FarmWeek October 8 2012 by Illinois Farm Bureau

29 DAYS REMAIN UNTIL THE NOV. 6 ELECTION

Many cattle producers this year have liquidated animals due to high feed and production costs, but not a Fulton County farmer. ..................................................5

KnoWing the aMount of nitrogen that remains in fields will provide valuable information for the next crop year and is the object of a research project. .........8

Monday, October 8, 2012

Two sections Volume 40, No. 41

Farm bill key to ‘direct-to-consumer’ efforts BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

As the nation’s specialty growers savor the fruits of the 2008 farm bill, U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack warns key farm market initiatives are among the potential “casualties of congressional inaction.” Last week, Vilsack announced $55 million in new federal Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funding for 749 specialty crop research, education, awareness, and marketing projects across the U.S. He stressed the role of direct-toconsumer sales in the revival of the rural economy. USDA also awarded roughly $634,000 in block grant funds to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which plans to distribute money among a dozen specialty crop projects. USDA also announced funding of expanded research in fruit and vegetable production, food safety, and other areas. The 2008 farm bill helped connect consumers with fresh produce and bolstered ag income, Vilsack told reporters. He blasted lawmakers for failing to consider 2012 farm bill proposals prior to fall adjournment, allowing the 2008 bill to lapse last Monday (Oct. 1) without replacement provisions in place.

That places specialty crop funding and the economic potential it offers in jeopardy, Vilsack said. The 2008 bill offered expanded Tom Vilsack fruit and vegetable market support, and both the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and Specialty Crop Block Grant Programs could be discontinued “absent passage by Congress of a food, farm, and jobs bill,” the ag secretary advised. With farm bill expiration, dairy producers lose Milk Income Loss Contract program price protection, Conservation Reserve Program enrollments are frozen, and export assistance programs face serious funding cuts. USDA is unable to provide added Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program assistance without farm bill reauthorization, Vilsack said. If Congress can’t pass a five-year farm bill and related ag budget cuts following

November elections, USDA faces severe automatic cuts under January budget “sequestration.” Vilsack recognized the likelihood of ag budget reductions “in one form or

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

the use of stalls, the Associated Press (AP) reported. HSUS owns stock in Tyson Foods and has tried in the past to get the company to change its production policies. “It’s one thing to be on the outside and asking for animal welfare concerns to be elevated within the company,” Pacelle told the AP. “It’s another thing to try to do it from the inside.” A Tyson spokesperson told AP the company is committed to humane animal treatment and expects the same from farmers in its meat production system. Pork producers have taken notice of HSUS’ strategy and also plan to increase their presence in the corporate board rooms of food retailers. The National Pork Board

another,” but deemed sequestration “bad policy.” “If sequestration were to go into effect, we calculate it would result in an across-theboard reduction of about 8.2

percent in every line item at USDA, with the exception of a few programs,” Vilsack told FarmWeek. See Farm bill, page 4

UNDER A HARVEST MOON

Shane Beck of Colfax in McLean County watches as corn from a 40-acre field near Anchor is loaded onto a semi-trailer truck under the light of a harvest moon. Beck works for the Eyer family of Anchor. Dave Eyer reported corn yields were varying from 40 to 200 bushels per acre with the moisture content about 20 percent. Eyer, his brother, Dan, and their father, Chester, hoped to finish corn last Friday before the rain moved in. They have 400 acres of soybeans remaining to harvest. So far, soybean yields have been averaging 48 bushels per acre with a moisture content of 11 to 12 percent. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Sow stall issue could heat up board rooms The debate over whether hog farmers should use gestation stalls could be decided in corporate board rooms rather than on farms by animal care providers and veterinarians. That, at least, appears to be the goal of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). HSUS, which was instrumental in persuading food retailers such as McDonald’s and Burger King to announce intentions to phase out procurement of pork from farmers who use stalls, recently unveiled another target. Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president, confirmed he is seeking a spot on Tyson Foods’ board of directors in an attempt to convince the company to eliminate

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

(NPB) plans to increase direct communication with decisionmakers at the top food retail chains nationwide to help them understand modern pork production methods. “We think we need to be in that conversation,” Dereke Dunkirk, president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association, told FarmWeek. “We believe that producers should have the freedom to make the decision of what (housing system) works best on their operation.” Changing housing systems will increase production costs and retail pork prices and won’t necessarily improve animal welfare, according to NPB. In fact, animal welfare in some cases could deteriorate if gestation stalls are removed as an option.

At the moment, about 83 percent of sows in the U.S. spend a portion of their lives in gestation stalls. Dunkirk believes most pork producers in Illinois are taking a waitand-see approach to the issue, despite the recent push to phase out stalls. “At the state level, I’m not seeing a lot of big moves (in production methods),” Dunkirk said. “A lot of guys are still weighing their options (for housing systems).” Hog production numbers in USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report last month didn’t suggest major problems with current production systems. The average pigs-saved-per-litter in the most recent quarter was a record-high 10.03.

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

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, October 8, 2012

Quick takes NO TO PROP 37 — Cargill recently informed farmers of an opportunity to fight California’s Proposition 37 ballot initiative. If approved by California voters in November, Prop 37 would require labeling of foods that contain GMO ingredients sold at retail in California. The size of that market and the interconnectedness of the food supply chain mean passage would adversely impact farmers across the U.S. As a member of the “No on 37” Coalition, Cargill is working with farm groups and food manufacturers to raise funds to fight Prop 37. In a Sept. 12 letter to customers, it offered to match contributions from farmercustomers up to $1,000 per farm (to a combined total match of $100,000). Farmers may contribute online using a credit card via a secure portal {efundraisingconnections.com/c/ NoOn37/default.aspx?fid=13}, or by mail with a check. To send a check, print and complete a contributor form available at {noprop37.com/files/No-on-37Contributor-Form.docx} and write “Cargill Match” in the upper right corner of the form. Send the form and a check made payable to “No on 37” to the “No on 37 Coalition” address listed on the contributor form. Do not mail contributions to Cargill. VENISON DONATIONS ENCOURAGED — Deer hunters this year are encouraged to donate venison to Illinois food banks and charities. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has a list of participating meat processors that will grind donated meat. The Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger is offering $50 to defray the cost of processing whole deer donations. Hunters must field dress donated deer before delivering the game to the meat processors. The youth firearm deer season started last Saturday with other firearm seasons starting Nov. 16 and 29. Muzzleloader seasons start Nov. 29 and Dec. 7. LINCOLN’S CONNECTION TO AG — New artifacts on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Springfield, highlight the president’s extensive ties to agriculture and higher education. Lincoln became convinced more education for farmers would benefit everyone, so as president he promoted and signed the Morrill Act in 1862. The law enabled the new western states, including Illinois, to establish colleges for their citizens. Under the original Morrill Act, more then 70 landgrant universities were established, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Lincoln also created the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1862. His personal copy of USDA’s first annual report is part of the new exhibit.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 40 No. 41

October 8, 2012

Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers. FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau. FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701. Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek. FarmWeek is published by the Illinois Agricultural Association for farm operator members. $3 from the individual membership fee of each of those members go toward the production of FarmWeek.

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STAFF Editor Dave McClelland (dmcclelland@ilfb.org) Legislative Affairs Editor Kay Shipman (kayship@ilfb.org) Agricultural Affairs Editor Martin Ross (mross@ilfb.org) Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant (dgrant@ilfb.org) Editorial Assistant Linda Goltz (Lgoltz@ilfb.org) Business Production Manager Bob Standard (bstandard@ilfb.org) Advertising Sales Manager Richard Verdery (rverdery@ilfb.org) Classified sales coordinator Nan Fannin (nfannin@ilfb.org) Director of News and Communications Michael L. Orso Advertising Sales Representatives Hurst and Associates, Inc. P.O. Box 6011, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 1-800-397-8908 (advertising inquiries only) Gary White - Northern Illinois Doug McDaniel - Southern Illinois Editorial phone number: 309-557-2239 Classified advertising: 309-557-3155 Display advertising: 1-800-676-2353

Drought

Drought recovery continues; harvest remains in full gear BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Drought conditions in Illinois eased in September and the first week of this month. Illinois in September, for the first time this year, averaged cooler and wetter-thannormal conditions. The average statewide temperature last month was 64.6 degrees, 1.6 degrees cooler than normal, while precipitation averaged 4.9 inches, 1.7 inches above normal, the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) reported. Prior to that, the average temperature from January through August was a record-high 58.9 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 58.3 degrees recorded the first eight months of 1921. “I’m very comfortable with the (drought) recovery compared to where we were this Jim Angel summer in much of Southern and Central Illinois,” said Jim Angel, state climatologist. “But parts of Northern Illinois still have a ways to go.” The majority of the state (82 percent) was still in some stage of drought at the end of September. But the portion of the state in the worst two categories of drought (extreme and exceptional) declined from 70 percent at the end of August to just 6.7 percent last month.

Tuesday: • Harvey Freese, Freese-Notis Weather • Gayle Jennings, clinical dietician with Springfield’s Memorial Medical Center • John Hawkins, Illinois Farm Bureau web editor Wednesday: • Jennifer Tirey, bureau chief of marketing and promotion for the Illinois Department of Agriculture • Troy Frerichs, Country Financial’s senior investment officer in wealth management • Melanie Acklin, director of marketing for Specialty Fertilizer Products Thursday: • Kay Henrichs, coordinator of McLean County Barn Quilts Heritage Trail • Dale Durchholz, AgriVisor • Randy DeSutter, Woodhull farmer, Illinois Farm Family of the Year Friday: • Sara Wyant, AgriPulse publisher • Guy Fraker, lawyer and Lincoln historian and author • Alan Jarand, director of RFD Radio

In fact, a large swath of the state from the south central area up to Northeastern Illinois as of last week was just “abnormally dry” with a small section of the state east of St. Louis now back to normal, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought conditions, meanwhile, intensified west of the Mississippi River. Three-quarters of Iowa and 98 percent of Nebraska last week were in extreme to exceptional drought. “The weather pattern shifted in mid-August and the high pressure that dominated all summer shifted westward and allowed cooler air in Illinois and better chances of precipitation,” Angel said. The pattern was forecast to continue as a cold front moved into Illinois late last

week and dropped some scattered showers. The moisture slowed some field activity, but farmers so far this season have harvested corn at an incredible pace. Corn harvest the first of last week was 71 percent complete statewide compared to the average pace of 33 percent. “Corn harvest is now in full swing,” said Bernie Walsh, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from far Northern Winnebago County. Soybean harvest last week wasn’t nearly as far along with only 22 percent of the crop in the bin compared to the average of 21 percent. “Soybean harvest creeps along due to plants with green pods and stems that will not mature,” said Brian Schaumburg, a Cropwatcher from McLean County.

