3 BIG THINGS TODAY.

1. Soybeans, Corn Slightly Lower on Last Trading Day Before Christmas
Soybeans and corn were slightly lower in overnight trading on the last trading day before the Christmas break as more rain is forecast in South American growing areas.

About 2 inches of rain are expected in parts of the Argentina growing states of Cordoba and Buenos Aires, aiding soybeans and corn in the same areas where rain fell last week, Commodity Weather Group said in a report.

Showers are expected to shift tonight, improving conditions for the 30% of soybeans and corn that are still dry in the country, CWG said.
Brazil crops also will get rain as showers continue in the center-west and center-south growing regions, the forecaster said. There is still a chance that dryness will build in Bahia, which includes about 10% to 15% of Brazil’s corn and soybeans.

Soybean futures for January delivery fell ½ cent to $9.94 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. Soymeal declined 70 cents to $312.60 a short ton, and soy oil rose 0.20 cent to 35.29 cents a pound.
Corn futures for March delivery fell a penny to $3.46 ¼ a bushel in Chicago.

Wheat futures for March delivery was unchanged at $3.97 a bushel overnight. Kansas City wheat was down ½ cent to $4.07 ½ a bushel

.2. Corn, Bean Sales Down Week-to-Week, Still Relatively Strong as Wheat Falls
Corn and soybean sales were down from the prior week but were still relatively strong in the seven days through Dec. 15, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

Corn sales totaled 1.25 million metric tons last week, down 18% from the prior week and 8% from the previous four-week average, the USDA said, but anything above a million tons is still pretty strong.
Japan was the biggest buyer, purchasing 535,800 metric tons, followed by Mexico, which took 372,200 tons. South Korea bought 125,000 tons, Chile took 89,000 tons and Saudi Arabia purchased 74,800 tons, the government said. Unknown buyers canceled a purchase of 176,400 tons and Egypt canceled a buy of 33,100 tons.

Soybean sales totaled 1.81 million tons, down 10% from the prior week but up 9% from the four-week average, according to the USDA.

China, as is normal, was the big buyer at 1.25 million tons, followed by Thailand’s 85,300 tons. Japan was next on the list at 66,600 tons, Taiwan bought 66,400 tons and France took 66,000 tons, according to the USDA.

Wheat sales came in at 297,800 tons, down 44% from the prior week and 47% from the four-week average. Nigeria was the big buyer at 101,700 tons, Mozambique and Indonesia both bought 42,000 tons, Japan purchased 41,700 tons and Mexico took 31,300 tons

.3. Central, Northern Plains in For White Christmas, NWS Says
People in parts of the central Midwest and northern Plains who’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas may get their wish.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for much of the Midwest this morning as snow and wind are expected in parts of Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service. As much as 6 inches of snow are expected in the region along with 25-mile-an-hour winds that will reduce visibility and make travel dangerous, the NWS said.


Meanwhile, the northern Plains continues to get blasted by a winter storm.
Pretty much all of North Dakota is in a blizzard for the weekend as another foot of snow may fall in the state, according to the forecaster. “Very strong winds” will make travel extremely dangerous on Sunday and Monday, the report said.
Get involved in the discussion in Marketing Talk. BY TONY DREIBUS.

FARMERS WILL SOON GET WORLD CLASS GRANULATED UREA, NPK INDORAMA.

Indorama, one of the largest producers of urea fertilizer in Nigeria has said farmers in the country will soon have access to its new product, the granulated urea and NPK fertilizer, for their crop production nationwide.

 

 

Anand Kumara, an official of the Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL), a subsidiary of Indorama Corporation based in Port Harcourt, producing urea fertiliser stated this during the just concluded Daily Trust Agric confab in Abuja.

 

 

“In the nearest future, we hope to sell the granulated urea to more farmers and in every corner of Nigeria. We are trying to see if we can also launch the NPK into the Nigerian market. The fertilizer is going to be affordable and cheap to farmers, although the prices will vary in places due to transportation,” he explained.

 

 

According to him, the company currently has a production capacity of 1.4 million metric tonnes a year.

