CROP NEWS WEEKLY Penton Media March 11, 2009 Volume 9 Issue 10 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/cropnewsweekly/v/316 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT Monsanto says Harness(R) Xtra provides similar early season weed control to Lexar(R) and Lumax(R) herbicides, at a cheaper price. But comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. For starters, Harness Xtra offers just two active ingredients. Lexar and Lumax, on the other hand, feature three active ingredients, including mesotrione_the heavyweight champion of broadleaf weed control. What's more, they are labeled specifically for long-lasting residual control of broadleaf weeds and grasses--in fact, twice as long as Harness Xtra. Lexar or Lumax is your best opportunity for a one-pass program when used pre-emerge at a full rate. Lumax and Lexar are Restricted Use Pesticides. http://www.farmassist.com/prodrender/index2.asp?nav=resources&ProdId=874&sub=lumax_performance ---------------------------------------- EDITOR'S NOTE Logan Hawkes 03/11/09 Federal stimulus funds will soon be distributed to about 2,000 farmers coast-to-coast as part of USDA's stimulus funds allocation to improve the economy of rural America. USDA officials say most of the funds will be in the form of loans to cover operating expenses for beginning and "socially disadvantaged" farmers. The idea, says USDA, is to help out family farm operations. Meanwhile, there's been a little USDA back-pedaling on reducing direct-payments to agribusinesses with sales of more than $500,000, and a few farm groups are not happy. In fact, there's plenty of news and issues to explore in this issue of Crop News Weekly. So get started, and happy reading. ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT By providing long-lasting, broad-spectrum disease control, Quilt(R) fungicide maximizes corn yields. Quilt protects against a variety of key corn disease, including gray leaf spot -- the most yield-robbing disease in corn. Quilt has increased yields 10-15 bu/A over the past three years in Syngenta and on-farm trials. Click here to learn more www.quilt-fungicide.com ---------------------------------------- FROM OUR EDITORS --USDA's first stimulus spending Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said USDA will begin making $145 million in direct operating loans to farmers as one of the first steps in distributing the $28 billion earmarked for the Department in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Vilsack said the $145 million will go out almost immediately to 2,042 farmers as the first installment of $173 million designated for USDA's direct operating loan program. He said 50 percent of the recipients are beginning farmers and 10 percent socially disadvantaged producers. "These loans will be used to purchase items such as farm equipment, feed, seed, fuel and other operating expenses and will stimulate rural economies by providing American farmers funds to operate," he said. "Currently, farmers are struggling with the high costs of running family farms, seriously affecting beginning and socially disadvantaged producers." His comments came during a briefing on Monday for reporters on how USDA will distribute the first wave of economic stimulus funding. He also answered questions about the Obama administration's fiscal 2010 budget proposal to phase out direct payments to producers with more than $500,000 in annual sales. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/usda-stimulus-0310/ --Bean yields on beds related to rain timing Various indicators point to surface drainage problems negatively affecting soybean yields, especially in wet years. One common-sense indicator is to just view a young soybean field that has low spots following some big rains. The plants in the low locales are stunted, or maybe even dead. Data from irrigators in the southeast Missouri region provided to the annual Bootheel irrigation surveys also points in the same direction. First, growers indicated in the surveys that soybean yields are 4 bushels to 5 bushels per acre higher in fields that have been laser-leveled. Second, yields are higher if the field was bedded up. Interestingly, the yield increase from both lasering and bedding is always greater on full-season soybeans than it is for double-crop soybeans. - Joe Henggeler, University of Missouri To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/soybeans/soybean-bedding-0310/ --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://southwestfarmpress.com/legislative/laws-column-0310/ --Luster of new beginnings tarnished I suppose somewhere there is actually someone smart enough to wade through the morass of minutiae in the much ballyhooed and debated 1,100-page economic stimulus package and understand just what's in it. I certainly don't pretend to be one of them. Apparently, from reports circulating in the mainstream media, most of the members of Congress aren't either, but they passed it anyhow on a one-sided party vote, and anywhere they can find a TV camera they prattle on and on about whether it represents salvation or