Grains Council Confirms Good Quality Corn Crop

John Davis

usgcThe U.S. corn crop was generally good, according to a new report from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). This news release from the National Corn Growers Association, a founding member of the council, says the USGC’s 2015/2016 Corn Harvest Quality Report found 94 percent of corn samples samples rated at quality grade No. 2 or better.

“This is the fifth year of releasing our corn quality reports,” said USGC Chairman Alan Tiemann. “Our objective in compiling and publishing this unique information is to arm our customers with the data they need to make good purchasing decisions – and take advantage of the excellent U.S. crops now available to them.”

According to the corn quality report, the 2015 U.S. crop is entering marketing channels with the following key characteristics:

– Average test weight within the range for No. 1 grade corn, indicating good kernel filling and maturation.
– Low levels of broken corn and foreign material, with 98 percent within the range for No. 2 grade corn, indicating little cleaning will be required.
– Low levels of total damage, with 96.1 percent within the range for U.S. No. 2 grade.
– No observed heat damage.
– Average elevator moisture of 15.7 percent, which will decrease the potential for stress cracking.
– 100 percent of the corn samples tested below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for mycotoxins.

Our customers look forward to this information on an annual basis, and we are pleased to be able to offer it to them in a way that benefits their businesses,” Tiemann said. “We’ve had a lot of success with building relationships with overseas buyers and end-users by presenting the findings of the corn quality reports.”

The corn report is based on samples from 12 of the top corn-producing and exporting states.

Ag Groups, Corn, USGC

A Thirsty Land Update

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast 497Early in 2015 documentary film maker Conrad Weaver got into the field to start his latest project, Thirsty Land. He has been in states from Kansas to California filming the drought situation and meeting with many farmers to learn about the effect the drought has been having on rural communities.

Thirsty Land DocumentaryThis morning I spoke with Conrad to find out how the project is going. He says he’s now in the editing stage and will have the film completed in time to show it in its entirety at the Water for Food Global Conference in April. The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska is one of the sponsors for the film project.

Conrad has learned how the drought situation has not only affected farmers who are having to purchase water at unsustainable prices but also the farm workers who have been laid off when farms have to cut back. In California the lack of water storage has been a big problem and farmers are frustrated that there has not been enough investment in storage to capture water when they do have rain. Hear more about what Conrad has learned and is doing as he develops Thirsty Land in this week’s program.

Listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Conrad Weaver, Thirsty Land

Sponsorships are still available for Thirsty Land if you would like to support the project.

Subscribe to the ZimmCast podcast here.

The ZimmCast

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Audio, Sustainability, Water, ZimmCast

USDA Celebrates 2015 Achievements

Cindy Zimmerman

USDAAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has released a list of USDA’s top achievements in 2015 in the areas of trade, food security, conservation, energy, research, rural development, and more.

“Even with challenges in 2015, including an unprecedented animal disease outbreak and lower commodity prices, America’s rural communities have proven once again that we are a nation of makers, creators and innovators, and our economy and security are stronger because of it,” said Vilsack. “As we look to 2016, USDA will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to expand opportunity for America’s farming families and rural communities.”

Among USDA’s 2015 highlights:

Achieved $139.7 billion of agricultural exports, the third-best year on record. Ensured passage of Trade Promotion Authority, and helped to complete negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Enrolled 1.76 million farmers in the new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs by conducting an unprecedented educational campaign.

Provided new or improved high-speed internet access to nearly 6 million rural Americans through investments made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Feed the Future reached nearly 19 million households and helped nearly 7 million farmers gain access to new tools and technologies.

Read them all here.

USDA

Food Dialogues to Focus on Sustainability

Jamie Johansen

Screen Shot 2015-12-22 at 10.02.13 PMThe Food Dialogues®: Dairy Strong Farming; for the Future panel will tackle the concept of “sustainability” and all it’s different meanings for different people. The panel, hosted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), will take place at the Dairy Strong conference from 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. CT on Thursday, January 14, 2016 in Madison, Wis. and will be comprised of farmers, ranchers, academics and sustainability experts.

“We are seeing a variety of definitions and perspectives when it comes to what ‘sustainable farming’ is,” said Nancy Kavazanjian, chairwoman of USFRA. “The industry is creating many techniques that will shape the future of sustainable farming, and we are excited to partner with Dairy Strong to host a dialogue on this topic.”

Food industry and animal care experts will discuss consumer trends related to sustainable farming and sourcing, how customers define sustainability, and the environmentally friendly methods and techniques used on farms-both small and large. The panel will also explore current environmental methods and the possibility for future innovation.

“Sustainability will be a major focus of the entire Dairy Strong conference,” said Tim Trotter, Executive Director for Dairy Business Association. “Having attended Food Dialogues previously, I know how engaging these discussions can be and look forward to the informative discussion among dairy processors, farmers, suppliers, retailers, academics and media in attendance – and the implications for our customers.”

Ag Groups, Food, Sustainability, USFRA

USDA to Honor Bob Stallman

Cindy Zimmerman

stallman-vilsackThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning a special day of recognition for outgoing American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman next month.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden will proclaim January 6 as Bob Stallman Appreciation Day and present an official proclamation in recognition of Stallman’s commitment to strengthening rural American families and communities.

Stallman has served as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation for 16 years, supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers as they help feed the world, protect and preserve the environment, provide jobs, and contribute to the nation’s economy. He announced in July that he will be stepping down as president at the annual convention next month in Orlando where a new president for the organization will be elected.

