Record wheat yields on tap for Ohio

http://www.agweekly.com/articles/2009/10/12/news/markets/markets87.txt

By Brian Hoops Monday, October 12, 2009

On Friday, October 9, the USDA released the monthly supply/demand report for October. The USDA estimated corn production at 13.018 billion bushels, up slightly from last month and 8 percent higher than 2008.

Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 164.2 bushels per acre, up 2.3 bushels from September and 10.3 bushels above last year. If realized, this yield will be the highest on record and total production will be second only to the record set in 2007.

Yield forecasts remained unchanged or increased from last month across the Corn Belt, Great Plains, and Ohio Valley where warm, dry weather during much of September helped push the late-developing corn crop towards maturity. Light frost was reported in parts of the northern tier of the Great Plains and Corn Belt in late September. However, temperatures were not considered low enough to terminate crop growth. Based on administrative information, acreage updates were made in several States and farmers now expect to harvest 79.3 million acres for grain, down 1 percent from the September forecast but 1 percent above 2008.

The sharp jump in the U.S. average corn yield clearly has negative implications as the market likely will be anticipating further increases in future reports. However, the yield increase came at the hands of an unexpected reduction in the planted area, allowing the actual crop size to not increase much from last month. This allowed 2009/10 U.S. corn ending stocks to remain essentially unchanged, as well. From that perspective, despite the higher yield, there really was not a structural change to the U.S. balance sheet.

A yield increase in October, following a September increase tends to result in further increases and has essentially guaranteed a yield no lower than the September estimate, which was 161.9 bushels/acre. The last 2 times USDA raised yields in September and October, 2004 and 2005, the final yield proved higher than the October estimate.

Soybean production was forecast at a record high 3.25 billion bushels, up slightly from the September forecast and up 10 percent from last year. Based on October 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 42.4 bushels per acre, up 0.1 bushel from last month and up 2.7 bushels from 2008. If realized, this will be the third highest yield on record. Compared with last month, yields are forecast higher or unchanged in all States except Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, and New York.

The largest decrease in yield from the September forecast is expected in Mississippi where persistent rain during the last two weeks of the month increased the potential impact of disease. Increases of 2 bushels are expected in Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Virginia. If realized, the forecasted yield in Alabama, Georgia, and Nebraska will be a record high and the forecasted yield in Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania will tie the previous record high. Area for harvest in the U.S. is forecast at 76.6 million acres, down slightly from the previous estimate but up 3 percent from 2008.

The most notable supply-side impact on soybeans came from the known 28 million bushel increase in beginning stocks, but was almost completely offset by a 25 million bushel increase in exports, resulting in 2009/10 U.S. soybean ending stocks moving up just 10 million bushels to 230 million.

Even though the U.S. average yield moved up just 0.1 bushel/acre this month to 42.4, the historical implications following an increase in September and October clearly point to the potential for further yield increases down the road. As seen, years with yield increases in each of these months tend to be followed by additional yield increase, as well.

The USDA increased U.S. wheat ending stocks to 864 mb, well above the 743 mb estimated in September as the USDA increased ending stocks by 121 mb due to a combination of a 26 million bushel increase in total supplies and a 95 million bushel reduction in total demand. World stocks remain huge at 186.70 mts.

Word on Wheat: Speaking Out on the Need for Research

Dr. Jim Peterson

Last month, we lost a great leader for the world wheat industry and spokesman for agricultural research, Dr. Norman Borlaug.

As a wheat breeder, Dr. Borlaug’s work and leadership through the Green Revolution saved hundreds of millions of lives. His championship of agriculture technology and work in Africa later in life has saved many millions more. Maybe as important, Borlaug inspired young people throughout the world to dedicate their lives to improving agriculture and food security.

Dr. Borlaug’s leadership will be sorely missed around the world, and there is no one person that can step in and fill his role as spokesman for wheat and world agriculture. Instead, we will need many individuals to step forward and contribute their skills, knowledge, leadership and passion for making a difference through agricultural research and production. We need more and better spokespeople for our work and our industry.

