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A Penton Media Publication July 2, 2008 | Volume 8, Issue 27   
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 >> Logan Hawkes

 >> Congress provides $479 million for flood relief efforts

 >> Rains cut Midwest corn by 1.2 million acres

 >> USDA releases acreage reports

 >> Agronomist offers tips for late soybean replanting

 >> The Agri-Evolution of Telemetics

 >> ROAD WARRIOR: Perspectives from young producers

 >> Soil conditions threaten corn growth

 >> Who can afford corn? Almost no one, economist says

 >> Carbon may be a cash 'crop' for producers

 >> USDA implementing new farm bill

 >> Quality loss program available

 >> Will Midwest floodwaters swamp Mid-South?

 >> Late soybean planting continues

 >> Still seeking a cause of colony collapse disorder

 >> Checkoff builds soybean use in construction

 >> Farm input costs threaten food supply



  EDITOR'S NOTE
Logan Hawkes
07/02/08    Crop News Weekly
An early Happy Fourth of July to all! It can sometimes become difficult, especially for farmers this time of year, to give much thought to anything other than the business at hand. But I know you, as all True Blue Americans, will take what little time you can to pause and consider the significance of our Independence Day celebration. Sure, it has been commercialized to a great extent. Not even soy bean producers can rival the export volume of Chinese gunpowder producers who peddle their fireworks to a world market hungry to celebrate one thing or another. A lot of those, of course, come to America. But, as well you know, Independence Day is much more than setting off firecrackers or having barbecues in the backyard. It's about the freedom to farm and the right to voice our opinions pro and con when ever we want. It's about choosing which church we go to and which store we frequent for our seeds and chemicals and feed and fertilizer. It's about maintaining a democracy in a world that has gone to the ravishes of war over religious differences and philosophical exceptions. It's about the right to vote, to have that vote counted, and to exercise the liberties of democracy and autonomy and the inalienable right to fair representation and taxation; about the freedom of choice, the freedom of speech and the freedom to bear firearms to protect our farms and families. It's about the celebration of a strong and united nation and the collective voice of the majority and the protection of the opinions and views of the minority. It's about America, and if we don't allow the spirit to die, it will never cease. And I guess this is where I say "God Bless America." (Hey, who needs an inspired speech writer with a short resume for speech writing? Call me.) Anyway - Happy Fourth.

In the news this week, Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says the supplemental spending bill passed by Congress late last week includes $479 million for emergency conservation efforts for areas affected by the Midwest floods. Also this week, Midwest corn producers are reporting losses of around 1.2 million acres to extensive rains and flooding in June. And The USDA's June Grain Stocks and Acreage reports revealed larger numbers than generally expected. These current estimates were negative for corn prices, but provided some support for soybean prices. You'll find these stories and more in this issue of Crop News Weekly. Happy reading.



  FROM OUR MAGAZINES
Congress provides $479 million for flood relief efforts
Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin says the supplemental spending bill passed by Congress late last week includes $479 million for emergency conservation efforts for areas affected by the Midwest floods. Harkin, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, said the funding is needed to help farmers begin recovery from the flooding that continues to inundate farmland in Iowa and the upper Mississippi Valley. “The full extent of the damage inflicted on the Midwest by the recent flooding and excessive rainfall is still unknown,” said Harkin. “Yet in touring Iowa, it is evident that there are a great deal of pressing conservation needs on the ground now in terms of damaged conservation structures and debris removal needs.
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)

Rains cut Midwest corn by 1.2 million acres
Midwest corn producers are reporting losses of around 1.2 million acres to extensive rains and flooding in June, according to USDA’s June 30 Planted Acreage Report. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the losses after re-interviewing approximately 1,200 farmers June 23-25 in the flood-affected areas. NASS says it will conduct a more extensive acreage update survey during July. Findings from this study will be incorporated in the August crop production report. Corn planted area for all purposes is estimated at 87.3 million acres, down 7 percent from last year. - Elton Robinson, Farm Press Editorial Staff

USDA releases acreage reports
The USDA's June Grain Stocks and Acreage reports revealed larger numbers than generally expected. These current estimates were negative for corn prices, but provided some support for soybean prices. "Taken together, the USDA reports were negative for corn prices," said Darrel Good, University of Illinois Extension Economist. "With a slowdown in corn use already happening, year-end stocks will likely be at least 100 million bushels larger than the 1.433 billion bushels projected by USDA earlier in the month. - Corn & Soybean Digest

Agronomist offers tips for late soybean replanting
Where soybean stands have been devastated by hailstorms, drowning, or some other factor, producers may be thinking about replanting, said Kraig Roozeboom, K-State Research and Extension crop production specialist. With later-than-optimal planting dates, should producers make any changes in management strategies? Should a shorter-season variety be substituted as we move into late-June planting dates? "As planting is delayed, the situation begins to resemble double-crop soybean production," Roozeboom said. "The soybean crop following wheat is usually planted two to six weeks later than the optimum date for highest yields. Since planting is delayed, often until the end of June or early July, producers might be tempted to switch to a shorter-season variety to ensure the crop will mature before frost. This would be a mistake, however."

The Agri-Evolution of Telemetics
For those of you who like watching the news instead of reading it, check out Farm Industry News featured video this week, The evolution of telemetics. Editor Jodie Wehrspann reports from the Agricultural Machinery Conference in Cedar Rapids, IA on advances in telemetics products for the farm, and how they've come down considerably in price. - Farm Industry News
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)


ROAD WARRIOR: Perspectives from young producers
Dave Kohl writes: "The other day in a young and beginning farmer/rancher institute, I put the junior generation on the spot. After a grumpy older producer gave his perspective that there is very little future in the agricultural industry, I let the younger folks counter him. Here are their perspectives. First, agricultural businesses can be profitable if operated as a business with sound planning, strategy and execution. Second, the younger generation indicated that this industry allows you to work with new technology and cutting-edge sustainable practices. You are a scientist, economist, and entrepreneur, all wrapped into one..." - Corn & Soybean Digest
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)


Soil conditions threaten corn growth
Corn roots may be suffering, if planted in damp soils that became compacted then crusted with beating rains. University of Illinois Extension crop specialist Emerson Nafziger says cultivation could break up the crust and mulch the soil to retard evaporation, and give oxygen to the roots. Corn with yellow leaves is not photosynthesizing well and is standing in water. He says its roots will not recover very fast due to slow soil drying. If your corn is yellow, it is likely due to wet soils and depleted nitrogen, and there is little that can be done until the soils dry out, Nafziger says. - Corn & Soybean Digest
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)


Who can afford corn? Almost no one, economist says
Inexpensive and abundant corn helped move the ethanol industry onto the alternative fuels fast lane. With corn prices now at record highs, demand outpacing supply and crop losses inevitable with the Midwest floods, ethanol production could soon be stalled, a Purdue University Extension agricultural economist said. As corn prices continue climbing, fewer ethanol producers can afford the feedstock, said Chris Hurt. In turn, domestic livestock producers and foreign buyers are finding it more difficult either to pay the high prices or obtain the grain they need, he said. - Corn & Soybean Digest
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)


Carbon may be a cash 'crop' for producers
Agriculture producers may have a crop they can cash in on without having to plant or harvest anything extra, Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialists said. Dr. Steve Amosson, AgriLife Extension economist in Amarillo, said carbon sequestration is getting a lot of attention of late. Carbon sequestration is defined as the capture and secure storage of carbon. It is estimated that U.S. agriculture could sequester 275-900 million tons of carbon dioxide annually through processes such as no-till or conservation tillage or rangeland improvement, as well as reducing methane gas emissions, Amosson said. “It’s a greenhouse gas reduction effort involving a pilot trading program for emission sources and offset projects,” he said. “First they determine eligibility, and then the carbon credits are sold on a market – the Chicago Climate Exchange.” - Kay Ledbetter, Texas A&M University

USDA implementing new farm bill
The new farm bill — which the Bush administration opposed for many months — wasn’t completed until June 18. Although displeased with the legislation, the USDA realized a tidal wave of congressional support for the bill meant its passage was inevitable. “Once it was clear what the outcome would be, we moved ahead, and on June 12 we announced all of our 2008 marketing loan rates,” said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, during a press conference. “We wanted to make that program available as quickly as possible to producers who may want to use it this year. Today (June 25) we’re announcing that sign-up for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical payment program is now open. When producers sign up for the DCP, they will be eligible immediately for a 22 percent advance on their direct payment.” - David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)


Quality loss program available
Eligible farmers who suffered quality losses to their crops in recent years can enroll in the Crop Disaster Program 2005-2007 (CDP) at local FSA service centers, says USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Teresa Lasseter. The CDP provides benefits to farmers who suffered losses to their 2005-07 crops from natural disasters and related conditions. Producers who incurred qualifying quantity or quality losses in 2005, 2006 or 2007 may receive benefits for only one of these years. However, producers may apply for benefits for losses to multiple crops as long as the losses occurred in the same crop year. Only producers who obtained crop insurance coverage or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the year of loss will be eligible for CDP benefits.

Will Midwest floodwaters swamp Mid-South?
As areas of the Midwest struggle with flooding, Mid-South growers wonder what will happen when those floodwaters head south. Only those with crops on the riverside of the Mississippi River levee need to worry, said Jim Pogue, press liaison with the Army Corps of Engineers Memphis office. Among Pogue’s comments on June 20: “The Memphis District is from Cairo, Ill., to the mouth of the White River in Arkansas. That includes about 355 river miles. We’re not expecting any significant flooding (due to the Midwest water reaching the Mid-South). Actually, the river will be much lower than it was in March. - David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff

Late soybean planting continues
You know the crop is late when, in mid-June, there are still full-season soybeans to be planted, never mind a hefty double-crop acreage. In Arkansas, those straggling, full-season fields “are in areas that were very wet earlier this spring. Most of those fields should be planted (by June 18),” says Jeremy Ross, Arkansas Extension soybean specialist. “Double-crop planting is progressing well. South Arkansas got a good start on wheat harvest. As long as there’s adequate moisture, most everyone is putting in soybeans right behind.” - David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff

Still seeking a cause of colony collapse disorder
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Apiary Inspectors of America have conducted a combined survey of beekeepers to get a snapshot of how well managed colonies made it through the winter of 2007-2008. Surveyed beekeepers reported a total loss of about 36.1 percent of their honey bee colonies, up about 13.5 percent from the previous winter. Losses attributed to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) appear to be about the same, with just over one-third (36 percent) of the operations reporting some lost colonies in which all adult bees disappeared, a primary symptom of CCD, according to Jeff Pettis, research leader of the ARS Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. - Kim Kaplan, United States Department of Agriculture

Checkoff builds soybean use in construction
Green construction continues to be a growing trend in the United States. The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff promote the inclusion of soy in construction materials, creating a solid foundation of soy-based products for use in this exciting segment of the industry. Soy-based construction products have many environmental and economic advantages compared with similarly performing petrochemical products. Many soy-based construction products meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and/or Energy Star green building rating standards.
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)

Farm input costs threaten food supply
The long-term safety and affordability of the American food supply is threatened by skyrocketing input costs that are straining American farm families, agriculture leaders from the Southern United States said recently. They called on Congress and the federal government to address the crisis immediately. Many farmers could go out of business if solutions aren’t found, forcing the nation to import more food, the state agriculture commissioners warned. “I’ve had farmers in my state come to me in tears because they don’t know what they’re going to do,” Commissioner Ron Sparks of Alabama said during the annual conference of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture in Lexington, Ky. Costs of fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed are wiping out gains in crop prices. Livestock and poultry prices generally are flat, so higher input costs are eating into producer’s bottom lines. Record oil prices are driving up the cost of virtually all farm inputs.
(To read the complete article, click on the headline above)



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