DES MOINES, Iowa -- On Tuesday, the corn market ended higher, while wheat and soybeans dropped.
At the close, the March corn futures finished 3¾¢ higher at $3.55¾, and new-crop December 2017 futures closed 3½¢ higher at $3.83½ per bushel.
March soybean futures finished 9¢ lower at $9.95, while November 2017 soybean futures ended 6¢ lower at $9.83¼.
March wheat futures closed 1½¢ lower at $4.06½.
March soy meal futures settled $4.50 a short ton lower at $312.10. March soy oil futures ended 0.15¢ higher at 34.81¢ per pound.
In the outside markets, the Brent crude oil market is $1.34 per barrel lower, the U.S. dollar is higher, and the Dow Jones Industrials are 31 points higher at 19,803 points.
Dustin Johnson, EHedger LLC, says that the recent rainfall in the South American forecast is set to alleviate some of the dryness concerns.
“Overall, the impact of the current dry conditions is confined to an area that would still suggest +100 million MT crop is possible out of Brazil. The focus is shifting to the Index Fund rebalancing, which is supposed to shift toward corn. Also the corn-bean ratio is ultra-high leading into the January reports, so some steam could come out of them as traders position for that release,” Johnson says.
Bob Linneman, Kluis Commodities broker, says it’s worth watching the South American crop weather and outside money flow to get a handle on grain market direction.
“Areas of South America remain dry, while other areas are experiencing flooding. We may not see any major allocation of money based on the current weather as everyone awaits the upcoming USDA report,” says Linneman in a daily note to customers. BY MIKE MCGINNIS.
It is said that 'knowledge is the bedrock of existence'. As such, this blog serves to freely inform the general public about the importance of agriculture. The blog also serves to educate people on the different products that could be used on plants and animals to boost their growth and minimise loss and mortality.
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
TRUMP LEANING TOWARD GEORGIA EX GOV FOR AGRICULTURE HEAD.
WASHINGTON, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is U.S. Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s leading candidate to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a senior Trump transition team official said on Monday.
Perdue, a Democrat-turned-Republican who founded a grain and fertilizer business, served on Trump’s agricultural advisory committee during his presidential campaign.
The official gave no other details about Trump’s choice for agriculture secretary, one of the few remaining posts Trump has to fill as he assumes the White House on January 20.
The appointment must be approved by the Republican-led U.S. Senate.
Perdue, 70, led the southern U.S. state for two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011 after previously representing a rural swath of central Georgia about 100 miles south of Atlanta in the state senate.
Elected in 2002, he became the state’s first Republican governor since 1871, according to the National Governors Association.
After finishing his second term as governor, Perdue founded Perdue Partners, a global trading firm that consults and provides services for companies looking to export products.
Trump had been meeting with a number of other possible candidates for U.S. agriculture secretary, including Elsa Murano, undersecretary of agriculture for food safety under President George W. Bush, and Chuck Conner, head of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. BY STEVE HOLLAND.
He has also met with Abel Maldonado, former lieutenant governor of California and co-owner of Runway Vineyards; Tim Huelskamp, Republican U.S. representative from Kansas; and Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner.
Perdue, a Democrat-turned-Republican who founded a grain and fertilizer business, served on Trump’s agricultural advisory committee during his presidential campaign.
The official gave no other details about Trump’s choice for agriculture secretary, one of the few remaining posts Trump has to fill as he assumes the White House on January 20.
The appointment must be approved by the Republican-led U.S. Senate.
Perdue, 70, led the southern U.S. state for two terms as governor from 2003 to 2011 after previously representing a rural swath of central Georgia about 100 miles south of Atlanta in the state senate.
Elected in 2002, he became the state’s first Republican governor since 1871, according to the National Governors Association.
After finishing his second term as governor, Perdue founded Perdue Partners, a global trading firm that consults and provides services for companies looking to export products.
Trump had been meeting with a number of other possible candidates for U.S. agriculture secretary, including Elsa Murano, undersecretary of agriculture for food safety under President George W. Bush, and Chuck Conner, head of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. BY STEVE HOLLAND.
