Farmweek february 17 2014 by Illinois Farm Bureau

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to explore privatization of Mississippi River Valley inland waterways................................3

Early detection of PEDV can significantly reduce baby pig losses as the disease spreads quickly on Illinois farms..........................6

Department of Labor officials clarify an OSHA exemption for grain bins on farms employing less than 10 people..........................4

A service of

Propane supply crisis eases

Illinois Farm Bureau mission: Improve the economic well-being of agriculture and enrich the quality of farm family life.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Energy prices projected to stay firm into summer BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Consumers hopefully breathed a little easier as temperatures moderated and the propane supply crisis eased the second half of last week. Propane prices fell as much as 25 cents per gallon in overnight trading late last week. The nationwide price of propane a week ago sat at $3.89 per gallon, down 12 cents from the previous week, but still well above the average price on Dec. 30 of $2.80. The propane shortage this winter affected 24 states, including Illinois. “We’ve seen the worst (of prices already) this winter,” Jackie McKinnis, GROWMARK senior energy analyst, told FarmWeek. “I don’t think we’ll go back to prices (which peaked around $5 and even $6 in some locations) we saw in the third and fourth weeks of January. “However, prices will remain firm,” she continued. “We are low on stocks.” Propane prices eased since January due to state and federal efforts to rebuild supplies in the Midwest and East Coast.

In recent weeks, more propane was shipped to Illinois and surrounding states from Texas and Canada. Inventories subsequently rebounded from recent lows, but still remained well below the five-year average (see graphic on page 10). Demand for propane also decreased as many customers canceled or reduced orders. Consumers also adjusted to the situation by turning down thermostats, closing off rooms and using other strategies to reduce home heating needs. Meanwhile, the temperature from the beginning to the end of last week increased as much as 30 to 40 degrees. And the forecast this week called for more seasonable temperatures rather than another arctic chill. “We’ve been getting a lot of product (shipped into Illinois),” McKinnis said. “And the warmer weather will help.” The high prices also impacted the export market as fewer shipments of propane left the U.S. in recent weeks compared to last fall when the U.S.

Three sections Volume 42, No. 7

HARBINGERS OF SPRING

Nothing says spring like the arrival of lambs. Bryan Hoffman of Danvers currently houses more than 80 spring harbingers with more lambs on the way in March. A ewe and her baby get some fresh air on a sunny, winter day. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

‘They’re fighting the ice. It’s a mess’ BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

exported more than 24 million gallons of propane in October and November. Some propane was even re-exported from other destinations back to the U.S. last month due to the price spike. “We got out of balance (of propane stocks compared to demand),” McKinnis said. “But we’re not going to run out.” Prices likely will remain firm into the summer, though. McKinnis believes more propane tanks will be empty due to the cold winter and high prices, and will need to be refilled this summer compared to previous years. Gasoline and diesel fuel prices also are expected to remain firm into the summer months. The price of both fuels increased nationwide the last four consecutive weeks. Gasoline demand in January was stronger than expected. Many utility companies this winter switched to diesel fuel due to a shortage of natural gas. Fuel prices typically increase in the warmer months when driving tends to pick up and blenders switch to more expensive summer blends.

Barge traffic on the Illinois River remains choked by heavy ice and the future looks ominous unless a thaw comes soon. “All the cold, icy conditions on the river, it’s creating havoc. Bob Bess They’re fighting the ice. It’s a mess,” Bob Bess, Havana terminal manager for Sunrise Ag Service Co., told FarmWeek. “Hopefully, it

See Propane, page 10

will thaw out pretty quick. Otherwise, it will get real interesting.” Bess reported on river conditions during an Irrigation Clinic last week in Havana. Instead of tows moving 15 barges at a time, Bess reported a recent one arrived with four empty barges and left with only two full ones. “There’s not as many line boats going up and down the river, and they’re running fewer barges with them because they can’t get through the ice with full tows,” he explained. “It’s starting to limit the supply of empty grain barges

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to get grain moved down south from the local ports on the Illinois River,” Bess said. Not only are fewer tugboats moving on the river, but each empty barge must be pushed by two boats instead of one. Illinois’ river highway moves a lot of fertilizer as well as grain. Bess speculated the ice could create logistical problems, especially if spring comes early. “If there’s not as many barges coming up (river), there is not as much movement of fertilizer and other products,” he said. “And it might take longer to

get to its final destination along the Illinois River.”

Moving on the river The Illinois Waterway system transports a lot of commodities out of the state — 76.1 million tons. This includes: • 37.1 million tons of coal; • 24.5 million tons of grain; and • 4.6 million tons of petroleum. Winter grain shipments on the Illinois River gain importance after shipping ceases on the upper and mid-Mississippi River. Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2011 data

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

Quick Takes

CATTLE

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, February 17, 2014

GROWMARK ESSAY DEADLINE APPROACHING — March 14 looms as the deadline for Illinois FFA members entering GROWMARK’s 2014 Essay Contest. FFA’ers can write a 500-word essay based on the theme, “Promoting Sustainability and Conservation of Natural Resources.” Each state’s winner earns $500 and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards. The program aims to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture and understand the unique role of cooperatives. This year, students will focus on three questions — what does sustainability mean? Why should farmers be concerned with conservation and sustainable practices? What role do cooperatives play in this effort? Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. Additional details are available at {growmark.com} by clicking on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest. JULY AERIAL AG SHOW SET — Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will circle Decatur’s Progress City USA this summer as part of a new event. AgEngage and Penton Farm Progress announced last week they plan to host a Precision Aerial Ag Show July 910. The show will feature UAV manufacturers and suppliers, related equipment for agricultural application, flight demonstrations and educational presentations. Penton Farm Progress serves as the management division for the Farm Progress Show, while AgEngage is a Decatur-based agricultural information company. For more information about the event, visit {paas2014.com}.

GAMES TEACH KIDS ABOUT FOOD — Want to help children understand where their food comes from? Log them on to {myamericanfarm.org/games}. The site developed by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture features interactive, educational games for kindergarten through sixth-grade students. A dozen free games engage third- through fifthgraders, including Finders Keepers. Players must move fast to snag items to fill each food group. Let’s Make Something Tasty allows kids to be star chefs using clues to find missing ingredients for tasty dishes. Where in the World encourages kids to solve a mystery by locating where crops and livestock originated around the world. The games focus on science, language arts, math, geography and ag career concepts. The site and resources are made possible through support of title sponsor DuPont Pioneer.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 42 No. 7 February 17, 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 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

Researcher: Liquid ethanol byproduct economical feed

A liquid ethanol byproduct proved the most economical high energy cattle feedstuff in a nutrition study at the Illinois State University research farm near Lexington. (File photo)

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

A liquid ethanol byproduct makes the most economical high energy cattle feedstuff currently available, according to Paul Walker, Illinois State University (ISU) professor emeritus. “CDS (condensed distillers solubles) has always been around, but most producers don’t feed it,” Walker told FarmWeek. “The only problem is, it’s a liquid. When it’s cold you need a heated shop to keep it warm.” In a cattle nutrition study at ISU, Walker compared the perpound feeding costs of four groups of steers, each fed a different diet that was shelledcorn based and contained 15 percent ground switchgrass as dry matter. Paul Walker One diet contained 20 percent reduced-fat CDS while another included 40 percent reduced-fat CDS. A third diet comprised 40 percent reduced-fat wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). A control group ate a shelled corn/soybean meal diet. Walker noted the cattle average rates of daily gain were similar regardless of their diet. On the cost side, the diet containing 40 percent CDS proved the most economical during the 106-day feeding trial. The 40 percent CDS diet saved 47.6 percent compared to the cost of the control diet, while the 20 percent CDS diet reduced costs by 27.6 percent. Even the 40 percent WDGS diet cut

feed costs by 22.9 percent compared to the control diet. “You saved quite a bit more with each steer (fed 40 percent CDS),” Walker noted. At the time of the study, CDS sold for $50 per ton in central Illinois. Modified WDGS sold for $125 per ton. Walker pointed out cattlemen need to be aware of CDS’ high total mineral content, especially high phosphorous and sulfur. However, he observed no sulfur toxicity symptoms during the feeding trial. Another potential health problem is urinary calculi (urinary tract disease) and phosphatic stones (kidney stones), according to Walker. When CDS is included as a primary feedstuff, ammonium chloride also should be added to comprise 0.5 percent of the diet’s dry matter, he added. A practical issue surfaces with the mixing of CDS into a total mixed ration. When CDS is included as 40 percent of the diet dry matter, the total ration has sufficient moisture content to evenly mix and uniformly incorporate all of the dietary ingredients, he noted. However, if less than 40 percent CDS is fed, the dry forage will form a ball and uniform mixing won’t occur if CDS is added last. He suggested adding and mixing all the ingredients except the CDS and dry forage, then mixing in one half of the CDS before adding the dry forage. The remaining half of the CDS should be added after hay or straw has been incorporated. “Including CDS into cattle finishing diets is both an art and a science,” Walker said.

