01-12-12 Kansas City Board of Trade Clearing Corp. Elects Officers, Directors for 2012

Kansas City-January 12, 2012- Michael L. Dean, Cargill, Inc., yesterday was elected president of the Kansas City Board of Trade Clearing Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kansas City Board of Trade.

Rock D. Marquardt, J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, was elected first vice president for 2012 with a two-year director term; Bruce A. Wilson, individual member, was elected second vice president; and David J. Lehl, ADM Investor Services, Inc., was elected secretary-treasurer.

Elected as directors for two-year terms were: Maureen R. Corbett, ABN AMRO Clearing Chicago, LLC; and James F. Kanan, individual member. Thomas A. Beringer, individual member, was elected to a one-year term.

The Clearing Corp. reconciles all futures and options trades at the Kansas City Board of Trade and guarantees the financial integrity of all trades.

The Kansas City Board of Trade, founded in 1856, is the world’s largest futures market for hard red winter wheat.

01-12-12 Colorado State University Recognizes Cleon Kimberling as Livestock Leader Jan 14th on CSU Day @ NWSS

FORT COLLINS - His business card says Cleon Kimberling specializes in sheep health and bicycling.

An unlikely combination. But it’s a perfect description of Kimberling: The 81-year-old veterinarian, who lives east of Fort Collins, is known throughout the West for tackling sheep illness and disease, and he’s dedicated to riding his recumbent-style bicycle for his own health.

“Dr. Kimberling is an icon in the sheep industry. He’s helped eradicate lots of disease,” said Terry Engle, a professor in the Colorado State University Department of Animal Sciences whom Kimberling has mentored. “He is well-respected by producers, colleagues and students, and has always been highly focused on making sure his students could implement textbook learning into real-world livestock production. He is also an excellent problem-solver.”

The CSU Department of Animal Sciences has named Kimberling the 2011 Livestock Leader for his exceptional contributions to the livestock industry. He will be honored Saturday, Jan. 14, during CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

01-12-12 Bruce Sparrow has announced his candidacy for Colorado’s House District 63‏

January 12, 2012 - Keenesburg – Bruce Sparrow has announced his candidacy for House District 63. Mr. Sparrow, a resident of Weld County for over 25 years, believes in job growth while maintaining the quality of life in Weld County.  He realizes how important the oil and gas wells are to the County as well as supporting  the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), which would help with additional water storage for Weld County.  His views on agriculture are deeply rooted with an emphasis on property rights for the individual and support for the family farm and ranch. Mr. Sparrow lives in Keenesburg with his wife, Lisa, where after 25 years as a building contractor they currently own and operate an irrigated hay farm.

For more information contact: Bruce Sparrow by email electbrucesparrow@aol.com

01-12-11 SaveFarmFamilies.org Gains Support from National Organizations as Support Pours in to Fight Misguided Environmental Litigation

SaveFarmFamilies.org Adds Thirteen State Farm Bureaus, Rabobank International, Maryland Grain Producers and Many More from Across the Country

Willards, Md. (January 12, 2012) – SaveFarmFamilies.org today announced a host of new supporters from around the country including major businesses Southern States Cooperative and Rabobank International, influential state organizations including the Maryland Grain Producers, the Maryland Pork Producers, and state farm bureaus from coast-to-coast including those in Wyoming, Mississippi, New Jersey and elsewhere in between.

SaveFarmFamilies.org is driving awareness about environmental litigation and raising funds for Alan and Kristin Hudson, a beleaguered Maryland farm family who are the target of a misguided Waterkeeper Alliance lawsuit. SaveFarmFamilies.org members are working to highlight the consequences of the Waterkeepers’ litigation tactics and the implications they will have for family farms across the country.

“We believe what the Waterkeepers are doing is a grave injustice, and this legal fight goes well beyond just one farm family,” said Andy Dietrick, director of public relations for the Indiana Farm Bureau. “Farmers around the country are justifiably concerned about this situation. We feel the Waterkeepers’ tactics could negatively impact our farm families here in Indiana and we want to stand up and tell them what they are doing is wrong.”