As a U.S. wheat breeder, I am excited by new and vigorous leadership at USDA including Dr. Raj Shah as undersecretary for research, education and extension and Dr. Roger Beachy the President’s nominee to be the first director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Dr. Shah and Dr. Beachy will both bring new energy, passion and credibility to their positions as leaders and spokesmen for agricultural research. New ideas, new priorities and new scientific approaches are needed if we are to effectively attack complex problems facing U.S. agricultural production.

Also needed, though, is new money. Both USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the new NIFA need an infusion of funds if we are to address critical issues ranging from wheat rust diseases to food security in the face of climate change. More money has to come to the table for both competitive grants and core research if we are to keep the agriculture industry productive and profitable. And, we have to be smarter and better coordinated with the money we do have.

In collaboration with NAWG, and with the support of the milling and baking industries, we have lobbied vigorously for wheat industry research priorities with some achievements this appropriations season.

House and Senate conferees decided on $262.482 million for competitive grants through USDA’s new Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, 30 percent more than competitive grants received in the 2009 fiscal year. The conference report also includes $1 million in new funds for Ug99 research at ARS and maintains funding for critical ARS wheat research efforts that had been targeted for cuts or redirections.

Also important has been continued U.S. funding for wheat research at CIMMYT, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, through the U.S. Agency for International Development. We have worked to raise awareness of its importance and contributions of CIMMYT to the U.S. wheat industry and promote funding for CIMMYT to address world wheat production issues, including Ug99.

In this time of tight budgets, these are important wins. However, much more is clearly needed in light of a recent report from the United Nations saying we will need to produce 70 percent more food by 2050 to feed the 2.3 billion more people who will be on our planet. This is a phenomenal and daunting challenge facing our country and the world.

We have lost our leader and spokesman in Dr. Borlaug. Drs. Shah and Beachy can’t do it alone. We need leaders from throughout the industry to step up, to advocate for wheat and production agriculture and to explain their importance to policy makers and the public.

The world’s food supply is depending on it.

Peterson is a wheat breeder at Oregon State University and the chairman of the National Wheat Improvement Committee. Visit NWIC online at http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/wheat/reports/NWIC/

Approval of GMOs could solve animal feed shortage in the EU

Story reprinted from The Financial Times

After farmers' groups calling attention to the fact that they are facing a "serious shortage" of livestock feed because of the EU's zero tolerance of unapproved GMOs in imported feed and foodstuffs, EU Agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel told Agriculture ministers that breaking the logjam of GMO applications would throw a lifeline to dairy and pig farmers.

Opposition from a handful of EU member states has repeatedly stalled the final approval of GMO products that have otherwise been cleared by the European Food Safety Authority, the EU's scientific advisory arm.

The UK and the Netherlands, supporters of GMOs, were among a group of eight member states that expressed support for Ms Fischer Boel's remarks, according to a person involved in the discussions. Austria, a GMO opponent, and Poland expressed scepticism.

Copa-Cogeca, the farmers' group, says non-GM feed will add almost €1 billion to the cost of raising livestock this year.

The EU imports nearly two-thirds of the 33.5 million tonnes of the soyabean meal used by the food and livestock industry annually.

Some 200,000 tonnes of US soyabeans have been blocked at EU ports this year because they contained trace amounts of two varieties of GM maize that have been declared safe by the commission’s scientific arm, but not yet approved by member states. The situation has become more severe this year because a drought in Argentina, one of the EU's largest suppliers, has cut its soyabean production.

“If we don’t solve the problem of zero tolerance shortly, then we will have to stop the imports altogether,” said Klaus-Dieter Schumacher, president of Coceral, the trade group that represents Europe’s cereal and foodstuff makers.

The commission says continued resistance to GMOs could see European farmers lose market share to imported GM-fed meat. “The worst case scenario is that eventually it becomes so expensive to import protein that our own guys go out of business and we end up importing meat from countries fed on the same GMOs not approved for use here,” a commission official said.

Ms Fischer Boel’s comments came as dairy farmers rallied in Brussels, demanding more support amid a prolonged slump in milk prices. France and other countries have also repeatedly asked for financial aid for pork producers, arguing that they are suffering from low prices. Commission officials have indicated that they are unable to provide more financial assistance after directing billions of euros in aid to the sector through emergency payments and market interventions.

