Michigan
Farm News
Ignoring
Evidence
U.S. Representative wants to
eliminate ethanol.
»»PAGE 7
Love letters from the swamp
Nearly 600 farmers who thought they were doing the right things for their farms have gotten so-called “love letters” from the NRCS,
and then were cut off from farm program participation. A new program that works with a private non-profit company hopes to fix
such problems, and can much more easily work to mitigate wetlands, even top-tier forested wetands like this one near Hemlock.
| Stacy Hissong, MMWA
PAUL W. JACKSON of farmers, who afterward nearly always
FARM NEWS MEDIA find themselves facing bureaucratic honey.
There are love letters, and there are It’s not that farmers must write a check
NRCS “love letters.” to make the accusations in the “love letter”
The words are in quotes because farm- go away, necessarily, although some have
ers, many of whom ironically name their taken major financial hits. Many more have
most aromatic equipment “honey wagons,” been threatened with repayment of past
can find roses amid thorns that have stuck farm bill program payments.
nearly 600 of them. It happens when the Farm Service Agen-
The thorns are wetlands violations, cy (FSA) decides that a farmer, by virtue of
and when the “love letter” arrives from the getting a “love letter” from the NRCS, is out
Natural Resources Conservation Service of compliance with the wetland compliance
(NRCS), it almost always sticks in the craw provisions of the federal Swampbuster and
INSIDE
Opinion............................. 2
Corn Time......................... 3
Markets............................. 6
Weather...........................10
Farm Shop............ Section B
www.MichiganFarmNews.com
P.O. Box 30960 • West Saginaw Highway
A Publication of Michigan Farm Bureau
Lansing, MIchigan 48909-8460
VOLUME 94 • ISSUE NO. 4
COPYRIGHT© 2017, MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU
Traveling Leaders
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Pushy rules?
Regulatory freeze delays
organic rules.
»»PAGE 10
Sodbuster Acts, and therefore is ineligible,
as are his successors, for farm program
participation in perpetuity. In other words,
the violation remains with the land.
Soon, however, under a plan that’s being
supported by the NRCS and the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
(the USDA’s Farm Service Agency is cur-
rently without a director and did not return
calls seeking comment), farmers will be
able to more easily get those “love letters”
See WETLANDS, page 4
Michigan potato producers
to vote on program
continuation
MDARD
Michigan potato producers have an op-
portunity to vote on whether to continue
the Michigan Potato Industry Commission
in a referendum conducted by the Michigan
Department of Agriculture and Rural Devel-
opment through Friday, March 3, 2017.
Ballots were mailed to potato producers
on Feb. 16. Eligible producers with ques-
tions, or those not receiving a ballot, should
contact MDARD toll-free at 800-292-3939.
All ballots must be received in the MDARD
Lansing office by or postmarked no later
than March 3, 2017.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commis-
sion was developed to foster, develop,
and promote the potato industry through
research, promotion, advertising, market
development or expansion, education,
PAGES 8-9
FEBRUARY 28, 2017
Leading
by example
Young farmers show that
agriculture’s future is in good
hands.
»»PAGE 12
IN BRIEF
■■POLITICS
Farmers support new
EPA director
AFBF
The Senate recently
voted 52-46 to con-
firm Scott Pruitt as the
Administrator of the
Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA).
In response, Ameri-
can Farm Bureau
Federation President Pruitt | Gage
Zippy Duvall issued the Skidmore
following statement:
“Scott Pruitt’s confirmation to lead the
Environmental Protection Agency will bring
a breath of fresh air to the post. America’s
farmers and ranchers look forward to
working with Administrator Pruitt as he
leads the EPA with a welcome level of
common sense in the important job of
protecting the environment.
“For too long, farmers and ranchers
have been victims of EPA’s harsh regula-
tory overreach. Farmers are conservation-
ists to the core and we want to play a
positive, cooperative role in protecting the
environment we rely on to produce food
for this nation.
“In his position as attorney general in
Oklahoma, Pruitt stood up for common-
sense, effective regulation that protects the
environment and the rights of the regulated
community. We’re optimistic that he will
retain those same values as administrator
and we look forward to working with him.
But what we truly look forward to is working
with someone at EPA who understands how
farmers and ranchers care for our nation’s
natural resources each and every day.”
All of the Republican senators save
Sen. Collins (Maine) voted “aye” along
with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Sen.
Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.). The remaining
Democrat senators voted “no.” Sen. John
McCain (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Joe Donnelly
(D-Ind.) did not vote.
and the development and dissemination of
market and industry information. By law,
the program, established in 1970 and last
amended in 2014, must be renewed every
five years. Currently, the producer assess-
ment is up to 5 ½ cents per hundredweight
and 1 ½ cents for the first handler.
For the program to be renewed, more
than 50 percent of producers’ votes cast,
representing more than 50 percent of the
total hundredweight represented on the
cast ballots, must approve it.
For the purpose of this referendum,
each grower is entitled to one vote rep-
resenting a single firm, individual propri-
etorship, corpora-
tion, company,
association,
partner-
ship, or
husband-
wife or
family
ownership.
2 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017 REPORTS & OPINIONS www.michiganfarmnews.com

IN BRIEF a boy, and of the delicious apple and pork-

■■PEOPLE
Pridgeon named to Ag
Commission
MDARD
Gov. Rick Snyder on Feb. 17 announced
the appointment of Brian Pridgeon of Mont-
gomery to the Commission of Agriculture
and Rural Development.
The five-member bipartisan board has
the responsibility to recommend and in
some cases determine policy on food,
agriculture, and rural development issues.
No more than three members may be from
the same political party.
“I thank Brian for serving and I know his
farming experience will be beneficial to the
commission,” Snyder said.
Pridgeon is the owner of Pridgeon
Farms, a seventh-generation hog farm that
markets 70,000 animals annually. He is the
secretary of the Michigan Pork Producers
board of directors and the Young Farmer
chair and executive committee member of
the Branch County Farm Bureau. Pridgeon
holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate
finance and business management and a
master’s degree in communication from
Central Michigan University. He will repre-
sent Republicans.
Pridgeon will serve a four-year term
expiring Dec. 31, 2020. His appointment
is subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate.
GUEST OPINION chop suppers his mother made.
“I’m going to stop at the supermarket
on the way home and buy a pork chop for
Two apples and joy supper,” he proudly announced.
When my cousin told me this story, she
SUE KRETCHMAN said the look of joy on that old man’s face
GUEST WRITER was almost indescribable. He had come
The 95-year-old gentleman stood at the across a treasure that day which could
be equaled by nothing else on earth. It
senior center, tears streaming down his
had brought closeted happy memories
face. He held an apple in each hand.
unexpectedly out in the open to be viewed
“Why are you crying?” my cousin, an RN,
again with that sudden rush of emotion
asked. “Are you in pain?’’
which fills one’s heart with joy. Outside of
During the 1930s, my Grandpa Kretch-
family, no two apples produced on our farm
man planted 60 standard-size apple trees.
were ever received with such pure and
Almost 30 years later the orchard was in
deep appreciation.
jeopardy. Mice had girdled the trees and
When one has had to endure, as my
threatened its very existence.
family and many other farm families have,
The father-in-law of my dad’s sister was
the countless and varied micro-aggressions
skilled in grafting. He taught my dad how to
by outsiders toward farmers, their farms,
bridge-graft the trees, and together they be-
and their livelihoods, one cannot help but
gan the tedious work of saving the orchard.
One cannot help but be touched by a
Even many years later, after the trees be touched by the simplicity and purity of connection between one person and two
the connection between that old gentleman
had healed-over and thrived, the outlines of apples. | Courtesy photo
and those apples.
those grafts were still visible. Scions from
And for once, our farm is not treated like afternoon my cousin and I picked apples.
this orchard were used to propagate the
a doormat, its contents and products not It finally reached a true and rightful destina-
semi-dwarf orchard my dad planted in the
regarded flippantly or disdainfully, my family tion, received in the hands of someone to
mid-1960s.
not patronized in a condescending manner, whom no greater and more meaningful gift
“These are Turley Winesap, aren’t they?”
and our way of life not “understood” with a could have been given.
the old gentleman stated more than asked.
shallow phoniness. Those two apples meant the world to
He was standing in front of the basket of
A 50-plus year-old odyssey that began that man. The sincere joy they brought to
apples my cousin had taken to the center
with a now antiquated orchard tucked him means the world to me.
to share with the seniors. She told him he
away in a corner of our farm was kept
was indeed correct.
alive and proliferated with dedication and Kretchman is a farmer
He went on to tell her how his dad
hard work. The day it yielded a portion of in Berrien County.
planted an orchard of them in the 1930s,
its annual bounty on the pleasant October
how he remembered picking the apples as

■■TRADE
ence in skilled trades, or the entrepreneurial who hold a valid visa from a U.S. embassy or
Sugar-free program GUEST OPINION drive to start and run a business that they consulate that declares them eligible for entry
could not fulfill in their home countries. to the United States should not suddenly be
continues These men and women help develop good made ineligible without due process simply

