State3252015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

P E R I O D I C A L S : T I M E VA L U E D

MARCH 25, 2015 |

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Farmers, Iowa communities collaborate to protect water BY DIRCK STEIMEL A growing number of Iowa communities — of all sizes and from every corner of the state — are working with local farmers to improve the quality of their drinking water sources. That col laboration, according to municipal and state regulatory officials, is helping communities meet federal standards for nitrogen, phospho rus and other nutrients, hold down costs and build stronger and last ing relationships with farmers in their areas.

“Most of our communities have always had a very good rela tionship with their local farmers, and they want to build on that,” said Dustin Miller, general coun sel for the Iowa League of Cities. “These collaborations are helping communities offset the cost of building expensive water treat ment plants and creating a winwin situation.”

Farmers stepping up To reduce nutrient loss and help their communities, farmers are stepping up to rework their

traditional cropping patterns to add cover crops. They are adding wetlands and other struc tures that have been shown to improve wat er quality. And they are adjust ing tillage prac OHRTMAN tices to reduce the potential for nutrients leaving their fields after rainstorms. “I’ve really seen a very good response from farmers in my proj

ects,” said Rebecca Ohrtman, coor dinator of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) source water protection program. “For the most part, we’ve seen farmers are very proactive in this, and they really want to do things to help their community,” she said. These cooperative efforts are under the umbrella of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Launched in 2013, the strat egy is designed as a long-term approach to improve surface water quality in Iowa and help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus deliv

Weather looks favorable for planting season

Mild conditions “We are looking at a pretty mild pattern with temperatures above normal in Iowa and the Northern Plains,” Anderson said. “If there is any concern the market may have in spring planting, (the Southeast) is the area I think it is likely to occur.” The drier weather pattern will allow soil temperatures to warm up more quickly in the northern part of the Corn Belt, another good sign for planting, he added. The Ohio Valley has been a little wetter, but soils should dry out in time for planting, Anderson said. “Even though we’ve had some of these heavy rain and snow events (in the Ohio Valley), I don’t think we’re looking at a real long-term delay in terms of wet ground,” he said. “I think the ground is going to absorb the moisture fairly well.” The latest U.S. drought moni WEATHER PAGE 2

Cedar Rapids example One of the most visible collab orations of farmers and Iowa com munities is in and around Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second largest city. Officials there recently launch ed a $4.3 million project that is COOPERATION PAGE 2

Cooperation, instead of litigation, needed to make water gains The money spent on Des Moines Water Works’ lawsuit could be better spent in projects to improve water.

BY TOM BLOCK The spring planting outlook appears favorable for Iowa and other parts of the Midwest, a wel come change after two years of extremely wet planting weather, DTN ag meteorologist Bryce An derson said last week. “The situation right now is shaping up reasonably well for starting out field work,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to have the delays in Iowa and the Midwest like we have seen in the past couple of years.” Key indicators suggest the March weather pattern that has brought mild temperatures to Iowa should hold through the start of the spring season, Anderson said. Precipitation is also expected to be light in Iowa and the eastern Corn Belt, he added. The south eastern U.S. has the highest risk of excess rainfall and possible plant ing delays.

ered to the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy covers both point sources, such as industry and municipal water sys tems, as well as nonpoint sources like farmers.

STORY ON PAGE 3

Cuba a natural market for U.S. farmers A visit to Cuba reveals a coun try badly in need of agricul tural infrastructure investment. STORY ON PAGE 4

EPA air rules would raise farmers’ costs Ted Benshoof, left, and his son, Alan, pause to check the newborns on their farm in Madison County, while Alan’s sons, Nick, top left, and Jonnie, help out. The relatively warm and dry conditions so far during this spring’s calving season have worked out well for the state’s cow/calf raisers. PHOTO/GARY FANDEL

Warm, dry weather smooths the calving season BY GARY FANDEL

arch came in like a lamb for cattle farmers across Iowa with tem peratures reaching into the 70s and even higher in the middle of

the month, and pastures mostly dry. That was a nice reprieve for families like the Benshoofs of Madison County, who have dealt with lots of cold and wet weather over the years. For Ted Benshoof, 65, calving is a job the entire family par

ticipates in at Benshoof Farms in eastern Madison County. “We have 370 crossbred Angus ready to calve,” said Benshoof. “So the more help, the better.” Benshoof’s sons, Alan, 42, and Bob, 36, are involved in the dayCALVING PAGE 5

The proposal on ozone would also stifle economic activity in rural areas, IFBF says. STORY ON PAGE 4

Iowa poultry raisers wary of avian flu They are taking precautions to guard against the disease, which has been found in nearby states. STORY ON PAGE 8

USDA: ALMOST ALL U.S. FARMS ARE FAMILY OWNED

IOWANS NOMINATE STATE’S TOP BURGER PLACES

Family-owned farms remain the backbone of agri culture and make up 97 percent of all American farms, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Census of Agriculture. “We used typology to further explore the demo graphics of who is farming and ranching today,” said Hubert Hamer, statistics division director for the National Ag Statistics Service. “What we found is that family-owned businesses, while very diverse, are at the core of the U.S. agriculture industry.” By definition, a family farm is any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and individuals related to the operator, including through blood, marriage or adoption. The study also shows 18 percent of principal operators on family farms in the U.S. started within the last 10 years.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council last week announced the top 10 burger spots in the state. They are: Ankeny Diner, Ankeny; Big City Burgers & Greens, Des Moines; Down Right Delicious, Clarinda; Elm’s Club, Creston; First Street Grille, Keosauqua; Ride’s Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge; Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids; The Cider House, Fairfield; The Ritz, Arnold’s Park; and Zombie Burger, Des Moines In all, Iowans submitted more than 4,000 nomination votes between Feb. 11 and March 10, and 286 restaurants were nominated. All 10 restaurants will be visited by judges, who will evaluate the hamburgers based on taste, appearance and proper serving tempera ture. The Beef Council will announce the winning restaurant May 4.

MARCH 25, 2015 IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

COOPERATION FROM PAGE 1

focused on improving the quality of water in the Cedar River watershed, the source of the city’s water supply. The Middle Cedar Partnership Project will focus on building cooperation with farmers and landowners to install best management practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, wetlands and saturated buffers to help improve water quality, water quantity and soil health in the Cedar River watershed. The twin goals of the plan are reducing nitrate levels in the water and reducing flood potential, said Steve Hershner, utilities director for Cedar Rapids. “The City of Cedar Rapids has always been interested in partnerships to improve water quality, and this helps us focus on both of those issues.” Partners in the project include the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and other agricultural organizations, conservation districts, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and DNR.

