Farmweekjuly 8 2013

Farmers must report planted acreage to county Farm Service Agency offices by July 15. Farmers may submit 578s. ................................3

Animal care issues as well as GMOs proved the focus of the recent Illinois Farm Bureau European Union study tour. ..............8-9

Agrichemcial containers can be recycled at 30 sites through an Illinois Department of Agriculture program. .......................................12

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Wheat VP: Farm bill, ‘fair’ premium support crucial Monday, July 8, 2013

Two sections Volume 41, No. 27

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

Illinois Wheat Association Vice President Kyle Brase had barely started his harvest when nature dropped more than 7 inches of rain on his Edwardsville-area farm over roughly a week’s period.

What little he’s harvested has been “extremely highyielding,” Brase reported.

But he’s painfully aware the quality of the crop “will continue to go downhill” the longer a wet July keeps him out of the field.

Brase thus hopes for clear skies. Barring that, he counts on crop insurance to help ensure he and his neighbors can plant a new fall crop.

As a member of Highland Park Republican Sen. Mark Kirk’s ag advisory committee, Brase has punched home the need for 2013 farm bill passage and solid, reliable crop protections.

He argues existing federal premium subsidies — the latest target of congressional budget swipes — are “probably the fairest subsidies we could have in agriculture,” offering equal farm support levels and helping producers assure food security and U.S. ag GDP beyond one devastating season.

“I feel we can do without

Wheat yields from a field owned by John Haase of Mount Carmel in Wabash County produced 100 bushels per acre. Illinois wheat yields averaged 63 bushels per acre last year. (Photo by Mark Williams)

direct payments, but we need to have the government involved in those premium subsidies,” Brase said in an RFD-FarmWeek interview.

“It’s a very fair subsidy for all different sizes of farms.

“We want to raise a good crop; we want to make sure we help feed this world. But as commodity prices get to such high levels and it costs so much to put these crops

in, I don’t know if farms can really take that amount of risk and be in this game for the long haul when we have years like this that are just so wet.

“We still could have very, very good yields. But I know there are still acres in our area — particularly soybeans — that have not been planted for the first time yet.”

Price as well as yield-

based insurance protections are important for wheat growers who face market conditions sometimes as uncontrollable as the weather. Asian market issues surfaced last month following discovery of unauthorized volunteer biotech wheat in an Oregon field.

Brase emphasized federal assurances regarding the consumer safety of Roundup

Ready wheat, a trait that has not been incorporated into Illinois’ soft red varieties, but acknowledged the possibility “something fell through the chain.”

“I have complete confidence we’ll get our hands around this,” he said. “We need to continue to convey that message to our foreign markets, and hopefully, we’ll move right through this.”

State ends fiscal year owing $6.1 billion

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

The state started the new fiscal year on July 1 owing $6.1 billion — less than last year, thanks to $1.3 billion more tax revenue than anticipated, according to Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

Those owed money are “a cross section of every vendor who does business with the state,” Brad Hahn, the comptroller’s spokesman, told FarmWeek.

Others waiting for payment include

schools, hospitals, local governments and not-for-profit organizations, Hahn said.

The additional tax revenue allowed the state to pay down debt more aggressively compared to a six-month backlog in the past, according to Hahn. Currently, the unpaid bills date back to June 3.

Based on historical trends, the bill backlog is expected to grow over the coming months.

In a prepared statement, the comp-

FarmWeek on the web: FarmWeekNow.com

troller estimated unpaid bills could total roughly $7.5 billion in August, $8.1 billion in September, $8.7 billion in October and approach $9 billion in November and December. The actual amounts may vary depending on when bills are submitted.

While the additional revenue allowed the state to pay bills more quickly, the one-time windfall does not impact the long-term fiscal problem in the state, Topinka pointed out.

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

Quick Takes

GOVERNMENT

FarmWeek Page 2 Monday, July 8, 2013

QUINN SIGNS AG ED BUDGET — Agriculture education will receive level funding of $1.8 million in fiscal year 2014 after Gov. Quinn signed the education budget that includes the line item.

The line item for career and technical education also received level funding.

In general, elementary and secondary education funding essentially was maintained at the previous year’s level. The Illinois State Board of Education will receive $6.7 billion for elementary and secondary education, compared to $6.54 billion in fiscal year 2013. Early childhood education will receive $300 million.

Community colleges will receive $342 million – about the same as last year. State public universities will receive $1.23 billion, approximately the same as last year.

VOTING AGE LOWERED FOR PRIMARIES — Some 17-year-olds will be able to cast ballots in Illinois primary elections after Gov. Pat Quinn signed new legislation last week.

To be eligible, teens must be turning 18 by the date of the November general election that immediately follows.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

WAIVER HAILED — In what was hailed as a victory for producers, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has indicated it will grant a 90-day waiver of a new “hours-of-service” rule for drivers transporting livestock and poultry.

Effective July 1, the rule from DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest break for every eight consecutive hours of service.

For drivers hauling livestock, the hours of service would include time loading and unloading animals.

The National Pork Producers Council, along with 13 other livestock, poultry and food organizations, petitioned the FMCSA in a June 19 letter for the 90-day waiver and exemption from complying with the new rule.

The groups said the regulation would “cause livestock producers and their drivers irreparable harm, will place the health and welfare of the livestock in their care at risk and will provide no apparent increased benefit to public safety.”

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 41 No. 27

July 8, 2013

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Quinn changes concealed carry bill; effort to override veto anticipated

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

A legislative fight over concealed carry legislation shifted to the Statehouse last week after Gov. Pat Quinn used his amendatory veto power and inserted several major changes to a compromise bill.

The General Assembly faces a federal appellate court deadline Tuesday to address the concealed carry issue. Legislators may accept or reject the governor’s changes.

Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) filed a motion to override the governor’s veto last Tuesday. Phelps noted the House and Senate originally passed the bill with more than the three-fifths majority needed to override the amendatory veto.

Illinois Farm Bureau supports the override motion, according to Kevin Semlow, IFB director of state legislation. “We feel an override is best and will work to gain the support of legislators who originally supported the bill,” Semlow said.

“IFB feels that the compromise bill approved by the General Assembly creates an appropriate process for granting a license to carry a concealed firearm as called for by IFB policy and that compromise should become law,” Semlow added.

The bill sought to establish a licensing process for firearm owners to carry concealed weapons. It also specified locations where concealed weapons could not be carried. In his veto message, Quinn described the legislation as a “flawed bill with serious safety problems.”

Phelps pointed out he had worked with elected

officials, school administrators and many groups to develop compromise legislation. “Good legislation means there is going to be a fair amount of give and take,” Phelps said in a prepared statement. “I believe you will not find a more balanced concealed carry bill that includes items both sides want.”

Quinn removed a provision that prohibited home rule municipalities from enacting bans on assault weapons, stating that provision was not in the best interest of public safety or local communities.

Without consistent statewide regulations, Illinois firearm owners potentially face a “patchwork of different regulations around the state,” Semlow said.

The governor’s changes to the bill include: • Prohibiting concealed weapons from being carried in any establishment where any alcohol is consumed. The bill had stipulated that concealed weapons would be allowed if a majority of the sales were from food.

• Adding a new provision limiting concealed permit holders to carry one concealed gun and one ammunition clip that can hold no more than 10 rounds of ammunition.

• Requiring signs giving permission for licensed firearm owners to carry concealed weapons into some private businesses. The original bill allowed a private business to post that concealed firearms could not be carried.

• Allowing employers to regulate employees’ ability to carry concealed weapons anywhere on their property.

Food stamp ‘battle’ no call to jettison nutrition

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

A waning summer calendar and continued “battle” over food stamp spending has heightened anxieties about Congress passing a new farm bill before existing legislation expires in October.

As U.S. House lawmakers returned home for a July 4 break, Illinois Farm Bureau Governmental Affairs and Commodities Director Mark Gebhards reported “there isn’t much happenMark Gebhards ing” to end the ag stalemate.

The whopping disparity between a Senate-approved $4 billion/10-year cut in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) spending and the House’s failed $20 million food stamp cut is “still where

the battle is,” Gebhards said in an RFD-FarmWeek interview.

“We basically have three weeks left before August recess — a very, very short amount of time for us to get something done in the House,” he said.

“There has now been talk about a need to take the SNAP program out of the farm bill.

We do not support that. Many may be saying, ‘Why not get it out of there? At least we’d get a farm bill done.’ I would beg to differ. I don’t think you’d ever get a farm bill done if you take it out. I’m not sure we’ll get a farm bill done with it in there, either, but if you take it out, you then have 80 percent of Congress that does not care about the farm bill any more.”

Collinsville Republican Rep. John Shimkus told FarmWeek lawmakers “still have time to bring up another bill,” but acknowledged a food stamp compromise would require Democrats or Republicans to move respectively “to the right

or to the left.”

The failed June House farm bill vote demonstrates, politically, “why we didn’t bring a bill to the floor last year,” Shimkus said. That upset “set a very negative political climate” for ag policy debate, Gebhards said.

“If we’re going to get more Democrat votes, we’re going to have to spend more money (in SNAP),” he suggested. “You might start losing Republicans if we start rewriting (farm) risk management provisions. You can only go so far before my producers start saying, ‘That’s not good enough, John.’

Gebhards was uncertain urban lawmakers in the near term could be swayed by the prospect of reverting to the “permanent” 1949 farm bill law in the absence of a new bill by Jan. 1.

Even if ‘40s-style farm program reactivation could impact consumer food prices, “I don’t think that’s really on their minds, whatsoever,” he said.

PRODUCTION

Page 3 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

Direct acreage reporting crucial for policyholders

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

A combination of late plantings, Farm Service Agency (FSA) technical issues and a rapidly approaching crop insurance deadline underline the need to ensure FSA and crop insurers alike have accurate 2013 acreage data.

Next Monday is the dual FSA-Risk Management Agency (RMA) deadline for farmers to report final planted acreage. FSA is adopting new web-based software this spring. Some insurance agents who previously accessed FSA

Form 578 acreage reports via the Internet may not be able to do so in a timely manner because of some technical concerns.