Michigan wins when

AMERICAN SUGAR ALLIANCE
September 30 marked the end of the
2016 fiscal year, and with it, yet another
12-month period that U.S. sugar policy
operated at no cost to the American tax-
payer. And, as we are one-third of the way
through with FY2017, the Congressional
Budget Office (CBO) signaled its expecta-
tion that sugar’s recent run of zeroes will
continue.
CBO recently released its newest budget
baseline, which repeated prior estimates
that U.S. sugar policy will cost $0 over the
life of the current farm bill. CBO also added
another year to its projection, saying sugar
policy should continue to cost $0 through
the year 2020.
CBO isn’t alone. In late November, the
USDA released its long-term expectations
of U.S. sugar market conditions, indicating
its belief that sugar policy should remain at
no cost through 2027.
Combine future projections with sugar
policy’s past track record, and you’re star-
ing at a whole lot of zeroes on the govern-
ment’s balance sheets – a real anomaly in
Washington today.
Sugar policy is based on loans repaid
with interest, not subsidy checks, which is
why it cost taxpayers nothing since 2003,
with one exception.
immigrants face
a fair, predictable
system
MICHAEL D. LAFAIVE AND JOHN C. MOZENA
MACKINAC CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY
The authors believe in free markets and
free people, and therefore, peaceful choice
in association through legal immigration.
The millions of immigrants to the United
States every year are powerful evidence
that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness” is still an unattainable dream for the
average person around the world.
Although immigration is primarily a fed-
eral issue, we believe the evidence shows
that legal immigration from around the
world is a net positive for the United States
— and for Michigan, too.
The state’s employers need highly skilled
and educated immigrants to fill open posi-
tions in information technology, engineer-
ing, finance, health care, education and
other industries.
Still other immigrants come with experi-
companies that create good jobs. They be-
come our co-workers, friends, neighbors,
vendors, customers, fellow taxpayers and
even, at times, our relatives.
Nations must have the ability to control
their borders and our federal government
must make decisions in the interest of na-
tional defense that may limit an individual’s
access to the United States. But however
important those responsibilities may be,
they cannot override the fundamental need
for due process and the rule of law in set-
ting immigration policy. Americans — both
current and prospective — deserve no less.
We are concerned that President
Trump’s recent executive order halting
some refugees bound for the United States
from specific countries was instituted in
a clumsy and almost haphazard fashion.
Government should never exercise its
power in an arbitrary or capricious man-
ner, regardless of what ends it means to
accomplish.
People who have abided by the law and
gone through the process to receive green
cards have the legal right to reside in the
United States and come and go as they wish.
The government should not bar them from
doing so without due process of law. People
because of their national origin.
Immigration is one of many federal policy
issues with broad and deep implications for
states.
Gov. Snyder’s interest in seeing legal im-
migrants freely choose Michigan over other
options is a long-standing and laudable
one. We would caution, however, that the
decision to move to the Great Lakes State
should be done so without subsidies or
other targeted state efforts. That is, the gov-
ernment should not create special offices or
programs to lure people from anywhere.
Any changes to policy should be guided
by the goal of having a “fair field and no
favors” approach that does not distort the
decision to move here.
Michigan can be a magnet for people
in the United States (and from elsewhere
too) when it makes sound policy choices.
International immigration is a federal is-
sue, but it clearly effects what happens
with and to Michigan and her citizens. We
hope to see federal immigration reform
that is less haphazard and arbitrary — and
encourages greater legal and peaceful,
voluntary association.

