Farmweek may 4, 2015

Bird flu continues to spread outside of Illinois, but poses a low risk to human health. page 3

Cool, wet weather has slowed asparagus growth, but harvest should boast a hearty crop. page 5

Monday, May 4, 2015

Sixty-three students received $138,700 in college scholarships from the IAA Foundation. page 10

Congress takes action to redefine WOTUS

Two sections Volume 43, No. 18

PLANTING PREPARATION

Bipartisan leaders in both chambers last week continued efforts to harness agency overreach in the proposed “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule.

Illinois farmers planted their thoughts on the matter, too.

During a favorable week in the field, Illinois Farm Bureau members called and emailed from tractor cabs as part of an action request to urge their representatives to vote for HR 1732, which ditches the rule. Also in the House, an approved appropriations bill threatens to withhold funds specific to the new rule for the Army Corps of Engineers, which would implement the WOTUS rule along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of lawmakers Thursday introduced a Senate bill that intends to equally protect navigable waters, farmers and private landowners.

“A majority of the House and Senate are motivated to send the rule making back to square one where it belongs,” said Adam Nielsen, IFB national legislative director. “Clearly, our message has gotten through. The House has acted, and we need the Senate to move on its bill as soon as possible.”

HR 1732 demands the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers withdraw their proposed

WOTUS rule within 30 days and develop a new proposal. It also requires the agencies to consult with state and local officials who were not part of the initial proposal.

The bipartisan sponsors of S 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, want to tell EPA which waters can and cannot be federally regulated and focus on protection of “navigable waters.”

The bill calls for a new rule by Dec. 31, 2016.

IFB believes the proposed WOTUS rule is “fatally flawed” and represents regulatory overreach of the federal Clean Water Act. It redefines “tributary” to include non-navigable water bodies, like ditches and isolated ponds. WOTUS threatens to require permits for routine fertilizer and pesticide application.

IFB also fears citizen lawsuits against farmers could ensue.

After mounting criticism, EPA changed the name of WOTUS to “Clean Water Rule.” EPA also indicated it listened to public comments and plans to address farm concerns in the rule’s final version.

Nielsen remains wary.

The White House in a statement last week threatened to veto HR 1732 as Nielsen expected. He said an appropriations bill that passed Friday with a provision to block WOTUS — while significant and less likely to be vetoed — would represent only temporary action for one fiscal year.

The Senate Transportation Committee last week passed an Illinois Farm Bureau priority bill to align state statute with federal transportation regulations. HB 2515, sponsored by Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Urbana, moved to the full Senate for consideration.

Under the proposal, state statute would comply with federal regulations that exempt operators of covered farm vehicles from having to obtain a commercial driver’s license.

“We need to continue to ensure we are meeting the needs of our farmers by streamlining regulations and staying consistent with states across the country,” Bennett said.

“HB 2515 will simply allow Illinois’ farmers, and their family members and employees the same privileges currently found in federal transportation regulations regarding operation of covered farm vehicles,” said Russell Orrill, IFB assistant director of state legislation.

BY JOANIE STIERS FarmWeek

Travis Elmore performs spring tillage duties in preparation for planting. Kendall Elmore, Travis’ father, said they planted 70 percent of their corn acreage by last Thursday. The Elmores farm on the Effingham/Clay County line. Learn more about spring planting progress on page 7. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Reduced soybean germination linked to blight

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

Farmers should be aware of lower-than-usual germination in soybeans linked to outbreaks of soybean pod and stem blight last year.

“Soybean germination tests have run a little on the low side. Our advice (to farmers) is check their seed tags to see where they’re at with germination,” said Chuck Cawley,

manager of the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s ag industry regulation division.

Cawley described the lower germination results “as something to be aware of, but nothing to worry about.”

Steve Beals, seed lab director for the Illinois Crop Improvement Association Inc., linked lower soybean germination rates to pod and stem blight with the heaviest infection in central Illinois.

Blight combined with harvest weather holds the key, according to Beals. “If they were harvested after the rains, that had a greater (negative) impact,” he explained.

Beals advised farmers to test any carryover seed of varieties that may be saved to ensure quality. Seed companies usually conduct tests on their seed, he noted.

“Most of the testing gets done by company labs. If a company has a reservation about the seed, it won’t bring it out,” added Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois crop scientist. “I’d listen to the seed company.”

For germination issues linked

to pod and stem blight, fungicide treatment offers a solution and those germination improvements may be tested, according to Beals. Illinois Crop Improvement offers hand-treated seed samples to measure how much germination may increase with treatment, he added.

“The seed company will take precautions and treats seed before they send it out,” Beals said. “If you buy seed, a lot of that has been tested, and I wouldn’t hesitate” to rely on the seed tag information.

If the seed has less vigor, then cold tests to simulate adverse field conditions should be done, Beals said. “We’ve been doing a lot of cold and warm tests,” he added.

Higher populations offer one option to compensate for lower germination, according to Cawley and Beals. Beals noted farmers have to weigh that decision: “If you didn’t treat the seed and you know it’s (germination) 80 percent, to shoot for a certain population you would need to increase (population).”

For the latest on Illinois seed testing, visit {http://bit.ly/ 1DEf6MS}.

IFB priority bill moves in Senate

Quick Takes

FarmWeek • Page 2 • Monday, May 4, 2015

HAUL IN A WINNER — A Farm Bureau member in one of nine states offering the Ford Member Discount Program could win a special Ford sweepstakes.

Illinois Farm Bureau members receive a $500 cash bonus through the discount program toward the purchase or lease of any eligible 2014, 2015 or 2016 Ford vehicle.

The sweepstakes winner will receive a two-year lease on a 2015 F-150. Registration ends Oct. 30. To enter the sweepstakes, visit {fordspecialoffer.com/farmbureau/ sweeps}.

HONDURAS AG AGREEMENT SIGNED — USDA officials signed an agreement last week with Honduras agriculture leaders to support agricultural development and trade in Honduras.

Through the Food for Progress Program, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will provide the government of Honduras with 30,000 metric tons of corn and 18,000 tons of soybean meal, valued at approximately $17 million.

The Honduran government will use proceeds from the sale of the commodities to implement projects aimed at improving agricultural productivity, enhancing farmers’ access to information and market skills, building government capacity, and strengthening local, regional and international trade in agricultural products.

AFBF FILES DATA PRIVACTY BRIEF — The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with the National Pork Producers Council, has filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn an earlier court ruling regarding farm data privacy.

The brief contends the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2013 public release to environmental groups of personal details about the home locations and contact information of tens of thousands of farm and ranch families was unlawful. A lower court ruling that upheld the EPA action failed to address key privacy issues and should be reversed, according to the new filing.

The information released by EPA was collected from state regulatory agencies and then distributed to three environmental groups that had filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act. The lower court ruling held, in part, that because some of the information had been posted online by state agencies, EPA was free to publicly release the same information under the Freedom of Information Act. CORRECTION — Republican state Rep. Adam Brown of Decatur was incorrectly identified as a Democrat in last week’s FarmWeek.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 43 No. 18 May 4, 2015 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers.

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Stallman sings Farm Bureau’s praises New Illinois Farm Bureau Board District 16 Director Steve Stallman of Chester sings tenor in St. John Lutheran Church choir. The Randolph County Farm Bureau member also enjoys lending his voice as an IFB leader. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

As much as his nearly career-long service to Farm Bureau, southern Illinois farmer Steve Stallman loves to sing.

His 50th year as a tenor in his small town’s Lutheran church choir evidences the passion. Stallman of Chester also performs as frequently as the name implies in the Spare Time Quartet.

He also enjoys hunting when time allows. But, undoubtedly, the grain and livestock farmer has honored a priority commitment to Farm Bureau.

“One of my hobbies has been Farm Bureau,” said Stallman, who has served the Randolph County Farm Bureau in every position on its board over the course of 30 years.

“I’m involved in all aspects of Farm Bureau. I serve on numerous committees, and I’m very proud that our county has been able to win numerous President’s Awards and Liberty Bell Awards.”

Stallman steps onto the Illinois Farm Bureau board as the newest director for District 16,

which includes Clinton, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties.

The fifth-generation farmer grows about 1,200 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans and tends to a small beef herd in Randolph County. He and wife, Jane, live in an 1880s-era farmhouse on the farm his ancestors settled in 1859. Stallman has two grown children, Lindsey and Wesley, and two grown stepchildren, Amie and Joe. “It wasn’t my intention to run for the board,” Stallman said. “There were numerous people from around the district who encouraged me to run. At one time, I don’t think I could have committed the time needed to fulfill its duties.”

However, farm help from two brothers, the second of which will retire this year, allowed him to commit. No-till practices on the farm also reduce labor demands for Stallman, the farm’s sole owner.

At the state level, Stallman has participated in every Farm Bureau program with an acronym. He has traveled to Washington. He maintains membership in several commodity associations and served

as past president of the Illinois Wheat Association. He also remains active with the Lower Kaskaskia Stakeholders.

He serves as president and is a founding member of his county’s Farm Bureau Foundation. The role has involved cranking as many as 800 gallons of homemade ice cream for an annual fundraiser.

“I enjoy working for Farm Bureau because it’s a grassroots organization, it’s represented by individual members and it gives everybody a voice,” he said.

Stallman gladly sings its praises.

Following one of the most sweeping food recalls in history

by Blue Bell Creameries and a recall of potentially contaminated pasta salad at Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., joined six other senators urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to fully fund Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety activities.

Since the Food Safety Modernization Act (FMSA) was signed into law in 2011, it has been underfunded by less than half the amount it needs for full implementation. FMSA authorizes FDA food safety activities.

“Providing the President’s requested increase of $109.5 million would enable FDA to

retrain inspectors in the new prevention-based oversight system; hire technical experts to assist growers and food manufacturers to understand and comply with the new requirements; and build the new comprehensive food import oversight system provided for in the law,” the senators said in a letter.

The FSMA included a provision establishing a “preventive controls” rule specifically designed to reduce the impact of foodborne pathogens. The rule, which has yet to be finalized, would require food manufacturers to identify and implement preventive control measures, such as increased factory testing, to help catch pathogens

like Listeria before entering the supply chain.

