NY Crop Grower 12.24.12

A publication of the NY Corn & Soybean Growers Association Winter 2012, Vol. 2 No. 8

NYCSGA Seeking Farm Women Volunteers 2012 Yield Contest Winners Washington Update

p. A3 p. B2 p. B3

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 1 - Section A

The New York Crop Grower

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 2 - Section A

New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association President, Steve Van Voorhis Henrietta, 585-746-1542

Vice President, Ron Robbins Sackets Harbor, 315-382-3883

Secretary/Treasurer, Ralph Lott Seneca Falls, 315-568-9501

Board Members Roger Arliss, Pit Farm Clyde, 315-521-0488 Adam L. Craft Williamson, 315-589-2386 Todd Du Mond, Du Mond Ag, LLC Union Springs, 315-252-9191 Loren Herod, Community Bank NA Geneva, 315-781-2138 Bill Jenkins, Jenkins Farm Wyoming, 585-786-5793 Seth Pritchard, Catalpa Farm Canandaigua, 585-748-3334 Mike Stanyard, Cornell Cooperative Extension Newark, 315-331-8415 Tom Sutter, Monroe Tractor Henrietta, 585-334-3857, 585-730-1853 Jason Swede, Gary Swede Farms Pavilion, 585-243-9739 Tim Taylor, SeedSource, LLC Skaneateles, 315-374-2611 Raymond Dean Auburn, 315-209-7183 Beth Chittenden, Dutch Hollow Farm Schodack Landing, 518-732-4633

Julia Robbins Executive Director Sackets Harbor, 315-778-1443 The New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association is a grassroots organization representing corn and soybean producers’ interests. The Association works to develop and expand markets, educate members, and enhance public policy for corn and soybean growers in the Empire State. The Association sponsors research on corn and soybean production, utilization and marketing and hosts educational programs.

President's Column

Message from the President

By Steve Van Voorhis

M

erry Christmas and Happy New Year from the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association!

NYCSGA has been very busy the past 3 months, tying up the end of the 2012 fiscal year, traveling to various meetings, setting the organization's budget for the 2013 fiscal year, organizing the 2012 Corn & Soybean Expo, and engaging in consumer education programs.

Our board of directors are all very excited about this year's Corn & Soybean Expo. We not only have two highly qualified and experienced speakers, Moe Russell and Dick Wittman, on the issue of farm business transitions and financial planning, but we're also planning a second half day session to give attendees more time to interact with our guest consultants. More information on the Expo is in this newletter. You can also go to our website, www.nycornsoy.org to register online.

In January, look for information on the 2013 round of funding from NYCSGA for research programs and grower and consumer education. The board has decided to invest even more money this year in research and education programs, as we feel that the results of

Steve and Jane VanVoorhis at Rockefeller Center during the National Biodiesel Board Tour in New York City

these studies and initiatives are a good investment of your checkoff dollars.

Several women have become involved with NYCGSA through CommonGround, a national program that seeks to help women consumers make informed choices about their families' food, based on facts, not fear.

The backbone of CommonGround are the women farmer volunteers who talk woman to woman about food safety and modern agriculture practices.

In December, CommonGround New York launched two

radio spots in several suburban markets across New York State. The ads focused on animal welfare and milk safety. We plan to continue these ads in the New Year in even more suburban areas.

Finally, my wife, Jane and I traveled to New York City earlier this month as part of a tour hosted by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). The focus of this tour was how New York City is a leader in the nation in its use of biodiesel and bioheat. The City has a 2% bioheat mandate, and many of the City's municipal vehicles and equipment, as

well as the Port Authority's snow removal equipment, run on B-20 biodiesel.

NBB is hopeful that the New York State legislature will pass a statewide 2% bioheat mandate this year; and we'll need all of our soybean farmers help in getting this passed.

We'll be sending out more information on this initiative via email and posting on our website as it becomes available.

Jane and I wish all New York State corn & soybean growers peace and happiness this holiday season.

T

he NYCSGA has joined a national movement to promote modern agriculture entitled "CommonGround", which is supported by the United Soybean Board and the National Corn Growers Association.

CommonGround is a group of farm women across America who volunteer their time to provide food facts to the decision makers in the home, ie. the women who do the grocery shopping. It's a conversation based on the personal experience of farmers, but also on science and research.