AFBF, USDA

Take Advantage of Year End Tax Savings

Cindy Zimmerman

With the approval by Congress extending the $500,000 Section 179 capital assets depreciation limit and enhanced bonus depreciation, now is the time to take advantage of year end tax savings on farm equipment. The Section 179 tax deduction, which allows farmers and small businesses to immediately write off the full price of up to $500,000 in capital assets purchases instead of depreciating it over time, is good on new and used equipment and is combined with bonus depreciation for even bigger tax savings on new equipment. To take advantage of this tax break in the 2015 tax year, equipment must be purchased, financed, or leased and put in service by midnight on December 31, 2015.

cnh-year-endNew Holland Agriculture is offering a Year-End Celebration savings event that allows qualified buyers to take advantage of cash back plus low rate financing on current-year New Holland tractors and equipment.

“We’re excited that Section 179 has been passed into law,” says Bret Lieberman, Vice President of New Holland, North America. “This gives our customers a welcomed tax break, and will help them invest in much-needed equipment that will enhance their productivity.” But Lieberman says the Section 179 tax break is just one reason customers should consider upgrading their equipment by year-end. “December 31 also signifies the end of New Holland’s 120th Anniversary celebration and our Year-End Celebration savings event plus a special no-interest finance program—a perfect opportunity for our customers to save even more on new equipment in preparation for the coming season,” he added.

New Holland agricultural equipment is also eligible for a special “No Interest, No Payments Until 2017” program that expires December 31. Details of the Year-End Celebration and financing offer are available online and customers can also visit their participating New Holland dealership for details and eligibility requirements.

Equipment, New Holland

Last Days to Play LibertyLink Real Yield Game

Chuck Zimmerman

Real Yield GameFarmers are already winning by playing the Bayer CropScience LibertyLink Real Yield Game. But the game ends 12/31/15 so get your game on!

I spoke with winner Karl Fictum, Wisconsin, and asked him how he learned about the LibertyLink Real Yield Game. He was searching around the Bayer CropScience website and it “popped up” at him so he played the game and is very surprised he won something.

Karl has won a year’s supply of LibertyLink Soybeans and Liberty Herbicide. He says he’s one of those guys who is set in his ways but this will give him a chance to try something new and that is the LibertyLink system. In fact, he says he’ll be planting all LibertyLink this year.

He recommends playing the game. Just keep in mind you only have a couple days left to do so.

Listen to Wisconsin farmer Karl Fictum here: Interview with LibertyLink winner Karl Fictum of Wisconsin

Audio, Bayer, Herbicide, Soybean

Cotton Growers Pleased with WTO Negotiations

John Davis

cottonCotton growers were happy to see the latest results from World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations. This news release from the National Cotton Council (NCC) said U.S. trade negotiators were able to resist pressure for further concessions on cotton during the recent 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

“U.S. negotiators held firm with respect to any cotton specific outcomes, ensuring that the United States would not face any new restrictions on cotton domestic support,” [National Cotton Council (NCC) Chairman Sledge Taylor, a Mississippi producer and ginner,] said.

To continue to highlight the shortcomings in WTO notifications by major producing countries, the decision was made to continue the cotton dedicated discussions within the WTO for purposes of providing greater transparency and complete notifications of subsidies by all countries.

The Nairobi ministerial declaration also reaffirms that developed countries shall provide duty free/quota free access for cotton and cotton-related products to least developed countries (LDCs). The United States already has provided this access for LDCs.

Across agriculture, the declaration calls for the immediate elimination of agricultural export subsidies by developed countries and within three years for developing countries, while there are limited exceptions until 2023 for transportation and marketing subsidies by developing countries, subject to conditions. The agreement also will align the use of export credits by all countries to the same terms as those currently utilized by the United States, creating a more level playing field.

“While the overall outcome of the Ministerial is generally positive, there continues to be unwarranted pressure and focus on U.S. cotton policy by some WTO members,” Taylor stated. “The NCC will continue to utilize the WTO forum to advance the recognition that the global cotton market has evolved significantly since 2003, when cotton was initially singled out as a separate agenda item at the Cancun WTO ministerial. Over the past decade, U.S. cotton farmers have experienced a decline in their safety net, while the surge in Asian polyester production has reshaped global fiber markets.”

Cotton

NCGA: Boosting Corn Utilization Key Success Strategy

John Davis

NCGA-LogoNational Corn Growers Association leaders say the corn industry needs a better plan than hoping bad weather fixes weak prices, as some market analysts have suggested. This news release from the group says it has recommitted to boosting corn utilization as a key strategy in achieving a healthy and viable corn industry long term.

“To successfully address farmer’s income you have two paths, either decreasing input costs or growing demand,” said NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Chairman Larry Hoffmann, a farmer from Wheatland, North Dakota. “We will continue to work on both, but with a renewed focus on new uses for corn as a means of raising the price per bushel.”

NCGA’s Corn Board, action teams and committees convened in St. Louis earlier this month to delve into the issues and opportunities that will impact corn farmers across the country during the coming year.

The Research and Business Development Action Team explored possible changes to team policies and activities that could help their respective programs improve efforts to create and maintain opportunities for growers.

“If it grinds another bushel of corn we are going to evaluate its potential,” Hoffmann said. “If it uses 25 million bushels or 100 million bushels it will put us one-step closer to our goal.”

Ag Groups, Corn, NCGA

Merry Christmas from AgWired!

Joanna Schroeder

ZimmComm Christmas Card

The AgWired team is thankful to all of you for tuning in through a busy 2015 as we worked to provide the latest agriculture news. We’ll be bringing you some new stories throughout the end of the year and resume full coverage on January 2, 2016. We’ll be onsite all over the country next year and look forward to seeing some of you during our travels.

We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

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