01-12-12 *NJC News* Justin Covelli Scholarship to Benefit Ag Students

Barry Covelli (RIGHT), father of Justin Covelli, took the microphone from event coordinator Verlyn Mayhan (right) and thanked all the auction donors and competitors during 2011 Feeders and Friends Event held last August in New Raymer. A dinner event was held in October at Dewey’s in Stoneham during which time the Covelli family was honored and presented a check from the event. (Courtesy Photo)

Melissa Covelli holds son Aiden as she walks among the many items donated to the auction held by the Feeders and Friends at the New Raymer fairgrounds. The vent raised money in memory of her late husband Justin. The dollars raised have been put into a scholarship fund at NJC. (Courtesy Photo)

In the quiet of winter, as Mother Earth rests and rejuvenates, awaiting the renewal that will come with spring, the family of Justin Covelli has been at work establishing a scholarship program in his name. You may recall that the eighth annual Feeders and Friends event held this past August in New Raymer, CO was a benefit for the  Justin Covelli Memorial Scholarship Fund  to be managed by Northeastern Junior College to provide scholarships for future agriculture students.  The event raised $37,500.

Just as each spring brings a sense of renewal, from now on, each fall the Covelli family will know that another young person is benefitting from the generosity of many who came together to honor the life of their loved one.

Covelli, 37, of Weldona, passed away in January 2011 from complications during surgery. He had been battling lung cancer. He left behind his wife of four years, Melissa and two young sons, Aiden and Mason. The son of Barry and Michelle Covelli of Weldona, Justin loved farming with his father, uncle and grandfather as he grew up. He loved playing basketball and watching basketball, especially the Duke Blue Devils. He graduated from Weldon Valley High School in 1991 and from the University of Northern Colorado in 1995 with a degree in business management. In 2007 he married Melissa. In the few years that followed, the coupled had two sons. “He was an outstanding husband and father and enjoyed every minute with his family,” says his mother Michelle. “He was a quiet and humble man and he was a great friend to many. He had a contagious laugh. He was always well-liked and respected by friends and coworkers.”  At the time of his death he was working as the manager and an agronomist for CHS, Inc. at the cooperative’s Wiggins center.

The Justin Covelli Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to one student each fall semester, beginning in August 2012. The recipient will receive $1,000. While the scholarship is directed to incoming freshman students at Northeastern, priority will be given to students from Morgan County. However, if there are no eligible applicants from Morgan County, the scholarship may be awarded to students from Logan or Weld counties. Preference will be given to those majoring in agriculture business. Students receiving this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 or higher grade point average while in high school.

According to Cindy Johnson, executive director of the Northeastern Junior College Foundation, the scholarship will be awarded annually based on these parameters, utilizing the Foundation’s selection process. “This is a wonderful scholarship which honors the memory of a beloved son, father and husband,” Johnson said. “The Foundation will manage it with care and respect according to the wishes of Justin’s family.”  Young agriculture students will benefit from this gift for years to come, she added.

Held annually since 2003, the Feeders and Friends event, which is supported by many volunteers and donors, consists of a ranch rodeo, Calcutta, large auction, and dance. It is an event that  brings those from the ranches where the cattle are raised and the  livestock feeding industry, including various vendors such as the pharmaceutical companies,  together with other supporters, to enjoy a day of fellowship, friendly competition and fundraising for a specific cause.

01-12-12 CO Governor Hickenlooper delivers State of the State address

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper

DENVER ­— Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper today delivered his second State of the State address. Here is the text of the speech as prepared:

When people think of the West, it’s easy to envision wagon trains, Buffalo Bill, the glory days of the Gold Rush.

Cowboy hats come to mind … rocks … even beer … but let’s talk about hats.

John B. Stetson left Pennsylvania in the early 1860s, suffering from tuberculosis, and came west. He soon found himself panning for gold in the Colorado Rockies.

Fierce storms, without warning, would come up over the mountains and drench the mining camp.

Mr. Stetson saw a problem in need of a solution, and he had a unique skill. His father had taught him hatting as a kid, and he made a felt hat that could protect him from wind and cold. The other miners were envious. One fellow bought the hat right off his head for a $5 gold coin. A business was born.

By 1906, Mr. Stetson was selling 2 million hats a year.

01-12-12 *NCBA News* Statement from NCBA President and Montana Rancher Bill Donald Regarding Extremist Attacks against Cattle Operation

WASHINGTON (Jan. 12, 2012) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bill Donald issued the following statement regarding alleged animal rights extremist attacks on Harris Ranch, located in Coalinga, Calif. While law enforcement has not confirmed who was responsible for the attacks, the North American Animal Liberation Press Office, publicly released informationon Jan. 9, 2012, that included correspondence from the group reportedly claiming responsibility.