Page 3 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

gOvErNmENT ELECTION 2012

Local officials ready for election queries BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Local election officials get some of the same questions every four years — the last time some voters entered a voting booth. “This is the one election when they vote. They may not know where their polling place is. They may be voting for a different candidate because they only vote every four years,” said William “Bill” Blessman, Mason County clerk and recorder. Election officials anticipate a higher voter turnout for presidential elections than for other general elections. Blessman estimated 65 to 75 percent of the registered voters in

his county will vote and predicted the same percentage would turn out elsewhere in the state. One issue election

officials continually encounter is individuals who think they are registered to vote, but learn they aren’t after

they come to the polls, according to Blessman. The traditional registration deadline is Tuesday (Oct. 9). However, individuals may register and vote during graceperiod voting starting Wednesday through Nov. 3.

Blessman said he had received few questions related to the upcoming election, which includes a

proposed amendment to the state Constitution. The proposal — to allow the enhancement of pensions by any government body — would require a three-fifths voter approval, or a super majority. As the campaigns swing into the final weeks, election officials look forward to Nov. 6. “We want people to vote. It’s an American duty that people have fought and died for,” Blessman said. “We want elections to be fair, to be secure, and to be easy for people,” he continued. “We want to make sure the process is done correctly. It’s what we do.”

Why should you

VOTE?

“This could be the most important election in our lifetime ... Get out to vote on election day.”

PHILIP NELSON, Seneca Illinois Farm Bureau president

Farmland assessment law focused on equitable, uniform treatment Editor’s note: To help Farm Bureau members understand how the farmland assessment law works, FarmWeek will be publishing a series of detailed articles on the law. Farmland assessment for property tax purposes remains one of Illinois’ most complicated tax systems and one that captures much interest. The goal is to achieve equitable and uniform assessments based on soil productivity, but the farmland assessment law came about because of a desire to prevent urban sprawl and inflation from decimating the state’s No. 1 industry — agriculture. In the 1970s, farmland was being developed at a rate of 100,000 acres each year, driving up land prices for development. To compound the problem, double-digit

inflation drove up farmland prices, nearly tripling farmland values between 1974 and 1980. Thus pressure increased on the General Assembly to provide stability to the farmland situation. After the original farmland assessment law was drafted in 1977, concerns surfaced because inequities and non-uniform assessments were occurring across county lines and within taxing bodies that crossed county lines.

In 1980, the Illinois Farm Bureau successfully sought to amend the law to reflect the agricultural economy — in both good and bad years — and calculate farmland value based on a soil productivity index. For the first time, neither farmland’s market value nor sale price was considered in determining farmland’s value for real estate taxes, according to IFB documents. The for mula uses capitalization to deter mine far mland’s value

based on its production capability, known as the soil productivity index. To better reflect the far m economy and add stability to the system, the formula uses moving five-year averages of gross income, non-land production costs, and capitalization rates. However, there is a two-year lag, so the 2011 values were based on five-year average data from 2005 to 2009. The state chose to use five-year averages to reduce the impact of any single year and smooth out any changes. The state’s formula to calculate farmland value was designed to reflect the agricultural economy and continues to do so today. — Kay Shipman

Mull drought-related tax issues

IRS grants livestock farmers added leeway

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

The U.S. Inter nal Revenue Ser vice (IRS) has provided far mers in designated disaster areas an extended period in which to replace animals and defer taxes on g ains from drought-related forced livestock sales. Far mers who sell more livestock than they normally would as a result of drought may defer the tax on the extra g ains from those sales. To qualify, livestock generally must be replaced within a four-year period. Far mers in areas whose drought sale replacement

period was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31 in most cases will have until the end of their next tax year to replace their animals.

FarmWeekNow.com Go to FarmWeekNow.com to view the complete IRS notice on how to handle taxes on livestock.

This extension immediately impacts drought sales that occur red during 2008. “You’re not avoiding tax — you’re defer ring it,” stressed Eric Kriener t, Illinois Ag ricultural Auditing Association’s (IAAA) corporate tax director.

The one-year extension applies to capital g ains realized from sales of livestock used for draft, dair y, or breeding purposes. Sales of poultr y and livestock raised for slaughter or spor ting purposes are not eligible. IRS provided relief to all far ms located in Illinois. Details on repor ting drought sales and other far m-related tax issues can be found in Publication 225, the Far mer’s Tax Guide, at the IRS website {irs.g ov}. Tom Husek, IAAA small business ser vices

director, urges producers to begin considering the tax implications of 2012 drought-related compensation. For example, g rowers can repor t drought-related crop insurance loss payments as par t of either 2012 or 2013 Schedule F income, depending on past marketing practices. Tax defer ral generally is allowed if a far mer does not receive insurance proceeds for a cur rent year’s crop until the following year. According to IRS, far mers can postpone repor ting proceeds if they use the cash method of

accounting, receive insurance proceeds in the same tax year crops are damaged, and can show that under nor mal business practices, they would have included income from damaged crops in any tax year following the year damage occur red. Some far m tax exper ts nonetheless sug gest far mers can elect to repor t the individual yield por tion of federal crop payments in 2012 or 2013 but cannot defer payments on the price loss por tion of a revenue claim. Far mers should consult their tax preparer to deter mine their eligibility.

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, October 8, 2012

specialty crops

Customer service key to success at Tanner’s Orchard BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Richard Tanner vividly recalls hauling truckloads of apples hundreds of miles with his late father, John, whenever they had a big crop. “We used to haul a lot of apples to Chicago and St. Louis,” Tanner told FarmWeek. “In the mid-1980s we had some big crops.” It was about that time the Tanners attended a meeting hosted by the Illinois Fruit Council (now the Illinois Specialty Growers Association) and came up with a new concept for their operation. The Tanners decided to shift more of their focus from apple production and distribution to marketing and brand development/promotion. The Tanners in the process turned their farm, located at Speer near Peoria, from an orchard into a destination. “We put more emphasis on

marketing and offering something for the whole family,” Tanner said. Tanner’s Orchard offers a variety of apples, apple-based products such as cider, gourmet food, and gifts. The farm features a playground area, corn maze, and offers a daily lunch menu. Tanner’s also hosts festival days and offers barrel train rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, and pedal cars for children’s amusement. The investment and emphasis on marketing allowed the operation to blossom. Tanner’s Orchard on a single weekend day often attracts between 5,000 and 6,000 people. The largest singleday crowd was 6,600 people. The business this year is celebrating its 65th anniversary. “We’re thankful we got the market going,” Tanner said. “This time of year is our busiest season.” Tanner, who runs the operation with his wife, Marilyn, their

son, Craig, and daughter, Jennifer Beaver and her family, averted a disaster this year. A freeze on April 11 caused all the blossoms on their apple trees to abort. The Tanners have more than 11,000 trees that produce 17 varieties of apples.

“We lost our entire crop,” Tanner said. “We made some new contacts in Michigan and Wisconsin and found a lot of good, quality apples. We’ll have enough for cider.” The Tanners also grow 20 acres of ornamental pumpkins.

That crop did fairly well this year in the hot, dry conditions. “They’re not as large as I’d like to see them, but there’s a lot of them,” Tanner said. For information or directions to Tanner’s Orchard, visit the website {tannersorchard.com}.

Customers shop at Tanner’s Orchard in Speer for a variety of apples, cider, and other seasonal goodies. Tanner’s Orchard, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary, averted a disaster this year by trucking in apples from Michigan and Wisconsin. The family operation, which consists of more than 11,000 trees and 17 varieties of apples, lost its entire apple crop this year to an April freeze. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

Specialty sector impacts exist throughout farm bill BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

While some critics portray the farm bill as a federal sop to a handful of major commodities, it does offer widespread opportunities for specialty crop growers. Two Cornell University economists cite the importance of modern ag policy amid a growing push for “local” food, increased attention to low-income nutritional needs, and continued concerns about produce safety. The 2008 farm bill’s firstever horticulture title targeted fruit, vegetable, organic, and other enterprises not addressed through the commodity programs title. The farm bill’s nutrition title authorized fresh fruit and vegetable purchases for food assistance programs (currently stalled proposals would extend purchases through 2017). Cornell’s Bradley Rickard also cites the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), which funds multi-year, multi-partner projects and helps foster “integration of production, processing, and marketing and an integration of solutions.” Illinois Farm Bureau Business Development and Compliance Manager Cynthia haskins argued food safety solutions are a “paramount” priority, from consumer food-handling education to “the industry assuring good agriculture practices, good manufacturing practices, or protection from terrorism.”

“This is much bigger than food safety,” Rickard told FarmWeek, however. “(SCRI) concerns all production practices, breeding, new variety selection for horticultural crops. “And most people who are successful with these specialty crop research grants usually think about larger societal goals. One of those often is nutrition, especially given that specialty crops are more dense in micronutrients.” Richards’ Cornell colleague, Thomas Bjorkman, noted specialty crop and organic research programs were granted mandatory funding under the 2008 farm bill, assuring their annual availability. however, those programs “get nothing” under a mere post-election extension of the newly expired farm bill, he warned. Bjorkman fears temporary suspension of funding could speed turnover in university researchers. even a shortterm freeze “could really affect whether faculty would be available to do that work when funding comes back,” he said. That’s especially crucial with respect to food safety: With new, inexperienced specialty growers entering the market, Bjorkman sees the sector facing a heightened risk of foodborne illnesses that could hurt other, innocent producers. “Consumers don’t know Farmer X’s spinach is a problem; they just know spinach is a problem,” he said.

Trade is an added focus for specialty growers. The farm bill-authorized Market Access Program has been widely used to promote apples, cherries, and other horticultural exports. While risk management improvements have focused largely on major commodities, the farm bill authorizes USDA’s Risk Management Agency to explore new and pilot crop coverages. With insurance playing “a bigger part of the next farm bill,” Rickard sees a greater opportunity to educate policymakers in “the idiosyncrasies of insurance for horticulture crops.” For example, various apple varieties yield differently and are susceptible to various risks at different points in the season. “A honeycrisp has a much higher-per-unit value than a Macintosh apple,” Rickard added. “Producers have said they need more differentiated structure in crop insurance.”

Farm bill

Continued from page 1 “That would have a significant impact on the ability of (USDA) offices and personnel to administer programs. If sequestration were to come into play, there’d likely be the need for (staff) furloughs in the food inspection area. A furlough results in the potential lockdown or shutdown of processing. If there isn’t an inspector there, you can’t keep the plant open. That obviously has a ripple effect.” Vilsack emphasized USDA efforts to foster farmer markets in urban neighborhoods and “farm-to-school opportunities” for growers. The block grant program funds development of sustainable production practices, market assistance efforts, and improved produce processing, storage, and distribution. New and beginning farmers are the target of nearly $2.5 million of the current USDA grant allocation. Illinois Specialty Growers Association (ISGA) manager Diane handley cited the importance of block grant funding in educating and identifying opportunities for new and small farmers. Illinois is a “produce-deficit” state, and USDA support both helps deliver more fruit and vegetables to lower-income urban populations and keeps produce revenues at a local level, handley said. USDA funding has contributed to development of urban community gardens and revitalization of once-deteriorating neighborhoods, she related. In addition, block grant support has helped ISGA finance its annual conference and still be able to have money for other purposes, such as being able to to co-sponsor “Meet the Buyers” events that introduce growers to prospective customers. “You’re seeing the ripple effect of this from all angles,” handley said. “City people are now farming. Small farmers are farming bigger. Medium-sized farmers are farming bigger. And the demand out there is huge.”

