Farmweek august 4 2014

Lower crop prices could push farmland values and cash rents lower this year. page 3

The Illinois State Fair begins Thursday. Don’t miss fun IFBsponsored family activities. page 5

IAA Foundation scholars share their thoughts about the benefits of receiving education funding. page 16

Farmers hope extra bushels fill price void Monday, August 4, 2014

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Farmers hope predictions of excellent to possibly record-breaking yields come true this year after a dramatic drop in prices.

Extra bushels could help offset price losses in the months ahead.

“We’re always better when we raise more bushels,” David Erickson, Illinois Farm Bureau Vice President, told FarmWeek. “The market certainly expects it. A big crop is kind of built in (to prices).”

Farmers this year could see prices average just $10.50 per bushel for beans and around $4 or less for corn, according to Chad Hart, associate professor/crop markets specialist at Iowa State University.

Prices the previous three years averaged $5.18, $6.22 and $6.89 for corn and $11.30, $12.50 and $14.40 for beans, respectively, Hart noted.

“We’re looking at below breakeven (prices) on some farms (this year),” Hart said.

Two sections Volume 42, No. 31

“That’s something we haven’t dealt with in quite a while.”

The possibility of more bushels to sell this year, if realized, obviously could take some of the sting out of price collapse.

But it won’t make up the difference as farm income could drop 20 percent based on some estimates.

“Things are looking favorable for record production (of corn and beans),” Hart said.

“More volume will help (farm income) a little bit, but it doesn’t fill the hole” created by lower prices.

Crop conditions in Illinois last week remained on target for a binbuster harvest.

Eighty-two percent of the corn crop and 78 percent of beans were rated good to excellent as of the first of last week. The majority of corn (94 percent) was silking, 9 points ahead of average, while 83 percent of beans were blooming, 11 points ahead of average.

HARVESTING A SWEET CROP

Mark Schottman of Effingham shows a prize ear of sweet corn. Scottman planted 40 acres and sells corn at roadside stands near Effingham and the Urbana farmers’ market. Read more about the sweet corn crop on page 8. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Illinois farmer veteran marketing, branding campaign begins

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

Illinois shoppers soon may support farmers who served their country thanks to a new marketing campaign.

See Bushels, page 3

Last week, the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition announced a new “Homegrown By Heroes” Illinois marketing and branding initiative.

“People are patriotic. I think it’s an excellent idea,” said Dennis Alten, a Harvard farmer who served in the Army from 1963-65.

In May, the Farmer Veteran Coalition launched a nationwide Homegrown By Heroes marketing initiative, which originally was created by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in 2013.

Illinois emerged as the first state with its own initiative because the state ag community offered “the biggest team and the most initiative,” said Michael O’Gorman, executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“Illinois will allow a grassroots effort to reach the veterans for recruitment

and promotion,” O’Gorman added.

Veterans of any era and active military personnel may apply for Homegrown By Heroes certification. Eligible farmers, ranchers and fishermen must have served honorably or be actively serving in any branch of the U.S. military and own at least 50 percent and/or operate the farm business.

In the near future, certified Illinois veterans may use a special Illinois Homegrown By Heroes logo on product labels and signs to promote and market their products.

“Taking a statewide approach will lead toward a cohesive program, providing an opportunity for integration of resources and marketing opportunities,” said Cynthia Haskins, IFB manager of business development and compliance.

A statewide steering committee is being formed to implement the program in Illinois.

O’Gorman said he met with representatives of several chain stores and hopes to launch promotions in their stores.

Veterans gave positive feedback from the nationwide program. One doubleamputee veteran, who uses the logo to market his eggs, always sells out even though he charges more than his competitors, according to O’Gorman.

In the future, O’Gorman envisions an online presence so consumers could find and order Homegrown By Heroes products electronically.

Quick Takes

FarmWeek • Page 2 • Monday, August 4, 2014

RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED — Have an innovative idea but no start-up money?

You could earn up to $30,000 to implement your idea through the Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative and Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative’s StartupHoyas recently announced the first-of-its-kind rural challenge.

Applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. Finalists will pitch their business ideas to a team of judges at the AFBF 96th Annual Convention in San Diego.

Applicants must live in a rural county.

To learn more about the challenge and submit an online application, visit {www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge}.

CAE AWARD ENTRIES ACCEPTED — County Farm Bureaus can now enter the 2015 County Activities of Excellence Awards program, which showcases up to 24 top county Farm Bureau programs in the nation. Entry deadline is Sept. 5.

With a focus on Farm Bureau’s priority issues, county activities will be judged in the following categories: education and ag promotion; member services; public relations and information; and leadership development and policy implementation.

Winning programs will be displayed at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show Jan 9-11 in San Diego. Winners also will receive up to four free registrations to the convention (housing not included) and a $2,250 stipend to apply toward the cost of travel and exhibition.

Learn more online at {fb.org/index.php?action=events.cae}.

HARVEST ISSUES EXPLORED — Maximum corn moisture of 14.5 percent. Propane supplies for grain drying.

Approved corn genetic traits for export.

Those topics will be among several discussed at the Aug. 21 Harvest 2014 conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Morton Building at Decatur’s Progress City USA. Registration, coffee and a trade show will begin at 8 a.m.

The conference, presented by AgEngage, will begin with a combine clinic designed to help farmers increase their harvest efficiency. Market outlook will be discussed along with Palmer amaranth control methods.

Participants can preregister by Aug. 15 at {harvest-2014. com}. An early bird fee of $85 includes registration, lunch, breaks and materials.

SEEKING HISTORIC ILLINOIS FARMS — Owners or farmers of centennial or sesquicentennial farms registered with Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) may submit their farms’ histories and photos for an IDOA book, according to the book’s publisher. The submission deadline is Sept. 30.

The coffee table book, “Illinois Historic Farms: Honoring the State’s Enduring Heritage of Family-Owned Farms,” will feature histories of those family-owned farms, said Charles Francis, editor of Acclaim Press.

For a brochure with submission details, call Acclaim Press at 877-427-2665. Brochures will be distributed Aug. 12 during Illinois State Fair Ag Day activities on the director’s lawn.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 42 No. 31 August 4, 2014 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers.

FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

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

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

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

“Farm, Family, Food” is used under license of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

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

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

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

Dairy operators, from left, Darcy, Jane and Dennis Steffes, talk with Jim Fraley, Illinois Farm Bureau livestock program director, about their award-winning dairy. The Steffes’ will receive the Illinois Milk Producers Association (IMPA) Environmental Stewardship Award during the upcoming Illinois State Fair. Fraley also serves as IMPA manager. (Photos by Liz Koehler)

Future bright for award-winning dairy Dennis and Jane Steffes jumped the hurdle many stumble over in the race to continue their family farm.

Their only child, Darcy, came back to the farm.

After graduating with a degree in dairy science and agribusiness from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Darcy came back home to help run the family dairy.

The Steffes’ fifth-generation dairy farm has been based in Jo Daviess County since 1968. They milk about 250 head of Holsteins twice a day at 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. They also have 100 dry cows.

“I fed calves all the time when I was little. After I got my first 4-H heifer, I knew it was what I wanted to do; that was no question,” Darcy said.

Darcy has worked for a few years to transition into a leadership position. She now manages all the newborns and calves up to 4 months. She also handles the calf vaccination program and herd genetics. Darcy said her education has helped them to breed for desired traits in type, production, feet and legs, and total performance.

“She has worked with our embryo program a lot more since she has been home, and she learned a lot of that in college,” Jane said. “We may not see the rewards of that today, but I think two or three years down the road, our

BY LIZ KOEHLER

genetics will excel.

“We get to plan for the future with our daughter in mind. Not many get to do that,” Jane said.

Jane manages herd health, works with reproduction and manages the financial records and payroll for their six employees.

Dennis oversees the nutrition needs of the dairy, working closely with their nutritionist and managing 750 acres of owned and rented cropland.

The Steffes’ family dairy will receive this year’s Illinois Milk Producers Association (IMPA) Environmental Stewardship Award Aug. 12 during Illinois State Fair Ag Day festivities. They earned the honor due to their attention to detail

and love for the land. IMPA directors chose the family for the award.

Two years ago, they built a concrete tank to hold manure, water and yard runoff, which gets applied to the ground in the spring and fall based on their comprehensive nutrient management plan. The plan involves testing the soil and applying nutrients only as needed, and solidifies a fiveyear rotation of corn and hay.

“It’s a real honor to get this award,” said Dennis. “If your peers think you’re doing a good job, that speaks highly of what we do; it’s a way of life, taking care of the land.”

Liz Koehler serves as an Illinois Farm Bureau News & Communications intern.

Wheat forum offers management information

Steffes dairy near Elizabeth in Jo Daviess County began operating in 1968. The family milks 250 cows twice daily.

Management updates will headline the Illinois Wheat Association’s annual Illinois Wheat Forum Aug. 19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Highland.

Attendees can learn more about biologicals and seed treatments, fall residual herbicides and weed management, market volatility and impact on grain markets, crop insurance and the latest Illinois wheat production research.

Participants also will have the chance to

tour a number of exhibits featuring seed companies, millers, elevators, crop protection services and other service industries.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m. The forum will conclude at 2:45 p.m. with lunch included.

For more information, visit {illinoiswheat. org} or call Illinois Wheat Association Executive Director Diane Handley at 309-5573662. Illinois Farm Bureau supports the Illinois Wheat Forum.

Market specialist: Things will be ‘rough’ in 2014-15 Page 3 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

FARM STORIES SHARED

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Livingston County dairy farmer Jenna Kilgus fields an audience question last week following an Illinois Farm Bureau-sponsored viewing of the documentary, “Farmland,” which shares the stories of four young U.S. farmers and ranchers. Other panelists included, from left, IFB Young Leader Committee Chair Jared Finegan, Livingston County dairy farmer Matt Kilgus and U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) Face of Farming Katie Pratt. The Normal viewing, attended by more than 300 people prior to IFB’s Commodities Conference, concluded the theatrical run of the movie. USFRA funded production of the documentary, which will now be available on pay-per-view venues this fall and on DVD at the end of the year.

Visit {FarmWeekNow.com} for more information. (Photo by Liz Koehler)

Farmland values, cash rents pressured

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Farmland values and cash rents could recede this year in response to lower crop prices.

But the potential drop in farmland prices likely won’t be as dramatic as what farmers experienced in recent months in the crop markets.

Some estimates suggest farm income could decline 20 percent this year. Farmland values, though, could trade in a sideways pattern, according to Dale Aupperle, president of the Heartland Ag Group in Forsyth.

“I think we could see a steady market up to a 5 percent drop (in land values),” Aupperle said last week at the Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference. “There’s a very small chance we’ll have a FarmWeekNow.com bust.”

