USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Bruce Nelson says the deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program sign-up has been extended to next Friday – April 13th. He says the decision is a result of strong interest in the program. Once the sign-up ends – FSA will evaluate offers based on cost and the Environmental Benefits Index. The EBI considers several variables including wildlife habitat, water quality protection, soil erosion reduction, air quality protection and other enduring benefits. The accepted offers will become effective on October 1st.

CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation’s natural resources through voluntary participation. USDA says highlights include the restoration of more than two-million acres of wetlands and two-million acres of riparian buffers; keeping more than 600-million pounds of nitrogen and more than 100-million pounds of phosphorous from flowing into the nation’s streams, rivers and lakes each year; and in 2010 -resulting in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10-million cars off the road.

Nelson encourages all eligible farmers and ranchers to take advantage of the opportunity to participate in CRP. Producers can contact their local FSA service center or fsa dot usda dot gov slash crp (www.fsa.usda.gov/crp) for more information.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is calling on the G20 to enact biofuels policies that reduce reliance on crude oil. This follows a warning from the International Energy Agency’s Chief Economist that crude prices are threatening the global economy and could trigger another recession. Every global recession since the early 1970s has been preceded by high oil prices – with the most recent economic collapse in 2008 coming on the heels of record-breaking crude oil prices that topped $147.50 per barrel.

World biofuels production – according to the GRFA – is currently contributing over one-million barrels of oil equivalent to global energy supplies. The alliance expects global production to grow by approximately three-percent this year without significant policy changes. GRFA spokesperson Bliss Baker says more must be done to encourage the development of alternatives to crude oil like ethanol and biodiesel. OPEC – the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries – has acknowledged publicly that energy efficiency policies and the use of biofuel will put more downward pressure on oil consumption worldwide.

Courtesy: NAFB News

Texas 11th District Congressman Mike Conaway says Congress will struggle with the farm bill over the next few months. He says the many moving parts – both policy-wise and political – make it very challenging to craft and pass in a legislative session that’s shortened by a presidential election.

When the current version expires at the end of September – the options are to let the farm law expire, pass a new one or extend the current program for a year. Conaway – who serves on the House Ag Committee – says legislators won’t let it expire. If they can’t get a five-year measure ready – he says the existing bill will be extended – probably for a year. He notes that has been done in the past.

Courtesy: NAFB News

International food assistance in fiscal year 2012 will benefit nearly 10-million people worldwide. Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse says USDA’s Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition programs are important tools in the U.S. effort to support global food security and sustainable agriculture production. The world’s population is expected to top 9.3-billion by 2050 – and Scuse says these programs lay the foundation on which food-insecure nations can meet the needs of their citizens and build more vibrant economies.

Under these food aid programs – USDA purchases U.S. commodities and donates them to government agencies and private-voluntary organizations in targeted countries. USDA will donate U.S.-produced corn-soy blend, cornmeal, dehydrated potato flakes, dried beans, lentils, rice, sorghum, soy oil, soybeans, soybean meal, vegetable oil and wheat.

Courtesy:  NAFB News

The European Union’s renewable energy policy would lower U.S. soybean prices. That’s according to a soy checkoff study. The study shows the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive – which currently excludes biodiesel made from U.S. soybean oil in renewable energy quotas – could decrease U.S. soybean prices by as much as 35-cents per bushel. If left unresolved – the regulation could cost U.S. soybean farmers more than 1.1-billion dollars a year.

The checkoff contends the EU’s policy unfairly singles out biodiesel made from U.S. soy. It requires all transportation fuels used there to include 10-percent renewable energy. To qualify as a renewable fuel – it must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 35-percent. While soy-checkoff-funded research shows biodiesel made from U.S. soy reduces greenhouse gas emissions by between 39-percent for U.S. soybeans shipped to and crushed in Europe – and 49-percent for processed U.S. soy biodiesel shipped to Europe – the Europeans claim biodiesel made from U.S. soy only reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 31-percent. The American Soybean Association is working with the U.S. government to reach an agreement with the EU to include biodiesel made from U.S. soy in the policy.

