contents 2010 wcpa membership meeting & seminar...

3 WCPACommittees:Yourchanceto shapetheindustry

4 MeetthenewmembersoftheWCPA BoardofDirectors5 BylawChange-ElectronicVoting

6 TheDownsideofCaution

7 SpillReporting:Whyisitso important?

9 2010TaxOpportunitiesforAgri- businesses

11 Keystocalibratingyoursprayer

13 ComprehensiveClimateBillChange Introduced

14 SurveyShowsConsumersBack FarmersandBiodiesel

15 SecretsToSavingFuel

16 SmallFarmsInUS:Persistence UnderPressure

18 E-wasteReportofcellphones& computers

19 DryingProgressofCornStanding OverWinter

20 2009GrowingSeasonReview

24 KeepingthePeople’sInterestsFirst

25 MNUpdatesPesticideDealerLicense Fees&Requirements

26 WICropManagementConference

30 WeedingOutHungerCampaign

33 USandWICornandSoybeanStocks Upfrom2008

34 FungalFumesClearoutCropPests

35 WIFarmCenterAnnouncesFuture FieldsProgram

36 LabelingRequirementsforBagged Fertilizer

37 DNRSecretarywillContinuetobe GovernorAppointee

38 State‘oversight’preventsfarmers fromusingATVsonIllinoisroads

39 ReturningVetsMayStillDeerHunt

40 GypsyMothTreatmentsProposed for20Counties

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CONTENTS

ThesecondannualWCPAMember-shipMeeting&Seminarreceivedexcellentreviewsfromattendeeswhoturnedoutforawell-knownlineupofspeakersandtoconductofficialWCPAbusiness.Surveyresultsforthemeeting,heldonTuesday,March2inWisconsinDells,showthatanincred-ible100percentofattendeeseither‘Agreed’or‘StronglyAgreed’thattheseminarwas‘wellworthmytime’andthattheywill‘bringbackuse-fulinformation.’

Oneattendeeremarked,“Overallgoodtopicsandgoodpresentations.Barry[Flinch-baugh]didanexcellentjobasusual.”AnotherattendeeindicatedthatmoreWCPAmembersshouldturnouttohearspeakersofthiscaliber.

Ofimportantnote,WCPAmembersunanimouslyvotedtoapprovetwobylawschangeswhichwillallowtheWCPAtoconductelectionsandvotingelectronicallyviaemailandonlinemethods.Formoreinformation,seetheinfoboxonpage5andinupcom-ingWCPAmagazineissues.

Meeting highlights

Themorningbeganwithawelcom-ingaddressfromRodNilsestuen,SecretaryoftheWisconsinDepart-mentofAgriculture,Trade,andConsumerProtection.HespokeoftheimportantrolethatagricultureplaysforWisconsin’seconomy.

MikePikenofClevelandResearchCompany,talkedaboutthevolatility

inthenitrogen,phosphateandpotashmarkets,andwherewearetoday.At-tendeeswerethenremindedofDOTrulesandrequire-

mentsfromWisconsinStatePatrolInspectorsKarlKronauandRichardKrisher.

ThemorningconcludedwithaneyeopeningandengagingpresentationbyCyndiO’ConnellofO’ConnellFi-nancialServiceswhicheducatedat-tendeesaboutdifferentretirementplanoptionsandhowtotakeadvan-tageofnewrulesandtaxbreakstomakethemostofyourmoney.Oneattendeeremarked,“Theretirementprogramwasexcellent!”

2010 WCPA Membership Meeting & SeminarWrap-up: informative and entertaining

Volume 7. Issue 1. Spring 2010

WCPA Industry News Quarterly - Volume 7. Issue 1. Spring 2010

2317 International Lane,Suite 102

Madison, WI 53704-3154Phone: 608-249-4070

Fax: 608-249-5311E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.wicrops.org

Board of DirectorsMike Mleziva, PresidentAaron Burke, Vice-PresidentScott Firlus, SecretaryStan McGraw, TreasurerMarty Liegel, Past PresidentJim SutterRandy BinaLarry FieneJim SheltonPaul HennBruce Andersen

WCPA AdvisorsShawn ConleyCarrie LaboskiDave Crass

Executive DirectorRobert Poehnelt

Office ManagerJoan Viney

The WCPA MissionTo serve and represent Wisconsin crop

production membership interests in stewardship, eduction, business and

government and legislative affairs

Rob Poehnelt, CAEWCPA Executive Director

Whenwasthelasttimeyousawapieceofnewsaffectingyourbusinessortheindustry,andyouthoughttoyourself,“Somethingneedstobedoneaboutthis?”Whenwasthelasttimeyousawaneedforaprogramorservicethatcouldhelpimproveyourbottomlineorcreategreaterefficienciesforyourcompany?Whenwasthelasttimethatyouwishedfornewwaystoimprovetheknowledgeandskillsofyouremployees?

Whenwasthelasttimeyouhadagreatideaoryouthoughtthatyouknewbetterthananyoneelsehowtosolveaparticularproblem?

Isuspectyouranswerstomostofthesequestionswouldbe,“almosteveryday.”

Thegoodnewsisthatthereareopportunitiesforyoutoaffectchange,tomakeanimpact,andtohelpimprovebusinessforeveryoneinWisconsin’scropproductionindustry.TheWCPAisheretofulfilltheneedsoftheindustryandtomakeadifferenceintheday-to-dayexperienceofworkinginagribusiness.

Ibelievethatanassociationisonlyasstrongasthecommitmentfrommemberswhochoosetobelead-ersandarepassionateabouttheissuesandpro-gramsthatmattermostfortheindustry.OneofmyveryfirstprioritiesfortheWCPAistorestructureandrevitalizeourcommittees,sothatthereareimprovedopportunitiesformemberstobeinvolved.Withmorememberinvolvement,theWCPAwillbeamoreproactiveorganizationthatwillprovidemore“bangforyourbuck”intermsofmemberservicesandrep-resentation.

Atitslastboardmeeting,theWCPABoardofDirec-torsdecidedtocombineandstreamlinethenumberofcommittees.ThecommitteesthathavepositionsopenforWCPAmemberstobeinvolvedare:

Legislative and Public Relations CommitteeThiscommitteewillprovideoversightandas-sistancewithregardtolegislativeandregulatoryissuesatfederal,state,andmunicipallevelsofgovernment.Theywillalsoconsidereffortstocreatemediamessagesandmaterialstoimprovepublicperceptionofthecropproductionindustry.


WCPA Committees: Your chance to shape the industry

BruceAndersengrewuponagrain&hogfarminIowa,andworkedinafullserviceAgdealershipthroughhighschoolandcollege.HemovedtoWisconsinin1989,andenjoyed12yearsintheretailAgbusiness,learningsomuchaboutWisconsin’s

diverseagindustry.BrucethenspenttwoyearswiththeArmyafterSeptember11th.Uponhisreturn,heworkedthreeyearsasachemicalmanufacturer’srep,andnowiswithBio-Gro,acompanythatmanu-factureshumicacidbasedproducts,liquidfertilizers,andspecialtymicronutrients.

Bruce Andersen

PaulHenngrewuponadiversi-fieddairyfarminnorthwesternDanecounty,AftergraduationhestartedintheAgfieldwithaposi-tionatTriCountyFarmersCo-op.After14years,Paultookaposi-

tionwithWinfieldSolutionsasaSeedandAgronomyAdvisorinSouthernWI.

Paul Henn

ShawnConleywasraisedonadairyfarmjustwestofMon-roeonCountyHighway11.Hereceivedallofhisacademicdegrees(B.S.,M.S.,andPhD)fromtheUniversityofWiscon-sin,Madisonandgraduatedin

Augustof2001.HebeganhisacademiccareerattheUniversityofMissouriwhereheservedastheStateCroppingSystemsSpecialist.FromtherehemovedtoPurdueUniversitywhereheservedastheStateSoy-beanandWheatExtensionSpecialistuntilJuly31st,2007.GiventheopportunitytomovebackhomehebeganhisappointmentattheUniversityofWiscon-sin,MadisononAugust1st,2007andservesastheStateSoybeanandSmallGrainsExtensionSpecialist.

Shawn Conley

Meet the new members to the WCPA Board of Directors


Membership Services and Stewardship CommitteeThiscommitteewillprovideoversightinthedevelopment,design,anddeliveryofmemberpro-gramsandservices.Specifically,theywillconcernthemselveswiththeWCPARecyclingProgram,AmbassadorProgram,andEnvironmentalPartnersProgram.

Industry Education CommitteeTheIndustryEducationCommitteewillfocusonareaswheretheWCPAcanprovideeducationalopportunitiesthatarevaluableforthecroppro-ductionindustry,aswellasoversightoftheschol-arshipsthattheWCPAoffers.ThecommitteewillalsoassistinanadvisorycapacitywithhelpingtheUniversityplantheannualconferenceeducationalseminars.

Thenextstepswillbefortheboardtodecidethenumberofmembersforeachcommittee,thelengthofterms,andanofficialchargeforeachcommitteethatwillidentifyspecificobjectivesandgoals.

IfyouareamemberoftheWCPAandwanttogetinvolved,contacttheWCPAoffice([email protected],608-249-4070)toletusknow.Theexacttime-frameforcommitteememberselectionisstilltobedeter-mined,butifyouhaveaninterestpleasecontactussoon!

TheWCPAisyourassociationandisheretoserveyourneeds.YouractiveinvolvementwillgoalongwaytoensurethattheWCPAremainsstrongandvibrantinordertorepresenttheinterestsofthecropproductionindustry.Ilookforwardtohearingfromyou.

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Intheafternoon,DarenCoppock,PresidentofAgri-culturalRetailersAssociation,andDr.BarryFlinch-baughtalkedaboutpoliticsandnationalissuesaf-fectingWCPAmembers.Dr.Flinchbaughdeliveredhisusualstraightforward,tellitlikeitisblendofhumorandinsight,providinghisownuniqueperspectiveonagandeconomicpolicyundertheObamaadministra-tion.

It’snottooearlytomarkyourcalendarsfornextyear’sWCPAMembershipMeetingandSeminar! Besurethatyouwon’tmissthemeetingplannedforTuesday,March1,2011.


Mike Piken, CFACleveland Research

Daren Coppock, President & CEOAgricultural Retailers Association

Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh

Cyndi O’Connell,

O’Connell Financial Services, LLC

Unanimous vote for by-law change brings electronic voting to WCPA

AttheWCPAMembershipMeeting&SeminaronMarch2,WCPAmembersvotedunanimouslytoapprovetwoby-lawchangesthatwillallowforelectronicvotingviaemailandonline.ThechangewasproposedbytheWCPABoardofDirectorsandwillallowboardelections,aswellasotherdecisionsofthemembershiptobeconductedmoreefficiently.

ManyassociationsofsimilarsizetoWCPAhavealreadymadethischange.Thebenefitsofcon-ductingvotesinthismannerwillinclude:

• Votingwillbeeasier,moreconvenient,andquickerformostmembers.

• TheeaseandconveniencewillfostergreatermemberparticipationinthebusinessoftheWCPA.

• Decisionscanbemademorequickly.Thisisespeciallyimportantintoday’sworldofinstantcommunicationandevolvingissuesthatcansometimeschangebytheminute.

• Andlastly,conductingelectionsandvotingelectronicallywillsavebothprintingandpostageexpensesfortheassociation.

Thoughtfulconsiderationhasbeenmadetoad-dresssomepossibleconcernswiththischangeinprocedure.Validityofresultswillbeensured,sothateachandeverymemberreceivesonevote.Votingresultswillbecertifiedbytheboardofdirectors.Andforanymemberwith-outemailorinternetaccess,theopportunitytovotewithapaperballotwillstillbeprovideduponrequest.