Illinois Listen to Dale Aupperle’s comments on the state of the farmland valIllinois farmland market at ues began to FarmWeekNow.com. descend last year as the average price of high quality land declined 2 percent, while the average price of fair quality land slipped 7 percent, according to the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Those trends could continue this year.

“Pressure on farmland earnings and a declining number of investors and farmland buyers will put pressure on land values,” said Aupperle, who noted lower quality land tends to lose its value the quickest. “Net farm income is the primary driver of farmland values and (income) projections are dropping.”

Aupperle noted that for every 2 percent decline in farm income a corresponding decline of 1 percent typically occurs over time in the farmland market.

Meanwhile, interest from investors could

Bushels “The weather has been good for crop development, particularly corn,” Erickson said. “In the back of my mind I’m wondering, though, if the slow accumulation of growing degree days will lead to a bit later harvest.”

Meanwhile, dry conditions in recent weeks likely took the top end off corn continued from page 1

‘I think we could see a steady market up to a 5 percent drop (in land values).’

— Dale Aupperle President, Heartland Ag Group

wane as cash returns to landowners this year dipped from the traditional level of about 4 percent down to 2 to 2.5 percent.

The Rabobank Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory group last week issued a report titled, “Land Values 2014: At the Tipping Point,” in which authors predicted a decline in farmland values after a 12-year run of steep annual value increases.

“Commodity prices are dropping, interest rates are creeping up and are poised to go higher, and demand has softened noticeably,” said Sterling Liddell, report author and vice president of Rabobank’s food and agribusiness group.

“An adjustment is needed beginning in 201415 to avoid the future development of an asset bubble,” he continued. “Changes in fundamental land value drivers are signaling the need for careful management of land value as both an asset and a cost.”

Aupperle, however, believes a potential drop in farmland values could be muted by record yields in some areas.

“I think (low crop prices) will be offset with bushels per acre and (farm income) won’t be as bad as everyone thinks,” he said.

A decline in farm income, though, should result in an adjustment of cash rental rates for those not using flexible leases, according to Aupperle.

yield potential in some areas.

Kevin Luthy, Randolph County Farm Bureau president, and Steve Hosselton, IFB District 14 director from Clay County, last week reported tip back of corn ear development in their fields.

“Up to about two to three weeks ago, we were looking at record corn

The downturn in crop prices so far this year appears to be a sign of things to come rather than just a blip on the radar screen.

Chad Hart, associate professor/crop markets specialist at Iowa State University, believes crop prices could hover near recent levels through this year and possibly 2015.

“Things are going to be rough for a while,” Hart told farmers last week at the Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference. “My guess is it will be at least two years (before prices bounce back).”

Prior to this year, farmers saw sub-$4 corn prices as recently as 2009. But the market rallied in a matter of months that year.

Hart sees no signs of a similar rebound this year, though.

“This downturn will not be like the one in 2009 (which was caused by a global recession) when prices dropped quickly and rebounded within six months,” he said. “This time, what’s driving prices down is ourselves and our ability to produce.”

Hart believes the national corn yield average this year could be well above 170 bushels per acre, which would be a new record.

Meanwhile, record soybean plantings this spring set the stage for a possible wall of beans that could flood the market at harvest. U.S. farmers this year planted 84.8 million acres of beans compared to 76.5 million acres a year ago, which could produce a record crop near 3.8 billion bushels.

“We’re going to blow by the record (for soybean production of 3.4 billion bushels),” Hart said.

potential,” Luthy told the RFD Radio Network ®. “Now we’re getting to the critical time. We’ve seen 1- to 2-inch tip back (due to dry conditions). The (lighter) soil types are really starting to show.”

Hosselton reported similar concerns.

“There’s going to be variability (of

The same could be true for corn production, even though U.S. farmers reduced corn plantings from 95.4 million acres in 2013 to 91.6 million this year.

“We see potential record production, even with fewer acres,” said Hart, who believes corn production this year could be well in excess of 14 billion bushels due to record yields.

“While we had some delays at planting, we’ve had pretty good moisture and cooler than normal temperatures.”

Elsewhere, corn production could increase in Asia, Europe and South America. World soybean acres this year grew 7.4 percent “On the supply side, both crops are staring at more production (potential) than the market is ready to handle,” Hart said.

Demand remains strong and likely will grow, according to Hart. He predicts livestock farmers will expand herds, while ethanol production could expand due to a growing export market.

Last year, corn demand was a record 13.535 billion bushels, while soy demand could be about 3.5 billion bushels.

“I see improving demand,” Hart said. “But not fast enough to keep prices up.”

Hart believes the corn market in recent weeks tried to find a bottom. He looks for a slight uptick in prices during or after harvest.

“We do see some carry building back in the futures market,” he said.

“The market recognizes demand is building back up.

The question is when,” he added.

“There will be little blips where (prices) pop up to profitable levels. You’ve got to be ready to move.”

yield potential), of course,” he said.

“Early corn pollination wasn’t as perfect as you thought it would’ve been with the good conditions. There is some tip back.”

If farmers realize record yields, they also could face another shortage of propane and high grain drying costs again this fall, Hart added.

Big Data: ‘Just data,’ president of GeoSilos says FarmWeek • Page 4 • Monday, August 4, 2014

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

“Big Data” may sound like a scary term, but “it’s just data,” said Matt Bechdol, president of GeoSilos.

“Most of you in this room won’t ever do Big Data but you will be participating in the greater game,” he said. “We have to pay attention to what’s going on.”

Bechdol joined several speakers last week at the Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference in Normal. This year’s theme: Modern Agriculture: Connecting to the Digital Future.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert Jr. said IFB and American Farm Bureau Federation have been bringing industry leaders together to try to “get our arms around this technology.”

He posed several questions: “Is there value in this technology? Where does this information go? Who is the caretaker of it? How is this information aggregated?

Who has access to this information in the cloud? What value is in it?”

“There’s a lot for us to learn as farmers,” Guebert said. “We’ve been adaptable, innovative and we’ve been wanting change.

But it’s going to be interesting times ahead.

And I think we all are kind of eager to be a part of that and work toward the new information age.”

Bechdol said many of Guebert’s questions don’t have answers. But he could offer some insight on Big Data: • Will it fundamentally change agriculture? Without question, Bechdol said.

“At the end of the day what is this about?” he asked. “It’s about turning data into decisions and decisions into dollars.”

• Is my data secure? Bechdol compared security to concrete used to build a house. There are two types: Concrete

U.S. transportation system could face challenges with bigger crops, speaker says

Data by the numbers:

2.5 quintillion: Bytes of electronic data the world generates each day.

In 60 seconds: • 168 million emails sent • 694,445 search queries made • 600+ new videos uploaded on YouTube • 98,000-plus tweets sent • 60-plus new blogs published

Source: Matt Bechdol

that’s cracked and concrete that’s going to crack.

• Can big data be used against you?

Sure. Any data that’s private or sensitive can be used against you, he said.

• Should you be compensated? He argued farmers already are.

But there’s a decision farmers have to make: “Does the value you’re getting outweigh what you’re giving up,” he said.

He gave an example of Google email.

Users often see ads based on the content of their email. Bechdol admits that creeps him out, but not enough to cancel his account.

• Will third parties emerge? Bechdol said cooperatives already are emerging.

They take data, aggregate it, spit out a report and weigh the information against comparables.

“This is not tomorrow technology,” he said. “This is today technology. We are doing these things.”

He also expects “tremendous shifts in how we educate the future of agriculture.” Data, he said, will be a part of the curriculum.

He encouraged farmers to read license agreements and “know what you’re getting into.”

“Data is an asset,” he said. “Protect it.”

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

More challenges and delays could be ahead for the nation’s transportation system, according to Kansas State University’s Jay O’Neil.

“You folks know that we have bigger crops every year,” O’Neil said. “As the crops get bigger, the question becomes: Do we have the storage capacity, do we have the infrastructure capacity to handle those bigger crops?”

O’Neil, of the International Grains Program, spoke on trade and infrastructure last week at IFB’s Commodities Conference in Normal.

Transportation challenges include: • No major highway investments since the 1960s. The trucking industry also faces a shortage of commercial drivers. Agriculture, he noted, is a “little luckier.” Typically, ag drivers tend to be a friend or relative in town.

• Limited waterway capacity. The recently-passed Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) authorized waterway improvements, but still needs funding.

“We need that money desperately,” he said, noting that much of the nation’s lock and dam system dates back more than 60 years. Some of the Mississippi River System dates back to the 1800s, he said.

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers currently has 100 projects requiring funding over the next 20 years.

• Insufficient freight rail infrastructure. O’Neil said BNSF Railway reported a backlog of 7,000 hopper cars.

The goal: To be just 2,000 car orders behind next month.

BNSF, which operates 32,500 miles of rail across the western two-thirds of the country, plans to invest $5 billion in capital improvements this year. Of that, $1 billion will increase capacity on the congested northern corridor.

A second track, he said, will be added to the line between Minot, N.D., and Glasgow, Mont. Sidings will be added to relieve congestion in other areas of North Dakota.

“You can’t sit here and say, ‘Well, I’m in Illinois, why do I care about traffic in the Dakotas?’ Well, your grain is going to move across that track,” said O’Neil.

He also outlined $2.3 billion improvements planned by CSX Transportation and $2.2 billion by Norfolk Southern.

O’Neil said U.S farmers benefit from the country’s transportation system. It costs far less to ship agricultural products to ports here, he said.

“Thank God we do have the great transportation system we have,” he said. “We have to work hard to continue to maintain that to make sure it continues to serve us well.”

University of Illinois President Robert Easter, right, discusses current agricultural topics with Ogle County Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan, left, and Illinois Farm Bureau District 12 Director Chris Hausman, center. Easter talked about agriculture’s future at last week’s IFB Presidents Conference in Bloomington. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

Easter: Ag key to global challenges

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Seek University of Illinois President Robert Easter’s view on agriculture’s future, and he offers challenges facing farmers worldwide.

But the former dean of the U of I’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences remains true to his roots growing up on a Texas hog farm. Easter shared his views with county Farm Bureau presidents attending last week’s Presidents Conference in Bloomington.

Just as agriculture looms larger than Illinois fields, the U of I extends far, too. “We’re a large organization,” Easter said.

He reminded Farm Bureau leaders that the U of I operates three campuses and a $1 billion hospital, offers Extension in every county, educates 78,000 students, directs 23,000 full-time employees and runs on a $5.6 billion budget.

Easter also contemplates agriculture on a large scale. Will there be enough food? Can food systems be made safe? What about water?

U.S. agriculture has, and continues, to supply solutions to those questions, Easter noted.

