Nebraska calls for new irrigation restrictions

     LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's administration has suggested an irrigation shutdown in a large swath of the Republican River basin during dry years to help send Kansas the water it is owed.
     An official familiar with the propasal discussed it with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the plan is supposed to remain secret for now.
     Under the plan presented to natural resources districts, groundwater wells within possibly a couple miles of the river and its main tributaries that irrigate between 250,000 acres and 334,000 acres would be shut down.
     Irrigation would only be closed during so-called water-short years when Harlan County Lake was less than about one-third full.



Late Season Corn Aphid Infestations
Bob Wright, Extension Entomologist, Lincoln

We have been receiving reports of aphids on corn the last few weeks in central and eastern Nebraska. Entomologists in the states to the north and east of us have also been reporting aphid problems. In some cases a high percentage of the plants were infested, and aphids could be found throughout the plant.  The aphids involved include corn leaf aphids and bird cherry-oat aphids. We are used to finding corn leaf aphids in whorl stage corn, and occasionally low numbers of aphids later in the season. The higher populations we are seeing this year are somewhat unusual.

Possible reasons for aphid problems in corn this year include the cooler weather we saw in July and the increased use of foliar fungicides in corn. Research from other crops indicates that some fungicides may inhibit the growth of insect-attacking fungi that normally help suppress aphids.  There is very little research on the economic impact of late season aphid feeding, so there are no economic thresholds developed for this situation. Now that corn is denting in many areas, it is likely that additional yield loss will be minimal.

Possible Stalk Rot Complications
Fields that were heavily infested with aphids late in the season may be at increased risk from stalk rots and should be watched carefully, and harvested first if stalk rots develop.



Corn farmers to highlight their sustaining innovation at Nebraska State Fair

The Nebraska State Fair begins Aug. 28, and Nebraska corn farmers will be on hand to share how they are sustaining innovation – producing more corn with fewer chemicals, fertilizer and water.  A display by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association in Ag Hall will provide visuals and information to help people understand how farmers are taking better care of the environment and being more sustainable than ever.

“Farmers today make good use of technology to reduce the use of crop inputs, and research shows farming today is more sustainable than just a few years ago,” said Mark Jagels, a farmer from Davenport and member of the Nebraska Corn Board.  “We believe it is important to get our message out,” he said, “and the State Fair is a great place to continue our Sustaining Innovation campaign that began earlier this year.”

Some of the positive messages included in the campaign and within the display are the fact that farmers are growing five times more corn today than they did in the 1930s but doing so on 20 percent less land.

“We’ve also slashed the fertilizer needed to grow a bushel of corn by 36 percent in the last three decades and cut erosion 44 percent in the last two decades,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, a farmer from Giltner and president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.  "Farmers spend their lives working with the land,” Hunnicutt said. “It is our home and future – we want to leave the land, air and water in better condition than we found it so our children have the opportunity to farm, too.”

Jagels said visitors to the booth will be able to take away some of today’s farming facts in a pocket-sized handout. “We’re looking forward to seeing folks in Ag Hall at the State Fair,” he said, “and letting people know about the good work we do and explain that we do it responsibly.  The Nebraska State Fair runs from August 28 through September 7.



Nebraska Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The Board will address regular board business and strategic planning.  The meeting is open to the public.  A copy of the agenda is available by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, PO Box 95107, Lincoln, NE  68509, or calling either 402/471-2676 or 800-NECORN1.

The Nebraska Corn Board is a self-help program, funded and managed by Nebraska corn farmers.  Producers invest in the program at a rate of ¼ of a cent per bushel of corn sold.  Nebraska corn checkoff funds are invested in programs of market development, research and education.



Beef Cattle Health and Husbandry Experts Team up to Promote Cattle Well-Being

Leaders from academia and the beef industry are announcing the formation of an independent advisory group to focus on beef cattle health and well-being. The North American Food Animal Well-being Commission for Beef (NAFAWC-Beef)—which includes world-renowned experts in animal well-being—will advocate for increased research funding for animal well-being, facilitate the communication of research results in a more timely manner, advance best management practices in cattle health and welfare, and serve as an unbiased, science- and production- based group to address concerns about animal well-being. Dan Thomson, Jones professor of production medicine and epidemiology at Kansas State University, and Joseph Stookey, professor of applied ethology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, will serve as commission co-chairs.

“Animal well-being issues extend beyond the agricultural community,” said Thomson. “People across the country are looking for more information on animal care and handling, and we’re eager to share our story with them. This new partnership brings an impressive wealth of experience and expertise to the table to help bolster ongoing research and education in the area of cattle care.”

NAFAWC-Beef will help direct research efforts, field studies and assessment tools for the North American beef industry in relation to beef cattle well-being in order to provide science-based recommendations for cattle management practices.