The Downside Of Caution

By Eric Sfiligoj, EditorCrop Life Magazine

Ifyouareanavidfollowerofthenewslikemyself,youprobablyendupscratchingyourheadinconfu-siononadailybasis.Byalleconomicindicators,TheGreatRecessionof2008-09hasended.Thenation’seconomichealthisbeginningtoimproveandproduc-tionoutputfordurablegoodsismakingacomeback.However,whenpollsterstalkwiththecompaniesthatarebenefitingfromthesegains,mostofthemsoundasiftheyrefusetobelievethingsareonthewayup.Mostareavoidingspendingmoneyonthingsthatcouldspureconomicgrowthsuchasexpan-sionandhiring.Thisisoneofthemajorreasonswhyeconomistspredictunemploymentwillremainaseri-ousissueforthreeorfourmoreyears.

NowI’mallforcaution.Afterall,itwaswhatmanyanalystshavetermed“irrationalexuberance”forspendingandaccumulatingdebtthatledthenationdownitscurrentpath.Butatsomepoint,youhavetoceasebeingaskepticandbeginseeingthatbettertimesarejustahead.

Thankfully,theagretailindustryseemstobeavoid-ingthis“irrationalcaution.”AtthevariouswintertradeshowsinJanuary,manufacturersanddealer-shipswerenotonlypositiveontheiroutlooksfor2010,theyseemedtobeactivelytryingtoencour-agethemarketalong.Manywereinvestinginplantexpansionsorslowlyaddingworkersinanticipationofeconomicimprovement.Consideringthatmanyofthesesamecompanieswereforcedtotakewrite-downsonunsoldfertilizerinventoryandwatchedgrower-customerfallbyalmosthalfin2009,thiswasimpressiveindeed.

Asexampleofthistrendinaction,considerCropPro-ductionServices(CPS).Thenation’slargestagretailjustopenedabrandnew,state-of-artfertilizerfacility

inMarston,MO,inNovember.Thislocationiscapa-bleofholding51,000tonsofdryfertilizerand18,000tonsofliquid,enablingittoservicemostofCPS’out-letsinCentralMissouriandNorthernArkansas.

AccordingtogeneralmanagerSteveMartin,CPSspentapproximately$15milliontoconstructthisfa-cility,whichstillcameinunderthebudgetedamount.WhenIaskedhimifspendingthismuchmoneytocatertoamarketplacethathadbeenrelativelyflattodownduringthepasttwoseasonswasdifficult,hesaidno.

“Fertilizerusagehasn’treallydroppedthatmuchhereandthisfacilityrepresentsaninvestmentinthefutureofourcompany,”saidMartin,pointingtohismap.However,headded:“Butitisagoodthingthisfacilitywasbuiltwhenitwasinmid-2009andnottheyearbefore.”

Hopefully,this“thingsareimproving”attitudewillbegintospreadoutfromagretailtotherestofthecountry.Afterallthenegativenewswe’reheardsincetheendof2008,itwouldbenicetofinallyhavesomepositivestoriestotell...


Fertilizers,pesticides,andpetroleumproducts,althoughcriticaltocreatingabountifulcropproduc-tion,canhavedetrimentaleffectstothepublicandtheenvironmentifspilledandnotproperlycleanedup.Dependingontheamountspilledandthenatureofthespill,itmayneedtobereportedtofederal,state,andlocalregulatoryaswellasemergencyauthoritiesinordertomeetstateandfederalcom-pliancelaws.TheWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources(WDNR)regulateswhenspillsneedtobereported,andtheWisconsinDepartmentofAgri-culture,TradeandConsumerProtection(WDATCP)regulatesthecleanupofspillsofagriculturalpesti-cidesandcommercialfertilizers.Properlyreportingaspillanditscleanupwillultimatelyreducethecostofacleanupandtheliabilitiesassociatedwiththespill.

TheStateofWisconsinspilllaw(Chapter292.11)requiresapersontoimmediatelyreportthereleaseofahazardoussubstancetotheenvironment.Thetermhazardoussubstance,asdefinedinChapter292.01(5),canbejustaboutanysubstancedepend-ingonthenatureoftherelease.Forinstance,itmaysurpriseyoutoknowthatwastemilkorcorncouldbeconsideredahazardoussubstancedependingontheamountspilled.Agoodworkingknowledgeofthevarioushazardousmaterialsyoumayhave,aswellasthespillreportingrules,couldsaveyoutimeandmoney.

Thereareconditionswhereaspillwouldnothavetobereportedinvolvingpetroleumandagriculturalproducts.Forexample:

• Lessthan1gallonofgasolinereleasedontoaper-vioussurfaceorrunsoffanimpervioussurface

Co-Authored byBrenda Seggerman and Tom CulpBT Squared, Inc.

Spill Reporting: Why is it so important?

• Lessthan5gallonsofotherpetroleumproductsreleasedontoapervioussurfaceoroffanimper-vioussurface

• Lessthan250poundsofdryfertilizerspilled

• Lessthan25gallonsofliquidfertilizerspilled

• Pesticidesreleasedthatwouldcoverlessthan1acreoflandifappliedaccordingtolabelinstruc-tions

Certainspillconditionsandsituationsareexemptfromreporting,butbestpracticecallsforanimmedi-atecalltotheWDNRtoensureyouhaveproperly


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reportedthespillandhavenotviolatedanystatelaws.Takingthisstepwillprotectyoufromfalseac-cusations,establisharecordofproperreportingandcleanup,anddocumentthatyourresponsewasinaccordancetoWDNRand/orWDATCPregulations.

Whatdoyoudoifaspilldoesoccur?First,safelyrespondtoanyinjuriesorhazardsassociatedwiththespill.Second,evaluatethespillinregardtowhatwasspilled,whereitwasspilled,andhowmuchwasspilled.Onceyouhaveevaluatedthespill,thenno-tifytheWDNRbycallingtheirtollfreespillreportingnumber,1.800.943.0003.Informationyouwillneedtoprovideis:

• Yourname,address,andlocationofthespill

• Thephysicalstate,quantity,andchemicalcharac-teristicsofthespilledsubstance

• Thecauseofthespill

• Thepotentialpathofthespill’srunoff

• Actionstakentostopthespillorminimizethespill’simpactonthesurroundingenvironment

• Actualorpotentialimpactstohumanhealthortheenvironmentbecauseofthespill

OncetheWDNRhasbeennotified,trytocontainthespillifpossiblebyapplyingabsorbentmaterials,blockinganynearbydrainsorditchestopreventthespillfromleavingtheproperty,ortocontainerizethesourceofthespill.GoodabsorbentmaterialstouseareOil-Dri®orkittylitter.Spilldocumentationisalsoimportant.Ifabletosafelydoso,takephotographsofthespillorsketchthespillarea.Alsotakenotesonthetypeandquantityofthematerialspilled.BTSquared,Inc.,hasdevelopedastickertoplaceinyourfleetvehiclestohelpintheeventofarelease.

Spillsareneverplanned,butaproperspillresponsecansaveyouheadachesandexpensesinthelongrun.Preventingaspillfromoccurringisyourfirstlineofdefense;intheeventthataspilldoesoccur,having

aproperspillresponseplaninplacecansaveyouprecioustimeandmoney.Formoreinformationaboutspillplanning,ortorequeststickersforyourfleetvehicleswithemergencyspillresponsein-structions,[email protected].


2010 Tax Opportunities for AgribusinessesTurn net operating losses, terminated employees, new hires and

capital expenditures into tax benefits.


By Jeff Brandenburg, CPA, CFEClifton Gunderson LLP

Inspiteofhopefulsigns,manyagribusinessexpertsbelievethattheeconomicturmoilof2009isnotoveryet.In2010,therearetaxopportunitiesavailabletoagribusinessesthatmayaddafewbrightspotstoanotherwisebleakpicture.

OPPORTUNITY:Expandednetoperatingloss(NOL)carrybacksarenowavailabletoallbusinesses,re-gardlessofgrossrevenue.ACTION:InNovember2009,keyprovisionsoftheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct(ARRA)wereexpanded,givingstrugglingbusinessestheop-portunitytoturnnetoperatinglossesintotaxgains.TheexpandedNOLcarrybackprovisionisnowavail-abletovirtuallyanybusinessthatexperiencedNOLsin2008or2009.Previously,theexpandedcarrybackeligibilityceilinghadbeenreservedforcompanieswith$15millionorlessingrossrevenues.Nowallcompanies,largeandsmall,cancarrybackNOLsforthree,fourorfiveyears,ratherthanthestandardtwoyears.Lossesinthelasttwoyearscanbefullyde-ductedfromincomeinthefourpreviousyears,witha50percentincomelimitonNOLoffsetsinthefifthyear.Theserulesonlyapplytolossesinthe2008and2009taxyears.

OPPORTUNITY: Morehomebuyerscannowreceiveataxcreditfortheirpurchase(whilenotreallyanagri-businessissue,thisitemrelatedtoindividualtaxesisrelevantformanyofus).ACTION:Realestatecompaniesarequicklyeducatingemployeesaboutthisexpandedcredit.IthadbeensettoexpireonNov.30,2009,butisnowextendedtoApril30,2010.

• ForthosewhoenterintoacontractbeforeMay1,2010(tocloseonaprincipalresidencebeforeJuly1,2010),thecreditwouldexpireonJune30,2010.

• Thereisapurchasepriceceilingof$800,000.• Thecreditisnolongerrestrictedtofirst-time

homebuyers.Itcannowbeclaimedbyqualifiedtaxpayerswhohavepreviouslyownedahome.Thecreditfortheselong-timeresidentscannotexceed$6,500.

• Theincome-basedphase-outnowbeginsforindividualswithmodifiedAGIabove$125,000($225,000forjointfilers).



OPPORTUNITY:Bonusfirst-yeardepreciationformostnewmachinery,equipmentandsoftware.ACTION:EquipmentpurchasedandplacedinservicebeforeJan.1,2010,mayqualifyfor50percentbonusfirstyeardepreciationon2009taxreturns.Eligiblepropertyincludesnewpropertywitharecoveryperi-odof20yearsorless,likemachinery,equipmentandcomputersoftware(exceptforself-createdsoftware).Thepurchaseofbuildingsisnoteligibleforbonusdepreciation.However,acceleratedfirst-yeardeduc-tionsareavailableevenifqualifyingassetswereinserviceforonlyafewdaysin2009.

OPPORTUNITY:Expenseupto$250,000forcapitalassetpurchasesin2009.ACTION: Lookbackatcapitalpur-chasesin2009.Forthatyearonly,companiescantakeadvantageofgenerousexpensinglimitsofupto$250,000ofthecostofneworusedtangiblepersonalproperty(invest-mentceilingof$800,000).Themaximumexpensingamountwilldropto$134,000forassetspurchasedandplacedinservicein2010(investmentceilingof$500,000).

OPPORTUNITY:Getcreditforhiringnewemployeesfromcertaintargetgroups.ACTION:Whenworkpicksuptothepointwherenewhiresareneeded,considerhiringfromanyofninetargetgroupsidentifiedbytheWorkOpportunityTaxCredit.Veteransanddisconnectedyouthsarethemostrecentadditions.Thecreditisforupto40per-centofthefirst$6,000ofwagespaidtoemployeesinthetargetedgroups.ARRAclearlydefineswhichveteransandyouthhiredin2009and2010wouldqualify.

OPPORTUNITY: ReducepayrolltaxeswithCOBRAhealthbenefitssubsidy.ACTION:ARRAcreatedaCOBRAsubsidy,whichrequireseligibleformeremployeesenrolledintheir

employer’shealthplanatthetimeoftheirtermina-tion,topayonly35percentofthecostofCOBRAcov-erage.Theemployerisrequiredtomaketheremain-ing65percentpayment.Oncethispaymentismade,thecompanyisentitledtoacreditonitspayrolltaxreturnforthe65percentofCOBRApaymentsthatweremade.