Illinois Cattle Feeders meeting set for March 5

Cattlemen will learn about competitive advantages for feeding cattle in Illinois at a March 5 Illinois Cattle Feeders meeting. The meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon. The meeting is free, but seating is limited and preregistration is recommended. Topics will include feeding strategies, manure manage-

ment tips, manure value as fertilizer, least-cost feedlot rations and beef industry trends. The speakers will represent the University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, Summit Livestock Facilities and Frank and West Environmental Engineers. “Illinois has numerous competitive advantages in feeding cattle. We have easy

access to abundant supplies of corn, corn co-products, corn silage and crop residues for feed,” said Travis Meteer, a U of I Extension beef educator. To preregister, email wmeteer2@illinois.edu or call 217430-7030. The meeting is sponsored by Summit Livestock Facilities, Agri-King, Illinois Beef Association, Frank & West and U of I Extension.

WATER ISSUES

Page 3 Monday, February 17, 2014 FarmWeek

UMIMRA 2014 annual conference

DeLuca: Ready to advance needs of Mississippi Valley

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Brig. Gen. Duke DeLuca, who recently assumed command of the Mississippi Valley Division, plans to explore full privatization of inland waterways. “We won’t ever explore what changes to law or reguBrig. Gen. DeLuca lation or policy need to happen if we don’t try to do them,” DeLuca told FarmWeek. “If we just talk about them, everyone will nod their head and say, ‘Seems like a great idea,’ and then nothing will happen. I have no interest in that.” DeLuca said public-private partnerships have worked before. He presided over a group of real estate experts, who he said privatized 90,000 housing units for the U.S. Army. “We had a housing stock that was being maintained at 70 percent of known requirements for over 20 years,” he said. “It was a decaying, decrepit, impossible-to-live-in situation. We had ghettos on our bases for military families. The financing was never going to come from the federal government, and the Army recognized this.” The Army spent $2 billion, he said. The private sector invested $12 billion. Now, there’s no longer a backlog of work and service orders. Leaky roofs and broken

windows are fixed right away. “It is a system that works beautifully ... We have a model,” he said. “We did it ourselves for the Army. We can certainly do it with our own infrastructure if we choose to.” DeLuca, who also is president-designee of the Mississippi River Commission, was the keynote speaker during the recent 60th annual Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association (UMIMRA) conference. “I’m willing to explore —

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For more information about U.S. Brig. Gen. Duke DeLuca’s plans to explore full privatization of inland waterways, go to FarmWeekNow.com.

this is one of my pledges to you today — every single avenue to advance the needs of this region,” DeLuca told the group. For example, DeLuca said he would consider creating a regional transportation authority that would address the waterway and its operation of locks and dams as well as ports. “That may be a way to generate some private capital or even state capital that may not otherwise be available,” he said. “Let’s look at it.” He also would consider statute changes, which would allow the Corps to act like a port authority, charging certain fees that must be reinvested in a project. DeLuca also pledged to go after federal funds for the region and encourage a unified planning effort for the Upper Mississippi watershed.

Work expected to begin soon on Panama Canal Work on expanding the Panama Canal could restart soon — one way or the other. A tentative agreement reportedly was reached last week, which could end a dispute regarding cost overruns totaling $1.6 billion. The project, intended to double the canal’s capacity, is 70 percent complete. Panama Canal Authority head Jorge Quijano gave a one-week deadline to work out a final deal, according to Reuters. He warned that failure to reach an agreement would leave no alternative but to

complete the project without a consortium led by Sacyr, a Spanish builder. Phil Thornton, Illinois Corn Growers Association value enhanced project director, remains optimistic that an agreement would be reached. “This is a huge deal,” he said. “I can’t help but think they won’t get this settled quickly.” The work stoppage, he said, shouldn’t have any effect on grain prices since the canal remains open and operational. “I really do not think this is going to have an impact at all,” he said.

Collaboration needed to get flood plan for Upper Miss

A loaded barge approaches the Chillicothe Bridge on the Illinois River. Extreme ice conditions continue to hamper barge traffic on the river as well as repairs to the Melvin Price Lock on the upper Mississippi River. The main lock chamber remains closed. (Photo courtesy of American Commercial Lines)

A comprehensive, regional flood risk management strategy for the Upper Mississippi River basin depends on collaboration, according to speakers at the 2014 Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association (UMIMRA) conference. Officials at all levels — federal, state and local — as well as nongovernmental agencies will have to work together to make it happen, said Michael Tarpey of the Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We need you to come to the table,” Tarpey said. Without funding, the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan effort has stalled in recent years. The project recently received some nonfederal money, Tarpey said, which will help restart the study. This year’s mission will largely include reigniting collaborative efforts, he said. Mike Klingner, chairman of UMIMRA, said the plan sought looks similar to the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MRT) project. The project, authorized through the Flood Control Act of 1928, provides flood control protection to 36,000 square

‘The watershed area is 41 percent of the United States, but it affects the entire country.’ — Rob Rash Executive vice president, Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association

miles in the lower Mississippi valley. “In the Upper Miss, we don’t really have a systemic flood control plan,” Klingner told FarmWeek. “We have 140 levy drainage districts in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River. We’re trying to make sure that as many of those districts can make improvements and avoid the types of problems we had in 1993 and 2008.” Midwest flooding in 1993 killed 47 people, and caused more than $15 billion in damage, according to the Corps. Klingner said they are working to streamline the permitting process for local districts. “We’re going to need to

raise a lot of that money locally,” he said. “Whatever we can do to make the process easier for the local sponsor, local levy drainage districts, in getting permits, that saves dollars, makes it more efficient to move forward.” Rob Rash, executive vice president of the Mississippi Valley Flood Control Association, said without flood control, “nothing else matters.” “It affects everyone in this country because of their ability to get grain, and get coal, and get products up and down the Mississippi River,” he told FarmWeek. “The watershed area is 41 percent of the United States, but it affects the entire country.” — Deana Stroisch

GRAINS

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, February 17, 2014

DOL rules small farms exempt from inspections

bread, 14, and Alex Pacas, 19, who perished in a 2010 grain engulfment at Mount Carroll in Carroll County. Their death in an elevator grain bin led to formation of the coalition, which has conducted training sessions for nearly 800 individuals and recruited additional communitybased trainers across Illinois. The Lifeline video is an offshoot of training efforts funded through a grant from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA). The federal worker safety agency plans to post the video on its website. The production will also be distributed to Illinois Extension educators, and IFB program manager and GHSC partner Peggy Romba hopes it will gain national exposure. To watch the video, go to {grainsafety.org} and click on training. Then click on Lifeline system for bin entry.