farce, depending on party and constituency. - Hembree Brandon, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/brandon-column-0309/ --Obama - change on payment proposals? The Obama administration appears to be having second thoughts about its proposal to phase out direct payments to agribusinesses with sales of more than $500,000 and replace them with "green" payments. Facing criticism from farm organizations, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and university professors, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack back-pedaled on the idea when asked about the budget proposal during a press briefing on Monday. "At the outset, let me say we are absolutely dedicated to preserving the safety net for farmers," Vilsack said during the briefing, which was held to announce the first wave in USDA's distribution of its share of the economic stimulus funding. "President Obama has made that clear on many occasions. - Forrest Laws Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/direct-payments-0310/ --Preserving world's seeds In mid-February, the Global Crop Diversity Trust announced it is on track to save some 100,000 different varieties of food crops from extinction. This new effort, with seeds to be gathered from 46 countries, is unprecedented and means "we are moving quickly to regenerate and preserve seed samples representing thousands of distinct varieties of critical food crops like rice, maize, and wheat ... that were well on their way to total extinction," said Cary Fowler, executive director GCDT. "I think it is fair to say that without this effort, many of them would have been lost forever." Fowler, born and raised near Memphis, currently resides in Rome. He recently spoke with Delta Farm Press about saving seeds from extinction, the Svalbard seed vault and how the GCDT's work has been received. - David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/news_archive/seed-preservation-0309/ --RFA endorses effort to increase blends The Renewable Fuels Association joined with Growth Energy, the American Coalition for Ethanol, the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, and other groups in filing an official waiver request with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking it to approve for general use gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol (E15). RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen issued a statement about the move. Read the full report by clicking on the headline above. To view the full article go to: http://southwestfarmpress.com/energy/ethanol-blend-0310/ --Clean fields critical factor Keep it clean. That's the first piece of advice David Eyster, Custer County, Okla., farmer, gave to participants at the recent No-till Oklahoma Conference in Oklahoma City. "Start with a clean field," said Eyster, who farms land his grandfather homesteaded back in 1892. "Try to kill weeds long before you intend to plant." He recommends terminating a cover crop "early enough to allow time for a rain before planting. Give it at least 30 days," he recommended. - Ron Smith, Farm Press Editorial Staff To view the full article go to: http://southwestfarmpress.com/news/notill-planting-0309/ --Young farmers optimistic Though confronted by numerous challenges, America's young farmers and ranchers express a high level of optimism about agriculture and say they are better off than they were five years ago. Those are the general findings of the American Farm Bureau Federation's 17th annual survey of young farmers and ranchers. The young farmers, ages 18-35, said the availability of land and facilities, overall profitability and economic challenges continue to rank as their top concerns. However, reflecting a high degree of economic improvement, 89 percent of the respondents said they are better off than they were five years ago. To view the full article go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/news/young-farmers-0310/ ---------------------------------------- Enter the Syngenta Field Performance Sweepstakes for a chance to win a prize package designed to bring you performance on and off the field. Click here to tell your own Plant Performance story and get a shot at the ultimate performance experience. Be among the first 50 to respond and you'll also receive an official NCAA Division I college hat featuring the team of your choice http://plantperformance-sweeps.