EmployerswhosehealthplanissubjecttoCOBRAcoveragerequirements,orsimilarrequirementsunderstatelaw,arerequiredtonotifyanyemployeewhoisterminatedbetweenSept.1,2008,andDec.

31,2009,thatthesubsidyisavailable.Sincethesubsidyisstillavailableforemployeestermi-natedthroughtheendof2009,andCOBRAcoverageisgenerallyavailableforninemonths,em-ployerswillbeabletoclaimthecreditforpremiumspaidin2010.

Make the best of the situationThesearejustsomeofthetaxbreaksthathavebeencreated

orexpandedinresponsetothelaggingeconomy.Anotherthatmaybeavailabletoanumberofagri-businesscompaniesistheresearchanddevelopmenttaxcredit.Thislong-standingcreditactuallyexpiredattheendoflastyear,butqualifiedresearchandde-velopmentcostsincurredin2009canstillbeclaimed.

Acostsegregationstudyorrepairandmaintenancecostanalysis,conductedbyanexperiencedtaxprofessional,canalsoyieldsubstantialsavings.Allofthesestrategiesshouldbepartofanongoingplanaimedatloweringtaxliabilities.

Ofcourse,lowertaxesarenosubstituteforarobustandsustainedeconomicrecovery,butintheshortterm,theycanprovidewelcomerelief.Taxdollarssavedcangoalongwaytowardimprovingcashflow,allowingagribusinesscompaniestosurviveandposi-tionthemselvesforpost-crisisgrowth.


Keys to calibrating your sprayer to get more bang for your buck

Amiscalibratedsprayerislikeaboxofchocolates–youneverknowwhatyou’regoingtoget.Maybeyou’llgetpropercoverageormaybeit’llbelosttodrift.

Accuratecalibrationistheonlywaytoknowhowmuchchemicalisbeingappliedtoyourfield.Evenwiththecurrentuseofelectronicstomonitorandcontroltheapplicationofcropprotectionproducts,athoroughsprayercalibrationprocedureisessentialtoensureagainstmisapplication.Failuretocalibrateasprayercaninjureyourcrop,causepollutionandworstofallwastemoney.

“Thesprayeritselfneedstobeoperat-ingasefficientlyaspossible,”saysBobWolf,K-Stateexten-sionapplicationtechnologyspecial-ist.“Especiallythefirsttimeoutinthespring,youneedtomakesureyoursprayerisalltunedup.Thattherearenoleaks,thepumpworksproperly,nothingispluggedandeverycomponentisfunctioningproperlyincludingelectronics.”WhilethatmaycoverthebasicsWolfsaysthere’smoretothecalibrationprocess.

“Takeintoaccountwhatkindofcoveragethechemi-calwillneedandpicktherightnozzletypetomaxi-mizeit’simpact,”Wolfsays.“Applicatorsneedtoconsiderwhattypeofactivitythechemicalhas,whetheritneedscontactareaorifitwilltranslocatethroughtheplant,thencalibrateforthesystemtobestdelivertheproperamountonthetarget.”

Whenitcomestoselectingnozzles,there’scer-tainlyaplethoraofchoicesthesedaysbutthereisnosingularsilverbulletsaysapplicationtechnologyresearchscientistwithSyngenta,DanKidder.Hefindsnozzlemanufacturercatalogsandthepesticideprod-

uctlabelsveryhelpfulinmakingthisdecision.“It’stemptingtotrytomakeonesetofnozzlesworkforallproductsbychangingyoursprayerpressureandgroundspeed,”Kiddersays.“Butwiththediversityofproductstypicallyusedontoday’sstate-of-the-artfarmsthisstrategywillalmostalwaysresultinlessthanoptimumapplicationofsomeoftheproducts.Lessthanoptimumcoveragerequireshigherproductuseratesandmaycauseunnecessaryenvironmentalloading.Itpaystoinvestinseveralsetsofnozzlesforyourdifferentproducts.Andbetteryet,installswivelstylemultiplenozzlebodiesonyourboomsoyoucanchangespraytipswithjustaflick-of-the-wrist.”

Somenozzlesalsoproduceabroaderspectrumofdropletsizes,anotherimpor-tantaspectofintermsofcropprotectionapplication.“Dropletsizeimpactscoverageanddropletsizeim-

pactsdrift,”Wolfsays.“Somewherewehavetofindthehappymediumbecausethecommonthoughtissmallerdropletsmeansbettercoveragebutwecomeagainstsomethingsintheenvironmentthatpreventthat.Smallerdropletswilldrifteasierandsomeap-plicatorsoverlooktheevaporationconcern.”

Anadoptedstandardspecifiesadropletsizespec-trumbrokendownintosixcategories;veryfine,fine,medium,coarse,verycoarseandextracoarse.Productlabelsarenowfeaturingtherecommendeddropletsizetoimproveapplicationperformance.

“Applicatorsaregettingmoreandmorefocusedondropletsizebecausewearelearningthatcertaintypesoftargetsrequiredifferentkindsofcoverageanddropletsizeaspectsthanothersandthesprayermustbesetupforit,”Wolfsays.“It’sgoingtorequireapplicatorstohaveaprettygoodknowledgeonthe



From Shelbylayne.wordpress.com


typeofnozzlestheyareusingandrelatethattotheproductrecommendationfordropletsize.”

Buthowmuchdifferencedoessizereallymake?Adropisadrop,right?Notwhentalkingaboutsprayapplication,whereeverydropcounts.“Achangeindropletsizehasahugeeffectonthenumberofdropletsappliedpersquareinch,”Kiddersays.“Forinstance,reducingdropletsizebyhalfin-creasesthenumberofdropletsappliedpersquareinchbyeighttimes.Largedropletsdriftlessthansmalldropletssospraylossesareminimized.Largedropletsalsopenetratecropcanopiesbettertoreachthelowerleaves;whichisimportantforsomefungicideapplications.Butsmallerdropletscovertheuppercanopybetterandarealsobetteratprovidingsomecoverageontheundersideofleaves.”

Kidderalsosuggestsapplicatorsmatchdrop-letsizetosprayvolume.“Ifyou’reloweringsprayvolumetosavetime,reducedropletsizetomaintainquality.Higherwatervol-umesresultinhigheroperatingcostduetomoretimeandenergytravelingtoandfromtherefillsiteandsoilcompactionissome-timesaconsiderationwhenhaulinghighvolumesofwaterbackandforthacrossthefield.”

Sprayapplicationisnotwhatitusetobe.Forgoodreasonsgrowersseemmorefocusedthaneveronreducingcostsandoptimizingsprays.“Producersprettymuchknowhowtocalibratetogettherightorificesizetodelivertherightgallonsperacre,”Wolfsays.“Butnowthere’smoretoit,theyhavethisdropletsizespectrumconcerninthereandthatmayforcethemtotakecalibrationastepfurther.Theunderlyingkeyistounderstandtheap-

plicationsystemandensurethatitisasefficientaspossiblesothatitperformswellinthefield.”



Congressionaleffortstoaddressclimatechangeandgreenhousegas(GHG)emissionsstalledlastyearamidthenation’sfinancialcrisisanddebateoncom-prehensivehealthcarereform.Asaconsequence,stateandregionalinitiativestookongreaterpromi-nence.Wisconsinisnodifferent.WisconsinLegisla-torsarekneedeepintheState’sowncomprehensiveproposalforGHGemissionreductionandenergyefficiencydubbedtheWisconsinCleanEnergyJobsAct.

TheBillwasintroducedintheWisconsinSenate(SB450)andAssembly(AB649)inearlyJanuaryandwasimmediatelyreferredtoselectspecialcommit-teesineachhouseforpublichearingsthatwrappedupinearlyFebruary.TheBillwascomprehensiveinnatureandcontainedmany(butnotall)oftherecommendationsmadeinthefinalreportofGov-ernorDoyle’sGlobalWarmingTaskForce,whichwasformedinApril,2007,andissueditsfinalreportinJuly,2008.

TheCleanEnergyJobsActcontainedstatewidegoalsforGHGemissionreduction,increaseinGHGemis-sionreporting,anenhancedrenewableportfoliostandard(RPS)mandatinganincreasedpercentageofrenewableenergyintheelectricityloadprovidedbyregulatedutilitiesintheState,anadvancedrenewable“feedin”tarifftobedevelopedbytheWisconsinPublicServiceCommission(PSC),energyefficiencystandardsforstateandprivatebuildingcodes,increasedfuelefficiencystandardsforvehiclesandthecreationofabioenergycropreservepro-gramsimilartothefederalbiomasscropassistanceprogram(BCAP)tospurthedevelopmentofenergycropsforbiomassfeedstocks.

TheBillimmediatelycameunderfirefromseveralbusinessgroupsforitsanticipatedcostsandcon-cernsthatWisconsinwouldbeincurringcostsforGHGemissionreductionsandrenewableenergydeploymentwithnonationalstrategyinplace,result-inginWisconsinbeingatacompetitivedisadvantagebycomparisontocompetingstates.WisconsinCropProductionAssociation(WCPA)hasregisteredinoppositiontotheBill.Asofthiswriting,evenpropo-nentsadmitthatnosoundcostestimateofimpactsarereasonablyavailableandthatfortheBilltosur-vive,itwillneedtobepaireddown.

Ifenacted,theStatewouldestablishaggressiveGHGemissionreductiongoalsstatewideasfollows:

• Beginningin2014,GHGemissionsarenogreaterthan2005levels

• By2022,GHGemissionare22%lessthan2005baseline

• By2050andeachyearthereafter,GHGemissionsare75%lessthan2005

Additionally,theStatewouldmandatethatutilitiessellthefollowingpercentagesofitselectricityloadfromrenewableenergysources:

• 10%by2013

• 20%by2020

• 25%by2025

• atleast30%ofwhichmustcomefromWiscon-sin-basedrenewableenergygenerationby2020.

TospurthecontinueddevelopmentofrenewableenergyprojectsinWisconsin,theBillalsoadvancedarenewable“feedin”tariff.TheBillwouldrequirePSCtoissueanordertoeachinvestor-ownedandmunicipalelectricutilitythatsellsatretailrequiringtheutilitytooffertopurchase“renewableenergy”accordingtostandardtermsandpricing.Theprovi-sionwouldensureabetterrateofreturnforrenew-ableenergysoldtothegridandresultinasubsidy

Comprehensive Climate Bill Change Introduced

By David A. Crass, Esq.Michael Best & Friedrich LLP


Survey Shows Consumers Back Farmers and Biodiesel

ArecentnationwidesurveyconductedbytheUnitedSoybeanBoard(USB)andsoybeancheckoffrevealedthatU.S.consumersstronglybackU.S.soybeanfarm-ersandbiodiesel.The“NationalAgricultureImageSurvey”indicated82%ofconsumersagreeforeignoil-producingcountriesandthehighcostoffuelimpactingfarmingandprocessing,packaging,stor-ingandshippingfoodaretoblameforfoodpriceincreases,notU.S.farmers.Otherkeyfindingsshow:

• 77%ofconsumersfavortheuseofbiodieselasasourceofenergythatcanmeetourneedsinthenext5-10years.

• 74%ofconsumersweremorefavorabletowardbiodieselafterhearingitbenefitstheenviron-ment.

• 70%ofconsumersweremorefavorabletowardbiodieselafterhearingit’sanewgreenindustrythatcreatesjobs.

• 89%ofconsumersexpressedafavorableimageofU.S.farmers.Only7%respondedunfavorablyandtheother4%hadnoopinion.

forrenewableenergyprojectstospurdevelopment,investmentanddeployment.

TheBillwouldalsocreateanenergycropreserveprogramtoassistfarmersintheestablishmentandproductionofbiomasscropsforuseasanenergyresource.EligibleownersoflandinWisconsinwouldhavetoenterintoacontractwiththeDepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtection(DATCP)foruptoaten-yeartermtogrowandharvesteligiblecrops.TheBillprovidedthreetypesoffinancialassis-tance:costsharingpaymentsforthecostofestab-lishinganenergycrop;incomereplacementpay-mentsuntilsuchlandiseligibleforproduction;and,productionpaymentsonapertonbasisofenergycropharvested.NosourceoffundingwasidentifiedorprovidedintheBillforDATCPtoestablishandruntheprogram.

