ADVERTISEMENT
 When you use LUMAX herbicide, one pass is enough. LUMAX
provides proven broad-spectrum grass and broadleaf weed control
including tough weeds like waterhemp, velvetleaf, lambsquarters and
pigweeds. For more information, visit www.lumax-herbicide.com
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Logan
Hawkes
12/27/06
Crop News Weekly
Another year has come and almost gone... and,
yes, the year 2007 becomes a realty in just a few short days. Yes, I
said 2007. I don't know how we breezed through three quarters of a
decade in the last couple of years. Or so it seems. I remember when the
movie "2001" was released back in the 60s, a futuristic sci-fi thriller
set in some far distant time. Then they made the sequel, "2010". Now
that time is clipping along rather quickly, perhaps they should make a
movie based upon a futuristic tale of a GM farming community on some
remote planet where young farmers are hard at work replacing Soylent
Green as our primary galactic food source in spite of government efforts
to develop a meat-only army of cyborg legislators? Okay, maybe I've been
watching too many of my son's sci-fi movies over the holidays. Either
that or dementia is finally setting in as the years continue to pass me
by at light speed.
Back to my point: Regardless whether you're ready or not, the new year
dawns shortly with a number of lingering questions related to the ag
industry and what the future may hold for farmers of America. Is the
farm bill in or out? What changes are coming down that will affect the
way we do business? Will we survive the changing farming environment?
Come to think of it, those are the same questions our fathers were
asking a generation ago. Oh well, time rolls ever onward. Our job, I
suppose, is to make the best of it and adapt to the inevitable.
In spite of the holidays, we're loaded with news this week. Enjoy - and
Happy New Year!
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ADVERTISEMENT
"We encourage our customers to use pre-emergence residual herbicides in
both corn and soybeans to cut down weed pressure. They usually see a
yield advantage, since they have no weed competition. Plus, we've had
to use higher rates of glyphosate to control bigger weeds like waterhemp
and marestail in the past year or so, and controlling weeds earlier
minimizes the pressure we put on glyphosate technology." Howard
Noel, New Century FS, Grinnell, Iowa
For more information on LUMAX or Lexar Pre-emergent herbicides go to LUMAX-herbicide.com
or Lexar-herbicide.com To
learn more about the benefits of pre-emergent weed control go to weedprevention.info
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Johanns
announces AWB Limited suspension
12/26/06
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the
immediate suspension and proposed disbarment of AWB Limited, formerly
the Australian Wheat Board, and its affiliates from participating in
U.S. farm programs. USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service is taking the
action following reports that the AWB, several individuals and a
Minnesota-based company participated in giving bribes, kickbacks and
other activities to win grain contracts from Saddam Hussein's regime in
Iraq. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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We're Bullish on Treating
Soybeans.
"This is our second full season with CruiserMaxx Beans. Last year,
CruiserMaxx Beans held aphids down significantly. The soybeans treated
with CruiserMaxx Beans are more uniform and they have stronger stands
than untreated seed." - Allen Davis, Warren, IN
Visit cruisermaxxbeans.com and give
your beans The power to perform.™
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Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed
confirmed
12/22/06
Giant ragweed soon could cast a giant shadow on the
world's most popular herbicide. Researchers at Purdue and Ohio State
universities have confirmed glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed
populations in Indiana and Ohio.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in herbicides, such as Roundup and
Touchdown, which are used for burndown weed control in no-till cropping
systems and postemergence in Roundup Ready soybeans and corn. The weed
species is the seventh in the United States to show resistance to
glyphosate. - Purdue University
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U.S. soy exports exceed 1 billion
bushels
12/22/06
U.S. soybean farmers have once again outdone
themselves in the international marketplace by capping off 2006 with
combined soybean and soybean meal exports reaching 1.2 billion bushels.
Thanks in part to soybean checkoff marketing efforts, over 937 million
bushels of soybeans and over 282 million bushels worth of soybean meal
were exported this year.
