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Logan
Hawkes
12/13/06
Crop News Weekly
The countdown to Christmas is on and I am
certainly trying to get ready by selecting some really great holiday
gifts, like the new 2007 model Apache sprayer 710 for my wife, the
McCormick MB 55 tractor for my youngest son and a new Stihl MS441 chain
saw for sister Joan. Wait a minute, I seem to be getting my wish list
and my gift list mixed up, Well, maybe no one will notice.
In the news this week, U.S. agricultural exports are expected to reach a
record $77 billion for the 2007 fiscal year, according to a November
report from USDA's Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural
Service. The export figure is up $5 billion from the August forecast and
$8.3 billion from 2006. Also this week, each year the decision about
what seed to plant becomes more and more complicated. That's why The
Corn And Soybean Digest asked major seed companies for their best new
corn hybrids for next year, and we've got the results for your review.
Elsewhere in the news, the importance of animal ag is the focus of a new
soybean checkoff-sponsored Web site for growers. Meanwhile, sky-high
energy costs mean higher corn drying costs at harvest, and that puts a
premium on hybrids that dry down faster. We offer a look inside this
issue this week.
You'll find these stories and plenty more in this issue of Crop News
Weekly. Happy reading.
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due to early season weed competition. To learn more about early season
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Peterson
backs U.S. biofuel production
12/12/06
A day after he was elected chairman of the House
Agriculture Committee in early December, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, a
Minnesota Democrat, held a press conference where he spent the bulk of
his time speaking on the need for a vibrant biofuel industry. For those
hoping for an extension of the current farm bill, Peterson offered
little. But he wasn't dismissive or hostile to the current bill's
structure. - David Bennett, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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Disaster
bill united, divided Senate, House
12/12/06
Many Senate and House members wanted to pass disaster
assistance legislation before the 109th Congress adjourned, but they
couldn't figure out how to do it, especially after leaders said they
would not take up a separate fiscal 2007 agricultural appropriations
bill. As a result, the Senate fell three votes short of approving an
amendment offered by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., which would have extended
disaster assistance benefits to farmers who suffered losses due to
drought and other weather problems in 2006. Some Mid-South senators
voted against the amendment. - Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial
Staff
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U.S.
agricultural exports forecast at record value
12/11/06
U.S. agricultural exports are expected to reach a
record $77 billion for the 2007 fiscal year, according to a November
report from USDA's Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural
Service. The export figure is up $5 billion from the August forecast and
$8.3 billion from 2006. Forecast corn exports were raised $2.1 billion
from August to a near-record $8.9 billion on higher prices due to
continued strong demand and tightening domestic supply. Domestic use for
ethanol and overseas demand for feed use remains strong. - Elton
Robinson, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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-- the treated seed came out of the ground strong and never quit." -
Mark Schleder, Green Valley, IL
Visit cruisermaxxbeans.com and give
your beans The power to perform.™
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Heavy
hitting hybrids: What's new?
Single traits. Triple stacks. How do you decide? Each
year the decision about what seed to plant becomes more and more
complicated. That's why The Corn And Soybean Digest asked major seed
companies for their best new corn hybrids for next year. Use this 2007
New Corn Hybrids guide as a starting point for selecting next year's
hybrids. Although you should also consider university, independent and
company trial data when you decide, take a look at these seed companies'
top picks for the 2007 growing season. - Compiled by Kate Royer, The
Corn & Soybean Digest
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Bean-sponsored Web page promotes
animal ag
The importance of animal ag is the focus of a new
soybean checkoff-sponsored Web site, www.animalag.org. The site features
factual info for soybean farmers to use in support of the animal
ag-business climate. The site focuses on quantifying the importance of
livestock and poultry to the soybean industry and contains info on the
economic impact of animal ag at the state level, environmental
regulation info, and contact info for experts in animal ag and animal
welfare.
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ADVERTISEMENT
"We're concerned about glyphosate resistance developing. We've had a
hard time controlling giant ragweed in soybeans, and waterhemp is tough
to control, too. If the weeds get through this year, they will be worse
next year. Then it's much harder to get ahead of them, and it starts
costing big bucks."