Lastly,theBillspecifiedtheconditionsunderwhichaLowCarbonFuelStandard(LCFS)inWisconsinwouldbedeveloped.ALCFSspecifiestheallowableweightofGHGemissionperunitofenergycontentoftrans-portationfuelsallowedtobesoldinthestate.Theallowableweightistobereferredtoasthefuel’s“carbonintensity.”ALCFSistypicallyexpressedasapercentagereductioninthecarbonintensityofafuelrelativetoabaseline.Onceadopted,thestandardisenforcedbyaprohibitionagainstthesaleoffuelsthatdonotmeettheLCFS.OpponentsoftheBillfeartheLCFSwouldbebasedontheapproachusedtodevelopaLCFSinCalifornia,whichishostiletocorn-basedethanolbasedonalleged“indirectlanduse”impacts.TheRenewableFuelsAssociation(RFA)andGrowthEnergy,twoethanolenergytradegroups,arecurrentlychallengingtheCaliforniaversionoftheLCFSincourt.

ItisdifficulttosaywhatthefutureoftheCleanEnergyJobsActwillbeandwhetherapaireddownversionoftheBillcouldbeacceptedbylawmakersandtaxpayersalike.TheLegislature’ssessionendsonApril22.However,yourassociationwillcontinuetomonitortheseandotherLegislativedevelopments.




From shelbylayne.wordpress.com

MichiganStateUniversityExtensionExpertssaythatalittleeffortcansavealotoffuelfortractoropera-tors.

InarecentreleaseMSUextensionagricultureeduca-torssharetipsandadvicefarmerscanfollowtogetmoreoutoftheliquidgold–dieselfuel.Here’swhattheyhadtosay:

“OneestimatethatI’veseenisthatU.S.farmerscouldpotentiallysaveupto150mil-liongallonsoffueleachyear,”saysMikeStaton,MSUExtensionagricul-tureandnaturalresourceseducatorbasedinVanBurenCounty.“Thestrategieswesuggestaren’texpen-sive,butdotakealittletime–likemakingsurethetractorissetupproperly.”

Thisset-upinvolvesmakingsurethetractoriscarryingtheproperamountofweightorballastoneachaxle.Carryingeithertoomuchortoolittleweightwastesfuel.

Oncetheweightisadjusted,Statonrecommendscheckingtheinflationpressureinthetractor’stiresandmakingsuretheyareinflatedproperlyfortheweightoftheaxle.Weigheachtractoraxleatanelevatororotherlocationtoensuremaximumaccu-racy.

“It’salsoimportanttooperatethetractorproperly,”Statonsays.“Onetractormaybeusedformultipletasks.Onsomeofthosetasks,thetractorwillhavemorehorsepowerthanthejobneeds,somakesureyou’regearingupandthrottlingdowntofindtheoptimumgear.”

Shiftingtoahighergearwhilereducingthethrottlesettingcanimproveatractor’sfueluseandenableittogetthemostworkdonefortheleastamountof

fuelconsumed.Whenworkingatanythinglessthan70%ofthetractor’smaximumloadcapacity,thiscanbeavaluablepracticeforreducingfuelconsumption.

TotestifthetractorisoperatinginwhatStatoncallsthe“sweetspot”andtheengineisnotbeingover-loaded,givethethrottleaquickincreasewhileundertheload.Iftheenginerevsandresponds,youaren’toverloadingit.Ifitdoesnotrespond,geardownandtryagain.Anothertelltalesignofluggingoroverload-

ingisexcessiveblacksmokefromtheexhaustofdieselengines.

Howatractorisputtousecanalsoaffectfueleconomy.Farm-erswhoreduceoreliminatetill-ageoperationscanrealizemajorfuelconservation.

“Movingfromachiselplowsystemtono-tillcansavenearly

2gal./acreofdieselfuel,”Statonsays.“Anychancesyouhavetoreduceoreliminatetillagecanproduceyourbiggestfuelsavings.”

Usingsometypeofguidancesystemisalsousefulinconservingfuel,whetherit’samanualguidancesystem,calledalightbar,oramoreadvancedautoguidancesystemusingadifferential-correctedglobalpositioningsystem(DGPS)orreal-timekinematic(RTK).Thesesystemspreventoverlapinfieldopera-tionssotheoperatorcangetthemostworkdoneonthetractorinthefewestpassesacrossafield.

Thelightbarsystemisrelativelyinexpensiveandeasytomovefromonetractortoanother.Thedriverstillneedstosteer,butthelightshowstheproperdirec-tionoftravel.Theautomatedsystemsdon’trequiresteering,buttheyarealsomoreexpensive.Statonpointsoutthatafarmnotusinganyguidancetech-


Secrets To Saving Fuel



nologycanrealizeitsbiggestfuelsavingssimplybyaddingalightbarsystem.

“Inanidealworld,allyourtillageequipmentwouldhavethesamedraftrequirement,”Statonsays.“Butsometimesyou’repullingahigh-draftimplementlikeasubsoiler,andothertimesthesametractorispull-ingafinishingtoolhavingasignificantlylowerdraftrequirement.

“Theeasiestwaytomatchdraftrequirementsofvarioustillagetoolsistodeterminethedraftrequiredperfootofoperatingwidthforeachimplementandusethisinformationwhensizingyourimplements,”hesays.“Matchingthedraftrequirementsofyourimplementswilleliminatetheneedtoreconfigureyourtractorforeachoperation.Otherwise,togetoptimumperformance,youhavetoshiftweightforeachone.”

Tolearnmore,download“ImprovingTractorPerfor-manceandFuelEfficiency”fromtheMSUExtensionWebsite.

Small Farms in the United States: Persistence Under Pressure

EconomicInformationBulletinNo.(EIB-63)39pp,February2010

Ninety-onepercentofU.S.farmsareclassifiedassmall—grosscashfarmincome(GCFI)oflessthan$250,000.About60percentofthesesmallfarmsareverysmall,generatingGCFIoflessthan$10,000.Theseverysmallnoncommercialfarms,insomerespects,existindependentlyofthefarmeconomybecausetheiroperatorsrelyheavilyonoff-farmincome.Theremainingsmallfarms—smallcom-mercialfarms—accountformostsmall-farmproduc-tion.Overallfarmproduction,however,continuestoshifttolargeroperations,whilethenumberofsmallcommercialfarmsandtheirshareofsalesmaintainalong-termdecline.Theshifttolargerfarmswillcon-tinuetobegradual,becausesomesmallcommercialfarmsareprofitableandothersarewillingtoacceptlosses.

By Robert A. Hoppe, James M. MacDonald, and Penni Korb


E-waste report warns of hazardous mountains of old cell phones, computers

Unlessdevelopingcountriesactquickly,aU.N.reportwarns,theywillbeinundatedwithoverwhelminghazardouse-wastemountainsofoldcellphones,computersandgadgetsthatendangertheenviron-ment.

ThestudyreleasedtodaybytheU.N.EnvironmentProgrammesaysthatmoste-wasteinChina,forex-ample,isimproperlyhandled,withbackyardincin-eratorsusedtorecycleandrecovervaluablemetalslikegold.

Thestudysayssuchpractices“releasesteadyplumesoffar-reachingtoxicpollutionandyieldverylowmetalrecoveryratescomparedtostate-of-the-artindustrialfacilities.”

Herearesomeofthefindingsfromthestudy:

• InSouthAfricaandChina,by2020e-wastefromoldcomputerswillhavejumpedby200to400%from2007levels,andby500%inIndia

• BythatsameyearinChina,e-wastefromdiscard-edmobilephoneswillbeabout7timeshigherthan2007levelsand,inIndia,18timeshigher.

• By2020,e-wastefromtelevisionswillbe1.5to2timeshigherinChinaandIndiawhileinIndiae-wastefromdiscardedrefrigeratorswilldoubleortriple.

• Chinaalreadyproducesabout2.3milliontonnesdomestically,secondonlytotheUnitedStateswithabout3milliontonnes.And,despitehavingbannede-wasteimports,Chinaremainsamajore-wastedumpinggroundfordevelopedcoun-tries.

By USA Today News


Drying Progress of Corn Standing in the Field Over Winter

Duetotheunusuallycoolgrowingseasonduring2009,manyfarmerslefttheircornstandinginthefieldoverwinter.OnDecember7,2009USDAre-portedthatabout23%ofWisconsin’scorncrophadnotbeenharvested.Shortlyafterthereport,alargesnowstormandsub-zerotemperaturesbroughtgrainharvesttoastandstill.SomeharvestinghasoccurredsinceearlyDecember,butifapproximately15to20%oftheacreshavenotbeenharvested,thenitamountsto440,00to590,000acresofcornleftstandinginthefield.Thisyearwasthemostexpen-sivecorncropeverproducedbyWisconsinfarmers.InthePEPSProgram,cashcorncost$531peracretoproduce.Thus,thestandingcornlefttooverwinterinthefieldrepresents$234to$313millionofvalue.

The2009growingseasonwasthecoolestofthepre-vious30yearsattheArlingtonandMarshfieldAgri-cultureResearchstations.OtheryearsthathadlowGrowingDegreeDayaccumulationwere1992and1993,butunlikethoseyears,2009wasarecordyieldyearat153bushelsperacre.

Usuallycornisleftstandinginthefieldbecauseitiseithertooexpensivetodry,orgraindryerscannotkeepupsoharvestgetsbehindandeventuallyfarm-ersarecaughtbybadweather.Corndryingisexpen-sivewhencorniswet.Grainmoistureswererunning30%orgreaterformanyfieldsduringOctoberwhichwasacoolwetmonth.Todrycornfrom30%mois-tureto15%moistureforstorage,itwouldcost$0.96perbushelusinga1.4%shrinkfactorand$0.05perpointofmoistureforeachbushel.Fora150bushelyieldlevel,thisamountsto$144peracrejustfordry-ingandshrinkcosts(seecalculator).

WehavebeenmonitoringafieldofcornplantedatArlingtonwiththeobjectiveofdeterminingthegraindrydownpatternandyieldimpactoncornleftstand-ingthroughthewinteruntilspring.Thefieldwas

Joe Lauer, Corn AgronomistWCM News-UW Crop Manager

plantedonMay12withPioneer35F40(105dayRM,Hx1,LL,RR2).ThegrainmoistureonOctober22was42%.Today,itwas19.5%grainmoisture.Thedry-downpatternissimilarto1993whengrainendedupdryingtoabout15%moisture.Sofarthehybridhashadgoodstandabilityandearretentioneventhoughtherehavebeenheavysnowandiceeventsonthefieldthiswinter.Sofaryieldhasnotbeenaffected.

Asspringapproachesfarmersthatleftcornstandinginthefieldoverwinterwillbehardpressedtofinishlastyear’sgrainharvest,preparefieldsfor2010,andplantinatimelymanner.Everythingwillneedtogoright.Sothemorepreparationthatcanbedonefromthispointforwardwillpayoffforthe2010growingseason.

Thegrowingseasonbeganwithbelownormaltem-peraturesinearlyAprilresultinginfieldworkdelays.Plantingfinallygotunderwayafterwarmertem-peraturesandneededrainscametowardstheendofApril.MoisturethroughoutthefirsthalfofMaylim-itedfieldwork,whilecooltemperaturesslowedthegrowthofhayandemergingcrops.Junecontinuedthecoolerthannormaltrend,butwarmtempera-turesandhumidityfinallyaroseinthesecondhalfofthemonth.Thisneededchangeinweatherallowedlargestridesincropdevelopment.Thesecond-coldestJulyonrecordslowedcornmaturity,andhighwindsandhaildamageattheendofthemonthde-stroyedsomecrops.InsouthwestWisconsin,severalfieldsweredeclaredadisasterduetohaildamageanddrought.Augustbroughtalittlemorewarmthandhumiditythatallowedcropconditiontoimprove.Fallharvestwastroubledbycoolandrainycondi-tions,thehighlightoffallwasthelaterthannormalfrost.AlargesnowstormandsubzerotemperaturesinearlyDecemberbroughtharvesttoastandstill,withcropsremaininginthefield.