Farming improvements Farmers in the area are ready to step up to work with Cedar Rapids to continue to improve water quality. “We always face a lot of challenges with the weather, but we’re always working to do better,” said Linn County Farm Bureau

Steve Hershner, utilities director for Cedar Rapids, left, visits with farmer Curt Zingula, center, and Tariq Baloch, the city’s water plant manager. Cedar Rapids is working with farmers to protect water quality and soil health in the Cedar River watershed and improve flood control. PHOTO/ AARON SISKOW

To learn more about collaboration of city officials and farmers in Cedar Rapids, watch the latest Iowa Minute. Find it here: http://bit.ly/1pTMKZr member Curt Zingula, who has planted stream buffer strips and cover crops, as well as installing a bioreactor to reduce nutrient loss. “The way we farm today is better for the environment than what grandpa did. He did the best that he could, but the technology that we have today is getting better all of the time.” The Cedar Rapids water proj-

ect was recently awarded $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Regional Con servation Partnership Program. Partners in the project will contribute $2.3 million, and the city will provide $316,000. Across Iowa, in the small town of Griswold in Cass County, farmers have stepped up to reduce nitrate levels in municipal water

AFBF: WOTUS rule will force farmers to obtain permits for normal ag activities The proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, unless dramatically changed, will force farmers to obtain permits for a number of common and essential agricultural practices, the general counsel of the American Farm Bureau (AFBF) told a U.S. House Agriculture subcommittee last week. AFBF’s Ellen Steen told a House Agriculture subcommittee that the WOTUS rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. “It is impossible to know how many farmers, ranchers and forest landowners will be visited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement staff or will be sued by citizen plaintiffs’ lawyers, and it is impossible to know when those inspections and lawsuits will happen,” Steen said. “But what is certain is that a vast number of common, responsible farming, ranching and forestry practices that occur today without the need for a federal permit would be highly vulnerable to Clean Water Act enforcement under this rule.”

Warning from Congress Separately, a group of U.S. House members, led by Iowa Rep. Rod Blum, wrote a letter to House committee leadership to stop the

WEATHER FROM PAGE 1

tor shows mild drought conditions covering the Dakotas and Minnesota and creeping into north ern Iowa, after light precipitation this winter. However, Anderson said, El Nino conditions should help fend off fears of a severe drought. “Both the U.S. and Australian

EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from using appropriations to enforce the proposed WOTUS rule. Iowa Rep. Steve King was also one of the 103 House members to sign the letter. “Adoption of the currently flawed WOTUS rule by the EPA and the Corps would have disastrous effects on agriculture, small businesses and municipalities across the country,” the House members wrote. The letter was sent to the chair and ranking members of the Subcommittee on Interior and Environment and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, which will consider the budgets for the agencies that would implement WOTUS. The WOTUS proposal, introduced by the EPA and the Corps in the spring of 2014, would redefine what constitutes a water that should be regulated under the federal Clean Water Act. Farm groups and others fear the rule, if implemented, would drastically expand the definition to cover ditches, ponds and other areas that are wet only a portion of the year. AFBF’s Steen said Congress clearly determined that typical farming activities should not be covered under the Clean Water forecast models are agreeing on a weak El Nino pattern to be part of the weather environment as we go into the spring and summer season,” he said. “In general, when El Nino is in effect, it is a beneficial scenario for yields across the U.S.” El Nino conditions usually keep the Midwest from experiencing blazing hot conditions that damage crops, Anderson noted. It

Act. But agency and judicial interpretations over the years have significantly limited exemptions for agriculture.

Litigation risk “Much of the remaining benefit of those exemptions would be eliminated by an expansive interpretation of ‘waters of the United States’ to cover ditches and drainage paths that run across and nearby farm and pasture lands,” Steen testified. “The result would be wide-scale litigation risk and potential Clean Water Act liability for innumerable routine farming and ranching activities that occur today without the need for cumbersome and costly Clean Water Act permits.” Such common farming practices, such as applying fertilizer or pesticides, could require permits under the WOTUS proposal because ditches and ephemeral drainages are ubiquitous on farms around the country, Steen said. “A Clean Water Act pollutant discharge to waters of the U.S. arguably would occur each time even a molecule of fertilizer or pesticide falls into a jurisdictional ditch, ephemeral drainage or low spot — even if the feature is dry at the time of the purported ‘discharge,’” Steen testified. could be a little like last year with cooler-than-normal temperatures during the second half of the growing season, he said. “I think the northwest Corn Belt has the highest likelihood for some drier conditions. We’re going to be relying on subsoil moisture to get us through the growing season,” he said. “But with mild temperatures, I don’t expect it to be severe.”

wells by planting cover crops and moving to spring fertilizer applications. “We’re just ecstatic with the cooperation we are getting from farmers in our area,” Drue Kirchhoff, who chairs Griswold’s water quality committee said recently.

Rathbun Lake The cooperation is also showing results around southern Iowa’s

Rathbun Lake area, which provides drinking water to some 16,000 homes and businesses. There, farmers have installed terraces, buffer strips and other conservation practices, which has reduced sediment delivery to the lake by more than 43,000 tons from the past decades, significantly reducing phosphorus levels in the lake’s water. “The farmers we work with are very engaged in the process,” said John Glenn, CEO of the Rathbun Regional Water Association. “They want to help find solutions to water quality issues and implement them.” The DNR’s Ohrtman, who works primarily with smaller Iowa communities who have identified water quality issues, says cooperation of community leaders, municipal officials and farmers has been the key to success in water quality improvement projects. Some, like Griswold, can opt for cover crops, while others, such as Elliott in Montgomery County, decide that buying land and creating a wetland was the best solution. “Each community is different, and they need to find local solutions that everyone buys into,” Ohrtman said. “It’s important to have everyone at the table and to work together.”

State revenue estimates reduced ISSUE UPDATE

Last week, the Revenue Est imating Conference released its updated revenue projections for fiscal 2016, which will begin on July 1, 2015. The updated revenue projection for the upcoming fiscal year is $7.176 billion, approximately $19 million lower than the revenue projection released in December. With the release of these updated numbers, it is expected that the budgeting process will begin to move forward in the coming weeks. In addition, the revenue projection for the current fiscal year was lowered by $89.7 million, in part because of lower commodity prices. This will result in a reduction of the ending fund balance, leaving the state with an estimated ending fund balance of approximately $350 million on June 30. This ending fund balance is still above the economic emergency fund, cash reserve fund and the taxpayer trust fund.

The Ag and Natural Resources appropriations bill will soon start in the Senate and will include their initial proposed funding levels for programs important to water quality and soil conservation. This includes the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (water quality initiative), the conservation costshare program and the ag drainage well closure program. Gov. Terry Branstad’s propos ed budget included an increase of $3.1 million for the water quality initiative (bringing the total to $7.5 million) as well as $1.92 million for the Ag Drainage Well Closure program. Farm Bureau will work to secure these proposed increases.

