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Worst
Soybean Pests In 2007 -- SCN, Aphids, SDS, Drought
In last week's issue of the Soybean E-Digest, I
asked readers to send in their vote for the worst soybean pest in 2007.
Many cast ballots for either soybean aphids or soybean cyst nematode
(SCN).
Sudden death syndrome (SDS) was another soybean pest mentioned by some
readers. "This disease hit eastern Iowa and west-central Illinois hard
in 2007, reducing 60-bu. beans to 25-35 bu./acre," says John Rempe, an
agronomist for Merschman Fertilizer LLC, West Point, IA. "Currently,
there are no resistant varieties. It infects early, but symptoms don't
show up until August, when it's too late to do anything about it."
SDS, white mold and root rot were all present to some extent in
Minnesota during 2007, but nothing too widespread, reports Seth Naeve,
University of Minnesota Extension agronomist. "Aphids were our No. 1
soybean insect problem, but we saw a lot of spraying for spider mites
this year, so they would be second on our soybean insect-pest list for
this year," says Naeve. "Overall though, SCN is our biggest problem in
Minnesota and probably will be for quite some time."
SCN also continues to be the most consistent soybean pest in Missouri,
says Bill Wiebold, University of Missouri Extension agronomist. "Even
though we have pretty good genetics for it, SCN is still probably our
biggest problem," says Wiebold. "This wasn't a bad year for soybean
aphids or any other soybean pest in Missouri. We also found Asian
soybean rust in a number of different counties, but it had no yield
effect. Its appearance this year does make us a little worried for next
year though."
In Mid-Atlantic growing areas, drought was the No. 1 soybean pest
in 2007, says Bob Kratochvil, University of Maryland Extension grain and
oil crops specialist. "It was just too dry for the usual soybean pests
to be much of a problem here this year," he says. "We had some minor
problems with spider mites, leaf hoppers and SCN, but overall there
wasn't any major soybean pest problem in 2007. Drought was the main
problem."
SCN is also an ongoing concern for soybean growers in Maryland, but one
that farmers are managing fairly well with resistant varieties and crop
rotations, adds Kratochvil. "SCN is more of a problem on sandier soils
without irrigation," he says. "This year, SCN would have manifested
itself more on any non-irrigated fields. With adequate moisture, yield
loss to SCN isn't as apparent."
To find more information on SCN management, click here: www.plantpath.iastate.edu/soybeancyst/node/18.
To learn more about soybean aphid management, click here: www.planthealth.info/aphids_mgmnt.htm
and for more information on sudden death syndrome, click here: ppdl.org/dd/id/SDS-soybean.html.
By John Pocock
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Soybean Rust
Now Found In 19 States, 256 Counties
Asian soybean rust (ASR) is now confirmed in 19 U.S.
states and 256 counties, according to USDA's pest information Web site.
That is the latest count as of Oct. 30, but new cases continue to be
confirmed almost daily.
USDA's Oct. 30 ASR confirmed count includes: "22 counties in Alabama (18
soybean), 33 counties in Arkansas (soybean), 21 counties in Florida (11
soybean), 21 counties in Georgia (14 soybean), two counties in Illinois
(soybean), one county in Indiana (soybean), 14 counties in Iowa
(soybean), nine counties in Kansas (soybean), three counties in Kentucky
(soybean), 20 parishes in Louisiana (18 soybean), 22 counties in
Mississippi (17 soybean), 30 counties in Missouri (soybean); four
counties in Nebraska (soybean); 12 counties in Oklahoma (soybean), seven
counties in South Carolina (soybean), five counties in Tennessee
(soybean), three counties in North Carolina (soybean), 26 counties in
Texas (25 soybean) and three counties in Virginia (soybean)."
The good news for 2007 is that ASR occurred in most soybean fields too
late in the season to cause any yield loss. The bad news is how far the
disease has spread throughout the U.S. this year, and the worries of
what ASR might do if it occurs early in the 2008 growing season.
For the latest on ASR and where it's been confirmed, click here: www.sbrusa.net/.
By John Pocock
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Farm Bill May Provide Premiums For Oilseeds
For Healthier Foods
When making planting decisions, farmers must balance
the yields of new technology against good risk management
considerations. Recently the U.S. Senate introduced its version of the
2007 Farm Bill, which includes a provision that will help farmers manage
risk while taking advantage of new soybean traits that can produce
healthier foods.
The Commodity Quality Incentive Program (CQIP) provision, introduced by
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), provides incentives to reduce the cost to
farmers of growing oilseeds that can benefit public health, like
low-linolenic soybeans. "Qualisoy, an industry initiative charged with
introducing improved soybean traits to the marketplace, has led the
effort to develop CQIP for inclusion in the 2007 Farm Bill," says Curt
Sindergard, who is an Iowa farmer, Qualisoy Legislative Working Group
chair and American Soybean Association (ASA) director.
