News Update
August 27, 2012
ISU McNay Beef Field Day
The annual fall field day at the Iowa State University McNay Memorial Research Farm will be Sept. 6 this year. The farm is located southwest of Chariton. Registration at the farm headquarters starts at 4 p.m., and the program starts at 4:30 p.m., with discussions led by Mark Carlton and Joe Sellers on alfalfa variety selection and establishment. They will follow with an overview of summer and winter annual forage and cover crop alternatives.
At 5:30 p.m. the field day will move to the southwest part of the farm to review grazing research. James Russell, Helga Offenburger and Justin Bisinger will discuss grazing research that focuses on environmental impacts, including managing for plant diversity and compatible wildlife habitat, and a new climate change study underway at the farm.
A free dinner prepared by the Lucas County Cattlemen's Association will be served at 6:45 p.m. at the headquarters. Following dinner, Doug Bear and James Russell will review riparian grazing research, and Joe Sellers, Steve Ensley and Kevin Maher will discuss 2012-2013 beef cow production issues — including topics of early weaning, nitrates, blue green algae, and cow and calf nutrition.
For more information contact the McNay Farm at 641-766-6565, the ISU Extension and Outreach Lucas County office in Chariton at 641-774-2016, or Joe Sellers at 641-203-1270 (e-mail sellers@iastate.edu).
USGC Deepens Strategic Relationship with China
The U.S. Grains Council's (USGC) strategic outreach to China continues to pay dividends. Last week, the group hosted a delegation of high-level think-tank officials from China on a corn-focused tour across the United States. The trip served as an opportunity for those working on Chinese agricultural development and policy to view U.S. corn and value-added produced systems firsthand. The team also was able to assess the impact of the current drought and deepen its appreciation of the productive potential of biotechnology.
While in Iowa, delegation members visited seed and value-added technology centers and had one-on-one discussions with U.S. producers relative to the current drought and crop situation.
The team was also able to preview cutting-edge technologies such as satellite hyper-spectral imaging, an advanced way to collect and analyze data to improve future agronomic practices and production capabilities. In Washington, D.C., the delegation rounded out its visit with discussions on the future of global agriculture commodity markets with top officials at the International Food Policy Research Institute and the USDA.
"This was the second year of our 'Corn Study' mission and my first since joining the Council as country director. I understand last year's mission was comprised of representatives from both government and trade. This year we sought to broaden that stakeholder group to include think-tank representatives," said Bryan Lohmar, USGC country director in China, "By allowing thought leaders to study the integrated nature of the U.S. agricultural system, we tried to build confidence for the use of trade as a tool to help lower food prices and achieve greater food security."
For more information and the full release, click here.
Texas Governor Joins Coalition in Requesting Ethanol Waiver
The request for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate is gaining even more traction across the country, with Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas) announcing that his state is joining the coalition. Texas joins more than 180 members of Congress; the governors of Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico and North Carolina; the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA); and other livestock groups in requesting that relief from high corn prices be brought to the thousands of producers who are struggling to feed their animals amid the worst drought in roughly 50 years.
"Texas is the largest beef cattle state in the country. By Gov. Perry announcing that his state is joining this coalition and expressing their support for waiving the RFS, it's evident that cattlemen and women nationwide are continuing to experience the negative effects of this drought," said Bob McCan, NBCA vice president and cattleman from Victoria, Texas. "The coalition's request is simple — EPA must waive the RFS. The mandate creates an uneven playing field for farmers and ranchers, and has directly affected the cost of feed in agricultural parts of the country, which could lead to an increase in food prices for consumers."
Under the RFS requirements, 13.2 billion gallons (gal.) of corn-based ethanol must be produced in 2012 and 13.8 billion gal. in 2013, amounts that will use about 40% of the nation's corn crop. Due to this year's crippling drought, some agricultural forecasters now are estimating that just 11.8 billion bushels (bu.) of corn will be harvested this year, meaning corn-ethanol production will use about four of every 10 bu.
For more information and the full release, click here.
BMO Harris Bank Announces Farm Drought Relief Program
BMO Financial Group, which purchased the M&I Bank chain last year, has announced a financial relief program to assist customers affected by dry conditions throughout much of the country.
As part of a set of new policies, BMO customers can apply for working capital assistance, deferral of loan payments or other measures to assist farmers.
"As one of the top 10 ag banks in the United States, we at BMO Harris Bank believe it's important to stand with our customers during these trying times," said Sam Miller, managing director and group head of agriculture lending at BMO Harris Bank.
Many call this year's drought the worst drought in 56 years. Reports estimate that as of July 31, nearly two-thirds of the continental U.S. was experiencing some level of drought.
For more information about the drought relief programs contact your local M&I or BMO Harris bank branch.
— Adapted from a release by the US Ag Network.
Range Management Society to Host Annual Meeting Oct. 10-12 in Fredericksburg
The Texas Section Society for Range Management's annual meeting will be Oct. 10-12, according to Ken Cearley of Amarillo, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist and this year's Texas Section president.
The meetings will be at the Pioneer Pavilion of Lady Bird Johnson Park, 432 Lady Bird Drive, and the Inn on Baron's Creek, 308 South Washington Street, in Fredericksburg.
The AgriLife Extension office in Gillespie County will serve as local host for the meeting. Attendees will include members statewide, and the meeting will offer continuing education units to both certified professionals in rangeland management and certified pesticide applicators, said Brad Roeder, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources.
"We're proud to be hosting this year," Roeder said, adding that the German-settled community of Fredericksburg has a rich history for visitors to explore. He suggested those planning to attend the meeting should log into www.visitfredericksburgtx.com for information on area tourism.
For more information and the full release, click here.
Heart of Texas Tour to Help Landowners Improve Habitats for Wildlife, Livestock
Improving habitats will be the focus of Texas AgriLife Extension Service's Heart of Texas Range and Wildlife Tour set for 8 a.m. Sept. 24 on the Phillips Ranch east of Lohn on County Road 314, in central McCulloch County.
The multicounty tour is a joint effort among the AgriLife Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources committees in Coleman, Mason and McCulloch counties.
Vance Christie, AgriLife Extension agent in McCulloch County, said the tour will highlight several result demonstrations that have been conducted on the Phillips Ranch for years.
Christie said improving rangeland and pastures for increased carrying capacity for livestock and wildlife continue to be major concerns for Central Texas landowners. In recent years, the carrying capacity of existing rangeland and pastures has been reduced by drought, loss of habitat and invasive species.
For more information and the full release, click here.
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