Life Sciences Commons^™

Pricing Corn In 2000, Mike Turner

Cornhusker Economics

Begin thinking about pricing next year抯 corn crop (2000) as an important New Year抯 Resolution. For the third consecutive year, harvest time prices may be below the cost of production for even the most efficient Nebraska producers. As a result, producers will again be obliged to combine cash receipts from the sale of corn along with government program benefits (i.e., loan deficiency payments, transition payments and potential agricultural emergency program benefits) in an attempt to cover the cost of production.

Visiting Professors From The Ukraine And Russian, Lynn Lutgen

Cornhusker Economics

The Department became involved in a faculty exchange program this summer. Four visiting professors joined us in August and will leave on December 14 to return to their respective universities. They have taken classes, traveled and developed class outlines and news articles that will be used when they return home. Following are some of their impressions and things they have done during their visit to the United States. I thought the readers might be interested in some of their thoughts.

Ard News December 1999

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
Season's Greetings
Foundation Seed Division
A Retrospective on the FY 1999 Federal Budget
FY 1999 Expenditures Per Budgeted Research Faculty
Recognition of Junior Faculty for Excellence in Research
ARD Royalty Income
NUPROF Faculty Development
Shear-Miles Fellowship
Proposals Submitted far Federal Grants
New or Revised Projects
Grants and Contracts Received October and November, 1999

Livestock Waste Control Facility Inspection And Permit Requirements, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

Nebraska livestock waste control facility statutes require all livestock operations with at least 300 animal units (AUs) to be inspected by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine whether livestock waste pollutes surface or groundwater. Livestock operations with less than 300 AUs are exempt from the feedlot permit and inspection requirements, unless those operations have had a confirmed discharge into waters of the state or a high potential for such a discharge. In such cases, DEQ must notify the livestock operation owner by certified mail. If an exempt producer has already requested a DEQ inspection, that request was …

Nebline, December 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Hello neighbor
Houseplant problems
Holiday safety
Cyclamen care
Dealing with woodpecker damage to houses
Backyard habitat
Are you feeding birds?
Recycling is for the birds
Renting facilities
Storage methods to reduce hay losses
Changes to waste management regulations announced
Biosolids cuts production costs and improves yields
Crop Protection Clinics
Water pipes
Tractor safety tips (part 12)
Planting designs with wildlife in mind
Conferences of interest
It’s not the potato’s fault
Healthy Eating: Savor the season...with beef!
Gift ideas defend against bacteria
Life’s little luxuries for 100 calories or less
Focus on Food
Family & Community Education: Jean's Journal
FCE News …

Cropwatch No. 99-25, Nov. 19, 1999, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch

Inside

Kansas crop diseases…………220

Wheat diseases…………221

Irrigating alfalfa…………223

No-till research results…………223

Closing irrigation systems…………224

Readership survey…………225

Two "Oldies But Goodies" - Still Timely, Deb Rood

Cornhusker Economics

Difficult times in agriculture can strain family relationships. Here are two "oldies but goodies" that are still topical today.

Seed For 2000: Gmo Or No?, Roger Selley

Cornhusker Economics

Public response to genetically modified organisms, GMOs, has prompted concern about the market for GMOs and non-GMOs. Proponents argue that GMOs are safe and consumers and producers will benefit from GMOs. However, all technology has some risk. The risks that opposition groups are concerned about are wide ranging. There is concern that gene transfer itself is undesirable and could have some unintended effects on the genetic material. Others have environmental concerns. Some of the opposition to herbicide-ready soybeans, for example, derives from a concern that additional herbicide may be used with GMOs. Similarly, Bt corn may have some negative effects …

A Time To Rethink School Financing, Bruce Johnson, Brandon Raddatz

Cornhusker Economics

In our recently-completed study “Agricultural Property Taxation: A Comparative Analysis,” we have found that Nebraska ranks at the very top of the major agricultural states in terms of property tax burden on agricultural property. For the year 1998, Nebraska’s taxes per $100 of full market value of agricultural land averaged $1.16. This was 63 percent higher than the 19 major agricultural state averages of $0.71 and 71 percent higher than the 1998 average for the regional states (Nebraska and its six bordering states). If Nebraska had decreased taxes levied per $100 of full market value to the average of the …

Nebline, November 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Strong families—strong futures
Winterizing roses
Storing vegetables
House plant insect problems
Y2K houseplants?
Wildlife success story: return of wild turkeys
Wild turkey facts
Celebrate America Recycles Day November 15
Lady bird, lady bird, fly away from my home!
Pricing silage in the feed bunk
Winter pastures and supplements
The Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarships for prospective students
Grain storage information on the web
Cross fencing to improve pasture productivity
Low temperature injury
Tractor safety tips (part 11)
Proper mulching
Portable generators
Marketing your produce
Fall insect pest - Fleas
Food safety and storage in emergency situations
Healthy Eating: White Turkey Chili …

