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Features

[NOV. 14, 2002]  URBANA — The opportunity to gain free training in order to meet Pork Quality Assurance standards will be offered next month at three locations by the University of Illinois Extension in cooperation with the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

"More and more packers are requiring the people they buy pigs from to have PQA certification," explained Gilbert Hollis, U of I Extension swine specialist. "In order to sell pigs for slaughter after Jan. 1, 2003, producers are going to need this certification."

Introduced by the National Pork Board in 1989, PQA is a three-level management education program. It focuses on good management practices in the handling and use of animal health products and encourages producers to review their approach to their herds’ health programs.

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The December training, which consists of a 1½-hour session, prepares producers for PQA certification. Preregistration is requested. Dates, locations, times and contacts are:

•  Dec. 11:  Effingham Extension Center, 1:30-3 p.m., register by Dec. 9 by contacting Ed Ballard, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in Effingham, at (217) 347-5126.

•  Dec. 12:  U of I Extension Building, State Fairgrounds, Springfield, 7-8:30 p.m., register by Dec. 9 by contacting Hollis at (217) 333-0013.

•  Dec. 17:  DeKalb Center for Ag, Sycamore, 10 a.m.-noon, register by Dec. 13 by contacting Dan Jennings, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in Rockford, at (815) 397-7714.

[U of I news release]

[NOV. 12, 2002]  URBANA — U.S. policymakers and soybean producers need to wake up to the implications of dramatic changes in supply fundamentals, said a University of Illinois Extension agricultural policy specialist.

"Shifts in crop patterns and production are common, stimulated by economic signals from both the cost and demand side. This is the situation today in the soybean market," said Robert Hauser. "Producers should take advantage of these signals to increase profit; legislators should pay attention to them to improve policies."

Hauser’s article, "The Emperor Has No Clothes; I’m a Lousy Golfer; and Brazil Has Soybeans," can be found in the latest Illinois Rural Policy Digest, available online at http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/
policy/digest/digest.html. [If you need to download Adobe Acrobat reader for the PDF file, click here.]

He believes that a number of factors are driving toward greater production of corn in the United States at the expense of soybeans.

"Anyone who even remotely follows the commodity markets realizes that South America has changed the supply fundamentals in a dramatic way over the past 10 years," he explained. "We need to focus on some of the economic and policy implications of this increase in long-run production capacity."

Between 1970 and 2001, world soybean yield rose by 50 percent, but at the same time soybean production tripled, increasing by 260 percent. And, he noted, the 260 percent increase may be too small, considering that most 2003 production projections for South America are now around 80 million metric tons, compared with the three-year average of 65 million metric tons used in the calculations.

Propelling this dramatic rise in South American soybean production are a number of factors.

"Soybean varieties have been developed that do well in Brazil’s subtropical and tropical climates and soils," he explained. "Soil fertility has been increased successfully. No-till technology allows maintenance of this fertility in areas where it is quickly lost when the soil is turned over and exposed to sunlight.

"The opportunity cost of land in much of South America is very low. And, finally, economic conditions and inflation have stabilized over the past eight years. These factors not only have made it possible for South America, particularly Brazil, to engage in soybean production in a big way, but there are strong signs that the expansion is far from over."

After comparing a number of costs, Hauser concluded that parts of South America have a comparative advantage in growing soybeans over the United States.

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"This idea is not well received by many groups in the United States. But instead of denying this possibility, let’s consider some of the ramifications," he said.

Current market prices are signaling U.S. farmers to move to a crop in which they enjoy a comparative advantage — corn. "Without the soybean loan rate program, this signal would be much stronger," he said.

Hauser said that this does not mean U.S. producers will quit growing soybeans entirely. Both domestic needs and a significant share of the export market will continue to support U.S. soybean production.

"But producers will increasingly consider two-year or three-year continuous corn rotations that will shift aggregate U.S. supply away from soybeans," he said.

Market prices in recent months have reinforced his contention that we are in a new era, said Hauser.

"In August, low yield expectations caused the most bullish U.S. production and carry-out conditions since the mid-1990s, yet the price of soybeans stayed below $6. Not long ago, it was reasonable for producers to expect at least $6 soybeans during ‘normal’ years," he said. "This is now not normal. But this fact is neither good nor bad, unless we ignore it."

Hauser believes that the fundamental supply and demand situation in the world soybean market points to continuing low soybean prices, due to increased South American production and the need for comparative advantage adjustments.

While the United States might have an absolute advantage (lower production and transportation costs) in growing soybeans, its opportunity cost (say, growing 140-bushel corn) is usually much higher than in Brazil, where average yields for non-soybean crops are lower.

Hauser believes that in terms of comparative advantage, U.S. soybean producers are like the fast-typing business executive who nevertheless employs a typist, even though he types slower than the executive. The motivation is to free the executive to do other, more productive things.

"In the case of soybeans, U.S. producers may find themselves in the same situation as the executive, letting South America grow the soybeans because of greater incentives in the United States to produce corn," said Hauser.

[U of I news release]

[NOV. 12, 2002]  Recent and upcoming 4-H events were topics of discussion at the Oct. 28 meeting of the 4-H Federation. Leaders Gene Dennis and Amy Hyde and 11 members met at the Extension office.

The group discussed rescheduling lock-in and movie night. Movie night was set for Nov. 10, and the lock-in will be Jan. 19.

Emily Bakken and Andrew Fulton volunteered to carry the flag for Achievement Night, Nov. 7.

Duane Gieseke and Amanda Davidson volunteered to help with a centennial table.

The group also talked about the wiener roast on Oct. 5, the "Find Out Party" on Oct. 26 and officer training night, which will be Nov. 19.