American agriculture’s hallmark lies not only in new scientific discoveries, but also in making practical use of those discoveries, he said.

Farmers face no small challenge to meet increased global demand not only for food, but also for higher quality protein and dairy products as nations’ per capita incomes increase, he noted. Easter noted he recently saw a wide variety of meat displayed in a Beijing, China, store — much more than was displayed 10 years earlier.

“We need to think where the world’s croplands are and the competition” to U.S. farmers, Easter told Farm Bureau leaders.

While Brazil received much attention over the last decade, U.S. farmers may want to look east and consider Africa as future agriculture competition.

“Africa is a huge place with a lot of potential,” Easter said. He explained some African and Brazilian soils share similar characteristics.

However, African farming, similar to other parts of the world, occurs primarily on small plots. Some nations seeking future food sources, such as China, are buying African land for potential farm production, according to Easter.

He encouraged Farm Bureau leaders to become familiar with the phrase “global land grab.”

“This (global land development) has the potential to bring U.S. technology to other parts of the world,” Easter said.

Honors, education ag’s focus at Illinois State Fair

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Educating consumers about farming and honoring those who farm will rank high during the Illinois State Fair Aug. 7-17 in Springfield.

Illinois Farm Bureau again will focus its efforts on the farmers’ market exhibit at Farmers’ Little Helpers near Gate 2 and the Farm Bureau stage in the Commodities Pavilion across from the Grandstand.

On the Farm Bureau stage, RFD Radio Network anchor Rita Frazer and Courtney Gerstenecker, Illinois Farm Bureau news and communications intern, will interview elected officials, fair winners and other notable guests from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 8-14, except for Ag Day, Aug 12. On Ag Day, interviews will occur from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Each day’s interview will

start with the fair’s Illinoisan of the Day. Kris and John Parkhurst will provide musical entertainment on the stage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 814.

FarmWeekNow.com

Go to FarmWeekNow.com to listen to RFD Radio Network’s report on state fair preparations.

Also on Ag Day, teams of Farm Bureau Young Leaders will test their knowledge during the Agri-Quiz Bowl. The event will start Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. on the stage of the airconditioned Illinois Building.

At 11:15 a.m., the state winners of the Young Leader Achievement and the Excellence in Ag Award will be named on the Farm Bureau stage in the Commodities Pavilion.

Farm Bureau again will

Extension gathers, reports farmers’ market prices

educators agreed to help Illinois start and post Illinois A new price report now price information on their offers traditional market price state website along with prices information to farmers who from Kentucky and Tennessee, sell vegetables and fruit at Illiaccording to Cavanaughnois farmers’ markets.

Grant.

Since early May, a group of Cavanaugh-Grant explained University of Illinois ExtenIllinois price reporters visit sion educators with help from farmers’ market each week and Extension program assistants report an average price and Master Gardeners have charged for roughly 20 fruits collected and reported weekly and vegetables, depending on average vegetable and fruit availability and season. Prices prices at 11 farmers’ markets. are posted early the following The prices are posted online at week. The report will include a {www.uky.edu/Ag/CCD/IL one-time report for meat and farmersmarket.html}. egg sales.

“We hope our producers Market reporters visit Bencan use the information to ton, Charleston, Decatur, Hardecide how much they want to risburg, Machesney Park, Matprice their toon, Quincy, products, Springfield, Sterespecially new ling, Urbana and growers. You ‘We hope our pro- Woodstock. don’t want to In addition to ducers can use weekly price yourself prices, the information to the reports out of any sales, but you decide how much reflect the seadon’t want to of Illithey want to price sonality be too low,” nois produce t h e i r p r o d u c t s , throughout the said Bronwyn Aly, one of e s p e c i a l l y n e w growing season the Extension from north to growers.’ educators south as well as involved with price trends, Aly the project.

— Bronwyn Aly noted.

The price “A lot of the University of Illinois Extension report idea information we started when intuitively have Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, known. Crops start earlier another Extension educator down south,” Aly said. who is spearheading the projLikewise, some northern ect, talked with University of crops reach their peak when Kentucky Extension educators the southern growing season about their farmers’ market has ended. “Let’s use our natureports that have operated for ral climate to extend the marseveral years. The Kentucky kets,” Aly added.

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Page 5 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

An Illinois State Fair visitor buys a slice of cantaloupe at a market operated by the Illinois Specialty Growers Association during the 2013 Illinois State Fair. (FarmWeek file photo)

honor young livestock winners. IFB President Rich Guebert Jr. will present framed photographs to the top junior livestock exhibitors during the Sale of Champions on Aug. 12. Photos will be presented to the junior champion and junior reserve champion exhibitors of the steer, barrow, wether, poultry, meat trio, meat goat trio and meat rabbit trio. A photo also will be presented to last year’s junior supreme dairy champion, who was named at the end of the 2013 fair.

IFB and RFD Radio will host the 15th Illinois Master Showmanship Contest Friday beginning at 8 p.m. in the Jun-

ior Livestock Barn. The Master Showmanship Contest recognizes 4-H youth who have excelled at showing animals at their county fair.

Another fair tradition, the Illinois Specialty Growers Association’s fresh fruit and vegetables return in the southeast corner of the fairgrounds.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, growers will sell fresh melons, sweet corn, salads and popcorn along with ice cream and apple cider.

Young fair visitors and their families will find many free educational activities at Farmers’ Little Helpers.

Within Farmers’ Little Helpers, the Illinois Pork Pro-

ducers Association birthing center will teach fair visitors about hogs. The exhibit is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug 8-15.

Farm equipment and machinery returns to the Farmers’ Little Helpers area.

The display from area implement dealers was organized by Allen Entwistle, past president of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau.

On Aug. 12, the Illinois Beef Association will feature a beef cooking contest in the Hobby, Arts and Crafts Building. The competition starts at 9 a.m. followed by a beef cooking demonstration and a beef trivia contest.

FarmWeek • Page 6 • Monday, August 4, 2014 Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: We have had below average temps with lots of sunshine, but no rain for the third straight week. Even though we had 10 inches of rain in June, the last three weeks without rain is starting to have an effect on the corn and bean crops. The stress is showing up on the lighter, thinner soils, but not as bad as if it was in the 90s or higher during this latest dry spell. They are calling for a better chance of rain this week, and that would be just in time. There are lots of irrigators running just north of us in Rock County, Wis. We will start ours this week if we miss the rain. Time to enjoy the county fairs.

Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: No rain in Lake County last week after four days of predicted showers. Showers are still forecast six of the next seven days, and a shower would be nice.

Stress spots are starting to show in cornfields. For the most part, corn is a dark green color. The beans are loving this dry weather and turning dark green, too. Wheat is mostly all combined with yields from 40 to 90 bushels per acre. There were bare spots on the hills from the extreme cold west winds. Oats should be cut this week, and the crop looks good. Hopefully, we will get a shower this week.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: A very dry week with only .1 of an inch of rain on Friday (July 25), which makes 2.8 inches total for July. Growing degree units now total 1,801 since April 1, which is 200 less than average. Crops are maturing under the cooler weather, but we are in need of some rain since the last good rain came on July 13. Hay making and straw baling took top priority last week. Wheat yields seem to be in the 75-bushel range with lots of disease problems. It was good to visit with folks at Carroll County’s first farm shop tour last Saturday (July 26).

Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Another dry week here in Waterman. After all the rain in June, it is amazing how much the topsoil has dried out.

Crops are showing moisture stress.

Most of the corn has finished pollination, and airplanes are flying to spray fungicide. Soybeans continue to flower and set pods. The grain fill period is in full swing. We could use rain to help the plants out.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received .6 of an inch of rain last Friday (July 25), which helped the dry conditions we were having here.

Cooler temperatures are the norm right now. There is a little concern over not having enough heating degree units to properly mature this crop. The corn is still in the blister stage and has a long way to go yet. Soybeans are still flowering and setting pods. Most of the fungicide has been sprayed now. The pastures are starting to look like August with slower growth than we have had all year.

Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: Another very dry week across the area.

Corn has started to fire, and soybeans look stressed and need a drink. This crop is definitely shrinking with no sign of rain for a while.

Tim Green, Wyoming, Stark County: The corn crop is looking pretty good, but getting a little dry. We could use one more rain. I think the cool weather is helping us. The lawns are not growing.

Beans are looking decent, but a rain would help them, too. The corn that was down so bad is starting to finish pollinating, and we think it pollinated decently. We do think the pollination period was extended. The corn that was blown the worst pollinated about a week later than the corn that was still standing right beside it. The corn in the field isn’t as even as it was. The pollination period was scattered, so I’m afraid the combine might have a little fun with that stuff. A few bugs starting to show up, and a little bit of rust and some northern leaf blight. There was a lot of spraying done, but probably not as much as in the past. Be safe.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: As August arrives, we look for weather forecasts to give us a rain for grain fill and to keep the soybeans growing.

Spraying of fungicides in corn is winding down. We are now spraying soybeans with fungicide and insecticide to attain maximum yields from this crop. Keeping the grass and roadsides mowed is a constant job this summer with these timely rains. Vacations, fairs and getting caught up on work is finally here.

My neighbor says, “one never gets caught up on the farm.” Markets have really dropped with normal weather and predictions of a pretty good crop throughout the Corn Belt.

This year reminds me of 2009 when we had plenty of moisture and cool weather.

Hopefully, it won’t be a wintertime harvest with a muddy fall.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: We received no measurable rainfall last week. It has been more than two weeks since we have had a good rain. Mowing roadsides and spraying fungicides and insecticides on soybean fields have been the major farm activities over the last week. A few fields were also sprayed with herbicide. Corn development ranges from R2, or blister growth stage, up to R4, or dough stage. Most corn in the local area is in the R3, or milk growth stage. The range in soybean development in the local area is between R3 growth stage, beginning pod, and R5 growth stage, which is the beginning seed stage. Most soybean fields are in the R3 or R4 growth stage.

The crops look good at this point. The local closing prices for July 31 were nearby corn, $3.44; new-crop corn, $3.31; nearby soybeans, $12.36; new-crop soybeans, $10.50.

Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Cool, yet sunny weather continues after one of the most pleasant Julys in recent memory. We are now about 140 GDU’s behind the 30-year average, and crop ratings are still excellent. No rain for more than two weeks and still mowing the lawn. Saw a viewing of the new movie, “Farmland”. Beth and I both give it two, big thumbs up. Keep calm, farm on!

Corn $3.50, $3.41 new; soybeans $12.42, $10.45 new; wheat $4.87.

Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: Welcome to August! After 1.55 inches of weekend rain, it was a delightful weather week of moderate temperatures and lower humidity. There was a chance of showers Friday afternoon. Some areas have missed rain the last few weeks and need a drink. August temperatures in the mid-80s will prevail this week with chance of rain Thursday. Aerial applicators are crisscrossing the skies again this week. Farmers are busy preparing harvest equipment, mowing and baling. See you at the Georgetown Fair this week.

Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: It was a dry week with moderate temperatures that made it pleasant for work, and one of the rare times we have not seen any precipitation. We would almost welcome a little bit. Chances were predicted for the weekend, but the soybeans are probably flourishing a little more. It is one of the rare chances they’ve had to get some dry feet during their growing season. No field activity going on at this time. Corn fungicide spraying has been completed. A few people are spraying soybeans. Even though soybeans will probably receive a lot of benefit from the fungicides, the price of beans and farmers not wanting to cut loose with extra dollars at this point has canceled a lot of those orders.

Overall, crop prospects look good. The elevator survey in southern Macon County and parts of Christian County showed a wide range of yields, but the average over all the samples was 232 bushels, up quite a bit from last year. Farmers are busy trying to arrange storage and get handling equipment geared up for a huge crop that is coming on.

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: July is gone for another year, and one that we will all remember as practically perfect for crops, livestock and humans. There were no major floods even though the Mississippi River did threaten some areas, but all in all, rainfall was adequate. Most areas are still green, and the countryside still has a growing mood to it. Spray planes are still busy in some fields with fungicides, weed or insect spray. For the last week, our gauge showed 1.1 inches, so not much stress showing yet. August may be a different ball game.

And last, we’re always suggesting to be careful. One farmer in our area is very lucky after his tractor turned over, and he walked a long distance for help. We always think it cannot happen to us. Take care!

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: Not too much has changed since last week. The cooler temperatures are making the lack of rain in the last couple weeks not hurt so much. Insect and leaf disease pressure is low in corn and soybeans. Things look good.

Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: After a very welltimed rain last weekend (July 2627) that brought close to an inch for the whole area, the cornfields are moving along to the finish of what will surely be an exceptional year.

Chances for rain are at least in the forecast and can still have potential to make an outstanding corn crop even better. Soybeans also perked up a bit over the week, and hopefully, will keep improving over the next month. Rainfall will definitely help. It’s the time of year when elevator talk starts to focus on when harvest will start. The general consensus is that we will be into the month of September before the combines hit the field. As for the early yield checks, some impressive numbers are coming out, but we never really know until it crosses the scale.

David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: It was another dry week to end the month of July.

Temperatures have been cooler than normal for this time of year.

With the temperatures staying in the 80s for afternoon highs, the crops have survived the dry weather better than if it would have been 95 to 100 degrees.

Haven’t really wished for rain yet in this growing season, but wish it would rain now.

If we get some warmer temperatures moving in without rain, yields will begin to decline. Lawn mowers have gotten a break because a lot of yards are beginning to dry up. Have a good week.

Jeff Guilander, Jerseyville, Jersey County: August is here, and you can feel a change in the air.

It feels 10 degrees warmer than the thermometer, and the air is stiff with humidity. July may have been cooler than normal, but also much drier.

With no significant rains in the last 20 days, it would not take a lot of heat to age crops rapidly. That being said, corn is holding its color rather well except in low spots or compacted areas.

Soybeans are starting a crucial time and are going to need some help pretty quick before yields start dropping. Not too bad for August 1, but had a lot more potential a few weeks ago.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: There has been little or no rain this past week.

Temperatures have been moderate during the day and very cool at night. A large area has received little or no rain during the month of July, putting severe stress on the crops. Fungicide and insecticide application continues. Farmers continue to be busy cleaning out grain bins, mowing road ditches and waterways, baling hay and preparing equipment for harvest.

There is little or no rain in the forecast for the next week.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: With the last rain nearly three weeks ago, and that being only .5 of an inch, we are starting to need rain badly. The corn is starting to fire, so you know bushels are being cut from it. Beans are going to need rain soon or they are going to start suffering. Oh well, good thing we had a good wheat crop. LOL.

Page 7 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: The dust is flying here in Pulaski County. It’s been almost three weeks since we’ve had a decent rain. We received .2 on July 23, but it’s really getting dry. It’s starting to affect our crops. The crops aren’t looking real stressed, but with the dry temperatures, and I think especially with the beans, yields are getting hurt. Beans seem to be shorter than normal; they are just not putting on growth. I imagine it was due to the late, late planting. As usual, the late-emerging weeds are starting to show up through the canopy on the beans, and they are just unsightly. There is not much to do for them.

Please be careful this upcoming week.

Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: I find it hard to believe July has gone by so quickly. The cooler summer days have continued this past week.

The cool weather with an adequate amount of moisture (not abundant) has the corn looking very good. I may have trouble in my double-crop beans. I got in a hurry to plant them, and probably should have sprayed them before planting. It looks like I will be fighting waterhemp the rest of the summer.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: As summer keeps moving along, it feels more like the middle of September. The local TV station showed our average highs about 7 degrees cooler than normal and our overnight lows about 10 degrees cooler than normal. Not really hurting yet, but a good rain would help because the crop has no root system. Starting to think about getting some things ready for fall and hitting some field days.

Cool summer could continue; early freeze becomes concern Lydia Winkelmann helps her mom, Carrie, scout soybeans.

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Those who enjoyed relatively moderate temperatures in July will like this month’s forecast.

Mark Russo, senior weather analyst for EarthRisk Technologies, Inc., last week predicted a continuation of pleasant conditions through at least the first two weeks of August.

“Will the cool July continue into August?” Russo asked last we e k a t t h e I l l i n o i s Fa r m

Bureau Commodities Conference. “We think it will.”

The dome of heat so far this summer hovers on a ridge in the western U.S. and up into Canada where temperatures as far to the northwest as Washington state and British Columbia topped 100 deg rees in recent weeks.

M e a n w h i l e, a t r o u g h o f cooler air continues to surround much of the Midwest.

“There’s no sign of the pattern changing,” Russo said.

Temporary fix to Highway Trust Fund passes Congress

Just before adjourning for its August recess, Congress passed a temporary fix for the Highway Trust Fund, approving money for surface transportation projects through May 2015.

The bill provides $10.8 billion in funding for transportation projects — $9.8 billion of which will come from the general fund by changing pension contributions and increasing custom fees. The remaining $1 billion will come from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.

The U.S. House of Representatives first passed the bill, HR 5021, but it was amended by the Senate. The House rejected the change, sending it back to the Senate. Late Thursday night, the Senate agreed to the House version.

Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com.

“It’s shaping up to be a mundane summer from a temperature perspective.”

In fact, the temperature in Illinois last month averaged just 70.3 degrees, which ties the mark for the coolest July on record (the July temperature also averaged 70.3 degrees in 2009), according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey.

The cool July temps of 2009 and last month sandwich a brut a l Ju l y o f 2 0 1 2 w h e n t h e statewide temperature averaged 81.8 degrees, which was the second warmest July on record.

T he immediate concer n centers on precipitation as

crops enter and continue key kernel-fill and pod-fill stages.

The rainfall pattern tapered off last month after Illinois experienced the eighth-wettest June on record.

“From a rainfall standpoint, it (the forecast) looks mixed,” Russo said. “Some areas will get rainfall and others won’t.

But there won’t be a widespread area of dryness.”

Russo believes Illinois could get more rainfall chances the second week of this month.

After that, concerns about an early freeze could intensify.

The accumulation of growing degree days lags behind normal in much of upper Midwest,

according to Russo.

“It looks like the first part of August will feature a lack of heat,” he said. “It will reduce growing degree days.”

The lack of growing degree units could be followed by a cool and wet fall similar to 2009 as Russo predicted a weak E l N i n o e ve n t c o u l d t a k e shape.

The El Nino of 2009 helped produce one of the coldest, wettest Octobers on record, according to Russo.

“That’s something to keep an eye on,” he said. “If the pattern persists into fall, there is an increased chance of an early freeze.”

Discover your roots.

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How sweet it is

FarmWeek • Page 8 • Monday, August 4, 2014

Above, Mark Schottman of Effingham checks a field of sweet corn.

He expects to pick corn until midOctober. Irrigation has helped the corn thrive. Left, Betty Schottman, right, and her husband, Mark, sell corn to eager customers at one of their roadside stands. They sell 2 0 0 t o 4 0 0 d o z e n e a r s d a i l y.

(Photos by Ken Kashian)

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Sweet corn crop fares well, dependent on weather

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Much like real estate, the condition of this year’s sweet corn crop seems to come down to location, location, location.

Illinois’ sweet corn crop overall seems to have fared well this year, thanks to ideal weather conditions in parts of Illinois — especially central Illinois.

David Brown of Brown’s Fresh Produce in Bloomington described his sweet corn yields as “excellent.”

He attributed the corn’s good quality largely to the weather.

“It couldn’t get any better,” he said.

“A little cool start there early in the season, but the rains have been wonderful,” Brown said. “We’ve been fortunate not to have any severe storms, which can be a problem with sweet corn. It’s just a very good year.”

Picking began around the middle of July, just a little earlier than usual. Brown and his wife, Kathy, sell sweet corn at their retail market, 304 Brown St., Bloomington, seven days a week. The corn also can be purchased on Thursdays in the parking lot of the Illinois Farm Bureau building and on Saturdays at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market.

In Effingham, sweet corn yields have been pretty good, but Mark Schottman said he noticed some pollination issues.

“We haven’t caught quite the rain that you guys have,” he said. “But overall, not too bad.”

What does it take to produce good sweet corn? Good weather and a little bit of luck, he said.

“Little more intensity than field corn,” he said. “You’ve got to kind of watch it a little more. Timing is a little more critical, especially on harvesting it.”

Schottman said he started picking around the Fourth of July — earlier than last year, but 10 days later than 2012.

“You shoot for Fourth of July, in general,” he said.

Schottman planted 40 acres of sweet corn this year and expects yields to be about the same as previous years. He sells most of the corn at roadside stands in Effingham as well as Urbana’s farmers’ market.

Cliff Ingersoll, owner and production manager for Twin Garden Farms in northern Illinois, staggers sweet corn planting.

“Our first sweet corn was beautiful. Second planting is nice. As long as we can get a shower or rain now, which we need — we haven’t had any for a couple weeks — I think we’re going to be in really good shape,” he said last week.

The cooler weather, he said, brings fewer bugs, but makes ripening difficult.

“These 50-degree nights, the corn doesn’t do much,” he said. “You need 80 during the day or 85, and 70-degree nights.”

He started picking sweet corn in the last couple of weeks and expects yields this year to be about average.

Ingersoll sells Mirai corn (Japanese for “taste of the future”) mostly at farmers’ markets in the Chicago area.

In all, it’s sold in about 50 different locations, he said.