More county Farm Bureaus reach membership goals Eight more county Farm Bur eaus surpassed their membership gain goals since the last report. Counties reaching goal since the last report, their membership goal and campaign manager/county president include: Chickasaw, 1,489 members, Jacob Hackman, campaign manager; Dallas, 2,528, John Fin neseth, campaign manager; Louisa, 810 members, Scott Heater, campaign manager. Marion, 1,265 members, Steve Kuiper, campaign manager; Osceola, 685, Ervin Hibma, cam-

KUIPER

HIBMA

paign manager; Pocahontas, 644, Aaron Mefferd, campaign manager; West Pottawattamie, 2,107, Fred Miller, campaign manager; Wright, 962 members, Troy Watne, campaign manager. The 2015 Farm Bureau campaign continues through the end of March.

HACKMAN

FINNESETH

MEFFERD

MILLER

HEATER

WATNE

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN MARCH 25, 2015

Editorial

Costly litigation likely to delay water quality efforts BY ANDREW WHEELER

have the utmost respect for our legal system and all who serve it. My wife is a court reporter, and my brother-in-law and a few of my close friends are WHEELER also attorneys. The judicial system plays an integral role in our society. However, when it comes to Iowa’s water quality challenges, the path to continued improvement will not be found in the courtroom; improvement lies in collaboration. I’m not the only one concerned about Des Moines Water Works’ (DMWW) litigious approach targeting three counties in northwest Iowa. Shortly after news broke that the DMWW trustees voted to file their lawsuit in federal court, my phone lit up with text messages and phone calls from concerned stakeholders. “I’m really concerned that this lawsuit will halt the conservation momentum we have going,” a Black Hawk County farmer and County Soil and Water District commissioner said to me in a text message. “Installing conservation prac-

Costly litigation by the Des Moines Water Works could delay implementation of conservation efforts, like this stream buffer in Story County. FILE PHOTO

tices are a costly investment, but paying for a lengthy legal battle is pretty expensive, too,” a Dallas County farmer told me. “I would guess this lawsuit really reduces the number of guys putting in new conservation because they fear they will be paying for a lawyer instead. It’s a shame; this lawsuit won’t do a darned thing to improve water quality.”

Their way or no way My 22-month-old daughter often thinks “it’s her way or no

way” and is prone to an occasional tantrum, but my wife and I always work to teach her new things and expose her to the unfamiliar. I see a striking resemblance in the handling of this issue by DMWW leadership. It’s their way (lawsuit) or no way. I was troubled to read that DMWW leaders responded, “Thanks, but no,” when invited to a northwest Iowa farm to see firsthand what local farmers are doing to improve water quality. It’s concerning that DMWW leaders

would rather stay in Des Moines to concoct a lawsuit instead of meeting with key stakeholders to learn something about agriculture and successful conservation practices, especially when a collaborative water quality improvement effort has proven successful in Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second-largest city. Water quality is a complex issue that requires thoughtful, meaningful solutions such as the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. I am confident there is a table that can accommodate stakeholder representatives focused on improving Iowa’s water quality. We have seen it all across the state. Unfortunately, the chair for DMWW sits empty at these collaborative meetings as they prepare for a legal battle that will delay positive conservation efforts and negatively impact water quality — the very issue they claim to be focused on improving. It pains me to think how much effective conservation work could be done in Iowa with the funds needed to fight this legal battle. I think most commonsense Iowans would rather see stakeholder collaboration that leads to continued improvement rather than endless litigation. Wheeler is public relations coordinator for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Time to pass TPA before valuable trade relationships suffer BY BOB STALLMAN U.S. agriculture exported more than $152 billion in products last year alone, and there’s room for more growth yet. With Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) expected to take center stage on the legislative agenda this spring, farmers and ranchers are ready for trade agreements that create business and boost the American economy. TPA legislation isn’t new, but now is prime time for renewal. We’re now ready to expand our markets even further with ambitious trade negotiations across the globe from Asia to Europe. But we need to stand firm and show other countries that we’re ready to act on final offers at the

Spokesman Editor DIRCK STEIMEL News Coordinator TOM BLOCK Senior Features Writer TERESA BJORK Ag Commodities Writer BETHANY BARATTA Photographer/Writer GARY FANDEL

negotiating table. TPA creates an important partnership between the administration and Congress to move trade agreements forward. The U.S. economy loses out when trade agreements are crushed in the final hour by deal-killing amendments. We weaken our standing in the global marketplace, and hand economic leadership over to other countries. With TPA, Congress and the administration must continue to shape and set priorities based on what they’re hearing directly from American businesses. This is where agriculture can continue to take a leading role in shaping our trade agenda. Farmers and ranchers know the challenges we face in other markets, and it’s our job to get this message to policymakers. When we’re all on

EDITORIAL STAFF [515] 225-5413 or dsteimel@ifbf.org

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To place a free exchange ad, contact your county office for information. The Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman (ISSN 0021-051X) is published weekly by the Iowa Farm Bureau, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, IA 50266. Subscription price of $2 per year for mailing in the continental USA included in the dues of Farm Bureau members in Iowa. Additional subscription fee required for mailing outside the continental USA. Periodical postage paid at Iowa Falls, Iowa. Members please send change of address to your county Farm Bureau office. Postmaster send address changes (POD FORM 3579) to Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, P.O. Box 670, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to Editor, Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Reprinting of Spokesman articles and photographs is not allowed without permission.

the same page in negotiations, the process moves swiftly as Congress can act on final agreements with a straight up or down vote.

Tariffs limit ag’s access Limiting access to American food just doesn’t make sense. Farmers and ranchers are ready to bring their goods to new markets, but high tariffs and non-scientific barriers place our exports at a disadvantage. Take the European Union, for example. Last year, the U.S. exported $12.7 billion in agricultural products to the EU, but we also imported $18.7 billion in agricultural products from the EU. These numbers don’t mean we had less to sell: Our markets are simply more open while the EU continues to let politics rather than sciIowa Farm Bureau Federation: Craig Hill, President; Joe Heinrich, Vice President; Denny Presnall, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director; Edward G. Parker, General Counsel. Board of Directors: District 1 - Carlton Kjos, Decorah. District 2 - Charlie Norris, Mason City. District 3 - Phil Sundblad, Albert City. District 4 - Doug Gronau, Vail. District 5 - Mark Buskohl, Grundy Center. District 6 - Nick Podhajsky, Traer. District 7 - Andrew Hora, Riverside. District 8 - Calvin Rozenboom, Oskaloosa. District 9 - Will Frazee, Emerson.