[Elyse Berger, reporter]

Beef cow nutrition workshop

[NOV. 11, 2002]  Cow-calf producers can obtain feed analysis on their feedstuffs by contacting the Logan County Extension office. Forage sample bags and mailing envelopes are available for sending the forage samples to a forage lab for analysis. There is a small charge from the laboratory for the forage analysis, and a Penn State forage probe will be available to take core samples for mailing to a forage testing lab.

A two-hour workshop will cover the nutritional needs of the cow and the effect of body condition scoring and environmental conditions on reproduction and production. In addition, individual producers can have their rations balanced on the new "Balancer 2000 Computer Program," using the analysis of their individual feedstuffs. These individual sessions will be on an appointment basis and must be made through the Extension office. Dave Seibert, animal systems educator from the East Peoria office, will conduct the educational program and computer ration formulation. Participants should also complete an information worksheet for the Balancer 2000 program to get the most of the workshop.

Preregistration is needed; call 732-8289 by Dec. 12.

Fall-applied herbicides roundtable

George Czapar, Extension educator, will be leading a roundtable discussion concerning fall-applied herbicides for control of winter annuals and how it fits into your traditional herbicide program. Data from university research will be presented, along with an opportunity to share experiences and get answers to questions. Reservations are requested; call 732-8289 by Nov. 18.

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Private pesticide training and testing

2003 will be a big year concerning the number of private pesticide applicators due to be recertified. Certification is needed to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides on ground you own or operate. This license is not for applicators applying pesticides for hire, on public grounds or church grounds. Those areas require commercial licenses.

Two sessions have been scheduled for the testing season. Enrollment is limited at each session, and reservations may be made by calling the office, 732-8289. Training will begin at 8:30 a.m. at each session, and the testing will begin following the training session.

Session 1:  Dec. 4, at the Extension office; training begins at 8:30 a.m.

Session 2:  Feb. 20, 2003, at the Extension office; training begins at 8:30 a.m.

[John Fulton]

[NOV. 9, 2002]  URBANA — Central Illinois livestock producers will have four opportunities this month to see how others are extending the grazing season to reduce feed cost and to stretch seed supplies in a series of pasture walks sponsored by University of Illinois Extension.

"These pasture walks have been planned to view beef cattle grazing winter annual cereal crops of rye, wheat and oats along with the brassicas of turnips," said Dave Seibert, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in East Peoria. "In addition, stockpiled fescue will be viewed at some of the operations."

The dates and locations are:

•  Nov. 12, 9-11 a.m., Mike and Troy Kitley farm in Clay County.

•  Nov. 14, 9-11 a.m., Bruce Betzold farm, Montgomery County.

•  Nov. 21, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Southside Stock Farm, Greene County.

•  Nov. 21, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Paul and Jason Smith farm, Macoupin County.

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"The beef cattle producers from all four locations will share their experience with fellow producers on what has and has not worked this year with winter annuals and for fall and winter grazing," said Seibert.

For more information on the Kitley and Betzold pasture walks, contact Ed Ballard, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in Effingham, at (217) 347-5126. For the Smith and Southside Stock farm pasture walks, contact Seibert at (309) 694-7501. Preregistration is not required for any of the locations.

[U of I news release]

[NOV. 9, 2002]  URBANA — A number of issues of interest to Illinois sheep producers, including grazing, value-added wool and changes in the state’s scrapie control program, will be on the agenda Dec. 7 at the 2002 Illinois Sheep Industry Day. The event will be in Room 150 of the University of Illinois Animal Sciences Laboratory.

The event is co-sponsored by U of I Extension, the Department of Animal Sciences, and the Illinois Lamb and Wool Producers. The latter organization will have its annual meeting at the conclusion of the Sheep Industry Day program.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m., at which time the Illinois Lamb and Wool Producers will \meet.

Neal Merchen, acting head of the Department of Animal Sciences, will speak on the future of the U of I sheep facilities and programs. Rick Jones, designated epidemiologist for Illinois, will discuss changes in the state’s scrapie program. Dean Oswald, U of I Extension animal systems educator based in Macomb, will provide an update on the value-added wool program. Richard Cobb will introduce Extension’s sheep grazing TeleNet series, and Jay Solomon, an Extension educator in engineering technology based in East Peoria, will discuss the mechanics of grazing.

Cobb will also make a presentation on developing methods and strategies to handle sheep more easily and safely.

There is a $10 per person registration fee, which includes lunch. Those interested in registering, which must be completed by Nov. 29, should contact Cobb at (217) 333-7351 or by e-mail to arcobb@uiuc.edu.

[U of I news release]

Honors & Awards

[NOV. 13, 2002]  Logan County had its annual 4-H Achievement Night on Nov. 7 at the Lincoln Park District Rec Center. Approximately 115 4-H members, leaders and families came to congratulate the award recipients.

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Home and Family

[Logan County Extension news release
by Amy Hyde]

Ag Announcements

Olympia FFA Alumni news

[NOV. 8, 2002]  What do a tree, a chain saw and a TV have in common? The Olympia FFA Alumni chapter is selling raffle tickets for these items. The low-priced tickets provide a chance at a 36-inch Zenith color TV, a Stihl Farm Boss chain saw and a 1.5- to 3-inch diameter sunset red maple tree.

The chapter draws in members from McLean, Tazewell, Woodford, DeWitt and Logan counties.

Proceeds from the raffle will help support the agriculture program of the Olympia School District.

The drawing for the items will be Jan. 11, 2003, which is the tentative date for the FFA alumni banquet.

For more information on purchasing a raffle ticket or about the FFA Alumni chapter, contact any member of the chapter or call (309) 379-5911.

[News release]

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