AG Mag Central Iowa
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Less Central Iowa farmers focus on higher yields as commodity prices continue to be low GOOD DEAL? Farmers make their push for passage of Trans-Pacific Partnership TOO BIG?: Mega-mergers worry U.S. senator, farmers
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Fall 2016 AG Mag
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Contact any Key Cooperative Agronomist to learn more about implementing Instinct® II and N-Serve® nitrogen stabilizers on your farm. your essential business partner
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®Instinct and N-Serve are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Instinct II is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions.
AG Mag Central Iowa
COVER STORY PAGE 6
Publisher Dan Goetz Advertising Director Jeff Holschuh Managing Editor Abigail Pelzer Magazine Editor and Page Design Jeff Rogers Reporters & Photographers Jason W. Brooks, Pam Eggemeier, Christopher Heimerman, Mike Krabbenhoeft, Kayla Langmaid, Kate Malott, Mike Mendenhall, Alex Olp, Jamee A. Pierson, Bailey Poolman, Rachel Rodgers, and Scott Vicker Published by News Publishing Co. 200 First Avenue East Newton, IA 50208 641-792-3121
Farmers weigh in
Articles and advertisements are the property of News Publishing Co. No portion of the Central Iowa Ag Mag may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Ad content is not the responsibility of News Publishing Co. The information in this magazine is believed to be accurate; however, News Publishing Co. cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy. News Publishing Co. cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this magazine.
As another harvest season wraps up, local farmers tell us how they’re managing amid low commodity prices.
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AG Mag
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Index Merger mania Mega-mergers between ag industry giants have some concerned about the impact on farmers and consumers.
IN DEPTH PAGE 16
9
Ulrich’s Meat Market is a tasty tradition on the Pella square.
12
A look at a day of beet harvesting with Mingo organic farmer Larry Cleverley.
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AG Mag
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WEATHERING THE STORM
Local farmers look at ways to cut back in order to survive ag economy downturn
BY MIKE MENDENHALL AND CHRISTOPHER HEIMERMAN For Central Iowa Ag Mag
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ayne Schlosser was nearly two-thirds of the way done harvesting a 36-acre field of soybeans southeast of Colfax when he had to turn off his combine engine. “It’s kicking up a code,” Schlosser, 73, said of his control panel, which transmits data on bushel yields, field moisture and weight in the on-board storage tank. “It says, ‘active header height control, right header height sensor,’” he said. “It could be a problem. It could be nothing.” 6 Fall 2016
He climbed down the ladder about 15 acres from a nearby farmhouse — dust stirred by the machine settling — to wait for his equipment dealer to arrive with a diagnostic computer. It was mid-October, with weeks of work still ahead harvesting his 800 acres of soybeans and 1,000 acres of corn. “This is all part of it,” Schlosser said of the delay. ■■■ There weren’t many glitches in the 2016 crops. By all accounts, it has been an excellent year for corn and soybean farmers in Central Iowa. CONTINUED ON 7
4CONTINUED FROM 6 Final average yields weren’t available at press time, but area farmers were reporting an average to slightly above average soybean crop, and many producers were saying they were seeing some of the highest corn yields ever. There’s a literal price to pay, however, for the monster yields farmers have enjoyed the past few years. On the heels of a national drought, corn reached a record high of $8.49 a bushel in August 2012. Since 2013, corn has rarely crawled above the $4 mark. Prairie City corn and soybean farmer Gordon Wassenaar said prices and unpredictability could lead to cutbacks by some farmers. Like others, Wassenaar’s yields were strong – nearly all of the 1,200 acres he farms saw corn yields in acess of 200
bushels per acre. Central Iowa farmers will enter the winter with good soil moisture, he said. But he expects to see a decline in planted corn acres in 2017 because of low market prices. For now, he expects his acreage mix to be unchanged. The silver lining of low commodity prices is that land prices follow suit. According to the research by the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana’s Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, cash rents are projected to continue their descent in 2017, down another $23 per acre to $245. Land values have followed a similar trend, having gone down 1.6 percent over the past 2 years, from $7,700 per acre in 2014 to $7,450 in 2016. So now could be an advantageous time to expand or get into the game. Buyer beware, though. Corn gross revenue from the 2016 crop is projected at $787 per acre, down $43 from
2015, while soybeans are projected to go up $26 per acre to $677 – altogether making for a mixed bag that begs to be offset by stingy input cost management. “My advice would be to be very careful in managing your finances and cost of production,” said Mark Bernards, associate professor of Western Illinois University’s School of Agriculture. He said a marketing background can be invaluable for today’s farmer. “You need to market your crop for a premium,” he said. “This will be the third year running that farmers will be projected to operate at a loss.” The average grain farm had about $500 in income in 2015, the lowest since at least 1995 and an empty hull of 2012, when per-farm income flirted with the $300,000 mark. CONTINUED ON 84
Mike Mendenhall/Central Iowa Ag Mag
Jasper County corn and soybean producer Wayne Schlosser pilots his combine in a field southeast of Colfax. The 73-yearold farmer had some technical issues that day with machinery sensors, but Schlosser said this year’s record corn crop will be worth the trouble – despite low market prices.