"This as a very unique opportunity for all of us to serve the various segments of the beef industry, society and ultimately the animals, in a responsible, scientific and unified manner,” said Stookey. “This initiative has a tremendous amount of potential, and I'm excited to help lay the foundation for this important work."

The commission’s public outreach efforts will focus on a number of groups across all levels of the beef chain, including: farming and ranching organizations, consumer groups, beef harvesting companies, veterinary groups, food retail and restaurant groups, and animal welfare groups.

“The commission represents a bi-lateral initiative to support and maintain a high standard of beef cattle welfare in North America,” said Dr. Janice Swanson, professor and director of animal welfare, Michigan State University. “The diversity of expertise enhances the commission’s effectiveness to address issues in a comprehensive manner.”

The 21 inaugural members were selected for their expertise in animal care and handling. Members are as follows:
    * Dr. Barry Dunn - Texas A & M University
    * Dr. Bob Smith – Oklahoma State University
    * Dr. Carolyn Stull - University of California at Davis
    * Dr. Dan Thomson – Kansas State University
    * Dr. Dave Sjeklocha – Academy of Veterinary Consultants, Chair of Beef Cattle Health and Well-Being
    * Dr. Dee Griffin – University of Nebraska
    * Dr. Frank Mitloehner – University of California at Davis
    * Dr. Gatz Riddell - AABP, Executive Director
    * Dr. Guy Loneragan – West Texas A&M University
    * Dr. Hans Coetzee – Kansas State University
    * Dr. Jan Shearer – Iowa State University
    * Dr. Janice Swanson – Michigan State University
    * Marie Belew Wheatly - American Humane Association
    * Dr. Ron Gill – Texas A&M University
    * Dr. Temple Grandin – Colorado State University
    * Dr. Tom Noffsinger – Beef Cattle Handling Expert - Benkelman, NE
    * Dr. Joseph Stookey – University of Saskatchewan, Western Veterinary College
    * Dr. Jeff Rushen – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    * Susan Church – Alberta Farm Animal Council
    * Dr. Karen Schwartzkopfh-Gesnswein – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    * Jennifer Woods – Livestock Handling Expert – Blackie, AB Canada

“The commission will provide a wonderful opportunity to improve the welfare of beef cattle,” said Dr. Temple Grandin, animal science professor at Colorado State University and NAFAWC-Beef member.

Several esteemed international advisory experts—including Stella Maris Huertas, DMTV, MSc. of Uruguay and Donald M. Broom, professor of animal welfare, University of Cambridge, U.K—will provide the commission with additional perspective and enhance cooperation on animal welfare issues at the global level. Other international partners are expected to be added in the coming months.

Ad hoc members of the commission include: Dr. Elizabeth Parker, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (U.S.); Dr. Jim Sartwelle, American Farm Bureau Federation (U.S.); Dr. Tom Field, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (U.S.); Ryder Lee, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (Canada); Bryan Walton, National Cattle Feeders Association (Canada); Dr. Mike Siemens, Cargill Animal Protein; and Dr Juan Ramon Gonzalez, Confederación Nacional De Organizaciones Ganaderas (Mexico).

“Animal well-being is the foundation for the performance, health and profitability of cattle raised for beef, and as an industry, we take great pride in our responsibility to properly care for animals,” said Thomson. “We’re constantly looking for new and innovative ways to build upon existing science to ensure healthy animals and safe, quality products to feed the world’s population.”



Smith Responds to Secretary Vilsack’s Climate Change Statements

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today responded to comments by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack claiming the economic benefits of cap and trade legislation to farmers and ranchers will outweigh added energy costs.   The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act in late June.  The bill will impose new greenhouse gas emissions standards and efficiency standards across the U.S. economy.

“This bill imposes enormous taxes and restrictions on energy use – placing an especially heavy burden on rural America and our nation’s energy producers.  Even a small increase in operating costs could devastate farmers and ranchers, as Secretary Vilsack well knows. U.S. agriculture producers will also be at a severe economic disadvantage compared to farmers in nations which do not have a cap-and-trade system,” Smith said.  Secretary Vilsack is scheduled to hold a “Rural Tour” forum in Scottsbluff in late September to discuss production agriculture.

Agriculture is one of the nation’s most energy intensive industries, and is expected to be impacted heavily by this legislation.  According to a Heritage Foundation economic analysis of H.R. 2454, farm income would drop $8 billion in 2012, $25 billion in 2024, and more than $50 billion in 2035 – decreases of 28 percent, 60 percent, and 94 percent, respectively.