RMA Regional Director Brian Frieden stressed July 15 is a “hard” deadline. His agency uses acreage data to certify individual crop coverage and prepare for August federal crop insurance billings.

Frieden noted farmers are not required to submit 578s to their agent, nor are agents required to use FSA data. But many do largely to ensure data matches FSA’s, Illinois Farm

Bureau risk management specialist Doug Yoder noted.

“Producers need to make sure they talk to their agent and report their crops by July

Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson has discussed with Illinois USDA Risk Management Agency officials the possibility of an extension of the acreage reporting deadline for crop insurance.

15 whether they have a FSA 578 or not,” Frieden told FarmWeek. “They need to keep in mind the extended planting period we’ve seen here. They need to plan to get

HEAD HIGH BY THE FOURTH

Tasseled cornstalks tower over Dylan Loucks in his field near Sesser in Franklin County. Loucks planted the field April 9. Ideal growing conditions spurred rapid growth. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

U of I Brownstown Center sets field day

The University of Illinois Brownstown Agronomy Research Center will host a field day from 8 to 11 a.m. July 25. The free event will be held rain or shine.

Tours will be provided on shaded wagons with the last tour leaving at 8:30 a.m.

Topics will include nitrogen sensors and variable rate nitrogen applications, wheat disease identification and management, emerging issues in weed management, managing risk with crop rotation and the agronomics of cover crops.

The 208-acre research center focuses on studies of corn, soybeans and wheat on the claypan soils of Southern Illinois. More than 30 research and

accurate information to their agent.”

Yoder emphasized the importance of ensuring FSA and crop insurance acreage

demonstration projects are conducted annually.

The center is located south of Brownstown on Ill. 185, about 4 miles east of the

Ill. 40-185 junction.

For more information, contact the center’s Robert Bellm at 618-427-3349 or rcbellm@illinois.edu. Information is online at {web.extension.illinois.edu/barc}.

data match. Producers who do not submit a 578 to their agent risk “opening potential for errors” that could affect coverage.

For example, if a policy-

holder neglects to inform their agent that they have added new ground this season, that land may not be certified, and the producer will be ineligible to recover losses on it.

“This is all on the farmer,” Yoder warned. “They cannot add any new acres to be covered after the July 15 date.”

Despite current FSA technical issues, Yoder is encouraged by USDA’s multi-year phase-in of interagency information communications capabilities aimed ultimately at “cutting down on redundancies and duplicative reporting.”

Sustainability protocol aimed at ‘greener’ export prospects

Production “sustainability” is increasingly crucial in sustaining U.S. ag export momentum. U.S. soybean growers now have new guidelines for growing greener crops for an environmentally and socially conscious marketplace.

A newly approved U.S. Soybean Sustainability Assurance Protocol attempts to help producers meet global customer demand for products raised, harvested and transported with a lighter carbon footprint; reduced, cleaner energy inputs; and greater consideration of surrounding natural resources.

The protocol — supported by the United Soybean Board (USB), American Soybean Association and U.S. Soybean Export Council — outlines regulations, procedures and management practices designed to ensure “sustainable soybean production.” It emphasizes use of both “internal” producer and third-party USDA audits to assure the sustainability of soy shipments certified under protocol standards.

According to the protocol, U.S. farmers have increased soy production by 96 percent since 1980, while using 8 percent less energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 41 percent per metric tons of soybean production.

“Global companies are looking for sustainable products to source, and soy is one of those products,” USB International Opportunities Target Area Lead Jared Hagert told FarmWeek.

The push for sustainable products and materials has been focused in Europe and driven particularly by one major end user — Anglo-Dutch food/consumer goods giant, Unilever. The multinational company has judged the new protocol in line with its criteria for “responsible soy,” Hagert said.

The North Dakota farmer noted the protocol covers the gamut. It includes crop rotations and conservation tillage methods that help increase soil health and organic matter, aid in water retention, and reduce nutrient runoff as well as pesticide safety training and compliance with fair ag labor standards.

As a next step, the National Sustainable Soybean Initiative plans to develop regional best management practices (BMPs) and adoption rates.

Beyond the farm gate, the protocol emphasizes proper labeling and fair trade practices by the seed trade and urges producers and marketers to consider barge and rail transportation of soy products, rather than trucking, to further reduce greenhouse emissions.

Hagert stressed the drive toward sustainable production by no means represents “a step back” in productivity. The protocol endorses potential gains available through precision farming technologies. He argues producers have merely hit the tip of the iceberg.

“The more you use it, the more uses you find for it,” Hagert said. “We want to stay as forward looking as possible. This is an exciting approach, a refreshing approach.” — Martin Ross

HEALTH

FarmWeek Page 4 Monday, July 8, 2013

Hygiene key to keep fairgoers and exhibition animals healthy

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

With fair season in full swing, state agriculture and public health officials are reminding fair visitors to practice good hygiene to keep themselves and the animals healthy.

The state departments of public health and agriculture are encouraging local fair officials to make hand washing stations accessible on the grounds and near barns, and to post hygiene information.

Health recommendations also apply to the animals at the fair.

“We want the animals to be in good health. If they’re coughing, sneezing and off their feed, they probably should be left home,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, state veterinarian.

If an animal comes down with those symptoms during the fair, Ernst advised owners to consult with their veterinarian or one affiliated with the fair as to whether the animal should leave the grounds.

As for fair exhibitors and visitors, frequent hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner is one of the important precautions, especially after touching animals, according to public health officials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends fair visitors do not take toys, pacifiers, cups, baby bottles or strollers into livestock areas. Likewise, don’t take food or drinks into animal areas. People who have had flu-like symptoms or chronic health problems

Fairgoers remember to wash your hands after visiting livestock areas.

State officials encourage fairs to have hand washing stations available near livestock exhibits. (FarmWeek file photo)

Lung Association: Biofuels key to improve health

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

The American Lung Association (ALA) hails proposed new federal vehicle/fuel standards while urging the petroleum industry to clear the way for cleanerburning biofuel blends.

Last week, state attorneys general and Chicago and New York city attorneys urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve draft Tier 3 fuel and new passenger vehicle emission standards aimed at reducing smog-producing pollution by 80 percent and particulate “soot” pollution by 70 percent by 2025.

EPA is expected by year’s end to finalize new rules, which would kick in beginning in 2017. Poor air quality causes an estimated 50,000 premature deaths each year, “and costs from air pollution-related illnesses are estimated to be $150 billion per year,” the attorneys told EPA. Air quality in cities including Chicago, New York and other major metro centers has “stopped improving or even worsened in the last few years,” they advised.

Meanwhile, Chicopee, Mass., Mayor Michael Bissonnette joined ALA representatives in touting the public health benefits of new Tier 3 standards. ALA Senior Vice President Paul Billings told FarmWeek higher ethanol blends such as E15 (15 percent ethanol) and other biofuels “can be part of the solution.”

The group Advanced Biofuels USA recommends EPA efforts to “a reasonable commercial implementation strategy” for E30 or “E30 type” higher octane gasoline. That would send “a clear signal of demand certainty to markets and fuel providers,” Advanced Biofuels told the agency.

Billings noted EPA’s 2000 imposition of a “tight cap” on diesel sulfur content, a move that’s boosted biodiesel use. He stressed the need for EPA to require automakers to certify consumer use of new commercial gas “additives,” arguing they “may make it easier for the automakers to comply with certain parts of (Tier 3) requirements.”

He cited support for proposed fuel/vehicle standards among major U.S. and foreign automakers.

“There is tremendous public support from all stakeholders, except one,” Billings said. “The oil industry continues to oppose this. They’re isolated and out of step.

“E10’s the dominant fuel in the marketplace. We think that’s appropriate, and as fuels change, we want EPA to update certifications to the ‘end-use’ (blended) fuel. If and when E15 has significant market penetration, we want vehicles certified for the fuels they’re operating on in the real world.”

At the same time, Billings urged automakers to continue exploring vehicle modifications that would minimize potential biofuels high-temp evaporative emissions at the pump and thus enhance ethanol air quality benefits.

should avoid animal areas at fairs.

The state public health and agriculture departments issued similar advice last year when a youngster caught a new flu strain after visiting a county

fair. No additional cases were reported last year.

Melaney Arnold, communications manager with the Illinois Department of Public Health, said she had not heard of any similar cases this year.

Gardeners, Warriors For Christ Ministries, Kickapoo Boy Scouts and Brimfield and Farmington FFA members.

The 450-by-20-foot hillside now blooms with purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and nearly 20 other species. The plants thrive with only a light fertilizer application and spot spraying to keep weeds at bay.

In addition to improving the appearance of the Far m Bureau property, the patch has come full circle by regularly giving birth to similar plantings across the state. IDOT staff har vests seeds from the patch in late summer and early fall and grows them for future prairie plantings.

A breathtaking blanket of prairie flowers covers a hillside in front of the Peoria County Farm Bureau office near Interstate 74 and University Street in Peoria. Overseeing the patch are, from left, Peoria County Farm Bureau Manager Patrick Kirchhofer, and members Todd Johnson, Bob Guppy, Richard Carroll, Dave Benson and Dean Doughty. (Photo by Cyndi Cook)

Peoria County improvement project relies on native prairie plants A hillside bordering the Peoria County Farm Bureau Building once sported weeds, grass and sapling trees.

Thanks to a two-year improvement project, the area now blossoms with native prairie plants.

In January 2011, members armed with chain saws descended on the hillside highly visible to Interstate 74 and University Street motorists. Tree removal paved the way for an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) delivery of 15 truckloads of mulch and 3,000 potted native plants.

Farm Bureau members enlisted planting help from May through September from University of Illinois Master

GOVERNMENT

Page 5 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

AFBF: Court decision has far-reaching ramifications Last December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew an order demanding West Virginia poultry grower Lois Alt obtain a federal Clean Water Act discharge permit for stormwater runoff from her farmyard.

It was a conditional victory for farmers concerned about EPA’s evolving and potentially expanding role in ag water regulation. But onlookers like American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) legal counsel Danielle Quist knew the story wasn’t over.

