Pledge states 'We are sustainable' on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers

ST. LOUIS (August 16, 2012) - When it comes to buzzwords, sustainability is one that U.S. soybean farmers believe has staying power. It's so important, in fact, that the United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff recently joined other U.S. soybean organizations in supporting a pledge and set of data that demonstrate U.S. soybean farmers continue to improve their sustainability performance. These organizations will use this pledge and data to help increase sales of U.S. soy among customers that demand sustainably sourced ingredients.

"Instead of a certification process for individual U.S. soybean farmers, we are recommending an aggregate approach, in which the data show the environmental, economic and societal benefits of U.S. soybean production," says Jim Call, soybean farmer from Madison, Minn. and USB secretary. "This pledge will be the commitment by the entire U.S. soy industry that we, as farmers, are sustainable."

At their most recent meeting, the soy checkoff recently joined the American Soybean Association and state checkoff boards in further committing the U.S. soy industry to sustainability. The United Soybean Export Council Board is expected to take similar formal action in the next few weeks.

"Our customers, the end-users, want to use products that are sustainable, and it is our responsibility to provide them," adds Call. "Within the pledge, we share data that shows our decreasing use of inputs and the increasing use of conservation practices by U.S. soybean farmers."

Also during the meeting, checkoff farmer-leaders adopted a series of recommendations to finish implementing USB's new operating structure. As part of one of these recommendations, USB Chair Vanessa Kummer appointed a Strategic Management Committee, which will ensure all checkoff-funded projects contribute toward meeting the checkoff's long-range strategic plan.

Kummer appointed farmer-leaders Dwain Ford, Kinmundy, Ill.; Richard Fordyce, Bethany, Mo.; and Nancy Kavazanjian, Beaver Dam, Wis., to join USB Vice Chair Jim Stillman, Emmetsburg, Iowa; and immediate past chair Marc Curtis, Leland, Miss., to the committee.

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

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DES MOINES, IA (08/15/2012)(readMedia)-- Top dairies competed for honors in the Brown Swiss Dairy Cattle show judged Saturday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Kruses Swiss Farm of Earlville showed the Grand Champion Female. The Reserve Champion Female belonged to Onword Swiss of Oelwein. The dairy also earned second place in both the Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor contests.

Lee-Anns Swiss of DeWitt collected top honors in the Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder contests.

The Premier Breeder Award is given to the competitor who earns the most points for animals bred and exhibited by the entrant or others during the day's show. The Premier Exhibitor Award is given to the exhibitor who accumulates the most points based upon the day's placings.

Complete results below (name, hometown and animal identification):

Junior Heifer Calf: March 1 to May 31, 2012

1) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Big Faith-ET, 3/4/2012, Pending

2) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Kb Tressel Tea Et, 3/20/2012, 68140071

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Apache Leigh, 3/6/2012, 68141698

4) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Galaxy Callaway, 3/1/2012, 68141690

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Lolly London, 3/26/2012, 68141288

6) Zachary Briggs, Albia, High Point P Clover, 3/7/2012, 68139996

Intermediate Heifer Calf: Dec. 1, 2011 to Feb. 29, 2012

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Joey Sugar, 12/20/2011, 68137482

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Cadillac Wishful, 1/2/2012, 68138359

3) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Park Ranger-ET, 12/6/2011, Pending

4) Doug Fairbanks, Anamosa, Wapsi-Ana Total Topper, 12/2/2011, 68136701

5) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Jo-lane Wonderment Juju, 12/21/2011, 69812262

6) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Cadillac Graffiti, 1/4/2012, 68138360

7) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Dragon Razz, 12/10/2011, 68141917

8) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M J-Joey, 1/6/2012, 68139691

9) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Mo-Jo Jitter, 12/14/2011, 68139690

10) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Dyn Bubbles, 12/11/2011, 68141904

11) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Cassidy Cindy, 12/21/2011, 6841286

12) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres SP Dollar-ET, 1/10/2012, 68139332

13) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Cotton Candy B, 1/5/2012, Johann Pete Rose-ET

14) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Royal-Lind Rythm Mix Up, 12/1/2011, 68141747

15) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Dande Supreme Pearl, 1/21/2012, 68142219

16) Darryl Banowetz, Charlotte, Browns Guccis Gotcha, 12/4/2011, 68137799

17) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Wallst Rory, 12/1/2011, 68139759

18) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Usa Galaxy Tinkerbell, 12/1/2011, 68139959

Senior Heifer Calf: Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2011

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Dargon Villy, 10/22/2011, 68139175

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge Tot Apple-ET, 9/5/2011, 68137267

3) Doug Fairbanks, Anamosa, Wapsi-Ana Total Bam Bam, 9/19/2011, 68136697

4) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Verdict Vela, 11/2/2011, 68139179

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres GX Tulip-ET, 9/7/2011, 68135210

6) Cedar Way Farm, Waverly, Cedar Way W Mint Mischief, 11/3/2011, 68138802

7) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Viking Valley Alloy Misti, 9/2/2011, 68136338

8) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Wonderment Jacie-ET, 10/20/2011, 68136120

9) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Custard, 9/6/2011, 68141915

10) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Daytona Drama, 9/21/2011, 68136430

11) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Jo-lane Wonder Mayflower-ET, 9/30/2011, 69812240

12) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Scenic Ridge Zeus Maylynn, 9/19/2011, 68139960

12) Darryl Banowetz, Charlotte, Wapsi-Ana Total Fallon, 12/30/2011, 68136695

14) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Amber Rae Poseidons Sally, 9/25/2011, 68134448

15) Dandee Swiss, Dewitt, Dandee Agenda Flicka, 9/1/2011, 68137578

16) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Blend Tanniversary, 9/1/2011, 68139758

17) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shorts Drivers Lana, 10/12/2011, 68138865

Summer Yearling Heifer: June 1 to Aug. 31, 2011

1) Twin-Elms-Vu, Readlyn, Siegerts Stanford Breena, 6/23/2011, 68133262

2) Cedar Way Farm, Waverly, Cedar Way Austin Marvel, 8/3/2011, 68138803

3) Overmann Farm, Earlville, Overmann Victor G Claire, 9/26/2011, 68135006

4) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Pit-Crew Wonder Penelope-ET, 6/2/2011, 68135749

5) Schulte Bros, Watkins, Schulte Bros Park Avenue, 7/5/2011, 68140826

6) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Kruses LJ Four M Sandra, 6/4/2011, 68133122

7) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Sun-Made HP Enver Pippa-ET, 6/1/2011, 68132693

8) Canoe Ridge Dairy, Decorah, Hilltop Acres Col Katrina, 6/15/2011, 68135599

9) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, FickCuddles Comfy, 7/5/2011, 68136425

10) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Candance Candid, 6/4/2011, 68138424

11) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Zeus Paula, 7/18/2011, 68138816

12) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Bestman Richetta, 7/10/2011, 68139760

Junior Yearling Heifer: March 1 to May 31, 2011

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge PS Faith-ET, 3/3/2011, 68152606

2) Arthurcreek Holsteins, Sumner, Arthur Creek Wonder Nelly, 5/15/2011, 68140064

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Wonder Mint Vivid-ET, 3/10/2011, 68131301

4) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Victor Cathy-ET, 4/8/2011, 68131148

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Corina-ET, 3/5/2011, 68130361

6) Blue Skies Swiss and Holsteins, Hillsboro, Four-M James Jewell, 4/20/2011, 68131129

7) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Solution Jenna-ET, 3/1/2011, 68129788

8) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge T Fancy-ET, 4/28/2011, 68137264

9) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Top Acres M W Sunny, 3/2/2011, 68130958

10) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Conquest Nanana, 3/11/2011, 68132594

Winter Yearling Heifer: Dec.1, 2010 to Feb. 28, 2011

1) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Butterscotch, 1/27/2011, 68130357

2) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Bck Zip Cara -ET, 12/16/2010, 68139545

