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Newspaper Archive of
The Lone Tree Reporter
Lone Tree, Iowa
October 30, 2003     The Lone Tree Reporter
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October 30, 2003
 
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Page 8 The Lone Tree Reporter, October 30, New Iowa Quality Beef marketing grid for fed cattle A new marketing outlet is now available to members of the Iowa Quality Beef Supply Cooperative. The Iowa Quality Beef Supply Cooperative has partnered with Swift Fresh Meats in a new mar- keting program at the Swift plant in Grand Island, Neb. The new program was announced recently to offer IQBSC members a second outlet to market fed cattle. "This marketing opportunity is now available for all IQBSC members with "B" shares in the co-op," says Phil Core, IQBSC vice president of operations and procurement. Core and Jamie Willrett, chairman of the grid committee for the IQBS Co-op, recently announced the new grid in a letter to co-op members. Willrett is a cattle feeder from Malta, Illinois who serves on the board of the directors for the co- op. Currently, cattle producers holding "B" shares have the option to market cattle with Excel at Schuyler, Neb. While providing an additional option for Class "B, shareholders, the Swift grid has some traits not currently available on other grids. One of these fea- tures is the opportunity to contract cattle. Base price - producers may choose from three different options. 1. The base price can be set using the futures market and a basis. 2. Theweekly Nebraska weighted average can be used, which is currently the base price used on the Excel grid. 3. The base price can be the current "country market" price Swift is bidding at that time. Data collection - the IQBS Co-op philosophy is to provide a free flow of information to pro- ducer members. The Swift grid has favorable rates that include a charge of $1 per head for tag transfer or $3 per head for tag transfer with complete data including yield grade, quality grade, hot carcass weight, back fat, and rib eye area. The Swift grid also has many features similar to other market- ing grids. Premiums and dis- counts are competitive with others in the industry. The freight adjust- ment charge is also the same as one for Excel. The 2003 equity drive for the IQBS Co-op is currently open. Any cattle producer interested in information about co-op member- ship may call the Iowa Quality Beef Supply Co-op office at 515- 296-2266. For IQBSC members who wish to participate in this new marketing program, information is available from their co-op field representatives. Information is also available from Phil Core or Ed Greiman, IQBSC vice presi- dent of membership services. They may be contacted at 515- 296-2266. Farmers urged to be mindful of fall tillage practices By Craig Lang, President Iowa Farm Bureau Federation As an Iowa farmer, I'd like to encourage my fellow producers to he mindful of fall tillage practices and their potential impact on Iowa's environmental quality. On my farm and across this great state, farmers are complet- ing harvest and prepping their fields in advance of next year's crop. As we do, let's be mindful of our connection to not only the land, but environmental quality as well. First, Iowa's precious topsoil is especially vulnerable due to the dry weather we've experienced. According to the most recent drought report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, much of Iowa, extending from the southwest cor- ner to the northeast, is in a severe to extreme drought. Fall tillage opens fields up to wind erosion, which can be exacerbated by dry conditions, By reducing tillage, wind erosion can also be reduced. Second, limiting field work can help consei've .soil moisture'. Iowa's last two winters have been fairly dry and mild. By reducing tillage, we can help control fur- ther loss of available soil moisture which could be extremely pre- cious when next spring arrives. Third, as farmers, we care about the well-being of our soil. It's in our best interest to protect it because it sustains our crops and livelihood. I urge producers to carefully consider their fall tillage practices and to determine the benefits that can be obtained by reducing fieldwork. Less tillage can enhance soil fertility, reduce wind and water erosion, improve water quality and save money by reducing machinery use. Finally, in making those con- siderations, we should ask our- selves if it's really necessary to fall till soybean fields. The NRCS says most soybean fields have only 65-90 percent crop residue following harvest, and 20-30 per- cent of that is lost over most win- ters. That means 70 percent ground cover is the best that can be expected by spring. By reduc- ing tillage, we can achieve greater residue coverage, helping reduce potential erosion. By working together and eval- uating our on-farm management practices, we can do what's best for our families and consumers. We all win when we safeguard one of our most .valuable assets - the land. Arts and crafts show to be held in Columbus Junction The Louisa Farm Bureau Women will be hosting their 51st Annual Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003 at the Columbus Community High School gym in Columbus Jct., Ia. The show will run from9 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be83 craft exhibitors from Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. Refreshments will be served by the Music Mothers. The Farm Bureau women will have a Country Store with the proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. Come an enjoy the day with us! Iowa Farm Bureau federation invests in Iowa quality beef As part of its ongoing commit- ment to enhancing rural economic development and improving farm profitability, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has made a $1 million investment in Iowa Quality Beef L.L.C. and its beef plant in Tama. "We are very pleased with this investment because the ultimate success of the Iowa Quality Beef harvesting plant in Tama is criti- cally important to the beef indus- try and the future of producers in Iowa," said IFBF President Craig Lang. The Brooklyn dairy farmer said Iowa has long needed anoth- er beef harvesting facility to offer