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Michael Krabbenhoeft/Central Iowa Ag Mag
Brad Shippert harvests soybeans in October on his farm in rural Lee County, Illinois. He said farmers can weather the storm of lower commodities prices if they “didn’t go out and borrow a whole bunch of money for new equipment.” “If you don’t have a lot of debt going into a period like this, you’ll be OK,” he said. 4CONTINUED FROM 7 Chad Hart, associate professor of economics and crop markets specialist at Iowa State University, said strictly from a production standpoint, ag makes up 6 to 8 percent of Iowa’s gross domestic product. Factor in machinery, food services and other facets, and you can get up to a quarter of the state economy, behind only manufacturing and financial. Back on his Jasper County farm, Wayne Schlosser looked out at his field from on high in his combine cab. This land is in the same region this his grandfather, who came to Iowa from Germany, farmed with a 5-foot combine. Schlosser had to shout over the constant roar of the machinery’s rotor capturing the beans, sending them to the augur and separating them into his 350-bushel on-board bin. He said he and his son, Greg, saw more blight and sudden death this harvest season due to increased field moisture from heavy rains. This particular field was carrying too much moisture but showed no sign of 8 Fall 2016
the disease. But with low commodity prices, Schlosser said producers were hesitant to spend money on treatment. “Last spring we didn’t know what was in store for us,” he said. “I rent ground from another farmer. We were harvesting beans for him. The same beans (I planted), he treated it with a chemical for sudden death and there was a 20-bushel-per-acre yield difference. It’s an expensive treatment.” Despite early weather setbacks, Schlosser said his corn yield “could be the best crop ever.” He’s confident yields will continue to increase in future harvests due to ever-increasing hybridization, technologies and research. But there is one force, he said, farmers cannot control. “We can do everything we want and try to solve everything we can, but mother nature has the last say. I’m contemplating, thinking about retiring,” Schlosser said with a chuckle. “But if I retire I don’t think anything will change at all. I’ll still probably be planting corn.” Back on his Prairie City farm, Gordon Wassenaar was hosting a field day
Nov. 8 with the National Resource Conservation Service, visiting producers and ag-industry professionals to show the soil and nutrient retention benefits of cover crops. He farms fields from Monroe to Prairie City near the Marion County line and some with partner Will Gannon west of Newton. In the same room he has welcomed international dignitaries, congressmen and green revolution pioneer Norman Borlaug, Wassenaar sat at his desks – farm cats running by on the concrete floor – and took a break from his conference to discuss a successful year. He expects Iowa producers to watch inputs for 2017, and low prices will affect how much farmers spend on equipment and more expensive seeds. But overall, he’s optimistic about future seasons. “It will get better,” he said. “Something will happen in the world. Things can change. “If you farm long enough, you get to see about everything. You see the good crops, the droughts, the good prices, the poor prices. You get to see about all of it.”
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Mashed Potatoes with Sausage and Sauerkraut
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Dried Beef Cheese Ball
6 oz. Ulrich’s Genuine Sliced Dried Beef 6 green onions with stems finely cut 2 8-oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened 1 ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 T. milk ¼ tsp. garlic salt 2 T. mayonnaise Directions: Mix all ingredients well. Form into two balls. Roll balls in finely cut dried beef.