Thus, AFBF last week

asked a West Virginia U.S. district court to formally rule that livestock and poultry farmers do not require Clean Water Act discharge permits for so-called “ordinary” stormwater runoff.

EPA’s withdrawal came six months after Alt filed suit against the agency and six weeks before she and AFBF were scheduled to file briefs challenging its interpretation of the law. The West Virginia district court ruled last October that Farm Bureau had the right to join Alt’s suit. EPA withdrew its order before a court hearing could be held.

According to Quist, the case has far-reaching ramifi-

cations in defining what constitutes “ag stormwater” exempted under federal Clean Water Act regulations. She maintained EPA has been attempting to expand and evolve its permitting authority through “enforcement actions on a farm-by-farm basis.”

“This could be any kind of a farm. It could be a feedlot, between poultry houses, a swine lot — any area that’s not an actual production area, any area that contains dust or other particles that could be emitted or spilled or tracked on your shoes as part of normal farming operations,” Quist told FarmWeek.

“We believe the Clean Water Act exempts those ‘discharges’ as agricultural stormwater. EPA has been trying to find a way to make more poultry and livestock farms get permits. This is one way of doing it.”

That’s despite rulings in two recent cases. A federal court dismissed a complaint by the New York-based environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance against Maryland poultry farmers Alan and Kristin Hudson and Perdue Farms in December, while a National Pork Producers Council suit helped head off new EPA livestock reporting requirements.

Environmental groups are expected to file briefs on behalf of EPA authority Aug. 1, followed by an AFBF response. A hearing is likely in mid- to late fall, and the court should issue a ruling by year’s end, Quist said.

Meanwhile, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Natural and Environmental Resources Lauren Lurkins noted efforts to identify cases where farmers “are doing things correctly but seem to be under the (EPA) microscope for questionable reasons.” To report incidents of possible EPA regulatory overreach, contact Lurkins at 309-557-3153.

It may not be your senator’s immigration bill. But as long as House leaders can come together on immigration reform, Kristi Boswell argues the way they do it is far less important than simply doing it.

That said, the House Judiciary Committee is well on its way toward assembling the pieces of a bipartisan immigration bill, according to Boswell, an American Farm Bureau Federation labor policy specialist.

The Senate has approved a comprehensive package that offers a two-tiered system to bring currently undocumented ag workers out of the shadows and provide ag employers greater flexibility in hiring foreign-born, seasonal and contract workers. That’s important to Illinois specialty growers, dairy and livestock operations, and nurserymen.

“The House needs to act,” Boswell told FarmWeek.

“However they act, we’re supportive. Doing nothing is unacceptable. We support anything that moves the process forward, anything that gets something to conference — ideally, a package of bills or one comprehensive bill that can get through (House-Senate) conference.”

“That’s our message to our members right now, while they’re home over the Fourth of July recess. We’re explaining why it’s important that the House put together a bill or review the Senate bill — however they feel comfortable moving forward.”

Meanwhile, Illinois Farm Bureau staff met last Tuesday in Naperville with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, law enforcement and other “proimmigration” groups. IFB is looking at conducting addi-

tional meetings in Central Illinois and St. Louis’ Metro East area to raise issue awareness.

Cognizant of the need for a firm comfort level particularly among key House Republicans, the Judiciary Committee has focused early on border security concerns. Boswell notes Judiciary itself is a “very conservative, hardnosed immigration committee.”

Members so far have passed four pieces, dealing respectively with “interior enforcement,” electronic worker “e-verification,” provisions for “high-skilled” workers in technical or other fields and Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte’s (R-Va.) own ag guest worker visa plan.

With those more broadly acceptable elements in place — along with reforms close to former House Ag Committee Goodlatte’s heart — Boswell anticipates introduction of low-skill nonagricultural guest

worker and immigrant legalization measures.

Ideally, those six pieces ultimately will “mesh” into a comprehensive package, she said.

“I think the best chance of success in conference, in put-

ting everything together for a full compromise, is to have as broad an immigration package as possible come out of the House,” Boswell said. “Immigration is a hard issue.” — Martin Ross

Tuesday: • Ag weather with Harvey Freese of FreeseNotis Weather • Nic Anderson, Illinois Livestock Development Group Wednesday: • Tim Schweizer, Illinois Department of Natural Resources public relations liaison • Amber Purcell, ATV Safety Institute chief instructor • Anne Rashford, Chicago Museum of Science and Industry project manager • Rick Weinzierl, U of I Extension entomology specialist

Thursday: • Illinois Pork Producers representative • Randy Daniels and Dave Brown of WITY live from Historic Farm Days in Penfield Friday: • Sara Wyant, AgriPulse publisher • Marla Behrends, Midwest Dairy Association industry relations manager • “Town and Country Partners” • Terra Wellington, wellness and lifestyle author To find a radio station near you that carries the RFD Radio Network, go to FarmWeekNow.com, click on “Radio,” then click on “Affiliates.”

BY MARTIN ROSS FarmWeek

House committee assembling immigration pieces

IMMIGRATION AND THE ECONOMY

$3.2 million According to Stephen Goss, Social Security chief actuary, the number of new jobs Senate-proposed immigration reforms would help generate.

1.63 percent Goss’ estimate of the bill’s impact on U.S. gross domestic product over the next 10 years.

6.5 million The number of taxpayers likely added to U.S. tax rolls over a decade as a result of the bill, according to Goss. He noted many undocumented laborers are working in an “underground economy” and don’t pay taxes, so adding them to U.S. tax rolls would bolster the nation’s coffers.

CORN WITHSTANDS EXCESSIVE RAINFALL

Mother Nature released a flood gate last week in this Wayne County cornfield near Wayne City. Rainfall totaled more than 10 inches during the period of June 22-July 2 in parts of Wayne, Effingham and Clay counties. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

FarmWeek Page 6 Monday, July 8, 2013

CROPWATCHERS Bernie Walsh, Durand, Winnebago County: We had another inch of rain here Saturday (June 29) and there was up to 2 inches in other parts of the county. Since then, it hasn’t rained. Thank goodness. We were way too wet, especially on the low ground. Some of the 9 to 10 inches of rain that fell in Southern Wisconsin two weeks ago ended up on our fields because of the Sugar River flooding. We lost a few acres of corn and beans. All of the other crops on the higher ground look pretty good, especially with some warmer temps in the forecast. We could have some early-planted corn shooting tassels within a week.

Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Rainfall of 0.2 of an inch on Friday and Saturday (June 28 and 29), which brings my June total to 5.8 inches.

Crops continue to look excellent in this area. Wheat and rye are turning fast and harvest could begin within a week. Potato harvest has begun. First-crop hay has been completed and producers are now cutting second-crop alfalfa. The sprayers are trying to finish up on the soybeans as they grow so rapidly.

Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: We drove more than 3,500 miles to Las Vegas and back for our daughter’s wedding.

I have to admit — you couldn’t find much better looking crops than we have here in northern Illinois. The early-planted corn is still a week or more away from tasseling. Soybeans in 15-inch rows have canopied and are looking good.

It’s hard to believe that with all of the wet weather and late planting that more than 97 million acres of corn were planted this year.

Makes you wonder how many acres were originally planned for growing a corn crop.

Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: It was a rain-free week. A few beans were still being replanted to fill holes. The small amount of wheat in the county was getting cut. There will be some double-crop beans put in. The elevator at Keithsburg was closed due to flooding on the Mississippi for the third time this year.

Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We only received 0.25 of an inch of rain last week.

The first hay cutting is complete now with surprisingly good yields.

The corn is catching up with some warmer weather. My sweet corn has tasseled and the field corn should not be far behind. The beans are growing well also. Postspraying of beans should be complete next week. The Japanese beetles are back. There are a few in the early-planted beans. I first noticed them on weeds next to my hay bales.

There were no leaves on the weeds. The beetles had eaten them all. That is one way to control some weeds. Let’s hope they don’t do that to the crops the rest of the summer.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: Soybean spraying is the main activity as we watch this crop grow.

Problem weed is marestail.

Producers are trying different herbicides to try to control this problem weed. Sweet corn is tasseled, but needs rain. Our area has still missed the good, soaking rains. We took a trip to Rochester, Minn., by way of Iowa and could not get over all of the unplanted fields in northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota. These acres were not in the June report yet.

Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: We had showers June 28-29 and July 2. The range in rainfall on our farms was .5 to 1.2 inches of rain. The major field activity this week was post-emergence herbicide application on corn and soybean fields. Corn development ranges from V6 to V13 growth stage.

Most soybean fields range from the V2 to the R1 growth stage. The local closing bids for July 3 were $6.65 for nearby corn, $4.84 for new crop corn, $15.91 for nearby soybeans, and $12.25 for new crop soybeans.

Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: Early week rains totaled 0.5 of an inch and Wednesday was a drizzle fest. It finally dried out for the Fourth of July — one of the nicest weatherwise in decades. Corn planted early April is tasseling and corn pollination will extend throughout July due to our extended planting season. Beans are knee-high by the Fourth of July and growing rapidly. See you at the Fisher Fair and Historic Farm Days in Penfield!

Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: Hello again from western Illinois where the corn is certainly making good use of temperature and moisture. We only got about 0.25 of an inch of rain last week, while others picked up considerably more.

Some soybeans are pushing to get going and others are going.

Resistant weeds are still a problem. Wheat is maturing and looks good. Still mowing and general chores to do, and bin cleaning to complete. Have a good and safe week.

Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: Trace amounts of rain last week. June rain total was 4.35 inches.

Finished up the last of the herbicide spraying last week. Japanese beetles made their appearance.

Not much wheat growing this year in our area, but in surrounding counties some wheat is being cut.

Beans look good. Corn stands everywhere are uneven, but the vegetative growth is hiding some of the population problem areas.

Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: We had another 1.5 to 2.0 inches of rain since my last report, but things are starting to dry out again. A lot of farmers are finishing up the late-planted corn spraying and some additional nitrogen is being added in many different ways on some of the late-planted corn. There has also been a lot of spraying of soybeans. I have seen corn height anywhere from 12 inches to a few fields that are starting to tassel. Most of the fields that were planted in the first or second week of May are starting to get to the point where you can’t see the bad spots anymore, which is nice. I have seen a few soybean plants that are starting to bloom, but most are a long way from blooming. A few guys that have wheat in our area will probably be cutting in the next few weeks.

Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: It was another wet week right when many producers would rather be in the fields completing spraying, baling, wheat harvesting and many other summer chores. Another 1.5 inches of rain filled rain gauges throughout the week, making a few acres of soybean spraying the only progress made. Well over half of the corn crop was planted in the middle of May and currently at the V10 stage.

Pollination should begin in the latter part of this month. What happens in that period will have a big influence on how full the bins get next fall. Currently, we are at 1000 GDU putting us over a third of the way to maturity.

If we can keep the heat going, we may not have to revisit 2009. Soybean fields are coming along. Many are entering the home stretch of the vegetative stage and will move on to the blooming stages in the coming weeks. Hopefully, the herbicide spraying will get done in that period, although some of the weeds that have been sprayed multiple times are not bothering to die. I hate to say it but resistance is here my friends.

Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: Not much was done last week because of wet field conditions. Hopefully, we have cut our wheat by the time you read this. We need warmer weather for the beans to start growing. We are in the V3 to V4 stages with corn ranging from tasseling in the western part of county to V6 to V7 here in our area. Crop report came out and farmers have planted acres high in corn according to most analysts, but basis has improved. Markets have bounced back for cash corn, but new crop corn is below $5 now.

Not much else to report. County fair is July 15.

Hopefully, we will bale hay after that.

Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: We received 0.2 of an inch of rain at our place this past week. Some heavier rains went through the northern part of the county. Ten percent of the corn is tasseling in the area.

Knee-high by the Fourth of July happened this year, which is rather unusual since it is normally chest high or tasseling. Most all of the corn has been sprayed. Still going to do some tissue sampling on some of the V6 corn. We got anywhere from V5 to just coming out of the ground in the beans. That’s probably a 5 percent V5. Most of them are V2 and V3. A lot of spraying going on in the beans. Quite a bit of hay. Some of the wheat in the area was cut. A little bit wetter than normal. Trying to get it out and get some beans put in. Remember your county fairs are taking off across the state.

You want to be sure to participate to keep the activities alive. Corn on some of the crossroads is becoming large enough that you need to slow down and be careful. Precaution in these areas would be good so we can be safe this summer.

Jeff Guilander, Jerseyville, Jersey County: It was not a good week for trying to cut wheat, so the jury is still out. It does have potential. Spraying is in full swing, but the effectiveness is disappointing. The rule is now that if you can see the weed, you probably can’t kill it, so try to spray early.

Some corn has taken off. Even with the late planting, it is catching up to the calendar quickly. The roller coaster of 2013 is in full swing; hang on. It could be a wild ride.

Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: It was another very wet and humid week. It rained almost every day. Reports are some areas received up to 6 inches of rain in one day. No planting has taken place except by air. It has been more than two weeks since planters could roll. Some wheat has been harvested between showers leaving ruts in the fields. Corn, wheat and beans have all deteriorated over the past week. Some bean fields have been overtaken by weeds.

Many fields in a large area have never been entered yet this year. People who have been keeping track of the accumulative rainfall say we have already received our average annual rainfall for the year. We are hoping and praying for a dry week so we can get the wheat harvested and the planting completed, but there is still rain in the forecast.

Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: We began the month of July with 2-plus inches of rain and cooler than normal temperatures. Daytime highs were in the upper 80s and the lows in the 60s. Although these weather conditions were great for celebrating the Fourth of July, it did little for drying out soggy fields. Some wheat harvest occurred when possible between rains. Progress has been slow. Test weight of the grain has been dropping with each passing shower, with test samples currently around 53 pounds per bushel. The corn crop in the area has been developing quite well, taking advantage of the moisture and sunshine. Corn plant height ranges from knee- to shoulder-high with some of the earliest planted corn starting to tassel. Shallow root system is of concern to farmers since this crop hasn’t been stressed for moisture this year. Soybean status is a wide range this season with fields waiting to be planted to fields where the canopy is about to cover the rows spacing. Post-herbicide applications have been a challenge with the frequent showers and soggy fields. Locally grown sweet corn has made its way to produce stands in the area along with other vegetable selections.

Local grain bids are corn, $6.30; soybeans, $15.96; wheat $ 6.41. Have a great week.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: This crop season is something else, to say the least.

I was able to finish the wheat before all the rains at the beginning of the past week. Doublecrops are going to be a challenge to almost impossible to get in.

Corn in the low ground is turning yellow from too much moisture, but hill ground looks great. The invasion of Japanese beetles started about a week ago.

There are a few fields of early corn that have started tasseling.

Page 7 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

CROPWATCHERS Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: A buddy of mine said the other day, just when you think it can’t get any worse, it does. Everyone was cutting wheat and about to finish planting their single-crop beans when Monday (July 1) came. It rained all day and all night. Final totals were anywhere from 4 to 7 inches of rain.

Rivers and creeks were back out of their banks and bottomland crops were ruined. There are thousands of acres of wheat yet to be cut and thousands of acres of beans yet to be planted with time running out. Now for the bad news – bean fields need to be sprayed really bad.

Dean Shields, Murphysboro, Jackson County: The weather was kind of wet last week. We had up to 5.5 inches of rain in some places and 1.5 inches in others. This brought wheat harvest to a halt and also our planting. It’s been cloudy with not much drying going on. The river is still high for us, so it is not allowing our locks to be open. In other parts of the county, we had some flooding. The corn crop looks decent. The worst thing I can say about the corn crop is some of the low areas are turning yellow from the rain and maybe a little stunting. Beans look pretty good, too.

Before the rains started, everyone was spraying. This is a lot different than last year when it was so dry.

Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: It was a very different week weather-wise here in deep southern Illinois. The weather has been cooler with temperatures below normal. Although it was kind of overcast and drizzly on Tuesday and Wednesday, we received very little overall rainfall.

I hate to say it, but we could actually use a good shower on our farm. The corn that was planted in April is tasseling and pollinating. The cooler weather has really been good for that. Corn and soybeans are looking much better. They have nice, dark color and are getting tall enough that you can’t see the drowned-out spots and holes in the field, so at least they look a lot better from the road.

Please have a safe week.

Rapid growth causes brittle stalks, yellow leaves Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com

Warm weather and abundant soil moisture in many areas, coupled with late corn planting, has resulted in ver y rapid corn growth.

Tw o c o n s e quences of this accelerate d growth Kevin Black have recently become apparent. Isolated occurrence of brittle cornstalks and/or tightly wrapped l e ave s h a s b e e n o b s e r ve d across our region.

Rapid corn growth is associated with swift elongation of cells in leaves and stalks. Following this cell elongation, lignin is normally deposited in these cells, giving them strength and rigidity. However, until the lignin deposition occurs, the stalk tissue and leaf mid-veins can be very brittle.

In some cases, growth regulator herbicides enhance the accelerated growth and development of brittleness. However, brittle stalks can occur in the absence of herbicide application.

When cornstalks become

BY KEVIN BLACK

Auction Calendar Tues., July 9. 10 a.m. McDonough Co. Land Auc. John Nickson Estate, MACOMB, IL. Lowderman Auction & Real Estate. www.lowderman.com Thurs., July 11. 2 p.m. IL Time. Clark Co. Land Auc. Donald and Rose Slater, MARTINSVILLE, IL. Parrott Real Estate. www.sellafarm.com or www.auctionzip.com id 4851 Fri., July 12. 10 a.m. Macoupin Co. Tillable and Recreational Land. CNB Bank & Trust, N.A., Trustee U/A Jean Ashworth and CNB Bank & Trust, N.A., Trustee U/W Charles H. Ashworth, CARLINVILLE, IL. Mike Crabtree, Auctioneer. www.mikecrabtreeauctions.com Sat., July 13. 10 a.m. Construction & Farm Machinery Auc. Virgil Neff, PADERBORN, IL. Dale Brumester Auc. Serv. and Mark Krausz Auc. Serv.

Sat., July 13. 9:30 a.m. Farm Toy and Auc. Don Ummel, EUREKA, IL. Schmidgall Auction Services, Inc. www.topauctions24-7.com/schmidgall Sat., July 13. Antique Tractor Farm Collectible Auc. Gayle Cyrulik, Don Kline, Barb Lawrence, Wm. Martin, LINCOLN, IL. Mike Maske Auction Service. www.maskeauction.com Sat., July 13. 9 a.m. Estate Auc. Max Murphy Est., KEENES, IL. Barnard Auctions. www.proxibid.com/barnard

brittle in late whorl to tassel growth stages, stalks will often break just below the developing ear. This is referred to as “green snap.” When it is noted that cornstalks have become b r i t t l e, i t i s w i s e t o avo i d unnecessary field operations.

Another consequence of rapid corn growth is that new leaves at the top of the corn plant sometimes will become wrapped and bent over. This is often referred to as “buggy whipping” or “rattail” appearance. A more technical term for this condition is rapid growth syndrome.

The key feature to identifying rapid growth syndrome is the wrapping and twisting of the whorl leaves in corn plants between the V5 and V8 (or later) stages of growth. These new leaves will emerge tightly wrapped and almost appear as a long rattail.

While the exact cause for this phenomenon is not completely understood, many speor www.auctionzip.com, auctioneer id#2008 Sat., July 13. 9 a.m. Consignment Auc. TREMONT, IL. Cal Kaufman and Brent Schmidgall, Auctioneers. tremontconsignmentauction@yahoo.com Mon., July 15. 7 p.m. Massac Co. Land Auc. METROPOLIS, IL buyafarm.com Thurs., July 18. 6 p.m. IL Time.

