised rain during the weekend, saying it was our best chance in more than a month. For those of you who are harvesting, be careful!
Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: Corn harvest got into full swing last week. Moisture generally is in the low 20s. Many are going ahead with harvest to minimize the chance of storm damage or ear drop that makes a bad crop even worse. Yield reports show no improvement with fields above 100 bushels very rare and most fields closer to half that. Bean fields are generally still green with some light yellowing in a small amount of fields. More rainfall could still help the beans make the last few bushels. With all that is going through our minds with such a pathetic crop, please don’t forget to be careful this fall and not make a bad year a terrible year. Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: We received no rain, but we did set a record low of 49 degrees on Saturday (Aug. 18) in Springfield. Weather has been a real roller coaster with record highs and lows being set within a month or two of one another. People are picking corn in the fields here and there, and yields are not coming anywhere close to normal — 60 to 100 bpais probably catching quite a bit of it. There have been some 120s, and I’ve heard of some 150s. I haven’t had anything myself much above 120. Most guys are taking corn off at about 22-25 percent moisture. Beans are looking good and they are still green. A few of the early beans are starting to turn. It looks like the rain we had a week or so ago took care of most of the spider mites — it slowed them up, anyway. There have been a couple of field fires. I think a little bit of corn was lost in one of them. You may want to keep a tractor and disc handy, or a sprayer just in case. A few people made hay last week. Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Corn yields are coming in around 88 to 55 bpa. Eighty-eight would sound like alot if you were getting a ticket doing 88 in a 55. But as the T-shirt I saw last week at the Findlay elevator read: “It is what it is.” We have had to pick some corn one way, but we have been getting along going both ways if we take our time in the down corn. Corn moisture is running from 15 to 20. The flat corn is drier, but it had died a long time ago. Northeast of Findlay where more rain fell, moisture levels are 17 to 24, but the corn is yielding from 100 to 130 bpa. I have also heard of an area near Assumption that had rain has seen yields as high as 160 bpa, but those areas are few and far between. Countywide, other than the few spots with high yields, I would say our corn yield average of harvested acres will be below 100 bpa. There are still reports of corn being Bush Hogged and disked in the southern part of the county. Soybeans are starting to turn. I noticed the pods are 6 to 8 inches off the ground, but it looks as though they should make at least 35 bpa. In 1988, the beans made about 30, so I’m hoping with genetic improvements since then they will be a little better. I’m actually hoping for 40-plus.
Page 7 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
CROPWATCHERS David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: Another dry week here, as has been the case most weeks this summer. There is a handful of combines beginning to run in our area. Haven’t really heard too much on yields, but I did hear of a yield in the single digits. Most of the moisture I think is running in the low to upper 20s. Another thing I’ve noticed is no matter what color the combines are, when they go to the field, they are all the same color now — black. Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Friday greetings from Beaver Creek, Yukon, Canada. It is 10:30 p.m. and it is still daylight. We are hoping to see the Northern Lights. Showers moved through the Jasper County area early in the week leaving some rain in isolated areas but little or no rain in most areas. Temperatures have been in the low 90s. A lot of corn has been disked up in the southern part of the county. Crop adjusters are busy checking fields. Recent rains have given some hope for the late beans. Forecast for the coming week is for temperatures to be in the lower 90s with some chance of rain. Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: The chance for a bean or two this fall is slipping away. The 95-degree temps are returning us to the drought mode again. Maybe Hurricane Isaac will bypass the Republicans and push some Gulf moisture our way. I’ve heard of several fields of corn being shelled, and, reportedly, the yields are all in the single digits.
Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: We enjoyed cooler temps for most of the week with highs in the mid- to upper80s. That gave the air conditioners and crops a break. Unfortunately, we didn’t receive any rain, and temperatures returned to the upper 90s by the end of the week. Combines continue to roll through cornfields as the earliest-planted corn dries down. Farmers are concerned about the fragile stalks and are harvesting fields where corn has gone down. Moisture levels range from 18-28 percent and yields are ranging from 70 bpa on the rolling soils to 120 in the creek bottoms. There still are reports of exceptionally low yields in the area and farmers are chopping these fields for silage to provide feed for cattle. Soybean fields are about waist-high on average and are setting additional pods. Many of these pods are thin. The earliest pods on the plant may have one to two developing seeds in them. There still is hope for a near-average crop provided we receive some rain. Local grain bids: corn, $7.76; soybeans, $17.31; wheat, $8.34. Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Corn harvest continues with some fields being destroyed and others being combined. One of the main discussions topics last week was aflatoxin. There are soybean fields beginning to turn. I don’t know if the late-season rains helped to make beans, or if we will still have BB-sized soybeans.
Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: Beans looked good after a shower we got about two weeks ago, but they are running short. I plan Tuesday to start running some cornstalks through the head. Looks like I might have some beans about ready to cut in about a week. Finished making hay last week on some Conservation Reserve Program ground and all I can say is it is some very poor quality. Will probably feed it now so we don’t have to force feed it late this winter. We went up to the State Fair with the family and friends, and it was nice to see how much the fair has changed in 20 years. Looking forward to DuQuoin State Fair this week. Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: Corn harvest is picking up speed here in deep Southern Illinois. The Young Farmers did their yield checks for the year. In Alexander County, the yields ranged from 20 bpa up to 194 on some irrigated ground, with an average of 99.2. This compares to 148 in 2011. In Pulaski County, the yields ranged from less than 5 bpa up to 111, with an average of 77.1 vs. an average of 139 in 2011. So far, on Taake Farms, on the little bit that we’ve harvested our field yields have ranged from the low-30s up to the mid-70s, so obviously, it’s not going to be a good corn year in deep Southern Illinois.
Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com
Soybean cyst nematode deserves another look BY KEVIN BLACK
Drought conditions have enhanced the degree of damage caused by the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). With all the other crop concerns this year, SCN has been somewhat neglected. This is unfortunate because SCN remains one of the greatest sources of yield reduction in soybeans, and we can now do a better job of managing this pest than ever before. Another concern is that high
nematode populations are sometimes showing up on roots of resistant varieties. This may be indication of a SCN population shift. Crop rotation, varietal rotation, and different genetic sources of SCN resistance may be advised where current resistant varieties are no longer suppressing cyst nematode populations. On rich, fertile soils, obvious cyst nematode symptoms may never appear, despite significant yield reduction. On thinner s o i l s, p l a n t s t u n t i n g m a y become severe and nutrient deficiency symptoms may also show up. Potassium deficiency symptoms are particularly common.