The only blemish on sugar’s no-cost
record came in 2013 when the USDA
acted to keep the market from collapsing
after Mexico violated U.S. trade law and
dumped subsidized sugar.
Mexico’s actions cost U.S. taxpayers
$259 million – which still represented less
than 0.25 percent of farm bill spending that
year – but resulted in more than $1 billion
in damage to U.S. sugar producers. After
U.S. producers challenged these actions,
the U.S. government ruled against Mexico
and removed the threat, so sugar policy’s
no-cost success story could continue.
Printed with soy ink
QUOTABLE
Michigan Farm News
Michigan Farm News (ISSN:1063-5980) is published twice per month except in December,
June and July, when only one issue is printed, as a service to regular members by Michigan
Farm Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48909. A member subscription of
ABOUT TAXES:
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subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm News to nonmembers and outside the “In 2007, Michigan’s Legislature
WINNER continental U.S.A. Periodical postage paid in Lansing and at additional mailing offices.
Best of NAMA – 2003
Letters to the editor and statewide news tips should be sent to: editor, Michigan Farm
increased the state income tax rate from
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e-mail to mfneditor@michfb.com. POSTMASTER – Send address changes to: Michigan
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Dennis Rudat, Publisher; Paul W. Jackson, Editor; Tim Rogers, Advertising Sales;
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AFBF’s Best
Newspaper or
Contributors.
Advertising information: Call (800) 292-2680, ext. 6543; For national advertising, call J.L.
2015. Instead, in 2012, the Legislature
Tabloid, 2006, 2013
Farmakis, Inc. (203) 834-8832. voted to put the rate at 4.25 percent,
Officers: President Carl Bednarski, Caro; Vice President Andrew Hagenow, Rockford; Chief
Operating Officer Scott Piggott; General Counsel & Secretary Andrew Kok; Treasurer David where it remains today.
Baker; Executive Committee: Carl Bednarski, Caro; Andrew Hagenow, Rockford; Mike
Fusilier, Manchester; Dave Bahrman, Rumely; Jennifer Lewis, Jonesville. Directors: District
1, Brigette Leach, Climax; District 2, Jennifer Lewis, Jonesville; District 3, Mike Fusilier,
By not following through on reducing the
Manchester; District 4, Jeff Sandborn, Portland; District 5, Stephanie Schafer, Westphalia; income tax rate, lawmakers have given
District 6, Travis Fahley, Yale; District 7, Michael DeRuiter, Hart; District 8, Michael Mulders,
Essexville; District 9, Ben LaCross, Cedar; District 10, Patrick McGuire, Ellsworth; District themselves over time an additional $6.3
11, David Bahrman, Rumely. At large: Carl Bednarski, Caro; Larry Walton, Sturgis; Douglas
Darling, Maybee; Andrew Hagenow, Rockford. Promotion and Education: Cathy McCune, billion in revenue to spend.”
St Louis. Young Farmer: Calby Garrison, Adrian.
­- MACKINAC CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY
www.michiganfarmnews.com
House committee to consider Regulatory Integrity Act of 2017
AFBF
The House Committee on Government
Reform and Oversight was expected to mark
up the Regulatory Integrity Act of 2017.
The legislation would require greater
transparency in federal agency communi-
cations about pending regulatory actions
and thus ensure that both the public and
Congress have increased access to agency
communications beyond those published in
POET’s Caro ethanol plant produces 67 million gallons per year.
| Beth Rupprecht, MFB
Drainage, irrigation and soil fertility workshop set
MSU EXTENSION
Water quality challenges in Lake Erie have
prompted a renewed focus on fertility man-
agement in Michigan’s portion of the West-
ern Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) watersheds.
A March 13 workshop scheduled from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Centre in Adrian will
provide producers in Southeast Michigan
with agronomic management and practices
impacting the WLEB.
The focus? How to manage phosphorus
and nitrogen on tile drained and/or irrigated
agricultural fields, and to discuss strategies
the Federal Register.
The American Farm Bureau Federation
(AFBF) strongly supports the Regulatory
Integrity Act of 2017 and urges bipartisan
support for this important legislation.
Recent trends in agency rulemaking
show that agencies are creating significant
amounts of written, electronic and social
media information during and after the
notice-and-comment rulemaking process.
for maintaining top production while limiting
the loss of these nutrients to surface water
resources.
Steven Miller and Lyndon Kelley, MSU ir-
rigation specialists, will discuss the latest in
irrigation management, including schedul-
ing, water withdrawal registration process,
irrigation system requirements for corn/
soybean/specialty crop production and a
look at equipment needs for chemigation/
fertigation applications.
Producers will also get an update on
fertility management for field crop production
February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News
The information generated by the agen-
cies is often substantive and directly related
to rulemaking and therefore can be vitally
important public information.
The Regulatory Integrity Act ensures trans-
parency by requiring regulatory agencies to
maintain written, electronic and social media
information on pending regulatory actions.
This legislation requires agencies to
maintain all public communications as-
POET Biorefining – Caro receives
annual excellence award
POET
POET’s biorefining facility in Caro,
Michigan was recently recognized with the
company’s annual Excellence Award for
Operations during a ceremony at POET
headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The award recognizes team members at
the local plant for their outstanding commit-
ment to safety and efficiency.
“Our team in Caro continuously raises
the bar, working hand-in-hand with local
farmers to deliver high-quality renewable fu-
els and create jobs and economic activity in
the community,” said POET CEO Jeff Broin.
“They’ve raised the plant’s ethanol
production from 55 to 67 million gallons
per year, providing a market for more than
60,000 bushels of corn per day and con-
tributing more than $95 million to the state
GDP. I’d like to congratulate the Caro team
from MSU Crop Fertility Specialist, Dr. Kurt
Steinke. Producers will get insight on how the
phosphorus cycle works in agricultural fields
and the factors impacting soil test critical
levels for P and K fertilizer recommendations.
Steinke will also discuss why it is impor-
tant for producers to use soil tests instead of
crop removal rates when developing fertility
programs, and how tillage practices, tim-
ing and placement of fertilizers can impact
crop productivity and surface-water quality.
Producers will also get the latest nitrogen
recommendations for corn, as well as wheat
Grants available for
Michigan’s specialty crops
MDARD
The Michigan Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development (MDARD) on Feb. 7
announced a request for proposals through
the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
from the USDA’s Marketing Service. The
grant funding is contingent on the availabil-
ity of funds from USDA.
The program is designed to enhance the
competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty
crops.
Grant proposals must be received by
MDARD no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday,
April 6, 2017, by submitting them to MDA-
grants@michigan.gov.
The grants, with a maximum award of
$100,000, enhance the competitiveness
of the state’s specialty crops, including
but not limited to the following: promo-
tion; marketing; research; nutrition; trade
enhancement; food safety; food secu-
rity; plant health programs; education;
increased knowledge and consumption;
increased innovation; improved efficiency
and reduced costs of distribution systems;
environmental concerns and conservation;
product development; good agricultural
practices; good handling practices; and
good manufacturing practices.
Funding priority will be given to projects
with a focus on Market Enhancement; Re-
3
sociated with guidance, policy statements,
directives, rule making and adjudications
for a period of no less than 5 years.
The bill also incorporates language from
the Peterson amendment to HR 5, adopted
by the House earlier this year. The Peter-
son amendment prohibits agencies from
advocating on behalf of their own proposed
rules, and AFBF worked actively with Rep.
Peterson in crafting that proposal.
for their hard work and drive to make our
facility in Michigan a leader in the ethanol
industry.”
POET Biorefining – Caro lies on a 112-
acre site about two miles northeast of the
Tuscola Area Airport. The plant supports
50 full-time jobs. Caro was the 14th plant
built by POET, which currently operates 28
plants in seven states.
“We’re honored to be recognized for our
contributions to the biofuels industry, driv-
ing U.S. energy security and helping Michi-
gan to grow as a leader in manufacturing
and agriculture,” said General Manager
David Gloer. “Most of all, we’re thrilled to
work at the heart of a wonderful community
that shares our passion for building new
economic opportunities for our generation
and the next.”
fertility management considerations.
MSU Agricultural Drainage Specialist, Dr.
Ehsan Ghane, will wrap up the workshop,
leading a discussion of drainage practices,
structures and bioreactors and the overall
impacts on crop production and surface
water quality.
The registration fee for this program is
$25 per person, which includes lunch. Pre-
registration is required. You may register
online at https://tinyurl.com/jfqngxk or by
phone at 269-657-8213. Deadline for regis-
tration is March 7, 2017.
The program is designed to enhance the
competitiveness of Michigan’s specialty
crops. | Courtesy photo
search; and Training and Education.
Eligible applicants include non-profit
organizations; local, state, and federal gov-
ernment entities; and for-profit organiza-
tions. The organizations must be legal enti-
ties recognized by the IRS, and applicants
must reside and/or conduct their business
or organization in Michigan. Applications
should demonstrate how the project will
potentially produce measurable impacts for
the specialty crop industry as a whole, and
exclusively benefit a specific product, single
organization, institution, or individual.
For program information, applica-
tion form, or submission criteria, visit
www.michigan.gov/mdardgrants.
4 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017
Wetlands
CONTINUED from page 1
shredded and program participation pay-
ments restored.
Just write a check
First announced publicly by Gov. Rick Sny-
der in his 2017 State of the State address, the
program is initially being called the Wetlands
Mitigation Banking Program, and it will use
existing wetlands and state-owned land to
accomplish something that battles between
government and farmers couldn’t do.
First, it will reestablish wetlands in
areas where farmers have removed them.
Second, it will provide a non-threatening
response to NRCS “love letters” by getting
farmers off the hook for alleged violations of
the Swampbuster Act.
Third, it will restore farm program eligibil-
ity for “love letter” recipients.
There is a catch, however. They may
have to write a check.
That may be where farmers begin to smell
roses and ignore the thorns, said Laura
Campbell, manager of Michigan Farm Bu-
reau’s Agriculture Ecology Department.
“I know a good many farmers who would
be happy to learn that all they have to do
is write a check and they won’t have to do
any of the wetland mitigation work,” she
said. “They can let the DNR do the work,
and they can, over the life of their farming
careers, get much more money back in
farm payments than they’ll have to pay to
mitigate those wetlands.”
That’s an important option for farmers
who complain persistently that regulations
are a continually moving target.
“NRCS has not historically been helpful in
telling farmers what they need to do,” said
Stacy Hissong, an attorney with the Michi-
gan Municipal Wetland Alliance, the private
management group charged with making
How does one get
a “love letter?”
PAUL W. JACKSON
FARM NEWS MEDIA
Since the 1985 farm bill, participation in
USDA conservation programs has been
tied to compliance with NRCS conserva-
tion requirements. In 2014, conservation
requirements expanded to include any
farms participating in USDA insurance
payment programs.
Under the Highly Erodible Land and
Wetland Conservation provisions of the
farm bill (commonly known as “Sodbuster”
and “Swampbuster”), the NRCS and
the FSA work closely to ensure compli-
ance and to penalize farmers who violate
conservation compliance requirements
the Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program
available to farmers.
“Farmers shouldn’t be expected to know
what type of wetland they need to build,
how to find the right spot or all the different
ways it can be done,” she said. “Nationally,
it hasn’t been successfully done very much
because it’s so complicated. And it’s been a
huge headache for NRCS, which is getting
hammered (by irate farmers) who would like
to have these issues reasonably resolved.”
Help from your friends
Rather than go to court over it all, farm-
ers in spats with FSA will have an option
if they look to neighbors with expiring
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
contracts.
The first step is finding CRP contract-
holders who want to keep CRP property
preserved for wildlife, wetlands and general
wild and wet conditions.
If they don’t want to bring CRP acres
back into production, they can call the
Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program and
sell an easement for the acreage. Price will
be determined based on market conditions
and other factors.
For the “love-letter” holder, though, the
price should be reasonable, Hissong said.
“Privately held wetland mitigation banks
are not necessarily set up for helping
producers with Swampbuster issues, and
the price per acre for mitigation is high” she
said. “But with the DNR’s assistance, we
think we can get the price point down to
a very reasonable level for producers who
need to buy credits.”
That’s an important point, because most
farmers in trouble with the FSA have rela-
tively small areas to mitigate.
“Most of the people caught up in this
simply squared off a corner of a field or put
in a tile, something they didn’t think was
wrong,” Campbell said. “If they could get
farm program benefits back by paying a
low price for mitigating those small viola-
by cutting them off from farm bill program
eligibility, including insurance payments.
Not only that, but farmers must repay the
benefits they receive for every year they
have been in noncompliance with the law.
The law has caught dozens of farmers
in its web since then, frustrating farmers
who need to go through complex appeal
and sometimes court procedures to fight
what many of them view as overzealous
enforcement.
The reason many of them are upset is
because there is very little give- and-take
in many instances.
Here’s how it works in general:
A farmer goes to his local FSA office to
sign up for one or more farm bill programs.
Officials will give the farmer an “AD-1026”
form to complete and will ask if the farmer
had done any of several activities in the
tions and have the DNR maintain it, I’m
sure they’d jump at the chance.”
Preferably, the new wetland should stay
within the watershed of the letter-holder,
but that might not always be practical.
“We would prefer that the areas being
mitigated occur within eco-regions or wa-
tersheds of our restored sites,” said Steve
Shine, manager of Conservation Programs
with the DNR. “That gives us a little more
flexibility, and some watersheds in Michigan
are pretty small. It might be hard to find
mitigation sites.”
Once the expiring contracts come out
of CRP or get rolled over into the new
program via the easement purchase, the
wetlands credits for the former CRP land
will be available for “love letter” holders to
purchase. At the same time, the state will
determine which of its land can best be
used to create new wetlands. That’s the
second of three steps.
Step 3 is a last resort, and too expen-
sive to be an earlier option. The Wetlands
Mitigation Program will pay for private land
(at fair market value), establish a permanent
easement and then sell credits for that
property to farmers who desire to burn their
“love letters.”
“The program doesn’t have enough
money, even with the grant, to purchase
and develop private land (that is not cur-
rently a wetland) at our goal price point,”
Hissong said. “But hopefully we’ve saved
enough money in the first two steps to pay
for that type of development, if needed.”
If things go smoothly, the program will
not have to spend that money. The idea is
that enough private CRP land or available
state land will be rolled into the easement
that it will get all 592 “love letters” resolved
and reconciled with about 1,700 acres of
“violated” land.
“For the farmer, a lot of the complications
of mitigation should be simpler,” Campbell
said. “There’s a difference between emer-
gent wetlands, scrub and brush land and
past year, including installing drain tiles, fill-
ing wetlands or removing fencerows.
“Generally, the farmers are honest and
say yes if they’ve done that work,” said
Steve Shine, manager of the DNR’s Con-
servation Programs division.
After that, the NRCS pulls out its aerial
maps to determine whether the farmer’s
admitted activities have destroyed a wetland
or committed any other violation of conser-
vation compliance requirements, which have
changed considerably since 1985.
If the NRCS’s initial review shows
impacts to wetlands not exempted as
“prior converted” lands (those impacted
prior to the 1985 farm bill requirements),
it sends out a letter to the farmer identify-
ing the noncompliance, and demanding
that the farmer pay back all his subsidies
from the time of the violation on. It also
www.michiganfarmnews.com
forested wetlands. Farmers don’t always
know which one they need to mitigate,
but in the new program, the DNR takes
care of all that. They build and maintain the
property, and the easement holder still gets
to hunt and fish and use the property for
recreation,” she said.
Besides the “seed money” from the
USDA grant, money has been set aside in
the 2018 state budget ($3.8 million), which
is what the Governor referred to in his
State of the State address. But before that
budget kicks in, the federal grant can get
things started.
One reason it will all be handled privately,
Hissong said, is that a private company
“can do it quicker and faster because we
don’t have to run through red tape, where
there are markups and delays. The DNR
does not want to be in the credit-buying-
and-selling business.”
There are several other complications still
to be worked out. Blueberry grower mitiga-
tion, for example, is in a separate program
outside Swampbuster provisions, the rules
for which inspire different kinds of “love let-
ters.” Plans are in the works for a mitigation
program exclusively for them. In the mean-
time, Shine said, the DNR encourages land-
owners who have expiring CRP contracts to
call the Michigan Municipal Wetland Alliance
or the DNR to get things started.
Then, “love letter” recipients need to call.
“If we get a call from someone who got a
love letter, we’ll know the watershed they’re
in, and then we can see if there are any
credits available,” Hissong said. “The USDA
is on board with it. They have to approve the
(credit) banks, and have already said they will.”
Until it’s all written down, though, it’s best
that farmers with “love letters” from the
NRCS not toss them into the swamp.
“Take advantage of your appeal rights,”
Shine said. Hissong agreed.
“This program is a good way in which
you can send wetlands violations a ‘Dear
John’ letter,” she said.
cuts farmers off from participation in
future farm bill programs until the farmer
comes back into compliance.
It doesn’t matter if a farmer works 10
farms and only violated Swampbuster
on one farm. One violation cuts it off on
all that farmer’s lands. If the farmer is not
successful with an appeal through USDA
or a suit through the court system, the
ineligibility continues.
However, farmers have been able to re-
store their program eligibility by mitigating
the wetlands they have impacted. That
means that for any wetland they remove,
they must build wetlands somewhere else
in the watershed.
To date, as a new program is begun
in Michigan to change these conditions,
592 alleged violations are open, involving
1,700 acres.
www.michiganfarmnews.com February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News 5

