CROP NEWS WEEKLY Penton Media March 4, 2009 Volume 9 Issue 11 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/cropnewsweekly/v/315 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT For early season grass and broadleaf weed control, nothing works harder than Lexar(R) herbicide. With three modes of action, Lexar shuts out even the most stubborn yield-robbing weeds. And unlike its early-season rivals, Lexar doesn't quit working until the job's done. Click here for more information or go to lexar-herbicide.com. Lexar is a Restricted Use Pesticide. http://www.lexar-herbicide.com ---------------------------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE Logan Hawkes 03/04/09 You can tell the spring season is not that far away. This coming Sunday morning, like most Americans, I will probably rise to discover I have lost an hour of the day before it ever gets started, thanks to the return of daylight savings time. If you happen to live in Arizona or Hawaii or Puerto Rico, then your life stays the same and your clocks do not change. For the rest of us, we must endure the twice-a-year ritual with or without consent. The idea, I am told, is an attempt to minimize energy use. And that seems to make some sense. But for the farmer, it doesn't matter what time the clocks reads. On the farm, as you know, the day starts long before the sun comes up and doesn't end until long past setting. Changing the clocks doesn't give the farmer an extra hour to work - or sleep. And an argument could be made that if you are a grower of biofuel crops, then saving an extra hour of work doesn't help the energy situation. Instead, it takes time away from producing energy. But as Teddy Roosevelt used to say, it's not how much time you have to spend that counts, it's how you spend the time you have. Welcome to daylight savings time. There's plenty to review in this week's Crop News Weekly. So get started, and happy reading. ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT The weeds have evolved. Now it's your turn. Glyphosate just isn't working like it used to on tough weeds like waterhemp and lambsquarters. Fortunately, there's Prefix(R) a pre-emergence herbicide that gives you up to five weeks of residual protection against even the toughest broadleaf weeds and grasses. That means you have early season yield protection and a wider window for a post emergence glyphosate application. Click here to learn more www.prefix-herbicide.com ---------------------------------------- FROM OUR EDITORS --Soybean oil reduces carbon footprint One of agriculture's most versatile crops -- soybeans -- could one day play a role in combating climate change, Purdue University research shows. In addition to using soybeans in beverages, biofuels, lip balm, crayons, candles and a host of other products, Purdue Agricultural Engineers Al Heber and Jiqin Ni found that soybean oil reduces greenhouse gas emissions when sprayed inside swine finishing barns. - Corn & Soybean Digest To view the full article go to: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/0302-soybean-oil-carbon/ --House committee - market oversight bill An ambitious bill to tighten regulations and oversight on financial markets passed the House Agriculture Committee Feb. 12. Prior to the bipartisan voice-vote that passed the bill, Chairman Collin Peterson said the legislation was sure to "upset" many on Wall Street, something that seemed to cause him little worry. For months Peterson warned that a turf battle over financial market regulation was brewing. While there still may be some jostling with several congressional committees -- including the House Financial Services Committee -- on the best method of market oversight, Peterson's committee threw its backing to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Under the proposed rules, the CFTC would have expanded authority including criminal prosecution power over those that violate antifraud rules. The new bill also removes the Federal Reserve from regulating the derivatives markets. -David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/markets/derivatives-bill-0302/ --Changing farm programs tough sell Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is trying to sell commodity groups on the idea of replacing traditional farm programs with so-called green payments or carbon credits. The groups aren't buying it. The hook Vilsack is using is the $1 trillion deficit the federal government may incur due to the massive stimulus package and other rescue bills that have been enacted or discussed in Washington. He cited the need to reduce spending in speeches outlining his vision for USDA at the USA Rice Federation Government Affairs Conference, a joint meeting of the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Cotton Council's annual meeting. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/cotton/laws-column-0303/ --New online calculator helps growers Farmers will now be able to analyze their natural resource use and key corn and soybean (and other crops) production inputs using a new online tool introduced at Commodity Classic by Field to Market, The Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. The Fieldprint Calculator is a free, confidential online tool -- developed with input from a diverse group of grower organizations, agribusinesses, food companies, economists and conservation groups -- to help farmers evaluate natural resource use on their operation compared to industry averages. These measures could help improve production efficiencies and profit potential. The calculator will be available at http://www.fieldtomarket.org (http://www.fieldtomarket.org) beginning March 15 for grower testing and feedback. - Corn & Soybean Digest To view the full article go to: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/corn/0302-calculator-helps-farmers/ --Government's contempt for agriculture Many farmers in America are feeling a sense of betrayal right now. What transpired over the last month of the Bush administration could best be described as a slap in the face to the U.S farming community. It began the day after Christmas when farmers all over America began receiving letters from USDA's Farm Service Agency explaining that any federally-owned land they leased "will have base acres terminated effective for the 2009 crop year unless that land is subject to a lease agreement which was executed before Dec. 23, 2008, and is in effect beyond the 2009 crop year." USDA took advantage of a rule written way back in the 1996 farm bill and carried over in every farm bill since which states, "The owner of a farm may reduce, at any time, the base acres for any covered commodity for the farm." - Elton Robinson, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/robinson-column-0226/ --Sorghum growers put checkoff to work Using their new value-based checkoff assessment, sorghum growers across the country are taking steps that can help them see extensive research and promotion that hopefully will rival that for corn, soybeans and wheat. Research on cold tolerant hybrid varieties, weed technology, renewable fuels usage and other traits are among the many areas that should benefit from the checkoff, says Dr. Jeff Dahlberg, director of research for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas. The checkoff began last July and is assessed based on the value of sorghum. - Larry Stalcup, Southwest Farm Press To view the full article go to: http://southwestfarmpress.com/grains/sorghum-checkoff-0303/ --Sorghum prices attract ethanol plants USDA projected a 40 million-bushel increase in sorghum use in February based on indications of increased sorghum use by ethanol plants in the Southern and Central Plains. Sorghum prices are well below those for corn in these areas and supplies are plentiful with this year's slower export pace. USDA's Feb. 10 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates also reported that ethanol blender and producer margins have recently improved and weekly production of gasoline blends with ethanol has risen. Ending stocks of sorghum were projected 30 million bushels lower. - USDA projected a 40 million-bushel increase in sorghum use in February based on indications of increased sorghum use by ethanol plants in the Southern and Central Plains. Sorghum prices are well below those for corn in these areas and supplies are plentiful with this year's slower export pace. - Elton Robinson, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/corn/sorghum-prices-0227/ --DDGS exports support ethanol Increasing exports of distiller's dried grains with solubles is critical to the continued success of the U.S. ethanol industry, said Dan Keefe, U.S. Grains Council manager of international operations for DDGS. "As ethanol margins have been pinched in recent months, DDGS have become more important for maintaining ethanol plant profitability and continued operation. This is vital to U.S. farmers and rural America," said Keefe. To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/biofuels/ddgs-exports-0302/ ---------------------------------------- Callisto(R) herbicide delivers superior, season-long broadleaf weed control with exceptional crop safety, allowing your corn to yield more of its full potential. http://www.farmassist.com/promo/callisto_landing/index.asp?nav=callistoLanding.html ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Quilt(R) fungicide combines the Power of Two_ industry leading brands, Quadris(R) and Tilt(R) fungicides, to deliver complete disease protection and help your corn crop reach its full yield potential. Combining preventive and curative activity, Quilt helps improve Plant Performance_ by offering long-lasting residual control of foliar diseases and improved plant physiology. Click here to learn more. www.quilt-fungicide.com ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- "Waterhemp is a significant problem in soybeans, and the potential for it to be an even bigger problem is huge. I've seen a yield reduction of 40 to 50 bushels per acre when it's taken over the field. It's one of those weeds you have to remove from the field -- physically remove. If you just pull it up and