24 May 2013

ISU Extension Calendar - Scott County

By Joy Venhorst
  • June 7, 2013 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension office 10:00 am-2:00 pm
  • June 25, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm
  • July 12, 2013 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension office 10:00 am-2:00 pm
  • July 23, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm
Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/
22 May 2013

Grassley Amendments to Senate Farm Bill Focus on EPA, Payment Limits, Competition

By Grassley Press

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

 

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has introduced three amendments to the farm and nutrition bill being debated before the Senate.  Grassley is one of two working family farmers in the United States Senate and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Nearly 80 percent of the funding for the farm bill is geared toward nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and various food assistance programs for seniors and children.  Only 20 percent of the funding for the farm bill is directed toward agriculture programs.

"The small amount of the farm bill that is geared toward agriculture is an opportunity to give farmers the certainty they deserve and to make changes to the farm programs that provide a marketplace where agriculture can thrive and feed and fuel the world," Grassley said.  "These are common-sense amendments that would hold the bureaucracy accountable, keep fairness in farm program payments, and ensure the Department of Agriculture, with its extraordinary knowledge and expertise in agricultural matters, has a more formal role with the Justice Department in scrutinizing ag competition."

Grassley's first amendment would protect livestock and poultry farmers from having their personal information released by the EPA.  It does not prevent the EPA from collecting the information about where farmers' operations are located.  It also does not prevent EPA from disclosing information in the aggregate.  Grassley's amendment stems from the EPA's release of the personal information of over 80,000 livestock and poultry owners from across the nation to three activist groups.  A large portion of the data disclosed to the activist groups did not meet the definition of a Consolidated Animal Feeding Operation.  In fact, in the data collected on farmers from Iowa, the EPA disclosed information on people who owned as few as one pig, and another individual who owned 12 horses.

Grassley's second amendment would hold peanut farmers to the same cumulative $50,000 payment limit that applies to farmers growing other crops.  In current law, and in the underlying bill, peanut farmers essentially can double their farm payments if they grow peanuts and another type of crop.

Grassley's third amendment would create a Special Counsel at the Department of Agriculture.  The Special Counsel would be charged with analyzing mergers within the food and agricultural sectors, in consultation with the Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture, the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission.  In addition the Special Counsel would investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act.

-30-
21 May 2013

10 Soybean Farmers to See Checkoff in Action

By United Soybean Board
Soy checkoff announces "See for Yourself" participants

ST. LOUIS (May 21, 2013) - Farmer-leaders of the soy checkoff recently informed 10 U.S. soybean farmers of their selection for the 2013 See for Yourself program, an intensive, weeklong educational experience that helps soybean farmers learn more about their checkoff and industry.
"We at the national soy checkoff are thrilled with the interest we've seen this year in this important program," says David Hartke, a soybean farmer from Teutopolis, Ill., and chair of the United Soybean Board (USB) Audit and Evaluation program, which sponsors See for Yourself.
"I think we have an outstanding group of participants this year, all of whom I see as having great leadership potential for the ag industry going forward," says Hartke.
Selected through an application process, the following U.S. soybean farmers come from soybean-growing states around the country and will participate in the program:
Participants, who hail from soybean-growing states across the nation, are the following:
  • Stacey Artz, N.D.
  • Peter Bakken, S.D.
  • Jonathan Gibbs, Wis.
  • Jeffery Heimerl, Ohio
  • David Lanners, Minn.
  • Rodney Lehman, Mo.
  • Travis Matthews, Mo.
  • Quint Pottinger, Ky.
  • Austin Rincker, Ill.
  • Wallace Willoughby III, Ark.
Participants will gather July 18-26 and learn about checkoff and soy industry activities in St. Louis and the countries of Panama and Colombia.
They will see how their domestic and international customers beyond the elevator use soy meal and oil. They will also see their checkoff funds in action by visiting a number of sites that represent their biggest customers, including animal agriculture, which uses nearly 98 percent of U.S. soy meal, and the food industry, which uses two-thirds of U.S. soy oil. Participants will also visit sites that demonstrate the importance of farmers' freedom to operate.
"Many past See forYourself participants say they had no idea the checkoff works for soybean farmers in as many ways as it does," Hartke says. "Additionally, participants have the chance to provide feedback directly to me and other farmer-leaders on the checkoff programs they learn about. Hearing from farmers is one of the best ways we can evaluate checkoff investments."
The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

21 May 2013

Iowa - GMO Cheerleader - Monsanto protection act 2.0

By Larry Hanus
First Gov. Vilsack and now Rep. Steve King?
Does Iowa have a "love" relationship with eating foods banned in many countries?
Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.
Monsanto protection act 2.0
20 May 2013

IOWA FARM BUREAU APPLAUDS LEGISLATURE FOR RESTORING RECREATIONAL STATUTE FOR FARMERS, LANDOWNERS

By Andrew Wheeler

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 17, 2013 - The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state's largest grassroots farm organization, applauds the passage of HF 649, a measure to protect farmers and landowners who allow visitors onto their farm for recreational purposes. The measure unanimously passed the Iowa House and Senate and is now before Gov. Terry Branstad.

