NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 2 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.32 million cattle on feed on June 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. This inventory was down 2 percent from last year. Placements during May totaled 460,000 head, the same as 2012 which was the highest May placements since the data series began in 1994. Fed cattle marketings for the month of May totaled 510,000 head, down 6 percent from last year. Other disappearance during May totaled 20,000 head, equal to a year ago.
Iowa Cattle on Feed
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,230,000 on June 1, 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office. The inventory is down 2 percent from May 1, 2013 and down 6 percent from June 1, 2012. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head had 610,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month and down 5 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 620,000 head on feed, down 3 percent from last month and down 7 percent from last year.
Placements during May totaled 104,000 head, a decrease of 26 percent from last month and down 17 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head placed 65,000 head, down 27 percent from last month, but up 10 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 39,000 head. This is down 24 percent from last month and down 42 percent from last year.
Marketings for May were 129,000 head, down 30 percent from last month and down 16 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head marketed 72,000 head, down 26 percent from last month but up 13 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 57,000 head, down 35 percent from last month and down 37 percent from last year. Other disappearance totaled 5,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on June 1, 2013. The inventory was 3 percent below June 1, 2012.
Placements in feedlots during May totaled 2.05 million, 2 percent below 2012. Net placements were 1.95 million head. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000, 600-699 pounds were 304,000, 700-799 pounds were 555,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 800,000.
Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.95 million, 3 percent below 2012. Marketings are the second lowest since the series began in 1996 for the month of May. Other disappearance totaled 100,000 during May, unchanged from 2012.
State On-Feed - Placements - Marketings
Colorado 94 94 88
Iowa 95 110 113
Kansas 99 97 99
Nebraska 98 100 94
Texas 95 98 93
(percent of June 1, 2012)
USDA Cold Storage Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers were down 6 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 6 percent from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 6 percent from the previous month but up 4 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 3 percent from last month and down 17 percent from last year.
Total frozen poultry supplies on May 31, 2013 were up 6 percent from the previous month and up 5 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 14 percent from last month and up 4 percent from May 31, 2012.
Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on May 31, 2013 were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 8 percent from May 31, 2012. Butter stocks were up 4 percent from last month and up 24 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen fruit stocks were down 2 percent from last month but up 15 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 10 percent from last month but up 4 percent from a year ago.
Controlling Summer Grasses in Alfalfa
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
Wet soils in alfalfa fields right after cutting will certainly do one thing. It will help weedy grasses like foxtail grow.
So, how do you reduce the amount of foxtail and other weedy grasses in your hay? The best way to start is to keep your alfalfa thick and thrifty so it will compete aggressively with invading foxtail. Thick initial stands and good soil fertility are needed. In addition, harvest alfalfa only after it begins to bloom or when new shoots appear at the base of the plants. Then alfalfa should regrow rapidly so foxtail doesn't get much time to become a problem.
Unfortunately, this method often is easier said than done. It also sacrifices some forage quality since harvest occurs after bloom begins. So this method may not solve all your problems.
Herbicides are another option. Roundup works great, but only for Roundup Ready varieties. In regular alfalfa, two herbicides that control annual grasses are Select Max and Poast Plus. These herbicides work well on seedling grasses that are less than 4 inches tall, and alfalfa tolerates both herbicides very well. Another herbicide option, but a much more risky option, is Gramoxone Extra. Gramoxone burns back top growth of all green plant material. This will kill most annuals like foxtail, but it also can injure alfalfa regrowth that has already emerged. Therefore, only use Gramoxone immediately after harvest and before any new regrowth shoots appear. None of these herbicides have any soil residual activity, so good plant coverage is necessary and you may need to repeat the spraying if new weeds emerge.
If weedy grasses are a problem in your hay, thick and vigorous alfalfa stands and some well-chosen herbicides can help you get it under control.
AK-SAR-BEN Announces 2013 Nebraska Pioneer Awards
The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation and the Nebraska Fair Managers Association along with Nebraska Farm Bureau announce the 112 honorees from 56 counties for the 2013 Pioneer Farm Family Awards. In order to qualify for this distinction, members of the same family must have owned a parcel of land consecutively for at least 100 years.
