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The USDA’s weekly Export Sales report and weekly reports of export inspections provide timely information about export demand for U.S. agricultural commodities. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, is the official source of export estimates. The monthly Census Bureau reports are not as timely as USDA reports, but provide an opportunity to reassess export progress during the marketing year, said University of Illinois economist Darrel Good.

“For the marketing year that began on September 1, 2010, the USDA forecasts U.S. corn exports at 1.95 billion bushels, 37 million bushels less than were exported last year. Through the first 23 weeks of the marketing year (Sept. 1, 2010 through Feb. 10, 2011) the USDA’s weekly export inspections report showed cumulative export inspections of 737 million bushels, 7 million more than the total of the previous year,” he said.

Inspection estimates for the week ended Feb. 10 will likely be revised higher, as has been the pattern all year, so that the actual difference is likely closer to 10 million bushels, he said.… Continue reading

Several people from Ohio will be competing in the Championship Tractor Pull during the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville this week.

8,200 Super Stock Tractors

Mike Beck                          Napoleon                              High Tech Redneck
David Siefert                     New Washington                Renegade Deere

7,500 Modified Tractors

John Evans                       Wilmington                         Double Stuff
Keith HuKeith                  Ansonia                                The Fury

10,200 lb Modified Tractors

Larry Shope                      Bellville                                 Iron Dragon

9,300 lb Super Farm Tractors

Julia Conny                      Beloit                                      Mac Daddy

6,200 lb 2-WD Super Modified Trucks

Jessie Petro                     Camden                                  2 Timin’
Jeff Whitsel                      Orient                                    At It Again

8,000 lb Super Stock Alcohol Tractors

Jeff Hirt                             Port Clinton                        Runnin’ Bare
Tim Howell                       Wilmington                        Ryans Toy II
Frank Keener                    Ashland                               XXX
Larry Roberts II               Wilmington                         The Big Toy

9,300 lb Super Farm Tractors

Larry Sheets Jr.                 Williamsport                    Red River
Dean Wildermuth              Lewistown                       The Replacement Deere II

6,200 lb 2-WD Super Modified Trucks

Randy Petro                        Camden                             Kathy’s Komplain

10,200 lb Pro Stock Tractors

Carlton Cope                        Salem                               Warpath
Mike Linder                          Edison                              Linder Brothers

7,500 lb 4×4 Super Stock Diesel Trucks

Carl Atley                               Xenia                              Lethal Weapon
Cory Atley                              Cedarville                      Agstremely Hooked
Wayne Greier                       Salem                              Resurrected Ram
Shane Kellogg                      Forest                              Gotta Have It
Erik Stacey                            Winchester                    Smoknya HD

10,200 lb Pro Stock Tractors

Monte McCoy                     Warsaw                            Dusk Till Dawn
Kevin Schmucker               Louisville                         Rampage

The Pickaway County Farm Bureau invites you to a special risk management event with Bower Trading on Monday Feb. 28. Learn how to set yourself up for success in 2011 with the latest information in today’s volatile market.

James Bower is Owner and President of Bower Trading, Inc., a full service commodities futures and options brokerage firm specializing in trading the global agricultural markets. James has more than 30 years of experience in the commodities and futures business, and has been featured on Fox News, CNN, Wall Street Journal, US Farm Report, Bloomberg and many more.

In addition, we will hear from guests Phil Altstaetter, Crop Nutrient Manager for Trupointe, to learn about input and fertilizer purchasing, Todd Ruff from Ruff & Associates to learn about crop insurance, and Hank Bartholomew from Nationwide Agribusiness to talk safety on the farm.

Members who need to earn a safety meeting credit for being enrolled in the OFBF BWC group rating program through CompManagement can earn their credit by attending Hank Bartholomew’s program that begins after lunch.… Continue reading

A workshop next month in western Ohio aims to clean up Grand Lake St. Marys — and in doing it, give farmers a new source of income.

“Turning Manure into Ca$h” features new technologies for turning livestock waste into sellable fuel, fertilizers and bioresins. It’s on March 8 in Maria Stein, about 10 miles south of the lake. Five state organizations that work in agriculture and natural resources are behind it.

“We have new manure rules in place for Grand Lake, but we still have the same amount of manure, so we need to look at ways of reducing our nutrient loads,” said Jim Hoorman, one of the speakers and an Ohio State University Extension educator in Mercer County.