Regardless of their location, Brown, Ingersoll and Schottman all agree on the best way to cook sweet corn: Boil it.

Pork leader: protect operations from video activists

Page 9 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

BY CHRIS ANDERSON FarmWeek

An eight-minute video. That’s all it took to nearly destroy Randy Spronk’s hog operation.

“At first, I didn’t want to talk about this, but I don’t want to be bullied,” said Spronk, a Minnesota hog farmer and National Pork Producers Association immediate past president.

Randy Spronk Spronk shared his story of an undercover animal activist, who infiltrated one of his hog facilities, with attendees of the 16th Ag Media Summit in Indianapolis last week.

The Mercy for Animals activist worked in Spronk’s farrow-to-finish

hog operation for two months in 2013. A fellow employee — a young man who attended Spronk’s church — assisted the activist in creating a video and releasing it to media.

“We have an animal welfare policy and provide employee training. Both employees had completed the training. We have a third-party auditor come in. We are a PQA-plus (national Pork Quality Assurance program) operation,” Spronk noted.

Spronk said the video showed one employee using blunt force trauma on a pig that was already dead.

The farm’s animal welfare policy clearly states that employees who see abusive behavior should immediately report it to a supervisor.

“There is no doubt in my mind the behavior was manipulated,” said Spronk. “Our employees and my family received death threats after the

video was released. There were serious financial implications. Every packer we sell to visited the facility.

We had been free of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome (PRRS) for four years. With all the foot traffic, the herd was diagnosed with PRRS. We had 8,000 dead pigs.”

What should livestock producers do to protect against activists invading their farms? Continue training employees in proper animal care and handling procedures, said Spronk and Emily Meredith, Animal Ag Alliance communications director.

“You have to prepare for video activists,” said Meredith. “Every person with a smartphone is part of the media. Check any device that can capture audio or video.”

Share your story with consumers, added Annette Sweeney, former Iowa State representative and cattle farmer.

She helped develop a curriculum for students attending Furman University in South Carolina. Their experience includes a visit to her cattle farm.

Laws aimed at prohibiting people from entering livestock or crop farms and shooting video serve as yet another tool. Sweeney introduced a bill in Iowa, which became law in 2012.

“We as ag people are bullied and maligned. Farmers care. We are proud of what we do. These laws protect private property rights,” said Sweeney.

Eight states, excluding Illinois, have enacted agriculture protection bills, sometimes referred to as “ag gag” laws.

“I believe consumers should be fully informed, but I also believe these videos provide misinformation,” Spronk noted.

Fund will spur rural jobs Grain safety conference set for farmers

Private entities can invest in rural infrastructure projects through the newly created U.S. Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund, the White House Rural Council announced recently.

Target investments include hospitals, schools, rural water and wastewater systems, energy projects, broadband expansion, local and regional food systems, and other rural infrastructure.

CoBank, a national cooperative bank, committed $10 billion to jump-start the fund.

Capitol Peak Asset Management will manage the new fund and recruit more investors.

USDA and other federal agencies will help identify rural projects that could receive money through this new fund and other private sources.

“This fund represents a new approach to our support for job-creating projects across the country,” said Tom Vilsack, U.S.

Department of Agriculture Secretary and Chair of the White House Rural Council.

“USDA and other agencies invest in infrastructure through a variety of federal initiatives, but our resources are finite and there are backlogs of projects in many parts of the economy.

With new efforts like this, we can move beyond existing programs and help encourage substantial private investment in projects that grow the economy and improve quality of life for millions of Americans.”

The new Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Fund and the White House Rural Council’s Rural Opportunity Investment Conference, where the new fund was announced, are part of the Obama Administration’s ongoing efforts to spark additional private investment in rural communities through private sector sources or through public-private partnerships.

Listen.

An increase in Illinois grain bin fatalities during the last year prompted COUNTRY Financial and the Grain Handling Safety Coalition to sponsor a grain safety conference Aug. 26 and 27.

Farmers can attend either day as the same agenda will be presented both days from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Asmark Agricenter,

14171 Carole Dr., Bloomington.

The event will feature a simulated grain bin rescue, auger entanglement and grain dust explosion demonstration. Attendees can also enter to win a grain bin lifeline system.

Reservations can be made for either day by Aug. 15 at rsvp@countryfinancial.com or by calling 309-821-4324.

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The most people, on the ground, in Illinois, covering Illinois agriculture for you.

Get to know Rita Frazer

RFD Radio Network® (RFDRN) Anchor FarmWeek & FarmWeekNow.com contributor Rita comes from a farming family and has been broadcasting for a quarter-century. Rita loves to unearth the family connection in her stories and values the experience and outlook of fellow RFDRN, FarmWeekNow.com and FarmWeek® colleagues. You can also follow Rita on Twitter, @FarmWeekNow.

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FarmWeek • Page 10 • Monday, August 4, 2014

What cover crops work with forages?

Q. A Ewing far mer writes that he rotates a 20-acre field between Eagle Seed beans and sorghum sudan, and uses the field for pasture from mid-July to mid-September. Beans are growing this year.

Last winter, cereal r ye was planted for a cover crop.

The far mer plans to plant annual r yegrass in September and har vest a hay crop in the spring.

Then he plans to no-till pearl millet and har vest another hay crop.

Is there a better plan?

Dean Oswald: Illinois Council on Best Management Practices: I would

encourage the farmer to get the annual ryegrass planted as soon as possible in September to optimize growth.

He might consider planting sudangrass for hay because the stems are smaller than pearl millet or sorghum sudan hybrid and thus dry down faster for hay.

To view previous questions and answers, visit {farmweek now.com/customPage.aspx?p= 544}.

Questions may be emailed to kayship@ilfb.org; add “Discover Cover Crops” in the subject line or mail to Discover Cover Crops, Kay Shipman, 1701 Towanda Ave., Bloomington, Ill. 61701.

Kevin Shaw of Mount Vernon, Ind., takes aim under the watchful eye of Greg Webb of Norris City during the 4th Annual Young Leader Pistol Shoot sponsored by White County Farm Bureau. Shaw won with a combined time of 68.61 seconds on five stations. Webb serves as an event volunteer with the Carmi Rifle Club. (Photo

by Doug Anderson)

Pistol shoot supports Young Leaders Twenty-four shooters aimed for the quickest time and hit the target by supporting White County Farm Bureau Young Leader programs during the 4th Young Leader Pistol Shoot.

Shooters had to work their way through five stations with five steel targets

BY DOUG ANDERSON

There’s a difference between field experts and experts in the field.

At FS, we’re experts in the field. Our crop specialists are driven to maximize every acre and bring the latest agronomic technologies and innovations to your farm. Whether recommending the appropriate opriate hybrid or varietyy,, nutrient management m for optimum growth, or advice on disease and pest management, our crop specialists are always focused on pointing your operations forward. So, the only thing you’ll be asking FS is, what’’s next?

www w.fssystem.com

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each. Kevin Shaw from Mount Vernon, Ind., won the event with a total time of 68.61 seconds.

In the youth division, Trevor Armstrong from Tunnel Hill took first with a time of 96.31.

Garry Shaw of Carmi won a Browning BuckMark UFX .22 target pistol provided by Justin Johnson and Indian

Creek RV in Norris City.

Proceeds from the event support the annual Young Leader Collegiate Scholarship as well as the committee’s participation in other county and state Young Leader programs.

Doug Anderson serves as manager of White and Wayne County Farm Bureaus.

WIU School of Ag breaks ground for greenhouse

Constr uction crews recently broke ground for Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Agriculture’s greenhouse project.

Two 16-by-48-foot greenhouses are being built near the University’s Livestock Center, located north of campus, according to Andy Baker, ag school director.

Baker noted the new greenhouse facilities will extend the School of Agriculture’s research capabilities in the plant science area.

“One of the two greenhouses will be solely intended for classroom and laborator y utilization,” Baker said.

“We will use one facility to house parent material for instr uctional use. The other unit will be strictly utilized for research purposes.

“We envision a full greenhouse complex, which will be built in phases and over several years,” he explained.

The overall complex will include six individual greenhouses, stacked side-by-side with a connecting hallway that leads to a head house, which will include a classroom, restroom facilities, chemical mixing area and storage facilities.”

The school hopes the greenhouse facility will be operating by the Oct. 3-4 homecoming.

Plans tentatively include an open house that weekend.

New study touts soy checkoff returns Each U.S. soybean farmer receives $5.20 for every dollar invested in the soy checkoff program. That’s the finding of a new, independent study by Gary Williams, Ph.D., a Texas A&M University agricultural economics professor.

Williams noted 5 percent of all U.S. soybean farmers’ revenues occur thanks to checkoff research and marketing efforts.

Under the soy checkoff program, soybean farmers contribute a small percentage of their gross soybean sales for research and marketing projects that maximize their profit potential.

Williams also pointed out other conclusions from the study, including: • The soy checkoff has increased the size of the U.S. soybean industry.

• It has lifted the markets for U.S. soybeans, meal and oil as well as U.S. soybean farmer returns.

• The checkoff has also increased U.S. soy exports and reduced the competitive threat of the South American soybean industry. As a result, U.S. soybean farmers currently enjoy a larger share

of the global soy market.

• Benefits of the checkoff for U.S. soybean farmers and the industry in terms of net additional returns have far exceeded the cost of the program expenditures over time.

“We’re always very diligent in making sure that U.S. soybean farmers get the most for their investment,” said David Hartke, United Soybean Board (USB) audit and evaluation committee chair and Teutopolis soybean farmer. “The return-oninvestment study, along with all the other evaluations and reporting we require, ensure that all of our projects remain consistent with our strategy and are working for the good of the farmer.”

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers.

They invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy customers.

Orr named GROWMARK vice president A 24-year GROWMARK employee has been named agronomy vice president. Mark Orr of Princeton begins his new position Aug. 16. He succeeds Jim Spradlin, GROWMARK CEOelect.

Orr began his career in the GROWMARK System in 1990 at Schuyler-Brown FS. He served as controller for Western FS and then Ag-Land FS. Orr served as general manager of both Piatt County Service Company and Ag View FS. Under Orr’s leadership, Ag View earned first place in the GROWMARK System Performance Improvement Awards for three consecutive fiscal years. Since October 2013, Orr has served as Central Region vice president.

Orr received his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from Illinois State University, Normal. He and his wife, Laura, will relocate to the Bloomington-Normal area.

USFRA seeks Faces of Farming and Ranching

Want to be an advocate for agriculture? The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) wants Illinois farmers and others from around the country to serve as one of its Faces of Farming & Ranching.

Farmers chosen to represent USFRA share stories of how they improve their operations and tell agriculture’s story to the public and on social media.

Finalists will be announced in early September, and each finalist will be profiled at {FoodDialogues.com}. The general public will vote for their favorite finalist in late

October through early November.

