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Features
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Project aims to maintain disease resistance in Illinois soybeans
[JULY
22, 2002]
URBANA — One of the
most troublesome plant diseases in many Illinois fields is
Phytophthora rot, which can infect and kill soybean plants anytime
from planting to harvest. This disease has been largely controlled
by planting soybean varieties with Rps resistance genes.
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But recently the Rps
genes have been losing some of their efficiency in several states
across the Midwest, creating the potential for renewed outbreaks of
the disease in soybean fields.
To counter this
problem, researchers from University of Illinois Extension recently
launched a project aimed at determining if the strains of
Phytophthora in Illinois are developing the ability to kill soybean
plants with the available Rps resistance genes. Funding for this
project has been provided by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff Board.
"With help from seed
company representatives and regional Extension educators, we have
collected and tested more than 200 soil samples from soybean fields
with a history of Phytophthora or similar seedling health problems,"
said Dean Malvick, plant pathologist with U of I Extension. "Those
samples came from more than 20 counties across the state."
The researchers have
obtained isolates of the disease-causing pathogen from many of those
samples and have tested them against commercial soybean varieties
with the three types of Rps resistance genes.
 [to top of second column in this
article]
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"As expected, we
found that many of the isolates from Illinois can defeat the first
of those resistance genes and that a smaller number can defeat the
second type," Malvick said. "Unfortunately, we have found in our
preliminary work that a few aggressive isolates can defeat all
three of the resistance genes commonly found in commercial soybean
varieties sold in the state. Although these aggressive isolates
exist in Illinois, we still do not know for sure how much damage
they may be causing."
He notes, however,
that the aggressive isolates do not appear to be widespread in the
state and that two of the three resistance genes are still effective
in most cases.
"We plan to continue our research to
identify the various races of Phytophthora in Illinois," Malvick
said. "Those results will help with selection of soybean varieties
with appropriate types of resistance and will be of real value for
breeders developing soybean varieties with Phytophthora resistance
best suited for the state."
[U
of I news release]
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State’s livestock industry must
adapt or decline, study indicates
[JULY
20, 2002]
URBANA — Opportunities for a
solution to the decline of the Illinois livestock industry exist if
the industry can develop models that address the demands of the
modern agri-food supply chain while meeting community standards for
environmental stewardship, said a University of Illinois Extension
agribusiness management specialist.
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"An economic impact analysis tells a
complex story of an industry in decline but at the same time an
industry with significant impact," said Peter Goldsmith, who is
studying the industry with funding support from the Illinois Council
for Food and Agricultural Research. "If the industry maintains the
status quo, the negative trends will persist," he said.
Goldsmith’s comments came as he
participated in an Illinois Livestock Business Development
Conference, sponsored by the Illinois Coalition for Animal
Agriculture. The meeting was in Bloomington earlier this month.
Livestock agriculture in Illinois has a
total economic impact at the production level of more than $2.7
billion in output and more than 37,000 full-time equivalent
employees. The impact is greater proportionally in some areas. For
example, livestock comprises more than 25 percent of Carroll
County’s economy and almost 18 percent of that county’s employment.
"When the meat and dairy processing
sectors are added to the statewide economic picture, the impacts
increase fivefold," said Goldsmith. "In 1999, meat and dairy
processing contributed more than $15 billion in total economic
impact and had a total employment impact on more than 80,000 jobs.
"Combining the livestock and meat and
dairy processing sectors creates a complex that impacts more than
118,000 jobs, has total economic impact of more than $18 billion,
and represents 2.32 percent of the state’s economy."
However, over the past 20 years animal
agriculture has declined in the Midwest as a result of a number of
factors, including population shifts, scale economies and novel
business models leading to greater coordination and integration.
"The structural change in Midwest
agriculture has not only resulted in a real decline in the value of
Illinois livestock marketing but a relative decline as well," he
noted.
"Exacerbating the situation is the
heightened conflict over rural amenities. Whereas historically
livestock was an integral part of the rural landscape, shifts in
rural population and a trend toward enclosed livestock production
have made animal agriculture a public policy issue."
Goldsmith’s research is focused on
determining if livestock agriculture has a future role in rural
economic growth in Illinois. If so, how must it adapt to reflect the
new realities of rural life as well as the modern agri-food supply
chain?