Copyright 2009 The Financial Times

http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/fischer_boel_gmos_approval_could_solve_animal_feed_shortage

How to get involved with Ohioans for Livestock Care/Issue 2

Ohio families need the safe, nutritious, affordable, locally grown food that Ohio farmers provide each and every day.

But consumers also want to know more about how their food is produced on Ohio’s farms. That means knowing that animals are healthy and well cared for, that the food they buy is safe and of the highest quality, and that farmers are running their farms responsibly and following all regulations. Consumers also want choice at the grocery store, both in the foods they buy and in how those foods are produced.

Meeting changing consumer expectations and providing that reassurance is why Ohio’s farmers support Issue 2, a measure to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (the Board). The Board will bring together the full range of Ohio animal care expertise to set animal care policy, which is something we all can support.

Click below to see how you can help or receive more information on this crucial ballot issue.

http://www.ohiolivestockcare.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=58

OSGMP, others join The Hand That Feeds U.S. coalition

The Hand That Feeds U.S. coalition announced this week that the National Association of Wheat Growers, the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program and other organizations have joined its ranks, and that growers can now sign up online to receive updates about the campaign’s progress.

Since launching on May 11, the coalition has added NAWG, the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Agri-Women, Crop Insurance Professionals Association, Growth Energy and Texas Grain Sorghum Producers to its broad list of funding members. The coalition has also continued to win the acclaim of rank-and-file farmers.

A new section of the campaign’s Web site - Get Involved - gives those farmers a way to participate with the group by signing up to become a coalition member, receive regular campaign updates and even contribute to the cause.

The Hand That Feeds U.S. is aimed at filling the information vacuum between everyday farmers and urban reporters that has long plagued the agricultural industry.

Activities the coalition has already undertaken include development of an interactive Web site; release of a regular e-newsletter; coordination of face-to-face briefings between farmers and reporters; and institution of a rapid response program designed to answer critics.

The project is an educational spin-off of Farm Policy Facts, a highly successful communications effort focusing on the importance of strong farm policy. NAWG has participated with Farm Policy Facts since its inception in 2007.

To learn more about The Hand That Feeds U.S., visit www.thehandthatfeedsus.org

Monsanto Invests in Wheat through WestBred Acquisition

Wheat is one of the world’s most vital crops – yet it has suffered from a lack of investment in technology. As a result, the productivity of wheat acres continues to fall behind other major row crops like corn, soybeans and cotton.
 
Over the last several years, there has been a growing acceptance and discussion around the need for technology investment in wheat in order to meet future demands. In 2009, wheat organizations in the United States, Canada and Australia outlined their support for more efficient, sustainable and profitable production of wheat around the world – including their thoughts on the commercialization of biotechnology in wheat.
 
"The U.S. wheat industry welcomes the announcement today by Monsanto that it will restart its investment in research on development of biotechnology traits in wheat," said Ohio Wheat Growers Association and Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program Executive Director Dwayne Siekman. "The research challenges facing wheat are well known, as is the importance of this crop to world food supplies. This announcement comes at a time when basic research into agronomic improvements to wheat is critically needed."
 
Monsanto released the following in a press release:
 
Through Monsanto's acquisition of WestBred, LLC, Monsanto sees an opportunity to bolster the sustainability of wheat by helping farmers improve yields and reduce input resources. Monstano states the combination of technologies – like drought tolerance, herbicide and pest resistance, as well as improved-yield traits – and WestBred’s breeding expertise in wheat can meaningfully address some of the productivity challenges facing this crop.
 
With WestBred seeds and talent added to our company, Monsanto’s development of technologies has the opportunity to enhance not only the productivity, sustainability and quality of wheat, but also the crop’s profitability for our farmer customers.
 
Researchers will apply Monsanto’s expertise in conventional and marker-assisted breeding to develop better-yielding varieties using WestBred germplasm as a foundation. Biotechnology will be a longer-term prospect, which is consistent with the 8-to-10 year development cycle for new biotech traits for other large-acre crops.
 
But Monsanto and WestBred are not going to do this alone. We’re also forming a Wheat Development Advisory Group that will consist of individuals throughout the food value chain to assist us as we develop and apply new technologies in wheat.