Jasper Co. Land Auc. Sandra Chapman and Susan Wells, NEWTON, IL. Parrott Real Estate. www.sellafarm.com or www.auctionzip.com id 4851 Sat., July 20. 10 a.m. Machinery and miscellaneous. Bill and Darlene Duncan, MANCHESTER, IL. Moss Auctioneers. www.auctionzip.com id #21727 Sat., July 20. 10 a.m. Real Estate and Contents. Diane Oros Successor Trustee of Leroy Landmeier Trust, PLANO, IL. Chris Wegener and Joe Wegener, Auctioneers. www.go2wegenerauctions.com Sat., July 20. 10 a.m. Large Estate Auc. Roy Clapp Est., CABERY, IL. Immke and Bradley Auction Service. www.biddersandbuyers.com/immke Wed., July 24. 10 a.m. Livingston Co. Farmland Auc. Lucille Fieldman Estate, CAMPUS, IL. Bradleys’ and Immke Auction Service. www.bradleyauctionsinc.com

cialists believe that the newer, smaller leaves developing in the corn whorl rush to reach sunlight during the rapid corn growth phase. However, since the older leaves are still transitioning into rapid growth, the newer leaves are forced to wait for emergence.

As these newer leaves contin-

ue to tr y to push their way through the whorl, they become tightly wrapped. This can be seen if you slowly unwrap these tightly bound leaves.

In spite of the unusual appearance of affected corn plants, complete recovery usually occurs quickly with little to no effect on yield. Generally, the

only lasting sign that plants were ever affected is the occurrence of a few bright “yellow tops” that are easily visible in the field, or a few wrinkled or ripped leaves resulting as the leaves unfurl from the whorl. The yellow tops are simply the leaves that were deprived of sunlight when they were tied up in the whorl. A few days of sunshine and these reminders will disappear.

Ke vin Bla ck is GROW MARK’s insect and pest disease techn ica l ma n a ger. His ema il address is kblack@growmark.com.

EU ANIMAL CAR

FarmWeek Page 8 Monday, July 8, 2013

Stories and photos by Daniel Grant

Philip Crawley, right, director of Sunrise Poultry Farms in Leicestershire, England, discusses biotech issues with Illinois Farm Bureau members, left to right, Brian Spannagel (Sangamon County), Pam Janssen (Woodford County), and Kate Hagenbuch (LaSalle County) during the IFB EU animal care study tour.

European farmer sees need for biotech in animal ag

Attitudes about biotechnology are evolving in the EuropeanUnion (EU) as some farmers and consumers see the need to produce more food.

Philip Crawley, director of Sunrise Poultry Farms in Leicestershire, England, told participants of the Illinois Farm Bureau EU animal care study tour that he currently feeds soybeans from the U.S. to his flock of 550,000 laying birds.

“The UK (United Kingdom) will have to accept GM (genetically modified) crops,” Crawley said.

“We’ve got a growing population in this world, and we need to feed them,” he continued. “GM is the new organic. You use less chemicals, get more yields and can save more rain forests (from being converted to agricultural production).”

The decision by some European livestock producers to use biotech crops in feed also comes down to economics.

The majority of soybeans grown in the top two producing areas of the world, the U.S. and South America, are biotech varieties.

“We buy 3 percent of the world’s soy,” Crawley said. “We’ve got nothing else to use.”

John Brook, U.S. Meat Export Federation regional director in Europe, Russia and the Middle East, said there are a lot of misconceptions in the EU about biotech crops.

However, be believes EU consumers will change their attitudes over time as they see more positive attributes and a proven safety record of biotechnology.

“I think it’s a generational thing,” Brook said. “People (in the EU) of the current generation lived though the 1980s when we had problems (with BSE and other food safety issues). The next generation, I think, will be much more open about it.”

Many of England’s livestock producers who continue to feed only non-GM crops do so for retailers who are willing to pay a premium, according to Crawley.

“The government understands the need to go to GM (crops),” he said. “But the non-GM lobby has some very influential people.”

Klaas Jan Van Calker, sustainable food chain consultant for Unilever in The Netherlands, said his company currently doesn’t use biotech products due to perceived consumer attitudes.

“We see opportunities using GM crops,” Van Calker told IFB members during a meeting in Amsterdam. “But we don’t use them because of current consumer attitudes.”

He said many consumer perceptions about food production are influenced by non-government organizations (NGOs) that oppose biotechnology and, in some cases, meat consumption.

“NGOs in The Netherlands are marketing machines that create free publicity (for their causes),” Van Calker said.

Crawly agreed that many mandates on food production in the EU are driven by perceptions that aren’t always reality.

“Anybody below the age of 55 in this country (England) has never been hungry,” he added. “Until they experience that, they will never fully appreciate the food we produce.”

Size of operation, age of farm to change sow housing system The ban on sow gestation stalls in the European Union (EU) could spark the unintended consequence of increased consolidation in the industry.

EU farmers, who recently met with Illinois Farm Bureau members during the IFB animal care study tour in Europe, said the transition from gestation stalls to group housing in many cases resulted in increased costs and an initial drop in production at some locations.

Sebastian Ley, a hog farmer near Dunkirk, France, constructed a new facility to meet the mandate, which took effect the first of this year. It cost Ley and his brother, Frederic, about $1,300 per sow to build the new, state-of-the-art facility.

The Leys received a government subsidy of about $200 per head to help defer the costs. But they still saw an economic need to increase their herd from 200 to 450 sows.

“We doubled everything to make the new welfare requirement pencil out,” Ley said.

The new facility includes group pens, a ventilated roof and fan circulation system, and skylights.

Other hog farmers, however, opted not to make the transition.

The regional impact of the welfare directive in Northern France recently was measured by a farmer survey. The survey revealed 68 percent of hog farmers were ready for the initiative by Jan. 1, 20 percent will have their farms up to date in the near future, 10 percent stopped or plan to stop production and 2 percent didn’t respond to the survey.

Many who exited the business were veteran farmers or had small herds and didn’t believe

John Brook, left, U.S. Meat Export Federation regional director of Europe, Russia and the Middle East, discusses livestock issues and marketing opportunities outside a farm in Belgium with Pat Bane, right, an Illinois Farm Bureau member and McLean County hog producer.

U.S. beef exports make gains in EU

U.S. beef sales to the European Union aren’t as brisk as they are to other destinations such as Asia and Mexico.

But the market in recent years exhibited growth after a long-time dispute over the use of growth promotants, according to John Brook, U.S. Meat Export Federation regional director of Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

The World Trade Organization in 2007 ruled the EU’s ban on the importation of U.S. beef was not based on science.

So in 2009, the EU opened a quota for U.S. beef which has grown from 16,000 tons to 45,000 tons.

“We built a $200 million business in four years,” Brook said. “It really is a success.”

A key to the success of U.S. beef sales to the EU is quality of the American product.

In the European Union, about two-thirds of beef is derived from dairy or crossbred dairy cattle.

“U.S. beef is of superior quality than the beef here,” said Bob Flach, ag specialist at the U.S. Embassy in The Netherlands. “There’s not enough

beef in the EU. That’s why prices are so high here.”

A total of nine U.S. packers were qualified to sell high-quality beef to the EU as of last week.

However, a tight cattle supply and subsequent high prices, along with an unfavorable exchange rate, could slow growth in the market this year, Brook noted.

The U.S. also is being pressured for its share of the beef quota to the EU by Australia and Uruguay.

The U.S. currently supplies about 50 percent of the EU’s beef quota compared to 75 percent four years ago.

Overall, though, the U.S. could be in position to sell more beef in the future.

The World Organization for Animal Health earlier this year upgraded the United States’ risk classification for BSE to its safest level.

The risk of BSE in the U.S., according to the animal health organization, is “negligible” compared to “controlled.”

There have been four cases of BSE in the U.S. since it was discovered in a cow in Washington State in 2003.

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Page 9 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

mers play key roles in ability ms in European Union

they would get a return on their investment in the short term, according to the survey.

Eric Douma, who has a 600sow operation in Holland, received no assistance to update his far m. It cost him about $260,000 to update his facilities.

In the first year since the switch, the change in producn methods also cost Douma about $52,000 in wered production. Last year, his herd proced about 29 pigs per sow, but this year, with e new system, production dropped to about .5 pigs per sow.

“We’re not used to the new system,” Douma id. “It’s a lot of learning.”

Ley adjusted to the new system by reducing eding from twice to once a day to reduce

ag g ressiveness in his herd. And he’s been pleased with a general lack of fighting among his hogs, thus far.

Douma said he started with big groups in open housing and noticed a rise in leg injuries.

So he quickly made adjustments.

“You have to select sows that do better in this type of system,” he said.

Claus Jorgensen, who has a 1,000 sow operation in Tinglev, Denmark, built a group housing system in 2004.

His production is back to nearly 30 pigs per sow per year. But he said many farmers in his region are struggling to get credit due to the economic recession there.

“It’s not easy to get credit,” Jorgensen said.

“So we’re expanding in phases.”

Jorgensen plans to add about 550 sows to his operation in coming years.

Paul Anthonisseh, a third-generation farmer from Belgium, herds a Belgian blue bull on his farm during the IFB EU animal care study tour. The unique, double-muscled breed was developed through genetics. Growth promotants are strictly prohibited in the EU.

Illinois Farm Bureau members Abe Trone, a veterinarian from Stephenson County, and Mitzi Sharer, a farmer from Henderson County, get a bird’s eye view of laying hens on the Rondeel Egg Farm in The Netherlands. The viewing windows were included on the new facility to help boost consumer acceptance/confidence of egg production.

Eleven farmers, all of whom have some species of livestock on their farms, returned to the U.S. last week after participating in the Illinois Farm Bureau European Union Animal Care Issues Tour.

The group, which also includes a veterinarian and a veterinary technician, visited farms in the United Kingdom, France, Holland, Germany, and Denmark.

Sow housing, in particular, received a great deal of attention during the tour.

FarmWeek Senior Commodities Editor Daniel Grant accompanied the group and provides the reports on this page.

Public perception major focus of EU farmers Daniel Grant

Illinois Farm Bureau members last week on the European Union animal care study tour received an up-close look at new technology as well as some unique traditions in European animal agriculture.

The style of livestock production FarmWeekNow.com across the Atlantic Ocean ranges from For the latest information updates state-of-the-ar t facilities built for from the recent European Union improved animal welfare to livestock Animal Care Study Tour, visit genetics/production methods specific to certain regions.

