Agronomic Tip of the Week

We’ve asked some of our farmer leaders from various parts of the states to share what they do in their effort to attain high-yielding soybeans. This week Dean Coleman, District 2 director and ISA Executive Board member from Humboldt, shares some of the practices he uses.

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Legislature Begins to Take Shape
Following Elections

The elections are over with many surprises on election night. The Iowa House of Representative overwhelmingly changed power, going from Democratic control of 54-46 to Republican control of 60-40. ISA Contract Lobbyist Jill Altringer reports on how legislative leadership is taking shape.

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Delbert Christensen Appointed to United Soybean Board

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced the appointment of the farmer-directors to the United Soybean Board (USB.) Delbert Christensen of Audubon was one of the 34 farmer-leaders selected to serve on the board and will be sworn in on Dec. 8 to serve a three-year term.

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Ed Ulch Elected Vice Chair of National Biodiesel Board

Ed Ulch, a farmer from Solon who represents ISA on the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), has been elected to serve NBB's vice chair.  Ulch was one of NBB’s four returning governing board members who, along with three new members, were chosen to serve on the leadership committee.

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Grassley Looking for Ways to Reinstate Biodiesel Tax Credit

Since a federal tax credit on biodiesel fuel expired nearly 11 months ago, most biodiesel plants have shut down. As Congress returns to work this week, Sen. Grassley says they’ll be considering ways to reinstate the dollar-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit.

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Harkin Says Biodiesel Tax Credit Should be in Energy Bill

Sen.Harkin is pushing this week to get a tax break for biodiesel extended during the “lame duck” session of Congress. Harkin wants to add the biodiesel tax credit to an energy bill scheduled to come up for a vote on Thursday.

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China Fights Agflation, Grapples with
Tight Supply

Global prices of grains, cotton and oilseeds have slid from record or multi-year highs in the past week as policy makers in China take steps to rein in consumer prices. But as consumption outstrips domestic supplies, China is likely to ship in even larger volumes of soybeans and cotton in the months ahead.

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Don't Panic, Lock in Margins

ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist Steve Johnson isn't swerving from his advice to lock in margins, in part by starting to sell 2011 crops at prices that are relatively high. At a recent outlook and management conference, Johnson offered a five-point plan for managing risk in an ever-more complicated global market.

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Looking for a Pumpkin Recipe for
the Holidays?

This light, mousse-like pumpkin cheesecake comes courtesy of Jim Stillman, a soybean farmer from Emmetsburg and United Soybean Board director. Jim has made it a mission to perfect his soy desserts.

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District Policy Conferences Scheduled

The following ISA district policy conferences have been scheduled to provide an opportunity for members to discuss their legislative concerns and prioritize issues:

Nov. 18 - Dist. 8, American State Bank, Osceola, 5:15 p.m.

Nov. 19 - Dist. 4, Swan Lake Education Center, Carroll, 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 22 - Dist. 9, Best Western, Fairfield, 6:00 p.m.

Nov. 23 - Dist. 7, Red Coach Inn, Red Oak, 11:30 a.m.

Nov. 23 - Dist. 3, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, 5:00 p.m.

Nov. 29 - Dist. 1, Hap Ketelsen Community Center, Everly, 5:15 p.m.

Nov. 30 - Dist. 6, The Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids, 6:00 p.m.

For more information about ISA’s policy process, contact ISA Director of Policy Development and Producer Services Carol Balvanz at 800-383-1423.

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