3) Ashley Baumler, Fort Atkinson, Onword Austin Vintage, 12/1/2010, 68129181

4) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Power Jem, 2/15/2011, 68137571

5) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Usa Jetway Silverbells, 12/12/2010, 68126592

6) Shortys Swiss, Sibley, Shortys Zeus Roxan, 2/14/2011, 68137572

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Dean Grinch, 12/20/2010, 68132596

8) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores P Rose Reath, 12/22/2010, 68132595

Senior Yearling Heifer (Not in Milk): Sept.1 to Nov. 30, 2010

1) James Roth, Milford, Neb., Uhing Vigor Deka, 10/9/2010, 68127513 Tat#699

2) Edgebrook Jerseys, Montour, Edgebrook Zues Ivory, 9/12/2010, 681132419

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, CIE Lee-Anns Total Treat, 10/10/2010, 68127750

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres W Gaiety, 9/1/2010, 68125206

5) Ally Bierschenk, Van Horne, Biercrest Wonder Britanny, 9/5/2010

6) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville, Four-M Mandel Juice-ET, 10/2/2010, 68128823

7) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Wapsi-ana Total Future, 9/14/2010, 68126446

8) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, Spring Acres Welcome Price, 9/26/2010, 68126911

9) Natalie, Mitchell and Wesley Hanson, La Porte City, Dandee Agenda Tipsy, 9/5/2010, 68124544

Junior Best Three Females

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

3) Schulte Bros, Watkins

4) Four-M Swiss, Crawfordsville

5) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

6) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth

7) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

8) Shortys Swiss, Sibley

9) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

Junior 2-Year-Old Cow: March 1-Aug. 31, 2010

1) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Gln Dignity -ET, 5/19/2010, 68125189

2) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Paris Perfume, 3/9/2010, 68120229

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Tucker Mason, 6/29/2010, 68121724

4) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt, Daveco Premium Solo-ET, 4/30/2010, 68128246

5) Ryan Bousquet, South Sioux City, Neb., Telleen Charles Cecilia, 3/16/2010, 68124557

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores P Rose Natasha, 3/15/2010, 68122066

Senior 2-Year-Old Cow: Sept. 1, 2009 to Feb. 28, 2010

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Quicksilver Wonder Bently-ET, 12/12/2009, 68118996

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Legacy Callie-ET, 9/19/2009, 68117513

4) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Olsons Maghams Vigor Maybe-ET, 9/4/2009, 68114049

5) Ryan Bousquet, South Sioux City, Neb., Lee-Anns Parker Crystal, 12/1/2009, 68117511

6) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Long Acres Victor Bliss, 10/15/2009, 68133442

7) Canoe Ridge Dairy, Decorah, Hilltop Acres Danielle, 9/5/2009, 68117196

8) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Carmel Clover, 2/21/2010, 68120226

Junior 3-Year-Old Cow: March 1 to Aug. 31, 2009

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Victor Kiss-ET, 4/20/2009, 68111769

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Fjel-Mar Legacy Foxxy-ET, 3/1/2009, 68113239

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Griffin Talent, 6/1/2009, 68117497

4) Goodman Dairy Farm, Rose Hill, Oak Forest Mint Jan, 6/3/2009, 68113310

5) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres Jeepers-ET, 3/14/2009, 68112896

Senior 3-Year-Old Cow: Sept. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Braiden Glitter, 12/3/2008, 68108056

2) Breezy Ridge Dairy, Epworth, Breezy Ridge Vic Candycane-ET, 12/15/2008, 68112614

Cow 4 Years Old: Sept. 1, 2007 to Aug. 31, 2008

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Queen Elizabeth-ET, 2/20/2008, 68102921

2) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Madison Victory, 9/15/2007, 961233

3) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Snow Valley Vigor Priceless, 9/2/2007, 68130539

4) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses River Jamaica-ET, 1/10/2008, 961097

5) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Victor Rena, 7/18/2008, 68111510

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, Hilltop Acres Noodle, 10/28/2007, 958960