[to top of second column in this
article]
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One promising area involves linkages
between livestock and upstream and downstream sectors in the food
chain.
"While downstream the processing sector
purchases more than $1.2 billion of Illinois livestock inputs
annually, this represents only 28 percent of the livestock commodity
inputs needed by meat and dairy processing," said Goldsmith.
"Significant deficit commodities are beef and dairy, contributing
only 20 percent and 18 percent, respectively, of local industry
demand."
Livestock may also play a role in rural
economic development.
"Addressing the livestock enterprise
siting question is critical," he noted. "There are numerous
alternative destinations, nationally and internationally, for
investment capital in livestock production. Creating a more
favorable business environment is essential to restoring livestock
numbers and consequently the economic strength of many rural
communities."
Now is the time for new thinking in the
state’s livestock industry.
"It behooves the livestock sector to
explore novel relationships with meat and dairy processing to access
their supply-chain knowledge," he said. "In terms of local demand,
markets in Chicago and St. Louis offer interesting opportunities in
the retail, direct marketing and restaurant segments.
"Linkages with the grain sector also
offer opportunity. Tremendous expansion of the ethanol industry is
planned for the state. Marketing dried distillers’ grains will be a
significant challenge, and partnering with the ethanol industry also
offers interesting opportunities."
In addition to studying the economic
impact and future of the state’s livestock industry, Goldsmith will
soon begin a project that involves understanding community standards
in order to improve siting of livestock facilities.
"The study will help the industry
understand and apply the concept of ‘community standards’ as they
seek to reverse the flow of investment capital in livestock
production," said Goldsmith.
The full
report, "Economic Impact of Illinois’ Livestock Industry: Supply
Chain Linkages," will be available in August. People interested in
copies are invited to contact Sue Esposito at (217) 333-5506.
[U
of I news release]
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Weekly outlook
Weather market
[JULY
17, 2002]
URBANA — With so much production uncertainty, it is
likely that corn prices will continue to be quite volatile over the
next several weeks, said a University of Illinois Extension
marketing specialist.
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"The crops in the
drier areas of the Corn Belt have already suffered yield-reducing
stress," said Darrel Good. "Perhaps the market has been too
complacent about the adverse crop conditions and therefore too
optimistic about yield potential for the 2002 crop.
"This week’s USDA
report of crop conditions will be an important benchmark in
answering that question. The market seems to be expecting stable
conditions from the previous week. Any significant deviation from
these expectations would likely have important price implications."
Good noted that if
yield prospects continue to decline, as suggested by current crop
ratings, producers will experience better pricing opportunities over
the next several weeks.
Good’s comments came
as he reviewed the corn market. July 2002 corn futures reached a
contract low of $1.98 in early May. December 2002 futures reached a
low of $2.15 at about the same time. A combination of late planting,
expectations that acreage would fall short of March intentions and a
period of hot, dry weather sent prices higher in May and
June. July futures
moved to a high of $2.35, and December traded to $2.54 on July 2.
"While crop ratings
have continued to decline, corn prices have dropped significantly
since July 2," said Good. "July futures matured at $2.1425, and
December futures settled at $2.3235 on July 12. The average cash
price of corn in central Illinois declined from $2.25 to $2.07
during that same period.
"A number of
fundamental factors have contributed to the price decline of the
past two weeks. Foremost, was the USDA’s June 28 report on acreage,
which indicated that corn plantings were very near March intentions.
The market had anticipated a report showing a decline of about a
million acres."
Second, Good added,
significant rainfall in some areas and moderating temperatures in
the eastern Corn Belt reduced the anxiety about yield prospects.
Third, weekly export shipments continue to run well below the pace
needed to reach the USDA projection for the current year. With only
about seven weeks left in the 2001-02 marketing year, it appears
that shipments could fall a bit short of the USDA projection.
Fourth, the USDA’s July update of U.S. and world supply and
consumption prospects reflected expectations of more abundant
supplies.