CornWisconsinfarmersplanted3.85millionacrestocornin2009,a50,000acreincreasefromthepreviousyear.Ofthoseacresplanted,2.93millionwerehar-vestedforgrainwitharecordyieldof153.0bushelsperacre.Thepreviousrecordyieldwassetin2005at148.0bushelsperacre.Thisyear’scorncroppro-duced448millionbushels,astaterecordproductionlevel.Silageareaharvesteddecreased25,000acres,droppingto850,000acresin2009.Cornsilageacresyielded16.0tonsperacrefor2009,down1.5tonsfromlastyearandthesameyieldas2007.Silagepro-ductionwas13.6milliontonsthisseason,downfrom15.3milliontonsin2008.

Nationally,farmersplanted86.5millionacrestocornin2009,a500,000acredecreasefrom2008.

Cornacresharvestedforgrainyieldedarecord165.2bushelsperacre,up11.3bushelsfromthepreviousyear.Thepreviousnationalrecordyieldwassetin2004at160.3bushelsperacre.Productionat13.2billionbushelsisthelargestnationalproductiononrecord.Thepreviousnationalrecordproductionwassetin2007at13.0billionbushels.Cornacreshar-vestedforsilageyieldedarecord19.3tonsperacre,upfromthepreviousrecordyieldof18.7tonspreacrein2008.U.S.silageproductionwas108milliontonsin2009,downfrom112milliontonstheprevi-ousyear.

SoybeansSoybeanacresplantedinWisconsinincreased20,000acresto1.63millionacresin2009.Areaofsoybeansharvestedforbeanswas1.62millionacresin2009,upfrom1.59millionacresthepreviousyear.State-widesoybeanyieldwas40.0bushelsperacre,up5.0bushelsfrom2008.The2009soybeancropproduced64.8millionbushels,up16percentfromthepreviousyear.

U.S.soybeanareaplantedrose2percentfrom2008,to77.5millionacresplantedin2009.Areaofsoy-beansharvestedasbeansincreased2percentto76.4millionacresharvested.Yieldwasup4.3bushelsperacrefromthepreviousyear,at44.0bushelsperacre.Productionisestimatedat3.36billionbushelsofsoybeansin2009,comparedto2.97billionbushelsin2008.

Small GrainsInWisconsin,areaseededtowinterwheatinthefallof2008was335,000acres,adecreaseof15,000fromayearearlier.Statewide,farmersharvested315,000acresforgrain,a6percentdecreasefromthepreviousyear.Yieldincreased2.0bushelsperacrefrom2008toreach68.0bushelsperacre.Theincreaseinyieldhelpedoffsetthedecreaseinacresplantedandharvested.Asaresult,productionwas21.4millionbushels,adecreaseofonly3percentfromthestaterecordproductionsetin2008.

Compiled by the Wisconsin Field Office ofUSDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service


2009 Growing Season Review


Nationally,winterwheatwasplantedto43.3millionacres,down6percent.Areaharvestedforgrainisestimatedat34.5millionacres,comparedto39.6mil-lionacresin2008.U.S.winterwheatyieldwas44.2bushelsperacre,down2.9bushelsfromthepreviousyear.Nationally,productiondecreasedfrom1.87bil-lionbushelsin2008to1.52billionbushelsin2009.

Wisconsinseeded310,000acrestooatsin2009,up15percentfrom2008.Areaharvestedforgrainwas195,000acres,5,000acresmorethanayearago.Yieldincreased6.0bushelsperacrefromthepreviousyeartoreach68.0bushelsperacre.Overallproduc-tionwas13.3millionbushels,a13percentincreasefrom2008.

U.S.acreageplantedtooatswas3.40millionacres,upfromtherecordlowof3.25millionacresin2008.Areaharvestedforgraindroppedfrom1.40millionacresin2008to1.38millionacresin2009.Yieldincreasedby3.8bushelstoarecordhighof67.5bushelsperacrein2009.Nationally,oatproductionincreased4percentto93.1millionbushels.

BarleyareaseededinWisconsinrose2,000acres,to45,000acresin2009.Acresharvestedforgrainwas25,000in2009,comparedto30,000in2008.Barleyyieldincreased5.0bushelsfromthepreviousyear,reaching59.0bushelsperacre.Wisconsinbarleypro-ductionwas1.48millionbushelsin2009.

Nationwide,barleywasseededto3.57millionacresandharvestedforgrainon3.11millionacres.TheU.S.barleycropyielded73.0bushelsperacre,a9.4bushelincreasefrom2008andisthehighestyieldonrecordsinceestimatesbeganin1866.Barleyproduc-tionwas227millionbushels,downfrom240millionbushelsin2008.

Otherspringwheatseedednationallydecreasedfrom14.2millionacresin2008to13.3millionacresin2009.Areaharvestedforgrainwas13.0millionacresin2009,comparedto13.5millionacresin2008.Yieldincreased4.6bushelsnationallyto45.1bushelsperacre.Otherspringwheatproductionincreasedfrom

548millionbushelsin2008to584millionbushelsacrosstheU.S.in2009.InWisconsin,estimatesforotherspringwheatwerediscontinuedin2009.

HayWisconsinfarmersharvested1.55millionacresofalfalfaoralfalfamixturedryhayin2009,up50,000acresfrom2008.Yielddroppedfrom2.70tonsperacrein2008,to2.50tonsperacrein2009.Alfalfaandalfalfamixturedryhayproductionwas3.88mil-liontonsin2009,downfrom4.05milliontonsayearearlier.Alfalfahaylageorgreenchopwasharvestedfrom1.40millionacresinWisconsinduring2009,sameas2008.Yield(greenweight)was5.90tonsperacre,downfrom6.70tonsperacreayearago.Alfalfahaylageorgreenchopproductionwas8.26milliontonsstatewide,down12percentfrom2008.

Nationally,farmersharvested21.2millionacresofalfalfaoralfalfamixturedryhayin2009,aslightincreasefromlastyear.Yieldwasupslightlyfrom3.33tonsperacrein2008to3.35tonsperacrein2009.U.S.alfalfaoralfalfamixturedryhayproductionwas71.0milliontons,upfrom70.2ayearago.Nation-widealfalfahaylageorgreenchopacreageharvestedwas3.27millionacres,withWisconsinaccountingfor43percentofharvestedacres.U.Salfalfahaylageorgreenchopyieldwas6.50tonsperacrein2009comparedto6.81tonsperacrein2008.Nationwidealfalfahaylageorgreenchopproductionreached21.3milliontonsin2009,down5percentfromlastyear.

Allotherhayharvestedasdryhayaccountedfor370,000acresinWisconsinduring2009,a30,000acredeclinefrom2008.Yieldwas1.50tonsperacre,downfrom1.90tonsperacrein2008.Productionofallotherhayharvestedasdryhaytotaled555,000tonsin2009,comparedto760,000tonsayearago.Nationally,38.5millionacresofallotherhaywereharvestedasdryhay,downfrom39.1lastyear.Na-tionwide,theallotherhaydryhaycropyielded1.98tonsperacre,virtuallyunchangedfrom1.95lastyear.Allotherhaydryhayproductionwas76.4milliontonsin2009,comparedto76.1milliontonslastyear.




PotatoesWisconsinfarmersplanted63,500acresoffallpota-toesin2009.Areaharvestedwas63,000acres,upfromthe62,000acresharvestedin2008.Potatoesyieldedarecord460hundredweight(cwt.)peracre,comparedto415ayearearlier.Wisconsin’sproduc-tionwas29.0millioncwt.,rankingthemthirdinfallpotatoproductionbehindIdahoandWashington.

Nationally,potatogrowersharvested919,600acresoffallpotatoesin2009,downslightlyfromlastyear.ThefallpotatoyieldfortheU.S.wasarecord428cwt.peracre.Totalfallpotatoproductionwas393.5millioncwt.Totalproductionfromallfourseasonofpotatoes(winter,spring,summer,fall)was431.4millioncwt.,up4percentfrom2008.

Dry Edible BeansDrybeansplantedinWisconsinduring2009totaled6,400acres,adecreaseof100acresfrom2008.Thenumberofacresharvestedremainedthesameat6,400acres.Statedrybeanproductionin2009to-taled127,000cwt.withayieldof1,980poundsperacre.WisconsinproducesmostlydarkredkidneybeansandplacedsecondintheNationforthepro-ductionofthosebeans.

U.S.dryediblebeanproductionisestimatedat25.4millioncwt.for2009,1percentbelow2008.Plantedareaisestimatedat1.54mil-lionacres,up3percentfromthepreviousyear.Harvestedareatotaled1.46millionacreswhichwas1percentabovelastyear.AverageU.S.yield,at1,733poundsperacre,decreased35poundsfrom2008.

MintWisconsinfarmersharvested3,400acresofpeppermintand500acresofspearmintin2009.Peppermintyielded54poundsperacreandspearmintyielded56poundsperacrecomparedto48poundsperacreand30poundsperacrerespectivelyin2008.Pepper-mintproduction,at184,000pounds,wasup

3percentfromthepreviousyear,whilespearmintproduction,at28,000pounds,wasdown7percent.

U.S.mintproducersharvested69,800acresofpep-permintand20,500acresofspearmintin2009.Yieldswere91poundsperacreforpeppermintand132poundsperacreforspearmint.Bothcropsshowedhigherproductionin2009comparedto2008.Peppermintproductionjumpedfrom5.50mil-lionpoundsin2008to6.38millionpoundsin2009,whilespearmintproductionincreasedfrom2.40mil-lionpoundsto2.70millionpounds.




RobertJ.Battaglia,DirectorDianeEgner,Editor

ThisreporthasbeenmadepossiblethroughthecooperativeeffortsoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,andTheWisconsinDepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtectionandisavailableonrequest.

USDA,NASS,WIFO-P.O.Box8934-Madison,WI53708-8934-(608)224-4848http://www.nass.usda.gov/wi/




“Areyouinsessionrightnow?”myfriendfromMinnesotaasked.InMinnesota,theLegislaturewenthomealongtimeago.ButIamregularlytravelingtoMadisontoconductstatebusiness.

“Our‘session’doesn’tactuallyenduntilthecam-paignseasonofficiallybeginsnextJune,”Itoldhim.Theofficial‘session’beginsoninaugurationdayinearlyJanuaryfollowinganelectionyearandendsinMaywiththebeginningofthenextelectioncycle.

Thetwo-yearcalendarbeginswiththeintroductionanddebateofthestate’stwoyearbudget.Legisla-torsbegintheimportantworkofaddressingissuesbroughtforwardbythepeople.

ManypeoplebelievetheLegislatureconductsitsbusinesswhenSenatorsandRepresentativesgatherintheSenateandAssemblychamberstovoteonbills-ortouseCapitollingo–whentheLegislatureis‘onthefloor’.

ButthehardworkoftheLegislatureisconductedbeforethefullSenateandAssemblyconvenethroughthecommitteeprocessandinofficesaroundtheCap-itol.Mostofthetimewhenabillgoes‘tothefloor’thecontroversieshadbeenresolvedinacommittee.

Whenweentertheholidayseason,committeesaremeetingandlegislatorsaredraftingbills.WorkonpendinglegislationandissuesimportanttocitizensofourstatecontinuesrightuptoChristmasandbeginagainimmediatelyafterNewYear’sDay.