Ironically, in many of our soybean fields, above-g round symptoms are invisible, while the roots are supporting large nematode populations and yield reductions of 10 to 20 percent are occurring. Systematic sampling and laboratory analysis are the only certain ways to assess the damage potential in a field, although high populations often can be visually confirmed. Remember that presence of SCN also is often associated with sudden death syndrome (SDS) infection. SCN is not only responsible for creating stress that enables SDS infection, but it is believed that cyst nematodes may actually be
Soybean cyst nematode cysts on roots.
actively involved in SDS infection, possibly even introducing the pathogen into the soybean roots. Any time areas of poor growth show up in soybeans, the soybean cyst nematode should be on the list of suspects. Confirming SCN pres-
ence in a field is usually not difficult at this time of year. By carefully digging suspect plants and examining the roots, the presence of the pinhead-size cysts can be confirmed. (Note that many of these cysts may now be brown in color and difficult to see in the soil.) Take care not to remove soil from the roots too aggressively, since the cysts are easily dislodged from the roots. Samples may also be sent to a laboratory to confirm SCN infestations. K e v i n B l a ck i s G ROW MARK’s insect and plant disease technical manager. His email address is kblack@growmark.com.
Renewable fuels interests applaud CAFE delay BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek
Renewable fuel interests are working to assure new federal fuel efficiency standards ultimately aren’t a non-starter for consumers and the biofuels industry. Despite a self-imposed Aug. 15 deadline for setting final Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rules, the administration instead has delayed new mandates aimed at building toward a 54.5-mpg “f leet wide” averag e for North American automakers from 2017 to 2025. The rules, devised by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National
H i g h w a y Tr a f f i c S a f e t y Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), continue to undergo interagency review, NHTSA stated. CAFE standards are supported by most automakers who market in the U.S. (Germany’s VW and Daimler and Japanese automakers are reported holdouts), the United Au t o Wo r ke r s U n i o n , a n d environmentalists attracted to the standard’s secondary goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. But groups including 25x’25 — which promotes a goal of deriving 25 percent of U.S. energy from renewable
sources by 2025 — are concerned proposed standards could give short shrift to flexible-fuel and other purportedly lower-cost options for meeting CAFE standards. Ernie Shea, 25x’25 project coordinator, highlighted his organization’s role in persuading the administration’s Office of Management and Budget to hold up the rule “pending a more thorough review of its possible negative impacts on the economy.” Shea’s group has worked with auto manufacturers and other industr y interests to highlight the need for DOT and EPA to fully consider biofuels benefits in meeting
future fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction standards. Consumer cost will be a key concern as agencies push higher-mileage vehicles, American Farm Bureau Federation energ y specialist Andrew Walmsley told Far mWeek. The administration estimates new rules will boost average per-vehicle cost by as much as $3,000. B e yo n d t h e g r e e n h o u s e benefits of biofuels use, refining existing engines for improved ethanol-based mileage offers a significantly lower-cost alternative to electrical or other fuel-saving technologies, Walmsley argued.
He sees petroleum sector resistance to flex-fuel vehicle incentives as an attempt at developing “talking points” against general biofuels policies. Ethanol advocates face challenges in building demand “if you don’t have vehicles that can run on a higher blend,” Walmsley explained. “We’re hitting a blend wall on E10 (standard 10 percent ethanol blends); we’re eventually going to hit a blend wall on E15,” Walmsley said. “Long-ter m, to g et past that, we’re going to have to have an incentive to produce vehicles that can run on a high blend or a low blend of ethanol.”
FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, August 27, 2012
PrOduCtION
U.S. crop insurance globally attractive
CHOPPING SILAGE
BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek
Tom Steiner of Mulberry Grove in Bond County chopped a 17-acre field of corn last week on the Paul Lynaugh farm as repayment to Lynaugh, also of Mulberry Grove, for loaning him his silage chopper earlier. Lynaugh operates a 100-head dairy farm with his wife, Jessica. He usually chops about 100 acres of corn for silage, but this year, because of the drought, he will expand the amount to 300 to 350 acres. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
Stalls Continued from page 1 without the knowledge of what that decision means,” she continued. “The (stall-free) production is not there. There is going to be a bidding war.” A study conducted by the University of Missouri found about 83 percent of sows in the U.S. currently spend a portion of their lives in gestation stalls. The cost to change the system over to group or other types of housing has been estimated at between $3.9 billion and $5.8 billion. Annual operating costs could increase by an estimated $1.1 billion nationwide. “My biggest concern is we don’t know the long-term consequences of alternative housing systems,” Salak-Johnson said. “Let’s look at it
Auction Calendar Tues., Aug. 28. 10 a.m. Farm machinery. Mike Hull, ROSEVILLE, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. www.biddersandbuyers.com or vanadkisson.com Tues., Aug. 28. 10 a.m. Kankakee Co. Land Auc. Hertz Farm Mgmt., Inc. www.hfmgt.com Tues., Aug. 28. 10 a.m. Woodford Co. Real Estate. Laura Gries Estate, ROANOKE, IL. Schmidgall Auction Service, Inc. www.schmidgallauctions.com Wed, Aug. 29. 10:30 a.m. Farm machinery. Dan Dare Estate and Dare Family, AVON, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. www.biddersandbuyers.com or vanadkisson.com Wed., Aug. 29. 10 a.m. Farm machinery and misc. Chuck Porter, PONTIAC, IL. Immke and Bradley Auction Service. www.biddersandbuyers.com/immke Thurs., Aug. 30. 10 a.m. Warren Co. Land Auc. Tracy and Judith Knisely, MONMOUTH, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. www.biddersandbuyers.com or vanadkisson.com Thurs., Aug. 30. Livingston Co. Land Auction. Joann Giacometti Graf, ODELL, IL. Immke and
long-term. If the female is stressed, it’s going to affect her offspring.” She said she believes the pork industry should analyze the positive and negative aspects of all housing systems and use the information to improve the entire system. The elimination of one system could backfire, which she believes to be the case in Europe where gestation stalls were banned in 1999. All producers there must be in compliance by Jan. 1, 2013. “Many of them (pork producers in Europe) will just shut their doors,” Salak-Johnson said. “There won’t be enough supply and there will be higher (pork) prices. “Most likely, the same thing could end up happening here,” she added. — Daniel Grant
Bradley Auction Service. www.biddersandbuyers.com/immke Thurs., Aug. 30. 10 a.m. Livingston Co. Land Auc. Heirs of Joann Giacometti Graf, ODELL, IL. Immke and Bradley Auction Service. biddersandbuyers.com/immke Thurs., Sept. 6. 157.779 Ac. Wildman Farm, KANKAKEE, IL. Soy Capital Ag Services. www.soycapitalag.com Fri., Sept. 7. 10 a.m. Knox Co. Land Auc. Kuntz Family Farm, GALESBURG, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. www.biddersandbuyers.com or vanadkisson.com Sat, Sept. 8. 9 a.m. Fall Consignment Sale. MURPHYSBORO, IL. Canning Auction Service. www.canningauctions.com or auctionzip.com Sat,. Sept. 8. 9 a.m. Livestock Eq and Machinery Sale. CONGERVILLE, IL. Sat., Sept. 8. 10 a.m. Bureau Co. Farmland. Herb Rumbold, Pat Pond, Wendy, Christian and Sharon Rumbold, MANLIUS, IL. Johnson Auction Service. www.biddersandbuyers.com keyword Johnson or www.topauctions24-7.com Sat., Sept. 8. 10 a.m. Jersey Co.
