County Agent News

Dan Folske

July 26, 2010

Durum Wheat Quality Program

USDA just recently released a notice that provides more details on the Durum Wheat Quality Program (DWQP), which is designed to compensate durum producers for up to 50 percent of the actual cost of fungicide applied to the 2010 crop to control Fusarium head blight (FHB).  The notice can be found online at http://www.apfo.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_Notice/dcp_236.pdf .

According to the notice, the DWQP signup period for the 2010 crop year begins on July 21, 2010 and ends on September 15, 2010 with no provisions for late filling.  A total of $3 million has been authorized for the program nationwide and DWQP payments will be prorated if payment requests exceed available funding.

To be considered eligible acres for DWQP, the acres must be planted to durum and treated with an eligible fungicide to specifically control FHB with the fungicide applied during the flowering stage, which they described as the wheat growth stage after the head has emerged completed and before milk development in the kernel.

Payments to eligible producers will be calculated by adding the cost for purchasing an eligible fungicide and the eligible cost for applying an eligible fungicide.  The eligible cost for purchasing an eligible fungicide will be determined by multiplying the number of eligible acres on the farm, times the producer’s share in the farm’s actual fungicide cost, times the lesser of either a national fungicide acquisition payment rate or 50 percent of the farm’s actual fungicide cost per acre (farm’s actual fungicide cost divided by eligible acres on the farm).  The eligible cost for applying an eligible fungicide will be determined by multiplying the number of eligible acres on the farm, times the producer’s share in the farm’s actual fungicide application cost, times the lesser of either the applicable State fungicide application payment rate or 50 percent of the producer’s fungicide application cost per acre.

For the 2010 crop year, USDA had determined the national average cost of purchasing an eligible fungicide for 1 acre of durum wheat is $14 and has set a national fungicide acquisition payment rate of $7 (50 percent of $14) per acre. 

Find Out How Your Calves Perform

Northern Plains Feeders Steer Feedout

Genetic makeup and prior management of calves placed on feed significantly affects their feedlot performance and carcass value. It is valuable for calf producers to understand how their calves perform post weaning and their associated value. The steer feedout project is designed as an information feedback system for cow-calf producers in the region by feeding spring born steer calves placed in the lot this fall to finish next spring. The project is a cooperative effort of North Plains Feeders, operated by Dustin Seright and the NDSU Extension Service. Northern Plains Feeders is a 999 head beef feedlot that was constructed in 2009.

Entries:

Producers may consign five or more spring born steer calves. Two delivery-management options are available. Non-weaned, direct off the cow, steers can be delivered to the feedlot October 5, 2010. Steers should weigh approximately 550 to 600 pounds on arrival. Weaned steer calves can be delivered

November 16, 2010. Late delivered steers should weigh approximately 700 to 750 pounds on arrival. Adherence to suggested weights will contribute to uniformity in finishing and more optimum end point marketing. A maximum of 120 head will be accepted. Entries to be received by September 1, 2010. No bulls, stags, or late castrated steers will be accepted.   Consigners are responsible for delivery calves on scheduled date to the Northern Plains Feeders Feedlot located 7 miles east of Granville, ND on Highway 2 and 1.5 miles north. Cattle will be housed in outside pens with wind fence protection and fed mixed ration on fence line.

Health:

It is strongly suggested calves be vaccinated at least two weeks prior to delivery with standard four way viral and seven way clostridial vaccines. On arrival calves will be revaccinated with four way, seven way, and pasturella and receive pour-on and implant. Two weeks later calves will receive a resvas/somac vaccination. Sick or unhealthy calves will not be accepted on arrival. Death loss will be the liability of the individual consigner.

Costs:

A $20 per head entry fee will be due on delivery to the feedlot. Project consigners will be responsible for all feeding costs to include feed, yardage, processing and treatments, and bedding. Yardage has been established as $.30 per head per day, bedding at $15 per bale, and chute charge at $1.50. It is estimated the ration from delivery to about 800 pounds will run about $71 per ton and from 800 to finish at about $90 per ton. Vaccine, veterinary and treatment costs will be charged to cover product costs and services. Feeding and marketing costs will be deducted from returns to consigners. Feed, trucking, bedding, and similar costs will be allocated by animals in the pen or group. Treatment, processing, brand inspection and similar costs will be individually charged to animals.

Marketing:

Calves will be fed to finish projected to be in May-June 2011. Steers are tentatively to be sold under grid pricing to Tyson Fresh Meats, Dakota City, Nebraska. The feeder will price and make shipping arrangements. Steers will be sorted to truck load lots based on finish for marketing. An estimated two or three shipping dates several weeks apart are anticipated. Calves that do not perform or become injured may be sold as realizers. A brand release is required to be furnished by consigners for marketing purposes.

Information:

All calves will be weighed in on arrival and individually tagged and cross referenced to ranch tags. Periodic weights will be taken and consigners provided with performance and health updates. Upon close out a project summary will be provided including individual performance, carcass, feeding costs, and returns.

For further questions contact John Dhuyvetter 857-7682, Raquel Dugan-Dibble 537-5405, or

Dustin Seright 240-9778.