He has also met with Abel Maldonado, former lieutenant governor of California and co-owner of Runway Vineyards; Tim Huelskamp, Republican U.S. representative from Kansas; and Sid Miller, Texas agriculture commissioner.
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Don’t Remove Too Much Residue
Leave enough crop residue to protect soil and to ensure nutrient cycling
When figuring the dollar value of harvesting corn stover for either livestock use or ethanol production, build a long-term hedge into the equation by first determining how much crop residue the soil can afford to lose.
“Think about residue removal in terms of the long-term impact on productivity and soil sustainability,” says Iowa State University (ISU) agronomist Mahdi Al-Kaisi.
“We’re trying to think ahead to educate farmers and agronomists about potential implications of residue removal.”
In an eight-year study, ISU researchers examined how crop yield and soil quality were affected by varying levels of corn-residue removal and differing tillage systems.
The results indicate that corn yields held steady after one to three years of total removal of residue for both conventional-till and no-till systems.
However, as little as 25% to 35% removal of residue immediately affected soil quality.
“Corn production in Iowa generally produces 4½ tons of residue per acre at harvest,” says Al-Kaisi. “To protect the soil, we found that 3 tons of residue should be left on the soil surface to maintain soil organic matter at no change. Anything below that causes the bulk density of the soil to increase and water infiltration to decrease.”
As bulk density increases, soil becomes compacted, causing soil erosion and water runoff.
With little residue on the surface, soil is particularly vulnerable to rainfall.
“In a normal rainfall, raindrops 6 millimeters in diameter hit the ground at 20 mph,” says Al-Kaisi. “The cumulative impact of raindrops can be incredible, dislodging soil particles and splashing them up to 5 feet away. The splashed particles clog soil pores, effectively sealing off the soil surface and leading to soil crusting and poor water infiltration.”
Besides sheltering soils from wind and water erosion, crop residues provide a critical source of soil carbon. Soil microorganisms consume the carbon, and their feeding activity leads to final-stage breakdown of plant material. This results in the formation of organic matter and the sequestering of some carbon from the atmosphere.
“The loss of residues due to removal for any use can accelerate the loss of soil organic matter and nutrients for plant growth and soil microorganisms,” says Al-Kaisi. “In another long-term study, it was found that corn stover removed vs. stover returned had reduced the total source of soil organic matter by 20% and corn-derived soil organic carbon by 35% in a 13-year period.”
Destructive changes in physical properties of the soil can take 10 years or more to reverse by implementing conservation practices.
While corn yields may not decrease in the short term as a result of annual removal of residue, the diminished level of nutrient cycling by soil microorganisms may soon result in the need for increasing fertilization rates.
“Possible short-term impacts of corn stover removal may include an increase in application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium nutrients. These are needed to replace the nutrients lost due to residue removal and potential deficiencies in the soil nutrients’ pool in the long term,” says Al-Kaisi.
“Seven years ago, one study estimated that these macronutrients’ replacement cost due to residue removal was approximately $10 per ton of harvested residue,” he says.
When figuring the dollar value of harvesting corn stover for either livestock use or ethanol production, build a long-term hedge into the equation by first determining how much crop residue the soil can afford to lose.
“Think about residue removal in terms of the long-term impact on productivity and soil sustainability,” says Iowa State University (ISU) agronomist Mahdi Al-Kaisi.
“We’re trying to think ahead to educate farmers and agronomists about potential implications of residue removal.”
In an eight-year study, ISU researchers examined how crop yield and soil quality were affected by varying levels of corn-residue removal and differing tillage systems.
The results indicate that corn yields held steady after one to three years of total removal of residue for both conventional-till and no-till systems.
However, as little as 25% to 35% removal of residue immediately affected soil quality.
“Corn production in Iowa generally produces 4½ tons of residue per acre at harvest,” says Al-Kaisi. “To protect the soil, we found that 3 tons of residue should be left on the soil surface to maintain soil organic matter at no change. Anything below that causes the bulk density of the soil to increase and water infiltration to decrease.”
As bulk density increases, soil becomes compacted, causing soil erosion and water runoff.
With little residue on the surface, soil is particularly vulnerable to rainfall.