Les Schliep, Pine Island, Minn
resistancefighter.com and
solutions.
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News from the Top of the
Hill
12/07/06
National Hog Farmer
Disaster Assistance Fails in Senate -- The
Senate failed to pass a $4.9 billion disaster assistance package this
week during consideration of the fiscal year 2007 agricultural
appropriations bill. Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Judd Gregg (R-NH)
objected and raised budget concerns. The administration continues to
oppose the proposal. The statement of administration policy said, "If
the president is presented with a bill that his senior advisors believe
would result in total 2007 appropriations exceeding the $873 billion top
line, the president's senior advisors would recommend he veto the
bill."
President Signs Animal Terrorism Act -- President Bush has
signed the "Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act." This legislation increases
penalties for criminal acts against animal enterprises (commercial,
academic, laboratories, animal shelter, pet store, breeder or furrier).
It revises criminal prohibitions against damaging or interfering with
the operations of an animal enterprise to include "intentional damage or
loss to any real or personal property and intentional threats of death
or serious bodily injury against individuals." The bill was sponsored by
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI).
Korea Rejects Two More Beef Shipments -- South Korea rejected
two additional shipments of U.S. beef because of bone chips. Secretary
of agriculture Mike Johanns said, "Today, South Korean officials have
sent the message that their market is not commercially viable for U.S.
beef. South Korea is attempting to claim its border is open to U.S. beef
while refusing to allow trade to take place. This is unacceptable and
certainly not the way trading partners should work with one another."
Roberts Sends Beef Letter to Korea -- Senator Pat Roberts
(R-KS) sent a letter to the South Korean ambassador asking for
"immediate resumption of beef trade based on sound science in accordance
with international standards." Senator Roberts wrote, "This rejection
seems to be based on nothing more than a continued effort by South Korea
to build false barriers to trade between our two countries. This is not
how two allies, with many mutual interests, should conduct business."
Roberts went on to write, "Continued barriers to resuming this trade,
and unfair actions that are not based on science, will lead me to
seriously question South Korea's commitment to any other trade and
foreign policy agreements with the United States."
U.S. Ag Exports to Reach $77 Billion -- USDA has announced that
agricultural exports for fiscal year 2007 are expected to reach a record
$77 billion. This is $8.3 billion higher than during fiscal year 2006.
Canada, Mexico and Japan continue to be the top three export markets for
U.S. agriculture. China is expected to become the fourth-largest market
for the United States, primarily due to increased soybean sales. Exports
of livestock products are expected to reach $14.2 billion. Agricultural
imports are expected to reach a record $69 billion.
Agriculture Supports USDA Nominee -- Seventy-six agricultural
organizations sent a letter to the Senate supporting the nomination of
Mark Keenum for USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services. The letter was coordinated by the American Farm Bureau
Federation, American Soybean Association, National Cotton Council and
National Farmers Union. The organizations urged the Senate to move
quickly on the nomination so Keenum could be at USDA in "the development
of the Bush administration's position in the next farm bill." - Scott
Shearer
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Factor
in the energy costs
Sky-high energy costs mean higher corn drying costs at
harvest, and that puts a premium on hybrids that dry down faster. But
the issue is complicated. For example, tough hybrids that can withstand
stress and stand upright in the field longer can cut drying costs as
much or more than hybrids that simply mature earlier, experts say. "The
risk you have when moving hybrids from north to south or west to east is
that the likelihood of stalk rot increases," says David Bubeck, corn
research director for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. "You have to
be careful," he says. "Drydown is important, but the first priority
should be selecting hybrids with high yields, strong stalks and good
roots." - Edward Clark, The Corn & Soybean Digest
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Get ready for the "Eye On
Energy" Conference
The Corn & Soybean Conference
Spiraling energy costs are forcing farmers to examine
every agronomic practice on their operations, especially tillage. That's
the focus of the 2007 Conservation Tillage Conference and Expo, Jan.
