Farmweek june 15, 2015 by Illinois Farm Bureau

Heavy winds, rain and hail wreaked havoc in corn and soybean fields across the state. page 3

U.S. House members overwhelmingly block Trade Promotion Authority legislation. page 4

Illinois food products took center stage at the Food Marketing Institute trade show in Chicago. page 8

AFBF: Final WOTUS rule worse than original Monday, June 15, 2015

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Periodicals: Time Valued

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) leaders describe the final rule governing the “waters of the U.S.” as “even worse for farmers and ranchers than the proposed rule.” Officials from the national farm organization shared their analysis of the nearly 300-page rule during a conference call with reporters last week. They also rebutted claims from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. Federal officials continue to emphasize the final rule adds clarity and certainty. For example, during a webinar last week, EPA officials said the final rule narrows federal jurisdiction over ditches and makes the Clean Water Act clearer by including the definition of tributary, which previously went undefined. “It really is a marketing campaign,” said Ellen Steen, AFBF general counsel. “It is highly deceptive, and it’s aimed at persuading farmers and ranchers that they’re not going to be affected by this rule and that life isn’t going to change under this rule ... Those are false statements.” “When this rule goes into effect, and that’s going to be 60 days after it appears in the

Two sections Volume 43, No. 24

Federal Register, the lawsuits may not come the first week. And they may not come the second week, but enforcement of this law is coming,” Steen said. “It’s coming to the countryside. And when it hits, life is going to change significantly for a lot of farmers and ranchers.” AFBF President Bob Stallman said the final rule made the definition of a tributary broader and INSIDE more vague. He also pointGet the latest ed to language on efforts to allowing agenstop the final cies to make rule. Page 4 “remote determinations” by using remote technology to find indicators that the land should have characteristics (a bed, bank or an ordinary high water mark) that would make it a tributary. “What that means for landowners like myself is that land that does not appear to the naked eye to have a bed, bank or an ordinary high water mark — or even to experts that will be standing on the land — could be determined by someone in an office hundreds or thousands of miles away to be a federally regulated water of the U.S,” Stallman said. Concerns over federal regulation of ditches weren’t

addressed in the final rule either, Stallman said. “Same ditch, different day,” he said. Under the new rule, many ditches fall under the definition of tributaries including roadside ditches that have perennial flow; ditches that have inter-

mittent flow and are a relocated tributary, were excavated in a tributary or drained wetlands, and ditches that have ephemeral flow, and are a relocated tributary or were excavated in a tributary. “Bottom line is that no

farmer can look at the ditches that run alongside or within his farm fields and know whether those ditches are waters of the U.S. or not,” Stallman said. “So much for certainty.” See WOTUS, page 4

PREPARING FOR SHOW

Jacob Wenke, 10, son of Joe and Janet Wenke of Monticello calms one of his chickens as he prepares to show the bird at the Macon County fair last week. From left, his brother, Jeremiah, 9, and Regan Pyatt, 9, a fellow Cisco Clovers 4-H member, discuss last-minute show tips. While no cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza have been detected in the state, Illinois Department of Agriculture officials will permit only Illinois birds to exhibit at 2015 state, county and 4-H fairs until further notice. See page 5 for an update on the situation. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Legislature passes many IFB state priorities

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

State legislators continued meeting last week, but the General Assembly already passed many of Illinois Farm Bureau’s legislative priorities and forwarded them to Gov. Bruce Rauner. “Overall, we were successful on many of our legislative priorities for this session,” said Bill Bodine associate director of state legislation. Most of the priorities touched upon landowner protection — a point not lost on two legislators who sponsored one of the priority bills, SB 1726. “I wanted to make sure landowners are taken care of,” Rep. Brandon Phelps, DHarrisburg, told FarmWeek. Phelps and

Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, sponsored SB 1726 that will better inform impacted landowners about electric transmission line projects. Rose agreed: “I appreciate help from Farm Bureau in drafting this legislation to further enhance landowners’ rights.” Passing unanimously in both chambers, SB 1726 changes the notification requirements and other protections for landowners whose property may be impacted by a transmission line project. Phelps described the bill as “giving farmers and landowners more teeth” to ensure they may raise concerns. The bill would require the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to send notices to landowners in the proposed right-of-way of

a transmission line. After the ICC approves a project, the utility company would have to notify landowners between three and 15 days before starting survey work or land use studies, allowing landowners to be aware and present during the activity. “There’s always more work to be done, but this is a good step forward,” Rose said. Phelps added: “I thank Farm Bureau for allowing me to sponsor this legislation and thank them for being the voice of landowners and farmers.” Landowner protections underpin HB 3523, legislation requiring an agricultural impact mitigation agreement related to commercial development of wind energy. Rep. Adam Brown, R-Decatur, and Sen. See Legislature, page 7

Quick Takes

FarmWeek • Page 2 • Monday, June 15, 2015

WILL COUNTY BENEFIT SET — Friends and family of Will County Farm Bureau member Matt Schoenbeck of Beecher will host a benefit in his honor from noon to midnight June 27 at the Will County Fairgrounds in Peotone. The active member of the Will County Farm Bureau Young Farmers continues to heal from a severe traumatic brain injury suffered last July in an accident on his farm. Tickets for the event cost $10 for ages 21 and older; $5 for attendees under 21; and no cost for children 2 years old and younger. Tickets will be available at the door. Events include bands, games for kids, a dunk tank, bean bag tournament, 50/50 drawings, a silent auction and a $10,000 raffle at 10 p.m. Food will be for sale. For more information, call 708-259-1045 or 785-580-8795. YIELD CONTEST FEE DISCOUNTED — If you’re planning to enter the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) yield contest, do so by June 30. The entry fee will be $75 until then. Contestants will pay $110 per hybrid between June 30 and Aug. 3. Access an online entry form at {ncga.com/ for-farmers/national-corn-yield-contest}. All harvest forms will be due by Nov. 20. Contest winners will be announced Dec. 18. IALF GOLF OUTING PLANNED — Golfers may want to consider playing in the annual Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation (IALF) Golf Tournament June 29 at the Edgewood Golf Course in Auburn. The event features an 18-hole scramble golf tournament and a trap shoot at Bullet Express in Auburn. A reception follows both activities at 3 p.m. with dinner at 4:30 p.m. Members of the 2016 IALF class will raffle a John Deere X324 lawn tractor donated by John Deere. The hole-in-one contest features a Case IH Farmall compact tractor donated by Case IH as the prize. There are also skill prizes for longest drive, longest putt and others. Register by June 19 at {http://bit.ly/1HQSlqp}. Proceeds from the golf outing and trap shoot support the foundation and its educational program. Silent and live auctions will be held after dinner. CONSERVATION CLIENT GATEWAY OPEN — Farmers can now do business with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service online 24/7. Called the Conservation Client Gateway, the website allows farmers to access farm bill programs, request assistance and track payments for their conservation activities. Farmers can also complete and sign an application for a conservation program, document completed practices and request certification of completed practices. Individual landowners may access Conservation Client Gateway; access will soon be extended to business entities, such as limited liability corporations. Visit the website at {nrcs.usda.gov/clientgateway}.

(ISSN0197-6680) Vol. 43 No. 24 June 15, 2015 Dedicated to improving the profitability of farming, and a higher quality of life for Illinois farmers. FarmWeek is produced by the Illinois Farm Bureau. FarmWeek is published each week, except the Mondays following Thanksgiving and Christmas, by the Illinois Agricultural Association, 1701 Towanda Avenue, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61701. Illinois Agricultural Association assumes no responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products or services advertised in FarmWeek. FarmWeek is published by the Illinois Agricultural Association for farm operator members. $3 from the individual membership fee of each of those members goes toward the production of FarmWeek. “Farm, Family, Food” is used under license of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

Address subscription and advertising questions to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomington, Illinois, and at an additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notices on Form 3579 to FarmWeek, P.O. Box 2901, Bloomington, IL 61702-2901. Farm Bureau members should send change of addresses to their local county Farm Bureau. © 2015 Illinois Agricultural Association

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‘Felfies’ Cream of the social media crop BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Do farmers consider felfies (farmer self-portraits) a fun form of expression, instant wordless communication or an informative glimpse of modern farm life? Yes, yes and yes, say some Illinois farmers known for snapping and sharing images online. Felfies reflect their subjects in their seasonal environment. An Irish farm magazine launched felfies in December 2013 with a contest of farmer portraits with their livestock. European felfies still favor tight closeup images of farmers with an animal or two. In comparison, Illinois felfies tend to feature machinery, especially now during the growing season. Scroll through felfie images, and farm families, humor — even farm fashion — emerge. Farm Bureau felfie enthusiasts focus on different aspects to compose a good image, but all agree pictures serve a dual purpose of communicating farmer-to-farmer as well as sharing everyday farm life with nonfarmers. DeKalb County farmer Dale Pitstick of Genoa uses felfies to dispel misconceptions about farmers and farm work. “We’re out here working,” Pitstick said. “We’re actually operating the equipment; this is real life.” Meanwhile, Pitstick’s fellow farmers can figuratively read between the rows of his felfies showing experimental equipment, new products and ideas — nuances probably missed by nonfarmers. He also appreciates felfies’ instantaneous, nonverbal, no-text communication with other farmers. “These farm selfies are a great and fun way to put a face on farmers working every day; we’re real people,” said Knox County farmer Monica Stevens of Altona. Stevens concentrates on felfies with her cattle and hay production. “On any social media outlet if I take a picture, I write a description and tell what we’re doing,” she said. “I always assume with social media that a person (who views a picture) doesn’t understand.” Livingston County farmer Jason Bunting of Emington strives for variety in his felfies. “You don’t do the same thing all the time. I try my best to get a different product (in the picture),” said Bunting, who’s known for his prolific felfies. Stevens uses felfies “to tell a specific story.” Vaccinating

Kent Blunier of Forrest started a Facebook group called “Farm hats” to share what happens on his Livingston County farm. He took this felfie during a break from spraying corn with employee Dan Hufeld of Pontiac. (Photo by Kent Blunier)

the farms’ cows and calves translated into pictures of the herd and the veterinarian’s chute. “I keep safety in mind,” she added. “Safety comes first,” Bunting echoed. When taking a felfie in machinery, he prepares to snap the photo before shutting down his equipment, making sure he’s in a safe location. Bunting acknowledged sometimes he needs three or four tries before capturing the right image. Felfies also capture farmers’ attention. A couple of weeks ago, Livingston County farmer Kent Blunier of Forrest started “Farm hats,” an open Facebook group. “It was my intent to get farmers and nonfarmers together, so they can see we don’t just sit after planting,” Blunier explained. He rationalized farmers figuratively wear many hats given the many jobs they do. “My wife, Lindsey, had a Facebook page, and I know social media has a huge reach,” he added.