FarmWeekNow.com.

In most instances, though, the focus of the EU livestock industry across all species seems to be aimed directly at consumer acceptance.

“The BSE crisis (which was identified in England in 1986) brought incredible awareness of consumer health risks associated with animal ag practices,” Andrea Gavinelli, director of general health and consumers for the EU Commission, told IFB members during a meeting in Brussels.

EU farmers in the 1990s also battled issues with salmonella in eggs that cost the industry consumer confidence.

“The EU in the past 20 years spent $50 million in research for animal welfare,” he continued. “We’re looking for indicators of what’s going on and trying to develop a set of tools farmers and vets can use to ensure the animals are happy.”

The focus on consumer acceptance literally was on display at the Rondeel Egg farm in The Netherlands. Farmer Willy Doezhrs used consumer research to construct a round facility that houses 30,000 laying hens.

The facility provides a large area with natural light, the comforts of indoor production, artificial grass and nesting perches, and no beak trimming on the birds. The facility, which is open to the public, also features viewing windows so visitors can watch the hens and egg sorting and packing.

“The round house is something that is preferred by the public,” Doezhrs said. “And it’s open and visible.”

Rondeel charges a premium for brown eggs compared to organic and free-range eggs.

However, not all consumers are willing to spend extra money for their food. So Doezhrs is planning his future flock size based on consumer buying patterns.

“This is just niche market,” he said. “We produce to demand.”

The facility opened last year and so far has hosted about 20,000 visitors, including IFB members.

Elsewhere, hog farmer Dave Morgan built new “freedom stalls” on his farm to give hogs more space, but also relies on traditional techniques, such as straw bedding, for animal comfort and consumer acceptance on his farm in East Yorkshire, England.

Morgan receives premiums from a local retailer to maintain the labor intensive facility.

“We were chosen to be a pig concept farm,” Morgan said. “We are pretty welfare friendly. Our goal is to have an indoor system with the positive attributes of an outdoor system.”

Farmers at other locations in Europe continue to maintain traditions preferred by consumers.

Paul Anthonisseh, a third-generation farmer in Belgium, raises unique double-muscled Belgian blue cows preferred in the area.

The animals, which appear to be pumped up on steroids, actually acquired the double-muscling through years of genetic selection.

“It’s all natural,” Anthonisseh said. “We focus more on quality than quantity.”

All of the calves must be identified, via two ear tags, within 48 hours of birth. No growth hormones are allowed, Anthonisseh added.

EDUCATION

FarmWeek Page 10 Monday, July 8, 2013

Ag-related energy, careers gain higher profile in FFA

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

William Hunter, right, director of Illinois State University’s (ISU) Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology and a chemistry professor, talks with Aaron Shull, left, and Alex Wessel about their energy agriscience fair project during judging at the recent Illinois FFA Convention.

(Photo by Janet Niezgoda, ISU)

Energy-related research and careers are attracting attention among Illinois FFA members whose families may raise crops for biofuels or host a wind turbine on their land.

For Waterloo FFA members, Aaron Shull and Alex Wessel, energy-related research means qualifying for the agriscience fair at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. They will join several other FFA scientists representing the state in the national competition this fall.

This year’s state FFA convention marked the first appearance by a new state education initiative focused on preparing students for college and careers related to energy.

A similar state initiative exists for careers in agriculture, food and natural resources.

The Illinois State Board of

Education is funding careerbased learning with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math, commonly referred to as STEM education.

“We provided information about careers in energy to the kids and made several contacts with (agriculture) teachers who are interested in partnerships,” said David Loomis, an economics professor and director of Illinois State University’s (ISU) Center for Renewable Energy.

Scientists representing the Illinois Pathway Energy Learning Exchange also judged the FFA members’ energy-related agriscience research projects.

The scientist judges from ISU, Commonwealth Edison and Ameren were impressed by the quality of the FFA members’ research, according to Loomis.

Wessel of Fults and Shull of Red Bud pooled their expertise and resources to study biogas production differences when dairy cattle are fed different diets. The students, who will be juniors this fall at Waterloo High School, tested their hypothesis that lactating cows fed a high energy diet with more starch would produce more biogas compared to dry cows fed a low energy diet.

DATEBOOK

The students set up an experiment with 20 bottles, half containing manure from the lactating cows and half with manure from dry cows.

Balloons covering the bottle openings collected the gas.

The two-week experiment went well despite an equipment failure in the Shull family’s utility room. “But I cleaned it up,” Shull said.

In the end, the boys proved their hypothesis was correct. In fact, the gas produced from the lower energy diet wasn’t measurable, Shull noted. Wessel and Shull said they incorporated the judges’ comments and made revisions to their project before a June 29 deadline to submit materials for the national competition.

Having advanced as national qualifiers from their first FFA agriscience fair, Shull and Wessel said they already are planning their next research project and hope to build upon information they learned this year.

Their advice for other budding scientists?

“Don’t procrastinate, and hard work pays off,” Wessel said. “If you try your hardest, you can accomplish want you want to,” added Shull.

July 10 Agronomy Day, beginning at 9 a.m., University of Illinois Northern Illinois Agronomy Research Center, Shabbona. Contact Russ Higgins at 815-274-1343 or email rahiggin@illinois.edu for more information.

July 11 47th Annual Belleville Field Day, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Belleville Research Center. Contact Ronald Krausz at 618-566-4761 for more information.

July 16 2013 Orr Center Field Day. For more information, contact Mike Vose at 217-236-4911.

July 16 2013 Illinois Forage Expo, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Coal Valley.

July 17 Field Day, beginning at 8 a.m., University of Illinois Research Center, Monmouth. Contact Angie Peltier at 309-734-5161 for more information.

July 25 Field Day, beginning at 8 a.m., University of Illinois Research Center, Brownstown. Contact Robert Bellm at 618-427-3349 for more information.

July 30-31 The National Grain and Feed Association and the Soy Transportation Coalition, “A Modern Infrastructure for Modern Agriculture” conference, Westin O’Hare near Chicago. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will cosponsor the summit. {www.soytransportation.org} or {www.ngfa.org/meetings.cfm} to register.

Page 11 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

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EMERGING ISSUES

FarmWeek Page 12 Monday, July 8, 2013

Recycling schedule set for ag chem containers

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has arranged to offer free agrichemical container recycling.

FarmWeekNow.com

For a full list of ag chemical recycling sites statewide, go to Visit FarmWeekNow.com.

Starting in late July, sites throughout the state will collect the containers and grind them into small plastic chips for other uses. Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for this program.

Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, No. 2 plastic, agrichemical containers that are clean and dry.

Participants are responsible for properly rinsing the containers and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.

The program is a cooperative venture between IDOA, Illinois Farm Bureau, GROW-

MARK Inc., the Agriculture Container Recycling Council, the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Container Services Network and the University of Illinois Extension.

The program will be offered at four permanent locations and 30 single-day collection sites. For a full list of the single-day sites, go to FarmWeekNow.com or call IDOA at 800-641-3934 for a program brochure.

The permanent sites and contact information are: • Illinois Valley Supply, Carrollton, Greene County, John Quandt, 217-942-6991; • Klein Flying Service, Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Robert Klein, 618-943-2189; • Randolph Ag Service, Heyworth, McLean County, Brad Hamilton, 309-473-3256; and • Maple City Area Recycling, Monmouth, Warren County, Kevin Lovdahl, 309734-8423.

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst) left, talks with Vermilion County Farm Bureau member Lynn Rohrscheib of Fairmount, state Rep. Chad Hays (R-Catlin) and Gary Ludwig of Fithian. Ludwig recently hosted Reboletti’s first Adopt-A-Legislator tour of Vermilion County. (Photo by Tom Fricke)

Adopt-A-Legislator makes first Vermilion County visit Vermilion County Farm Bureau members recently hosted their newly adopted legisla-

BY TOM FRICKE

tor, state Rep. Dennis Reboletti (R-Elmhurst), for his first farm visit.

Local Rep. Chad Hays (RCatlin) joined Reboletti. They visited the Marron grain farm and Ludwig Farm and Creamery near Fithian. Discussion centered on GMOs, pesticide use, sales tax exemption on agricultural inputs, pension reform, concealed carry, the state’s fiscal climate and agriculture’s role in Illinois’ economy.

The tour capped with a

cheese tasting at the Ludwig farm and lunch in downtown Danville.

Vermilion County Farm Bureau members plan to visit Reboletti in his DuPage County district later this summer.

Reboletti wants to bring his 11year-old son to Vermilion County in the fall for a combine ride.

American shoppers paid less than $6 per person for their favorite July 4 picnic foods, according to a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey.

The price for a meal of popular picnic foods and beverages for 10 cost $57.20 or $5.72 per person. The menu included hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, ketchup, mustard, lemonade, chocolate milk and watermelon.

Sixty volunteer AFBF shoppers in 22 states compiled retail prices for the informal survey, which is part of AFBF’s marketbasket surveys.

Correct food temperature is critical to keeping picnic fare safe and preventing food-borne illnesses, according to the University of Illinois Extension.

If you are traveling longer

than two hours, pack food in a cooler with meat packed on the bottom. Use plenty of ice or freezer gel-packs because food needs to be kept cold — less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pre-cooked, take-out meat, such as fried chicken or barbeque, should be eaten within two hours of pick-up or cooled to an appropriate temperature.

Extension picnic food safety tips include: • Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, •Tightly wrap and seal foods, double wrapping raw meats to prevent juices from getting into other foods, and • Keep utensils, bowls and everything that touches food clean.

Promptly store any leftovers on ice in a cooler. Throw away any meat left out of a cooler for more than an hour.

Once home, check the cooler to be sure the meat is cool to the touch and ice is present — or discard the meat. — Kay Shipman

Tom Fricke is the Vermilion County Farm Bureau director of information.

U.S. picnic food costs less than $6 per person

FROM THE COUNTIES

Page 13 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

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OOK — Farm Bureau will sponsor a family picnic at the Brookfield Zoo from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 18. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 11 and free for children ages 2 and under. Call 708-354-3276 for tickets or more information

by Aug. 7.