FReSh FROM USDA Farm bill-authorized grants awarded last week will enable the Illinois Department of Agriculture to: • Help the University of Illinois improve the safety of locally grown produce by assessing microbial profiles on produce from farmers’ markets and recommending handling practices that minimize contamination risks. • Partner in a social media campaign that uses blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other online resources to educate consumers about Illinois specialty crop growers. • Partner with the CBS Community Partnership Division to provide a targeted multimedia campaign that focuses on the importance and availability of locally grown specialty crops.

• Partner with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance to create a marketing campaign that promotes local specialty crops to area restaurants and develop resources to help farms better understand regulatory requirements. • Work with Illinois grocers and farmers’ markets to implement a marketing campaign for Illinois specialty crops through the “Illinois, Where Fresh is…” buy local program. • Partner in a grower food safety education conference with the Illinois Specialty Growers Association. • Help the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association teach best management practices through hands-on and online continuing education.

Page 5 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

livestock

Forage situation improves; feed supply still an issue BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The return of rainfall the past two months in many parts of the state greatly improved pasture conditions and could help slow the rate of cattle liquidation. Pasture conditions last week in Illinois were rated 22 percent good to excellent, 39 percent fair, and 39 percent poor or very poor compared to a dire situation on Aug. 6 when 95 percent of pastures were rated poor or very poor. FarmWeekNow.com “I’m much more optimistic Go to FarmWeekNow.com to (now than in July and August),” check out the latest hay aucJeff Beasley, president of the Illi- tion prices across Illinois. nois Beef Association and a cattle producer from Creal Springs, told FarmWeek. “Once we started getting rain in August, the grass started growing immediately. “We definitely will have some fall pasture (to graze cattle),” he continued. “And some guys will get another cutting of hay.” In fact, some farmers this year recorded the most-ever cuttings of alfalfa on their farms. Leroy Getz, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Savanna in Carroll County, this month harvested his fifth cutting of alfalfa. He said at least two dairy farmers in his area squeezed in six cuttings this season. “I’ve never had a season in which I could get in five cuttings,” said Getz, who has farmed for 57 years and runs an operation consisting of 90 milk cows and about 90 replacement animals. “Total production of alfalfa is a little short. That’s why everybody’s trying to get an extra cutting.” Getz credits the increased number of alfalfa cuttings this year to an early start to the season, the fact that alfalfa still grows with little moisture, and rapid harvests that were not slowed by rain. The large number of alfalfa cuttings and improvement in pasture conditions have eased many cattle producers’ concerns about feed availability, but the issue likely will linger through winter. “I think getting these late-summer, early-fall rains will keep some guys from thinning their herds,” Beasley said. “But I’m still pretty concerned about this corn crop being short.” Getz plans to feed all his corn to his cattle this year, as opposed to selling some of it on the open market. He also is baling all his cornstalks. “Feed supplies are very limited,” said Getz, who noted hay prices in his area jumped from $110 per ton to as much as $250 per ton. “It will make a big difference what kind of winter we have. I hope next spring is an early spring.” Cattle require more feed to produce energy in colder weather. The producers also expressed concerns about the availability of distillers grains for feed rations if the ethanol industry reduces production, and hay/forage quality as many producers in recent months cut and harvested just about anything that was available.

Cattle feed on the farm of Larry O’Hern of Vermont. Recent rains have improved pasture conditions and the overall feed outlook. But producers still are exhausting every possible resource and spending more money on feed to ensure an adequate supply for winter. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Farmer opens cattle barn with unique design

Many cattle producers this year have liquidated animals due to high feed and production costs. U.S. feedlots in August placed 2.002 million head of cattle, down 10.9 percent from last year, USDA reported last month. However, lifelong cattle producer Larry O’Hern, 51, of Vermont (Fulton County) plans to become more efficient rather than liquidate his herd. O’Hern recently opened a new cattle barn with a unique manure storage system designed to optimize cattle welfare, productivity, and manure capacity. The monoslope beef barn is outfitted with the new PakSlat Optimizer manure storage system that combines dry stack with pitted barn technology. The design uses a combination of deep-bedded flooring on each end and slatted flooring over a manure pit in the center. Cattle spend the first part of the feeding process (growers) in the deep-bedded section of the facility and move into the center to finish the feeding process (finishers) on the slats. “It gives us a tremendous amount of flexibility so we can respond to the markets,” O’Hern told FarmWeek. The design typically costs less to build than a fully

pitted facility, and it helps decrease the possibility of hoof issues sometimes associated with slatted floors. The new facility is permitted to house as many as 960 head of cattle. The barn meets and exceeds all environmental regulations, and it is designed to help capture more of the value of the cattle manure. “There are rubber mats on the slats to improve animal husbandry and increase feed efficiency,” O’Hern said. He hopes to feed more of his herd in Illinois, as opposed to the western U.S., to take advantage of local feed. O’Hern in the past finished cattle in other states, but feed availability and transportation costs are changing that strategy. “The efficiencies (of finishing cattle) in the West are leaving us with $8 corn,” O’Hern said. His strategy now is to place cattle at higher weights to reduce dependency on corn as a key feed ingredient. “The cost of corn is a real challenge,” O’Hern said. “We’re fortunate to find alternative roughages.” O’Hern this year chopped more corn silage than usual and planted winter cereal rye to generate alternative feeds for his herd. — Daniel Grant

Larry O’Hern, Vermont, kneels on some of the rubber mats that cover the slats of the new cattle facility recently constructed on his farm. The mats should help improve cow comfort, which also should lead to improved feed efficiency. The new facility is permitted to house as many as 960 head of cattle. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, October 8, 2012

CROPWATCHERS Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: It was another good week for harvest here, because there hasn’t been any rain to slow it down. Soybean harvest is 99 percent complete and corn harvest is now in full swing. Moisture levels have finally come down to the low-20s and some varieties are in the teens. Yields continue to be variable with some fields very disappointing, and some have better yields than we thought. The low corn yields have been a concern all fall, and now our dry soils — which are getting drier each week — are as big a concern. This will make fall tillage a lot tougher. We still need some rain. Pete Tekampe, Grayslake, Lake County: We had sprinkles Wednesday and all day Thursday with no significant accumulation. Some corn has been picked, but no yield information is available. Beans are about 50 percent cut with yields from 20 to 50 bushels per acre. We hoped to start again late Friday afternoon. The ground is very hard, making it tough to plant wheat. A cold, dry week is predicted this week. Combines will be rolling. Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: We had a dry week with only some sprinkles on Thursday as the cold air moved in. Temperatures Friday morning were only in the upper 30s. We finished corn harvest on Oct. 3. The insurance adjuster was to measure the bins Friday. Yields should be in the 130-bushel range. The “bragging yields” are coming in on some yield monitors at 300 bushels per acre. Soybeans are at 80 bushels. Enjoy the fall colors. Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: We started harvest with a bang and have been going ever since. We completed soybean harvest this past week. In my area, soybean harvest is 75 percent complete. Yields for the most part were better than anticipated. Lateseason showers definitely helped fill pods and finish off the beans. Corn harvest in the area is 50 percent complete. Corn yields suffered from the lack of rain and excessive temperatures. Tillage work is being done and fall fertilizers and lime are being spread. Wheat that was planted is trying to germinate. We had a spotty shower Thursday night so that might help start the wheat. Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: I definitely need to correct a typo in last week’s report. It should have read that I think we will be able to harvest close to 75 percent of our average corn yield this year, not 5 percent. Looks like well over half of the soybeans have been harvested in this neck of the woods. Our last soybean field was the most challenging. Pods had opened up, spilling beans onto the ground, while at the same time, the stems were as green as could be and growled all the way through the combine. We are just switching over to our non-GMO corn. It looks pretty decent, so hopefully next week I will have some big yields to report. At least big yields for a drought. Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: Rain Thursday slowed soybean harvest, although green stems and attached leaves already have made for slow going. Yields have been better than expected. I had one farm top 70 bushels per acre that had been in corn for several years. Many fields have winter annual weeds, and with early harvest, this will be a good opportunity to control them. Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: I would guess that for most of the area, harvest is on the downhill slide. This past week was good for soybean harvest. Last Sunday night (Sept. 30), my wife and I had our first baby girl. Mom and baby are doing great and I am back to picking corn.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received 0.3 of an inch of rain last Thursday. That was enough to stop harvest and give farmers a short break from long days. We just have a few acres of corn left and just got a good start on soybeans. The first yields were in the upper 50s. Other reports are just as variable as the corn in this area — anywhere from the upper 40s to low 60s. Still, yields are a little better than we were expecting in August. We are still very dry here. Moisture from the rains of early September has disappeared, and we will need lots more this fall to replenish the soil for next year. Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: Corn harvest is pretty much over, and soybean harvest is probably 30 to 40 percent complete. Recent rain and beans that are not ripe have slowed us down. One cannot combine the dry beans and leave the green ones for later because this takes away from our blending within one field. Soybeans yields in this immediate area are 25 to 40 bushels per acre with higher yields in other parts of the county. Fertilizing and fall tillage are progressing at this early date. Markets are still volatile as we enter the month of October for the fall price for federal crop insurance. Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: Rain on Wednesday and Thursday slowed up harvest. We received 0.25 of an inch on Wednesday and 1 inch on Thursday. We have 25 percent of our corn harvested. We are expecting our corn planted in May to be better than what we planted in April. We have not harvested any of it yet. Eighty-five percent or more of the corn is harvested in our area. Many of those fields have been tilled already. About 50 percent or more of the soybean fields have been harvested. The local closing bids for Oct. 4: nearby corn, $7.61; fall 2013 corn, $5.95; nearby soybeans, $15.40; fall 2013 soybeans, $13.02. Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: Soybean harvest creeps along due to plants with green pods and stems that will not mature. Drought, insects, disease, and frost may be the culprits. Yields range from ridiculous to sublime, and you don’t have to drive too far to see the difference. Field averages range from 20 to more than 70 bushels on beans and 20 to 220 on corn. A lot of tillage is getting done. The 1.2 inches of rain Friday was welcome. We will need a lot more to get recharged for next season. Corn, $7.50; January, $7.56; fall 2013, $6.07; soybeans, $15.35; January, $15.43; fall 2013, $12.98; wheat, $7.91. Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: I listened to the rhythm of the falling rain Friday morning as we expected up to 1 inch. We had 0.33 of an inch on Tuesday and 0.03 of an inch on Wednesday. Cooling temperatures mean it’s time to break out the Carharts. Harvesto-meter for our crop reporting district is 74 percent corn harvested and 23 percent soybeans harvested. There are only a handful of cornfields left standing. We started beans yesterday with moisture ranging from 13.5 to 13.8. Looks as if we will have good weather this week to keep rolling with temperatures from the 30s to the 60s. Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: It was another dry week in Adams County. Corn harvest is virtually complete and several fields of soybeans are history. Yields of soybeans are fair, but mostly better than the corn. The weather forecasters said fall was coming last weekend with a drop in temperature and a few sprinkles. Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Done chiseling. Tried to cut beans but they were still 15.2 percent moisture. It rained but only enough to mess up bean cutting. We want to sow wheat seed, but it is still too wet to work the ground.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: It has been awhile since I reported, so here’s a recap: We finished corn harvest two weeks ago with, luckily, no aflatoxin and better-than-expected yields. We had to wait a week for the soybeans to dry down, so we passed the time spreading some lime and disking it in. We started on beans last Saturday (Sept. 29) and have been hard at it ever since. We are getting respectable yields ranging from 45 to 65 bushels per acre. Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: Soybean harvest was going like gangbusters last week. Probably more than 50 percent of the soybeans have been harvested. Farmers have been pleasantly surprised with yields considering the lack of moisture for the summer months. Late-season rains really gave beans (especially the fuller-season ones) a big boost. Fiftybushel beans have been common. There are beans in the 60s but also some in the 40s. Corn on light ground or hills has really been taking it on the chin as far as yield is concerned. With the late-season rains, the blacker soils have had excellent yields. Corn harvest is virtually completed in this area. The biggest harvest problem with beans has been the green stems with yellow and green leaves still hanging on. Also, there are a lot of butter beans that could come back to haunt us in storage without adequate ventilation. Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: Last week at the end of my column I used the disclaimer “If the weather forecast holds true, soybean harvest should be in full swing.” Sure enough, it didn’t. Instead of the sunny week promised, we got dreary and rainy days that made soybean cutting frustrating for those who even tried. Many producers stuck to tilling under stalk fields that have been bare for weeks now. In spite of this, a few fields that were close to ripe enough have been cut and yields have reached into the mid-40s and into the low 50s in some places. Hopefully, the pleasant surprises will continue when cutting resumes. Now we find ourselves hoping the forecast doesn’t hold true because it is for multiple chances for rain that could push bean harvest another week into October. Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Showers were in the area Friday morning. Harvest was very slow this past week, as we have had light showers several days. Most of the March/Aprilplanted corn has been harvested. People are starting on the Mayplanted corn, which is carrying quite a bit of moisture. Yields seem to be improving. Bean harvest has started with yields better than expected. Harvest was expected to be slowed over the weekend due to rain moving into the area. Some fall tillage has been done. Fertilizer and lime application has taken place. Cooler weather is moving in. There was a chance of frost over the weekend. Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Soybean harvest gained momentum this past week despite occasional light showers and overcast skies. Sunshine during the later part of the week gave farmers an opportunity to harvest beans. The beans are dry, but the plant stem isn’t completely dry, making thrashing the crop a slow process. Reported yields have been around 40 bushels per acre, but there still can be some disappointing surprises out in the fields as harvest progresses. Winter wheat planting also started this past week. A few farmers made some grass and alfalfa hay this past week as they continue to secure a forage supply to feed livestock through the winter. The late-summer rain helped these hay fields to put on some additional growth, which should help add to the supply of hay shortened by the summer drought. Corn harvest slowed down as farmers switched to combining soybeans, allowing the grain of that crop to dry down. Local grain bids: corn, $6.96; soybeans, $15.38; wheat, $8.18.