Your turn

Want to share what’s happening on your farm this summer? Post felfies on your Facebook page and tag Illinois Farm Bureau at #FelfieFriday. Get snapping and share your stories through photos. At 750-plus members and climbing, Blunier’s group includes farmers across the country along with other professionals from many agricultural fields. “I’m very surprised,” he said of Farm hats’ membership. “I hoped to get 50 or 60 people locally.” Contemplating felfies’ appeal to farmers, Blunier suggested farmers may embrace them as a level playing field — open and available to all. “I don’t think everybody will start a blog,” he said. “But a picture? Yes.”

Heavy rain, wind and hail pummel crops; replants likely

Page 3 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Dean Atkins of Chenoa felt very optimistic about the crop potential on his farms in Livingston and McLean counties a little more than a week ago. But that changed early last week as severe storms rolled across the state, packing heavy rain, powerful winds and substantial hail. “I had one cornfield that was probably the best looking I’d seen all spring,” Atkins said last week. “Today, it looks like a batwing mower went through it.” About one-third of Atkins’ crop acres absorbed significant damage from a hailstorm that dropped stones as large as pingpong balls. Elsewhere, 1-inch hail was reported last week in the Danville area with golf ball sized stones reported in Lincoln, Ottawa and other locations. “There was a strip (of hailstones) on the side of the road that looked like a snow plow went through,” Atkins said. “It (the hailstorm) wasn’t a wide band (about one mile wide), but we just happen to farm a lot of ground in that area.” Wind gusts early last week reached 50 to 60 mph and snapped numerous tree limbs, downed power lines and damaged homes and outbuildings. Knox and Tazewell counties reported hailstorms with flash flooding north of Peoria. The weekend forecast held more chances of storms into this week. The storms churned out two tornadoes, one near Petersburg and one near Seymour. No injuries were reported. One of the tornadoes damaged the farm of Don Schumacher southwest of Champaign. “It destroyed two toolsheds and some trees,” said Schumacher, who was unsure last week if he’d replace the outbuildings. “An adjuster was out, but we don’t have any figures yet.” Fortunately, about 30 volunteers helped Schumacher clean debris from his fields. Schumacher said his crops still look “real good” despite the storm. The same cannot be said for crops at other locations. Dan Meinhart, a FarmWeek Cropwatcher from Montrose (Jasper County), said some locations in his area last week received as much as 5 to 6 inches of rain on top of previously saturated soil. Many fields subsequently had ponding issues last week. “Some areas are going to have quite a bit of replant beans,” said Meinhart, who noted there also could be some corn replanted. “The later corn is looking yellow with all this rain.” Atkins waited last week to assess the crop damage on his farm and plans to decide this week on a course of action. “I’d say there will be some replant beans,” he said last week. “The corn looks annihilated. If it comes out of it, I don’t know. By Monday (today), we’ll know what we need to do.” Soybean planting as of the first of last week was 88 percent complete in Illinois, 5 percent ahead of the average pace. However, farmers nationwide planted 79 percent of beans, 2 percent behind the average pace. Corn emergence, 91 percent nationwide, was slightly ahead of the average pace the first of last week. The condition of the corn crop, prior to the latest storms, was rated 74 percent good to excellent (down 1 percent from last year), 22 percent fair and 4 percent poor to very poor.

COUNTRY reports 600-plus storm claims in Illinois COUNTRY Financial received more than 600 auto and property claims as a result of strong storms that moved through Illinois June 7. Property storm claims included 397 homes, 70 farms and 18 commercial businesses. Seventy-eight percent of 134 submitted auto claims were due to hail damage. Hail accounted for 13 per-

cent of all property claims, while wind damage caused 55 percent of claims, flooded basements led to 26 percent of claims and lightning caused 6 percent of the claims. Most claims occurred in an area stretching from Peoria to Danville, said Christopher Stroisch, COUNTRY Financial spokesman.

Above, water courses through a Macon County field — the consequence of overly abundant rainfall. Farmers also reported damage from high wind and hail last week. The weekend forecast held more of the same for much of Illinois. (Photo by Ken Kashian) Left, nearly a third of Dean Atkins’ crops sustained serious hail damage June 8 near Chenoa. Some hailstones measured the size of pingpong balls. (Photo courtesy of Dean Atkins) Below, a confirmed tornado with wind speeds of 80 to 85 mph cut a swath through a cornfield 1.5 miles west of the Piatt-Champaign County line last week. The tornado damaged buildings and homes in the area, but no injuries occurred. (Photo courtesy of Piatt County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Apperson)

Geography main influence in weed diversity

Geographic location plays the most significant role in the number of different weed species in a location, not the frequency of planting glyphosate-resistant crops. That’s the latest finding from a study published recently in Weed Science. “A primary conclusion from this research is that the diversity of weed communities is not driven solely by the glyphosateresistant crop trait,” said Bryan G. Young, study author and Purdue University associate professor of weed science. “Rather, the overall crop production management system and geography in which the glyphosate-resistant crop is integrated will have a greater impact on the diversity of agricultural weeds in the soil seedbank.” The study examined 156 field sites with at least a three-

year history of growing glyphosate-resistant crops in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska and North Carolina. Researchers analyzed the effects on weed communities of cropping system and crop rotation, including frequency of planting glyphosate-resistant crops. In total, 139 weed species were identified across all sites. Three

species were common to all states, 79 were unique to one state and 46 were unique to a single site. Diversity of the weed flora and weed soil seedbank was more strongly influenced by geographic location and hardiness zone than by any other factor. The previous year’s crops and cropping systems also affected weed community composition, but use of the glyphosateresistant crop trait did not.

Study: Weed management practices evolving Glyphosate-resistant weeds have begun to change the weed management practices used by growers, according to a recent Kansas State University survey. The survey of western Kansas crop consultants showed nearly half of Kansas fields received glyphosate-only weed control treatments in 2007. That’s the same year weed scientists discovered glyphosate-resistant kochia in crop fields. By 2012, the percentage of fields infested by kochia rose from 47 percent to 70 percent. During the same five-year period, growers increased their glyphosate use rates by 52 percent. However, just 15 percent of fields received glyphosate-only treatments.

U.S. House approves mandatory COOL repeal bill FarmWeek â&#x20AC;˘ Page 4 â&#x20AC;˘ Monday, June 15, 2015

BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

The U.S. House voted 300-131 last week to repeal mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for beef, pork and chicken. Many agricultural groups, including Illinois Farm Bureau, supported passage of the bill, HR 2393. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The House vote was overwhelming in favor of repeal,â&#x20AC;? said Adam Nielsen, IFBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of national legislation.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;It appears the Senate agriculture committee has taken note, and we hope that it will move quickly to finish the job of repealing mandatory

COOL for beef, pork and poultry before retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of millions of dollarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of Illinois agricultural exports take effect.â&#x20AC;? COOL regulations, first approved as part of the 2002 farm bill, require retailers to notify customers of the country of origin of certain commodities. Labels must include the location of each of the production steps â&#x20AC;&#x201D; born, raised and slaughtered. The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled the requirements discriminate against

Canadian and Mexican livestock imports and remain inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers on Trade. As a result, Canada and Mexico â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two of the United Statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; largest trading partners â&#x20AC;&#x201D; may apply retaliatory tariffs on billions of dollars of U.S. exports. Illinois alone faces retaliatory tariffs on roughly $900 million worth of exports.Â Possible targets include breads, cereals, pork, corn, soybeans, plastics and corn syrup. House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, sponsored the bill to repeal the requirements. He called it a â&#x20AC;&#x153;common sense, bipartisan bill.â&#x20AC;?

He said the sanctions against U.S. exports â&#x20AC;&#x153;would extend far beyond the agriculture industry and would hurt nearly every sector of the U.S. economy.â&#x20AC;? Philip Ellis, president of the National Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beef Association, said COOL hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t benefited the cattle industry or its producers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And now with retaliation eminent from our largest trading partners, it is time this legislation is repealed,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no other fix that can be put in place to bring value to this program or satisfy our trading partners.

Senate committee passes legislation to stop WOTUS final rule BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

Congressional efforts to block implementation of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;waters of the U.S.â&#x20AC;? rule advanced last week. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed S 1140, which would force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw and rewrite the final rule. Meanwhile, a policy rider added to the Interior-Environment spending bill also could put the brakes on the ruleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implementation. But the clockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ticking. The final rule takes effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, which could occur in the next couple weeks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our job is to convince our senators that EPA got it wrong and there is a legisla-

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our job is to convince our senators that EPA got it wrong and there i s a l e g i s l a t i ve solution to correct it.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Adam Nielsen IFB national legislation director

tive solution to correct it,â&#x20AC;? said Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of national legislation. American Farm Bureau Federationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Don Parrish said the organization has a list of senators who planned to wait to see the final rule before making a decision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the burden is not only on agriculture but the

broad, regulated community to help those members understand that this rule actually is worse,â&#x20AC;? said Parrish, AFBF senior director of regulatory relations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to create more uncertainty. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to create more costs for the regulated community. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to stymie jobs. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to stymie roads and homes as well as our ability to produce food. I think we have our work cut out for us.â&#x20AC;? Asked about legal options, AFBF President Bob Stallman said lawsuits â&#x20AC;&#x153;are a long-term propositionâ&#x20AC;? and that AFBF plans to focus its efforts on getting Congress to stop implementation of the rule. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an option. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless something happens in the very short term to block this from Congress, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very likely that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be filing suit and a lot of other groups

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WOTUS

Continued from page 1 Don Parrish, AFBF senior director of regulato read a chart comparing tory relations, said the proposed and final the rule also will rules. pose challenges for state and local governments that have to maintain roadside ditches, which according to the final rule would be considered tributaries and fall under federal jurisdiction.

around the country representing different interests will also be involved,â&#x20AC;? said Ellen Steen, AFBF general counsel.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no shortage of groups out there and state governments that are looking for ways to stop this.â&#x20AC;?