BY KATE MALLOT For Central Iowa Ag Mag
ocated on the Pella square is a market with a longstanding tradition of quality meat products and home of Ulrich’s Genuine Pella Bologna. The Ulrich Meat Market has provided extraordinary service, quality meat processing and flavorful eating since John Ulrich brought his treasured recipes from Europe to Pella in 1868. He perfected the craftsmanship of smoking meats and began selling his products throughout town out of a basket. His products, primarily bologna, grew in popularity, and soon he was able to open his first butcher shop. The current Ulrich Meat Market was established in 1902 and has had a number of owners follow John Ulrich’s footsteps. For the past year, Lucas and Contributed photo Christy Van Wyk and Jayme and Using Ulrich’s Genuine Sliced Dried Beef and Nicki Veenstra have owned and other ingredients, you can make a dried beef operated the business. They cheese ball to serve with crackers. have kept the name and tradition intact and use the original recipes of John Ulrich which have been passed down. Ulrich specializes in smoked meats, but is well known for its bologna. Ulrich’s also makes beef jerky, beef sticks, bratwurst, double smoked ham and main course prepared meats such as Dutch spiced beef and pork, and Ulrich’s Homemade Ham Balls Beef and Noodles. There are imported and domestic cheeses, and specialty food from local makers. The bologna business continues to flourish as it adapts to consumer trends. The company stresses convenience with fully-cooked meat products and promotes high-quality meats that fit health trends of lean meats, lower sodium content and use of less preservatives. Mail orders for products have expanded online and products can be found in groceries throughout Iowa. Ulrich’s Meat Market is at 715 Franklin St. in Pella. For more information, visit ulrichsmeatmarket.com or call 641-628-2771.
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AG Mag
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FINAL PUSH FOR TRADE DEAL
The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement could prove beneficial for farmers in Central Iowa, as trade markets would expand into new countries and tariffs would be reduced. (Scott Vicker/Central Iowa Ag Mag)
Farmers could stand to be big winners if Congress OKs TPP BY KAYLA LANGMAID AND PAM EGGEMEIER For Central Iowa Ag Mag
F
armers are pushing hard to get the largest regional free trade agreement in history passed in Congress before year’s end, but it could be a tough row to hoe. A bill to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership was approved by Congress last summer, and on Oct. 5, 2015, a final agreement was hammered out between the 12 Pacific Rim nations involved. In addition to the U.S., trade partners in the deal include Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand. Congress must now approve the pact if the United States is to
10 Fall 2016
be part of the deal that has been negotiated for 7 years. The free trade deal has been the top legislative priority of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farmers and ranchers, in the throes of a cyclical downturn, say TPP would increase direct farm exports to the tune of $5.3 billion a year when it is fully implemented through the elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers. ■■■ The trade deal is one of the keystone foreign policy goals of the Obama administration. After receiving fasttrack designation, supporters were hopeful it would be ratified by Congress before the end of the year, but now it appears to be an uphill battle. Both presidential candidates, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and
President-elect Donald Trump, a Republican, voiced strong opposition to the trade deal. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have said no action will be taken on TPP this year because there isn’t enough support to pass it. “Both presidential candidates [were] against it, and there [were] some key Senate races where this is a big issue, but I think it’s a whole new ballgame after Nov. 8,” said Adam Nielsen, director of national legislation and policy development at Illinois Farm Bureau. Nielsen said time is of the essence, however, before the window closes on a golden opportunity to break down trade barriers, boost income, and create jobs. That window remains open during the lame-duck legislation session that includes most of November and part of December. “This might not happen at all if it isn’t done this year, so we have kept pushing for it,” Nielsen said. Dr. Dermot J. Hayes, a professor at Iowa State University and pioneer chair in agribusiness, went on a funded trip to all of the nations involved in TPP except Brunei. CONTINUED ON 11