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6 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017
MARKET
OUTLOOK
Positive news
for wheat
DR. JIM HILKER
MSU EXTENSION
CORN
How many producers had a Decem-
ber corn 2017 $4 futures new crop bid
in place? December 2017 corn futures
touched or went above $4 February 13-16,
but only closed above $4 on Feb. 15.
On Feb. 16 and 17 the December futures
dropped 8.5 cents. Has December 2017
hit $4 since?
As I write, December 2017 corn futures
are $3.94, March 17 is $4.02, and July 17
is $4.08. As you can see in the last column
of Table 1, after adjusting for the basis,
the futures are projecting just a marginally
higher price than the $3.50 annual average
price my fundamentals are projecting.
While the Feb. 9, 2017, release of the
USDA/WASDE World Agricultural Supply
and Demand Estimates didn’t have any
earth- shattering news for corn, there were
several interesting updates for the 2016-17
marketing year we are now in.
Corn used to make ethanol was in-
creased by 25 million bushels as ethanol
production in January was stronger than
expectations. And other industrial uses
WHEAT
Wheat futures acted about like corn the
week before I penned this article. After
breaking out to the top of its trading range
since mid-August, it pretty much fell back
into the previous trading range. Did the
wheat market recover after the long holiday
weekend (President’s Day)?
The Feb. 9 release of the USDA/WASDE
SOYBEANS
While the Feb. 9 release of the USDA/
WASDE World Agricultural Supply and
Demand Estimates did not make any
changes to the 2016-17 U.S. Balance
Sheet projections shown in the second
column of Table 2, it did project some
changes in world production.
The biggest change was that Argentina’s
CATTLE
Check out the Feb. 24 release of the
Feb. 1 USDA Cattle-on-Feed Report. It
should give you an idea of how fast the
bigger-than-last-year Jan. 1 feeder cattle
HOGS
As of Feb. 18, hog slaughter was down
1.1 percent year to date. It was expected
to be up more than three percent. And
while we have another six weeks in this
LOCAL FARM NEWS DELIVERED MONDAY-FRIDAY
COMMODITIES
COMMODITY SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE SHEETS
TABLE 1 – CORN
EST. PROJ. HILKER. EST. PROJ. HILKER. EST. PROJ. HILKER.
2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018
(Million Acres)
Acres Planted 88.0 94.0 91.0
Acres Harvested 80.7 86.7 83.6
Yield/Bushels 168.4 174.6 168.3
(Million Bushels)
Beginning Stocks 1,731 1,737 2,320
Production 13,602 15,148 14,073
Imports 67 55 50
Total Supply 15,401 16,940 16,443
USE
Feed & Residual 5,131 5,600 5,610
Food, Seed & Ind. 6,635 6,795 6,785
Ethanol for fuel 5,206 5,350 5,330
Total Domestic 11,766 12,395 12,395
Exports 1,898 2,225 2,000
Total Use 13,664 14,620 14,395
Ending Stocks 1,737 2,320 2,048
Ending Stocks, Ending Stocks, % of Use 5.0 10.2 10.8
% of Use 12.7 15.9 14.2
U.S. Loan Rate $1.95 $1.95 $1.95
U.S. SEASON AVERAGE
Farm Price, $/Bu. $3.61 $3.40 $3.50
for corn and for food were raised 10 mil-
lion bushels, again on strong use to date.
These are shown in the second column of
Table 1.
While exports and export sales to date
remain strong, the 2016-17 export projec-
tion was left unchanged. This was par-
tially due to projected 2016-17 world corn
production being larger than previously
thought, mostly on bigger crops in Mexico
and Ukraine than previously projected.
World Agricultural Supply and Demand
Estimates had positive news for wheat.
Projected 2016-17 U.S. wheat exports
were increased 50 million bushels reflecting
the strong pace to date. It also may be re-
flecting the decrease of close to 150 million
in projected 2016-17 wheat production.
Mostly on smaller crops than expected in
Kazakhstan and India.
Food use was also lowered 3 million
bushels based on use to date. In total,
expected crop size was lowered 55 million
bushels. That was partially offset by a 10
million bushel increase for Ukraine.
Some were surprised that 2016-17 U.S.
exports were not increased given the strong
exports commitments to date. But we still
expect that a record Brazilian crop pro-
jected to be up 275 million bushels will limit
U.S. shipments to well below last year’s
record levels this summer.
While old crop soybean futures didn’t
supply is coming to market.
Also keep an eye on heifer placements
and slaughter. Will all the heifers kept
for breeding as of Jan. 1 be kept? While
most are bred, there is some flexibility
remaining. Cow calf producers will be
keeping a close eye on what they think
quarter, it appears bullish. And while April
futures dropped off from their highs, they
are still above January levels. Futures ap-
pear to be wondering just how big the fall
slaughter will be, as shown by higher Oct.
2017 futures.
While as of Feb. 18, April-through-July
TABLE 2 – WHEAT
2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018
(Million Acres)
Acres Planted 55.0 50.2 45.6
Acres Harvested 47.3
Bu./Harvested Acre 43.6
43.9
52.6
39.3
46.3
(Million Bushels)
Beginning Stocks 752 976 1,139
Production 2,026 2,310 1,820
Imports 113 125 125
Total Supply 2,927 3,411 3,084
USE
Food 957 960 973
Seed 67 61 69
Feed & Residual 152 225 200
Total Domestic 1,176 1,246 1,242
Exports 775 1,025 950
Total Use 1,952 2,271 2,192
Ending Stocks 976 1,139 892
% of Use 50.0 50.2 40.7
U.S. Loan Rate $2.75 $2.75 $2.75
U.S. SEASON AVERAGE
U.S. $/Bu. $4.89 $3.85 $4.25
Michigan $/Bu. $5.00 $3.75 $4.30
The above changes lowered 2016-
17 projected ending stocks. And while
projected 2016-17 carryover is still a huge
2,320 million bushels, 15.9 percent of use.
Anything helps.
Corn futures are indicating the national
market wants to pay about 3 cents per
month storage through July. But as we
have discussed in several issues, you need
to check out your local markets to see
what the elevator bids are telling you.
these changes lowered projected 2016-
17 ending stocks 47 million bushels.
While significant enough to cause wheat
futures to jump 11 cents on the release, it
is still a small percent given the very bur-
densome supply situation. See second
column of Table 2.
2016-17 ending stocks are projected
to be 1,139 million bushels, 50.2 percent
of use, and will still be the largest ending
stocks since the 1980s. From 1981-1987,
beat recent highs, they did rally again be-
fore the two-day sharp drop-off. Soybean
futures are indicating the market is willing
to pay about 4.5 cents per month storage
through July.
Looking at month bids out through July,
local markets are mixed, some paying more
than 4 cents, some paying less. As with
corn, look for your best net price. It may
mean taking on-farm stored soybeans to a
different buyer.
future returns will be.
The 5-Area Weekly Steer Price Average
has been steady at about $120 the past
two weeks through Feb 18, which would
be about a $2 basis for colored cattle,
and close to if not profitable for High
Plains feeders. However, we are neither
futures are just under their highs, August
through December futures were at new
highs. Given your price expectations out
over the next year, your ability to absorb
price risk, and costs, do you have any
pricing goals in mind, or should you?
http://tinyurl.com/MFNsubscribe
www.michiganfarmnews.com
TABLE 3 – SOYBEANS
2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018
(Million Acres)
Acres Planted 82.7 83.4 86.8
Acres Harvested 81.7 82.7 86.1
Yield/Bushels 48.0 52.1 46.6
(Million Bushels)
Beginning Stocks 191 197 420
Production 3,926 4,307 4,010
Imports 24 25 25
Total Supply 4,140 4,529 4,455
USE
Crushings 1,886 1,930 1,920
Exports 1,936 2,050 1,980
Seed 97 95 95
Residual 24 33 25
Total Use 3,943 4,108 4,020
Ending Stocks 197 420 435
Ending Stocks,
U.S. Loan Rate $5.00 $5.00 $5.00
U.S. SEASON AVERAGE
Farm Price, $/Bu. $8.95 $9.50 $8.90
For the most part, the bids indicate the
same or in some cases a bid better, but
some markets are offering very little to no
returns to storage. Make sure you check
out a wide range of delivery points to make
sure you are getting the best NET price for
your corn. By net, I mean after trucking and
discounts.
wheat ending stocks were more than a
billion bushels, peaking in 1985 at 1,905
million bushels, 97 percent of use.
As of this writing, wheat futures and
new-crop cash bids were close to being in
line with my 2017-18 fundamentals shown
in the last column of Table 2, 2017-18.
And the basis being offered seems reason-
able based on the past few years.
New crop Nov. 17 soybean futures did
set, by a quarter cent, a new closing high
at $10.3425 on Feb. 15 before dropping
sharply the next two days to $10.18.
While the basis being offered on new
crop is not strong, new-crop soybean bids
are just a tad higher than my 2017-18 fun-
damental projections. See Table 3.
High Plains feeders, nor do we feed that
many colored cattle relative to feeding
out Holsteins. And getting relevant Michi-
gan Holstein steer prices is difficult. Has
the basis improved at all?
Hilker is an MSU Extension economist
and professor with Michigan State
University’s Dept. of Agricultural Food
& Resource Economics.
www.michiganfarmnews.com
Efforts renewed to eliminate ethanol
PAUL W. JACKSON
FARM NEWS MEDIA
A proposal to eliminate the Renewable
Fuel Standard (RFS) needs to be fact-
checked before it goes much further, ac-
cording to Kate Thiel, field crops specialist
with Michigan Farm Bureau.
“There have been efforts like this for
some time,” Thiel said. “Claims that ethanol
displaces food for people and damages the
environment ignore scientific facts and play
into the hands of the oil industry’s energy
monopoly, which in many cases is behind
anti-ethanol efforts.”
The issue resurfaced in early February
after Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) began cir-
culating a “dear colleague” letter soliciting
support and cosponsors for the Renewable
Fuel Standard Elimination Act, which is
expected to be introduced soon. The letter
encourages members of Congress to sign
on as original cosponsors for the act, which
would eliminate the RFS.
Goodlatte introduced similar legislation
during the last Congress.
“Farm Bureau policy supports the Re-
newable Fuel Standard as passed in the
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007,” Thiel said. “Many of the claims
made within Mr. Goodlatte’s letter deem
further research, because USDA has stated
in the past that ethanol is more energy ef-
ficient to produce than gasoline. Also, etha-
nol is the most extensively tested fuel ever
brought to market. Consumers have been
using blended ethanol fuels for decades.”
In his letter, Goodlatte calls the RFS “a
well-intentioned, but deeply flawed policy
that has negatively impacted every family
and business in the country.”
Bemoaning the fact that “The RFS
mandates that 36 billion gallons of renew-
February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News 7
able fuels be part of our nation’s fuel supply because of the RFS,” Goodlatte’s letter more than gasoline because of the process
by 2022.” Goodlatte claims that the RFS says. Thiel said the opposite is true. used to extract it from corn.
has caused “increased costs at the grocery “If anything, having ethanol blends has That’s just another claim to divert atten-
store, larger bills on their restaurant re- reduced the cost of fuel by forcing oil pro- tion from the facts, Thiel said.
ceipts, and higher prices at the gas pump. ducers to have some semblance of compe- “One study, Ethanol Can Contribute to
“Corn is used in 75 percent of the food tition,” she said. Energy and Environmental Goals, pub-
we buy,” the letter reads, “yet a great deal Goodlatte also claims that ethanol has lished by Science magazine, points out that
of corn is no “benefits evaluations reporting negative net energy
now being of an envi- for ethanol incorrectly ignored coproducts
diverted ronmental and used obsolete data,” the DOE wrote.
from food nature,” “Another study, Ethanol’s Energy Return
products and sites on Investment: A Survey of the Literature
and into the activist 1990-Present, … points out that gasoline
gasoline environ- does not have a net energy value of zero
tank.” mentalist as often assumed in fossil energy balance
“Mr. groups as discussions. Only 76 percent of its em-
Goodlatte his author- bodied fossil energy is delivered to the end
has appar- ity. user. … This is because so much energy
ently not “Envi- is used to extract, transport, and refine oil
done his ronmental and gasoline.
research to groups “When these two factors are taken into
find hard have account, corn-based ethanol shows a clear
facts,” she expressed benefit over gasoline,” the DOE said, with
said. “Corn concerns one caveat. “The size of this benefit also
grown for about the depends on the feedstock used and how
ethanol impact of the ethanol plant is powered.”
is not the the RFS on But with ethanol plants consistently gain-
same as Ethanol production has been a boon to farmers and the air we ing efficiencies, Thiel said it’s far too early
sweet consumers, but Congressman Bob Goodlatte doesn’t breathe and to displace a biofuels energy industry that’s
corn. It’s believe it. This is the Anderson’s Marysville plant. have stated relatively young and provides thousands of
field corn. | The Anderson’s that the jobs which include high-paying positions
And if he’s conversion such as biochemists and biophysicists.
concerned that ethanol cuts the supply of of high volumes of land into corn fields is “Sure, there are efficiencies yet to be
field-corn-based products, just look at the detrimental to the environment,” he wrote. realized, not only in ethanol produced
huge piles of corn we have. Agriculture “In fact, I can find no benefit to the hard- from corn, but from other things such as
economists expect there to be a half-billion working Americans who are paying the switchgrass,” Thiel said. “Without ethanol,
more bushels in ending stocks this year cost of the RFS.” though, corn farmers would be hurting
compared to last year.” However, according to a 2016 report even more than they are now.”
Another claim Goodlatte makes needs a from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Farm Bureau members are urged to con-
serious fact-check, Thiel said. energy produced from ethanol outweighs tact their Congressmen and ask them to
“Some studies show that drivers in the the energy it takes to produce it, contrary vote against the Renewable Fuel Standard
U.S. pay at least $10 billion more each year to debunked claims that ethanol pollutes Elimination Act.
LET’S TALK
FARM LOANS…
Your place or ours?
We value the hard work farmers do here in Michigan. That's why we
want to meet with you, at your place, to learn how we can help you
grow... even if it means messing up a pair of Sunday shoes. Let’s see
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to your place to make it easy.
800-974-3273
ubmich.com/farm.htm NMLS#488568
 Michigan Farm Bureau’s Institute for Leadership Education, or
ProFILE, is a 15-month leadership experience for a select group