Ohio General Assembly approves Livestock Care Standards Board resolution:

The following statement was released jointly by farm groups and agricultural commodity groups across Ohio in response to the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives’ passage of Amended Senate Joint Resolution 6 (Am. SJR 6), which would authorize a statewide ballot measure creating an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.

Action today (Monday) by the Ohio House of Representatives and the Ohio Senate to approve Amended Senate Joint Resolution 6 is an important step forward in continuing Ohio livestock farmers’ excellent treatment of farm animals, maintaining safe food production practices and ensuring the continued availability of nutritious, affordable, locally produced food for Ohio consumers.

We would like to commend our legislative leaders and sponsors – including Senate President Harris (R-Ashland), House Speaker Armond Budish (D-Beachwood), Senate Agriculture Chair Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Chair John Domenick (D-Smithfield), Am. SJR6 sponsor Bob Gibbs (R- Lakeville) and Amended HJR 2 sponsor Allan Sayre (D-Dover) – for their strong leadership in moving the resolution forward and securing bipartisan support for the measure in the Senate and House. We also acknowledge the hard work of our key supporters, including Margaret Ruhl (R-Mt. Vernon), Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) and Jim Zehringer (R-Ft. Recovery). Additionally, we are grateful for Governor Ted Strickland’s unwavering support of this measure.

We would also like to thank our collective farm community for their continued commitment to responsible farm management and animal care. Passing this resolution is an investment in the future of Ohio’s farm economy.

The proposed Livestock Care Standards Board will provide an effective mechanism for determining and enforcing guidelines for the care and well-being of livestock and poultry, and for ensuring the quality, safety and availability of locally produced food in our state.

The Livestock Care Standards Board has garnered broad support from throughout Ohio’s farm and agricultural communities because it’s good for Ohio farmers, good for the animals we raise, and good for Ohio consumers. We expect Ohio voters to draw the same conclusion and ask for their support of the initiative when it is placed on the November ballot.

The organizations issuing this joint statement include the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the Ohio Pork Producers Council, the Ohio Poultry Association, the Ohio Dairy Producers Association, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, the Ohio Soybean Association, the Ohio Corn Growers Association and the Ohio Wheat Growers Association.

Ohio Wheat Growers Association President Mark Wachtman comments on market speculation, convergence in Dow Jones article

DJ Grain Groups Support Senate Panel On Wheat Speculation

By Tom Polansek

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Agricultural groups rallied Wednesday behind a U.S.Senate subcommittee that blamed index funds for inflating Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures prices, but the exchange disputed the panel's conclusions.

The National Grain & Feed Association backed a report from the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that said excessive speculation byindex funds has stressed grain hedgers and contributed to a lack of convergence between cash wheat prices and futures. The markets are supposed to converge, or come together, when futures go into delivery to facilitate hedging, but cash prices have remained well below futures.

The Senate panel's 247-page report, issued Tuesday night, "reflects a view that has been expressed by the [NGFA] for several years," the association said.

"The CBOT market for wheat has fundamental problems and is not providing the kind of pricing and hedging performance needed to market grain efficiently and to provide forward-pricing contracts to producers that reflect the market."

Some market participants blame index funds that take only long, or bullish, positions for increasing futures prices and hurting convergence. CBOT wheat represents U.S. soft red winter wheat, used to make pastries and snack foods, but is also seen as a global benchmark for prices. The market attracts speculative investment money because of its liquidity.

The National Farmers Union said excessive speculation in the market created a"commodity price bubble" last year that raised input and feed costs locked inby farmers and ranchers. Commodity prices have since fallen, leaving producers struggling to pay the higher costs, the group said.

CME Group Inc. (CME), which owns the CBOT, rejected the conclusion that index funds were responsible for a surge in wheat prices or the lack of convergence.

Four industry studies, including one by the exchange, have shown "there is no causality between market participation of index funds and non-commercial traders and wheat price levels or cash market convergence at expiration," it said.

"Each study concluded that fundamental supply and demand factors related to crop failures, strong economic growth in many importing nations, acreage switching caused by demand for bio-fuels, and currency volatility have all been responsible for recent periods of increased volatility and price swings in commodity markets," according to CME.