"Finally, the market
generally expects U.S. corn acreage to increase again in 2003, so
that a reduction in inventory over the next year is now viewed with
alarm," said Good.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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The USDA’s World
Agricultural Outlook Board maintained the June projection of the
U.S. average corn yield in 2002 at 135.8 bushels per acre. When
coupled with the larger acreage estimate, the projected harvest grew
from 9.65 billion bushels in June to 9.79 billion in July. In
addition, the board reduced its forecast of 2002-03 marketing year
exports by 50 million bushels. Stocks of U.S. corn are still
expected to decline by the end of the next marketing year but not as
dramatically as projected last month.
"In addition to a
larger U.S. crop, the USDA’s July report contained a larger forecast
for the Chinese corn crop," said Good. "That crop is projected at
4.92 billion bushels — 4 percent larger than projected last month,
10 percent larger than the 2001 crop and 18 percent larger than the
2000 crop.
"The USDA still
expects world corn consumption to exceed production in the year
ahead, for the third consecutive year, but the expected draw down in
stocks is not as large as projected last month."
While the USDA’s July
projections of U.S. and world production painted a picture of more
abundant corn supplies, a great deal of uncertainty about production
persists.
"The extremely
variable weather conditions in the Midwest make it difficult to
assess crop conditions," said Good. "In addition, the wide range of
maturity of the crop, especially in the eastern Corn Belt, means
that production uncertainty may persist for several more weeks. The
market will continue to respond to the USDA’s weekly report of crop
conditions and maturity, weather conditions and weather forecasts."
On Aug. 12 the USDA’s
National Agricultural Statistics Service will release the first
projection of the size of the 2002 U.S. corn crop. That report will
reflect objective yield estimates in key production states and any
acreage changes uncovered in the August survey.
"Historically, there has often been a
significant difference between the August production forecast and
the final production estimate," said Good. "The magnitude of that
difference is obviously influenced by weather conditions following
the August survey. The lateness of this year’s crop in some areas,
and the fragile condition of the crop in many areas, suggests that
yields will be especially dependent on August and September
weather."
[U
of I news release]
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Weekly outlook
Pork problems
[JULY
16, 2002]
URBANA — The worst may be
yet to come for pork producers in 2002, said a Purdue University
Extension marketing specialist.
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"After disappointing prices during the
first half of 2002, the pork industry may still not have seen the
worst, as losses are expected to mount this fall and winter," said
Chris Hurt. "During the last half of 2002 and the first half of
2003, pork supplies are expected to be nearly 3 percent larger than
during the same period a year earlier.
"Large supplies will keep hog prices
depressed, while rising feed prices will increase costs. The period
of losses is expected to span from this fall until the late spring
of 2003."
Hurt’s comments came as he reviewed the
present and projected state of the hog industry in the wake of USDA
reports. The USDA’s June inventory report indicated that the
nation’s breeding herd was only slightly larger than one year ago,
but the market herd was up 2 percent. The largest numbers of market
hogs were at heavier weights.
"For example, the number of pigs which
will be ready for market in July were 4 percent greater, but those
that will be ready for market from August to November were only 1
percent greater," said Hurt. "The recent large rate of increase in
slaughter numbers should taper off into August, but market weights
are expected to continue to rise about 1 percent over the next
year."
The breeding herd seems to have grown
in the past year in some traditional family farm states, while
shrinking in some more corporate-oriented states. The breeding herd
was up a surprising 10 percent in Nebraska. Other increases were 7
percent in Illinois, 6 percent in Ohio and 1 percent in Iowa.
However, some Midwestern states had
decreases, including Indiana, down 6 percent; Missouri, down 3
percent; and Minnesota, down 2 percent. Two corporate-oriented
states reported fewer sow numbers. Colorado, which has seen sow
depopulation in recent reports, was down 12 percent and Oklahoma
producers took a break from expansion, posting a 3 percent decrease
in their breeding herd. Texas remained in strong expansion, with an
11 percent breeding herd rise.
"The larger-than-expected number of
hogs to come to market this year is a result of a larger expansion
in the breeding herd last year," said Hurt. "Pork producers
responded to a period of strong profits spanning from the spring of
2000 through the summer of 2001. During this period, estimated
profits averaged over $10 per live hundredweight, or about $27 per
head.
"Producers report a 2 percent increase
in sow farrowing intentions this summer and a 1 percent increase for
this fall."
