Seeking Participants for Young Ag Couples Conference

The Montana Department of Agriculture will host the 37th annual Young Ag Couples Conference on January 18-21, 2017, at the Radisson Colonial Hotel in Helena.The conference will explore contemporary issues facing family-operated agribusinesses as well as development of leadership skills needed to survive in the cyclical economic climate of agriculture.Couples selected to participate in the conference will have lodging and meal costs paid while in attendance. There is a conference registration fee of $50 per couple. To be eligible, couples should demonstrate leadership abilities and earn their primary living from farming, ranching, agribusiness, or other agricultural enterprises. The age group preference is 25-45 years of age.This conference is funded in part by grants from agricultural organizations, including MGGA, and by the department’s Agricultural Finance Program. Due to funding restrictions couples may only attend the conference once.Nominations will be accepted until January 6. If you are interested in attending, please fill out a nomination form and send it directly to Walt Anseth at wanseth@mt.gov.   

Study Shows Typical Red Meat Consumption Does Not Affect Short-Term Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

A new review of clinical trials by researchers at Purdue University indicates that typical red meat consumption does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol.The report indicates that eating red meat can be incorporated into a healthier diet despite 20 years of recommendation to reduce red meat consumption, noted Wayne Campbell, professor of nutrition science at Purdue. The analysis contends that earlier studies suggested that red meat consumption is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, but were not designed to show that red meat consumption caused cardiovascular disease. The Purdue researchers looked at hundreds of research articles, especially those that suggested the amount of red meat consumed, evaluated cardiovascular disease risk factors and how they were designed. They concluded that consuming more than 3 ounces of red meat (mostly unprocessed beef and pork) three times per week — considered half a serving per day — did not worsen blood pressure or total blood cholesterol commonly screened by health care providers. Purdue’s Campbell said more analysis is needed since evaluating blood pressure and cholesterol are not the only factors when someone develops cardiovascular disease. 

Outstanding wheat growers drive yields and innovations

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, December 20, 2016 — Winners of the National Wheat Foundation’s first annual National Wheat Yield Contest were selected earlier this month, highlighting remarkable wheat growers across the country. Participants in the BASF-sponsored contest achieved yields 50 – 375 percent higher than their respective county averages, pushing innovation and the future of wheat growing.

“As a founding sponsor of the National Wheat Yield Contest, BASF supports its mission to drive innovation among growers, increase profitability, and facilitate a knowledge exchange on successful practices and techniques,” said Luke Lathan, Product Manager, Diversified Crops, BASF. “The results are encouraging and we’re excited for the overall future of wheat yield possibilities.”

Philip Gross of Warden, Washington, took home the title of National High Yield Winner, attaining a final yield of 192 bu/A – 216 percent higher than the county average. Another high-yielding grower was Rick Pearson of Buhl, Idaho, who achieved 167 bu/A – 49 percent higher than the county average.

In addition to becoming a founding sponsor of the contest, BASF remains committed to the wheat industry by continuously bringing solutions to the field. By using technologies such as Nexicor™fungicide, Zidua® herbicide, Limus® nitrogen management, Stamina® F3 cereals fungicide seed treatment or Clearfield® Plus production system for wheat, growers are pushing the boundary in growing high-yielding, high-quality wheat.Always read and follow label directions.

Clearfield, Limus, Stamina and Zidua are registered trademarks of BASF.

Nexicor is a trademark of BASF. 

COLUMBIA SNAKE RIVER SYSTEM CLOSED FOR EXTENSIVE LOCK MAINTENANCE

The Pacific Northwest (PNW) will face river shipping disruptions as the USACE shutters the Columbia Snake River System (CSRS) until March 20, 2017, to improve and repair four major locks and dams. According to U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), that river system is a vital transportation link for wheat producers in the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The economies of these four states rely heavily on the commerce that flows up and down this system. The CSRS is the No. 1 U.S. wheat-export gateway. The deep draft channel supports 46 million tons of cargo each year, valued at $20 billion. The inland system supports more than 9 million tons of cargo."Such extended closures are unusual but, as our overseas customers learned during the last extended closure in 2010/11, the entire PNW system is fully capable of ensuring an uninterrupted supply of wheat to export terminals," said U.S. Wheat Associates."USW believes the industry will consider every logistical option to keep wheat, especially soft white (SW) wheat, flowing to export elevators. Significant changes will help make this closure more manageable. For example, total export terminal storage capacity on the Columbia River has grown substantially since 2011. The addition of an entirely new terminal, plus the construction of new storage at several others, has increased storage capacity from 564,000 metric tons to 866,000 mt today. The PNW's total up-country grain storage capacity has also grown to 17.3 million metric tons from 16.4 mmt."A PNW exporter told DTN that exporters prepared for the closure by bringing in loaded barges from the CSRS to their facility and storing them on the water. Buyers prepared for the three-month closure by buying more wheat ahead of the closure and then will load up again when the river reopens in March. The exporter said that there are three very capable rail shuttle shippers now in Washington, and many other rail loaders that can ship from Oregon, Idaho and Washington.Another PNW exporter said in an interview that the closure may hurt exports a little, and said that South America may be one spot where they lose a little business. Most buyers are going to buy soft white wheat no matter what, but a small majority are price sensitive. The shuttle shippers were trying to add a big premium during the closure, but the futures rally late October caused the premium to drop. SW wheat has already been at a big premium due to the farmer's financial position and ability to store, he added.The extended lock outage plan is a coordinated effort between Portland and Walla Walla districts, whose goal is to prioritize needed lock repairs along the Columbia and Snake rivers to minimize the impact lock closures have on river users, according to USW. 

