Yellow Flash in Soybeans

Some funny looking soybeans are turning up…they appear to be plagued with a condition known as ‘yellow flash.’  This happens to soybeans that have had a recent application of glyphosate, which arises when glyphosate is absorbed into the plant, and is metabolized into another compound which can have a toxic effect on chlorophyll, and seems to appear during warm, humid conditions.  Tests have shown that the plant will re-green, and do not indicate any significant yield loss…they’re just yellow.

Three SC Energy Facilities Approved to Receive Biomass Deliveries

Thirty-six energy facilities in 14 states across the country have been selected by USDA to accept biomass deliveries.  South Carolina has three such designated facilities; Council Energy Inc., Allendale Biomass, LLC, and Dorchester Biomass, LLC. Farmers, ranchers or foresters who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a qualified energy facility may be eligible for financial assistance for deliveries.  (See the full Press Release Below:)

The Cost of Drought

A new study released last week put a hefty price tag on California’s drought….estimates are that the drought has cost California’s ag industry $2.2 billion, and has cost some 17,000 workers their jobs.  Scientist warn the worst of it may not even be over, and could last for several more years, even with the arrival of El Nino.  Climatologist Brian Fuchs of the National Drought Mitigation Center explains that California’s prolonged drought means it will be harder to break the cycle, much like some thirsty regions in Oklahoma and the entire state of Texas, which have been struggling with drought since 2010.  Additional dry years in 2015 and 2016 could end up costing crop farming in Central Valley an estimated $1 billion annually.

 

*USDA Selects 36 Energy Facilities to Accept Biomass Deliveries****

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has selected 36 energy facilities in 14 states to accept biomass deliveries supported by the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Biomass owners who supply these facilities may qualify for BCAP delivery assistance starting July 28, 2014.

Of the total $25 million per year authorized for BCAP, up to 50 percent ($12.5 million) is available each year to assist biomass owners with the cost of delivery of agricultural or forest residues for energy generation. Some BCAP payments will target the removal of dead or diseased trees from National Forests and Bureau of Land Management public lands for renewable energy, which reduces the risk of forest fire.

“This program generates clean energy from biomass, reduces the threat of fires by removing dead or diseased trees from public forest lands, and invests in rural businesses and new energy markets,” said Vilsack. “The fires we are seeing right now in the west underscore the need for forest restoration and fire prevention. Pairing this effort with forest restoration on public lands will help guard against these fires while promoting economic opportunity for rural communities.”

Farmers, ranchers or foresters who harvest and deliver forest or agricultural residues to a BCAP-qualified energy facility may be eligible for financial assistance for deliveries. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers BCAP, will begin accepting applications from biomass owners from July 28 through Aug. 25. Deliveries of residues for approved contracts may be made through Sept. 26, 2014.

The 36 BCAP energy facilities are:

Arizona

Novo BioPower LLC (f/k/a Snowflake White Mountain Power)

Forest Energy Corporation

California

Burney Forest Power

Pacific Ultrapower-Chinese Station

HL(Honey Lake) Power Company

Rio Bravo Rocklin

Collins Pine Company

Thermal Energy Development Partnership, LP

Covanta Delano Inc.

Covanta Mendota L.P.

Sierra Pacific Industries – Sonora

Sierra Pacific Industries – Burney Division

Sierra Pacific Industries – Quincy Division

Sierra Pacific Industries – Lincoln

Roseburg Forest Products

Colorado

Eagle Valley Clean Energy, LLC

Idaho

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Basic American Foods

Kansas

Abengoa

Michigan

Hillman Power Company LLC

Minnesota

Minnesota Power – Hibbard Renewable Energy Center

Minnesota Power – Rapid Energy Center

Missouri

Enginuity

Montana

Eureka Pellet Mills Inc.

F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co.

Nebraska

Chadron State College

New Mexico

Mt. Taylor Machine LLC

Oregon

Biomass One LP

Interfor Pacific Inc., Gilchrist Division

Ochoco Lumber dba Malheur Lumber

Roseburg Forest Products

Seneca Sustainable Energy, LLC

South Carolina

Council Energy Inc.

Allendale Biomass LLC

Dorchester Biomass, LLC

Washington

Boise White Paper

Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap or a local FSA county office to learn more about BCAP.