DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he isn’t worried about farmer profitability this year, when huge corn and soybean crops have pushed prices for the commodities below the cost of production. Vilsack tells The Associated Press that many U.S. farmers have contracts that will pay $4 or $5 a bushel of corn and about $13 for a bushel of soybeans, so they should be OK.

He also notes that lower commodity prices will help livestock producers, who in recent years have struggled with the high cost of feed. For those who won’t earn enough to cover their costs, he notes the farm bill offers aid so farmers can survive difficult years.

Vilsack spoke with the AP after touring a food processing company in Marshalltown with U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley.

MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — Deere & Co. has announced hundreds of layoffs at its tractor factory in Waterloo. The Illinois-based agricultural equipment maker says about 460 workers will be laid off effective October 20. Deere said last week that it would lay off more than 600 employees at four Midwest factories that make harvesting and other agricultural equipment due to slumping demand. That layoff includes another Iowa plant, in Ankeny.

The company said earlier this month that it planned to reduce agricultural equipment production for the remainder of the year. Company shares are down 63 cents to $85.58 in early trading.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is returning to Iowa to announce federal grants designed to encourage development of new value-added farm products and to discuss other rural development funding programs. Vilsack, accompanied by U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, will travel to a dairy operation in Ely in eastern Iowa and a food cooperative in Marshalltown.

They’ll announce recipients of Value-Added Producer Grants for Iowa businesses. Money for the grants was increased in the 2014 Farm Bill. They also will discuss the Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants program which provides zero-interest loans and grants to utilities that lend funds to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas.

A survey of Midwestern agricultural lenders conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank finds plenty of wary farmers across Iowa and the region. Nathan Kauffman, with the Omaha branch office of the Fed’s seven-state 10th District, says not too many farmers and livestock producers are worried about this year, but 2015 is another matter. “Thinking about 2014, the crop insurance price for corn, for example, was set at $4.62 which is quite a bit higher than where cash prices are right now,” Kauffman says. “Going into early next year, February will be another important month, just thinking about what the crop insurance price might be set going into next year.”

Kauffman says most rural bankers reported solid credit conditions, but also say farmers are being very cautious about making equipment purchases or other capital outlays. “The important thing to note for now is that it looks like credit quality is still strong,” Kauffman says. “Repayment rates, though they’ve softened a bit, are still relatively strong, although that does present some concerns going forward.”

Analysts say this cautious approach by farmers will cause an economic ripple effect that will be felt by businesses throughout Iowa and across the region.

(Radio Iowa)

A deadly virus that’s driving up pork prices as it’s wiped out as many as one in every ten piglets in Iowa in the past year can be spread through hog feed, according to new research. Dr. Scott Dee, the study’s lead author and research director at Minnesota’s Pipestone Veterinary Services, says they were stunned to learn Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or P-E-D-V, can travel through livestock feed.

“That’s why I think the industry is a little reactive to that, because it’s new, it’s a surprise,” Dee says. “Again, no blame on the feed industry because we’re partners and we have to work together, but we have to realize that it is a potential risk, so we can manage that risk.” Iowa’s first P-E-D-V case was found more than a year ago. Since then, the virus has killed as many as seven-million pigs nationwide.

There have been more than 41-hundred cases reported in 26 states, including more than a thousand cases in Iowa. Dee isn’t sure where the virus originated but believes the study’s findings can help deter future outbreaks. He says the revelation that P-E-D-V travels through feed has shaken the pork industry. “The feed’s the wild card because historically feed hasn’t been a risk factor for disease transfer,” he says. “Now, all of the sudden, we have a pathogen that does. The fact that the feed could potentially be a vehicle was a big surprise.”

The study is being published in the B-M-C Veterinary Research Journal. Later this month, Dee’s team will release a paper on commercially-available feed additives which he says will help in the prevention of P-E-D-V. The Hawkeye State is the nation’s number-one hog producer in an industry worth some six-point-seven billion dollars to the Iowa economy.

(Radio Iowa)

w/ Max Dirks

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A citizens group opposed to new rules approved Tuesday by the Iowa commission regulating water quality has filed a lawsuit seeking to stop implementation of the rules. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund asks a judge to void the rules approved unanimously by the nine-member Environmental Protection Commission. The rules, supported by farm groups, establish new inspection and permit processes for livestock farms.

Iowa CCI and three of its members claiming they have been personally affected by farm pollution say in the lawsuit the commission vote was illegal because five members of the EPC have a financial stake in livestock farming. The lawsuit says they should have recused themselves from voting on the rules they claim are too weak.

Officials with ISU Extension in Guthrie County report Jim & Jo Laughery of Guthrie Center were inducted into the 2014 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, August 17th. Eighty-two counties and two state level Iowa 4-H Volunteers were inducted during the ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair.

4-H has been a large part of the Laughery family. Mary Jo Laughery grew up in Guthrie County 4-H and was a part of the Beaver Valley Girls 4-H Club. While in 4-H she was busy with sewing, home furnishings, and demonstrations. She was unable to show cattle in the girls club so she joined the Valley Boosters Boys 4-H Club. While in the boys’ club she finally got the opportunity to show her Hereford cattle. She learned many life lessons from both clubs. She then became a 4-H leader for eight years for the US Sunbeams while her children were in 4-H. She also received the Guthrie County Alumni Award in 1983 for all of her hard work and dedication to the program.

Although Jim was never in 4-H he is no stranger to the program. He has served on the county fairboard for many years. Together, they own the Guthrie Livestock Auction. They allow the 4-H’ers the use of their scale before, in-between, and during county fair. They support the 4-H program by also running the fair livestock auction in which Mary Jo clerks all of the animals by hand. They also have purchased animals from the 4-Hers when the buyers fell through so the members didn’t lose their premiums.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program. Many inductees served as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones, or ISU Extension & Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa 4-H’ers through the years.

Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Iowa Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented 88 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 13th. This was the third year for the award program and to date more than 200 families have received recognition.

Among the award recipients this year was: Dan Buman, of Harlan; Randy, Janalee & Merritt Caviness,  of Greenfield; Audrey Charter, of Adair; Dennis & Jacque Hoover, in Guthrie Center; Stanley & Barbara Johnson, of Villisca; Charles and Ruth Owen, of Guthrie Center; and Bill and Margaret Thomas, of Emerson.

The award is a joint effort between the Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon
success.

Winners were presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto and a  commemorative program provided by The Nature Conservancy. Hagie Manufacturing sponsored a recognition luncheon following the ceremony. All winners were chosen by a selection group representing both conservation and agricultural groups.