There is no doubt that feed quality will be a challenge this year. Four of the nation’s top producing corn states have already been given permission to blend corn at levels exceeding the FDA aflatoxin action level and other states may soon be following in pursuit. As the USDA reports this year’s corn supply at an eight-year low, much of the Midwest is trying to utilize this year’s poor corn crop for their livestock.
While Aspergillus, the mold responsible for aflatoxins, has been the most notorious culprit in the 2012 harvest due to its carcinogenic properties, other toxins may show up this year. The hot and dry growing season provides just the right climate for the mold Fusarium verticillioides, which causes fumonisin B1 and can have serious effects on horses and swine. Penicillium is another mold of concern, especially during storage. Silage that is dry, poorly packed or has a significant amount of soil contamination can allow Pencillium to produce PR toxin, patulin, mycophenolic acid, roquefortine C, penicilic acid and several other mycotoxins.
In order to better identify mycotoxins, Alltech recently launched its 37+ Program. The mass spectrometry technique LC-MS2 can investigate 38 different mycotoxins quantitatively, and more than 50 others qualitatively in less than 15 minutes per sample analyzed, with limits of detection in the parts per trillion range. This approach allows a broader analytical approach compared to other commercial methods that can only see a ‘snapshot’ of contamination.
For more information about the 37+ Program or any concerns relating to mycotoxins, please call the Mycotoxin Hotline at 866-322-3484.
Living out in the country, I fully expect to see bugs and spiders in our house. I’m forever turning a corner and finding a spider crawling somewhere – that said, I should just keep a Kleenex in my hand at all times for just the occasion! I wasn’t even surprised the day I found a small garter snake on the tile by the front door (there IS a big gap between the doors that makes a wonderful entrance for snakes).
I’d say of all the creepy crawlies, the spiders bother me the most.
But in the past two weeks, we’ve caught three mice and one 4T boys sock. With the disappearance of black kitty, the mice have found their way into the warmer climate. We put sticky mouse traps by the back door since we had our suspicions they were coming in through the garage and within minutes, had already caught two. The next week, our son decided to see just how sticky the traps were and we caught his new sock. He was so distraught when I had to toss it in the trash, but my mom’s “never fail stain removal list” doesn’t include sticky mouse trap glue.
So I went on a kitten-finding mission and thanks to a good friend, now have two new cats. I hope they’re mouse-hunters. This is Chip, short for Chipmunk because my niece thought from the back he looked like a chipmunk. The other is Earmuffs because she’s all white and then just has color on her ears.
Much as I love cats, I have created a new problem though – their favorite pastime is climbing the sliding glass door screen. It’s still better than having mice in the house.
Until we walk again …
The October USDA crop production report out this morning took a little bit more off the corn crop but increased the soybean crop by nine percent.
Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, down slightly from the September forecast and down 13 percent from 2011. This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 122.0 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from the September forecast and 25.2 bushels below the 2011 average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million acres, up less than 1 percent from the September forecast and up 4 percent from 2011. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data.
Soybean production is forecast at 2.86 billion bushels, up 9 percent from September but down 8 percent from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 37.8 bushels per acre, up 2.5 bushels from last month but down 4.1 bushels from last year. Compared with last month, yield forecasts are higher or unchanged across all States. Area for harvest
in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, up 1 percent from September and up 3 percent from last year. Acreage updates were made in several States based on administrative data.
The cotton forecast was increased by one percent to 17.3 million 480-pound bales and the new citrus crop production report has oranges up four percent from last season at 9.37 million tons.
*POST UPDATE with audio*
The Minneapolis Grain Exchange crop conference call this morning featured Randy Martinson, Progressive Ag, who also provided commentary on the October WASDE report, which lowers ending stocks for wheat by 44 million bushels, and beginning stocks for corn by 193 million bushels.
Listen to the MGEX crop call here: MGEX October crop report call
On the heels of a successful 2012 event, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show has already paved way for 2013. Mark you calendars for another successful showcase of leading agriculture innovations September 11-13, 2013 in Woodstock, Ontario.
“We can not thank our supportive exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and the Woodstock community enough for helping us present the 2012 edition of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show,” says COFS President Doug Wagner. “This year’s Show provides us with the ideal springboard to plan our 20th anniversary celebrations.”
“The feedback from exhibitors and attendees alike has been very positive,” says COFS Sales Coordinator Paul Roper. “As 2013 approaches, we plan to continue providing the interactive demonstrations, diverse exhibitors and new product launches that we have become known for.”
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is “Where Farmers Meet” and at the 2012 event 41,500 attendees agreed. 2013 will mark the 20th anniversary of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Special celebrations, new anniversary logo and demonstrations are all in the works to be unveiled in the new year.