The U.S. House Friday overwhelmingly voted against Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), putting the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s request for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) in jeopardy. During a series of votes, the House voted 126-302 for TAA, which provides assistance to workers, firms and farmers harmed by foreign trade. The House then narrowly approved TPA by a vote of 219-211. The House also approved a customs bill by a vote of 240-190. The House must pass TAA before the trade package moves to the president. A revote could occur this week. The votes came after intense lobbying from all sides, including pleas from President Barack Obama. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope concerns with TAA will be resolved,â&#x20AC;? said Adam Nielsen, Illinois Farm Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director of national

legislation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope sooner than later.â&#x20AC;? IFB supports TPA, which allows the president to negotiate trade deals without Congress changing them. Congress can still vote up or down on the deal but canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t amend them. Leading up to Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vote, FB ACT members called their representatives in the U.S. House to remind them of the importance of agricultural exports. During Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debate, supporters of the bill said it would help the United States be more competitive. They also said TPA allows Congress to be more involved in the deals, not less, as it provides for a 60-day review of trade agreements before voting on them. Opponents disagreed, saying the deal takes away congressional input and could result in American jobs going overseas.

Farmers have until Sept. 30 to apply for low-interest loans through the Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA). Eligible farmers can borrow up to $300,000 to buy farmland, construct or repair buildings, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation. The interest rate can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay.

New farmers, military veterans, and underserved farmers and ranchers can also apply.Â Each year, Congress targets 80 percent of available loan funds to beginning and targeted underserved farmers, including minorities and women. For more information, visit {www.fsa.usda.gov/farmloans} or contact your local FSA office.

TPA in jeopardy

Low-interest farm loans available

Avian influenza outbreak cools

Page 5 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek

PUTTING FOR EDUCATION

Overall, the virus killed or prompted the culling of more than 45 million birds in 15 states. The HPAI outbreak mostly remains in the Upper Midwest with no reported cases in Illinois as of last week. “The pace of bird flu confirmations appears to have slowed significantly,” authors of a bird flu report noted at the University of Illinois website {farmdocdaily.illinois.edu}. The biggest market impact thus far was a substantial boost in eggs prices last month. Fortunately, the egg supply situation should adjust quickly through imports and financial incentive to boost domestic production. And while the number of turkey eggs in incubators declined 7 percent as of May 1, turkey slaughter from January through April was up 7 percent compared to the previous year. The data as of last week, therefore, does not point toward a high likelihood of a turkey shortage this Thanksgiving, according to the U of I report.

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The blast of 90-plus degree heat last week probably caught some Midwesterners off guard as it represented a 30- to 40-degree temperature shift from the previous week. But it likely felt like a breath of fresh air for poultry producers. Heat reduces the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the number of cases already began to descend in recent weeks since peaking the past two months. Data from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shows the rate of HPAI detections slowed 22 percent in the last week of May to just 16 detections that affected 2.5 million birds nationwide. The number of infections for the week beginning June 1 decreased to 586,000 birds affected by just seven cases. The rate of infections was highest in April for turkeys when 4.5 million birds were infected, and May for chickens with 25.6 million infected birds.

State restricting 2015 fairs to Illinois birds State agriculture director calls it ‘proactive approach’

erinary Services serve as official reporting agencies for HPAI in Illinois. According to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture, 3,725 poultry farms housing 4.3 million birds are located in Illinois. IDOA licensed more than 1,300 egg handlers, including 300 backyard flocks registered and licensed to sell eggs off the farm. Poultry producers must report unexplained avian deaths and birds exhibiting clinical signs of disease so inspectors may investigate and make a definitive diagnosis. Anyone witnessing these occurrences must contact the state veterinarian toll-free at

county fairs and at both state fairs,” Nelson said. Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA state veterinarian, told the RFD Radio Network® that Illinois poultry producers should remain vigilant with biosecurity measures, including decreasing traffic on farms. He urged poultry exhibitors to isolate their show birds from the rest of the flock after returning home from fairs. More than 46 million birds have died or been euthanized due to the virus in 20 states, including Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. IDOA and the USDA Vet-

Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) animal health officials will permit only Illinois birds to exhibit at 2015 state, county and 4-H fairs until further notice. To date, Illinois officials detected no cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as avian influenza, which has impacted 20 states. Illinois Agriculture Director Philip Nelson called the state decision “a proactive approach.” “This decision not only protects the poultry industry, but it also guarantees our state’s youth the opportunity to show livestock at our many

A GROWMARK foursome lines up a putt at the 19th IAA Foundation Golf Outing at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Pontiac last week. From left, Andrew Newberg, Brandon Umphrey, Rod Wells (standing) and Brandon Curtis golfed along with nearly 200 other participants, who helped raise more than $42,000 for Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom. Go to FarmWeekNow.com to watch a video of the event. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

866-299-9256 or USDA at 866-536-7593. IDOA officials activated a toll-free number for HPAIrelated calls from county fair officials and exhibitors.

For the most current HPAI information, visit IDOA at {agr.state.il.us/ avianinfluenza} or {agr. state.il.us/biosecurity meas ures}.

www.illinoiscbmp.org/nutrientstrategy

Illinois Farmers:

WHAT’S YOUR

STRATEGY?

Date Time June 16 9 A.M.

Watershed Lower Illinois River/ Lake Mauvaise Terre

Counties in the watershed Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Jersey, Morgan, Pike, Schuyler, Scott

June 17

Middle Illinois River

Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Jersey, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Scott

Sangamon River/ Clinton Lake

Cass, Champaign, Christian, DeWitt, Ford, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, McLean, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Piatt, Sangamon

June 18 June 22

June 23 June 24 June 29

Location Hamilton’s - Fireside Room 110 North East St. Jacksonville 10 A.M. Herrmann Integrated Agronomy 12200 W. Legion Hall Road Princeville 9:30 A.M. Warner Library 310 N. Quincy Clinton 6 P.M. National Sequestration Education Center (Richland College) 1 College Park Road Decatur 6 P.M. Fayette County Farm Bureau 1125 N. Sunset Drive Vandalia 10 A.M. McLean County Fairgrounds 1106 Interstate Drive Bloomington 7:30 P.M. Pike County Farm Bureau 1301 E. Washington Pittsfield

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) will be released this summer. The strategy will direct efforts to reduce nutrient runoff in a coordinated, voluntary, cost-effective manner. The Illinois Council on Best Management Practices (CBMP) and its member organizations want you to be prepared. Contact your county Farm Bureau to attend one of these meetings.

RFD538-T5

Sangamon River/ Lake Decatur

Cass, Champaign, Christian, DeWitt, Ford, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Mason, McLean, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Piatt, Sangamon

This information provided by Kaskaskia River/ Carlyle Lake Mackinaw River/ Lake Bloomington / Evergreen Lake Lower/Middle Illinois River

Bond, Champaign, Clinton, Coles, Douglas, Fayette, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Moultrie, Piatt, Randolph, Shelby, St.Clair, Washington McLean, Tazewell, Woodford Adams, Brown, Cass, Greene, Jersey, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Schuyler, Scott

Farm. Family. Food™ is used under license of the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

FarmWeek • Page 6 • Monday, June 15, 2015 Brian Sisson, Belvidere, Boone County: Rainfall varied across the area this week with amounts ranging from .25 to .75 of an inch. Those rains really helped the last of the beans push through. Planting finally wrapped up during the weekend (June 6-7) with sidedress and post spraying continuing to be in full force last week. Corn has finally reached nitrogen, and is really starting to take off with the week’s heat. Overall, the area’s crops continue to be off to a great start. Rain was forecast for Thursday and Friday. We expect to receive 2 to 3 inches. Leroy Getz, Savanna, Carroll County: Rain on Sunday (June 7) of .8 of an inch with reports of 1.5 in southern Carroll County. Then on Thursday and overnight until Friday morning, I received 2.6 inches. Hot, 90-degree days have the corn growing fast and greening up where it had been yellow. Fields look much better, hiding the bad spots, but these issues still exist and will affect yield later. As field conditions allow, there has been some spraying in corn and bean fields. Our oats are heading out and look great if the storm doesn’t blow them down. Ryan Frieders, Waterman, DeKalb County: Crop growth seems to be very slow this season. The corn is still very short and there are signs of poor nutrient uptake scattered throughout the fields. There was a small hailstorm that blew through our area last week and caused some corn to be shredded. We received 1 inch of rain Thursday night, and the forecast calls for rain every day for a week. All of our corn has been sprayed, and we will start spraying our beans when it dries out. Soybeans are also slow to grow, but the weeds are not. Larry Hummel, Dixon, Lee County: Warm temperatures were exactly what the crops needed to start the healing process from the damage caused by cold weather this spring. Corn has started to green up, but uneven growth between plants will be here all season. Spraying for weed control is on schedule, but there is enough rain in the forecast to possibly change all that. I haven’t seen much insect pressure. Ken Reinhardt, Seaton, Mercer County: A week ago, it was looking like a dry growing season. It didn’t take long to turn that around. We haven’t had any great amounts of rain, but a series of storms Thursday evening had things pretty saturated. There was some green snap in corn from the storms Wednesday night. Ron Moore, Roseville, Warren County: We received 4.5 inches of rain last week with 3 inches in an hour on Wednesday. High winds and some hail occurred also. There were nearby locations that received 4 to 6 inches. Lots of ponding. The storm has taken the top potential off both corn and soybeans. The corn was fence post tall, but now is leaning over and not looking very good. Time will tell if it will pollinate properly. The soybean fields will have to wait for dry weather to spray. The weeds are starting to make the fields look like a yard. The forecast for this area includes rain chances every day for the next two weeks. With all the rain, the pasture conditions are excellent, and we should not have to worry about running out of water in August. Jacob Streitmatter, Princeville, Peoria County: Where did the time go? Most of the corn and soybeans have been planted around the area. Post spraying is in progress because the weeds never stop growing. The crops looked pretty good until Wednesday night when a big rainstorm brought more than 3 inches of rain in a short time. Now there are pond holes in every field, and there will likely be soybeans replanted. More rain in the forecast. Tim Green, Wyoming, Stark County: A very wet week. Storms came through with various amounts of rain. Farmers spent most of their time driving around checking rain gauges.

