Commodity Classic Organizations Outline 2012 Farm Bill Priorities

The following statement on the 2012 farm bill was released today by National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill.; National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, a wheat producer from Burley, Idaho; American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman, soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb.; and National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum grower from Walsh, Colo.

“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry. As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority. We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.

“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot.The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions. We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.

“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States. Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world. We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”

Join Us At the Farm Machinery Show for Conversation and CommonGround

The Kentucky Corn Growers Association hopes you will stop by the NFMS booth this year for some conversation and CommonGround. Join us in the West Hall Pavilion Booth 8015.

Communications Director Jennifer Elwell will be talking with growers about topics important to consumers such as food safety, environmental concerns, and animal welfare. With permission, conversations will be videoed for placement on YouTube, Facebook and her blog, "Food, Mommy!"



Elwell and farmer volunteers will also share the work of the CommonGround program with NFMS visitors in the hopes they too will want to share their stories with consumers.

The Farm Machinery Show is also a great place to renew your membership. Anyone who joins or renews for 3 years or life through June 1 will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Cabela's gift card. A board or staff member will be happy to talk with growers about association goals and membership benefits. See you there!

New Webcast Covers Ag Drainage Management Practices and Results

Much of the Corn Belt is dependent upon subsurface (tile) drainage to be productive. Even the best corn growing soils are poorly drained and could not be used for crop production before tile drainage was installed.

In the latest presentation in Focus on Corn, "Ag Drainage Management Practices and Results," Harold Reetz, Principal of Reetz Agronomics and Executive Director of the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition, discusses the mechanics, practices, and benefits of drainage water management systems (DWMs).

DWMs can be a positive management practice for reducing loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from crop fields, increasing nutrient use efficiency and reducing potential for contamination of downstream water resources.

Field studies by the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition (ADMC) and various university, industry, and farmer cooperators found that DWM reduced nitrate loss by 34%. In addition, it reduced water loss by 35% and increased crop yield by 1.5% over 20 locations in 5 states.

This presentation is open access through March 31, 2012, and can be viewed at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/edcenter/seminars/corn/AgDrainageManagement/.

Other Focus on Corn presentations can be viewed at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/foc.

Focus on Corn is a publication of the Plant Management Network (PMN), a nonprofit online publisher whose mission is to enhance the health, management, and production of agricultural and horticultural crops. It achieves this mission through applied, science-based resources. PMN is jointly managed by the American Society of Agronomy, American Phytopathological Society, and Crop Science Society of America. KyCGA is a Focus on Corn sponsor.

To take advantage of PMN's full line of 12 resources, please sign up for its free online newsletter at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/update/default.cfm.

NCGA Notes Refuge Compliance Report Reflects New Bt Corn Requirements Implemented to Improve Refuge Compliance

As planting for the 2012 season approaches, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes that newly revamped on-farm refuge assessments are part of the enhanced Compliance Assurance Program (CAP) implemented last year, which is designed to improve compliance with Insect Resistance Management (IRM) requirements. Corn growers found to be out of compliance with refuge requirements will be checked more frequently by the Bt corn registrants and have a higher probability of losing access to Bt corn if compliance is not established and maintained.

The Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC), a consortium of Bt corn registrants, submits an annual CAP report to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describing industry-coordinated compliance assurance efforts for Bt traits. The year’s report is the first following the implementation of the enhanced CAP.

“To implement the CAP, technology providers made some major changes to their procedures last year as directed by EPA,” said Mike Smith, ABSTC IRM subcommittee co-chairman. “One of the changes was the selection process for on-farm assessments. In past years, we’ve randomly selected those participants, but in 2011 we used a more targeted approach and conducted assessments based on purchase history, and, as anticipated, using this methodology resulted in the identification of more non-compliant growers than in years past. Changes were also made to the grower survey and included more Bt corn products with differing refuge requirements.”

The survey results include compliance with refuge requirements for corn borer traits and rootworm traits, either alone or in stacked Bt corn products, regardless of refuge size differences.

Highlights of the report include:

• The CAP for all Bt corn products with structured refuge requirements continues to be effective. In 2011, the majority of growers surveyed planted the required refuge size on their farms and the majority of growers surveyed planted a refuge within the required distance for all of their Bt corn fields. Furthermore, the survey indicates that the vast majority of all Bt corn fields have an associated refuge.