4CONTINUED FROM 10 “I went and met with farmers, talked to producers, estimated production costs, learned about diseases, and the productivity of animals – beef, pork and chicken,” Hayes said. Hayes also assessed how competitive the countries are now and how competitive they would be in the event of open trade. He said citizens’ opinions of TPP in each country vary. “It really depends, but Dr. Dermot J. Japanese consumers seem Hayes to be against it. It’s a much bigger deal there, and you see “No TPP” signs everywhere,” he said. Hayes said Peru and Columbia consumers appeared to be pro-American and TPP. In Australia, which is opening its market to run independently, TPP isn’t a big issue in part because it already has free trade. In Iowa, Hayes said, consumers predominately support TPP. The products produced here – pork, beef, dairy, eggs – would benefit from free trade and be profitable in other countries such as Vietnam. There, Hayes said, there would be 19 million new consumers. “It is an agreement that doesn’t exist unless the U.S. and Japan sign,” Hayes said. “It’s an agreement that needs to have these two members sign. However, if the deal fails, then the other remaining countries may use the ashes from the agreement to create a smaller TPP agreement.” Nationwide, beef is the biggest projected ag winner. Japan’s high tariffs on beef would be addressed in the deal, which could level the playing field for U.S. beef producers, who must also compete with the Australians, who already have a beef agreement in place with Japan. While corn and wheat would lose in net exports abroad, those producers are projected to make more money overall
Bailey Poolman/Central Iowa Ag Mag
About 60 percent of the United States’ soybean harvest is exported to foreign countries. Through the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, expanded markets could provide the U.S. with more trade partners. through increased domestic demand for grains to support elevated beef and hog production. According to Hayes, those who are against the agreement might argue that pharmaceutical firms would be given the right to increase medicine prices, and the agreement would infringe on intellectual property. A Tama farmer who is a member of the Iowa Pork Producers Association Board of Directors believes the TPP agreement would ring in profits for the pork industry. David Calderwood is the Iowa Pork Producers Association director of District 7 which makes him very familiar with the pork industry in Jasper County. “We have extra pork on the market now, and a little added production would really help,” he said. “We have to work on getting rid of the product, and
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exporting is a good way to do that and keep us profitable in America and Jasper County.” About one-fourth of pigs are exported nationally and about one-third of pigs in the state of Iowa are exported, according to Calderwood. “With our large packing plants in Marshalltown and Ottumwa, we could export pork products and keep demand up,” Calderwood said. Corn and soybeans are not as directly impacted by TPP, according to Calderwood. He said he believes most farmers’ hesitation to TPP stems from not knowing all of the specifics of the agreement. “If we can export more, then there will be more benefits for the meat industry,” he said. “As a local farmer in northern Tama, I personally think TPP is a good deal for agriculture and pork producers.”
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ORGANIC M
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MIKE MENDENHALL For Central Iowa Ag Mag
ingo organic farmer Larry Cleverley has been considered one of the founding members of the local food movement in the greater Des Moines metro area since he began supplying local restaurants with organic lettuces, greens, roots and much more in 1997. Cleverley ended a 20-year presence at the downtown Des Moines Farmers Market in October, and a public battle with the Iowa Department of Transportation to save nearly 60 acres of his family farmland from eminent domain for a 18-million diamond interchange on U.S. Highway 330/65 has brought his small organic operation a lot of attention. On Nov. 8, Cleverley and three of his employees harvested beets for an order by Des Moines East Village restaurant Alba, and 500 pounds of squash and potatoes remain in his barn from a recent 2,000-pound harvest.
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AUTUMN
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Education a click away Practical Farmers of Iowa to host online educational series BY KATE MALOTT For Central Iowa Ag Mag
N
o matter the farm enterprise, winter allows farmers a chance to reflect on the previous years and consider adjustments to improve their operation the following year.
To help farmers improve management, Practical Farmers of Iowa will host a free online educational series (or a “farminars”) featuring practical knowledge on farm tax preparation, cover crops and work balance. The educational opportunities will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Each will last about 90 minutes. Each farminar focuses on a unique production or business management topic. All presentations are led by an experienced farmer or subject-matter expert, and attendees are able to ask questions in real time using a chat box while they listen and watch a slideshow. CONTINUED ON 15
An annual forage mix of turnips, forage kale, oats, and soybeans, seeded in early August after a cereal rye harvest in late July, on the farm of Bill Fredrick. Fredrick will present a “Graze and Bale: Cover Crops as Forage” online webinar Dec. 6. Contributed photo
