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Agri Business Updates with Chad Moyer
Friday August 21 Ag News
Posted by Chad
Midwest Crop Tour Findings: Day 4
The 2009 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour found very good corn yield potential in Iowa and Minnesota. While the Tour found some maturity concerns, data points to impressive yield potential.
The Minnesota corn crop had some areas with holes and some areas where it's hard to find anything wrong with the crop, says Western Tour Director and Pro Farmer Editor Chip Flory. USDA's Aug. 1 estimate was up 1.8% from last year's final yield peg of 164 bu. per acre and the Crop Tour corn yield was up 3.9% from last year's Tour results. That means The Tour "found" a few more bushels than did USDA compared to year-ago in Minnesota.
The Crop Tour yield for Minnesota was 185.3 bu. per acre. The Crop Tour consistently measures the crop in Minnesota too big. On average since 2001, the crop has been measured 12.38 bu. too high. The reason is because The Tour doesn't get into traditionally lower-yielding areas in central and even northern Minnesota.
Minnesota's average pod count in a 3' X 3' square was 983.59, down 2.3% from year-ago. But, a slightly lower pod count does not always translate into a lower-than-year-ago bean yield. Moisture availability is undeniably important to the bean crop at this time of the year, and when the scouts come in with mud on their boots (like they did today), you're better off not to underestimate the ability of the bean crop to finish with better-than-expected yields.
"The average pod count in Minnesota -- with the 2.3% drop from year-ago -- suggests the bean crop shouldn't be much better than last year, but the availability of water means it could hit USDA's Aug. 1 estimate of 40 bu. per acre," said Flory
In Iowa, some areas received hail damage and were clearly not going to perform like their undamaged counterparts. But several fields on the route through eastern Iowa had yield potential of more than 200 bu. per acre. Final Iowa corn yield: 180.93 bu. per acre, up 7.5% compared to year-ago on the Tour.
"Iowa crop health was good, yields were good and while the maturity was behind what I recall from last year, it was still generally farther along than any of the rest of the states we sampled on the Eastern leg of the Crop Tour," said Eastern Tour Leader Mark Bernard.
On soybeans, pod counts were again variable as scouts worked their way toward Minnesota. Unlike the fields sampled in Ohio, Indiana and eastern Illinois, the presence of diseases like white mold and mostly SDS were evident on more than a few stops.
Final Iowa soybean pod count: 1197.08, up 9.7% from year-ago and above the three-year average.
Heavy Grasshopper Presence Means Caution for Winter Wheat Planting
Even with rain in some areas of the state this summer, grasshopper activity has been very high in many parts of Nebraska. With upcoming winter wheat planting, growers need to consider options to manage potential grasshopper problems in establishing wheat this fall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomologists say. Large numbers of grasshoppers in areas surrounding wheat fields threaten seedlings as they emerge, said Bob Wright, entomologist in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "Emerging winter wheat has very limited foliage and grasshoppers can easily keep the wheat clipped back completely, causing stand losses in the field margins," he said.
Grasshopper populations decline through the late summer and fall, but they can remain in significant densities until after the first hard freeze. Growers need to monitor grasshopper densities in areas surrounding wheat fields both before and after planting, said Gary Hein, UNL entomologist. Normal threshold densities in areas surrounding cropland need to be lowered because of the damage potential, he said. "Densities in the range of 11 to 20 grasshoppers per square yard in non-crop borders surrounding newly planted wheat fields may be enough to cause significant loss," Hein said. "If grasshopper densities are extreme, it is difficult to completely eliminate the damage in emerging wheat."
However, several options are available to help reduce the risk and/or manage the problem:
-- Avoid early planting in areas of high grasshopper activity. Planting higher risk fields near the end of the optimum planting window will reduce the time period that a field will need to be protected from grasshoppers in the fall.
-- Increase the seeding density of wheat in field margins. This may compensate for partial stand loss and allow for a reasonable stand after grasshopper damage has run its course.
-- Neonicotinoid seed treatments, such as Gaucho and Cruiser, can provide protection from emergence, and treatment can be easily limited to treating only the field margins to reduce costs. These treatments will be effective for moderate grasshopper densities, but they will likely not hold up under severe grasshopper pressure. These seed treatments are only available through a certified seed treater so advanced planning is necessary when ordering seed. Also, to be effective the highest registered rate of product must be applied to the seed.
