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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