It’s official. Farms employing 10 or fewer workers remain exempt from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) grain bin safety inspections. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials last week withdrew a 2011 OSHA memo that caused confusion regarding the exemption. The memo essentially asserted that a family farm with on-farm grain storage and handling was not part of farm operations, but rather a wholesale grain operation therefore subject to regulation. “We’re pleased that OSHA has withdrawn the 2011 memo to regional administrators, which created the confusion with interpretation and enforcement. We are confident OSHA would provide the necessary clarification and guidance on this matter,” said Rae Payne, Illinois Farm Bureau senior director of business and regulatory affairs. “To our knowledge, there have been no actions from this memo taken on any Illinois family farms. Had this interpretation not been withdrawn, we could have eventually seen OSHA enforcement activities on small family farms with on-farm grain storage and handling facilities. Having a safe and healthy work environment is a goal we all share, but overregulation is also a concern,” Payne added. Brian Kennedy, DOL assistant secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, noted farming opera-

customers had revenue protection policies. “We are receiving information indicating most customers will continue with comparative coverage they have carried in the past,” Clow said. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois farm management specialist, said most farmers should have enough coverage through a revenue protection policy at 75 percent or higher coverage level using enterprise units and the Trend Adjusted Yield Endorsement. The deadline to apply for coverage is officially March 15, but

since that falls on a Saturday this year, farmers have until March 17. Here’s a look at what’s new this year: • Grain farmers will have to take on more financial risk this year because of low grain prices, said Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau’s senior director of marketing and affiliate management. “We’re not able to guarantee as much of our cost of production as we were able to the last three years because of the lower grain prices,” he said. “So, farmers may want to ... consider increasing their coverage so they

can get a higher guarantee, if they haven’t already maxed out on that.” • County-based crop insurance coverage is available under a different name: Area Risk Protection (ARP). It was previously called Group Risk Income Plan (GRIP). Farmers using ARP will select a coverage level and a protection factor. ARP coverage is available in 5 percent increments, ranging from 50 percent to 90 percent. The range of price protection factors narrowed under ARP, Yoder said. Under GRIP, farmers could

BY CHRIS ANDERSON

Dave Newcomb, left, and Bill Fulton with the Illinois Fire Safety Institute stage a grain bin rescue demonstration. The Grain Handling Safety Coalition just released a new, 15-minute video on Lifeline grain bin harnesses to further enhance safety training efforts. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

New video offers Lifeline for grain sector

A new video produced by the Grain Handling Safety Coalition (GHSC) aimed at raising awareness of Lifeline grain bin harness systems was released last week. The coalition includes Illinois Farm Bureau, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, Illinois Corn Growers Association and co-op interests. The roughly 15-minute video is dedicated to Wyatt WhiteBY MARTIN ROSS

tions with 10 or fewer employees were exempted from OSHA grain bin inspections under a 1976 law. However, OSHA officials saw a dramatic increase in grain bin entrapments and deaths in 2010. So, OSHA officials sent letters to nearly 13,000 grain facilities describing safety measures and ways to comply with OSHA standards. The 2011 memo, Kennedy said, aimed to “provide clarification” to OSHA inspectors about their limitations concerning enforcement activities at small farming operations during OSHA’s safety campaign. The memo was not intended to “change longstanding OSHA policy,” Kennedy noted. “We not only appreciate OSHA’s concern with grain bin safety — we are committed to grain bin and farm safety. But we also believe the key to improving farm safety is a collaborative, cooperative process that was not helped by OSHA’s enforcement under the just-rescinded 2011 guidance document that was not consistent with the law,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. Farm Bureau members testified earlier this month during a Congressional hearing on the issue. They urged withdrawal of the 2011 memo to end enforcement confusion created by its issuance. U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, RNeb., along with 42 other Senators including Mark Kirk, RIll., also pressured DOL to rescind the memo.

choose price protection factors between .6 and 1.5 of the price. Under ARP, the range is .8 to 1.2, Yoder said. A higher level will result in a higher payment. “So you still get that choice to determine how big you want that claim to be, but it’s not as wide a range of choice,” he said. • Loss coverage is limited to 18 percent. Losses below 18 percent of the beginning county average won’t be covered. • Even though coverage is based on county averages, farmers must report their individual farm’s yield by Feb. 15 after harvest or face penalties.

Crop insurance application deadline near

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Lower projected crop prices and a revised county-based insurance policy are among the few changes to federal crop insurance this year, according to area experts. Changes to crop insurance included in the recentlyapproved farm bill will not take effect until 2015. Brad Clow, COUNTRY Financial manager of crop claims, said many customers will make crop insurance decisions in the next few weeks. Last year, about 85 percent of COUNTRY

MARKETS

Page 5 Monday, February 17, 2014 FarmWeek

Coalition for Safe Affordable Food to push for national labeling rules can Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, A group of nearly 30 organ- National Corn Growers Associizations, including the Ameriation (NCGA), National Fishcan Farm Bureau Federation eries Institute, National Gro(AFBF), joined efforts recently cers Association and North to push for national standards American Millers Association. for labeling of biotech foods. Martin Barbre, NCGA presiThe newly formed group, dent, said it’s critical to address called Coalition the issue at the for Safe Affordnational level. FarmWeekNow.com able Food, plans He pointed to Information about the newly to lobby conMissouri as an formed Coaltion for Safe gressional leadAffordable Food is available example. at FarmWeekNow.com. ers to pass uni“Missouri form guidelines borders eight rather than “submit to these states, he said. “If there were patchwork of state regulations,” eight different state labeling said Andrew Walmsley, AFBF’s- laws surrounding Missouri, director of congressional relathose growers — there’s just no tions. way we can make that kind of a “In the end, it’s an issue for system work. The cost to the consumers,” he said. “Not only consumer would be tremenis it going to be tougher for dous,” Barbre said. farmers and food manufacturU.S. Food and Drug Adminers, and make food more expen- istration (FDA) policy calls for sive, but what good does it do labeling only where a product to a consumer if they have 25 poses “material differences” in or 50 different labels on their nutritional content or potential food across the country?” for allergic reactions. Members include: the AmerAFBF’s policy on food labelican Bakers Association, Ameri- ing is grounded in its support of

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

IFB tops Harvest for All fundraising Thanks to Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders, food assistance organizations across America gained $645,158. IFB raised the highest amount of money for the 2013 Harvest for All program among 18 participating state Farm Bureaus. IFB ranked second in volunteer time spent on the effort — 2,986 hours. First- and second-place state Farm Bureaus received grants for local food banks from Chevrolet/GM, earning IFB Young Leaders $2,500 to be distributed in the near future. IFB Young Leaders earned an additional $500 grant for having one of five innovative programs. The award stemmed from last year’s Fill a Ford effort at the 2013 Governmental Affairs Legislative Conference (GALC). Young Leaders will sponsor the activity again at the upcoming GALC Feb. 26-27 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. “None of this would be possible without all the support from our members and county Farm Bureaus throughout the state,” said Melissa Rhode, IFB membership and program director. Farm Bureau families from 18 states raised more than $810,000 and donated a record 32 million pounds of food for Harvest for All to assist hungry Americans. In its 11th year, the program consists of a partnership between the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. While spearheaded by members of AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, Farm Bureau members of all ages from across the nation contributed to the effort. Farmers and ranchers tallied nearly 13,000 volunteer hours assisting local hunger groups in 2013.

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders earned $3,000 in grants for local food banks through their Harvest for All efforts. Receiving the grant money at the recent American Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Virginia Beach, Va., were, from left, IFB Young Leader Vice Chair Matt Rush, Ryan Voorhees (District 7), IFB Membership and Program Director Melissa Rhode, Jim Hopkins (District 5), State Chair Jared Finegan, Dale Pitstick (District 1) and John Klemm (District 11). (Photo courtesy of AFBF)

FDA science-based labeling guidelines that state labels shouldn’t be required to contain information on production practices that don’t affect the product’s nutrition or safety. AFBF supports voluntary labeling of “identity-preserved agri-

cultural and food products that is based on a clear and factual certification process.” Illinois Farm Bureau has a similar stance on FDA’s authority over food labeling and voluntary labeling. Walmsley said they are look-

ing to have a “better conversation with consumers” to let them know that food and beverages made with genetically modified ingredients are safe. For more information about the coalition, visit {coalitionforsafeaffordablefood.org}.