“Farmers can adopt these technologies, sell their manure for a profit, and reduce their nutrients,” Hoorman said.

Grand Lake St. Marys has been hit hard the past two summers by toxic algae blooms, which caused boating, fishing and swimming closures and threaten the lake’s tourism industry.… Continue reading

What do you do with a dead cow the size of a Smart Car? A dead pig as big as a washing machine? More and more, the answer is composting — it saves farmers money, protects the environment and returns animals slowly to the earth — and two programs next month will feature it.

Livestock Mortality Composting Workshops are being offered March 7 in Carey, about 60 miles south of Toledo, and March 8 in Newark, about 40 miles east of Columbus. Registration costs $10 and can be done at the door. A composting manual is included.

Proper composting — done without odors, vermin or objectionable gases — is the focus. The program will be the same at both places.

“The livestock industry is faced with discovering innovative and economical ways to dispose of mortality losses,” says the flier for both events. “This need has been brought on by the disappearance of rendering plants, concerns over groundwater pollution from burial, and the economic and environmental issues of incineration.… Continue reading

By Jim Skeeles & Chris Bruynis, OSU Extension Educators

Congress passed new legislation in December affecting estate taxes, but only for 2011 and 2012, reducing federal taxation of large estates. This legislation affects families with an individual who dies in 2011 or 2012 and has assets more than one million ($1M) or an individual that gifts more than $1M dollars during this period.

With this law change, an individual can pass on a total of $5M worth of assets with no federal estate or gift tax due. Further, if the net worth of an individual’s estate combined with the total counted amount given exceeds $5M, the federal estate and/or gift tax rate has been reduced to 35%.

Also upon the death of the first spouse, the surviving spouse now receives the unused $5M exclusion of the deceased spouse. Since the surviving spouse also has her exclusion of $5M she now can transfer assets totaling $10M, either by giving them away, the assets going through her estate, or a combination of the two.… Continue reading

The National Corn Growers Association is pleased with the decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to fully deregulate corn amylase (Event 3272) for all markets. APHIS had not found a plant pest risk associated with this event and reported a positive Environmental Assessment.

“Corn amylase is the first processing output trait to be scrutinized by our regulatory system,” said Bart Schott, NCGA president and a grower from Kulm, N.D. “The potential importance of output traits to growers and industry will only increase as other output traits are developed.”

Biotechnology has emerged as a key tool that allows growers and now processors to provide more food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world with fewer resources.

“All output traits will be valued-added crops that have the potential to allow growers to raise a product that could be beneficial to their farms in ways that are not possible right now,” said Chad Blindauer, chairman of NCGA’s Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team and a farmer in Mitchell, S.D.… Continue reading

Farmers who want new ways to grow, sell and stay in business can find them at two events coming next month. The “Opening Doors to Success” Small Farm Conference and Trade Show runs March 11-12 at Wilmington College in southern Ohio. The “Living Your Small Farm Dream” Northeast Ohio Small Farm Conference and Trade Show takes place March 26 at the R.G. Drage Career Center in Massillon.

“‘Small’ is relative, almost a mindset,” said Mike Hogan, one of the organizers and an Ohio State University Extension educator in eastern Ohio. “It’s hard to draw a line to say what’s small and what isn’t.

“The main focus either way is to help farm families identify ways to become more profitable and sustainable — economically, environmentally and socially.”

Alternative enterprises, such as blueberries and freshwater shrimp, will be among the topics. So will alternative production systems — reduced tillage, grass-based livestock and others — and alternative marketing systems, including CSAs (community supported agriculture), farmers’ markets and direct online selling.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

Volatility is expected in the prices for corn, soybeans and their inputs. The weather is always an unknown. The risks, at the current high price levels, are tremendous.

With these things in mind, farmers need to make some important decisions in the weeks leading up to the March 15 crop insurance deadline.

“Prices are higher this year, the volatility in the markets is greater than ever, and input prices are high, so it is really important to keep crop insurance at high levels,” said

Keith Summers, agent and broker at Leist Mercantile. “With that, the cost of crop insurance is going to be higher as well. We’re seeing rates anywhere from 25% to 30% over last year.

“It is important for everyone to meet with their agent. There are a lot of dollars on the table this year and it is important to make sure you have the right coverage for your individual farm.… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to help rebuild the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) on the Ohio State University’s Wooster campus, which was partially destroyed by a tornado in mid-September.

