“This is a long-sought legislative priority for the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. As such, we are very pleased that Senator Tammy Baldwin supported these critically important infrastructural upgrades.

The health of Wisconsin’s $59 billion agricultural economy hinges on us being a reliable supplier of agricultural products to foreign markets. Given our geographical location, the Great Lakes and Mississippi River are vital paths for Wisconsin products to reach the global marketplace.

The port improvements and upgrades to our aging lock and dam system are desperately needed. Therefore the passage of the Water Resources Development Act is long over due. All Wisconsin farm families will benefit when this investment in our nation’s transportation infrastructure finally becomes a reality.”  

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack today reminded farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14. Vilsack also announced the restart of sign-up for continuous CRP, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other related initiatives. Sign-up for continuous CRP began on May 13 and will continue through Sept. 30, 2013.

“As always, we expect strong competition to enroll acres into CRP, and we urge interested producers to maximize their environmental benefits and to make cost-effective offers,” said Vilsack. “CRP is an important program for protecting environmentally sensitive lands from erosion and sedimentation, and for ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Through the voluntary participation of our farmers and ranchers, CRP helps us to protect our natural resources, preserve wildlife habitat and bring good paying jobs to rural America related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

Vilsack encouraged producers to look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis.

CRP has a 27-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation’s natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion and develop wildlife habitat. In return, USDA provides participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years. Currently, 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP through 700,000 contracts on 390,000 farms throughout the U.S., with enrollment in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Contracts on an estimated 3.3 million acres will expire on Sept. 30, 2013. Enrollment authority for all types of CRP, which had expired Sept. 30, 2012, was extended through 2013 by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

Offers for general sign-up CRP contracts are ranked according to an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) collects data for each of the EBI factors based on the relative environmental benefits for the land offered. FSA uses the following factors to assess the environmental benefits for the land offered:

Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage; Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff and leaching; On-farm benefits from reduced erosion; Benefits that will likely endure beyond the contract period; Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion; and Cost.

CRP soil rental rates for non-irrigated cropland were updated this year to better reflect location and market conditions. A nationwide cap was placed on the maximum amount that may be paid per acre for the general sign-up. Taken together these steps help ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent in a fiscally responsible manner while producing the maximum environmental benefits for each dollar spent.

CRP is the largest USDA conservation program and continues to make major contributions to national efforts to improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion, and protect the most sensitive areas including those prone to flash flooding and runoff. At the same time, CRP has helped increase populations of pheasants, quail and ducks and is recognized as benefiting certain rare species like the sage grouse, the lesser prairie chicken and other grassland birds. Highlights of CRP accomplishments include:

The restoration of more than two million acres of wetlands and two million acres of riparian buffers; Prevention of more than 600 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 100 million pounds of phosphorous from flowing into our nation’s streams, rivers, and lakes. Providing $1.8 billion annually to landowners — dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs; and Sequestering more carbon than any other conservation program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage. In 2011, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

The Obama Administration, with Secretary Vilsack’s leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, maintain a strong farm safety net and create opportunities for America’s farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency and resourcefulness of our producers.

For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit a local FSA service center or www.fsa.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

“Wisconsin’s 11,000 soybean farmers work each day as good stewards of the land and soil to grow a nutritious product for our livestock and consumers around the world,” said Ripp. “Our soybean farmers contribute to Wisconsin’s $59 billion agriculture industry, which ultimately benefits our local communities and state’s economy.”

Wisconsin ranks thirteenth in the nation in soybean production. Many state businesses, including livestock operations, biofuel plants and food producers, use soy as a key ingredient. Consumers worldwide appreciate the Wisconsin soybean, and soy products are exported internationally.

Soybeans are part of our foods and so much more. Soy foods offer great flavor, texture and health benefits for us to enjoy. Edamame, tofu and soy nuts are a few examples of foods to try. Soy foods are cholesterol-free, are an excellent source of high-quality protein and offer a healthy mix of polyunsaturated fat.

From the moment you wake up in the morning, you may read a newspaper with soy ink or get ready for work using soy-based beauty supply products. One acre of soybeans can make 82,368 crayons for our children to use at school. If building a house, there are soy-based products like wood stains, caulking, paint and insulation.

Ninety-eight percent of the U.S. supply of soymeal feeds our nation’s pigs, chickens and cows. As soybeans are the highest natural source of dietary fiber, animal agriculture is a soybean farmer’s number one customer.

Soybeans grow on a bushy, green plant that produces pods when it flowers in the summer. Each plant can produce up to 80 pods, and each pod contains 2-4 pea-sized beans.

Wisconsin soybean farmers continue to increase their yields using less land, energy and water. Because of the improvements in soybean varieties by plant breeders and farm management, Wisconsin soybean farmers still manage to produce average yields even in difficult drought situations, like 2012. Ninety-eight percent of U.S. soybean farms are family farms.

When soybeans are processed, they are cleaned, cracked, dehulled and rolled into flakes to separate the soybean oil from the soybean meal. The oil can be used in food or industrial products. The meal can be further processed into food products or provide feed for livestock.

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board is a farmer-led organization that has led efforts in soybean research, education and marketing opportunities since 1983. There are free resources available online for students and teachers about the history, production and use of soybeans.

“Wisconsin soybean farmers benefit us from our dinner table to our farms to our local businesses,” concluded Ripp. “Include two to three servings of soy foods daily in your diet for everyday wellness and to support our Wisconsin farmers.”

Learn more about Wisconsin soybean farmers at www.wisoybean.org or like the “WI Soybean” page on Facebook. To schedule an interview with Alice in Dairyland about Wisconsin soybeans, contact Ripp at rochelle.ripp@wisconsin.gov.

Cash accounting tools, like the deferral of commodity and product receipts and prepaying the cost of livestock feed, fertilizer and other farm supplies, are important to farmers. Proposed changes to cash accounting rules, which would require some farmers to change to accrual accounting, would be time-consuming and costly to farms and ranches.

“Farmers and ranchers will either have to take time away from running their businesses or pay for help to comply,” said AFBF. “Both are harmful in an industry with tight profit margins, unpredictable income streams and an inability to pass on added expenses to customers.”

Farm Bureau said it supports the continuation of unrestricted cash accounting currently available to most farmers and ranchers and cautioned against reducing the number of partnership types eligible to use the tool.

Further, because farming and ranching requires large investments in machinery, equipment and other depreciable capital, Farm Bureau said it supports maintaining the $500,000, Section 179 small business expensing limitation and not reducing the $2 million acquisition limit, both of which are scheduled to drop next year respectively to a $25,000 limitation with a $200,000 threshold. Section 179 provides accelerated expensing and depreciation, allowing farmers to better manage cash flow, minimize tax liabilities and reduce borrowing.

“Whether caused by unpredictable weather that affects crop yields or uncontrollable markets that set the price of goods sold, it is not uncommon for farmers and ranchers to have a year of high income followed by several lean years,” said AFBF. “If the Section 179 small business exemption and threshold are allowed to drop at the end of the year, farmers and ranchers will lose some of the accounting flexibility they need to manage their businesses.”

“As farmers across Wisconsin plant their fields, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation has great optimism from this week’s action by the Senate and House Agriculture Committees in Washington. Their approval of similar versions of a new farm bill is a very promising sign that we will finally see meaningful farm policy reform in 2013.  

Agriculture represents over $59 billion in annual economic activity for Wisconsin. These farm bill proposals provide the right amount of flexibility and certainty as our farmers make decisions that impact the fiscal health of their businesses and our local economies.

Throughout this farm bill process the Wisconsin Farm Bureau has supported placing an emphasis on crop insurance as a responsible risk management tool and the elimination of direct payments to farmers. We are pleased to see bipartisan agreement on this common sense fiscal and risk management strategy. 

As for the dairy component of the farm bill, we are very glad to see both the Senate and House taking bold steps to move away from antiquated policies of the past and replacing them with a program that meets the needs of the modern dairy industry. This remains the most significant dairy reform package in a generation.

The Dairy Security Act is included in both committee versions of the farm bill.  WFBF supports the voluntary margin insurance program to help dairy farmers manage risk and price volatility. Concerns have been raised about requiring farmers who elect to participate in the margin insurance program to also participate in the dairy market stabilization program. The margin insurance program is designed to protect dairy farmers as a temporary safety net during difficult market conditions. If some method for controlling the federal government’s program costs is not included then the farm bill would merely be creating another government program that interferes with the marketplace. If this were to happen, dairy farmers would not be responding to market conditions but rather a government program that artificially keeps prices low with a constant oversupply of milk. 

If the dairy market stabilization program is removed the Wisconsin Farm Bureau believes the margin insurance program needs to be modified to place more responsibility in the hands of individual dairy farmers to manage their own risk. To do this, we believe premium costs have to be increased and the level of coverage has to be lowered so dairy farmers respond to the market, not the government.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau is very pleased that both the House and Senate maintained funding for the Environmental Quality Improvement Program which assists farmers in adopting conservation practices to improve the environment. Wisconsin’s landscape will also benefit from the continuation of the Conservation Reserve Program. The next farm bill is likely to authorize the protection of at least 25 million acres of our nation’s highly erodible and environmentally sensitive lands.

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation will continue to examine the merits of both farm bill proposals and remains optimistic that leadership in the Senate and House will schedule a vote on this important legislation in the near future. Given the bipartisan support on the committee level we are confident that compromise will be reached when leaders from both chambers negotiate a final bill during the conference committee process. Wisconsin farmers would like to see a farm bill come to fruition before the fall harvest season.”     

Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin-Extension forage agronomist at UW-Madison, provides information on alternative crops that may offer options for dairy farmers in need of forages.

“Alfalfa is still the best choice, in most cases, for long term production of high quality, high tonnage harvested forage,” Undersander said. “This year we also expect to see increased use of corn silage, where topography and farm plans permit in dairy rations, in the alfalfa-based rations.”

While grasses can produce high quality forage well in grazing systems, they tend to be high in fiber when allowed to grow to higher yields for harvest as hay or haylage. The high fiber will restrict animal intake in dairy rations. Other legumes, while providing good forage quality, tend to be lower yielding than alfalfa.

Undersander states, “Generally, the options at this point are:

1)    Keep alfalfa and overseed Italian ryegrass immediately to increase first cutting yield, then kill stand and plant corn for silage.

2)    Immediately plant corn for silage.

3)    Plant oats with peas for early season yield (mid July) followed by oats replanted in August.”

More information can be found on alternative crops for forage at: fyi.uwex.edu/drought2012

Paul Mitchell, UW-Madison Agriculture and Applied Economics professor and UW-Extension crop insurance specialist reminds farmers that these options may also have crop insurance implications.

“Those who bought crop insurance by the March 15 deadline should note that crop acres planted after an early forage harvest will likely not be insurable, though your other corn and soybean acres will still be insured,” Mitchell said.

Farmers are urged to check with their crop insurance agents to clarify which acres will be insured if they are considering any of these options or considering an alternative forage plan they have not combined with crop insurance in the past.

For more information on assessing alfalfa winterkill, alternative forages and other resources addressing drought impacts in Wisconsin go to the Extension Responds to Drought webpage:  fyi.uwex.edu/drought2012

The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) are seeking Wisconsin companies to participate in a global trade venture to South America September 8-17. The goal of this trip is to assist small to medium-sized companies from Wisconsin export products and services to this exciting market.

The trade venture will focus on Bogotá, Colombia; Santiago, Chile and São Paulo, Brazil. Trade venture participants benefit from market briefings and can contract for product specific market assessments and business development meetings in those countries. Companies offering manufactured, agricultural or service products for export are strongly encouraged to participate. International business service providers seeking to further their market knowledge and contacts are also welcome. Grant funding is available for qualifying companies.

WEDC is partnering with DATCP to recruit and support agriculture companies, and the Council of Great Lakes Governors (CGLG) as logistical organizers of this multi-state trade venture.

Wisconsin companies shipped over $1.23 billion in products in 2012 to Colombia, Brazil and Chile, making up over six percent of total exports. There are similarities in terms of the industry sector and product opportunities between the three countries. Young and growing populations, an expanding middle class, stable economic and political climate, significant investment in infrastructure and a preference for US made products make these economies the strongest in the region and offer the best opportunities.

For more information on the trade venture to South America, contact Mark Rhoda-Reis, WEDC Market Development Director, 608-210-6757, Mark.RhodaReis@WEDC.org, or Ashwini Rao, DATCP
International Economic Development Consultant, 608-224-5119, Ashwini.Rao@wisconsin.gov.

Learn more about the trade mission at www.inwisconsin.com/southamerica.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts the Census once every five years. The Census is the only consistent and comprehensive source of agricultural data for every county in the nation.

The data collected by the Census is used by agribusinesses, trade associations, government officials and policy makers to make future decisions. Accurate and complete information will benefit fellow farmers, communities and the entire agricultural industry.

Examples of data collected by the Census includes: land use and value, operator characteristics, market value of agricultural production, farm income, production practices and farm expenditures. Individual information will remain confidential.

All farms are required to complete the Census. A farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.
Farmers can complete their Census forms by mail or online at www.agcensus.usda.gov. To learn more, call 1-888-4AG-STAT or 1-888-424-7828.

The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) is once again commemorating the holiday with the Dairy Days of Summer campaign. At the heart of the campaign is the www.DairyDaysOfSummer.com website with recipes and an interactive calendar of events, activities and promotions designed to help consumers find the perfect way to celebrate.

“June is the traditional time to celebrate Wisconsin’s vibrant dairy industry,” said Dave Bavlnka, vice president of Advertising at WMMB. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy – from dairy breakfasts to special community celebrations. The online events calendar makes finding the perfect events for you quick and easy.”

Wisconsinites can look forward to a month filled with unique dairy-themed festivals such as Sparta Butter Fest and Cows on the Concourse in Madison, along with sampling opportunities, special menus and deals at participating restaurants and retailers. The complete listing is available at DairyDaysOfSummer.com/events.

The popular dairy farm breakfast locator map is also featured on the site, searchable by date or location. More than 60 farms across Wisconsin will welcome the public to their breakfast tables during the month of June.

In addition, the site offers a collection of more than 40 dairy-friendly recipes, ranging from breakfast and appetizers to dinner and desserts. Among the new June Dairy Month options are Pear Brunch Cake, Cottage Cheese Tart, Quadruple Chocolate Ice Box Cake, Mascarpone Lemon Ice Box Parfait and Coffee and Caramel Shake.

For more information about Dairy Days of Summer and June Dairy Month, visit DairyDaysOfSummer.com.
Try the Quadruple Chocolate Ice Box Cake:

Quadruple Chocolate Ice Box Cake

Makes 24 pieces

Ingredients:

2 cups whipping cream, divided

2 (3.5-ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix

3 cups chocolate milk

100 (about 2 1/2 (9-ounce) packages) chocolate wafers

1/4 cup chocolate powder, such as Nesquik®

Chocolate sauce

Directions:

In bowl of electric mixer, whip 1 cup whipping cream until firm peaks form. Add pudding mix, and with mixer on low speed, slowly add chocolate milk. Beat 3 minutes until mixture begins to thicken. Let stand 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, line 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan with foil. Place 3 rows of 5 cookies each in bottom of pan. Lay 2 more rows of 5 cookies down the middle of the 3 rows for full coverage. Spread 2 cups of filling on top cookie layer. Cover with another layer cookies, followed by 2 cups filling. Add another layer cookies and top with remaining filling. Add final layer cookies. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, whip remaining cream with chocolate milk powder. Cut cake; top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

“Organic is not the ‘same as.’ It is its own separate commodity and needs to be treated as such. I’m committed to that,” Secretary Vilsack told policy attendees. (See USDA’s press release).

A major part of his speech focused on plans to increase coverage options for organic producers this year—and more during 2014—under federal crop insurance provided through USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). In fact, he said, RMA will remove the current five percent organic rate surcharges on all future crop insurance policies beginning in 2014.

Getting accurate data is the biggest obstacle for developing better crop insurance options for organic farmers, Secretary Vilsack pointed out, expressing his desire that Congress help USDA make further progress by renewing the 2008 Organic Data Initiative as part of a new Food, Farms and Jobs bill.

He added that USDA will be providing new guidance and direction on organic production to all USDA agencies directing them to recognize the distinct nature of USDA certified organic production and organic goods, and to take into account the documentation and inspection required for organic certification when considering organic operations’ eligibility for USDA programs and policies.

The landmark guidance document Vilsack alluded to points out that through the National Organic Program (NOP), USDA has helped farmers and other operations create an industry now encompassing over 17,000 organic businesses in the United States and achieving $35 billion in U.S. retail sales. In fact, organic ranks fourth in U.S. food and feed crop production at farm-gate values when viewed as a distinct category.

Organic standards already include requirements relevant to conservation programs, food safety, risk management, and export certifications. As a result of overlapping requirements, organic operations have faced redundant paperwork and fee burdens that would be streamlined or eliminated through cross-agency recognition protocols. Acknowledging this, the guidance document outlines that all USDA agencies consider a valid USDA-NOP organic certificate and Organic Systems Plan as the mechanism for third-party documentation for eligibility and proof of compliance for various agency programs.

The guidance also addresses data collection and research priorities to position organic food and farming for continued success.

“Organic production models may provide alternative solutions to current agricultural challenges, and it is the agency’s responsibility to develop diversity in research and alternatives for all producers,” the guidance points out. Importantly, the guidance also establishes that agency administrators review their goals and report on actions taken towards achieving the USDA strategic goals related to organic agriculture.

Organic production and commerce are bright spots in the American marketplace of innovation and entrepreneurship, and particularly can contribute to USDA’s goals for rural economic development. In recognition of its potential, the 2010 USDA Strategic Plan called for an increase of 25 percent in U.S. certified organic businesses by 2015.

“This recognition and guidance mean that organic no longer has to be a square peg trying to fit in a round hole,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s CEO and Executive Director. “On behalf of the 6,500 certified businesses that OTA represents, we thank the Secretary Vilsack and USDA staff for their leadership and vision.”

The OTA Policy Conference was held in conjunction with OTA’s members-only conference and congressional fly-in. OTA member companies are scheduled to meet with 150 congressional offices on Wednesday to advocate for policies that support organic food and agriculture.

(**Photo of Secretary Vilsack at the 2012 World Dairy Expo by Casey Langan.)