Speaking on the distribution channel, he said, “There are certain ways in the distribution channels; first of all, we give to our dealers, from the dealers, it goes straight to the retailers and from them, it goes to the farmers.

 

 

“What we are doing is we are starting from the primary distribution channels, which are the dealers and then the secondary distribution channels which are the retailers. Sometimes, we supply directly to the retailers” Mr. Kumara stated.

 

 

He noted that although the current recession in the country is affecting the cost of fertilizer, “in some areas, we sell at N6,100 per bag, while in some places we sell for N6,800 per bag.” NEWS from around the world.

THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY.

Nigeria economy is blessed with series of natural resources, yet they suffer in the midst of plenty. Nigeria has a high poverty rate in comparison with other African countries despite its higher GDP.

 

Currently, Nigeria has over 80% of it’s land arable but unfortunately less than 40% of the land is cultivated despite the country's teaming population and level of unemployment.

 

Hence, the need to reform the agriculture sector cannot be over emphasize as stated in a recommendation by Fatokun, I.A (2009) in his thesis titled Globalization and Sustainable Development (A Case Study of Nigeria).

In an attempt not to waste too much words, agriculture is important to Nigeria economy development in the following areas:

 

• A shift in monoculture economy i.e. diversifying from over reliance on crude oil especially at a time when the price plummet which is becoming to tell on the economy.
•  
• Provision of food and raw materials through development of agriculture to the Nigeria teaming population and the development of the manufacturing sector respectively. Which in turn will also discourage heavy dependence on importation.
•  
• Agriculture sector is also capable of reducing the country's level of unemployment on the account that the sector is labour intensive.
•  
• Agriculture will also curb the effect of rural-urban migration which will help to decongest the urban areas and make life easier for people both in the rural or urban area.
•  
• Agriculture will also help the government to make more effort in developing the degrading infrastructural facilities throughout the nation in attempt to ease movement of goods from one location to the other, likewise for preservation of Agricultural output.
•  
• Development of the Agriculture sector will also help in improving other sectors and thereby curbing the level of the existing corruption in the country.

               

The list of the importance of Agriculture to Nigeria economy is endless. Therefore, the bulk of the work lies in the hands of the government and would be entrepreneurs to take advantage of the enormous benefit that is in the Agriculture Sector. 

 

The reason is simple, it will attract Foreign Direct Investment, it will reduce poverty, it will also reduce the country level of unemployment, it will reduce government reliance on crude oil, it will also help to strengthen the Naira against Dollar through Favorable Balance of Payment, the railway lines could also be revamped to ease movement of Agriculture produce and people alike. 

 

In general, development of Nigeria Agriculture sector may also help to reduce the level of corruption in the country.

DIRECT MARKETING TIPS FOR SELLING LOCAL.

At the farmers market in DeSoto, Missouri, Amber Henry works the crowd. “The sirloin tip tends to dry out in the slow cooker. How about a chuck roast? Have you ever tried lamb steak? Can I get your name on the list for a quarter beef?” she asks.


Her product knowledge and friendly demeanor garner Henry Meat Company new fans each week, but the farmers market is only one of the tools in her toolbox. With a doctorate in educational technology and a day job as professor of education for Missouri Baptist University, Amber uses a website, social media, and good old word of mouth to educate the public and to sell to a hungry local market.

“We keep it local, both selling and buying inputs,” says Amber. The message resonates with her customers.

Are your animals grass-fed? Where do you get your feed? Do you feed GMO grain? The questions come from nearly every market customer, and they are always met with Amber’s patient explanations and Southern hospitality.

“Come out E (the Southern way of saying they live on State Highway E), and you’ll see the calves in the pasture from the road. Stop in and we’ll show you around. While you’re there, you can pick up some steak, pork loin, or lamb chops from the on-farm store. We’d love to have ya,” she says.

Henry Family Farms is 200 acres near DeSoto, an hour south of St. Louis. Amber, her husband, Jamie, and their sons, Logan and Dylan, raise cattle, hogs, and sheep. They sell at local farmers markets, at their on-farm store, and off-the-hoof by the quarter, half, or whole animal.