ence dictate its trade restrictions. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, our trade with Japan is just a fraction of what it could be, largely because of price restrictions and high tariffs. The U.S. is on the verge of completing one of our most ambitious trade agendas in decades. TPA is essential to completing these agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other countries across the Asia/Pacific region and the Transatlantic Trade and In vestment Partnership with the EU. TPA expired too long ago. Congress and the administration need to work together to renew it before valuable trade relationships are spoiled. Stallman is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Iowa water plan is on the right track, EPA says BY DIRCK STEIMEL Officials at the Des Moines Water Works, which recently fil ed a misdirected lawsuit against three counties in northwest Iowa over water quality issues, seldom miss a chance to trash Iowa’s water quality initiative, officially the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. They’ve repeatedly call ed the 18-month-old initiative a “failure” and want to replace it with a mandatory approach, most likely administered by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But interestingly, the EPA itself has some pretty supportive things to say about Iowa’s water quality initiative, launched by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with technical support from Iowa State University. The agency fully backs Iowa’s strategy, as well as similar efforts by other states in the Mississippi River Valley, said Karen Flournoy, director of the water, wetlands and pesticide division of EPA’s Region 7, which covers Iowa. “I think they have made great strides in implementation,” she told Zach Bader, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s online community manager. States across the region are working together to improve water quality, Flournoy said. “I know that other states have used Iowa’s scientific assessment information in developing their strategies. Likewise, Iowa has used some information from other states.”

A long-term effort The EPA official also stressed that while the water quality initiative is fairly new, Iowa farmers have been implementing conservation practices for years. “EPA and certainly all of the other stakeholders recognize that much work has been done for many, many years. And (the water quality initiative) is not a silver bullet that’s going to solve all of the problems,” Flournoy said. Finally, the EPA official also emphasized that it’s important to give Iowa’s water quality initiative time to work. “This is a long-term effort,” Flournoy said. She’s right: The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is the most comprehensive approach that in cludes both point and nonpoint sources to help achieve broadbased gains. It truly is the best route if Iowa is interested in a sustainable solution to water quality issues. And progress toward that effort, many in Iowa fear, could be slowed or even harmed by the Des Moines Water Works lawsuit.

MARCH 25, 2015

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

Cuba visit reveals natural market for U.S. farm products BY DIRCK STEIMEL Cuba, which has an underdeveloped agriculture industry but good potential for growth in tourism and other business sectors, could evolve into a solid market for U.S. farmers if trade restrictions are eased, according to Charles N o r r i s , I ow a Fa r m B u r e a u F e de r a t i o n (IFBF) District 2 director who v i s i t e d t h e NORRIS island nation earlier this month. “Cuba has only 11 million people so it’s a limited opportunity for us, not a home-run potential like we have with China or India,” Norris said last week. “But it’s so close to our shores that it would be a natural market for us, and probably a consistent one.” Norris, from Mason City, visited Cuba for four days in early March with a group representing the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba, a new organization working to end the trade embargo to Cuba and promote agricultural trade between the two countries. The American Farm Bureau is a member of the coalition and has long called for an end to trade

restrictions with Cuba. The visit to Cuba felt like a trip back in time, Norris said in his presentation to the IFBF board of directors. “Havana was probably a clean er city than I was expecting, but the buildings were old and many of them were in disrepair or almost falling down,” Norris said. “And most of the cars you see on the streets are American-made ones from the 1950s.” It’s the same with Cuban agriculture, Norris said. It has suffered from a lack of investment and is badly in need of modern farm equipment, fertilizer, seed genetics and other inputs, he said. “They really want equipment like Cat (Caterpillar) and Deere machines,” Norris said. “They have old Russian-built machines that are broken down, and most of them can’t be repaired.”

Desire for U.S. food The Cuban government’s stated goal is to be self-sufficient in food. But that will require many years to accomplish given the current poor condition of agriculture and overall infrastructure, Norris said. Cuba does import some ag goods from other countries, but Cuban officials are anxious to have access to U.S. goods because

A street scene in Havana, Cuba. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation District 2 Director Charles Norris, who visited Cuba earlier this month on an agriculture tour, said vintage cars and dated buildings made the trip seem like a step back in time. PHOTO/MARK TOMARAS

of the reduced transportation expenses and high quality, he said. Cuban officials said they are interested in U.S. rice to replace supplies they now get from Vietnam, as well as American wheat and chicken parts, Norris said. “They are interested in buying chicken legs and thighs in the short term, and they want better feed and technology to build up

Young farmers still concerned about adequate land availability Finding and securing adequate land to grow crops and raise animals was once again the top challenge identified in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) program. That challenge was identified by 29 percent of respondents, followed by government regulations, which was identified by 13 percent of the respondents. “For young people who want to begin farming or ranching or expand an established farm or ranch, securing adequate land remains their top challenge,” said Jon Hegeman, AFBF’s national YF&R Committee chair and a farmer from Alabama. “Another major challenge is coping with burdensome government regulations.” Other issues ranked as top

concerns by young farmers and ranchers included the willingness of parents to turn over the reins, 10 percent; overall profitability, 10 percent; taxes and the availability of water, both 7 percent; and urbanization and the availability of ag financing, each coming in at 5 percent.

Optimism prevails The 23rd annual YF&R survey revealed that 84 percent of those surveyed are more optimistic about farming and ranching than they were five years ago. Last year, 91 percent of those surveyed said they were more optimistic about farming compared to five years ago. The 2015 survey also shows 92 percent of the nation’s young farmers and ranchers say they are better off than they were five years ago. Last year, 93 percent reported being better off.

Ninety-one percent of respondents considered themselves lifetime farmers, while 97 percent would like to see their children follow in their footsteps. The informal survey reveals that 88 percent believe their children will be able to follow in their footsteps. The majority of those surveyed — 75 percent — consider communicating with consumers a formal part of their jobs. Many use social media platforms as a tool to accomplish this, in addition to traditional outreach methods such as farm tours, agritourism and farmers markets. The popular social media site Facebook is used by 74 percent of those surveyed. Twenty-three percent of respondents said they use the social networking site Twitter, 19 percent have a farm blog or webpage and 14 percent use YouTube to post videos of their farms and ranches.

Carl & Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public Dolezal Auditorium, Curtiss Hall Iowa State University, Ames

BY DIRCK STEIMEL A proposal by the U.S. En vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten the alreadystrict ozone standards threatens to impose real and significant costs on farmers while providing uncertainly and unverified benefits to the environment, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) said last week in a letter to the EPA. “These stringent new ozone standards also have the potential for damaging economic consequences across the entire Iowa economy and would place serious restrictions on farmers, increasing input costs for electricity, fuel, fertilizer and equipment,” Rick Robinson, IFBF environmental policy advisor, said in written comments to the EPA. “And as ozone standards are ratcheted down closer to levels that exist naturally, more farmers will be forced to abide by restrictions on equipment use and land management, making it harder to stay in business.” The EPA’s new ozone reduction proposal, issued in late 2014, would likely be the costliest federal environmental regulation of all time, critics say. They also say the new rules are unneeded because ozone has been drastically reduced

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United States pulling out after the Revolution in the late 1950s and the breakup of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, so stability is very important to them.” There are signals that agricultural reforms are starting to take root in Cuba, Norris said. Some farmers are forming co-ops to assist in obtaining credit, reduce costs and spread the cost of modern equipment, he said.