Preserving the identity of enhanced-quality soybeans requires
segregation in the field, storage and transportation. This can
discourage farmers from growing these soybeans, despite high demand from
the food industry, consumers and government organizations that all want
to make the food we eat healthier. Oilseed crops that will qualify for
CQIP funding may include low-linolenic and increased-oleic acid soybean
traits, which reduce or eliminate the need for hydrogenation, the
process that causes trans fats to form.
Soybeans that produce heart-healthy oils with reduced saturated
fats or increased omega-3 fats will also likely qualify. CQIP will pay
farmers to grow these new varieties for their first four years.
"Growing enhanced-quality products is an entrepreneurial venture," says
Jim Sutter, Qualisoy past chairman and Cargill vice president. "The
premiums will encourage farmers to grow crops with these traits, which
will help meet food-industry demand for healthier products and ensure
the competitiveness of U.S. soy."
The need for alternative oilseeds continues to rise as food
manufacturers and foodservice operators reformulate products in order to
improve the overall health profile of foods. Because of the 2006 Food
and Drug Administration requirement to label trans fats, the demand for
stable oils with improved health profiles is tapping out supplies of
nearly all healthful alternatives.
The House of Representatives issued its version of the 2007 Farm Bill on
July 27, 2007, which includes language on CQIP introduced by Rep. Nick
Lampson (D-TX). Supporters of the CQIP provision include the U.S. Canola
Association, National Sunflower Association and the American Heart
Association.
For additional information on low-linolenic soybean product
availability, Qualisoy's activities and its board of directors, visit:
www.qualisoy.com/. For more
information on ASA, visit: www.soygrowers.com/.
Source: Qualisoy
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Ed Schafer Nominated As Next Secretary of
Agriculture
President George Bush announced his nomination of Ed
Schafer for the position of Secretary of Agriculture yesterday.
Schafer's public service record includes eight years as governor of
North Dakota.
"Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post," says Bush. "He
worked to open new markets for North Dakota farmers and ranchers by
expanding trade with China. He oversaw the development of the state's
agricultural biofuels industry. He helped families recover from natural
disasters -- including drought, fires and floods. And he pioneered
innovative programs to increase economic opportunity in rural
communities."
The President also pointed to Schafer's management experience in the
private sector. "Before running for public office, he was the president
of the family-owned business that his dad started," says Bush. "He's
also launched a number of entrepreneurial ventures of his own. At every
stage of his career, Ed has shown wisdom, foresight and creativity.
Those same qualities will make him a valuable member of my Cabinet, and
they will make him a trusted friend to America's farmers and ranchers."
To view a fact sheet on Ed Schafer, click here: www.whitehouse.gov.
To read more of the President's comments about Schafer, click here: www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007.
By John Pocock
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Ohio Growers Looking to Double Profits with
One System
Based on historically high futures market prices of
wheat and soybeans, Ohio growers may try to double the profits with one
production system.
Jim Beuerlein, an Ohio State University (OSU) Extension agronomist, says
that double cropping and relay intercropping systems might increase
throughout the state next season. Historically high futures prices of
$6.75/bu. for wheat and $9.40/bu. for soybeans are being driven by low
inventories and the market's desire to increase plantings.
"I'm expecting to see an increase in both double cropping and relay
intercropping, with double cropping being practiced south of Columbus,
and relay intercropping practiced north of Columbus," says Beuerlein,
who also holds an Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center
appointment. "Those two crops can have fairly low yields, but still make
tremendous profits when both are grown at the same time."
Double cropping is the process of planting soybeans following wheat
harvest in the same field. Relay intercropping involves planting
soybeans between 15-in.- row wheat rows a month before the wheat is
harvested. Relay intercropping is more suited for northern counties
because of the shorter growing season.
If the growing season cooperates, profits generated from the two-crop
systems have the potential to rival that of a high-yield corn crop, says
Beuerlein. "Typically you end up with about 85-90% wheat yields and
about 30-40% soybean yields," he says. "When you are talking about wheat
prices at $6 and soybean prices at $9, with 80-bu. wheat and 20-25-bu.
soybeans, that's equivalent to about a 200 bu. corn yield. That's big
money off just an acre."
Double cropping and relay intercropping may turn big profits, but
it takes careful management to make either system work to its full
potential. "You need soils, mainly silt loam soils, that supply a lot of
water, and you need a lot of rain," says Beuerlein. "Water is the
limiting factor for either system."