China continues to be the number one market for U.S. soybeans, buying
just over 356 million bushels in the 2005/2006 marketing year. Mexico
came in as the top export market for both soybean meal and soybean oil.
"It is a great honor to represent the farmers of the soybean checkoff as
USB chairman," says Niemann.
"Mexico's livestock industry is flourishing, which results in more
consumption of soybean meal in feed rations," says Terry Ecker, USB
International Marketing chair and soybean farmer from Elmo, Mo.
"Increased use of U.S. soy in Mexico is a direct result of international
marketing efforts put in place by the soybean checkoff."
Another reason for the increase in exports to the Latin America region
is the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which brought the
U.S. back to nearly 100 percent market share in Mexico. Also, due to
Mexico's proximity, increased freight rates are not having as large of a
price impact as they are in other international markets.
"The soybean checkoff-funded United States Soybean Export Council
(USSEC) is an 'engine' that U.S. soybean farmers are using to expand new
marketing opportunities abroad," says Mark Pietz, USB Competitiveness
chair and soybean farmer from Lakefield, Minn., who also serves as
vice-chair of USSEC. "USSEC is on the ground overseas working to
increase the demand for U.S. soy through educational efforts to buyers
and consumers."
The future demand for soy consumption abroad looks bright with new
opportunities in aquaculture, foods and other industrial products.
Containerized shipping is another exporting opportunity for soybeans,
offering benefits to importers through less handling during shipping.
This form of shipping also enables importers to order smaller,
customized amounts of soybeans rather than importing via large freight
ships.
"When looking at the ultra-competitiveness of the global market, it is
important to establish high standards for U.S. soybeans," says Pietz.
"We have several programs in place that will ensure we continue to meet
and exceed expectations of our customers by delivering the kind of
quality product they desire."
USB is made up of 64 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the
soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds
are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization,
industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As
stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Customer Information
Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight
responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff. - United Soybean
Board
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ADVERTISEMENT
"Our customers are very conscious of the potential for glyphosate weed
resistance, which is one reason we don't recommend planting only
glyphosate-tolerant corn. In the past 10 years, we have seen a lot of
ALS-resistant waterhemp, so we understand the potential for resistance.
Although no glyphosate resistance has been documented in the area, we
feel like the amount of glyphosate needed to control certain weeds has
increased."
John Allen, Brandt Consolidated, New Berlin, Ill.
For more information on other glyphosate resistance management tips,
click here. resistancefighter.com
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2007 Commodity Classic to
highlight latest and greatest
12/22/06
Hundreds of exhibitors representing leading
agribusiness decision-makers and representatives will showcase
state-of-the-art products and technology at the 11th Annual Commodity
Classic March 1-3, 2007, in Tampa, Fla. Corn, soybean, and wheat
growers from across the country will benefit from the latest
information, equipment and products that can positively impact their
bottom line.
"Bounty on the Bay" is the theme for the 2007 Commodity Classic -- the
combined convention and trade show of the American Soybean Association
(ASA), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National
Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). This is the first year NAWG joins
Commodity Classic. In addition to the trade show, Commodity Classic will
offer a wide range of valuable educational sessions. Participants will
hear experts discuss timely issues that can impact growers'
profitability. There will also be a number of important networking
opportunities throughout the event. - National Corn Growers
Association
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Crop quality key for soybean
farmers
12/23/06
A recent soybean checkoff-funded crop quality survey
sampling 1,593 soybean specimens across America has shown U.S. soybeans
averaging an oil level of 19.2 percent and an average protein level of
34.5 percent. For soybean farmers, these protein and oil numbers mean
increased competitiveness as well as more profits. One tool farmers can
use to ensure a quality crop is the Soybean Variety Selector 2007, which
can be downloaded from www.worldsbestbeans.com. The selector now houses
a new feature enabling farmers to compare the performance of seed
varieties across multiple years, allowing farmers to get an even better
idea of how the variety has performed in the same test plot but under
different weather conditions. The selector also includes 2006 crop data
for farmers to review. - United Soybean Board
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grow into a healthy, productive crop. Visit syngentaseedtreatment.com
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find out more. And for protection from insects and disease, visit cruisermaxxbeans.com and give
your beans The power to perform.™
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News from the Top of the
Hill
12/22/06
National Hog Farmer
Unfinished Business -- Congress left a number
of issues important to agriculture for the 110th Congress to deal with.
