Tuesday June 16 Ag News

Handling Cattle Through High Heat Humidity Indexes
Larry Howard, Nebraska Extension Educator, Cuming County

As cattlemen enter the summer months, they need to understand and deal with heat and humidity. We need to consider some guidelines to help us reduce additional stress on cattle during these events and incorporate some of the following practices into our management practices.

It is first important to understand the relationship between temperature and humidity in respects to the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) or Heat Index. The Beef Cattle THI Chart (http://go.unl.edu/4ewp), will help to determine the risk level in planning cattle handling during the summer months. Cattlemen need to be aware of the risk based on weather forecast of the heat stress.

Handling cattle early in the mornings before temperatures get too high is always recommended. Plan to handle cattle before 8:00 a.m. and never after 10:00 a.m. during summer months. Remember that the animal’s core temperature peaks approximately two hours after the environmental temperature peaks and takes four to six hours to lower back to normal temperature. With this in mind you shouldn’t believe that handling cattle in the evening will reduce the risk of heat stress.

When processing cattle during high heat seasons, work cattle in smaller groups, so cattle are not standing in the holding area much longer than 30 minutes. Producers should consider facilities that are shaded with good air flow to help reduce the heat. A sprinkler system may assist in cooling the area, if the water droplet size is large. Never over-crowd working facilities, work cattle slowly, and use low-stress handling techniques. Remember that processing cattle in any temperature elevates the animal’s core temperature.

Cattle movements should be short distances during hot seasons. Strategic planning on pen movements can assist in reducing unnecessary movements and potential heat stress. Moving heavier cattle closer to loading facilities throughout the feeding period can benefit in managing heat effects.

When planning or improving cattle handling and feeding facilities, cattlemen need to take into consideration air flow, shade, and sprinkler systems for cooling livestock. These considerations can help the danger of heat stress on livestock and improve feeding efficiencies during hot temperature periods.

Another important thing to remember is that compromised animals are at higher risk for heat stress. Those animals that are sick or lame are usually running higher temperatures than normal (average temperature for a beef animal is 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit), combined with hot temperature and high humidity raises their risk of heat stress. Producers will need to take extra precautions with these animals to provide additional resources like shade and cooling.

Summer can be challenging for many cattle producers. By implementing some handling guidelines, cattlemen can reduce the risk level of heat stress and improve cattle performance.

The Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance website, bqa.unl.edu, has additional resources and links available for more information on cattle handling, processing, and facility design.



AVOID POISONING LIVESTOCK WITH HEMLOCK
Bruce Anderson, Nebraska Extension Forage Specialist

               Have you noticed tall weeds with umbrella-like white flowers in moist areas of pastures recently?  It’s probably hemlock, and it could poison your livestock.

               Poison hemlock and its cousin, water hemlock, are two of the most poisonous of all flowering plants.  We find them throughout our region, especially in wet or moist soils along streams, roadsides, and  grasslands.  The heavy, persistent rain this spring has made them abundant and especially vigorous this year.

               Fortunately, hemlock usually is not palatable to livestock.  Animals won’t eat much of it unless very hungry or if the plant has been altered in some way.

               So how should this affect your management?  It’s critical that you avoid overgrazing pastures that contain hemlock.  When adequate forage is available to graze, animals select healthy, palatable plants to eat and avoid the hemlock.  But if grass gets short, even unpalatable poisonous plants might be eaten.  This includes turning hungry animals into fresh pasture containing hemlock, since some hungry animals will eat the first green plant they come to when very hungry, palatable or not.  Also make sure plenty of water, salt, and mineral always are available.  Animals deprived of water or mineral may eat abnormally, increasing the risk of consuming some hemlock.

               Do not try to control hemlock during the grazing season by clipping or spraying.  I repeat – do not spray or clip hemlock during the grazing season.  This alters the plant and actually can increase its palatability, making it more likely that animals will eat enough of it to cause poisoning.

               The risk of poisoning animals with hemlock may be greater than normal this year.  But, graze intelligently and losses can be avoided.