Cropwatch No. 99-24, Oct. 29,1999, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch

Inside

Field updates/briefs…………212

Sample crop budgets…………213

Winter meetings…………214

Rural writings sought…………216

New Web site…………218

Bt stalk grazing…………218

Summary Of 1998 Income And Expenses From 12 Monitor Dairy Herds In Nebraska, Krishna R. Boddugari,, Doug Jose

Cornhusker Economics

A survey was conducted involving 12 monitor dairy farms in Nebraska. The size of the farms ranged from 160 to 625 cows, and all of the farms had dairy as the primary enterprise. The farmers were asked to complete input forms that were sent to them. The data was then analyzed using a spreadsheet program developed at the University of Missouri. Income and expenses involved only in the dairy enterprise were considered. Values for some expense items that were common to both the dairy and crop enterprises were split proportionately based on the percentage use on the dairy. This number …

Pricing Agricultural Products And Commodities, Jim Kendrick

Cornhusker Economics

The price of corn at most any location is based on the price of Chicago Board of Trade corn futures. There, corn is assumed to be #2 yellow and is a commodity that is carefully specified as to its quality anywhere in the world.

Feed Cost – Critical To Pork Producers, Allen Prosch

Cornhusker Economics

While low grain prices are burdensome for grain producers, they offer some relief for pork producers. Until live hog supplies decrease, producers are faced with a poor outlook for prices. Therefore, keeping control of input cost, especially feed cost, will be critical to success.

Cropwatch No. 99-23, Oct. 8,1999, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch

Inside

Row crops maturing………..204

New web site………..204

Marketing loans/LDPs………..205

LDPs before you sell………..206

Insect handbooks………..206

Converting storage………..207

Distress loans………..207

Renting a grain bin………..208

Bin contracts………..208

Precipitation data………..210

What's Your Family Living Expense Per Bushel?, Larry Bitney

Cornhusker Economics

A speaker at the Women in Agriculture conference in Kearney last month said a woman told him that her family’s living expense was 39 cents per bushel of corn. This made me curious as to how some of our data compared. First, I looked at an example farm situation on a worksheet which we use to help producers allocate their costs to individual enterprises. Surprisingly, the family living expense was also 39 cents per bushel of corn. It was 94 cents per bushel of soybeans and $4.50 per hundredweight of hog production.

Ard News October 1999

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:
Comments from the Dean
Y2K - Same Last Minute Precautions
ARD Publication Process
USDA Organization for Science and Education
Proposals Submitted for Federal Grants
Grants and Contracts Received August and September, 1999
The State Agricultural Experiment Station System
The NASULGC Organization
Proposals Submitted far Federal Grants
Allocation of Increased Hatch Funds

Oviposition By European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) In Response To Various Transgenic Corn Events, Richard L. Hellmich, L. S. Higgins, John F. Witkowski, J. E. Campbell, L. C. Lewis

Haskell Agricultural Laboratory (Northeast Research and Extension Center)

Oviposition preference by European corn borers, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), for or against transgenic corn would influence amounts of refuge required for resistance management. The objective of this research was to determine if various Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn transgenic events influence O. nubilalis oviposition. All commercially available events (currently 5) were evaluated, plus 1 experimental event. Results from 3 independent studies are reported, including 3 field-cage experiments with vegetative corn, 2 field-cage experiments with reproductive corn, and 2 field experiments with natural O. nubilalis on reproductive corn. In each case, Bt corn hybrids are compared with their near isogenic hybrids by …

Nebline, October 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Giving recipes a food safety update
Needle drop on evergreens
Answers to composting questions Fall clean up in the orchard
What do they like to eat?
Responsible hunting and landowner relations
Jumpin’ jiminy crickets
Autumn is a great time to clean your feeder
Head lice videotape available
October is the best time to treat hard to control pasture weeds
The value of composting
Plateau herbicide cleared for use in Nebraska
Grain storage information on the web
Fall and winter care of water gardens
Tractor safety tips (part 10)
Transplanting peonies
Household invaders
Modified food guide pyramid for ages 70+
Healthy …

Cropshare Lease Arrangements For Intensive Dryland Cropping Systems, Paul A. Burgener

Cornhusker Economics

Changes in U.S. agricultural policy implemented following the 1996 Farm Act have allowed producers to consider different cropping systems without restrictions on farm program payment eligibility. As a result, planting decisions have been shifting in response to market prices, conservation compliance and production goals. Some dryland crop producers are using more intensive dryland crop rotations to potentially increase farm income levels. In the past three years, Western Nebraska has seen a decrease in the number of acres planted to wheat, and an increase in the number of acres planted to sunflowers, proso millet, dryland corn and other specialty crops.