Thecommitteeprocessisavitalpartoftheoveralllegislativeprocess.CommitteesschedulepublichearingswhichbringpeoplefromalloverthestatetotheCapitoltotestifyonbills.Itisthispublicinputthatprovideslegislatorswiththeinformationtheyneedtounderstandtheimpactofanybill.Commit-teehearingscanhappenanytime,evenduringthesummerofacampaignyearwhenthefullLegislatureisnotofficially‘insession’.

IserveastheSenateCo-ChairtotheJointCommitteeonAudit.TheworkoftheauditcommitteecontinuesallyearlongastheLegislativeAuditBureaureleasesprogramreviewsandfinancialstatementsofstateprogramsandfunds.ItraveltoMadisontomeetwithmycounterpartintheAssembly,toreceivebriefingsonauditsjustreleasedandprovidedirectiontotheAuditBureauandthestateauditor.Sincetheactivi-tiesofthestateareon-going,soistheworkofthestate’swatch-dog–theAuditBureau.

EvenwhenLegislatorsgohometocampaign,theycanbecalledbackbyeithertheGovernorinaSpecialSessionortheLegislatureitselfinanExtraordinarySession.Earlyinthestate’shistory,theGovernorwoulduseaSpecialSessiontobringLegislatorsbacktoaddresscrisessuchasnaturaldisasters,fiscaloreconomicemergenciesorcivildisturbances.Today,SpecialandExtraordinarySessionprovidetheGover-norandtheLegislatureamechanismtoconvenelaw-makerstoaddressimportantpublicpolicymatters.

RegardlessofwhethertheLegislatureis‘insession’ornot,issuesofimportancetopeopleortheprob-lemstheyencounterneedtobeaddressed.PolicyproblemscropupandfolkstrytonavigatethemazeofstatebureaucracyevenwhentheLegislaturehas‘gonehome’.Wearefortunatetohavefull-timestaffthatcanhelpwithpolicyresearchandhelpconstitu-ents.

ManylegislativestaffmembershavebeenworkingintheCapitollongerthanmanyLegislators.Theyareanimportantsourceofhistoricalinformationandsupportaswerookielegislatorsnavigatethemazeofthebill-makingprocessandoflobbyistsandspecialinterests.

Whenlobbyistsout-numberLegislatorseighttoone,itmakesalotofsenseforelectedofficialsandtheirstafftokeepthelightsonandthepencilssharpinevenduringthequiettimes.Someoneneedstokeepwatchtomakesurethepeople’sinterestsareputfirstonthelist.

Keeping the People’s Interests First

By Senator Kathleen Vinehout


Minnesota updates pesticide dealer license fees and requirements

Beginningin2010,MinnesotahasenactedlegislativechangesthataffectpersonsandcompaniessellingagriculturalpesticidesintoMinnesota.Thenewandalteredrequirementsare:• Out-of-statedealersmustmaintainaRegistered

AgentandaRegisteredOfficeinthestateofMinnesota.ARegisteredAgentisapersonwhoisaresidentofMinnesota,orabusinessor-ganizationthatisregisteredwiththeOfficeoftheMinnesotaSecretaryofState.ARegisteredOfficeistheRegisteredAgent’shomeorofficelocatedwithinMinnesota.ARegisteredAgentisresponsiblefortheactsoflicensedPesticideDealerorAgriculturalPesticideDealeroperat-ingfromalocationorplaceofbusinessoutsidethestateandwhodistributesorsellsanagricul-turalpesticideintothestate,aswellastheactsoftheemployeesofthoselicenseddealers.

• CompaniessellingagriculturalpesticidesinorintoMinnesotamustobtainanAgriculturalPesticideDealerLicensefromMDA.Moreinfohere:http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideregistration.aspxhttp://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/licensetypes/pesticideregistration.aspx

• CompaniessellingagriculturalpesticidesinorintoMinnesotamustcollectandpaythean-nualgrossregistrationsalesfeeof0.55%.Thisisnewbecausetheresponsibilitynowrestswiththelicensedpersonandcompanysellingagri-culturalpesticide,ratherthanwiththeproductregistrant.ThefeesareduebyJanuary31forsalesmadeintheprecedingyear.

• TheAgriculturalChemicalResponseandRe-imbursementAccount(ACRRA)surchargehasbeenreduced.Beginningin2010,theamount

collectedattheretaillevelhasbeenreducedto0.10percentoftheannualgrosssales.Thetotalsurcharges(annualsalesplusACRRA)onpesti-cidesin2010willbe0.65percent.

• Companiesmustalsomaintainrecordsofpur-chases,sales,anddistributionofagriculturalpesticidesinandintothisstateforfiveyears.Therecordsshallbemadeavailableforaudit.Salesinvoicesmustshowthepercentofgrosssalesfeerateassessed.


Thank you for another great conference & tradeshow!


A Special Thank You to All our SponsorsCoffee & Doughnut Sponsors

Bayer Crop ScienceFEI-East

Gavilon Fertilizer, LLCGVM Richland

MonsantoSyngenta Crop Protection

WinField Solutions/CHS Inc.

All Industry SponsorsAg Container Recycling CouncilAgrium Advanced Technologies

Agrotain InternationalAgVenutres, LLC

BASF Corp.Clifton Gunderson

Contree Sprayer and Equipment Co. LLCCrop Production ServicesFarmers Plant Food, Inc.Fertilizer Dealer Supply

FMC Corporation Ag Products GroupGreat Salt Lake Minerals Corp.

Helena Chemical CompanyKahler Automation

LaCrosse Forage and Turf Seed LLCLandmark Agronomy Services

Michael Best & FriedrichMiller - St. Nazianz

MosaicPCS Sales

Riesterer & Schnell, Inc.Rock River Laboratory, Inc.

SST SoftwareSyngenta Crop Protection

Terra IndustriesTetra Micronutrients

Twin StateUnited CooperativeWest Central, Inc.

WinField Solutions, LLCZiegler Ag

Distinguished Organization Award:(For Exemplary Industry Professionalism)

Kevin Grahl excepting the award for United Cooperative

Education Award:(For Leadership and Commitment to Educational

Excellence)Roger Flashinski, UW-Madison Extension

Outstanding Service to Industry:(For Dedication and Support to WCPA and It’s Members)

Phil Morrow


Board Member Service Award:(For Full-Term Board of Director Service)

Pete Griffin, Mosaic

President’s Service Award:(For Dedication, Service and Leadership)Marty Liegel, Syngenta Crop Protection

Aspecialceremonywasheldduringthe2010Wis-consinCropManagementConferencetohighlightindustrygenerosityforthefamilyofMikeTurner,formerExecutiveDirectoroftheWCPA.Turner’spass-inginthesummerof2009followedalongandcoura-geousbattlewithcancer.

AfterMikeTurner’spass-ing,anumberofinterestedindividualsaskedhowtheycouldhelphisfamily.WhileMikewasstillalive,hehadexpressedadesireforsomewayofprovidingforthecollegeeducationofhistwodaughters,NatalieandMikala.

ThisiswhenindustryleadersandmembersoftheWCPAsteppeduptotheplate.IftheWCPAcould

WCPA members and corporate donors raise $30,000 for the Mike Turner Family Memorial

raise$5,000,thenSyngenta,MonsantoandBASFwouldcommit$5,000eachinmatchingfunds,and$2,500wouldbecommittedbyDOW.Acallwentout

totheassociation,andtheresponsewasoverwhelm-ing.InadditiontoSyngenta,Monsanto,BASF,andDOW,otherlargeamountcontribu-torsincludedHartungBroth-ers,AsmarkInstitute,Randy&LindaVollrath,AgCon-tainerRecyclingCouncil,AgVentures,andtheAndersons.

Alltold,WCPAmembershaveraisedapproximately

$12,500,andcombinedwiththematchingcorporatefunds,wewereproudtopresentatotalcontributionofmorethan$30,000.

Thank you to all WCPA members for your contributions to this cause!


Weeding out Hunger Campaign Kicks Off at Wisconsin Crop Management Conference

ThefighttoweedouthungeracrosstheCornBelthasofficiallybegun.WeedingoutHunger™,anewcampaignsponsoredbyHalex®GTcornherbicideandSyngentaCropProtection®,kickedoffattheWis-consinCropManagementConference(WCMC)heldJan.12–14attheAlliantEnergyCenterinMadison,Wis.,andcontributedatotalof$1,000tohelpthoseinneed.

Morethan49millionAmericans,oneinsixpeople,arefoodinsecure,whichmeanstheyhavelimitedaccesstoadequatefoodduetoalackofmoneyorotherresources.InWisconsin,9percentofthepopu-lationisfoodinsecureand11percentareinpoverty,accordingtoFeedingAmerica.

ThesestartlingstatisticspromptedSyngentatodevel-optheWeedingoutHungercampaigninconjunctionwithHalexGTcornherbicide.HalexGTisGlyphosatewithResidual™,andprovidesamoreagronomicandhigher-yieldingalternativetootherpost-emergenceglyphosateherbicides.

“ItisgoingtotakeinnovativetoolslikeHalexGTtosatisfyincreasingworldfoodneedsandfulfillourmissiontofeedninebillionpeopleby2050,”saidDavidPiñon,seniorcommunicationsmanagerforSyngenta.“Throughourinvestmentinresearchanddevelopment,Syngentaisthinkinggloballytogrowmorefromless,butwe’reactinglocallythroughHalexGTandWeedingoutHungertohelplocalfoodbanksaddresstheneedsthatsurroundustoday.”

TheWCMCwasthefirststopontheWeedingoutHungerRoadShow,whichwilltraveltovariousindustryeventsandretaillocationsacrosstheMid-

westthroughsummer2010tosupportlocalFeedingAmerica®foodbanksthroughmonetarydonationsnon-perishablefoodcollection.

FeedingAmericaisthenation’sleadingdomestichunger-reliefcharityandsupportsapproximately63,000localcharitableagencies,whichprovidefooddirectlytomorethan25millionpeopleinneed.Inaddition,SyngentawilldonateaportionofHalexGTcornherbicideproductsalesin2010*tolocalFeedingAmericafoodbankstohelpweedouthungeronecroprowatatime.

DuringtheWCMC,CarrollMoseley,herbicidebrandmanagerforSyngenta,presenteda$500checktoDanStein,presidentandCEOoftheSecondHarvestFoodbankofSouthernWisconsin.

“WeareexcitedabouttheWeedingoutHungercam-paignandlookforwardtoitssuccess,”saidStein.“Itisgrassrootsopportunitieslikethisonethathelpus


Carroll Moseley presented a check to Dan Stein on behalf of Halex GT and Weeding out Hunger. From left to right: Dan Stein, president and CEO of the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin; Brian Kahnke, Illinois-Wisconsin district manager for Syngenta Crop Protection; and Carroll Moseley, herbicide brand manager for Syngenta Crop Protection.

touchpeoplewedon’thaveanopportunitytoreachveryoften.”

Inaddition,showattendeeshadtheopportunitytomakeadifferenceintheirowncommunitiesbyenteringarafflesponsoredbyHalexGTandWeedingoutHungerforachancetowina$500donationtotheirlocalFeedingAmericafoodbank.Approximate-ly170retailersstoppedbytheSyngentaboothtoaskaboutHalexGTandtoregisterforthedrawing.

LisaBusse,anagronomistforLarsenCoopinNewLondon,Wis.,wonthedrawingandchosetodonatethemoneytotheWaupacaAreaFoodPantry.

“Iwasveryexcited,”saidBusseuponreceivingwordshehadwonthedonation.“Ifeelit’saworthwhilecauseandI’mreallyproudthatthemoneywillgotosupportmylocalcommunity.”

BussealsomentionedshewasproudtoseeSyngentatakingaction,especiallyduringcurrenteconomictimes.


“Wehavearealneedinourcommunityforhungerassistancebecausebusinesseshaveclosedandtheeconomyistough,”saidBusse.“ItmakesmefeelgoodtoknowthatSyngentaisgivingbacktothecommunitythroughme.”

