The Future of Corn Exports

I read an interesting article yesterday with thoughts and predictions from Purdue Ag Economist, Phil Abbott.

You can read the article from AgWeb here: U.S. Unlikely to Dominate Future Corn Exports

There are a lot of factors involved, but combining them all together makes one thing very possible- US exports of corn are likely to decrease.

The photo that accompanied this article on agweb.com reminded me of my only international experience about 15 years ago. I traveled with the National FFA Organization to Japan. There we visited a company called Chita Futo. We stood at the top of a tower wearing hard hats and watched as cargo ships unloaded hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain from the United States. And then we watched the ships leave again full of electronics and cars and other items desired by the US consumer. It seemed like a good system to me. Use our land and hardworking farmers to produce grain that Asia can't with their land availability and get their products in return.

But now the US is not the only country will the ability to grow that grain.

According to Abbott, in the last 15 years South America has increased planted acres by 53%.

Of course weather will always play a huge role in where grain comes from. The drought this summer is estimated to have reduced total bushels of corn in the US by about 13% compared to 2011.

But one influencing factor we have that other countries do not is corn requirements for domestic ethanol production used in gasoline. Abbott says that roughly 40% of corn produced in the US is used for ethanol production. Using this corn for our energy needs reduces opportunity to export.

Just a little something for you to think about today...

Shale and You: A Workshop for Landowners and Communities

By Martha Filipic, OSU Extension Communications & Technology

Ohio State University Extension is hosting a workshop on shale energy development on November 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"Shale and You: A Workshop for Landowners and Communities" will be held at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Highway, Cambridge.  Registration is $10 and must be received by Monday, Nov. 5, by the Guernsey County OSU Extension office in Old Washington.

More information and registration form here

"What we hope to do is help landowners and community leaders make the best decisions possible," Hall said. "We're not attempting to discuss the pros and cons of such development -- that's something for individuals and policy-makers to consider. As an educational institution, OSU Extension simply aims to provide relevant information to help inform those who are dealing with shale energy development."

The workshop will include presentations by OSU Extension educators on:

·     Update on Ohio Shale Development and Activity, by Chris Penrose, OSU Extension educator in Morgan County.

·      Community and Strategic Planning, by Eric Romich, OSU Extension field specialist in energy development.

·      Tax Issues for Communities and Landowners, by Dave Marrison, OSU Extension educator in Ashtabula and Trumbull counties.

·      What to Do When "Sudden Wealth Happens," by Polly Loy, OSU Extension educator in Belmont County.

·      Leasing Issues for Farms and Rural Land, by Clif Little, OSU Extension educator in Guernsey County, and Peggy Hall, OSU Extension Agricultural Law Program.

·      Pumping the Product: Pipeline Easements and Construction, by Mark Landefeld, OSU Extension educator in Monroe County, and Chris Zoller, OSU Extension educator in Tuscarawas County.

·      Natural Resource Issues: Where to Find Helpful Resources, by Steve Schumacher, OSU Extension educator in Belmont County, and Mike Lloyd, OSU Extension educator in Noble County.

·      A Landowner's Point of View, featuring Schumacher and a panel of landowners who have dealt with shale development directly.

The program ends with "What If Problems Arise," featuring a panel of Extension educators and moderated by Dale Arnold of the Ohio Farm Bureau.

In addition, tables with information in the lobby of the auditorium will be staffed throughout the afternoon to allow participants to get more information on issues they are specifically concerned about, Hall said.

"OSU Extension has been a leader in providing educational programs to landowners and community leaders who are being confronted with what are sometimes very difficult decisions about this issue," Hall said. "We've offered more than a hundred educational sessions on topics such as lease agreements and pipeline easements in the last two years and have reached more than 12,000 people. But this is the first time we've pulled together a program with so much of our expertise in one place. I think it will be a valuable program for anyone interested in learning more about these issues."

 

 

Coshocton County Fair Time!

Today is the 5th day of this year's Coshocton County Fair. And it has been a great fair so far. Rain in the forecast today, but the next two days look great with temperatures in the high 70's for the Jr. Fair Livestock Auction on Thursday. There are two more days after today, so hurry if you haven't made it to the fair yet.

Coshocton County Fair Schedule

 

 

