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JUNE 30, 2008
AT A GLANCE: (Click here to go directly to each item, or scroll down to see the entire issue.)
USDA to Re-assess 2008 Corn and Soybean Acreage
House Passes Legislation Requiring CFTC to Curb Oil Speculation
New Farmers' Guide to Disaster Assistance Available
Call for Nominations-2008 Professional Farm Manager Award
USGC: Opportunities for U.S. Exports Expanding in Southeast Asia
Monsanto Expects More Corn in 2009
New DuPont Molecular Markers Increase Soybean Productivity
25x'25 Applauds Bipartisan Call for Energy Summit
Seed Industry Announces New Foundation to Support Education
DuPont and Syngenta To Exchange Crop Protection Technology
Monsanto and the ICIA Initiate New Relationship
New Focus On Business
Smart Partnership Advances Water Efficiency
Exaktime Now Integrates With Famous Software
Onset Computer Announces Videos on Installing Weather Stations
Big Picture
Pre-flood numbers show U.S. farmers expected to harvest nearly 79 million acres of corn and more than 72 million acres of soybeans in 2008, according to the acreage report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS's August 12 Crop Production report will contain the first 2008 estimates of corn and soybean yield and production. To help ensure that these estimates are based on the best information available, NASS will supplement its standard survey activities by re-interviewing approximately 9,000 farmers in the flood-affected areas. These re-interviews will be conducted in the middle of July, allowing time for flooded fields to dry and for farmers to fully assess their options. For more information, click here (PDF format).
The House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to utilize all its authority, including emergency powers, to take steps to curb excessive speculation in the energy futures markets. H.R. 6377, the Energy Markets Emergency Act passed the House overwhelmingly by a bipartisan vote of 402-19. For more information, follow this link.
A familiar resource has been thoroughly revised and updated for farmers who are struggling in the face of natural disaster, and for farmers who want to learn more about the disaster assistance programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill. Farmers' Legal Action Group, Inc. announced that the sixth edition of its book, Farmers' Guide to Disaster Assistance, is now available. For more information, click here.
Submit your nominations now for the 2008 Professional Farm Manager of the Year Award, co-sponsored by Syngenta, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA) and AgProfessional magazine. This award recognizes professional farm managers whose dedication and commitment to agriculture have benefited their clients, the American consumer and our most precious commodity-the land. To be eligible, a professional farm manager of a farm management team must have at least five years farm management experience and hold membership in ASFMRA. To submit your nominations, click here. Nominations are due by July 30, 2008.
The award will be presented during the ASFMRA Annual Convention, which will be held Nov. 12-14, 2008, in San Antonio.
Trade policy discussions, agreements and mandates have recently come about that could expand export opportunities for U.S. feed grains and co-products to Southeast Asia, according to Ken Hobbie, U.S. Grains Council president and CEO. Tuesday, June 24, 2008, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer signed a memorandum of agreement with Philippine Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap to promote agricultural trade and investment between the two countries. For more information, follow this link.
CNNMoney.com is reporting that Monsanto Co. predicts a rebound in U.S. corn planting in 2009 while targeting further expansion in Europe and Asia for its seeds and herbicides. The world's largest seed producer, which on Wednesday reported a 42 percent increase in fiscal third-quarter profit, forecast U.S. farmers will plant around 90 million acres of corn for the 2009 harvest, responding to the continued rise in prices fueled by surging global food demand. For more information, click here.
DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred has identified and incorporated new proprietary molecular markers into its soybean research program. The new markers significantly enhance the company's ability to bring to market soybeans resistant to three common destructive soybean pests-Asian soybean rust, soybean aphids and frogeye leaf spot. For more information, click here.
The National 25x'25 Renewable Energy Alliance applauded Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) for spearheading a call urging Senate leaders to convene a summit of energy experts to develop a plan for securing America's energy independence. Conrad, Chambliss and eight colleagues asked for "a one-day energy summit as soon as possible after the 4th of July holiday ... to hear from the best experts on energy policy who can present an unbiased view of the most promising approaches including both enhanced conservation and increased domestic fuel production that can reduce gas prices, lessen our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our economy." For more information, follow this link (PDF format).
The American Seed Trade Association announced the formation of First the Seed Foundation, officially launched at the 125th Annual Convention of the association. The seed industry established the foundation to provide education and outreach about today's vibrant seed industry and its promise for the future. For more information, click here.
Syngenta and DuPont announced an agreement that will broaden each company's crop protection product portfolios and enable them to bring new products to market more efficiently. The companies will share the costs to prepare the regulatory studies for DuPont Cyazypyr, a new broad spectrum insecticide for the control of lepidoptera and sucking pests, leading to expanded global registrations and commercialization opportunities for both companies. For more information, follow this link.
A relationship was recently initiated between Monsanto Company and the Illinois Crop Improvement Association (ICIA). ICIA's trait introgression services will facilitate access to the stacked combination of Roundup Ready 2 Yield and dicamba-tolerant soybean technologies to licensees authorized by Monsanto. For more information, follow this link.
In the article, "Why You Should Procrastinate," author Kerul Kassel, explains the upside of procrastinating on projects in the newest Focus On Business article available on AgProfessional.com. To view the entire article, click here.
The Smart Water Application Technologies initiative, lead by the Irrigation Association, has closed the public review of testing protocols for smart climate-based controllers. Eventual submission of protocols will allow EPA to consider weather-based controllers as the first irrigation product for its WaterSense labeling program. For more information, click here.
Exaktime, Inc., makers of The JobClock System, announced new support for Famous Software, the leading accounting software solution for the produce and agribusiness industries. Now growers, distributors/wholesalers and packers/shippers can use JobClocks and PocketClocks to collect time and attendance, review and edit the time records in TimeSummit software and bring the information into Famous Software for accounting and payroll processing. For more information, follow this link.
Onset Computer Corporation, the "HOBO" data logger company, announced the availability of a new, 10-part on-demand video series, Setting Up a Weather Station for Optimal Results. This online video series provides field-proven tips and techniques for successfully installing a data logging weather station. For more information, follow this link.
The Hogs and Pigs report showed that producers are beginning to cut back on production, but just barely. The breeding hog inventory came in at 6.07 million head, down less than 1 percent from a year earlier. Producers intend to farrow 3.07 million head this quarter, 2 percent less than last year. With producers losing money on every hog they sell, and feed costs still rising, production needs to be cut a lot more for prices to rise enough to even get back close to profitable levels. The market hog inventory is 6 percent larger than year ago levels, suggesting no letup in pork production through the end of this year. The data in the report was bearish and prices were expected to open lower on Monday.
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AgProfessional Weekly - Copyright 2008 Vance Media Corporation. This material is based on factual information believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.
Action taken as a result of this information is solely the responsibility of the user.
For archived editions of AgProfessional Weekly, visit http://www.agprofessional.com/apweekly/
Food360, A division of Vance Publishing Corporation 10901 W. 84th Terr Lenexa, KS 66214
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