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Logan
Hawkes
10/05/05
Crop News Weekly
We're well into October and you would think the
last thing on our minds this time of year would be tropical weather. But
alas, computer models released early this week indicate we may not be
out of the woods yet. And with ever spiraling fuel prices and the
approach of winter just around the corner, that's not good news for
Americans in general - and agriculture in particular. On the other side
of the proverbial coin, temps are dropping this week across the Midwest
- an early sign to a harsh winter? The weather saga never ends.
There's plenty on our plate this week, thanks to politics, technology,
energy and - well, yes, weather. First up, a new soybean line developed
by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Tennessee
Agricultural Experiment Station is promising high seed yield and unique
resistance to nematodes and several diseases. Get 'em while their hot.
Elsewhere, (who says no one's listening?) since early July, USDA has
conducted 23 farm bill listening sessions, most of them attended either
by the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. But the same old
topic keeps popping up - the farm bill. In the world of politics, the
House Resources Committee is using the recent hurricane disasters to try
to pass legislation that would open a portion of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. And, speaking of politics, national
leaders are trying to determine what part of the budget to cut to pay
for disaster funding. Hold on to your hats.
There's a great deal more in this issue of Crop News Weekly. So
let's just dive right in. Thanks for dropping in this week.
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ADVERTISEMENT
 "In the past, I always had
good luck with Bicep II MAGNUM® followed by Callisto®. So, a
switch to Lexar® wasn't a hard choice. Lexar is a good fit for my
ground and weeds -- it has done a tremendous job for me. I applied
Lexar right after planting this year, and I haven't had to go back to
respray."
Roger Johnson, Malvern, IA
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New
soybean lines feature high yield, resistance
10/03/05
High seed yield and unique resistance to nematodes and
several diseases are the key qualities of new soybean lines developed by
the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Tennessee Agricultural
Experiment Station in Knoxville. The release of soybean lines JTN-5303
and JTN-5503 was announced in Jackson, Tenn., during a ceremony hosted
jointly by ARS and the experiment station. According to Prakash R.
Arelli, a geneticist at the ARS Nematology Research Unit in Jackson, the
new lines have broad resistance to multiple races of soybean cyst
nematode (SCN). - Jim Core, USDA
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Johanns
hearing consistent theme
10/04/05
You can't say Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns isn't
interested in the opinions of farmers. Since early July, USDA has
conducted 23 farm bill listening sessions, most of them attended either
by Johanns or Deputy Agriculture Secretary Charles Conner. The irony is
that except for a few regional wrinkles, Johanns keeps hearing the same
thing: farmers like the 2002 farm bill. At USDA Farm Bill Forums from
Tennessee to Alaska, growers have said they would like to slap 2007 on
the current law and move on. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial
Staff
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House
committee passes new energy supply bill
The House Resources Committee is using the Hurricane
Katrina and Rita disasters to try to pass legislation that would open a
portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. The
legislation, the National Energy Supply Diversification and Disruption
Prevention Act, would also allow natural gas production in federal
waters of the outer continental shelf -- another move that is likely
to spark opposition from environmental organizations. - Forrest Laws,
Farm Press Editorial Staff
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ADVERTISEMENT
 "We're seeing new weeds in our
fields that we haven't seen before because of too much reliance on one
herbicide. For customers using glyphosate-tolerant corn, we recommend
applying a pre-emergence residual herbicide to control weeds that
compete with the crop early in the season. They take a lot of moisture
and yield away from the crop, but they aren't an issue when you use a
residual herbicide early."
-- Bill McDonald, Champaign Landmark Co-op, Derby, Ohio
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Dave
Kohl: Points To Ponder
10/03/05
The Road Warrior of Agriculture writes: "Here
are a few perspectives and points I've picked up during my summer
travels and reading that may get you thinking as you enter the harvest
season. The U.S. has out-sourced many of its technology jobs to India
and Southeast Asia. Now a new term, near sourcing, finds these jobs are
moving to South America in order to be in a similar time zone and
speaking a similar language (English or Spanish) when talking to
Americans or interacting with them over the computer..." - and more.
