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Learn more about global food security

[SEPT. 14, 2002]  URBANA — Food safety and security is the theme of a series of free public lectures to be presented at the University of Illinois this fall. William Masters, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, will be the featured speaker from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, in the ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center.

Masters has done research on food production, policy and trade in Africa and around the world. The title of his talk will be "Institutions and Technology for Food Security: Peril and Progress."

"America has traditionally viewed food security as a problem of the developing world, but no more," said Steven Pueppke, associate dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at U of I. "One of the many lessons of Sept. 11 is that food security is a global challenge from which no nation is exempt."

Because of this new, heightened awareness about food safety and security, Pueppke said that America’s Land Grant universities, including the U of I’s College of ACES, are vitally interested in the complexity of global food production and movement. "This system," Pueppke said, "affects not only the welfare of millions of people, but also our markets, our international policies and the security of our own food supply."

Masters said that there is abundant food available in most of the world, but Africa and South Asia still suffer from widespread malnutrition.

"For decades, poverty in these regions was linked to social institutions and policy choices," said Masters. "Those policies are now changing, and there is a critical need for appropriate new technologies. Without government-funded research and development, no amount of market reform will give farmers the right kinds of seeds — or new medicines for tropical diseases."

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Masters’ research points to the key role of science-based innovation in the global economy and the large payoffs from investing in public-sector research and development on tropical agriculture and public health. But Masters admits that building political support for this may be particularly difficult now because of the relative abundance of food elsewhere in the world.

ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center is located near the south end of the University of Illinois campus. From Pennsylvania Avenue, turn north to the octagonal library building. Metered parking is available on surrounding streets.

The seminar, part of a series of public lectures on global food security, is sponsored in part by ACES Global Connect, the international arm of the College of Agricultural Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois. The final lecture in the series will feature Werner Kiene, representative of the United Nations World Food Programme to the Bretton Woods Institutions, and will be from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7.

For more information visit http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/global/seminar.

[U of I news release]

[SEPT. 12, 2002]  URBANA — Dozens of farm workers are killed by electrocution each year when their farm machines and equipment make contact with overhead power lines. These tragic accidents are preventable.

With harvest season getting under way, the Safe Electricity program urges farm workers to take note of electrical lines when moving equipment such as portable grain augers, oversized wagons and large combines, and to use a qualified electrician for electrical system repairs.

"The rush to harvest can cause farm workers to skip important safety steps," said Molly Hall, director of Safe Electricity. "Tragic deaths and injuries can be avoided if precautions are taken, like making sure everyone who works on the farm knows the location of power lines and keeps farm equipment at least 10 feet away from them."

"Equipment contacting overhead power lines is the leading cause of farm electrocution accidents in the Midwest," said Bob Aherin, University of Illinois agricultural safety specialist. "Moving portable grain augers poses the greatest risk because those who are [on] the ground moving the equipment would provide a direct path for electricity if there’s a contact with overhead wires."

"Always lower grain augers before moving them, even if it’s only a few feet. Variables like wind, uneven ground, shifting weight or other conditions can combine to create an unexpected result," Aherin said.

Farm workers also are advised not to use metal poles when breaking up bridged grain inside and around bins and to use qualified electricians for work on drying equipment and other farm electrical systems.

"It’s also important for operators of farm equipment or vehicles to know what to do if the vehicle comes in contact with a power line," Hall said. "It’s almost always best to stay in the cab, call for help and wait until the electric utility arrives to make sure power to the line is cut off."

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"If the power line is energized and you step outside, your body becomes the path and electrocution is the result," Aherin said. "Even if a power line has landed on the ground, there is still the potential for the area nearby to be energized. Stay inside the vehicle unless there’s fire or imminent risk of fire."

In that case, the proper action is to jump — not step — with both feet hitting the ground at the same time. Jump clear, without touching the vehicle and ground at the same time and continue to shuffle or hop to safety, keeping both feet together, as you leave the area.

"Like the ripples in a pond or lake, the voltage diminishes the farther out it is from the source," Aherin said. "Stepping from one voltage level to another allows the body to become a path for that electricity. A large difference in voltage between both feet could kill you.

"Be sure that at no time you or anyone touches the equipment and the ground at the same time. Never should the operator simply step out of the vehicle — the person must jump clear."