Around 70 medium-frame Angus calves each year are bred and raised on native pasture and finished on local barley and corn supplemented by brewers grain, a by-product from nearby Anheuser-Busch.
“We’ve found the 1,100-pound carcass is more economical to produce than the 1,300-pound carcass,” explains Jamie. “It costs less per pound and still marbles great.” The warm southern climate allows for year-round breeding, so calves can be harvested monthly.

Meat is processed by a local butcher, who offers advice about which calves produced the best meat. Those pedigrees are used in future breeding decisions.

Pasture Pork

Hog breeds vary but are selected for muscled carcasses and rapid growth. The pigs and Katahdin sheep, also a meat breed, are raised outdoors with shelters.

The Henrys are looking into raising chickens for meat and eggs, but the lack of available inspected chicken processing facilities is a problem, says Amber.

The operation is a family affair, with each family member working his and her strengths. Jamie was raised on the farm and left a job as a heavy equipment mechanic to take on the animal husbandry full time. The duties not only feed his love of the animals and the fresh-air outdoors, but also allow him to use his mechanical skills.

He has designed an all-season, constant-temperature circulating watering system for the hogs, and a retractable roof over a storage shed to accommodate the brewers by-product high-moisture content, yet protect it from the Midwestern weather.
 
The boys feed hogs, round up calves, and are quickly becoming Jack-of-all-trade farmhands.
“I don’t think they realize they’re working,” says their grandfather, Doug Henry. “They’re just having fun.”

Regulations

In addition to her marketing expertise, Amber uses her position as the chair of the county Extension council to navigate the regulatory environment. In the past year, she was able to work collaboratively with the local Extension, health department, and county officials to draft new regulations.

“We understand the need for regulation,” she says. “As direct marketers, we don’t want to do something or see another farmer inadvertently do something wrong that may make community members ill.”

Through an effort that brought all parties to the table, Henry Meat Company is now able to sell directly from the on-farm store. All meat products, whether sold via the store or at farmers markets, must be packaged and frozen at the processor under inspector supervision and must remain frozen through sale. State inspectors also inspect the live animal and carcass prior to cutting and packaging.

Telling The Story

A good product and open doors only go so far. Getting Henry Family Farms meat onto customers’ plates takes marketing. Amber knows her cuts of meat, and she readily offers recommendations to customers. She also makes a point of referring them to Pinterest, where she has recipe boards for everything from the best way to cook brats (Henry Meat Company offers five different flavors) to slow-cooker lamb.

“Pinterest, as well as the farmers markets (a venue she admits is not a huge money-maker), is about getting people to try something new,” says Amber. “I can suggest a different cut, or get them to try a new recipe. Then next time, they’ll buy another product and try something new again. Eventually, they may come to buying the animal by the side or quarter.”

It’s a simple sales hook. Give them a taste, and they’ll come back for more. Off-the-hoof prices are based on current market rates, as Amber is quick to explain to farmers market customers. A quarter beef runs around $650 to $775; half a hog costs between $275 to $310.

“We’re always taking names,” Amber says. “Then, when we harvest, we call to see if they’re ready. Some will want to wait till the next time. That’s OK. We’re ready when they are.”

Amber uses her website to further outline buying options and anticipated harvest dates, as well as give production details and tasty recommendations. The website address is printed on all marketing materials, including raffle tickets for various local charities.

She enthusiastically encourages market customers to come to the on-farm store, an invitation that serves dual purpose. A trip to the farm comes with a tour, a chance to see the animals in their environment, and a place to ask questions.

Social Media

Amber also invites customers to the farm via her Facebook page where 2,500+ followers join her morning cup of coffee, follow the boys working calves, or connect to the local Weight Watcher’s group’s use of Henry Meat Company meats and recipes.


The Facebook venue also allows her to alert customers to nearing harvests or the next Farmer’s Market stop, or to highlight seasonal specialties like mouth-watering Christmas ham.

“It’s all about education,” says Amber, who appreciates the opportunity to tell agriculture’s story as much as her own.
This story was written by Terri Queck-Matzie for the Living the Country Life section of Successful Farming.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD AND MARINE.

The Department today announced that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Michael Creed TD, has made regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access and to apply particular bio-security measures. The Regulations, entitled Avian Influenza (Precautionary Confinement of Birds) Regulations 2016, provide for precautionary measures, against avian influenza (bird flu).
 
