CROP NEWS WEEKLY NEW Penton Media January 28, 2009 Volume 9 Issue 4 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/cropnewsweekly/v/309 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT "I've definitely seen advantages of Force(R) over the top of traited corn acres. The insecticide allows corn rootworm to die without actually biting the root unlike with BT traits. Also, by controlling secondary pests, Force can add to a grower's yield, which is the main goal of any grower." Retailer from Greenview, IL. Click here for more details on this quote and the economics of using Force over traited corn. Force is a Restricted Use Pesticide. http://www.force-insecticide.com ---------------------------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE Logan Hawkes 01/28/09 It's hard to stay focused this week - no thanks to the upcoming Super Bowl this weekend. The playoffs were good, and the bowl games a couple of weeks back were fun as well. But this game - well, it's the big one. But if pressed to connect the game with something to do with agriculture, I suppose I might compare farmers this year to the Arizona Cardinals and their underdog status when they line up against the Steelers on Sunday. How's that, you might ask? For one, I suppose, farmers are moving into untested territory. The Cards have never made it to the Super Bowl. For farmers, this year they will face a new administration they have never faced before. And I could be wrong here, but just like the Cards are the underdogs, I can't feel like farmers are at a disadvantage as well. Just like the game, of course, no one knows how things are going to turn out until the final buzzer sounds. But - again like the Cards - at least farmers are in the game at this point. And if my hunch is right, just like Arizona on Sunday, there could be an upset win in the works. That's as far as I can go in trying to tie the two together. Now let's get to the top issues of the week... ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT Residual control in a glyphosate corn herbicide. Very unexpected. New Halex_ GT gives you everything your current glyphosate does, plus residual weed control. It's the only herbicide specifically designed to improve your glyphosate corn program whether you grow AgriSure(R) GT or Roundup Ready(R) corn. Halex GT stays in the soil to take care of continuously emerging weeds. Its residual control lasts far into the season for better yield potential and a more convenient, more productive glyphosate program. Try Halex GT on your farm and see for yourself ---------------------------------------- FROM OUR EDITORS --Renewable energy big employer The renewable energy and energy efficiency industries represented more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to a new report by The American Solar Energy Society and Management Information Services, Inc. The report also reported this number could grow to 37 million jobs by 2030 with action from policymakers. While the U.S. figures look ambitious, other countries have far exceeded us. Germany, for example, has five times the wind sector jobs and four times the photovoltaic solar jobs than the U.S. Germany also produces one-half the wind rotors in the world, one-third the solar panels in the world and leads the world in biodiesel production. To view the full article go to: http://blog.farmindustrynews.com/biofuellines/ --Priorities submitted to new administration The American Soybean Association has submitted a document outlining its 2009 policy priorities to the Obama administration. "ASA looks forward to working closely with the Obama administration to achieve these policy priorities, which not only make sense for soybean farmers, but also benefit our entire country through reduced dependence on foreign oil, job creation, increased U.S. exports and a modernized infrastructure system," said Johnny Dodson, ASA president and soybean producer from Halls, Tenn. To view the full article go to: http://southeastfarmpress.com/soybeans/legislative-priorities-0123/ --Economy could improve by late 2009 The U.S. and global economy will get better, perhaps as soon as the fourth quarter of 2009. But before the worm turns, it's likely to eat further into employment numbers and the health of crucial industries such as housing, banking and auto manufacturing. Bob Young, chief economist, American Farm Bureau Federation, speaking at the Beltwide Cotton Conferences in San Antonio, said U.S. job losses likely will continue through the second and third quarter of 2009, as will a "soft economy." Improvement could begin in late 2009 or early 2010, spurred by low interest rates and an expected economic stimulus package from Congress. - Ron Smith, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://southwestfarmpress.com/news/global-economy-0123/ --Ag efficiency: strong gains It's not news to anyone in farming that crop production has become several orders of magnitude more efficient over the last quarter century, with a vastly reduced impact on the environment. It is news, though, when a diverse alliance of environmental organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy and major corporate entities such as Coca-Cola, Kellogg, and Mars agree. A landmark study, "Field to Market," conducted by the Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture and released at the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation, was backed by two dozen-plus organizations and corporations. To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/news/brandon-column-0122/ --FB: Ag focus in stimulus bill An economic stimulus bill up for consideration by lawmakers must include investment in programs that will strengthen American agriculture and