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4CONTINUED FROM 14 Nov. 29 – “Tax Preparation for Your Farm” with Matt Russell and Kristine Tidgren Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to filing taxes for your farm? Tax preparation should begin with proper record keeping to ensure you have the necessary information for filing when the time comes. It’s important to know what sort of tax records you need to keep, how key tax provisions impact you and how the Schedule F works, among other things. Hear tips on how to best navigate this process from farmer Matt Russell and attorney and agricultural tax specialist Kristine Tidgren. Russell is resilient agriculture coordinator at the Drake University Agricultural Law Center. He farms with his husband, Patrick Standley. They grow produce, eggs and beef and sell directly to customers in central Iowa, use multiple federal and state farm programs and hire a professional to help them prepare their taxes for the greatest benefit to their farm. Tidgren is the assistant director for the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University, where she analyzes legal developments impacting producers and practitioners. Dec. 6 – “Graze and Bale: Cover Crops as Forage” with James Holz and Bill Frederick In addition to providing a variety of environmental benefits, cover crops on a crop-livestock farm offer
Contributed photo
Farmer and Drake University Resilient Agriculture Coordinator Matt Russell speaks with a customer at the Des Moines Farmers Market. Russell will host an online webinar about tax preparation with Kristine Tidgren on Nov. 29. economic returns when used as a forage source. James Holz and Bill Frederick have a combined 12 years of experience growing cover crops and operate Iowa Cover Crop, a custom cover crop application business. Holz will share his experiences with chopping and baling covers, while Frederick will discuss cover crop grazing strategies. Holz is a feedlot and rowcrop producer from Grand Junction, who grows cover crops and rye which he harvests for ryelage to feed his cattle. Frederick runs an integrated crop and livestock operation with his family near Jefferson, and is chairman of the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District. Dec. 13 – “Getting More from Cover Crops” with Jack Boyer and Mike Castellano
Farmer Jack Boyer will share the results of on-farm research trials he has been conducting in an effort to “get more” from his cover crops, including his trial delaying cover crop termination until the day of soybean planting. Iowa State University agronomy researcher Michael Castellano will join Jack to discuss similar research trials he has conducted. Boyer grows corn, seed corn and soybeans and has been participating in on-farm research projects to successfully integrate cover crops. Castellano is an associate professor in the department of agronomy at Iowa State University. His research focuses on biogeochemical cycling and transport within the soil as it extends to the atmosphere and subsoil, with particular interest in
minimizing nitrogen limitation on crop production while maximizing nitrogen retention. Dec. 20 – “Farm-Life Balance for CSA Farmers” – Kristen Kordet and Kate Edwards Operating a farm under the Community Supported Agriculture model can be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. Just like in any career, it’s important to find a healthy work-life balance – but for a farmer, that’s easier said than done. Learn from Kate Edwards of Wild Woods Farm near Iowa City about the challenges she has encountered, and from Kristen Kordet of Blue Moon Community Farm near Madison, Wisconsin, about the strategies she has used to strike a balance. Edwards runs Wild Woods Farm and is interested in continuous improvement and is curious about the unique challenges women face in the lady boss farming world. Kordet farms at Blue Moon Community Farm, a 6-acre market farm serving CSA and farmers market customers in the Madison area. While she lives on the farm with her husband and son, Kristen is a solo farm owner and primary manager, using a crew of assistant managers and employees seasonally. To participate, go to practicalfarmers.org/farminars, click the “Join in” button and sign in as a “Guest.” An additional schedule for Practical Farmers’ winter farminar series, taking place January through March 2017, will be released in December.
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AG Mag
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At what
cost?
Major mergers spark discussion of impact on farmers, consumers
D
BY JASON W. BROOKS AND RACHEL RODGERS For Central Iowa Ag Mag
rive down nearly any paved or gravel two-lane road that runs through Iowa farmland, and before long you’ll see a sign promoting the seeds or other products used on site. If you drive along Interstate 80 past the Colfax exit, you’ll see a new Beck’s Hybrids seed plant that had Gov. Terry Branstad and other state officials at its August grand opening. It’s a highly visible sign that biotech companies have worked their way into nearly every facet of the farming business. However, ask a farmer about the impact of that kind of business change, and they’ll tell you they don’t analyze this trend in detail – it’s just another change they’ll have to endure. “In other industries, like auto manufacturing, we usually get down to about three companies,” said Dennis Edge of Newton. “That’s just an eventuality. It’s not good or bad, necessarily. It’s just what to expect. We’ll see how
16 Fall 2016
Jason W. Brooks/Central Iowa Ag Mag
This DeKalb seed sign is one of thousands of seed-plot signs posted around Jasper County. DeKalb’s parent company, Monsanto, is one of the chemical giants gaining a larger and larger presence in Midwestern agriculture.
well it works out about 10 years down the road.” ■■■ Chuck Grassley isn’t sure he wants to wait and see how it works out. The U.S. senator from Iowa is the influential chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and he is concerned a recent “tsunami” of mergers between giants in the ag industry could be unfriendly to farmers and consumers.