According to the senators, “Having measures like this in place, and the funding to ensure their understanding and compliance, are absolutely necessary to prevent future life-threatening outbreaks and costly recalls.”

Blue Bell Creameries has voluntarily expanded its recall to include all products due to potential Listeria contamination.

The Centers for Disease Control reported that at least 10 patients were hospitalized and three deaths have been linked to the contamination. Hy-Vee Inc. has recalled its Hy-Vee Summer Fresh Pasta because of a potential Listeria contamination.

BY JOANIE STIERS FarmWeek

Durbin, senators urge food safety funding

Bird flu spreads; outbreak could slow as temps heat up Page 3 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, spread to more poultry flocks last week.

Estimates of domestic poultry that died from the disease or were euthanized as a precaution from December through last week range from 11 million to as many as 15 million birds.

So far, HPAI has been confirmed in 13 states in the Pacific Northwest and Mississippi flyway, including nearby Iowa and Wisconsin, but not in Illinois.

If the spread of the virus continues at its recent pace, the number of poultry losses could rival or even surpass the country’s largest avian flu outbreak of 1983-84 when 17 million birds died, mostly in the northeast U.S. “It’s a very severe and highly pathogenic influenza,” Ken Koelkebeck, state poultry specialist at the University of Illi-

nois, said during a conference call. “It’s very devastating to chickens and turkeys. Once a flock contracts (HPAI), 70 percent of the birds will die within three days.”

If a domestic flock contracts HPAI, officials subsequently humanely euthanize and compost the entire flock in an attempt to contain the virus.

Wild birds, mostly ducks and geese, carry the virus. It enters backyard flocks through direct contact between wild and domestic birds or via manure or shared water sources.

HPAI makes its way onto more secure, commercial operations via human-to-bird contact such as manure, dust, equipment or feed trucks, among other vectors.

“That virus found a way to adapt to wild waterfowl, and it doesn’t kill them,” John Clifford, USDA deputy administrator of veterinary services, told the RFD Radio Network®. “So, for the first time, we see the highly pathogenic

AI virus move around flyways of the world.”

The good news of HPAI

will get sick,” he noted.

Poultry specialists and the Illinois Department of Agri-

‘It’s a bird problem right now. The risk to the public is very low ... there’s no reason to suspect people will get sick.’

— Ken Koelkebeck State poultry specialist, University of Illinois

centers on the fact that, so far, it does not affect humans.

“It’s a bird problem right now,” Koelkebeck said. “The risk to the public is very low.

“If people cook (chicken) meat properly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees and eggs properly, there’s no reason to suspect people

culture currently are working with farmers and the poultry industry to prevent an outbreak of HPAI in the state.

“You’ve got to think about biosecurity, even for the small flocks,” said Andrew Larson, U of I small farms educator.

Producers should keep a physical segregation of their

domestic birds from wild birds, and the water and soil in contact with migratory waterfowl. Producers also should limit human contact with their flocks, keep their birds indoors until the HPAI threat passes, and keep feed bins and water sources covered.

The virus can survive up to three months in cold weather.

However, it doesn’t survive long once temperatures reach above 70 degrees.

For that reason, Koelkebeck believes the spread of HPAI should dissipate in coming weeks, although it could reignite this fall when temperatures drop and migratory waterfowl are on the move again.

“We’re hoping we’re at the tail end of this problem (for now),” he added. “It could resurface in the fall.”

DAIRY CHECKUP COMPLETE

FTAs help minimize trade disruptions

BY JOANIE STIERS FarmWeek

More free trade agreements (FTAs) could minimize trade disruptions, such as those caused by the current avian influenza outbreak, an Illinois Farm Bureau trade expert says.

FTA countries maintain open channels of communication, which provide the inside track that trade partners need to make rational, informed decisions.

“When you have an FTA with someone, it’s almost like you have a memorandum of understanding about how you are going to act and react to health and sanitary outbreaks,” said Tamara Nelsen, IFB senior director of commodities.

Nelsen’s observations surface as the United States continues negotiation on two major FTAs, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with Asia and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with Europe. Both would establish science-based Tamara Nelsen import rules and reduce import tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, Nelsen said. She expects both FTAs will try to include biotechnology products.

“In general, when you have a free trade agreement with a nation, it puts you on the list of our trading partners who tend to abide by their international obligations,” she said.

As of last week, about 40 countries had placed county or statewide bans on U.S. poultry due to avian influenza, according to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council. Six countries imposed U.S.-wide bans. Per World Animal Health Organization guidelines, bans set by countries within the World Trade Organization (WTO) should be regional at most, Nelsen said.

Countries within FTAs stay informed among working groups and maintain contacts within government agencies. As a result, the relationship minimizes the miscommunication that prompts knee-jerk trade decisions, she explained. In the current avian influenza case, FTAs could lead to fewer trade disruptions.

Such agreements also bring the opportunity to establish equivalency in regulations and standards. In most situations, standards in other countries would rise to meet plant and animal health standards of the United States or WTO, she said. In fact, the United States actively engages in capacity building with current FTA nations to improve their standards, such as for labor or animal health, she said.

“With regard to TTIP, in particular, harmonizing the regulatory standards between Europe and the United States is going to pay huge dividends — if we can do it,” she said. “Between them, health and sanitary rules will be the highest in the world, and it will be a benchmark. It will be a premier agreement for others to mimic.”

Dr. James Gratz, left, with Effingham Vet Clinic, worked with Toby Probst of Probstland Dairy Inc. Probst’s father, Joe, and brother, Phil, also operate the dairy near Wheeler. Gratz checked cows for pregnancy status. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Purdue reports 2014 grain entrapments up nationwide More individuals were engulfed and died in 2014 grain bin entrapments nationwide — the highest levels since 2010, according to a Purdue University ag safety expert.

Purdue’s Bill Field said inexperienced and young farm workers face the greatest risks.

“Dealing with a mountain of grain can be very hazardous,” Field said. “If you’re working around grain for the first time and you might not be aware of the risks involved, the potential for an accident is much higher.”

Nationwide, 38 documented entrapments resulted in 17 deaths in 2014 compared with 33 entrapments and 13 deaths in 2013, according to Purdue’s annual “Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities.”

Sixteen states, mostly in the Midwest, reported entrapments. Minnesota led the nation with six documented incidents followed

by Indiana and Iowa with four each. Illinois,

Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota each reported three. Michigan had two, while Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina and North Carolina accounted for one each. Ohio reported no grain entrapments in 2014.

The highest recorded entrapments, 59, including 26 deaths, occurred in 2010.

Field noted documented entrapments increased in recent years, partially due to better reporting.

“Over the past few years, the surveillance effort was expanded to include not only entrapments in grain but other types of agricultural confined space incidents,” he said.

American ag facilities reported 70 total confined space incidents in 2014. Those included 38 entrapments, 12 falls, nine fire-related injuries, eight entanglements and three asphyxiations, compared with 67 in 2013.

For more information, visit {agconfinedspaces.org}.

Slow biotech approvals cost farmers billions

FarmWeek • Page 4 • Monday, May 4, 2015

BY JOANIE STIERS FarmWeek

Delays in the approval of biotech traits may cost farmers and consumers billions, according to a University of Missouri report.

New research released in late April shows that “a threeyear postponement in global approval of biotech-enhanced soybean traits any time in the next 10 years would cost farm-

ers and consumers a total of nearly $19 billion compared with typical approval timelines.”

Those most impacted by delayed approvals include farmers in major, progressive soyexport countries, like the United States, Brazil and Argentina, according to the research. Also highly impacted are consumers in China, the European Union and other large importing countries.

“This data helps put a value on the problems caused by the biotech approval system that is not based on science,” said Laura Foell, chairperson of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, during a teleconference while on a trade mission to China last month.

Soybean leaders representing the International Soy Growers Alliance (ISGA) met with Chinese officials to discuss biotech

GETTING THE LOWDOWN ON GMOs

Lara Alpan, left, Monsanto Innovation Experience guide, provides a lesson on plant breeding to alumni City Moms. The moms met at Monsanto headquarters in Chesterfield, Mo., to get their questions about GMOs answered as part of an Illinois Farm Families program. The tour was made possible through additional support from Illinois Corn Growers. (Photo

by Ken Kashian)

approvals and these economic implications. Northern Illinois farmer Sharon Covert served on the original ISGA. The organization includes farmers and other leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Paraguay, Uruguay and United States, who represent more than 95 percent of the world’s soybean production.

“The alliance includes a group of farmers from different countries that are usually thought of as our competitors, but really there are many issues we can work on together,” Covert said. “One of them certainly is the use of biotechnology and how approvals affect everything, including the consumers in those countries that are holding up those biotech approvals.”

Covert has visited China and witnessed the country’s social

barriers to biotechnology. This new research backs her personal observations: Both farmers and consumers stand to gain from biotech approvals.

“I’m thinking particularly of the high-oleic soybean,” said Covert, who also serves as secretary of the U.S. Soybean Export Council. “This has great properties for baking and cooking, and there isn’t a trans fat issue. These are traits that are good for consumers and producers.”

Some of the social projects targeted for China mirror those in the United States, Covert said.

Last fall, a group of U.S. farm moms traveled to the Asian nation to discuss GMOs. Stakeholders also communicate the qualities and safety of biotechnology with major soybean purchasers, such as the livestock feeding industry.

The European Commission’s biotechnology trait approvals and proposed optout measures late last month prompted a bittersweet reaction among the U.S. agriculture community.

The industry buzzed with news that the commission concluded a long overdue safety approval of 17 biotech crop traits for feed and food, including soybeans, corn, cotton and rapeseed. Yet, the commission, which is the European Union’s (EU) executive body, simultaneously presented a legislative proposal to allow its 28 individual countries to opt-out of biotech imports and usage.

“We’re glad the European Commission is recognizing the value of biotech, but unfortunately at the same time, they have proposed to give each country an option to regulate GMO products,” said Dan Kelley, immediate past president of GROWMARK and a member of the Truth About Trade & Technology board. “That proposal is not based on science.