“In a normal rainfall, raindrops 6 millimeters in diameter hit the ground at 20 mph,” says Al-Kaisi. “The cumulative impact of raindrops can be incredible, dislodging soil particles and splashing them up to 5 feet away. The splashed particles clog soil pores, effectively sealing off the soil surface and leading to soil crusting and poor water infiltration.”
Besides sheltering soils from wind and water erosion, crop residues provide a critical source of soil carbon. Soil microorganisms consume the carbon, and their feeding activity leads to final-stage breakdown of plant material. This results in the formation of organic matter and the sequestering of some carbon from the atmosphere.
“The loss of residues due to removal for any use can accelerate the loss of soil organic matter and nutrients for plant growth and soil microorganisms,” says Al-Kaisi. “In another long-term study, it was found that corn stover removed vs. stover returned had reduced the total source of soil organic matter by 20% and corn-derived soil organic carbon by 35% in a 13-year period.”
Destructive changes in physical properties of the soil can take 10 years or more to reverse by implementing conservation practices.
While corn yields may not decrease in the short term as a result of annual removal of residue, the diminished level of nutrient cycling by soil microorganisms may soon result in the need for increasing fertilization rates.
“Possible short-term impacts of corn stover removal may include an increase in application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium nutrients. These are needed to replace the nutrients lost due to residue removal and potential deficiencies in the soil nutrients’ pool in the long term,” says Al-Kaisi.
“Seven years ago, one study estimated that these macronutrients’ replacement cost due to residue removal was approximately $10 per ton of harvested residue,” he says.
WHEAT
About Wheat
Soil
Fertilizer management
Nutrient management
Indian wheat is largely a soft/medium hard, medium protein, white bread wheat, somewhat
similar to U.S. hard white wheat. Wheat grown in central and western India is typically
hard, with high protein and high gluten content. India also produces around 1.0-1.2
million tons of durum wheat, mostly in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Most Indian
durum is not marketed separately due to segregation problems in the market yards.
However, some quantities are purchased by the private trade at a price premium,
mainly for processing of higher value/branded products.
The production and productivity of Wheat crop were quite low, when India became
independent in 1947. The production of Wheat was only 6.46 million tonnes and productivity
was merely 663 kg per hectare during 1950-51, which was not sufficient to feed the
Indian population. The Country used to import Wheat in large quantities for fulfilling
the needs of our people from many countries like USA under PL-480.
The reasons of
low production and productivity of Wheat at that time was (a) the tall growing plant
habit resulting in lodging, when grown under fertile soils, (b) the poor tillering
and low sink capacity of the varieties used, (c) higher susceptibility to diseases,
(d) the higher sensitivity to thermo & photo variations, etc., resulting in
poor adaptability, and (e) longer crop duration resulting in a long exposure of
plants to the climatic variations and insect pest / disease attacks.
The Government of India appointed a commission in 1961 to assess the feasibility
of increasing the crop productivity under prevailing Indian ecological conditions.
As result of various steps taken by Govt. of India, the Wheat scenario in our country
has completely changed. In the post Independence era, country used to import Wheat
for our needs but due to bumper increase in the production and productivity of
Wheat
in the 'Green Revolution' period in late sixties, our country became self dependent
in Wheat production. At present, country is producing much more excess Wheat than
the requirement and Godowns are over-flooded with Wheat.
Climate requirement
Wheat crop has wide adaptability. It can be grown not only in the tropical and sub-tropical
zones, but also in the temperate zone and the cold tracts of the far north ,beyond
even the 60 degree north altitude .
Wheat can tolerate severe cold and snow and
resume growth with the setting in of warm weather in spring .It can be cultivated
from sea level to as high as 3300 meters.
The best wheat are produced in areas favoured with cool, moist weather during the
major portion of the growing period followed by dry, warm weather to enable the
grain to ripen properly.
The optimum temperature range for ideal germination of
wheat seed is 20-25 C though the seeds can germinate in the temperature range 3.5
to 35 c. Rains just after sowing hamper germination and encourage seedling blight.
Areas with a warm and damp climate are not suited for wheat growing.
During the heading and flowering stages, excessively high or low temperatures and
drought are harmful to wheat. Cloudy weather, with high humidity and low temperatures
is conducive for rust attack. Wheat plant requires about 14-15 c optimum average
temperature at the time of ripening.