Mark Kerber, Chatsworth, Livingston County: Rainstorms, high winds and hail were the talk of the past week. Rain has been very spotty through the county, varying from 1/2 inch to 3 inches. It did dry up with 90-degree temperatures and wind, so most of the corn got sprayed and nitrogen applied. Cutting hay has been a problem. Some have not completed a first cutting. Markets are anticipating a large crop. The crops have a long way to go, however. Trying to keep another wind farm out of our prime agricultural land has been a challenge for the majority of landowners. This has been an ongoing battle for a large group with our county board. Ron Haase, Gilman, Iroquois County: Hail made its appearance Monday (June 8). It left varying levels of damage in fields southwest of where I live. That followed the rain that was received Sunday. Our farms received a range of 1.3 to 1.7 inches of rain. Areas to the north and south received much more rain with some in the 6- to 8inch range. Before that rain, we completed our nitrogen application. We were able to return to the field to spray herbicides and need one more day to finish that job. Farmers not able to enter the fields were mowing roadsides. Most area cornfields are in the V7 growth stage. Most fields look good except where excess rainfall, and now hail, have been an issue. Most soybean fields are in V1 to V2 growth stage, but the earlier-planted soybean fields are at the V4 to V5 growth stage. The local closing prices for June 11 were nearby corn, $3.37; new-crop corn, $3.38; nearby soybeans, $9.46; new-crop soybeans, $8.71. Brian Schaumburg, Chenoa, McLean County: With the exception of a hailstorm that hit a few fields on June 8, greenhouse conditions continue. Flash flooding is now a concern as saturated fields cannot absorb any more rain. Still and all, crop ratings are excellent. Those who can are getting post spraying done, and others are wishing they had started a little earlier. Some replanting of ponds await drier weather. Corn $3.43, $3.47 fall; soybeans $9.40, $8.79 fall; wheat $4.64. Steve Ayers, Champaign, Champaign County: Water, water everywhere sums things up! The big weather event was Sunday evening’s (June 7) storm that slowly moved through the area. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, hail and monsoonal rains. Rains varied from 1 inch on up, but 4 inches was common from Urbana east into Vermilion County. Vermilion County was in a storm bullseye. The most rainfall I heard came from the Potomac area that experienced 8.25 inches in six hours! Danville had 4 inches in four and-a-half hours. Think of the flooded homes as residents clean up. Farmers that can get into fields are spraying, baling, mowing and preparing for fair season. Ford County Fair at Melvin runs June 21 – 27. Let’s be careful out there! Wilfred Dittmer, Quincy, Adams County: Hello again from Adams County where we received 5.7 inches of rain in May, and already 1.25 inches the first week of June, so we are doing fairly well. All crops are looking good, but late beans are struggling. I think most beans are planted and just need some warmer temps to jump-start them. Some are making hay and catching up on the other necessary chores. Have a good week and be careful. Carrie Winkelmann, Tallula, Menard County: Rain, rain. This weather continues to make progress challenging. Some beans are left to plant in the area. Herbicide applications for corn and beans are ongoing between showers. Hay baling has really struggled. Crops are appreciating the warmer temperatures.

Tom Ritter, Blue Mound, Macon County: Since last reporting period, we have had 2.5 inches of rain, which slowed most field operations. Fieldwork is just starting to pick up, and corn spraying is pretty well completed. Soybeans are just starting to be sprayed. The only other activity is the never-ending mowing of roadsides. Corn is approaching waist high with excellent, dark green color. Soybeans are continuing to respond to the warm weather, but probably need dry weather to maximize growth. Corn and beans are very good at this stage except for the price. Todd Easton, Charleston, Coles County: Good growing conditions continue across Coles County. The week started with almost 2 inches of rain Sunday causing some ponds, but most not lasting long. Following the rain, we warmed up nicely, which really helped crops green up and grow. Cornfields have been sprayed for the most part, and finally grew over the kneehigh mark and have a nice, green color to them. Soybeans are approaching the V4 stage and beginning to close in some of the narrow-row fields. Unfortunately, the weeds in the bean fields are growing well also, so sprayers started back in as soon as it dried out enough, trying to cover as much ground as possible before it rains again. If the weather does what they say it will, the fields that don’t get covered may get pretty woolly before we get back in. Jimmy Ayers, New City, Sangamon County: Sunday (June 7), we received 1.75 to 2.25 inches of rain across the county. That halted most activities for the majority of the week. Still a little bit of spraying going on. We had one hay field get picked up. The corn is getting a dark green color to it, but there are still a lot of yellow fields. Water spots are hard on things. The majority of the beans are planted. There are still some wet areas to be tended to. Beans have been really slow emerging. Warm weather has helped that. The beans that are up have a yellow cast to them and haven’t really reached their stride yet. Some of the corn has really taken off and looks good. Quite a bit of mowing went on during the week. The county fairs are starting to take off. I hope you get the opportunity to spend some time at the fairs to keep that activity going. Doug Uphoff, Shelbyville, Shelby County: We received 2 inches of rain last week, while some down around Cowden had 3 to 6 inches. Water standing in low spots of fields are causing some problems, but for the most part, things look pretty good. Some still have post spraying of corn to finish. We have all our beans to spray yet. Looks like we have a lot of volunteer corn coming also. Heat and humidity are making crops grow quickly. Still working on getting machinery serviced and put away for next planting season. David Schaal, St. Peter, Fayette County: Woke up Monday morning (June 8) and fields looked like we should have been raising ducks instead of soybeans. Creeks were out of their banks and as high as some people have ever seen. Many fields were under water. I received 4 inches of rain, and some had up to 6 inches. As of Thursday evening, there was still a lot of water in the Kaskaskia River bottom. There will need to be a lot of replanting done when the weather permits. Rain in the forecast for the next several days. Corn is all in for the first time and guessing the county is around 80 percent planted on beans. Corn on higher or well-drained ground is looking good to excellent. Dan Meinhart, Montrose, Jasper County: Planting was moving along fairly well where ground permitted until Sunday night (June 7) when heavy rains moved in. Rainfall varied from 2.5 inches up to 6 inches. The 6 inches fell in areas that received up to 7 inches a week earlier. The heavy rains flooded roads that usually don’t flood. On Thursday, some post-emerge spraying took place, as did side-dressing corn where ground permitted. There are still fields that need to be planted or replanted. Temperatures were in the 90s Tuesday to Thursday with sunshine, which created a lot of drying. The wheat is turning slowly. Harvest is expected to begin in 10 days to two weeks. Rain is in the forecast every day for the next week.

Page 7 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek Jeff Guilander, Jerseyville, Jersey County: Summer has arrived. While it may take some getting used to the heat and humidity, it is just what the doctor ordered for a corn crop that has been treading water for the last month. This stretch was needed to help finish up some beans and let the sprayers take over. We may finally be done playing catch-up for now. Dave Hankammer, Millstadt, St. Clair County: Since my last report, we received approximately 1.3 inches of rain on June 5 and 8. Fortunately, warmer temperatures returned to help dry fields. Daytime highs gradually climbed to the upper 90s and nighttime temps lingered in the 70s. I also have learned the southern part of the county received up to 5 inches of rain, and suffered some flooding and crop damage. Soybean planting has been at a slow pace due to the rain, but progressed late in the week as fields dried off enough to travel. Cornfields have improved in color and jumped in height due to the warmer temps. Average plant height is knee-high or greater. The wheat crop is quickly turning yellow. I estimate harvest may start in about a week to 10 days. Local grain bids are corn $3.49, soybeans $9.54, and wheat $4.61. Have a safe week.

Rick Corners, Centralia, Jefferson County: I know, I know, I’ve been told a million times not to exaggerate, but if we get another flash flood this weekend like last weekend, I think this area will be a disaster. I had 3.5 inches Sunday night (June 7) and Monday morning (June 8). Places around had 4, 5, 6 inches or even more. I imagine most of the bottoms were ruined. One bottom I saw Monday evening was as deeply flooded as I’ve seen it in a long, long time. Many, many, many, many acres of beans to plant. I have heard of many that haven’t planted any yet. Wheat, well, from what I hear, it is going to be a catastrophe. Kevin Raber, Browns, Wabash County: Rainfall amounts of about 1.25 inches fell on most of my fields last week. Warmer days and ample moisture improved the looks of the corn crop. Most corn now has a good, green color and seems to be growing quickly. The weather seems to have had the opposite effect on the wheat. Moisture and dampness have brought diseases into my wheat even though I had sprayed fungicide.

FARM Illinois project creating buzz BY DEANA STROISCH FarmWeek

The Food and Agricultural RoadMap (FARM) for Illinois has gained national and international interest — in just a matter of weeks. Lee and Tyler Strom, director and project manager of the coalition, told FarmWeek they have fielded phone calls from a variety of companies — from logistics asset businesses to financial institutions — since the May 19 release of the comprehensive plan. Companies want to know: What is FARM Illinois? How can they be involved? “It’s garnered a lot of attention,” said Lee. “As we build momentum, this becomes a step in Illinois’ future — to progress from the situation that the state currently is in fiscally. This becomes an economic driver for the state that can yield positive results.”

Legislature

Reports received Friday morning. Expanded crop and weather information available at FarmWeekNow.com.

T he Stroms provided an update on their efforts during last week’s Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable held at Archer Daniels Midland in Decatur. FARM Illinois developed a comprehensive plan to establish Illinois and the Chicago region as the leading global hub for food and agriculture system innovation. The 90-page report sets goals and strategies in six categories — innovation leadership, business development, workforce and education, resource management, infrastructure, and branding and market development. “This is really an economic development plan at its core with added focus on community health and ecological sustainability,” Tyler said. The plan, which took nine months and more than 150 experts to develop, also calls for Illinois to host a Global Food and Agricultural Symposium starting in 2018.

Continued from page 1 John Sullivan, D-Rushville, sponsored the bill. Operators of commercial wind energy facilities must sign an agricultural impact mitigation agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture before any local hearing on the project siting. The agreement would stipulate construction and deconstruction standards, and policies designed to preserve the integrity of any impacted agricultural land. A system of checks and balances would be applied to permanent weight restrictions on local roads under HB 2580, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton, and Sullivan. Highway commissioners must first hold a public hearing before permanently posting a road at reduced weight limits and must supply a memorandum addressing public concerns to the county engineer, who may then approve that action by signing the memorandum and filing it with the road district clerk. The bill also allows three landowners within the road district to appeal a road-changing decision, such as vacating a road.

Other highlights from last week’s Illinois Agricultural Legislative Roundtable included: • Philip Nelson, Illinois Department of Agriculture director, provided an update on the state budget, avian flu and medicinal marijuana. He said 21 cultivation centers have received approval to grow medicinal marijuana. About a half dozen of those will be ready to start planting after July 1, he said. • The group also received updates from the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council and Illinois Council on Best Management Practices, and learned about the status of pending legislation at the state and federal levels. • The group took a bus tour of ADM’s facility and heard from Chris Boerm, president of grain, and Scott Fredericksen, president of ADM Transportation Company.