U.S. farmers would be at a severe disadvantage compared to farmers in nations which do not have a cap-and-trade system with correspondingly high input costs.  Estimates place per household burdens from $1,600 to more than $4,000 annually to comply with the bill.  The Heritage Foundation estimates Nebraska will lose more than $1 billion and nearly 10,000 jobs if cap-and-trade becomes law.   To date, more than 100 agriculture groups – including the Nebraska Farm Bureau – have expressed opposition to the legislation.



Platte River Reservoir System Makes Significant Gains, Future Depends on Snowfall

While the Platte River system had big gains in the last year, this season's snow pack will make all the difference if that continues, the state climatologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said.  Current Platte River reservoir storage, which includes the Seminole, Pathfinder, Glendo and McConaughy reservoirs, is at 2.6 million acre feet. When the system is full, the reservoirs hold 4.5 million acre feet. The system peaked just shy of 3 million acre feet this year, compared to 2.2 last year, said Al Dutcher, state climatologist in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

"We had a big gain last year and significant recovery in the last two years, but if there is below normal snow pack this season we could see a reduction in the reservoirs next growing season," Dutcher said. "As weather patterns move from La Nina into El Nino, typically there are sub par snow packs during El Nino winters."  Late season snowfalls in El Nino years depend on whether the system dies down or disappears, Dutcher said.  Models predict a 90 percent chance that it will carry through March, a 70 percent chance through April and a 40 percent through May.  "It does appear this event will be of moderate strength, with a 30 percent likelihood it could obtain strong status," Dutcher said. "The longevity of the event will determine how much runoff we'll get in the Platte River system."

One thing the state already has going for it is the abnormally wet spring 2009.  "Fortunately there was enough moisture falling during the April and May period that the Central Platte Power and Irrigation District was able to take natural flows on the southern branch of the Platte and divert those into irrigation canals instead of tapping McConaughy," Dutcher said. McConaughy got 940,000 acre feet at its peak this year.  "It's amazing. Because of the wet weather its only drop since the irrigation peak was approximately 60,000 acre feet. Current levels are 300,000 acre feet above last year's levels.  "We have the opportunity to really get McConaughy back in decent shape barring a complete lack of snow pack, which is why El Nino is so concerning," he said.

In El Nino years, the northern jet stream is not a dominant factor. Instead, the southern/tropical jet is dominant and most active systems pass through the southern third of the state.  "We won't know what things will be like until that jet stream is set up and we won't know that until the late fall period," he said. The most likely scenario is that the southern one-third of the United States will have above normal precipitation, unless the jet stream comes farther north. If the jet stream remains farther south, then the state won't see a lot of precipitation and it won't be as cold.  "But it's a bit far in advance right now, and we can only use statistical probabilities."

Typically Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas wheat farmers see a positive precipitation pattern develop in El Nino years, with good fall/winter moisture.  As for the drought situation across Nebraska, significant rainfalls last week put many areas that were abnormally dry back to normal. For more information, visit the U.S. Drought Monitor at http://drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html .  An area of D-1 drought condition was expanded last week to include south central Nebraska along the Kansas border, including Nuckolls and Franklin counties, that extended northeast to include Lincoln north to Saunders County and west to north of York, Dutcher said.  "The core area of concern continues to be the Interstate 80 corridor, from Seward westward to York to the Kansas border," he said.

Cool July temperatures saved crops from extreme damage, Dutcher said.  July came in at 71.1 degrees, making it the sixth coolest on record. That may drop down to the fifth position, depending on how much data come in from western Nebraska. The coldest statewide July on record was in 1992 at an average of 68.8 degrees.  Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana all recorded their coldest July on record, exceeding 1992 levels.  "What really saved us was we only had a few days in July where temperatures exceeded 90 degrees," he said.

The state's corn crop is running seven to 10 days behind normal, but still ahead of last year's and states to the north and east of Nebraska.  Current statistics indicate only a 30 percent chance of a hard freeze before projected crop maturity in Nebraska, Dutcher said.  Areas of the cornbelt that show the most significant likelihood of freeze damage include the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.  "They need to see a freeze two to three weeks past their mean freeze date," he said.  However, since 1950 five of the seven times an El Nino event immediately followed a La Nina event the average freeze fell after the mean freeze date.

Future forecasts indicate equal chances for above normal, normal or below normal precipitation and temperatures for September across the state.  The 90-day forecast also shows equal chances for above normal, normal or below normal temperatures. The 90-day forecast for precipitation is for above normal for the western half of the state. In the eastern half, there are equal chances.  "The forecast success for the Central Plains on these long range outlooks has been consistently too warm during the last three months, meaning the actually forecasts have come in colder than actually indicated," Dutcher said. "The recent trend has been colder than normal."  Models also are attempting to bring in freezing temperatures almost to the U.S./Canada border by mid-September.