Land Auction. Ronald Hansen, JERSEYVILLE, IL. Jerry Joyce, Larry Derricks and Mark Pennell, Auctioneers. Sat., Sept. 8. 9 a.m. Livestock Eq. and Machinery Sale. Reel Livestock Center, CONGERVILLE. Mon., Sept. 10. 6 p.m. Whiteside Co Land Auc. The Noah P. Hermie Estate, DEER GROVE, IL. Schrader Real Estate and Auction C., Inc. schraderauction.com Thurs., Sept. 13. 7 p.m. Land Auction. Betty Axelsen, Daniel Brookman and Wilbur Brookman, Jr., NEW LENOX, IL. Rosenboom Realty. www.rosenboomrealty.com Sat., Sept. 15. 10 a.m. Macoupin Co. Land Auc. Estate of Wm. E. Cromwell, BUNKER HILL, I L. Ahrens and Niemeier. www.anauctions.com Sat., Sept. 15. 10 a.m. Warren Co. Land Auc. Jack L. Hennenfent and Tamara Hennenfent, MONMOUTH, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. www.biddersandbuyers.com or vanadkisson.com Sat., Sept. 22. 9 a.m. Farm & Construction Eq Consignment Auc. TREMONT, IL. Cal Kaufman and Brent Schmidgall, Auctioneers. tremontconsignmentauction@yahoo.com
As prospectively huge U.S. crop insurance payouts garner a growing media spotlight, much of the rest of the globe is looking to adopt a U.S.-style risk management system to bolster food security, trim budgets, and avert potential trade disputes. The federal crop insurance program and its effectiveness in addressing weather- and market-related risks has attracted the interest of international policymakers, Washington consultant James Callan told FarmWeek. Sharing risk and costs with insurers and farmers offers major budget savings over direct farm subsidies, the former USDA Risk Management Agency official and Federal Crop Insurance Corp. deputy manager said. That’s appealing to many developing countries and economically challenged European officials seeking to “offload government risk,” he noted. “It may enable countries to spend less on subsidy programs for their farmers,” said Callan, a keynote guest at the seventh annual international Soy and Grain Trade Summit Sept. 17-19 in New Orleans. “If they can get away from that, there perhaps will be less scrutiny of their own programs and potential violations that could occur with the World Trade Organization.” International ag development groups also are mulling ways to adapt U.S.-style coverage to the needs of poorer nations. Callan sees challenges in establishing programs in regions dominated by small-scale subsistence farms, but suggested use of weather-based rather than yield-based risk criteria and a group coverage approach could work. Nations with access to commodity exchanges could replicate U.S. revenue policies with guarantees tied to key crop markets, Callan said. He hailed the value of current federal Revenue Protection (RP) as a potential “hedging tool,” particularly for farmers who face the prospect of higher prices and seriously reduced yields. RP’s harvest price option, which triggers payouts based on the higher of spring or fall price guarantees, offers growers “upside protection,” he noted. If prices goes up, “which they will by the end of the year,” farmers will see effectively higher coverage levels, Callan said. Further, new House/Senate farm bill revenue program proposals would provide heightened “areawide” protection especially for farmers whose yields track with county yields, he noted. Callan argued that would “plus-up” crop insurance, helping make individual coverage “work for more farmers.” “There’s a lot to be said for what crop insurance has done,” Callan said. “Having the private sector involved is a plus: They’ve provided capital in the program. Otherwise, the government would be on the hook for all losses.” Last week, 39 farm, energy, government, and financial groups –including the American Farm Bureau Federation — announced a new coalition, Farm Bill Now, aimed at raising awareness of the need for Congress to pass a five-year farm bill before current farm programs expire in September. Callan argued “some semblance of good policy” is needed this year to reassure China, Japan, and other promising U.S. ag customers. — Martin Ross
Beef roundtable scheduled Sept. 12
The University of Illinois Extension and the Beef Association of Jo Daviess County have scheduled a beef roundtable discussion starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Elizabeth Community Building. Denise Schwab, Iowa State University beef specialist, will talk about adding value and profit to the cow herd. Jake Guenzler of Profit Point Consulting, will discuss feeding strategies, and Robert Melcher, veterinarian at the Stockton Blackhawk Vet Clinic, will talk about vaccination programs. Travis Meteer, U of I beef educator, will talk about how to get a raise raising beef cattle. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and the day will conclude about 3 p.m. There is a $10 registration fee, and pre-registration is required by Sept. 5. Registration can be completed by calling 815-858-2273 or going online to {http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/jsw/.
Page 9 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
safety
Ag safety training advances with new equipment, complex BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
State agriculture and industry officials envision unlimited hands-on safety training and courses at the new Asmark Institute Agricenter that
opened last week in Bloomington. “This building is agriculture’s commitment to the life, safety, and health of people who work in agriculture,” said Jean Payne, president of the
Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA). IFCA is a partner in the new facility. Asmark Institute, based in Owensboro, Ky., IFCA, and the Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) worked together on the 26,000-squarefoot training complex. The groups first announced the project in early January and broke ground in mid-March. The unique facility offers real grain handling equipment and will allow participants to experience real-life scenarios. For the agrichemical and fertilizer sector, extensive equipment and scale models provide the opportunity for a variety of courses.
‘We know of no other facility like this anywhere in the nation.’ — Jeff Adkisson Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
Above: Two visitors inspect the inside of a mock grain bin with an auger installed at the new Asmark Institute Agricenter. Below: A visitor inspects the base of a mock grain bin in the new agricenter. The facility offers a new safety course for grain handling employees along with safety courses for those handling and applying fertilizer and agrichemicals.
A national agronomic environmental health and safety school was held in the facility the day after it opened. During an open house, industry and state officials marveled at the real equipment installed in the facility. “The sky’s the limit on the uses,” said Warren Goetsch, head of environmental programs for the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). For the grain industry, the new agricenter is the first of its kind, according to Jeff Adkisson, GFAI executive vice president. “We know of no other facility like this anywhere in the nation,” he told 200 open house guests.