“The OARDC has been a crucial link between agricultural producers and world-class researchers and scientists, [and] is a cornerstone of economic development for the region,” Brown wrote in the letter. “A recent study showed that OARDC annually contributes more than $142 million to the Ohio economy and generates more than 1,576 jobs in the state.

“Following the tornado, nearly every building on the campus sustained damage.  While most buildings have considerable roof damage, three buildings and seven greenhouses were completely destroyed,” Brown continued. “This past October, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited OARDC and surveyed the extensive damage. After inspecting the grounds, Deputy Secretary Merrigan reiterated the need to restore the facilities so that research activities could resume…Bringing these critical resources back to full capacity is critical for Ohio and for the advancement of agricultural research.”… Continue reading

Eastern Ohio landowners interested in leasing their land for natural-gas drilling into the rich resources of the Marcellus Shale need to be aware that such leases can carry some financial risk if they’re not cautious. And, potential risks to the environment could be serious.

The Marcellus Shale formation encompasses about 95,000 square miles from New York to West Virginia, swinging through the southeastern corner of Ohio. The ancient formation, lying 8,000 to 15,000 feet below the surface, is estimated to be capable of producing more than 363 trillion cubic feet of clean-burning natural gas — more than 15 times the natural gas used in the United States each year. The Utica formation, which lies beneath the Marcellus and reaches into parts of central Ohio, appears to have similar reserves.

These rich resources are fueling a “gas rush” in areas where drilling is taking place, but the rise of the new industry has also raised concerns about the possibility of contamination or depletion of groundwater reserves.… Continue reading

Chef Todd McDunn of Lakeview Café at the Scotts Co. in Marysville recently took first place honors in the Ohio Pork Producers Council’s Taste of Elegance competition. The contest was held February 8^th at The Capital Club, in Columbus. The contest honors chefs with the best original pork.

The event also provides an opportunity for pork producers to mingle with Ohio’s lawmakers that drop by from the nearby Ohio Statehouse. This year’s event was packed with legislators and provided a great showcase for the bounty of Ohio agriculture. Ohio wines were also featured at the event.

Chef McDunn was presented the title of “Chef Par Excellence,” $1,000 and a trophy. He prepared Pork and Apples. “Superior Chef” honors went to Chef Dave MacLennan of Latitude 41 in Columbus. Scott prepared Miso Glazed Pork Belly. “Premier Chef” went to Chef Michael Delligatta of Michael Anthony’s at the Inn in Versailles. He prepared Double Cut Brined Pork Chop and an apricot and onion chutney with Braised Red Cabbage and Bleu Cheese Polenta.… Continue reading

Bryan Black was recognized with the Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award at the 2011 Ohio Pork Congress held in Columbus on Feb. 9. Black was selected for his tremendous contributions representing Ohio’s pork industry on the local, state and national level.

“We are pleased to recognize Bryan with this year’s Pork Industry Excellence Award for his involvement and leadership in not only Ohio’s pork industry, but also on a national level as well,” said Dick Isler, Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) executive vice president. “He’s been instrumental to OPPC and his leadership remains of great value to our organization.”

Black has served as president of both the National Pork Producers Council and the Ohio Pork Producers Council. He has also been actively involved in numerous state and national committees, and currently serving as Chairman of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Swine Subcommittee.

He resides on the family swine operation outside Canal Winchester with his wife.… Continue reading

Bryan Black was recognized with the Ohio Pork Industry Excellence Award at the 2011 Ohio Pork Congress held in Columbus on Feb. 9. Black was selected for his tremendous contributions representing Ohio’s pork industry on the local, state and national level.

“We are pleased to recognize Bryan with this year’s Pork Industry Excellence Award for his involvement and leadership in not only Ohio’s pork industry, but also on a national level as well,” said Dick Isler, Ohio Pork Producers Council (OPPC) executive vice president. “He’s been instrumental to OPPC and his leadership remains of great value to our organization.”

Black has served as president of both the National Pork Producers Council and the Ohio Pork Producers Council. He has also been actively involved in numerous state and national committees, and currently serving as Chairman of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board Swine Subcommittee.

He resides on the family swine operation outside Canal Winchester with his wife.… Continue reading

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will release new 10-year agricultural projections Feb. 14 at 12:00 noon EST. The “USDA Agricultural Projections to 2020” report will be released on the Office of the Chief Economist Web site at www.usda.gov/oce. USDA publishes the projections each year in February.