rural life, the American Farm Bureau Federation said yesterday. "America's farmers, ranchers and rural communities are vital to our nation's economic future," AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote in a letter to members of the Senate and House appropriations committees. "It is crucial to the future of rural communities that broadband deployment be approached in a manner that produces long-term economic growth," Stallman said. To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/news/ag-stimulus-0123/ --Soil tests can reduce fertilizer costs With input costs remaining high, farmers are looking for ways to make their money go further. Testing soil from fields now can prevent over-fertilizing in the spring and potentially save money on input costs, say soil specialists with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. "If you look at the economics of it, including input costs and commodity prices, it looks like it's going to be very difficult for farmers to make a profit this year," said Lloyd Murdock, UK Extension soil specialist. "To make a profit, farmers will need to use best management practices, which include using fertilizer as efficiently as possible." - Katie Pratt, University of Kentucky To view the full article go to: http://southeastfarmpress.com/grains/soil-fertility-0122/ --Cost savings begin with farm safety You have identified 20 different ways to cut your operating costs to the bare bones. But have you factored in broken bones and other serious farm-related injuries? If you haven't, you should, advises one expert. Farming remains one of the riskiest occupations in the United States, according to Jesse LaPrade, coordinator of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System's farm safety training program. He cites data from the National Institute of Safety and Health, which reveal that some 20 percent of farms across the United States experience at least one injury each year that results in at least one lost work day and that also requires professional medical attention. - Jim Langcuster, Auburn University To view the full article go to: http://southeastfarmpress.com/equipment/farm-accidents-0123/ --USDA pulling rug from under farmers? Farming operations leasing federally-owned lands are being told their base acres will be terminated and they will not receive government payments for any crops grown on the land. Ted Serafini, congressional staffer for Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., confirmed that the government took advantage of a rule in the 2008 farm bill allowing owners of farmland to reduce their base acres. "The government took that rule and applied it to themselves." - Elton Robinson, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/cotton/federal-land-0123/ --Open Cuba trade - ag groups In a letter this week, USA Rice Federation and 20 other agricultural and related organizations told President Obama of their willingness to work with him "to bring immediate and full change with regard to U.S. policy toward trade and economic relations with Cuba." USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward said the letter "promptly establishes U.S.-Cuba trade as an issue of the highest priority to USA Rice and many other commodity and export-related businesses, which we'll pursue very aggressively with the president, his farm and trade officials, and the Congress." To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/rice/cuba-trade-0123/ ---------------------------------------- RFD TV Live! Monday, Feb. 9th & Feb. 23rd, 2009 (7 p.m. CST) Join Syngenta and a panel of experts for two shows discussing the latest in weed resistance management. RFD-TV can be found on Dish Network channel 231, DirecTV channel 345 as well as Mediacom, Comcast, Charter, NRTC, Bresnan and NCTC cable systems. http://www.resistancefighter.com ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- When it comes to protecting yield, all it takes is one-pass of Lumax(R) pre-emergent herbicide. A single pre-emergent spray stops weeds before they emerge - something research shows is critical to maximizing yield. To learn more, visit lumax-herbicide.com. Lumax is a Restricted Use Pesticide. http://www.lumax-herbicide.com/ ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Soybeans are a lot like growers. The earlier they get up, the more they get done. CruiserMaxx(R) Beans brand insecticide/fungicide seed treatment gets your soybeans off to a vigorous start, aiding in a quicker canopy closure. Early season stresses aren't so stressful anymore for beans boosted by the patented vigor effect of CruiserMaxx Beans. And healthy beans from the get-go, means healthy profit potential at harvest. Learn more at cruisermaxxbeans.com ---------------------------------------- AUDIO/VIDEO FEATURES ---------------------------------------- The poor economy should not keep farmers from attending the National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) planned Feb. 11-4 in Louisville, KY. Instead, it may be more important to attend the show now to learn about new technology and compare equipment prices than when the economy is hot. Being a smart consumer will help save money. A preview of some new products expected at the show is discussed in at video at Farm Industry News' dedicated NFMS website http://farmindustrynews.com/tv/nfms09/ ---------------------------------------- MORE MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS ---------------------------------------- ANOTHER HATCHET MAN? The last time I wrote in less than glowing terms about a candidate for a particular job, he was named secretary of agriculture. So it's with some reluctance that I say I don't think Chuck Hassebrook would be a good