Page 7 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

CROPWATCHERS David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: It was a damp, gloomy week here. We had rain on Monday night (Oct. 1), and Tuesday. Wednesday was somewhat of a clear day and then on Wednesday night a shower came across and dumped 0.4 of an inch of rain. Corn shelling is still going on for some. Soybean harvest was limited in this part of the country for the week. Several bean fields are mature and ready to cut when the weather gets fit.

Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: We had rain on and off, but I was able to start soybean harvest. It rained on us for about three days. The yields are turning out to be better than my corn yields. Corn harvest is about over. Most of the corn we had down here had aflatoxin, so there were some problems trying to get rid of it at some elevators. There has been some wheat planted, but not very much yet. Fall tillage is starting and everybody’s busy.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: After all of the rain we had early in the week, by Wednesday evening we were drying down and by Thursday we were a go in the beans. But by 6 p.m. Wednesday, it was dropping down another inch of rain. The forecast for the weekend sure didn’t look promising, either. I think if it ever dries up, every soybean south of Interstate 70 is going to be ready to cut. Looks like wheat sowing is going to be late, if at all. Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Not much field activity this past week. Wet fields and overcast skies for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The forecast was for rain Friday evening into Saturday. It will be time to sow wheat the next time the ground gets dry.

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

Pork supply will decline, but no bacon shortage expected BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Consumers who enjoy the sizzle of bacon at breakfast can breathe a sigh of relief. There will not be a major bacon shortage in the coming year, according to authors of the CME Group Daily Livestock Report. Recent news reports suggested the possibility of a looming worldwide bacon shortage after an article about the subject was posted on a British website. “There will not be a ‘shortage’ of pork in the manner that consumers cannot find pork or have to stand in line for pork,” authors of the Daily Livestock Report noted.

However, pork supplies are expected to decline next year as producers adjust to higher feed costs by thinning their

The supply could be even tighter in the European Union (EU) as producers there prepare for an EU-wide ban on

‘EU por k supplies may fall pretty quickly next year, but we do not expect any large or sudden drops in U.S. port supplies.’ — Daily Livestock Report h e r d s. U. S. h o g p r o d u c e r s intend to farrow just 2.85 million sows from Se ptember through November, down 3 p e r c e n t f r o m a y e a r a g o, USDA recently reported.

gestation stalls that goes into effect Jan. 1, 2013. “EU pork supplies may fall pretty quickly next year, but we do not expect any large or sudden drops in U.S. pork sup-

Central Illinois bioenergy firm planning state-of-art facility BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

A Woodford County bioenergy company plans to construct a five-story biomass conversion facility. “The goal is to produce a (biomass) briquette with a predictable emission so it can be burned in any coal-fired plant,” said Paul Wever, president of Chip Energy Inc., Goodfield. Not only will Wever’s product be unusual, but his building will be constructed of nontraditional materials — shipping containers similar to those seen on trucks, trains, and ships.

Recently, the village board granted Wever variances for the building for which he also is acting as the general contractor. Wever said he would like to have the plant operating by April. Initially, Wever plans to grind wooden pallets that would otherwise be put into a landfill. He also is working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to collect grass and leaves from rights-of-way. Future biomass sources may include corn stover and miscanthus, depending on the market. “As demand increases, we will adjust prices accordingly for other (biomass) sources,” Wever said.

USGC projects record-large Chinese corn crop The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) last week projected Chinese farmers this year will harvest a record-large corn crop. That prediction, based on USGC’s annual China harvest tour conducted last month, would help ease supply concerns caused by drought-related crop losses in the U.S. “The United States is by far the world’s largest corn producer and exporter,” said Tom Sleight, CEO of USGC. “But in a tough year for U.S. corn, it is a relief (China) is having a good year. That will help limit demand destruction and preserve markets for U.S. corn as we rebound next year.”

China is the world’s second-largest corn producer and until 2010 was a competitor of the U.S. in the Asian export market. China in the past two years became a net importer of corn and in 2011 purchased about 205 million bushels of corn from the U.S. Participants on the China corn harvest tour found some insect and weather damage in the crop, but it was not as bad as feared, USGC reported. Elsewhere, more shipments of South American corn arrived in the Southeast U.S. in recent weeks. That trend is expected to continue to help ease corn supply concerns as long as prices remain high in that part of the country.

plies,” according to authors of the Daily Livestock Report. Per capital world pork availability peaked in 2010 at 33.48 pounds per person. It fell to 32.8 pounds in 2011 and is forecast to be 32.94 pounds per person this year. A 2 percent reduction next year would drop per capita world pork availability to 31.95 pounds, the lowest level since 2007, but not a disastrous decline, according to the report. The projected dip in pork production and availability is expected to boost prices for meat, including bacon. USDA recently projected pork prices in 2013 could increase by 2.5 to 3.5 percent. August retail pork prices

already were within 3 cents per pound of the record $3.56 set last September, so new recordhighs are expected next year. In other pork industry news, the National Pork Board (NPB) last week recommended pork producers, farm personnel, and other who have contact with pigs get the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible. NPB also recommended far m workers who have flu symptoms avoid contact with pigs (people may remain contagious for five to seven days after getting sick). Good building ventilation and hygiene also can help reduce the transmission of flu viruses on hog farms.

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FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, October 8, 2012

ENviroNmENt

CBMP, U of I coordinating soil nitrogen monitoring project BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Questions about the amount of nitrogen remaining in Illinois fields sparked

FarmWeekNow.com To check out how you can participate in the nitrogen project, go to FarmWeekNow.com.

a project to inventory soil nitrate levels in the state. The Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (CBMP) and the University of Illinois are coordinating

the nitrogen project. CBMP is asking ag retailers and certified crop advisers to collect soil samples based on U of I Extension guidelines. Knowing the amount of nitrogen that remains in fields will provide valuable information from both economic and environmental standpoints, said Emerson Nafziger, U of I crop sciences professor. The efforts are being coordinated by Dan Schaefer, CBMP’s nutrient stewardship director, and U of I

professors Nafziger and Fabian Fernandez, a soil fertility specialist. The project is tied to the Keep it for Crop (KIC) campaign to minimize environmental impact, optimize nutrient use, and maximize yields. Emphasis will be put on obtaining samples from cornfields that will be replanted to corn in 2013. Instructions for collecting soil samples are posted online at {KIC2025.org}. CBMP is funding the sample shipping and analy-

ses. Test results will be shared with those who collect samples and U of I specialists.

The information will be used to develop nitrogen application strategies for next year.