Overly strict air rules would raise farm costs, threaten investments

Costly proposal

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their poultry production.” Cuba currently imports a small amount of U.S. farm products. That trade is difficult because of the long-standing embargo, which makes it very difficult for Cuba to obtain credit for its imports. Cuba appears very anxious to build stable trade relationships that can endure over time, Norris said. “The Cubans have gone through the turmoil of the

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in many cities of the country. The EPA has proposed lowering the primary ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to a range of 65 to 70 ppb. The agency is also taking comments on a range of 60 ppb to 75 ppb for the primary ozone standard. In March 2008, the EPA lowered the primary NAAQS for ground-level ozone from 84 ppb to 75 ppb. The new rules, Robinson said, have the potential to push most of the United States, including rural areas, into non-attainment status. That would mean rural communities in Iowa would face new limitations on creating jobs, growing tax revenue and supporting public safety and education, he said.

Farming restrictions Farm Bureau is also concerned that the new ozone requirements could also restrict pesticide applications and manure handling operations, as well as add unnecessary control measures for grain and food processors, such as ethanol plants, Robinson said. In addition, agriculture is likely to be indirectly impacted by costs passed on from special requirements for diesel trucks and farm equipment, restrictive permitting requirements that affect ag processing plant expansions and the loss of federal highway and transit funding, he said. “In light of the economic hardship a new ozone standard would cause to farmers in Iowa and throughout the country, while only providing uncertain benefits, the IFBF encourages the EPA to retain the existing ozone standard in the final rule,” Robinson said. “Iowa farmers cannot afford a stricter ozone standard.”

6 MARCH 25, 2015 IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

Cattle report shows more cattle in Iowa feedlots

here were 660,000 cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 head or more on March 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said last week. This was up 10,000 head from February, but down 10,000 head from March 2014, the report said. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on March 1. The inventory was 1 percent below March 1, 2014, the report said. Placements in Iowa feedlots during February totaled 85,000 head, the report said. This was down from 90,000 in January and from 86,000 in February 2014. Placements in U.S. feedlots during February totaled 1.52 mil lion, 8 percent below 2014, the report said. Marketings of Iowa fed cattle during February totaled 74,000 head, the report said. This was down 4,000 head from January. Marketings of U.S. fed cat tle during February totaled 1.52 million, 2 percent below 2014. February marketings were the lowest since the series began in 1996, the report said.

porter said it could tolerate a cut in duties to as low as 240 yen a kilogram (or $2 per 2.2 pounds), Bloomberg reported. This would be a cut from a maximum 482 yen ($3.92 U.S.) at present, Bloomberg reported.

Milk production higher

Brazil close to deal The process of opening the United States to imports of fresh (chilled or frozen) Brazilian beef is in its “final phase,” said Wesley Batista, global CEO of the world’s top beef processor JBS SA, according to Meatingplace. The U.S. market could be open to Brazilian beef by June. Brazil exports beef to more than 180 countries, Meatingplace reported. U.S. approval could op en up agreements with other markets.

Japan negotiates tariffs The Japan Pork Producers As sociation last week said it could accept a 50 percent reduction in import tariffs as the nation works to reach an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Bloomberg reported. The world’s largest pork im

There were 8.62 million head of milk cows on farms in the 23 major milk-producing states, including Iowa, in February, the USDA reported last week. This was 2,000 head more than January 2015 and 106,000 head more than February 2014, the report said. In Iowa, there were 210,000 head of milk cows, up from 205,000 head in February 2014. Production per cow in the 23 states averaged 1,757 pounds for February, 8 pounds above February 2014, the report said. This is the highest production per cow for the month of February since the 23 state series began in 2003. Iowa cows produced an aver age of 1,765 pounds per cow, the USDA said. During the month of February, Iowa cows produced 371 million pounds of milk, up 4.8 percent from February 2014, the report said.

Buying Brazil ethanol Royal Dutch Shell has pur chased 30,000 metric tons of Brazilian ethanol to be shipped to Florida, Reuters reported last week. A drop in value in the Brazilian real has helped make

Weekly Average Price Comparison Sheet Price comparisons: Week ending: 03/20/2015 02/20/2015 03/21/2014 Cattle - National 5 Area Confirmed Sales 3,992 25,931 27,704 5 Area 65-80% Choice Steers: Wtd Avg. NA $159.80 $150.00 Average Weights (Estimate) Cattle 1356 1360 1330 Boxed Beef Choice 600-750 (5 day avg.) $244.51 $240.31 $240.16 Boxed Beef Select 600-750 (5 day avg.) $243.28 $237.79 $233.66 Five Day Average Hide and Offal Value $14.46 $14.13 $15.96 Cattle - Interior Iowa – Minnesota Supply: 1,261 5,121 4,756 Average Price Choice Steer: Live Basis $164.00 $160.42 $150.25 Average Price Choice Steer: Dressed Basis NA $258.00 $240.00 Feeder Steers at River Markets (Neb. Feedlots) #1 Muscle Thickness 500-600# $290.19 $277.09 $226.33 #1 Muscle Thickness 700-800# $223.02 $221.18 $184.07 Hogs -- Interior Iowa – Minnesota ISM Friday Weighted Average Carcass Price $58.02 $59.57 $128.36 Average Weights (Estimate) Hogs 284.0 285.8 283.0 Sows 1-3 300# and up: Average Price $32.48 $35.09 $77.42 Pork Loins 1/4” trimmed 13 - 19 pound $101.68 $100.48 $180.42 51-52% 200 pound Pork Carcass (5 day avg.) $67.78 $71.63 $129.14 Feeder Pigs: National Direct Delivered Feeder Pigs 10 Pounds Basis - Wtd Avg. $34.69 $47.60 $91.50 Feeder Pigs 40 Pounds Basis -- Wtd Avg. $68.67 $72.66 $118.10 Sheep -- National Slaughter Lambs Negotiated Sales 2,900 5,200 4,800 Choice & Prime Wooled and Shorn 130 -150 lbs $128.00 No Test $153.50 Iowa Large Eggs (cents per dozen) $1.46 $1.08 $1.23 Young Hen Turkeys: 8 -16# -- Eastern (cents/lb) 101.63 99.25 103.50 *Iowa Ethanol Prices $/gal $1.42 $1.33 $2.85 Futures: Corn $3.85 $3.85 $4.79 State Average Cash Corn Price $3.66 $3.65 $4.50 Basis -$0.19 -$0.20 -$0.29 Futures: Soybean $9.74 $9.99 $14.09 State Average Cash Soybean Price $9.30 $9.56 $13.64 Basis: -$0.44 -$0.43 -$0.45 Slaughter Under Federal Inspection Estimates Estimates Actuals Hogs: 2,137,000 2,105,000 1,988,000 Cattle: 513,000 519,000 575,000 Sheep: 41,000 35,000 41,000 Estimated Numbers through Saturday Cash Corn and Soybean prices are the Iowa Average Prices as reported by IDALS. NA-No report at time of publication. ***Confidentiality of data prohibits publication of this report under Livestock Mandatory Reporting. The report will be published when and if enough data is aggregated to meet the 3/70/20 guideline.*** Source: USDA Livestock and Grain Market News