FFINGHAM — Farm Bureau will host a member appreciation picnic at 6 p.m. July 21 at Evergreen Hollow Park in Effingham.

Colgate Country Showdown participants, Lee Ann Bussman and Dakota Esker, will provide the entertainment.

Members may swim from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Effingham Area Kluthe Memorial Pool. Call the Farm Bureau office at 342-2103 for reservations or more information.

• Prime Timers will travel to Vincennes, Ind., from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 30. Cost is $45 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 3422103 by July 9 for reservations or more information.

ACKSON — Farm Bureau will offer plat books to members at a discounted rate. Call the Farm Bureau office at 684-3129 for more information.

ASALLE — Farm Bureau will host a tour to Mid-American Growers in Granville, Patriot Renewable Fuels in Annawan, and the Pioneer research facility in Princeton from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. Call the Farm Bureau office at 433-0371 for reservations.

EE — The Marketing Committee will sponsor a day trip to DeKalb beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 20.

Cost is $36 for adults, $32 for ages 13 to 17 and $30 for ages 12 and under. Call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531 or email leecfb@comcast.net for more information.

• The Young Leader Committee will host a cookout at

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6:30 p.m. July 21 at Bryan & Andrea Borell’s, Amboy. The event is open to members ages 18 to 35. Call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531 or email leecfb@comcast.net for directions and more information.

• Farm Bureau will cosponsor a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. July 25 at the Lee County Fairgrounds. Call the Farm Bureau office at 857-3531 or email leecfb@comcast.net to volunteer or donate.

• Lee, Carroll and Ogle County Farm Bureaus will sponsor a master grain contract seminar at 7 p.m. July 15 at the Ogle County Farm Bureau. Jerry Quick, former Illinois Farm Bureau senior counsel, will be the speaker.

Call the Ogle County Farm Bureau at 815-857-3531 or email leecfb@comcast.net to register.

• The Young Leader Committee will sponsor an Italian beef food stand from 5 to 7 p.m. July 25 at the Lee County 4-H Fair and Junior Show.

CDONOUGH — Farm Bureau Foundation will co-sponsor a golf outing July 27 at Gold Hills Golf Course in Macomb. Cost is $50. Register at {mcdonoughcountyfarmbureau.org/ golf-outing/}.

ACOUPIN — Farm Bureau will sponsor a livestock update at 6 p.m. July 16 at the Farm Bureau building. Nic Anderson, Illinois Livestock Development Group, and Reid Blossom, Illinois Beef Association, will be the speakers. Call 854-2571 for reservations or more information by July 9.

ONTGOMERY — Prime Timers will host a noon luncheon July 17 at the Farm Bureau building.

Undersheriff Rick Robbins will be the speaker. Call the Farm Bureau office at 5326171 to register or for more information.

EORIA — Farm Bureau will sponsor a

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U of I Northwest Center plans July 17 Field Day

The University of Illinois Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center, Monmouth, will host a Field Day –- rain or shine — starting at 8 a.m. July 17. The final tour will leave at 8:30 a.m.

Topics include: identification and management of Goss’s wilt of corn, western corn rootworm resistance to Bt, palmer amaranth in west-central Illinois, changing crop rotations and agronomic impacts of cover crops.

Free corn rootworm injury evaluations will be offered to farmers who bring in 10 plant roots that have been soaked in five-gallon buckets of water overnight.

The center is located one mile north and four miles west of Monmouth at 321 210 Ave. For more information, contact the center’s Angie Peltier at 309-734-5161 or apeltier@illinois.edu.

farmland assessment public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Farm Bureau office.

Dave Ryan, Peoria County supervisor of assessments, will be the speaker.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor a golf scramble beginning at 7 a.m. July 20 at Laurel Greens Golf Course. Cost is $15 for members. Reservation deadline is July 12.

• Prime Timers will attend “Life Could Be a Dream” at the Conklin Barn II Dinner Theatre in Goodfield at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor an exhibit at the Heart of Illinois Fair July 12-20 at Expo Gardens in Peoria.

• Farm Bureau will sponsor a workshop with Ryan Gammelgard, attorney with the Illinois Farm Bureau Office of the General Counsel, from 10 a.m. to noon July 16 at the Farm Bureau building. His presentation will focus on easements, rights-of-way, drainage laws and the fence law.

IKE — Farm Bureau will host an on-the-road seminar at 1:30 p.m. July 16 at the Farm Bureau building.

Kevin Rund, Illinois Farm

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Bureau senior director of local government, will be the speaker.

ICHLAND — The Young Leader Committee will sponsor a pedal tractor pull from 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday at the Richland County Fair. Cost is $1 for both children and adults. Call the Farm Bureau office for more information.

COTT — Farm Bureau will host an on-the-road seminar at 1:30 p.m. July 16 at the Pike County Farm Bureau building. Kevin Rund, Illinois Farm Bureau director of local government, will be the speaker.

ERMILION — Farm Bureau is taking orders for fresh peaches from Rendleman Orchards in southern Illinois. Cost is $23 for members and $28 for nonmembers for a 25-pound box.

Deadline to order is July 19.

Call the Farm Bureau office at 442-8713 or go to {vcfb.info} for more information.

ABASH — Young Farmers will host a truck and tractor pull at 5 p.m.

July 20 at the Wabash County Fair. All proceeds will benefit Wabash County 4-H and FFA programs. Call the Farm

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Bureau office at 262-5865 for more information.

HITE — Young Leaders will sponsor a pistol shoot beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Register at {whitecfb.com}.

• Farm Bureau will host a member appreciation dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 7 at the White County Fairgrounds. Call 382-8512 to register by July 31.

ILL — The Peotone Educational Foundation and the Peotone FFA Alumni with the assistance of the Will County Farm Bureau will sponsor a vintage tractor ride and craft show July 27 at the Peotone High School. The tractor ride will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, contact Jim Robbins at jimrobbins@urbancom.net or call 815-592-8293.

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

PROFITABILITY

FarmWeek Page 14 Monday, July 8, 2013

First half of year wettest on record; crops recover

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Farmers this spring and early summer dealt with flooding and field pond issues that created widespread planting delays.

So it’s probably no surprise the average precipitation total in the state for the first half of this year (January through June) is the most on record.

“If you look at the year to date, January though the end of June was the wettest on record,” Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey/Prairie Research Institute, told RFD Radio. “We received 28.7 inches of precipitation (the past six months), which is about 9 inches above average.”

The wet pattern continues an amazing turnaround from last year’s historic drought. Precipitation in Illinois the first half of 2012 averaged just 12.7 inches, less than half the total during the same time this year.

Last month, rainfall in the state averaged 5.2 inches, about 1 inch above the 20-year average.

Crop progress is behind the average pace due to the wet start, but condition ratings generally are favorable.

“Corn and soybeans are looking much better,” said Ken Taake, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Pulaski County.

“They have nice, dark color and are getting tall enough that you can’t see the drowned out spots and holes in the field.”

The condition of the corn crop in the state last week was rated 69 percent good to excellent, 24 percent fair and 7 percent poor or very poor.

Soybean ratings in the state last week were 72 percent good to excellent, 23 percent fair and 5 percent poor or very poor.

The average height of the corn crop the first of last week was 32 inches (15 percent below the five-year average), while 2

Dixon Springs plans field day The University of Illinois Dixon Springs Agricultural Center will host its field day from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1. The final tour bus will leave at 9:30 a.m.

Topics will include identification and management of Goss’s Wilt in corn, high-tunnel production, managing risk with crop rotation and potential threats from the brown marmorated stink bug.

A free lunch will be served.

The center is located on Illinois 145, Simpson.

For more information, contact John Pike, research specialist, at 618-695-2441 or jpike@illinois.edu.

M A R K E T FA C T S Feeder pig prices reported to USDA* Weight 10-12 lbs.

40 lbs.

Range Per Head $29.00-$48.00 NA

Weighted Ave. Pric5 $37.61 NA

This Week Last Week 71,623 81,658 *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 Change $97.03 $97.84 -$.81 $71.80 $72.40 -$.60

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

This week $118.99 $119.00

Prev. week $119.00 $119.00

Change -$0.01 $0.00

CME feeder cattle index — 600-800 Lbs. This is a composite price of feeder cattle transactions in 27 states.

(Prices $ per hundredweight) Prev. week Change This week $140.61 $137.73 $2.88

Lamb prices NA

Export inspections (Million bushels) Week ending Soybeans Wheat Corn 6/27/2013 4.5 26.4 14.8 6/20/2013 7.8 14.8 5.9 Last year 14.7 22.7 22.8 Season total 1286.3 83.0 581.5 Previous season total 1216.8 85.8 1321.9 USDA projected total 1330 975 700 Crop marketing year began June 1 for wheat and Sept. 1 for corn and soybeans.

Typical of many areas across the state this spring, water is seen here in a soybean field near the Little Wabash River near Golden Gate in Wayne County. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

percent of beans were blooming compared to the average of 9 percent.

Winter wheat crop harvest also was late as of the first of last week. Wheat growers cut

45 percent of the crop, 19 percent behind the average pace.

This is just one planning step that gets added to a project as equipment gets bigger on all dimensions. It adds to your project timeline to have the analysis done and foundations engineered according to the data. And it

does cost something, but the diligence is worth the investment.

Grain systems planning critical There is a lot of market activity on grain system expansions and new installations. With today’s larger equipment specifications, i.e. unloading speeds, drying capacity, and storage unit sizes, additional planning is required. Also, factoring in the timeline on some planning steps is important in managing your own expectations of Bob Rasmus when facilities need to be operating.

Much analysis with a grain systems salesperson will pay dividends for all parties. Planning for capacities that match your harvest speed today and tomorrow, and paying particular attention to the traffic patterns being created are just a couple of broad steps.

Once design elements are narrowed, a first step may be some geotechnical analysis to assess subsurface suitability to building. This often entails a soil boring, or several borings depending on the area of the structure, and geotechnical analysis, which will yield important information about the performance of your soil type by strata, the ground water presence, and the depth of rock if found. This will result in a selection of foundation possibilities for your project.

