News Update
August 7, 2012
Rain Brings Some Relief to Iowa Pastures, Livestock
Iowa farmers welcomed widespread rainfall for the second straight week with the heaviest precipitation in East Central and South Central Iowa. Both corn and soybean conditions declined slightly for the week. The week's activities included spraying crops and chopping corn.
There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Topsoil moisture levels improved slightly to 66% very short, 27% short, 7% adequate and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated at 71% very short, 25% short, 4% adequate, and 0% surplus.
Eighty-five percent of the corn crop has reached the milk stage, ahead of last year's 58% and the five-year average of 52%. Sixty-five percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage, two weeks ahead of normal. Twenty-seven percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, also two weeks ahead of normal. Corn condition is reported at 20% very poor, 29% poor, 35% fair, 15% good and 1% excellent. Pods are being set on 77% of the soybean crop, ahead of last year's 64% and the five-year average of 68%. Soybean condition is rated 13% very poor, 24% poor, 39% fair, 23% good, and 1% excellent. Harvest of third-cutting alfalfa hay, at 80% complete, is just over a month ahead of normal.
Workshop to Focus on Drought-Related Options for Livestock
The drought of 2012 has been one of the worst on record in Ohio, and many livestock producers are now or soon could be at the point where they'll have to adjust plans and reshuffle resources to try to minimize the negative economic impact from the continued extreme weather, a pair of Ohio State University (OSU) Extension educators said.
To help, OSU Extension is sponsoring a free workshop, "Livestock Management — After the Drought," Aug. 13 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Mill Creek MetroParks Farm on State Route 46, across from the Canfield Fairgrounds in Canfield.
The lack of substantial rainfall, extreme heat and dryness have left many producers short on hay and silage supplies and looking for any alternative forages they can plant to make up for the shortages, said Rory Lewandowski, an agriculture and natural resources educator for OSU Extension.
"I've gotten calls from producers wondering what kind of tradeoffs they should be looking for in forages and the impact on pricing and economics they could be facing," he said. "Growers want to know what they can do to set themselves up in a better place next year for forages."
The program will help farmers identify options for keeping livestock healthy and growing this winter, Lewandowski said.
For the full release, click here.
Master Showmanship Contest Slated for Aug. 10
The Illinois Farm Bureau and RFD Radio Network will again host the Illinois Master Showmanship Contest Aug. 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Junior Livestock Barn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
The Master Showmanship Contest recognizes 4-H youth who have excelled at showing animals at their county fair. Participants will be judged on their handling of each of three species of animals: beef, sheep and swine. They also are quizzed by judges on their knowledge of animal husbandry and livestock production.
More than $9,000 worth of prizes donated by sponsors will be given away this year. A winner from each species will receive $100 in addition to various prizes. Three top winners will each receive $500, $300 or $200, a new showbox, director's chairs and various prizes. In addition, each participant will receive a T-shirt, $25 gift card and a prize for their hard work.
Illinois Farm Bureau President Philip Nelson is scheduled to present the awards at the conclusion of the contest. Winners will be available for pictures and interviews following the awards ceremony.
This year marks the 13th year for the contest. It was started by farm broadcasters in Illinois as a way to recognize outstanding youth and provide a state forum for the competition.
Agricultural Loans Fund Food and Fiber Production
Vidal Saenz is gearing up for his busy time of year, mid-August through December, when farmers and ranchers come to his office for help in applying for federal agricultural loans.
As part of the Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance Program, Saenz serves all four counties of the Lower Rio Grande Valley as farm advisor with the Cooperative Extension Program at Prairie View A&M University. He works from the Hidalgo County office of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 410 N. 13th Ave., in Edinburg.
"The heaviest traffic, the growers who come to see me in late summer and in the fall, are usually those who had a one-year operating loan," Saenz said. "They've harvested their crops, they've paid off last year's loan and they come in to request a new loan for next year's crop."
Saenz has developed a protocol that helps speed the application process.
"Over the years, I've created a checklist of the documents that a person needs to apply for an agricultural loan of any type," he said. "Once they gather everything, their tax returns, production history, proof of farming and other information, then we sit down, and I provide technical assistance to help them fill out the application."
For the full release, click here.
APHIS, FDA Finish BSE Investigation and Give All Clear
USDA released its final report on the epidemiological investigation of a dairy cow from California that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in April 2012, confirming the food supply was never in danger and that there is no indication feed was associated with the case.
In conjunction with USDA's investigation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) conducted an extensive feed investigation. Twelve feed suppliers were identified; one of which was no longer in business. The remaining 11 were found to be in compliance with FDA and CDFA regulations and requirements.
The index animal, which was humanely euthanized, was a 10-year, 7-month-old Holstein cow from a central California dairy. The investigation identified only one live offspring of the cow, which was humanely euthanized and found to be negative for BSE. No birth cohorts of the index animal were found alive.
Amendment Would Require Disclosure of Government Payments to Activists
The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Cynthia Lummis' amendment to the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), legislation passed in 1980 to reimburse individuals who otherwise could not afford to legally pursue claims against the government. Ag Professional reports that the amendment would require tracking and reporting of exactly who or what organization is receiving reimbursement in what amounts.
EAJA funds have been flowing to environmental organizations filing suit on procedural grounds, and these lawsuits have had negative impact on the agricultural industry in general, noted the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). ARA and other ag organizations worked with Lummis' office on this amendment effort.
It was also noted that ARA has worked with Lummis on forcing child agricultural labor regulations to be within common sense for rural America and farm families.
Lummis says, "Today's unanimous vote to require the robust tracking of taxpayer funded attorney's fees is a significant step toward updating EAJA. The House has now spoken on this issue. In a bipartisan way, we have made clear that no one receiving taxpayer funds to pursue legal action against the government can do so in secret."
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