Randy Anderson, Galatia, Saline County: Hot week in the south. The rain we received made corn grow like crazy and the weeds in the beans, too. Going to start post spraying beans in a few days. We received around .8 of an inch of rain, but south and east got much less to none. Northwest of me 20 miles received 3-plus inches, and they still need to plant the first time, and replant some for the second and third time. Cut some hay, and the tonnage was really good. Ken Taake, Ullin, Pulaski County: It was another open week. We managed to finish soybean planting Thursday (June 11). Most people are finishing beans. Wheat is close to ready. I saw someone cutting wheat Thursday. Corn is filling in and looking better in color. With 90-degree temps the last couple of days, some corn leaves rolled.

STATE FFA OFFICERS ELECTED

Kade Hill of the Paxton-Buckley-Loda FFA Chapter, front left, serves as the 2015-16 Illinois FFA state president. FFA members attending their 87th Illinois FFA State Convention in Springfield last week elected Hill and four other officers — reporter Kolton Kimpling of the Woodland Chapter, front center; treasurer Jordan Johns of the Pontiac Chapter, front right; vice president Connor Carmody of the Calhoun Chapter, back left; and secretary Susie Thompson of the Central Burlington Chapter, back right. (Photo by Kelsey Litchfield)

State transportation law would align with federal regulations of covered farm vehicles under HB 2515, sponsored by Rep. Katherine Cloonen, D-Kankakee, and Sen. Scott Bennett, D-Champaign. Under the bill, covered farm vehicle operators would be exempted from having to obtain a commercial driver’s license along with additional cleanup language provided by the Illinois Secretary of State. Two measures opposed by IFB stalled or didn’t surface enough votes. The Senate Committee on Environment and Conservation held SB 734 to require mandatory labeling of all foods containing any ingredients made from biotechnology crops. IFB joined a coalition of agricultural commodity and business groups to successfully oppose the bill. Meanwhile, a measure to incrementally raise the hourly minimum wage remained in the House after passing in the Senate. IFB opposed the measure, believing the increase would hinder business growth and expansion.

Bill clarifies dog, cat cruelty

The General Assembly passed SB 125, which clarifies existing state law on cruelty of dogs and cats, and forwarded the bill to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Illinois Farm Bureau took a neutral position after the bill’s sponsor, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, addressed IFB’s concerns in an amendment. Russell Orrill, IFB assistant director of state legislation, explained the legislation applies to dogs and cats that are exposed to extreme life-threatening heat or cold conditions with a result that exposure causes an animal’s injury or death. “This legislation would not impact hunting dogs, farm dogs or work dogs if they’re provided reasonable escape from those extreme conditions,” Orrill noted. State law already contains penalties for cruelty to animals, and this bill simply clarifies existing law. — Kay Shipman

Mariano: Fruits, vegetables key to ‘welcome consumers home’ FarmWeek • Page 8 • Monday, June 15, 2015

BY KAY SHIPMAN FarmWeek

Customers’ demands and technology, especially for information and communication, continue to change the food industry, but the food chain holds the trump card, according to Bob Mariano. “We can’t be replaced by technology. Customers will want to touch, see and taste our products,” said the chief execu-

tive officer of Roundy’s Inc. and Mariano’s Fresh Market, dubbed America’s most-wanted supermarket. Mariano addressed the opening session of the United Fresh Produce Association trade show last week in Chicago. Mariano’s operates 31 supermarkets in Illinois and Wisconsin. The food industry and grocery stores always changed with the times, Mariano noted.

Bob Mariano

“When I grew up in Chicago, we had one kind of lettuce,” he said. “We

called it, ‘Lettuce.’” Technology won’t replace the food chain, but the executive warned the industry not to

Issues, challenges shaping locally grown The nation’s farmers, wholesalers and retailers face challenges as consumers’ demand for locally grown food continues to increase, a grower panel told food industry trade show attendees last week in Chicago. Three sectors of the produce industry were represented by Eric Halverson of Black Gold Potatoes, Grand Forks, N.D.; Maureen Torrey of Torrey Farms Inc., Elba, N.Y.; and Sabrina Pokomandy of Red Sun Farms, Dublin, Va. Transparency remains key to provide consumers information about the source of their food and connect them to the farmers, the panelists agreed. Defining what qualifies as “local food” is an emerging issue with a couple of state governments, such as New Jersey, setting state standards, Torrey noted. Instead of limiting the products that could be marketed as locally grown, Pokomandy favored her company’s Virginia-grown label on produce

sold within the state and USA-grown label on produce marketed elsewhere. Halverson disagreed with an audience suggestion that the federal government should set a locally grown standard. “We need to ensure credibility when (a seller) is claiming locally grown. We have to be flexible to allow different definitions,” he said. However, Pokomandy added, “I think ‘local’ will at some point become a standard. I think that’s a trend we’re going to see.” Food safety standards across the food chain need to be a major focus for growers of all sizes, according to the panelists. Halverson encouraged growers to be involved with organizations that promote training and best management practices. “Growers need to be open to share their best management practices and encourage our peers to be accountable,” he said. Torrey agreed: “Accountability of growers and farmers is very important.” — Kay Shipman

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ignore its impact. By using technology, “customers understand the diversity of foods more than ever before.” Customers also know more about health and food nutrients, and reject the idea that nutritious food doesn’t taste good, he added. Thus, shoppers snack on tomatoes like chips, making tomatoes a $1.4 billion crop, Mariano said, adding, “We made tomatoes fun!” Mariano pitched his theory that fresh fruits and vegetables play a critical role in grocery stores meeting customers’ demand for fresh, nutritious and less processed food. His stores give more attention to

health and wellness with food nutrition classes and dieticians on call to answer shoppers’ questions. Another trend, “farm to table is here to stay,” Mariano counseled. His stores support local growers, which provide the company an industry hedge against risks with long-distance supply chains. Looking to the future, the food industry needs to “keep a close eye on Millennials” who will surpass the Baby Boomer population this year and shape food trends, he advised. “I’m very optimistic about the future and to embrace the change,” Mariano concluded.

Illinois food companies display their products and talk with buyers and other participants at the Food Marketing Institute’s trade show in Chicago’s McCormick Place last week. With a prime location on the trade show floor, the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s pavilion promoted a variety of foods, sauces and beverages. (Photo by Kay Shipman)

IDOA highlights Illinois products during food marketing trade show Illinois food products and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) made a major presence on the trade show floor at FMI Connect, the Food Marketing Institute trade show, last week in Chicago. One of five food industry trade shows occurring simultaneously at McCormick Place, FMI drew attendees from the other trade shows to aisles of displays, workshops and programs. Stationed at the trade show entrance, the Illinois pavilion offered diverse products manufactured by 22 companies. The products ranged from ethnic foods and meat products to sauces and pet food, according to Kim Hamilton with IDOA’s bureau of marketing and promotion. “Everybody I have here is offering something different,” Hamilton said. Hamilton noted the variety of trade shows, including ones for fresh produce, Latino foods and floriculture, boosts buyer attendance. “For a retailer or a wholesaler, it’s a one-stop shop. They can bring teams of buyers.” A new feature this year, each FMI exhibitor received

Food industry shows hit Chicago

Five food industry trade shows attracted more than 5,000 buyers and 12,500 industry professionals representing 60 countries and about 900 exhibitor companies to Chicago’s McCormick Place last week. The trade exhibits covered an area the size of five football fields. The trade shows included: United Fresh, U.S. Food Showcase, Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Connect, International Beverage and International Floriculture. an opportunity to request advance meetings with retailers, and to field meeting requests from retailers. Hamilton said every Illinois company received meeting requests from retailers and those meetings occurred throughout the trade show. Chicago and the state can look forward to hosting the food industry shows for the next couple of years after the Food Marketing Institute signed an agreement to return its show through 2017, according to Hamilton. — Kay Shipman

Family continues tradition at World Pork Expo hog show

FarmWeek • Page 9 • Monday, June 15, 2015

BY DANIEL GRANT

The Miller family of Cabery has raised, showed and sold show pigs for generations. So, when the World Pork Expo Junior National show rolls around each year, it’s a big deal. Matt and Tammy Miller and their children Hannah, Holden and Hayden this month transported 10 of their best specimens to the Junior National show in Des Moines, Iowa. It was their fifth straight year competing at the World Pork Expo. “In a lot of Midwest states, the showing season has been going since early May,” Tammy Miller said during the World Pork Expo. “But this is kind of the Super Bowl (of show pig contests).” Entries at the World Pork Expo swine shows increased 33 percent this year to a record of nearly 3,500 hogs for the Junior National and Open shows. The Junior National show, hosted by the NationFarmWeek

al Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred, featured about 2,200 pigs from 29 states. “The two main reasons we do this is it helps develop future leaders and, from a farming standpoint, when a pig does well it helps us with advertising by getting our name out there,” Tammy said. The Miller family, Livingston County Farm Bureau members who have about 130 sows, have been raising show pigs for generations spanning about a half century. And the market for top quality animals remains strong. “We focus on the 4-H and FFA market,” Tammy said. “Demand continues to be very good.” The Millers did well right off the bat at this year’s Junior National show as one of their gilts took first place in the bred-and-owned Spot gilt category. For more information about World Pork Expo, visit the website {worldpork.org} or for information about the Millers’ operation, visit {MillerShowPigs.com}.