United Soybean Board Immediate Past Chair Marc Curtis notes the EU is the second-largest market for U.S. soybeans. He says the market is at risk because of the Renewable Energy Directive. He says the checkoff study shows how much of an impact the regulation would have on U.S. soybean farmers and will give the U.S. government facts to demonstrate to the European Commission that the regulation needs to be based on sound science.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The EPA has approved the first applications for registration of ethanol to make E15. The agency says the registration of ethanol to make E15 is a significant step toward its production, sale and use in model year 2001 and newer gasoline-fueled cars and light trucks. The Renewable Fuels Association calls the approval of E15 as a registered fuel the most significant development in a three year effort to approve sale of the mid-level ethanol blend.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis says Monday’s announcement strengthens the ethanol industry’s efforts to innovate and continue to deliver domestically-produced and affordable alternatives to foreign oil. With ethanol selling cheaper than gasoline – and even higher gasoline prices on the horizon – Buis is encouraging all Americans to ask their local filling station how soon they’ll see the more affordable E15.

Registration is a prerequisite to introducing E15 into the marketplace. But before the fuel can be sold – manufacturers must take additional measures to help ensure retail stations and other gasoline distributors understand and implement labeling rules and other E15-related requirements. According to RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen – we could see E15 at fuel stations in the Heartland of America as early as summer – as states in the Midwest have begun to address their regulatory requirements. He says the future for consumers, ethanol producers and the country has just gotten a little brighter and a little stronger.

Courtesy: NAFB News

With a wide variety of pressing issues facing the federal government over the coming months, The National Corn Growers Association says funding for lock and dam improvements remain a high priority. NCGA President Garry Niemeyer says – our inland waterway system plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, and we must act now to help our leaders understand that funding improvements is critical to maintaining our industry’s viability.

The country’s inland navigation system plays a visible role in the economy, moving more than a billion tons of domestic commerce valued at more than 300-billion dollars per year. The same system moves more than a billion bushels of grain per year, about 60 percent of all grain exports. Yet, investment in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Waterways has not kept pace with the needs of the transportation sector.

This problem is gaining attention outside of the agricultural community. Last week Representative. Tim Bishop, ranking member on the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, submitted a letter to the committee’s Chairman Representative Bob Gibbs requesting proposing the bipartisan organization of a stakeholder roundtable to discuss the deteriorating inland waterways system.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The early spring in many parts of the country has corn growers considering whether now is the time to plant. Early planting can provide potential benefits, such as more time for crop development and the potential to help reduce the effects of mid-summer droughts. But early planting isn’t risk free.

For those considering early planting, Pioneer agronomists recommend the following tips: Look at the extended forecast. Agronomic experts recommend looking at the weather forecast 10-days post-planting as this period can have the most impact on seed growth. Remember, cold rain can cause injury to the seed and a spring frost can decrease corn plant populations or force replant.

Farmers should also evaluate hybrids for their stress emergence scores. These scores help growers choose products for early planting or fields with a history of cold stress challenges. As for no-till or reduced-till operations, it may be best to delay planting. Residue over the seed furrow can reduce soil temperatures by 10 degrees or more, leading to delayed emergence and possible stand loss.

Courtesy: NAFB News

The Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act has 35 co-sponsors. This legislation would permanently abolish the federal estate tax, better known by ranchers, farmers, and family business owners across America as the “death tax.” The tax is currently set at a 35 percent tax rate with a 5-million dollar exemption.  In 2013, the estate tax rate is scheduled to increase to 55 percent with a one-million dollar exemption.

One of the sponsors, Senator John Thune, calls the death tax – destructive, misguided, and inefficient, and he says – our economy, small businesses, family farms, and ranches that are expected to be transferred to future generations will benefit enormously from its demise. Another co-sponsor, Senator Mike Johanns points out – the loss of a family member should not be a taxable event, and Americans should not be forced to sell the family business, farm or ranch just to pay it.

According to a study by Douglas Holtz-Eakin, the former director of the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, repealing the death tax could create 1.5 million additional small business jobs and decrease the national unemployment rate by nearly one percent.

Courtesy: NAFB News