Visitors to the new Asmark Institute Agricenter, Bloomington, discuss the safety training features of mock grain bins while a nearby mannequin simulates an engulfment accident. The new one-of-kind facility can offer realistic grain handling safety. (Photos by Kay Shipman)
GFAI’s goal is to offer safety training for grain facilities. “We’ll be able to simulate (grain) engulfments and some of the many hazards in the grain industry,” Adkisson said. In addition to the training rooms, the facility has a large conference room and smaller meeting rooms. Farmers, too, likely will be offered courses in the new facility. “We plan on working with growers’ groups to develop curriculum for growers.
There’s a need for training,” Payne said. IDOA officials also are considering ideas for training in the new facility. Goetsch noted the building would provide an ideal facility for state pesticide training. Goetsch complimented ag industry leaders for developing the facility. “The industry has seen the need,” he concluded.
FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, August 27, 2012
farm safety
Sleep specialist: A well-rested farmer is a safer one BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek
The drought is causing sleepless nights and thus potentially more dangerous days for many Illinois farmers. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns financially related stress related to drought can cause depression, anxiety, or other “mental and behavioral health conditions”
(see accompanying details). Sudden sleep “disorders” or disruptions — insomnia, middle-of-the-night wakefulness, or excessive sleeping — are key signs that worry and anxiety have come into play. And when anxiety, depression, and resulting fatigue strike at harvest time, the result can be lethal. “Anyone who’s acutely wor-
The signs? The mental and emotional toll of drought-related stress can be debilitating. Anxiety or depression, unchecked, also can be dangerous in the field or on the road. Watch for these potential warning signs this harvest: • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions. • Fatigue and decreased energy. • Insomnia or irregular sleep patterns (see accompanying stories) • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness. • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism. • Irritability, restlessness. • Loss of interest in pleasurable hobbies or activities, including sex. • Overeating or loss of appetite. • Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment. • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings. • Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.
ried about whether they’ll have money in a few months if the crop fails certainly could have some short-term insomnia,” advises George Haake, a registered polysomnigraphic technologist and manager of Bloomington’s Midwest Center for Sleep Medicine. “How do you treat that? It’s tricky. If insomnia’s going on just because you’re worried or stressed, a physician might give you sleep aids. Some physicians may say to muscle through it, maybe refer the patient to a therapist. True insomniacs have deep, longterm issues that aren’t situational. They may need to see a therapist.” Setting consistent sleep habits is as important as getting adequate sleep, Haake suggests. He stresses the importance of maintaining regular sleep hours: A farmer accustomed to sleeping from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. should stick to that schedule even at the peak of harvest, if possible. And the bedroom should be “a cool, quite, comfortable room for sleep,” insists Haake, who advises against reading or
especially watching TV in bed. The sleep specialist recommends curtailing coffee or other caffeine-based drinks after noon or, in the case of a chronic insomniac, entirely. Late-evening exercise, even after a day of fieldwork, contributes to sounder sleep, Haake argues. Daytime naps are not a good idea — “You can start a vicious cycle where your sleep’s all over the place,” he told FarmWeek. Taking a field break for a noon-time meal is a good idea, both to break up the potential monotony of harvest and to reduce the urge to eat late and heavily at the end of a hard day’s work. A short post-lunch nap is acceptable if the farmer has experienced no night-time sleep issues. Unfortunately, the tractor or combine cab can be “an excellent place to get sleepy,” given the droning rhythm and
‘The easiest time to rectify insomnia is right when it starts.’ — George Haake Midwest Center for Sleep Medicine
vibrations of harvest activity, Haake acknowledges. An incab radio or other non-distracting audio feedback can help farmers maintain their “natural sleep rhythm” without nodding off behind the wheel, he says. “The easiest time to rectify insomnia is right when it starts,” Haake concludes. “The further you fall down that hole, the harder it is to correct.”
Chronic sleep problems can endanger health Tired? Always tired? While drought-related stress may plague farmers’ slumber this fall, some sleep issues are physical in nature and potentially life-threatening. Heavy breathing or snoring, jerking or twitching legs, or even brief periods in which a person stops breathing could be signs of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes the airway to close, making breathing difficult. Snoring or gasping may be interspersed with pauses in breathing for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute. That can happen a few or a few hundred times per night, causing frequent awakenings and less restful sleep. At its worst, a severe drop in blood oxygen levels related to sleep apnea can cause angina, arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm), or even a heart attack. “Are you sleepy no matter how much you sleep?” sleep specialist George Haake posed. “If you go to bed for eight hours, wake up, and are still tired, and you’re tired throughout the day, that might be due to sleep apnea.” There is a strong link between “obstructive” sleep apnea, the most common form, and weight — increased fat in the neck can constrict the airway. Treatment may involve basic changes such as avoiding alcohol or losing weight. In some cases, an ongoing “sleep diary” can help a person and his or her spouse track progress in reducing symptoms or continued problems that require medical attention. Continued loud snoring, restless sleep, and/or a tendency to fall asleep at the dinner table or behind the wheel may suggest the need for a sleep study designed to monitor sleep patterns, breathing, body movements, and heart activity. The sleep study is conducted overnight in a simulated homelike environment, with results analyzed and treatment prescribed. Based on the study, sleep physicians may recommend use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device to help keep the upper airway open. Haake admits sleeping every night wearing a CPAP face mask and hose requires an initial adjustment, but he cites a 95-plus percent success rate in reducing or eliminating sleep apnea symptoms with the device. “Most folks, once they wear it, tend to do fine,” he said. “Seldom do people give it up. But they may have to chug away with it for a month or so before they get used to it.” Sleep centers affiliated with regional hospitals can be found throughout the state, and a family physician can recommend a sleep study, if one’s needed. For information, visit the American Academy of Sleep Medicine website {yoursleep.aasmnet.org}. — Martin Ross
Page 11 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
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FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, August 27, 2012
food summit
Government, industry delving into locally grown food BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek
Interest in local food continues to grow around the state 150 participants heard at a Local Food Connections and Technical Summit hosted last week by the Illinois Farm Bureau in Bloomington. “Illinois Farm Bureau has been a real leader in local and regional food efforts,” USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan told participants. Farm Bureau members and leaders who have visited Washington, D.C., “have made supportive statements about helping farmers of all sizes,” she said. The summit brought together representatives of the public and private sectors to learn about local food initiatives that are taking shape across the state. To emphasize the collaboration, the deputy secretary highlighted some partnerships between fed-
eral and state agencies. USDA’s Rural Development has worked with Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA), and the Illinois Department of Human Services on Kathleen Merrigan grants for wireless machines at farmers’ markets. Merrigan noted more farmers’ markets will be able to make electronic sales and sales to customers who use cards for federal food assistance. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) collaborated with USDA and IDOA to develop a guide on food hubs that aggregate, process, and distribute food grown in an area. Merrigan listed infrastructure and demand among the biggest challenges for local food initiatives. She pointed out America’s farmers are getting older at the same time the public increasingly is
interested in local food. “The time is right and ripe ... to bring in the next generation of farmers,” Merrigan said. “There are a lot of challenges ... and a lot of opportunities.” Merrigan’s comments reinforced those of Colleen Callahan, director of USDA Rural Development in Illinois. “This is not a threat to traditional agriculture but rather an opportunity. A local foods project may be a path for a secondor third-generation farm family to return to the farm,” Callahan said. To help farmers and others find potential federal grants and programs, Merrigan said USDA developed an online “food compass.” The map-based database allows viewers to click on a highlighted location and see “who is getting money and how it’s used,” she said. “This is public data, and we’re trying to be as transparent as possible.” Viewers may base searches on location or types of programs or uses. The map may be located by going to {www.usda.gov}, clicking on
the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food icon, and then clicking on the compass map. Currently the map offers USDA information, but Merrigan said she hopes to add information from such USDA federal partners as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, Environmental Protection Agency, and Housing and Urban Development. This month and next, Farm
Bureau is involved with two events to connect farmers and buyers. On Tuesday, IFB is collaborating with area county Farm Bureaus and University of Illinois Extension at a “Meet the Buyers” event in Freeport. A Central Illinois Meet the Buyer meeting will be Sept. 26 at the U of I Extension office, Springfield. Interested farmers need to register by Sept. 24 with the Sangamon County Farm Bureau.