The website www.FINDOURCOMMONGROUND.COM answers consumer questions and features videos from a number of farmers.

Specific topics that are discussed on the website include antibiotics, food prices, animal welfare, hormones, local , organic, food safety, GMO foods and corporate farms.

CommonGround New York recorded radio spots about food safety which aired in Albany, Watertown, Rochester & Buffalo during the first two weeks of December.

This past summer, an exhibit at the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck started food conversations with consumers by providing facts and information about soybeans. CommonGround(national) also filmed a video about dairy farming at the

Chittendens' Dutch Hollow Far, in Schodack Landing.

The video will be featured on the CommonGround

website in 2013.

Additionally, CommonGround provides brochures to consumers at public

events as well as resources for agriculture women to join in the food movement. More events are being

planned for the spring to connect with state legislators, chefs and consumers.

One of the goals of

the NYCSGA women involved in the CommonGround program is to reach consumers

NYCSGA

next page

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 3 - Section A

NYCSGA Seeking Farm Women as Agriculture Ambassadors

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 4 - Section A

Executive Director's Report

Best Wishes this Christmas and in the New Year

By Julia Robbins

M

erry Christmas and Happy New Year to New York's corn and soybean farmers!

The New Year marks one year for me as executive director of the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association. I certainly had a lot to learn when I started, but, slowly but surely, all the pieces started coming together.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my work with New York's corn and soybean farmers, and I look forward to years to come as executive director.

I hope everyone had a safe and successful harvest this year. Here in the North Country we saw record yields for both corn and soybeans. The yields were so good in fact, at one point my dad thought his yield monitor was broken! Crops were looking pretty sad in July, but Mother Nature, in her usual way, eventually came through for us.

I am very excited for the 2013 Corn & Soybean Expo, which will be held Jan. 24 & 25 in Liverpool. We have nationally known and respected farm business consultants, Moe Russell and Dick Wittman, as our guest speakers this year. And, we are holding a second 1/2 day session so that growers have the opportunity to interact with our

consultants in smaller groups and one-on-one.

We're also encouraging farmers to bring their next generation to the meeting as well. It's important for everyone involved in the farm operation to hear the information that will be presented. It's often said, but I really believe it this time: this year's Expo will be our best yet!

Finally, I ask for your thoughts and prayers for our military who are serving overseas during this holiday season, as well as their families back here on the home front.

God Bless You and Your Family this Christmas and throughout the New Year!

Julia

Merry Christmas from The Robbins Family: Brian, Jessica, Collin & Colton, Ron & Nancy, Julia & Tucker, and Jeff & Samantha

The New & Improved www.nycornsoy.org NYCSGA from previous page throughout all of New York State, so your help is needed. To learn more about CommonGround visit us at the Corn & Soybean Expo on January 24th in Liverpool, NY.

You can support New York agriculture by joining CommonGround NY and setting the facts straight for consumers. To join the conversation or get brochures for an event contact Julia Robbins at 315-583-5296 or juliacrobbins@gmail.com.

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 5 - Section A

www.nycornsoy.org

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 6 - Section A

T

his holiday season, members of the New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association (NYCSGA) can save on travel expenses by using discounts available exclusively through NYCSGA and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). Through partnerships with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the exclusive NCGA Worldwide Hotel Discount Program, NYCSGA offers members valuable savings on car rentals and hotel bookings whether they travel across the country or even to many locations around the world.

The exclusive NCGA Worldwide Hotel Discount Program, which was introduced as a benefit earlier this year, allows members, their friends and their families access to a worldwide inventory of hotels at exclusive discounted rates.

Whether travelling for work or pleasure, individually or in a group, domestically or abroad, members can take advantage of savings that may exceed 50 percent and average about 15 percent below publicly offered best available rates.

Members can also save on car rentals when using the NCGA discount offered through the organization's partnership with Enterprise Rent-ACar. This benefit offers a discount of five percent on rental fees at Enterprise

neighborhood offices and 10 percent on rentals from their airport locations.

To find out more about how to access

these discounts and explore the full array of benefits available

to members go to http://www.ncga.com /for-farmers/member-

ship-benefits, or contact Julia at NYCSGA, at

www.nycornsoy.org

juliacrobbins@ gmail.com, or 315-583-5296.