ethanol exports from the country more attractive, Reuters reported. The single shipment is just shy of the total ethanol imports from Brazil in December, which were the highest since May 2014, according to the most recent U.S. government data.

New PEDV cases There were 58 new premises confirmed positive for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in the week ended March 14, up from 31 new cases the prior week, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Meatingplace reported last week. The number of PEDV-positive cases tested at veterinary diagnos tic labs also showed an uptick at 158 cases, the American Association

of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) reported, though this is down from weekly peaks of 300 cases report ed at this time last year, the AASV report showed.

Union fined for slowdown The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has been fined $59,628 for caus ing slowdowns and work stop pages at West Coast ports during labor negotiations that lasted more than six months, World Maritime News reported last week. The U.S. District Court of Oregon ruled that ILWU branches in San Francisco and Portland intentionally violated a previous injunction against work stoppages and slowdowns, World Maritime News reported.

CME Class III Milk Futures Closing prices Mar. 20, 2015 Contract March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 Spot Prices Block Cheese Barrel Cheese Butter NFDM Grade A

Settle Last Week $15.54 $15.50 $15.51 $15.40 $15.15 $15.10 $15.40 $15.61 $1.5400 $1.5200 $1.6800 $0.9750

Contract July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015

Settle Last Week $15.93 $16.32 $16.60 $16.95 $17.03 $17.25 $17.20 $17.40

Milk Prices Mar. Class III Mar. Class IV

$15.54 $14.17

Iowa Hay Auctions Dyersville, Mar. 18

Hay, large squares, supreme, $250-260; premium, $175-235; good, $90-160; fair, $60-90; utility, $40-75; large rounds, premium, $100-135; good, $75-100; fair, $6080; utility, $50-60; small squares, fair, $2. New seeding, large squares, good, $50-85. Straw, large squares, good, $30-50; large rounds, good, $47.50. Mixed, large squares, good, $100-235; large rounds, good, $80-115. Grass, large rounds, good, $135. Corn stalks, large rounds, good, $34-35.

Ft. Atkinson, Mar. 18

Hay, small squares, 2nd crop, $160-295; 3rd crop, $175-230; large squares, 1st crop, $85-115; 2nd crop, $105-170; 3rd crop, $120-145; 4th crop, $80-110; large rounds, 1st crop, $40-140; 2nd crop, $40-130; 3rd crop, $55-125; 4th crop, $85-90. New seeding, large rounds, $75-80. Grass, large rounds, $50-95. Oat hay, large rounds, $50-65. Straw: large squares, $90-195. Corn stalks, large rounds, $60-70.

Perry**, Mar. 14

Alfalfa, small squares, premium, $6.50-7; good, $4; large squares, premium, $60;

good, $50; large rounds, premium, $80; good, $65. Grass, small squares, premium, $4.50; good, $3.50; fair, $2; large rounds, premium, $55; good, $45; large squares, good, $50; fair, $40. Straw, large squares, $35; small squares, $4.50. Corn stalks, large rounds, $25.

Rock Valley, Mar. 19

Alfalfa, large rounds, premium, $137.50-155; good, $115-130; fair, $95-112.50; utility, $8592.50; large squares, premium, $140-147.50; fair, $100-110. Grass, small squares, premium, $155-175; large squares, premium, $130-135; large rounds, good, $92.50-125; fair, $82.50-90. Mixed hay: large rounds, fair, $92.50-97.50; large squares, good, $105-112.50; fair, $82.50-92.50. Oat straw: large rounds, $55-85. Corn stalks: large rounds, $42.50-47.50.

Yoder**/Frytown, Mar. 18

Alfalfa, large rounds, $25-80; large squares, $25-85; small squares, $3-4.50. Grass, large rounds, $45-60; small squares, $3. Straw, large rounds, $35-37.50. Corn stalks, large rounds, $30.

**Perry and Yoder hay auction prices are per bale. All other prices are per ton. Contacts: Dyersville, 563-588-0657; Ft. Atkinson, 563-534-7513; Perry, 515-321-5765; Rock Valley, 712-476-5541; Yoder, 319-936-0126

The base (or spring) price for 2015 crop insurance was set for soybeans during February at $9.73. The corn base price is $4.15. Recently, soybean prices have been below the $9.73 level. Spring (March-May) can be a good time to get the new-crop marketing plan into action if the prices offered achieve the farm operation goals. Analyze your opportunities compared to 2015 costs of production and risk management goals. Revenue protection insurance can be used to give confidence to sell a percentage of bushels before harvest.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

Upcoming reports key to spring prices

ven though the hard break in the dollar and possible shift in its short-term trend may command a lot of attention the next few weeks, the looming reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be key to grain prices this spring. There has been, and will continue to be, a lot of discussion about the size of plantings this spring. But the grain stocks numbers shouldn’t be ignored either. Even though the USDA surprised most in the trade with its planting forecasts at the February outlook forum, many are still expecting soybean plantings to be significantly higher in 2015. Farm Futures surveyed 1,300 farmers in 41 states regarding their intentions. The results implied 88.34 million acres would be planted to corn, 87.25 million to soybeans and 55.6 million to all classes of wheat. Informa Economics expects 88.54 million acres to be seeded to corn, 87.48 million to soybeans and 55.93 million to wheat. By comparison, USDA analysts projected 89 million acres of corn, 83.5 million soybeans and 55.5 million wheat. Both Farm Futures and Informa numbers fit with the trade expectations that have persisted through the winter — less corn and more soybeans. We don’t deny there will be less corn, but we aren’t certain there will be significantly more soybeans. Low prices and low crop insurance guarantees could lead to more of the lower quality land shifted to other uses, if not abandoned altogether. The combination of low prices and low crop insurance guarantees led to a 5.3-million-acre drop in land planted to all crops, declared prevent plant, and enrolled as CRP (conservation reserve program) in 2009. They dropped an additional 2.2 million in 2010. It was little noticed, but the total dropped 2.9 million last year. We wouldn’t be shocked to see it drop another 4 million this year. But it may not all show on this report. The grain stocks are not to be ignored either. The March 1 wheat stocks may be the least of a surprise, with residual use over the last quarter the biggest unknown. For corn, the March 1 stocks offers an insight into how large the unexplained disappearance might be, disappearance embodied by the feed and residual category. Some believe the USDA’s 5.3 billion bushel feed and residual forecast might be too large. That’s a 260 million bushel increase from last year’s level. Historically, feed and residual use tends to be high with big crops, and small with small crops, the residual use being the most volatile. With soybeans, demand is known, with crush and exports well documented. But the Dec. 1 stocks hinted last year’s crop may have been overestimated. If the March 1 stocks validate them, that belief will become more widespread, with any expected discrepancy taken off ending stocks forecasts. Ending stocks forecasts have already been eroding since October and were last estimated at 385 million bushels. Further reductions would continue to undermine the bearish oversupply argument.