Cow 5 Years Old: Sept. 1, 2006 to Aug. 31, 2007

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns BellStar Licorice, 6/2/2007, 961237

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Fastrack VI- ET, 10/17/2006, 954971

3) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Hilltop Acres EN Della- ET, 6/15/2007, 960659

4) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Onword Seattle Visual, 5/21/2007, 954981

5) Uluru Swiss Acres, Clermont, Scenic Ridge Agenda Mayme, 7/12/2007, 960034

Aged Cow: Before Sept. 1, 2006

1) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

2) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, R Kruses Vision Jackie-ET, 3/17/2006, 948865

3) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Fick Lilly Lizzie, 2/4/2006, 946556

4) Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Victory Volley, 4/28/2006, 948883

5) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona, Onword Denver Vinegarette, 5/21/2005, 939656

6) Ficks Swiss, Boyden, Telleen Keg Jane, 7/27/2006, 952367

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton, DeVores Hollywd Miliza, 9/30/2003, 931093

Best Three Head

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

6) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

Best Four Head

1) Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

3) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

4) Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar

5) Ficks Swiss, Boyden

6) Jo-lane Dairy, Monona

7) DeVore Dairy, Wilton

8) Dandee Swiss, DeWitt

Junior Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Joey Sugar, 12/21/2011, 6841286

Reserve Junior Champion Female: Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Cutting Edge PS Faith-ET, 3/5/2011, 68130361

Intermediate Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

Reserve Intermediate Champion Female: Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt, Lee-Anns Braiden Glitter, 12/3/2008, 6810856

Senior Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

Reserve Senior Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Queen Elizabeth, 2/20/2008, 68102921

Grand Champion Female: Kruses Swiss Farm, Earlville, Kruses Four-M Firefly, 12/21/2009, 68117645

Reserve Grand Champion Female: Onword Swiss, Oelwein, Onword Diablo Adeline, 1/4/2006, 948551

Premier Exhibitor

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

Premier Breeder

1) Lee-Anns Swiss, DeWitt

2) Onword Swiss, Oelwein

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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Obama Administration Continues to Take Swift Action to Provide Assistance to Farmers, Ranchers and Businesses