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 7 - Section A

NYCSGA Members Can Save Big on Travel

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 8 - Section A

Top Challenges to Selling More U.S. Soy Overseas

T

he soy checkoff helps maintain and improve demand for U.S. soy around the globe, boosting profits for U.S. soybean farmers and helping meet growing global demand for food. Soy exports have increased so much that more than half the U.S. crop left the country last year. To make sure that growth continues, the checkoff works to address several potential obstacles, including these five 1. Restrictions on biotechnology. The checkoff collects information about the safety of soybeans improved through biotechnology and disseminates it to decision makers in key global markets to keep them informed. The effort is especially important right now in the European Union, which has a lengthy approval process on new biotech varieties.

This summer, the International Soybean Grower's Alliance (ISGA), which includes the United Soybean Board, went on a mission to the EU to discuss biotech soy production and the need to reduce trade restrictions in that part of the world. The goal is to streamline approval processes and open the market to biotech soy.

2. Trade barriers. The United States has made progress in some countries, signing trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama in the past year. But tariffs, export taxes, production subsidies and other trade barriers remain in place in a number of other countries. These policies discourage potential customers in those countries from importing U.S. soy. The checkoff works in many of these countries to ease these restrictions.

3. Transportation issues. U.S. farmers depend on roads, rivers and rails to move soybeans from their fields to export shipping points.

The U.S. transportation system has been a competitive advantage for U.S. soybean farmers for many years. Now, however, that infrastructure is aging and an increase in global demand will stress it even more. A recent checkoff-funded study highlighted several weaknesses where problems could arise as crop production and demand

increase. Without upgrades, the deteriorating transportation system threatens U.S. soybean farmers' global competitiveness.

opportunities all over the globe to make sure U.S. soybean farmers stay a step ahead of their competition.

4. The competition. When it comes to quality, U.S. soybeans are considered second to none.

But some international buyers make soybean and soy meal purchasing decisions based on other factors, such as price and ease of delivery. As a result, U.S. soybean farmers are always competing with South American soybean-growing countries like Brazil and Argentina. The checkoff analyzes

5. Staying sustainable. Customers around the world will not only be demanding more soybeans in the future; they will be demanding soybeans that are grown in a sustainable manner. The checkoff tracks sustainable farm-management practices and promotes U.S. farmers' efforts in this area to potential customers.

W

hat's on the minds of consumers when it comes to their food? The Center for Food Integrity recently brought together industry leaders to speak on the topics of ethics, values and consumer trust in today's food system.

Stakeholders attending the meeting had the opportunity to engage with attendees and speakers that included David Hughes, emeritus professor of food marketing at the Imperial College of London; Bob Langert, vice president of corporate social responsibility at McDonald's Corporation; and Fred Bedore, senior director, business strategy and sustainability at Walmart.

Here are some of the top takeaways: 1.When you talk to consumers, tell them about how you share their values. This is even more important in earning their trust than rattling off facts about your farm. Use personal stories and experiences to engage with others instead of immediately turning to scientific fact when talking about food and farming.

2.Local food and children's nutrition are the items that are top of mind for restaurants.

According to Hughes, there isn't a market in the world that

isn't interested in eating 'local.'

3.When putting together your farm

sustainability plan, do not try to guess the expectations of Walmart or any other players in the food

value chain. Your goal should simply always be to get a better result and make improvements

from where you started.

To learn more about the Center for Food

Integrity and upcoming events, please visit www.foodintegrity.org.

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 1 - Section B

Food Integrity Summit: What You Need to Know

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 2 - Section B

2012 New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association Yield Contest Winners

T

he annual corn and now soybean yield contest is sponsored by the New York

Corn & Soybean Grower Association. There were 67 yield entries submitted for both the corn and

soybean contests this year. There were some fantastic yields this year! The top regional and state

Corn Contest Regional Winners Western Region 1. Matt Kludt 2. Matt Kludt 3. Bret Meyer

Orleans County Orleans County Livingston County

winners will be presented awards at the 2013 NY Corn & Soybean Expo in Syracuse on January 24th.