The temperature conditions at the time of
grain filling and development are very crucial for yield. Temperatures above 250c
during this period tend to depress grain weight. When temperatures are high, too
much energy I lost through the process of transpiration by the plants and the reduced
residual energy results in poorer grain formation and lower yields. Wheat is mainly
a rabi (winter) season crop in India.
Soil
Wheat is grown in a variety of soils of India. Soils with a clay loam or loam texture,
good structure and moderate water holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation.
Care should be taken to avoid very porous and excessively drained oils.
Soil should
be neutral in its reaction. Heavy soil with good drainage are suitable for wheat
cultivation under dry conditions. These soils absorb and retain rain water well.
Heavy soils with poor structure and poor drainage are not suitable as wheat is sensitive
to water logging.
Wheat can be successfully grown on lighter soils provided their
water and nutrient holding capacity are improved.
The time and placement of fertilizer is another area where significant progress
was made. It was demonstrated that 120 kg nitrogen, 60 kg phosphorus and 30 kg potash
per hectare were required for optimum productivity.
The N was to be applied in two
split doses of 60 kg as basal and the remaining 60 kg at first irrigation and full
phosphorus and potash to be applied as basal. Recently, the new wheat varieties
have responded up to 180 kg N/ha with optima dose around 150 kg/ha. In the Indo-Gangetic
plains, application of zinc @ 25kg/ha in rice-wheat system was found to increase
the yield substantially. Recently, the use of sulphur has been found beneficial
for enhancing the productivity as well as the grain protein content of wheat.
Response
to Mn (pockets in the Indo-Gangetic plains) and boron (eastern and far eastern region)
has also been realized.
With intensive agriculture, deficiency of essential nutrients has also become wide
spread. The work conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micronutrient
in Crops and Soils, has shown wide spread deficiency of zinc in soils in India.
At the national level, the deficiency level in micro nutrients is Zn: 46 %, B: 17
%, Mo: 12 %, Fe: 11 % and Cu: 5%. The deficiency of sulphur has also been reported
across a wide range of soils (38%).The yield response to sulphur has been obtained
in more than 40 crops including cereal, millets, oilseeds and pulses etc. To realize
the potential yield, strategies may include
- Site specific nutrient management for targeted yields
- Integration of crop residues, bio fertilizers etc with inorganic fertilization
- Tillage techniques like FIRBS for increasing nutrient use efficiencies
- Remote sensing for efficient Nutrient management
- Nutrient management, straw quality vis-à-vis human and animal health
SURGACANE
About Sugarcane
Climatic requirement
Reduction in yield of sugarcane due to rise in temperature
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) family
Gramineae (Poaceae) is widely grown crop in India. It provides
employment to over a million people directly or indirectly besides
contributing significantly to the national exchequer.
Sugarcane growing
countries of the world lay between the latitude 36.7° north and 31.0°
south of the equator extending from tropical to subtropical zones. Sugar
cane originated in New Guinea where it has been known for thousands of
years.
Sugar cane plants spread along human migration routes to Asia and
the Indian subcontinent. Here it cross-bred with some wild sugar cane
relatives to produce the commercial sugar cane we know today.
Cultivation of sugarcane in India dates back to
the Vedic period. The earliest mention of sugarcane cultivation is found
in Indian writings of the period 1400 to 1000 B.C.
It is now widely
accepted that India is the original home of Saccharum species. Saccharum
barberi and Polynesian group of island especially New Guinea is the
centre of origin of S. officinarum. It belongs to family Gramineae
(Poaceae), class monocotyledons and order glumaceae sub family
panicoidae, tribe Andripogoneae and sub tribe saccharininea.
The
cultivated canes belong to two main groups: (a) thin, hardy north Indian
types S.barberi and S.Sinense and (b) thick, juicy noble canes
Saccharum officinarum. Highly prized cane is S. officinarum.
Climatic requirement
Temperature for different critical stages of sugarcane:
The different critical stages are germination, tillering, early growth,
active growth and elongation. Optimum temperature for sprouting
(germination) of stem cuttings is 32° to 38°c.