Take Time To Listen, Deb Rood

Cornhusker Economics

Harvest is one of those times when it抯 the best and worst of times on a family farm. The anticipation of harvesting your crops is always a highlight for families, the stress of actually getting it done can be overwhelming. One of the things family members can do to make harvest less stressful is to take time to listen to each other. Good communication between family members can make harvest one of the best times. Especially if you know exactly what part you need for the combine. Here are a few tips to help you become a better listener:

Cropwatch No. 99-22, Sept. 17, 1999, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch

Inside

Grain handling info………..194

Marketing program sites………..195

Killing alfalfa………..196

Last cutting of alfalfa………..196

Winter injury risk………..197

Cattle combines………..198

Early frost prediction………..198

Late-season weed control………..199

Alfalfa diseases………..199

Banding herbicides………..200

Preparing bins………..201

Controlling brome………..202

1999 Nebraska Livestock Legislation, J. David Aiken

Cornhusker Economics

Several bills dealing with livestock issues were enacted in 1999, including LB882 (temporary zoning), LB870 (livestock waste permits) and LB835 (livestock contracts).

Flexible Cash Leases: Some Additional Considerations, Roger Selley

Cornhusker Economics

In the February 24, 1999 issue of this newsletter, John Cole discussed the idea of flexible cash leasing and described some examples for adjusting cash rents. Several of us have continued to discuss the flexible cash lease and have further explored its application. Part of our interest in flexible cash leases has been due to the relatively infrequent rate at which cash rents are adjusted (an average of once every 5 years in Nebraska) and a shift that has been taking place from crop-share rents to fixed cash rent. Some of what we have discovered in looking more closely at …

Nebline, September 1999

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

National 4-H Week
Growing hardy bulbs
Fall storage of tender bulbs, corms and tubers
Hints for fruit storage
Where do fruit flies come from?
Kid's Corner
Wolf spiders are “big, hairy and real fast”
Reduce unwanted advertising mail!
September 20-26, 1999: Celebrate P2 Week!
Bee or wasp problems?
Fall clean-up of warm-season grasses
Prepare grain bins and equipment before harvest
Fall is a good time to control problem weeds Pricing silage into the feed bunk
On-farm grain storage
Prevent fires in wood-burning stoves
Tractor safety tips (part 9)
Water-saving adjustments
Mulch–mowing your lawn
Hemlock and livestock
Drinking water quality ‘report …

Cost Of Augmenting Stream Flow Through Reduced Groundwater Pumping, Raymond J. Supalla, Osei Yeboah

Cornhusker Economics

There is currently considerable speculation and concern over the possibility of using reduced groundwater pumping to augment stream flow. This option has been raised as a possibility for helping Nebraska meet its compact obligations on the Republican River and as a means of providing part of the instream flow needs in the Big Bend reach of the Platte. The merits of this option depend on hydrology, value judgements regarding property rights and entitlements and on the economic cost of reduced pumping. This paper addresses only the question of economic cost.

Cropwatch No. 99-21, Aug. 20, 1999, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch

Inside

Field updates…………. 184

Foundation seed…………. 185

Fertilizing winter wheat…………. 186

Grain storage…………. 187

Wheat seed book…………. 187

Bean leaf beetles…………. 188

Upcoming workshops…………. 190

Last irrigation…………. 191

Precipitation…………. 192

Dairy Options Pilot Program, Rama S. Valluru

Cornhusker Economics

Dairy producers are more prone to production, marketing and financial risks than ever because they have few marketing alternatives, despite the highly volatile milk prices. Considering the precarious situation that dairy farmers face, USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) has launched a novel costshare program in select states and counties across the nation that allows farmers to try and use futures and options markets. The program, Dairy Options Pilot Program (DOPP), at a cost of $11 million is a first of its kind. Launched under the 1996 FAIR Act, it was first announced on June 8, 1998 by the Secretary of …

Valuing A Replacement Heifer, Richard Clark

Cornhusker Economics

Fall is an important time for Nebraska beef cattle producers. Decisions are often made about retaining or acquiring replacement females for either sustaining or growing the beef cow herd. Just how many bred heifers or heifer calves should be retained or acquired will depend on the replacement rate for the mature cows and whether or not the producer is planning to change total cow numbers. An important aspect of the retention (or buying) decision is the value of a bred female.

Structural Change In The Pork Industry - Another Perspective -, Mike Turner

Cornhusker Economics

Observers of the pork industry have had ample opportunity to explain what has transpired during the 1990's. It has been a period of dramatic and remarkable change. Concentration in production and processing has been a major part of the story. Approximately 8 percent of U.S. hog production was contributed by Mega hog farms at the beginning of the decade to over 50% by firms with 10,000 sows or more by 1999. The reasons for this remarkable growth in concentration are undoubtedly many.