Prevention of electricity-related tragedies is the goal of Safe Electricity, a statewide program created by a coalition of nearly three dozen organizations, including Illinois investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives and the University of Illinois. All are members of the Illinois Electric Council, a nonprofit industry forum, which launched the safety awareness program last year.

In addition to public service announcements and other outreach efforts, Safe Electricity has an online electrical safety center, www.SafeElectricity.org. The section on agribusiness provides tips and detailed information for farm workers. Residential safety, contractor safety, teacher resources, and youth games and activities can also be found at this site on the Web.

[U of I news release]

FFA officers attend conference

[SEPT. 12, 2002]  The Section 14 officer team attended the District III STAR Conference at John Wood Community College in Perry on Sept. 4. The conference covered many aspects of the FFA, with the goal of giving the officers more information to help promote agricultural education and the FFA.

Working with the Illinois FFA state vice president, Rebecca Yandell, and the state treasurer, Meagan Wells, the Section 14 officers learned about communicating, their true colors, the FFA programs, as well as many applications and other teamwork and leadership skills.

Many goals were set and activities planned at the conference, in hope of helping "Excellence Become Tradition" this year.

[FFA news release]

[Photo provided by FFA]

Section 14 officers are pictured at the District III Star Conference. From left to right are Rebecca Yandell, state VP; Meagan Wells, state treasurer; Bruce Frank, president; Amanda Davison, VP; Natalie Coers, reporter; Emily Bakken, secretary; KC Fritzsche, treasurer; and Jeffrey Evers, sentinel.

Section 14 FFA reporters attend workshop

[SEPT. 12, 2002]  On Sept. 3, FFA reporters from Section 14 attended the Illinois FFA Reporter’s Workshop at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.

At this workshop, presented by the Illinois FFA state reporter, Emilee Bocker, chapter reporters were instructed and motivated to report FFA news promptly and efficiently. The reporters also had an opportunity to exchange ideas with other reporters and ask questions about their duties for the upcoming year.

The FFA strives to live by its motto: "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn; Earning to Live, Living to Serve."

[FFA news release]

Section 14 FFA Members (pictured) from Williamsville, Athens, Greenview, Lincoln and Hartsburg-Emden attended the workshop, presented by Emilee Bocker, the State FFA Reporter.

Weekly outlook

Crop production

[SEPT. 10, 2002]  URBANA — The pattern of large crops, low prices and expanding consumption in the past three years has given way to small crops and reduced inventories, said a University of Illinois Extension marketing specialist.

"That shift suggests that the volatile prices of the past few years will continue but that prices may continue to trade at a higher level, at least for several months," said Darrel Good. "This price pattern will likely provide attractive prices for the 2002 crop and perhaps the 2003 crops.

"A conservative approach to pricing 2003 crops should be considered, given the uncertainty about crop size next year."

Good’s comments came as he reviewed continued uncertainty about crop production. The USDA will release the September forecast of U.S. corn and soybean crops, as well as the monthly updates of projections of world crop production and consumption, on Sept. 12. The projections of U.S. crop size will be of most immediate interest to the market.

Corn prices rallied sharply following the USDA’s August production report. On a closing basis, December futures moved from $2.615 to $2.8475. Late-August precipitation pushed that contract 18 cents lower by the end of August. By the close on Sept. 6, however, December futures had recovered to $2.8325. A new contract high of $2.96 was reached on Sept. 9.

"The latest rally was fueled by sharply higher wheat prices and some concern that late-season weather conditions may have trimmed yield potential in some areas," said Good.

"For the third consecutive year, the Midwest growing season has finished on a warm, dry note. While the market will react to the September production forecast, considerable uncertainty about crop size may persist into October and November."

In 2000, both the corn yield and production forecasts were nearly unchanged in September but declined in October and again in November. The November production forecast was 315 million bushels, or 3 percent, smaller than the August forecast. In 2001, the yield and production forecasts declined marginally in September but increased in October and again in November. The November production forecast was 280 million bushels, or 3 percent, larger than the August forecast.

Soybean prices also rallied following the USDA’s surprisingly small August production forecast. On a closing basis, November futures moved from $5.2525 to $5.73.

"As in the case of corn, late August rainfall pushed November futures to a close of $5.39 on Aug. 29," said Good. "By the close on Sept. 6, November futures were back up to $5.60, and that contract traded to $5.80 on Sept. 9.

