R. F. D. News & Views, September 4, 2013

Report: Farmers Reduced Sediment, Nutrient Losses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The USDA Office of Communications issued a press release August 27 to announce that voluntary conservation programs adapted by farmers have resulted in significant reductions in the loss of sediment and nutrients from farm fields into the lower Mississippi River. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that by better controlling erosion and managing applications of nutrients, edge-of-field losses of sediment were reduced by 35 percent, N by 21 percent and P by 52 percent.

“We need to keep up the momentum by providing scientific and technical expertise that supports conservation in agriculture,” Vilsack stated. The study of the watershed is part of USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project, or CEAP, which uses advanced modeling techniques to determine the effectiveness of conservation practices. As part of the study, model simulations showed that an increase in cover crops will have a significant impact on reducing edge-of-field runoff and improving water quality.

 

Cover Crop “Movement” Gains Momentum

BLOOMINGTON – It seemed last week as if everyone in agriculture was talking about the benefits of cover crops, such as radish or rye. According to Lindsay Mitchell, project coordinator for Illinois Corn, farmers are being encouraged to grow cover crops on their fields throughout the winter to improve soil productivity and nutrient retention.

“The science behind this makes sense. On a big picture level, Illinois is prairie and having grasses growing on our soil year round is a return to what built the rich organic soils in the first place,” Mitchell noted in an Illinois Corn Daily Update. “As the cover crop grows in the fall, it uses the nitrogen left in the soil to grow and stores it within the plant. In the spring when the farmer kills the cover crop, the nitrogen is released back into the soil for the corn crop to use. This management technique significantly minimizes the nitrogen remaining to run off into the water supply.”

Among other benefits of cover cropping include reduced compaction and increased organic soil matter, according to Mitchell. But one of the greatest benefits to farmers has been recently verified in field trials in Illinois: up to 20 bushels more per acre in yields.

 

ISA Marks 50 Years, Sets Future Goals

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) marked its 50th anniversary with a reception at last week’s sweltering Farm Progress Show in Decatur. ISA’s director noted that while it’s important to celebrate the century-old history of soybean production in the state, it’s more important that the organization continue to develop new technologies and markets for their member’s commodities in the future.

“We’re embracing the past– our legacy of leadership, market development and soybean production in Illinois,” said Don Guinnup, ISA director and chair of the ISA Anniversary Committee. “And we’re envisioning the future– our goal of using 600 million bushels of Illinois soybeans by 2020.”

The ISA evolved from the Land of Lincoln Soybean Association, formed in 1964 by a Champaign County farmer to provide representation for soybean producers. That organization eventually merged with the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board, created in 1974 to manage the Illinois soybean checkoff program. Today, a 24-member group of farmers manages both checkoff and legislative affairs under the ISA umbrella.

“History shows in the early 1920s, Illinois was the leading soybean state, thanks to its research and industry,” Guinnup said. “According to the Soy Info Center, Illinois farmers and manufacturers developed combines for soybeans. University of Illinois agronomists pioneered breeding research. A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company made Illinois a leader in soybean crushing.”

As a result, Illinois soybean production volume has grown from less than 100,000 bushels per year to more than 460 million bushels in the past century, Guinnup added. (ISA news release)

 

FFA Barnyard Staffed By New Officers

SPRINGFIELD – Staffing the Illinois State Fair’s popular FFA Barnyard for twelve hours each day of the ten day fair is a monumental task that is always assigned to the 25 FFA section presidents across the state and five-member state officer team. The 2013-14 FFA state officer team– president Sam Detwiler, 19, of Flanagan, vice president Rachel Hawk, 18, of Aledo, reporter August Schetter, 18, of Brighton, secretary Cody Carman, 18, of Sullivan and treasurer Joe Heavner, 19, of Valmeyer– worked diligently during this year’s fair, meeting and greeting visitors to the Barnyard, walking with Illinois Agriculture Director Bob Flider in the fair’s opening parade and participating in activities during the fair’s Agriculture Day.

“There were anywhere from 10 to 20 students working the Barnyard per day,” explained Mindy Bunselmeyer of the Illinois FFA Center, who organizes and runs the FFA Barnyard. “Plus, volunteers stayed with the animals every night. Some literally put in 24 hour days.”

FFA member-volunteers received free parking and admission to the fair, and the Illinois Pork Producers Association and Illinois Beef Association donated free lunch passes for use at the Pork Patio and Ribeye Corrall. Other than those small perks, the kids worked solely for the love of their organization and the promotion of American agricultural education. “It’s looked at as a duty and responsibility of being a state officer,” said Bunselmeyer. “It’s a well-established state fair tradition.”

The same can be said for the FFA Barnyard.

 

Illinois Farm Fact:

Illinois soybean production has grown from just 2,000 acres a century ago to to around nine million acres, or approximately one-fourth of the state’s land mass. Illinois soybeans generate more than $5 billion per year in direct sales alone. (Ill. Soybean Assoc.)

 

(Tim Alexander is a freelance reporter who writes agriculture, news and feature articles for the News Bulletin, Farm World and many other publications.)