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 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- 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. ---------------------------------------- KENT THIESSE ---------------------------------------- THIESSE'S THOUGHTS: 2010 FEDERAL BUDGET PROPOSAL (http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/ag-issues/0310-federal-budget-proposal/) Anytime agricultural policy is enacted by Congress -- such as the 2008 Farm Bill -- there are always two parts to the final resulting actions of the legislation. The first part is enacting the policy portion of the legislation (the farm bill), and second is authorizing the funding to carry out the policies enacted by the legislation. President Obama and Congress are now in the process of developing the federal budget for fiscal year 2010, which will authorize funding for USDA, and various aspects of the 2008 Farm Bill. The federal budget can also eliminate or change funding for certain programs. President Obama has released his $3.6 trillion federal budget proposal for 2010. Usually, the impact of federal budget proposals on agricultural programs is fairly minimal. MORE (http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/ag-issues/0310-federal-budget-proposal/) ---------------------------------------- RICHARD BROCK ---------------------------------------- TRADE SEES SMALLER SOY STOCK, LARGER CORN CARRY The grain trade is expecting USDA to trim its estimate of the 2008-2009 U.S. soybean carryout a bit further in Wednesday's monthly supply/demand update, while raising its projections of corn and wheat ending stocks. Trade estimates of the 2008-2009 U.S. soybean carryout average 200 million bushels in a range from 177 million to 220 million bushels compared with USDA's February estimate of 210 million. There are ideas USDA will further raise its forecast for U.S. soybean exports due to strong Chinese demand and lower South American crop production. http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/corn/0310-grain-trade-stocks/ ---------------------------------------- AUDIO/VIDEO FEATURES ---------------------------------------- NEW VIDEO: FARM WORKS CROP ANALYSIS TOOLS WITH INTEGRATED SOFTWARE Brian Stark takes you through a step-by-step demonstration of the yield mapping, profit mapping and accounting integration of this advanced software. Brian demonstrates the advantages of integrated information with overlay capabilities. - from Farm Industry News http://farmindustrynews.com/sponsored/0223-farmworks-crop-analysis/ EDITOR TALKS WITH BRAZIL COLUMNIST ON HOW HE FARMS Tyler Bruch, columnist for Corn & Soybean Digest, has been farming in Brazil for 5 years. Find out what growth plans he has for the future and how he's now even expanded in Ukraine. http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/tv/0304-Tyler-Bruch-farms/ ---------------------------------------- MORE MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTS ---------------------------------------- QUICK POLL Cast your vote in the latest Corn & Soybean Digest QUICK POLL. POLL QUESTION: What is your machinery+labor cost/acre? * Above $110/acre * $95-$110/acre * $75-$95/acre * $60-$75/acre * Below $60/acre Cast your voteZ: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com ROAD WARRIOR: VIEWS FROM CANADA Dave Kohl writes: "Recently I followed the president on his first international visit to Ottawa, Canada. I didn't have a Marine helicopter (within budget, of course) or an escort, but I conducted four presentations with producer groups while I was there. The following are some interesting perspectives. First, Canada is lagging the U.S. concerning the breadth and depth of the recession. Western Ontario is reeling from layoffs in the auto industry. Eastern Ontario, near the capital city, is still doing very well..." - Corn & Soybean Digest 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. Heber and Ni led a team of Purdue and University of Missouri researchers in the yearlong project, which monitored the effectiveness of soybean oil on dust and odor within hog facilities. Additional research is needed to address problems with oil spraying and substantiate the study's findings, the researchers say. - Corn & Soybean Digest http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/soybeans/0302-soybean-oil-carbon/ NEW ONLINE CALCULATOR HELPS FARMERS 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 beginning March 15 for grower testing and feedback. - Corn & Soybean Digest http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/corn/0302-calculator-helps-farmers/ LENDERS, INVESTORS EYE ETHANOL'S FUTURE Biofuel Survival Strategies for a Challenging Market" was the title of a conference and Webinar hosted this week by Chadbourne & Parke, LLP, New York, which represents developers, investors and lenders participating in U.S. and international biofuels financings. The event featured perspectives from lenders and investors in the ethanol industry. Asked what the ethanol industry will look like in the next two years, the experts agreed that consolidation will continue. One lender predicted that some oil companies will enter the industry. He added that debt and equity investors might shy away from future second generation ethanol projects because of losses incurred in the corn ethanol industry in the last several months. However, an investment banker commented that second generation ethanol producers could potentially enjoy a $1.00 per gallon tax credit which would boost assets on both debt and equity sides. - Lynn Grooms, BioFuel Lines, Farm Industry News http://blog.farmindustrynews.com/biofuellines/ ---------------------------------------- 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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