Ultimately, the Federal Trade Commission and the Anti-Trust Division of the Justice Department determine whether such mergers stifle competition. During the past several months, six of the largest seed and agrochemical companies – Monsanto DuPont, Syngenta, Bayer, ChemChina, and Dow – have pursued consolidations worth hundreds of billions of dollars. CONTINUED ON 17
By the numbers
Jason W. Brooks/Central Iowa Ag Mag
An RCL Farms truck pulls out of co-op on a recent fall day in Jasper County. Large equipment, large operations and chemical seed plots are all signs of changes in Midwestern agriculture. 4CONTINUED FROM 16 The merger frenzy began in December, with chemical leaders DuPont and Dow agreeing to merge and split into three publicly traded companies with a combined market value of about $130 billion. That merger is expected to be completed in early 2017. Then came a proposed marriage between ChemChina and Syngenta priced at $43 billion in February, followed by a deal between Bayer and Monsanto for $66 billion in September. The three ag giants resulting from the proposed mergers would own about 80 percent of national corn seed sales and 70 percent of the global pesticide market. Grassley worries these mega-mergers will allow the companies too much sway over the agriculture industry and
will stifle competition in everything from crop conception to product delivery to consumers. Grassley’s committee had a hearing Sept. 20 for legislators, company executives, agriculture officials and antitrust leaders to weigh in on the impact the mergers might have. “I’m concerned that further concentration in the industry will reduce choice and raise the price of chemicals and seed for farmers, which ultimately will affect choice and costs for consumers,” Grassley said. While prices have plummeted for corn and soybeans, the cost of seeds and chemicals continue to rise. The average price of corn hit an alltime high in 2012 at $7.50 a bushel and has since dropped to about $3.50. “Farmers are unique; their profession involves accepting prices from input
Seed and chemical costs for Iowa farmers have nearly tripled from 2003 to 2015. Chemical costs 2003: $720 million 2004: $820 million 2005: $930 million 2006: $960 million 2007: $1.34 billion 2008: $1.87 billion 2009: $1.7 billion 2010: $1.82 billion 2011: $2.35 billion 2012: $2.55 billion 2013: $2.54 billion 2014: $2.3 billion 2015: $2.04 billion Seed costs 2003: $740 million 2004: $800 million 2005: $850 million 2006: $910 million 2007: $1.15 billion 2008: $1.13 billion 2009: $1.54 billion 2010: $1.6 billion 2011: $1.82 billion 2012: $2.07 billion 2013: $2.22 billion 2014: $2.19 billion 2015: $2.01 billion Source: USDA Economic Research Service
providers and commodity markets, while hoping for good weather in between,” Grassley said. “Farmers don’t have the ability to simply raise the price of their crops when they sell them to pass on higher input costs.” Iowa Congressman David Young said he has heard a lot of concern from constituents in his district. The questions range from an overall concern on the mergers’ impact on the agricultural economy to the changes it will impose on jobs, prices and consumer choices. CONTINUED ON 184
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AG Mag
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Jason W. Brooks/Central Iowa Ag Mag
Agronomist Matt Vandehaar explains seeding shortly after a field plot was planted earlier this year. Vandehaar is an account manager for DuPont Pioneer, which is one of the chemical companies gaining a larger presence in Midwestern agriculture. 4CONTINUED FROM 17 “We need to guarantee this will be helpful to the consumer in the end and not have a negative impact on our economy,” Young said. “When you are dealing with a foreign company (Bayer) buying or merging with an American company (Monsanto), I believe the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs to have some say in the decision,” Young said. “They know this industry better than anyone else on the federal level.” The $66 billion merger of Bayer and Monsanto is expected to reshape the research and development of seeds and pesticides to help fuel the plant’s food supply. American Farm Bureau Federation, said national farm income has declined sharply, peaking at $123.8 billion in 2013 and dropping to a projected $71.5 billion this year. With additional financial pressure being put on farmers, the chance of 18 Fall 2016
higher input prices is likely to raise a few eyebrows. “Everyone’s knee-jerk reaction is to think that increased concentration will lead to higher prices for these inputs,” Young U.S. Rep. said. “Knees tend to jerk David Young reflexively, but sometimes they jerk with reason.” However, he said, the mergers could create a surge of innovation to bring new products to market in the industry to better serve farmers. “Synergies and savings are likely to be generated, market share improved, a stronger corporate structure created for facing the regulations and other hurdles to bringing product to market are just a few examples,” Young said. “The challenge to those involved in the agricultural space from a farmer’s perspective is the sheer number and scale of this activity in such a short period of time.” The process to introduce new seed to
market can take 13 years of research and regulatory oversight – the process frequently being stretched out longer from wading through litigation – and Young said he hopes the mergers could improve efficiency and potentially shorten that process. Mike Guy, of Newton, said he doesn’t think farmers think about the change on a daily basis, but he doesn’t think it’s helpful. “Fewer choices is always bad,” Guy said. “The detriment is hard to gauge. But I don’t know what you can do about it.” John Grimes, of Monroe, agrees. “Fewer options, well, that’s what always drives up the cost,” Grimes said. Darrell Nolin, of Prairie City, said the impact is permanent. “It’s changed it, for sure, and there’s no going back,” he said. Bob Eldred, of Newton, agrees. “I never like to see mergers,” he said. “Farms and farmers never benefit from mergers.”
