CVA Coop Updates on Projects in West Point, Duncan, Wakefield

Central Valley Ag cooperative has announced they will acquire Ortmeier Seed and Feed in West Point effective October first.  C-V-A Vice President of Grain and Feed Bryan Reichmuth  says they recognize Ortmeiers has been serving the area for many years.  But they also see the benefits of working together...

Reichmuth cut29      :29    "... expanding ours a little bit."

Reichmuth says the Ortmeier building has been sold to another business.  He says there is some remodeling that's going to be done to C-V-A - West Point this fall and then the two locations will be combined.  

C-V-A has also announced it will acquire the Cargill feed production facility at Duncan this year.  Reichmuth says it is a very efficent mill that was thoroughly updated in 2005.  By adding this plant to CVA's portfolio, he says they will now be able to offer their own pelleted feeds...

Reichmuth cut 26     :26      "... becomes very attractive."

C-V-A currently operates five feed production facilities.  Reichmuth says some of them are starting to show their age, so adding the Duncan plant will take some of the stress off the other locations.  He says CVA is set to take over operations in Duncan December first.  

Also, construction continues at the new grain and agronomy facility that CVA is building in Wakefield.  Reichmuth says they expect to be able to receive this year's crop at the new elevator yet this fall...

Reichmuth cut23     :23     "... ready for harvest."  

Reichmuth says the contractor is just starting construction on the dry and liquid fertilizer facilities, and they may add an office building there in the spring.  



Rural Poll: Majority Believe They're Better Off Than Five Years Ago

A robust agricultural economy has shielded many rural Nebraskans from the worst of the recession, and the Nebraska Rural Poll shows a majority believe they're better off today than five years ago and many are confident conditions in their lives will continue to improve.

The 16th annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln poll, taken in March and April, details responses from 2,490 households in the state's nonmetropolitan counties.

Fifty-two percent of poll respondents said they believe they are better off than they were five years ago, up from 50 percent last year and the second highest proportion in the poll's history. There also was a slight decrease -- from 21 percent to 18 percent -- in the percentage of people who believe they are worse off than they were five years ago.

A slight increase also was seen this year in the percentage of people who think they will be better off 10 years from now -- from 42 percent in 2010 to 45 percent this year. About 20 percent said they expect to be worse off, down from 23 percent in 2010.

Sixty-nine percent of respondents involved in agriculture said they were better off or much better off than they were five years ago, leading the eight professional demographic groups. Just 43 percent of those involved in construction, installation or maintenance felt that way.

As to the question about how they expected to be doing 10 years from now, though, 45 percent of those involved in agriculture said they expected to be better off or much better off. That compares to 58 percent of those involved in health care support, public safety and sales and office support.

The 2011 poll also showed rural Nebraskans consider themselves entrepreneurial. Fifty-seven percent rated themselves somewhat or very entrepreneurial. Thirty percent said they were somewhat or very non-entrepreneurial.

Respondents in communities with fewer than 500 people were more likely than those in communities with populations of 1,000 to 4,999 to consider themselves entrepreneurial -- 64 and 54 percent, respectively.

Connie Reimers-Hild, UNL Extension educator in entrepreneurship and innovation, noted entrepreneurship is defined more broadly than starting and running one's own business.

"I think we tend to believe entrepreneurs are more common in metro areas," she said. "But there are other things happening out there, and there's a lot of potential out there."

"It goes beyond starting a business to finding some creative solutions to doing some things new or different in their communities," she said.

Following past years' trends, rural Nebraskans are most satisfied with their marriages, families, friends, religions/spirituality and the outdoors. They remain less satisfied with job opportunities, current income levels and financial security during retirement.

In the past year, though, there was an increase in satisfaction with income level, from 50 to 55 percent, the second highest percentage in the poll's 16-year history. And satisfaction with financial security during retirement increased from 32 to 38 percent from 2010 to this year. However, satisfaction with job opportunities decreased from 42 to 38 percent.

In another finding, 53 percent of respondents said they are leaders in their work/career. Twenty-five percent described themselves as leaders in social organizations and activities, and 14 percent consider themselves leaders in their local community.

Brad Lubben, UNL Extension public policy specialist, noted a theme that ran through much of the 2011 Rural Poll's findings on a variety of topics. Education is central to satisfaction, economic development, and technology access. The Rural Poll team likes to describe this as the project's "stay in school message."