State offering programs, info for food initiatives State government is contributing dollars and information for local food initiatives, agency officials reported during last week’s Local Food Connections and Technical Summit in Bloomington. “The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) wants to be part of moving Illinois forward ... helping the industry and growers to prosper,” said Acting Illinois Agriculture Director Bob Flider. Flider mentioned IDOA’s new Illinois product logo and a campaign to increase sales of agricultural products from the state. Through Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) and the Illinois Finance Fund, the state is investing more than $30 million in food initiatives, said Daniel Seals, DCEO assistant director. Funding in matching grants will be available for building infrastructure, such as building food hubs and other food-distribution systems. DCEO also is gathering information and programs related to local food issues and initiatives to develop a one-stop-shop Internet site. “We’re trying to put into one place linkages (to other websites) and a short description with key terms,” said Mike Baker with DCEO. “Our idea is not to reinvent the wheel, just to direct people.” The site is under construction and will be available in the near future. FarmWeek will publish more details as they become available. — Kay Shipman
Kitchen serving up business for farmers, rural economies A processing kitchen business gives farmers a chance to make value-added products, disabled individuals an opportunity to work, and rural communities an economic boost. The idea is working in southwest Wisconsin. A Wisconsin county economic development official proposed similar businesses would work in Illinois and could create a food-processing network with his state. “Processing (of ag products) is a choke point. How do you get (produce) seconds into the market?” Rick Terrien asked at last week’s Local Food Connections and Technical Summit hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau in Bloomington. In Mineral Point, Wis., a former Dairy Queen was transformed into the Wisconsin Innovative Kitchen and employs 35 people with disabilities. They make a variety of food products for sale. Details about the kitchen are online at {www.wi.innovationkitchen.org} Terrien described how Innovative Kitchen employees processed locally grown pumpkins and squash for a small pasta company’s seasonal tortellini. The collaboration eliminated the need for the pasta company to switch its production line to process pumpkins and allowed farmers to deliver directly to the kitchen, he said. The processing kitchen also maintains food safety, an aspect Terrien said he stresses with the staff. He noted the next processing kitchens will benefit from the lessons learned by the first one. Terrien’s next project is a processing kitchen that would be USDA certified for chickens and turkeys. Plans include processing rabbits and emus. “There’s a ton of capacity to do this (processing kitchens),” Terrien said. “We would like to build a network in Illinois.” — Kay Shipman
Page 13 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
from the counties
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UREAU — Farm Bureau will sponsor a task force planning meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Farm Bureau office. Members may choose from four task forces: education, member relations, farm business, or government and policy. Those who want to give input on future programs should call the Farm Bureau office at 815-875-6468 for more information. • Country Trust Bank will sponsor a market outlook meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Annawan Banquet Center. ZBest will serve dinner. Tom Frerichs, senior investment officer, will be the speaker. Call your local Country agent or the Bureau, Henry, Stark agency office at 309-945-4800 for reservations or more information. OOK — Farm Bureau will sponsor a farmland lease seminar at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Farm Bureau office. Topics will include lease
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instruments, trends and ranges, and farm economic trends that influence lease rates. Call the Farm Bureau office at 708-3543276 for more information. ULTON — Farm Bureau will sponsor a market outlook meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Farm Bureau office. A ribeye dinner will be served. Marc Hobroc, Sunrise Ag, and Bob Fidler, Fairview Sale Barn, will be the speakers. Cost is $5. Call the Farm Bureau office at 547-3011 or email fultonfb@att.net for reservations by Monday (today). ASALLE — The LaSalle County Farm Bureau seed plot day will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the corner of East 12th Road and 2960th, Ottawa. A pork chop meal will be served. Adam Day, Northern Partners agronomist, and a Water Street Solutions representative will be the speakers. A ticket is required for the meal, and each membership may
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Vic DeBlock, left, a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau Marketing Committee, discusses farm equipment with the county Farm Bureau’s adopted legislator, state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove). Mathias rode on a tractor during his recent tour of DeBlock’s farm near Aledo. (Photo courtesy Mercer County Farm Bureau)
Mercer County FB helps adopted legislator learn livestock care, transportation issues BY CHRISTINA NOURIE
Mercer County Farm Bureau recently hosted its adopted legislator, state Rep. Sid Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove), on his first farm tour in the county. The county Farm Bureau was matched with Mathias last year through the Adopt a Legislator program. The group was joined on the tour by state Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Galesburg). The tour started at the DeBlock family’s beef and grain operation near Aledo. Matt DeBlock showed Mathias how the family cares for its animals and the lengths farmers go to to ensure healthy livestock are raised humanely. Mathias also took a tractor ride to help him understand farm equipment technology. The farmers explained to the legislator the science of corn and soybean production, including the use of GMOs and chemicals. They also discussed the effects of the drought. Included on the tour was the Cargill grain elevator and barge terminal in New Boston, located on the Mississippi River. Mathias heard about the role grain elevators play in agriculture as well as how the facility is operated. Transportation issues related to shipping corn on the river were discussed. Mathias said he greatly appreciated the opportunity to visit Mercer County and learn more about the technology and science used in farming today. He said he hopes to take that message back to his suburban constituents to help them better understand how their food is grown. The county Farm Bureau looks forward to visiting Representative Mathias’s district again in the future. Christina Nourie is the northeast legislative coordinator for Illinois Farm Bureau. He email address is cnourie@ilfb.org.