Monroe resident John Van Ryswyk has been adding to his tractor collection for years and has amassed more than 800 tractors, both toy and functioning, for he and his family to enjoy. Jamee A. Pierson/ Central Iowa Ag Mag
Tractor treasures Monroe man’s collection spans years
W
BY JAMEE A. PIERSON For Central Iowa Ag Mag
ith more than 700 toy tractors and 100 tractors, Monroe resident John Van Ryswyk has gathered quite a collection. From Matchbox-car-sized tractors to pedal pushers, all the way to functioning tractors ready for the farm, his collection is a sight to be seen for any tractor lover. Van Ryswyk has been collecting tractors for many years, gathering them while on trips and at collectors shows. The collections are not tucked away in
boxes, but displayed in glass cases in multiple rooms in his house. Van Ryswyk said he collects all tractors, from John Deere to International, and many more. Yellows, greens, reds and blues line the shelves with vintage tractors, semitrailers and tractor equipment. “I got them all,” Van Ryswyk said. A special part of his collection are the yearly tractors released by FFA that are lined up one by one at the front of his largest display room. “They put out a special tractor every year,” Van Ryswyk said. “I’ve got every one but one.” Along with his toy tractors, Van Ryswyk also has a large collection on life-size, usable tractors. About 100
tractors are housed in various locations, with 45 to 50 in showroom condition. In what has become a family affair, Van Ryswyk started a tractor train where he connects multiple tractors together to parade through town during the local celebration. A sight to be seen, the tractor train is a delight to many young and old people alike every year. “We started out with five, and we keep adding two every year. Last year we had 19,” Van Ryswyk said. Although Van Ryswyk has started to thin out his larger tractor collection a bit, there is no end in sight for the toy tractors. With grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the family, the toys will get plenty of use for years to come.
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Teenager shows love for competition, barrel racing K
BY ALEX OLP For Central Iowa Ag Mag
enzie Johnson, of Prairie City, has been riding horses since she was a toddler, and her passion for the sport grew stronger as she grew older. In fact, her passion has driven her to successfully compete in barrel racing and pole bending at the state and county fairs. She does so with her mare, Bonnie, and her most recent accomplishments were first-place finishes in barrels and poles at this year’s Jasper County Fair. “My favorite part of the year is the county fair because I get to take my horse out and show everyone what I’m proud of doing,” Johnson said. Competition is something familiar to Johnson, as she also plays high school volleyball, softball and competes on the school’s drill team. She said she has noticed many differences in equestrian competition in comparison to playing high school sports, such as having more control of the outcome and needing responsibility to care for the horse year-round. However, there are similarities as well. “In high school sports, you deal with team members. There’s a trust between the girls. That’s just like trusting a horse,” Johnson said. “My teammates also push me to do my best, and with my horse it’s me pushing her.” As long as Johnson continues pushing, she will be be on the back of a horse for a long time. And that’s exactly what she aims to do. “I plan to barrel race as long as I possibly can,” Johnson said. Kenzie’s mother is trying to do the same. Jodi, who has also been riding horses since she was 3 years old, actually competes against her daughter in some instances. Jodi describes herself as a vocal competitor, which is much different than her daughter, who is more quiet. But that doesn’t keep the two from trying their best to beat each other in barrel racing or poles every chance they get. “I’m going to not let her do that as much as possible,” Jodi said. 20 Fall 2016
Contributed photos
Prairie City resident Kenzie Johnson stands with her mare, Bonnie, at the Jasper County Fair in Colfax.
Johnson turns on the final obstacle (left) during the Jasper County Fair Barrel races. Johnson won first place in the senior class for both barrel racing and pole bending (right) at this year’s fair.
Farmers Forum WITH CENTRAL IOWA AG MAG
What surprised you during the 2016 growing and harvest seasons? What are you anticipating doing differently in 2017?
Dennis Edge
“The corn yield is better than we thought it would be. But it’s too early to say what we’ll do next year.”
Mike Guy
“The high corn yield was a pleasant surprise. I don’t think I’ll be doing anything differently in 2017.”
Bob Eldred
“The corn and soybean yields both seemed to come in above average. I have no idea what impact that’ll have on my planting in the spring.”
John Grimes
“There weren’t any surprises to me. I doubt I’ll change much.”
Darrell Nolin
“It was a pretty good year for crops. More so for corn. Beans, I thought, would be a little better. I won’t know until the spring if I’ll change anything.”