• The majority of growers found out of compliance in 2010 were found to be complying with the IRM requirements during the 2011 growing season. This result is consistent with previous years and confirms that the CAP’s phase compliance approach in which non-compliant growers were provided additional educational materials and re-assessed in 2011 is working.


• As in previous years, adherence to refuge requirements in the cotton growing region was lower than in the Corn Belt. Factors contributing to lower adherence in the cotton region include larger required refuge size, smaller field sizes, more diverse cropping systems, and greater complexity of operations. The cotton region will receive increased focus for on-farm assessments in 2012. Education programs continue to highlight the specific refuge requirements in the cotton region and, in tandem with the on-farm assessment program, growers have the opportunity to correct individual instances of non-compliance for future growing seasons.


• As anticipated, targeted on-farm assessments identified more than three times as many corn growers who were out of compliance than in years past. Each member company independently reviewed available sales data for its Bt corn customers and assessments were conducted with growers who, according to the sales records, may have purchased little or no refuge seed. All non-compliant growers will undergo a second on-farm assessment to help ensure compliance in 2012.

“The objective of the on-farm assessment program is to identify individual non-compliant growers and bring them back into compliance through a phased approach,” said Joanne Carden, ABSTC IRM subcommittee co-chairwoman. “The new approach to conducting IRM on-farm assessments has resulted in more non-compliant growers being identified, demonstrating that the enhanced CAP is working as planned.”

Carden added that the ABSTC is pleased with the outcomes from the phased compliance approach. “The goal of these enhancements is to help growers understand the importance of following refuge requirements, provide clarity on how to meet the minimum refuge requirement for each product and ultimately improve compliance,” she said.

IRM Refuge Calculator Helps Growers Develop Plans for Refuge Compliance

“Since the introduction of biotech traits, the vast majority of corn growers have followed refuge requirements to help protect the efficacy of this important technology,” said Chad Blindauer, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. “All growers must follow these requirements to help preserve the long-term value of this technology. We encourage growers to work with their seed dealers and trait developers to understand the enhanced requirements under the CAP and improve refuge compliance.”

To assist farmers in developing an IRM plan and a refuge strategy for their farms, Blindauer said NCGA has established a number of resources, including recently launching an updated IRM calculator to clarify refuge system options and show growers how to execute the requirements properly. The IRM calculator was developed in collaboration with ABSTC companies to ensure it reflects all Bt products available in the industry. Farmers can access the IRM calculator via computer or a smart phone by simply logging on to www.irmcalculator.com.

Founded in 1957, the National Corn Growers Association represents 36,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide. NCGA and its 48 affiliated state organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for their members and their industry.

2011 Corn Yield Contest Winners Announced

Advanced production techniques, informed growing practices and improved seed varieties helped corn growers achieve high yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2011 National Corn Yield Contest.

While a Kentucky farmer did not achieve a national title, many were recognized as state winners:

A Non-Irrigated

1 Zoglmann & Sons, Owensboro, Pioneer P1615HR, 254.7146 bu/A

2 Peterson Farms, Loretto, Pioneer 32T16, 249.2417 bu/A

3 Mr Malcolm R Oatts, Hopkinsville, DEKALB DKC63-87, 248.9774 bu/A

No-Till/Strip Till Irrigated

1 Joel Benton Armistead, Adairville, DEKALB DKC64-69, 253.8321 bu/A

2 Peterson Dairy Farms, Loretto, Pioneer 31P41, 245.8849 bu/A

3 Steve Hunt, Herndon, Pioneer P1420HR, 245.0828 bu/A

A No-Till/Strip Till Non-Irrigated

1 PPJ Thompson Farms, Owensboro, Pioneer P1745HR, 257.7846 bu/A

2 Jerry Griffith, Mayfield, DEKALB DKC63-87, 247.3311 bu/A

3 Michael Buckman, Lebanon, DEKALB DKC63-14, 245.4534 bu/A

Irrigated

1 Armistead Farms, Adairville, DEKALB DKC64-69, 264.1188 bu/A

2 Seven Springs Farms, Cadiz, Pioneer P1395HR, 254.1334 bu/A

3 Brandon Hunt, Oak Grove, Pioneer P1745HR, 250.3545 bu/A

Click here for the list of national winners.