[to top of second column in this
article]
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Live hog prices are expected to average
in the higher $30s this summer, with a plunge to the lower $30s as a
fourth quarter average. Lows could reach the higher $20s during some
weeks, most likely from mid-October through November, Hurt said.
"Prices are expected to average in a
range of $31 to $35 in the first quarter of 2003 and in the mid-$30s
during the second quarter," he noted. "Based on these hog price
projections and current futures prices for corn and soybean meal,
losses are expected to average about $20 per head this fall, $17 per
head in the winter, and $12 in the spring quarter of 2003.
"Unfortunately, there is a possibility
that losses could be larger."
Hurt noted that the increases in corn
and soybean meal prices this summer have already added about $2 per
live hundredweight to the costs of production, with current
estimates of about $39 per live hundredweight. Weather over the next
two months will largely determine whether feed prices continue to
move higher or abate. If the crop is severely damaged by dry
conditions this summer, hog production costs will be driven sharply
higher.
"With $3 per bushel corn futures and
$240 per ton soybean meal futures, costs of production would be
pushed to $44 per hundredweight," said Hurt. "Under this situation,
losses this fall would be extreme, averaging an estimated $34 per
head.
"Losses of this magnitude would cause
some additional liquidation of the breeding herd, further depressing
hog prices from current projections. Of course, weather could also
be benevolent and provide yields that approach normal."
Hurt recommended that producers
consider the possibility of sharply higher feed costs and evaluate
the use of call options for upside price protection. There are no
opportunities to lock in profitable hog returns at the current time,
so most will want to take a wait-and-see attitude with regard to
forward pricing hogs.
"Low hog
prices for this fall and winter have been well anticipated by the
futures market, and sometimes this means that prices will not be as
low as anticipated," said Hurt. "Those who cannot withstand, or are
unwilling to undertake, a nine-month period of losses should
evaluate the alternative of starting to liquidate or reduce their
herd size now."
[U of I
news release] |
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Pesticide
container recycling available
[JULY
8, 2002] The
Illinois Department of Agriculture has arranged to offer free
pesticide container recycling again this summer. Sites will begin
recycling in July and continue through August. Collection sites will
accept only No. 2 high-density polyethylene plastic agricultural
containers that are clean and dry. Participants are also responsible
for properly rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets
and foil seals.
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Collection sites in our immediate
area include Mason County Service Company at Easton on the afternoon of July 31
(contact Jim Kiel at 800-331-0548); Lincoln Land FS at Greenview on the morning
of Aug. 1 (contact Mark Millburg at 217-243-6561), AgLand FS at Lincoln on the
afternoon of Aug. 1 (contact Tim Bennett at 217-732-3113), and Williamsville Ag
Center at Williamsville on the morning of Aug. 2 (contact Brad Jones at
217-566-3383).
The collection program is a great
way to dispose of pesticide containers. It is a cooperative venture between the
Illinois Department of Agriculture, Growmark, the Illinois Fertilizer and
Chemical Association, Tri-Rinse, United Agri-Products, UAP Richter, the Illinois
Farm Bureau and University of Illinois Extension.
Insects everywhere
It seems like this summer we have
had an abundance of insect problems. The drier, warmer weather made us guess we
would probably have an abundance of problems. There are plenty of insects
wherever we look, whether it is around the home, in the garden or in the fields.
One of the more
common insects the past three weeks or so has been the leatherwing
beetle. It is also called a soldier beetle. These beetles look like
lightning bugs without the lights. They are actually beneficial, as
they eat other insects. When the numbers are as large as this year,
they usually seek an alternate food source — pollen. These beetles
have been very noticeable around linden and basswood trees the past
few weeks.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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[Photos provided by John Fulton]
[Leatherwing beetle]
[Japanese beetle]
Another insect that has been causing
havoc in the area is the Japanese beetle. It is beetle smaller than
a June bug but gold and green in color. It can cause severe damage
if beetle numbers are high. Control recommendations are generally to
spray with Sevin (carbaryl) insecticide. Treatments are more
effective in the morning or evening. Using diazinon insecticide
would also provide some control. The other side of the Japanese
beetle situation is that there is a grub stage, so control of the
grub in a month or so may be beneficial to your lawn and help reduce
next year’s adult population.