-- Several foliar insecticides can be used to treat wheat for grasshopper control; however, treatment of the emerging wheat crop will result in little residual activity of the product because of the restricted leaf area for insecticide deposition. For more information about insecticides, consult CropWatch, UNL Extension's crop production newsletter, at http://cropwatch.unl.edu /.
"Grasshopper control around wheat fields can be challenging and the level of effectiveness for any control option will depend largely on the density of grasshoppers, Wright said. "Under very heavy pressure none of the control options will be completely effective, and the loss of some stand on the field margins may be inevitable." If grasshopper damage reduces stand in the field margins, these areas can be replanted later in the fall after the first hard freeze and grasshopper populations have declined. Grasshopper control in winter wheat will likely be a compromise between effective control and affordability.
United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Down 3 Percent
U.S. and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for June 2009 was 78.2 million head. This was down 3 percent from June 2008 and down 1 percent from June 2007. The breeding inventory, at 7.35 million head, was down 3 percent from a year ago and down slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 70.8 million head, was down 3 percent from last year but up 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.9 million head, was down 2 percent from 2008 but up slightly from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.71 million head, down 4 percent from last year.
U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2009 was 66.1 million head. This was down 2 percent from June 1, 2008 but up 1 percent from March 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.97 million head, was down 3 percent from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.1 million head, was down 2 percent from last year but up 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 28.5 million head, was down slightly from 2008 but up 2 percent from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.97 million head, down 3 percent from last year.
Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on July 1, 2009 was 12.1 million head. This was down 7 percent from July 1, 2008 and down 18 percent from July 1, 2007. The breeding inventory, at 1.38 million head, was down 5 percent from last year and down slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.7 million head, was down 7 percent from last year but up 2 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.3 million head, was down 6 percent from 2008 and down 8 percent from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 738,500 head, down 7 percent from last year.
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the U.S. hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. U.S. inventory numbers were previously released on June 26, 2009. More here at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/USCH/USCH-08-20-2009.txt .
U.S. Canadian Cattle Inventory Down 2 Percent
All cattle and calves in the U. S. and Canada combined totaled 116.6 million head on July 1, 2009, down 2 percent from a year ago. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 47.0 million head, was down 2 percent from a year ago.
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2009, totaled 101.8 million head, 1 percent below the 103.3 million head on July 1, 2008. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.4 million head, was down 1 percent from a year ago.
All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2009, totaled 14.8 million head, down 2 percent from the 15.2 million on July 1, 2008. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 5.57 million, was down 5 percent from the 5.84 million on July 1, 2008.
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop and the number of sheep and lambs by class and lamb crop for both countries within one publication. This will be the first report containing combined inventory numbers for U.S. and Canadian sheep. This information was requested by the U.S. cattle and sheep industries to provide producers additional information about potential beef, mutton and lamb supplies. U.S. inventory numbers were previously released on July 24, 2009. More online at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/USCC/USCC-08-20-2009.txt .
U.S. Canadian Sheep Inventory Down 3 Percent
All sheep and lambs in the U.S. and Canada combined totaled 8.11 million head on July 1, 2009, down 3 percent from a year ago. Breeding sheep inventory, at 4.95 million head, was down 2 percent from a year ago and market sheep and lambs, at 3.17 million head, were down 3 percent from last July.
All sheep and lambs in the United States as of July 1, 2009, totaled 7.05 million head, 3 percent below the 7.27 million head on July 1, 2008. Breeding sheep inventory, at 4.28 million head, was down 3 percent from the 4.40 million head on July 1, 2008, while market sheep and lambs, at 2.77 million head, were also down 3 percent from last year's 2.87 million head.
All sheep and lambs in Canada as of July 1, 2009, totaled 1.06 million head, unchanged from last year's number. Breeding sheep inventory, also unchanged from last year's estimate, came in at 665,000 head. Market sheep and lambs, at 397,000 head, were also even with the July 1, 2008 number.
NFU President to Visit Nebraska
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson will be attending Nebraska Farmers Union district meetings in Lawrence and St. Paul, Neb., August 26 and 27. Johnson will discuss a wide range of issues affecting family farmers, ranchers and their rural communities. The meetings are open to the public and the media.
