News Update

August 5, 2015

Angus Selects the Next
Youth Breed Ambassador

The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) announces Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove, Ark., as the 2015-2016 Angus Ambassador, serving a one-year term as a spokesperson for the organization’s nearly 6,000 members at cattle industry events across the United States and Canada.

“Angus producers have a responsibility to be advocates,” Pohlman says. “As Angus Ambassador there is an ability to empower producers, whether it’s one-on-one with consumers at a store or writing articles and giving presentations.”

Pohlman, a junior at the University of Arkansas double majoring in biochemistry and animal science, was named the new Angus Ambassador during a competition July 23 at the American Angus Association headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo. Joining him in the group of top finalists were Haley Throne, Lexington, Ga.; Sierra Day, Cerro Gordo, Ill.; and Dakota Lovett, Bladen, Neb.

Read more about Pohlman and the other finalists in the full Angus news release.

— Adapted from a release by Sarah Harris, Angus Media.

Grain Farm Incomes Expected to Drop

Grain farmers should brace for a drop in net incomes this year as the prices for corn, soybeans and wheat have fallen significantly from recent years, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).

The latest Agricultural Prices report, released last week by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, indicated the index of prices received for crop production was down 11 percentage points from the same time last year, while the prices-paid index was unchanged. The situation for corn and soybeans is even more telling, with corn prices down by more than 20% from last year and soybeans off nearly a third.

“Farmers will be tightening up and planning carefully to help control their costs,” said Bob Young, chief economist for AFBF. “There’s a lot less room for error at these prices.”

A report last week by the University of Illinois’ Gary Schnitkey suggested farmers will need to look at four areas in the months and possibly years ahead. These include reducing machinery purchases, closely managing seed, fertilizer and chemical costs, trying to negotiate lower cash rents and reducing family living withdrawals from the farm.

For more information, please view the full AFBF news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

International Contract Farming Guide

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson hailed the recent release of the UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD Legal Guide on Contract Farming, a new tool to guide growers and buyers in establishing sound contracts and conflict resolution procedures. NFU, through the World Farmers’ Organisation, played a major role in the drafting of the guide.

“Farmers and buyers alike can benefit through contractual relationships, but as with any negotiation, there are potential pitfalls for either side if the terms that are agreed to are not fair, sound and transparent,” said Johnson. “This guide provides a helpful framework for farmers to ensure they do not find themselves on the short end of the stick when negotiating with buyers.”

The 250-page legal guide aims to address issues by providing advice on sound contract design, from negotiation to conclusion, including concrete clauses on allocation of risks, as well as recourses for non-performance and conflict resolution.

For more information, please view the full NFU release online.

— Adapted from a release by Andrew Jerome, National Farmers Union.

Brands Must be Renewed before Jan. 1, 2016

North Dakota brandowners can expect brand renewal notices in their mailboxes this week. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) issued the brand renewal forms July 30 for the upcoming North Dakota brand renewal.

All North Dakota livestock brands expire on Jan. 1, 2016. To renew a brand, simply complete the brand renewal forms mailed to the address recorded on the brand’s listing and return them and the appropriate fee to the NDSA’s Bismarck headquarters prior to the expiration date. The cost is $25 per brand position. Detailed instructions can be found on the brand renewal form or online at www.ndstockmen.org. For more information, contact the NDSA at 701-223-2522.

There are more than 23,000 livestock brands currently recorded in North Dakota. The state requires all brands be renewed at the end of each five-year period. The NDSA operates the state’s brand programs under the direction of the North Dakota Legislature and in accordance with the North Dakota Century Code.

— Adapted from a release by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

New Mexico State University Research Field Days

In early August, New Mexico State University’s (NMSU’s) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences will host several of its annual field days at multiple locations throughout the state.

The Tucumcari field day begins with registration at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. Lowell Catlett, dean emeritus of NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, will be the pre-dinner speaker. Presentations include topics such as innovative technology for beef cattle feed efficiency testing; tillage and nitrogen effects on silage corn; manure applications in strip tillage systems; tepary beans for grain and forage; perennial cereal rye for forage; and glandless cotton.

The Clovis NMSU Agricultural Science Center Field Day begins with registration at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7. The field tour begins at 9 a.m. with a catered lunch to follow the tour. Presentations include topics such as cover cropping in conservation tillage systems; weed resistance development and management; potential industrial crops for the High Plains; weed management in canola; insect pest management update; breeding for high oleic Valencia peanut; dairy industry update; and a discussion about winter canola or spring canola.

The Los Lunas NMSU Agricultural Science Center Field Day begins with registration at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Presentations on the field tours and demonstrations include mechanical chili harvest; Papa Criolla potato research; weed control in chilis; jujubes as an alternative fruit crop; alfalfa research; organic weed management; cover crops; soil health; and native plants.

For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.

— Adapted from a release by Tiffany Acosta, New Mexico State University.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Journal.