News Update
March 20, 2012
CTIC Partners with Delta F.A.R.M for Conservation in Action Tour 2012
Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) teams up with Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (Delta F.A.R.M.) to design an information-packed, one-day tour that will showcase innovative producers and partnerships recognized for finding solutions to Southern agriculture's conservation challenges.
Producers, legislators, government agencies, agribusiness, ag organizations, conservation groups, media and others will join the Conservation In Action Tour May 31 in the Mississippi Delta. Area farmers and other experts will discuss water quantity and water quality concerns, monitoring, herbicide resistance, wildlife habitat management and more.
Delta F.A.R.M., an association of growers and landowners, strives to implement recognized agricultural practices that will conserve, restore and enhance the Northwest Mississippi environment.
Reese Pillow, Delta F.A.R.M. chairman, says, "It's our pleasure at Delta F.A.R.M. to partner with CTIC and work as a local contact for the Tour. The message of conservation and environmental stewardship that the Conservation In Action Tour and CTIC stands for aligns with the ideals of Delta F.A.R.M."
The Conservation In Action Tour 2012 offers participants a unique opportunity to see Delta conservation firsthand and participate in discussions about:
- nutrient reduction strategies to address hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico,
- management strategies to battle herbicide resistance and
- the connection between wildlife habitat management and agricultural conservation.
Learn more about the Tour at www.ctic.org/CIATours and register today. Registration includes an evening social May 30, snacks, bus transportation, breakfast, lunch and dinner on the Tour. Early registration runs through May 1.
Drought-damaged Pastures Require Special Care This Spring
Agricultural experts with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation have words of wisdom for farmers and ranchers following last year's historic drought — be careful with your pastures.
The record-setting drought rivaled the long maligned dry spells of the mid-1950s and even the Dust Bowl period. Agricultural producers across the southern portion of the United States — 14 states in all — experienced varying degrees of drought conditions with Oklahoma and Texas receiving the brunt of the heat and lack of precipitation.
Despite recent rainfall, ramifications of the drought are still being felt throughout the Southern Great Plains as farmers and ranchers prepare for the 2012 forage production season. (Forages are plants such as grasses and legumes that ruminant animals consume.) The hot, dry summer left many pastures severely damaged and thin from overgrazing, meaning producers should take extra precautions this spring.
"Livestock producers should be aware that the roots of forage plants have weakened, making them even more susceptible to any additional drought damage," said James Rogers, assistant professor. "Even if favorable growing conditions return in 2012, producers should keep stocking rates reduced to give forages a chance to generate leaf growth and regenerate lost root mass."
This fall, growing conditions improved somewhat in the region. Combined with overgrazed lands, this resulted in a strong presence of cool-season annual grasses, such as ryegrass, in pastures typically dominated by warm-season grasses. "Cool-season grasses provide excellent early spring grazing or hay production, but can present a downside," Rogers said. "However, if not removed by mid-May, these annuals will compete with and delay warm-season grass production, further hindering the drought recovery process."
Additionally, weakened pastures provide opportunity for weeds to come sooner and in greater numbers this spring. To prevent infestation, Rogers recommends producers begin scouting for weeds early and apply the appropriate herbicide for the target species if necessary. "Failure to control weeds will result in reduced forage production and further stand thinning," Rogers said. "Weed control is a serious topic that requires additional education. We encourage producers to get as much information on weed control as possible. They can call agricultural consultants at the Noble Foundation or a local county extension office."
Despite some positive indications this winter, the seasonal U.S. drought outlook (available at www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu) is predicting that drought conditions will persist through May. "Even though many perennial grass stands in the Southern Great Plains have been weakened or damaged, pastures can recover with proper management," Rogers said. "Producers must evaluate the current conditions of their pastures and assemble a plan, being mindful of the potential for drought, decrease in stocking rates and proper control of weeds and other annuals."
Beef Supplies Short in 2012; Producers Look to Expand Herd
U.S. beef producers have started the early stages of herd expansion as beef supplies remain very short, says Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt.
Beef cow numbers have dropped by 9%, or 3 million head, since 2007. They dropped by 3% in 2011 alone, meaning a smaller calf crop in 2012 and lower slaughter numbers through 2014. Strong finished cattle prices and moderating feed costs have driven some producers to start the expansion, though.
Producers have reduced their herds in recent years primarily because of escalating feed costs since 2007 and a drought in the southern Plains that dried up pastures and forages.
According to a January USDA cattle report, the most recent available, beef heifer retention has increased 1% — a sign that producers are starting to expand. If U.S. crop yields return closer to normal during the 2012 crop year, Hurt said feed prices could come down even more, which would encourage further herd expansion.
"This is the first increase in heifer retention since feed prices began increasing," he said.
While higher retention rates would seem to suggest lower finished cattle prices in 2012, Hurt said the opposite is likely true. Beef producers retaining heifers results in lower slaughter supplies and, ultimately, lower beef supplies.
With a reduction in cow numbers, the calf crop could be down more than 2% in 2012, and if heifer retention continues in 2012 and 2013, Hurt said beef supplies might not increase until 2015.
"The modest heifer retention now is actually a price-enhancing factor in the short run," he said. "Look for finished cattle prices to push into the higher $120s in the spring, moderate to the mid-$120s this summer, and finish the year near $130. Spring highs in 2013 could climb to the low $130s."
Despite the high finished cattle price projections, Hurt said producers need to keep an eye on the weather and 2012 crop yields before they make further expansion plans. Producers in the southern Plains should watch drought conditions, while producers nationwide need to watch crop progress.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting that a region of the western Corn Belt will continue to be very dry into the spring.
"That raises concerns for corn and soybean meal prices," Hurt said. "Higher feed prices would depress cattle prices."
Top Farmer Crop Workshop Set for July 9-11 at Purdue
Farmers looking to improve their operations will learn how to better evaluate their economic, agronomic and technological opportunities and challenges at the annual Top Farmer Crop Workshop in July at Purdue University.
The July 9-11 workshop, in its 45th year, for the first time will be hosted in partnership with the University of Illinois.
Presenters from diverse viewpoints of academics, agribusiness and farmers will help participants explore strategies for growing their business, develop new ways to manage production costs and risk, and learn about new crop production technology. They also will have the opportunity to meet other farmers and share ideas.
"Discussion among attendees and presenters occurs after, and often during, each presentation. It's the interaction that our attendees say they benefit from the most," said Brent Gloy, director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture, based at Purdue, and one of the presenters. "People really value the networking that occurs in the hallways between and after sessions."
Gloy and Purdue Agricultural Economics colleague Michael Boehlje will lead a session titled "Positioning Your Farm for Growth," focusing on ways to evaluate growth options and alternative business models to optimize success.
Another session, "Using Spreadsheet Tools to Make Better Decisions," will be led by agricultural economics experts from the University of Illinois farmdoc team.
"The spreadsheet is a powerful management tool, if you know how to use it," said Scott Irwin, University of Illinois agricultural economist and leader of the farmdoc project. "Most of us only use a fraction of the potential that the technology has to offer. The session on spreadsheet tools will provide instruction on how to use the free, spreadsheet-based decision tools for you that are posted on the farmdoc website."
For complete information including the agenda, list of speakers and registration, visit http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/commercialag/progevents/topfarmer.html.
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