Apples - To Brown or Not To Brown

Yet another interesting story from NPR. This one is about genetically modified apples. A company in Canada called Okanagan Specialty Fruits has designed an apple they call "Arctic Apple." It will not brown, because they have silenced certain genes in the apples responsible for the browning reaction.
This is pretty fascinating to me. As a food scientist, the browning apple is a classic science experiment that I love to share with kids. Everyone knows that when you cut an apple it will eventually begin to turn brown. Every slow-eating kid has turned up their nose, and every mom has replied in exasperation, "There's nothing wrong with that apple- just finish eating it!" Or maybe it's just me.
The reason that the apple turns brown is not because it is rotting or spoiling. It is an enzymatic reaction. There is an enzyme in apples (and other fruits) called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). This enzyme is normally happily contained in plant cells along with polyphenol compounds. You may have heard about the antioxidant benefits of polyphenols in chocolate and grapes (red wine). Well, lots of plants contain polyphenolic compounds, including apples.
When you bite or cut or drop the fruit, you are bursting open plant cells and their insides become exposed to oxygen. The PPO enzyme allows the reaction of oxygen and the polyphenol compounds that are found in fruits. And the compounds that result from this reaction are a brown color.
There are different methods of reducing this enzymatic reaction. Lowering the pH causes the enzyme to be less effective. That's why you will often find that ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) has been added to the little packets of sliced apples you can get in many fast food kids meals these days. Lots of cookbooks suggest adding lemon juice or lemon lime soda as well, though Vit C is more effective. Another method is to keep oxygen away from the cut fruit by simply soaking in water. And heat is a sure fire way to inactive the enzyme.

Now that you've had your science lesson for the day...
time to address the real reason for the story.

What is the role of genetic modification in our foods? Where is the line and how do we determine where that line should be? Is there really any difference between using this technology in our fresh fruits and vegetables than in field corn and soybeans? Should we use this technology only when it is helping to increase yield to feed the billions of people in this world- or is it OK to use it to make our food look or taste more like we want it to? We've been using traditional "non-laboratory" genetic methods to make hybrids that behave like we desire for many, many years.
I certainly don't have all the answers, but we need to all be thinking about these questions. Don't be afraid to engage in dialogue about these topics. One of the problems with these GMO discussions is that they often involve big long words that the general population does not understand. And the most common result of ignorance is fear. When technology development begins to outpace our ability to have open discussions about the possible benefits and consequences of that technology, it is easy to blame the technology for moving too fast. But maybe it is our responsibility to pick up the pace with our communication too?



From Okanagan Specialty Fruits website

Documenting the Landscape

Coshocton county native Megan Lightell is a landscape painter who has a wonderfully unique project right now. She is returning to the county to capture places that are special to farmers- not only through her paintings, but with interviews as well.

 

Documenting the Landscape Click here to view some of Megan's latest work and hear interviews from some area farmers.

 

If you are a farmer in Coshocton county and would like to have Megan paint a view on your land that is particularly special or beautiful to you, please contact me at the Extension office at 622-2265.

 

Rice in the News

I heard a segment on NPR this morning about food safety when it comes to rice. Any time I hear something about food safety in the news - especially when a particular agriculture commodity is called out - I immediately do my homework.

Consumer reports is encouraging the FDA to consider federal standards on maximum arsenic content in rice. Though there are standards on maximum levels of arsenic in drinking water, there are not standards for foods.

So how is arsenic getting into rice? Inorganic arsenic is found in soil & water in very low levels and is therefore naturally occurring in plants. Because of the way that rice is grown, by flooding fields with large amounts of water, this makes for a unique situation that may allow rice to absorb more arsenic than other grains that we eat.

PHOTO: Texas Department of Agriculture, Rice Harvest, Fort Bend County

Click here to read or listen to the Story from NPR


Here also is a excerpt from an article by MARY CLARE JALONICK of the Associated Press

"Scientists have known for decades that arsenic is present in rice, but the issue has renewed interest as consumers are more interested than ever in what they eat and technology has advanced to the point that inorganic and organic arsenic can be measured separately...  Professor Jaymie R. Meliker of Stony Brook University, who has studied the effects of arsenic, says it's all a matter of moderation. "In general, in life, you shouldn't stand out in the sun eight hours a day," he said. "You shouldn't eat rice exclusively every meal. You should introduce variety in your diet because there are contaminants in everything. Nothing is completely safe."'

Bottom line - eat a variety of foods. There is not enough data yet to determine if these levels should be of concern. FDA has tested about 200 of 1200 samples. When they gather all the data from testing, then a plan of action will be developed.

Also, this is one more example of a time when pesticide residues are named as a potential for food safety risk. As farmers, we need to continue to do everything right when applying pesticides to reduce risks to the food supply.

Right Source

Right Rate

Right Time

Right Place

Information about the 4R's

Increase Slow Moving Vehicle Visibility

As harvest time is quickly approaching, it is important to inspect Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems to ensure that they are clean, colorful and reflective. SMV signs that have been manufactured within the last 10 years should contain reflective material. If the sign is over 10 years old, it may be a good idea to consider replacing it with a newer more reflective emblem. 

You can buy SMV emblem signs as well as replacement decals at farm supply stores.

Also be sure that all headlights, taillights and warning lights are in working order. For more ideas on increasing your visibility on roadways, click here: Tips for Increasing Visibility

 

And even if you will not be driving a tractor or other farm machinery this harvest season, remember that more of these vehicles will be on the roadways soon. Take extra precaution in late afternoon and evenings while driving along our winding county and township roads. And be patient. Easier said than done, I know, but your safe driving can ensure a safe harvest season for us all.