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USDA Extends Deadline for Conservation Stewardship Applications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for fiscal year 2014. Producers interested in participating in the program can submit applications to NRCS through Feb. 7, 2014.

"Extending the enrollment deadline will make it possible for more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to apply for this important Farm Bill conservation program," NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. "Through their conservation actions, these good stewards are ensuring that their operations are more productive and sustainable over the long run and CSP can help them take their operations to the next level of natural resource management."

Weller said today's announcement is another example of USDA's comprehensive focus on promoting environmental conservation and strengthening the rural economy, and it is a reminder that a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is pivotal to continue these efforts. CSP is now in its fifth year and so far, NRCS has partnered with producers to enroll more than 59 million acres across the nation.

The program emphasizes conservation performance - producers earn higher payments for higher performance. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and energy use.

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As the National Pork Board sets its course for 2015 through 2020, the organization's strategic planning task force was recently presented an analysis of top trends in the economic and food production environment that are most likely to impact the Pork Checkoff program. The analysis is part of the National Pork Board's strategic planning initiative. The task force met for the first time in December.

"Our overarching objective is to assess the role the Pork Checkoff plays in an ever-changing world and to identify strategic opportunities for us to help move the pork industry forward," said Chris Novak, chief executive officer of the National Pork Board. "This may mean developing programs that increase consumer trust and comfort in purchasing pork.

"Consumer needs regarding food safety and transparency, and producer needs to protect the environment and provide the best possible animal care will be front and center," Novak said.

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Irish Agricultural Progress Provides Valuable Examples for All Ag Producers

Agriculture committee chairmen and women from state legislatures all across the country met in Oklahoma City last weekend in the 13th annual Legislative Chairs Summit. The meeting was an opportunity to explore policy issues facing the nation's-and the world's-farmers as they seek to feed an ever-growing population.

One of the speakers at the conference was Dr. John Dardis, the first secretary of agriculture and food in Ireland. He spoke with me about his unique perspective on issues facing today's agriculture industry.

"I wear many hats: I'm a wheat farmer. I'm a wheat breeder and I represent our industry's interests throughout the U.S.A."

He says there are numerous exciting and revolutionary developments happening in the agricultural industry in Ireland that are valuable for the whole world.

"A recurring theme at the likes of this conference or wherever I go is a frustration that our industry is often neglected. We felt that at home as well. What our industry is doing now is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. We are doing over 500,000 tons of beef exports a year which puts us in the top five globally. We're the size of South Carolina and we're doing that off of grass."

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VoteVets Launches Ad Campaign Supporting Renewable Fuel Standard 

A veterans group describing itself as the largest progressive group of veterans in America, with over 360,000 supporters, VoteVets.org, launched a new television ad in Iowa, aimed at protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The ad buy is nearly $110,000 for one week of time in the Des Moines market as well as in Washington, D.C., where it will be seen by decision makers on the issue. The group promised more ads will be coming in the next few weeks.

Today's ad features an Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard would allow for a greater flow of oil dollars to our enemies, who use that money for weaponry that has targeted our troops. Connolly, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, lived in Glenwood, Iowa from 2010 to 2012, and now lives just across the border, in Nebraska.

The ad opens with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy. Connolly says, "War is dangerous. I know. I was there. Now, people ask me all the time how they can support the troops." Holding a yellow ribbon, Connolly says, "By putting one of these on your car? Sure..." And then in front of an ethanol gas pump, "By putting this in your tank? Even better... More renewable fuels, like the kind grown here in Iowa, means we use less foreign oil. And that means less money for our enemies. But the oil companies are trying to kill renewable fuels."
 

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DuPont Pioneer Gives Growers Tools To Manage Cold Stress in Corn

DuPont Pioneer researchers are working to help growers understand the risks of planting in cold, wet seedbeds and mitigate those challenges with corn hybrids that tolerate less-than-ideal soil conditions. Many Pioneer® brand hybrids feature strong stress emergence scores, which indicate a relative ability to emerge in cooler conditions, tolerate early-season challenges and give growers the opportunity to produce high yields.

"Stress emergence isn't just a trait for northern growers," notes Imad Saab, senior DuPont biotech business affairs manager. Saab has been on the forefront of stress emergence work at Pioneer for more than a decade. "This is a valuable trait for growers everywhere who are planting corn earlier or into cool, damp soils. With the rise in no-till or minimal-tillage systems, more corn is being planted into inhospitable soils."

Growers in northern states are aware of cold stress issues. Saab reports many questions about stress emergence come from states farther south.

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Oklahoma Ag Hall of Fame Nominations Sought

Oklahoma has a rich agricultural history thanks to dedicated farmers. In 1998, the Governor's Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture was created to recognize those who have helped lead the industry while demonstrating exemplary personal values and pursuing agricultural achievements in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is accepting nominations for this award through Feb. 7. The award winner will be inducted into the Oklahoma Agricultural Hall of Fame located at the agency headquarters in Oklahoma City.

Examples of eligible agriculture enterprises are: livestock and crop production, agribusiness, forestry, horticulture and nursery management. In addition to considering the nominee's production agriculture involvement, the application also recognizes leadership in agricultural and state organizations as well as additional awards and honors. The winner will be someone with at least 25 years in agriculture who derives the bulk of his or her income from agriculture or has retired from an agricultural enterprise.

To read more and to find a link to the Outstanding Achievement Award nomination form, please click here.
 

Smithfield Subsidiary Murphy Brown Tell Contract Growers- Convert to Group Housing to Get Contract Extension  

Smithfield Foods, Inc. and its hog production subsidiary, Murphy-Brown LLC, announced today that it is recommending all of its contract sow growers join with the company in converting their facilities to group housing systems for pregnant sows. The company said that it is asking contract sow growers to convert by 2022 with a sliding scale of incentives to accelerate that timetable. Growers who commit to convert to group housing will receive contract extensions upon completion of the conversion.


At the same time, Smithfield Foods reported that Murphy-Brown had, through the end of 2013, transitioned 54% of pregnant sows on its company-owned farms in the United States to group housing systems.


The announcement supports the company's industry-leading effort that began in 2007 when it was the first major pork supplier to commit to transitioning to group housing systems on company-owned farms. "More and more food companies are looking to suppliers to move toward group housing systems for pregnant sows," said Dennis H. Treacy, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer of Smithfield Foods. "To date, more than 50 companies-many of them Smithfield customers-have announced that they will source pork in the future from suppliers utilizing group housing."


Treacy added, "In line with our animal care initiatives and sustainability goals, and in order to meet the needs of our customers, we believe that it is now time to encourage conversion of pregnant sow housing systems at contract sow grower facilities. In fact, several growers have already converted or have made plans for the change." Smithfield notified their contract sow growers nationwide of this recommendation last month.

Click here to read more about the sow housing status of Smithfield and Murphy Brown.