These measures are being taken against a background where an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 was confirmed in a turkey flock near the coast in Lincolnshire, England, last week and also in a dead wild duck in Carmarthenshire, Wales this week. The H5N8 subtype of avian influenza has been responsible for a number of outbreaks of disease in both wild birds and poultry in several European countries since the end of October.
 
The Department would also like to remind those involved in arranging bird gatherings that these take place under a general licence the terms of which place responsibilities on organisers of such events, emphasising in particular the need to provide advance notification to the Department and the application of bio-security measures. Details on advance notification are available on the Departments website.

Although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported world-wide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low.
Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, maintain strict biosecurity measures and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.
 
An early warning system is in place with Birdwatch Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife S
ervice and the National Association of Regional Game Councils with regard to surveillance for signs of disease in wild birds.
 
The Department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and maintains close contact with our counterparts in DAERA on the matter. News from around the world.

STUDENTS GET LESSONS FOR BETTER CAREER CHOICES IN AGRICULTURE.

Students aspiring to be farmers can now get more skills and training on the subject through a new program recently launched in schools with an aim of enticing youths into agriculture.

The program known as 4-H, launched as a partnership between Egerton University and 4-H Kenya foundation- a not for profit organization, aims at changing the attitude of the youth towards agriculture by creating fun driven 4-H clubs in schools.

The program as a result exposes pupils to careers in agriculture, agribusiness, entrepreneurship, innovations and leadership skills through agricultural activities, the program’s director explained.

Annie Nyaga, 4-H Founding Director, notes that through the program they have worked with 7,076 youths across 162 schools in five counties- Embu, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, and Nairobi to influence them into agriculture.

“The responsibility of feeding the nation cannot be met by a few individuals as a result by there is need for collective contribution of all stakeholders in nurturing the interests and perception of future generations in a way that appeals to them,”

According to Annie, besides gaining knowledge on farming, the program opens learners minds enabling them to become innovative enough to tackle challenges such as food security, environmental degradation, market exploitation and poverty reduction.

Annies says that the 4-H programs have taken root in 13 countries in Africa including Angola, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia.

“These programs are preparing the world’s young people to meet urgent global needs, including hunger, sustainable livelihoods, and food security,” she pointed out adding that through 4-H, pupils are exposed to agricultural activities early enough so that they can identify more career opportunities in the agricultural sector.

AGRICULTURE IS PROFITABLE SAYS SOMA SUNDAR

Agriculture is a profitable occupation if we manage to produce crops systematically,” said Soma Sundar, Joint Agriculture Director at ‘Raitha Dinacharane’ organised by Joint Agriculture Directorate, Mysuru as part of birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, former prime minister, at Rajendra Bhavan on Friday.
 

After inaugurating the programme, he said, “Food security is an important factor of our society. Our population is growing rapidly. Thus there is greater responsibility on farmers to produce sufficient amount of food to satisfy the existing population”.

“Although most of our population is engaged in agriculture, our agriculture production is struck to 250 million tons. Thus, if the farmers adopt the integrated and scientific farming system, then the agriculture will be a profitable occupation”.

“Farmers must not commit suicide but they should opt to take it as a challenge and must become capable of producing more agriculture crops. We must analyse the fact that our youth are running away from agriculture”.

“Our recent study has revealed that there is a gradual decline of youth in agriculture. Youth must think that the agriculture is a profitable occupation when science and technology are adopted,” he added.

Later Dayananda Murthy, Chairman, Agriculture and Industries Standing Committee, Zilla Panchayat, said, “Farmers should monitor the level of the crops and the availability of sources at their land. In the current condition where the rainfall has gradually declined, we must move towards the scientific farming”.

“Government must organise more programmes for farmers to spread awareness about the government schemes. Because the farmers are future of this country,” he added.

Neema Sultana, President, Zilla Panchayat, Kalamma Kemparamaiah, President, Talk Panchayat, Mysuru and more than 200 farmers were present. By raitha.

