MARCH 25, 2015
2015 LOOK AT
AGRICULTURE A SUPPLEMENT TO THE
C2 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2015 • 2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE
BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
USDA reports family farms still strong FROM THE USDA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that family-owned farms remain the backbone of the agriculture industry. The latest data come from the Census of Agriculture farm typology report and help shine light on the question, “What is a family farm?” “As we wrap up mining the 6 million data points from the latest Census of Agriculture, we used typology to further explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today,” said NASS Statistics Division Director Hubert Hamer. “What we found is that family-owned businesses, while very diverse, are at the core of the U.S. agriculture industry. In fact, 97 percent of all U.S. farms are family-owned.” The 2012 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report is a special data series that primarily focuses on the “family farm.” By definition, a family farm is any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and individuals related to the operator, including through blood, marriage, or adoption. Key highlights from the report include the following five facts about family farms in the United States:
MATTERS – 88 percent of all U.S. farms are small family farms. 3. LOCAL CONNECTIONS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES – 58 percent of all direct farm sales to consumers come from small family farms. 4. BIG BUSINESS MATTERS TOO – 64 percent of all vegetable sales and 66 percent of all dairy sales come from the 3 percent of farms that are large or very large family farms.
5. FARMING PROVIDES NEW BEGINNINGS – 18 percent of principal operators on family farms in the U.S. started within the last 10 years. “Whether small or large — on the East Coast, West Coast, or the Midwest — family farms produce food and fiber for people all across the U.S. and the world,” said Hamer. “It’s due in part to information such as this from the Census of Agriculture that we can help show the uniqueness and importance of U.S. agriculture to rural communities, families, and the world.” The 2012 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report classifies all farms into unique categories based on three criteria: who owns the operation, whether farming is the principal operator’s primary occupation, and gross cash farm cash income (GCFI). Small family farms have 1. FOOD EQUALS FAMILY – 97 percent of the 2.1 mil- GCFI less than $350,000; midsize family farms have lion farms in the United GCFI from $350,000 to States are family-owned $999,999; and large family operations. farms have GCFI of $1 million or more. Small farms 2. SMALL BUSINESS
are further divided based on whether the principal operator works primarily on or off the farm. To access all the data
products from the Census typology report, including Highlights, infographics and maps, visit www. agcensus.usda.gov.
Did you know? Iowa’s egg industry feeds the state economy in a big way. The industry contributes about $2 billion in total sales, some 8,000 jobs, more than $424 million in personal wages and nearly $19.3 million in state tax revenues.
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2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • C3
ISU economist: Don’t look for grain prices to rise much for corn and soybeans is the livestock industry. “We’re seeing expanDUNCAN — Grain sion in the hog market,” prices probably won’t Hart said. be rising much this year He said the United or into next year, said Chad Hart, an economist States Department of Agriculture is predicting a with Iowa State Univerfive percent growth in the sity Extension. hog market next year. “We’re still looking “More hogs means at tough times for crop more grain needs. That’s prices,” Hart said during exactly what we need to an ISU Extension annual farm meeting on March 12 see for the crop market to rebound,” Hart said. in Duncan. The cattle market isn’t Those tough times growing as fast, although happen as corn and soybean supplies are exceed- Hart said the cattle numbers are starting to ing the demand. rebound. “When the herd “Demand is at record levels. But, we’re produc- sizes start to go up, we see ing so much, it’s weighing a growing feed demand,” Hart said. “It’s just not down prices,” Hart said. fast enough right now.” He anticipates that While the livestock trend will continue for the next 18 months. Hart said 2014 had the third highest corn crop and second largest soybean crop ever produced. “As we look at it right now, the demand is growing. But, the supply is still high,” Hart said. Hart said the market demand for soybeans “is fantastic. But (demand) can’t keep up with the supply growth.” “We’re too efficient for our own good. We’re producing so much, we’re holding down the market,” he said. The same holds true for corn. Though Hart said prices could start to even out over the next couple years. “Corn is starting to come back. Beans will take another year. (Prices will) go down before they come back,” Hart said. “How do we get out of that? It’s going to take the demand doing what it’s doing, continuing to grow,” Hart said. One industry helping to increase the demand ALLISON ULLMANN 2015 Look at AG
market is improving, the export market also needs to improve in order for grain prices to increase. “Where we have to look for it now, we have to look at international exports,” Hart said. “There’s room for growth. We could see exports pull us higher.” China is one of the key players in the export market, Hart said. The country accounts for about 62 percent of all U.S. soybean exports. China also imported about 10 percent of all U.S. corn exports but trade disputes have dramatically decreased China’s demand for U.S. corn. Much of what China didn’t take went to other
international markets such as Peru, Columbia and South Korea, Hart said. If China increases its demand for U.S. corn, prices will increase, Hart said. “If China comes back as strong as it was in 2013, it could add 35 cents per bushel of corn to the market,” Hart said. The corn price would increase to $4.35 per bushel, which is near the break even point for farmers, Hart said. But even if overall demand for corn and soybeans grows in 2015 and early 2016, farmers shouldn’t be banking too soon for higher prices. ALLISON ULLMANN, 2015 Look at AG “If you’re looking for Chad Hart, ISU Extension economist, talks about U.S. corn $5 per bushel corn, keep looking,” Hart said. yields in 2014.
