Upfront

Nitrogen takes the high road
A recent report from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows some troubling facts about nitrogen production and consumption in the United States. Of course, ammonia is the major ingredient in most non-manure nitrogen sources and natural gas is the main ingredient used to produce ammonia, making up about 70 or 80 percent of the fertilizer’s cost.

The ERS report said, “Since 2000, the volatile and upward trend in U.S. natural gas prices has led to a significant change in the supply of ammonia in the United States. From 2000 to 2006, U.S. ammonia production capacity declined 35 percent, U.S. ammonia production declined 44 percent, the number of U.S. ammonia plants dropped from 40 to 25 and U.S. ammonia imports increased 115 percent.”

Did you catch that? Production and capacity—huge declines. Consumption—huge increases. It all adds up to prices on a budget-busting rise. That won’t be news to corn growers, but this chart puts it in perspective.

Meanwhile, the quest for clean energy means that more domestic natural gas goes to clean-burning electricity generation. According to the report, “A substantial increase in U.S. ammonia imports will likely come from Trinidad and Tobago in the short run and from Venezuela in the long run because of their low natural gas prices and large gas reserves.”

An increase in the share of U.S. ammonia imports could make the U.S. aggregate supply of ammonia more susceptible to global competition for nitrogen fertilizers. Meanwhile, Chinese and India have a growing hunger for commercial fertilizer, which will further shape the demand picture. 

Approach for pasture rebound
When this year’s pasture looked its most desolate, we asked MFA agronomist Dr. Paul Tracy and southwest Missouri MFA ASM Jeremy Hayward what to do this fall to help pasture recover for 2008. Tracy focused on fertility saying:
1) Apply 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Eventually it will rain, and stressed pasture needs the N. This will stockpile very well going into winter.
2) After fertilization, leave the pastures alone to recover for as long as possible. If you must graze some pastures, try to leave some paddocks untouched for stockpile purposes.
3) Apply adequate P and K for fall, winter and next spring fescue production.

Hayward said good fertility helps manage weeds. Here’s his take:
1) Adjust pasture fertility. Adjust pH, phosphorus and potassium to maintenance levels so appropriate forages can thrive.
2) Yield-robbing biennials like musk thistle, poison hemlock and spotted knapweed need controlled prior to interseeding or establishing new forage; remember the best defense against weeds is thick and lush forage.
3) Choose the right seed for the right job as concerns harvest timing and method.

No review for 2,4-D
In August, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that 2,4-D would not require a special review saying, “Because the agency has determined that the existing data do not support a conclusion that links human cancer to 2,4-D exposure, it has decided not to initiate a Special Review of 2,4-D”

EPA first considered special review for 2,4-D in 1986, but after more than 21 years of research and agency review, EPA was able to determine that no correlation exists between 2,4-D and human cancer. “The impact of this decision should not be understated,” said Jack Dutra, executive director of the Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. “EPA definitively stated that 2,4-D is not a carcinogen. This has been one of the most widely used and successful herbicides in history, and growers around the U.S. and the world will continue to use it with confidence.”

Since 1989, the industry task force on 2,4-D developed and submitted to EPA over 300 toxicology, environmental and residue studies, which EPA scientists reviewed to assess the herbicide’s safety under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide and Food Quality Protection acts.

The Industry Task Force II will develop studies required by EPA’s reregistration review of 2,4-D, most of which are being required of all pesticides. 2,4-D is commonly applied to a variety of crops such as wheat, corn, rice, soybeans, potatoes, sugar cane, pome fruits, stone fruits and nuts. It controls invasive species in aquatic and federally protected areas and broadleaf weeds in turf grass.

An economic evaluation by the USDA concluded that the loss of 2,4-D would cost the U.S. economy $1.7 billion annually in higher food production and weed control expenses. The herbicide was first registered for use in crops and turf grass in 1947.

Agriculture YouTube
YouTube is the Internet site that lets users upload video for public viewing. Corporations across the world have the site banned as a waste of time. But some see the site’s utility as a way to communicate with customers and the wider public.

If you visit Monsanto’s efforts (http://www.youtube.com/user/MonsantoCo), you’ll see a video that explains in layman’s terms just how much the ethanol industry is changing Midwest farming and corn farming in particular. The video explains that some 18 percent of this year’s corn crop will go to ethanol, and that the boom in ethanol is a boon to farmers. Mike Edgerton, Monsanto’s technical lead on ethanol and quality traits, is on screen to say that, “Ethanol is the biggest thing to happen to the corn market since hybrid corn.”

Looks like public relations has gone from macro to micro.

Big Deere sighting
In late summer, John Deere introduced a new line of large, high-horsepower tractors including a track series.

The track series includes the 9430T, 9530T and 9630T, each featuring Deere’s new AirCushion walking I-beam suspension that Deere says will give customers a smoother ride in field and transport. The 9530T pictured here delivers 475 horsepower from a 13.5-liter engine. Plan for a few minutes at the fuel pump; the tank holds 330 gallons of diesel.

The air suspension system is equipped with its own on-board regulation system with controllers that automatically adjust to field or transport conditions. Engineers spend time on these details to reduce driver fatigue. Just make sure if you’re operating one that you don’t succumb to post-lunch drowsiness. You might get a smooth ride over the neighbor’s fence.