TheWeedingoutHungerRoadShowhastraveledtovarioustradeshowsandindustryeventsacrossthecountryincludingtheNationalNo-TillageConfer-ence,AgribusinessAssociationofIowaConference,NebraskaAgri-BusinessExposition,FarmMachineryShow,Mid-SouthFarmandGinShowandCommod-ityClassic.

FormoreinformationaboutHalexGT,theWeedingoutHungercampaign,tofollowtheWeedingoutHungerRoadShowortomakeamonetarydona-tion,visitwww.weedingouthunger.com.Toreceivereal-timeupdates,followthecampaignonTwitteratwww.twitter.com/weedouthunger.

*Donationnottoexceed$100,000.

The Illinois-Wisconsin district sales team for Syngenta Crop Protection poses with Dan Stein, president and CEO of the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin (left, holding check), and Carroll Moseley, herbicide brand manager for Syngenta (right, holding check).


CornstocksinWisconsintotaled386millionbushelsasofDecember1,2009,up17percentfromayearearlier.On-farmstocksaccountedfor285millionbushels,whileoff-farmstockscameinat101millionbushels.Ofthe331millionbushelsinallpositionsinDecember2008,220millionbushelswerestoredonthefarm,while111millionbushelswerestoredoffthefarm.

CornstocksfortheU.S.inallpositionstotaled10.9billionbushels,up9percentfromDecember2008.Ofthetotalstocks,7.45billionbushelswerestoredonfarms,up15percentfromayearearlier.Off-farmstocks,at3.49billionbushels,weredown3percentfromthepreviousyear.TheSeptember-November2009indicateddisappearanceis3.89billionbushels,comparedwith3.64billionbushelsduringthesameperiodayearearlier.

Wisconsinsoybeanstocksincreasedslightlyfrom42.7millionbushelsinDecember2008to43mil-lionbushelsasofDecember1,2009.On-farmandoff-farmstockswere15.5millionbushelsand27.5millionbushels,respectively,comparedwiththepreviousyear’s17.5millionon-farmbushelsand25.2millionoff-farmbushels.

U.S.soybeansstoredinallpositionstotaled2.34billionbushels,up3percentfromDecember2008.On-farmstockstotaled1.23billionbushels,up4percentfromthepreviousyear.Off-farmstocks,at1.11billionbushels,wereup2percentfrom2008.IndicateddisappearanceforSeptember-November2009totaled1.16billionbushels,up30percentfromthesameperiodayearearlier.

Nationally,oatsstoredinallpositionstotaled110millionbushelsonDecember1,2009,4percentbe-lowthestocksinDecember2008.Ofthetotalstocksonhand,43.2millionbushelswerestoredonfarms,1percenthigherthanayearearlier.Off-farmstockstotaled67.3millionbushels,7percentbelowthe

previousyear.IndicateddisappearanceduringSep-tember-November2009is17.9millionbushels.

U.S.wheatstoredinallpositionsonDecember1,2009totaled1.77billionbushels,up24percentfromDecember2008.On-farmstockscameinat559mil-lionbushels,up23percentfromthepreviousyear.Off-farmstocks,at1.21billionbushels,wereup25percentfromayearearlier.TheSeptember-No-vember2009indicateddisappearanceis444millionbushels,up2percentfromthesameperiodin2008.

BarleystocksintheU.S.inallpositionstotaled203millionbushelsonDecember1,2009,up18percentfromDecember2008.On-farmstocks,at115millionbushels,were49percentaboveayearearlier.Off-farmstockstotaled88.5millionbushels,8percentbelowDecember2008.DuringSeptember-Novem-ber2009,indicateddisappearancetotaled36.3mil-lionbushels,1percentbelowthesameperiodinthepreviousyear.

Wisconsinon-farmstoragecapacityfor2009re-mainedsteadyat350millionbushels,whileoff-farmstoragecapacityinWisconsinincreasedfrom269mil-lionbushelsin2008to281millionbushelsin2009.Thenumberofoff-farmstoragefacilitiesinWisconsinalsoincreasedfrom340in2008to350in2009.


U.S. and Wisconsin Corn and Soybean Stocks Up from 2008

WISCONSIN FARM REPORTER


Fungal Fumes Clear out Crop Pests

AcocktailofcompoundsemittedbythebeneficialfungusMuscodoralbusmayofferabiologicallybasedwaytofumigatecertaincropsandridthemofde-structivepests.That’stheindicationfromAgriculturalResearchService(ARS)studiesinwhichscientistspittedMuscodoragainstpotatotubermoths,applecodlingmothsandTilletiafungithatcausebuntdis-easesinwheat.

Thescientists--atARSlaboratoriesinAberdeen,Idaho;Wapato,Wash.,andotherlocations--con-ductedseparatestudiesofMuscodor.However,theirgoalwasthesame:tolearnwhethervolatileorganiccompounds(VOCs)releasedbythefunguscouldre-placeordiminishtheuseofsyntheticpesticides.

Infieldtrialsconductedsince2007,ARSplantpa-thologistBlairGoatesfoundthattreatingwheatseedorthesoilwithaformulationofMuscodorandgroundryecompletelypreventedcommonbuntundermoderatediseaseconditions.CausedbythefungusT.tritici,commonbuntreduceswheatyieldsandgrainquality.Althoughchemicalfungicideseedtreatmentshavekeptcommonbuntoutbreakstoaminimum,alternativecontrolsareworthexploringifthechemicalsloseeffectivenessorarediscontinued,notesGoates,withtheARSSmallGrainsandPotatoGermplasmResearchUnitinAberdeen.ResultsfromthisstudywerepublishedintheCanadianJournalofMicrobiology.

AttheARSYakimaAgriculturalResearchLaboratoryinWapato,entomologistLerryLaceyandcolleaguestestedMuscodoragainstpotatotubermoths,whichdamagepotatoleavesandtubers,andapplecodlingmoths,whichfeedinsideapples.Infumigationcham-bertests,85to91percentofadultcodlingmothsdiedwhenexposedtoMuscodorfumes,while62to71percentoflarvaediedorfailedtopupate.Inapple

storagetests,a14-dayexposuretoMuscodorkilled100percentofcocoonedcodlingmothlarvae,whichareespeciallydifficulttocontrol.

LaceyandcolleagueshavealsobeentestingMus-codor’seffectivenessinbiofumigatingsealedcartonsofapplesstoredatvarioustemperatures.Theresultshavebeenencouragingsofar,hereports,andthereappearstobenoadverseeffectontheapples’color,firmnessorothercharacteristics.

ScienceDaily (Feb. 19, 2010)

Codling moths, whose larvae can damage crops like this apple, can be controlled with the fumes emitted by the beneficial fungus Muscodor albus, according to new ARS research. (Credit: Photo by Peggy Greb)

FutureFields,aprogramtohelpfarmersfindoff-farmemploymenttoreplaceorsupplementfarmincome,isopenforenrollmentinsouthwesternWisconsin,theWisconsinFarmCenterhasannounced.

Theprogrambringsemploymentrelatedservicestofarmers,meetingthemone-on-oneintheirhomestodeterminetheirneeds.Schools,libraries,collegesandjobcenterscollaboratetooffertrainingandcomputersforuseinthejobsearch.Participantswillgethelpwithjobseekingskills,resumewriting,ad-ditionalworkskillsandcareerexploration.

Theprogramissettogostatewidebythissummer,andisinitiallyavailableinthefollowingcounties:Co-lumbia,Dane,Dodge,Grant,Green,Iowa,JeffersonLafayette,Marquette,Richland,Rock,andSauk.

“Farmersareinauniquesituation,”saidMikeExum,whoiscoordinatingtheprogramfortheFarmCenter.“Farmersdon’thaveunemploymentinsurancein-comewhentheylosefarmincome,nordotheyhaveaccesstotheotherresourcesthatcomewithunem-ploymentcompensation.FutureFieldsisourefforttofillthisgapandhelpfarmersthroughthesedifficulteconomictimes.

“Theyalsohavebarriersthatotherjobseekersdon’thave.Dairyfarmershavetobehometomilktwoorthreetimesaday,sotakingtimetotraveltoajobcenterortechnicalcollegeisdifficultforthem.Farm-ershavetoworkintheirfieldswhentheweathercooperates,andbeoncallforallsortsofon-farmdemands.Thatmakesithardtoscheduletrainingorattendoff-farmjobseekingprograms.Manyfarmersalsolackaccesstohighspeedinternetservicesandthatputsthematadisadvantage,becauseinthe21st

century,somuchofthejobsearchandcareerdevel-opmentresourcesareon-line.”

“WhatmakesFutureFieldsuniqueisthatwebringtheservicestothefarmers,ratherthansitinouroffices,askingthemtocometous.Allourstaffarecurrentorformerfarmers.Weunderstandthechal-lengesfarmersface,”RodNilsestuen,theSecretaryofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtection,said.

WhenafarmercallsFutureFields,astaffmember(JenniferHasburgh,ChrisEickhoff,TomSawyerorMikeExum)willarrangeatimetovisitatthefarmer’shometodiscusstheiroff-farmemploymentneeds,setgoalsanddevelopanactionplan.FutureFieldsstaffwillcontinueworkingwiththefarmer,helpingthemconnectwithavailableresourcesastheyimple-menttheiroff-farmemploymentplan.

FarmersinterestedintheFutureFieldsProgramshouldcontactProgramCoordinatorMikeExumat800-942-2474.

FutureFieldsisfundedthroughaWorkforceInnova-tioninRegionalEconomicDevelopment(WIRED)grant.ItisacollaborativeeffortoftheSouthwestWisconsinWorkforceDevelopmentBoard,WorkforceDevelopmentBoardofSouthCentralWisconsin,TheWIREDInitiativeandtheWisconsinFarmCenteroftheWisconsinDepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtection.

WIREDissupportedbyfundingfromtheU.S.De-partmentofLaborviatheWisconsinDepartmentofWorkforceDevelopment.

Wisconsin Farm Center Announces Future Fields Program


Contact: Lee Sensenbrenner 608-224-5020 or Mike Exum 608-224-5051

Wisconsinrequiresthatbaggedfertilizerproductsmeetstatelabel-ingrequirements.Commonlabelingproblemsincludebaggedproductslistingonlyaproductgradewithnoguaranteedanalysisorfertilizer

gradeswithguaranteesforsecondarynutrientsormicronutrients.

Requirements TocomplywithWisconsin’sfertilizerregulations,allbaggedfertilizers,includingpackagedcustommixedfertilizers,mustbeconspicuouslylabeledwiththefollowinginformation:

1. Brandorproductname2. N-P-Kgrade3. Guaranteedanalysis4. Netweight5. Nameandaddressofthelicensedmanufacturer/

distributor

Fertilizer Grades TheWisconsinFertilizerLawdefines“grade”asthepercentageguaranteeoftotalnitrogen,availablephosphorus(oravailablephosphate),andsolublepotassium(orsolublepotash).AmorecommonwayistorefertothepercentageofN-P-K.

Example:9-23-30means9%nitrogen,23%availablephosphateand30%solublepotash.

Guaranteed Analysis Theguaranteedanalysistellstheusertheguaranteedpercentageofthenitrogen,phosphateandpotashwithintheproduct.Theproductcannotcontainmoreorlessofalistedguarantee.Toensuretheguaran-teedanalysisiscorrect,theWisconsinDepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtectionrandom-lysamplesandtestsfertilizerseachyear.

Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients Baggedfertilizerscancontainsecondaryormicro-nutrientssuchaszinc,copperorcalcium.However,thesesecondaryormicronutrientsmustbeproperlylistedontheproductlabel.

Youcannotlistadditionalplantnutrientguaranteeswithinthegradestatement.Forexample,abaggedfertilizercontains5%zinc.Thelabelcannotstate“9-23-30-5Zn.”

