Ag tab 2013 spring

April 3 2013

AGRICULTURE

NORTH IOWA A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

Buffalo Center Tribune Kanawaha Reporter Pioneer Enterprise Sheffield Press The Leader

SAFETY & HEALTH ISSUES

RESTORATION OF FAMILY TRACTOR

SHINING A LIGHT ON SOIL LOSS FIFTH GENERATION FARMER IS ISA “FOOD AND FARM” AMBASSADOR

FARM POLL ICA 2013 LEADERSHIP SELECTED DROUGHT CAN STILL BE FELT

Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 2 Section A

Soy Checkoff Helps U.S. Animal Ag Perform Well Internationally ST. LOUIS, Mo. – These little piggies went to market – international markets, that is, and in record numbers.

Despite challenging issues, such as the struggling global economy and trade barriers, U.S. poultry and livestock farmers enjoyed a record year for meat exports, which helps keep domestic demand for U.S. soy strong.

U.S. poultry, egg and pork shipments exceeded previous highs for value and volume set in 2011.

International beef sales dipped slightly in volume

but broke the previous value record.

Growing U.S. meat and poultry exports reinforce demand for U.S. soy since soy meal constitutes a significant portion of animal feeds. Domestic animal agriculture uses about 98 percent of the domestic supply of U.S. soy meal, making it the U.S. soy industry’s No. 1 customer. “Exporting meat and poultry is a big issue for U.S. soybean farmers,� says John Butler, a farmer-leader from Dyersburg, Tenn. “If we can feed animals

soybeans here and sell them abroad, we’re creating a value-added product.

Adding that value here has a tremendous positive impact on not only the U.S. soy industry but the national economy as well.�

Poultry and hogs remain the biggest users of U.S. soy meal. According to the most recent statistics, poultry consume roughly 12.9 million metric tons annually. That’s the meal from 601 million bushels of soybeans. And hogs account for 6.8 million metric tons of U.S. soy meal, or the

King’s Radiator

meal from 318 million bushels of soybeans.

To support U.S. soy meal’s largest customer, the soy checkoff partners with organizations like the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council to market U.S. meat and poultry abroad. A recent checkoff and USMEF effort helped increase consumption of pork back ribs in Japan from zero to 4.5 million pounds over the last three years.

The U.S. meat and poultry export figures for 2012 include: •Pork exports nearly reached 2.3 million metric tons, valued at over $6.3

billion. •Broiler meat exports, excluding chicken paws, reached 3.3 million metric tons, valued at nearly $4.2 billion. •Beef exports reached 1.1 million metric tons, valued at $5.5 billion. •Turkey exports reached 361,597 metric tons, valued at $678 million. •Chicken paw exports reached 363,974 metric tons, valued at $450.1 million. •Egg exports, table eggs and processed egg products in shell equivalents reached 274.1 million dozen, valued at $263.7 million.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the

investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers.

These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy’s customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013- Page 3 Section A

Fifth generation farmer is ISA “Food and Farm� ambassador

By Rebecca Peter KLEMME Adam Schmidt knew from a young age that he wanted to farm. “I love the independence of it,� Schmidt said. “Every day is different challenge.�

A graduate of GarnerHayfield, Adam graduated from Iowa State University in 2007 with a degree in Ag Studies. Adam and his wife, Victoria, are the fifth generation of Schmidts to join the family farming operation. “It’s always been important to me to be able to live and work close to my family,� he said.

Schmidt Family Farms includes grandfather Luverne, father Lonnie, uncle Jamie, and a brotherin-law Mark Reinert. “My sister Leah Reinert, mother Chris, grandmother Maryann, and Victoria work part time and seasonally on the farm,� he said. Victoria is also the Hancock County ISU Extension Youth Coordinator.

In addition to corn and soybeans, the family raises feeder cattle and has a farrow-to-finish hog

operation. “Everyone chips in everywhere, but we all have our specialty,� he said. Adam is primarily responsible for the hog finishing units.

The farm also has two fulltime employees for the farrowing-breeding barn and a third employee for general farm work.