Winners will be announced in mid-November. Farmers selected will receive a $15,000 stipend to help cover costs at home while they travel. They’ll also receive professional spokesperson training and full support from USFRA through their yearlong tenure.

Applications are due Sunday. To apply, visit {FoodDia logues.com/Faces}. Complete an entry form and submit a video no longer than three minutes that shows your operation and your role on the farm.

Page 11 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

FIRSTHAND LOOK AT FARMING

A father and son pretend to drive a tractor on display at the Beaty Farm in Rochester. About 300 people visited the farm during Sangamon County Farm Bureau’s 3rd A Day in the Country event. Participants chatted one-on-one with farmers, asking some tough questions about pesticide and antibiotic use. Children enjoyed pony rides, seeing big equipment and playing with farm animals. Food and refreshments were provided by Prairie Farms, Heartland Beef Alliance, Illinois Pork Producers and Sangamon County Farm Bureau. Members of Central Illinois Farm Families recruited moms for their farm tours program.

(Photo by Ashley Beutke, Sangamon County Farm Bureau assistant manager)

Deadline extended for livestock disaster assistance

Livestock farmers and honey producers can sign up for federal disaster assistance until Friday. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials extended the deadline for enrollment in the 2012 and 2013 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

The new deadline gives livestock, honeybee

and farm-raised fish producers who experienced losses because of disease, adverse weather, wildfires or colony collapse disorder between Oct. 1, 2011, and Sept. 30, 2013, an additional two weeks to enroll in ELAP. Affected farmers can contact their local FSA office or visit {fsa.usda.gov} for more information.

Peak performance at harvest is a necessity.

It’s our expertise.

Producers who look to have a successful harvest turn to FS. Our grain systems experts reduce downtime by offering the latest products, innovations and knowledge to your grain operation. Whether you need a part in a hurry or advice on your equipment, we’ll keep you running. At FS we are always looking for ways to optimize your grain system and ensure during harvest your our operation is ready for what’’ss next. ne

www w.fssystem.com

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©2013 GROWMARK,, Inc. c. A14143

Free toolkits help save rural lives FarmWeek • Page 12 • Monday, August 4, 2014

When emergencies happen in rural areas, response time often depends on a small number of volunteer EMTs and firefighters serving a large geographic area.

To help rural first responders and residents prepare for an emergency and act quickly, the Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana has developed a free Emergency Action Tube Toolkit.

The action tube contains a map detailing potential hazards and key points of a farm or rural property.

The sealed tube is mounted on the main meter pole, allowing emergency responders quick access to important details.

The toolkit contains a sample, a complete manual and templates for implementing the program along with educational materials to help coordinating organizations explain the bene-

PLAY DAY BOOSTS SCHOLARSHIPS

‘We believe the Emergency Action Tube project will save more lives, preserve more properties and protect emergency responders.’ — Amy Rademaker Carle Foundation Hospital’s farm safety specialist

fits of the Emergency Action Tube to local residents. “We believe the Emergency Action Tube project will save more lives, preserve more properties and protect emergency responders,� said Amy Rademaker, farm safety specialist at Carle.

Coordinating organizations work with rural residents to collect information and sketch maps to identify the location of buildings, grain bins, livestock, fences, fuel and chemical storage, power lines, electrical pan-

els, water supply and septic systems. This process typically takes only about 10 to 20 minutes.

Members of the coordinating organization later mount the tube with a digitized copy of the map on the property’s main meter pole.

The toolkit is available at no cost to fire departments, emergency response agencies and other community organizations such as church groups, 4-H groups and FFA chapters, thanks to a gift from Monsanto.

State Fair Fun

Young Leader

Agri-Quiz Bowl Where Great Thinkers Come Together & Compete!

Help available from Trees Forever

Landowners and farmers interested in planting native grasses and shrubs along streams or trees around livestock operations may apply for assistance from Trees Forever.

Applications for Trees Forever’s Illinois Buffer Partnership Program are available at {treesforever.org} and will be accepted through Dec. 31.

Landowners, farmers and communities are eligible for costshare assistance, on-site assistance from field staff, project signs and an opportunity to host a field day.

Eligible projects include riparian buffers, livestock buffers, streambank stabilization projects, wetland development, pollinator habitat, rain gardens and agroforestry projects.

The Illinois Buffer Partnership program is made possible by Syngenta, GROWMARK, Illinois Council on Best Management Practices and Trees Forever members.

For more information or an application, contact Debbie Fluegel at dfluegel@treesforever.org or 309-613-0095.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 Â?Â?ÂˆÂ˜ÂœÂˆĂƒĂŠ-ĂŒ>ĂŒiĂŠ >ÂˆĂ€ĂŠUĂŠ Â?Â?ÂˆÂ˜ÂœÂˆĂƒĂŠ Ă•ÂˆÂ?`ˆ˜}ĂŠ/Â…i>ĂŒĂ€i 8:00 a.m.

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Madison, Montgomery #1, Champaign, Fayette Sangamon #1, Tazewell, Piatt, Shelby #1 0DFRQ )XOWRQ :RRGIRUG (IÂżQJKDP

9:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

Consolation Round Semi-Final Round

10:30 a.m.

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Peoria #1, Douglas, Adams, Vermilion #1 Announcement of State Winners in Achievement Award and Excellence in Ag Award at Commodity Pavilion

11:30 a.m.

12 Noon

Edgar, Henry, Lee #1, Monroe #1 Grundy, St. Clair, Richland, Kankakee

12:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

Consolation Round Semi-Final Round

1:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Ford-Iroquois, Kendall, Washington, Randolph #1 Carroll, Perry, Hamilton #1, Clay Jo Daviess #1, Kane #1, Edwards #1, Franklin

3:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

Consolation Round Semi-Final Round Consolation Finals Finals

Austin McQueen shoots sporting clays while his father, David, keeps score at the Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau (CMFB) Foundation 17th annual Play Day fundraiser. Participants met nine of the 13 students receiving scholarships to continue their education this fall.

The CMFB Foundation has provided more than $166,500 in scholarships since its inception. Farm Bureau members, business sponsors and community members could shoot at the Sportsman’s Club or golf at the Links in Jacksonville during the day. At lunch, the scholarship recipients served a meal and met event participants.

(Photo by Lindsay McQueen, Cass-Morgan Farm Bureau manager)

Tuesday:

Watch County Farm Bureaus Take On Each Other YL298W4

• FarmWeek: “The Early Wordâ€? • Bryce Anderson, DTN: ag weather • Stone Seed • Susie Harbaugh, Champaign County Farm Bureau: succession planning workshop • Toni Dunker, Advanced Trading Wednesday: • Tim Schweizer, Illinois Department of Natural Resources • Charlie Thompson, Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc.: sweet corn breeding • County Farm Bureau Presidents Ed Livengood, Carroll County; Kyle Winklemann,

Menard County; and Kevin Luthy, Randolph County: county updates Thursday: • Tim Maiers, Illinois Pork Producers Association: state fair • Kane Austin, livestock judging specialist: opportunities and value in showing livestock for young people • David Kohl, Virginia Tech: Wyffels Hybrids corn strategies • Anthony Osborne, Climate Corporation: data privacy Friday: • Alan Jarand and Rita Frazer, RFD Radio Network: reporting live from the Illinois State Fair • Don Schaefer, Mid-West Truckers Association • LG seed • Jill Johnson, Illinois Beef Association

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ROWN — Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial will co-sponsor a customer appreciation/open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at the American Legion in Mount Sterling. Call the Farm Bureau office at 773-2634 or COUNTRY Financial at 7733591 for more information.

ASS-MORGAN — The Foundation’s annual meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Farm Bureau office. The Farm Bureau annual meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. Call the Farm Bureau office at 2456833 for reservations.

HAMPAIGN — Farm Bureau will cosponsor a nutrient management workshop at 8 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Farm Bureau office.

Three experts will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 352-5235 for more information.

• Farm Bureau will host legislative issues toolshed meetings at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Jacob Kesler Farm, Dewey; noon at the Tony Noel Center at Parkland Community College, Champaign; and 3 p.m. at the Larry Dallas Farm, Tuscola. Food will be served at each location. Mark Gebhards, Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division executive director, will speak.

Call the Farm Bureau office at 352-5235 for more information.

FFINGHAM — Young Leaders will sponsor a pedal tractor pull at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Effingham County Fairgrounds 4-H Show Arena for children 4 to 12 years. Cost is $1. Proceeds will benefit local food pantries. Call the Farm Bureau office at 342-2103 for more information.

ORD-IROQUOIS — Farm Bureau will sponsor a defensive driving course from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 19 and 20 at the Farm Bureau building in Gilman. Doug Sommer will be the instructor.

Members 55 and over are invited to attend. Cost is $17.50. Call the Farm Bureau office at 800-424-0756 for reservations by Aug. 13.

RUNDY — Farm Bureau will celebrate 100 years with an anniversary event Aug. 23 at Terry and Carol Seggebruch’s farm, Morris. Games and tractor viewing will begin at 3 p.m. and dinner will follow from 4 to 6 p.m. Greg Claassen, ventriloquist, will perform after dinner. Call the Farm Bureau office at 942-6400 for reservations by Aug. 13.

• Farm Bureau will cosponsor a farm bill update at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Dwight Village Hall. Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau senior

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Page 13 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek

director of affiliate and risk management, will speak. Reservations are not required. Call the Farm Bureau office at 842-1103 for more information.

EE — The Young Leader Committee will sponsor a Harvest for All food drive through Friday. Nonperishable food items or cash donations may be dropped off at the Farm Bureau office.

Donations will be distributed to Lee County food pantries. Call the Farm Bureau office at 8573531 for more information.

• The Public Relations Committee will host a farm visit 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at a local beef and grain farm. Buses will load at Woodhaven Association in Sublette.

Tickets are available at the Woodhaven Association main office or by calling 849-5209, ext. 216. Reservation deadline is Friday. For more information, call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531.

• The Foundation is raffling tickets for a Garth Brooks concert at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 in Rosemont. Raffle tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Only 300 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available at the Farm Bureau office. Proceeds will benefit Foundation agriculture education programs. Call the Farm Bureau office at 8573531 for more information.

ACON — Farm Bureau is offering a fire extinguisher recharge and sales program until Aug. 15.

Members may purchase 5-, 10and 20-pound extinguishers, and bring in old extinguishers to be recharged. For more information, call the Farm Bureau office at 877-2436.

• The Public Relations Committee will host a shred day from 7 to 9 a.m. Aug. 22 in the Farm Bureau parking lot.

Participants may bring up to five boxes of material to shred. Cost is a donation of five canned goods, which will be donated to an area food pantry.