C4 • Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • 2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE
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ISU Extension launches land-grant impacts website project implementation or education impact. Impact statements are AMES — A website categorized in six areas: with examples of how Food Security; Nutrition Iowa and the country and Health; Youth, Family benefit from teaching, and Communities; Enviresearch and extension efforts at Iowa State Uni- ronmental Stewardship; Agricultural Systems; and versity and the nation’s other land-grant universi- Energy and Bioproducts. The website also ties has been launched. informs users about the “The Land-Grant history of the land-grant Impacts website is a new tool that will better inform university system and how its mission has evolved the American people and since the systems’ foundthe international coming. Iowa State, like all munity of the significant land-grant universities, agricultural research, has a three-fold mission education and extension of teaching, research impacts taking place at and extension. land-grant universities “The college’s research across our nation, which in agriculture and life offer practical solutions to today’s critical societal sciences is the basis for solving complex, local to challenges. global challenges,” said This website will help Joe Colletti, senior associpolicy makers and the ate dean of the College public learn more about of Agriculture and Life this work that is partially Sciences at Iowa State. supported with NIFA “It’s a key part of how we funding,” said Sonny are engaged in learning, Ramaswamy, director of discovery, translation and the U.S. Department of service for the benefit of Agriculture’s National Iowa and the world.” Institute of Food and Iowa State’s agriAgriculture. cultural programs were The website at http:// ranked fifth among the landgrantimpacts.tamu. world’s universities in the edu highlights results latest annual ranking by a and impact of research British organization that and extension education rates higher education. programming. InformaIts College of Agriculture tion includes contacts and Life Sciences educates for university research students, its Experiment and extension projects Station funds research, and updates on funding, FROM ISU EXTENSION
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while ISU Extension and Outreach provides science-based information to the public. IOWA STATE’S IMPACTS INCLUDE: • A research project demonstrating that planting strips of prairie plants on as little as 10 percent of land in crop fields reduced erosion and kept nutrients in the soil while increasing the biodiversity of the farmland. Compared with fields planted to corn and soybeans using no-till, the fields with prairie strips reduced soil sediment movement, phosphorus transport, total nitrogen transport surface water flow. • Iowa youth benefited
when their parents participated in ISU Extension and Outreach sequential parenting programs. The moms and dads who attended these researchbased programs improved one or more critical parenting practices, such as regularly reading to young children and improving communications with young teens. The children were more successful in school and the community benefited. For every dollar spent on the Strengthening Families Program 10-14, $9.60 is saved by reducing substance abuse and other youth risky behaviors. • Iowa State University is one of the 238 public research universities,
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land-grant institutions, state university systems and affiliated organizations represented by The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The land-grant university system has affiliations in all 50 states, the four U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, Mexico and Canada. Iowa State was founded in 1858 and opened as a result of the Morrill Act, which granted each state funding to charter a university with the purpose of teaching agriculture, military tactics and the mechanical arts as well as classical studies to help members of the working class obtain a practical education.