receive two tickets. There is a $10 charge for each additional ticket. Call the Farm Bureau office at 815-433-0371 for tickets or more information. • Farm Bureau has slowmoving-vehicle signs available for $2 at the Farm Bureau office. ONTGOMERY — The Prime Timers will meet at noon Wednesday, Sept. 19, for their monthly luncheon and meeting. A roast beef dinner will be served. Sandy Martincic will discuss Medicare Part D. Cost is $8. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217-532-6171 by Friday, Sept. 14, for more reservations or more information. • The Prime Timers will sponsor a fall foliage brunch cruise on a riverboat Saturday, Oct. 13, in Peoria. Cost is $56. Call the Farm Bureau office at 217-532-6171 by Friday, Sept. 7, for reservations or more information. EORIA — The Prime Timers will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at Wildlife Prairie Park where they will take a Trek bus tour and watch a wildlife presentation. Cost is $10. Call the Farm
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Bureau office at 686-7070 for reservations or more information. • Farm Bureau will sponsor a prairie planting project from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Farm Bureau office. Lunch will be served. Call the Farm Bureau office if you can help with the project. ERRY — The annual Tyler Smith Memorial scholarship will provide one student a $1,250 scholarship. Applications are available at the Farm Bureau office or online at {perryfarmbureau@frontier.co m}. Deadline to return applications is Friday, Sept. 28. Call the Farm Bureau office at 618-3579355 for more information. TEPHENSON — A health fair will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Farm Bureau office. Included will be flu shots (discounted for Stephenson County Farm Bureau members), free blood pressure, blood sugar testing, and hearing exams and consultation. Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. • A Stroke Detection Plus event will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 26-27, at the Farm Bureau
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office. Members will be eligible for a discount. Call 877-7328258 for an appointment. • A multi-county sponsored trip with Tri-State Travel to Australia and New Zealand will be Jan. 22-Feb. 7. Details are available at {www.stephensoncfb.org} or call the Farm Bureau office at 815-232-3186. • Paid orders for Terri Lynn nuts and candies are available until Oct. 19. Delivery will be around Nov. 12. The order form is available online at {www.stephensoncfb.org} or at the Farm Bureau office. ERMILION — Farm Bureau will sponsor its annual back-to-school teacher’s workshop from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the Farm Bureau office. Classroom presentations, free resources and handouts, and reserve ag learning kits will be available. Others are invited to come and learn about the Ag in the Classroom program.
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“From the counties” items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.
FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, August 27, 2012
profitability
Selecting right cover crops key to meet various needs BY DAVE GENTRY
There is a lot of interest right now in the use of cover crops this fall. Livestock producers are in need of additional forage. Rowcrop farmers want to capture nitrogen that remains in the soil following a poor crop year. Farmers plagued with resistant weeds are looking for help controlling winter annuals. Growers in pursuit of maximum yield are looking for ways
to improve soil tilth. Selecting the right cover crop may be part of the answer for all of the needs above. Fall rye, oats, or triticale can provide excellent forage that can be grazed this fall and harvested next spring. Adding forage turnips to cereal grains will improve feed quality and tonnage this fall. Austrian winter peas or crimson clover will grow well
Rural Development announces Illinois funding recipients Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week announced four Illinois projects were selected for funding to produce renewable energy and make energy efficiency improvements. The funding is available through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which was authorized by the 2008 farm bill. In Illinois, a $49,937 grant will be awarded to Safi Sana Inc. to install a solar array that will produce solar power and offset 49 percent of the business’ annual electric and natural gas consumption. Three other grants to Wilbur Paulus, $32,975; Lebert Mercier, $27,290; and Randall Elliott, $3,798; will be used to upgrade their grain drying systems and save an average 40 percent on their energy costs. Funding of each award is contingent upon the recipient meeting the grant agreement conditions. Grants may finance up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, not to exceed $500,000 for renewables or $250,000 for energy efficiency. In addition, Effingham County will receive a $99,000 grant through the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. The county will use the funding to capitalize a revolving loan fund. The fund will provide loans to small businesses that are located in the county and are unable to secure financing through conventional sources.
M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Weight 10 lbs. 40 lbs.
Range Per Head $10.08-$45.00 $51.35-$51.35
Weighted Ave. Price $33.69 $51.35
This Week Last Week 82,712 72,667 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm
Receipts
Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live
(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week $80.09 $84.65 $59.27 $62.64
Change -4.56 -3.37
USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price Steers Heifers
(Thursday’s price) (Thursday’s price) Prev. week Change This week 120.82 119.89 0.93 120.71 119.61 1.10
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 140.18 138.83 1.35
Lamb prices Slaughter Prices - Negotiated, Live, wooled and shorn 100-155 lbs. for 90-120 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 109.97).
Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 08-16-12 21.4 23.4 21.5 08-09-12 15.8 22.3 23.2 Last year 11.0 18.9 32.1 Season total 1332.6 213.9 1474.3 Previous season total 1473.2 252.8 1739.6 USDA projected total 1315 1025 1700 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.
in the cooler fall temperatures, making quality forage. Annual ryegrass, cereals, radishes, and turnips make excellent “nutrient sinks,” absorbing nitrogen left from the past crop. The deep penetrating Dave Gentry roots of annual ryegrass and radishes can capture nitrogen while breaking up soil compaction. All of these crops will hold nutrients through the winter and release them into the soil as they rot next spring. A cover crop competes for space, sunlight, nutrients, and
water with winter annual weeds. This competition will help suppress many of the weeds that commonly show up after harvest and create problems in the spring. Cover crops, such as radishes, crimson clover, annual ryegrass, and fall rye, help break up soil compaction. As their roots die in the spring, pore spaces are left behind for air and water to penetrate. Radishes leave behind holes that allow water flow into the subsoil, improving drainage. Legumes, such as crimson clover, hairy vetch, and Austrian winter peas, improve soils by fixing nitrogen for use by next year’s crop. Cover crops do require
good management. Proper seedbed preparation and planting help seed germinate faster for a longer growing season. Controlling the crop in the early spring is critical to avoid having it go to seed and become a weed problem. There are many seed choices and combinations that can be tried. Decide what you want to accomplish. Then select seeds and a management plan to get you there. Your local crop specialist is a great place to start when deciding on all of your cropping needs. Dave Gentry is GROWMARK’s forage/turf and retail products manager. His email address is dgentry@growmark.com.