Overall NY State Corn Contest Winners 1. Matt Kludt Orleans County 2. Eric Lyon Seneca County 3. Charles Campbell Tioga County

DeKalb 46-20 Pioneer P0216HR DeKalb 53-45

278.73 268.85 267.21

DeKalb 46-20 DeKalb 49-94 Pioneer P0891AM1

278.73 260.25 248.47

Finger Lakes Region 1. Eric Lyon Seneca County 2. Charles Campbell Tioga County 3. Eric Lyon Seneca County

Pioneer P0216HR DeKalb 53-45 Pioneer P0216HR

268.85 267.21 258.90

Western Region Group 1 Brad Macauley Livingston County Group 2 Myron Brady Livingston County Group 3 No Entries

Central Region 1. Bob Pawlowski Oneida County 2. Kevin Sykes Oneida County 3. Jim Collins Oneida County

Pioneer P0216HR Pioneer 9807HR Pioneer P0216HR

257.48 237.65 232.88

Finger Lakes Region Group 1 Scott Arliss Wayne County Group 2 Bill Tack Wayne County Group 3 Todd DuMond Cayuga County

SG1711 80.02 SW2111 83.94 Pioneer 93M11 79.99

Central Region Group 1 Humphrey's Oneida County Group 2 Kevin Sykes Oneida County Group 3 Bob Pawlowski Oneida County

Pioneer 91Y90 64.31 Pioneer 92Y31 71.97 Pioneer 93Y22 64.83

Soybean Contest Regional Winners NK 1097 75.97 Pioneer 92Y51 85.02

Overall NY State Soybean Contest Winners 1.

2.

3.

Myron Brady Bill Tack Bret Meyer

Livingston County Wayne County Livingston County

Pioneer 92Y51 SW2111 Pioneer 92Y91

85.02 83.94 82.73

A report from the Washington office of the American Soybean Association

A

s America's soybean farmers round out what has been a year of record drought, record prices, impasse on Capitol Hill and new opportunities abroad, the American Soybean Association continues our work in Washington and nationwide to create an environment in which farmers can remain profitable in the face of myriad challenges. It certainly hasn't been easy, and the gridlock in Washington is a real barrier to our progress. There are, however, certain reasons for optimism as we look at the busy waning days of the 112th Congress and beyond.

As we speak, Congress is engaged in a back-and-forth over the fiscal cliff, and it bears repeating that agriculture remains the only industry that as a whole has come to the table with a concrete number for what we're willing to give up in terms of deficit reduction. We continue to support a comprehensive approach to reducing federal deficits, but we will fight to ensure that disproportionate reductions in agriculture programs are not made.

While the fiscal cliff dominates most national political conversations, the unresolved farm bill currently provides the most heartburn for agriculture. With the 2008 Farm Bill expired, the need for action on a new bill is at a critical stage. If the 112th Congress does not finish the farm bill, the 113th will need to start from scratch, representing the first time that a Congress has failed to pass a new farm bill. ASA continues to call on farmers in New York and across the country to remind their members of Congress of the consequences of not passing a bill.

This year has also been a big one for biotechnology. ASA and many in the industry paid close attention to California this election season, where voters decided against Prop 37, legislation that would have required labels on all foods containing biotech ingredients. ASA worked with the No on 37 campaign to defeat the ballot initiative, which would have provided misleading information to consumers, increased food costs, spawned frivolous lawsuits against farmers, and seriously threatened the public's confidence in the safety of food products.

With regard to biodiesel, we are still without a long-term extension of the biodiesel tax incentive. ASA did, however, succeed in seeing the Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirement raised to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013, following record production last in 2011.

Finally, ASA's work on trade saw new trade agreements enacted with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, as well as discussions of a free trade agreement with the European Union and the inclusion of Japan in the Trans Pacific Partnership. Currently, the Senate stands ready to pass a bill that would establish permanent normal trade relations with Russia, the world's ninth largest economy. Russia is a leading export market for U.S., meat, poultry, egg and dairy products, importing more than $770 million in these products last year.

As we move into 2013, ASA remains committed to working with Republicans, Democrats and the Obama Administration to craft policies that work for America's soybean farmers, and we look forward to working with the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association and farmers across the Empire State to ensure that those policies fit your needs as well.

