Hypoxia is a problem around the world which stems from a number of causes including urban runoff, sewage deposits and fertilizer runoff. A report released Wednesday from the White House, “Scientific Assessment of Hypoxia in U.S. Coastal Waters,” provided some additional, unbiased light on this issue.

”This report makes it clear that there are many causes of hypoxia and that the causes vary based on location of the affected areas. Some are agriculture-related, and many are not. We support further research into all the causes of hypoxia because only then can we seriously develop and implement solutions that are workable and sustainable,” said Gary Duffy, South Dakota Corn Growers Association president from Oldham, SD.

 The White House reports points out how agriculture has actually improved its efforts in recent years, which conflicts reports from biased sources like Environmental Working Group and the National Resource Defense Council.

“We are happy the report states that agriculture production methods have improved, and we are committed to doing all we can to encourage our growers to increase their efficiency, such as using variable-rate technology to ensure only the right amount of nutrients are applied and using conservation tillage methods to reduce or avoid nutrient runoff. Thanks to advanced farming practices and technology, nitrogen efficiency has increased 20 percent since the mid-1990s.

Corn being used for ethanol has been a major victim of the Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” blame game that has been going on the past couple of years. Naysayers need to face the facts; farmers are producing more corn on fewer acres, a trend that will continue into the future. Producers can meet the demands of food, feed, fuel and fiber while continuing to increase exports.

“Further, we question the implication that using corn for ethanol will require expanding corn acreage significantly. Increasing corn yields are helping us meet growing needs using fewer acres. “

Another noteworthy item from the report was that the fastest growing “Dead Zones” in the United States are in areas that have little to no agriculture or fertilizer use. Let’s see the media report on that.

In South Dakota, the earliest form of corn harvest starts in late August and early September as the plant starts to change from green to gold. Corn silage cutting, a widespread practice in the state, is basically chopping the entire corn plant up which is later used for livestock feed. Corn silage is a popular feed option because of its high energy content and digestibility.

Keys to a good silage crop include early planting, high plant population, narrow rows and a high grain yielding hybrid variety that matures slightly later than average. While some farmers plant certain varieties of corn better suited for silage, cutting hail-damaged corn is also an option. Farmer

Corn silage is ideally harvested when the corn ears are well-dented and the plant begins to turn brown and dry. Silage that is harvested in the milk and dough stages will yield fewer nutrients per acre and may not ferment correctly. Late cut silage that includes brown and dead leaves will produce a quality feed, but will yield as much as 30% less.

As the corn is chopped, the plant is still alive as it continues to breathe producing carbon dioxide and heat. When the plant cells stop breathing, the plant begins to ferment and will continue for around three weeks while the silage preserves. The less air reaching the corn silage the better, as it’s important to properly cover your pile or fill your silo with temperatures between 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Properly packed and heated silage should have a light-green to yellow color with a vinegar type odor.

As of September 5th, corn silage cutting was 39 percent complete in South Dakota. That puts the state progress 33% ahead of one year ago and 13% ahead of the five year average.

Hundreds of growers across the state of South Dakota and thousands across the nation have received letters from a law firm asking for the repayment of funds due to a VeraSun bankruptcy preference.

First things first, you must respond. DO NOT IGNORE THE LETTER!

Contact an attorney. If you are not sure which attorney to contact, we don’t recommend but are aware of a group of producers working with attorney, Mark Meirerhenry. He can be reached at 605-336-3075.

If you have received a letter, you have until September 30^th to respond. Do not wait, South Dakota Corn recommends that you promptly contact an attorney.

The worst thing you can do is not respond or send a large check for something you may not be responsible for.

The National Corn Growers Association has put together a response guide for producers. Click for link.

Iowa State University analysis link: http://www.calt.iastate.edu/briefs/CALT%20Legal%20Brief%20-%20Verasun-Trustee%20Recovery.pdf

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association cannot give you legal advice, but we will be sharing information with corn growers and the public as it becomes available.

If you have further questions, please call our Executive Director, Lisa Richardson at 605-334-0100.

  Corn Comments with Jim Woster.

In an article released Tuesday by the National Resource Defense Council, the group continued to support the admitted anti-atrazine activist Cal-Berkley Professor, Tyrone Hayes. Hayes, who has been discredited by the scientific community for his inabilities to duplicate his own studies, is well-known for his research claiming that certain levels can cause male frogs to lose their reproductive organs.

Hayes’ most recent appearance in the media was this summer for some highly inappropriate emails which he had sent to researchers at Syngenta Company. I would describe the professor’s choice of words in the emails as an explicit and tasteless rap song. But of course, the NRDC says, “Ugly emails do not make the pesticide any safer.” That’s obviously true, but it does let consumers know the kind of person who stands behind this already questionable research.

The NRDC is obviously desperate as they have invested large amounts of time, money and other resources which are based solely on Hayes’ studies. How seriously can you take research done by someone who is respected by so few? People need to simply follow the facts. Atrazine has been studied over 6,000 times by the Environmental Protection Agency and every time it has been declared safe when used as directed.

Atrazine has been used by farmers safely for over 50 years and has had no effect on amphibians, fish, birds or any other form of wildlife. Atrazine is very important in modern agricultural practices including conservation tillage systems, which prevents soil erosion and saves farmers around $28/acre on average. During the last 20 years, atrazine has improved corn yields 5-11%.

Just as Professor Hayes has lost his credibility, so has the NRDC.

South Dakota’s family farmers and ranchers have devoted their lives to feeding the world ever since immigrants first settled on the soil. Farming and ranching is a lifestyle that is devoted to providing consumers with a safe, abundant, nutritious and affordable food supply while caring for our animals and land.

South Dakota farmers and ranchers will be celebrating their accomplishments this starting this August with a promotion called, South Dakota Farmers Feed Us, offering an opportunity for all South Dakota residents to win a free breakfast, lunch and dinner by way of free groceries– for an entire year.

South Dakota residents can register for two grand prizes of “Free Groceries for a Year!” courtesy of South Dakota’s farmers, at www.FarmersFeedUS.org. Upon visiting the site, consumers register by “meeting a South Dakota farmer” through a short video that shows how they produce safe, nutritious and affordable food. Consumers can register with each of the eight featured farmers daily through Nov. 6, the end of the 90-day program. Two $5,000 grocery prizes will be awarded to two lucky South Dakota consumers.  

In addition to the web site, the 90-day campaign includes television advertising, along with outreach to news media.  There is also a strong social media component with opportunities for consumers to interact with the farmers on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. 
The Farmers Feed US website features beef, corn, dairy, egg, hog, soybean, and wheat farmers from across the state, each sharing information about their farm and their family. In addition to guiding visitors through their registration for free groceries, each farmer also offers a brief online tour of their farm.

South Dakota’s corn farmer represented is Kurt Stiefvater of Salem, SD.

“I’m proud to share the story of my family’s farm and the work that goes into producing corn for food and fuel,” said Stiefvater.  “South Dakota Farmers Feed US is a great way to deliver positive messages about agriculture and food production to people throughout the entire state.”

Kurt and his wife Kathy raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa near Salem.  They have three daughters, Megan, Lauren and Karlie.  His family has owned the farm for nearly 50 years. Kurt has been active in the South Dakota Corn Growers Association for years and currently serves on the board.

South Dakota Corn Utilization Council is a sponsor of the program, and Ag United for South Dakota is leading the coordination and roll out of the program. The Center for Food Integrity based in Kansas City has implemented the Farmers Feed US programs in other states and will also assist with implementation here in South Dakota.