District 3 Fall Meeting - Lawrence, Nebraska
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009
WHERE: American Legion Hall, South of Highway 4 on Main Street
RSVP: Darrell Buschkoetter at 402.756.7070 or 402.469.3451, or Ron Meyer at 402.225.4195 or 402.879.5800
District 2 Fall Meeting - St. Paul, Nebraska
WHEN: 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009
WHERE: St. Mark's Lutheran Church Parrish Hall, 1302 Howard Ave.
RSVP: Carol Schooley at 308.382.0971 or 308.383.2147
Special presenters for Aug. 21 Ethanol Board meeting
Friday’s Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting will feature Martha Schlicher and Doug Durante as special guest speakers. Martha Schlicher is the Bioenergy Technology Lead at Monsanto, working on utilizing Monsanto’s scientific expertise to influence and respond to developments in public policy. Schlicher will speak on the topic of increasing sustainability in biofuels production. Doug Durante, Executive Director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, will provide an update on legislative developments affecting the ethanol industry. The CFDC works in support of renewable alcohols and has a broad-based membership including automotive, agricultural, and other alternative energy interests and is based in Washington, D.C. The Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting is set for Friday, Aug. 21 at 8:30 am at the Embassy Suites, 1040 P St, Lincoln. Special Presentations will begin at approximately 9:30 am. To see the agenda for the meeting on Friday, Aug 21, visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings page (http://www.ne-ethanol.org/events/nebmeetings.htm).
Unlikely Allies Support Bill to Exempt Working Farms & Ranches from Estate Tax
A livestock ranchers group, the Public Lands Council (PLC), and national environmental group, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), have sent a joint letter to Congressmen Mike Thompson (D – Calif.) and John Salazar (D – Colo.), applauding them for their leadership in introducing legislation to provide relief from the estate tax. The bill, the Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act (HR 3524), would exempt farms and ranches from the estate tax so long as the land continues in farming or ranching. The exemption lasts as long as the land stays in production agriculture, but is subject to taxation if used for or sold for other purposes. Additionally, land with conservation easements would be exempt from the estate tax.
“The Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act recognizes that working farmland should not be subject to a burdensome tax that too often makes it impossible for families to continue farming and ranching on their land,” says Skye Krebs, President of PLC and rancher from Ione, Ore. “This is common-sense legislation that allows America’s producers to carry on the legacy of ranching in the West, without being forced to sell our open spaces for development in order to pay the death tax.”
The letter notes that: “Nearly three quarters of the land in the lower 48 states of the U.S. is in private ownership, with the vast majority owned by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. These lands are vital to both healthy ecosystems and vibrant rural communities. They provide clean water, climate benefits, food and fiber production, and wildlife habitat." “It's impossible to separate private working lands and healthy ecosystems in the western United States,” explains Dan Grossman of EDF. “Good private land stewardship preserves critical wildlife habitat and the nation’s natural resources. When the estate tax forces ranchers to sell private land, the environment suffers too.”
Below is an excerpt from the joint letter:
“EDF and PLC strongly support and endorse the Family Farm Preservation Estate Tax Act. We are excited about this legislation and are committed to working with you and your staff to enact the bill… “The estate tax, as currently formulated, promotes the break-up, sale and development of family-owned farms, ranch and forest lands. H.R. 3524 will remove the financial obstacles that impede the handing down of productive agricultural operations in tact to America’s next generation of producers and land stewards.”
Smith Encourages Nebraskans to Comment on South Korea, Colombia Trade Agreements
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today encouraged interested members of the public to contact the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to provide comments on stalled trade proposals with South Korea and Colombia. Written comments are due by noon on September 15, 2009, and may be submitted through the USTR’s website at www.ustr.gov and clicking on “Federal Regulation Notices.” On April 10, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives suspended fast-track trade procedures for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement – indefinitely prolonging action on the trade deal’s implementation. Other trade agreements also are languishing in Congress.
Every dollar in agricultural exports generates $1.65 in economic activities such as transportation, financing, warehousing, and production. Nebraska’s $4 billion in agricultural exports translate into $6.7 billion in additional economic activity.