Those include:
Manure clarification -- Congress failed to pass legislation
clarifying that manure is not a hazardous substance or pollutant under
Superfund laws. A number of agricultural organizations are concerned
that unless there is clarification of this issue that manure as
fertilizer on farms could be prohibited.
Dust and soot -- Senator Chuck Grassley's (R-IA) legislation to
prohibit EPA from enforcing Clean Air Act rules on agriculture for dust
and soot was not adopted.
WRDA -- Congress failed to complete the conference committee on
legislation concerning the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) which
would have modernized the over 60 year old locks and dams on the
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. This is a priority of the National Corn
Growers Association, American Soybean Association, Midwest Area Rivers
Coalition (MARC 2000), and American Farm Bureau Federation. This is a
critical issue to keep American agriculture competitive in the world
market.
Livestock Issues & Farm Bill -- Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
announced his plans to press for more competition in agriculture during
the farm bill debate next year. He plans to introduce several pieces of
legislation early next year that will outline his plans for the farm
bill. They include according to Senator Grassley:
"Ban on packer ownership of livestock. This would prevent meat
packers from assuming complete control of the meat supply by preventing
packers from owning livestock.
Limit on mandatory arbitration agreements. This would be similar to
previous legislation Grassley introduced which amended the Packers and
Stockyards Act to prohibit mandatory arbitration clauses from being
included in contracts between livestock producers and packers.
Review of agribusiness mergers. This would change the way the
Justice Department reviews agribusiness mergers. It would also enhance
the Agriculture Department's ability to address anti-competitive
activity in the industry."
Senator Grassley said, "Concentration is one of the most important
issues in agriculture today. Vertical integration leaves the independent
producer with even fewer choices of who to buy from and sell to. And, it
hurts the ability of farmers to get a fair price for their products."
Panama & US Complete FTA -- The United States and Panama
completed the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. According to
USDA, the agreement provides that more than half of all current U.S.
farm exports to Panama will become duty-free immediately, including high
quality beef, mechanically de-boned chicken, turkey, pork variety meats,
whey, soybeans, crude vegetable oils, cotton, wheat, barley, most fresh
fruits, almonds, walnuts and many processed foods such as soups,
chocolate confectionary, distilled spirits, wines and pet food. U.S.
agriculture will also benefit from expanded market access through
tariff-rate quotas on pork, chicken leg quarters, dairy products, corn,
rice, refined corn oil, dried beans, frozen French fries and tomato
products. Tariffs on most remaining U.S. farm products will be phased
out within 15 years. Also, Panama is revising its sanitary and
phytosanitary regulations recognizing the equivalence of the U.S. food
safety inspection system for meat, poultry and process food products.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns said, "Expanding access to the
Panamanian market and increasing our two-way trade will strengthen our
economic ties and promote increased stability in the Western
Hemisphere."
Republicans Named to Senate AG Committee -- Senators John Thune
(R-SD) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) are the two new Republican members of
the Senate Agriculture Committee for the 110th Congress. Republican
Senators that will continue to serve on the committee are: Senators
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), ranking member; Richard Lugar (R-IN); Thad
Cochran (R-MS); Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Pat Roberts (R-KS); Norm Coleman
(R-MN); Mike Crapo (R-ID); and Chuck Grassley (R-IA). - Scott
Shearer
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Road
Warrior: Cycles of Extreme
12/20/06
Dave Kohl writes: "The other day I presented a
webinar sponsored by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council. This
event was broadcast live across Canada and was very interactive with
many excellent questions from participants. It was the 10th webinar that
I presented this year via our computer and web camera in my office in
Blacksburg, VA. This method of presentation sure beats the cramped,
always late, non-reliable airlines..." - The Corn & Soybean
Digest
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NCGA
hails end of year legislative victories
Legislation to open up domestic natural gas and oil
production, extend ethanol tax incentives and grant Permanent Normal
Trade Relations (PNTR) with Vietnam highlight the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) end of year legislative victories. "Congress ended
with a bang and corn growers are very happy with the legislative
victories securing more domestic development of natural gas, continuing
our positive push for better trade and extending significant tax
incentives for the ever-growing ethanol industry," says Ken McCauley,
NCGA president. "This legislation addresses some very important needs
for corn farmers." - The Corn & Soybean Digest
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Know-how for reducing the application
of fertilizers
12/23/06
Danish farmers have reduced their application of
fertilizers and pesticides considerably during the past 15 years.
Researchers and advisors will explain the possibilities for further
reduction -- and the feasibility of optimizing all types of plant
production -- at the seminar to be held during Agromek 2007. This
seminar is arranged by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and
the Danish Agricultural Advisory Service. Researchers and advisors from
both of these institutes will present the latest know-how at this
seminar. - AgPR
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Moran
visiting Cuba to explore political situation
12/21/06
Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., is traveling to Cuba to meet
with government and trade officials about the possibility of expanding
agricultural exports to one of the country's nearest neighbors. The
visit by Moran, currently chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's
General Commodities Subcommittee, could include a meeting with current
acting-President Raul Castro. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial
Staff
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50
years of herbicides: higher yields, lower costs
12/20/06
Half a million juvenile delinquents pulling weeds --
that's what it would take, says Leonard Gianessi, to replace what
herbicides do to control weeds in U.S. crops each year. "In the 1950s,"
he told members of the Southern Crop Production Association at their
annual meeting at Amelia Island, Fla., "juvenile delinquents in
Minnesota and North Dakota were paid to pull weeds out of crops. Over
the summer, each weeded the equivalent of 4 acres." - Hembree
Brandon, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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Eye on Energy Confernece
Nears
Spiraling energy costs are forcing farmers to examine
every agronomic practice on their operations, especially tillage. That's
the focus of the 2007 Conservation Tillage Conference and Expo, Jan.
30-31, themed "Eye On Energy" and slated for the Ramkota Hotel and
Conference Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
University experts and conservation-focused farmers will detail how
conservation practices can help stretch energy dollars. The conference
provides tillage info for beginners, as well as veteran no-till, strip
till, ridge-till and mulch-till growers. Offered are four tracks:
Track I: Learn the basics: Tillage 101
Track II: Keep corn-on-corn profitable
Track III: Manage your energy costs
Track IV: Match new technology to tillage.
To register, visit www.tillageconference.com or
call 800-722-5334, ext. 14698. The conference is sponsored by The Corn &
Soybean Digest and Farm Industry News.
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Johanns
to speak at 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conferences
12/19/06
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will deliver the
keynote address during the opening session of the National Cotton
Council's 2007 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans Jan. 10.
Johanns, an attorney and former governor of Nebraska, will be the first
secretary to speak at the conference in a number of years. The Beltwide,
held annually in different parts of the country, is considered one of
the premier information exchange events in the country.
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XSAg.com
redesigns Web site
In response to member requests, XSAg.com has
redesigned its website to make it even easier to use. The new look will
simplify the buying process and maximize member savings. XSAg.com is an
online trading platform, or exchange, which provides a secure web site
to buy and sell agricultural chemicals and other ag inputs. XSAg.com is
not the buyer or seller of the products and never takes possession of
products; XSAg.com is only the facilitator of the transactions agreed to
in the trading process. - AgPR.com
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Farm Industry News
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Richard A. Brock
Check out the latest corn and soybean market advice from
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