 “This is not only an attack on a family-owned and operated business; this is a domestic terrorist attack on our nation’s providers of food and fiber. This extremist behavior goes above mere activism and the freedom of speech. These criminals are threatening lives and causing substantial economic harm.

“Anyone concerned about the welfare of animals would not orchestrate attacks on individuals who are experts at caring for these creatures. Ranchers are undoubtedly the very best caretakers of livestock. Cattlemen and women implement the highest animal handling and food safety standards designed by veterinarians, animal behavioral experts and researchers.

“These extreme attacks are nothing more than bad people doing bad things and they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, just as any other criminal would be in this country.

“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly condemns any and all attacks against farming and ranching operations. As a rancher, a father and a proud grandfather, I feel for the families impacted by this senseless attack. As president of the leading national cattle organization, I applaud my fellow cattlemen for their efforts to provide the safest and highest quality beef to consumers in the United States and beyond.”

01-12-11 *USDA-NASS News* The latest WASDE Report…

“Monthly WASDE Report Released”

USDA has released its monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates.

WHEAT:

U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected slightly lower this month as reductions in expected domestic use mostly offset higher projected exports. Food use is projected 5 million bushels lower. Feed and residual use is projected 15 million bushels.

Seed use is raised 4 million bushels based on the winter wheat planted area. Projected exports are raised 25 million bushels based on the pace of sales and shipments to traditional markets. Increases for Hard Red Winter, White, and Soft Red Winter wheat more than offset a reduction for Hard Red Spring wheat. Ending stocks are projected 8 million bushels lower at 870 million. The 2011/12 season-average farm price is lowered 10 cents per bushel on each end of the range to $6.95 to $7.45 per bushel.

Global wheat supplies for 2011/12 are projected 2.7 million tons higher with production raised for Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Russia. Lower projected exports for Australia are more than offset by increases for the United States and Russia. Global consumption is raised with a 1.0-million-ton increase in expected domestic disappearance in Kazakhstan. Global ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected 1.5 million tons higher at 210.0 million.

COARSE GRAINS:

READ the NAFB’s National Ag News as heard inside the BARN for January 12th

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“AFBF Delegates Take Action”

During their annual meeting in Honolulu, delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 93^rdAnnual Meeting approved its policy for the coming year. In doing so, delegates said national farm policy should be rewritten this year. The farmers and ranchers endorsed a multi-pronged policy proposal, including a provision for catastrophic revenue loss protection that works with a flexible range of crop insurance products, as well as amending the current farm bill’s marketing loan provisions to better reflect market values.

The adopted policy calls for a farm bill that – provides strong and effective safety net and risk management programs that do not guarantee a profit and minimizes the potential for farm programs affecting production decisions. Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman says – our delegates approved a program to help farmers manage the many different types and levels of risk they face today, in particular catastrophic revenue losses that can threaten the viability of a farm or ranch.

The delegates defeated a proposal to retain the current farm bill’s direct payments and a second proposal that would have allowed a patchwork of support through multiple programs for different commodities and regions.

Bob Stallman was re-elected for another 2-year term. Also, Barry Bushue, the President of the Oregon Farm Bureau, was re-elected to a third two-year term as AFBF vice president.

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“Farm Bureau Policy Rejects Multiple Programs”

Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Hawaii, rejected what the organization calls a patchwork of support through multiple programs for different commodities and regions. AFBF Bob Stallman says the delegate action – recognized that it is impossible to ensure equity between diverse programs for various commodities. Without that assurance, one program would inevitably provide more government protection than the next program and we would inadvertently be encouraging producers to take their signals from government programs rather than the marketplace.