Whatisacceptableistofollowthegradestatementwiththesecondaryormicronutrientpercentage.Thesecondaryormicronutrientcanalsobepartoftheproductorbrandnamesuchas“9-23-30with5%Zinc”or“SupremeGro19-19-19with5%Zinc.”

Ifsecondaryand/ormicronutrientsareclaimedtobepresentinbaggedfertilizer,thepercentclaimedmustappearintheguaranteedanalysisandmeetthemini-

LabelExample:

Labeling requirements for Bagged Fertilizer


(contined on page 37)

mumamountasrequiredbylaw.Thetablebelowliststheminimumamountsforeachsecondaryandmicronutrient.Secondaryandmicronutrientsmustappearusingtheelementalformandtheformataslistedinthetable.Theserequirementsarealsoout-linedinATCP40,ourfertilizerrules.

Element PercentCalcium (Ca) 1.00Magnesium (Mg) 0.50Sulfur (S) 1.0Boron (B) 0.02Chlorine (Cl) 0.1Cobalt (Co) 0.0005Copper (Cu)) 0.05Iron (Fe) 0.10Manganese (Mn) 0.05Molybdenum (Mo) 0.0005Sodium (Na) 0.10Zinc (Zn) 0.05

Theselabelingrequirementspromoteuniformityinlabelingofbaggedfertilizers,aswellasinform-ingconsumersoftheplantnutrientvaluesclaimedtobepresentinthefertilizer.BaggedfertilizersthatarefoundtobeinviolationofWisconsin’sfertilizerregulationsaresubjecttowarningnoticesandfertil-izerstopsales.

Formoreinformationaboutlabelingrequirementsforbaggedfertilizers,contactthefertilizerprogramat(608)[email protected].



(Bagged Products) (Bulk Products)Coarse Barnlime 60-69 AglimeFeeding Lime 80-89 AglimeGarden/Lawn Lime 90-99 Aglime

Limestone Products for Agriculture

MAYVILLE LIMESTONE, INC.PO Box 25 Mayville, WI 53050-0025(920) 387-5700 (800) 236-4512FAX (920) 387-5723

DNR Secretary Will Continue to be Governor Appointee

Wisconsin Ag Connection

TheDepartmentofNaturalResourcessecretarywillcontinuetobetreatedasacabinetpositionunderthegovernor’sauthorityinWisconsin.OnTuesday,lawmakersintheAssemblyfellshortofoverturningGovernorJimDoyle’srecentvetoofabillthatwouldhavegrantedthatauthoritytothestateDNRboard.Thevotewas58-38--whichiseightshortoftheneededtwo-thirdsmajorityforoverridinganexecu-tiveveto.

Mostofthestate’sagriculturalgroups,includingtheWCPA,werehopingthevetowouldbesustained,say-ingthatsuchappointeesshouldbeunderthedirec-tionofsomeonemorecloselyrepresentedbythepeopleofWisconsin,ratherthanagroupofpeoplewhoarenotelectedbythepeople.

Inastatementafterthevote,Doylesaidhehascometorealizeduringyearsinofficewhyit’simportanttokeeptheprocessthewayitis.

“Undertheleadershipofanappointedsecretary,wehavemadethemostsignificantenvironmentalachievementsinageneration,”Doylestated.“Wehavealsotakenthemosteffectivestepstostreamlineregulations,whilemaintainingthehighestenviron-mentalstandards.”

ThetopDNRofficialhasbeenselectedbythegover-norsince1995.Inhisearlierdaysinoffice,Doylesup-portedhavingtheauthoritytransferredtotheDNRboard,buthassincechangedhismind.

Rep.SpencerBlack,thebill’sleadauthor,saidhein-tendedtotakepoliticsoutoftheprocessofselectingtheDNR’ssecretary.


ByNatWilliamsAgriNewsOnline

[email protected]

SPRINGFIELD,Ill.—Duetoaconflictingsetoflaws,itnowisillegalforIllinoisfarmerstouseall-terrainvehiclesonroads.

Thelegislationinquestionistheresultofunintendedconsequences,aslawmakerscobbledtogetherabilllastyearintendedtodeallargelywithgolfcarts.Butthewaythemorerecentbilliswritten,italsoincludesvehiclescommonlyusedbyfarmersandranchers.

“Itappearstohavebeenanoversight,”saidKevinRund,seniordirectoroflocalgovernmentwiththeIllinoisFarmBureau.

FarmBureauisworkingtocorrectthesituation,butRundsaideveninabest-casescenarioitwillbeJulybeforefarmersmayexpectrelief.

Farmersweregrantedlegaluseofoff-road,all-terrainvehicleswithpassageofalawin2007.“We’vegotalotoffarmerswhouseATVsforthingslikemendingfences,checkinglivestockandlookingatwaterlines,”saidRund,whospecializesintransporta-tionissuesforFarmBureau.

Thatledtothe‘07lawallowinguseofthevehiclesonroadsbyfarmers.Butthewaythelawwaswritten,itdidnotincludeutilityATVssuchastheJohnDeereGator.

“(The‘07law)wasallwellandgood,butitdefinitelylimitedweightandwidthsanddidnotincludeutilityvehicles,”Rundsaid.“Soin‘09weweresuccessfulingettinglegislationpassedthatwasthesameoftheearlierlawbutincludedthesevehicles.”

ThatlawwastohavetakenineffectinJanuaryofthisyear.ButabillpassedandsignedintolawbyGov.PatQuinnconflictedwiththeotherbill.

State ‘oversight’ prevents farmers from using ATVs on Illinois roads

“Alsoin‘09,unbeknowntous,legislationaimedatclearingup(issuesinvolving)largergolfcartsonpub-licroadswaspassed,”Rundsaid.

“Itwentontoincludeoff-highwayvehicles,anditputsomanyrestrictionsinplaceitvirtuallyeliminatedanyofthosetypesofvehiclesonpublicroadsnow.”

Whilethereisaprovisioninthelatterbillallowingforuseofsomeoff-roadvehiclesonpublicroads,itisnarrowlywrittenandeffectivelybansmostuses.

Forexample,thevehiclesmaynotbeusedonroadswithpostedspeedlimitsofmorethan35milesperhour,whicheliminatesmoststateandcountyhigh-ways.

Inaddition,thelawnarrowlyappliesonlytovehiclesthatcantravelaminimumof20mphanddonotexceed25mph.

“ATVsdon’tmeetthatrestriction,”Rundsaid.

Whilerare,itisnotunheardofforbillsthathavepassedthroughdifferentcommitteestocontradictoneanother,accordingtoRund.

FarmBureauisworkingwithlegislatorsinordertohaveabilldraftedthatwilleitheramendorreplacetheonescausingtheproblem.

Butthewheelsofgovernmentturnslowly,andwiththebudgetcrisisinplay,theLegislaturemaynotlookatsuchissueswithmuchurgency.Evenwithpassageofabill,Quinncouldtakeupto60daystosignitintolaw.

Meanwhile,farmerswhorelyondrivingATVsonroadstogetfromfieldtofieldwilleitherhavetofindanotherwaytotravelorriskafine.


MADISON-WisconsinservicemembersdeployedinIraqandAfghanistanduringWisconsin’s2009deerhuntingseasoncouldhaveanopportunitytopartici-pateinthestate’sdeerhuntingtraditionunderanewDepartmentofNaturalResourcesefforttomatchvetswantingtocatchupondeerhuntingwithWis-consinfarmerswhohaveagriculturaldeerdamageshootingpermits.

“Lastyear,WisconsinhadthelargestoperationaldeploymentofourNationalGuardsinceWorldWarII.Morethan4,000Wisconsinsoldiersandair-menperformeddangerousmissionsinservicetoourcountry,”Gov.JimDoylesaid.“Thesenewestcombatveteransmissedwhatisalifelongtraditionformany--thefalldeerhunt.Withthehelpofstatefarmers,that’saproblemwecanfix.”

“Farmersareinauniquepositiontoofferahuntingopportunitytoreturningsoldiers,”saidDNRSecre-taryMattFrank.“We’veinvitedfarmerswhoholddeerdamagetagstosharesomeofthosetagswithsoldiersandwe’reworkingwiththeNationalGuardtogetthewordouttoreturningsoldiers.”

“WhatagreatgesturebytheWisconsinDNR,”saidCommandSgt.MajorGeorgeStopper.“Alotofourveteransareoutdoorenthusiasts.Hadtheynotbeendeployed,manyofthemwouldhavebeenoutenjoy-ingthehunt.Bylinkingthesoldiersupwithfarmersthatalreadyholdpermits,Ifeelyou’vedefinitelyprovidedagreatopportunitytoallconcerned.”

Aninvitationhasbeensenttoseveralhundredfarm-ersacrossthestateenrolledinthedeerdamageprogramaskingthemtoconsidersharingdeerdam-agetagswithreturningsoldiers.Theprogramiscom-pletelyvoluntary.Sofar,95soldiershaveexpressedinterestinhunting;ninefarmershavevolunteeredatotalof50tagsfortheprogram,andDNRhasbeenabletomatch22ofthemup.

DeerdamagetagholderscancontacttheDNRcallcentertoll-freeat888-936-7463orcontactLaurieFikeatlaurie.fike@wisconsin.govwiththeirname,county,deershootingpermitnumberandthenumberoftagstheywouldliketoshare.Thecallcenterisopen7a.m.to10p.m.sevendaysaweek.ItishopedthatthefirsthuntscanbescheduledearlyinFebruary.

Interestedsoldiersshouldalsocontactthecallcen-ter.Callcentercustomerservicestaffwilltaketheirinformationandthesoldierwillbecalledbackwiththenameandcontactinformationofaparticipatingdamagetagholder.Itisthenuptoindividualsoldiersandfarmerstoarrangethedetailsoftheirhuntstosuitboththeirneeds.

TheGovernorthankedSenatorKathleenVinehoutandRepresentativeChrisDanouwhoworkedwiththeDepartmenttodevelopthehuntforreturningvets.

Contact:Laurie Fike (608) 267-7974

Returning Wisconsin National Guard soldiers may still enjoy a deer hunt


Gypsy Moth Treatments Proposed For 20 Counties

Wisconsin Ag Connection

Yellowplaneswillbeafamiliarsightinsomecoun-tiesthisspringandsummer,whileinothers,itwillmakeanappearanceforthefirsttime.TheWiscon-sinDepartmentofAgriculture’sGypsyMothSlowtheSpreadProgramplanstotreat92sitescoveringapproximately228,291acresin20countiestohelpcontrolthespreadofthedestructiveforestpest,thegypsymoth.ThisplanisseparatefromtheWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResourcesSuppressionPro-gram.

ThecountiesareAshland,Barron,Bayfield,Buf-falo,Chippewa,Clark,Crawford,Douglas,Dunn,EauClaire,Grant,Green,Iowa,Jackson,LaCrosse,Mon-roe,Richland,Taylor,TrempealeauandVernon.

Gypsymothcaterpillarsmainlyfeedontheleavesofoaktrees,buttheyalsowillfeedontheleavesofhundredsofotherspeciesoftreesandshrubs.Whenpresentinlargenumbers,gypsymothcaterpillarscandefoliatetreesandovercomenativespecies.

AerialtreatmentswillstartinMaywhenthecaterpil-larsbegintoemerge.SomesiteswillbetreatedwithBacillusthuringiensisvar.kurstaki.Btkisanaturallyoccurringsoilbacteriumandhasbeensuccessfullyusedingypsymothtreatmentsformorethan30years.MostsiteswillreceivetwoapplicationsofBtk,aboutfiveto10daysapart.OthersiteswillreceiveGypchek,aproductspecificonlytogypsymoth.

InJuneandJuly,additionalsiteswillbetreatedwithmatingdisruptor,whichhasthepheromoneofthefemaleadultgypsymoth.Thisconfusesthemalegypsymothswhenthey’researchingforamateandpreventsreproduction.

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