Exhibitor contracts for next year’s Show will arrive in February along with details for 2013 demonstrations. For specific questions in the meantime, please contact Paul Roper at paul@canadasoutdoorshows.com.
Learn, share, energize while “Seeking your Fortune in Agriculture” at the 37th Annual American Agri-Women convention. Women involved in agriculture from throughout the United States and Canada will head to Denver, Colorado November 7-10, 2012. Their purpose reflects the mission of the 40,000-member organization: Gather resources and knowledge to represent the agriculture industry in an educated, professional and passionate manner.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest issues in agriculture, including sustainability, marketing and advocacy. Here from Teresa Scanlan, Miss American 2011, Advocates for Agriculture, Troy and Stacy Hadrick and many more. Experience break-out sessions about estate planning and property rights, social media, leadership and parliamentary procedure to broaden your own farm, ranch or agribusiness.
Find out more and register for the event here. Whether you are able to attend our not be sure and follow American Agri-Women on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to follow the convention on Twitter using the hashtag #AAW2012.
The White House this week recognized 12 members and leaders of FFA and 4-H as Champions of Change, a program to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities
“The members of 4-H and FFA are shining examples of the positive change young Americans are bringing across the country, said Jon Carson, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement. “Today we are not only celebrating the work of students having an impact on their communities, but we’re also honoring the mentors and teachers who are fostering these leadership skills in the youth of today.”
The honorees were:
Ridge Howell, Checotah, Oklahoma
Jessica McAtamney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jacob Dickey, Champaign, Illinois
Neeta Patel, Princeton, New Jersey
Kea Norrell Boyd, Lansing, Michigan
Bill Jimmerson, Bozeman, Montana
Kaydn Ence, Saint George, Utah
Jordan Paine, Oxford, Nebraska
Chamonix Mejia, Laredo, Texas
Samuel Roberson, Prairie View, Texas
Andrea Kneer-Rice, Frederick County, Maryland
Pete Dreisbach, Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Farmers are being encouraged to start clean for next year’s planting season, and now is the time to get a handle on tough weeds. Tom Rothman with Minnesota Farm Network recently spoke with Monsanto’s Ryan Rector about why weed control in the fall is important and what tools growers have to help them be proactive when it comes to weed management, including the new Roundup Ready PLUS Weed Manager PLUS App for iPhone and Android platforms.
Listen to Tom’s interview here: Tom Rothman and Ryan Rector
Weed Manager PLUS, launched at the 2012 Farm Progress Show, provides weed management recommendations by region and crop, calculates potential incentives for farmers who use endorsed residual herbicide products and delivers a tank mixing tool and measurement conversion calculator. All that, PLUS – it’s FREE! Weed Manager PLUS can be downloaded at Google Play or the Apple App Store. For more information on weed control, visit RoundupReadyPLUS.com.
Paulsen Marketing has updated their thought paper, “Digital Media’s Evolution and Impact on Telling Agriculture’s Story.” You’ll now find some new insights into how the digital communications age is affecting the agribusiness world.
Digital media has been a game-changer for ag communicators to deliver content to audiences. Paulsen public relations spoke with prominent ag communicators who shared insight about how digital media has transformed the way news is gathered, delivered and how agriculture’s story is told.
Their dialogue in this Thought Paper describes key trends and behind-the-scenes secrets that marketers and PR professionals can use to reach media and consumers of content with effective and interactive messages.
We’ll share inside information about the way ag journalists are using new digital tools and explore how mobile technology will influence the future of digital.
Here’s an example of some of the information you’ll find in the paper regarding the growth of mobile technology.
According to a recent survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights, half of smartphone and tablet users (51.1%) say they now check their email using only their mobile device. Overall, 7 in 10 smartphone or tablet users (69.3%) conduct at least one web-based activity solely with their device:
• 45.3% admit to mobile-only Internet searches.
• 42.3% connect with friends on Facebook sans stationary computers or other Internet-capable devices.
• 29.6% say they conduct all their online banking on a mobile device.
I got to chime in with some thoughts on mobile as did some other folks and you can find all of those insights in the full paper available from the Paulsen website.
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What cooperatives play a role in your life/business?”
Our poll results: Ten percent said Electric/water/utilities; ten percent said Farm Credit/credit union; five percent said Farm supplies; twenty percent said Energy/biofuels; three percent said Farm commodity; three percent said Other; thirty-five percent said Two or more of the above; and fifteen percent said None.
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is most important for feeding growing world population?” As of today, it is estimated at a little over 7 billion; by 2050 it is estimated it will be slightly over 9 billion. With a steadily increasing population, how do we feed everyone? What do you think?
ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.