The long-term projections are developed by interagency committees in USDA, with the Economic Research Service (ERS) having the lead role in the preparation of the report.  The new projections cover crop and livestock commodities, agricultural trade and aggregate indicators such as farm income, and food prices through 2020.  The projections do not represent a USDA forecast, but a conditional, long-run scenario based on specific assumptions about farm policy, weather, the economy and international developments.  Provisions of the 2008 Farm Act are incorporated into the projections and are assumed to remain in effect through 2020.  Normal weather also is assumed throughout the projection period.… Continue reading

In an effort to improve Bt corn refuge compliance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  mandated new requirements as part of the Bt corn re-registration process this past fall. The Bt corn registrants are incorporating these new requirements (outlined below) into their Compliance Assurance Programs for the 2011 growing season:

•          On-farm refuge compliance assessments will be conducted by an independent third-party and will be focused on (i) areas of highest risk of insect pest resistance development and (ii) growers who did not buy sufficient refuge seed from the Bt corn registrant.

•          Growers found to be out of compliance with the refuge requirements (i) now have a higher probability of losing access to Bt corn if compliance is not established and maintained and (ii) will be checked more frequently by the Bt corn registrants.

•          Seed bag tags will better depict refuge size requirements

Under the Compliance Assurance Program, thousands of growers are surveyed about their IRM compliance practices each year through EPA mandated on-farm assessments. … Continue reading

A fire destroyed at least one barn early Saturday morning at an egg farm in Licking County.

Firefighters from several departments were called to the Ohio Fresh Eggs complex, located near the corner of Croton and Benner roads in Johnstown, at about 6:30am

Several residents captured pictures of flames engulfing a barn there. This picture is courtesy of Leslie BeVier.

A company spokeswoman said a heater inside one of the barns may have started the fire, according to Columbus TV station WBNS.

The spokeswoman said no chickens were inside the barn and no injuries were reported.… Continue reading

As the 2011 NASCAR season launches with a new, greener fuel, the nation’s corn growers are joining forces with NASCAR to promote the use of corn-based American ethanol. As an Official Partner of NASCAR, The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) will leverage its relationship to spread the message to NASCAR fans around the country about the role American farmers play in the development of ethanol.

In December 2010, NASCAR unveiled its landmark partnership with American Ethanol just weeks after announcing a 2011 switch in its three major national series to Sunoco Green E15, a new 15% ethanol blend fuel made with corn grown in the United States. Growth Energy, a leading ethanol advocacy organization, created the American Ethanol partnership to push for broad acceptance of a renewable domestic fuel for all American motorists.

“We’re greatly excited about this opportunity to help educate NASCAR fans at the race tracks and around the country about the great work of our corn growers in feeding and fueling the world,” said Darrin Ihnen, NCGA Chairman, a family farmer from Hurley, S.D.… Continue reading

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized three communications professionals for their work in 2010 advocating for the U.S. beef industry. Specifically, NCBA awarded Jamie King, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) communications director, and Eric Grant, manager of Angus Publications, Inc., with the Excellence in Communications and Public Relations award and Ron Hays with the Radio Oklahoma Network with the Excellence in Agricultural Journalism award.

“Day in and day out, communicators like Jamie, Eric and Ron go to work to tell the story of the U.S. beef industry. Whether they are keeping producers informed about market shifts or policy changes, or educating consumers about the realities of modern beef production, our industry relies on timely and accurate delivery of information,” NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said. “While there are many folks deserving of recognition for their hard work, these three communicators have gone above and beyond in their efforts telling the true story about the U.S.… Continue reading

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized three communications professionals for their work in 2010 advocating for the U.S. beef industry. Specifically, NCBA awarded Jamie King, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) communications director, and Eric Grant, manager of Angus Publications, Inc., with the Excellence in Communications and Public Relations award and Ron Hays with the Radio Oklahoma Network with the Excellence in Agricultural Journalism award.

“Day in and day out, communicators like Jamie, Eric and Ron go to work to tell the story of the U.S. beef industry. Whether they are keeping producers informed about market shifts or policy changes, or educating consumers about the realities of modern beef production, our industry relies on timely and accurate delivery of information,” NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Colin Woodall said. “While there are many folks deserving of recognition for their hard work, these three communicators have gone above and beyond in their efforts telling the true story about the U.S.… Continue reading