AMANDA HASSENGER
of agriculture’s most up-and-coming leaders.

As a culmination to the program, participants embark on a 5-day

bus trip which takes them through various states, providing
2017 them insight into other aspects of agriculture as well as getting

CLINTON
a behind-the-scenes look at our nation’s food systems.

This year’s class trekked many miles through Ohio, Kentucky,

Tennessee and Indiana. Check out where their adventures
took them.

To learn more about ProFILE, visit www.michfb.com/MI/Profile/.

ANDREW HEINITZ
VAN BUREN
AMANDA KUTCHEY
MACOMB
BRADLEY JERICHOW

“ TheEXCELLENT
Profile bus trip is an
EMMET

AND FUN
way to experience
AGRICULTURE
across the country.
”
JESS ERLER
OSCEOLA

BRADLEY JERICHOW
PROFILE MEMBER

1
MARK ZACHARDA
SHIAWASSEE

2
8
BRADY BROWN
SANILAC

3
7 4
KEVIN THIEL
GRATIOT

6 5
KATELYN THOMPSON
MENOMINEE
 MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU – LANSING, MI

KEVIN MESSING
1 SPANGLER CANDY COMPANY – BRYAN, OH

HURON
SPANGLER CANDY
Spangler Candy Company is a family-owned private company making candy since 1906.
Their products include lollipops, candy canes and marshmallow candies.
• Each day, Spangler Candy Company manufactures 12 million Dum Dum Pops®, 1.7
million candy canes, a half million circus peanuts, and a half million Saf-T-Pops.
• Spangler uses about 23 million pounds of sugar and 21 million pounds of corn syrup
each year. Michigan sugar is used by Spangler.

JOE ANKLEY
LAPEER
2
WENDY’S HEADQUARTERS – DUBLIN, OH
WENDY’S
The Wendy’s Company is the world’s third-largest quick-service hamburger company. The
Wendy’s system includes more than 6,500 franchise and company restaurants in the U.S.
and 29 other countries and U.S. territories worldwide.

LISA RUSSCHER
ALLEGAN
3
EVAN’S ORCHARD AND CIDER MILL – GEORGETOWN, KY
EVANS ORCHARD AND CIDER MILL
Evans Orchard and Cider Mill is a 5th-generation family farm, today focused on providing great family
entertainment as well as healthy, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. The farm is family owned and is
operated by Kevan and Sue Evans and their daughter, Jenny.

CARL BEDNARSKI
TUSCOLA
4
WINSTAR HORSE FARM – VERSAILLES, KY
WINSTAR FARM
Founded in 2000, WinStar Farm is one of North America’s leading thoroughbred racing,

NATALIE PENNINGTON
stallion and breeding operations. Today WinStar Farm is comprised of more than 2,400
acres, including the original 450-acre tract of land, once known as Silver Pond Farm.

MECOSTA
5
BUSH’S® – CHESTNUT HILL, TN
BUSH’S
Bush Brothers and Company began back in 1908 as a tomato cannery and remained a
cannery of various fruits and vegetables for many years. It wasn’t until 1952 that they added a
line of variety beans. Today, beans are the primary ingredient and the biggest success at the
company. Bush Brothers use local railroads and trucks to transport beans to their canning
facility in Chesnut Hill, TN. Many of the beans come from the hard work of Michigan farmers.
PAUL PYLE
OTTAWA

6
TENNESSEE FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE – LAVERGNE, TN
TENNESSEE FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE
Tennessee Farmers’ Cooperative includes TFC and 54 member cooperatives. Each of TFC’s member
Co-ops is a separate, independent cooperative business owned and controlled by farmer members in
their home counties. Some 164 Co-op retail outlets, which operate in 83 of Tennessee’s 95 counties,
NATHAN CLARKE

serve more than half a million customers across the state. The group visited the gate-making plant and
award-winning feed mill.
MIDLAND

7
KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU – LOUISVILLE, KY
KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU
For nearly 100 years, Kentucky Farm Bureau has served as the “Voice of Kentucky Agricul-
ture,” representing the interests of agricultural producers and rural communities. The or-
SARAH LIGHTNER

ganization was founded at a meeting in Louisville in November 1919. With nearly 500,000
members, KFB is one of the largest Farm Bureaus in the nation.
JACKSON

At the Kentucy Farm Bureau office, ProFILE members also met Monsanto Mom of the Year
Kentucky farmer Mary Courtney. Mary started her farm with her husband, Shane. They grow
corn, soybeans, burley tobacco, mixed vegetables, green bell peppers, eggplant, cucum-
bers, squash and zucchini, specialty peppers, seedless watermelon and raise cattle.

8
ELANCO ANIMAL HEALTH – GREENFIELD, IN
ELANCO
NICK OOMEN

Elanco is a world leader in developing products and services that enhance animal health,
OCEANA

wellness and performance. Elanco products contribute to the production of an affordable

and abundant supply of food, while also helping to ensure the safety of that food. Elanco
operates from a global headquarters in Indiana and employs more than 2,500 people in
more than 40 countries.
10 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017 www.michiganfarmnews.com

across a relatively cold and in some cases TEMPERATURE (F) PRECIPITATION

snow-covered ground surface. MICHIGAN WEATHER GROWING DEGREE DAYS

WEATHER
Obs. Dev. from Actual Normal Obs. Normal
Jan 16–Feb 15, 2017
From a quick analysis of solar radiation mean normal Base 50 Base 50 (inches) (inches)

data from our longest established Enviro-

OUTLOOK
Gloominess takes its toll
JEFF ANDRESEN
MSU EXTENSION
With mostly westerly flow aloft across the
Lower 48 states, warmer and wetter-than-
normal weather continued across Michigan
and the Great Lakes states through the first
half of February.
Mean temperatures for the past 30
days generally ranged from 4-10 degrees
F above normal, with greatest departures
from normal found across southern sec-
tions of the state.
Precipitation totals for the period ranged
from less than 1.5 inches across some
northern portions of the state to more than
4 inches across the southwestern Lower
Peninsula.
Snowfall during the period was lighter
than normal across the state, with snow
cover by mid-February limited to the Upper
and northern Lower Peninsulas.
Given above-normal precipitation totals
during the past several weeks, it is also
worth noting that January was an unusu-
ally cloudy month, with a large number of
cloudy, foggy days with drizzle and low so-
lar radiation rates (one could justifiably use
the term ‘gloomy’) as mild, moist air moved
weather automated weather station at
East Lansing, we found an average daily
solar radiation rate this January of 3.11
megajoules/m2 which was the lowest of
any January at that site since the site was
established in 1998 and well below the
average January rate of 5.10 megajoules/
m2 (and typical mid growing season daily
values of 16-24 megajoules/m2).
It also barely missed surpassing the all-
time lowest monthly value of 3.08 mega-
joules/m2 set in December 2015.
Besides taking a toll on the mood and
mental health of many in the state, the lack
of sunshine had a direct impact on the
Enviro-weather network. Our 85 automated
weather stations are all powered by a small
12-volt battery which is trickle-charged with
a solar panel. While this setup works the
vast majority of the time, the network suf-
fered outages at 12 stations during January
due to lack of solar power/dead batteries,
which is a new record for the system.
Collectively, nearly all medium-range
forecast guidance suggests a general
continuation of western upper-air troughing
and broad ridging across the Midwest, with
mostly Pacific-origin air masses, above-
normal temperatures, and precipitation
totals a good bet.
That strongly increases the likelihood
that February (and the December-February
winter season) will statistically end up much
BAD AXE 28.4 7.2 0 1 2.48 1.79
LAKE CITY 25.5 7.1 0 0 2.30 1.45
COLDWATER 33.4 9.3 4 2 3.16 1.99
ALPENA 27.1 8.1 0 0 2.11 1.45
DETROIT 34.1 8.1 2 2 2.69 1.98
FLINT 30.4 7.6 2 2 2.15 1.52
GRAND RAPIDS 31.1 6.3 4 2 2.62 1.85
HOUGHTON LAKE 25.9 7.8 0 0 2.29 1.29
LANSING 31.2 7.3 4 2 2.88 1.48
MARQUETTE 21.2 7.6 0 0 1.96 2.32
MUSKEGON 32.8 7.3 1 1 2.15 1.88
PELLSTON 25.8 9.6 0 0 1.09 1.58
SAULT STE MARIE 25.6 10.1 0 0 3.07 1.78
SAGINAW 29.9 7.4 0 1 1.92 1.52
warmer than normal. There are also hints The outlook for the February-through-
at a possible change in that pattern by April period calls for equal odds of below-,
the end of February or early March which near-, and above-normal mean tempera-
would lead to the return of colder, more tures and near- to above-normal precipita-
seasonable temperatures. tion totals statewide across Michigan.
There are also some noteworthy Further ahead, the outlooks still suggest
changes in the equatorial Pacific to report. warmer-than-normal mean temperatures
The weak La Nina event that began last during the upcoming growing season, with
fall has ended, with near- neutral condi- no forecast direction on precipitation totals.
tions now in place. The new news is the But that may change if El Nino conditions
recent development of warmer-than- return. Stay tuned.
normal sea-surface temperatures across
portions of the far eastern Pacific basin, Andresen is associate professor
which suggests the potential development of Meteorology/Climatology with
of an El Nino (warm) event later this spring Michigan State University’s Dept. of
or summer (remember that strong El Nino Geography, MSUE specialist and the
conditions were present in the region as state climatologist for Michigan.
recently as early 2016).