ERCER — Farm Bureau and COUNTRY Financial will host an appreciation picnic from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Aledo VFW Hall. Members are invited to a complimentary meal and to register for door prizes. Call the Farm Bureau office at 582-5116 for more information.

ONROE — Farm Bureau will host a meet the candidates and ice cream social for members at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. Reservations are not required.

EORIA — Members are invited to attend the Grassroots Picnic at 6 p.m.

Aug. 19 at the Farm Bureau Park. There will be no charge for the catered meal. Elected officials and candidates on the

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November ballot have been invited to attend. Call the Farm Bureau office at 6867070 by Aug. 14 for reservations.

• Farm Bureau will take member orders for southern Illinois peaches. Cost is $25 for 25 pounds. Pickup will be at the Farm Bureau office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Aug. 21. Order forms are available at {peoriacounty farmbureau.org}. Orders are due to the Farm Bureau office

by Aug. 14.

ERRY — Farm Bureau will host a member ice cream social from 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday at the Perry County Fairgrounds south pavilion.

Agriculture in the Classroom children’s activities and wagon rides by the Equine Committee will be provided. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3140958 for more information.

• The Equine Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Farm Bureau office. All equine enthusiasts in Perry County are invited to attend to plan activities and events that will benefit equine agriculture.

ICHLAND — Young Leaders will co-host an

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individual and team trap shooting contest at 10 a.m. Aug. 23 at County Line Gun Club in Noble. Cost is $25 per individual and $100 per team of five before Aug. 15 and $125 per team of five after that date. Raffle tickets for a Remington 870 shotgun will be $5 each or $20 for five tickets. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3934116 or visit {richland county farmbureau.com} to register by Aug. 22. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship program.

ERMILION — The Young Leader Committee will host an Illinois Fire Service Institute grain bin safety demonstration at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Georgetown Fair.

• The Marketing Committee will host a pre-harvest elevator information meeting at 9:00 a.m. Aug. 13. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. Managers from UBS United, Stewart Grain, Premier Cooperative and Bunge will discuss their grain harvest delivery procedures.

ASHINGTON — Farm Bureau will sponsor a defensive driving course 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 21 and 22 at the Farm Bureau office. Cost is $15 for Farm Bureau or AARP members,

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and $20 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3140958 to register by Aug. 15.

AYNE — District 17 Young Leaders are invited to a golf and bags party Aug. 16. Call county Farm Bureau managers for more information. Registration deadline is Aug. 15.

HITE — Farm Bureau will co-sponsor a county crop tour at 7 a.m. Aug. 20. Teams will depart at 7:30 a.m. from the Farm Bureau building. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3828512 to register by Aug. 15.

ILL — Young Farmers will sponsor a golf outing at noon Sept. 5 at Cinder Ridge Country Club in Wilmington. Cost is $100 if paid by Tuesday and $125 after. Deadline to register is Sept. 1. Cost for only dinner is $30. Sponsorships are available. For more information, email wcfb@willcfb.com. Proceeds will benefit Agriculture in the Classroom.

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

Accuracy where it matters most.

Applying the right products to the right place is essential to each crop acre. That’’ss why growers turn to FS for custom application. Our applicators stay focused on what’’ss ahead by applying accurate inputs at just the right time in the crop life cycle. Our custom applicators maximize each acre and ensure your fields are ready for what’’ss next.

www w.fssystem.com

TM

©2013 GROWMARK, Inc. A14142

FarmWeek • Page 14 • Monday, August 4, 2014

A look back guides forward movement for farm inputs Soon crop specialists will begin booking seed and developing nutrient and crop protection plans for the 2015 crop.

It’s amazing we are still a good month away from seeing combines in the field, but it’s never too early Jeff Bunting to get ahead and start developing plans for next year. Let’s take a quick look back at the challenges of 2014 to prepare for the 2015 growing season.

All indications are pointing to a 2014 crop performance above the trend line in yields.

BY JEFF BUNTING

That is having an effect on commodity prices that we have seen during the last two months. This puts extra pressure on spending money to control your weeds, making nutrient applications or spending money on the additives to enhance your input investment.

Grandpa always said “rain makes grain,” but the academic in me stresses that it also takes a balanced nutrient program, controlling weeds, planting the best hybrids and varieties, and optimizing yield potential even if we have a bearish commodity market. Your crop specialist can help you develop the best recommendations on your seed, nutrient and crop protection needs.

Over the next couple of

Bison Bluff Farms hosting tour

The University of Illinois Extension offers a southern Illinois twilight tour from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 18 on Bison Bluff Farms, Cobden. This program is free, but preregistration by Aug. 17 is required.

Participants will see firsthand similarities and differences between bison and cattle production. Clifton Howell and his family own and operate the farm with more than 350 bison on more than 1,000 acres. The bison are grass fed and receive some grain and mineral supplements.

Patty Coffman, Natural Resources Conservation Service area resource conservationist, will discuss basic grazing principles. Lori Miser, a veterinarian with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, will answer questions about state meat and poultry inspections and license requirements.

Register online at {web.extension.illinois.edu/ghhpsw/}.

For more information or to register by phone, please call the U of I’s Bronwyn Aly at 618-382-2662 or email baly@illinois.edu.

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Total Composite Weighted Average Receipts and Price (Formula and Cash): Weight Range Per Head Weighted Ave. Price 10-12 lbs. (formula) $37.50-$83.19 $51.38 40 lbs. (cash) $108.50-$118.00 $113.20 Receipts

This Week 77,788 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Last Week 101,546

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week Change $116.72 $122.29 - $5.57 $86.37 $90.49 -$4.12

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

Steers Heifers

This week $164.00 $163.24

Prev. week $163.06 $163.16

Change $0.94 $0.08

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 $225.22 $214.13 $11.09

Lamb prices Negotiated, wooled and shorn, 85-163 lbs. for 137-162 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 152.31)

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 7/24/2014 4.1 14.5 31.7 7/17/2014 3.6 19.4 37.1 Last year 1.3 26.0 11.5 Season total 1580.8 133.9 1646.2 Previous season total 1298.3 188.0 628.1 USDA projected total 1600 925 1900 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

months, corn acres will be determined, and depending on your farming operation, fall nitrogen applications will begin. Illinois saw the perfect fall for applying nitrogen in 2012. Harvest was late in 2013, resulting in lower applications of nitrogen. But by all indications, this year’s crop is progressing earlier than the past — much like we saw back in 2012.

The FS System takes pride in advocating a full system approach to nitrogen management and the use of a stabilizer to protect the environment while giving the corn crop the chance to achieve optimum

yields. It is crucial to understand the importance of sustaining our environment and leaving it in great shape for future generations to come. A full system approach to nutrient management and application is an integral part of this mission.

We continue to hear about difficulty controlling weeds due to increasing number of herbicide-resistant weeds or more observations of weed escapes not controlled by post application. One observation from this spring and summer is the constant vigilance to add residual herbicide either

at planting or in the post application. Fields that did not have a residual were affected much more. Let your crop specialist know of your weed management challenges.

They can provide you a weed management system that will help you invest in the right products based on your production practice and maximize your crop protection investment.

with grass-fed animals in South America and buffalo from India that in many cases lack the quality of American products.

“The taste and tenderness of U.S. beef in a lot of ways sells itself,” Halstrom said.

The value of meat exports this year could add an estimated $263 per head to the value of each beef cow and $69 per head to each hog, up from $54 last year, according to USMEF. The additional value comes in part from the fact that many foreign buyers place additional value on specialty items and variety meats. About 90 percent of tongues and 60 percent of short

ribs/short plates are exported to areas such as Asia, while liver values in Egypt are more than twice as high as the U.S. “This (success with meat exports) is important for grain producers as well,” Halstrom noted. “It’s another way to add value to grain.”

The U.S. last year exported the equivalent of 80 million bushels of soybeans and 500 million bushels of corn via beef and pork exports.

Trade barriers, though, particularly in China and Russia, remain a roadblock for additional U.S. meat sales, Halstrom added.

Jeff Bunting, Ph.D., serves as GROWMARK’s crop protection division manager. His email address is jbunting@growmark. com.

Meat exports sizzle despite record high prices

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Foreign buyers of U.S. meat haven’t backed off purchases so far this year despite tight supplies and record prices.

In fact, the pace of U.S. beef and pork exports exceeds last year, according to Dan Halstrom, senior vice president of marketing and communication for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

“Even though we have decreased (meat) production and record prices, it’s not stopping buying globally,” Halstrom said last week at the Illinois Farm Bureau Commodities Conference.

The value of U.S. pork exports climbed 15 percent the first half of the year, although much of that gain was due to higher prices.

Meanwhile, U.S. beef exports remain on pace to exceed $6.2 billion in sales posted last year.

So, why are meat exports sizzling despite record prices?

Improving incomes and diets in other countries boost demand for meat, the U.S. has high quality products and there aren’t many other alternatives/markets for meat right now, according to Halstrom.

“Of course we’re worried about shorter supplies and higher prices,” he said. “But they (foreign buyers) don’t have many other alternatives. Beef, pork and poultry are all short, so they’re willing to pay the price.”

Meat prices in the U.S. from last June 2013 through June 2014 increased 10.4 percent for beef and 12 percent for pork.

U.S. production systems and animal genetics give domestic producers a big advantage on the world market, though. U.S. beef, for instance, competes

Class III milk prices bounce back

The Class III price for milk adjusted to 3.5 percent butterfat for the month of August was announced at $21.60 per hundredweight. The August price was nearly 25 cents higher than the previous month’s announcement.

Demand through the summer months has remained strong and has helped keep a firm floor under these record prices. Previous runs at these higher prices have never lasted very long, and usually lead to a collapse in milk prices. Strong export demand for dairy, coupled with tight supplies, has continued to shore up prices. As feed prices moderate, many dairy farmers are able to put some money into their “rainy day” fund.

Corn Strategy

USDA survey-based yields coming

Even though the trade continues to talk up the possibility of seeing a national corn yield of more than 170 bushels in the USDA August crop report, we are not sure USDA methodology allows for it to be that large at this time.

For corn, the August forecast is a combination of yield based on the plant population from field samples as well as yields from the farmer survey.

During the last 10 years, average plant population has increased about 1 percent. The biggest increases generally come in post-drought years.

Last year’s increase was 1.5 percent. Last year’s final plant population count was 28,711 per acre for the objective yield states. Using a 1.5 percent increase points to a 29,142 population level for 2014.

But not all stalks have ears.

The average has been 97.4 percent since 2004. The best earto-stalk ratio was 99.9 percent in 2004. Using a 99 percent ratio this year suggests a 28,850 ear-per-acre count might be realistic, assuming plant population is close to expectations.