La Nina Coming To, Or Already Ended

(DTN) -- La Nina is either coming to an end, or has already ended. In either case, Pacific Ocean equator-region temperatures are expected to be in a neutral phase during much of 2017. And with that development comes the potential for some hard-hit drought areas of the continental U.S. to either have an easing or a complete end to drought by the time spring 2017 rolls around.NOAA now expects many drought areas of the Southeast, Northeast, Black Hills and far West to show notable improvement or to even end by next spring. (NOAA graphic by Nick Scalise)That's the expectation given during a forecast conference call last week by NOAA Climate Prediction Center seasonal forecaster Brad Pugh."During the next three months, the seasonal precipitation shows a strong signal for above normal in the northwestern U.S. through the Northern Plains, along with the Ohio Valley," Pugh said. "Drought conditions show some improvement in the Ohio and Tennessee Valley areas."That improvement would be welcome. In the southeastern U.S. drought-affected area, Asheville, North Carolina, recorded its second-driest fall season (September-November) on record. Tuscaloosa, Alabama, had a run of 71 straight days without measurable precipitation during this time. Birmingham, Alabama, was not far behind with a zero-precipitation streak of 61 days.La Nina -- the Pacific Ocean feature which has cooler-than-average equator-region water temperatures -- likely played a part in the harsh Southeast drought."There was an area of standing high pressure over the Southeast during the fall," said Charles "Chip" Konrad of the Southeast Region Climate Center. Konrad noted that the high-pressure influence allowed for very few days of rain in the Southeastern U.S. during the fall season. "La Nina played a partial role in that, probably," he said.From now on, however, the Pacific cooling is tailing off. "Upper ocean heat content shows that negative anomalies (cool areas) have decreased. La Nina could weaken over the next month," Brad Pugh said. Officially, a transition to a "neutral" Pacific phase is indicated during the January-February-March period. "Sometime in the next three months," Pugh said.The change to a neutral Pacific may be going on, with storm systems bringing some heavy precipitation to the Southeastern U.S. recently. Chattanooga, Tennessee, logged a record precipitation total of 4.01 inches on Thursday, Dec. 1. And Crossville, Tennessee, has recorded 4.29 inches of precipitation so far in December, more than an inch above normal. Drought is easing. "The Drought Monitor is looking more like Swiss cheese on colors, and that's good to see," said Kentucky State Climatologist Stuart Foster.The improved drought prospect does not include the southwestern Plains. This region, and running southeast to the Delta and Deep South, is expected to have drought continue. In addition, the Gulf Coast is forecast to see developing drought conditions. 