Some traders recalled the studies and dismissed their findings as bogus. The size of index funds' position holdings makes it "pretty hard to argue that they don't" impact price levels or convergence, said Jeff Hainline, director of Advance Trading in Bloomington, Ill.

"If you want to study it in different ways, you can get different results," he said.

Concerns about the lack of convergence heightened last summer, when cash prices fell more than $2 below futures. The gap has since narrowed to about 90 cents, which is still problematic for hedgers, traders said.

Ninety cents "is a wide basis," said Mark Wachtman, president of the Ohio Wheat Growers Association. "It should be down around 40-60 cents, depending onlocation, at this time of year as harvest starts to roll."

Wachtman said the influence of index funds was a double-edged sword for market participants. They increase liquidity but also increase volatility, which can spark crushing margin calls, he said.

CBOT wheat climbed to a record high in early 2008 amid global crop failures and remained historically high last summer. Prices fell during the autumn as world wheat supplies grew and the markets felt the impact of the global credit crisis.

CME won approval in December from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to overhaul its wheat contract to improve convergence by adding deliveryterritories, imposing seasonal storage rates and lowering the allowable limit of vomitoxin, a fungal byproduct. The changes, which begin to take effect in July, did not impose new limits on index funds.

Along with the Senate panel, the CFTC has a subcommittee studying the lack of convergence in agricultural markets, particularly CBOT wheat. It's likely the CFTC will follow the Senate panel's recommendation to phase out existing waivers that allow index traders to exceed position limits, said Hainline, whosits on the CFTC's convergence subcommittee.

"The reason [waivers] are being withdrawn is because of the lack of convergence," he said. "It's regrettable because, if the exchange had been proactive about the lack of convergence and adjusted their contract so that it would converge, they wouldn't be in this situation."

The Senate panel said the CFTC should consider lowering position limits on index funds if pricing problems persist after the waivers are phased out.


OWGA, agriculture groups unite to stop vegan extremist group from dictating farming practices in Ohio

Ohio’s top elected leaders from both political parties, representatives of the state’s agriculture organizations, including The Ohio Wheat Growers Association and the Ohio Corn Growers Association, have announced a proposal to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board (the Board).

The Board would be created if approved through a ballot measure to be placed before Ohio voters on the November 2009 ballot.

OWGA and all of Ohio’s farm commodity organizations support this measure because livestock practices will be in the hands of Ohio animal care experts and not led by out of state interests such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). (HSUS does not represent your local humane society that deals with puppies and kittens although they confuse voters into thinking they do.)

The Humane Society of the United States is a PETA-like animal activist group with the ultimate goal of banning animal agriculture. They have been linked to many radical vegetarian/vegan groups with the main goal of ending animal agriculture--and using livestock for leather goods, clothing, wallets, purses, automobile seats, etc.

The purpose of this bill is to form an animal care board of experts rather than let an activist group tell Ohio farmers how to farm. This measure is of vital interest to all Ohio farmers, whether you raise livestock or the grains that feed our herds and flocks.

The 13-member Board will set forth fair, effective regulation of livestock and poultry farms to ensure excellent animal care, while also protecting our food supply and ensuring the availability of local food. Among its responsibilities are the consideration of agricultural best management practices, biosecurity on livestock farms, animal disease prevention, maintaining food safety and food production economics.

OWGA and all of Ohio’s farm commodity organizations support this measure because livestock practices will be in the hands of Ohio animal care experts and not led by out of state interests like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Initiatives such as Proposition 2, which passed last November in California, would put many farmers in Ohio out of business by creating a complete ban on modern practices for livestock and egg farming. HSUS has targeted Ohio as the next state for a similar ballot initiative, which is why Ohio’s farm leaders and the state’s elected officials have taken progressive steps to bring forth our own effort through establishment of the Board.

This is the right solution to help keep our farms viable and to ensure farmers can keep providing safe, high-quality, locally-grown food for Ohioans.

The Board will be fair and balanced and will include representatives from a number of farm interests – including three family farmers, two veterinarians (one of whom is the state veterinarian), a food safety expert, a representative of a local humane society, two members from statewide farm organizations, the dean of an Ohio agriculture college, two members representing consumers, and the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, who will chair the Board.