It slows down below 25°,
reaches plateau between 30°-34°. Temperatures above 38° reduce the rate
of photosynthesis and increase respiration. For ripening, however,
relatively low temperatures in the range of 12° to 14° are desirable.
The sugarcane productivity and juice quality are
profoundly influenced by weather conditions prevailing during the
various crop-growth sub-periods.
Sugar recovery is highest when the
weather is dry with low humidity; bright sunshine hours, cooler nights
with wide diurnal variations and very little rainfall during ripening
period. These conditions favour high sugar accumulation.
The climatic
conditions like very high temperature or very low temperature
deteriorate the juice quality and thus affecting the sugar quality.
Favourable climate like warm and humid climate favour the insect pests
and diseases, which cause much damage to the quality and yield of its
juice and finally sucrose contents.
Government Should Curb Wastages in Agric Produce and Preserve Food - Experts
As the efforts to position the Nigeria’s
agricultural sector to become one of the leading players in food
production in world continue, experts have called on the federal
government to tackle the level of wastage of agricultural produce
usually experienced from distribution to the marketplace and develop
innovative ways to preserve them.
Speaking during the inauguration of
Fruits2go café, the Chief Executive Officer of the café, Tosan Kukoyi,
said government should focus on the end product value chain, as a lot of
wastages are being experienced from the farm to the market.
According to her, the wastage is huge and government has not provided facilities to preserve these agriculture produce.
She also stated that if government
encourages more people and provide the necessary support, most of the
agricultural produce will be better preserved thereby reduce the
reliance on imported foods which she noted is most preferred by
Nigerians despite the preservatives it contains, “most of these imported
products contain products that are not healthy for the body.”
Kukoyi, who stated that there is need
for more people to go into farming, commended government’s efforts in
positioning sector, adding that Nigerians should create innovations
regarding ways of preserving and packaging agriculture products.
Speaking on the café, she said the cafe
was a healthy alternative to eateries in Lagos and they are focused on
wholeness, noting that the products used are locally sourced in order to
provide space in the healthy food options segment where every member of
the family can have a good meal, snack or drink.
Kukoyi said the brand is targeted at
children because there are no smoothies’ stores or café targeted
children, while stressing that they have taken their services a step
further to schools to package healthy lunch for school pupils.
She added: “The school authorities have
also given us the opportunity to talk with the parents of these kids on
the importance of eating right and not compromising with the cheaper
alternatives that are in the market.
Parents are excited to bring their
children here because of what we are offering such as the popsicles
which looks like ice-cream, but it is made from pineapple fruits and
other fruit addition.
The parents of these pupils reach an agreement
with us and they pay for the lunch we serve their pupils, on a term
basis. We have covered two major schools.
“Children love our smoothies and juices.
We are creating excitement for our customers and still focused on the
core of the business. We have juices, and healthy Yogurts made without
preservatives. We only persevere these Yogurts with refrigeration. This
is the first branch, but we are looking at opening four other locations
in 2017.
“Government should evaluate the
agricultural value chain, the players and know where the challenges are
coming from, then address it.
I think the challenge before the
administration facing is implementation. For private entrepreneurs, we
will try our best to set the stage, within our capacity.
The bank is not
helping us with the interest rates they are giving. It is difficult if
you don’t have funds. There should more credit facilities to encourage
entrepreneurs.”
Anxiety in Nigeria Over Fate of Tomato Paste Industry
With the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s)
reluctance to amend its foreign exchange restriction for the
importation of certain commodities, value-chain operators in the tomato
paste industry have warned of the potential collapse of the N19 billion
manufacturing industry before the end of second quarter of 2017, if the
decision is not reviewed.
According to
the operators, the value of imported tomato paste in Nigeria used to be
about $170 million before the CBN ban on 41 items, out of which imported
triple concentrate tomato paste used as raw material by the packers
account for around $50 million.
Recall that an
indigenous local tomato paste manufacturer, Erisco Foods Limited, made
good its threat of shutting down the $150 million plant and relocating
its manufacturing base to a location outside Nigeria last month.
The Chief
Executive Officer, Erisco Foods, Chief Eric Umeofia, had announced that
the company was winding down operations preparatory for its final exit
from the country, citing that he was moving the factory to China, where
he already had a thriving business.