"Education affects everything in your life," said Randy Cantrell, rural sociologist with the Nebraska Rural Initiative.

The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll of rural Nebraskans' perceptions on quality of life and policy issues. This year's response rate was about 39 percent. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percent. Complete results are available online at ruralpoll.unl.edu.



Cattlemen's Beef Board Hires Polly Ruhland as CEO

Polly Ruhland is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Cattlemen's Beef Board, as hired today by the Beef Board Executive Committee.  Ruhland has been serving as the interim CEO since June 28, and the chairman of the Executive Committee in charge of hiring her said she more than proved herself in her three months in that position.

“Polly was the right choice for this checkoff, and for this industry,” said Weldon Wynn, Executive Committee chairman and Beef Board vice chairman. “She has a powerful passion for the checkoff and for the beef industry, and she has absolutely proven in the last three months that she can run this operation astutely. She has an excellent rapport with staff and our contractors, and I don’t think we could have found anyone at this time who could have done the job as well as she is doing it.

“I think producers across America will certainly be satisfied with the results Polly achieves,” Wynn continued. “And I feel honored to have been serving as the chairman of the committee that hired her.”

Beef Board Chairman Wesley Grau echoed Wynn’s sentiments.

“Polly brings a breath of fresh air to the CBB,” Grau said. “More importantly, her knowledge of the checkoff and our contractors allows us to move forward with much needed improvements to the checkoff. “Her demeanor is beyond reproach,” he continued. “Her knowledge is beyond reproach. And her willingness and ability to get things done is second to none. As chairman of the Beef Board, I am very pleased that Polly has accepted this position.”

Polly joined the Beef Board team as director of evaluation in early 2010. Her previous 20-plus years in the beef industry most recently included six years with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), working in the areas of issues management, membership and communications. Prior to NCBA, she served as communication director for the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF), was compliance coordinator for the institutional animal care and use committee at Colorado State University, and was director of communications for the American Gelbvieh Association.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from University of Colorado and a master’s degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in beef industry leadership, from Colorado State University. Polly has one son, Ryan, and lives in Denver with her husband, Randy.

“The opportunity to serve farmers and ranchers in this way is an unparalleled honor,” Ruhland said. “I am committed to working every hour of every day to promote beef through the unique cooperation and coordination offered by the Beef Checkoff Program.”



EIA: US Ethanol Stocks Down

The Energy Information Administration released data Wednesday showing that total U.S. ethanol stocks fell by 68,000 bbl or 0.4% to 17.088 million bbl during the week ended Sept. 16. That total for last week is down 2.4% from the 17.506 million bbl supply level seen a year earlier.

Also, the EIA data showed U.S. ethanol plant production for the week-ended Sept. 16 at 871,000 bpd, down 8,000 bpd or 0.9% from the prior week while up 2.5% from the level seen a year earlier.

Refiner and blender net inputs came in at 817,000 bpd, up 17,000 bpd or 2.0% from 800,000 bpd for the prior week but up 6.0% from the level seen a year earlier. Refiner and blender net inputs represent a major portion of implied demand for ethanol.

Meanwhile, implied demand for motor gasoline rose 10,000 bpd to 8.858 million bpd for the week while four-week average demand at 9.0 million bpd was down 1.7% from the year-ago level.



Producers Should Check Grain Sorghum for Stalk Rot

A lot of attention has been given to stalk rot and other lodging problems in corn this year. But producers should keep in mind that stalk rot can be an even bigger problem in grain sorghum due to a generally thinner stalk, said Doug Jardine, K-State Research and Extension plant pathologist.

The best estimates are that at least 5 percent of the sorghum crop is lost each year to stalk rot, he said.

"The incidence of stalk rot in individual fields may reach 90 to 100 percent with yield losses of 50 percent. The most obvious losses occur when plants lodge. More important may be the yield losses that go unnoticed," Jardine said.

These losses are caused by reduced head size, poor filling of grain, and early head lodging as plants mature early, he explained.

In grain sorghum, the two most common types of stalk rot are charcoal rot and Fusarium stalk rot, he said. Although caused by many different organisms, the symptoms of the various stalk rots are somewhat similar, he said.