Organic rules delayed by Trump’s order

PAUL W. JACKSON The rules were not met with enthusiasm culture may receive some deference from
FARM NEWS MEDIA when they were finalized in 2016. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Ranking
Organic animal welfare rules that were “We’re disappointed that the final rules Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on
“pushed through at the final moments” don’t reflect the changes agriculture recom- Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry, who had
of (the Obama) administration have been mended,” said John Kran, national lobbyist concerns about the rules from the start.
delayed until May 19 under President with Michigan Farm Bureau. “The final rule “I was disappointed that USDA’s initial
Donald Trump’s executive order for a should be based on food safety, biosecurity rule on organic livestock practices did
regulatory freeze. and animal health,” he said. “This rule was not address many of my concerns about
The rules amend requirements for certify- pushed through at the final moments of this animal health, consumer organic prices and
ing livestock and poultry production by administration without taking into consider- access, or the impact on organic produc-
expanding existing standards for living con- ation sound animal care practices and the ers,” she told Michigan Farm News. “I
ditions, animal well-being, and production concerns raised by experts in the industry.” remain committed to working with USDA to
practices. The final rules also create new Does the Trump delay mean there will find ways to address the issues Michigan’s
provisions for animal handling and transport be changes proposed during the freeze? producers have raised, while maintaining
for slaughter. That’s still uncertain, but production agri- high standards for animal welfare in the
organic industry.”
According to the public inspection docu-
ment of the final rule, the final rule:
1. Clarifies how producers and handlers
participating in the NOP must treat
livestock and poultry to ensure their
wellbeing.
2. Clarifies when and how certain physi-
cal alterations may be performed on
organic livestock and poultry in order
to minimize stress. Additionally, some
forms of physical alterations are pro-
hibited.
3. Sets maximum indoor and outdoor
stocking densities for organic chickens,
which vary depending on the type of
production and stage of life.
4. Defines outdoor space and requires
that outdoor spaces for organic poultry
include soil and vegetation.
President Trump’s regulatory freeze delays the Obama Administration’s Organic 5. Adds new requirements for transport-
Livestock and Poultry Practices, which gives people who want changes time to lobby ing organic livestock and poultry to sale
for them. | Courtesy photo or slaughter.
6. Clarifies the application of USDA Food
Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
requirements regarding the handling
of livestock and poultry in connection
with slaughter to certified organic live-
stock and poultry establishments and
provides for the enforcement of USDA
organic regulations based on FSIS
inspection findings.
7. AMS has only established indoor space
requirements for chickens in this final
rule. AMS may propose space require-
ments for other avian species in the fu-
ture. Other avian species must meet all
other indoor requirements including exit
doors, ammonia levels, and lighting.
Some notable highlights of the specific
rule content (based on a preliminary review
of the language):
• The agency was dismissive of legal
comments made by AFBF and other
groups that USDA lacked authority under
the Organic Foods Production Act to
promulgate rules for living conditions and
animal welfare.
• The final rule specifies that existing cov-
ered porches on poultry houses do not
meet the standards for “outdoor space”
but can be included as indoor space for
avian facilities.
• The final rule does add some flexibility
for a producer to temporarily confine
birds without a documented occurrence
of disease in the region or migratory
pathway, so long as the confinement
decision is part of an Organic System
Plan approved by the operation’s certify-
ing agent.

Farming for the Future lunch included.

Conference to be March 8
VAN BUREN CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Scott Anderson, a South Dakota grain
farmer and founder of CashCow Farmer,
will be the keynote presenter at the Van
Buren Conservation District’s annual
“Farming for the Future” conference.
The event will be March 8 at the Van
Buren Conference Center in Lawrence.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and
the conference runs until 3:45 p.m. with
Anderson is a third-generation corn and
soybean farmer. To ensure financial suc-
cess of the family farm, he headed to New
York after college and worked on Wall
Street where he sharpened his skills in the
areas of commodities, macroeconomics,
investment banking, debt financing, and
business analysis. Anderson witnessed
first-hand the financial devastation that
many farmers experience when com-
modity markets fall and their farms stop
thriving. He saw a need for new tools that
would not only help farmers keep up with
the rigors of farming, but create profit in a
down market. Anderson will share tips to
help local farmers reduce their costs and
prosper in any economic climate.
“We know a lot of farmers are con-
cerned with staying competitive,” said
Conservation Technician Colleen Fores-
tieri. “With commodity prices at a low,
we wanted to bring in Scott to motivate
growers to look a finances in a different
way and share tools that will keep them
resilient and profitable in the long run.”
Three RUP credits will be available, as
well as a MAEAP Phase 1 credit. Registra-
tion will begin at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and
doughnuts. Lunch will also be provided.
This event is free and open to the public
but pre-registration is required and space
is limited. Anderson will also hold a follow-
up workshop on March 9 to demonstrate
software he has developed to help farm-
ers manage production and market grain.
Farmers are asked to register by March
1 by calling the Van Buren Conservation
District at 269-657-4030 x5 or visiting
www.vanburencd.org.
www.michiganfarmnews.com
Putting variable-rate seeding to work on your farm
DUPONT PIONEER
Each year, an increasing number of farm-
ers are utilizing planters with variable-rate
seeding (VRS) capability, and more farmers
report putting this feature to work to vary
corn and soybean seeding rates. Farmers
using the technology expect it to help in-
crease yields as well as maximize the value
of their seed investment.
The growing number of VRS-enabled
planters and widespread on-farm use of
GPS technology make it easier than ever to
deploy a VRS strategy. However, growers
still need to understand the variability within
their fields and implement the appropriate
hybrid-specific seeding rates.
Developing a variable-rate strategy
The first step in developing a VRS strat-
egy is to identify candidate fields.
The grower is best qualified to identify
management zones that will be predictive
from year to year, based on trends that
are historically consistent. For example,
low-lying field areas may perform best in
dry years and poorly in wet years, and the
grower is most familiar with how to best
manage such nuances.
Selecting a hybrid
The next step is selecting the proper
corn hybrid for the field, taking into account
the range of possible growing conditions
and resulting yield potential of field areas.
Selecting seeding rates
Decades of DuPont Pioneer research
have shown that corn yield response to
seeding rate within a commercially-relevant
range can usually be well-described by a
quadratic function.
Grain yield will increase with seeding rate
up to an optimum point and then decline
February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News 11
as seeding rate is increased above the yield level has been shown to be roughly seeding rates where lower productivity
optimum due to a higher rate of barrenness linear within the range represented by doesn’t typically support higher yields.
and extended anthesis-silking intervals research data. Strips are typically field-length strips of
(Jeschke et al., 2009). a single planting rate that pass through
Economic and agronomic optimum rates
The optimum seeding rate can vary several management zones. A strip should
based on hybrid genetics. It is important to note that suggested be placed so that it crosses management
seeding rates produced via the DuPont Pio- zones of most or all other rates. There
Seeding rate response to productivity neer Planting Rate Estimator and EncircaSM
should be at least 1 strip for each desig-
Yield Yield Stand nated seeding rate. Strips are typically 1
response to are based on planter pass wide. Check strips can be
seeding rate economic opti- created as part of the prescription and can
by productiv- mum rates that also be accomplished from the planter
ity level is the consider both monitor in the field.
critical factor the revenue Blocks are an alternate approach where
for creating from yield and generally square blocks of higher and lower
variable- the cost of ad- planting rates are located within different
rate seeding ditional seed. management zones. Their utility is decreas-
prescriptions. This provides ing as growers strive to differentially man-
The popula- the most useful age smaller and smaller areas of fields.
tion required information
to maximize for optimizing In-season monitoring
yield increases return on seed After stand establishment, take stand
as yield level investment. counts in the different planting rate zones
increases. When compar- and check areas (e.g. strips). It is impor-
When ing recom- tant to verify that target populations were
grouped by The growing number of VRS-enabled planters and mendations actually attained to assure the validity of the
yield level, widespread on-farm use of GPS technology make it from different test. Pay special attention to high stress
results from easier than ever to deploy a VRS strategy. | Case IH companies, areas such as poorly drained spots or high
Pioneer plant farmers need crop residue areas.
population trials showed that the eco- to understand the economic and genetic
Interpreting the results
nomic optimum seeding rate increased assumptions that affect each recommenda-
from approximately 31,000 seeds/acre at tion. • Work with your Encirca certified services
the 150 bu/acre yield level to over 39,000 agent or Pioneer sales professional to
Setting up checks analyze your yield results.
seeds/acre at the 240 bu/acre yield level.
An Iowa State University study compar- The recommended best practice for eval- • Did higher seeding rates produce greater
uating the effectiveness of VRS prescrip-
ing corn yield response to plant population yields in higher productivity Decision
tions is planting check strips at rates higher
across soils with different corn suitability Zones? What impact did weather play?
and rates lower than the prescribed rates
ratings found similar results. The most What do you want to do differently next
for the rest of the decision zone. These
productive soils tended to have a higher season?
checks can help farmers understand areas
optimum population for maximum yield • Evaluate profitability by comparing yields
(Woli et al., 2014). where they might be able to increase yields and accounting for seed costs for any
through higher seeding rates or decrease
The increase in optimum seeding rate by two rates in question.