Chesapeake Bay arguments heard; specialty strategies eyed BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

As federal regulators continue to pursue prescriptive Chesapeake Bay nutrient standards — with a potential eye toward the Mississippi River Basin — East Coast researchers hope to help specialty growers adapt to a “pollution diet.” A Pennsylvania court heard arguments last Thursday in the Chesapeake Bay lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). American Far m Bureau Federation (AFBF) and other ag groups argued states, rather than EPA, should decide the best methods for reducing regional pollution. They charged EPA’s “pollution diet,” which impacts far ms and businesses throughout the region,

did not undergo proper regulatory review or public comment. “If they can do it here, they can

‘If they can do it here, they can do it anywhere, on any scale.’ — Don Parrish American Farm Bureau Federation

do it anywhere, on any scale,” AFBF’s Don Parrish warned. “We’re not saying we don’t want to clean up the water, or that states can’t do it. We’re saying EPA can’t

do it and can’t force states to do it.” Cornell University horticulture specialist Thomas Bjorkman recognizes the implications of Chesapeake-style regulations not only for row-crop and livestock far mers, but also for specialty growers. Bjorkman visited Washington last week along with Illinois and other “project cooperators to explore potential for conser vation cover crop plantings on organic vegetable far ms. He sees conser vation policy flexibility as key to helping specialty growers cope with regulatory requirements: “My experience with (USDA’s Natural Resources Conser vation Ser vice) is that if it works, they like it.” He also cites efforts in Georgia

and South Carolina to reduce nutrient flows from ag enterprises such as nurseries in the urban fringe. Bjorkman acknowledges the value of nutrient mitigation strategies for specialty producers in the Chesapeake Bay and the “Great Lakes watershed.” “Basically, all the woody plants in urban areas are grown in nurseries, and because you have such a concentration of plants in the nursery, they have to deal with nitrogen pollution,” he told Far mWeek. “Because nurseries are much more contained (than row-crop fields), this group has developed a wetlands system that surrounds the nursery area. It takes up the nutrients, which go into plant materials, and produces very clean water.”

Saturated stream buffers are removing nitrogen from field tiles where applicable

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Diverting field tile water into stream He calculated the practice could be buffers improves water quality in suitable installed along 39,000 stream miles in cenlocations, a USDA soil scientist reported. tral Iowa. Dan Jaynes with USDA’s National LaboIf the buffer practice were installed ratory for Agriculture and the Environment along both sides of that many miles of in Ames, Iowa, discussed streams, the nitrogen adapting field tiles during the removed would equal 3 perrecent Illinois Water Confercent of what is in Iowa’s ‘This practice is rivers and streams, according ence at the University of Illivery competitive to Jaynes. nois. “This practice is very comHe plans to expand his in nitrogen repetitive in nitrogen removal,” study of saturated buffers moval.’ Jaynes said of results from into Illinois, Minnesota, and two years of research. Indiana. Along Iowa’s Bear Creek, Jaynes acknowledged satu— Dan Jaynes Jaynes installed a diverter box rating buffer soil presents USDA soil scientist to field tile lines, causing the new challenges, such as keepdrainage water to move latering the roots of “woody ally through subsurface drain lines in a water-loving plants” out of drainage tiles buffer. and operating the system so planting isn’t The water table was raised to 18 inches delayed. below the buffer surface. Researchers also should explore potential The buffer system worked for the first consequences of saturated buffers along half of this year and removed nitrogen farm fields, he added. from 49 percent of the tile runoff that was The issues include the potential for wetdiverted into the buffer, Jaynes said. ter soil conditions, enhanced growth of The scientist estimated the saturatedbuffer plants and/or buffer crops, and posbuffer practice is suitable for only 20 persible modification of buffer crop harcent of buffer strips. vest. — Kay Shipman

Page 9 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

energy

Economist: RFS2 waiver costs could outweigh benefits BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Policy tremors generated by suspension of federal ethanol mandates could significantly outweigh any short-term benefits of a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) waiver, University of Illinois ag economist Madhu Khanna warns. This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ends public comments on a proposal requested by several governors and major livestock groups to reduce or eliminate 2013 RFS2 corn ethanol use requirements. Unless post-harvest corn prices move “significantly higher,” a waiver likely would have little impact in reducing corn demand for ethanol, said Khanna, policy analyst with the U of I’s Energy Biosciences Institute. A key driver in ethanol use is the need to boost fuel octane (oxygen) levels, and ethanol

remains the low-cost octane-boosting option, she noted. Khanna thus questioned whether EPA should Madhu Khanna pare back RFS2 goals “if we want to seriously move toward energy security and greenhouse gas mitigation.” She cited the mandate’s role in reducing ethanol production costs and argued “the assurance of demand” is crucial to developing “advanced biofuels” that tap non-food, non-feed sources. “We need to be taking a longer-term view on biofuels policy, rather than one that is very short-sighted,” she told FarmWeek. “Waiving the mandate for a year would cause so much policy uncertainty. It could have a detrimental effect in terms

Will Ford, GM E15 warranties spur adoption? In a potentially crucial step toward broad “E15” adoption, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors (GM) have signed off on use of 15 percent ethanol blends in its new models. Ford has announced it will warranty E15 use in its 2013 modelyear vehicles, while GM has OK’d use of E15 in its 2012 and 2013 model-year vehicles. GM states its E15 policy in new vehicle owners’ manuals; Ford is placing labels in the fuel filter area that clears blends of up to 15 percent for use in new, non-flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). In June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave final approval for E15 use in post-2000 cars and light trucks. However, specific engine-vehicle warranties are seen as essential in generating consumer confidence in new blends. Ford, GM, and Chrysler have stood by their commitment to boost production of FFVs that run on 85 percent ethanol (E85) to 50 percent of new models. But the Big Three have approached E15 warily despite federal assurances about its safety in post-2000 vehicles. Only last year, Ford stressed that “fuel not approved in the owner’s manual is considered misfueling and any damage resulting from misfueling is not covered by the warranty.” Illinois Corn Growers Association Business and Technology Director Dave Loos suggested Ford and GM may have been awaiting August’s U.S. Appeals Court decision upholding EPA’s E15 approval before announcing its latest decision. “I suspect this has been in the works for some time, but (they’ve) kept things pretty close to the vest,” Loos told FarmWeek. “I commend them for doing this — it’s really taking a leadership role. It should do nothing but help encourage others to come along. GM, Chrysler, and Ford have always been very supportive of biofuels.” E15 remains a tougher sell for many non-U.S. automakers. Gasoline caps included with 2012 Toyota models advise motorists to “Use up to E10 gasoline only,” and specifically label a prohibition on E15 and E85 in non-FFVs. Loos suggested that early on, manufacturers may have been uncertain not only about the impact of E15 on engine life and performance but also about the way automotive systems — and thus motorists — might react to the new fuel. For example, auto engine service lights may come on if onboard computers are triggered by oxygen sensors calibrated to a specific level of fuel oxygen content. Loos noted continued auto engineering refinements that should prevent such harmless but annoying occurrences. Meanwhile, retail E15 infrastructure is expanding. Loos reported one Iowa and four Kansas stations have installed E15-capable pumps specifically for standard E10 vehicles — E15 also is dispensed in dial-up “blender pumps” designed only for FFVs. “Hopefully, we’re going to get some here shortly,” he said. — Martin Ross

of future investments in biofuels. “There are many plants poised to begin production in 2015 with cellulosic feedstocks. We’ve made a lot of progress moving down that path in the last five years. If there were uncertainty about the (RFS2), those investments could come to a crashing halt.” Prospective new ethanol feedstocks include corn stover — a commodity in relatively ample supply even in a drought year,

Khanna noted. Crop residues and energy crops offer income diversification in drought years or for farmers with less productive lands, she said. Last week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack questioned whether new USDA crop projections should weigh heavily in EPA’s decision — “I don’t think the United States is going to run out of corn,” he said. He cited already reduced ethanol production and noted

fuel suppliers can use renewable credits to defer near-term biofuels purchases. “Given the world situation ... we’re not looking at significant reductions in the price of corn as a result of any action EPA could take,” Vilsack said. “And there are comments from the petroleum industry that, notwithstanding (RFS2 requirements), it’s still going to be relying on ethanol for octane purposes.”

CREDIT EXTENSION The soon-to-expire federal cellulosic ethanol production tax credit is part of a potent policy blend that could greatly speed biomass biofuels to the mass market, University of Illinois ag economist Madhu Khanna suggests. Khanna urges extension of the $1.01-per-gallon credit, which is set to expire Dec. 31. The cellulosic incentive was left intact when Congress allowed the general Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) to lapse last January. As “an emerging industry,” the cellulosic sector needs some continued support as it works toward price-competitive conversion and production, Khanna told FarmWeek. Based on U.S. Department of Energy biofuels cost estimates and “reasonable assumptions” about the oil prices, she suggested “cellulosic

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biofuels would still be more expensive than fossil fuels, and gasoline would still be more expensive than corn ethanol” over the next few years. Khanna noted the cellulosic credit would “reduce the burden on (fuel) blenders and consumers at the expense of the taxpayers.” But she believes the credit would “stimulate additional production and learning-by-doing,” leading to the kind of production cost reductions VEETC helped bring about in the corn ethanol sector. “Looking out to, say 2035, having the (federal) Renewable Fuel Standard with the cellulosic production credit could make a difference of about seven years in terms of when we would achieve certain cost reductions that make cellulosic ethanol more competitive with corn ethanol and gasoline,” she speculated. — Martin Ross

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, October 8, 2012

EDUCATION SUNRISE SILHOUETTE

An artist’s drawing shows plans for an updated soil science laboratory in the University of Illinois’ Turner Hall. Interior and exterior renovations are planned for the nearly 50-year-old home of soil and crop sciences on the Urbana campus. (Drawing courtesy University of Illinois)

Efforts to renovate U of I’s Turner Hall remain on track BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon in LaSalle County early last week, making a pretty silhouette of a grain elevator just off of Interstate 39 at Mendota. (Photo by Mike Orso)

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Budding plant and soil scientists at the University of Illinois will learn in transformed laboratories and classrooms, thanks to a Turner Hall initiative. Planning is under way for $10 million in interior and exterior renovations to the nearly 50-year-old home of soil and crop sciences on the Urbana campus. The university will spend $5 million in state funds on the project. To match the state money, a renovation committee already has raised $750,000 of a $5-million goal to renovate classroom and teaching labs, said Marise Robbins-Forbes, director of development with the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Project planning and building testing have begun with more work, such as replacing 220 windows, to start after the spring semester ends. Turner Hall was built in 1963 and expanded in 1978. In 2008, a group of soil scientists started an effort to create an innovative teaching laboratory in the building. The initiative has since expanded to include transformations throughout the building as well as exterior upgrades. Information about the initiative is online at {advancement.aces.illinois.edu/turner} or by contacting the ACES office of advancement at 217-333-9355.