"Symptoms generally appear several weeks after pollination when the plant appears to prematurely ripen. The leaves become dry, taking on a grayish-green appearance similar to frost injury. The stalk usually dies a few weeks later," Jardine said.

Producers can check their sorghum for stalk rots by squeezing the lower stem with their thumb and fingers.

"If the stalks crush easily, they are probably infected with one of the stalk rot organisms and may lodge at any time. Check 100 plants across the field to determine the percentage of affected plants. If the percentage of stalk-rot-infected plants is high, sorghum should be harvested as soon as possible, even if it hasn't dried down adequately in the field," the K-State plant pathologist said.

"If the stalks are firm, the plants will probably be able to stand just fine in the field for several more weeks if necessary," he added.

Stalk rot is a stress-related disease, he said.

"When the carbohydrates used to fill grain become unavailable due to nutrient shortage, drought stress, leaf loss from insects, hail, disease or reduced sunlight, the plant is forced to use nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves stored in the stalk to complete grain fill. This loss of nitrogen and carbohydrate reserves weakens stalk tissues and results in increased stalk rot susceptibility," Jardine said.

For more information and management practices to reduce stalk rot, see "Stalk Rots of Corn and Sorghum," K-State publication L-741, at: www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/plant2/L741.pdf.



Iowa Learning Farms, Practical Farmers of Iowa Co-host Sept. 30 Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa will co-sponsor a cover crops “open house” field day with Lyon and Sioux Counties Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist Joel DeJong and farmer Floyd Jansma on Friday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The field day includes a complimentary lunch. The event is free and the public is invited to come and go as schedules allow.

Practical Farmers of Iowa cover crop expert Sarah Carlson will be at the open house along with DeJong and Jansma. Attendees can attend the open house for answers to questions about yield response of corn and soybeans following fall-seeded winter rye and other cereal grain cover crops, nitrogen fertilizer needs of corn planted after fall-seeded winter rye, and soil quality improvements related to cover crop use. Natural Resource Conservation Service district conservationists Keith Edwards and Greg Marek will be on hand to talk about cost-share programs for cover crops as well. The field at the open house site was broadcast seeded with winter rye on Sept. 13.

The field day site is located on the Sioux/Lyon County line road (270th Street); 12 miles south of the intersection of Highways 9 and 75 in Rock Rapids, and then one mile west; or five miles north of the Highway 75 and 18 interchange, west of Hull and then west one mile. For questions about the event, contact Lyon County NRCS District Conservationist Keith Edwards at 712-472-4021 or Sioux County NRCS District Conservationist Greg Marek at 712-737-2253.




Study Shows Pursuit of 25x'25 Renewable Energy Goal Will Generate Millions of New Jobs
University of Tennessee Report Lays Out Billions in Economic Benefits

With the United States on a path to achieving the 25x'25 clean energy goal, an estimated 1.4 million new jobs would be created by 2015, 2.9 million jobs by 2020, and 4.7 million by 2025, according to a University of Tennessee study. Released today by the 25x'25 Alliance, 25% Renewable Energy for the United States by 2025: An Analysis on Jobs Created By Meeting this Goal shows that the jobs will be created by annual economic growth in the renewable energy sector, reaching $208 billion by 2015, $411 billion in 2020, and $646 billion by 2025.

"The report underscores the need for appropriate public policy support and funding to maximize the economic benefits that come from our nation's vast sustainable resources and achieving a clean, 25x'25 renewable energy future," said Read Smith, co-chairman of the National 25x'25 Steering Committee.

The 25x'25 Vision calls for America's farms, ranches and forestlands to meet 25 percent of the nation's energy needs with renewable resources – biomass, wind energy, solar power, thermal energy and hydropower – while continuing to produce safe, abundant and affordable food, feed and fiber.

Researchers at the University of Tennessee's Bio-based Energy Analysis Group say that pursuing the 25x'25 goal generates economic activity that creates millions of new jobs over the next 15 years by growing and collecting and harvesting renewable energy feedstocks; harnessing the sun, wind, water, and heat from the earth; purchasing inputs; adding value to those inputs and supplying the energy produced. The jobs would be widespread throughout the United States, with rural areas benefitting due to renewable energy-related economic activity.