Holden Miller, Cabery, waters his family’s show pig while his sister, Hannah, brushes it at the World Pork Expo Junior National show at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The Millers showed 10 pigs at the event, including this gilt, which won first place in the bred-and-owned Spot gilt category. (Photo by Daniel Grant)

Mystery of Swiss cheese’s missing holes solved

Scientists learned why the signature feature of Swiss cheese turned up missing. Researchers at a Swiss agricultural institute learned tiny specks of hay create the

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holes in cheese, such as Emmentaler or Appenzeller. When milk is maturing into cheese, the “microscopically small hay particles” form the holes. Scientists attributed the disappearing holes to the fact that Swiss milk today is cleaner than in the past. As dairies switched to more

automated milking, the hay specks, along with the holes, disappeared. During tests, the researchers were able to regulate the number of holes in the cheese by adding different amounts of hay dust to the milk, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Economist: Profits return, should continue in hog industry

FarmWeek • Page 10 • Monday, June 15, 2015

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The U.S. swine herd likely will grow this year, barring a rampant return of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). But most hog farmers still should be able to make money, despite the possible buildup of pork supplies, according to Steve Meyer, vice president of pork analysis at EMI Analytics. “We’ve seen a nice rally,” Meyer said this month at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. “We had an average loss of about $6 per head back in March, but now we’re looking at a profit of about $10 to hear more from Steve Meyer about the pork price outlook.

per head.” Pork futures in recent months rallied from the mid$40s to $80-plus per hundredweight. And combined with low feed prices, Meyer believes pork returns will remain profitable through much of this year despite a buildup of supplies. “We see robust growth in this herd,” Meyer said. “I think

“We’re currently in the lowwe’ll get through 2015 alright, course, if it doesn’t rain this $70s (per hundredweight) on but 2016 could be tight. We summer, all bets are off.” could surpass As of this current slaughter month, Meycapacity.” er believes ‘We see robust growth in this herd.’ Two new pork the outbreak processing faciliof avian ties aren’t schedinfluenza — Steve Meyer actually could uled to come EMI Analytics vice president online until 2017. help hog Growth of the prices as it swine herd resulted in a occurred due to loss of about costs,” Meyer said. “If we have expansion and improved effi2.5 percent of turkeys nationa normal crop, I think costs will ciency now that PEDV losses wide. be down to the $60s by fall. Of are under control. The U.S. However, if bird flu spreads breeding inventory last quarter totaled 5.98 million head, up 2 percent from the previous year. Threonine, a co-product of extracted, is still rich in amino Meanwhile, the average pigs amino acid production, can acids. If those amino acids are saved per litter reached a serve as a lower-cost alternawell digested by pigs, this record 10.17 from December tive protein source to fish could be a good source of through February compared to meal in pig diets, according to protein.” 9.53 during the height of the University of Illinois Stein and his fellow PEDV outbreak the previous researchers. researchers conducted two year. “To create synthetic threoexperiments comparing threo“We know the breeding nine, you ferment a carbohynine biomass with fish meal. herd is growing, but in spite of drate substrate using selected In the first experiment, they larger supplies, we’ve seen strains of bacteria, then determined the concentration some turnaround in demand extract the crystalline L-threo- and digestibility of protein and rallied (hog prices) back to nine from the fermentation and amino acids in both ingrethe $80s,” Meyer said. product,” said Hans H. Stein, dients. Threonine biomass Hog producers also contin- U of I professor of animal contained 81.8 percent crude ue to benefit from the lowest sciences. “The biomass that’s protein on an as-fed basis feed prices in five years due to left over, even though most of compared with 65.6 percent large crop supplies. the threonine has been crude protein in fish meal. The standardized ileal digestibility proved greater in threonine biomass than in fish meal for crude protein as well as for all indispensable amino

in the broiler industry and causes massive export disruptions of chicken, then the situation could become bearish for pork as it competes with a potential glut of domestic white meat. The other main production concern for pork producers in the near future remains the possible return of PEDV. “There’s no assurances it’s gone away,” Meyer said. Pork producers last year lost an estimated 8 million animals, mostly piglets, due to the devastating virus.

Fish meal alternative looks promising for pigs

The landscape is changing. We have the roadmap.

d e e N

acids except tryptophan. Overall, the average digestibility of amino acids in threonine biomass was 83.5 percent compared with 72.3 percent for fish meal. In the second experiment, Stein’s team determined threonine biomass contained about 25 percent more digestible and metabolizable energy than fish meal. “The results from these studies indicate that threonine biomass can be used as an alternative to fish meal, and possibly other animal proteins, in diets for weanling pigs,” said Stein. Archer Daniels Midland Company of Decatur funded the study recently published in the Journal of Animal Science.

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Don’t have a crystal ball? You don’t need one! The special skills you bring to the table can create great things for agriculture. Twice a year, you meet with team members from around the state to develop a plan for a statewide project. If approved, your idea is set into action to produce results for Farm Bureau and agriculture. Work magic with a team that matches your interests. Choose from Quality of Life, Consumer Outreach, Membership Promotion, or Leadership Development. Applications are available at your county Farm Bureau. Return by Nov. 24.

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disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve threeyear terms. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at {fsa.usda.gov/elections}. FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 9. Ballots will be due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1.

Agricultural safety and health professionals from across the world will gather June 21-24 for the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) conference at Normal’s Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. ISASH membership includes engineers, educators, insurers, physicians, nurses, vet-

erinarians, statisticians, communicators, anthropologists, business leaders and others — all of whom play influential roles in agricultural safety and health. Peggy Romba, Illinois Farm Bureau program manager, will present a session on Illinois agriculture safety initiatives with Robert Aherin, University of Illinois agricultural safety pro-

Tuesday: • FarmWeek: “The Early Word” • Doug Yoder, Illinois Farm Bureau senior director of affiliate and risk management: farm bill implementation • Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition: USDA Ag Transportation Summit • Eric Schmidt, EJS Weather Wednesday: • Richard Guebert Jr., IFB president • Greg Wolf, Stone Seed: growing season update

• Jim Bower, Bower Trading • Bobby Dowson, Illinois Department of Agriculture: Illinois Pork Tour Thursday: • RFD Radio Network live from the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Roadshow in Clinton • Charles Baron, Farmers Business Network: field data collection Friday: • Brad Clow, COUNTRY Financial: crop damage deadlines • Jim Craft, Illinois FFA Center: looking back, looking forward • Dan Adcock, Winfield: crop conditions

Page 11 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek

TAKING ACTION ON WOTUS

Hancock County Farm Bureau members gathered recently to learn more about the “waters of the U.S.” ruling from Ryan Whitehouse, Illinois Farm Bureau associate director of national legislation and policy development, far right. Members signed letters to Senators Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, and Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, urging them to pass S 1140, which would require the federal agencies to withdraw and rewrite the rule. Several members also called the White House comment line. (Photo by Kristin Huls, Hancock County Farm Bureau manager)

International ag safety/health group to meet in Normal

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gram leader, and Amy Rademaker, Carle Foundation Hospital farm safety specialist. Other sessions range from all-terrain vehicle safety to work behavior patterns. Tours of several area farms and businesses will also occur, including Ropp Jersey Cheese near Normal and Stone Ridge Dairy near Bellflower.

In addition to the regular conference, attendees will have the option of extending their week by attending a certificate course, “Establishing Competency in Core Knowledge in the Agricultural Safety and Health Profession.” ISASH incorporated in 1962 as the National Institute for Farm Safety. Many safety

initiatives in U.S. agriculture have involved members of ISASH or its predecessors, including slow-moving vehicle emblems, emergency farm rescue, rollover protective structures, assistive technologies for disabled farmers and hand signals. To register for the conference, visit {isash. org}.

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NPPC leader: World trade remains vital to pork industry FarmWeek • Page 12 • Monday, June 15, 2015

BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

The World Pork Expo this month had an international flavor, as always, as the annual event attracted more than 20,000 people from 41 countries to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. And it’s no coincidence such a large crowd traveled to the expo from so many locations. Howard Hill, past president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), said world trade remains a vital and growing part of the U.S. pork industry. Howard Hill NPPC leaders, along with Darci Vetter,

chief ag negotiator for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, pushed for fewer trade barriers and more trade partnerships during World Pork Expo. “Last year, we exported $6.7 billion worth of pork, which was about 27 perDarci Vetter cent of total production and added about $63 per pig,” Hill said. Pork producers see tremendous potential to build on that success through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a 12-nation trade pact that includes much of Asia and the U.S. “TPP would be the biggest commercial opportunity ever for the U.S. pork industry,” Hill said.

He believes the largest growth markets for U.S. pork producers via TPP exist in Australia, Japan and Vietnam. The 12 countries involved in TPP negotiations represent about 40 percent of the global economy, according to Vetter. And this could grow as about 66 percent of the world’s middle class could reside in Asia by 2030, she noted. “This is an area of critical growth,” Vetter said. “Fortytwo percent of ag exports go to this region already. “And it’s not just about market access,” she continued. “We’re addressing a lot of nontariff barriers (such as intellectual property rights and a fair regulatory environment via TPP). It’s critical on a number of fronts.” Vetter and NPPC leaders

called on Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority to help seal trade deals for the U.S. U.S. pork exports rebounded in April after a slow start the first quarter this year. U.S. pork exports during April were 9.8 percent higher than last year.

U.S. pork exports were down in the first quarter due to labor issues at West Coast ports that cost the meat industry about $40 million per week during that time, strong value of the U.S. dollar and stiff competition from European pork.

This year’s American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) photo contest focuses on safe practices on the farm. All state and county Farm Bureau members and staff, including professional photographers, older than age 18 may enter the contest. All photos submitted must exemplify safe practices on the farm. Photo submissions will be

used to accurately portray today’s agriculture and the safe practices of farmers for future publications, promotions and social media by AFBF and related companies. Contest entries will be due March 31, 2016. Photos may be entered in four categories: Farm Families, Farm Labor, Technology and Consumer Outreach. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three photos from each category. First place winners will be awarded $150; second place, $100; and third place, $75. Judges will also select a best in show winner for the most dynamic photo entered across all categories as well as two runners-up. The winner will receive $400 with first runnerup and second runner-up receiving $300 and $200, respectively. Contest winners will be announced April 15, 2016. To register and view the contest rules and regulations, visit {photocontest.fb.org}.

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It’s training season! For pedal tractor pulls, that is. And there’s plenty of time to prepare for the state pedal pull Aug. 18 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield hosted by the Madison County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee. Registration will take place from noon until 12:45 p.m. in The Shed/Illinois Avenue pavilion. The pull will begin at 1:30 p.m. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top three pullers in each weight class for both the Illinois Pedal Pull Association Pull and an Open Pull. Weight classes will be 30 to 45 pounds, 46 to 60 pounds and 61 to 80 pounds. No participants can weigh less than 30 pounds or more than 80 pounds on the event scales on the day of the pull. A completed and signed entry form for each contestant must be received by the Madison County Farm Bureau no later than August 4. For more information, contact the Madison County Farm Bureau office at 618-656-5191.

