As chairman of the Corn & Sorghum Division for the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), I have the opportunity to talk with seed business leaders across the nation about issues facing our industry. Recently, independent seed research has “come under the microscope” by the Union for Concerned Scientists (UCS).  Today I’d like to share a few thoughts about this subject.

In a Feb. 13 article published by the LA Times, Doug Gurian-Sherman of the UCS makes the accusation that public sector seed research is misleading and false.  He writes, “[Multibillion-dollar corporations] have restricted independent research on their genetically engineered crops.  They have often refused to provide independent scientists with seeds or they’ve set restrictive conditions that severely limit research options.”

Gurian-Sherman’s accusation is misleading itself as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and several universities actually have research agreements in place for commercial seed products that do not have oversight or funding by the seed industry.  ASTA President & CEO Andy LaVigne, in response to the Feb. 13 article, writes:  “Seed companies work with researchers during the product development process, which often involves universities and the USDA, depending on the type of product being developed and the targeted geographic and crop market.  This partnership is an integral and valuable part of the development of new seed varieties and technologies.”

Independent, family-owned seed companies like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds also develop strategic partnerships with major seed technology, traits and genetics suppliers.  Thanks to the millions of dollars they invest daily into R&D, farmers today are more productive and efficient than ever.  Corn yields have increased from 90 bushels per acre in 1980 to more than 152 b/A in 2010.  That’s a 62-bushel per acre increase in corn yields alone.  Just think of the impact when we consider the increased productivity achieved from soybeans and cereal crops, too!

To quote LaVigne, “It is because of farmers and the research being done by universities, USDA and seed companies that our nation has an abundant, safe and affordable food supply.”  The United States is a global leader in agriculture and is a model for other countries trying to develop a safe and scientific process for regulatory approvals.

Instead of condemning our nation’s efforts – and the efforts of seed researchers – we should acknowledge the role American agriculture is playing in feeding the world.  Instead of criticizing, we should encourage future seed innovations.

Mom, apple pie and tractor rides … that’s about as all-American as it gets.  Throw in a “pork chop on a stick” combined with a trip to the Iowa State Fair and that’s about as all-Iowan as it gets!

One lucky person and three of his/her guests will be treated to a three-night, four-day “vacation” to Iowa in August 2011 as part of the Iowa Soybean Association’s “Be Our Guest, Be a Farmer” contest.  As we reported last December, the contest was announced on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, when Iowa farm families were showcased during a video message that aired on the giant CBS Jumbotron screen in New York City’s Time Square. Over the past two months, the ISA has received 80 entries from 26 states, extending from Main to California and from Minnesota to Florida.  Entries will be accepted through Friday, April 29, 2011.

While many Iowans may not understand why anyone would want to enter such a contest, there are likely just as many of us involved in agriculture who can’t believe anyone would want to pass on this “once in a lifetime opportunity.” 

I have to admit that there have been times when I’ve taken our wonderful lifestyle for granted, but I was reminded just how good we have it here when our family hosted an exchange student in the fall of 2005.  Sylvia, our 21-year-old guest from Germany, was eagerly awaiting a weekend visit from her best friend, Saskia.  She couldn’t wait to share all of her favorite activities with her BFF including:

• Lying in our backyard, on the trampoline, gazing at the star-filled sky (after all, you can’t do that in metropolitan areas where lights obstruct your view!)
• Grabbing a cup of cappuccino from Casey’s en route to a regional mall before heading to Culver’s for a lunch of cheeseburgers and cheese curds
• Riding in a combine and eating supper with a local family (Nobody cooks better than my mom!)

And the highlight of the weekend was…  (drum roll, please) … the combine ride and a home-cooked meal including roast, mashed potatoes and apple pie.  It was a highlight for me, too, because I got to see just how excited these young women were to take a ride through a corn field.  It truly was a “Kodak moment,” and I knew we had helped make memories that would last a lifetime.

Help make a memory for your non-farm friends by encouraging them to enter the “Be Our Guest, Be a Farmer” contest.  Registration is easy; details are available at www.ItStartsInIowa.com.

Last Friday marked the end of the “First Funnel” for the Iowa Legislature. To pass through the “first funnel”, a bill must clear committee to remain eligible for debate at some point during the session. Today, I’m happy to report that the bills extending the biodiesel tax credit were approved by committee. Following is a brief description of the bill extending the biodiesel tax credit, as well as a summary for a bill providing credits for persons who put either a B-25 or E-85 facility into use.