Since its inception, 60 years ago, more than 8,000 families have been granted this award from across the region. Each honoree receives an engraved plaque and gatepost marker as permanent recognition of this milestone. The awards are presented during the annual county fair in which the land is located.
The following is a listing of the recipients by county:
Adams: Vicki L. Weseman & Randall A. Kennedy, Juniata
Arthur: Marv & Theo Walz, Arthur; Robert McElhinney, Arthur
Brown: Dave & Ronda Sherman, Johnson
Buffalo: George H. Keens, San Pedro; Betebenner & Sidwell Land & Cattle Co. Inc, Gibbon; Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Loeffelholz, Pleasanton
Burt: Eugene & Carol Johnson, West Point; Robert W. Gill, Tekamah
Butler: Ray G. Stouffer, Cheyenne; Arnold & Mary Ann (Potter) Vandenberg, Brainard
Cass: Alvina Blaikie, Lincoln; Joann L. Moore, Plattsmouth
Cedar: Randy Wortmann, Hartington; Clarice Holm, Hartington; Gary & Cindy Graham, Hartington
Cherry: Donald Kime, Derby; Steve & Beth Kime, Gordon; One Bar Inc., Cody; Elvin Adamson Trust, Marvin Adamson, Ryan Adamson, Jeff Adamson, Cheryl Ravansroft, Janie Bennett and Marje Harris, Nenzel
Clay: JoAnn Meyer, Grand Island
Colfax: Frances Makousky and Daniel Makousky, Howells; Frances Makousky, Howells; Calvin & Laurie Urban, Clarkson
Cuming: Merlyn Smith, Pender; Loren & Dodie Jahnke, West Point; Gene H. Toelle, Beemer
Custer: Wayne & Debra Slingsby, Arcadia
Dawes: Ida Seegrist, Whitney
Dawson: Mike & Suzanne Wendorff, Tim & Cindy Marshall and Shari Frost, Callway
Dixon: Rick & Kellee Nelson, Ponca; Alberta L. Panning, Kearney; Marvin & Mae Reuter, South Sioux City; Delwin T. & Lorna Y. Penlerick, Alliance
Douglas: Jacobsen Farms, Inc., Omaha
Franklin: Robert & Bonnie Greisen, Minden; Irvin & Dorothy Reiber, Campbell; Paul Copley, Riverton; Paula Jacobsen and Nikkie Nielsen, Franklin
Frontier: Everett & Ila Calkin, North Platte
Gage: Masek Children’s Trust, Beatrice; Wilma Nieveen and Wilma Nieveen Living Trust, Sterling; Berwin R. & Roselyn A. Shaffer, Beatrice; Daryl A. & Denise D. Riesen, Beatrice
Gosper: Ted & Janet Schutz, Elwood
Hall: Bernard Costello and Estate of Shirley Costello, Omaha; William Joseph & Nancy Jane Buettner, Grand Island
Hitchcock: M Bar Farms, Culbertson
Holt: Joyce Christopher and Edward Ramold, West Plain; Melvin & Patricia Knox, Ewing
Jefferson: Robert & Vicki Spilker, Fairbury; William H. Slater, Washington
Johnson: Roger A. Boden, Sterling
Kearney: Theresa Stehlik, Lincoln; Lloyd Anderson, Minden; Jeff & Laura Ryan, Heartwell
Keith: Lanny Beam, Mark Beam and Rex Beam, Holdrege
Knox: Alvin E. Meyer, Albion; Leona Gustafson, Wausa
Lancaster: DeRoyce J. Polak, Valparaiso; Leona A. Kunz Family Trust, Denton
Lincoln: Larry Voss, Kaye Asbury, Ronald Voss and Roger Voss, Lincoln
Madison: Nancy Lindsley and Steven Hughes, Lawrence; Larry E. Moenning and Lucille A. Roberts, Norfolk
McPherson: Ramona Rosalie and Roger Tederman, Gothenburg
Morrill: John Covalt and C&L Corp., Angora
Nance: Lillian Kaup, Genoa; Lucia Ober Trust, Denver
Nemaha: Mark Caspers, Auburn; Virginia (Frerichs) Gerdes, Humboldt
Nuckolls: Larry Keim, Davenport
Otoe: Rosemary Scharp, Nebraska City
Pawnee: Elsie M. Tomek, Table Rock
Perkins: Gary & Diane McCormick, North Platte
Phelps: Marlene E. & Kerry L. Blythe, Overton
Pierce: Dennis & Michelle Backer, Randolph; James Burger, Plainview; Norman Herian Trust, Pierce
Platte: Rodney Ditter, Monroe
Polk: Michael J. & Cheri L. Prososki, Myron J. & Marla J. Prososki, Jerome C. Prososki and Kenneth A. Prososki Trust, Osceola
Richardson: Loren Tupa, Humboldt; Darrel & JoAnn (Scheitel) Koso, Rulo; Loretta Lee Stevens, Falls City
Rock: William & Carolyn Sybrant, Bassett
Saline: Larry & Linda Pomajzl, Crete; Rex A. Jiskra, Ohiowa; Duane Wollenburg, Dewitt; Harlan Meyer, Tobias; Raymond C. & Connie l. Rezabek, Dorchester; Harold Stokebrand and Doug Stokebrand, Dewitt
Saunders: Jeff & Mary Hanson, Ithaca
Seward: Leroy Sternberg, Cordova; Alfred & Eunice Suhr, Seward; Darrel & Carol Eberspocher, Seward; Norm & Evelyn Gerkensmeyer, Seward; William & Doris Hartmann, Seward
Thayer: Eldon & Judy Kirchoff, Byron; Gerhard R. & Delores E. Onnen, Hebron
Thurston: Woodrow A. Frey, Thurston
Washington: Marvin & Norma Heise, Blair
Wayne: Vince Kniesche and Ranee May, Wayne; Victor & Janet Kniesche, Wayne; Marta & Mike Victor, Marcia Duering and Marlyce & Jerry Bruning, Wayne; Juanita Boeckenhauer Reed-Boniface, Karen Boeckenhauer Weeks, Lauren Boeckenhauer and Delores Meyer Boeckenhauer, Cedar; Marcus J. & Julie M. Bruning, Hartington
Webster: Becky Pitman, Tamela Stout and Pamela McAmis, Hastings
York: Mildred M. Wiemer, Seward; W&M Regier Farms Inc., Henderson
Parts of State See an Increase in Mosquito Population
More rain has eased Nebraska's drought woes, but it also led to an increase in the state's mosquito population.
There are more mosquitoes out this year than there were at the same time last year, said Barbara Ogg, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension educator who specializes in entomology and pest management.
This is in part due to the recent rainy weather.
"Last year we had a lot of rainy weather in the spring and then it dried up," Ogg said. "It's going to be a problem in areas where we've seen abundant rain."
Ogg said the best way to avoid getting bitten is to avoid being outside at times when mosquitoes are most active, such as dawn and dusk.
"If you need to do yard work, do it in the day, when most mosquitoes aren't very active, Ogg said.
Mosquitoes breed in containers that hold water so making sure there is no standing water in your yard can help reduce mosquitoes in your neighborhood.
When people must be outside when mosquitoes are active, there are several insect repellents that are effective.
"DEET repellents are still probably the best and prevent bites longer than other types," Ogg said.
Other effective repellents available include the chemical picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. All of these repellents are recommended by the CDC.
In Nebraska, Culex tarsalis, sometime called the western encephalitis mosquito, is the mosquito species that is most likely to harbor the West Nile virus. It feeds primarily on nesting birds early in the spring and early summer and then switches to feeding on humans and other animals after the birds leave their nests.
"By mid-July, nesting is over and the C. tarsalis mosquitoes begin feeding on people and other animals," Ogg said. Most incidents of West Nile encephalitis occur from mid-July until frost.
Only females feed on blood. Males feed on the nectar of flowered plants.
Although C. tarsalis is found in eastern Nebraska, it is more abundant in central and western Nebraska. This mosquito tends to be more common in rural areas, Ogg said. Last year during the drought, C. tarsalis bred in irrigation ditches and there were cases of West Nile encephalitis in Nebraska.
The mosquito also poses a threat to horses, although there is a vaccination for horses against West Nile.
There is no vaccine for humans, however, so people should be cautious about getting bitten. Young, healthy individuals rarely have severe reaction to the virus. At most, they may have a headache and minor, flu-like symptoms. Most at risk are people with auto-immune disorders and people over age 65, Ogg said
Appropriations Committees in Both Chambers Approve Ag Spending Bills
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY2014 agriculture appropriations bill Thursday on a 23 to six vote. The bill was approved by the subcommittee with jurisdiction over ag programs on Tuesday. The bill includes $20.93 billion in discretionary spending, up slightly from FY2013. The House Appropriations Committee approved its agriculture spending bill last week on a voice vote, with a total of $19.5 billion in discretionary spending. The Senate Appropriations Committee was also set to approve subcommittee spending allocations, known as 302(b)s, on Thursday; the House Appropriations Committee distributed 302(b)s in May. Though appropriators on both sides of Capitol Hill are moving forward with their work, it’s not clear how or when the chambers will conference a budget resolution or appropriations measures. More from the House Committee is at http://appropriations.house.gov/; more from the Senate Committee is at http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/.
US, EU Formally Launch T-TIP Negotiations
The United States and the European Union announced the formal launch of the U.S.-EU negotiations on a trade and investment agreement during a G-8 meeting this week in Northern Ireland. Formal negotiations on the Transatlantic and Trade Investment Partnership (T-TIP) will begin the week of July 8 in Washington, D.C. The negotiations strive for an ambitious, comprehensive and high-standard agreement.
According to the U.S. Grains Council, the agreement is an opportunity for U.S. agriculture to provide for improved market access and overcome significant barriers to trade, particularly sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions. In comments provided earlier this year to the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Grains Council noted the most significant barrier for U.S. market access for corn and corn co-products (distillers dried grains with solubles, corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal) is the EU asynchronous approval process for genetically modified (GM) events.
Floyd Gaibler, USGC director of trade policy and biotechnology, said T-TIP needs to ensure full and consistent implementation of existing European Union legislation governing approval of agricultural biotechnology products within the timeframes established by European laws and regulations.
"Respecting science and legislated timelines would dramatically reduce the threat of trade disruption and address the growing gap between the deregulation of new biotechnology products in the United States and the approval of those products in the EU," said Gaibler. "Similarly, the EU needs a streamlined approach to regulating stacked events where the individual event products have been previously undergone a risk assessment and been deregulated."
Equally important, Gaibler said there needs to be a comprehensive strategy for a low level presence policy for EU unauthorized GM products in feed, food, and seed.
"The policy should consider practical approaches to unauthorized products, discontinued events, off-license products and products not submitted for approval in the EU," he said.
"Finally, the negotiations should ensure that risk assessment of GM events remains science-based and that efforts be made to acknowledge mutual recognition of approvals with third countries."
Water Shortage in Saudi Arabia Prompting Feed Grain Imports
Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa
A recent study done in Saudi Arabia on the long-term water situation projected that temperatures will increase by about 4 degrees over the next 40 years. This factor alone will increase water requirements by 15 percent, even before factoring in the country's increasing agriculture or increasing population. According to the National Commercial Bank, the population has grown at an average of three percent annually over the past two decades, and it is expected to maintain the same pace for at least the next five years.
Agriculture in Saudi Arabia uses around 90 percent of the water supply, and with its continued rapid growth, will certainly lead to higher water needs. With a chronic shortage of water, the Saudi government has acknowledged that the country will have to remain dependent on other countries for its supply of grains and oilseeds. With poultry production in the country growing at a very fast rate of 8-9 percent per year, the demand for corn is expected to increase by around 30 percent over the next three years.
This is a great opportunity for the U.S. Grains Council to continue promoting U.S. feed grains and co-products into this important market in the Middle East, and ensuring that the United States provides a good portion of the growing feed grain market demands.
Iowa – Chickens & Eggs
Egg production in Iowa for May 2013 was 1.25 billion eggs, up 2 percent from last month and up 2 percent from last year. The total number of layers on hand during May was 52.5 million, down fractionally from last month but up 1 percent from the 51.9 million layers in May 2012. Eggs per 100 layers for the month of May were 2,382, 2 percent higher than last month and only fractionally higher than the 2,372 last year.
United States Chickens & Eggs
United States egg production totaled 8.02 billion during May 2013, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 6.92 billion table eggs, and 1.10 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.02 billion were broiler-type and 79 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during May 2013 averaged 345 million, up 1 percent from last year. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,327 eggs, up 1 percent from May 2012.
All layers in the United States on June 1, 2013 totaled 346 million, up 2 percent from last year. The 346 million layers consisted of 289 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 53.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.15 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on June 1, 2013, averaged 75.2 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from June 1, 2012.
The RFS is Working - Ethanol Production is Increasing and Petroleum Imports are Decreasing
Today, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) replied to questions posed in an energy policy whitepaper released by the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee. The whitepaper is the fourth in a five part series examining the impact of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). In its response, RFA discusses the increase of new ethanol production, the decrease in petroleum imports, and the positive impact of the RFS in making our nation more energy independent.
RFA President and CEO, Bob Dinneen, stressed the positive impact of ethanol and the RFS, “One new energy source — ethanol — is already making a difference. Because of the RFS, ethanol already accounts for 10% of the nation’s gasoline supply. Because of the RFS, ethanol displaced the need for the amount of gasoline refined from 462 million barrels of imported crude oil in 2012. Because of the RFS, the biofuels industry stands ready to contribute substantially more to our nation’s energy and economic security.”
While some believe increased domestic oil production from unconventional sources is driving our dependence on imported oil down, Dinneen explained that such claims exaggerate the impact of these new supplies, and that the far greater impact has been from biofuels, particularly ethanol.
Dinneen stated, “Energy Information Administration cites ‘increased use of domestic biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel)’ as a major driver behind the decrease in petroleum import dependence. In fact, cumulative new ethanol production since 2005 has accounted for 62% of new domestically-produced liquid fuels, while cumulative new U.S. crude oil production has accounted for 38%.”
He then goes on to discuss increasing ethanol production and its impact on decreasing oil imports, specifically in finished gasoline. This can be seen in the chart below.
“As noted in the Committee’s white paper, U.S. dependence on imported oil and petroleum products has fallen in recent years. According to Energy Information Administration data, the share of U.S. petroleum consumption represented by imports has fallen steadily from 60% in 2005 to 40% today. It is important to note that this measure includes net imports of both crude oil and all other petroleum products. If just crude oil is considered, import dependence was 57% in 2012, meaning that the most significant reduction has been in petroleum products, i.e., finished gasoline. While several factors are responsible for the decrease in petroleum import dependence in recent years, the rapid emergence of ethanol production under the RFS stands out as a particularly important catalyst, largely eliminating the need for imported finished gasoline.”
Israeli Trade Team Examines Wheat Crop from Farm to Port
Even in the face of strong competition, the world’s flour millers know they can count on U.S. wheat farmers for a reliable supply of high quality wheat, thanks to export market development programs. That includes millers in Israel, where only 10 percent of milling wheat can be sourced domestically due to a lack of agricultural land and water for irrigation.
To reinforce that relationship, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) organized a team of technical and commercial milling managers from Israel to travel to Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, DC, June 22 to 28 to examine the U.S. hard red winter (HRW) production areas and crops, visit export elevators and discuss trade policy.
“As long-term buyers of U.S. wheat, Israeli millers know the United States has the premium milling wheat they need, but since 2000, U.S. wheat has competed with supplies from the European Union and the Black Sea countries,” said Rotterdam-based USW European Regional Director Goris van Lit, who will accompany the team. “By bringing team members directly to the farm, elevator and port, they get to see that they can trust the products, the people and organizations that USW represents.”
The team will have the opportunity to study the U.S. production, research, transportation and marketing systems in order to explore the technical, religious and commercial comparison between U.S. wheat, domestic Israeli wheat and competitor wheats.
The Israeli trade team is sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and funding from market development programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW also collaborated with the Texas Wheat Producers Board on this team. Trade teams like this one reinforce the reliability, quality and value of the U.S. wheat crop to wheat buyers from around the world.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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