The measure resulted from an Iowa Supreme Court ruling in February which opened farmers and private landowners up to liability if someone was injured while on their land for recreational purposes such as fishing, hunting, and field trips.

"This is a big win for Iowa farmers and all Iowans who want to experience and learn more about life on the farm," said IFBF President Craig Hill. "By restoring this liability protection that farmers have had for four decades, the Legislature took a common sense approach that will be good for all Iowans."

The Iowa Supreme Court ruling stemmed from a field trip an Iowa kindergarten class took to a northeast Iowa dairy farm. A chaperone fell in a barn, claimed the landowner was negligent and sued.

The Iowa Supreme Court imposed a far more narrow interpretation of 'recreational' and liability protection than those that Iowa farmers have had since the 1970's. It said landowners could be protected only if they opened up their land to the general public and if the recreational activity occurred outdoors, not in a barn or shed. It also ruled that landowners lost liability protection if they acted as tour guides on the farm. That had prompted many legal experts to recommend that Iowa farmers severely limit the visitors onto their land or close their farm gates completely.

Hill added, "Not only does HF 649 restore liability protection for previous activities, it also includes educational activities, directs broad interpretation, eliminates public access concerns and removes the peril from the 'tour guide' role of landowners. The unanimous vote is a clear indication that the legislation is a common sense measure that will serve the needs of farmers, landowners and the general public."

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online Newsroom page at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

20 May 2013

Help For Flood Affected Farmers

By USDA Office of Communications
Help For Flood Affected Farmers

USDA Ready To Help Farmers Affected By Flooding

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site. 
YouTube: FSA Flooding
Video Podcast:FSA Flooding iTunes


*FTP DOWNLOAD INFORMATION AVAILABLE BELOW

FEATURE - HELP FOR FLOOD AFFECTED FARMERS

INTRO:  The U-S Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency is assessing what it can do to help farmers whose land and property was damaged by recent floods in the Midwest.  The USDA's Bob Ellison has more.  (1:34)

RECENT MIDWEST FLOODING COVERED A LOT OF FARM LAND AND DID SOME DAMAGE, BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE HAD IT OCCURRED LATER IN THE SPRING. U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARM SERVICE AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR JUAN GARCIA SAYS DELAYED PLANTING LOOKS TO BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM.

Juan Garcia, USDA Farm Service Agency  Administrator: We have had some reports on the damages. Fortunately, a lot of the crops had not been planted yet prior to the flooding occurring. So we're in good shape there. The problem is now that they have to wait until it dries up in order to be able to plant their corn and their soybeans.

STILL, GARCIA SAYS F-S-A IS ASSESSING DAMAGE IN FLOOD-STRICKEN AREAS TO DETERMINE WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR PRODUCERS.

Garcia: We have had at least one county in Missouri that has requested authorization for the Emergency Conservation Program, which is a program in which we offer cost sharing assistance to assist farmers to remove debris from their farmland, repair fences, also to repair conservation structures in the areas. One of our main missions is to provide a safety net for these producers. You never know what Mother Nature is going to do. If you take last year we had a tremendous drought in that area. A big difference from last year as to this year where we've had significant rainfall that has caused flooding.

GARCIA SAYS FLOOD-AFFECTED FARMERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL FARM SERVICE AGENCY OFFICE AND PROVIDE A REPORT.

Garcia: It is very important for us to get as many reports from producers as possible so that the office can do a good assessment as to what damage occurred in the area.

IN WASHINGTON D-C FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

 

This new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site.

FTP DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS: 
The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com/23747/TV_Features/

User name: usdaftp

Password: 1qaz2wsx

Filename for TV Feature: FSA flooding feature

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 )

Please use this free ftp client if you have problems.

http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type+client

Please email bob.ellison@usda.gov if you have problems or suggestions.

Also, the new TV feature can be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and as a video podcast.

20 May 2013

PRO BOWL LINEBACKER CHAD GREENWAY JOINS AMERICA NEEDS FARMERS TEAM

By Andrew Wheeler

Former Hawkeye All-American, Current NFL Star Advocates ANF

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - May 16, 2013 - Chad Greenway, a small-town farm boy, now a dominant defensive player in the National Football League (NFL), is the latest football star teaming up with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the University of Iowa (UI) to promote the America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign.

Greenway was raised on a small South Dakota farm that his parents still operate.  Today, he is one of the NFL's most prolific linebackers, but underneath his jersey and pads is a farmer passionate about highlighting the vital role agriculture plays in our country.   "The importance of farmers is never going to go away.  The foundation of human nature is farming: being able to produce something from the land, being able to feed your family, feed your community, and feed the world," Greenway said.  "It's the backbone of America.  It's what we're all about.  It's the fabric of our being."

Greenway says the life lessons learned on the farm help motivate him on the football field.  "There are so many levels where hard work and growing up on a farm can correlate to football.  I've used all the principles I gained growing up on a farm to really push me in the profession that I'm in now," said Greenway, star linebacker of the Minnesota Vikings entering his eighth season in the league.  "The game of football is unique and tests you in many ways; it tests your will; it tests your ability to get up from being knocked down; it tests your work ethic, for sure, and the want-to that you have."