He added that
from there, he would be manufacturing and exporting tomato paste back to
Nigeria, as it was far cheaper doing so than producing locally.
Spokesman of
the Union of Tomato Paste Manufacturers in Nigeria, Nnamdi Nnodebe,
hinted that the tomato processing industry is in a dire position as
unavailability of tomato paste triple concentrate for the industry is
grinding production to a halt.
While some operators had urged
government to embrace a gradual backward integration agenda to achieve
its objectives, Nnodebe noted that the sudden implementation of the
forex policy by the apex ban has affected the profile of the industry
drastically.
He said: “It
makes better economics to import the raw materials that will enable
production, grow the economy and keep jobs rather than importing the
finished products or frustrating efforts to get the raw materials,
thereby rendering millions jobless which might further kill the economy.
“The local
packing industry can also form the hub for exports to the hinterland
countries as there are adequate local capacities to more than cater to
the domestic requirement. Using the ECOWAS benefits, this can be a huge
foreign exchange earner for the country today and in the near future.
Through the growth of the tomato industry Nigeria can compete with China
instead of buying the finished goods from them.
“It is
important for the government to recognise that the packing industry is
an essential component of the tomato paste value chain and without this
sector there can be no link between the farmer and the final consumer.
Even if we develop our own triple concentrate manufacturing industry in
future, the bulk of triple concentrate cannot be consumed in Nigeria
alone as exportation of the local production will become more
lucrative.”
Saturday, 31 December 2016
Farmer Makes Mineral Feeder Portable
Lee Gooder already had three perfectly good feeders, one in each of
his three pastures. Why, then, did he need a brand-new one, his wife,
Jill, wanted to know.
“This mineral feeder has curtains and scratchers and a large, rubber tub for salt and mineral,” he explained to her.
Still skeptical, she asked him how he intended to move it from one pasture to the next. “That was a good question. Once I made it portable, she was OK with it, and we were all good to go,” he says.
That portability has worked out extremely well, Gooder emphasizes. The transition began by mounting a snowmobile trailer axle to the self-feeder.
Son Zach helped build the axle mount and a hitch. They got help from a local welding shop with fabrication and mounting.
“That axle is removable, so when we want to take it off and make a stationary unit, we can,” Gooder points out.
The Cattle Saver feeder built by Easy Way Cattle Care in Decorah, Iowa, gets shedded. “I put the three old feeders back out until springtime,” he says.
The Gooders’ pastureland has steep slopes. So steep, the ground has never been used for anything but pasture. Yet, Gooder says, he’s had no trouble pulling the feeder with his Gator.
“I can easily lift the tongue even when the feeder is full of mineral. It’s nimble, but it’s stable, too. We get quite a bit of wind up there, and, so far, it hasn’t been knocked over,” he says.
Anticipation: The county has ordered him a new Caterpillar road grader.
Changing practices: Gooder sold his disk recently and bought a super coulter. “I’m trying to go as minimum-till as possible. The goal is to eventually do no-till,” he says.
Family: Wife Jill works full time at the local hospital. Both of their children, daughter Shelley and son Zach, are grown.
To join in the all farm contest click here and submit your ideas
“This mineral feeder has curtains and scratchers and a large, rubber tub for salt and mineral,” he explained to her.
Still skeptical, she asked him how he intended to move it from one pasture to the next. “That was a good question. Once I made it portable, she was OK with it, and we were all good to go,” he says.
That portability has worked out extremely well, Gooder emphasizes. The transition began by mounting a snowmobile trailer axle to the self-feeder.
Son Zach helped build the axle mount and a hitch. They got help from a local welding shop with fabrication and mounting.
“That axle is removable, so when we want to take it off and make a stationary unit, we can,” Gooder points out.
switch out when fly season is over
Since dust bags and an oiler aren’t required during the winter, the Gooders can have their trailer back in time for snowmobile season.The Cattle Saver feeder built by Easy Way Cattle Care in Decorah, Iowa, gets shedded. “I put the three old feeders back out until springtime,” he says.
The Gooders’ pastureland has steep slopes. So steep, the ground has never been used for anything but pasture. Yet, Gooder says, he’s had no trouble pulling the feeder with his Gator.