- Dave Kohl, The Corn & Soybean Digest
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News from the Top of the
Hill
09/30/05
Producers Group Testify on Animal
Identification - Various agriculture groups testified before the
House Agriculture Livestock Subcommittee on the development of a private
sector-based National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The National
Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supported a private sector
program. NCBA stated, the "largest impact, both good and bad, will be
borne by the industry; therefore, the industry should be responsible for
the system." The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) testified, "Pork
producers are comfortable with the current level of recording and
reporting, and we already have accepted the costs of this system." NPPC
stated the need for enhancements to the current system, including: 1)
mandatory premises registration, which includes owner and location data,
by 2007; 2) mandatory animal identification (ID) for groups/lots by
2008; and 3) mandatory individual animal ID for market breeding swine
and show pigs by 2008. The National Farmers Union (NFU) believes USDA
should control an animal ID program. NFU stated that USDA had taken a
"step in the wrong direction by allowing private entities to control the
animal ID." Those testifying included NCBA, NPPC, American Farm Bureau,
Holstein Association USA, National Farmers Union, and National Turkey
Federation.
Animal Identification (ID) Public Meeting - USDA will hold a
public meeting to discuss development of a privatized "animal movement
tracking database" under the National Animal Identification System. The
meeting will be held Oct. 12 in Kansas City, MO.
Congressional Frustration Growing with Japan's Delay on U.S. Beef
- Japan announced this week that it will need more time to evaluate U.S.
safeguards before deciding to reopen its market to U.S. beef. This
announcement by Japan caused immediate reaction from members of
Congress. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) called upon U.S. Trade
Representative (USTR) to take "retaliatory economic action against
Japanese goods." Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), chairman of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, in a statement said, "Japan's inexplicable lack
of response to even consider a move to reopen their market to U.S. beef
will sorely tempt economic trade action against Japan. Japan is well
beyond the time for assessing scientific reasoning, and diplomatic
efforts attempted repeatedly by the President, by our trade emissaries,
and by the U.S. Congress." During a House Ways and Means Committee
hearing concerning Japanese trade relations, members of the committee
warned that it may be time to retaliate against Japan for unfair trade
measures and the delay in reopening the Japanese market to U.S. beef.
Cuts to Pay for Katrina - The Republican Study Committee (RSC)
issued a document, Operation Offsets, that outlines proposed cuts to
approximately 100 government programs to help pay for the cost of
disaster-relief measures for Hurricane Katrina. The proposed cuts amount
to $500 billion over 10 years. The RSC is a group of over 100 House
Republicans. Some of the proposed cuts in agriculture include:
Reduce farm payment acreage by 1%; use 84% instead of 85% of acreage
in the payment formula.
Eliminate the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market
Development Program; these programs promote the export of U.S.
agricultural products.
Eliminate new enrollments in the Conservation Security Program.
Set a cap on future enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program
and prohibit new enrollees.
Eliminate USDA's agricultural attaches at the U.S. Embassies.
Reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service.
Closure of Local Farm Service Agency Offices - USDA is
considering a consolidation plan, "FSA Tomorrow," that would close 713
local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. There are a total of 2,351
local FSA offices. States where 40% or more of their local offices would
be closed include Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, and
West Virginia. During consideration of the fiscal year 2006 agriculture
appropriations bill, the Senate adopted an amendment that would delay
the closures until USDA does a detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Congressmen Ike Skelton (D-MO) and Marion Berry (D-AR) have asked the
House Agriculture Committee to hold hearings on this initiative.
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced this week that he will
begin discussions with state and congressional leaders on how "best to
modernize" FSA. The last major closing of local offices was in 1995.
USDA Continues Farm Bill Listening Tour - USDA will conduct 14
Farm Bill listening sessions next month - Oct. 1, Berlin, CT; Oct. 5,
Lubbock, TX; Oct. 6, Oakland, CA; Oct. 7, Elkins, WV; Oct. 1, Bangor,
ME; Oct. 14, Little Rock, AR, Baltimore, MD and Narragansett, RI; Oct.
15, Harrington, DE; Oct. 18, Moultrie, GA; Oct. 19, Miami, FL; Oct. 21,
Greeley, CO; Oct. 25, Manchester, NH; and Oct. 26, South Burlington,
VT.
Crawford Resigns as FDA Commissioner - Lester Crawford, DVM
resigned as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Crawford was confirmed as Commissioner just two months ago.
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ADVERTISEMENT
Farmers used to have 60 bushel beans, but now they're down in the 40s.
We need to get back up in the 60s to be profitable. Otherwise, we should
gamble with corn on corn. Quadris is what we need to take us to the next
level. Farmers need to realize that there's more out there than just
rust.