01-12-12 *USDA-NASS* Annual Crop Production – Colorado‏

ANNUAL CROP SUMMARY – 2011 CROPS - COLORADO HIGHLIGHTS

Colorado experienced a less favorable growing season in 2011 than the previous year. Acreage and production of 2011 crops are compared with revisions of 2010 crops. The 2011 corn for grain crop was estimated at 172.90 million bushels, 5 percent below last year’s output of 182.71 million bushels. The average yield of 133.0 bushels per acre was 18.0 bushels per acre below the yield achieved last year. Area harvested for grain in 2011, at 1.30 million acres, was 90,000 acres larger than last year. Acreage cut for corn silage was set at 105,000 acres, up 5,000 acres from last year with production estimated at 2.42 million tons compared with 2.45 million tons produced last year. Sorghum for grain production was estimated at 4.90 million bushels, down 35 percent from the previous year. Average yield was estimated at 35.0 bushels per acre, down 12.0 bushels per acre from last year. Producers harvested 140,000 acres for grain, down 20,000 acres from last year’s area harvested. Proso millet production in the state was estimated at 6.21 million bushels, down from 7.10 million bushels produced last year. Farmers harvested 230,000 acres of proso, up 15,000 from the previous year. Yields decreased 6 bushels from last year to 27.0 bushels per acre. Dry edible bean production was set at 585,000 hundredweight, 53 percent below the 2010 crop of 1,254,000 hundredweight. Average yield was estimated at 1,580 pounds per acre, 320 pounds below last year. Harvested area, at 37,000 acres, was 29,000 less than last year.

The final 2011 all wheat production for Colorado, at 81.8 million bushels, was 24 percent lower than the production attained the previous year. Winter wheat production was estimated at 78.0 million bushels, 26 percent below last year’s crop of 105.8 million bushels. The area harvested for grain was estimated at 2.0 million acres, down from 2.35 million acres harvested last year. The average yield per acre for this year’s crop was 39.0 bushels, 6.0 bushels below last year’s record high yield of 45.0 bushels per acre. The area seeded for this year’s crop was estimated at 2.3 million acres. Colorado producers seeded 2.40 million acres last fall for the 2012 crop, 100,000 acres above the 2011 crop. This year’s spring wheat crop was estimated at 3.8 million bushels, up 54 percent from last year’s crop. The average yield of 87.0 bushels per acre was 5.0 bushels below last year’s record high of 92.0 bushels per acre. The area harvested for grain was set at 44,000 acres this year, up from 27,000 harvested in 2010. Producers seeded 45,000 acres to spring wheat compared with 28,000 last year. Colorado’s barley production in 2011 was estimated at 7.9 million bushels, down 5 percent from a year ago. The average yield per acre, at 126.0 bushels, was down 7.0 bushels from last year. The area harvested for grain was estimated at 63,000 acres, unchanged from 2010. Area seeded to barley totaled 66,000 acres, up 2,000 acres from last year. Production of oats in 2011 totaled 700,000 bushels, up 20 percent from the production attained a year ago. Average yield was placed at 70.0 bushels per acre, 5 bushels above year’s results. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 10,000 acres, up 1,000 acres from last year. Acres seeded to oats totaled 45,000 in 2011, down 10,000 acres from 2010.

Colorado’s 2011 alfalfa hay production was placed at 2.88 million tons from 800,000 acres harvested, up 10,000 tons from 2010. The average yield for the 2011 crop was 3.6 tons per acre, one-tenth of a ton above last year. All other hay production totaled 1.23 million tons from 820,000 acres harvested, up 60,000 tons from 2010. The average yield of 1.5 tons per acre was equal to the yield attained last year. Hay stocks on farms and ranches in Colorado totaled 1.8 million tons on December 1, 2011, down 10 percent from 2.0 million tons on hand the previous year.

Fall potato growers in the San Luis Valley produced 21.29 million hundredweight of potatoes this year, down 1 percent from last year’s crop. Average yield was set at 395 hundredweight per acre, up 5 hundredweight per acre from last year’s yield. The harvested area of 53,900 acres this year was 1,300 less than last year’s harvested area. The summer potato yield, at 370 hundredweight per acre, was equal to last year’s average yield. Growers harvested 4,400 acres, up 500 acres from last year’s harvested area. Production is set at 1,628,000 hundredweight, up from last year’s production of 1,443,000 hundredweight. The state’s sugarbeet crop of 818,000 tons for 2011 was down 5,000 tons percent from the 823,000 tons produced in 2010. Producers harvested 28,700 acres in 2011, up from 27,900 acres in 2010. Average yield was estimated at 28.5 tons per acre, one ton below 2010. Sunflower production was set at 124.2 million pounds from 113,000 acres harvested. Yield was estimated at 1,099 pounds per acre, down from the 1,322 pounds attained last year. Production of oil varieties decreased 22 percent from the previous year to 97.0 million pounds and production of non-oil varieties decreased 38 percent to 27.2 million pounds.

UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS