New farm data coalition puts farmers in the driver’s seat Agricultural Data Coalition Apr 25, 2016

From WWESTERN FARM PRESS Thanks to precision agriculture and advancements in equipment and computing technology, America’s farmers are building a treasure trove of production information that will help fuel future innovation. A new organization, the Agricultural Data Coalition (ADC), plans to help farmers better control, manage, and maximize the value of their data. The ADC is the result of years of planning and coordination by AGCO, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Auburn University, CNH Industrial, Crop IMS, The Ohio State University, Mississippi State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Raven Industries, and Topcon Positioning Group. Its goal is to build a data repository where farmers can securely store and oversee the information collected by their tractors, harvesters, aerial drones, and other devices. Over time, the data can be scrubbed, synced, and transmitted in an efficient and uniform way to third parties - whether they be researchers, crop insurance agents, government officials, farm managers, input providers, or any trusted advisor the farmer chooses. “The key is that farmers are in complete control, and they decide who is allowed access to their data,” explained ADC Executive Director Matt Bechdol. “That’s what sets ADC apart. This is not about profit for others, it’s about streamlining data management, establishing clear lines of control, and helping growers utilize their data in ways that ultimately benefit them.” Bechdol says to understand ADC’s platform, it’s helpful to think of it like a bank. “Farmers deposit their asset into a secure location,” he said. “They manage that asset through the equivalent of an online banking system, and then just like an ATM or an online transaction, ADC is able to transmit the data on the farmer’s behalf wherever the farmer wishes.” Bechdol added, “Today, farmers have to store their own data, have to transmit it themselves, and have to deposit assets in a number of separate banks just to do business.” Few farmers are currently maximizing their data because the marketplace lacks a viable central repository like the one ADC is developing. Bechdol believes that ADC’s collaborative approach and ability to bring a critical mass to the data bank is what will enable it to succeed and demonstrate value. He explained that ADC is working with farm leaders and farmer-owned cooperatives to ensure the system is organized, structured, and positioned to operate in ways that will be most beneficial to growers and encourage farmer use. “And even if some people aren’t ready or sure how to use their data, it still makes sense for them to take time to deposit their information into this universal bank,” Bechdol concluded. “That way, they will be prepared when they need the data or choose to put it to work.” Farmers interested in learning more about data collection, and organizations interested in joining ADC’s efforts, should visit www.AgDataCoalition.org.

Arizona alfalfa industry gains acreage, tonnage, respect May 4, 2016

While California alfalfa acreage has declined in recent years largely tied to drought, the forage crop in Arizona is gaining in acreage, yield, and respect. Barry Tickes pegs Arizona alfalfa acreage at 300,000 acres. Add another 35,000 acres in other hays to bring the state’s total forage production acreage to about 335,000 acres.“Arizona is the most productive hay production state in the U.S. and one of the top areas in the world,” says Tickes, director of the University of Arizona’s (UA) La Paz County Cooperative Extension at Parker. La Paz County borders the Colorado River in west central Arizona. Tickes was the lead off speaker at the La Paz County Alfalfa Meeting held in late April. La Paz County growers currently farm about 65,000 acres of alfalfa, including a 40-mile long swath about five miles wide through the scenic Parker Valley on Mohave Road - also called Indian Route 1 - from Parker to Ehrenburg. The flat low desert farming mecca also includes desert durum wheat, cotton, and dehydrator onions. Arizona top yielder Tickes says Arizona alfalfa yields average 8.4 tons per acre – the highest yield in the nation. This compares to 6.5 tons in 2014 in neighboring California. The National Agricultural Statistics Service pegs last year’s average price for Arizona alfalfa hay at $161 per ton, compared to $248 per ton in the Golden State (2014). In its ‘hay day’ before the current four-year drought, Golden State alfalfa acreage was about 1.1 million acres. Today, the state’s acreage is about 835,000 acres. Water use Turning to water use in Arizona alfalfa, UA Extension Agronomist Mike Ottman said timely irrigation is critical to alfalfa quality and yields. Cutting off irrigation to the forage crop does not pencil out at current water costs and hay prices. When a grower shuts off the water, it’s sometimes to prevent scalding plants, though Ottman says laser leveling has helped reduced scalding. Other reasons to cut off water include weed control, a water shortage, a water transfer to municipalities, and to reduce production costs. Alfalfa is a drought tolerant plant so turning the water off is an option for growers, Ottman said, since the plant better tolerates water stress, it’s a perennial crop with multiple harvests per year, and alfalfa is not a high value crop. El Niño dying Paul Brown, UA agricultural biometeorologist, provided a weather update, including a review of the El Niño weather pattern which is now dying quickly and expected to end by summer.Brown said this was the strongest El Niño weather system since the late 1990s. For California, Brown said there was significant moisture improvement from this El Niño, yet he noted, “California is not out of the woods yet.” Colorado River update Brown then turned to the ongoing western drought’s impact on the Colorado River and falling water levels at Lake Mead. Current projections point to the increased likelihood of a Stage One drought call on the river - sooner rather than later - which would reduce surface water deliveries, primarily in Arizona. According to government estimates, there will be not be a Colorado River shortage call this year. Yet there is a 37 percent chance of a shortage call in 2017, a 59 percent chance in 2018, and the odds only increase the following years. “The bottom line is there is a fairly good chance we’re heading into a shortage call unless one of two things happen – it gets wet in a hurry, or water leaders in the lower basin states (California, Arizona, and Nevada) come up with a plan to prevent this.” Brown added, “There are major political discussions underway on proposed shortage alleviation policies that could delay or prevent a shortage declaration.” Among the ways to achieve this could be further water reductions now and in the near future which could basically keep more water in Lake Mead, above the 1,075 foot depth that could trigger a shortage call. Overall, El Niño brought more than expected rain and snowfall to much of California last winter and this spring, yet less than expected moisture to the Southern California desert, Arizona, and western New Mexico.Subsurface drip Representatives from several commercial companies spoke to the alfalfa crowd, including Pat Fernandez of Netafim who discussed subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in alfalfa. On average, Fernandez says SDI increases alfalfa yields by 20 percent with some higher yields reported at 25 percent to 30 percent. Overall, yields can total 12 tons per acre with SDI.Overall, yields can total 12 tons per acre with SDI. Other advantages of SDI include rapid regrowth after cutting, improved alfalfa quality (supreme to premium), and fewer weeds. He pegged today’s per acre costs for a SDI system at about $2,500. Fernandez shared that SDI-irrigated alfalfa requires more management, including increased rodent control. He cited rodents as the No. 1 concern with SDI in alfalfa. Uncontrolled rodents can damage the SDI system, including holes in the underground tubing, and reduce yields up to about 30 percent. Fernandez said, “Bait and trap is the most effective (rodent control method) in Arizona whether in drip, flood, or sprinkler.” His advice to growers, “Start rodent control early.” He said SDI can increase the number of “cuts” (cuttings) during the year, noting that a grower near Eloy reported 18-19 cuttings a year. Low lignin varieties Don Miller of Alforex Seeds, the forage division of Dow AgroSciences, discussed the company’s conventional alfalfa breeding work and their new low lignin varieties now on the market. Lignin is a product in the plant which helps keep the plant erect but it has a drawback.plant erect but it has a drawback. “Lignin in mature plant tissue interferes with animal digestion and negatively affects forage quality,” Miller said. “Low lignin alfalfa creates a more digestible alfalfa.” He said lower lignin alfalfa fed to dairy cows can increase milk production by one gallon per cow per day, and produce more meat. In the 1970s and 1980s, most industry alfalfa research focused on pests and diseases. In recent years, Miller said the emphasis has been on alfalfa quality, including reduced lignin. In 2014, Alforex Seeds released the industry’s first low lignin variety, Hi-Gest Alfalfa. Miller says the variety reduces the plant lignin level by 7 percent to 10 percent, enough to increase forage quality without hindering the plant’s ability to remain upright. Alforex’s low lignin varieties include Hi-Gest AFX 960 and AFX 1060 for Arizona and Southern California, and Hi-Gest 660 for Central California. Latest news in western agriculture – Western Farm Press Daily e-news blast - delivered free to your inbox.

Why consumer sentiment matters May 5, 2016 by Nevil Speer BEEF

It’s difficult to get a solid read on the economy. That’s been an enduring theme ever since the start of the financial crisis. Any advances in the economy have seemingly come in fits and starts. Therefore, there remains a lot of uncertainty about the future economic direction and momentum, hence why there’s so much focus on central banking policies across the globe. That clearly has influence on the beef industry in terms of both domestic and global demand. Despite economic headwinds, the beef industry has enjoyed solid gains during the past several years. Beef demand has been robust, meaning more spending by consumers. For more on those trends see: Beef Demand vs. Beef Consumption and Beef Recapturing Market Share. However, it becomes more difficult looking forward. It’s challenging to assess how consumers will respond in terms of purchasing decisions. That’s especially true given the forecast for increased supply coming from all three major sources of protein. On that note, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is a good measure of consumer perceptions of the economy over time. This week’s illustration highlights monthly readings along with the 12-month moving average since January 2000. Most important, the index has climbed steadily during the past several years. However, the outlook can be assessed from two different views. On one hand, the 12-month moving average is roughly equivalent to levels established prior to the financial crisis and heading in the right direction. On the other hand, April’s monthly assessment (89) is down sharply from the near-term high (98.1) established last January – thus heading in the wrong direction. How do you perceive the state of the consumer going into the summer? What impact might that have on beef spending? Do you foresee stronger demand versus 2015, or do you think consumers will begin to waver when it comes to purchasing beef? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

The Range Rights and Resource Symposium, Your Rights Are Your Property!

The Range Rights and Resource Symposium, Your Rights Are Your Property! Protect the Harvest Protect The Harvest will be hosting its Range Rights and Resource Symposium, May 20th and 21st in Layton, Utah. The theme of the symposium will be ‘Ending the Sound of Silence: Your Rights Are Your Property!’ Attendees will be able to hear from speakers including Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Ramona Hage, Demar Dahl (past president of Nevada Cattlemen’s Association and current Chairman of the Nevada Land Management Task Force), Waddie Mitchell, Terry Padilla, and many more. The event will be emceed by Trent Loos, host of the Loos Tales radio program, experienced farmer and agriculture advocate. The Range Rights and Resource Symposium will cover a wide range of topics, such as: Pending Legislation, Public Relations and Intimidation, Federal vs. State Right to Water, and Grazing and Wild Horses. Tickets for the symposium can be purchased here. They are $125 through May 10th and $150 thereafter, the cost includes one dinner and two lunches.

Closure Order For Sacramento Ranger District to protect New Mexico meadow jumping mouse By lincoln national forest • May 5, 2016

The Lincoln National forest has issued a closure order (08-277) pursuant to 16 U.S.C § 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50 (a) to protect New Mexico meadow jumping mouse occupied habitat (areas within critical habitat where the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse is known to persist). The New Mexico meadow jumping mouse is listed as an endangered species with critical habitat (areas considered necessary for the recovery of the species). The Forest Service has a legal obligation to protect the jumping mouse and the critical habitat, under the Endangered Species Act. The purpose of this closure order is to protect areas of New Mexico meadow jumping mouse occupied critical habitat during the season the species is active and most vulnerable. The closure order will include all occupied critical habitat on the Lincoln National Forest. These areas include small portions of Agua Chiquita, Silver Springs, Rio Peñasco and Wills Canyon within the Sacramento Ranger District (see attached map). The closure will remain in effect for two years fromMay 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016 and May 1, 2017- October 31, 2017. Further analysis will be completed to determine future actions beyond October 2017. The closure restricts all entry to the restricted area. Authorized roads and trails within the restricted area will remain open. Exceptions to the closure include: Forest Service employees on official duty, anyone authorized by the Forest Service to enter the restricted area, and emergency personnel performing official duty. Any violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for individuals and $10,000.00 for organizations, by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. [Title 16 USC 551, Title 18 USC 357(b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)]. Signs will be posted in the closure areas. For additional information about this closure on the Sacramento Ranger District, please call Ciara Cusack at 575-682-2551, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Visit the Lincoln National Forest at www.fs.usda.gov/lincoln Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/LincolnUSForest

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Results

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Results More Than 800,000 Acres Selected Through Highly Competitive Application Rounds WASHINGTON, May 5, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the enrollment of more than 800,000 acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) through the program's 49th sign up period. Through CRP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) helps farmers offset the costs of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees that improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and strengthen wildlife habitat. Farmers' and ranchers' participation in CRP continues to provide numerous benefits to our nation, including helping reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases and providing resiliency to future weather changes. "The Conservation Reserve Program provides nearly $2 billion annually to land owners – dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs. When these direct benefits are taken together with the resulting economic activity, the benefits related to CRP are estimated at $3.1 billion annually," said Vilsack. "Over the past 30 years, CRP has created major environmental improvements throughout the countryside. The program has removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere equal to removing nine million cars from the road annually, and prevented 600 million dump trucks of soil from erosion. With today's announcement, USDA is continuing these achievements by maximizing conservation benefits within the limitations provided by law." This was one of the most selective sign-up periods in CRP's 30-year history, with a record high Environmental Benefits Index cut-off and the lowest-percentage of applications accepted. The high bar means that the per-acre conservation benefits are being maximized and that acres enrolled address multiple conservation priorities simultaneously. A nationwide acreage limit was established for this program in the 2014 Farm Bill, capping the total number of acres that may be enrolled at 24 million for fiscal years 2017 and 2018. At the same time, USDA has experienced a record demand from farmers and ranchers interested in participating in the voluntary program. As of March 2016, 23.8 million acres were enrolled in CRP, with 1.7 million acres set to expire this fall. Over three million acres have been offered for enrollment this year across the three main categories within CRP, with USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) receiving over 26,000 offers to enroll more than 1.8 million acres during the general enrollment period, and over 4,600 offers to enroll more than one million acres in the new CRP Grasslands program. Coming off a record-setting 2015 continuous enrollment of over 860,000 acres, more than 364,000 acres already have been accepted for 2016 in the CRP continuous enrollment, triple the pace of last year. FSA will accept 411,000 acres in general enrollment, the most competitive selection in in the history of the program, with the acreage providing record high conservation benefits. USDA selected offers by weighing environmental factors plus cost, including wildlife enhancement, water quality, soil erosion, enduring benefits, and air quality. The results of the first-ever enrollment period for CRP Grasslands, FSA will also accept 101,000 acres in the program, providing participants with financial assistance for establishing approved grasses, trees and shrubs on pasture and rangeland that can continue to be grazed. More than 70 percent of these acres are diverse native grasslands under threat of conversion, and more than 97 percent of the acres have a new, veteran or underserved farmer or rancher as a primary producer. FSA continues to accept CRP Grasslands offers and will conduct another ranking period later this year. Acres are ranked according to current and future use, new and underserved producer involvement, maximum grassland preservation, vegetative cover, pollinator habitat and various other environmental factors. Participants in CRP establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as "covers") to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands. In return, FSA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. CRP is currently protecting more than 100,000 acres of bottomland hardwood trees, nearly 300,000 acres of flood-plain wetlands, and 300,000 acres each for duck nesting habitat and nearly 250,000 acres of upland bird habitat. In addition, CRP is creating economic benefits that include at least $545 million per year in recreation benefits and water quality benefits from reduced sedimentation of $587 million per year. Throughout the Obama Administration, USDA has generated thousands of critical partnerships to conserve and protect our natural resources on working landscapes, while enrolling a record number of acres in conservation programs. Seventy-percent of the nation's land is owned and tended to privately, and America's farmers, ranchers and landowners have willingly stepped up to address the growing impacts of a changing climate. With USDA's support, they work to implement voluntary practices that improve air and water quality, prevent soil erosion and create and protect wildlife habitat. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $29 billion to help producers make conservation improvements, working with as many as 500,000 farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect land and water on over 400 million acres nationwide. To learn more about FSA's conservation programs, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/conservation or contact a local FSA county office. To find your local FSA county office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. #

Eddy County May 11th Public Meeting

Eddy County May 11th Public Meeting News / Other News Less event details Date Wed, May 11 2016 1:30 PM MDT — Wed, May 11 2016 7:30 PM MDT About Eddy County is holding the first public meeting as part of updating the 2008 Eddy County Comprehensive Plan. The meetings will be facilitated by the County’s consultant, Consensus Planning, and will include a discussion of where the community sees Eddy County being in the next 20 years. Each of the elements in the 2008 Eddy County Comprehensive Plan (land use, economic development housing, transportation, infrastructure, water resources, public facilities, hazard mitigation, and implementation) will be updated as part of this planning process. The first public meeting will be held at two separate locations on Wednesday, May 11th in Artesia and Carlsbad, and will also be available through live stream. Citizens are welcome to attend either one of the meetings in accordance with their preferred and most convenient location: • The public meeting in Artesia will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Eddy County North Road Department, 2611 S 13th Street • The public meeting in Carlsbad will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Eddy County Administration Building, Commission Chambers 2nd Floor, 101 W. Greene Street The public meeting in Carlsbad will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Eddy County Administration Building, Commission Chambers 2nd Floor, 101 W. Greene Street NOTE: it was in this process that extraterritorial zone was proposed in the past.