Herb Johnson
Watertown, WI
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Thiesse's
Thoughts: CCC loan extensions
09/27/05
There are a number of farm operators with CCC corn and
soybean loans expiring at the end of September and October. On September
20, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced that producers
with CCC grain loans that mature at the end of September or October will
have an additional 60 days to purchase the grain back at the "Posted
County Price" (PCP). This announcement was made to ease short-term grain
movement problems associated with damage from Hurricane Katrina near New
Orleans, and to encourage producers to buy back the CCC grain that is
under loan , rather than forfeiting the grain. - Kent Thiesse, The
Corn & Soybean Digest
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Soybean
exports reach all-time record
09/29/05
The expectations of the American Soybean Association
(ASA) for record soybean exports have been confirmed by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
final export sales report of Aug. 31, 2005. The report confirms U.S.
soybean exports during marketing year (MY) 2004/05, exceeded 29,966,000
metric tons, which is equivalent to 1.1 billion bushels This year's
all-time record is more than 3 percent higher than the previous record
of 1.063 billion bushels set in MY2001. - Southeast Farm Press
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Senate
votes to delay FSA office closings
A plan to close or consolidate more than one-fourth of
USDA's county Farm Service Agency offices nationwide could be put on
hold by an amendment to the fiscal 2006 agricultural appropriations
bill. The amendment, passed by voice vote during Senate deliberations on
Sept. 20, would delay implementation of a plan that reportedly would
shutter 665 of FSA's current 2,353 county offices. The House must agree
to the amendment before it becomes part of the 2006 ag appropriations
bill. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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Tour Brazil with Corn &
Soybean Digest Magazine
10/04/05
Time is running out to get registered! The Corn &
Soybean Digest's fourth annual trip to Brazil is set for Jan.12-25,
2006, and you're encouraged to sign up before deadline. Greg Lamp,
Editor of The Corn & Soybean Digest, and Clint Peck, Senior
Editor of BEEF, will lead the tour exploring Brazil's tropical ag
system and assess its strengths and weaknesses as a major competitor for
international markets. Highlights include tours of large and small
soybean farms, a beef packing plant, an ag research center and a major
international export facility. For more information or to register:
glamp@primediabusiness.com, 952-851-4667 or Renata Stephens, Capital
Travel Solutions, renatas@ctsinc.com, 651/287-4900 or 800/635-5488. A
complete itinerary can be viewed on the CTS website: http://www.ctsinc.com/Brazil2006.pdf.
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New
disaster relief bills in Congress
09/28/05
Members of Congress have introduced new disaster
assistance legislation aimed at helping farmers who suffered losses from
Hurricane Katrina and from the intense drought and other weather
problems that occurred in the Midwest this summer. Some disaster bill
provisions would also try to help offset the impact of sharply higher
fuel prices, extend the Livestock Assistance Program and provide an
additional $100 million in Emergency Conservation Program funds. -
Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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Pombo
introduces new endangered species legislation
09/30/05
Rep. Richard W. Pombo, R-Calif., introduced his
long-awaited rewrite of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, saying it
was "time to do better" by the plants and animals the law was designed
to protect. Pombo, chairman of the House Resources Committee, was joined
by fellow West Coast Congressmen Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif.; Greg Walden,
R-Ore.; and George Radanovich, R-Calif., at a press conference
announcing the new legislation in Stockton, Calif., Sept. 19. -
Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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New
study quantifies fungicide benefits
09/28/05
In a newly released study, the Crop Protection
Research Institute says fungicide benefits to the United States are
immense. The report, reviewed and endorsed by 38 commodity groups
(including the National Cotton Council and United Soybean Board), says
if left untreated, yields of most fruit and vegetable crops would plunge
50 to 95 percent. "Fungicides are pesticides that kill fungi and
bacteria," said Leonard Gianessi, CropLife Foundation director and lead
author of the report. "If they aren't killed, the fungi and bacteria
cause plant diseases. There are 20,000 different species that release
spores and bacteria. These spores float around and must infect plants to
complete their life cycles.
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Energy
Bill boosts ethanol
ETHANOL PLANT owners and corn growers have plenty to
smile about with the newly signed Energy Bill. The Renewable Fuels
Standard (RFS) included in the bill calls for 4 billion gallons of
ethanol to be blended into the nation's fuel supply in 2006. While
manufacturers are currently producing ethanol close to the 2006 rate,
they will need to ramp up their efforts over the next six years to meet
a nearly doubled annual standard of 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.
Additionally, the energy law does not give MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether)
producers the groundwater liability protection that they were seeking,
making it more likely that ethanol will become the fuel additive of
choice.
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