FILE PHOTO, Britt News Tribune
The Iowa State University mascot Cy visits the West Hancock High School football game on Oct. 24.
BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • C5
Turkey farmer uses program to plant trees on his farm FROM THE IOWA TURKEY FEDERATION
Henry County, located in rural southeast Iowa, has an economy largely powered by agriculture. Just over twenty percent of the jobs in the county are related to agriculture, and over half of those are in the livestock industry. The area is well-known for its turkey production. Ben Leichty is one of the area’s turkey farmers. In 2008, Leichty joined his uncle Kevin on the 3rd generation family farm and put up two of his own turkey barns. The site is located on the top of a small ridge and had nothing blocking the wind. When he learned about the Green Farmstead Partner program at an Iowa Turkey Federation area meeting, his interest in planting trees was piqued. While the idea of planting trees to improve the aesthetics of the farm and serve as a windbreak and natural snow fence interested him, Leichty had concerns. Namely, he didn’t want to attract birds that could potentially carry diseases to the site, nor he did want trees that would require a lot of long-term maintenance. Other concerns included making sure trucks could get in and out of the site easily and avoiding impacts on surrounding farm ground. After researching and reading studies about poultry farms in other states that have successfully planted trees and learning about the suggested separation distances from the barns, he decided if a tree planting was done properly, his worries could be laid
Iowa Turkey Federation photo
Ben Leichty stands by trees he recently planted near his turkey barns. to rest. At that point, he decided to move forward. In the spring of 2011, over 120 Techny Arborvitae and Black Hills Spruce were planted on the north and west sides of the turkey barns to serve as a windbreak. The site is located on a county highway, so Leichty decided to include ornamental trees by the driveway for extra visual appeal. Egli Landscapes, headquartered out of Waylandand located only
a few miles from Leichty’s farm, designed the plan and planted the trees. The trees were purchased from Kelly Tree Farm of Clarence. Both Egli Landscapes and Kelly Tree Farm are involved in the Green Farmstead Partner program and have extensive experience in windbreaks and landscaping. “I’m glad I put them (the trees) in when I did and didn’t wait,” Leichty said, reflecting on the last four growing seasons. He added that if he were to start over from scratch, he would do many things exactly the same – he is especially happy with the decision to mulch the entire row (instead of just around each tree) because it made mowing simple. The only thing he says he might do differently is to add an irrigation system. The first two summers after the trees were planted were exceptionally dry, so Leichty watered the trees by hand on a weekly basis. By the third growing season, he felt comfortable lessening the frequency of watering. The attention to detail
– from quality trees, to exceptional installation, to maintenance – has paid off. Of the 120 trees planted, only one has died. Another tree had
bagworms briefly, but after removing them from the tree and a cold winter that killed the bagworms, they have not caused any more issues.
After only four years, the trees are starting to accomplish what Leichty set out to do. “Several people have said the trees and farm look nice.”
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BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
New grain facility brings life to town Traffic peaks at the grain facility in the fall, but stays consistent year SCARVILLE - It is an round, which is a stark improvement that stands out in a town with a popu- change from what used to be the case. lation of 72 people. “The old facility stored Five Star Cooperative 200,000 bushels and was has invested in the comopen seasonally,” Andermunity of Scarville by son said. building a state-of-theWork at the facilart grain facility with storage capacity of 1.1 mil- ity also used to be labor lion bushels. “The response has been really positive,” said location manager Terrance Anderson. “We are getting new customers we have never had before.” Farmers within a 15-mile radius of Scarville travel to the facility to unload corn and soybeans. While making their way to the facility the steel grain bins tower over the landscape and can be seen from miles away. “On clear days you can see the facility from Highway 69,” Anderson said. Bins reach 98 feet in the air and the legs top out at 175 feet tall. The imposing structure has changed the skyline and the community of Scarville. “The project nearly doubled the tax revenues to the community,” said Winn-Worth-Betco Executive Director Teresa Nicholson. “It’s the smallest town in the area so their tax revenues were pretty small on an annual basis.” The community is planning to use the extra tax revenues to build a waste water system and has been looking at the possibility of seal coating roads in the town. SAM JEFSON 2015 Look at Ag
intensive. Now, everything is fully automated. “Having everything automated saves a lot of headaches,” Anderson said. With year-round operations, the facility has three full-time employees. Construction of the facility was encouraged by See FACILITY, C8
SAM JEFSON, 2015 Look at Ag
The Five Star Co-Op grain facility in Scarville can house up to 1.1 million bushels of corn and soybeans.
BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • C7
Study shows strong economic impact from dairy industry 2015 Look at Agriculture
Cattle graze in a pasture in Hancock County.
Cattlemen encourage comments on recent dietary guidelines Here are the three points that we are asking the USDA and HHS Secis reaching out to not retaries to include in the only producers, but to final recommendations those who work in the they will release to the nutrition area every day public later this year: and can attest to the 1. Keep lean red meat importance of lean red meat. If you know some- as a factor in a healthy dietary pattern, just as it one who is a decisionwas in the 2010 Dietary maker in the school or hospital cafeteria, work- Guidelines for Americans. 2. Keep the gening on diet plans with eral guidelines for the youth, athletes or the amount of lean red meat elderly, or knows how lean red meats are impor- to include in the diet to 1.8 oz. daily, or 12.5 oz tant in the everyday life of consumers,please have weekly. According to them contact ICA if they government’s consumpare interested in reaching tion data, red meat is the only food category that out and getting others Americans are consuming to comment on the prowithin the recommended posed guidelines. Meat is a fundamental daily values. 3. Reject sustainability part of the American diet. as part of the 2015 Dietary There is more than three decades of sound science Guidelines. that supports the positive role of protein and lean meat in healthful dietary patterns, one of the only food groups consumed within the recommended daily amount, in the diet.
That’s why the Iowa FROM THE IOWA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION Cattlemen’s Association Confusion does accurately describe the recommendations that have come out from the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. That’s why Iowa cattle producers are being asked to be part of the effort to comment on those recommendations which were released jointly by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb. 19. As required, the two agencies are seeking public comment through April 8. While lean red meats are mentioned in footnotes, the section about heme iron, and in the glossary of the 572-page report, in other sections the advisory committee suggests there isn’t enough research to confirm that lean red meat is healthful in the diet.
FROM THE IOWA DAIRY ASSOCIATION
A report on the economic impact of the dairy industry in Iowa shows the industry is already a strong economic driver in Iowa and the Midwest. What is the trend in demand for dairy products? Up. And dairy businesses are responding. Iowa among all Midwest states is the only one to grow for two decades and counting; and it is poised for continual growth. Why Iowa? Iowa has tremendous water resources, people resources, feed resources, transportation infrastructure, dairy heritage and consistent top markets; describing a place with competitive advantage in all the main categories. Iowa is a place with always competitive costs and high prices for milk. Iowa has all the comparative advantages which drive naturally to competitive business advantages for dairy industry stakeholders operating here.
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Over 22,000 jobs are supported by the activities directly, indirectly and induced by a strong dairy presence. Dairy cows and the economic activity that they generate in the local economy have always and continue to be one of the most robust economic stimuli that exist. The most recent IMPLAN model (2011) quantifies that fact with the following statistics. $ 23,445 is the total
economic impact per cow through direct/indirect and induced commerce. Each cow generates the equivalent of .1 full time job created throughout the entire dairy and processing sectors. O ver 22,000 jobs are supported by the activities directly, indirectly and induced by a strong dairy presence.
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C8 • Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • 2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE
Facts about high fructose corn syrup IOWA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION
WHAT IS HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP? High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn and can be found in numerous foods and beverages on grocery store shelves in the United States. High fructose corn syrup is composed of either 42 percent or 55 percent fructose, with the remaining sugars being primarily glucose and higher sugars. In terms of composition, high fructose corn syrup is nearly identical to table sugar (sucrose), which is composed of 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose. Glucose is one of the simplest forms of sugar that serves as a building block for most carbohydrates. Fructose is a simple sugar commonly found in fruits and honey. IS HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP THE SAME AS OTHER SWEETENERS? Science tells us that there is little difference between HFCS and any other caloric sweetener. It adds calories in the same way that sugar, honey, fruit juice concentrate or agave nectar adds calories. In fact, they all contribute to the same number of calories per gram. There is consensus in the scientific community, among people who know sweeteners and know the nutrition, that HFCS and sucrose are metabolically equivalent and that all sweeteners
should be consumed in moderation. (Source: Best Food Facts) IS HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP A NATURAL PRODUCT? HFCS is not as processed as people think, nor is “normal sugar” – or sucrose – as pristine as people think. Both of these are derived from botanical sources. Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets; HFCS comes from corn. The FDA issued a letter a couple years ago, stating that HFCS is a natural product.
BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
FACILITY: Farmers generated the construction in Scarville From C6 farmers in the area. “It was the biggest farmer meeting we’ve ever had,” Anderson said. “Farmers spoke up and we listened.” Before construction could start, the old grain facility was removed in a control burn area firefighters used for practice. “Every fire department in Winnebago County was there,” Anderson said. “There were also fire departments of Kiester, Emmons and Conger.” Construction started in the spring of 2013 and crews finished in time for harvest that fall. It is now open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition to the grain
facility, Five Star Cooperative installed a card-trol gas station with four pump stations that offer gas, diesel and E-85. The station is open 24 hours and is a self service station. “It’s been a big hit,” Anderson said. Nicholson said she has noticed the impact of having a gas station return to Scarville. “Nearly every time I go through the community, there is someone there putting fuel in their vehicle,” Nicholson said. Anderson said Five Star Cooperative plans to remain a strong supporter of Scarville and the area for many years to come. “We help out with the July 4 celebration and donate to the fire department,” he said.
SAM JEFSON, 2015 Look at Ag
Five Star Cooperative added a Cardtrol gas station across the street from the grain facility in Scarville.
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BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • C9
Eye in the sky: ISU reps talk about uses for drones ALLISON ULLMANN 2015 Look at Ag
DUNCAN - Drones are more than toys, Iowa State University representatives said. They can also be used to help farmers in their fields. Ryan Bergman and Zach VanderLeest, Iowa State University graduate assistants, talked about the value of drones in area fields during the annual ISU research farm meeting on March 12 in Duncan. “It’s important to understand how to make it (drones) work on the farm,” Bergman said. Their ISU team has two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, or drones, they use for research purposes in farmers’ fields. The ISU team works with a company that provides information to the farmers. Farmers would probably need to work with a company in order use a drone or information provided by a drone, Bergman and Vanderleest said. “The main benefit for UAVs is higher resolution images,” Bergman said.
ALLISON ULLMANN, 2015 Look at Ag
An example of the different types of drones available. Those images can tell farmers what their fields look like from the air. The drone images can highlight areas of lower yields, row spacing, compaction from tillage, or areas with high weeds. “You’re getting data, not just images,” VanderLeest said. Bergman said the data can be combined with other technology on the farm.
“It adds another layer in the data set you already have,” he said. Especially when used with yield monitors. Farmers are losing resolution on those maps, Bergman said, as combines have increased from an 8-row head to a 16-row head. “As equipment has gotten bigger, the yield map images have gotten worse,” he said.
The Dirt
Ryan Bergman talks about the value of using drone technology in area fields during the annual ISU research farm meeting in Duncan. “If you couple the UAV imagery with the yield monitors, you can bring back some value into your farm operation,” Bergman said. Bergman said the cost
of drone images from a company is relatively low compared to what farmers can save in their fields. One example he gave was a farmer who spent $240 on a contracted drone flight. The drone images for his 120-acre field showed a 70 percent compaction. That compaction caused a 15-bushel per acre yield loss. The farmer was able the drone image to make adjustments to save about $5,000. Farmers can also buy their own drones. Prices for private drones can range from $200 for a toy model, VanderLeest said, all the way up to $70,000. But farmers could be limited in use of their own drone, he said. The FAA regulates the use of drones on private farms. “The FAA says you can’t fly a UAV for commercial use. If you take
data from your UAV and make management decisions, you could make money off it. Could that be a commercial use? It’s still unclear,” Bergman said. Another reason farmers may hesitate to use drones on their farms is the computing power needed to download the images. “It really is computer intensive. It takes three to five hours to process the data with our supercomputer at ISU,” Bergman said. Despite some challenges, VanderLeest said drones are becoming easier to use. “We’re in the first generation of UAVs. They’re constantly working on the software and making improvements,” he said. As the technology becomes easier to use, Bergman said farmers may see more value from using drones in their fields.