Page 11 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

the rivers

Asian carp symptom of larger waterways threat? BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

It’s a scourge of the ecosystem and the economic system, and groups such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have joined in the campaign to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. The recent discovery of Asian carp DNA in samples collected from Lake Erie have heightened concerns about the impact of invasive species in the Great Lakes system. Asian carp were imported from China in the 1970s by catfish farmers to regulate algae in ponds. Flooding allowed the fish to enter the Mississippi River and eventually the Illinois River. Carp concerns have prompted proposals to close Chicago-area locks seen as integral to navigation on Illi-

nois’ rivers to prevent the fish from entering Lake Michigan. TNC Great Lakes Senior Policy Director David Hamilton sees Asian carp as a symptom of a larger problem, arguing Chicago-area waterways are a “two-way street” for invasive species movement into and from the Great Lakes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is fine-tuning a new assessment of regional invasive species threats. “You’ve got Asian carp knocking at the door to come into the Great Lakes, but there are 29 species in the Great Lakes that could get into the Mississippi River and cause trouble in that system,” Hamilton told FarmWeek. “The Great Lakes really need a monitoring program that’s going to help us identi-

Meetings for farmland owners to be held around the state Educational meetings for farmland owners will be held this month around the state. The meetings, sponsored by US Farm Lease and Illinois Central College, are designed to help landowners better manage their farmland and increase their economic return. The program at each meeting will focus on the following topics: current farmland lease trends, farmland values and investment returns, farmers’ profitability, determining soil productivity indexes for your farmland, protecting your farm’s soil nutrient bank, and estate planning tips. US Farm Lease also will present a web-based tool to help landowners achieve fair market lease arrangements and help farmers find land available for rent. All the meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m. The dates and locations are as follows: Oct. 11 – Joliet, Joliet Junior College. Oct. 15 - Countryside, Cook County Farm Bureau. Oct. 18 – Champaign, Parkland College. Oct. 22 – Mattoon, Lake Land College. Oct. 23 – East Peoria, Illinois Central College. Oct. 25 – Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College. Oct. 29 – Centralia, Kaskaskia Community College. There is no charge for the program but pre-registration is requested. Interested landowners may register by calling Kevin Brooks at 877-232-4002 or emailing him at kevin@usfarmlease.com.

Post-drought nutrient, drainage issues Chicago Farmers’ topics Dan Schaefer, nutrient stewardship director with the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, will discusses the challenges of managing nutrients and drainage after a drought Monday, Oct. 15, at the Chicago Farmers’ monthly meeting. Reservations are due by Friday (Oct. 12). The event will start at 11:30 a.m. in the Illini Center, 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago. The meal and program will start at noon and end about 2 p.m. After the extremely dry conditions of 2012, nitrogen applied this year may remain in the soil in the nitrate form. Establishment of a cover crop, soil nitrate testing, and field tile control structures are some practices being used to keep those nitrates in the fields. The fee is $25 in advance or $35 at the door for members and $50 for non-members. For more information or to register, go online to {chicagofarmers.org} or call 312-388-3276.

fy if another species gets in and then have the ability to respond to it.” More than 180 species have become established in the lakes, resulting in “a really

lions of dollars a year in the Great Lakes,” and sees Asian carp posing a similar threat. Like mussels, the voracious carp feeds “at the low end of the food web,” outcompeting

riers to block entry into Chicago-area waterways and work to thin Illinois River carp populations. He stressed the need to identify sources of carp DNA

‘There are 29 species in the Great Lakes that could get into the Mississippi River and cause trouble in that system.’ — David Hamilton The Nature Conservancy

profound impact,” he said. The “classic poster children” are the zebra and quagga mussels, which 25 years after their introduction “are still making changes in the ecosystem.” The zebra mussel colonizes on boats and river facilities. Hamilton pegs the cost of mussel-related damage alone at “hundreds of mil-

native species for plankton and other available food supplies, he noted. In Lake Huron, such “filter feeders” have disrupted salmon populations, resulting in a roughly 90 percent reduction in the region’s fisheries catch. Hamilton applauds multiagency carp control efforts, including use of electric bar-

found in the lakes and quickly eradicate them “so they don’t establish a self-sustaining breeding population.” TNC is working to develop DNA technologies to detect other invasive species. Further, Hamilton views electric barriers as “an interim measure” that addresses only species entry into the Great Lakes.

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, October 8, 2012

fb in action

Whiteside County FB sponsors visit for ‘adopted legislator,’ urban youth BY CHRISTINA NOURIE

The Whiteside County Farm Bureau recently partnered with its “adopted legislator,” state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) to offer a class of suburban fifth graders a rare opportunity to learn how their food is produced. Roosevelt Elementary students from Bellwood traveled along with Yarbrough, her staff, and teachers to tour Whiteside County farms. Most of the students had never visited a working farm. Their adventure started at Birkey’s Farm Store, an implement dealership in Prophetstown, where the students learned about farm machinery and climbed onto a tractor and combine. They watched a demonstration on corn plants and learned about uses for corn. The group then toured the Rock River Lumber and Grain facility to learn about grain elevators and how grain is stored. They

watched while several trucks unloaded their grain. Before leaving, each child received a Rock River Grain and Lumber farm hat, which they wore the rest of the day. After a picnic at the Prophetstown State Park, local 4-H volunteers told the students about the many activities offered through 4-H. The students were surprised to learn 4-H is not strictly for rural children. Next stop was Chris and Judi Breitbach’s cattle farm where the students learned about showing animals at a 4-H fair and were allowed to pet the calves. The day concluded with a tour and hayrack ride at Sel-

mi’s Pumpkin Farm in Rock Falls. They learned about the farm’s crops of pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, and squash. They completed a hands-on activity with help from a local Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) coordinator. The students selected their own pumpkins and walked — correction, ran –- through the farm’s haunted house. Steps are being taken to set up an AITC volunteer within Roosevelt Elementary school. Christina Nourie is the northeast legislative coordinator for Illinois Farm Bureau. Her email address is cnourie@ilfb.org.

Whiteside County farmers Judi and Chris Breitbach introduce a calf to fifth graders from suburban Bellwood’s Roosevelt Elementary School. The students, their teachers, and state Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) toured local farms, a grain elevator, and an implement dealership during a recent visit sponsored by the county Farm Bureau and Yarbrough. (Photo by Matt Lillpop, Whiteside County Farm Bureau manager)

Listening key to helping farmers, families weather drought stress BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Farm families may have to cope with the drought’s emotional toll for some time, so neighbors, friends, and ag professionals should be aware and supportive, according to a rural

health specialist. “The stress (from drought) can go on for months and the impact be felt for years afterward,” said Roberta Schweitzer, former Purdue University nursing professor and an expert in coping with rural stress.

Recently, Schweitzer, a nationally certified trainer for mental health first aid, offered advice to help farmers and their families deal with drought-related stress. Her early warning signs of a farmer who may be in trouble included changes in normal routine and behavior, declined care for the farmstead or livestock, and more frequent illnesses or accidents. “When we’re stressed, the ability to think slows down; there is a lack of concentration,” she said. Schweitzer said now is “an important time for assessing farmers’ emotional state ... They may not say they need help, especially not say it directly.” If an individual indicates he or she is having trouble, Schweitzer’s advice is to be supportive and let the person

know he or she doesn’t have to handle the situation alone. She cautioned not to tell stressed people that everything will be all right. Schweitzer encouraged “active listening” that focuses on the individual and what is being said. Nodding and repeating information back to the person signals the listener is engaged. She warned not to interrupt, ignore someone, or say, “Get yourself together.” The next step may be to call on resources for help. Schweitzer recommended compiling resources in advance. Those may include local clergy and mental health counselors, crisis counseling, and hotlines. “Let them know it’s a normal reaction to be stressed during a drought — we can get help,” Schweitzer said.

Page 13 Monday, October 8, 2012 FarmWeek

FROM THE COUNTIES

UREAU — The Bureau, Henry, and Stark County Far m Bureaus will sponsor a defensive driving course from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 30-31, at the Black Hawk College Community Education Center, Kewanee. Cost is $30, which includes lunch both days. Both days must be attended to receive certification. Call the Far m Bureau office at 815-8756468 by Monday, Oct. 22, for reser vations or more infor mation. • The Bureau, Henry,

Knox, Mercer, and Stark County Far m Bureaus, along with the Illinois Extension units in those counties, will sponsor a series of two equine seminars. The first will be Thursday, Nov. 1, with a presentation from the New Kingdom Trail Riders on therapeutic riding. Jennifer Fecht, certified equine sports massage therapist, will give a demonstration on equine massage. The second seminar will feature a demonstration from Hunter mark Far m. Rachel Rock Robinson, instructor,

Auction Calendar

Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Mon., Oct. 22. 2 p.m. Hancock Co. Land Auc. Land known locally as the “Martin Humke Farm”, HAMILTON, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Tues., Oct. 23. 10 a.m. Kankakee Co. Land Auc. HERSCHER, IL. Hertz Farm Mgmt., Inc. www.hfmgt.com Wed., Oct. 24. 1 p.m. McDonough Co. Land Auc. Wayne & Eileen Melvin Family Farm, BUSHNELL, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Thurs., Oct. 25. 7 p.m. 118.1 Ac. Farmland. Gash Farm, ANNAWAN, IL. Roy Holmstrom Auctioneering and Real Estate. holmstromrealestate.com Thurs., Oct. 25. 9 a.m. Stark Co. Farmland. Graves Family Trust, TOULON, IL. Jim Maloof Farm and Land. john@leezeragency.com or www.illinoisfarms4sale.com Sat., Oct. 27. 9 a.m. Groff Consignment Auction. LAWRENCEVILLE, IL. Max Groff, Auctioneer. Sat., Oct. 27. 9 a.m. Semi-Annual Consignment Auction. PECATONICA, IL. Lenny Bryson and Cal Kaufman, Auctioneers. www.niteequip.com Mon., Oct. 29. 10 a.m. Adams Co. Land Auction. The Adwell Corp., QUINCY, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Tues., Oct. 30. 10 a.m. Peoria Co. Farmland. Washington Trails Edge, LLC, BARTONVILLE, IL. Jim Maloof Farm & Land. www.illinoisfarms4sale.com Wed., Oct. 31. 10 a.m. Macon Co. Land Auc. Shade Family Farms, DECATUR, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Tues., Nov. 1. 10 a.m. Mercer Co. Land Auc. Phyllis Shepherd Estate and Gwen Barden Trust, WOODHULL, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. vanadkisson.com Thurs., Nov. 1. 6 p.m. Land Auction. Mary A Hutton Est., MOWEAQUA, IL. Krile Auction Service. www.auctionzip.com id #6524 Thurs., Nov. 1. McLean Co. Farmland. Hartzel Henline Trust Farm, COLFAX, IL. Soy Capital Ag Services. www.soycapitalag.com Fri., Nov. 2. 10 a.m. Henderson Co. Land Auc. Max B. Galbraith Est., RARITAN, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. vanadkisson.com Fri., Nov. 2. 10 a.m. Woodford Co. Farmland. Schertz Farm, METAMORA, IL. Jim Maloof Farm & Land. www.illinoisfarms4sale.com Sat, Nov. 3. 10 a.m. Adams Co. Land Auc. Archer Daniels Midland Co. and ADM Alliance Nutrition Inc., QUINCY, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Sat., Nov. 3. 10 a.m. Real Estate Auc. Bernard and C. Eileen Fey Trust, ABINGDON, IL. Van Adkisson Auction Service, LLC. vanadkisson.com Sat., Nov. 3. 10 a.m. Jackson Co. Land Auc. VERGENNES, IL. Buy A Farm Land and Auc. Co. buyafarm.com Sat., Nov. 3. 10 a.m. Kankakee Co. Farmland Auc. Rose M. Van Duyne Est., ESSEX, IL. Richard A. Olson & Assoc. richardaolson.com Wed., Nov. 7. 10 a.m. McLean and Livingston Co. Farmland. Louise Patricia Cox Estate, CROPSEY, IL. Immke and Bradleys’ Auction Service. biddersandbuyers.com/immke or bradleyauctionsinc.com