FG - Insecurity forcing up price of fertiliser

The Federal Government says the current hike in price of fertiliser is as a result of security concerns as criminal elements are using its components to make bombs and other explosives.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbe stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a Special Town Hall Meeting for Youths organised by the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The minister said that fertiliser being sold for N10,000 per bag was because the security agencies placed hold on its distribution.

“Fertiliser came late this year due to security challenges.

“We started moving fertiliser in February to meet up with the farming season but the national security agency stop us from moving it.

“Over 400 trailer loads of fertilisers were held down in Lokoja for two months because Boko haram were converting urea among other fertilizer component to make bombs.

“ It took two and half months to get arrangement from security agencies to escort fertilisers from the factories to the farms.

“We were cut between security problems and food security for the people,’’ he said.

The minister said that the delay in accessibility of the product led to hike in price.

He, however assured farmers that the price will reduce to less than N5,000 in the next planting season as arrangements were being made for transportation by rail.

Ogbe said that the federal government has also signed agreement with the Moroccan government for supply of phosphate and potassium for fertilizer production.

He said the agreement would assist in further reducing the prices of fertilisers to the barest minimum.

(NAN)

Federal Government halts sales of Silos over food security fears

The Federal Government has put hold on sales of its 23 silos nationwide to address the challenge of food shortage.

Agriculture minister Audu Ogbeh disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Informational and Culture.

Ogbe said that the silos with the capacity of two million tons of grains would be used to store the commodities which are currently been exported to West African nations by farmers.

Responding to questions on looming food shortage due to alarming rate of exportation of grains by farmers to neighbouring countries, the minister said government cannot stop the trend.

He explained that as a member of ECOWAS and signatory to the Commission’s Free Trade Agreement, it will be illegal for the country to stop the exportation.

“Government cannot stop such exportation but rather would store grains in its silos,’’ he said.
The minister further noted that stopping exportation of grains would amount to depriving farmers from having huge returns.

“You are telling the farmers to grow food over the years, they have done so and their returns have been very low but for the first time they are making money and they are happy.

“People come from Ghana to buy maize, they come from Mali to buy sorghum and millet and so on and we are monitoring but we cannot stop them

“This is the best incentive you can give somebody in any line of business that there is a market and there is profit,’’ he said.

The minister said to ensure food security in the country and also have reserve for export, government will from January 2017 intensify irrigation farming for production of grains thrice in a year.

He added that about 10 irrigation lakes or dams would be built in every state to enable growing of food all year round.

He decried the situation where states like Oyo, Kano and Ogun were having 22, 23 and 12 dams respectively but none of them were being used for irrigation.

The minister attributed the challenge facing the country to the abandonment of agriculture for over 30 years.

(NAN)

Lagos To Commence Sales Of Lake Rice Today

Indications have emerged that the Lagos State Government will begin sales of the much  expected Lake Rice it produced in partnership with Kebbi State Government to members of the public at  the sum of  N12, 000 per 50 Kg bag with effect from today.

A source told our correspondent that the location for the Lake Rice promised by Lagos State government to cushion the effect of economic recession, has been formalized and could be officially released today.

It was further learnt that the state government has reduced the price of the 50 kilogram  to N12, 000, following complaints received by the government over the price of the commodity.

It was gathered that the previous location earlier announced by the Special Adviser to the governor on security, Sanni Okanlawan that the rice would be sold at the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LDCA) will no longer be used.

A top government official said the new locations were scattered across the three senatorial districts of the state to easy purchase of the commodity.

The locations according to the source are Lagos  East, Ikorodu -Odogunyan Farm Service Centre, Epe -Temu Farm Service Centre Eredo -Noforija Town Hall, Ibeju -Magbon Alade High School, Maryland -SUBEB Premises

In Lagos West,  Agege – LSADA Complex/Farm Service Centre, Ojo -LAISA Office Agric Bus Stop, Muwo-Coconut House, Badagry -Town Farm Service Centre, Marina, Oshodi -Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade

In Lagos Central it will be sold in Ajah -Ministry of Agric Area Office, Lagos Island – LASTMA Office Adeniji/Freeman

Ajegunle – Alakoto Senior High School, Tolu, Surulere -TESLIM Balogun stadium, Yaba – Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park.