Establishment of the Board is a proactive step that provides standards for the care we give our flocks and herds, while also ensuring that Ohio livestock and poultry farmers retain the right and ability to produce the food necessary to feed Ohio and the world. This measure is the right thing to do for all Ohio farmers and for the animals raised by livestock farmers.

We must unite as a farm community and stand together. We must speak with one voice. And, we must speak in support of the ballot measure, because it will help safeguard the future of Ohio’s farm community. We are confident the voters of Ohio will give us their support in acknowledging that this Board is the appropriate entity to make decisions on behalf of animal agriculture and food production in our state.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call OWGA at 740-201-8088. We will continue to keep you updated frequently as we move forward with this initiative.

Talking Points:

Ohio farmers work each and every day to provide for the well-being of our flocks and herds – a practice followed over generations of farming in the state.

Animal care is a top priority for Ohio farmers – it’s the right thing to do and it keeps our animals safe, healthy and disease-free and ensures that we can continue our core mission – to provide safe, affordable, locally-raised food for consumers.

Ohio’s livestock and poultry farmers recognize we must do more than what is expected of us, and that our consumers deserve to be reassured that their food is produced responsibly and animals are well cared for.

That’s why we support the ballot measure, as do Governor Strickland and elected leaders from both parties, to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, because it will establish guidelines for food animal care under the expertise of Ohio-based experts.

Ohio’s livestock farmers and their allies are united, and the farm community is taking this proactive step to reassure consumers and to discourage efforts by out-of-state groups to impose their activist agenda on Ohioans.

The Board will be made up of Ohioans, including farmers, veterinarians, scientists and food safety experts, who will use their best knowledge in making decisions affecting animal agriculture, and that makes sense for Ohio farmers and for Ohio consumers.

The Board will help Ohio farmers continue to provide excellent care for our animals, while also protecting our food supply and keeping affordable, locally-raised food available for our consumers.

The Board will have responsibility for a number of issues affecting animal care, including biosecurity, animal health, disease prevention, food safety and production practices.

Ohio livestock farmers are committed to responsible farm management and animal care – both on our farms and on those of our colleagues in the farm community.

We actively support those farmers who are doing things right, and we will not tolerate those farms that are unwilling to follow animal care practices approved by the Board.

Our consumers can be confident in the care that Ohio farmers are giving their animals and in the safety and quality of the food we produce in this state. It is our livelihood and our responsibility.

Who to contact for more information:

Dwayne Siekman 740.201.8088 dsiekman@ohiocorn.org

Tadd Nicholson 740.201.8088 tnicholson@ohiocorn.org

_________________________________________________

Free July 1 webinar to offer ACRE answers

Does it make sense to enroll your farm in the Average Crop Revenue Election program for 2009? If you have more questions than answers, mark your calendar for a free “Ask the Experts” webinar session, 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, July 1. The session is open to the public and is especially recommended for farmers, landlords and Farm Service Agency personnel looking to get added insight into the new farm safety net program.

The DTN Webinar, cosponsored by the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Corn Growers Association, will feature Dr. Carl Zulauf, Ohio State University ag economist and one of the architects of ACRE. NCGA was one of two farm organizations who spearheaded the drive for the innovative farm bill program.

Titled “How to Make Your ACRE Decision,” the webinar will be held well before the Aug. 14 Farm Service Agency deadline, giving producers plenty of time to finalize their assessment of the merits of the risk management program. After the initial webinar, it will be rebroadcast through August.

"Economists say there are a lot of moving parts to factor into your ACRE decision, but we hope to give corn, soy and wheat producers a clearer picture of how ACRE performs under various price and yield scenarios," said Marcia Zarley Taylor, DTN Executive Editor.

Also appearing on behalf of the Farm Service Agency will be Brad Karmen, FSA assistant to the deputy administrator for farm programs, and Brent Orr, DCP-ACRE specialist, who can answer your technical questions.  

Attendees should enroll early to receive background material on ACRE’s mechanics. Click here to register. DTN will send confirmation emails to all those who register in advance, giving them the link to the “homework” on Dr. Zulauf’s Web site.