Ear size is where most people could get tripped up on the August USDA forecast. They tend to use average ear weight

for the last five years to calculate yields in their objective yield states. That average is .3137 pounds this year. But that includes the low weight from 2012. If we look at the average, minus 2012, it’s .3255 pounds — a better gauge of what they might use.

The combination of the ear population and ear weight projects a 167.7 bushel yield for the 10 objective yield states. On average, yields in the 10 objective states are about 2.4 percent higher than the national average. Using a 2 percent better 10-state yield compared to the national yield would produce a 164.4 bushel yield estimate for the August 2014 USDA crop report.

Tweaking some of the relationships, we could see a yield as high as 167 bushels. Nevertheless, high producer expectations could cause the farmer survey to be high relative to the yield based on field data. But we still doubt USDA projects a yield of more than 170. None of this means subsequent forecasts won’t be higher yet.

USDA’s soybean forecast is more difficult to gauge because the pod count data released through its series of reports is much more variable. And USDA never provided population or node count data that might provide some insight into what it might forecast. But having said that, condition ratings suggests the yield could be in the 44.7 to 45.5 bushel range.

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ü2013 crop: Even though prices remain under pressure, there’s still reason to think there’s very little downside risk in futures. Meanwhile, the low prices have started to stimulate demand. Wait for a December rebound to $3.80 and maybe $3.90 to make sales. Get basis locked up on hedge-to-arrive contracts and other unpriced inventory. But with inventories you have left, balance making sales to make room to store a large new crop. ü2014 crop: Current yield talk makes one wonder if production expectations aren’t peaking. The decline has removed most, if not all, risk premium. Wait for December futures to rally to $3.90 to make sales. There may not be a very good pre-harvest marketing opportunity, but we still see reasonable potential into early 2015. vFundamentals: At the end of 2008, in the worst of all economic circumstances, and with a similar supply/demand structure, corn futures only traded under $3.25 for a part of four days. Futures actually bottomed at $2.90 at the peak of the panic.

Page 15 • Monday, August 4, 2014 • FarmWeek Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2013 crop: Both basis and futures continue to weaken.

The basis weakening suggests the transition from old-crop to new-crop prices is accelerating.

Sell any inventory you may still have. ü2014 crop: The inability to establish any consistent upside traction is disappointing. But timing indicators still suggest it’s a little soon to get too negative. Use a rebound to $10.75 to $10.90 to make catch-up sales. Eventually, we think November futures will fall below $10. ü2015 crop: The first 15 percent of the 2015 crop was priced at $12.07 basis November 2015 futures. vFundamentals: Looking forward, the soybean market not only confronts the reality of a big crop in the U.S., but another large crop coming from South America, weather permitting. A long-time analyst projected a 4 percent jump in acreage could produce a crop as large as 94.4 million metric tons. That would be 9 percent larger than this year’s record crop.

Wheat Strategy

ü2014 crop: Cycle lows are due for the complex and recent price action has indicated a potential bottom.

Expectations for an abundant global wheat crop have long been priced into the market, leaving downside risk limited. Plan to wait for the September Chicago contract to retest $5.50 before making additional sales. ü2015 crop: Better marketing opportunities should eventually come for the 2015 crop. vFundamentals: Flooding in Canada’s major growing regions has caused some

abandonment, but yield potential in the remaining crops is shaping up better than expected. What is developing as a concern in Canada and around the world is the expected production shortfall of quality milling and durum wheat.

Tight supplies of quality wheat may help support what has been an active trade market so far in the new marketing year.

Importers are evidently finding value at these levels.

Recent U.S. wheat offers have finally proven competitive against those from other major exporters.

FarmWeek • Page 16 • Monday, August 4, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Through their eyes

Grain farm tour sparks field moms’ GMO questions Editor’s note: Field moms with Illinois Farm Families (IFF) toured the Mazon grain farm of Paul and Donna Jeschke in May. IFF is a coalition of commodity groups for beef, corn, soybeans, pork and Illinois Farm Bureau.

Below are excerpts from the Chicago-area moms’ blogs that may be read online at {watchus grow.org}.

Heather Guido, Oak Park: On our recent tour of Jeschke Farms, a 4,000-acre family owned and operated corn and soybean farm, we learned how field corn and soybeans are grown ...

Some folks are concerned about GMOs (biotechnology). All popcorn is nonGMO. Genetically engineered popcorn seed is not currently available anywhere in the world. You may see company labels or marketing material that says their popcorn is nonGMO. It’s true, but so is the other one without the label and GMO-targeted marketing ...

Genetically engineered sweet corn has been deemed safe for human consumption and nutritionally equivalent to nonGMO sweet corn.

Genetically engineered sweet corn seed is commercially available, which means it is available to commercial growers only.

Mysi DeSantis, Crystal Lake: Even knowing how much technology has developed over the years, I was still surprised by the integrated use of technology on the Jeschke’s farm, from GIS (geographical information system), GPS (global positioning system) and even drones!

Editor’s note: Courtney Gerstenecker, IFB News and Communications intern, asked IAA Foundation Top Scholars how their scholarship will benefit their education and future goals.

In undergrad and grad school, I also took classes on GIS, which used layers of data maps to study the socioeconomics of urban areas ...

It is easy to see these farmers ... get excited about the technology they use. Just like we want the latest in smart technology to help improve our lives, they want the best for their farms.

Suzanne Batch, Des Plaines: Prior to visiting the Jeschke’s farm for our third field mom trip, I thought it best to do a bit of research in advance of our outing. One area, however, that has always been “gray” to me is GE (genetically engineered) foods and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Prior to my involvement in the program, my knowledge on GMOs in general was limited, but what I did “know” from everything I saw on TV and read online, was that they should be avoided at all costs ...

So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that the list of commercially available GM products on the market today was much shorter than what I had been previously led to believe ...

From all the research and studies done (and not by corporations that have “something to gain” by declaring them safe), GMOs pose no greater risk to human health than nonGM products. From what I can garner, no one has ever died from eating too many fruits, vegetables or wholesome foods in their true, whole form. What I do know is that many people have died from eating too many high fat, high sugar and

WOTUS criticism not ‘ludicrous’

heavily processed foods.

Amanda Hinman, Mount Prospect: I have many questions and mixed emotions about the dangers, use of and reasons for GMOs and that was my primary interest when visiting the Jeschke family corn and soybean farm ...

During my day at the Jeschke farm, I was fortunate to have a very candid and honest conversation with Paul Jeschke. I was interested to know if he understood my direct health concern about GMO seeds and what his thoughts were.

He stated that he appreciates hearing from consumers as it gives him a market-focus perspective, and that while he stays up-to-date with the latest information released from the Food and Drug Administration about product safety, he does not have a deep understanding of the relationship between the immune issues I discussed above and GMO seeds.

He shared his perspective about why they choose to grow GMO seeds ... Like most things in life, decisions are complex and varied depending on the goal in mind. For my family, we will continue to lean towards nonGMO products when given the opportunity. However, considering roughly 90 percent of the crop grown in the U.S. is GMO versus only 10 percent nonGMO, it is important to me to balance the cost of unnecessary stress and financial impact of striving for 100 percent compliance to the cause.

Samantha GoddenChmielowicz, Chicago:

Editor: On the front page of your July 17 issue, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy defends the proposed rule defining “waters of the U.S.” by calling some of the criticisms “ludicrous.”

In her context, my Webster’s provides “exaggeration” as one definition of ludicrous.

FarmWeek file photo By implication then, the rest of the criticisms are not ludicrous or exaggerating, After the tour, I looked and therefore valid. online to compare what I To cite one of the latter, a friend ownknew from before about ing a few cows has a small pasture with a GMOs with what I had seen natural ditch running across it. The ditch and heard on the farm. Do contains water perhaps six months of the you know how sometimes an This water flows into a small roadside year.

Internet search is a bad idea? ditch where it either is absorbed into the This seemed like one of soil or evaporates. those times. So much, Apparently, some EPA investigator saw frankly, scary information out a satellite photo taken during our Washingthere! ton rainy season showing water in the But I am thinking of what ditch.

That investigator declared this ditch the Jeschkes said. That farmto be a U.S. waterway requiring environers have always moved ahead mental protection.

My friend was told to with technology just like othprovide 10-foot, fenced grass strips on er careers. I am a teacher. both sides of this “waterway.”

How many slide rules have I Subsequently and independently, my seen in the building? Exactly friend was counseled this declaration could — it belongs to the calculus be successfully overturned on appeal, but teacher and she shows stuthe expense of appealing would be subdents how to use it so they stantially greater than the cost of fencing. stop complaining.

So, she chose fencing.

Do I keep all paper Your article quotes McCarthy as wantrecords and have to add up ing to, in part “... help us focus on the grades and percents? Years facts.”

One wonders, first, how McCarthy ago I did, but now report would focus on the facts of this ludicrous cards are all computerized ... waterway declaration and the resulting So, it stands to reason that unnecessary expenses, and what she would farmers are moving ahead. do about them — if anything; and second, Illinois farmers do not use how many times waterway declarations like horses or oxen to plow, or this one are repeated across our nation. pull wagons of seeds to JERRY LUNDRY plant. They have high-tech Bellevue, Wash. tractors and planters that follow GPS directions for straight and even rows.

Letter policy If there are seeds that tolWould you like to share information erate drought or resist disor an opinion with FarmWeek readers? ease, it stands to reason that Consider submitting a Letter to the Edifarmers will choose to use tor. Please limit your letter to 300 words. those as they create a healthiInclude your name, address and er growing environment. phone number. Your phone number will I believe that I understand not be published; it will simply help us more about GMOs now ... verify letter authorship. Only one letter While most of us may worry per writer will be accepted in a 60-day over what to fix for dinner, period.

All letters will be subject to editing. we are lucky not to have to FarmWeek will not publish political worry if there will be dinner endorsements. to fix. Increases in crop proYou can mail letters to: duction allow us to feed FarmWeek Letters, 1701 Towanda more people, especially the Ave., Bloomington, Ill. 61701, or email vulnerable who need our CAnderson@ilfb.org. attention the most.

“It allows me to be more financially stable over this next year where I won’t have to take on as many jobs to help me pay for my education. It will allow me to focus more on my education.”

“It definitely lifts a huge burden off my shoulders just having that financial support, and it also gives me that support in the agriculture world, which is much appreciated.”

“My family and I are so thankful for this scholarship, and it is such a blessing to help with the cost of going to college and getting an education, so we are really thankful.”

“This scholarship is definitely a huge part of being able to help pay for college to help make it an affordable and wonderful experience.”

Bradley Braddock Patoka Illinois State University

Hannah Donoho Mahomet University of Illinois

Abby Marten Effingham University of Illinois

Krista Temple Fulton University of Illinois