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12 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017 www.michiganfarmnews.com

YOUNG FARMER
LEADERS CONFERENCE
FARM NEWS MEDIA
Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2017 Young
Farmer Leaders Conference, Feb. 17-19,
brought hundreds of young producers
from across the state to Grand Rapids, an
ideal venue for exploring western Michi-
gan’s bountiful and prosperous agriculture
sector.
After spending day one touring a cross
section of that diverse and prosper- 1
ous landscape, from greenhouses and
meat processors to almost completely
automated distribution centers, attend-
ees hunkered down Saturday, Feb. 18,
digging into a packed agenda of informa-
tive workshops, seminars and breakout
sessions — each offering a different per-
spective and exploring details of specific
facets of agricultural productivity, innova-
tion and leadership.
Organizers also tapped into the demo-
graphic’s fierce competitiveness. Each
of the state’s 11 districts pitched into a
competitive “change war” — and vied for
auction items — with an even $9,000 in
proceeds going toward feeding the less
fortunate through Harvest For All. 2 3

SCENES FROM YFLC: FARMING’S IN GOOD HANDS

1. The camaraderie and networking that takes place at Young Farmer events might look like fun and games on the surface, but under the surface the community — the diverse
tapestry of the Farm Bureau family — is being subtly woven.

Lansing
2. Young Farmer Leaders Conference attendees split up on day one for three separate tours of agricultural sites across western Michigan, including Carbon Green BioEnergy,
an ethanol production facility near Lake Odessa.
3. Professional hypnotist TG Rivers managed to transfix a number of Young Farmers as part of the Saturday night entertainment program.

LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR
FARM NEWS MEDIA
Michigan Farm Bureau’s 2017 policy
year was officially launched in downtown
Lansing Feb. 21 at the annual Lansing
Legislative Seminar.
More than 400 attendees from across
the state converged on the capital city to
lobby firsthand the lawmakers who work
here to represent their constituents back
home — including those who toil in the
countryside.
Armed with state-level policy newly
minted at MFB’s 2016 Annual Meeting,
and an afternoon of workshops and issue
briefings, members met with scores of
Representatives and Senators who rarely
miss this annual opportunity to take the
pulse of their rural constituents.
A luncheon program saw comments
from Gov. Rick Snyder, followed by an
informative panel discussion among the
state’s three “quality of life” directors:
Jamie Clover Adams of the Department
of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Keith Creagh of the Department of Natu-
ral Resources, and Heidi Grether of the
Department of Environmental Quality.
1