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2012–As part of continuing steps by the Obama Administration to get assistance to producers impacted by the drought, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today designated 172 additional counties in 15 states as primary natural disaster areas due to drought and heat, making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans. To date, USDA has designated 1,792 counties as disaster areas–1,670 due to drought. Earlier this week, President Obama and Secretary Vilsack traveled to Iowa to announce USDA's intent to purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, which will help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand. "USDA is committed to using existing authorities wherever possible to help the farmers, ranchers, small businesses, and communities being impacted by the drought," said Vilsack. "In the past month, we have streamlined the disaster designation process, reduced interest rates on emergency loans, and provided flexibility within our conservation programs to support struggling producers. In the weeks ahead, the President and I will continue to take swift action to help America's farmers and ranchers through this difficult time." Vilsack also announced today the availability of up to $5 million in grants to evaluate and demonstrate agricultural practices that help farmers and ranchers adapt to drought. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is taking applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to help producers build additional resiliency into their production systems. NRCS is offering the grants to partnering entities to evaluate innovative, field-based conservation technologies and approaches. These technologies and/or approaches should lead to improvements such as enhancing the water-holding capacity in soils and installing drought-tolerant grazing systems, which will help farms and ranches become more resilient to drought. Visit www.nrcs.usda.gov for more information. Additionally, in response to a request from five National Organic Program (NOP) certifying agents, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced that USDA will grant a temporary variance from NOP's pasture practice standards for organic ruminant livestock producers (Sections 205.237(c) and 205.240 of the USDA organic regulations) in 16 states in 2012. The following restrictions apply: this temporary variance applies to non-irrigated pasture only; producers must supply at least 15 percent of their dry matter intake (on average) from certified organic pasture; this temporary variance applies to the 2012 calendar year only; and this temporary variance covers only counties that have been declared as primary natural disaster areas by the Secretary of Agriculture in 2012. Granting a temporary variance for 2012 from the pasture practice standards is necessary in order to allow organic ruminant livestock producers to continue to be compliant with the program regulations after the severe drought ends and pasture forage becomes available. Temporary variance requests that are outside the scope of this variance will be considered on a case by case basis. Last week, President Obama convened his White House Rural Council to review Executive Branch response actions and to develop additional policy initiatives to assist drought-stricken Americans. Following the meeting, the White House announced a number of new measures the Administration is taking. The President stressed the need for the entire Administration to continue to look at further steps it can take to ease the pain of this historic drought. Within the last month, USDA has opened the Conservation Reserve Program to emergency haying and grazing, lowered the borrower interest rate for emergency loans, and worked with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers. USDA has also announced: Authorized $16 million in existing funds from its Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Initiated transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorized haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowered the reduction in the annual rental payment to producers on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that 63 percent of the nation's hay acreage is in an area experiencing drought, while approximately 73 percent of the nation's cattle acreage is in an area experiencing drought. Approximately 87 percent of the U.S. corn is within an area experiencing drought, down from a peak of 89 percent on July 24, and 85 percent of the U.S. soybeans are in a drought area, down from a high of 88 percent on July 24. On Aug. 10, USDA reduced the estimate for the 2012 U.S. corn crop to 123.4 bushels per acre, down 23.8 bushels from 2011. However, record corn plantings in 2012 have put the crop in position to be eighth largest in history. In 1988, when U.S. farmers were impacted by another serious drought, total production was 4.9 billion bushels. Today, total production is forecast at 10.8 billion bushels. Visit www.usda.gov/drought for the latest information regarding USDA's drought response and assistance. The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers. A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture. USDA's crop insurance program currently insures 264 million acres, 1.14 million policies, and $110 billion worth of liability on about 500,000 farms. In response to tighter financial markets, USDA has expanded the availability of farm credit, helping struggling farmers refinance loans. In the past 3 years, USDA provided 103,000 loans to family farmers totaling $14.6 billion. Over 50 percent of the loans went to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Primary counties and corresponding states designated as disaster areas today for drought and other reasons: Illinois [drought] Bureau Cook De Kalb Du Page Grundy Henry Kane Kankakee Kendall Knox Mercer Putnam Stark Will Iowa [drought] Adair Adams Audubon Buena Vista Calhoun Carroll Cass Cerro Cherokee Clay Crawford Dallas Floyd Franklin Fremont Gordo Greene Guthrie Hancock Harrison Humboldt Ida Louisa Mills Monona Montgomery O'Brien Osceola Page Pocahontas Pottawattamie Sac Shelby Washington Webster Wright

Farm crops took to the judging table in the John Deere Agriculture Building sponsored by Alliant Energy on Thursday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results below:

FIELD CORN

Single Ear

1) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) David Klindt, Bettendorf

5) James Klindt, Bettendorf

6) Kevin Glanz, Manchester

 

Longest Ear

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Sterling Weeda, Holstein

3) Dillon Weeda, Holstein

4) Julie Weeda, Holstein

5) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

6) Paul White, Ames

 

Ten Ears, Yellow Corn

1) James Klindt, Bettendorf

2) Kevin Glanz, Manchester

3) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

4) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

5) David Klindt, Bettendorf

6) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

 

Ten Ears, White Corn

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

4) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

5) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

6) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

 

Ten Ears, Open-Pollinated Corn

1) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) David Klindt, Bettendorf

4) Mary Zelle, Waverly

5) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Thirty Ears

1) James Klindt, Bettendorf

2) David Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

4) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

5) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

6) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

 

Full Gallon Shelled Corn

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

5) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

6) Kevin Glanz, Manchester

 

Standard Bushel Basket Ear Field Corn

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) David Klindt, Bettendorf

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

5) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

6) Oxford Farms, Cambridge

 

First Time Exhibitors, Yellow Corn

1) Steve Murty, Gladbrook

2) Kevin Glanz, Manchester

3) Thomas Huck, Waverly

 