‘Everybody wants to do a good job’

State releases new farmers’ market guide BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Just in time for the start of the farmers’ market season, Illinois released a new farmers’ market food safety guide to provide vendors and market management with consistent information and standards. “Everybody wants to do a good job. The key thing is education. That’s what we’re all about — education,” Pat Stieren, manager of the Illinois Farmers Market Association, told FarmWeek. Over the course of a year, a governorappointed farmers’ market task force worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop the guide. Diane Handley, manager of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, served on the task force. Task force members focused on providing consistent guidelines, according to Stieren. The guide covers several relevant state laws and regulations. Check out the guide at

{idph.state.il.us/about/fdd/ILFarmersMrktFoodSafety.pdf}. It offers advice on point-of-sale conditions and food safety tips. The information also discusses potential risks linked to foods frequently sold at farmers’ markets and basic guidelines for safe food transportation, delivery and display. Farmers’ market managers and vendors are discussing the guide during February seminars. In related news, more farmers’ markets are using electronic benefits transfer (EBT) wireless technology to accept Link/SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) in Illinois. USDA funding for an EBT machine purchase or rental, as well as monthly wireless access fees and a one-time activation fee, has been provided through federal grants. In addition to farmers’ markets, certain directmarket farmers are eligible to use wireless equipment funds to acquire point-of-sale equipment. For more information, email Stieren at ilfarmersmarkets@gmail.com or visit {ilfarmersmarkets.org/updated-snap-ebt-information}.

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LIVESTOCK

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, February 17, 2014

PEDV spreads to more farms Veterinarian: Rapid PEDV diagnosis critical BY DANIEL GRANT

FarmWeek Brutal temperatures and heavy snowfall aren’t the only challenges for pork producers so far this winter. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) continues to spread through the U.S. herd since the nasty virus was identified here last spring. “PEDV has been rolling through the swine herd,” Neil Dierks, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, told the RFD Radio Network® at the Illinois Pork Expo. “The virus likes cold and damp weather. It’s very dangerous to little pigs.” Pam Janssen, an Illinois Pork Producers Association board member from Woodford County and chairman of the Pork Expo, recently told FarmWeek the virus in some instances wipes out nearly all newborn pigs. “It hits newborn pigs fast. Mortality is a big factor,” Janssen said. “Once a farm gets it, you could have eight to 12 weeks where you could lose most of your litters.” The number of new PEDV cases reported nationwide in mid-January totaled about 200 per week, more than twice the amount reported last summer. The number of cases reported the last week of January — 265 — represents the most for any one week since the outbreak began in April 2013. The best defense against PEDV is to keep herds warm, dry and healthy and to limit the pigs’ exposure to other humans and other groups of pigs. “Biosecurity is our biggest defense mechanism,” Dierks said. “We’re working on strategies to keep away from it (PEDV) and, if you get it on your farm, how do you recover as rapidly as possible.” The spread of PEDV is expected to reduce pork output this year. Hog weights this year dropped from recent highs, which also could reduce output. June hog prices, in response to the possibility of tighter pork supplies, hovered around $103 per hundredweight last week.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) spreads quickly on hog farms. Early detection and quick reactions therefore are essential

FarmWeekNow.com

Visit FarmWeekNow.com to learn more about the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.

for hog farmers as they attempt to limit the impact of the deadly virus on their herds. “Two things I’ve been telling producers is get a clear diagnosis quickly and respond to save as many pigs as possible,” Bill Hollis, veterinarian with Carthage Veterinary Services, told FarmWeek. Hollis, who serves on the National Pork Board’s swine health committee, discussed the implications of PEDV with producers earlier this month at the Illinois Pork Expo in Peoria. Unfortunately, he’s seen an uptick in the number of cases in the state this winter. “I think it (PEDV) is rapidly moving through the countryside,” Hollis said. “In our coverage area in western Illinois, there’s about a 70 percent infec-

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tion rate. The state as a whole probably has about a 40 to 50 percent infection rate.” PEDV cases seem to be more prevalent in western Illinois because it’s a pig dense area of the state. There also is a lot of movement of swine in that area as there are processing plants in Beardstown and Monmouth, Hollis noted. An Iowa pharmaceutical firm developed a vaccine, iPED, that could help the situation. About 770,000 doses were shipped thus far. “The immediate steps farmers can take is to focus on biosecurity to prevent exposure,” Hollis said. The pork checkoff recently recommended hog farmers wear coveralls and boots at other sites or packing plants to prevent contamination in transport vehicles; wash and clean coveralls, boots and other equipment; clean and disinfect trailers after use; and establish a clean and dirty zone for farm and transport workers to follow during load-in and load-out. If pigs on a farm exhibit signs of sickness, farmers should call a vet and obtain a quick and clear diagnosis, Hollis said. If PEDV is present, it is important to quickly remove

baby pigs from the area. “The good news is it’s not a severe mortality disease in growing pigs,” Hollis said. “The bad news is it’s nearly 100 percent fatal to baby pigs.” PEDV was found in the U.S. last spring. The origin of the virus was tracked to the Anhui province in China. The virus isn’t a threat to humans or food safety. But it causes diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration in hogs. The National Pork Board allocated more than $1 million to study the virus and reduce outbreaks in the U.S. Hog farmers can find more information about PEDV and recommendations to deal with it online at {hogvet.com} and {pork.org}. — Daniel Grant

Twenty-one Chicago-area moms comprise the third team of Illinois Farm Families participants, who will tour four Illinois farms and a northern Illinois grocery store this year. The moms will see how farmers care for their animals and the environment. Their first tour will be Saturday at Ultra Foods in Wheaton. While there, Field Moms will speak with Ultra Foods managers and staff as well as registered dietician Jodie Shield about healthy food and nutrition. The 2014 Field Moms include: • Dina Barron, Oak Park • Suzanne Batch, Rosemont • Keyonda Campbell Pyles, Chicago • Heather Caulfield, Mount Prospect • Linda Coyne, Palos Heights • Sarah Decker, Grayslake • Mysi DeSantis, Crystal Lake • Michelle Follman, Carpentersville • Cortney Fries, Chicago • Samantha GoddenChmielowicz, Chicago • Kathy Goers, Round Lake Beach • Barb Grochocinski, Mount Prospect

• Heather Guido, Oak Park • Amanda Hinman, Mount Prospect • Sara McGuire, Chicago • Genevieve O’Keefe, Grayslake • Veronica Ortega, Berwyn • Lynn Prehm, Naperville • Agnes Rhodes, Rochelle • Judy Sutton Taylor, Chicago • Jill Thurmond, Deer Park Field Moms will take photos and videos, and journal their observations. After each farm tour, Field Moms share what they learned at {WatchUsGrow.org}, {facebook.com/IllinoisFarmFamilies} and {twitter.com/ILFarmFamilies}. Illinois Farm Families supporters include Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Beef Association and Midwest Dairy Association.

‘The immediate steps farmers can take is to focus on biosecurity to prevent exposure.’ — Bill Hollis Carthage Veterinary Services

Field Moms chosen for 2014 farm tours

IFB IN ACTION

Page 7 Monday, February 17, 2014 FarmWeek

RFS, WRDA among national legislative priorities BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Illinois Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 national legislative priorities include defending the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and supporting the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA). IFBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Directors approved six legislative priorities during their Jan. 23 meeting in Bloomington. The priorities, which are similar to last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, include: â&#x20AC;˘ Oppose any regulatory or legislative attempts to weaken RFS. IFB issued a call to action recently asking members to flood the White House with calls opposing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to reduce volume requirements in the RFS. IFB also submitted written comments to EPA. The deadline to comment was Jan. 28. Adam Nielsen, IFB director of national legislation and policy development, said IFB will continue to work with stakeholders, monitor EPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statements and work to prevent any

Women in ag seminar scheduled for March 21

Women involved in agriculture will find information and network opportunities March 21 at the Women in Agriculture Seminar. The meeting will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Jumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Casino and Hotel, Rock Island. The early registration deadline is Feb. 28. A special farm couple program will start at 5 p.m. March 20 at Jumerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The cost is $35 per person, including a meal. The registration fee for the conference is $50 and includes breakfast and lunch. The fee increases to $60 after Feb. 28 and to $75 on the day of the conference. Seating is limited. To register, contact the Rock Island County Farm Bureau office at 309-736-7432 or visit {womeninagricultureconference.com}. The seminar is sponsored by the Bureau, Carroll, Fulton, Henry, Knox, Lee, Mercer, McDonough, Rock Island, Stark, Warren-Henderson and Whiteside County Farm Bureaus in Illinois and the Scott County Farm Bureau in Iowa.