[John
Fulton]
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Honors
& Awards
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Logan
County 4-H Shows
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 There
are some ‘treemendous’
trees in Logan County
[JULY
20, 2002] The
2002 Treemendous Tree Contest sponsored by the Logan County Master
Gardeners has determined winners by species and an overall winner.
The largest tree scored was a tulip poplar owned by Hoblit Farms of
Atlanta. The tree measured 129 feet tall, had a branch spread of 79
feet 7 inches, and a circumference of 16 feet 11 inches. The tree
garnered a composite score of 352 points based on these
measurements.
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Other winners were Jim McKown with a
black walnut tree with a composite score of 203 points, Hoblit Farms
with a white oak earning a score of 241, Daris Knauer’s red oak with
a score of 252, Stephen Miller with a score of 260 on his ash tree,
Jim Sparrow’s silver maple with a score of 250, and John Fulton’s
hackberry with a score of 214.
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Winners will
receive plaques sponsored by contest chairman Walt Ebel. The contest
was promoted by Walt and the Master Gardeners to identify and
preserve large trees in the Logan County area.
[John
Fulton] |
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National FFA scholarship awarded to
local student
[JULY
17, 2002]
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — FFA’s national organization awarded
a $1,000 Valent BioSciences Corporation scholarship to Kent Leesman
of Hartsburg-Emden High School. Valent BioSciences sponsors the
scholarship as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.
Kent plans to use the funds to pursue a degree in agronomy at
University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
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The Valent
BioSciences scholarship is one of 1,178 awarded through the FFA’s
national scholarship program this year. Currently, 187 corporate
sponsors generously contribute more than $1.9 million to support the
program. This is the 18th year that scholarships have been made
available through the National FFA Foundation by business and
industry sponsors to reward and encourage excellence and enable
students to pursue their educational goals.
Scholarship
recipients were selected from more than 7,000 applicants from across
the country. Selections were based on the applicant’s academic
record, FFA and other school and community activities, supervised
agricultural experience program in agricultural education, career
plans and financial need.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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FFA is a national youth
organization of 457,278 student members preparing for leadership and
careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.
There are 7,312 local chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the
lives of students by developing their potential for leadership,
personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Visit www.ffa.org for more information.
[FFA
news release]
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Ag
Announcements
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Special
baking contests
at state fair
[JULY
1, 2002]
Contestants are
invited to prepare gingerbread houses and Spam recipes to enter at the
Illinois State Fair in August.
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Awards will be given for the most creative
entries in the Brer Rabbit® Molasses Gingerbread House Contest at
the state fair. Both beginners and gingerbread house enthusiasts are
invited to compete for cash and prizes. In 2001, judges picked
winning entries ranging from traditional to elaborate, including a
castle, a detailed tree house with garden and another resembling the
"Old Woman in a Shoe." Any theme entry is welcome that uses Brer
Rabbit molasses and is up to a foot tall, wide and deep, base not
included. Entrants must also bake and enter one dozen gingerbread
cookies.
Winners are selected based on
appearance (50 percent), originality and creativity (40 percent),
and taste (10 percent). Creators are awarded $150 for first place,
$75 for second and $25 for third. People of any age may enter, with
one entry per person or group. Several people may work on one entry,
but one person represents the group.
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article]
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The Illinois State Fair will be one of
70 fairs hosting the Spam® Oven Roasted Turkey Contest. Using the
Spam turkey and up to nine other ingredients, contestants are to
create an original main dish, appetizer, casserole, stew, stir-fry,
salad sandwich or any other recipe. To focus on convenience, cooking
time may not exceed 30 minutes.
Judges select winners based on taste
appeal (40 percent), appearance (30 percent) and originality (30
percent). The three best entries win cash awards of $150, $50 and
$25, and first-place winners advance to national judging for a
$2,500 shopping spree and an all-expense-paid trip to Minneapolis.
To enter
either contest, contact the entry department at the Illinois State
Fair, 782-6661, by July 15. More details for the gingerbread contest
are on page 90, and those for the Spam contest are on page 86 of the
general premium book.
[News release]
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