New Crop, Yellow Corn

1) James Klindt, Bettendorf

2) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

3) David Klindt, Bettendorf

4) Dean Stormer, Bridgewater

5) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

New Crop, White Corn

1) James Klindt, Bettendorf

2) David Klindt, Bettendorf

 

Ornamental Corn

1) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Dwight Sanders, Vinton

4) David Klindt, Bettendorf

 

Sweepstakes: James Klindt, Bettendorf

 

First Place Overall: James Klindt, Bettendorf

 

FORAGES, GRASSES AND LEGUMES

Alfalfa

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Alsike Clover

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Birdsfoot Trefoil

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

4) Mary Zelle, Waverly

 

Smooth Bromegrass

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Medium Red Clover

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) David Klindt, Bettendorf

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Millet

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Orchard Grass

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

4) Mary Zelle, Waverly

 

Reed Canarygrass

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) Mary Zelle, Waverly

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Sudan

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Sweetclover

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

4) Mary Zelle, Waverly

 

Timothy

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Any Other

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Sweepstakes: Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

POPCORN

Commercial, White Hybrid Popcorn

1) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Commercial, Yellow Hybrid Popcorn

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Dawn Troutner, Melbourne

 

Commercial, Mushroom Hybrid Popcorn

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

Ornamental, Japanese Hulless/White Rice Popcorn

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

3) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Ornamental, Strawberry Popcorn

1) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

2) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

3) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

4) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

 

Ornamental, Lady Finger Type Popcorn

1) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

2) Dawn Troutner, Melbourne

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Ornamental, Any Other Popcorn

1) Red Corn Farm, Melvin

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Ornamental, Shelled Popcorn

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

3) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

4) Becky Poduska, Chelsea

 

Sweepstakes: Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

SHEAF GRAINS

Brome Grass for Seed

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Millet for Seed

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Early Oats

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Mary Zelle, Waverly

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Mid Season Oats

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

 

Late Season Oats

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Orchard Grass

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

Rye in Straw

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

2) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Grain Sorghum

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

3) Casey Cortum, Norwalk

 

Spring Wheat in Straw

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

4) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

 

Winter Wheat in Straw

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Sweepstakes: Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

SMALL GRAINS AND LEGUMES

Early Oats

1) None Awarded

2) David Klindt, Bettendorf

3) James Petersen, Knoxville

4) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

Mid Season Oats

1) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

2) David Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

4) Thomas Huck, Waverly

 

Late Season Oats

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

Oats - Any Other Officially Recognized Variety

1) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

2) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

3) David Klindt, Bettendorf

4) Dwight Sanders, Vinton

 

Red Clover Seed

1) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

2) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

 

Spring Wheat

1) None Awarded

2) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Winter Wheat

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

 

Any Other

1) David Klindt, Bettendorf

2) Willard Hoskin, Keosauqua

3) Steve Murty, Gladbrook

 

SOYBEANS

Early Soybeans

1) Mary Zelle, Waverly

2) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) Rick Baumhover, Chariton

5) Lynne Pfantz, State Center

6) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Mid Season Soybeans

1) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

2) James Klindt, Bettendorf

3) Thomas Huck, Waverly

4) Mary Zelle, Waverly

5) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

6) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

 

Late Season Soybeans

1) Mary Zelle, Waverly

2) Oxford Farms, Cambridge

3) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

4) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

5) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

6) Dean Stormer, Bridgewater

 

Specialty Food Soybean

1) Kevin Glanz, Manchester

2) Mary Zelle, Waverly

3) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

 

Soybean Bundles

1) Jay Van Wert, Hampton

2) Mary Zelle, Waverly

3) Chuck Werner, Chelsea

4) Ronald Zelle, Waverly

5) Ginger Werner, Chelsea

6) Dean Stormer, Bridgewater

 

Sweepstakes

1) Mary Zelle, Waverly

 

First Place Overall (classes 37-39)

1) Mary Zelle, Waverly

 

First Place Overall (class 40)

1) Kevin Glanz, Manchester won

 

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30^th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

 

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