Adam is part of the Iowa Soybean Association’s Food and Farm Ambassador team. The ISA is a cosponsor of the “Food and Family� project. “The mission is to open the lines of communication between farmers and the citizens of Iowa particularly the urban areas where they’re a little disconnected from the farm,� he explained.

Heading into the spring planting season, there are challenges for farmers but also reason for optimism.

The drought is one challenge. Soils are still extremely dry from 2012. “For the very little rain we had, we actually had a phenomenal yield,� he said.

The reason for the better-

than-expected yield in 2012 is due in large part is to improved corn and soybean genetics and conservation farming practice.

Markets are high right now,� Schmidt observed, “but if you compare it to fuel and land costs, a farmer’s profit margins are still pretty thin.� “It emphasizes the importance of good management practices to get the most out of every acre and seed we put in the ground.�

South America has also started their early soybean harvest, so what kind of yield they’re going to come up with, that will get back our market here,� he said.

The volatility of foreign markets such as China is also a challenge. “They might all of a sudden buy a whole bunch of soybeans or they may back off for a while,� he said.

Biodiesel (which uses soybeans) as a renewable fuel is a positive development for the ag industry, with plenty of room for growth.

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Adam Schmidt, a fifth generation farmer from Klemme, joined the family farming operation, Schmidt Family Farms, in 2007. Adam is also a member of the Iowa Soybean Association’s Food and Farm Ambassador Team, which seeks to open lines of communication between farmers and citizens of Iowa.

Photo by Rebecca Peter raise GMO (Genetically far as the general public is placed on inheritance.

Modified Organisms) concerned. It’s just good This is a huge issue in soybeans and corn. management that farmers agriculture,� he said. “Part of our farm need to pay attention to.�

Over reaching management is to keep Schmidt continued, government regulations rotating crops so we prevent “Everything we do is a is another concern. “They resistance to herbicides result of demand from need to let farmer be and insecticides,� he said. our consumers. And when farmers. They can try “There are regulations on consumers demand more and regulate us, but their how much specific [GMO product - not only for food, regulations are way more seed] you can plant in an but for fuel and fiber - and hurtful,� he said. area.� that demand continues to Adam and Victoria hope “We are seeing some grow, we need to be more that with arrival of baby weeds that are resistant to efficient on each acre that Schmidt next May, there Roundup but there always we have.� will be sixth generation to new products coming out Rising concerns of carrying on the family farm. and as long as you rotate many farmers include “Every year brings a your herbicide program over taxation, especially new challenge,� Adam said. for different modes of inheritance tax/ death tax. “Farming is what I’m made action, we can control the “Most family farms are to do. I have an amazing resistance problem.� broken up in succession to wife and a family that works “My bottom line is that pay the gigantic 40 percent well together and a job that it’s not really an issue as tax that government has I love. It’s pretty hard to improvement on that.�

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 4 Section A

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 5 Section A

Farm Poll Examines Where, How Farmers Get Their Information

By J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr., Laura Sternweis ISU Extension Service

AMES — Iowa farmers rely primarily on agribusinesses, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and state agencies for their information needs, according to the 2012 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

The annual poll surveyed 1,296 farmers about the information sources they rely on when making decisions that affect their farm operations, said J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr., a sociologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Arbuckle codirects the annual Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll with Paul Lasley, another ISU Extension and Outreach sociologist. “Farmers can choose from many sources to get the information they need to make decisions. We wanted to find out who they go to

first for information on specific agricultural topics,�

Arbuckle said. “We’ve asked similar questions in previous surveys, and results show that ISU Extension and Outreach continues to be among farmers’ ‘go to’ information sources.

We also asked farmers to tell us how they prefer to receive ISU Extension information and educational programming that supports their farming and farm management decisions,�

Arbuckle said.

Primary Sources of Information Farmers were asked to select the category of information provider that they would go to first when seeking information on crop production, nutrient management, pest and disease management, conservation, finances and marketing, Arbuckle explained. For each topic, farmers could choose

fertilizer or agricultural chemical dealers, seed dealers, USDA/NRCS/ SWCD service centers, private crop consultants, ISU Extension and Outreach, commodity associations and “other.�

For crop production — including corn production, soybean production and seed selection — seed dealers were the first choice for a plurality of farmers. A majority of farmers selected fertilizer or agricultural chemical dealers as their primary source of crop disease, insect and weed management information.

