Brownfield

Mild Winter leads to warmer soil temperatures across Illinois

Greg Soulje — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:34:33 +0000

The mild winter weather has led to higher soil temperatures in comparison to last winter based on temperatures collected at weather stations across the state, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.

Soil temperatures are measured at depths of 4 inches under bare soil and at 4 and 8 inches under sod. Sod generally acts as an insulator, causing soil temperatures to react more slowly to environmental changes.

The median soil temperature from November through January at depths of 4 inches under bare soil was 38.0 degrees, 4.7 degrees higher than the same period last year. Similar increases were also seen for soil temperatures measured at 4 and 8 inches under sod.

The highest temperatures were observed in southern Illinois where the median soil temperature at 4 inches under bare soil was 42.1 degrees, 6.9 degrees higher than last winter. The medians for central and northern Illinois, 36.7 degrees and 33.9 degrees respectively, were also higher than those of last winter.

Climate Summary

Record attendance has NCGA Pres. excited

Dave Russell — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:44:04 +0000

For Illinois corn farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), Garry Niemeyer can barely contain his excitement as corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers from across the country head to Nashville, Tennessee, March 1-3 for the 17th annual Commodity Classic. Niemeyer isn’t only excited about the record attendance, he’s also excited about the program that has been planned by farmers, for farmers and don’t get him started on the Commodity Classic Trade Show.

Audio: Garry Niemeyer, IL, President, National Corn Growers Assn. (7:35 MP3)

ASA President previews Classic activities

Dave Russell — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:16:22 +0000

For Steve Wellman of Nebraska, President of the American Soybean Association (ASA), Commodity Classic has become an event that not only provides soybean, corn, wheat and sorghum farmers the opportunity to get together to talk issues and opportunities, it’s also a great opportunity to see new products at the Trade Show and learn new things during the many educational sessions.

Audio: Steve Wellman, Neb. President, American Soybean Assn. (4:20 MP3)

Sorghum producers welcome 2011 Miss America

Dave Russell — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:56:13 +0000

National Sorghum Producers (NSP), CEO, Tim Lust says having the opportunity to have all aspects of the sorghum industry together in one location is exciting and for sorghum producers in Nashville, the NSP has a full schedule of events, including 2011 Miss America Teresa Scanlan, Former House Ag Committee Chairman Larry Combest, and a NSP Yield & Management Contest Winner Panel, all part of their general session on Thursday, March 1.

Audio: Tim Lust, CEO, National Sorghum Producers (4:45 MP3)

Wheat growers to tackle issues in Nashville

Dave Russell — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:22:45 +0000

Wayne Hurst, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) from Burley, Idaho, the 2012 Commodity Classic will bring representatives from the 21 member states together to talk about issues important to wheat farmers and develop policy that will guide the association. Hurst also tells Brownfield Commodity Classic will bring wheat, corn, sorghum and soybean farmers together to talk about common concerns and goals.

Audio: Wayne Hurst, Idaho, President, National Assn. of Wheat Growers (4:00 MP3)

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association

Dave Russell — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:47:57 +0000

For over 130 years the Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) has represented grain, feed, seed, crop nutrient and crop protectant companies, both large and small. The Association has recently completed a strategic plan that President and CEO Chris Henney tells Brownfield identified four priority areas, including legislative and regulatory engagement on behalf of OABA members.

“Another would be strong communications and member education, member education would be, how do we address the needs of our members when it comes to the workshops, seminars, conferences that we put on,” said Henney. “And finally, we want to make sure we stay a viable, strong association for many years to come, so how do we take a look at our membership and be proactive about growing that membership and being sound for the future.”

Audio: Chris Henney, Pres/CEO, Ohio AgriBusiness Assn. (4:50 MP3)

Henney and OABA Board Chairman Herb Mayer were in Washington, D.C. in mid-February, joining other state and national organizations for the 2012 State Agribusiness D.C. Fly-in.

While in D.C., Henney and Mayer met with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator Rob Portman and Ohio Congress Bob Gibbs.