Wed. Oct. 10. 9 a.m. Livingston Co. Farmland. Frank L. Sass and Thomas A. Sass, STREATOR, IL. John E. Lauf, Auctioneer. biddersandbuyers.com or illinoisauctioneers.org Thurs., Oct. 11. 7 p.m. Wayne Co. Farmland. William K. Goldman and Judy S. Goldman, WAYNE CITY, I L. Carson Auction, Realty and Appraisal Co. www.carsonauctionandrealty.com Thurs., Oct. 11. 6 p.m. Farmland Auc. Harsy, MARION, IL. Adam’s Auction & Real Estate Services, Inc. www.adamsauctions.com Thurs., Oct. 11 6 p.m. 560 Ac. Real Estate. MARION, IL. Adams Auction & Real Estate Services, Inc. www.adamsauctions.com Thurs., Oct. 11. 6 p.m. Knox Co. Land Auc. David and Joni Blackburn, VINCENNES, IL. Parrott Real Estate & Auction Co., LLC. www.sellafarm.com or www.parrottauctions.com Thurs., Oct. 11. 7 p.m. Iroquois Co. Land Auc. Dan Tordai, MARTINTON, IL. Rosenboom Realty. www.rosenboomrealty.com Sat., Oct. 13. 10 a.m. Macoupin Co. Farm and Recreational Land. Jim Ruyle and Judy Demenbrun, CARLINVILLE, IL. Mike Crabtree, Auctioneer. Sat., Oct. 13. 9 a.m. Crawford Co. Land Auc. David and Joni Blackburn, FLAT ROCK, IL. Parrott Real Estate & Auction Co., LLC. www.sellafarm.com or www.parrottauctions.com Tues., Oct. 23. 10 a.m. Kankakee Co. Land Auc. HERSCHER, IL. Hertz Farm Mgmt. www.hfmgt.com Mon., Oct. 15. 6 p.m. Henderson Co. Land Auc. Shokokon Ac., LOMAX, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. www.sullivanauctioneers.com Wed., Oct. 17. First lot scheduled to close at 10 a.m. Central time. Online Only Unreserved Auction. www.bigiron.com Wed., Oct. 17. 7 p.m. Menard Co. Land Auc. Joan McElhattan and Janet Dickerson, PETERSBURG, IL. Sanert Auction Service. www.sanertauctions.com or auctionzip.com auction id #2473 Thurs., Oct. 18. 7 p.m. 81.62 Ac. Christian Co. Farmland. Cecil A. Long Trust, ASSUMPTION, IL. Wm. Beck Auction & Realty. www.williambeckauctions.com Thurs., Oct. 18. 7 p.m. 86 Ac. Farmland, Recreational Land and Homesites. Estate of Mildred Galbraith, JOHNSONVILLE, IL. Carson Auction & Realty Co. www.carsonauctionandrealty.com Fri., Oct. 19. 4 p.m. Schuyler Co. Land Auc. Margaret Neeley Estate, RUSHVILLE, IL. Sullivan Auctioneers, LLC. Fri., Oct. 19. 10 a.m. LaSalle Co. Farmland. Leslie R. Nelson, Ronald Cedric Smith, Marian B. Thompson, Gay Cook Czopek, Peter G. Cook, Anne Ruiz, Michael Ruiz, Sara Cook Smith, Lucy Cook, Juli Cook Beyer, OTTAWA, IL. Jim Elliott and Dick McConville, Auctioneers. www.elliottauctions.net, www.mcconvillerealty.com, www.auctionzip.com (ID2927) Sat., Oct. 20. 10 a.m. Awesome Antique Auction. Bernita Kohrman, GERMANTOWN, I L. Mark Krausz Auction Service. krauszauctions.com Mon., Oct. 22. 1 p.m. Hancock Co. Land Auc. The Harriett June Rhea Gross Trust, HAMILTON, IL. Sullivan

will have a student represent each of the three hunt seat disciplines. Both sessions will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Ag Arena at Black Hawk East (BHE). Sessions are free for 4-H and FFA members and BHE students. Cost for others is $5. Call the Far m Bureau office at 815-8756468 by Thursday, Oct. 25, for reser vations or more infor mation. ERMILION — Far m Bureau, Vermilion Advantage, and Neuhoff Media will sponsor a candidates’ forum at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Far m Bureau auditorium. Candidates who represent Vermilion County in the 15th Congressional District and Illinois General Assembly

have been invited. The event will be streamed live on 1490AM WDAN and online at {ver milioncountyfirst.com}. AYNE — A flu vaccination clinic will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Far m Bureau office. Cost is $30. Members of the Wayne County Far m Bureau will receive a $5 discount, with a limit of one discount per membership. Payments from Medicaid and Medicare will be accepted. Call the Far m Bureau office at 618-842-3342 for reservations or more infor mation. HITE — A flu vaccination clinic will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the

Far m Bureau office. Cost is $25. Members of the White County Far m Bureau will receive a $5 discount using the coupon in this month’s publication. Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance as well as Medicaid and Medicare will be accepted. Bring your insurance card. Call the Far m Bureau office at 618-382-8512 for reservations or more infor mation. “From the counties” items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.

FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, October 8, 2012

profitability

Livestock farmers: Beware of potential aflatoxin in DDGs BY KAY SHIPMAN

FarmWeek Livestock farmers need to be aware of possible aflatoxin levels in distillers dried grains (DDGs) given the Food and Drug Administration’s waiver that allows the blending of clean and contaminated corn. The Illinois Department of Agriculture informed ethanol plants along with licensed grain companies about the blending waiver and compliance requirements.

‘If the corn doesn’t have it (mycotoxins), then there are no concerns about it in the DDGs. If the corn does test positive, then there are concerns.’ — Paul Walker Animal science professor, Illinois State University

Most ethanol plants test incoming corn for mycotoxins, said Paul Walker, Illinois State University animal science professor. “If the corn doesn’t have it (mycotoxins), then there are no concerns about it in the DDGs,” Walker said. “If the corn does test positive, then there are concerns.” Walker estimated aflatoxin levels in DDGs could be nearly triple those in the corn before the distillation process. Before livestock farmers buy DDGs, they should ask if the corn was tested for mycotoxins and if the test results were negative, Walker advised. He recommended farmers not buy those DDGs if they have not been tested or if the test results aren’t available. “If it does (test positive for aflatoxin) and they (the ethanol plants) give you a number, the concern ... becomes what is the (aflatoxin) level and what animal will be fed.” Older finishing animals can tolerate higher levels of aflatoxin than pregnant animals. Dairy cattle and immature animals are restricted to feed with levels no higher than 20 parts per billion (ppb). Under federal and state regulations, any feed with levels higher than 300 ppb may not be fed to any livestock.

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Weight 10 lbs. 40 lbs.

Range Per Head $16.11-$45.47 $40.99

Weighted Ave. Price $36.51 $40.99

This Week Last Week 107,669 119,826 *Eastern Corn Belt prices picked up at seller’s farm Receipts

Eastern Corn Belt direct hogs (plant delivered) Carcass Live

(Prices $ per hundredweight) This week Prev. week $76.39 $74.39 $56.53 $55.05

Change 2.00 1.48

USDA five-state area slaughter cattle price Steers Heifers

(Thursday’s price) (Thursday’s price) Prev. week Change This week 124.07 122.39 1.68 123.97 122.46 1.51

CME feeder cattle index — 600-800 Lbs. This is a composite price of feeder cattle transactions in 27 states. (Prices $ per hundredweight) Prev. week Change This week 143.72 143.05 0.67

Lamb prices Slaughter Prices - Negotiated, Live, wooled and shorn 110-177 lbs. for 90.60-115 $/cwt. (wtd. ave. 104.97).

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 09-27-12 41.7 24.5 20.2 09-20-12 12.6 22.6 24.8 Last year 11.2 22.3 29.6 Season total 76.9 355.7 82.6 Previous season total 45.8 394.3 112.1 USDA projected total 1055 1200 1250 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

The benefits of high cetane diesel fuel BY MARK DEHNER

Both new and old engines can benefit from higher diesel fuel cetane levels. Cetane plays an important role during the combustion process and helps users get the most value from every Mark Dehner gallon of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) used. What is cetane? The cetane value of diesel fuel is an indicator of how readily and completely the fuel will burn in the combustion chamber. Generally speaking, the higher the cetane number, the faster the fuel will ignite and the more completely it will burn. These attributes are important because as the fuel burns faster and more completely, the engine experiences greater performance and produces fewer harmful emissions. Diesel fuel in North America, with a typical cetane number of 40-42, generally carries a lower cetane number than diesel fuels from other regions of the world. Because of this relatively low cetane number and its negative impact on performance, many farmers and vehicle operators have found advantage in raising the cetane number by adding a cetane improver, typically 2-ethyl hexyl nitrate. High-quality premium diesel fuels, such as FS Dieselex Gold, incorporate a very high dose of cetane improver. This additional cetane helps cold engines start quicker, significantly improves combustion efficiency, and reduces harmful emissions. In general, the engines just work better. High cetane fuels may even provide more power. Fuels refined with a high cetane number typically are lighter fuels and contain a lower British thermal unit (Btu) content. Studies have shown No. 2 diesel fuels with cetane improver added (vs. a naturally high cetane fuel) typically have a higher Btu content per gallon than fuels refined to a higher cetane number. Higher Btu content means more energy per gallon and ultimately more power and better fuel economy. So, using a diesel fuel such as FS Dieselex Gold represents the best of both worlds — higher cetane

number and higher energy (Btu) content. A high-cetane diesel fuel provides:

carbon monoxide, and sometimes particulate matter. Contact your local FS energy specialist to learn how

The cetane value of diesel fuel is an indicator of how readily and completely the fuel will burn in the combustion chamber. • More complete combustion • Improved cold starts • Less engine noise and knocking • Reduced white smoke and warm-up time • Fewer misfires • Lower exhaust emissions: nitrogen oxide, hydro carbon,

using a higher-cetane diesel fuel can help you operate more efficiently and improve your bottom line. Mark Dehner is GROWMARK’s marketing manager for refined and renewable fuels. His email address is mdehner@growmark.com.