"Late-season weather conditions, along with relatively large exports of soybeans and higher wheat prices, contributed to the higher prices of last week."

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The soybean yield and production forecasts in 2000 and 2001 followed a pattern similar to that of corn forecasts. In 2000, the yield and production forecasts declined each month from September through November. The November production forecast was 219 million bushels, or 7.3 percent, below the August forecast. In 2001, both the yield and production forecasts declined from August to September but increased in October and again in November. The November forecast was 56 million bushels, or 2 percent, larger than the August forecast.

"In addition to U.S. corn and soybean production forecasts, the market will also be interested in projections for spring wheat production in the United States, total wheat production in the rest of the world, corn production in China and soybean production in South America," said Good. "Last month, the USDA’s wheat production estimates revealed larger crops than in 2001-02 in Western Europe, India and Turkey. Smaller crops were expected in Canada, Australia, Argentina and Eastern Europe.

"For corn, the August projections revealed prospects for a much larger — nearly 10 percent — crop in China due to higher average yields than in 2001. Some observers expect that the projection will increase this month. The USDA has projected a 7.4 percent increase in South American soybean production in 2001, reflecting a 6.5 percent increase in acreage and an 0.8 percent increase in average yields. The size of both the Chinese corn crop and the South American soybean crop will influence the export demand for U.S. crops during the 2002-03 marketing year."

Good noted that unless U.S. and world crop projections are much larger than now expected, supplies will be relatively tight during the 2002-03 marketing year. U.S. and world stocks of coarse grains, wheat and soybeans are expected to decline significantly by the end of the 2002-03 marketing year.

"At this juncture, however, supplies are expected to be large enough to sustain world consumption at current, or even higher, levels," he said. "While consumption of U.S. soybeans, and perhaps feed grains and wheat, will have to be reduced, it now appears that world consumption will not have to decline.

"That scenario could change, depending on how crops in the Southern Hemisphere develop. In addition, the expected low level of inventories means that prices will be very sensitive to the prospective size of the 2003 crops in the Northern Hemisphere."

[U of I news release]

When is it fall?

[SEPT. 9, 2002]  Fall doesn’t officially start for another week and a half or so, but several of the signs tell us that fall is here. We have had some geese flying south, the woolly bear caterpillars are crossing the road, the cicadas have been singing for six weeks now, and the combines are starting to pick around in some cornfields. Fall is when harvest comes about in my mind.

Now the producers out with the combines are looking for a patch of drier corn to start on, taking out some corn that has blown flat in a windstorm or is at high risk for going flat or losing ears from European corn borer damage.

Let’s face it. Most people wouldn’t want to give away much of their product value in drying costs. Corn is still valued at "mediocre" values, around $2.50 per bushel. Most commercial elevators are charging about 2 cents per bushel per point of moisture. With 30 percent moisture corn needing to be dried to 15 percent moisture for fall sale, this means 30 cents per bushel drying charges.

The kicker is finding the happy medium, when corn is easily harvested (standing up) and ears are not falling off the plants, along with finding a drying cost you can live with. Most producers like to wait to get started until corn is around 20 percent to 24 percent, and by the time they finish, the corn may be down in the 17 percent range. It makes the cost a little more bearable.

Fall traffic will greatly increase on rural roads as harvesting starts and hauling machinery begins to move. Keep your eyes open because large, slow-moving machinery can be a recipe for disaster for the unaware. Farmers need to make sure they use the lights and slow-moving vehicle signs on equipment to help other drivers recognize farm machinery from a distance. Be aware and have a safe fall.

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Farm program computer analysis

There are several farm program computer analysis programs available online. These include programs offered by the Texas A&M site, the Iowa State/University of Illinois site, the Corn Growers Association and the Farm Bureau, among others. That is all well and good if you have some time, a good computer connection and understand the information needed to plug into the formulas. If not, there is an upcoming opportunity for you.

Terry Griffin, Extension educator in farm business management, will be in the Logan County Extension office on Sept. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. with his mobile computer lab. This will allow producers to input information in the University of Illinois program to determine the "best" option to use when signing up for the farm program.

Interested individuals should pick up or request worksheets to complete before the workshop. There will be approximately 10 computers available that day. If you would like to make a reservation, call the office at 732-8289 to book half-hour time blocks for computer usage.

[John Fulton]

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