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Rule and It's Applicability to Farms

May 10, 2013 is an important compliance date for farmers. On that date farms which meet SPCC rule criteria are required to have developed and implemented an oil spill prevention plan, called a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan. These plans are intended to help farms prevent oil spills and control a spill should one occur.

The SPCC rule applies to a farm which:

• Stores, transfers, uses, or consumes oil or oil products, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil, or animal fat; and


• Stores more than 1,320 US gallons in aboveground containers or more than 42,000 US gallons in completely buried containers; and


• Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to waters of the US or adjoining shorelines, such as interstate waters, intrastate lakes, rivers, and streams.

EPA has published many resources in order to help farmers understand and comply with the rule. The EPA Website link for agricultural SPCC plans is: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/spcc/spcc_ag.htm.

The SPCC Farms Fact sheet summarizes the rule and requirements. Additionally, a sample plan for a Qualified Tier 1 farming facility is available. An Office Word formatted template of an SPCC plan is available on the EPA website for use. Tools for calculations are available for download.

Many farms will be able to self-prepare and self-certify their plan. Farms with above ground storage capacity of more than 10,000 gallons and farms which have had certain past oil spills will require a SPCC Plan certified by a Professional Engineer. Smith Management Group has extensive experience preparing SPCC plans for various types of facilities. They can assist you in determining your farm's status and in preparing your SPCC plan. You can obtain a list of Professional Engineers from the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

For full details and stipulations refer to the EPA Website.

USDA Revises National Nutrient Management Standard to Achieve Maximum Agricultural, Environmental Benefits

Standard stresses increased use of technology and local information

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today yesterday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has revised its national conservation practice standard on nutrient management to help producers better manage the application of nutrients on agricultural land. Proper application of nitrogen and phosphorus offers tremendous benefits to producers and the public, including cost savings to the producer and the protection or improvement of ground and surface water, air quality, soil quality and agricultural sustainability.

"Protecting America's supply of clean and abundant water is an important objective for USDA," Vilsack said. "This precious resource is the foundation for healthy ecosystems and sustainable agricultural production. USDA provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to help producers manage their nutrients to ensure a clean and abundant water supply while maintaining viable farm and ranch operations."

The nutrient management conservation practice is an important tool in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation toolbox. The agency's staff uses this conservation practice to help farmers and ranchers apply their nutrients more efficiently. Proper management of nitrogen and phosphorus, including the use of organic sources of nitrogen such as animal manure, legumes and cover crops, can save producers money. The nutrient management standard provides a roadmap for NRCS's staff and others to help producers apply available nutrient sources in the right amount, from the right source, in the right place, at the right time for maximum agricultural and environmental benefits.

NRCS's nutrient management experts worked with universities, non-government organizations, industry and others to revise the standard to ensure it is scientifically sound. Key changes in the standard include expanding the use of technology to streamline the nutrient management process and allowing states more flexibility in providing site-specific nutrient management planning using local information when working with producers. NRCS staff offices will have until Jan. 1, 2013 to comply with erosion, nitrogen and phosphorus criteria for their state nutrient management standard.

The revised national standard is being released at a time when the agency is working with various partners to address nutrient management concerns identified in three recently released Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) cropland studies. These CEAP studies assessed the effectiveness of conservation practices in the Upper Mississippi Basin, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Great Lakes Basin. One significant resource concern identified in all three studies is the loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from cropland. Most nitrogen losses are attributed to nitrate leaching through the soil to groundwater. Most phosphorus is lost due to erosion because phosphorus attaches itself to displaced soil particles that are transported by runoff to nearby waterways. Improved nutrient management and effective erosion control work together to reduce the loss of nutrients from agricultural land, resulting in improved water quality in downstream rural and urban communities. The revised standard will provide tools and strategies to help producers address the natural resource concerns relating to excess nutrients on agricultural land.

NRCS offers voluntary technical and financial assistance to producers nationwide for planning and implementing on-farm nutrient management plans. Producers can use this assistance to help meet federal, state, tribal and local environmental regulations.

For more information about how nutrient management fits into NRCS's conservation work, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/landuse/crops/npm.