Cash Strategist Positions CORN

2014

3-10-14 — 10% sold @ $4.82

at a glance 2015

100% unsold

3-10-14 — 15% sold @ $4.78 3-31-14 — 10% sold @ $4.95 65% unsold

BEANS

2014

2015

12-23-13 —10% sold @ $11.72 12-31-13 — 10% sold @ $11.35 2-18-14 — 10% sold @ $11.38 3-3-14

5-27-14 — 15% sold @ $12.07 85% unsold

— 10% sold @ $11.72

5-12-14 — 10% sold @ $12.23 6-2-14

— 10% sold @ $12.24

6-23-14 — 15% sold @ $12.07 25% unsold

Iowa Farm Bureau members have free 24/7 access to AgriVisor daily updates through the Members portion of the IFBF website: www. iowafarmbureau.com. The AgriVisor link is on the homepage under the Daily Market chart.

535

December 2015 Corn

515

with 50-day moving average

495

2014 CROP: Last week’s turn

So far, December futures have held critical short-term support at $3.93. A close under that level would open up the possibility of dropping as far as a downside swing target at $3.78.

475

in the dollar and turn in the corn market suggest prices might be starting a turn up out of a winter low. We continue to expect better selling opportunities this spring/ summer; make only needed sales at this time. If you need to sell, we’d recommend a basis contract to secure cash, leaving pricing open into late spring. Continue to hold 2013 crop for expected longterm improvement.

out-of-the-money new-crop call options to make sales against this spring/summer.

2015 CROP: Like old crop,

FUNDAMENTALS: Traders are

455

395

375 355

harvest is poised to start wind-

It takes a close over $4.12 to stop the short-term trend. A close over $4.22 would suggest the short-term trend is turning up, setting up the possibility of seeing a move over the $4.40 December high.

335 3/20/14

6/19/14

$3.93 62% retracement $3.64

9/18/14

waiting for the March 31 USDA grain stocks and planting numbers. The hard break in the dollar in the wake of the Federal Reserve meeting was the biggest change,

12/17/14

3/20/15

6/17/15

110

50 Basis Chicago Futures

30 4/7/14

7/2/14

9/26/14

12/22/14

3/20/15

one that could represent a change in attitude.

1275

November 2015 Soybeans

1225

with 50-day moving average

1175 Although not readily apparent on the individual contracts, the bigger picture on cash and continuous charts continues to indicate prices are making a complex correction of last fall's rally.

1125

tude regarding the dollar was the key change last week. It may have been enough to secure a late winter low in soybean prices. We still see at least moderate strength into spring/summer, with weather and planting guiding the extent of any rebound. Hold off making sales.

FUNDAMENTALS: Brazilian

$4.40

415

2014 CROP: The shift in atti-

are still taking their lead from old-crop prices. Economics and insurance guarantees should keep acreage from growing. We have no interest in pricing 2015 crop at these levels.

Cycle Lows 20-week 40-week

435

SOYBEAN STRATEGY

2015 CROP: New-crop prices

Cash Strategist Hotline: 1-309-557-2274

CORN STRATEGY

the technical picture brightened a little this week, although it may take a while to get an uptrend entrenched. We see no reason to price new crop now. Buy some

MARCH 25, 2015

1075 1025 975 925

November futures should be coming to the end of this correction. November should hold its $9.27 contract low, but there is a chance it could drop slightly below it. Once complete, it should set the stage for a more extended rally.

875 3/20/14

6/19/14

9/18/14

ing down. It’s thought they are more than 60 percent complete. Producer selling has picked up, but is still behind. Argentine harvest is starting, with some now thinking high yields will offset the flood losses. The government raised its forecast to 58 million metric tons. Producer sales are being slowed by political/eco-

Cycle Lows 16- 18-week 3-year

12/17/14

3/20/15

6/17/15

300 275 250

225 200 175 150 125 100 75

Basis Chicago Futures

50 4/7/14

7/2/14

9/26/14

12/22/14

3/20/15

nomic issues. U.S. exports are still on pace to meet or exceed the current USDA forecast.

Iowa Corn & Soybean Basis CORN: (basis vs. May futures, 3/18/15)

SOYBEANS: (basis vs. May futures, 3/18/15)

NW $3.55 -0.20 SW $3.49 -0.26

NC $3.56 -0.19 SC $3.52 -0.23

NE SE

$3.60 -0.15 $3.58 -0.17

$9.18 -0.47 $9.19 -0.46

NC SC

$9.19 -0.46 $9.17 -0.48

NE $9.22 -0.43 SE $9.31 -0.34

Neither AgriVisor LLC nor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is liable for any damages that anyone may sustain by reason of inaccuracy or inadequacy of information provided herein, any error of judgment involving any projections, recommendation or advice or any other act of omission. This publication is owned by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation with advice provided by and copyrighted by AgriVisor Services LLC, 1701 Towanda Avenue, Bloomington, Ill., 61701. No reproduction of any material in whole or in part of this page may be made without written consent.