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BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
Did you know? Iowa’s turkey farmers are raise over 11 million turkeys annually, contributing $1.5 billion to the state’s economy.
A new partnership focuses on conservation efforts.
Associations partner on conservation planning The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) have launched a private sector initiative to demonstrate technology-based conservation practice planning. “What we currently use in the public sector for conservation technical assistance isn’t keeping up today,” Roger Zylstra, a farmer from Central Iowa and the President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said in a news release.” We can do a better job and through technology, we can accelerate our adoption rate and have better farmer support of Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy.” A key component of the Iowa Conservation Action Network (IACAN) will be offering subsidized conservation planning assistance to ICGA and ISA farmer members for a limited time in five priority watersheds: Floyd, Turkey, Middle Cedar, and East and West Nishnabotna. Members in these watersheds can call, email or attend meetings to get planning assistance for grassed waterways, wetlands, ponds, sediment basins and soil loss assessments. “This project is a great opportunity for ISA and
ICGA members in these watersheds to receive conservation planning assistance,” Brian Kemp, Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer from Sibley, said in the release. “ISA is committed to helping Iowa farmers engage in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and this project is a great opportunity to test some cutting edge tools.” The planning assistance relies on a suite of conservation practice planning software developed by Iowa-based small-business, Agren. The Agren software utilizes aerial imagery and high resolution elevation data to reduce the time to plan conservation practices
from weeks to just minutes. Using technology to improve production has been central to agriculture. Chairman of Iowa LICA, Tim Recker said in the release, “By combining resources, we have the capacity to make a significant and long-term impact on conservation delivery in Iowa. Furthermore, as representatives of farm and earth-moving businesses in Iowa, we aim to preserve the livelihoods of our member businesses.” IACAN focuses on engaging the private sector in conservation planning to help our member-farmers achieve the goals called for in the nutrient reduction strategy.
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2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE• Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • C11
Feeding a growing population development. Hunter said one way FOREST CITY - Nine to address feeding 9 bilbillion people in the world lion people is to close the will need to be fed in 2050. yield gap in fields around the world. “We can do Jacob Hunter, the education director for the this by improving the water supply, increasWorld Food Prize, shared ing nutrients and with at the annual Forest City precision agriculture,” Rotary Agriculture Day Hunter said. on March 3 several ways Increasing the crop to help get those 9 billion feed value for livestock people fed three nutritious meals a day without is also critical to feed the harming the environment. population, Hunter said. As more people become The World Food Prize more affluent across was started by Dr. Northe world, the demand man Borlaug, a pioneer for meat will increase, in agriculture, Nobel Prize winner, and a native Hunter said. “We will need to proof Cresco. duce more crops to feed Hunter said the world livestock,” Hunter said. needs to follow Borlaug’s One way to help feed vision for involving farmthe world in the future ers across the world to may be the easiest, develop technology and Hunter said. People need farming methods to feed to reduce food waste, the world and to inspire he said. the next generation “It’s one of the best to expand agriculture places we can have research, growth and RAE YOST
2015 Look at Ag
“We will need to produce more crops to feed livestock.” Jacob Hunter the biggest impact,” Hunter said. In countries such as the U.S., it means smaller portions, eating leftovers and working with restaurants on ways to reduce waste. In developing countries it means improving storage and transportation so that less food is lost between the farmer and the market. The gender gap must
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Ryan Eekhoff AVP, Lending Officer
also be addressed as 60 percent of farmers worldwide are women, Hunter said. Women provide a large chunk of the food consumed in the world but many are not allowed to own the land they work and have limited access to programs that help agriculture, Hunter said. The next generation of Iowans and students in other states must be inspired to work in agriculture research, farm and work in related areas, Hunter said. “Whose job is it going to be to fulfill the mission and feed the world?” Hunter said. “It is our kids.”
