Lieutenant Governor Ellspermann with the Herr Family and ISDA Livestock Program Manager, Kimmi Devaney

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture would like to invite Indiana dairy producers interested in participating in the Certified Livestock Producer Program to attend a training in Kosciusko County on Wednesday August 27.  The program recognizes outstanding livestock producers that go above and beyond in their farm management practices.

To be recognized by ISDA as a Certified Livestock Producer, participants must uphold the highest industry standards in environmental protection, animal care, bio-security, emergency planning and community relations. They also agree to sign the Producer Promise, committing to meet or exceed the high standards of the Certified Livestock Producer Program as a commitment to the citizens of the State of Indiana.  

To complete their certification, producers will meet with their veterinarian to discuss their bio-security plan and meet with their local fire department to review their emergency plan, as well as obtain a certain number of points on each of the self assessments.

Interested producers must register by contacting Kimmi Devaney at KDevaney@isda.in.gov or 317.450.3570 no later August 20. More information will be sent to producers after registration.

Certified livestock producers receive a variety of discounts from program sponsors, including Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance and others. Since the program's launch in 2008, 98 Hoosier farmers have earned the certification and 26 are currently in the process.

Russia banned most food imports from the West on August 7 in retaliation for sanctions over Ukraine, an unexpectedly sweeping move that will cost farmers in North America, Europe and Australia billions of dollars but will also likely lead to empty shelves in Russian cities.

The announcement shows that while President Vladimir Putin doesn't appear ready to heed Russian nationalists' calls to send troops into Ukraine, he is prepared to inflict significant damage on his own nation in an economic war with the West.

The U.S. and the EU have accused Russia, which annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March, of supplying arms and expertise to a pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine, and have sanctioned individuals and companies in Russia in retaliation. Moscow denies supporting the rebels and accuses the West of blocking attempts at a political settlement by encouraging Kiev to use brutal force to crush the insurgency.

The ban, announced by a somber Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a televised Cabinet meeting, covers all imports of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, milk and milk products from the U.S., the European Union, Australia, Canada and Norway. It will last for one year.

"Until the last moment, we hoped that our foreign colleagues would understand that sanctions lead to a deadlock and no one needs them," Medvedev said. "But they didn't, and the situation now requires us to take retaliatory measures." Read full article 

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When China pulled back on contracts importing from the United States, protein products such as distillers (DDGS), gluten feed and more, it demonstrated how much of an impact it can have on feed commodities. This created an abundance of feed for domestic use that saw some commodity prices drop in excess of $70-100 per ton. With seemingly good crops of soybeans and corn on their way, all co-products should remain closer to "average" in comparison to corn and beans. The anomaly from this past year or two seems not to be the case this year. Many production plants are not that quick to put out numbers going beyond a few months. However, some are always willing to take a look at bids.

The Pacific Rim countries and India may or may not impact futures prices. The age-old supply and demand economics of domestic markets may be impacted the most by what milk prices do in the future months.

Over the past few years we have seen the inequality between export and domestic prices. This trend has had little influence on daily trading nearby. As long as the demand stays strong and business is being done at the current price, it's irrelevant what the potential impact is until it becomes a reality.

Some producers are sitting back and waiting to book, while others are taking a look at layering in their purchases and not booking large blocks of feed. There seems to be some optimism about milk prices, yet pessimism over the strength of milk prices. At this point, is seems that we are looking at a rather balanced market and it is uncertain what will change this pattern.

Canola meal markets remain favorable in comparison to soybean meal. Strong basis with good milk prices make for favorable mid-protein prices. For those who have basis contracts, we want to remind you that we roll all unpriced contracts to the following futures month on first notice day of the front futures month. This roll cre�ates a new contract basis versus that forward month. If you have questions about how this works, please give us a call and we can walk you through the process. 

Both new crop and old crop Cottonseed have slid recently due to favorable weather and increased planting acreages. The impact of export sales could have more of an influence on these prices. We are willing to contract with numerous truck options, including vans, hoppers and live floors, with pricing available through September, 2015.

Corn gluten feed supplies are readily available in both pellets and wet. With recent prices falling, this staple product will make a good corn extender with highly digestible fiber, while low in starch and fat. With such favorable summer weather, the wet gluten has been a good addition to bringing moisture into the ration.

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Indianapolis, Ind., August 7, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Julia A. Wickard, today announced that farmers still have time to apply for low interest Fiscal Year 2014 loans available through FSA's direct farm ownership program. The deadline to submit applications is Sept. 30, 2014.

Eligible producers can borrow up to $300,000 in direct farm ownership loans to buy or enlarge a farm, construct new farm buildings or improve structures, pay closing costs, or promote soil and water conservation and protection. The interest rate on select loans can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay.

"This is an extraordinary opportunity for more farmers to get low-interest loans to start their first farm, or expand an existing family farm," said Wickard. "There are no backlogs or waiting for funding. If you've dreamed about starting a farm, or if you're looking to strengthen your farm, we want to help."

FSA encourages all interested applicants to apply for direct farm ownership loans. For more information about the program and other loans administered by FSA, visit any FSA county office or click here.