Another issue of huge importance to ASA is the need for relief on the estate tax. If Congress does not provide a before 2013, the estate tax exemption will drop to from $5 million $1 million and the top tax rate will increase to from 35 percent to 55 percent. Given the land-based and capital-intensive nature of farm operations, farm families in New York and nationwide need an estate tax solution that takes into account how we operate. ASA supports keeping the current exemption at $5 million per person and retaining the top rate of 35 percent, indexing the exemption to inflation, providing for spousal transfers, and including the stepped-up basis.

Within the transportation sector, we are seeing a dire situation emerge down the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois. Water levels between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill., have become so dangerously low that they threaten the continued operation of our industry's most-utilized inland waterway. ASA has encouraged the administration to declare a state of emergency and take immediate action to ensure the uninterrupted flow of river commerce. While it may not have a direct impact on farmers in the Empire State, an interruption in such a vital commercial waterway will have ramifications for all of agriculture.

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New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 3 - Section B

A Busy 2012 for Soybean Farmers on Capitol Hill

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 4 - Section B

Hearty Winter Recipes from Beth Chittenden

H

am & Cheese Strata

2 cups cooked ham 8 oz pkg twisted noodles 1 cup montary jack cheese 1/2 cup cheddar cheese 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter Mix all together (except butter) in a large buttered casserole dish.

Dot with butter and bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes. Serves 6.

The New & Improved www.nycornsoy.org

315-923-9118 Clyde, NY jasonmartin@anmartinsystems.com

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A

s long as people love to eat seafood, there will be farmers who raise fish-or, aquaculture, the fastest-growing sector in all of animal agriculture. Here are five things you should know about this growing industry: 1. Fishmeal is typically used in aquafeed formulations, but high prices and low supplies have opened the door for soy to be used as a more sustainable protein source in many formulations.

2. Each species of fish requires a specific feed formulation.

There is a big difference between formulating feeds for poultry and hogs, the top two users of U.S. soy meal, and formulating feeds for aquatic animals. In hogs, for example, the same formulation often works for most hog species.

3. Seafood comes in as the secondhighest-valued U.S. import - crude oil and petroleum products are first it's no surprise that aquaculture production has been a big business in many countries.

4. Asia produces the majority of farm-raised fish and seafood. In fact, China produces 60 percent of the world's aquaculture products.

5. As China continues to grow, both in

population and per capita income, the country will eventually consume all the seafood it

produces and import most of what's produced in the rest of Asia.

www.nycornsoy.org

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 5 - Section B

Fastest-Growing Animal-Ag Sector Smells Fishy Top 5 Things You Need to Know about Aquaculture

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 6 - Section B

Harvesting...

Branton Farms

Hansen Farms Rodman Lott & Sons

Roberts Farm

Robbins Family Grain

Sunny Knoll Farms

Robbins Family Grain

Robbins Family Grain

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 7 - Section B

Harvesting...

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 8 - Section B

Hearty Winter Recipes from Beth Chittenden

F

armer's Frittata

1 cup chopped onion 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 8 eggs beaten 1/4 cup half and half or milk

1/2 tsp basil 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup cheddar cheese 1/4 cup diced peppers 1/2 cup ham, bacon or pepperoni 1 cup croutons, coursely crushed 1/4 Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat broiler in oven. In a large skillet or electric frying pan cook onion in vegetable oil until onion is tender.

2. Meanwhile, in a bowl beat together eggs, basil and milk. Pour egg mixture over onion mixture in skillet. After eggs begin to cook add cheese, peppers and meat. Cook over medium heat. As mixture sets, run a spatula around the skillet edge, lifting egg mixture so uncooked portion flows underneath. Continue cooking and lifting edges until egg mixture is almost set (surface will be moist).

Reduce heat as necessary to prevent overcooking.

3. In a small bowl combine the crushed croutons and Parmesan cheese. When egg mixture is cooked sprinkle crouton mixture on top.

4. Broil 4 to 5 minutes or until top is set and crumbs are golden.

Cut frittata in squares to serve.

C

heesy Potato Soup

5 potatoes peeled & diced 1/2 cup chopped onion 3 cups water 2 cups milk 1 tbsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp thyme 1/2 tsp marjoram 2 tbsp butter 1 cup grated cheddar cheese 1/2 montery jack cheese 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese In a soup kettle cook potatoes and onions with the water until tender. Add seasonings, butter, milk, and cheese. Cook over low heat 15 minutes.

Pour into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 9 - Section B

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 10 - Section B

Precision Farming: Where do I Start?

By Tom Sutter

I

n Agriculture today, one of the biggest buzz words going is precision farming.

What exactly does precision farming stand for? Precision farming, or precision agriculture as it is sometimes called, is the application of technologies and agronomic principles to manage spatial and temporal variability associated with all aspects of agricultural production for the purpose of improving crop performance and environmental quality. In other words, instead of managing a 40 acre field and treating it as one management area, we can now literally manage every inch of a field and put just the right inputs in place to get the most out of that inch. Where and how does a grower start managing this way?

Sounds a little overwhelming doesn't it?

That is where technology comes into play. By utilizing global positioning systems (GPS), we can pinpoint a spot in a field and keep track of it year after year. Once we have the position in the field, then we have to collect data about that position year after year so that we can determine patterns about how that spot is performing. Relating back to the 40 acre field analogy, if a field didn't average well because it was continually wet, one may consider running tile to help drain it. It would take a few years of seeing that it was a wet field before a grower would invest on the tile to help that field perform better.

Now you have a starting point. Get a GPS signal and start recording data! You have to have multiple years of data so that you can start to make meaningful decisions in your operation. An easy place to start is in your combine. For many years, combines have come standard with yield monitoring systems.

By simply adding a simple GPS receiver to your combine and a recording monitor, you can start collecting yield information by field.

Keep in mind the old saying, however: garbage in, garbage out. Take the time to look over the system and calibrate it. If you do not feel comfortable, reach out to your local dealer and they can help. If you do not have the system calibrated correctly, the information you save isn't very valuable.

The next step is to pull the data into a useful format. There are a number of programs out there you can utilize to help do this. A couple of examples include Farmworks, AFS Desktop, SMS or APEX. These programs convert the data collected in the combine to yield maps. You can also add your soil information, testing results, etc. to help give you a more complete picture of what is happening in your fields. Getting the maps to work for you can sometimes be a challenge. I know that some dealers and consultants offer services to help pull the

data correctly so that your maps are in a useful format. Don't be afraid to ask for help; pulling information into a usable format is the second most important part behind collecting the data in the first place.

Ron Robbins, owner of Robbins Family Grain in Sackets Harbor, checks his yield monitor while chopping corn for silage earlier this fall.

In summary, precision agriculture is a helpful tool and it is not that expensive to get started. Get a receiver and start collecting data. Make sure your equipment is calibrated and working correctly. Then, utilize the resources available and pull information that makes sense to you. Finally, you too will be better managing your operation one foot at a time.

W

hat does your farm operation consist of?

1500 ac. Corn for grain, 1700 ac.

Soybeans, Empire Farm Days 325 ac.

What is your secret to success?

My father was never afraid to try something new. We started no-tilling in 1986 and converted everything to zone-till by 1988.

Today everything is no-tilled and we are harvesting everything with tracks - combine when necessary, tractor & grain cart.

www.nycornsoy.org

Activities/ memberships/other boards that you participate in/ serve on?

Seneca County IDA director serving 2nd year, Seneca County Farm Bureau served 2 terms as President, 1 term as V.P., 1 as Sec. Treas., member

American Soybean Assoc., National Corn Growers, NY Beef Producers.

How do you stay on top of the new technologies in farming?

Having 2 capable sons, Rodman 30 and Ben 21 who want to farm efficiently with the newest and best available.

What are some of the challenges and opportunities in today's agri-business?

Biggest challenge is government regulations (trucking,

clean water).

Opportunities are endless now with good yields and great prices. Another challenge is finding good farmland.

With this year's expo focusing on farm family transitions, what is the role of the next generation in your family business?

Rodman is a full partner in the farm and plans are to make Ben a full partner.

What are you looking forward to this winter?

Selling the crops from this past year; we do very little (no) forward contracting and rely on basis contracts for soybeans and cash contracts for corn.

Hometown: Seneca Falls, NY Education: 2 year Ag degree Family: wife Shirley, daughter Nicole & her husband Tim Taylor, son Rodman & his wife Tara & 2 children Grace & Blake, son Ben Hobbies: beef cattle

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 11 - Section B

Q&A with Director Ralph Lott

New York Corn and Soybean Association • Winter 2012 • Page 12 - Section B