SSB1148 BIODIESELCREDITS(Agriculture) See HSB112; Some similarity with HF293 Extends the biodiesel tax credit to 2015. Strikes the requirement that the dealer have at least 50% sales of biodiesel. Makes the amount of the credit contingent on the percentage B-5 – B-9 (2-cents); B-10 -B-99 (4-cents). Productions: Creates a standing appropriation to pay biodiesel producers from 2012-2014 (3 cents a gallon in 2012-13; 2-cents in 2014). Requires the producers to file with DOR and makes fraudulent claims a serious misdemeanor. Kibbie (C), Bowman, Houser

SSB 1154 BIODIESEL & E-85 CREDIT (Natural Resources) Creates an alternative motor fuel facility credit for persons who construct and put into service a facility which dispense bio-diesel at B-25 and ethanol at E-85, compressed natural gas or other similar fuels, and hydrogen or electricity. Makes the credit 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing the credit. Allows the credit to be claimed as residential (personal, business, or farm) or commercial (retail.) Requires the person claiming the credit commercially to take it over 3 years. Effective 2012. Bolkcom (C), Hogg, Kapucian.

For more information about biodiesel bills under consideration by the Iowa Legislature, visit the Iowa Biodiesel Board’s legislative page at http://www.iowabiodiesel.org/index.cfm?nodeID=30473&audienceID=1.

For more information about additional bills of interest to Iowa farmers that have cleared the first funnel, check out the following Iowa Soybean Association newsletter article: http://www.iasoybeans.com/egldstnd/article.php?newsletter_id=107&article_id=879

Article contributed by Ron Heck, Vice Chair of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.

As the alarm bell starts to ring again over “food versus fuel,” I am reminded of the “debate” about cell phones potentially causing cancer.   It doesn’t seem to matter how many scientists say that it is physically impossible for cell phones to cause cancer – there are people who believe it anyway.

Of course, the world’s food supply, and food prices, are extremely complex, affected by countless factors.  But one thing is clear: biodiesel has a positive impact on the food supply.

Biodiesel produced from soybeans uses only the oil portion, while the protein meal is used for livestock feed. Creating more value for soybean oil has the effect of decreasing the meal price from what it otherwise would cost.  That’s why every livestock producer should use biodiesel and sing its praises!

In fact, a new economic study shows the increased demand for soybean oil has subsequently increased the production of soybean meal, thus lowering soybean meal prices by $16 to $48 per ton from where they would have otherwise been from Market Year 05 through MY09.

In short, protein meal plays a critical role in our food supply.  Biodiesel, America’s Advanced Biofuel, can help keep meal prices in check.

The U.S. biodiesel industry has set reasonable goals for gradually increasing production through the federal Renewable Fuels Standard-2 without unduly straining vegetable oil markets.  This is in line with the 25 x 25 mission, which is to document, affirm and promote the fact that America’s working lands can provide 25 percent of the nation’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.

Article submitted by Carol Balvanz, Director of Policy for the Iowa Soybean Association.

How do non-farmers view production agriculture?

The Iowa Soybean Association asked this question recently when it conducted a state-wide survey and focus groups with Iowans in the Mason City and Des Moines areas.   The ISA found that Iowans are not easily swayed by anti-agriculture messaging. Even after last fall’s salmonella outbreak on two Iowa egg farms, Iowans stood with agriculture and not with special interest groups.

Non-farm residents expressed the overwhelming view that the salmonella outbreak was due to unsanitary conditions on two farms and had nothing to do with animal care.  In fact, 80% of focus group participants and 500 Iowa voters surveyed by phone stated clearly that they believe Iowa farm animals are treated humanely and that adequate regulations for livestock care are already in place.

Showing a clear understanding of the economy, focus group participants expressed concerns that outside groups might try to place additional expensive regulations on livestock farmers, increasing their costs of business and ultimately the cost of food.  Even a $10 increase in their monthly food bill would be more than 65% of respondents would be willing to spend on increased regulations.  They expressed concern that expensive, and in their minds unnecessary, regulations might push livestock production out of the state and possibly even out of the country, increasing their food safety concerns.

Consumers trust Iowa’s farmers to supply safe, abundant food, and to do it while taking good care of their animals. Iowa consumers seem to have no illusions that livestock are pets. Instead, they see value in housing systems that keep animals warm, dry, comfortable and gaining weight quickly, so  they can reach their destiny of becoming part of the food supply.

Grandpa’s farm may be gone, but Iowans in this survey strongly indicated they believe the values and animal care found on Grandpa’s farm lives on in a new, improved version with Iowa’s current crop of livestock producers.

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Carol Balvanz has served as Director of Policy and Producer Outreach for the Iowa Soybean Association since 2005. In that position, she has worked with many individuals and groups to emphasize the value of production agriculture and food security to both Iowa and the U.S. She lives on a north-central Iowa livestock farm, raising cattle and sheep.

The “My 4-H. My Commitment.” gala on Feb. 19 at the Sheraton Hotel in West Des Moines raised more than $36,000 for the Iowa State 4-H University Extension 4-H Youth Development program.

Former 4-H’ers and WHO-TV Channel 13 news anchors Erin Kiernan and Sonya Heitshusen served as emcees for the event, which included a plated dinner, live entertainment, as well as silent and live auctions.