It’s based on attitudes or political agendas.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation said the proposal potentially fragments the European market for agricultural products, may violate international obligations and undermines the role of science. If passed into law, the proposal would allow EU governments to reject safe products for nonscientific reasons, AFBF said.

Kelley predicts opt-outs would generate confusion for European feed and food imports, particularly at the con-

tinent’s limited ports. He said the move could challenge European livestock farmers, who import much of their protein for livestock and poultry feed from biotech-supportive nations like the United States, Brazil and Argentina. The proposal also may hinder negotiations with the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, a potential free trade agreement with Europe, Kelley said.

The European biotech approvals took an average 69 months, far more than the commission’s proposed 18month timeline, the American Soybean Association reported.

Some traits approved included high-oleic and Dicamba-tolerant soybeans still in stewardship phases in the United States.

Specifically, the commission adopted 10 new and seven renewal GMO authorizations for 10 years. Of the new authorizations, half were for soybeans.

“I think everyone is very pleased that more products have been approved, and I think that’s been a very good sign. It has taken a long time on some of them,” said Tamara Nelsen, Illinois Farm Bureau senior director of commodities. “No one knows how the opt-out will play out in the marketplace.”

AFBF indicates the opt-out proposal could take up to five years to become law. The EU’s Opt-Out legislation for Biotech Crop Cultivation, proposed five years ago, passed into law in January. — Joanie Stiers

European biotech news bittersweet

Specialty crop growers experience slow start to season

Page 5 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek

March, but it obviously isn’t going to happen this year.”

Wilson, an Effingham County Farm Bureau member who teaches full time and lives at nearby Teutopolis, started the specialty operation back in 2007. It features about 5 acres of vegetables, berries and about 60 fruit trees.

The Wilsons sell their fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, to local restaurants and health food stores, and to customers through an email list.

“It’s a labor of love,” said Wilson, who commutes between the farm and his teaching job.

Crop production on the Wilsons’ farm has been challenged in recent years by the drought in 2012, a wet spring in 2013 and a dry spell fol-

Local foods vie with organic

Although just a fraction of the U.S. food supply, locally grown foods are attracting more consumers, leading some industry experts to wonder if locally grown may compete with organic.

More than half of consumers seek local products, and 60 percent believe local foods are fresher, according to Packaged Facts, a source of consumer market research.

Other factors driving the locally grown trend include supporting local businesses (52 percent) and better taste (44 percent).

Two in three respondents buy locally grown or produced items in supermarkets or grocery stores, while half buy from farmers’ markets.

In addition, the number of farmers’ markets increased 35 percent since 2010 with 8,000 operating nationwide as of August 2014. More multiregional retailers, including Kroger, Safeway, Meijer and Walmart, also source locally grown and produced foods.

lowed by flooding last year.

“The weather has been a nightmare the last three years,” Wilson said.

Fortunately, specialty crop production provides the benefit of different planting and harvest times along with different levels of output from crops in various conditions.

The recent cold snap, for example, wasn’t good for crops such as tomatoes, peppers or potatoes. But lettuce and beets could fare well.

The cold also likely clipped some fruit tree buds. Wilson late last month reported fair conditions in his orchard.

“Blooms in the orchard look decent,” he said. “I’m getting ready to start a fungicide program. (Disease is a risk) in this cool, damp weather.”

Susan and Brook Wilson harvest asparagus at their farm near Iola. The Wilsons have expanded their asparagus patch every year at Paw Ridge Farm. They currently raise nearly 4,000 plants. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

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Brook and Susan Wilson have a lot of asparagus to harvest on their specialty crop farm near Iola (Clay County).

The Wilsons continue to expand their asparagus patch each season and currently have nearly 4,000 plants.

But production of asparagus and other specialty crops on the Wilsons’ specialty crop operation, Paw Ridge Farm, got off to a slow start this spring due to the roller coaster weather pattern that recently featured frost and even snow flurries in some parts of the state.

“It’s been slow going,” Brook Wilson told FarmWeek. “The asparagus plants are really late this year.”

Fortunately, the hearty asparagus should still produce a good crop and sell quite well.

In fact, about the only trouble Wilson has with asparagus involves producing enough to meet strong, consistent demand.

“I can’t come close to meeting demand,” Wilson said.

“Asparagus is a wonderful crop, very reliable. We can harvest once the weather warms up.”

The cold snap in April delayed planting of specialty crops on the Wilsons’ farm.

They’re also concerned about the weather’s effect on their peach and apple trees.

“This spring has been cool and wet. I haven’t opened any ground,” he said. “I’m just sitting on onions, waiting to plant. I like to get them out in

BY DANIEL GRANT

FarmWeek • Page 6 • Monday, May 4, 2015 Brian Sisson, Belvidere, Boone County: Corn planting is in full force this week. Planting conditions this year have been the best I’ve seen in a number of years. By midweek, we are just over half done planting corn at our farm. I expect by the end of the weekend that most of the corn planting will be done around here. It looks like planting will come to a halt on Monday with rain chances for most of next week. Stay safe this spring.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Rain on Sunday night (April 26) of 1.1 inches of rain brings April’s total to 2.95 inches.

We had some very cool mornings, and then fieldwork resumed on Tuesday and has gone full speed ever since. Corn planted into moist soil with warming temperatures should allow for good germination.

Sprayers are busy trying to keep up with the planters. I don’t know of any soybeans being planted yet.

Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: After receiving more than an inch of rain last weekend, fields have been slow to dry out so that work can resume. Cold temperatures, especially at night, have limited the soil’s ability to dry, and planting was delayed until Wednesday. Planting progress is at 30 percent complete with no corn plants emerged at this time. Warm weather is needed to encourage plant development.

Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: 1.5 inches of rain last weekend kept us out of the fields until Wednesday. It would be nice if we could get the last half of this corn planted before this week’s rain sets in. We won’t get that done, but we should be down to the last 20 percent or so. We started planting soybeans Thursday and should have a good chunk of them done before the rain. I talked to my friend Steve Dillings, whose home farm was in the path of the F4 tornado that hit north of Rochelle three weeks ago. Lots of cleanup to do yet, but they got the fields picked up so they can start planting. What a disaster.

Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: I’m sending this from from the tractor seat. Rain early in the past weekend was from .5 of an inch to 1 inch with 2 inches to the east. Corn will mostly be done by the weekend.

Soybeans are going in now as well. There is some corn coming up that was planted midmonth. I’m still having some hiccups with technology, but the remote view is really amazing.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received .75 inches of rain April 25. It was certainly helpful for the newly planted corn, but it did little to recharge any subsoil. The tiles are now almost dry. The early planted corn is now up and looking pretty good considering how cool it was last week. My early planted sweet corn, however, does not like cool soils. Only 20 percent came up, and I will have to replant it and hope for warm weather. We did start planting beans last week and should be done by this week barring any breakdowns, which have been numerous this year but not major.

The cattle seem to be doing very well on the new grass. More rain is forecast for this week and hopefully enough to fill the creeks with water.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: On Friday (April 24), I was rained out planting corn in the evening. Combining that shower with the rain that followed Saturday, we received a range of .6 to .8 of an inch of rain. On Wednesday, we were able to prepare the seedbed and return to planting corn. Field activity in the local area is the busiest it has been so far this planting season. Most farmers are planting corn, but some have planted soybeans.

Some soybeans were even planted a week ago. We finished planting corn today (Thursday). Tomorrow, we will switch the planter over to begin planting soybeans.

While we are done planting corn, many are just getting off to a good start. The local closing prices for April 30 were nearby corn, $3.43; new-crop corn, $3.48; nearby soybeans, $9.63; and new-crop soybeans, $9.14.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: It rained a half inch last Saturday, which kept us out of the field until Tuesday. We finished planting corn today and are looking to start beans soon.

Planted corn is just emerging.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: We have had three opportunities to plant corn this spring. This last week saw many get done, and a few start soybeans. Fertilizer dealers love a spring when their workload is spread out like this. It’s been a cold spring, and emergence is very slow. Luckily, our soils are not saturated with water on these seedlings — YET. Weeds are also slow to grow. We will see what May weather has in store for us. At this time, drought is not a concern. Getting a perfect stand is our main objective. Markets are up and down to sideways.

Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Corn planting is nearly complete and soybean seeding is approaching 50 percent done. First-planted corn is emerging and a warmer/wetter forecast is just what this crop needs to get established. Not much continuous corn in this area. Markets continue to be sluggish. Corn, $3.53, fall corn, $3.55; soybeans, $9.62, fall soybeans, $9.17; wheat, $4.14.

Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: After .5 inches of rain last weekend, a chilly week as farmers returned to the fields and resumed planting. Corn is in moisture and sprouted, but not spiking through yet. It must be waiting for next week’s 80-degree temperatures and rain chances. Twoinch, bare-soil ground temperatures have been on a roller coaster so far this spring from a high of 69 degrees on April 16 to a low of 46.5 degrees on April 28. On Thursday, the ground temperature was 51.7 degrees. Soybean planting is under way with showers expected late Sunday. Let’s be careful out there!

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: Hello again from a dry Adams County, and it is getting drier despite the 1 inch of rain we got in our gauge Saturday (April 25), which we all needed. Planters have been running pretty steady since then and a lot of corn has been put in the ground. Some appeared to be waiting for moisture to get that corn up, while others are moving on and putting seed in the ground because it cannot grow in the bag, as the old-timers always said. I think most are through with NH3, and burndown chemicals seem to be doing what they were intended for. I don’t know of any beans being planted yet. Have to keep the lawn mowers sharpened and fueled, too, as the lawns seem to just keep growing.

Have a safe week as the season progresses despite the dust trails.

Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: It’s been a good week. Dodged the showers. Corn planting is well over 90 percent complete in this area, and soybeans are probably 20 percent complete. Many decided to go ahead, but many hold off waiting on either moisture or warmer temperatures, both of which seem to be the two most major concerns. It’s been a good spring. Many days here in the last week that offered fieldwork. A lot got accomplished.

This could be one of the earlier completions of planting if the weather holds. Again, lack of moisture and the cooler temperatures seem to be the main concern.

Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: A few planters were in the fields Friday to do a day’s worth of good until early Saturday morning rain stopped us once again. The next couple of days let the .3 or .4 of an inch of rain soak in, and corn planters hit the fields Tuesday in force and were still going hard as we approach the weekend. With weekend rain chances being lowered, it looks like clear running well into next week. A few bean planters have been out, but the main focus for now is in the cornfields. As the calendar turns, it looks like the corn crop may be almost half in the ground.

Don’t get too busy to remember to be safe!

Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: It’s been a relatively dry week. A few stray showers ran through at the end of the week. A lot of crop went into the ground. Corn is pretty well finished up. Several have started on beans, a little hesitant to get that project under way, but there’s quite a few acres of beans that have been planted this week. The corn has been planted; the yellow is kind of leaving a little bit of it.

Quite a few acres are up.

Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: A lot of corn is going in. Very cold soils, but it’s supposed to warm up. Less than optimal soil conditions to say the least. Where we spring-applied anhydrous is really a mess. My son said he was going to ram his tractor into me if I complained about it one more time. LOL. Southern part of the county is finally going. Some beans going in; not sure I am brave enough to do that with the cool temperatures. Some beans have been in for two weeks. Be careful out there.

Rushing usually just causes an accident.

David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: It’s been a dry but very cool week with cold northerly winds, but the stable doors opened Monday and farmers went to the field. Tillage and anhydrous started, and planters began to roll. Some farmers are sticking corn in the ground as fast as they can, and some are holding back due to the cool weather conditions. Corn planting will continue to progress during the weekend with some producers finishing up with corn planting. There has also been a little bit of soybean planting started.

Everybody be safe.

Jeff Guilander, Jerseyville, Jersey County: Wow, did the weatherman miss the last two weeks! The rains that have been expected failed to materialize giving us a nice window to really advance this planting season.

With more nice weather expected, I imagine corn will be more than half planted and soybeans off to a good start. The round of rain chances for the middle of the week might be our next chance to catch our breath and find out how well we have done so far. As nice as it has been, I don’t want to make a habit of missing these rains.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Field preparations got off to a slow start Thursday and Friday (April 23 and 24). An all-day rain moved in Saturday bringing everything to a halt. Some field operations resumed Monday. By Tuesday, planters started rolling and have continued. Most farmers have begun planting, but there is still a lot of preparation taking place. The wheat looks good.

The weather has been extremely cool. There is a slight chance of rain over the weekend.

Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Fieldwork continued this week with farmers applying anhydrous ammonia to intended cornfields. A delay occurred on Saturday (April 25) when .5 of an inch of rainfall passed through the area, forcing field activities to stop for a couple of days. Temperatures were on the cool side with daytime highs in the 70s and nighttime lows in the 40s. Several farmers have finished anhydrous applications and are busy planting corn. First cutting alfalfa hay was made this week since we had several days of sunshine to help dry the hay. Field spraying was again a challenge since we experienced high winds for several days. The wheat crop continues to improve with plant height 12 inches or greater. Favorable weather has been forecast for several days which will allow additional corn to be planted. Local grain bids are corn, $3.57; soybeans, $9.85; and wheat, $4.26. Have a safe week.

Page 7 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: Corn planters are rolling. It finally dried enough that a lot is happening. Don’t think with the mid- to upper-30s temperatures predicted for tonight that corn is going to pop up too fast, but the calendar says go and everyone is.

I’ve even heard of beans being planted. OMG. Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: I got done planting corn Thursday. The ground is dry and there is a lot of fieldwork being done. I know some farmers who switched from corn to milo. Now that the rain has quit and the ground is dry, everyone is really busy. Wheat still looks OK. Guess I will spray corn tomorrow. Everyone is talking about what a nice spring we are having. Take care and have a safe planting season.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: Finally got the planter to the field Thursday.

By the time you read this, I would say the county will be around 30 to 40 percent planted on corn.

Some first cutting hay has been cut and baled. Quality has been very good with normal bales per acre.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: Finally an open week. We missed most of the rain last weekend (April 25-26), so it has been full speed ahead this week. As of my posting this report, we have managed to get 200 acres of corn planted. A lot of corn has been planted in Pulaski and Alexander counties in the past week. With no rain in the forecast until the middle of next week, I expect a lot more progress to be made.

Please take time to be careful in this busy time.

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

Planting window finally opens; corn prices slip

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The joy of widespread corn planting progress last week was subdued a bit by a negative reaction in the market.

Corn planting in Illinois reached 31 percent complete as of the first of last Kenny Hartman week, 6 percent behind the average pace.

Farmers in Illinois pulled ahead of their counterparts in other states as the portion of corn planted last week totaled just 20 percent in Missouri, 14

percent in Iowa, 7 percent in Kentucky and 3 percent in Indiana.

Those numbers should jump this week as corn planting shifted into high gear in many areas of the state last week.

“I think everybody is finally rolling good, although there’s still some wet spots,” said Kenny Hartman, a far mer from Waterloo (Monroe County) and president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

“I’d say, in our area, 40 to 50 percent (of corn) is planted (as of the middle of last week),” he continued. “Things are progressing.”

Even though just 19 percent of the corn crop was planted

nationwide as of the first of last week, 6 percent behind averag e, the g ood week of weather seemed to have a negative impact on the market.

Cor n prices slipped, while bean prices gained traction and the soybean/corn ratio subsequently widened from 2.35 to 2.51, according to Paul Georgy, market analyst with Allendale Inc. Hartman doesn’t foresee much of a shift to beans at this point, although he remains concerned by the recent bout of cold, frosty weather. One percent of the corn crop emerged as of last week.

“There’s definitely concern about the cold weather and slow emergence,” the ICGA

president said. “But I don’t think there’s a lot of concerns yet (about planting all the intended corn acres). We’re still in the window (to plant corn). I don’t think anybody in our area has looked at any beans yet.”

Soybean plantings last week totaled less than 1 percent in Illinois and 2 percent nationwide (2 percent behind the average pace).

USDA currently estimates U.S. farmers will plant 89.2 million acres of corn and a record 84.6 million acres of beans.

If far mers plant those acres and receive decent weather during the growing season, crop supplies should

remain ample.

“Low corn prices appear to reflect expectations for a combination of prolonged demand weakness and another year of ample supplies,” said Darrel Good, University of Illinois ag economist.

A leveling of ethanol consumption and pressure from the strong dollar could weigh on corn demand.

But that could be offset, to a degree, by a potential increase in feed use.

“Domestic feed demand for corn should be supported by ongoing expansion in livestock and poultr y numbers, even with some loss of poultr y numbers to bird flu,” Good said.

growers in recent weeks had a chance to apply fungicides, nitrogen and spray for weeds

for the right weather when we get to pollination.”

Wheat growers will get a

To u r p a r t i c i p a n t s w i l l leave from one of four locations: Siemer Milling, Teutopolis, 217-857-3131; Menn e l M i l l i n g C o. , M o u n t Olive,217-999-2161; We h m e y e r S e e d C o, M a s coutah, 618-615-9037; or Wabash Valley Services Co., Carmi, 812-483-2966, to scout the crop for weed, i n s e c t a n d d i s e a s e i s s u e s, evaluate stands and estimate yields.

“We usually get a pretty good idea what yields will be based on that (tour),” Brase said.

I WA t h i s y e a r a l s o w i l l host its second annual wheat yield contest. Farmers have until May 15 to register for the yield contest.

“What we’re trying to do is put together an agenda of what it takes to grow high q u a l i t y, h i g h y i e l d i n g w h e a t ,” B r a s e s a i d . “ We wa n t t o i d e n t i f y m a n a g e ment practices that are feasible (to accomplish those goals).”

For instance, last year’s contest, in general, showed a yield response to manag ement practices, such as fungicide applications, split nitrogen applications and micronutrient management, Brase noted.

More infor mation about the wheat tour and yield contest can be found at the IWA website {illinoiswheat.org} or by calling 309-557-3619.

— Daniel Grant

Wheat conditions improve; yield potential promising A majority of the wheat crop survived this past winter, along with the recent shot of cold air and patchy frost, pretty well in Illinois.

The condition of the winter wheat crop as of the first of last week improved to 58 percent good to excellent (up 4 percent from the previous week), 35 percent fair and 7 percent poor.

“I t wa s co l d er th a n we wanted it to be (in recent weeks),” Kyle Brase, a Madison County farmer and president of the Illinois Wheat Association (IWA), told the RFD Radio Network. “We really wanted to build more heat for everything growing in fields right now. But I have no major concerns.”

Brase estimates more than half the wheat crop in his area remains in good condition after the frosty April stretch.

“T he fields we thought were in good condition r e m a i n i n t h a t p l a c e,” h e said. “There’s still 20 to 30 percent of fields kept with drowned out areas or low p o p u l a t i o n s. We c a n’t f i x those spots.”

Brase believes most wheat

‘ I fe e l eve r y t h i n g i s h e a d i n g i n t h e right direction. We just need to hope for the right weather when we get to pollination.’

— Kyle Brase Illinois Wheat Association president

in fields that needed it.

“I feel everything is heading in the right direction,” he said. “We just need to hope

better feel for yield potential later this month. IWA hosts its annual Southern Illinois Wheat Tour May 21.

Conservation easement comments still being accepted Public comment on the Agricultural C o n s e r va t i o n E a s e m e n t P r o g r a m ’s (ACEP) interim rule has been extended to May 28 to give far mers and landowners more time to provide feedback.

AC E P h e l p s l a n d o w n e r s p r o t e c t working ag ricultural lands and wetlands. The 2014 farm bill consolidated three previous conservation easement programs into ACEP.

N a t u r a l Re s o u r c e s C o n s e r va t i o n Service administers ACEP, a voluntary program created in the 2014 farm bill to protect and restore critical wetlands on private and tribal lands through the wetland reserve easement component.

ACEP also contains an ag ricultural land easement component.

