September 2017 Volume: 3 Issue: 9
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Manure Impact on Soil Aggregation
By Rick Koelsch, Extension Specialist, Biological Systems Engineering
If manure increases formation of larger (macro) and more stable soil aggregates, several benefits may result for fields fertilized by manure compared to commercial fertilizer including:
1) Reduced runoff and soil erosion;
2) Increased water infiltration into the soil possibly leading to greater drought tolerance; and
3) Partial offsetting of higher soil P levels resulting from manure application and limiting P loss to local surface water. Continue...
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Mark Your Calendars
NSDA Annual Convention
February 27, 2018
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
Columbus, NE
Agenda & details to come.
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Milk producers can opt out of Margin Protection Program for 2018
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2017 — Bowing to requests from the dairy industry, USDA says it will allow milk producers to opt out of the Margin Protection Program for 2018.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue “is using his authority to allow producers to withdraw from the MPP Dairy Program and not pay the annual administrative fee for 2018,” Rob Johansson, acting deputy undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Rob Johansson, said in a release. “The decision is in response to requests by the dairy industry and a number of MPP-Dairy program participants.” Continue...
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Lowell Mueller Attends Breakfast with
Undersecretary Hafemeister
By Lowell Mueller, Nebraska Division Chair, Midwest Dairy Association
Lowell Mueller, dairy producer from Hooper, Neb., attended a round table discussion breakfast with USDA Interim Deputy Undersecretary for Trade, Jason Hafemeister on August 17, along with other commodity groups in Nebraska.
Some topics that were discussed were trade with China, NAFTA negotiations, and unilateral trade agreements. China is a large trade opportunity but there are many barriers to overcome. Health certificates are now required for export to China and many other countries. These must go through FDA. Since this certification takes too long, the group asked that USDA help expedite this process.
NAFTA negotiations started on August 17. The main theme from all commodity groups was “Do no harm, but make it better”. Negotiation with Canada will be tough for dairy as they are very protective of their dairy industry and have put in place a new pricing program that has created a serious threat to US protein exports. Undersecretary Hofesmeister went on to discuss unilateral trade agreements and stated we may be better off with unilateral agreements in Asia. It was stressed to the Undersecretary that speed in achieving progress in these talks is essential as other countries have gotten ahead of the US in the discussions. Mueller stressed to the Undersecretary we need help from USDA on fighting the EU for attempting to use “Geographical Indicators” to try to block competition and create barriers for trade. The US needs to make sure our trading partners stick to their commitments to us when they negotiate for trade agreements with the EU like Mexico is currently doing.
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NSDA Testifies at Farm Bill Hearing
Jim Eschliman, dairy producer from Ericson, Neb., and second from the left in the picture testified on behalf of the Nebraska State Dairy Association at the Farm Bill hearing at the Nebraska State Fair on September 1. Several key points made during his testimony:
- Margin Protection - the last Farm Bill included the Margin Protection Plan program (MPP) and was supposed to protect dairy farmers in times of low margins. Dairy farmers counted on this program to get them through tough times and were never paid. Improvements for this program include correcting the feed calculation, calculate margins monthly, provide additional risk management tools.
- Trade - Nearly 15% of U.S. produced milk is exported. Dairy producers ask for a "do no harm approach" to the NAFTA renegotiation.
- Labor - Dairy farmers need a legal and reliable workforce. Congress must develop an agricultural visa program that addresses livestock sectors full time, year-round needs.
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- The NSDA annual convention is February 27, 2018 in Columbus, Neb., at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. The agenda will be sent out in the next few weeks.
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