Cattle producers scramble to cover feed needs BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek
Motorists who pass by the farm of Enid Schlipf and sonin-law Dave Mool in McLean County don’t need to call the farmers to inform them about possible cows on the loose. Schlipf and Mool turned their 50 head of beef cattle into a cornfield out of necessity. “We needed another source of feed and this was the cheapest feed source we could come up with,” Mool said last week during a visit by Kathleen Merrigan, USDA deputy secretary, Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson, and other state and national officials. Schlipf, a former IFB vice president and board member, and Mool mowed a path around 2.5 acres of droughtparched corn and put up an electric fence. The field was expected to yield about 5 percent of normal so they opted to open it up for grazing. They plan to chop and bag the rest of the field for more feed. “Our pastures were completely dried up,” Mool said. “This was the next best option.” Schlipf and Mool had the corn tested for nitrates prior to opening the field for grazing. They also cleared their plan to graze and chop the field with their crop insurance agent. They believe using the ruined corn will allow them to maintain their cattle herd. “We feel fortunate to utilize it (the stressed corn) in some fashion,” said Schlipf, who noted the pair has been feeding hay since the first week of July. “We’re short hay and grazing acres.” Other livestock producers have not been able to locate or afford alternative feed sources. There have been numerous reports of overflow numbers
A beef cow on the farm of Enid Schlipf and son-in-law David Mool, Gridley, eats remnants of drought-parched corn during a tour of the farm by state and federal officials, including Kathleen Merrigan, USDA deputy secretary, and Philip Nelson IFB president. Schlipf and Mool opened the cornfield for grazing after putting an electric fence around some of it and plan to chop and bag the rest for feed. (Photo by Ken Kashian)
of animals at auction barns. “Livestock producers are in a state of panic. They can’t source the feed,” said Nelson, a pork producer from Seneca in LaSalle County. “We’re seeing liquidation like never before.” Nelson called on USDA to consider releasing acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sooner dur-
ing a disaster. “By the time CRP acres were opened in August, basically they were of no value to livestock producers” as the forage already was ruined by the drought, Nelson noted. Pasture conditions last week in Illinois were rated 89 percent poor or very poor, 9 percent fair, and just 2 percent good.
U of I Extension to host Central Illinois pasture walk The University of Illinois Extension of Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, and Putnam counties will host a free pasture walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15 at Jim and Ruth Draper’s Graze-N-Grow Sheep Farm, 15722 645 East Street, Sheffield. The reservation deadline is Sept. 7. Dean Oswald, a forage and grazing specialist with Midwest Grass and Forage, Macomb, will be the speaker. The Drapers have a grass-fed sheep operation. “Jim has raised sheep all of his life. About six years ago, we switched to Katahdin sheep because there wasn’t a good market for wool,” said Ruth Draper. The Katahdin sheep shed their hair in the field so there is no expense to hire a shearer. The Drapers sell lambs “on the hoof ” and deliver them to be slaughtered for their customers. “We have a very ethnically diverse customer base. We sell a lot of our lamb to the Hispanic, Muslim, and Greek population,” she said. To make a reservation or for information, contact the Bureau County Extension office at 815-875-2878.
Page 15 Monday, August 27, 2012 FarmWeek
PROFITABILITY Corn Strategy
CASH STRATEGIST
A look at beans’ marketing window At times, it pays to take a look at the market price structure to determine just what kind of marketing strategy it dictates. The structure for soybeans is rather obvious with the huge premiums being held by the November 2012 and January 2013 futures over the later contracts. The November 2012 contract has nearly a $1 premium over the March 2013 contract and more than a $2 premium to the July 2013 contract. Those premiums imply the window to market the crop you will harvest stretches from now to year’s end. The extreme discounts the more distant contracts have are tied to expectations that next spring’s South American crops will be significantly larger than they were a year ago. In its supply/demand forecasts, USDA has built in an 81-million-metric-ton (mmt) Brazilian crop and a 55 mmt Argentine crop. Production in Paraguay is expected to rebound back to nearly 8 mmt, nearly double that of the past year. The total of these is 5.3 billion bushels.
Certainly, forecasters are building in better yields than they experienced this past year. Argentina has had poor crops for two years. The La Nina pattern in the Pacific that brought the country problems is slowly shifting to an El Nino, and when that’s in place, Argentina tends to have good growing conditions. It isn’t just better yields that are behind the larger forecasts, but expanded plantings as well. Some forecasts are projecting an 8 percent increase in Brazil, a 4 to 5 percent hike in Argentina, and nearly a 10 percent increase in Paraguay. The fear of a shift in Brazil has gotten large enough to cause the government to extend special financing to producers for corn production. The fall/early winter marketing window fits with the price cycle parameters, too. The 16-to 18-week price cycle is expected to bottom in middle or late September. That would put the next low near Feb. 1. The prospect of seeing good prices beyond that time will depend on the South American situation. If you want to bet on another problem, it’s better to do it with a “paper” position instead of cash because of the huge discount the distant futures have.
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ü2012 crop: Last week’s action suggests a retest of the $8.49 contract high on December futures failed. We continue to think having 70 percent of a realistic/conservative yield priced is a good marketing strategy, but don’t exceed your insurance guarantee. ü2013 crop: Sales should have been increased to 20 percent when December 2013 traded above $6.50. Use rallies for catch-up sales. vFundamentals: The market’s recent focus has been on supply noted in the Pro Farmer Crop Tour. Few were surprised to see yield averages in several states coming in a little above USDA expectations, but the tour mostly hit the best growing areas of each state. Going forward, the trade will continue to debate the size of the crop, but demand has become more important. There’s little doubt demand rationing has started. The market is only debating the extent of it. And everyone has become aware most of the rationing will have to be accomplished by sectors other than ethanol.
Soybean Strategy
ü2012 crop: Prices appear to be losing upside momentum with supply news looking as though it’s been mostly built into the market. Use the current market for catch-up sales. But make sure you don’t exceed your insurance guarantee just yet. ü2013 crop: Use rallies above $13 on November 2013 soybean futures for catch-up sales. vFundamentals: Unlike corn, there’s still a lot of uncertainty regarding both sides of the fundamental structure for soybeans. But for now, supply news may have peaked, leaving traders to focus more on demand. And from a supply perspective, the Sept. 12 USDA report may push supply news to the background other than on USDA report days. Chinese buying continues to fuel demand talk, but at this past week’s higher prices, response to that news seemed
somewhat muted. We’ve also heard the Chinese have quietly built a large inventory over the past few months. So far, there are only small signs domestic demand is wavering.