choice for deputy secretary. Hassebrook, executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyon, Neb., is a top contender for the No. 2 post at USDA, according to an article by Washington reporter Jerry Hagstrom in Congress Daily..." - Forrest Laws, Farm Press http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/laws-column-0126/ FARMLAND VALUES, HOW HIGH CAN THEY GO? After the crash in farmland values from record high prices in the 1980s, farmland values continue to rise and are once again reaching all time record levels. At the end of each year a survey is conducted for farm land sales in 14 southwestern Minnesota counties. The survey reports bare farm land sales to non-related parties for the first six months each year. Data collected from the counties of Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine indicated prices increased from an average of $2,262 in 2005 to $3,702 in 2008 -- an increase of 64%. A large portion of this increase (30 of 64%) happened in 2008. Farmland prices increased, in these 14 counties, from an overall average of $2,849 per acre in 2007 to an average of $3,702 in 2008. - Corn & Soybean Digest SOYBEAN PLANTING POPULATION AND PROFIT Can less equal more? Following the trend of most agricultural inputs, soybean seed costs have tracked upward, as well. In the quest to reduce input costs, growers may be asking themselves if greater profits could be achieved with reduced seeding rates. The answer depends in part on your starting point. The effect of soybean seeding rate on yield was evaluated in University of Minnesota research trials conducted across southern Minnesota in 2007 and 2008. These trials, supported by the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, demonstrated that very low seeding rates under good conditions could result in maximized yields. - Corn & Soybean Digest PAYMENT LIMIT COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is extending the comment period for USDA's new payment limit rules for 60 days. Vilsack, the former governor of Iowa who was sworn in as secretary shortly after President Obama's inauguration, said the extension would have no effect on the payment rules for the 2009 crops. "President Obama has said he wants all parts of government to be transparent, participatory and collaborative," said Vilsack. "We have decided we need to take a closer look at these rules." Vilsack said the current comment period for the interim final rule USDA issued in late December has attracted only a half dozen comments. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff http://deltafarmpress.com/news/vilsack-payment-0126/ 2009 Ag Symposium Brock Associates is hosting the 2009 Agricultural Economic Symposium on Feb. 23-25, just before Commodity Classic. "This year's Agricultural Economic Symposium will again be immediately prior to the Commodity Classic, and this year we're all headed to Dallas, TX," says Richard Brock of Brock Associates. "This arrangement allows you to attend two great industry events in one convenient location" Sessions include Agriculture and The World in Transition, Farmland Values, Farm Transition Planning, Managing in New Economic Times, The Economics of Innovation, Weather--Long-Term Impact, The Impact on Grain and Livestock Prices, Meeting Global Demands Through Innovation, Ethanol --Will the Growth Continue and Grain Price Outlook--Where Are We Headed? "The 2009 Agricultural Economic Symposium is jam packed with dynamic, high profile speakers who are among the sharpest minds in the industry," says Brock. "We are once again fortunate to have Rob Fraley from Monsanto on the program. Also on the program will be the ever-popular Dr. David Kohl." Registration for the conference is $325, and includes all sessions, handouts, breaks, meals and a reception on Monday evening. To register, call 800-558-3431 or go to www.brockreport.com/seminars.php. The fifth annual Conservation Tillage Conference is little more than a month away. The two-day event is scheduled for Jan. 28-29 at Jackpot Junction, Morton, MN. Leading industry and university experts will cover topics like: planting corn in cooler soils, placing fertilizer close to seed, tuning up your planter and getting the most out of your nitrogen fertilizers. Plus, you won't want to miss the general session which will include a farmer panel discussing the latest conservation tillage practices. Cost for the conference is $100 until Jan. 9. After that, the price is $125. For more details and registration, log on to http:www.tillageconference.com, or call Jodi or Mary Jo at the University of Minnesota Extension Regional Office, 507-337-2800. The conference is brought to you by the University of Minnesota and Corn & Soybean Digest. http://www.tillageconference.com ---------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER You are subscribed to this newsletter as #email# To subscribe to this newsletter go to: http://subscribe.cropnewsweekly.com/?tc=NLSUB To unsubscribe from this newsletter go to: http://subscribe.cropnewsweekly.com/?tc=NLSUB&cid=#message_id#&lid=#list_id#&email=#email# For information on advertising in Crop News Weekly, please contact: Roger Randall at mailto:roger.randall@penton.com For questions concerning delivery of this newsletter, please contact our Customer Service Department at: US Toll Free: 866-505-7173 International: 847-763-9504 or mailto:cropnewsweekly@pbinews.com To get this newsletter in a different format (Text or HTML), or to change your e-mail address, please go to your profile page here: http://subscribe.cropnewsweekly.com/?tc=NLSUB&email=#email# Penton Media | 249 W. 17th Street | New York, NY 10011 Copyright 2009, Penton Media. 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