2 3 4
SCENES FROM LLS: FARMER-CITIZENS LOBBY LEGISLATORS
1. Michigan DNR Director Keith Creagh talks environmental issues with the U.P.’s Richard Pershinske.
2. Sen. Peter MacGregor, left, shares an electronic message with Kent County members Jim May, center, and Roger Steenwyk.
3. Chair of the House Agriculture Committee Tom Barrett speaks with Eaton County Farm Bureau members Lynn and Cindy Stanke.
4. The state’s Quality of Life team includes, from left, DEQ Director Heidi Grether, DNR Director Keith Creagh and MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams.
www.michiganfarmnews.com February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News
Endangered species reform needed now, farmer tells Congress
AFBF
In congressional testimony Feb. 15, Wis-
consin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte,
told the Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee current Endangered
Species Act enforcement fails to provide ad-
equate incentives for species conservation
on working lands and, instead, imposes far-
reaching regulatory burdens on agriculture.
Congress intended for the ESA to protect
species from extinction, but even after spe-
cies have recovered, regulations and litiga-
tion often fail to allow them to be removed
from protected status. According to Holte,
a member of the American Farm Bureau
Federation Board of Directors, the law is
ripe for reform because it places a priority
on keeping species listed rather than carry-
ing out actual work related to recovery and
habitat conservation.
“Reform of the ESA should include a
focus on species recovery and habitat
conservation that respects landowners,”
Holte told senators. “Coordination with state
wildlife agencies to leverage private, incen-
tive-based conservation efforts can better
Jim Holte, a beef and grain farmer from Elk Mound, Wisconsin, said that in his state, achieve long-term conservation goals.”
regulatory action related to one species in particular, the gray wolf, is having adverse Holte, a beef and grain farmer from Elk
effects on many farmers. | AFBF Mound, Wisconsin, said that in his state
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regulatory action related to one species in
particular, the gray wolf, is having adverse
effects on many farmers.
In addition to sharing statistics about
Wisconsin’s wolf population, Holte shared
one of many stories about how an attack
by the predator species resulted in the
gruesome loss of a dairy cow by Ryan and
Cheri Klussendorf. As a result, the Klussen-
dorfs now keep their herd within 200 feet
of their farmyard at night, and calves are no
longer put on pasture.
“The costs have been burdensome but
the emotional toll and increased stress on
the family and animals has been tremen-
dous,” Holte said, noting that the family
cannot legally protect their herd with a
firearm in the event of a wolf attack.
Holte said the Klussendorfs are not the
only farmers who have been impacted,
and Wisconsin Farm Bureau continues to
support the decision to delist the gray wolf
and allow state wildlife officials to man-
age wolf populations. He said interactions
between farmers, their livestock, rural
residents and wolves continue to escalate
“without a remedy in sight.”
Holte told the committee that congres-
sional action is needed.
Breakthrough seed
breeding technique
published
SYNGENTA
Syngenta researchers have been
published in the world-renowned
international science journal Nature
for their breakthrough work that could
lead to decreases in the time is takes
to breed seeds. These findings could
translate to significant cost efficiencies
in the commercial sector of agriculture.
The paper, authored by a Syn-
genta research team, establishes that
haploid induction, a complex modern
seed breeding process that helps
shave years off the seed breeding pro-
cess in corn, is triggered by a defect
in an enzyme coded by the Matrilineal
(MTL) gene.
The researchers also found that novel
gene edits in the MTL gene can induce
haploid induction, opening up the pos-
sibility to optimize the technology and
transfer it to crops other than corn.
“Successful haploid induction is an
often painstaking and costly process,”
said Tim Kelliher, principal scientist of
reproduction biology at Syngenta and
lead author of the paper. “But this re-
search is an important step in showing
how gene editing can help us breed
plants that produce higher yields on a
much more efficient time frame.”
“We know that investment in gene
editing and crop genetics can help us
create significant progress toward sus-
tainable intensification of agriculture,”
said Michiel van Lookeren Campagne,
head of Seeds Research at Syngenta.
“To be recognized by the scientific
community for this work illustrates its
importance to innovation in agriculture.
It is a true honor and testament to the
quality of our scientists.”
This work directly addresses one
of the six commitments of The Good
Growth Plan — making crops more ef-
ficient without using more land, water
or inputs.
“Understanding the underlying
biology of MTL and related genes
will open a wave of innovation on our
quest to find ways to feed the world
more efficiently and effectively,” van
Lookeren Campagne said.
To read the paper published by Syn-
genta researchers, visit https://tinyurl.
com/jf2fa9h.
14 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017
Recycling forum timed perfectly for microplastics report
FARM NEWS MEDIA
A capacity audience including farmers,
recyclers, Conservation Districts, Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
and Michigan Department of Agriculture
and Rural Development (MDARD) gathered
on Valentine’s Day for the Agricultural Plas-
tics Recycling Forum.
The event, designed to identify chal-
lenges and opportunities for recycling ag
plastics such as bale wrap, feed and seed
bags, plastic mulch/row covers, hoop
house and greenhouse plastic, and other
chemical containers, included sessions
about managing ag plastics, pesticide con-
tainer recycling, collection of plastics and
end uses, among many others.
After attendees were introduced to
programs in Michigan and other states,
there was a table discussion for ideas and
opportunities. Bottom, Ben Tirrell reports
from his group.
Agriculture recycling has plenty of room
for improvement, the attendees learned.
Markets for the materials, processing, and
material collection all need to be devel-
oped in the state. Gov. Rick Snyder has
launched an initiative to double the state’s
recycling rate.
Local communities and organizations
interested in improving their recycling pro-
grams can apply for funding from the DEQ.
Applications will be accepted until March
17, 2017.
The grants are part of Snyder’s initiative.
Ensuring sufficient recycling infrastructure
and education is a proven method for
increasing recycling, DEQ said.
Up to $500,000 is available to Michi-
Cattle industry still in expansion mode, at least for now
JAMES MINTERT
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Once a year USDA releases its compre-
hensive Cattle report, which includes survey-
based estimates of the all cattle and calves
inventory, the 2016 calf crop, beef and dairy
cow inventories, in addition to a variety of
other inventory estimates that provide clues
regarding future cattle and beef supplies.
This year’s report, released on Jan.
31, was of particular interest because of
This year’s report, released on Jan. 31st, was of particular interest because of the collapse
in both fed and feeder cattle prices that took place during 2016. | Courtesy photo
Consider best timing
for spring nitrogen
applications
DOW AGROSCIENCES
If you plan to make spring nitrogen (N)
applications, there are several factors to
keep in mind.
There is the potential for seedling injury
when anhydrous is applied just ahead of
planting.
When anhydrous ammonia leaves the
knives of the toolbar, it expands from the
gan cities, villages, townships, charter
townships, counties, tribal governments,
municipal solid waste authorities, resource
recovery authorities, non-profit organiza-
tions, public school districts, local health
departments, and regional planning agen-
cies. Applicants may partner with for-profit
organizations for funding or program sup-
port as needed.
There also is a list of recycling grants
available on the DEQ website at https://
tinyurl.com/zstubdm.
The forum came a day after the Interna-
tional Joint Commission (IJC), an indepen-
dent binational organization established by
the United States and Canada under the
Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, released
a report to the governments of Canada and
the United States recommending several
actions to prevent microplastics — generally
defined as a piece of plastic five millimeters
or smaller — from entering the Great Lakes.
Following a public comment period last
fall, the IJC reached the following conclu-
sions and recommendations:
• Canada and the United States should
develop a binational plan with measurable
goals to prevent microplastics from enter-
ing the Great Lakes, using approaches
such as policy, market-based instru-
ments, outreach education and research.
• Because microplastics have not been
studied extensively in freshwater systems
like the Great Lakes, there are significant
knowledge gaps regarding their sources,
abundance and distribution and how
they can impact both aquatic life and
human health from eating fish that have
ingested microplastics.
the collapse in both fed and feeder cattle
prices that took place during 2016.
The dramatic price decline, and resulting
falloff in profitability by cow-calf producers,
led to questions about possible impacts
on industry expansion. Last week’s report
leaves little doubt that the industry is still in
expansion mode, at least for now.
USDA estimated the Jan. 1, 2017, all
cattle and calves inventory to be 93.6 mil-
lion head, 1.8 percent larger than a year
point of injection in all directions 2 ½ to
3 inches, leaving a 5- to 6-inch cylinder
of N (expansion can be greater in dry or
coarse soils). Free ammonia in this band
can damage or “burn” seeds and/or roots
by removing water from the plant tissue.
Separating the ammonia from the seed/
seedling by either time or distance reduces
this risk of injury.
A good rule of thumb: wait to plant at least
3 to 5 days after an ammonia application.
An additional waiting period may be ben-
eficial if the following conditions occur:
• If NH3 applications are made when the
soil is wet because the knife creates
Farm Bureau members pay apt attention at the recent Agricultural Plastics Recycling
Forum. | Laura Campbell, Michigan Farm Bureau
• Canada and the United States should
work together on science, research and
monitoring efforts to assess the extent
of microplastics in the Great Lakes. This
data can then be used in the decision-
making process to assess the potential
ecological and human health impacts,
determine the major sources and the
fate of these plastics, and how best to
reduce their release.
• The United States and Canada should
adopt policies promoting life-cycle re-
sponsibility of plastic producers and sup-
port state, provincial and local policies to
reduce plastic pollution. This should also
include funding to compare and analyze
earlier. The all cattle and calves inventory
bottomed out on Jan. 1, 2014, at 88.5 mil-
lion head, so this year’s inventory estimate
is nearly 6 percent larger than it was at the
bottom of the inventory cycle. The total
inventory increase was in-line with most
trade observers’ pre-report expectations.
Unlike prior years, USDA did not provide
a preliminary estimate of the 2016 calf crop
in July since the mid-year Cattle report was
dropped from USDA’s line-up of inven-
tory reports. As a result, last week’s report
provided the first estimate of the 2016 calf
crop, estimated at 35.1 million head, 2.9
percent larger than in 2015.
The smallest calf crop of this cycle oc-
curred in 2013 and the 2016 calf crop was
nearly 5 percent larger than in 2013.
Keys to future cattle and beef supplies
are the beef cow inventory and the number
of heifers being held for future replacement
or entry into the herd. USDA estimated
the beef cow herd to be up 3.5 percent
compared to a year earlier and more than
7 percent larger than at inventory bottom in
January 2014.
Despite the fall-off in prices during 2016,
cow-calf operators indicated they are hold-
ing back 1.2 percent more heifers for herd
replacement this year than last year. That
combination means the supply of cattle for
slaughter will continue to increase not just
in 2017, but also into 2018-2019.
Commercial cattle slaughter and beef
sidewall compaction. This forms a chan-
nel for the NH3 to move up to the seed
zone before getting absorbed by the soil.
• In dry/sandy soils, ammonia (in search of
water) can diffuse further into what will
become the seed zone.
• Shallow NH3 applications of 6 inches
or less can increase injury because the
placement is closer to the seed.
• In any of the above circumstances,
increasing the number of days from NH3
application to planting will help reduce
injury.
• Consider planting at a slight angle from
www.michiganfarmnews.com
existing programs for effectiveness and
promote those that work well.
• The United States and Canada should
provide funding for local programs and
organizations that provide educational
outreach to reduce plastics and micro-
plastics from entering the Great Lakes.
As several organizations and programs
can contribute to the control and preven-
tion of microplastics entering the Great
Lakes, the IJC recommends that officials
engage with a diverse set of stakeholders
from both countries to give effect to these
recommendations.
production both increased just over 6 per-
cent during 2016 compared to 2015. Cattle
slaughter and beef production are both
expected to increase again during 2017,
although the year-over-year percentage
changes are likely to be smaller, perhaps
falling in a range of 3 to 4 percent.
Larger supplies imply lower prices are
ahead. Prices for slaughter cattle in the
Southern Plains averaged approximately
$121 per cwt. (live weight) during 2016,
which was 19 percent lower than during
2015. During 2017, slaughter cattle prices
could decline another 6 to 8 percent as a
result of the expected supply increase.
The decline in calf prices during 2016
was even more severe than the decline in
slaughter cattle prices. Prices for 500 to 600
pound steers in the Kentucky market aver-
aged $153 per cwt. during 2016, which was
36 percent lower than a year earlier.
Lower slaughter cattle prices during
2017 are expected to exert more down-
ward pressure on calf prices. Recent
weekly average prices in Kentucky for 500
to 600 pound steers have been in the up-
per $120s. The annual average for 500 to
600 pound steer calves in Kentucky could
wind up in the low $120s, 15 to 20 percent
lower than 2016’s annual average.
Mintert is with the Center for Commercial
Agriculture & Department of Agricultural
Economics at Purdue University.
the NH3 application direction when
possible. Doing this can help reduce the
number of plants that may be affected if
ammonia burn would occur.
Consider additional steps
There are additional steps growers can
take to help ensure that adequate levels of
N will be available for maximum crop yield.
These include:
• Add an N stabilizer
These can help keep anhydrous ammo-
nia and urea in more stable forms by reduc-
ing microbial activity that converts these N
sources into less stable forms.
www.michiganfarmnews.com February 28, 2017 | Michigan Farm News 15
Invader alert: Swallow-wort still creeping; ID it now ‘Arctic Apple’ will test
NRCS pale swallow-wort. The milkweed-like pods Area (CISMA) is a grant-funded program to consumer willingness to
Swallow-wort has been reported in small will form in late summer, and appear green manage invasive species in Berrien, Cass,
populations in southwestern Michigan since and thick until they dry to brown and even- and Van Buren counties. bite into GM products
2012, and is still being found in new areas. tually split, dispersing their winged seeds. With funding from the Michigan Invasive RABOBANK, FARM NEWS MEDIA
This invasive creeping vine grows very If you believe you’ve seen swallow-wort, Species Grant Program, the CISMA aims The Arctic Apple, genetically modi-
quickly and very densely, meaning that it please report this to the Midwest Invasive to help landowners and stakeholders in the fied (GM) to prevent browning, will be
can swamp and smother other vegetation Species Information Network (MISIN) at Southwest Michigan area manage invasive market-tested in 10 Midwestern U.S.
and trees. misin.msu.edu, or contact the CISMA at: species. stores in February.
It also is poisonous to monarch butterflies, eleanor.serocki@macd.org or call (269)- If you have any questions on invasive The Rabobank RaboResearch Food
which are attracted to the vine because of 657-4030. species, please contact the CISMA at and Agribusiness fruit sector analysts
its distinctive seed pods. The butterflies will Like many invasive species, swallow-wort (269)-657-4030 or email photos and have been closely monitoring the
lay eggs on the vine, but the larvae will be can be difficult to remove once established. address or latitude/longitude to: eleanor. apple’s development.
poisoned when they hatch, killing entire gen- With very small or new populations, plants serocki@macd.org. Analysts recognize that the Arc-
erations of the butterflies. Because of this, it can be hand-pulled or dug. Remember tic Apple could truly test consum-
is highly encouraged to manage populations to never compost or throw away invasive ers’ willingness to purchase a fresh,
as soon as they are found. species, as this can increase the spread! GM produce item which delivers a
But, because of these seed pods, winter Instead dry or burn any removed plant consumer-centric characteristic. The
is a great time to find new populations of material entirely. Mowing and cutting the World Health Organization has repeat-
swallow-wort! The vines hold on to the plant is not advised, since this can increase edly stressed the safety of GM foods,
thin, milkweed-like pods throughout winter, sprouting and re-growth. but opponents continue to put the
meaning they are easy to spy now that the If pods are noticed late in the summer, pressure on leading U.S. food brands.
leaves have fallen off. these should be removed by hand and According to Rabobank Fruit and
In the spring, the vines will grow dark burned. This will discourage spread and Vegetable Analyst Cindy van Rijswick,
green, waxy, opposite leaves, which can increase. For long-term management or to Swallow-wort vines hold on to the thin, “Organic, ‘clean label’ and natural
be narrow- to oval-shaped. June through remove established populations, chemical milkweed-like pods throughout winter, foods–regardless of what those terms
August, swallow-warts create small, 5 pet- control is generally necessary. meaning they are easy to spy now that actually mean–are thriving, while GM
aled flowers that are dark purple for black The Southwest X Southwest Corner Col- the leaves have fallen off. This photo is a foods are under fire. Consumers are
swallow-wort and light cream to pink in laborative Invasive Species Management summertime shot. | NRCS skeptical when it comes to GM food,
despite the fact that it already consti-
tutes part of their daily diets in the form
of GM food ingredients and animal
feed.”
The developer, Okanagana Specialty
Fruits, is putting a significant amount
of effort into marketing the Arctic
Apple. The apple will be sold pre-
Farm Bureau Insurance agents understand sliced, and all packages will have QR
there are many moments in our lives. codes leading to information about the
development of the Artic Apple and
techniques used.
Promising beginnings and joyous celebrations … “Some in the apple industry fear
that, if the Arctic Apple is not clearly
Personal accomplishments and the pride of ownership … labeled and distinguished from non-
GMO apples, then the entire apple
category will suffer due to consumer
Day-to-day life with its unpredictable ups and downs … fear and uncertainty,” notes Roland
Fumasi, Rabobank Fruit and Veg-
etable Analyst.
And … perhaps the best moments of all … Consumers will ultimately determine
the love and security of home and family. whether the apple is a success or
failure, but it’s clear that the product
is safe and, hopefully, attractive to
That’s why we’re here to protect consumer palates, said Kevin Robson,
horticulture specialist with Michigan
all of your life moments Farm Bureau.
“Onkanagan Specialty Fruit Co. has
been experimenting with the artic apple
for years,” he said. “They went through
the proper channels, spent millions of
dollars, and passed every test neces-
sary before getting the green light to
market their new fruit.
“There are countless commodi-
ties that are experimenting with new
technologies to produce a certain
outcome. In this case, it’s an apple
that doesn’t turn brown,” Robson said.
“This apple isn’t the end of traditional
apple varieties, but simply another
option in the marketplace. Michigan
Farm Bureau has policy that supports
farmers using new technologies, and
it’s important to continue researching
new opportunities to fill the needs of a
growing population.”

The apple will be sold pre-sliced

and all packages will have QR codes
leading to information about the
development of the Artic Apple and
techniques used. | Courtesy photo
16 Michigan Farm News | February 28, 2017 www.michiganfarmnews.com

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