UnitedSoybean

Straight talk about the H1N1 virus

When it comes to dealing with disease outbreaks, few have the experience of Dr. Ron DeHaven. Many remember him as the cool-headed, straight-shooting front man for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) when the United States experienced its first BSE-positive cow. A few years later he demonstrated the same honest integrity when avian influenza or “bird flu” came flying out of Asia.

Today, DeHaven is Chief Executive Officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association and clearly states the current H1N1 virus is not from pigs.

Brownfield story with audio

USDA taking applications for broadband grants

The grants are from $50,000 to $1Million dollars through USDA’s Community Connect Grant Program. State and local governments, corporations and Indian tribes may apply. Awards are being made on a competitive basis.

The application deadline for the broadband grants is June 19th. Up to $13.4 Million in grants are available.

Brownfield story

ACRE sign up open until August 14

Signup for the Average Crop Revenue Election Program is underway. The ACRE program provides a revenue guarantee based on market prices and average yields.

Signing up the ACRE program makes a farm ineligible to receive traditional countercyclical payments. It also reduces direct payments and lowers marketing assistance loan rates. Upon sign up, the farm is enrolled through the 2012 crop year.

Sign up ends on August 14.

Brownfield story

Kellogg's donates 3.5 million pounds of cereal

Kellogg’s is going to donate one day’s cereal production to Feeding America. The food bank will get 3.5 million pounds of products such as Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Kellogg's Raisin Bran, Product 19 and Crispix. That works out to 55 million servings worth an estimated $10 million.

Brownfield story

Grain and oilseed inspections under expectations

Corn, soybeans and wheat export inspections for the week ending April 23 came in under pre-report expectations, in addition to being down on both the week and the year. Still, corn and wheat were just above what's needed weekly to meet the USDA's projection for the 2008/09 marketing year.

Wheat was reported at 12.142 million bushels, down 2.843 million from the week ending April 16.

Corn came out at 32.952 million bushels, 8.151 million less than the prior week and 3.593 million below a year ago.

Soybeans were placed at 6.944 million bushels, 14.803 million under the previous week and down 9.072 million from last year.

Brownfield story

U.S. corn 22% planted as of Sunday

Corn planting made some big strides over the past week especially in the Western Cornbelt, but nationally, activity still trails the average pace. USDA reports that as of Sunday planting is 22% complete, compared to 5% last week, 9% last year and the five year average of 28%. In terms of percentage, Iowa made the most progress, moving from 6% last week to 47% this week, with Minnesota not far behind (none last week, 40% this week). In contrast, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are at less than 5% planted, all well behind average.

Soybean planting is just underway at 3%, compared to 2% a year ago and the five year average of 5%. The furthest along is Louisiana at 34%, followed by Mississippi at 33% and Arkansas at 12%.

Brownfield story

Biofuels groups react to California decision

The California Air Resources Board passed their low-carbon fuel standard which will require fuel manufacturers to cut the so-called carbon intensity of fuels sold in the state 10 percent by 2020. Manufacturers can meet the standard by selling a mix of fuels, selling all low-carbon fuels or using credits that can be both bought and earned from the state if they exceed the limitations.

The co-chairman of Growth Energy, General Wesley Clark, says he’s disappointed with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adoption of a low carbon fuel standard that he says unfairly penalizes biofuels compared to other fuels. Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dineen says the standard sets a dangerous precedent, unfairly penalizing ethanol.

Brownfield story

Dates set for soybean request for referendum

The USDA has announced that soybean producers will have an opportunity to request a referendum on the soybean checkoff program beginning May 4.

Completed forms need to be returned by May 29.

USDA will conduct a referendum if at least 10 percent of the nation’s 589,182 soybean producers support a referendum.

Brownfield story

CCC announces county loan rates for wheat, feedgrains and oilseeds

Commodity Credit Corporation has announced the county loan rates for 2009.

Wheat $2.75 per bushel
Corn $1.95 per bushel
Grain Sorghum $1.95 per bushel
Barley $1.85 per bushel
Oats $1.33 per bushel
Soybeans $5.00 per bushel
Other Oilseeds $9.30 per hundredweight for “other oilseeds”*
Peanut loan rates by type will be announced separately.

As required by the 2008 Farm Bill, these 2009 national loan rates are established at the same levels as those established for the 2008 crop.

Brownfield story

Pork groups urge producer caution amid human swine flu cases

The National Pork Producers Council and National Pork Board on Friday urged pork producers to enhance their biosecurity plans, taking all necessary steps to prevent their pigs from contracting swine influenza.

The organizations recommend producers work with their herd veterinarian to reduce transmission of swine flu viruses by vaccinating their pigs, giving seasonal flu vaccines to swine farm works, properly ventilate barns and establish other guidelines to prevent an outbreak.

Brownfield story