AFBF Supports Nomination Of Zinke For Interior Secretary

OMAHA (DTN) -- The American Farm Bureau Federation was among the groups supporting the nomination of U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican, to be Interior Secretary. "The nomination of Ryan Zinke for secretary of the Interior signals an important step toward balanced use of federal lands," AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. The Interior Department controls lands that are used in ranching and farming as well as other federal lands. Oil and mining interests hoping for more access to federal lands said they were thrilled. While some environmentalists criticized the nomination, others praised it. As the Washington Post noted, Zinke, 55, resigned from the Republican platform committee because he did not agree with a provision that said federal lands should be sold to the states. In his statement, President-elect Donald Trump said Zinke "has built one of the strongest track records on championing regulatory relief, forest management, responsible energy development and public land issues. As a former Navy SEAL, he has incredible leadership skills and an attitude of doing whatever it takes to win. America is the most beautiful country in the world and he is going to help keep it that way with smart management of our federal lands. At the same time, my administration's goal is to repeal bad regulations and use our natural resources to create jobs and wealth for the American people, and Ryan will explore every possibility for how we can safely and responsibly do that." Zinke said that as someone who grew up in a logging and rail town and hiking in Glacier National Park, he is honored and humbled to be asked to serve as secretary of Interior, according to the Trump transition release. "As inscribed in the stone archway of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana, I shall faithfully uphold Teddy Roosevelt's belief that our treasured public lands are 'for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.' I will work tirelessly to ensure our public lands are managed and preserved in a way that benefits everyone for generations to come. Most important, our sovereign Indian Nations and territories must have the respect and freedom they deserve. I look forward to making the Department of Interior and America great again," Zinke said. The Trump release also cited that Zinke has led the efforts to renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund in Congress, and has also been an advocate for sportsmen to gain access to public lands with the SCORE Act and SHARE Act. Rep. Zinke also introduced the Resilient Federal Forest Act in Congress, which initiated new reforms for revitalizing America's timber areas and preventing wildfires. "Rep. Zinke holds a geology degree from the University of Oregon, where he was an All-PAC 10 football player, and a master's in business finance from National University, and a master's in global leadership from the University of San Diego," the release concluded. Duvall said Zinke "has recognized that the federal government has an obligation to manage, rather than merely preserve, the 28% of U.S. land it controls. He supports a pragmatic, 'all of the above' approach to energy generation rather than limiting ourselves to one form of energy over another. He is a proven leader and qualified choice for the position." Duvall added, "Congressman Zinke has a challenge before him. Farmers and ranchers have suffered abuse at the hands of the Interior Department." Farm Bureau pointed to arbitrary limits on grazing have harmed animal agriculture. Wild horses and burros have overgrazed and overwhelmed the carrying capacity of arid lands, destroying not just grasslands but habitat for many other species. Officials at the department's Bureau of Land Management have systematically reduced the acres that can be ranched in direct conflict with the multiple-use mandate required by law. The Fish and Wildlife Service has continued to enforce an outmoded and failing Endangered Species Act, while national monuments policies have unfairly limited public access to critical natural resources, according to Farm Bureau. "We know Congressman Zinke understands these issues and are encouraged that he is committed to just and balanced land use. He knows the law requires multiple land uses, not just one," Duvall concluded. United States Cattlemen's Association Vice President Bert Paris said, "Rep. Zinke has proven experience working with the federal land management agencies to protect public lands, manage natural resources, and provide opportunity for those who live, hunt, recreate, and make their living on public lands. Rep. Zinke's professional and personal backgrounds within the natural resources and conservation sectors will serve cattle producers well across the country in the coming years. USCA commends President-elect Trump on this selection and looks forward to continued dialogue with Rep. Zinke throughout the transition process and in the years ahead." Conservation, hunting and fishing groups were quoted as praising Zinke by the Trump transition team. Dale Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited said: "We are pleased to see a hunter and conservationist nominated to the top public lands position and look forward to working with Rep. Zinke on issues of critical importance to conservation." Rob Sisson, president of ConservAmerica said: "Based on conversations I've had with Rep. Zinke on a number of issues, I am confident President-elect Trump made an inspired choice. Mr. Trump's comments last week in North Carolina about public lands and the party's Theodore Roosevelt conservation legacy foreshadowed this caliber of nominee." Paul Walker, executive director of ConservAmerica said: "His Montana background will serve him well in this role. About one-third of Montana's land mass is public, providing Rep. Zinke a firm grounding in the challenges inherent in the stewardship of public lands and local economies. His current constituency includes ranchers, farmers, loggers, hunters, anglers, Native Americans, miners, and high-tech innovators. In order to pass our great public lands legacy on to future generations, we need those groups to work more closely as stakeholders with appropriate government agencies. Rep. Zinke is a leader who can bring them together." Land Tawney, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers president and CEO said: "Congressman Zinke understands the importance of public lands and balancing management of these important resources with energy development and other uses. As Montana's lone representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Zinke has showed himself to be receptive to the interests of a wide range of constituents and a potential ally of sportsmen and other outdoor recreationists." 

Former U.S. Trade Official Says TPP likely to Resurface

A former U.S. trade official says the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not really dead and could resurface during President-elect Donald Trump’s term. Wendy Cutler, a former acting deputy U.S. Trade Representative, told the Washington International Trade Association last week she believes TPP was a victim of “bad timing.” She argued the agreement is too important for U.S. economic and strategic reasons for the U.S. to permanently abandon the agreement.  Politico points out that Cutler helped negotiate part of the trade agreement before leaving the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. She said the plan for TPP was to conclude the talks a lot earlier, but added “the deal that was on the table two years earlier wasn’t the one we were prepared to take home,” so negotiators waited to get a better agreement. Now however, that agreement remains stalled thanks to election year politics.