The official notice of the proposed ACEP interim r ule can be found at {http://1.usa.g ov/1ABC09C}. Elec-

tronic comments must be submitted at {regulations.gov}. Comments also can be mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. NRCS-20140011, Regulator y and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, U.S. Department of Ag riculture, Natural Resources Conservation S e r v i c e , 5 6 0 1 S u n n y s i d e Av e n u e , B u i l d i n g 1 - 1 1 1 2 D, B e l t s v i l l e , M d .

20705.

Recipients share impact of Farm Credit ag gifts

FarmWeek • Page 8 • Monday, May 4, 2015

An FFA team representing East Richland High School, Olney, celebrates winning the Illinois Envirothon last week at Memorial 4-H Camp, Monticello, and advancing to the national contest. The team also claimed the FFA competition. Left to right are Emily Shilling, Jessica Shilling, Matthew Runyon, Tanner Scherer and Brock VanBlaricum. Jamie VanDyke, one of the school’s agriculture teachers, advises the team. (Photo by Kay Shipman)

High school teams test natural resource knowledge

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Broad knowledge in national resources and environmental science helped an East Richland High School team last week win the Illinois Envirothon held at the Memorial 4-H Camp, Monticello. The team advances to the national Envirothon July 27Aug. 2 at Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo. Each spring, five-member teams test their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife, and a current environmental issue about which they

give an extemporaneous team presentation. For this year’s issue of urban and community forestry, teams discussed a community strategy to address emerald ash bore.

Teens need natural resource awareness to help care for the environment and “leave this world a better place for future generations,” said Matthew Runyon, a junior at East Richland High School, Olney.

Other overall winning teams included Marshall High School, second, and Sandoval High School, third. In the FFA team

competition, East Richland FFA won with Midland FFA placing second and Monticello FFA taking third.

Teams advanced to last week’s state contest by winning local contests sponsored by Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and Land Use Councils, each comprised of five to eight SWCDs. This summer, teams from participating states and Canadian provinces, which won their state or provincial events, will compete for prizes and scholarships.

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Thomas Alexander, left, of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences FFA Chapter explains his organic tea and seed business to Nicole Roysdon of the Heyworth FFA Chapter, following presentations of 1st Farm Credit funds in Bloomington. Alexander used a micro-grant from the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation to launch his business. (Photo

by Kay Shipman)

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

High school students launched successful businesses — and brought samples to share. University and high school students learned about careers in the agriculture industry and gained leadership experiences in state and national competitions. Disabled farmers received technology assistance to meet their individual needs.

A variety of recipients recently shared — both in person and on video — the impact of 1st Farm Credit Services (FCS) donoradvised fund gifts from 2014.

The IAA Foundation awarded $125,000 from the 1st FCS fund, marking the fifth distribution. Since 2010, the IAA Foundation has distributed $569,000 from the 1st FCS donoradvised fund.

Jeff Austman, a Forrest farmer and chairman of 1st FCS board, pointed out the variety of recipients and programs supported by the funding. “I’m very impressed by all of them and feel great about the donations we’re making,” Austman said.

Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) plans to use $19,000 to further its technology initiative in classrooms, said Kevin Daugherty, Illinois Farm Bureau education director.

Students and a teacher from Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences explained how grants from the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation, which received $5,000, helped them start small businesses. Meanwhile, the high school intends to spend its $2,500 to improve

packaging equipment and materials for food processed by the students.

Illinois State University (ISU) students and those from Western Illinois University (WIU) explained the money helped them participate in conferences and competitions.

ISU and WIU each received $8,000.

Women in farming and considering agriculture careers benefited from gifts of $6,250 to Annie’s Project for education of farm women and $6,250 to Illinois Agri-Women for its female student conference. Agriculture youth proto watch a video of 1st Farm Credit Services fund recipients.

grams benefit from a $6,000 gift to Illinois FFA and $6,000 to the Illinois 4-H Foundation. Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation received $19,000 to train future ag leaders statewide.

AgrAbility Unlimited assisted several farmers with different disabilities and received $5,000 to provide additional help.

Other recipients included: University of Illinois, $21,000, and Northern Illinois University, $5,000.

First-time recipients include the Good Food Accelerator, $5,000 to support urban ag ventures; John Wood Community College, $2,500; and the Illinois Harvest Dinner, $500.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to hear the inspiring stories about how these funds are being utilized,” said Larry Fischer, a 1st FCS board member. The board and stockholders are “proud of the good things you’re doing.”

Page 9 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek

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IAA Foundation names 2015-16 scholarship winners

FarmWeek • Page 10 • Monday, May 4, 2015

Illinois and other Midwestern students will have help paying for college thanks to scholarships awarded by the IAA Foundation.

This year, the IAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, awarded $138,700 to 63 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields, based on their academic ability, leadership involvement, professional career goals and financial need.

“We are pleased to invest in these bright, young minds and are confident they represent a strong future for agriculture here in Illinois,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director.

IAA Foundation Top Scholars each receiving $7,500 include Frazier Curless of Pittsfield, son of Brian and Sandy Curless, University of Illinois; Rachel Hawk of Aledo, daughter of Mark and Shelly Hawk, U of I; and Ryan Meinhart of Wheeler, son of Richard and Nancy Meinhart, U of I. Chet McClure of Gibson City was named the Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership Scholarship recipient and will also receive a $7,500 scholarship. Attending the U of I, he is the son of David McClure and Ellen Nord.

The IAA Foundation has awarded nearly 1,000 scholarships since 1989.

“We seek to expand our scholarship program each year

in order to support more students as they pursue careers in agriculture,” Moore said.

“Through the help of generous gifts from farm families, commodity groups, agribusiness, Illinois Farm Bureau members and others who support our industry, we’ve been able to do just that.”

The recipient of the $1,100 IAA Foundation General Scholarship is Krista Temple, Fulton, daughter of Don and Karen Temple, U of I. Recipients of the $1,000 IAA Foundation General Scholarship are: Mackenzie Buyck, Liberty, daughter of Steve and Kim Buyck, Western Illinois University (WIU); Brian Kerestes, Streator, son of Tim and Colleen Kerestes, undecided; and Amanda Rollins, Oneida, daughter of Jon and Anne Rollins, Illinois State University (ISU).

Receiving a $1,500 Greg Carney Scholarship is Kayla Wills, Carlinville, daughter of Scott and Michele Wills, U of I. Receiving the Robert F. Rouse Scholarship worth $1,100 is Lauren Rudloff, Gurnee, daughter of Greg and Dena Rudloff, U of I.

Receiving the $1,000 Dale E. Butz Scholarship is Keely Acheson, Rushville, daughter of Alan and Holly Acheson, Iowa State University.

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Awarded a $1,000 William J. Kuhfuss Memorial Scholarship is Sarah Ellis, Chrisman, daughter of Matt and Lisa Ellis, Monmouth College.

Abigail Heidenreich, Princeton, Ind., daughter of Chris and Laura Heidenreich, Southern Illinois UniversityCarbondale (SIU-C), is the recipient of the Walter J. and Martha J. Wills Scholarship.

Receiving the Illinois Award Scholarship is Katie Miller, Cambridge, daughter of Paul and Lisa Miller, Black Hawk College East Campus.

The recipients of Heartland NAMA, Steven A. Hammerschmidt Memorial Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are: Bradley Braddock, Patoka, son of Harry and Angie Braddock, ISU; and John Finegan, Gilman, son of Michael and Laura Finegan, U of I. Receiving a $5,000 Illinois Soybean Association Crop Science Scholarship are: Eathan Balding, Albion, son of Jason and Brenda Balding, SIU-C; Zachary Benson, Trivoli, son of Kurt and Janet Benson, U of I; August Schetter, Brighton, son of Dan and Mary Jo Schetter, U of I; Seth Tolley, Avon, son of

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David and Kathy Tolley, U of I; Matthew Turner, Champaign, son of Mike and Teresa Turner, ISU. Gavin Urish, Kilbourne, son of Tim and Deborah Urish, U of I; Rachel Vaessen, Sublette, daughter of Michael and Brenda Vaessen, U of I; and Joshua Viggers, Metamora, son of Tim and Kristi Viggers, U of I.

Recipients of the Fletcher A. Gourley, Leonard Southwell and Roger Capps Memorial Scholarships, awarded to children of Prairie Farms Dairy employees and patrons, in the amount of $2,000 each are: Jessica Brehm, Durango, Iowa, daughter of Steve and Sharon Brehm, Allen College; Christopher Callahan, Carlinville, son of Patrick and Barbara Callahan, South Dakota State University; Ethan Coleman, Dundas, son of Christopher and Lori Long, University of MissouriColumbia; Katelyn DeNap, Collinsville, daughter of Daniel DeNap and Lana Hediger, Missouri State University; Rachel Deters, Sigel, daughter of Joseph and Carleen Deters, Lake Land College; Conner McClain, Plainview, son of Richard and Tamatha McClain, Southern Illinois University– Edwardsville (SIU-E); Lindsay Ratermann, Breese, daughter of Randy and Barb Ratermann, Quincy University; Bailey Schmidt, Carlinville, daughter of Mike and Lori Schmidt, U of I; Collin Smith, Pinckneyville, son of John and Karen Smith, U of I; Kelsey Smith, Pinckneyville, daughter of John and Karen Smith, SIU-C; Laura Wente, Sigel, daughter of Timothy and Betty Wente, University of MissouriColumbia; and Ellen Young, Carlinville, daughter of Dennis and Elizabeth Young, ISU.