Hay & Forage Expo slated for June 24, 25 CANNON FALLS, Minnesota - The Nation’s Largest Hay and Forage Event™ returns to Southeast Minnesota for its 29th annual show. The Hay & Forage Expo™ is slated to bring the latest hay and forage tools, technology and suppliers at its 2015 event location near Cannon Falls, Minnesota, June 24 and 25 on the Hernke’s, Inc. farm. Minnesota is one of the nation’s top five alfalfa producing states along with California, South Dakota, Idaho and Iowa. “This is a great location for the Hay & Forage Expo,” says Matt
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Jungmann, Penton Farm Progress national events manager. “The show site is located with direct access off U.S. Hwy 52 and farmers will find it very easy to travel to and attend the event.” Sponsored by Penton Farm Progress’ local farm publications, The Farmer, Wisconsin Agriculturist and Wallaces Farmer, the Hay & Forage Expo™provides a look at new hay and forage technology with an extensive exhibit area and working field demonstrations conducted throughout each show day. The two-day hay See HAY, C12
9-5 Mon-Fri • 9-12 Sat Anytime By Appt.
C12 • Wednesday, March 25, 2015 • 2015 LOOK AT AGRICULTURE
BRITT NEWS TRIBUNE & FOREST CITY SUMMIT
USDA surveys pork producers for inventories, farrowing intentions DES MOINES – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started in February contacting pork producers and contractors nationwide for the March Hogs and Pigs survey. The agency is surveying pork producers for detailed information on market hog and breeding stock inventories as well as farrowing intentions. “Through the quarterly Hogs and Pigs surveys, NASS measures and reports conditions and trends in the U.S. pork industry over the course
of the year,” said Upper Midwest Regional Director Greg Thessen. “This first survey in late-winter will help gauge the condition of the industry as it enters 2015.” Producers who receive the survey questionnaire in the mail can respond via the Internet, mail or fax. Producers who don’t respond in one of those ways will have the opportunity for a telephone or personal interview. As is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of
all responses and publishes only state- and nationallevel data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified. “By responding to the
March Hogs and Pigs Survey, producers make sure that NASS can provide timely, accurate and objective data that all sectors of the U.S. pork industry,
including producers themselves, depend on to help make sound business decisions,” added Thessen. Survey results are published in NASS’ quarterly
Hogs and Pigs report, scheduled to be released March 27. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda. gov.
Think spring SPECIAL PRICING GOOD THROUGH MAY 15TH 2015
WALK BEHIND MOWERS = LAWN TRACTORS =
(100 SERIES, LA, LT, LX, & STX)
L&G TRACTORS & GATORS =
(FRONT MOUNTS, SERIES 200,300,400,500,700, & GATORS)
Inspect entire machine operation Replace spark plug(s) Check Fuel Filter Check deck and sharpen blade(s) Level deck Check charging system Check battery condition & voltage Grease all zerks Service air cleaner Change engine oil (Filter EXTRA if equipped)
FILE PHOTO, Forest City Summit
A hay, forage event will be offered in June.
HAY: Event will include efficiency ideas From C11 extravaganza showcases mowing, conditioning, baling, hay handling and silage demonstrations on 200 acres of prime alfalfa and forages. Visitors have multiple opportunities to compare the most popular equipment brands operating side by side under actual field conditions. A 10-acre exhibit field highlights displays from the major and shortline specialty manufacturers with a focus on products aimed at boosting the efficiency and profitability of hay and forage productions. The Hay & Forage Expo is a onestop shopping and learning venue for hay and forage
producers. Visitors can examine the latest balers, forage choppers, disk mower conditioners, tedders, rakes, mergers, bale carriers, forage seed and more hay production products. The 2015 Hay & Forage Expo™ will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 24-25. The show site is located south of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, with direct access from U.S. Hwy 52. Admission is free and parking is $10 per vehicle. The public is welcome. For more information, visit HayExpo.com or call (866) 264-7469.
Above service special includes oil and spark plugs Additional needed parts & labor extra with your approval We will also service your JD ATV & Gators We work on all brands of mowers Pickup & delivery discounted for both in town and country (ask for pricing)
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OFFER ENDS APR 30TH 2015