By National Corn Growers.

Corn stocks and demand in the United States remain stable according to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week.  While potential for change in the May report was noted, the agency found that, at present, the previous estimates require no revision.

This news follows reports issued by USDA last Wednesday  indicating that seven percent of the U.S. corn crop had already been planted as of Sunday.  This indicates progress significantly ahead of the five-year average as only two percent of the crop would normally be planted at that time.

Much of the early planting is occurring in the south and central Corn Belt with Tennessee and Kentucky leading the push with planting 31 and 25 points over the average respectively.  Missouri and Illinois also have planted earlier than normal to a large degree.  While all major corn production states with only the exceptions of North Dakota and Wisconsin have documented planting already, the data clearly suggests that most farmers are waiting to plant until their crop insurance dates, which will occur later this week for much of the Corn Belt.

The next edition of the reports, scheduled for release on May 10, will be the USDA’s first projection of the 2012/2013 crop.

The University of Missouri Extension office will hold a spring marketing conference tomorrow in Maryville.

The conference will feature a live web seminar of fundamental analysis of livestock and crop markets, current ag policy issues and a weather outlook.

The event is free to attend.

It will be at the University of Missouri Extension office in Nodaway County.  That’s on the third floor of the county administration building on the northeast corner of the Maryville town square.

The event starts at noon.

For more information, contact Randa Doty of the Extension Office, 660-582-8101.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture launched the 3rd annual Focus on Missouri Agriculture contest, asking Missourians to help capture the unique stories and images of agriculture through photographs and videos. The contest, which will run through June 15, asks amateur photographers and videographers from all over the state to submit their best images of a beautiful Missouri farm, a snapshot of a farm tractor that has been in the family for years or the fun and excitement of a child at agritourism operation.

“This contest will allow Missourians to share their favorite moments on their farms with others who share a love for agriculture and those that want to learn more about life on the farm,” said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. “Every farm in our state has a story to tell and this is a great way to capture those stories and to share them with others.”

For a complete list of rules and guidelines, visit http://mda.mo.gov/focus/. Photos and videos submitted to the contest will be placed on the contest website and available on the Department’s Flickr group and YouTube page. Photos must be submitted by June 15.

More information about the Missouri Department of Agriculture and its programs is available online at http://www.mda.mo.gov.

After helping to stall The HSUS funded Your Vote Counts! campaign, Missouri Farmers Care is continuing it’s mission by promoting agriculture in Missouri.

The group has started advertising on the Cardinals Radio Network and utilizing a Facebook page encouraging people to contact the group with any questions.

It’s part of a program to stentheng agriculture in Missouri from outside attacks from groups such as HSUS and to grow a positive image of agriculture.

find more online at MoFarmersCare.com

To listen to the Cardinals Radio Network advertisement, click here.

If you make a donation to FFA – it could now have double the impact. The National FFA Foundation’s Individual Giving Council is challenging FFA and ag education supporters to give to FFA with a new matching-gift program called the Leadership Challenge. Each new gift of any amount – or any increase in prior giving that brings the contributor’s total gift to at least a thousand dollars will be matched dollar for dollar up to 100-thousand dollars.

Nine individuals have contributed the matching funds. In fact – through individual giving – they have collectively contributed more than 312-thousand dollars to FFA for three years of the Leadership Challenge. Their goal is to lead the way in individual giving, create a new culture of philanthropy dedicated to FFA and its members by emphasizing the importance of individual contributors and motivate people to give.

National FFA Foundation Executive Director Rob Cooper says this is a first in the 85-year history of FFA. Never before has a group of individuals come together, create a pool of donations and offer that pool as matching-fund incentives to encourage other individuals to give to FFA. Cooper says those who choose to support FFA are helping smart, talented and determined FFA members become tomorrow’s leaders in the agricultural industry. He notes tomorrow’s leaders will develop new strategies and technologies that will ensure a safe, abundant and affordable food supply for all of us.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Our View: Farm Bill Now

By Garry Niemeyer, NCGA President

Apr. 12: I have spent much of my time over the past month inWashingtonvisiting with members of Congress and other policy makers about the importance of the 2012 farm bill.  Each meeting seems to end in the same fashion as the others: Democrats blame Republicans and Republicans blame Democrats.  If I ask someone from the House, I hear that it is the fault of the Senate; and when I ask someone from the Senate, I hear it is the fault of the House.