Ag Land Market Continues a Gradual Decline

While current land values have generally trended lower this past year in comparison to the sharp increases of recent years, results of farm and ranch income at year’s end could shift land market dynamics, according to Farmers National Company, the nation’s leading farm and ranch real estate company.

     “Harvest results of 2015 will make it a pivotal year, which could impact the land market for several years,” said Randy Dickhut, AFM, Vice President of Real Estate Operations of Farmers National Company. “Farm and ranch income will drive the direction. A great deal could happen between now and November.”

    Dickhut says margin compression is occurring as a result of lower grain prices and steady input costs. He believes higher grain prices this fall would stabilize land values; however, lower prices could push values downward.

     While farm and ranch profits are forecast to be lower in 2015 affecting annual cash flows, agriculture overall remains financially strong due to past profits. Operators working to shore up financial stress brought on by overextending cash flow may be looking for strategies to improve their finances. This could lead to a boost in sales as property owners work to right balance sheets, according to Dickhut.

Location and quality of land continue to be the main drivers of pricing for individual tracts. The stability of this market is maintained by a lower supply of land for sale, contrasted with a continued demand for quality properties.

     Farmers National Company statistics show the volume of properties for sale is down 40 percent over the past six months, as compared to the past two years. “The current level of available land is having a real impact on farm and ranch operations looking to expand,” said Dickhut. “Demand is still good for quality land. The market just isn’t as aggressive as in the past few years, so values are drifting sideways to lower.”

     The market slowdown can, in some ways, be blamed on the absence of tax policy changes, which helped prompt sales this past year to some degree. While land values are down nearly 10 percent in most areas, price softening is happening at different rates in each region. For example, sales in the Northwest have been brisk, as the California drought is driving activity north. The Southern Delta region hasn’t seen much decline, while parts of the Midwest are experiencing significant drops in value.

     While current buyers are predominantly active farmers and ranchers adding land to their operations, interest from investment funds and individuals is on the rise. In addition, generational land transfers continue to play a large role in market movements, as many inheriting land choose to sell.

     “With the softening of land values, some investors are looking at this as an opportune time to buy,” said Dickhut. “Land is considered a low risk long-term investment, so we will see these types of buyers jumping into the land market more and more over the next several years.”

     Demand for cropland and grazing land from owner operators remains good, but buyers are being more realistic in what they will pay given lower grain prices. Land professionals are  recommending  that sellers be more realistic in evaluating the quality of their land and the expected selling price in order to have a successful sale.

     According to Dickhut, long term economic trends look positive in relation to land values and ag markets. Demand for feed grains and protein sources by China and other world markets will remain strong long term as the growing world population has a desire to eat better.

   “Demand for our products creates a positive outlook,” said Dickhut. “Any adjustments to values and sales activity are likely to be slow and steady so the impact won’t be overwhelming.

Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming
During the first half of 2015, the wide region covering Colorado, western South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming saw continued healthy land sales activity. While values have not increased significantly, they are still at a steady,high level.

As the demand for average to medium quality cropland has softened as much as 10 to 20 percent, individual areas in south-central and southwest Nebraska have seen 25 percent decreases in land prices, said JD Maxson, area sales manager for Farmers National Company in North Platte, Neb.

Area demand still remains strong for high quality farms with top class soils, excellent access and gentle, rolling topography. However, a lack of high quality cropland inventory available has slowed
the overall land market, Maxson said.

Land auctions held in eastern Nebraska during the first half of 2015 drew sales at or above appraised prices. “The key to this auction activity is prime location,” said Maxson. “Areas in south-central and western Nebraska conversely are feeling the impact of lower commodity prices.”

High inputs and shorter profit margins have area farm operators nd investors concerned with bottom line profits.  With overall cattle numbers down, grazing acres and pasture grass remain relatively strong, as livestock producers focus on building their herds.

“Looking toward the end of 2015, we are likely to continue to see relatively flat land prices if we do not see an upward movement in commodity price,” said Maxson.