An auction of 10 decadent desserts raised more than $4,000, and the purse auction raised more than $2,000.  Thanks to help from Latham’s own Amy Rohe, I’m the proud new owner of that black Coach® purse I had been eyeing!  I justified the purchase because it was a “charitable contribution.”  As a 4-H alum, I considered this purchase to be part of my “commitment” to the organization.  🙂

Alumni and friends of 4-H were recognized by the theme of this year’s gala, “My 4-H. My Commitment.”  The gala was part of the Iowa 4-H Foundation’s year-long “My
4-H. My Commitment.” campaign focused on alumni fundraising and on collecting 4-H stories.

From August 2010 through January 2011, teams of former 4-H’ers from throughout the state and across the country participated in the first “My 4-H. My Commitment.” Campaign.  Top fund-raising honors went to the 1989-90 State 4-H Council, which raised $11,170.94 and earned a table at the gala, as well as a retreat at the 4-H Camping Center in Madrid.  Yours truly is proud to have served on the 1989-90 State 4-H Council, and I’m looking forward to reuniting with fellow council members.

What youth activities and experiences had the most impact on shaping your future?

A recent article in Wallaces Farmer highlighted a new tool called MarketMaker, dedicated to connecting family shoppers with family farmers. Consumers who are interested in finding fresh local products can visit www.agmrc.org and click the MarketMaker link. The program is already available in 17 states and is expecting to add more soon.

MarketMaker allows farmers the opportunity to easily find outlets like farmers markets and grocery stores where they can sell their food products, while allowing family shoppers to search for restaurants, vineyards, dairies, pick-your-own produce locations and more. My own search quickly led me to Hansen Dairy of Hudson, Iowa – a fun stop that I discovered last June while traveling with the Ag-Urban Leadership Initiative.  In fact, I enjoyed that stop so much that I’m planning a return visit there in May with my son’s Boy Scout pack.

Another one of my favorite activities is attending flower auctions at the Cedar Valley Produce Auction in Elma, Iowa.  While traveling there, I enjoy stopping at many of the greenhouses in Floyd, Mitchell and Howard Counties.  It’s always a bonus if I pass by an Amish or Mennonite bakery and score a loaf of home-made bread along the way.

Traveling Iowa’s countryside can be a fun – and tasty – adventure for the whole family.  MarketMaker can help by either allowing you to register your own business or by connecting you with fresh products in other areas.  Click here for the full article.

Unless the Iowa Legislature takes action this session, retailers’ incentive to make biodiesel available at the pumps will end.  This Biodiesel Blended Fuel Credit prompts many retailers to offer the product, so members of the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB) met last Wednesday at the Statehouse to ask state leaders for their continued support.

I had the privilege of joining them at the Statehouse as they communicated the following points:

• Based on 2010 numbers, Iowa biodiesel generated an estimated $14 million in tax revenue and 1,100 full-time equivalent jobs in all sectors of the state economy.
• Iowa has 15 biodiesel plants capable of producing 325 million gallons of biodiesel.  Several of the state’s plants are experiencing an increase in sales this year, primarily due to federal energy policies that have created a strong market for biodiesel.
• Other states like Minnesota and Illinois are positioned to capture a majority of the nation’s biodiesel market because they have requirements, tax exemptions and producer credits that make their state’s biodiesel industries extremely competitive.

“If we want Iowa to be the renewable energy capital of the world, the key is to create local markets here at home to help our plants keep running,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.  “We appreciate Governor Branstad’s supportive words and look forward to working with him on legislation.”

In addition to renewing the biodiesel fuel credit, the IBB is asking state legislators and the Governor to support an increase in the minimum content of biodiesel.  Biodiesel sold in Iowa can contain as little as 2% blend, so the IBB would like to raise this floor.

Last year’s crop was the third largest ever recorded, however, University of Illinois Ag Economist Darrel Good says it isn’t large enough to meet demand.   The Corn Balance Sheet shows supplies will be so low by the time we harvest the 2011 crop that it will feel like our nation has run out of corn.

There are 10 million more acres available over last year’s total number used, and Good says their allocation will be vital.  A four-way battle for acreage wages between corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton.  Hay prices also are strong by historical standards and may restrain farmer temptations to plant some hay land to row crops.

The battle for U.S. crop acreage this spring is likely to be more intense than anticipated just two or three months ago, says Dr. Robert Wisner, Professor Emeritus, Iowa State University.  As a result, there is plenty of room for the markets to move – and to move quickly.

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar, “Will the rain ever stop?” Wednesday at noon. The webinar is open to all who are interested in participating, and will be lead by Christopher J. Anderson, assistant director of the Climate Science Program at Iowa State University. He will discuss increasing Iowa rainfall amounts and the implications this precipitation has on the agriculture industry.

A clear trend in the U.S. is the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall in Northeastern and Central States. A recent Wallaces Farmer article stated the long-term impact these weather trends have on the farming community is crucial. Farm management will have to adapt. The agriculture industry will be required to respond with improved genetics, a change in planting and harvest schedules, and more, to help defend seeds against growing precipitation.

To participate in the webinar, visit http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/. To view upcoming topics and speakers for the year, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.