If a soil is very compressible, for example, the foundations will need to be engineered for this. The goal is to have little settlement straight down or differentially. Either one will stress the structure and can push, pull, or twist the attached equipment.

BY BOB RASMUS

Bob Rasmus is GROWMARK’s grain systems marketing manager. His email address is brasmus@growmark.com.

Milk price drops 50 cents The Class III price for milk adjusted to 3.5 percent butterfat for the month of June was announced at $18.02 per hundredweight, 50 cents lower than the previous month.

The USDA Ag Marketing Service reports that butter stocks are at their highest levels since January 1993, and continue to build. Cheese stocks are also growing on a monthto-month basis. These growing stocks may be an indicator that demand is not keeping pace with supply, and this news is beginning to weigh on the market. Producers are hoping this month will spark ice cream sales and use up some of the butter supply.

PROFITABILITY

Page 15 Monday, July 8, 2013 FarmWeek

CASH STRATEGIST

Acreage changes may disappoint

At the release of the USDA June 28 Acreage report, many traders/analysts said, “this cannot be.” And given the planting issues we have had this year, it’s easy to understand their shock and general rush to dismiss the numbers released by the USDA. But often it pays to take a closer look at the numbers to put the proper perspective on the situation. Across the major corn growing areas, the total plantings of all crops and CRP acreage declined nearly 3.16 million acres from last year. But it’s the regional and state planting data that might hold the best clues.

Plantings and CRP acreage in the eastern Corn Belt are forecast to increase 405,400 acres. A small reduction in CRP land and the increase in double crop soybeans explains most of that.

The western Corn Belt is most intriguing, showing a 3.4 million acre decline using the June data. But most of that comes from North Dakota’s 2.84 million acre reduction.

Minnesota total acreage declined 528,700 acres, with the combination of the two accounting for the shift in the region. Iowa’s total plantings and CRP land only dropped 173,300 acres.

The biggest planting trouble

spot has been either side of the Iowa/Minnesota border. The last crop progress numbers for Iowa showed about 9 to 10 percent of the corn hadn’t been planted in the north central and northeastern crop reporting districts. The same was true for the last soybean planting numbers.

Minnesota doesn’t break down its progress by district, but should be about the same.

Using last year’s acreages for corn and soybeans in the two Iowa districts and their Minnesota counterparts and a 90 percent planted number, about 1 million acres of corn and soybeans remain unseeded. At this date, it’s logical to expect those acres to end up as prevent plant acres.

There will be other scattered prevent plant claims in those two states, along with other spots in the Midwest. Combining that 1 million and the 2.84 million acreage decline in North Dakota boosts the total prevent plant to 3.84 million acres.

Adding in another three-quarter million acres from other places, the total becomes 4.5 million.

That’s a far cry from the 6.6 million that was rumored last week.

But back to corn and soybeans. We would doubt the combined plantings for both drops more than 1.5 to 2 million on future reports. We’ll gain insight from the soybean planting re-survey in the USDA August crop report.

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Corn Strategy

ü2012 crop: Even though futures are holding firm, sagging basis is leaving old-crop prices somewhat on the defensive, more so in the eastern Corn Belt than the west. Still, we think it smart to take advantage of good basis levels to price remaining old-crop inventory. ü2013 crop: The negative sentiment of USDA’s planting numbers pressed new-crop prices to new lows for the year. Nevertheless, prices are due for a short-term low. Wait for a rebound to $5.20 to make catch-up sales. vFundamentals: Despite the expressions of disbelief, no one in the industry was willing to fight the implications of the planting report, allowing new-crop prices to drop to a new low of the year.

Generally good growing conditions only undermined interest from any market sector to “buy the break.” There is some concern the extreme heat dominating the west could slip into the Corn Belt, but so far, weather forecasts have not indicated that.

Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

ü2012 crop: Old-crop cash prices are holding firm, but upside movement appears to have stalled with cash pricing rotating from July to August futures. Unless something threatens the new crop, higher prices aren’t likely, and if they turn down, the break should be quick. Price any bushels you still own. ü2013 crop: Even though traders want to dismiss the planting estimate, few are fighting the price erosion. Export sales remain good, tempering the decline to some degree, but prices still slipped lower. We still think it prudent to use prices above $12.50 on November soybeans for catch-up sales. vFundamentals: Traders seem to want to dismiss the recent planting number, but yet don’t seem to want to fight the slide to lower prices.

Weather and rising condition ratings are both weighing on prices. Ninety-six percent of the acreage has been planted in Iowa and Minnesota, but

most of their unplanted area is on either side of their border.

Wheat Strategy

ü2013 crop: Recent market action suggests a near-term low might be in the making, but it takes a close over $6.78 on Chicago September to offer the first sign confirming the trend might be turning up.

Wait for a recovery before making needed catch-up sales. vFundamentals: After the market slipped lower on a negative USDA report, it found some upside momentum on hopes export demand might be poised to improve. This

came after 360,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat was sold to China. There is speculation that China’s wheat production could be more than 10 percent lower because of scattered production issues this year, the latest of which was wet conditions at harvest. Spring wheat continues to struggle somewhat with the latest weekly report dropping good /excellent rating 2 points to 68 percent. On the other hand, yields for the hard red winter harvest continue to be generally better than expected, as are the soft red yields.

PERSPECTIVES

FarmWeek Page 16 Monday, July 8, 2013

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New farming provision sensible for Illinois growers

Every contact vital from agriculture’s core

We all know a small percentage of our nation’s population is involved in agriculture — about 2 percent.

Keep that percentage in mind and apply the old adage that 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. You quickly understand that the agriculture people involved in the policy process have their work cut out for them.

Look at what agriculture has at stake.

We are unable to get a farm bill completed in Congress.

Why? Because 80 percent of Congress is concerned about the federal food stamp program and not the rest of the bill that really matters to agriMARK GEBHARDS culture and rural America.

A high percentage of consumers don’t understand how good farm policy provides them with safe, secure and reasonably-priced food. For example, take the results of a picnic food market survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation. American shoppers paid less than $6 per person for their favorite July 4 picnic foods. A pretty inexpensive way to celebrate our nation’s freedoms.

Likewise, the risk management tools along with conservation programs and other aspects of a comprehensive farm bill ensure that American agriculture works well. That is a real

benefit for consumers and the nation.

Recently, we’ve asked our members to make their views known through three important action requests related to the farm bill. We appreciate the 2,133 members who made 3,675 contacts to their legislators. Each of those calls and emails against harmful crop insurance amendments and in favor of fiveyear Senate and House farm bills was important.

Consider again my point that farmers –- all of them combined — make up a small percentage of the country’s population. If every farmer called in support of the farm bill, they would still represent only 2 percent of the U.S. population. Two percent.

When you consider the number of Illinois Farm Bureau members, it is easy to see we have a strong, small core of active members and others who are relying on that core group to make calls and send emails.

Congress returns to Washington today. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen. When you read or hear an action request, respond. If you are part of the strong, small core, thanks and keep up the good work. If you’re not, join them and raise the percentage of those doing the work.

Mark Gebhards is the executive director of the Illinois Farm Bureau governmental affairs and commodities division.

Editor: Congress’ failure in reaching an agreement on a new farm bill is a good example of Washington’s inability to work together to pass meaningful legislation. But recent approval of the Farmer Assurance Provision (FAP) demonstrates that common sense can sometimes trump political rhetoric in our nation’s Capitol to benefit Illinois farmers.

FAP gives farmers the ability to protect their livelihoods from the onslaught of legal assaults mounted by opponents of biotechnology-improved crops.

FAP provides us certainty throughout the growing process. My farming partner and I own 1,900 acres of soybean and corn land in Central Illinois. When I plant federally-approved seeds, FAP gives me peace of mind in knowing a court order won’t wipe out my crops.

In 2010, an Oregon court ordered sugar beet farmers to pull their crops from the ground amid legal proceedings. Fortunately, the order was eventually overturned, but not before more than 95 percent of U.S.-grown sugar beets had been put at risk.

FAP allows farmers to continue growing and harvesting their crops while technical lawsuits play out. It explicitly protects the right of citizens to challenge USDA rulings and corporations in court.

FAP has strong support from organizations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation and the national associations of soybean, corn, wheat, cotton and sugar beet growers. Their reasoning is simple: FAP is important to our food supply and state and local economies.

Opponents of biotechnology-improved crops are entitled to their opinion. But they cannot force their choices upon farmers who are backed by the weight of scientific evidence and strict regulations. It’s critical that farmers have a level of certainty and control over what they plant. Our food supply and way of life depend on it.

RON KINDRED Atlanta

Divide food stamp and farm bill programs

Editor: On June 20, the U.S. House of Representatives defeated the farm bill 234 to 195. The House version of the 10-year bill carried a price tag of $940 billion, $744 billion of which would have gone to food stamps and related programs. Under the Obama administration, food stamp recipients increased from 26.3 million people to 46.6 million people, almost doubling. The cost of these stamps increased from $30.4 billion to $74.6 billion annually. Government employees were hired to sign up food stamp recipients. Abuses in food stamps are widespread.

The House bill did have mild food stamp reform, which Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) called cruel. Only 23 Democrats voted for the bill because of the mild reform and cuts to food stamps. The bill had a number of wasteful, unjustified programs, including $376 million in 2015 to teach food stamp recipients that candy, soda and chips do not constitute a well-rounded diet.

Real reform would split the farm bill and the food stamp program.

The farm bill should encourage appropriate agriculture research, crop insurance, conservation, export markets, etc. American farmers and ranchers are among the hardest working people anywhere. The farm bill should help us maintain world leadership in agriculture.

The money should be spent carefully and judiciously.

Our nation is nearly $17 trillion in debt. Every bill should be subjected to thorough analysis to eliminate waste.

EDWARD RAGSDALE Alton Editor’s Note: IFB has joined AFBF, crop insurance groups and commodity organizations in a coalition opposing a split of the farm bill into multiple components. A split could mean that more than 75 percent of Congress would no longer have an interest in the farm bill.

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Cattle drive

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