Agriculture policy historically has not just been bipartisan, it’s been non-partisan.

Farmers recognize the seriousness of the federal government’s financial situation and that any new legislation needs to be responsive to taxpayers. Our organization understands that programs important to agriculture will be cut. We are willing to do our part to significantly reduce government spending and move towards market-based programs that meet today’s risks.  We are, to our knowledge, the only constituency to do so.

Why is this important? Agriculture is one of the few bright spots in the American economy.  Our farmers continue to be more productive and innovative.  To continue that trend, we need to have some certainty about how we plan our business.  The current farm bill expires at the end of the year.   I am glad we have moved away from the days when farmers “farmed the program” rather than for the market, but we need to know what the program is going to be for next year’s crop.   We can’t do that if the Congress fails to pass a farm bill.

I’ve heard enough “We can’t get a farm bill done this year” from folks inWashington– and even from some in agriculture.  It’s only the beginning of April.  We have eight months left in the year and seven until the election so that excuse won’t work for us.  We need to get a bill done this year – and it can be done.

I have been wearing a button on my lapel for the past few weeks that says, “Farm Bill Now.”  I will send one to any farmer inAmericaand any member of Congress if they write me and say that they are committed getting the job done.  Let’s pass a farm bill now – I have plenty of buttons!

As the Senate Ag Committee prepares to write its version of the 2012 Farm Bill later this month – international relief and development organization Oxfam America released a satirical online video and TV ad Thursday to mobilize support for reform to food aid programs. The video’s message – when kids play with their food – it’s cute. When Washington does – it costs lives.

Oxfam’s Director of Policy and Research Gawain Kripke says regulations ripe for reform include rules that prevent food aid from being purchased from the most cost effective and efficient sources, mandates that require food to be shipped on U.S. flagged vessels and programs which dump U.S.-grown food in development country markets to pay for aid projects.

Kripke says the reforms sought by Oxfam would save taxpayers 500-million dollars a year and get life-saving food aid to an additional 17-million people.

The ad is airing on cable TV programs – such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report – and is posted on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The American Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey shows retail food prices at the supermarket increased slightly during the first quarter of 2012. This informal survey shows an increase of about seven-percent for the total cost of the 16 food items surveyed compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. The cost for the overall basket of goods – at 52-dollars and 47-cents – is also an increase of about seven-percent compared to a year ago.

About two-thirds of the quarter-to-quarter increase was due to higher retail prices for sliced deli ham, sirloin tip roast, ground chuck, bacon and cheddar cheese. Farm Bureau Senior Economist John Anderson says the higher retail prices for meats and cheese were due to generally strong demand and tight supplies – a situation that carried over from 2011. But Anderson says USDA data shows retail meat prices probably peaked sometime in the first quarter – and wholesale prices have declined noticeably in recent weeks. He says this suggests retail meat prices may decline as the year progresses.

Eight additional items – including potatoes, orange juice and eggs – also increased in price compared to the fourth quarter of last year. The only items to decrease in price were whole milk, white bread and boneless chicken breasts.

Sixty-four shoppers in 24 states took part in Farm Bureau’s Marketbasket Survey for the first quarter. It was conducted in March.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Young adults may be able to lower their blood pressure by eating foods that contain isoflavones – a key compound in soy milk, tofu, green tea and peanuts – every day. The study’s lead investigator – a graduating medical student at Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons – says this study is unique in that the results are very applicable to the general population. Compared to those consuming less than .33-milligrams of isoflavones per day – those reporting more than 2.5-milligrams per day had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure. To help put this into context – an eight-ounce glass of soy milk has about 22-milligrams of isoflavones and 100-grams of soybeans have as much as 130-milligrams.

What this means – according to the researcher – is that consuming soy protein – as an example – in combination with a diet high in fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grains could lead to as much as a 10 mmHg (millimeter of mercury) drop in systolic blood pressure for pre-hypertensives. That would greatly improve their chances of not progressing to hypertension.

Courtesy: NAFB News