Fertilizer or agricultural chemical dealers also were selected as the preferred provider of information on fertilizer application rates and nutrient management.

USDA/NRCS/SWCD service centers were designated as the preferred resource for information for both conservation tillage and

soil and water conservation in general. Responses for farm financial management and marketing showed that many farmers did not select any of the listed entities as their primary information source, with 57 percent selecting other. “Extension and Outreach ranked second or third in all categories, with the highest percentages being for pest and disease management, conservation, and farm financial management.

Overall, 54 percent of farmers indicated that they would go to Extension first for at least one category of information. That said, chances are that much of the information farmers are receiving from other sources is based to some extent on Iowa State research,� Arbuckle said.

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science-based agricultural information both directly to farmers and through key agricultural stakeholders who also have contact with farmers.

Agribusinesses, crop consultants, commodity groups, state agencies and other ag information providers rely heavily on Iowa State research and extension information as they formulate their technical assistance recommendations for farmers,� Arbuckle said. “These partnerships help us make sure that farmers are able to base their decisions on current research. The bottom line is that together we are able to place science-based information in the hands of more farmers across the state,� he added. Arbuckle said the Farm Poll results demonstrate the value of this approach.

Preferences for ISU

Extension Information The 2012 Farm Poll also asked farmers how they preferred to receive information from ISU Extension and Outreach.

For each of several topics they could choose from a list ranging from field days and workshops to webcasts and apps. Farmers were asked to check all that applied. “In general, results indicate that farmers are fairly diverse in their preferences. Traditional, inperson events such as field days and meetings were the most popular means of delivery for most types of information. However, substantial numbers of farmers expressed preference for electronic distribution of materials and programming through online videos, webcasts and downloaded publications.

Very few, however, selected smartphone or tablet apps,�

Arbuckle said.

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 6 Section A

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 7 Section A

The ground may be wet, but the drought can still be felt

By Travis Fischer The snow on the ground is starting to melt away, which is good news for area farmers eager to head out into the fields, but the effects of last year’s drought have not yet gone away.

Provided the weather doesn’t come up with any more surprises, you can expect planting to start getting underway in late April, according to North Iowa Cooperative agronomist Mark Bausch.

Last year, thanks to a dry winter, farmers got an early start on their planting. Unfortunately that dryness lasted throughout the summer. This year the hope is that the weather will return to a more normal cycle.

“With the snow and rain we’ve had, I think the farmers are in a pretty good mood,” said Bausch.

While the extra water in the ground is a welcome change from last year, Bausch expects some farmers may be a bit cautious this year, planting a few more soybeans instead of corn.

“Soybeans are a lot risky to raise,” said Bausch.

“They tend to be a lot more drought tolerant and the market it pretty good.”

Of course, while the moisture and humidity are necessary for growing crops, it’s also the

environment where molds and diseases thrive. Bausch says that Goss’ Wilt, which can be identified by the development of dark spots on the plants, was found creeping into the state.

And while the drought may have caused the corn to suffer last year, it did little to stop the growth of weeds, which fare better during the extremely dry conditions.

“I think the weeds did fine,” said Bausch, stating that there will be spots of weeds out in the fields.

Bausch expects most farmers, whether they are growing corn or soybeans, will apply a pre-merge herbicide to their fields.

The effects of last year’s drought are also being felt in the marketplace.

Grain Merchandiser Craig Backhaus says that

because of last year’s low yields, there is a significant difference between the price of “old crop” and “new crop.”

“Old crop sales are tight,” said Backhaus.

The remainder of last year’s crop is selling at $7.50, while pre-orders for this year’s crop is going for $5.25.

This gulf may continue to increase further, depending on how the weather cooperates. If a later start results in a later harvest, Backhaus says that could cause the price of old crop to jump further as demand increases.

“Weather will play a critical role on if we get enough grain to maintain ending stocks,” said Backhaus.

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Agriculture in North Iowa, April 3, 2013 - Page 8 Section A

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