New report says E15 greatly reduces pollution A new analysis produced by University of Illinois-Chicago principal research economist Stefen Mueller found that giving Iowa consumers more access to cleaner fuel options such as E15 would provide significant environmental benefits, reducing carbon pollution in Iowa by more than 200,000 tons per year. Most passenger vehicle fuel used today contains about 10 percent ethanol as a way to deliver added octane and limit emissions. Ethanol producers want to make cleaner-burning E15 blends more widely available to consumers alongside regular gasoline to provide consumers an additional choice and the opportunity to save money each time they fill up. E15 is a high octane, high performance fuel that also costs about 5 cents less per gallon

compared to regular gasoline. Mueller’s study found Iowa motorists consume about 1.5 billion gallons of gasoline per year, nearly all of which is E10. The analysis shows that if consumers in Iowa had access to and chose to fill up with E15 gasoline, emissions of carbon dioxide pollution across the state would be reduced by 220,821.62 tons each year. The savings are equivalent to taking about 46,489 passenger vehicles off the road in Iowa every year. Across a seven-state area including Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas, Michigan and Wisconsin, moving from E10 to E15 would reduce carbon emissions 3.4 million metric tons annually, the report said. New processing technologies as well as updated life cycle mod-

els have significantly advanced the carbon intensity assessments of biofuels over the last 10 years, Mueller reported. Those changes significantly lower land use change prompted by biofuel production, he said. “Published surveys of the ethanol industry showed that 2008 ethanol plants use 30 percent less energy to convert corn to ethanol than 2001-era plants. A recent follow-up survey showed further energy reductions,” Mueller said. Emerging agricultural practices and technologies have also been shown to further reduce land demands and emissions from biofuels production, he said. “Most noteworthy are applications of nitrification inhibitors that stabilize nitrogen fertilizer inputs, advanced hybrid seeds and precision agriculture,” said Mueller.

MARCH 25, 2015

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

Poultry growers on alert following avian influenza outbreaks BY BETHANY BARATTA Pat Daufeldt is a little more leery of the geese that fly over the grow sheds on her family’s turkey farm these days near West Liberty. “Now is the time of the year geese are flying north, and we can’t do anything about that,” Daufeldt said. “We just hope that they don’t leave any residue as they fly by.” That’s because geese and other fowl have been carrying and spreading avian influenza, killing flocks of turkeys and birds in sev eral states. “The main word here is bios ecurity,” Daufeldt, a Muscatine County Farm Bureau member, said. “We can’t stress that enough.” Highly pathogenic avian influ enza has caused deaths in com mercial flocks in Minnesota, Missouri and Arkansas. It’s also hit backyard chicken flocks in the Pacific Northwest. Last week, about 61,000 turkeys were infected with low pathogenic avian influenza on a commercial turkey farm in California. The case was the third in California, though the strains of the virus are different. A flock of chickens and ducks were infected with a sepa rate strain in Kansas. Though commonly spread by direct contact between healthy birds and infected birds, avian influenza is also spread through indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials. The virus is excreted through feces of infect ed birds and through secretion from the nose, mouth and eyes. Most growers who have report ed avian influenza have reported 80 to 90 percent mortality, said Jeff Kaisand, Iowa’s assistant state veterinarian. Backyard poultry flocks are at most risk since those animals have contact with wild fowl and feces, Kaisand said. However, all poultry and turkey growers are at risk, Kaisand said. Growers should ensure bird netting is intact inside the barn to keep birds out, he said. Keeping doors closed and locked will also

USDA extends dietary guideline comment period Consumers and industry groups now have until May 8 to comment on the federal dietary guideline recommendations after the com ment period was extended 30 days last week. During a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing on the guidelines last week, Kevin Con cannon, U.S. Department of Agri culture under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, said there are no changes to lean meat recommendations. “Their recommendations about the amount of meat consumed is basically the same. It’s the very same as the 2010 dietary guidelines,” Brownfield Ag News reported Concannon as saying. Meat industry groups criticized the recommendations when they were first released because the guidelines made no mention of lean meat as part of a healthful diet. To comment on the proposed dietary guidelines, go to www. health.gov/dietaryguidelines/ dga2015/comments/writeCom ments.aspx.

help keep birds out. Changing boots between buildings, disin fecting boot baths, changing clothes between barns and limit ing barn and farm traffic will also help, he said. Daufeldt said they are amping up their biosecurity efforts — add ing spray bottles of disinfectant in barns, disinfecting tires as they enter the farm, staying away from convenience stores or other plac es where farmers gather to avoid picking up the virus, and even staying inside the truck when they pick up feed. Gretta Irwin, executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation, said staff is working with pro

ducers, the state veterinarian, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and others to have a plan in place should avian influenza hit Iowa flocks. “We feel we have good plans in place in Iowa and farmers who have good knowledge in how to protect their flocks of turkeys,” she said. For now, Irwin said, the fed eration has been in contact with producers, advising them to call their veterinarian should they notice changes in the health of their flock. “Everybody is being very safe, very cautious and doing what they can,” she said.

Brad Daufeldt works in a turkey barn on his family’s West Liberty farm. The Daufeldts and other Iowa poultry growers are taking extra biosecurity precautions after avian influenza surfaced in neighboring states. SPOKESMAN FILE PHOTO

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Summers S.C. 40'

White 8222 N.T 3 bu box

Brandt 5000ex vac

OTHER EQUIPMENT New Killbros Equipment

Kubota F3080 72” deck Kubota ZD326 60” deck

New Brand Augers In stock

IRWIN

Robinson Implement, Inc. 712-782-3171 TRACTORS '08 JD 8430, 2679 hrs '12 2660 Massey/Loader COMBINES '13 Fendt 933 Vario MFWD '98 White 8510 MFWD '11 S67 Gleaner 350 S/H TILLAGE 1210 hrs TILLAGE & PLANTERS '12 MF 8650 MFWD '08 White 8824 24 30" Row '09 R66 Gleaner 749 Sep/Hr '12 Sunflower 5135-42' '08 RT155A 4WD FL75 Ldr, '99 White 6222 Field Cult '10 R66 gleaner 565 Sep/Hr 3191 hrs SunFlower 6432-36' Land CIH 730B Disc Ripper '94 R62 Gleaner '00 JD 8110 8120 hrs 4WD Finisher GLEANER COMBINES '13 Sunflower 5035-36 Field '11 Versatile 435 4WD, 1265 HEADERS hrs '93 R52, 2655E/1871S hrs Cult-Like New! '08 3000-8 Hugger Corn '12 NH T8.360 MFWD '92 R52 4071E/2715S hrs Landoll 2205 4 Shank Disc Head 1064Hrs '98 R62 3663E/2647S hrs Ripper '05 MF 7495 CVT MFWD '03 R65 2774E/1935S hrs '03 8025 Gleaner Flex 2405 Hrs '03 R75 4206E/3075S hrs MISC '06 8030 Gleaner Flex '10 DT205B 1564 hrs, MFWD '03 R75 2557E/1939S hrs 450 Brent Wagon/Tarp '95 520 Gleaner Flexhead '08 DT240A 2365 hrs 4WD MISC HydraMac 20C Skid Loader '12 CIH 235 Mag. MFWD '05 M&W PC1530 Rotary TRACTORS 670 hrs Mower 4130 IH Skid Loaders '12 8650 Massey Tractor '04 CIH MX210 4837hrs '06 Krone EC280 Disc Mower 6080 Allis Cab Tractor MFWD '04 NI 5410 Disc Mower '12 Fendt 930 Vario MFWD '10 Bush Hog Rotary Mower