BECK’S PFR INSIGHT MEETINGS
2020 STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS January 17, 2020
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Women at risk on farm How to prevent injuries on the job By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
AGRINEWS PHOTO/TOM C. DORAN
Combines roll through a central Illinois field harvesting corn in mid-December. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had the nation’s average corn yield at 168 bushels per acre and soybeans at 47.4 in the production summary released Jan. 10.
USDA finds more bushels Indiana yields down in 2019 By Tom C. Doran
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final 2019 crop production report found more corn and soybean bushels from earlier “I” state yield projections, but also noted significant declines from 2018 in Illinois and Indiana. Here are the estimates for Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. INDIANA The average corn yield of 169 bushels per acre was 20 less than in 2018 and four higher than the November projection. Total area planted was 5 million acres and 4.82 million acres were harvested compared to 5.12 million a year ago. Production was estimated at 814.58 million bushels after raising 967.68 million in 2018. USDA put the Hoosier State’s average yield at 51 bushels per acre, a two-bushel increase from the November projections and 6.5 below last year. The
Corn yields
(Bushes per acre) Illinois Indiana Year 2007 175 154 179 160 2008 174 171 2009 157 157 2010 157 146 2011 2012 105 99 2013 178 177 200 188 2014 175 150 2015 197 173 2016 2017 201 180 2018 210 189 2019 181 169
planted area was 5.4 million acres with a harvested area of 5.36 million compared to 5.96 million in 2018. Total production was estimated at 273.36 million bushels after producing 342.7 million a year earlier. ILLINOIS The corn yield was estimated at 181 bushels per acre, down 29 bushels from 2018 and 2 bushels
Soybean yields
(Bushels per acre) Year Illinois Indiana 2007 43.5 46 2008 47 45 2009 46 49 2010 51.5 48.5 2011 47.5 45.5 2012 43 44 2013 50 51.5 2014 56 55.5 2015 56 50 2016 59 57.5 2017 58 54 2018 63.5 57.5 2019 54 51
above the November estimate. Planted area was estimated at 10.5 million and corn for grain was harvested across 10.2 million acres. Production was projected at 1.85 billion bushels, down 19% from last year. The Prairie State soybeans are estimated to average 54 bushels per acre, 9.5 bushels lower than last year and three bushels higher than
the November estimate. The soybean planted area was estimated at 9.95 million acres with a harvested area of 9.86 million acres. Illinois harvested 10.5 million acres in 2018. Production was projected at 532 million bushels after producing 666.75 million last year. IOWA An average corn yield of 198 bushels per acre in Iowa was two above 2018 and six higher than the November estimate. About 13.5 million acres of corn were planted and 13.05 million acres were harvested. Harvested acres reached 12.75 million in 2018. Total production was projected at nearly 2.584 billion bushels. Iowa grew 2.499 billion bushels in 2018. The state’s average yield was pegged at 55 bushels per acre, one below last year and two more than the November estimate. Planted acres were set at 9.2 million and harvested acres of 9.12 million (9.83 million in 2018). Total production was projected at 501.6 million bushels after producing 550.48 million last year. See BUSHELS, Page A8
Farm Bureau sets legislative priorities By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
INDIANAPOLIS — Around 80 lawmakers mingled with Indiana Farm Bureau members at the organization’s annual legislative luncheon Jan. 9. “Today is a leadership development event for our county leadership,” said Katrina Hall, director of public policy at INFB. “We are giving them information about the best techniques for grassroots advocacy. That’s really what we’re built on. Our clout and influence for agriculture in rural Indiana really comes from our grassroots involvement.” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch attended the lunch and spoke to the crowd. “Agriculture is such a big part of economic development here in Indiana,” Crouch said. “When I speak to rotaries and
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“We want to ensure that rural Indiana and the Hoosiers who call it home have equal access to the technology in order to improve quality of life.” Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch chambers and I talk about big business, they don’t automatically think about agriculture. “But agriculture is big business in Indiana and contributes over $31 billion to our state’s economy. That’s why it’s so critical that Congress pass the USMCA. We need to go ahead and get things going.” Expanding rural broadband is another priority at the governor’s office this year, Crouch said.
“We want to ensure that rural Indiana and the Hoosiers who call it home have equal access to the technology in order to improve quality of life,” she said. Indiana Farm Bureau outlined its 2020 legislative priorities. Here are the highlights of what they hope to accomplish at the Statehouse this year: EXPAND HEALTH BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INDIANA AGRICULTURE Key message: Indiana Farm Bureau asks the General Assembly to pass legislation allowing INFB to offer a non-insurance, high quality and more affordable health benefit plan to members — specifically those who are sole proprietors with fewer than two employees.
Eliminate injury risks By Erica Quinlan
AGRINEWS PUBLICATIONS
PEOSTA, Iowa — Female farmers face several unique work-related risks, said Charlotte Halverson, clinical director of AgriSafe Network, during a webinar. To combat this, women can identify prevention strategies to eliminate or reduce these risks. 4 KEY CONSIDERATIONS
2. Strength: n Wear sturdy foot attire to avoid slips, trips and falls. n Avoid repetitive motion work or modify work to reduce strain on joints. n Maintain strong bone density by appropriate calcium intake and exercise. AGRINEWS PHOTO/ERICA QUINLAN
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch speaks at the Indiana Farm Bureau Legislative See BUREAU, Page A4 Luncheon Jan. 9.
Labor costs outpace farm revenue B9
See RISK, Page A11
1. Size and shape: n When possible, work with tools and equipment designed for smaller body frames. n Be aware of surroundings and risks when working with animals. n Seek personal protective equipment designed to fit your size and shape.
INSIDE
Meet the new Indiana State Fair Queen A3
PEOSTA, Iowa — Women are playing an increased role in production agriculture. They account for one-third of the management, ownership and work on farms and ranches. A major challenge continues to be access to protective equipment that meets the ergonomic needs of women. “One of the big challenges in women’s issues in agriculture tends to be providing the protective equipment that meets their needs on a lot of a different levels, and their ergonomic nee- Halverson ds,” said Charlotte Halverson, clinical director of AgriSafe Network, during a webinar. “We really want women and their employers, spouses and families to understand what some of these issues are and be aware of what is going on.” There are disparities in health care with rural women across the board, Halverson said. Sometimes women experience poorer health outcomes due to lack of screening opportunities. Other times challenges stem from lack of health insurance or nearby healthcare offices.
Indiana puts brakes on pig herd B12
3. Reproductive factors: n Read and understand information in precautionary statement on pesticides labels. See ELIMINATE, Page A11
AgriTrucker B8
From The Barns A12
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