DAMS — Young Farmers night at the ballpark, 7:30 p.m. June 25 at QU Stadium, Quincy. Farmers 35 and younger and their families are invited to attend. There is no cost. Call 222-7305 for reservations. HAMPAIGN — Riding from the Ground Up equine workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Heinz Farm, Tolono. Jamie Gerdes Stierwalt will instruct. Cost is $30. Call 352-5235 for reservations. • Drainage issue workshop, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 23 in the Farm Bureau auditorium. Learn about current issues and their impact. Drainage district commissioners and individuals with an interest in water-related topics are invited to attend. Call 352-5235 for more information. OOK — Commodities and Marketing Team 2015 Recipe Collection is available. For a copy, email membershipdebbie@ cookcfb.org, call 708-3543276 or visit {cookcfb.org/ buy-local/recipe-collection}. RAWFORD — Two-part farming workshop, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. June 25 at Robinson Community Center. Topics will include “In the Current Uncertain Farming Situation, Managing Behavioral Health is Key to Success” and “How to Reduce Family Conflict in Farm Transitions.” Mike Rosmann, agriculturist and psychologist, will speak. Call 544-3792 for more information. DGAR — Putt a Round for Agriculture, 11:15 a.m. Thursday at Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Cost is $65 per person with a team of four. Cost to sponsor a hole is $100. Call 465-8511 to register. Proceeds will benefit Ag in the Classroom (AITC). ANCOCK — Defensive driving course, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Hancock County Extension Center. Doug Sommer will instruct. Must attend both sessions to receive certificate and be eligible for discounted insurance premium on auto insurance. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Call 3573141 for reservations by Tuesday. ENRY — Livestock informational meeting for young farmers,

C C

Page 13 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek

6 p.m. Thursday at Sweet Peas Grill in Geneseo. Topics discussed will include opportunities in livestock production. Call 937-2411 for reservations or more information. • Women’s ag marketing program, 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Farm Bureau office. Cathy Ekstrand, StewartPeterson, will speak. Topics discussed will include marketing and current trends in grain and livestock. Call 9372411 for reservations. • Irrigation/water use reporting seminar, 10 a.m. Friday at Western Illinois Quad Cities Campus. Lauren Lurkins, Illinois Farm Bureau director of natural and environmental resources, will speak. Call 937-2411 for reservations. ANKAKEE — District 6 Young Leaders tour, 4 p.m. June 23 at AgReliant Genetics in Aroma Park and cookout 5:30 p.m. June 23 at Perrault farm. Members 35 and under are invited to attend. Call 815-932-7471 by Wednesday for reservations and event details. ASALLE — AITC golf outing, noon June 26 at Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club, LaSalle. Golf as an individual, with a foursome, or just attend the banquet. Cost of meal is $35. Call 433-0371 for reservations. Proceeds will benefit AITC. EE — “Farmland” movie showing, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sterling Theater. A farmer panel discussion will follow the movie. A canned food donation will be accepted. ASON — Farm family night picnic, 6 p.m. June 29 at Samuel Park in Easton. Event will include door prizes, pedal pull and meal. Sarah Muirhead, Penton Farm Progress Livestock Group, will speak. Cost is $2. Call 5434451 for reservations by June 22. CDONOUGH — Marketing meeting, 7 p.m. June 22 at Spoon River Outreach Facility in Macomb. Steve Johnson will speak on “Controlling the Controllable: Strategies and Tools.” Cost is free for members and $10 for associate members and nonmembers. Call 837-3350 or visit {mcdonoughcounty farmbureau.org} for reservations by Friday. ERCER — Young Leader cookout,

K L L

M M

6:30 p.m. June 26 at Terry Sponheim’s home in Joy. Anyone between ages 18 and 35 is welcome to attend. Call 582-5116 or email mcfb manager@gmail.com for reservations and event details. • Ameren Energy and savings program, 10 to 11:30 a.m. June 23 at the Farm Bureau office. Call 582-5116 or email mcfb1@ frontiernet.net for reservations by Friday. • Complimentary health screening breakfast, 8 to 10 a.m. June 24 at Aledo United Methodist Church. Call 5825116 or email mcfb1@fron tiernet.net for reservations by Wednesday. • Irrigation/water use reporting seminar, 10 a.m. Friday at Western Illinois Quad Cities Campus. Lauren Lurkins, IFB director of natural and environmental resources, will speak. Call 582-5116 or email mcfb1@ frontiernet.net for reservations by Thursday. EORIA — Marketing Committee market outlook dinner meeting, 6:30 p.m. June 23 at Farm Bureau Park south of Kickapoo. Jacquie Voeks, StewartPeterson, will speak. Cost is $5. Call 686-7070 for reservations by Thursday. OCK ISLAND — Photos needed for

Wall of Champions at Rock Island County Fair. Bring photos of past livestock show champions to the Rock Island Extension office or email scanned copies to info@ricofarm bureau.org. For more information, call 736-7432 or email dbloomberg@rico farmbureau.org. ANGAMON — Foundation golf outing, noon July 10 at Edgewood Golf Course, Auburn. Cost is $70 per golfer/$280 per foursome. May also contribute by sponsoring a hole, or by attending the dinner. Proceeds will benefit the foundation scholarship program. Call 753-5200 or email ama son@sangamon fb.org to register by July 1. • Member/Praireland FS patron appreciation day, 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday (June 21) at the Sangamon County Fairground. Event will include dinner and live/ silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation. Call 753-5200 for reservations by Friday. ABASH — Young Leaders and Mount Carmel FFA food drive, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Borowiak’s IGA in Mount Carmel. Donations will benefit Mount Carmel Wabash Area Development Inc.

HITE — Life Line Screening, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 30 at the Farm Bureau office. Cost is $139. Members will receive $10 off the regular price. Call 1-888653-6450 to schedule an appointment. INNEBAGOBOONE — Foundation farm breakfast, 6:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Friendly Franseen Acres, Poplar Grove. Activities will include live entertainment, milking demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, children’s activities, antique tractor display and more. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 6 to 10, and free for children ages 5 and under. For more information, visit {winnebagoboonefarm bureau.org} or call 962-0653. • Foundation Charity Pull, 6:30 p.m. June 27 at Boone County Fairgrounds. The pull will feature seven classes. Registration begins at 3 p.m. Cost is $10 for advanced tickets and $12 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. Tickets are available at the Farm Bureau office and selected Alpine Bank locations. For more information visit {belviderecharitypull.com} or call 309-208-0117.

“From the counties” items are submitted by county Farm Bureau managers. If you have an event or activity that is open to all members, contact your county Farm Bureau manager.

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Put dryer check on to-do list FarmWeek • Page 14 • Monday, June 15, 2015

La lluvia de El Niño hace grano. Rain makes grain. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a press release July 9, 2009, entitled, “El Niño Arrives; Expected to Persist through Winter 2009-10.” Currently, NOAA has issued a statement, “There is an approximately 90 percent chance that El Niño conditions will continue through Northern Hemisphere summer 2015, and a greater Bob Rasmus than 80 percent chance it will last through 2015.” What are the implications of this? Market analysts talk about weather as it impacts grain price trends; agronomists are concerned with crop response to weather conditions; and grain elevator operations managers talk about the 2009 grain drying conditions. The fall of 2009 saw a prolonged harvest due to rain and the inability of the grain drying infrastructure to keep up with demand. There just weren’t enough dryers, and they were running low capacities due to the high amount of grain moisture to remove. And since harvest ran late into the year, the heat increase BY BOB RASMUS

required in the dryer was harder to achieve with cold ambient temperatures. There’s an old saying that one sparrow doesn’t make a spring, and one example of a wet harvest correlating with an El Niño event doesn’t mean it will happen again. However, if wet conditions continue, thought should be given to a plan for a wet harvest. I don’t expect anyone to run out and buy a dryer right now unless the need has been building for a while at your operation, but now is the time to check and repair drying equipment that is in place. Equipment and parts lead times can be several weeks, so it’s good to make this a summer project. Service people will have full schedules late in the growing season, too. Common items to check are flame ignitors, any type of sensors related to heat or airflow, fuel train components, and the correct boot-up and operation of the hot air infrared drying system. So, here’s a challenge. Make the list and schedule a service call before the corn tassels appear. You don’t have much time.

Bob Rasmus serves as GROWMARK’s grain systems marketing manager. His email address is brasmus@growmark.com.

FINAL SPRAYING DUTIES

Brent Ulrey, left, and Chris Miller, Evergreen FS custom applicators, fill a sprayer with Roundup at a cornfield near Maroa in Macon County. Miller reported recent rains delayed final spraying operations by about two weeks. (Photo by Ken Kashian)

Illinois wheat yield estimate declines; corn, soy unchanged BY DANIEL GRANT FarmWeek

Illinois farmers will find out what type of wheat crop they have later this month when harvest begins in southern Illinois. In the meantime, expectations of the wheat crop slipped just a bit as USDA last

GROWMARK employees receive top co-op communications awards

GROWMARK Corporate, Government Relations and Marketing Communications team members took home several awards from the recent Cooperative Communicators Association’s (CCA) Excellence in Communications Awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Professional communicators representing cooperatives from across the United States and Canada submitted 703 entries in the competition. Karen Jones, GROWMARK cooperative affairs and communications specialist, received the Michael Graznak Award given to an outstanding communicator under 35 years of age who has made superior contributions to cooperative communications and who shows promise in having a brilliant and successful future. Jones wears many hats — writer, youth development coordinator, cooperative educator, just to name a few. She has been a CCA member since 2007. She completed the Master Cooperative Communicator program in 2011 and served as a regional ambassador for the Midwest region in 2012. Most

recently, she served as co-chair for the 2015 CCA Institute in Indianapolis. First-place honors went to: • Cassie Becker, publications and media relations specialist, photography for the portrait, “When the calf stands tall;” and • Jones, one-time publication for the “Pocket Guide to the GROWMARK System.” Earning second-place honors were: • Becker and Julie Fontana, senior graphic designer, employee publication for the SOURCE Magazine; • Becker and Fontana, improved publication for the SOURCE Magazine; • Jones, documentary video for “Properties of Anhydrous Ammonia;” and • Jones, cooperative education for the “Pocket Guide to the GROWMARK System.” Cliff Dolbeare, corporate strategic development manager, won third place in the social media category for “FS: A Trusted Advisor ... even on Social Media.” The GROWMARK Marketing Communications team earned an honorable mention in the cooperative education category for the “FS Interactive Coloring Book.”

week lowered its wheat yield estimate for Illinois by 1 bushel to 66 bushels per acre. If realized, the average yield would fall 1 bushel short of the state record set each of the past two seasons. USDA, last week, also lowered wheat yield estimates in Texas and Oklahoma, where harvest is under way, which could be a sign of things to to hear Mike Krueger’s outlook for wheat production.

come in Illinois. “(USDA) reduced (wheat production) in Texas and Oklahoma because of all the super-wet weather they’ve had,” Mike Krueger, market analyst with The Money Farm, said during a teleconference hosted by the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. “There are some issues with test weight and disease. I think that will be something we see moving forward.” USDA estimates Illinois farmers will harvest 570,000 acres of wheat, down 15 percent from last year. If production and acreage estimates are realized, Illinois would produce about 37.6 million bushels of wheat, down 16 percent from last year. USDA, however, surprised some traders as it raised its

overall winter wheat production estimate by 2 percent from May to 1.51 billion bushels. It also raised wheat production estimates in Russia and Ukraine by a combined 2.5 million tons. “The (wheat) market responded negatively,” Krueger said. “(The boost in world production) also played into the bearish wheat market.” Meanwhile, USDA left its key row crop production estimates unchanged for this season at 13.63 billion bushels of corn (with an average yield of 166.8 bushels per acre) and 3.85 billion bushels of beans (with an average yield of 46 bushels per acre) nationwide. “Now the market will watch weather the next couple weeks and, more importantly, what happens with the June (30) acreage report,” Krueger said. “Some of the chatter about that is this barrage of wet weather might result in fewer acres of corn and soybeans planted overall.” USDA also raised 2015-16 ending stocks of corn (up 25 million bushels to 1.77 billion bushels) and wheat (up 21 million bushels to 814 million bushels). Ending stocks of soybeans dropped 25 million bushels to 475 million bushels as USDA boosted its soy export estimate 10 million bushels to 1.81 billion bushels.

