FYI on Dairy

The word from the countryside seems to be that there is some mold out there, but it's not a big problem—yet. Both agronomists and grain elevator managers think it could still be a major problem before the season is over. Dry years like this one favor the development of molds on ears, particularly Aspergillus mold. It produces aflatoxin, which can make livestock go off feed or become sick. There are also low levels allowed in grain going for human consumption, or into products that humans will use, such as corn starch.

The word from the countryside seems to be that there is some mold out there, but it's not a big problem—yet. Both agronomists and grain elevator managers think it could still be a major problem before the season is over. Dry years like this one favor the development of molds on ears, particularly Aspergillus mold. It produces aflatoxin, which can make livestock go off feed or become sick. There are also low levels allowed in grain going for human consumption, or into products that humans will use, such as corn starch.

This is a great photo documentary on cutting grass for dairy cows. It has something for the hay people and those interested in learning more about farming processes.

This is a great photo documentary on cutting grass for dairy cows. It has something for the hay people and those interested in learning more about farming processes.

The good news is the House Agriculture Committee approved its version of the 2012 farm bill. The bad news is the House Agriculture Committee approved its version of the 2012 farm bill. These divergent headlines frame the range of reactions of House Republicans to the five-year omnibus food and agriculture legislation that is sure to give Speaker Boehner, if not the mother, than certainly the daughter of the mother of all headaches.

A free speech lawsuit against the Kansas State Fair has been threatened by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. At issue is a 13-minute video PETA wants to show at its booth at the Kansas State Fair containing undercover images from slaughterhouses and factory farms. The video, narrated by ex-Beatle and vegetarian Paul McCartney, is described as “gruesome” by PETA.

This is an example of why people in agriculture need to consider themselves not as farmers and ranchers, but as part of a food ecosystem, above and beyond reproach. If there is any distrust, then the food ecosystem as a whole suffers.

This is an example of why people in agriculture need to consider themselves not as farmers and ranchers, but as part of a food ecosystem, above and beyond reproach. If there is any distrust, then the food ecosystem as a whole suffers.

“Based on conditions as of Aug. 1, yields are expected to average 123.4 bushels per acre, down 22.6 bushels from last month,” writes Elton Robinson, Delta Farm Press editor. “If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.4 million acres, down 2 percent from the June forecast but up 4 percent from 2011.” Looking to cushion the impact of such news, a myriad group of domestic and international interests – including U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Director General José Graziano da Silva-- have called on the EPA to waive the government-mandated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which places a quota on ethanol production. The RFS requires 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol be produced in 2012 (requiring some 4.7 billion bushels of corn) and 13.8 billion gallons in 2013 (requiring 4.9 billion bushels of corn).

Tyson Foods Inc., one of the world’s biggest meat and poultry producers, took a stab at drought forecasting Monday. Included in its fiscal third-quarter report was a lot of talk about the devastating impact the dry weather is having on the corn crop, soaring feed prices, rising production costs and — moving right up the protein chain — consumer demand.

Farmers would get another round of the $5 billion a year "direct payment" subsidy, targeted by reformers as wasteful spending, in a Republican-drawn offer of disaster aid for farmers hurt by the worst drought in half a century. The package, unveiled on Friday, combines drought relief with a one-year extension of the farm program. If passed by the House next week and accepted by Senate, it would end a farm-bill stalemate by deferring work until 2013, when cost-cutting pressure may be intense. An estimated $1.2 billion in drought relief would be provided under the bill, half to livestock producers and half to crop growers. While crop insurance will provide a safety net for many growers, livestock producers face parched pastures and rising feed costs.

“Is water the gold of the 21st century?” asks Fortune. Answer: Yes, water is the New Gold for investors this century. In 2010 global water generated over a half trillion dollars of revenue. Global world population will explode from 7 billion today to 10 billion by 2050, predicts the United Nations. And over one billion “lack access to clean drinking water.”