Little change is required in production practices with double cropping,
with the exception of planting early-to-medium maturity wheat varieties
to get the wheat off early and plant soybeans as soon as possible, says
Beuerlein. Relay intercropping, however, takes a bit more work.
"Growers need to increase seeding rates -- usually 30-50% higher --
depending on where they are and when they are planting," says Beuerlein.
"And since you are working in 15-in. rows, all of the equipment needs to
match, something called controlled traffic."
Currently, about 10% of Ohio's growers are practicing either double
cropping or relay intercropping, or have tried the systems in the past.
That number is expected to increase next year.
"Normally, with $6 soybeans you have to have at least 20 bu. to make a
profit," he says. "Now with the high prices, you only need about 8-10
bu. of soybeans to just break even. If you get plenty of water, the
potential is there to make big bucks, and growers are going to give it a
try."
OSU Extension covers double cropping and relay intercropping in its Ohio
Agronomy Guide. Log on to ohioline.osu.edu/b472/index.html
for more information.
By Candace Pollock, Ohio State
University
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Soybean Harvest Nearly
Complete
The 2007 U.S. soybean crop is nearly in the bin,
according to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report. USDA's Oct. 29 report
shows harvest is 84% complete in the top-18 soybean-producing states.
Illinois and Missouri are 95% complete, Indiana is 91% complete and Iowa
is 88% complete.
For more information on the latest U.S. corn and soybean harvest
reports, click here: usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics
Service
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ASA Applauds
Completion Of Senate Farm Bill
The American Soybean Association (ASA) applauds
approval by the Senate Agriculture Committee of its proposal for the
2007 Farm Bill last week. ASA President John Hoffman, a soybean farmer
from Waterloo, IA, says that "ASA appreciates action by the Senate
Agriculture Committee in reporting a bill, and urges its early
consideration by the full Senate, so we can complete omnibus farm
legislation this year." Hoffman adds that "while the bill passed by
Committee does not fully reflect ASA's priorities on support for soybean
producer income and biodiesel production, ASA will work with both Senate
and House Conferees to address these issues and reach an agreement that
will meet the needs of U.S. soybean farmers."
Hoffman's comments followed a two-day mark-up by the Senate Committee
during which draft legislation introduced by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA)
was debated and several amendments were considered. The bill would
establish two farm program options, including the current "three legged
stool" of marketing loan, direct payment and counter-cyclical program or
an average crop revenue (ACR) program. The latter would include a fixed
payment of $15/base acre and a payment equal to the shortfall between a
state's target revenue and actual state revenue for a commodity at the
time of harvest. ASA has supported offering an optional revenue-based
program to producers.
Amendments adopted included one by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) that
restores a producer's option to take a loan deficiency payment (LDP) in
lieu of a marketing loan when prices are below loan level at the time of
harvest. ASA had written a letter to the Committee urging restoration of
the LDP option, and was advised by Senator Thune's office that the
amendment was offered as a result of ASA's initiative.
Responding to the Senate bill as reported by the Committee, ASA
President Hoffman comments that "the Senate legislation still includes
provisions that ASA will work to address as it moves to the Senate floor
and to Conference with the House farm bill." According to Hoffman,
"these provisions include increasing the soybean target price from $6 to
a minimum of $6.30/bu. and increasing funding for the Bioenergy Program
for Advanced Biofuels."
Hoffman states that "ASA strongly opposes introduction of the recourse
loan under the proposed ACR program, and we will continue to work to
eliminate it in Conference." Hoffman concludes that "ASA would like to
ensure funding for the Quality Incentive Program to promote production
of soybeans with high-stability oils, to enable U.S. food companies to
eliminate trans fats without increasing use of unhealthy saturated
fats."
The Senate farm bill is expected to move to the Senate floor in the next
week and Conference with the House Agriculture Committee is anticipated
in December. Provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill will begin to expire in
early 2008.
Source: The American Soybean
Association
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Can Congress Find More Cuts In Farm Bill
Spending?
"Buy federal crop insurance." For years, that's been
the mantra of the ag committees in Congress. If farmers could be
persuaded to buy enough coverage, the argument went, Congress would no
longer have to pass ad hoc disaster assistance bills.
As a result, Congress has provided premium subsidies, A&O
(administrative and operating) reimbursements and underwriting gains,
all of which the crop insurance lobby said were needed to make the
program more attractive to producers.
Those arguments may be losing some of their sting, judging from recent
actions in the House and Senate ag committees, which have cut funding
for crop insurance programs in their versions of the 2007 Farm Bill. But
they could do more, says Bruce Babcock, an agricultural economist at
Iowa State University.