30-31, themed "Eye On Energy" and slated for the Ramkota Hotel and
Conference Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
University experts and conservation-focused farmers will detail how
conservation practices can help stretch energy dollars. The conference
provides tillage info for beginners, as well as veteran no-till, strip
till, ridge-till and mulch-till growers. Offered are four tracks:
Track I: Learn the basics: Tillage 101
Track II: Keep corn-on-corn profitable
Track III: Manage your energy costs
Track IV: Match new technology to tillage.
To register, visit www.tillageconference.com or
call 800-722-5334, ext. 14698. The conference is sponsored by The Corn &
Soybean Digest and Farm Industry News
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Energy
costs fuel the discussions
12/13/06
Irrigation energy costs, and ways to manage them, will
be highlighted at the 2006 Bootheel Irrigation Conference and Tradeshow
which kicks off today at the University of Missouri Delta Center's Rone
Hall. "With diesel prices staying high, more of our irrigators are
looking at switching to electric systems," said Joe Henggeler, an MU
agricultural engineer and the conference's planner. Recent MU research
showed that a farmer applying 8 inches of water to a 130-acre corn field
-- a typical swath for a center-pivot irrigation system -- spends
almost $2,000 more per year for diesel power than for electric.
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Multi-Commodity
Exchange declared win-win
12/07/06
The Multi-Commodity Education Program (MCEP) was
launched in October when producers from the Midwest and Far West
traveled to North Carolina to observe cotton production and processing
and other agricultural operations. The schedule was developed by NCC
staff in cooperation with local organizations and leaders and the trip
was coordinated by NCC's Member Services. The program is supported by
The Cotton Foundation with grants from Deere & Company and Monsanto.
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Conrad
needed three votes to win 'symbolic' vote
12/16/06
North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad came up three votes
short in his latest attempt to persuade the Senate to consider disaster
assistance legislation for farmers and ranchers hurt by drought, floods
or hurricanes in 2005 and 2006. The Senate voted 57-37 Tuesday (Dec. 5)
on a point of order raised by New Hampshire's Judd Gregg, the chairman
of the Budget Committee, who complained that Conrad's amendment to the
agricultural appropriations bill would add $4.9 billion to the federal
deficit. Sixty votes were needed to override the parliamentary maneuver.
- Forrest Laws, Farm Press Editorial Staff
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Agricenter
hires John Bradley as research director
12/08/06
Agricenter International in Memphis has announced the
hiring of nationally-known researcher John Bradley as director of
research, replacing the retiring Jamie Jenkins. In a way, Bradley is
returning to the roots that launched his career 24 years ago as an
advocate of the no-till system of crop production -- he'll be working
outdoors in the heat of summer, tending to rows of cotton, corn,
soybeans, rice and other crops. He'll also be a spokesman for
Agricenter's unique position as a research farm and educational
facility.
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Alexander
honored for service to ag chemicals industry
12/08/06
For his work as "an advocate for fact-based answers"
on issues affecting the crop protection industry, Don Alexander is this
year's recipient of the Southern Crop Production Association's highest
honor for service to agriculture and the ag chemicals industry. The Don
W. Beise Award, given annually to a person outside the organization,
honors the late SCPA leader, and was presented at the annual convention
of the association at Amelia Island, Florida. - Hembree Brandon, Farm
Press Editorial Staff
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Research
equipment running on soy biodiesel
12/06/06
Soybean researcher Dale Wood climbed onto a combine
harvester at the University of Georgia Plant Sciences Farm in Oconee
County. He grabbed the controls and took the machine for a slow spin,
careful not to mow down a row of developing soybeans. Did he notice any
difference between running the farm's equipment on soy biodiesel and on
regular diesel? "No," he said. "And that's a good thing." - Stephanie
Schupska, University of Georgia
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GPS survey
can improve farm's bottom line
12/06/06
Inaccurate acreage estimates could lead to some
farmers spending too much or too little on producing their crops,
according to an LSU AgCenter watershed agent, who says the cost of more
accurate surveys may be worth the investment. "Precision agriculture is
putting the right stuff in the right place at the right time, and the
first step is to find out how large your field really is," said Tom
Hymel, an LSU AgCenter agent working in the Teche-Vermilion, Atchafalaya
and lower Red River watershed basins in southwestern Louisiana.
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Check out the latest corn and soybean market advice from
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