Wheat Strategy
ü2012 crop: It appears wheat is attempting to trace out a choppy, sideways trend. Use rallies to $8.90 on Chicago September futures for making catch-up sales. ü2013 crop: Make catchup sales with Chicago July futures trading above $8.50. vFundamentals: The declining crop in Russia has
dominated the trade’s attention with the Russian Agriculture Ministry pegging the 2012 grain harvest at 75 million metric tons, the low end of its previous forecast. This confirmed to the world trade Russia will be forced out of the export business. That could bolster U.S. business, but European countries are better placed to pick up business than is the U.S. The trade also is keeping an eye on dry conditions in the U.S. Southern Plains with winter wheat plantings just weeks away. Moisture has improved, but more is needed to get the new crop off to a good start.
FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, August 27, 2012
pERspEcTIvEs
To kill or not to kill insects the question In the battle between man and insects, the answer is not always clear cut To kill or not to kill insects is a question that has bugged humans throughout our existence. The question is rooted in the historical battle between humans and insects for the earth’s resources. In addition, some insect species pose health risks to humans through stinging, allergic reactions, or transmission of disease-causing organisms. These negative aspects of insects mean, to some people at least, that the only good insect is a dead insect. The vast majority of insects are not a hazard to humans. However, insects that are dangerous, or that resemble dangerous insects, can cause peoTOM ple to panic. It hapTURPIN pened at the Purdue University Aug. 4 graduation ceremony. While the graduates-to-be were marching to the ceremony, pest control personnel received a panicked call that “wasps were swarming around near Schleman Hall.” Those wasps most likely were mostcicada killer wasps. These large and imposing insects are common on campus this time of year and almost always elicit terror in some
of the people who see them. But I have never known a cicada killer wasp to sting a person, including students in graduation gowns. So killing cicada killer wasps is not justified based on potential harm to humans. While some people are willing to kill any insect they see, other folks are inclined to apply the “live-andlet-live” rule to the insect world. There are even some misconceptions about whether certain insects can be killed. For instance, the Associated Press carried a recent news story, dateline Imperial, Pa., about a swarm of bees that delayed a Delta Air Lines flight from Pittsburgh to New York. The article concludes: “Bees are a protected species that cannot legally be killed.” I am unaware of any federal or state laws that prohibit the killing of honey bees. It is true that honey bees are beneficial insects and have received a lot of press lately about the loss in populations. Consequently, many people and pest control companies are reluctant to destroy colonies. However, there are times when honey bee colonies take up residence in the structures of our homes. Under these conditions, the colonies will need to be removed, and this usually requires
caterpillar on only one food source, the leaves of the wild lupine plant. This purpleflowered legume occurs naturally in the eastern U.S. in dry, sandy soils. Today, it is rare, and so is the insect that depends on the plant as a larval food source.
destruction of the bees. In 1973, U.S. Congress passed the Endangered Species Act. This law makes it illegal to destroy plants or animals on the list. The list includes some 600 animal species and about 800 plant species. All are endangered or threatened. Species on the list change over time as some are added or removed as their endangered status changes. There are about 85 mammals, 93 birds, 36 reptiles, 25 amphibians, 151 fish, 65 insects, and 12 arachnids on the list. The insect list: 26 butterflies, 22 beetles, 13 flies, two damselflies, two moths, and one each of a dragonfly, a grasshopper, and a water bug. Of the butterflies on the list, one is the Karner blue. It is a small, blue butterfly. The Karner blue feeds as a
One of the beetles on the endangered list is the American burying beetle. Once found throughout the eastern U.S., it is now found only in a few areas, including parts of Nebraska and Oklahoma. It, like the Karner blue, is a victim of habitat destruction. So what about those 13 flies on the list? Well, there is a flower-loving fly and 12 species of Drosophila, also known as fruit flies. I don’t know about you, but I’m not much of a fan of fruit flies — even if a few are classified as endangered species. So, because I can’t tell an endangered fruit fly from a regular old common fruit fly, I’m still going to swat at all the flies hanging around my kitchen counter. Tom Turpin is an entomology professor at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. His email address is turpin@purdue.edu.
U.S. agriculture trade deserves a higher priority The news is full of worrisome problems. We have the drought that is hurting our ag industry and farmers across the heartland. Europe can’t seem to find a fix for its economic crisis. And can we be far behind JOHN with our own BLOCK crushing debt? Save those issues for another day. They
won’t go away anytime soon. Let’s consider ag trade. The U.S. trade deficit declined last month by $5 billion. Our ag industry certainly deserves a fair share of the credit for that decline. Our farmers produce an abundance of food for domestic consumption. But let’s not overlook the fact that some 30 percent of what we grow is exported. Last year, our exports totaled $136 billion. The U.S. in total trade runs a large
deficit every year. But not in ag products. Last year, we ran a $37 billion trade surplus. Look back to 1978 when USDA organized the Foreign Agricultural Service at USDA to push our exports. At that time, 60 percent of our farm exports were grain. The 1970s were good years when then Ag Secretary Earl Butz sold grain to the Soviet Union. Prices jumped. Today, our export sales are nearly five times what they were then. They are
better balanced with 36 percent grains and oil seeds; meat and poultry, 15 percent; and produce, 13 percent. We have done an amazing job. Thirty years have passed, and it is time to take a new look at USDA’s trade structure. Trade is so important to our industry, our country, and a growing world population. The ag trade function at USDA must be given a
higher priority. Funding for farm programs and subsidies surely will be cut. Let’s give the trade function the attention it deserves. There is legislation in the Congress to do just that. Give it a push. John Block, a Gilson native and former U.S. agriculture secretary, is a senior policy adviser with the Washington, D.C., firm of Olsson, Frank, Weeda, and Terman. His email address is jblock@ofwlaw.com.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Ode to farmers: crops or craps
Editor: Crops and craps are both a gamble and a game. You can win or lose at both just the same. Some years your luck is good and you really do well, while this year it is hot and dry, and you feel like you are in hell. Every once in awhile it rains, both near and far,
but it never seems to happen here where you and your crops are. You drive through the country and you can almost hear the corn and beanfields crying in pain, but all you can do is try not to let it get you down and keep praying for rain. No matter what happens whether we lose or we win, come next season we’re proud
American farmers and will take that gamble again.
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