producers an alternative market. "Growing the beef industry in Iowa is important to creating jobs, supporting the state's corn and soybean industries and rural Iowa's economic well-being," he said. The purchase of 20,000 shares of Class C preferred stock was made in conjunction with finaliza- tion of other significant short- and long-term financing. Joel Brinkmeyer, chief execu- tive officer, Iowa Quality Beef Supply, praised the financial sup- port. He said the investment will help Iowa producers gain value for their cattle. The Iowa Quality Beef t was purchased by 927 beef ducers in Iowa and 11 other in May 2002. Total cost purchase and renovation is million. Members have more than $10 million The plant began operations July 21 and by August was processing 550 of cattle daily. The plant about 400 people, but that increase to 630 when the processes up to 1,700 tie daily. Iowa Farm Bureau's 85th annual meeting to be held Nearly 1,400 Iowa Farm Bureau members and guests are expected to attend Iowa Farm Bureau's 85th annual meeting. The event, to be held Dec. 2-4 at the Polk County Convention Complex in downtown Des Moines, features the theme "The Pride of One. The Power of Many." "The theme reflects the indi- vidual commitment Farm Bureau members have to agriculture and the organization, while also emphasizing that united together, they have a powerful voice" said IFBF President Craig Lang. Policy adoption will begin Tuesday, Dec. 2 when the House of Delegates, comprised of one representative from each of the 100 county Farm Bureaus in Iowa, convenes. They will conclude their work Dec. 4 when they approve final adoption of Farm Bureau policy and hold elections for president, three district direc- tors and voting delegates to repre- sent Iowa at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual meeting in January. Numerous speakers will be featured throughout the meeting. IFBF President Craig Lang will deliver his annual address at the morning general session. Ron "Gus" Gustafson, a motivational speaker, will address members during the afternoon general ses- sion. Gustafson was severely injured in a farm accident at the age of nine. He will use this life- changing experience to help mem- bers find the strength to succeed in all areas of life. The meeting will also feature activities for young farmers and a variety of award presentations. The first and second rounds of the IFBF young farmer state discus- sion meet, training for county young farmer committee mem- bers and an evening banquet hon- oring winners in the IFBF Young Farmer Achievement Program will be held Dec. 2. Discussion meet finals will be held at 7:45 a.m. Dec. 3. Also Dec. 3, recognition of the Joslin young leader, discussion meet winner and the recipients of the excellence in ag reporting award, ag spokesperson of the year award and the young farmer achievement award will be held. In addition, members of the 2003 IFBF Ag Leaders Institute will be recognized and the Iowa Area Development Group will present their annual Venture Award. Special interest conferences will be held during the afternoon of Dec. 3. Trent Lots wi] members about bridging the between food producers and! sumers, while the Fair Taxation will educate bets about a national saleS! plan. Members may also special interest agriculture and food traceability. County Farm Bureau involved in policy public relations, ag in the room and county action ticipate in committee sions Dec. 3 to help pre the 2004 program year. The silent auction the Iowa Farm Bureau will be held from 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Members invited to participate in a tion during the evening beginning at 7 p:m. at the Fort Des Moines. In recipients of the 2003 Community Health Prize recognized for" iheir improve the health and of Iowans. All Farm Bureau invited to attend and can by contacting their county Bureau office. In response to Iowa's higher- than-expected corn harvest this year, and to help those regions of the state that are struggling with drought and crop damage, Governor Vilsack today signed a disaster emergency proclamation that suspends for 30 days the Iowa law on transporting oversize and overweight loads of grains. This proclamation expires at 11:59 p.m. on November 21, 2003 - 30 days from the date issued. The emergency proclamation allows Iowa farmers and grain haulers to transport loads up to 90,000 pounds of soybeans, corn, hay, straw, and stover on all high- ways within Iowa, excluding the Interstate system, for a period of 30 days from the signing of the proclamation. This action will allow vehicles transporting grains to be oversize and overweight only for the duration of proclamation. Weight on bridges will continue to The Iowa Department Transportation has been by the Governor's office to tor the operation. This tion is to ensure the public's ty and facilitate the mov grain to markets on the Deficiencies in StarLink corn can be remedie Rep. Sandy Greiner, R-Keota, announced today that those receiving notices that their StarLink Corn Loss Proof of Claim is deficient can easily rem- edy the situation. • "A deficiency notice can be a real inconvenience during harvest time," said Greiner. "The impor- tant thing for farmers to know is that it doesn't have to be" Those receiving a notice that their StarLink Corn Loss Proof of Claim is deficient should go to: http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/leg al/pdfs/StarlinkDe ficiencyNotice. pdf, or a toll-free helpline has also been set up at 1-888-833-4317. The Farmdoc Web site article was written by University of'Illinois Professor .:,f Ag Law Donald U,.iltmann. The site lists exam- ples of deficiencies, and offers the following four-step process for dealing with tbe caim: Dont panic. Read your notice .-y carefully and categorize the perceived prob- lem. Determine the action apparently needed to solve the perceived problem(s). Complete requested actions postmark by November 15, ing a file copy. Greiner stressed that many ers across the country received the notice, so local ers should not feel sin "Area farmers are but the above phone number  Web site should help them through the deficiency offering an easy ste process to deal with it," Greiner. Vilsack Suspends Weight Limits for Ha Grain on Iowa Roads