Those students receiving $1,200 Dorothy and Wilhelmine Ratermann Memorial Scholarships are: Victoria Bertucci, Belleville, daughter of Enrico and Barbara Bertucci, Washington University in St. Louis; Rhiannon Branch, Iuka, daughter of Greg and Kris Branch, Kaskaskia College; Iris Daiber, Vandalia, daughter of Tim and Gena Daiber, U of I; Riley Duckworth, Eldorado, daughter of Bill and Sally Kittinger, SIU-C;

Adrianna Eberlin, Brussels, daughter of Daniel and Julia Eberlin, SIU-E; Molly Etling, Freeburg, daughter of Jimmy and Patricia Etling, SIU School of Medicine; Elizabeth Fraley, Carbondale, daughter of Bernard Fraley and Shirley Fraley, SIU-C; Jenna Fryman, Ellery, daughter of Wesley and Kelly Fryman, SIU-E; Katelyn Fryman, Ellery, daughter of Wesley and Kelly Fryman, SIU-E; Courtney Gerstenecker, Carlyle, daughter of Robert and Tamra Gerstenecker, Murray State University; Cameron Harmon, Morrisonville, son of William and Wendy Harmon, Lincoln Land College; Lauren Henebry, Buffalo, daughter of Dan and Catherine Henebry, WIU; Jacob Hubele, Carmi, son of John and Rachelle Hubele, undecided; Adam Kosuszek, Scheller, son of David and Mary Kozuszek; U of I; Ben Krausz, New Baden, son of Rich and Cris Krausz, U of I; Maria Kuhns, Mason, daughter of Stan and Shelly Kuhns, University of Missouri-Columbia; Jacob Lidy, Wheeler, son of Joseph and Karen Lidy, SIU-C; Lindsey McKinzie, Albion, daughter of Shad and Merilee McKinzie, Wabash Valley College; Braden Mezo, Jonesboro, son of Cliff and Amy Parrish, Southeast Missouri State University; Mary Perkins, Effingham, daughter of Kevin and Carol Perkins, SIU-C; Blake Uchitjil, Odin, son of David and Sheri Uchitjil, SIU-C; Mary Walker, McLeansboro, daughter of Phillip and Paula Walker, Rend Lake College; Kimberly Weis, Highland, daughter of Rich and Margaret Weis, Southwestern Illinois College; Kayley Woker, Greenville, daughter of Craig and Jan Woker, SIU-C; and Delany York, Browns, daughter of DeAnn Hoagland and Clifford York, Eastern Illinois University.

Students receiving the $1,000 St. Louis District Dairy Council Scholarships are: Alexis Lintker, Venedy, daughter of Carl and Lisa Lintker, Illinois College; and Hollie Thole, Greenville, daughter of Luke and Angela Thole, University of MissouriSt. Louis.

Kelley inducted into CDF Cooperative Hall of Fame

Dan Kelley, former GROWMARK Inc. board chair, will be inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame this week. He joins three others receiving the cooperative community’s highest honor.

“Induction into the Cooperative Hall of Fame is reserved for those who have made genuinely heroic contributions to the cooperative community. The 2015 inductees join a host of extraordinary hall of fame members who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the cooperative movement,” said Gasper Kovach Jr., board chair of the Cooperative Development Foundation (CDF), which Dan Kelley administers the hall of fame.

Other inductees include Ann Hoyt, retired professor and department chair of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Consumer Science; William J. Nelson, vice president of Corporate Citizenship and president of the CHS Foundation; and Judy Ziewacz, former executive director of the Cooperative Development Foundation.

Kelley spent more than three decades serving the cooperative sector. He recently retired as board chairman and president of GROWMARK. Kelley’s roots in the cooperative movement began in 1970 when, as a full-time farmer, he joined his local cooperative, Evergreen FS. He later served as president of the organization from 1985 to 2008.

Kelley is widely credited for shaping GROWMARK into the organization it is today.

AgriVisor, a grain and livestock ‘Dan (Kelley) is marketing analysis and brokera n a u t h e n t i c , age service, was begun during tenure. A joint venture transformational his between GROWMARK and volunteer leader.’ Illinois Farm Bureau, AgriVisor has since expanded to serve Farm Bureaus in Indiana, Iowa, — John Reifsteck Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

GROWMARK board chairman and president “One characteristic that distinguishes Dan from many others in the industry is he was never an employee of the cooperative. Dan is an authentic, transformational volunteer leader, who built a legacy of sacrifice and service because he believed in the cooperative enterprise,” said John Reifsteck, GROWMARK board chairman and president.

In the 1980s, Kelley shouldered efforts to reform the Farm Credit Banks, creating a foundation for success that co-ops, the Farm Credit System, its member-owners and rural communities enjoy today.

During his career, Kelly has served on many cooperative boards. He currently serves on the board of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, CoBank and Illinois Agriculture Leadership Foundation, which he chairs.

Page 11 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek

PROPANE TERMINAL OPERATIONAL

GROWMARK employees staged an open house last week at a propane terminal near Canton, S.D. GROWMARK purchased the facility in 2013 from Magellan Pipeline Co. L.P. and added rail capacity. The terminal, providing more than 300,000 gallons of propane storage, became operational in January. Adjacent to the BNSF railroad, the facility can unload six railcars at once. Kevin Carroll, GROWMARK energy and logistics vice president, said the terminal makes strategic sense for the cooperative and will enhance propane supplies for other areas of the GROWMARK system. (Photo by Cassie Becker, GROWMARK publications and media relations specialist)

Listeria cases raise safety issues for ice cream industry

Recently, ice cream manufacturers Blue Bell Creameries and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams recalled entire product lines following the discovery of listeria monocytogenes. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate both

incidents, but does not believe the two recalls are connected.

However, the situation raised questions within the ice cream industry about how listeria, rarely found in ice cream, could contaminate several production facilities.

Judge allows Vermont GMO label law

A federal judge in Vermont will let stand for now that state’s law requiring the labeling of genetically modified food, making Vermont potentially the first state to enact such a law. The judge partially granted and partially denied the state’s motion to dismiss the industry lawsuit, meaning the case is likely to go to trial, according to The Associated Press.

Opponents included the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Snack Foods Association, International Dairy Foods Association and National Association of Manufacturers, who sued for a preliminary injunction, claiming the law violated the right to free speech as well as the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Supporters included consumer, environmental, and Muslim and Jewish groups, the latter voicing concern that pork genes could be introduced into nonpork products.

The law would take effect July 1, 2016, more than two years after it was signed into law.

Listeria can’t grow in temperatures below freezing and seldom is found in frozen foods, especially ice cream; however, it can grow in refrigeration. Listeria also may be found in unpasteurized cheeses and milk as well as meat and cantaloupes. The bacteria is spread through soil and water, and may be tracked into a facility by employees not following sanitation practices.

Blue Bell closed facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Alabama for cleaning, and produced some ice cream for testing and data collection only. Blue Bell products were linked to 10 illnesses in four states, including three deaths. Jeni’s products have not been linked to any illnesses, but the company temporarily closed retail stores while it determines the source of bacteria, according to The Washington Times.

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April ends up a touch dry; warmer weather predicted

FarmWeek • Page 12 • Monday, May 4, 2015

April weather featured a little bit of everything, from scattered frost and snow flurries to a tornado outbreak in the north and flash flooding in the south.

But in the end, the month ended up a touch on the dry side and actually a little warmer than normal across the state.

Precipitation in Illinois last month averaged 3.4 inches, about a half inch below norBY DANIEL GRANT

mal, while the average temperature, 54 degrees, was about 1.7 degrees above normal, according to Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey.

“The real story is it was a little dry to the north and wet to the south,” Angel told FarmWeek. “There are areas from Interstate 70 south that got 2 to 6 inches (of precipitation). The rest of the state it

was more like 2 to 3 inches, and there’s a few places in western Illinois drier than that.”

A patch of western Illinois from Quincy to north of the Quad Cities was rated “abnormally dry” on the U.S. Drought Monitor prior to rain shower activity last week.

Meanwhile, roller-coaster temperatures began to warm up late last week after previous patches of early morning frost blanketed parts of the state.

It was “a chilly week as farmers returned to the field and resumed planting,” said Steve Ayers, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Champaign County. “Corn is in moisture and sprouted, but not spiking through yet.”

Angel believes the threat of more frost this spring remains low, except in the northwest corner of the state where the threat lingers longer in the season.

Topsoil temperatures late last week ranged from the low-tomid 50s in the northern half of the state to the upper 50s in the south.

“Soil temperatures have been coming up as you expect they would,” Angel said. “That’s another protection against the cooler nights.”

Temperatures could heat up this month as the forecast calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures the first two weeks of May, Angel noted.

The forecast also calls for a temporary break from the rain in southern Illinois, although the 8- to 14-day forecast was wetter than average.

So far, the only tornadoes reported in Illinois occurred

during the April 9 outbreak that ravaged the towns of Fairdale, Rochelle, and surrounding communities and farms. Sixteen tornado reports came in that day, although some reports could be connected to the same twister.

“It was quiet before that, and it’s been quiet since,” Angel said of the tornado outbreak. “So far, we’ve just had that one day where conditions were right.”

Tuesday: • FarmWeek: “The Early Word” • Veronica Nigh, American Farm Bureau Federation: biotech status in the European Union • Bryce Anderson, DTN Wednesday: • Brenda Matherly, Illinois Farm Bureau assistant director of local government: county farmland review committee meetings • Karen Fraase, Illinois Department of Agriculture: agritourism in Illinois • Tom Walberg, Stone Seed: planting update

Thursday: • Frank Butterfield, Landmarks Illinois: most endangered landmarks in Illinois • Frank Keating, American Bankers Association: regulation status • Dave DeVore, Siemer Milling: southern Illinois Winter Wheat Tour Friday: • Laura Harmon, IFB Office of the General Counsel; and Rae Payne, IFB senior director of business and regulatory affairs: Grain Belt Express & Clean Line update • Don Schaefer, Mid-West Truckers Association: trucking issues update

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Page 13 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek

B

UREAU — Foundation golf outing, 9 a.m. June 26 at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Princeton.

The tournament will be a shotgun start, four-person scramble. Call 875-6468 for reservations and pricing. Proceeds will benefit the Bureau and Lee County Ag in the Classroom programs.

OOK — Food and Farm Forum May topic: Hops, 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 18 at the Farm Bureau office.

The Food and Farm Forum highlights topics focused on growing crops, raising animals, marketing and consumption of locally grown food products in Cook County ag. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers.

Email membershipdebbie@ cookcfb.org, or call 708-3543276 to register or for more information.

FFINGHAM — Prime Timers will tour Eckert’s Farm and Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 13 beginning in Belleville. Members 55 and older are invited to attend. Cost is $45. Call 342-2103 to register by Wednesday.

CDONOUGH — Leadercast, 8 a.m.