Tuesday: â&#x20AC;˘ Eric Schmidt, EJS Weather â&#x20AC;˘ RFD Radio Network team, live from Orland Park Meet the Buyers event Wednesday: â&#x20AC;˘ Alan Jarand and Rita Frazer, live from JBS United winter outlook meeting â&#x20AC;˘ Tim Schweizer, Illinois Department of Natural Resources â&#x20AC;˘ Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale: ÂŽ

legislation from being considered on RFS. â&#x20AC;˘ Advocate for federal tax policies that assist farmers and promote rural economic growth. â&#x20AC;˘ Swiftly enact, smoothly implement and passionately defend the 2014 Farm Bill. â&#x20AC;˘ Complete the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) and support increased revenue to speed up lock improvements. IFB is supporting reauthorization of WRDA and will also lobby for a barge fuel tax, which would replenish the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, Nielsen said. â&#x20AC;˘ Support trade, surface transportation and ag labor policies designed to expand markets, reduce costs and spur the economy. IFB supports passage of Trade Promotion Authority in Congress. If approved, the legislation would allow President Barack Obama to negotiate trade deals without Congress changing them. Congress would still be able to vote up or down on trade agreements, but

would not be able to amend them. IFB also plans to work with the Illinois delegation to make sure immigration reform will help employers in Illinois who

hire immigrant workers. â&#x20AC;˘ Monitor and engage in federal regulatory issues consistent with our state and national policies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are our marching

orders for this year,â&#x20AC;? Nielsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will make sure we have good progress going on a number of them before Congress really begins to shut down for the elections.â&#x20AC;?

HATCHING LEADERSHIP SKILLS

Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT) participants, from left, Jason Crider of Mahomet, Daniel Herriott of Sidney and Scott Zumwalt of Sheldon build an egg protection device using coaching/mentoring leadership skills. Eighteen ALOT participants learned about different leadership styles last week as part of their eight-week program. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

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gubernatorial candidate Thursday: â&#x20AC;˘ Matt Bechdol, GeoSilos: big data â&#x20AC;˘ Chad Ruppert, Morton Buildings: Feb. 22 open house Friday: â&#x20AC;˘ Dan Adcock, WinField â&#x20AC;˘ Rita Frazer, live from Illinois Beef Expo * â&#x20AC;&#x153;Town and Country Partnersâ&#x20AC;?: rail, rivers and roads, green apple pie â&#x20AC;˘ Linda Olson, Illinois Farm Bureau: upcoming Illinois Farm Families tour

Businesses that are driven to succeed partner with FS. Our energy experts stay focused on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ahead, providing next generation fuel management tools and state-of-the-art software, along with a breadth of essential, quality products that point the way forward. FS is always discovering new ways to help customers optimize their operations and ensure theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next.

www.fssystem.com ÂŠ2014 GROWMARK, Inc. A14174

EVENTS

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, February 17, 2014

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The Illinois Performance Tested (IPT) Bull Sale will kick off the Illinois Beef Expo Thursday. The annual event will be held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Things look really good,â&#x20AC;? Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist and manager of the sale, told the RFD Radio NetworkÂŽ. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got an excellent set of bulls.â&#x20AC;?

The sale offers some of the best genetics based on performance standards used in the beef industry. There currently are 70 bulls on the sale block. During the last 45 years, 4,525 bulls have sold for more than $7.7 million. More information can be found online at {iptbullsale.com}. Meteer anticipates a strong turnout for the sale and top notch prices. Cattle prices in recent months raced to new highs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to be pretty optimistic,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen strong beef demand domestically and worldwide, complemented on the other side

by a short supply. Those two factors have really driven prices higher.â&#x20AC;? USDA last month in its biannual cattle inventory report said the U.S. cattle herd is the smallest since 1951. The Illinois Beef Expo, organized by the Illinois Beef Association (IBA), will be held Thursday through Sunday. Highlights of the Beef Expo include: a used machinery auction and trade show opening Friday; morning parades, livestock judging contest, junior beef skillathon, Illinois Angus Futurity, Illinois Classic Hereford, Simmental and Shorthorn sales Saturday; and the junior heifer and steer show Sunday. A full schedule of events and more information is available online at {illinoisbeefexpo.com}. Beef producers next month can expand their knowledge of the beef industry by attending Beef and Beyond, a two-day program at the University of Illinois March 21-22. The event will feature farm tours and educational sessions about carcass improvement, beef in the global economy, feed efficiency, meat safety (and a cutting demonstration), determining quality and yield grades, and stockmanship and stewardship. A full schedule of the Beef and Beyond program and registration information is available at IBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website {illinoisbeef.com}. Illinois beef producers on March 25 will be back in Springfield as they join members of the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) for the annual IBA/IPPA legislative reception. That event will be held at The State House Inn in Springfield. To make reservations call IBA at 217-787-4280.

ENHANCING ILLINOIS-MEXICO COOPERATION

Mexican and Illinois officials sign an agreement to share science and technology information among the University of Illinois, Universidad Autonomous del Estado de Mexico and Foundation for Regional Development and Competitiveness. Signing left to right are: Sergio Peralta, foundation president; Dr. Jorge Olvera Garcia, rector Autonomous University; and Dean Bob Hauser, U of I College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Looking on left to right are: Gov. Eruviel Avila, State of Mexico; Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn; and Illinois Agriculture Director Bob Flider. Mexico represents Illinoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; third-largest agricultural export market. (Photo by Dave Blanchette, Quinn spokesman)

Cover crop timing workshop focus

The Macon and Piatt County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) will offer a cover crop workshop from 9 a.m. to noon March 6 in the Monticello Community Building. The registration deadline is Feb. 28. Mike Plummer with the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices and Dan Towery of Ag Conservation Solutions will speak. The workshop will include a farmer panel presentation. The registration fee is $20 per person or $40 for those who also want certified crop adviser credits. Advance registration is required. Lunch will be provided. To register, visit the Macon or Piatt County SWCDs or call them for a registration form at 217-877-5670 or 217-762-2572.

Illinois FFA, ISA distribute resources

Illinois FFA chapters and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) farmer directors are distributing information about free ag-related educational resources to teachers. National FFA week is Feb. 15-22. FFA members and

farmers will visit schools, focusing on third through eighth grade students. One resource includes ISAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pod to Plate, which includes a video and lesson plans about soybeans. Interested teachers may visit {podtoplate.org}.