“When American products compete with comparable products in foreign markets, the quality of our product tramples the competition. In the coming months, Congress needs to make the most of the opportunity to take up trade promotion proposals with South Korea, Panama, Colombia, and other countries. “Colombia has a population of 45 million. Canada – one of our largest export markets – has a population of 33 million. By our inaction, we are limiting our access to huge trading partners. These trade agreements will mean U.S. producers have more opportunities to sell their products and our economy will recover that much quicker,” Smith said.
USDA Asks Public for Comments and Schedules Nine Public Meetings on Conservation Reserve Program
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), today asked the public for comments on the Conservation Reserve Program and scheduled nine public meetings from Sept. 15 through Oct. 8 to solicit comments on the program.
The meetings will be held in Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Topics to be discussed at the public meetings include provisions dealing with cropping history requirements, crop rotation practices, contract incentives, program enrollment terms and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment authority of 32 million acres established for the remainder of the 2008 Farm Bill.
"These workshops will be important to receive feedback about how we can make the Conservation Reserve Program more effective for producers as well as increase the environmental benefits of the program," said Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess.
USDA will consider each comment received at the public meetings and during the comment period when preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. This statement will help USDA decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental benefits and potential impacts associated with implementing various changes to CRP consistent with the 2008 Farm Bill.
CRP is a voluntary program that supports the implementation of long-term conservation measures designed to improve the quality of ground and surface waters, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive agricultural land. In return, CCC provides participants with rental payments and cost share assistance under contracts extending from 10 to 15 years. CRP is a CCC program administered by the FSA with the support of other federal and local agencies.
The nine public meetings includes a stop on Sept. 23, 2009, from 5 - 7 p.m., at the Clarion Hotel, Manhattan, Kan., (785) 539-5311.
Public comments are due by Oct. 19, 2009, to be considered in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. You can submit comments online at: http://www.public.geo-marine.com; or Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov; or E-mail comments to: CRPcomments@tecinc.com; or Mail or hand deliver comments to: CRP SEIS, c/o TEC Inc., 8 San Jose Dr., Suite 3-B, Newport News, VA 23606, Fax comments to: (757) 594-1469
More information is at: FSA's CRP Web site http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp .
The 2009 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour found very good corn yield potential in Iowa and Minnesota. While the Tour found some maturity concerns, data points to impressive yield potential.
The Minnesota corn crop had some areas with holes and some areas where it's hard to find anything wrong with the crop, says Western Tour Director and Pro Farmer Editor Chip Flory. USDA's Aug. 1 estimate was up 1.8% from last year's final yield peg of 164 bu. per acre and the Crop Tour corn yield was up 3.9% from last year's Tour results. That means The Tour "found" a few more bushels than did USDA compared to year-ago in Minnesota.
The Crop Tour yield for Minnesota was 185.3 bu. per acre. The Crop Tour consistently measures the crop in Minnesota too big. On average since 2001, the crop has been measured 12.38 bu. too high. The reason is because The Tour doesn't get into traditionally lower-yielding areas in central and even northern Minnesota.
Minnesota's average pod count in a 3' X 3' square was 983.59, down 2.3% from year-ago. But, a slightly lower pod count does not always translate into a lower-than-year-ago bean yield. Moisture availability is undeniably important to the bean crop at this time of the year, and when the scouts come in with mud on their boots (like they did today), you're better off not to underestimate the ability of the bean crop to finish with better-than-expected yields.
"The average pod count in Minnesota -- with the 2.3% drop from year-ago -- suggests the bean crop shouldn't be much better than last year, but the availability of water means it could hit USDA's Aug. 1 estimate of 40 bu. per acre," said Flory
In Iowa, some areas received hail damage and were clearly not going to perform like their undamaged counterparts. But several fields on the route through eastern Iowa had yield potential of more than 200 bu. per acre. Final Iowa corn yield: 180.93 bu. per acre, up 7.5% compared to year-ago on the Tour.
"Iowa crop health was good, yields were good and while the maturity was behind what I recall from last year, it was still generally farther along than any of the rest of the states we sampled on the Eastern leg of the Crop Tour," said Eastern Tour Leader Mark Bernard.
On soybeans, pod counts were again variable as scouts worked their way toward Minnesota. Unlike the fields sampled in Ohio, Indiana and eastern Illinois, the presence of diseases like white mold and mostly SDS were evident on more than a few stops.
Final Iowa soybean pod count: 1197.08, up 9.7% from year-ago and above the three-year average.
Heavy Grasshopper Presence Means Caution for Winter Wheat Planting
Even with rain in some areas of the state this summer, grasshopper activity has been very high in many parts of Nebraska. With upcoming winter wheat planting, growers need to consider options to manage potential grasshopper problems in establishing wheat this fall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln entomologists say. Large numbers of grasshoppers in areas surrounding wheat fields threaten seedlings as they emerge, said Bob Wright, entomologist in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. "Emerging winter wheat has very limited foliage and grasshoppers can easily keep the wheat clipped back completely, causing stand losses in the field margins," he said.
Grasshopper populations decline through the late summer and fall, but they can remain in significant densities until after the first hard freeze. Growers need to monitor grasshopper densities in areas surrounding wheat fields both before and after planting, said Gary Hein, UNL entomologist. Normal threshold densities in areas surrounding cropland need to be lowered because of the damage potential, he said. "Densities in the range of 11 to 20 grasshoppers per square yard in non-crop borders surrounding newly planted wheat fields may be enough to cause significant loss," Hein said. "If grasshopper densities are extreme, it is difficult to completely eliminate the damage in emerging wheat."
However, several options are available to help reduce the risk and/or manage the problem:
-- Avoid early planting in areas of high grasshopper activity. Planting higher risk fields near the end of the optimum planting window will reduce the time period that a field will need to be protected from grasshoppers in the fall.
-- Increase the seeding density of wheat in field margins. This may compensate for partial stand loss and allow for a reasonable stand after grasshopper damage has run its course.
-- Neonicotinoid seed treatments, such as Gaucho and Cruiser, can provide protection from emergence, and treatment can be easily limited to treating only the field margins to reduce costs. These treatments will be effective for moderate grasshopper densities, but they will likely not hold up under severe grasshopper pressure. These seed treatments are only available through a certified seed treater so advanced planning is necessary when ordering seed. Also, to be effective the highest registered rate of product must be applied to the seed.
-- Several foliar insecticides can be used to treat wheat for grasshopper control; however, treatment of the emerging wheat crop will result in little residual activity of the product because of the restricted leaf area for insecticide deposition. For more information about insecticides, consult CropWatch, UNL Extension's crop production newsletter, at http://cropwatch.unl.edu /.
"Grasshopper control around wheat fields can be challenging and the level of effectiveness for any control option will depend largely on the density of grasshoppers, Wright said. "Under very heavy pressure none of the control options will be completely effective, and the loss of some stand on the field margins may be inevitable." If grasshopper damage reduces stand in the field margins, these areas can be replanted later in the fall after the first hard freeze and grasshopper populations have declined. Grasshopper control in winter wheat will likely be a compromise between effective control and affordability.
United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Down 3 Percent
U.S. and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for June 2009 was 78.2 million head. This was down 3 percent from June 2008 and down 1 percent from June 2007. The breeding inventory, at 7.35 million head, was down 3 percent from a year ago and down slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 70.8 million head, was down 3 percent from last year but up 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 35.9 million head, was down 2 percent from 2008 but up slightly from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 3.71 million head, down 4 percent from last year.
U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2009 was 66.1 million head. This was down 2 percent from June 1, 2008 but up 1 percent from March 1, 2009. The breeding inventory, at 5.97 million head, was down 3 percent from last year and down slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 60.1 million head, was down 2 percent from last year but up 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 28.5 million head, was down slightly from 2008 but up 2 percent from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 2.97 million head, down 3 percent from last year.
Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on July 1, 2009 was 12.1 million head. This was down 7 percent from July 1, 2008 and down 18 percent from July 1, 2007. The breeding inventory, at 1.38 million head, was down 5 percent from last year and down slightly from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 10.7 million head, was down 7 percent from last year but up 2 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 7.3 million head, was down 6 percent from 2008 and down 8 percent from 2007. Sows farrowed during this period totaled 738,500 head, down 7 percent from last year.
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the total hogs, breeding, market hogs, sows farrowed, and pig crop for both countries within one publication. This information was requested by the U.S. hog industry to provide producers additional information about potential hog supplies. U.S. inventory numbers were previously released on June 26, 2009. More here at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/USCH/USCH-08-20-2009.txt .
U.S. Canadian Cattle Inventory Down 2 Percent
All cattle and calves in the U. S. and Canada combined totaled 116.6 million head on July 1, 2009, down 2 percent from a year ago. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 47.0 million head, was down 2 percent from a year ago.
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2009, totaled 101.8 million head, 1 percent below the 103.3 million head on July 1, 2008. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.4 million head, was down 1 percent from a year ago.
All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2009, totaled 14.8 million head, down 2 percent from the 15.2 million on July 1, 2008. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 5.57 million, was down 5 percent from the 5.84 million on July 1, 2008.
This publication is a result of a joint effort by Statistics Canada and NASS to release the number of cattle and calves by class and calf crop and the number of sheep and lambs by class and lamb crop for both countries within one publication. This will be the first report containing combined inventory numbers for U.S. and Canadian sheep. This information was requested by the U.S. cattle and sheep industries to provide producers additional information about potential beef, mutton and lamb supplies. U.S. inventory numbers were previously released on July 24, 2009. More online at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/USCC/USCC-08-20-2009.txt .
U.S. Canadian Sheep Inventory Down 3 Percent
All sheep and lambs in the U.S. and Canada combined totaled 8.11 million head on July 1, 2009, down 3 percent from a year ago. Breeding sheep inventory, at 4.95 million head, was down 2 percent from a year ago and market sheep and lambs, at 3.17 million head, were down 3 percent from last July.
All sheep and lambs in the United States as of July 1, 2009, totaled 7.05 million head, 3 percent below the 7.27 million head on July 1, 2008. Breeding sheep inventory, at 4.28 million head, was down 3 percent from the 4.40 million head on July 1, 2008, while market sheep and lambs, at 2.77 million head, were also down 3 percent from last year's 2.87 million head.
All sheep and lambs in Canada as of July 1, 2009, totaled 1.06 million head, unchanged from last year's number. Breeding sheep inventory, also unchanged from last year's estimate, came in at 665,000 head. Market sheep and lambs, at 397,000 head, were also even with the July 1, 2008 number.
NFU President to Visit Nebraska
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson will be attending Nebraska Farmers Union district meetings in Lawrence and St. Paul, Neb., August 26 and 27. Johnson will discuss a wide range of issues affecting family farmers, ranchers and their rural communities. The meetings are open to the public and the media.
District 3 Fall Meeting - Lawrence, Nebraska
WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2009
WHERE: American Legion Hall, South of Highway 4 on Main Street
RSVP: Darrell Buschkoetter at 402.756.7070 or 402.469.3451, or Ron Meyer at 402.225.4195 or 402.879.5800
District 2 Fall Meeting - St. Paul, Nebraska
WHEN: 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2009
WHERE: St. Mark's Lutheran Church Parrish Hall, 1302 Howard Ave.
RSVP: Carol Schooley at 308.382.0971 or 308.383.2147
Special presenters for Aug. 21 Ethanol Board meeting
Friday’s Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting will feature Martha Schlicher and Doug Durante as special guest speakers. Martha Schlicher is the Bioenergy Technology Lead at Monsanto, working on utilizing Monsanto’s scientific expertise to influence and respond to developments in public policy. Schlicher will speak on the topic of increasing sustainability in biofuels production. Doug Durante, Executive Director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, will provide an update on legislative developments affecting the ethanol industry. The CFDC works in support of renewable alcohols and has a broad-based membership including automotive, agricultural, and other alternative energy interests and is based in Washington, D.C. The Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting is set for Friday, Aug. 21 at 8:30 am at the Embassy Suites, 1040 P St, Lincoln. Special Presentations will begin at approximately 9:30 am. To see the agenda for the meeting on Friday, Aug 21, visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board meetings page (http://www.ne-ethanol.org/events/nebmeetings.htm).
Unlikely Allies Support Bill to Exempt Working Farms & Ranches from Estate Tax
A livestock ranchers group, the Public Lands Council (PLC), and national environmental group, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), have sent a joint letter to Congressmen Mike Thompson (D – Calif.) and John Salazar (D – Colo.), applauding them for their leadership in introducing legislation to provide relief from the estate tax. The bill, the Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act (HR 3524), would exempt farms and ranches from the estate tax so long as the land continues in farming or ranching. The exemption lasts as long as the land stays in production agriculture, but is subject to taxation if used for or sold for other purposes. Additionally, land with conservation easements would be exempt from the estate tax.
“The Family Farm Preservation and Conservation Estate Tax Act recognizes that working farmland should not be subject to a burdensome tax that too often makes it impossible for families to continue farming and ranching on their land,” says Skye Krebs, President of PLC and rancher from Ione, Ore. “This is common-sense legislation that allows America’s producers to carry on the legacy of ranching in the West, without being forced to sell our open spaces for development in order to pay the death tax.”
The letter notes that: “Nearly three quarters of the land in the lower 48 states of the U.S. is in private ownership, with the vast majority owned by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. These lands are vital to both healthy ecosystems and vibrant rural communities. They provide clean water, climate benefits, food and fiber production, and wildlife habitat." “It's impossible to separate private working lands and healthy ecosystems in the western United States,” explains Dan Grossman of EDF. “Good private land stewardship preserves critical wildlife habitat and the nation’s natural resources. When the estate tax forces ranchers to sell private land, the environment suffers too.”
Below is an excerpt from the joint letter:
“EDF and PLC strongly support and endorse the Family Farm Preservation Estate Tax Act. We are excited about this legislation and are committed to working with you and your staff to enact the bill… “The estate tax, as currently formulated, promotes the break-up, sale and development of family-owned farms, ranch and forest lands. H.R. 3524 will remove the financial obstacles that impede the handing down of productive agricultural operations in tact to America’s next generation of producers and land stewards.”
Smith Encourages Nebraskans to Comment on South Korea, Colombia Trade Agreements
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today encouraged interested members of the public to contact the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to provide comments on stalled trade proposals with South Korea and Colombia. Written comments are due by noon on September 15, 2009, and may be submitted through the USTR’s website at www.ustr.gov and clicking on “Federal Regulation Notices.” On April 10, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives suspended fast-track trade procedures for the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement – indefinitely prolonging action on the trade deal’s implementation. Other trade agreements also are languishing in Congress.
Every dollar in agricultural exports generates $1.65 in economic activities such as transportation, financing, warehousing, and production. Nebraska’s $4 billion in agricultural exports translate into $6.7 billion in additional economic activity.
“When American products compete with comparable products in foreign markets, the quality of our product tramples the competition. In the coming months, Congress needs to make the most of the opportunity to take up trade promotion proposals with South Korea, Panama, Colombia, and other countries. “Colombia has a population of 45 million. Canada – one of our largest export markets – has a population of 33 million. By our inaction, we are limiting our access to huge trading partners. These trade agreements will mean U.S. producers have more opportunities to sell their products and our economy will recover that much quicker,” Smith said.
USDA Asks Public for Comments and Schedules Nine Public Meetings on Conservation Reserve Program
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), today asked the public for comments on the Conservation Reserve Program and scheduled nine public meetings from Sept. 15 through Oct. 8 to solicit comments on the program.
The meetings will be held in Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Topics to be discussed at the public meetings include provisions dealing with cropping history requirements, crop rotation practices, contract incentives, program enrollment terms and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment authority of 32 million acres established for the remainder of the 2008 Farm Bill.
"These workshops will be important to receive feedback about how we can make the Conservation Reserve Program more effective for producers as well as increase the environmental benefits of the program," said Farm Service Agency Administrator Jonathan Coppess.
USDA will consider each comment received at the public meetings and during the comment period when preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. This statement will help USDA decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental benefits and potential impacts associated with implementing various changes to CRP consistent with the 2008 Farm Bill.
CRP is a voluntary program that supports the implementation of long-term conservation measures designed to improve the quality of ground and surface waters, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive agricultural land. In return, CCC provides participants with rental payments and cost share assistance under contracts extending from 10 to 15 years. CRP is a CCC program administered by the FSA with the support of other federal and local agencies.
The nine public meetings includes a stop on Sept. 23, 2009, from 5 - 7 p.m., at the Clarion Hotel, Manhattan, Kan., (785) 539-5311.
Public comments are due by Oct. 19, 2009, to be considered in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. You can submit comments online at: http://www.public.geo-marine.com; or Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov; or E-mail comments to: CRPcomments@tecinc.com; or Mail or hand deliver comments to: CRP SEIS, c/o TEC Inc., 8 San Jose Dr., Suite 3-B, Newport News, VA 23606, Fax comments to: (757) 594-1469
More information is at: FSA's CRP Web site http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp .