Wrapping Silage Bales- Tubeline Wrapper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pov60jGrDnM&feature=player_detailpage

 

 

More great video coverage from Scott Hingtgen-

Jackson County, IA

 

Our Reply: Thanks for sending this in Scott.

Planting Progress- SE Minnesota

Rolling again. Nice weather On the way for this week 20% planted in SE MN will be 70% if weather holds by end of week....from Lena Farms (@lenafarms) on Twitter

Seed Corn Feedback

AgriGold, your 70# bags are killing me...ugh :( -- Kristin Boe (@lapryorfarms)

Kehrli swine on display

Berkshire swine seedstock from Ken Kehrli, Winthrop, IA on display now at Heartland Acres Agribition Center in Independence, IA.

From Adam White- Buchanan County, IA

	4 Inch Soil Temp 2011
Date	Time	C on C   Ground
4/4/2012	10am	55
4/5/2012	10am	50
4/6/2012	10am	47
4/7/2012	10am	50
4/8/2012	10am	45
4/9/2012	10am	48
4/10/2012	10am	45
4/11/2012	10am	42
4/12/2012	10am	47
4/13/2012	10am	50
4/14/2012	10am	51
4/15/2012	10am	58
4/16/2012	10am	51
4/17/2012	10am	50
4/18/2012	10am	55
4/19/2012	10am	56
4/20/2012	10am	48
4/21/2012	10am	46
4/22/2012	10am	50
4/23/2012	10am	48

Cutting Hay in April

"To wet to start planting, just dry enough to start cutting hay. We would have been done with hay 10 days ago if weather would have stayed warm".... From Scott Hingtgen- Jackson County, IA

Walmart

The giant retailer is trying to get 400 local food growers within 400 miles of its stores or distribution centers to deliver products. "Mom (Walmart's typical customer) tells us emphatically she likes locally grown," explained Joe Quinn, senior director of issue management and strategic outreach, Walmart corporate affairs. "If our core customer knows that those green beans were picked 20 miles down the road two days ago, and they have been touched less and they have made a short run from that field to that table, mom very much likes that. That matters a lot."

Read the full DTN article here 

VEISHEA, Zulu, Cock Fighting

VEISHEA was held this past week on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, IA. If you went to school at ISU or aren't living under the proverbial rock within the State of Iowa; you know what this event is all about. Unruly inebriated college kids, burning dumpsters, and riots that garner front page press. All jokes aside, had you been at the parade on Saturday, a burning dumpster would have felt pretty darn good! The chilly damp air and steady rain at times kept a lid on any potential "black eyes" from coming out of this years really neat celebration. I have some really good friends from my college days that were heavily involved with the planning aspect of VEISHEA and with making sure the largest run student event in the country survived whatever sucker punches came flying their way. All things considered, they did well, as did this years leadership group.  How you get that many vastly different students, cultural organizations and clubs to remain civil is a bit of a mystery. Every small town in Iowa could use a healthy dose of whatever they're doing beneath the campanile in central Iowa. It would probably resolve a lot of the multi-generational issues that linger in rural Iowa today. Then again, maybe not. On lighter note...I noticed this year that there was only 1 big helium balloon in the entire parade. Float numbers were down too. I'd imagine someone somewhere had safety issues with both of them. I hope that bad idea and trend gets reversed... kids can go to any town celebration in the state and see a parade of firetrucks.

The fasten seat belt sign was just turned on!

My wife and I made the 125 mile trip to the Alma
Mater in 34 minutes this time. Big thanks to friends Michael and Rachel for letting us co-pilot for the day. I overheard "Zulu" being used on the headset several times throughout the trip. It's a fun word to say, which is mainly why I was interested in what it meant. Here's what I learned in la men's terms from my pilot: "it's the time pilots use in the aircraft that is standard all over the world" (no time zones involved). After a quick Google search, I learned that the Department of the Navy serves as the country's official timekeeper, with the Master Clock facility at the U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D.C. You can follow the link if you desire to learn more. Or, if you don't give a damn about the meaning, you now have a nifty word to add to your vocabulary.

Little Jerry and his hens.

We're in the chicken business. Five Buff Orpington hens and a rooster my daughter calls Little Jerry- thanks to a little coaxing from me in the naming department. Those of you who were avid Seinfeld watchers probably remember Kramer's pet rooster, Little Jerry in one particular episode. You may recall, that Kramer got his pet rooster mixed up in a cock fighting ring... it didn't end well for Little Jerry. Our Little Jerry is no pet, he is one mean dude though. So mean in fact, that my daughter only enters the chicken pen fully equipped with a 1/2" piece of conduit when she collects the eggs. If his attitude continues, there's a good chance he'll be finding a new home. He might actually prefer that over the alternative of being pestered non-stop by a 2-yr. old. Either way, doesn't look like it's going to end well for this Little Jerry either.

Road to the Kentucky Derby '12

The 2012 Kentucky Derby is wide open--- good horses with  talent.

 The Nation's Horse:

 Union Rags

The story behind this colt and his owners is truly a fairytale and it would complete the story by having this colt win the Kentucky Derby, which is very possible with his outstanding class. The small people in every business always have a shot at the big dogs, and that is exactly what owners of Union Rags - Phyllis M. Wyeth have. Wyeth owns a small horse farm called Lookout Farm which is on the border of Delaware and Pennsylvania.

When Union Rags was born, he was dead quiet as a foal, the groom even jumped on him once before he was even broke to ride. Mrs. Wyeth quoted, “any child could come up to him and not have to worry.” This quality is very rare in a race horse, in which most thoroughbreds are high strung, wild creatures with fire in their eyes. Most people think that, a wild, thoroughbred like this is what you look for, it's actually not, you want a horse who’s got a good temper, so down the road they’re easier to handle and train.

Mrs. Wyeth knew Union Rags was special from the get go, but was forced to sell him. Her accountant told her she was losing too much money and had to sell more horses, so that is why he was sold for the price of $145,00 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton August sale. Then Union Rags mother, Tempo was experienced hemorrhaging problems later that year, and would never be able to have a foal again. Wyeth felt that she had sold the best foal she had ever raised, and just had to buy him back. She studied Rags breeding and realized she just couldn’t let this colt get into someone else's hands. So, she went to the 2011 Florida Fasig-Tipton 2 year old sale and bought him back for $390,000. Now, she has one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby, if not the number 1 favorite.

Then, you look at Union Rags tremendous trainer - Michael Matz. It would be a wonderful story to see this man win the derby once again. He was the trainer of the popular 2006 KY derby winner, Barbaro. Everyone was positive that the triple crown drought would end with Barbaro. It wouldn’t quite work out that way when Barbaro injured his hind leg in the beginning of the Preakness Stakes (2nd Triple Crown race) and they tried to save this athlete, but on January 29th, 2008 Barbaro developed Laminitis and was put down. Barbaro was our nation’s horse, and Matz believes that Union Rags will be the next star. Matz thinks that Union Rags is just as good as Barbaro was, if not better. We never really knew how good Barbaro was, he won on turf and dirt, with many beautiful hand rides, and was something very special, he was the equine version of god, Matz once quoted. To see this gallant colt win the derby would be a dream come true for both his owner and trainer and all his beloved fans. I know, it would touch my heart, along with millions of others and it will put a tear to your eye. I don’t see why this colt can’t win the derby? The moment I seen his debut win, I knew from the get go that he was going to be a KY derby favorite. He has to be the most beautiful horse ever, is the one reason why he caught my eye, the other was, he runs just like Barbaro does.

Burco's favorite 3-yr. old -Union Rags

He looks like a man among boys, he’s the equine version of Brad Pitt. I don’t just look at Union Rags beauty, I look at his pedigree, class and an outstanding record. Some people question his ability to run 1 ¼ miles by looking at his pedigree, but if you watch all his races, he gallops out very nicely, suggesting that he can run another furlong or two. He always comes flying at the end, and he looks like he could do this all day, so the distance question is no question for me, he’s perfectly suited for the Derby’s classic distance. He’s out of Dixie Union, which he won a few Gr. 1’s, 2’s and 3’s. Most of his races at which he won were around 6 furlongs to 1 ⅛ mile. Union Rags has won the Gr. 2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes this past winter, along with the Gr. 1 Champagne and Grade 3 Saratoga Special when he was two. He was 2nd to a nose in the Breeders Cup Juvenile last fall, when he lost to the great White “Hansen.” Some claim that he probably would've won, if he wasn’t so green. Rags was swerving all over the track and couldn’t keep running in a straight line for nothing. His other only loss was in the Florida Derby, where he lost to Take Charge Indy. He ran a very, good game 3rd.

Again, this colt was going to probably win if he wouldn’t have had such a horrible trip. Union Rags was put in mid pack, where he usually likes to sit off the pace, but he was boxed in by El Padrino, in which Jesus Castellano was riding the whole time. Jesus was doing this on purpose, everyone knows how good Union Rags is, and the main goal for a jockey is to have the best ride out there and make everyone else around you suffer, and this is exactly what he did. Once, Union Rags had a spot to get through, he took it and made up the most ground out of anyone but there was just too little track left to catch up to the winner.

This was a great experience for both Rags and his jockey Julien, and I know they will use this on derby day to win America's favorite race. Rags still looked glorious in defeat, and he didn’t have to win the FL derby, since he already has enough earnings to get into the derby gate’s, so why have this colt amped up to his highest ability? Matz knows what he’s doing and will have Union Rags to his peak on derby day.

If I was betting, I would definitely put my money on this horse. I wish the best of luck to Union Rags, and his whole team and I hope they get a great gate position which is a great key in the Derby. I hope this horse is wearing the roses at the end of the day.

Go Team Rags! ~Jordyn Burco

China Rumors Rampant

Nothing has been reported for China in terms of corn purchases yet, but rumors are rampant, Brugler Marketing said in its Friday morning report. Currently China can have U.S. corn delivered for 6% less than domestic prices. Japan did say they were halting old crop corn buying from Ukraine because of quality problems. That could potentially open the door for more U.S. business.

As seen on marketwatchonline.com

Rainfall Update

Precipitation Totals- Rowley, IA

Day 0.37"
Current Month 1.69"

Planting Update- NE Iowa

Rained off and on all week. Less than 10% planted. -- Kyle Mehmen (@mbsfamilyfarms)

Planting Update- Buchanan County, IA

A wet day. Planting should be in full force again next week. We are at14% planted on #corn, as of last night. #plant12 -- Chris Barron (@chrisbarron24)

Decision Maker

From a 37 year old farmer- if I can't get a publication on my tablet, I don't read it. #NAMA12 -- Heather Thompson (@HebThompson)

Kentucky Derby

Bob Costas

The 2012 'Run for the Roses' takes place on May 5th at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. If you're like me, you're probably a bandwagon horse race fan that gets interested and excited about this sport the 1st week of May every year.  You B.S. your friends into making them believe you have the inside scoop about which horse will easily win and why, or better yet, you're so confident in your ability to pick the top three in order that to boastfully walk to the betting window and Box a Trifecta at the minimum $1 bet. You likely tune in to Bob Costas' tear jerking rendition about the history that's taken place in years past under the twin spires and buy into the heartfelt stories highlighting various horses running in this years race. Of course, this is the year of the next Triple Crown winner.



Birdstone denies Smarty Jones to win the 2004 Belmont Stakes.



You know... it's amazing horse race times haven't gotten any faster since the mid 1970's when Seattle Slew and Affirmed won the triple crown back to back in '77 & '78. Over the past 35 years, some of the best minds and smartest livestock people have been able break so many other milestones in animal breeding & genetics and yet, horse track times just haven't changed much. Speaking of smart- Smarty Jones almost pulled off the sweep in 2004, only to finish 2nd in the Belmont Stakes to 36-1 long shot Birdstone by giving up his first lead in the home stretch in his entire career.

Enough rambling.... the point of this is to introduce a few special pieces we'll have on the blog over the next two weeks leading up to the fastest two minutes in sports. A young lady named Jordyn Burco, who knows more about thoroughbreds than most of you ever will is going to be sharing her insight with us about this years Kentucky Derby. She'll be highlighting her favorites running in this year's race and put you on the inside track to placing that Box Trifecta in the correct order on May 5th. Be sure to look for Jordyn's first article tomorrow April 20th right here on News From The Coffee Shop.

The twin Spires at Chuchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

We're also looking for the 12 Most Ridiculous Derby Hats. Beginning Monday, April 23rd, we'll be posting the most ridiculous hats that our followers send into us. So get out there find that stupid hat and send it in to prburmeister@gmail.com or text to 319-327-0806.

Cattle Economics Webinar

Beef Cattle EconomicsOutlook overview, condition of beef demand and LFTB impacts, and the U.S. cattle identification comparative global status
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
1:30pm CST

lean finely textured beef (LFTB) discussions?
What is the status of cattle identification in the U.S. and how does this compare globally?

SPEAKER
Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University livestock economist
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University livestock
economist, to stakeholders throughout the beef and cattle industry. Time will be allocated for questions from participants.

To register for this webinar,click here.

As seen on Beef Magizine email blast.

What is the broad economic outlook for cow-calf, stocker and feedlot operators?
What condition is beef demand in and what have been the impacts of the

Weather Radar

New Domain Name

NOTICE
You probably noticed that you were redirected to a new domain name when you accessed our site today. This will remain the case if you continue to access the blog from the old address.

Please update your favorites to www.newscoffeeshop.com for a direct link to the News From The Coffee Shop going forward.

2012 Buchanan County Soil Temp- Update

Thanks to Adam White, Pioneer Seed- Rowley, IA for this information.

Here is an update on soil temps for you....
Adam White
Carson & Barron Farms Inc.
Pioneer Sales Representative
C - 319-325-1421
O - 319-938-2897
F -319-938-2619
adam.white@plantpioneer.com

Date	Time	C on C   Ground
4/4/2012	10am	55
4/5/2012	10am	50
4/6/2012	10am	47
4/7/2012	10am	50
4/8/2012	10am	45
4/9/2012	10am	48
4/10/2012	10am	45
4/11/2012	10am	42
4/12/2012	10am	47
4/13/2012	10am	50
4/14/2012	10am	51
4/15/2012	10am	58
4/16/2012	10am	51
4/17/2012	10am	50
4/18/2012	10am	55

KWWL Weather Team

Our secret for now. @kwwlschnack with our new meteorologist. She debuts this Saturday morning on Today in Iowa. http://t.co/SZu9W7Ka -- ronsteele7 (@ronsteele7)

Planting Progress

#Corn planting is 17% complete as of April 15. This compares to 5% complete last year at this time and a 5-year average pace of 5% #pfnews -- Meghan Pedersen (@MeghanPedersen)

Advertising Contest Winner

"I would like to offer your followers a 1/2 off any session fee if they mention your blog and book by April 30th"...Ashlee

ashleemariesnakenberg.wordpress.com

 Our Reply:

Ashlee Snakenberg sent in the "2012 Iowa Elite Sale" post last week and won a weeks worth of FREE advertising exposure for her photography business. Her post received 2x as many views during the week as any other post in that same time frame.

Ashlee did a family photo shoot for us last fall....they turned out Great! Be sure to follow the link, check out her work, and schedule your session today.

Soil Temp @ 4"

Wear Green To Support Agriculture Tomorrow!

Make plans to sport a green shirt tomorrow, April 18, for the third annual "Wear Green To Support Agriculture Day!" Wear green to work and strike up a conversation with consumers about the importance of agriculture in their daily lives.

Soybean Sales

USDA announces 225,000 MT #soybean sale to unknown. 110,000 MT for 2011-12 and 115,000 MT for 2012-13. #pfnews -- Julianne Johnston (@JuliJohnston)

Breedin' Time

First cow was turned out with the bull today. Most of the other cows will be bred AI and he will clean-up....from Jon Blin via Twitter

Our Reply: Check out Jon's great Hereford herd at www.jjbcattleco.com

O 

We Asked...You Voted!

Week ended 4/15/12 Poll Question:

Has the recent surge in soybean prices changed your planting intentions this year?

57% of News From The Coffee Shop voters changed their planting intentions this year due to the recent surge in soybean prices.

14 votes

Market Calls

CORN: Corn futures are called 6 to 9 cents lower this morning, following the overnight trade on Globex, Brugler Marketing said.

SOYBEANS: Soybeans are called 8 to 10 cents lower this morning, Brugler Marketing said.

HOGS: Several contracts were limit down on Friday, Brugler Marketing said. The April contract is coming closer to the Lean Hog Index which settled at 82.44 on April 11th. April expires today. Cash hogs in IA/MN were $1.14 higher on Friday, WCB hogs were $0.81 higher and ECB hogs were $0.63 lower. Cash hog calls are 50 cents lower.

CATTLE: Nearby April was up $2.20 for last week, Brugler Marketing said. Futures remain below cash. There were no delivery notices vs. April futures. The oldest long is December 14. Some $122 clean up sales were reported in the cash market on Friday. Asking prices for this week are expected to start out around $124 in the south and $200 in the north.

As seen on marketwatchonline.com