WE SALUTE Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Agricultural Youth

National

FFA Week February 15-22, 2014

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FROM THE COUNTIES

Page 9 Monday, February 17, 2014 FarmWeek

DAMS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor a Viewpoint luncheon at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at Sproutâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inn, Quincy. Matt Courtney, Great River Firearms Training, will discuss Illinoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concealed carry law. Sen. John Sullivan, DRushville, and Rep. Jil Tracy, D-Quincy, will provide a legislative update. Call the Farm Bureau office at 222-7305 for reservations. ASS-MORGAN â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Applications for Foundation scholarships are available at high school agriculture departments, guidance counselor, Extension and Farm Bureau offices. Deadline to apply is March 21. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will sponsor a market outlook meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Morgan County Extension office in Jacksonville. Dale Durchholz, AgriVisor, will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 245-6833 to register or for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will sponsor an on-the-road seminar at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Morgan County Extension office in Jacksonville. Kevin Rund, Illinois Farm Bureau, will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 245-6833 to register. LINTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Foundation scholarship applications are available. To request an application, call the Farm Bureau office at 5267235, stop by the office or email clintoncofb@att.net. Application deadline is March 17. OOK â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will offer $300 grants for urban/community gardens. Applications will be judged on need, project goals, fund usage and number of people served. Applications are available at {cookcfb.org/buy-local/programs} or by calling the Farm Bureau office at 708-3543276. Application deadline is Feb. 28. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will offer reduced price tickets for Disney on Ice at the United Center. For additional information on selected shows and dates, visit {cookcfb.org}. â&#x20AC;˘ Foundation scholarship applications are available to existing and incoming college students pursuing a degree in agriculture at{cookcfb.org/cook-cfb-foundation/scholarships}. Application deadline is Thursday. Call the Farm Bureau office at 708-354-3276 for more information. RAWFORD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual meeting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Robinson Community Center. The Statesmen Singers will perform. A silent auction will benefit Ag in the Classroom. Call the Farm Bureau

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office at 544-3792 to register. ORD-IROQUOIS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor Viewpoint meetings at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Gilman Farm Bureau building and 7:30 a.m. March 6 at Happy Days Diner in Gilman. ANKAKEE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will host a farm bill/crop insurance program at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Illinois Extension meeting room in Bourbonnais. Doug Yoder, IFB, will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 932-7471 to register. EE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor Understanding the 2014 Farm Bill at 9 a.m. March 4 at the Farm Bureau office. Brian Freise, Ag Perspective Inc., will speak. Registration deadline is Feb. 24. â&#x20AC;˘ District 4 Young Leaders will curl at 7 p.m. Friday in Triumph. Call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531 or email leecfb@comcast.net to register. â&#x20AC;˘ COUNTRY Financial will sponsor a financial concepts seminar from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Farm Bureau building. Call COUNTRY Financial at 857-3591 to register. â&#x20AC;˘ Young Leaders will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Farm Bureau office. Gary Fisher, United Soils, will speak. ADISON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual meeting will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Edwardsville American Legion Hall. Call the Farm Bureau office at 6565191 for reservations. ARION â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Foundation scholarship applications are available. To request an application, call the Farm Bureau office at 5482100, stop by the office or email marioncofb@sbcglobal.net. Application deadline is March 17. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will cosponsor a wellness seminar on March 5 at the Farm Bureau office. Members will receive discounts on tests. Call the Farm Bureau office at 5482100 to register. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will host a 50-cent breakfast from 6 to 9 a.m. March 19 at the Farm Bureau office to celebrate National Ag Week. Tickets are available at the Farm Bureau office or from a director. ONROE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor Viewpoint meetings at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Bullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Columbia and 8 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Corner Pub in Valmeyer. Call the Farm Bureau office at 939-6197 to register by Monday. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will sponsor meet the primary election can-

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didates at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Monroe County Annex. ONTGOMERY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor a landowners meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Farm Bureau building. Landowners along the North Pana to Midway overhead electronic transmission line in Montgomery County are encouraged to attend. Call the Farm Bureau office at 5326171 for more information. â&#x20AC;˘ Prime Timers will sponsor 2014 trips: March 15, Alton Little Theatre and dinner at Castelliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Moonlight Restaurant; May 1, Warm Springs (Clydesdale) Ranch and Craneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Country Store; Aug. 5, Fairmount Park Horse Racing; Oct. 18, Hannibal, Mo., fall festival and river cruise. Call Pegasus Travel at 800-228-6906 for reservations or more information. EORIA â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will sponsor a market seminar at 8 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Exposition Garden in Peoria. John Roach, agribusiness consultant, will speak. Call the Farm Bureau office at 868-7070 for reservations. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will sponsor The Farmers Share of the Food Dollar Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. March 8 at the Exposition Gardens in Peoria. Cost is 90 cents. Barnyard Discoveries will feature live farm animals. A silent auction will be held.

ERRY â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will host an Equine Committee kickoff meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Farm Bureau office. Call the Farm Bureau office for reservations or more information by Monday. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will host a 25-cent breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at the DuQuoin Elementary School. Call the Farm Bureau office for tickets or more information. Walk-ins are welcome. ICHLAND â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau annual meeting will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at The Holiday in Olney. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3934116 for reservations by Thursday. T. CLAIR â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Young Farmers Committee will sponsor a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Farm Bureau building. Call the Farm Bureau office at 2336800 for more information. ERMILION â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will host a Luau for Learning trivia night with a Gilliganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Island theme at 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the Danville Knights of Columbus Hall. Registration is $100 per table of eight. Proceeds will benefit Ag in the Classroom. â&#x20AC;˘ Farm Bureau will host an ag and rural issues meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Farm Bureau Auditorium. U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, and U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, will speak.

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ASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau and the Nashville Kroger store will offer a food buy-down from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 to celebrate the affordability of food during Food Check-Out Week. Customers will receive $5 off a $50 food purchase. Call the Farm Bureau office for more information. HITESIDE â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Foundation scholarship applications are available at {whitesidecfb.org}, the Farm Bureau office and at high school guidance counselor offices. Call the Farm Bureau office at 772-2165 or email wcfb@frontiernet.net for more information. Application deadline is April 4. â&#x20AC;˘ Foundation summer internship applications are available at matt.wcfb@frontiernet.net or by calling the Farm Bureau office at 7722165. The internship program will focus on Ag in the Classroom educational activities. Deadline to apply is Feb. 28. ILLIAMSON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Farm Bureau will host a crop insurance meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Southern FS board room. Doug Yoder, IFB, will speak. Registration deadline is Monday.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;From the countiesâ&#x20AC;? items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity that is open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.

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PROFITABILITY

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, February 17, 2014

The truth about the propane ‘shortage’ this winter You may have recently heard media stories circulating about the challenges taking place in the propane industry this winter. In short, a colder than normal winter, an unusually large amount of propane used in drying grain this past Scott Long fall (300 million gallons in 2013 vs. 65 million gallons in 2012) and untime-

BY SCOTT LONG

Propane

ly maintenance on a key pipeline led to short supplies of propane in the Midwest and beyond. In addition, the United States has grown from being a net propane importer to a net propane exporter during the last five years. In response to the current supply and demand situation, wholesale propane prices have risen dramatically and are currently experiencing an all-time high. In a week’s time, the cost of propane tripled. Normally, we use supply points near our local areas to

Continued from page 1 “For farmers who want to contract (gas or diesel) for spring, the price for some spring months isn’t horrible right now,” McKinnis added. “They should talk to their local cooperative and consider having something on the books for March and April (before prices typically move higher).” Crude oil prices also are expected to remain strong in the months ahead due in part to investor interest. U.S. crude oil last week averaged $100.06 per barrel, up $4.34 from a year ago.

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-$91.04 $53.60 40 lbs. (cash) $99.00-$107.00 $104.95 Recipts

This Week 68,442 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm

Last Week 85,540

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week Change $81.32 $80.39 $0.93 $60.18 $59.49 $0.69

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

This week $141.98 $142.00

Prev. week $140.47 $140.71

Change $1.51 $1.29

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 $171.58 $169.63 $1.95

Lamb prices Slaughter Prices - Negotiated, wooled and shorn, 130-167 lbs. for 140180 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 160.39); 170-175 lbs. for $167 $/cwt.

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 2/6/2014 57.0 16.4 27.4 1/30/2014 43.8 12.1 22.2 Last year 30.8 23.3 14.8 Season total 1215.7 827.3 602.2 Previous season total 1036.9 623.0 326.8 USDA projected total 1495 1125 1450 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

provide propane to our customers. This year, most marketers had to purchase loads of propane from as far away as Kansas, Texas and Mississippi with loading lines of 12 to 14 hours. Because of the exceptionally high demand and short supply, propane and freight costs have been significantly higher. Propane marketers are working hard to make sure their customers have propane. If you contracted your propane, most marketers went to great lengths to honor them. If you did not contract, or your contract ran out, marketers are doing their best to limit the financial impact. This is why in some cases they are making smaller deliveries to get you through this price spike. Due to excessive market fluctuations, propane prices are changing frequently. We expect propane prices to ease, but they are considerably high-

er than they were prior to the current heating season. I consider the volatility we see in the propane market to be similar to the demand and market fluctuations that we saw with diesel fuel during the unfortunate events of Hurricane Katrina and Sept. 11. The propane industry was tested to

the max this winter and some are calling it a “perfect storm.” Just like any storm, it will pass and we will learn from it and become stronger.

Scott Long is GROWMARK’s propane marketing and business development manager. His email address is slong@growmark.com.

USDA raises demand estimates; stocks tighten BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

End users responded to lower crop prices last month and that trend could continue. USDA last week surprised some traders when it raised export projections for corn, soybeans and wheat, and tightened ending stocks of the two cereal crops. “Demand was raised more than anticipated,” said Jack Scoville, market analyst with Price Futures Group, during a teleconference hosted by the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. “The trade expected a neutral report.” USDA instead boosted exports by 150 million bushels for corn, 50 million bushels for wheat and 15 million bushels for beans. If realized, marketing year exports of beans would total 1.51 billion bushels and surpass record exports of 2010-11. “USDA is fairly optimistic about demand,” Scoville said. “That’s a good sign that maybe we’ve seen the low in the market (for wheat). “It’s a friendly report (for corn as well),” he continued. “But at the end of the day we’re still looking at comfortable supplies of corn.” USDA lowered ending stocks by 150 million bushels for corn to 1.48 billion bushels and by 50 million bushels for wheat to 558 million bushels. “While year-ending stocks of corn will be ample, an increase in the export projection was expected to result in the third consecutive month of a smaller projection for those stocks and provide support for old-crop corn prices,” said Darrel Good, University of Illinois ag economist.

Ending stocks of beans were left unchanged at 150 million bushels. The 15 million bushel bump in exports was

‘ U S DA i s fa i r l y optimistic about demand.’ — Jack Scoville Market analyst Price Futures Group

offset by a 5 million bushel increase of imports while residual use declined 10 million bushels. Down south, soybean production estimates declined by

18.5 million bushels in Argentina and increased 37 million bushels in Brazil. “The new projections are negative for soybean prices, suggesting that the recent rally has stalled at the same level as the December rally,” Good said. “In contrast, the new projections should provide modest support for old-crop corn and wheat prices.” USDA raised its seasonaverage price projections to a range of $4.20 to $4.80 per bushel for corn and $11.95 to $13.45 for beans. The seasonaverage price for wheat was projected at $6.65 to $6.95 per bushel.

Analyst: U.S. farmers to plant more beans

Crop supply and demand estimates released last week by USDA generally were positive for the corn market and less friendly for beans. USDA lowered ending stocks of corn by 150 million bushels and left ending stocks of soybeans unchanged. But the outlook for beans remained positive as record exports helped maintain March bean prices above $13 per bushel. Jack Scoville, market analyst with Price Futures Group, therefore believes this month’s crop report will have little impact on planting intentions this spring. U.S. farmers generally are expected to plant more beans than a year ago. Some estimates predicted record soy acreage. “I think the percent of planted acres will lean more toward beans,” Scoville told FarmWeek. But that doesn’t mean corn acres will fall off the table. In fact, Scoville believes it’s possible plantings of both crops could rise this spring if the weather cooperates. “I think there will be a lot of acreage this year,” Scoville said. “We had all the prevent plant acres last year and the release of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres that could be put back in production.” Prevent plant acres last year totaled a whopping 8.05 million compared to just 1.2 million in 2012. Meanwhile, more than 1 million acres came out of CRP last fall. USDA will release its first acreage estimates for the upcoming growing season next week at its annual Ag Outlook Forum. For more analysis of the possible acreage mix and other planting information, check out the Spring Planting Section in this issue of FarmWeek. –- Daniel Grant

PROFITABILITY

Page 11 Monday, February 17, 2014 FarmWeek

CASH STRATEGIST

USDA baseline forecasts out of date

USDA figured heavily in the grain markets last week, first with the February supply/demand reports, and then its annual baseline market forecasts. It’s the latter that are not well understood, but ones the soybean trade quickly grabbed onto, supporting the trade’s bullish bias. The baseline forecasts USDA released just ahead of its Annual Outlook Forum were not developed to be market forecasting tools. They were developed by USDA to provide benchmarks to build long-range budget forecasts for commodity programs. They are model driven, not market driven. Hence, they do not pick up the changing short- to intermediate-term parameters that market driven forecasts do. By the time they are released, they are outdated as well. They are based on the data and long-term prices that were available in November. The acreage numbers on the baseline forecasts were significantly different than what the trade had been thinking, for soybeans in particular. On this

report, USDA projected 93.5 million acres to be planted to corn and 78 million to soybeans. The trade has been using numbers near 92 million acres for corn and 81 million for soybeans. Informa Economics last forecast 93.3 million acres for corn planting and 81.3 for soybeans. The soybean number caught the most attention as a small increase in plantings would keep balances relatively tight, increasing the pressure for good yields this year. Some analysts talked about how close the baseline forecasts have been to the final planting numbers the last two years. However, the soybean/corn ratio was closer to 2:1 both times, whereas this year it’s still hovering near 3:1. With producers generally pessimistic about corn price prospects and the high cost of production, we’re inclined to think price relationships will bolster plans to plant more soybeans this year. A better insight to the planting mix should come from the forecasts USDA analysts present at the Outlook Forum this week. We’d expect those planting numbers to be closer to the levels the trade has been using since last fall. And looming on the horizon is the survey for the Prospective Plantings report and the report itself on March 31.

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Corn Strategy

ü2013 crop: Corn prices continue to trade below the first strong resistance at $4.50 to $4.51 on March futures. While we think there’s potential for prices to eventually move higher, we think it important to pare risk, boosting sales to 60 percent. Given the modest carry, use a hedge-to-arrive contract based on July futures to capture some storage returns for corn stored on farm. ü2014 crop: We continue to see better opportunities ahead to begin new-crop pricing. The $4.75 to $5 range on December futures remains our target area. vFundamentals: Demand continues to be a dominant driver of the corn market. The 150 million bushel increase in the export forecast in the latest USDA supply/demand forecast caught many in the trade by surprise. But, export sales and shipments, especially the former, have been good since the January USDA reports. The Environmental Protection Agency is also thought to be reconsidering its proposal to lower the Renewable Fuel Standard this year.

Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2013 crop: Use rallies to price old-crop soybeans you still own. With Brazilian harvest accelerating, and exports starting to surge, $13 prices will not last long. ü2014 crop: Use the current strength to price another 10 percent of your new crop, taking sales to 30 percent. Even though the new-crop USDA baseline estimate temporarily altered attitudes, they are long outdated, and not meant to be market driven forecasts. vF u n d a m e n t a l s : L a s t week, the market shook off Brazilian soybean harvest and export shipments, but both were good. At week’s end, Mato Grosso farmers harvested 36.4 percent of their crop, one-third more than this time last year. The first week of Fe b r u a r y, B r a z i l s h i p p e d 273,100 tons of soybeans, putting them in position to ship 3 million metric tons (mmt) this month. Last year, they shipped less than 1 mmt. There are signs Argentine producers are

starting to price remaining oldcrop soybeans, too.

Wheat Strategy

ü2013 crop: Wheat continued its move higher into week’s end with nearby Chicag o futures climbing above psychological resistance at $6. That has carried prices into stronger resistance ranging up to $6.12. Sell 15 percent of remaining old-crop bushels now. ü2 0 1 4 c r o p : N e w - c r o p wheat has been supported by cold and dry weather both here and abroad. Exports out of the European Union and Black Sea

region will compete with U.S. wheat early in the next marketing year. But for now, weather uncertainty should continue to be a mildly positive force. Look to initiate sales on weather rallies during late winter/early spring. vFundamentals: The February USDA report was supportive for wheat, with ending stocks of 558 million bushels revised down from the January estimate because of a higher export forecast. Projected imports were increased to 170 million bushels with the expectation that Canadian supplies soon become available.

PERSPECTIVES

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, February 17, 2014

Food police may invade your family’s future picnic

Food labeling idea of Olympic proportions American consumers say price ranks No.1 in their food buying decisions.

For more than a decade, American consumers have listed three important factors in making food purchasing decisions — price being No.1 followed by safety and convenience. Consumers have other food interests and desires, but these three factors are consistently the most important to a majority.

TAMARA NELSEN

RYAN TRACY

The good news is the U.S. has the most affordable, safest and diverse food supply in the world. This distinction is due not only to the diligence of farmers and food industry professionals, but also to the effectiveness of federal agencies. Those agencies, USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), base decisions on proven science and data. Nevertheless, in detailed focus groups, consumers express concerns about food, including hormone or antibiotic content and inclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In addition, consumers indicate a mistrust of “big” companies or farms and suggest the food system is not transparent. The fact that consumers worry about things in food which are not and cannot be in food because of those same federal agencies, one wonders where consumers get this information. Surveys of consumers show many sources of food information including retailers, restaurants, newspapers, magazines and even celebrities. Rarely are food industry experts or federal

Letter policy

Letters are limited to 300 words and must include a name and address. FarmWeek reserves the right to reject any letter and will not publish political endorsements.

agencies mentioned as sources. In fact, the most cited sources of information are actually marketing and “trend”-seeking organizations whose sales success relies on “selling.” It should therefore not be surprising that product claims and fear-based marketing underlie many of consumers’ false ideas about the food system and contribute to consumers’ feeling that the food industry has something to hide. Consumer concern over GMOs in food is largely based on activist-driven inaccuracies that evolved over time into points of view. These same groups now promote mandatory labeling as the end result to their concern over GMOs. Consumers “have a right to know” whether or not GMOs are in their food is their rallying cry. They claim that “big ag” is trying to hide something from consumers by not labeling GMOs and that a law requiring such labels is needed. Such accusations completely ignore the fact that farmers and the broader food industry already follow federal guidelines by not labeling for GMOs. FDA guidelines require certain attributes of food be labeled (allergens, caffeine, trans fats, etc.), but does not require GMO ingredients to be labeled. To be planted and grown in the U.S., FDA (using scientific research and data) had to rule the plant substantially equivalent to the original and determine it does not pose a risk of additional allergenicity. Nevertheless, despite having a food system delivering what the majority wants and despite the fact that in two decades GMOs have not caused an illness or even an allergic reaction, demands for labeling continue. Last year, 26 states considered some type of GMO labeling measure and most of them failed. California’s Prop 37 (2012) and All letters are subject to editing, and only an original with a written signature and complete address will be accepted. A daytime telephone number is required for verification, but will not be published.

initiatives in Washington (2013) and New Hampshire (2014) failed in the years indicated. Connecticut and Maine (2013) passed laws requiring labeling of foods containing GMOs, but those laws do not take effect until neighboring states pass similar laws. State by state labeling initiatives would result in a patchwork of laws without standard wording, label placement and tolerances. Such laws inhibit commerce and raise the cost of food for those who can least afford it. Moreover, such laws would increase consumer confusion without improving price, safety, or convenience — things consumers say they want. Fortunately, last week saw the launch of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food. The Coalition is dedicated to providing policymakers, media and consumers with facts about ingredients grown through GMO technology. The Coalition’s immediate goal focuses on advocating for a federal solution, establishing standards for the safety and labeling of food products made with GMOs. The Coalition advocates a federal solution to: eliminate the confusion and uncertainty of state by state labeling laws, advance food safety by requiring FDA to conduct safety reviews of all new GMO traits before they are introduced, and inform consumers by establishing federal standards for voluntary labels for the absence of or presence of GMO food ingredients so consumers can understand their choices. A cooperative federal solution drafted by farmers, food companies, restaurants and policymakers — now there’s an Olympic idea!

Tamara Nelsen and Ryan Tracy are members of the IFB Governmental Affairs and Commodities Division team. Only one letter per writer will be accepted in a 60-day period. Typed letters are preferred. Send letters to: FarmWeek Letters 1701 Towanda Ave. Bloomington, Ill., 61701

Picture yourself in the future, the not too distant future, on a bright summer day. You are grilling hot dogs at a picnic with your family in a park. You pay little attention to the drone flying overhead. It’s probably a UPS or FedEx drone making a package delivery. But it’s not. It’s the food police and they are monitoring the items you brought to the picnic. The hot dogs, buns, potato chips and soda pop exceed your family’s maximum caloric allowance for the day. You are in STEWART trouble with the TRUELSEN food police. If that Orwellian view of the future sends chills down your spine, maybe it should because it is not far-fetched. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, already tried to limit soft drink sales. The Supreme Court of New York blocked his efforts, calling the soft drink limits “arbitrary and capricious.” The mayor vowed to appeal the ruling. He did, and he lost again. Had the rules taken effect, they would have limited the size of sugary drinks to 16 ounces at restaurants, theaters and food carts. What’s interesting to note is what the first court said about the sugar rule. Justice Milton A. Tingling wrote the Bloomberg administration had interpreted its health board’s powers broadly enough to “create an administrative Leviathan” that could enact any rules “limited only by its own imagination.” The defeat in New York hasn’t stopped other advocates of simi-

lar regulations. Deborah Cohen, a senior natural scientist with the Rand Corporation, believes we need regulations to keep Americans from overeating. She dismisses many of the causes of obesity: genetic predisposition, lack of self-control, lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables, a sedentary lifestyle and the need for better education about diet and nutrition. To her, these are myths or misunderstandings. Writing in the Washington Post, she said, “Education can help, but what is really needed is regulation.” Something like this was already tried with alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. It was called Prohibition and it was a massive failure. Do we want bootleggers baking sugar cookies and peddling soft drinks a century later? No, probably not. Farmers, who already face more than their share of regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal and state agencies, would not be exempt from obesity regulations. The rules would ripple up and down the food chain. For farmers and ranchers, there would be rules affecting the crops they grow, and the meat and milk they market. The food police we dealt with growing up were mom and dad. We don’t need to turn more parenting over to government. There are many ways of attacking obesity without trying to outlaw it. Farmers and ranchers entirely support healthy lifestyles, and the right of the public to choose from the variety and abundance of nutritious foods.

Dr. Oz episode revisited

“ ... our crops require LESS pesticides than before because of ... the engineered seed.” Peer-reviewed literature (“Environmental Sciences Europe,” Charles M. Benbrook, 2012) presents evidence that much more herbicides, and somewhat more total pesticides are used now than before biotech seeds were marketed. Second, she says “ ... we are able to pinpoint exactly where it’s (pesticides) needed and apply it only in that specific location.” Even if they “pinpoint,” pesticides move throughout the environment — our air, soil, water and food. Third, she says “ ... everything’s safe around here.” But farming is dangerous, and pesticides are poisons. HERMAN BROCKMAN Congerville

Stewart Truelsen, a food and agriculture freelance writer, is a regular contributor to the Focus on Agriculture.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Editor: The reprinted blog post by guest columnist Emily Webel, (FarmWeek, Jan. 13, 2014) “A reflection from a Dr. Oz. episode,” contains two classes of comments I judge to be incorrect. The first consists of statements and motivations that she attributes to Dr. Oz. One is “ ... he is just trying to basically scare the bejeezus out of us all.” Another is “Dr. Oz was explaining ... how we can blame all miscarriages, learning disabilities and birth defects on us, the evil farmer (due to pesticides).” These statements set up Dr. Oz as an extremist straw man for her to easily knock down. The second class contains Ms. Webel’s claims for industrial agriculture. First, she says