Milk price jumps to $19 The Class III price for milk adjusted to 3.5 percent butterfat for the month of September was $19 per hundredweight, $1.27 higher than the previous month. Farmers continue to see stronger milk prices as production runs a little tight. Poor-quality feed, the aftermath of a very hot summer, and heavy culling in dairy herds all are contributing factors. The October price represents the highest of the calendar year, and the price increases show few signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Page 15 Monday, October 8, 2012

PROFITABILITY Corn Strategy

CASH STRATEGIST

Larger soybean crop expected Private estimates for soybean production this past week suggest the crop is considerably larger than USDA forecast in August and September. USDA yield projections in those reports were 36.1 and 35.3 bushels, respectively. FC Stone forecast a 38.2bushel yield at the beginning of last week, with Informa forecasting a 37.8-bushel yield on Friday. FC Stone chose not to change the harvested acreage, but Informa increased it 1 million from the 74.66 million USDA estimate. The acreage is a difficult call. USDA uses the latest updated Farm Service Agency data to make adjustments in the planted and harvested acreage numbers on the October report. However, the trade doesn’t have enough history to

make a good calculated estimate on how much USDA might change its number. Still, Informa believes it will increase. But it’s the significantly larger yield numbers we have the most difficulty seeing. Using the September pod count provided by USDA and the implied pod weight, a 2.5- to 3bushel yield increase in Thursday’s report (and even the final report) is difficult to envision. August 2012 rains were better in Illinois and Indiana than they were in 1988, but worse in Iowa and Minnesota. Temperatures weren’t quite as hot. But it’s difficult to add that many pods in September. And to get the above yields would imply exceptional pod weights. We expect the yield estimate to improve, but only to 36.7 bushels. The final might be higher yet, but we don’t believe it will be much above 37 bushels. In 1988, the final yield was only 1 bushel higher than projected in August.

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Cents per bu.

ü2012 crop: The corn market spent the last week consolidating the gains made after the quarterly stocks report. Because the recent low was a 40-week low, prices should remain generally strong and move higher over the next few weeks. Wait for December futures to move to $7.80 to make catch-up sales. We may use a rally to that level to add to sales too. ü2013 crop: Use rallies to $6.50 on December 2013 futures for catch-up sales. vFundamentals: The surprisingly low Sept. 1 stocks number changed the short-term dynamics of the market. Prices now need to remain somewhat higher to continue the rationing process, even if this year’s crop would turn out to be slightly higher than currently forecast. With harvest already winding down, users will have to bid up to stimulate sales. At the same time, indications that world economic activity continues to erode potentially undermines demand expectations.

Soybean Strategy

ü2012 crop: Soybean prices held critical support last week, potentially setting the cyclic and seasonal lows. Demand remains strong, keeping the need for prices to move up to ration demand. Wait for a move back to $16.80 before considering making catch-up sales. ü2013 crop: Use rallies above $13.70 on November 2013 futures for catch-up sales. vFundamentals: Talk of a significantly larger 2012 soybean crop kept the market on the defensive this past week. While we think production potential may be higher than currently forecast, we don’t think it’s as large as some of the recent private forecasts. At the same time, demand indications remain strong, dictating a need for higher prices to ration supplies. In particular, the 41.7-million-bushel export inspections indicate world demand has shifted to

the U.S., and export sales continue to remain robust.

Wheat Strategy

ü2012 crop: The market’s inability to generate upward momentum following the friendly USDA wheat stocks number suggests the choppy, sideways pattern may continue. Use rallies above $8.90 on Chicago December futures for catch-up sales. ü2013 crop: Make catchup sales with Chicago July futures trading above $8.61. Check the Hotline frequently; we could add a sale at any time.

vFundamentals: The downside for wheat prices could be limited by threats to world production potential. The trade continues to eye persistent dryness in western Australia. And there continues to be talk about the lack of moisture in parts of the U.S. Plains. Amid this, export demand for U.S. wheat remains lackluster with U.S. prices still at a small premium to other origins. Unless business picks up shortly, it will be difficult to reach USDA’s expectations for the marketing year.

FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, October 8, 2012

pERspEcTIvEs

Chowing down on weeds fare for some insects Botanists have long opined that a weed is just a plant out of place. To farmers, gardeners, and lawn owners, a weed could be classified as public enemy No. 1. To herbicide manufacturers and distributors, a weed is a source of income. To a number of insect species, a weed is merely something good to eat. About half of the insects in the world feed on plants, and these six-legged creatures don’t shun a food source just because it’s called a weed by humans. What insects are plant feeders? Almost all of the butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and walking sticks chow down on plants. So TOM do most of the true bugs, TURPIN about 30 percent of the beetles and a few bees, wasps, and flies. Individual plant species vary as to the number of insect species that make a meal of them. That is because plants defend themselves against insect feeding with physical barriers, such as spines and thorns or chemicals toxic to the insect. Milkweed plants are a good example. Milkweeds have hairs on the leaves, a milky sap, and a chemical called cardiac glycoside, all of which cause many insects to avoid feeding on them. But in spite of those defenses, more than 400 insect species use the milkweed as a primary or a partial food source. The most widely recognized of the milkweed feeding insects is the monarch butterfly; however, milkweed also is fed on by milkweed beetles, a black-and-gold tussock moth caterpillar, and a number of aphids. These insects have overcome plant defenses. Sunflower is another plant that some-

State’s retirement system must remain solvent

European corn borer larva makes its way between corn kernels. (Photo by Kevin Black, insect/plant disease technical manager with GROWMARK)

times is considered a weed. When I was growing up in Kansas, this plant was considered a major weed along roadsides and in crop fields. Now we use it as an oilseed crop and a garden ornamental. Because sunflowers are a crop, insects that feed on it are called pests. Sunflowerfeeding insects are numerous and include these pests: banded sunflower moth, cutworms, headclipper weevil, palestripped flea beetle, thistle caterpillar, and the sunflower beetle. The thistle caterpillar is so-named because it feeds on thistles. Most of us would consider such an insect beneficial because thistle plants are weeds of the worst sort. But when that thistle caterpillar, the larvae of the painted lady butterfly, starts consuming a plant that we want, it becomes a pest. This is the case when it feeds on sunflower or soybean crops. Another example is the kudzu bug. As the name suggests, this bug feeds on kudzu, the vine plant that is prevalent throughout the southeastern part of the U.S. Some would consider the bug beneficial because it feeds on a plant commonly considered a weed. Now, however, the insect also is showing up on soybeans, and that is not a good thing. Some scientists have suggested that using insects to control unwanted plants is a good idea. For example, purple loosestrife is an invasive perennial weed that was accidentally introduced to the U.S. from Europe. It has been suggested

that insects might help control this unwanted weed. So 120 insects have been evaluated for that purpose. Two species of leaf beetle and three species of weevil have been introduced to feed on purple loosestrife. The feeding by these insects sometimes results in total defoliation of the plants, but whether it is effective in eliminating the plants is unknown at this time. Hemp, more popularly known today as marijuana, is another plant attractive to insects. In fact, a lot of insects — 272 species in all — have been reported to use hemp as a food source. Hemp-feeding insects include stem borers, leaf miners, root feeders, sap suckers, and cutworms. One of those stem borers is the insect called the European corn borer. This well-known corn pest is, as its name suggests, a native of Europe. Before corn was introduced to Europe from America, the European corn borer fed on hemp and hops. It quickly adapted to feeding on corn in its native habitat. The European corn borer accidentally was introduced to America and was first reported in 1917. Since then it has moved westward and has became one of the major insect pests of corn. It still feeds on hemp, making it a true “weed” eater. Tom Turpin is an entomology professor at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. His email address is turpin@purdue.edu.

Gevalia Coffee really an Illinois product? I like knowing where something is from, particularly food. And I believe identifying the state where a food is from is good information. Growing up in Idaho, the first car I drove had a license plate that read “Famous Potatoes.” Wisconsin still proclaims on its license plates it is “America’s dairy land.” Following those efforts to WILLIAM BAILEY establish some pride in a state’s products, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) launched a program that will identify products in grocery stores, restaurants, and local community farmers’ markets across the state as being an “Illinois Product.” Eligible items will display an “Illinois Product” logo. IDOA will determine what

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

products are permitted to display the unique identifying logo. The “Illinois Product” effort by IDOA is a good step toward identifying products with an Illinois connection. So what products are eligible for the “Illinois Products” logo? The key requirements, according to IDOA, are the product must be “produced, processed, packaged, distributed or headquartered” in Illinois. That certainly sounds straightforward. Clearly, the Purple and Gold Popcorn grown at the Western Illinois University’s Allison Organic Farm meets that standard, and will, I hope, eventually display the logo. Kewanee’s Country Morning Coffee also meets the requirements, although the coffee probably is from out of state or even out of the country (Costa Rica, Indonesia or Jamaica, for example.) But the coffee is processed, packaged,

distributed and headquartered in Kewanee. So, Country Morning Coffee would be eligible to use the logo. And, using the same standards as Country Morning Coffee, both John Deere and Caterpillar seem to meet the standard required to display the “Illinois Product” logo. To me, the real challenge is that companies headquartered in Illinois, although they might not use anything grown or processed in Illinois, also are eligible to use the logo. For example, since Kraft Foods has its headquarters in Glenview, all of the Kraft stable of foods including Cracker Barrel Cheese, Jello, Kool Aid, and Velveta, could proudly display the “Illinois Product” logo. Further, food products sold by Mondelez International, soon to be Kraft Foods’ international food marketing arm and headquartered in Deerfield, may display the logo on its entire product line.

This means one of their products, the Swedish coffee Gevalia, would be able to display the “Illinois Product” label. Not likely but still possible. I like the idea of identifying Illinois food products. I like to know something about the food I eat. But simply having a product with its headquarters in Illinois in order to qualify as being an Illinois product seems to be a bit of a stretch. I am having some difficulty imagining Kraft’s Norwegian snack Kvikk Lunsi proudly displaying an “Illinois Product” logo, although it will be eligible. And what about my favorite – Vegemite — owned by Kraft and sung about by the Australian group Men At Work? Will it soon be an Illinois product? William Bailey is director of Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture. His email address is WC-Bailey@wiu.edu.

Editor: I am a retired farmer and retired from the University of Illinois with 35 years of service. The State of Illinois has five major retirement systems. The retirement system for the U of I is the State University Retirement System (SURS). SURS is financed by the employees contributing 8 percent of their salaries to the system while the State of Illinois is required to match that percentage. As long as the state contributes its 8 percent, there is enough money to keep the system solvent. The problem for SURS is that the state has not paid its required matching funds since Jim Thompson was governor, and it continues to not fully fund the program. SURS members do not receive Social Security. In fact, if they are eligible for Social Security because they have a second career, such as farming, they unjustly receive only 40 percent of their earned benefit. If there were no SURS, university employees would be required to contribute to Social Security. University employees would contribute 7.5 percent of their salaries to Social Security, and the state would be required to match that 7.5 percent. As a result, SURS costs the state only 0.5 of a percent, and that is insignificant. Most of the U of I employees, especially the professors, could earn a higher salary in the private sector, but they enjoy the work, benefits, and security. If the state’s retirement program is not exemplary, we will not be able to attract top professors, and all the state universities will suffer. MICHAEL JARBOE, Penfield

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