leave it there, it'll re-root and remain or gain as a problem." Ken Dahlenburg, grower, central Illinois. Learn more at http://www.resistancefighter.com ---------------------------------------- KENT THIESSE ---------------------------------------- CROP INSURANCE DEADLINE APPROACHING March 15 is the deadline to purchase crop insurance for the 2009 crop year. Producers need to analyze how crop insurance fits into their risk -management and grain-marketing strategies for the coming year. Some farm operators have asked how the new ACRE or SURE (permanent disaster program) will affect 2009 crop insurance decisions. In my opinion crop insurance decisions should be made independent of the ACRE or SURE programs. Crop insurance coverage is based on the needs for individual farm units, as defined by crop insurance guidelines. The ACRE program is based on statewide revenue guarantees, and the SURE Program requires a county disaster declaration for eligibility. As a result, neither ACRE nor SURE are guaranteed to provide assistance to producers who have crop yield or revenue losses on individual farm units. Farm operators are encouraged to discuss 2009 crop insurance needs and options with their crop insurance agent before the March 15 deadline. http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/kentthiesse/0302-crop-insurance-deadline/ ---------------------------------------- RICHARD BROCK ---------------------------------------- USDA SEES AMPLE GRAIN STOCKS NEXT YEAR USDA expects U.S. grain stockpiles to remain ample at the end of the 2009-2010 marketing year as production of corn and wheat keeps pace with demand. In supply/demand projections released at its Annual Outlook Forum in Washington D.C., USDA pegged U.S. corn ending stocks for 2009-2010 at 1.720 billion bushels, down only 70 million bushels from this year's projected carryout, and pegged 2009-2010 wheat ending stocks at 664 million bushels, up 9 million bushels from than this year. USDA sees U.S. corn production rising to 12.365 billion bushels this year on planted acreage of 86 million and a trend-line yield of 156.9 bu./acre. http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/richardbrock/0302-USDA-grain-stockpiles/ ---------------------------------------- AUDIO/VIDEO FEATURES ---------------------------------------- FarmPad web-based software from FarmLogic FarmLogic releases new web-based record-keeping software service call FarmPad, which works on Trimble's Nomad handheld computer. Watch the video now at http://farmindustrynews.com/tv/ ---------------------------------------- MORE MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS ---------------------------------------- IMPORTANCE OF 2008 FARM SAFETY NET A statement from David Cleavinger, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, Bob Dickey, president of the National Corn Growers Association, Toby Bostwick, chairman of the board of the National Sorghum Producers, and Johnny Dodson, president of the American Soybean Association: "As the leaders of participant organizations at the 2009 Commodity Classic, which represent almost 90% of our nation's crop area planted, we would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of the farm safety net as written in the 2008 Farm Bill. "The small investment in agricultural programs by the federal government provides an excellent return for the American people. The 2008 Farm Bill also includes many other reforms that will assist farmers in becoming more financially sound..." http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/corn/0302-farm-bill-safety/ ROAD WARRIOR OF AGRICULTURE: HOW TO SPEND PROFITS Dave Kohl writes: "One of the joys of writing this column is to expand upon questions that I get in seminars or via email. The following question came from one of my loyal online readers concerning profits. "I farm corn and soybeans in Iowa and had a strong year with excellent yields and high prices. How should I spend these profits after taxes? Should I pay down machinery installment loans or simply pay cash for my 2009 crop inputs? I want to strengthen my working capital..." http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/davidkohl/0302-readers-questions/ STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST: $20,000 The second annual student essay contest sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and Farm Press Publications is upping the ante and expanding into more states. The Future of Southern Agriculture Student Essay Contest is now offering a total of $20,000 in scholarship awards to winning entries. Four prizes will be awarded with two $6,000 winners and two $4,000 winners. http://deltafarmpress.com/news/student-essay-0223/ CURRENT POLL There's still time to vote in our latest poll. Your opinion counts! POLL QUESTION: What is your biggest concern as you enter the 2009 planting season? *Nitrogen prices *Spring and summer weather *Land/rent prices *Credit Cast your vote at "http://cornandsoybeandigest.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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