“We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with our U.S. Senators and Representatives,” Mayer said. “We’ve been able to discuss federal agriculture-related legislation, and how it impacts Ohio agriculture, and ultimately OABA members.”

NOTE: Ohio Congressman Bob Gibbs was awarded the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Legislator of the Year Award.

Will high gas prices hurt meat consumption?

Bob Meyer — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:36:47 +0000

The CEO of Tyson Foods says he is concerned that consumers are going to eat less meat as they have to pay more for gasoline. Donnie Smith told the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum, people are already facing high beef prices due to high feed prices and the drought in the Southern Plains last year and now, with gasoline pushing towards $4.00, per capita consumption of beef will weaken. Smith told reporters at the conference, “We’re concerned that there are going to be thresholds, depending on disposable income, where that demand kind of tops-out.”

A USDA forecast on Friday predicts domestic per capita consumption of red meat and poultry will decline more than six pounds this year to just over 198 pounds. That would be the lowest level since 1987.

Dairy slows the slide

Bob Meyer — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:32:42 +0000

Dairy markets showing a little promise at the end of an otherwise down week on Friday. Cash cheese held steady and butter increased a quarter-cent. Class III futures for March through July increased a little as well.

For the week, cash cheese barrels were down a penny, blocks lost 2 cents, butter increased a quarter-cent and Class III futures for the next six months lost an average 32 cents.

Total number of dairy cows going to slaughter in January was 264,000, the same as January of 2011 but 2,000 more than in December. Daily Dairy Report notes weekly slaughter data through February 11th indicates dairy cow slaughter rates are running around 5,000 head above February of last year.

National Ag Statistics Service reports more than 11.3 billion pounds of milk were received into the federal order system in January, 4.8 percent more than in January of 2011. 34 percent of that milk went into Class I utilization, 11 percent was Class II, 43 percent went into Class II and 12 percent was Class IV

Missouri Corn Growers upset over Corps budget

Julie Harker — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:27:01 +0000

The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is disappointed in President Obama’s proposed 2013 budget for “showing preference for ecosystem restoration” over operations and maintenance of the Missouri River. Northwest Missouri grower Rob Korff, Chair of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, says the budget proposal includes an increase of $17 Million for fish and wildlife in the Missouri River Recovery Program while Missourians are still struggling to recover from last year’s flooding.

Korff says the budget proposal fails – again – to make flood control the priority of the Army Corps of Engineers. The MCGA sent a letter this week to Missouri’s congressional delegation asking them to oppose the funding for the Missouri River Recovery Program – $90 Million in the president’s budget – with about $7.7 Million for operations and maintenance on the Missouri River.

Korff says all of that money should go toward flood control on the Missouri River, not toward fish and wildlife restoration. Korff tells Brownfield, “It’s all on unfounded science and they can’t prove works and we’d like to see that number just go away and spend whatever you have to, to utilize the river for economic development. Doing anything less is just irresponsible government.”

Korff says the administration is disconnected from the needs of farmers and others along Missouri’s rivers. He adds that many farmers north of him are at risk of flooding again this year because of still unrepaired levees.

AUDIO: Rob Korff (6:00 mp3)

Missouri Corn Growers Association

Illinois Soybean visits Dubai area for opportunities

Julie Harker — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:22:10 +0000

The Illinois Soybean Association vice chair is with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council in the United Arab Emirates, exploring new markets for soybean meal.

Brownfield spoke with Bill Wykes, vice chair of Illinois Soybean and a grower in Yorkville, Illinois. He says tourism is huge in Dubai and the capital of Abu Dubai – and 60 percent of the poultry imported there is used by the service industries…

Wykes says the livestock industry is the number one priority for the Illinois Soybean Association. While there is some local production in the UAE, he says, it’s dwarfed by the need. Dubai is a duty free zone that serves a huge region of the world…

Wykes says they have met with importers and service industry folks about the export potential, exploring the value chain for new markets…

While Brazil is the main competitor in the Dubai region, Wykes emphasized that it is NOT the only one in that very competitive marketplace.