Corn Strategy

ü2014 crop: Fundamentally, the picture still looks weak, but technical indicators suggest prices are ripe for a turn. Even though the marketing year window is shrinking, we still see better opportunities coming. Hold off making sales for now. Still, we think it smart to lock up basis on remaining inventories. ü2015 crop: Given the larger cyclic parameters, the longterm technical outlook suggests better prices should come. Hold off making sales. vFundamentals: The new USDA supply/demand report set a negative tone for the near term. USDA lowered its ethanol grind estimate 25 million bushels, adding them to the ending stocks estimate. The new monthly grind reports are suggesting the efficiency of converting corn to ethanol is better than previously believed. CONAB increased Brazil’s corn production, too. Their 1.6 million metric ton (mmt) increase to 80.2 mmt implies more competition for us in world corn trade. And China is said to be cutting the state corn support price for the coming year.

Page 15 • Monday, June 15, 2015 • FarmWeek Cents per bu.

Soybean Strategy

Corn export projection at risk

Even though the pace of corn exports is still “on track” to reach the USDA forecast, there’s reason to think they might fall short in the end. For the second consecutive year, the area planted to second-crop corn in Brazil has enjoyed unusually good weather. And the area planted to second crop was significantly larger than anticipated. Their larger second crop increases the

competitive supply our corn will face in the world trade during the next three to four months. Meanwhile, our soybean export shipping pace continues to exceed expectations by a significant margin. To date, we have shipped 180 million bushels more than this time last year. With sales keeping pace with last year’s at this time, we remain on pace to even exceed USDA’s latest projection of 1.810 billion bushels. Wheat exports ended the marketing year on a soft note. And with the U.S. still priced high to the rest of the world, our new-crop campaign is getting off to a slow start.

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ü2014 crop: Old-crop futures continue to find support from strong demand. Technical features are pointing to higher levels in the next few weeks. Better marketing opportunities are expected for remaining sales. ü2015 crop: New-crop futures are finding diminished selling interest as they approach $9, implying a bumper crop may already be priced into the market. Hold off making sales at this time. vFundamentals: USDA’s increase in its old-crop crush and export forecasts only confirmed what the trade already knew; demand remains better than expected. And there’s reason to think USDA may increase them a little more before the crop year ends. And if the June 30 stocks report confirms the December and March reports, it may have to raise its residual number, cutting ending stocks forecasts a little more, too. New-crop forecasts are still abundant, but the weath-

er has started to raise the possibility some acreage may shift to the prevent plant category.

Wheat Strategy

ü2014 crop: We are looking for an opportunity to wrap up 2014 crop sales. Use a bounce to $5.20 on July futures to do so. ü2015 crop: For those with the ability to store wheat on the farm, we prefer to hold bushels for expected price strength later in the summer. vFundamentals: Last week’s report was bearish for wheat with U.S. winter crop production increasing more than anticipated. USDA ana-

lysts made no change to harvested acreage, and published a surprising addition to yield despite drought and wet weather creating pockets that had put earlier projections in doubt. Harvest is delayed by soggy conditions across the Wheat Belt, and quality is still questionable. Demand will not likely be a catalyst for higher prices anytime soon. The 2014-15 marketing year finished with a poor showing from export sales. Early estimates for 2015-16 sales call for an improvement over the previous year, but better prospects may require the dollar to continue lower.

It’s time for education reform

FarmWeek • Page 16 • Monday, June 15, 2015

In early March, I had the opportunity to travel to Louisiana with other young farmers for the Ag Industry tour. While there, we visited the Angola State Penitentiary. Angola has a very violent history, but is now a benchmark for prison reform as officials have lowered the amount of violence to near zero incidents. Much of this reform is due to the leadership and programs created by Warden Burl Cain. The warden created a farm work program along with other programs that have helped keep the inmates busy and give them a sense of purpose that helps tame the violence. While we were at the penitentiary, we had the opportunity to Evan Hultine meet and visit with the warden. At one point in our conversation, the warden was asked what he thought needed to be done to help curb the violence and disorder in America. His response was that we need to change our education system, and start getting younger kids trained and working before they have a chance to fail in junior high or high school. This experience revealed to me the urgent need for education reform in this country. We need real reform that actually addresses problems in our country, not just new Band-Aid legislation that improves our students’ test-taking ability. Isn’t it time we start providing opportunities for our students to discover their passions and learn trades? We know not every student is created equal. We know students differ in abilities with math, science, reading, etc. Yet we are trying to force every student to graduate from high school with an equal under-

EVAN HULTINE

Congressional action on trade issues examined

Editor: Since Farm Bureau is actively lobbying for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for President Barack Obama, I took particular note of pages 60 to 78 and 130 to 140 in “Technocracy Rising” by Patrick M. Wood. They deal with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Security and Prosperity Partnership, the proposed North American Union and reflexive “law.” The last two are being implemented stealthily by aligning regulations and trade standards between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, and by intimidation using reflexive “law” to impose United Nations Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development agendas that are not law.

standing of — what are mistakenly considered — the main education pillars. It is laughable that we are touting the success of education programs for graduating high school stu-

dents who can read and write at 12th-grade levels, yet it is common business practice in the U.S. to present information to employees at a third-grade level. How about we accept the fact that life isn’t fair and not all kids are created equal, and let’s get past the misconception that this is a bad thing. We should be celebrating students’ differences and helping them hone their passions and talents.

Letters to the editor

Regarding repeal of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements, COOL was important enough to constituents that labeling requirements were written into the 2002 farm bill. Have these constituents changed their minds? The upshot is that Congress has lost its power to pass laws affecting U.S. citizens to the World Trade Organization. Both of these problems resulted because Congress abdicated its responsibility as defined in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution, which each member swore an oath to uphold. In both cases, the main argument to farmers for TPA and abandoning COOL is that it will cost trade, and therefore, dollars. Perhaps it would

Prepare to meet state, federal estate tax requirements

be wise to consider what effect these entangling treaties and regulatory end runs are having on our form of government and ultimately the preservation of self-government as a nation. As Sen. Dick Durbin stated, trade deals often “end up luring American jobs overseas ... We owe workers in Illinois ... honest debate over such critical legislation.” This is basically the story of NAFTA, which many Mexicans say has hurt them, too. “Technocracy Rising” puts a lot of pieces of the political puzzle together for the layman. The big winners financially have been the multinational interests, and politically, those pursuing globalist agendas. DANIEL HARMS Bone Gap

Editor: Illinois estate taxes have much lower exemptions than federal estate taxes, and the tax liability can be severe. All Illinois farmers should prepare for Illinois estate taxes as well as federal. I do not recall all the details, but I had to seek tax assistance after my wife of 62 years passed away three years ago. No, I did not have to sell any land, but all savings are gone and cattle numbers have been cut in half. JAMES O. SMITH Homer

Why is it that the first programs cut from a school struggling with inadequate funding are always the arts and trades? We should be promoting programs that help students become prepared for work and careers. The world is in need of a highly skilled workforce trained with experience on the job. At what point did we decide that apprenticeships weren’t adequate education for a person? What might happen if we allowed students to learn about geometry in a carpentry class or as part of a graphic design lesson? What might happen if students could gain a working understanding of basic accounting when performing on-the-job training with a local business? Why can’t students learn about chemical reactions while learning how to weld? What could we expect from an education system that would allow students to be who they are and enhance their strengths and interests? Maybe we wouldn’t have a massive student debt crisis. Maybe kids could enter their 20s expecting to pay for a home instead of a diploma. Maybe our country wouldn’t have as discouraging of a high school drop-out rate. And according to Warden Cain, maybe we wouldn’t have as much crime and violence. I think we can all agree that while being one of the most well-funded and abundantly resourced public school systems in the world, our current standards aren’t creating the success we need. It’s time for real change that can create real success and make a positive difference in our society. We need education reform. Evan Hultine of Princeton represents District 4 on the Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders Committee. To follow the Young Leaders’ blog, visit {http://bit.ly/1FSlSTL}.

Consider nonchemical pest control

Editor: That was a great article you printed by Professor Tom Turpin on bee swarming. One suggestion I would like to make is, if you see a swarm of bees looking for a new home, call a beekeeper. He/she will be glad to give them a good home (hive). As for Dan Kelley’s column, “Ounce of prevention won’t help honeybees,” it sounds a lot like a sales pitch for neonicotinoids. While he starts out with good sounding lip service to the importance of honeybees, it becomes obvious he does not know much about bees. Honeybees are an indicator species, sort of the canary in the coal mine. Bees thrive in an environment that provides a large variety of nectar sources spread out over the growing season. An environment that is good for bees is also good for people. There are other native pollinator species in addition to honeybees, and while the neonics may not hurt honeybees, what about other beneficials? How many of them can be killed by neonics? In recent years, there were two very good books published on native beneficial insects. They are “Attracting Native Pollinators” (2011) and “Farming With Native Beneficial Insects” (2014) both by the Xerces Society. It seems that when I read an editorial from someone with Truth About Trade and Technology they are always wanting the next newest, most expensive concoction from the chemical companies to solve their problems. There are numerous methods for controlling pests in crops that don’t include chemicals, such as crop rotations and micronutrient application. These are all good for the soil, the plants and the environment in general, and if the micronutrient spray drifts onto your neighbor’s crops, it is good for them also. Remember, it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature. ROBERT A. SAYRE Dundas