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Growing a farm
Family-supported CSA takes root near Earlham BY BAILEY POOLMAN Central Iowa Ag Mag
A warm breeze blows through Lori Weis’ hair as she and her husband, Matthew, walk along the earth in their garden. Weeds sprout up among a variety of tall stems of kale still growing in November. The plots of ground on the 9-acrelarge Heirloom Farm in rural Earlham are dedicated to growing chickens and more than 40 varieties of heirloom vegetables. The farm is a result of the Weises discovering cooking with fresh ingredients. “It was a real transition in our lives because we met a couple who cooked that way, and we loved how it tasted,” Lori said. “Once we had a taste of it, we couldn’t go back.” Lori and Matthew began their adventure into community-supported agriculture three summers ago after Matthew decided he wanted a career change and the family moved from Des Moines to the Southwest Iowa countryside. The property was home to an abandoned house and land containing CRP grass. Six months later, the Weises moved in and began gardening. Matthew worked at Small Potatoes 22 Fall 2016
Contributed photos by Amanda Taborga Photography
Lori Weis rinses leaves of arugula (left) and Matthew Weis harvests radishes by hand (right) this summer on their 9-acre Heirloom Farm in rural Earlham. TOP: These crisp red thai chili peppers are one of a variety of produce grown by the couple. They also grow bok choy, tomatoes, peas and green beans. (Photo by Bailey Poolman for Central Iowa Ag Mag) Farm in Minburn with the Labor4Learning program through Practical Farmers of Iowa, where he learned how to manage a 100-member CSA. “We went through a lot of the logistics of the field and planning and when to plant,” Matthew said. “It’s one thing to grow food in a garden, and it’s another to grow it at this scale. It’s a different ball of wax.”
The first growing season in 2015 was difficult because Lori and Matthew discovered the soil wasn’t ideal and their preferred method of using wood chips as ground cover was not perfected yet. After that difficult season, the second growing season this summer was more efficient. CONTINUED ON 234
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STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
“We’re still learning about the intricacies about how to use the mulch and when to use the mulch and when to rake it aside and how it affects soil temperatures,” Lori said. Heirloom varieties have a story behind them dating back at least 50 years, Lori said. The seeds they purchase come from producers in Michigan and Decorah. They chose vegetables that people enjoy and grow well in Iowa, such as onions, kale, sweet potatoes and various herbs. They also raise egg-producing chickens and those that provide meat, which they butcher themselves. Their children also help with the different aspects of farming. “If I’m going to grow food, I’d rather have it taste good and be good food,” Matthew said. “There’s so many different crops here that you have to keep going with them to keep them producing throughout the season.” The three-season CSA started out with about 25 members and has grown since. It offers the regular CSA subscription in three sizes, as well as a smaller, individual vegetable box. During their winter break, the couple make homemade soaps, participate in continuing education opportunities, and plan for the next planting season. In 2017, Lori and Matthew plan to have subscribers choose the vegetables they prefer by going to the farm and picking themselves. “We started to think, ‘Hey, CSA would be a fun business to have. We like to garden. We like to be outside. We can do this,’” Lori said. “We didn’t think how much science is in farming. So much science is in farming.”
Servings: 4 Spinach, rinsed, spun dry and torn into bite-sized pieces Strawberries, sliced Pecans or walnuts, chopped Dressing: 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup honey Blend, whisk or shake oil, vinegar and honey together to make dressing. Toss desired amount of dressing with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
CREAM OF ZUCCHINI SOUP Servings: 4 2 cups zucchini, shredded and unpeeled 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth 1 tablespoon basil, chopped 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, chopped 1/4 cup half and half Combine zucchini, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, basil, thyme, salt and pepper in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Slowly whisk cheese and half and half into mixture. Pour into a large bowl to cool slightly. Place half of mixture into blender and puree. Return to saucepan. Add second half of mixture and puree. Return to saucepan. Simmer until heated. Remove from heat. Garnish with sprinkle of lemon rind.
Matthew Weis worked at Small Potatoes Farm in Minburn with the Labor4Learning program through Practical Farmers of Iowa, where he learned how to manage a 100-member CSA. Here, he tends to the radishes on Heirloom Farm, a CSA owned and operated by Matthew and his wife, Lori. Contributed photo by Amanda Taborga Photography
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In Jasper County, we are...
Feeding people
Keeping them healthy
Helping our community to prosper and thrive
Turning the world over to the next generation in better shape than we found it
JOIN US WWW.EXTENSION.IASTATE.EDU/JASPER www.extension.iastate.edu/howard