DTN is also soliciting ACRE questions to field to Dr. Zulauf and the FSA experts. Answers will be posted after the webinar on DTN's “Minding Ag’s Business” blog on www.dtnprogressivefarmer.com.

Wheat harvest will be the first with new checkoff

By Matt Reese

Wheat harvest is right around the corner and it will be the first that is subject to the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP).

OSGMP is a wheat and small grains checkoff program that was started by the Ohio Wheat Growers Association (OWGA), passed through the Ohio legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ted Strickland in December of 2007.

In addition to public education, the new OSGMP committee will help fund research for better yields, disease control, end uses and expanding markets for wheat, barley, oats and rye. Through the checkoff, a half percent of the net market value of those small grains will go towards a fund for the program. The funds will be collected at elevators, terminals, processors, millers or by truckers. The checkoff money is collected when the grower is paid.

“We started collection of the checkoff at the end of 2008, but essentially, this is our first year and were looking at potential projects to invest in,” said Brad Haas, chairman of the OWGA. “There are a multitude of situations to investigate. We’re looking into promoting whole grains in the school lunch program. We’re working with the National Association of Wheat Growers and they’ve been very good to us. They are well connected at the federal level where we really need representation with some of these significant issues like animal agriculture and cap and trade climate legislation. We are also working on wheat exports with people from U.S. Wheat Associates and their overseas offices showing millers and livestock producers how to use the different classifications of wheat around the world.

“Another issue is Extension, where we’re seeing less and less money going into the hard core crops. I do not want to be dependent on Dupont and Monsanto to come up with solutions for us, and even the things that they do come up with need an unbiased assessment. Along with that, we’re looking at working with Extension’s Clay Sneller on developing new wheat varieties or possibly coming up with white wheat or hard wheat that we can grow here in the state.”

With so many challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, the time is right for this checkoff in Ohio, Haas said.

“The OWGA has been giving a fair amount of representation for the farmer for a number of years, but we can only get so far before we have to stop because there is no money,” he said. “If we don’t come up with some funding, we can’t really serve wheat growers. We grow the crops. We need to promote our product. It is not like the tooth fairy or the wheat fairy is going to take care of all of this stuff for us.”

Wheatworld.org shows comments from a biotech petition

New analysis of comments NAWG received as part of a recent biotech petition effort is now online at www.wheatworld.org/biotech.

The NAWG-commissioned petition, results of which were released in February, showed that more than three-quarters of wheat growers responding supported the commercialization of biotechnology in wheat.

More than 21,000 growers received the petition language and a response card asking for their agreement or disagreement. The response cards also invited respondents to provide comments or concerns, which are summarized and addressed in the analysis.

Major topics covered in the five-page paper include market acceptance; glyphosate tolerance; concerns about excessive market influence by private companies; the role of public breeding programs in biotech development; coexistence with non-biotech and organic markets; and concerns that higher yields will lead to lower prices.

Extensive information about the petition effort - including petition language and state-by-state results - and NAWG’s work on biotechnology acceptance is also available at www.wheatworld.org/biotech.

We've moved!

The Ohio Wheat Growers Association and Ohio Corn Growers Association are growing farmer advocary groups. As a result, we've moved offices. We are now located in Delaware, Ohio.

OWGA/OSGMP
59 Greif Parkway Suite 101
Delaware, OH 43015

Phone: 740-201-8088

About OWGA

Founded in 1993 to educate and assist producers, industry representatives and legislators to improve the profitability and marketing strategies for the Ohio wheat industry.  Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1998. The Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program was signed into law in 2007 to fund wheat research projects and further the profitibility of wheat growing in Ohio.

About OSGMP

OSGMP is a wheat and small grains checkoff program that was started by the Ohio Wheat Growers Association (OWGA), passed through the Ohio legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ted Strickland in December of 2007.

In addition to public education, the new OSGMP committee will help fund research for better yields, disease control, end uses and expanding markets for wheat, barley, oats and rye. Through the checkoff, a half percent of the net market value of those small grains will go towards a fund for the program. The funds will be collected at elevators, terminals, processors, millers or by truckers. The checkoff money is collected when the grower is paid.


Our Mission

To ensure the sustainability of wheat production in Ohio through diversification and value-added enterprises.