“I can easily lift the tongue even when the feeder is full of mineral. It’s nimble, but it’s stable, too. We get quite a bit of wind up there, and, so far, it hasn’t been knocked over,” he says.
Another winner
Gooder is the last recipient of a $2,500 Firestone in-store credit offer for having his idea chosen as the Idea of the Month.More about Lee Gooder
Family farm: Besides fall-calving stock cows, Gooder grows corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. He also feeds out Jersey bottle calves. He is a full-time road maintenance employee for Howard County in northeast Iowa.Anticipation: The county has ordered him a new Caterpillar road grader.
Changing practices: Gooder sold his disk recently and bought a super coulter. “I’m trying to go as minimum-till as possible. The goal is to eventually do no-till,” he says.
Family: Wife Jill works full time at the local hospital. Both of their children, daughter Shelley and son Zach, are grown.
To join in the all farm contest click here and submit your ideas
UN Conference reaches agreement to Mainstreaming Biodiversity to ensure Sustainable Development
As part of efforts to achieve sustainable development, governments
from 167 countries have given an unparalleled recognition to the need to
protect biodiversity across the agricultural sectors towards ensuring
food security and addressing climate change.
The global leaders while making the agreement at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP13) held recently in Cancun, Mexico consented on specific steps to promote the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity within and across the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism sectors.
Addressing participants at the Conference, Deputy Director General Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Maria Helena Semedo explained that though agricultural sectors and biodiversity have often been regarded as separate and even conflicting concerns, they are inextricably connected.
“Agriculture is by nature a major user of biodiversity, but it also has the potential to contribute to its protection,” she added
The Conference declaration stressed that the international community must involve different governmental and economic sector and not just environment ministries to protect biodiversity- the thousands of interconnected species that make up a vital web of ecosystem services upon which global food production depends.
The platform which is aimed at facilitating cross-sector dialogue, will allow ministries of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environment to share experiences and explore how to best encourage sectors that depend or have an impact on biodiversity to adopt integrated approaches for its conservation and sustainable use.
The global leaders while making the agreement at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP13) held recently in Cancun, Mexico consented on specific steps to promote the integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity within and across the agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism sectors.
Addressing participants at the Conference, Deputy Director General Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Maria Helena Semedo explained that though agricultural sectors and biodiversity have often been regarded as separate and even conflicting concerns, they are inextricably connected.
“Agriculture is by nature a major user of biodiversity, but it also has the potential to contribute to its protection,” she added
The Conference declaration stressed that the international community must involve different governmental and economic sector and not just environment ministries to protect biodiversity- the thousands of interconnected species that make up a vital web of ecosystem services upon which global food production depends.
The platform which is aimed at facilitating cross-sector dialogue, will allow ministries of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environment to share experiences and explore how to best encourage sectors that depend or have an impact on biodiversity to adopt integrated approaches for its conservation and sustainable use.
Dangote extols Nigerians’ perseverance, canvasses for agric resurgence
The
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has commended Nigerians for
their resilience and perseverance in the face of prevailing economic
challenges, while stressing the need for Nigerians to return to
agriculture.
Dangote
who stated this while addressing a group of small and medium scale
enterprises in Lagos, on the challenges faced in the country stressed
the need to become a producing nation and reduce importation.
According
to him, “We need to produce what we consume as opposed to importation,
which takes away our forex.
We import just anything and the reality is
dawn on us now that we have to change this habit, this is why the
federal government has been emphasizing the need to go back to
agriculture and total manufacturing so that we also can produce what we
need and even export rather than import.”
He furthered that the nation has abundant raw materials to produce and did not need to import of some of these products.
Expressing
confidence that the sacrifices made by the citizens would see the
country out of the woods the business mogul urged the people to
cooperate with the government in bringing Nigeria back to a path of
sufficiency and economic buoyancy.
Vanguard
reports that the business mogul had indicated that his new $12 billion
three in one project, the refinery, petrochemical and fertilizer plants
currently under construction would create a minimum of 235,000 new jobs,
both direct and indirect jobs, as it becomes operational in the first
quarter of 2019.
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