Greenway joins an impressive list of former Hawkeye players who support ANF, a campaign launched by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis. The ANF emblem is displayed on Hawkeye football players' helmets today and is a source of pride for the former Hawkeye great.  "I'm proud that I went to the University of Iowa and that ANF is part of what the UI symbolizes and tries to push.  I'm proud that the people of Iowa can turn on the Hawkeye game and be proud of the people we are putting on the field who wear that emblem," said Greenway.

With most people two to three generations removed from the family farm, IFBF and the UI joined forces to promote the ANF message and talk to consumers about the food, fuel and fiber raised by farmers. "Consumers want to know more about where their food comes from and the ANF effort is just one way farmers are helping build that understanding," said Craig Hill, IFBF president.

Greenway joins former Hawkeye greats Hap Peterson, Mike Haight, Matt Kroul, Casey Wiegmann, Jared Devries, and Dallas Clark as ANF supporters.  The ANF campaign continues to create excitement with the 2013 Hawkeye football season drawing closer.

  • Learn more about why Chad Greenway and the other members of the ANF team believe America Needs Farmers at www.iowafarmbureau.com/articles/89871/pro_bowl_linebacker_chad_greenway_joines_america_needs_farmers_team.
  • ANF and Iowa farmers will be featured at Farm Bureau Park, located on the Grand Concourse at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 8-18. Visitors can register for prizes, play games and learn more about farming.
  • "ANF Day at Kinnick" will be held Oct. 26 for the Iowa versus Northwestern game.  The day will feature pre-game events featuring Iowa farmers and an autograph session with former NFL and Hawkeye greats.
  • Kinnick Stadium visitors can see ANF Plaza and the Wall of Fame, located between the stadium's west grandstand and the north grandstand.
  • ANF merchandise is for sale at www.bravosportsmarketing.com. Farm Bureau members can take advantage of special discounts throughout the year at www.iowafarmbureau.com.  A portion of the proceeds goes to the Iowa Food Bank Association.
  • The website www.AmericaNeedsFarmers.org features fun facts, trivia, ANF events and comments from former University of Iowa football players who proudly wore the ANF on their game helmets during their playing days at the UI.

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

20 May 2013

ISU Extension and Outreach Scott County Calendar

By Amanda Heitz
14 May 2013

B100 to Fuel Pulling Tractors

By United Soybean Board
New rule allows biodiesel to boost tractors this season

ST. LOUIS (May 14, 2013) - A partnership between U.S. soybean farmers and the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) will reach another milestone Friday when the NTPA begins allowing the use of 100 percent biodiesel, in all diesel pulling classes for this season.

This is the seventh season the soy checkoff has partnered with the NTPA to promote the use of biodiesel to pulling fans, including many farmers, truck drivers and other diesel users.

A study funded by the state soy checkoff board in Minnesota and conducted by United Pullers of Minnesota found using biodiesel in pulling competition can provide a 4 percent increase in torque and horsepower.

"Performance results like these are an added bonus to the environmental and economic benefits of using biodiesel," says Larry Marek, soy checkoff farmer-leader and a soybean farmer from Riverside, Iowa. "If NTPA pullers can get these kinds of results on the track, we can certainly get great results using B100 on the farm." 

Also returning to the track this season will be the "Powered by Biodiesel," Light Pro Stock class, in which all competitors are required to use biodiesel blends.

"B100 performs well, and is dependable even in the most excruciating tests," says Gregg Randall, NTPA office general manager. "Pullers will definitely want to take advantage of the fuel this pulling season."

Click here to view the entire 2013 NTPA competition schedule and find out where tractor pullers will be using B100 near you.

Biodiesel is known as America's Advanced Biofuel because it reduces greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 50 percent compared with petroleum diesel. It offers excellent horsepower, mileage and cetane, and adds as much as 65 percent lubricity to an engine.

The soy checkoff funds biodiesel research and promotion efforts through the National Biodiesel Board to help increase the use of U.S. soy oil. Soy oil remains the dominant feedstock for U.S. biodiesel production.

The 69 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

10 May 2013

Payment Limits Reform Included in Chairwoman's farm bill

By Grassley Press

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after the Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee today released her "mark" that will be the baseline for debate when the committee begins consideration of the bill on Tuesday.  The bill includes payment limit reforms proposed by Grassley.  Click here for information about Grassley's payment limits reform package that he introduced in the Senate.  Click here for information about the support for Grassley's provisions during the budget debate.

"I appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow's continued commitment to farm program payments reform.  When two-thirds of the farm payments go to the wealthiest 10 percent of farmers and there are loopholes that allow farm payments to go to non-farmers, Americans lose confidence that we're using taxpayer money responsibly.  By including my reforms, Chairwoman Stabenow is putting forward a mark that is defensible and effective in this area.

"I was also pleased to see Congressman Fortenberry introduce companion legislation to my payment limits reform bill in the House today.  As the House Agriculture Committee considers a farm bill it would send a strong message if the House included the common sense and meaningful payment limit reforms in Congressman Fortenberry's bill and that Senator Stabenow has included in her mark."

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