In an article, "How to Save Billions in Farm Spending," in the Center
for Agricultural and Rural Development's fall review, Babcock says
Congress has two places to cut to increase funding in other areas:
direct payments and crop insurance.
To read this article in its entirety, click here: deltafarmpress.com/news/071031-cuts-spending/.
By Forrest Laws
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Learn The Economics Of Farm Equipment And
Labor Sharing
Rapidly rising machinery costs and the shortage of
skilled labor are affecting some farming operations in the Midwest. Some
producers are sharing these resources to reduce costs and increase
efficiency. However, a number of factors need to be considered before
entering sharing arrangements.
To help producers evaluate such arrangements, Iowa State University
(ISU) Extension and University of Missouri Extension economists have
developed the Machinery and Labor Sharing Arrangements Workshop. It will
be offered in Algona, IA, on Nov. 27.
William Edwards, ISU Extension economist, coordinates the annual Farm
Machinery Custom Rate survey. "Feedback from our custom rate survey
indicates that many producers are concerned about the significant rise
in machinery costs and are looking for strategies to deal with this
ever-increasing challenge," says Edwards. "Producers who want to use
their resources more efficiently can gain a greater understanding of the
benefits and challenges of co-owning equipment and sharing labor by
participating in these workshops."
The workshop will address:
- Benefits and drawbacks of sharing equipment and labor
- Organizational issues associated with equipment and labor
sharing
- Planning for sharing resources
- Available resources for implementing sharing arrangements
More information about the program can be found online at www.machinerysharing.info.
The workshop will be held at the Farm Bureau Office, 418 Highway 18 W,
Algona, IA. To register, please contact Bob Behnkendorf, ISU Extension,
at (515) 295-2469 or bbehnk@iastate.edu.
This program is sponsored by ISU Extension, the North Central Risk
Management Education Center and the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and Grundy National Bank
are program collaborators.
Source: Iowa State University
Extension
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USDA To Pay $257 Million In
CSP
Farmers participating in the Conservation Security
Program (CSP) are being asked to notify their local Natural Resources
Conservation Service offices if they wish to receive CSP payments in
2007 or 2008.
The request comes as USDA officials announced they are preparing to pay
out $257 million for all 19,393 Conservation Security Program contracts
with eligible landowners and producers.
"USDA is pleased to recognize good stewardship practices and offer
incentives to increase conserving uses through the Conservation Security
Program, and we have proposed to do more, if Congress agrees," said
acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner.
The payments Conner announced Oct. 29 are for current contracts in all
280 CSP watersheds. CSP contract holders will receive payment in full
for the current fiscal year 2008 contract obligations and will be given
the option of receiving their payment in calendar year 2007 or 2008.
That's why CSP program participants are being asked to contact their
local NRCS office.
Currently, the Conservation Security Program is offered on a rotating
watershed basis, as funds are available. Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, the
program's author, had intended it to be a national program available to
all farmers who use conservation practices on their land.
To read this article in its entirety, click here: deltafarmpress.com/news/071030-csp-payments/.
By Forrest Laws
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U.S. Textured Soy Protein To Feed School
Children
Children in Cambodia, Guatemala and Senegal may live
in three very different regions of the world, but thousands of children
in each will soon share in more nutritious meals made with U.S. textured
soy protein (TSP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is buying
470 metric tons of TSP from Cargill in response to requests from three
different international organizations for their school feeding programs
where the soy protein will provide much-needed protein and other
nutritional benefits.
USDA is purchasing the TSP through the George McGovern-Robert Dole
International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Cargill's
Cedar Rapids facility will bag the TSP for shipment in December.
"These purchases requested for such diverse countries demonstrate the
power of soy to improve diets around the world," says Philip Bradshaw,
chairman of the World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) board
and Illinois soybean grower from Griggsville. "The textured soy protein
can be easily added to foods that are already popular in these
countries," he says. "Soy can be part of the solution for children to
grow and learn."
To read this article in its entirety, click here: cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/news/high-protein-soy-purchased-feed-children/.
Source: World Initiative for Soy in Human Health
(WISHH)
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Top Tips For Growing Low-Lin Soybean
Varieties: A Note From The Soybean E-Digest
Editor
What types of soils or fields work best for growing
low-lin soybean varieties? If you've had success growing these specialty
beans and would like to share specific ways that have helped you to
maximize yields, let me know who you are, where you farm and what
specific management techniques worked best.
If you have any other ideas on what you'd like to see covered in a
future issue of the Soybean E-Digest, or if you have concerns or
questions about this issue, please write me (John Pocock) at: jpocock@csdigest.com.
Thanks for your readership.
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