Wednesday at the Crossing in Macomb. Leadercast is a oneday leadership event simulcast to locations across the U.S. Cost is $70. Visit {www.mc donoughcountyfarmbueau.org /leadercast/} for tickets and

C

E

M

M

more information by Tuesday.

ONTGOMERY — Grain Belt Express Clean Line informational meeting for member landowners, 6:30 p.m. May 13 at Knights of Columbus Hall in Farmersville. Christopher W. Byron and Brian Kalb, Byron Carlson Petri and Kalb LLC, will speak on the transmission line approval process with the Illinois Commerce Commission, routing, easements and what to expect when approached by land agents.

EORIA — Equine spring roundtable, 7 p.m. Monday at the Farm Bureau building. Doug Bogart, Rock Island professional horseman, will speak on “Understanding the new horse show event — ranch riding.” Call 686-7070 for more information.

ABASH — 4-H grant applications are available at the Farm Bureau and Extension offices. Grants may be used to purchase 4-H project materials. Applicants must be a Wabash County 4H member age 8 to 14. Call 262-5865 or email wabashfb@ frontier.com for more information. Application deadline is May 15.

P

W

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

FIGHTING HUNGER LOCALLY

Kimberly May, Christian County Farm Bureau Young Ag Leader chair, presents a $125 check to Charlie Weers, Pana Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry director. Young Ag Leaders donated the same amount to the Taylorville Food Pantry from recent winnings of the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders. Statewide Young Leaders received a $2,500 Chevrolet grant for providing the most volunteer hours and most funds raised for the national Harvest for All campaign to help fight hunger. (Photo by Mellisa McMillan, Christian County Farm Bureau manager)

Avoid seedling damage from ammonia

Seed and seedling damage from spring-applied ammonia rarely occurs in Illinois, but it can be quite damaging, according to Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois crop scientist.

“Such damage is rare because ammonia converts readily in soil to the ammonium form, which is held on soil exchange sites and is not damaging to plant tissue,” Nafziger said. “If soils are moist at the time of application and there is normal rainfall — at least an inch or so — from ammonia application through the time of crop emergence and establishment, chances of damage are close to zero.”

A small amount of ammonia remains as free ammonia instead of converting to ammonium right away, Nafziger explained. If placement is shallow or if soils dry out, some ammonia can end up in the seeding or rooting zone.

“If you can smell ammonia at the soil surface near the row at or after planting and soils are dry, there may be enough to cause damage,” he cautioned.

“Free ammonia is very toxic to

young plant tissue, and if seeds are planted into, or roots grow into a soil zone where there is ammonia, damage can result.

The most common damage is death of young roots, and this can affect yield if root systems don’t fully recover.”

Nafziger explained that the best way to avoid potential damage is to physically separate the ammonia and the seed by placing ammonia between rows or row locations.

“This is possible using GPS and autosteer, but it means that ammonia needs to be applied parallel to the rows — not at an angle, and application and planting need to be precise in order to avoid placing any rows right over the ammonia band,” he said. “If this can be done accurately, planting can take place right after, during or before ammonia application.”

Physically separating ammonia from the seedling zone by placing ammonia deep can help, but does not eliminate the possibility of damage. Deep placement (8 to 10 inches deep) takes more power, and it can be difficult to maintain uniformity of depth

across wide bars, Nafziger said.

“Deep placement in the spring also means placement into wetter soil. With its very high solubility, ammonia moves less distance away from the point of release in wet soils than in drier soils,” he said.

“This increases the concentration of ammonia in the soil and increases the amount that might move up if soils dry to that depth. The ‘path’ left by a knife running in wet soil is more open for upward movement of ammonia, and this can increase potential for plant damage.”

If it’s not possible to apply ammonia between (the eventual) rows, then separating application from planting by time can reduce damage potential.

He added the old rule of thumb — waiting one to two weeks between application and planting — is better than waiting one to two days, but not as good as waiting longer.

“So, as long as we understand that waiting a week or two decreases but does not eliminate the odds of injury, it’s a guideline we can live with,” he said.

Accuracy where it matters most.

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FarmWeek • Page 14 • Monday, May 4, 2015

Watch out for corn insecticide and herbicide interactions

Crop pest control is getting more complicated. Soil-applied insecticides are increasingly being added back into the toolbox to help manage corn rootworm issues and other pest problems.

Insecticides provide alternative modes of action for managing Bt-resistant rootworm populations, high pressure rootworm infestations, variant populations, structured refuges and conTim Laatsch ventional corn. Soilapplied insecticides can also provide broad spectrum control of other below-ground corn insects like cutworm, seed corn maggot, white grub and wireworm.

Herbicide programs are also becoming increasingly complex as we seek to rotate herbicide site of action (SOA) chemistry to stay one step ahead of resistant weeds. In this complex modern management environment, we must remain mindful of the risk for potential crop injury from certain combinations of soil insecticides and herbicides.

What causes crop injury?

Corn plants need to metabolize and detoxify absorbed pesticides to avoid

BY TIM LAATSCH

Here’s an example of corn injury from ALS herbicide plus OP insecticide injury. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University)

plant injury. When an insecticide and herbicide are both present in the plant, the combination can saturate common metabolic pathways, causing toxic buildup and subsequent plant injury (see image). This type of injury is known as phytotoxicity. With some combinations, the injury can lead to significant yield losses, while in other cases the injury is temporary and the plant recovers without yield impacts.

Which products pose the greatest risk for crop injury?

The organophosphate (OP) insecticides are of greatest concern for crop injury when used in combination with herbicides in the following SOA groups: ALS inhibitors (2), HPPD inhibitors (27) and PPO inhibitors (14). These herbicide groups include popular and familiar products, like the sulfonylureas (Basis, Hornet, Surestart); the mesotri-

ones (Callisto, Capreno, Halex GT); and saflufenacil (Sharpen, Verdict).

How do I manage this risk?

The pyrethroid insecticides (like those found in the products Force, Aztec, Fortress, Regent and Capture) may provide lower risk alternatives to the organophosphates when ALS, HPPD or PPO herbicides are used.

The key to successful management is to always make sure you cross-check compatibility of your herbicide program against any at-planting, soilapplied insecticides. This also applies to any post-emergent insecticide applications that are planned or made in response to a threshold pest outbreak.

Table 10 on page 71 of the 2015 Weed Control Guide for Ohio, Indiana and Illinois summarizes use precautions for a wide range of products for quick reference. To read the guide, visit {http:// bit.ly/1Al5iWI}.

Remember, product labels are the most definitive source of information. Always read and follow label directions. Avoid the high risk combinations and protect your crops from injury this season!

Tim Laatsch serves as GROWMARK’s insect and plant disease technical manager.

His email address is tlaatsch@growmark. com.

New daily price limits for corn, wheat at CBOT could reduce market volatility

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The daily price limit for corn and wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) edged up a nickel Friday.

CME Group, parent of the exchange, reset the daily price limits to 30 cents per bushel for corn and 40 cents for CBOT wheat. The new limits

to learn more about new CBOT daily price limits.

took effect Thursday and were first used in trading Friday (May 1).

The daily price limit for soy-

The daily price limit for corn and wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade edged up a nickel Friday as CME Group made the adjustment to improve market efficiency. (File photo by Ken Kashian)

beans remains 70 cents per bushel.

The ability to change daily price limits was incorporated into contract rules a year ago, according to Dave Lehman, who leads Ag Commodity Research and Product Development at CME Group.

“The new formula allows us to adjust the limits up or down depending on the average price level over the previous 45 days,” Lehman told FarmWeek. “We reset the limits May 1 and November 1. The percentage obviously is different at $3.50 corn than $6 corn.”

The 5-cent boost to the CBOT wheat contract matches the existing daily price limit for the Kansas City hard red winter wheat contract at 40 cents per bushel.

“We wanted the same limit for both wheat contracts,” Lehman said.

The change in price limits, while now higher, actually should reduce volatility in the markets, Lehman noted.

“Volatility is a function of economic fundamentals of the market and weather, which is a main factor driving the markets now,” he said.

“When the limits are too narrow, we actually observe a little greater volatility at times as the price hits the shock absorber and can’t find its true equilibrium level,” Lehman continued.

“Whereas with a wider limit, it allows the markets to function a little more efficiently.”

Lehman encourages farmers to consider various risk man-

agement strategies to deal with tighter margins this year caused by high input costs and lower crop prices.

“It’s always good to understand what your costs are and look for opportunities in the futures market and whatever risk management tools are available to lock in a margin,” he said.

Short-dated options, for example, have become more popular with some farmers at CME Group. They’re designed to better target the hedge instrument to the risk in the underlying market at a lower cost, Lehman added.

For more information, visit the website {cmegroup.com}.

Milk prices move slightly higher

The Class III price for milk adjusted to 3.5 percent butterfat for the month of December was announced at $15.81 per hundredweight. This is the second straight month of higher prices, and dairy producers have added a total of 35 cents to their pay price since the March announcement.

The persistent drought in the West continues to keep milk production figures flat. Strong production in the Midwest has offset some of the lower production numbers in California, but overall, our nation’s milk output has stayed fairly steady.

Corn Strategy

Speed bump ahead … USDA!

On May 12, USDA will release its second important report of the spring regarding the outlook for 2015 crops. At the end of March, it issued the prospective plantings report.

This time, it will issue supply/demand expectations for the new-crop year for both the U.S. and the world. And not to be forgotten will be the first production forecast for the U.S. winter wheat crop.

With planting under way, a discussion about yield potential has joined the acreage debate. There’s been some discussion this past week about what USDA might do with yield given the good early planting progress, corn in particular. Acreage is settled as USDA uses the March numbers to build its production forecasts.

Some think USDA might raise the corn yield from the 166.8 bushel forecast it used at the February Outlook Forum.

But last year, when planting was at a respectable early pace, USDA left it unchanged. In 2013, the department used a lower forecast because of the slow start to planting.

With its current forecast, 166.8 bushels close to last year’s 171-bushel record, we’d doubt department officials raise it more than 1 bushel, if at all.

For soybeans, USDA has tended to stay with its trend yield. This year, it projected a 46-bushel yield, and will likely do so again in May. The wheat supply/demand will be largely dictated by the size of the first winter wheat production forecast. While the

crop ratings suggest something near trend for yield, there could be a surprise given the uneven moisture in the Southern Plains, scattered light frost problems and some indication of disease.

Maybe the bigger focus needs to be on USDA survey findings for winter wheat harvested acreage. Both the cattle market and the grain sorghum market could reduce the acreage intended to be harvested.

Not to be lost in the mix is the first forecasts of how USDA sees the world situation shaping up in the 2015-16 crop year. That is a more difficult set of numbers to forecast given the wide range of variables to project.

The industry can glean some guidance from the early International Grains Council (IGC) estimates. Even though IGC is still projecting comfortable supplies of wheat and coarse grains in the coming year, it is slightly tighter than the situation the market is working with this year.

The IGC forecasts a 5 million metric ton (mmt) reduction in wheat ending stocks in the coming year, tightening the stocks/use ratio from 28 percent to 27.5 percent. Coarse grain stocks are expected to shrink 18 mmt, tightening the stocks/use 1.4 percentage points to 17.5 percent.

No one has yet made any forecasts for soybeans or oilseeds for the coming year.

But given the three major producers — the U.S., Brazil and Argentina — all had exceptional crops, we wouldn’t be surprised to see somewhat lower production forecast for 2015-16. With demand holding up because of attractive prices, it would argue USDA should forecast slightly smaller stocks and stocks/use for 2015-16 as well.

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ü2014 crop: The planting pace and large old-crop inventories are keeping prices defensive. Because of that, it presents a great opportunity to lock up the basis with various tools on old-crop inventories.

The sideways-to-lower trend should end soon, giving way to better prices this summer.

Other than locking in the basis, we are not interested in pricing corn. ü2015 crop: The long-term outlook continues to look constructive from both a technical and fundamental perspective.

Hold off making sales. vFundamentals: There’s little doubt new-crop expectations will dictate prices going forward. Even though the May 12 USDA forecasts will likely validate ideas that grain supplies will be comfortable, we know little with certainty about what supplies will be like in the coming year. But the two, consecutive record world crops are unlikely to be repeated a third time. Amid this, demand should remain relatively robust with the price structure buyers have going into the growing season.

Page 15 • Monday, May 4, 2015 • FarmWeek Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2014 crop: Amid the persistent talk about large supplies, soybean prices hold up.

Demand tends to reassert itself when futures dip under $9.50.

While there are no guarantees, timing indicators suggest prices should strengthen this summer. ü2015 crop: Price action tends to suggest supply and demand remain relatively well balanced. Given that, and little risk premium in current prices, there should be better marketing opportunities ahead. vFundamentals: The reemergence of export demand for old-crop U.S. soybeans isn’t being ignored. Even though we still have plenty to sell, it’s a reminder world demand remains good, and not all short-term needs can be sourced out of South America. The port strike in Argentina and the scattered truck strikes in Brazil remind buyers they can be somewhat unreliable. Argentine crop expectations continue to grow, but producers remain stingy sellers, hoping for lower

export taxes after this fall’s election.

Wheat Strategy

ü2014 crop: New-crop dynamics can begin to lead prices and allow for better 2014 sales opportunities. ü2015 crop: Prices made new five-year lows last week, but there wasn’t any downside follow-through. Patience is warranted while futures attempt to carve out a bottom. vFundamentals: The weather outlook has improved for developing winter wheat, but we do not know how conditions will fare when the crop is harvested. Yield loss from drought

and disease is a worry for hard red growers. Quality is the concern for soft red wheat. Currently, there is a lack of risk premium in prices to hedge against production and condition issues that could arise by summer. If anything, depressed prices have allowed end users to find good value. Exports continue to suffer, though. It is the end of the marketing year, but large cancellations last week came a bit earlier than expected. A strong dollar remains a head wind, but signs that it might be turning lower should be closely watched.

FarmWeek • Page 16 • Monday, May 4, 2015

Congressional hearing proves life changing for Illinois 4-H’er

Washington trip verifies ‘your voice is being heard’ Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington assemble on the Capitol steps.

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., with the Illinois Farm Bureau Leaders to Washington trip. First, let me start off by saying how impressed I was by the staff and support staff of IFB for making sure we had everything we needed ahead of time and to research what topics we were to discuss with our senators and representatives as well as making the travel arrangements for us.

Twenty-eight particiMATT pants took time out of RUSH their busy schedules to make the trip to D.C. Nine were Young Leaders from across the state of Illinois.

Once we landed, it was all hands on deck for everyone. After a short briefing, we headed to meet with various agencies where we discussed agriculture trade and how it affects our markets.

The next day we started with another briefing on what to expect when we visited Capitol Hill, which was helpful for those of us who have never experienced it before. After meeting with various

senators and representatives, one thing was very clear to me — they want to hear from everyone no matter what age you are or what interest you have in agriculture.

It was impressive to learn how well respected IFB is in regards to agricultural issues. From time to time, we as Farm Bureau members are called upon to take part in an action request with FB ACT. After visiting and hearing from our legislators, it’s reassuring to know they do take our voices seriously and want to hear from us.

Everyone has an opinion on what law or regulation is being discussed. If we don’t make our voices heard, the opposing side will.

If you ever have the chance to attend this trip, I would recommend it. Not only do you get to visit Washington, D.C., with a great organization, it is reassuring to know your voice is being heard.

Matt Rush of Fairfield chairs the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee and represents District 17. To follow the Young Leaders’ blog, visit {www.ilfb.org/getinvolved/young-leaders/yl-blog}.

Editor’s note: McLean County 4H’er Jill Parrent, 17, recently shared the following story with the U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee on biotechnology, horticulture and research. She represented one of 17 National 4-H Conference attendees who addressed the subcommittee during a public hearing on the future of agriculture.

“The congressional hearing was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life,” Parrent of Normal told RFD Radio Network. “I was interested in public speaking and nutrition before. I think I now want to go into agriculture policy making.”

My name is Jill Parrent, and I am a delegate to National 4-H Conference from Normal, Illinois.

I am a 10-year 4-H’er and have been involved in 4-H my entire life. My grandparents, mom, aunts, uncles and cousins have been involved in 4-H for three generations, so 4-H has been a family affair. I view agriculture through JILL several lenses as I live PARRENT in a town of 200,000, yet my mother’s family owns and operates a ranch and farm that has been in the family for four generations. My immediate family is involved in an agritainment pumpkin farm (Rader Family Farms near Normal).

The pumpkin farm is a fall destination for much of our urban population to visit. It focuses on teaching guests about agriculture through activities and entertainment while making family memories in the fall.

For the seven weeks we are open,

over 36,500 patrons come to our farm.

We expose them to how plants grow, animals and their behaviors, the many “jobs” a farmer has and must do, and how agriculture influences our lives each and every day. Nearly every activity available is connected to agriculture in some way.

School age students come to our farm to experience a taste of agriculture they wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience otherwise. In our 2014 season, we had the opportunity to teach over 4,500 students about agriculture using agritainment. We teach them many aspects about agriculture. For example, we introduce them to eight different field crops often grown in Illinois. They get to see the plants, feel the stalks and seeds, and learn why the crop is produced.

The students pick their own pumpkin, learning how a pumpkin grows — from the seed in the soil to the flower, the importance of bee pollination, and finally, a ripe product. They also learn about the many bushels of corn produced in Illinois, touch and feel an ear of corn, and learn that byproducts of corn include the sweetener in some of their sodas and sport drinks, the coloring in fireworks on the Fourth of July, and that nearly every item on the menu at McDonald’s contains corn or soybeans.

I have a passion and desire to teach the public about agriculture through activities that excite them, while keeping them interested in the lessons we teach them. If I have the opportunity to impact 20 kids, I know that is 20 more lives than I would have been able to impact without our agritainment farm.

Now’s the time to manage Illinois’ natural resources Anticipation and excitement are developing across Illinois during spring planting season.

Along with those seasonal expectations, we need a conscientious examination of our land and water stewardship responsiDON bilities.

Illinois’ GUINNIP natural resources have treated farmers well. It’s time that we do a better job of improving and preserving those resources.

Several Illinois soybean farmers just returned from a water quality fact finding visit

to the Delmarva Peninsula (in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia). Our question: Is the present situation regarding nutrient management there to become the future here? We hope not. But only the determined engagement of all Illinois producers will avert the Delmarva solution from coming here.

On every farm we visited, it was the same sight and the same story — large three-ring binders of nutrient management plans covering every activity on every field. These plans were written by paid consultants or the local Soil & Water Conservation District.

Many farmers had paid many thousands of dollars to have

the plans written and constantly updated. Most were subject to periodic audit by the state. The same farmers engaged in constant talk of nitrogen and phosphorus management techniques. Cover crops were everywhere you looked. Farming for the regulators has arrived there!

Illinois farmers: the time to act is now! This spring is not too late to try some improved phosphorus or nitrogen conservation techniques. Splitshot applications, tissue testing, adjustable rate injection, starter fertilizer or the old tried-and-true no-till on those erosion-prone soils are just a few examples of simple steps you can take that may make a huge difference in how we

farm in the future.

The solution to these water quality issues can be found.

First, sound science, not political science. Legitimate, reputable science-based research.

With four ag colleges, the Council on Best Management Practices, the Nutrient Research and Education Council, NWatch and a large group of professional Certified Crop Advisers, Illinois is well-positioned for this part of the solution.

Second, each field in each watershed on each soil type needs to be managed accordingly. Keep the NPK in the root zone and available to the crop. When the crop is not growing, keep those elements

tied up and immobilized, and the soil in place.

While scare tactics often fail to encourage farmer improvement, we do not want to wait for legislative or regulatory action.

We can manage this in a voluntary manner. Chesapeake Bay, Lake Erie algae bloom, Des Moines Water Works, hypoxia in the Gulf — these situations should serve as a warning to us.

We in Illinois agriculture have the ability to manage this situation if we all work together and all start now!

Do your part. Produce results.

Farmer Don Guinnip of Marshall serves as the Illinois Soybean Association Production Committee chairman.