While all states are poised to gain jobs from the development of renewable energy, some of the biggest include Missouri (240,800), Illinois (201,000), Iowa (196,300), Nebraska (161,500), Texas (159,000), Tennessee (155,700), Kentucky (148,500), Kansas (125,200), Minnesota (124,600), Oklahoma (122,500), Arkansas (109,200), Indiana (106,400), Virginia (85,000), Mississippi (84,500), and West Virginia (75,800).

Furthermore, the total addition to net farm income could reach $180 billion by 2025, as the market rewards growers for producing alternative energy and enhancing our national security. In 2025 alone, net farm income would increase by $37 billion, when compared with USDA baseline extended projections.

Researchers say the production of 15.45 quads of energy from biomass could replace the growing demand for gasoline, natural gas, diesel, and/or coal generated electricity. In addition, nearly 7 quads of electricity could be generated from solar and wind resources under the 25x'25 scenario.

Contributions from America's farms, forests and ranches could result in the production of 87.2 billion gallons of biofuels annually, which has the potential to decrease gasoline consumption by 59 billion gallons (based on Btu content) in 2025, the study shows.

A breakdown of potential energy generation from renewable sources shows Texas would lead the way with an additional 1.27 quads of energy. Other states that increase renewable energy by more than 0.5 quads include Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

"This report makes clear – and should make clear to policy makers – that these renewable energy resources and a 25x'25 clean energy future offer the nation a triple bottom line of energy security, environmental benefits and economic recovery," said Smith.



OECD: End Farm Price Supports

High food prices have created an opportunity to withdraw price support for farmers in the rich world and re-orient agricultural policies to help poor consumers cope with the disastrous cost of feeding their families, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said Wednesday.

"The current period of high prices on world and domestic markets provides an opportunity to reform policies that were designed to maintain domestic prices above world market levels," the OECD said in an annual survey of agricultural policies.

"Eliminating market price support measures now would give the clear message that price signals will not be distorted in the future; at the same time, farmers have the time needed to adjust."

The level of effective subsidy has diminished as surging world food prices have whittled away the importance of policies designed to protect farm incomes in the rich world, it said.

"When prices are high and above domestic target/administered prices, price support policies do not provide additional incentives to increase production and they are irrelevant to support farm revenues."

Farmers in the 34 countries of the OECD enjoyed prices that were on average 10% above the global market last year, far below the 50% premium they reaped in the late 1980s.

That margin of protection may be eroded even further, since the OECD said prices would remain high and volatile in the medium term, with crops and most livestock products costing more in the decade to 2019 than they had in the decade before the 2007/08 price spikes.

POLICY REFORMS
While that may be good news for OECD farmers, high food prices were "disastrous for poor consumers," the report said.

"Policy reforms that reduce the burden on the consumer budget include un-doing biofuel policies that create an upward pressure on commodity prices through a policy-induced demand for food and feed crops.

"But also many agricultural supply-side policies that distort production and trade in agricultural commodities potentially impede the achievement of long run food security."

Governments' focus should shift to a risk management role, providing support in case of catastrophe but otherwise leaving the market to operate without interference, the report said.

"Creating an environment in which farmers have the greatest possible freedom to respond to market signals will allow farmers to become more innovative and competitive and will reduce many of the distortions associated with the current policies."

Support for farmers in OECD member countries fell in 2010 to a record low of 18 percent of farm receipts, the OECD said.

That figure, which has fallen by a third in 15 years and halved in the past 25 years, reflects money channeled into farming both by direct handouts and by policies that keep domestic prices high, such as protectionist import tariffs.

With many budgets subject to strict austerity programs, governments did not rush to fill the gap by forking out subsidies. However, they also resisted cutting farm payments to trim state budgets, leaving fiscal policy fairly stable overall, the OECD said.

The total amount of support for OECD farmers was estimated at $227.3 billion in 2010, a 5.8 percent fall from 2009.

Support fell by significantly more in many countries, including the United States, where it declined 18.7 percent to $25.6 billion, and the European Union, where it fell 11 percent to $101.4 billion.

By comparison, China's support for its farmers rose by 40 percent to $147.0 billion, although that was still a smaller proportion of farm earnings than in OECD countries.

The OECD countries have also lessened the distorting impact of farm subsidies over the past three decades by moving away from payments based on output in a shift towards payments that do not require production, especially in the United States, EU, Mexico and Chile, the OECD said.