Prices in this wide region are ranging from $4,000 to $10,500 per acre for high quality tillable acres, with location, soils and topography dictating price.

Iowa and Minnesota
Low commodity prices have finally started to affect land values in Iowa and Minnesota, according to Sam Kain, ALC, GRI, ABRM, national sales manager for Farmers National Company, West Des Moines, Iowa. In areas where there is fewer livestock being raised, land values have definitely softened. Specific areas that have seen outbreaks of the Avian flu will definitely see a downward trend, as owners have had to destroy more than 30 million birds.

Owners planning to sell during 2015 should be prepared to market properties beyond their local areas to draw top buyers, according to Kain. “It is going to be even more important than ever as values shift slightly downward, to reach out to potential purchasers in areas further away,” he said.

In Iowa, top quality land is selling at more than $11,000 per acre, while Minnesota values arereaching $8,100 per acre.


ONE PROBABLE CASE OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN WRIGHT COUNTY; ALL PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SITES DEPOPULATED

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to a probable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Wright County.  The Department has quarantined the premise and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

Wright 6 – Commercial layer with an estimated 1 million birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) located in Ames, which is under the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

As the Department receives final confirmations of the disease, updated information will be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp.



Bird Flu Leads to Cheaper Chicken in US

(AP) -- A bird flu outbreak in the Midwest that's boosted prices for eggs and roasting turkeys has actually resulted in cheaper chicken in the U.S., as many countries restrict imports of poultry products, the Department of Agriculture said in a report released Tuesday.

Even though bird flu has not found its way onto farms that raise chickens for meat, lower exports mean plenty of chicken available in the U.S., the agency said in its monthly report on the poultry market.

"What this situation has done is increase the amount of broiler products on the domestic market, boosting cold storage holdings and resulting in placing downward price pressure on a number of broiler products," the USDA said.

At the end of April, 181 million pounds of leg quarters were in cold storage, 80 percent more than last year. Leg quarters are the largest chicken meat export product.

May wholesale prices in the Northeast market for bulk leg quarters averaged 34 cents per pound, 32 percent lower than a year earlier. Prices for drumsticks were down 33 percent and boneless/skinless thigh meat was down 19 percent, the USDA said.

The bird flu cost Minnesota, the leading turkey producer, 9 million birds. Egg farms in Iowa, the nation's leading egg producer, lost 25 million hens.

The frequency of new cases has slowed dramatically, with no new commercial barn cases in Minnesota in 11 days. Iowa went six days without a new case until Tuesday, when Iowa agriculture officials said a chicken farm with 1 million egg-layers tested positive.

The USDA lowered its forecast for table egg production this year to 6.9 billion dozen, a 5.3 percent drop from 2014. Fewer eggs created a supply shortage and higher prices. By late May, the price for a dozen Midwest large eggs had soared 120 percent from their mid-April pre-bird flu prices to $2.62, said Urner Barry, an industry analyst group. Prices began falling last week and were at $2.22 a dozen on Tuesday. Breaker eggs --- those used in processed food and by bakers for cakes and cookies --- soared 273 percent at the peak and have fallen only slightly in the last week.

Turkey production for this year is estimated at 5.6 billion pounds, a 3 percent reduction from 2014, the USDA said. The relatively small decrease is because production for the first three months of the year was 7 percent higher than a year ago, before the bird flu surfaced in the Midwest.

Prices for some turkey parts, including drumsticks, were lower than a year ago in April, but boneless/skinless breast meat was 8 percent higher. Whole frozen hens often used for roasting were 3 percent higher in May than the same month a year ago at $1.09 per pound. They are expected to climb to as much as $1.15 a pound in the third quarter.



Soybean Farmers Prepared for Phase out of Partially Hydrogenated Oils

Trans fats have been an active part of the soy industry’s vernacular for decades. And, for the past decade, the industry – including the farmers who grow soybeans – have been working on solutions to meet food-customer needs for a stable oil without partial hydrogenation, which causes trans fats.

The FDA’s recent announcement to phase out partially hydrogenated vegetable oils did not come as a shock to soybean farmers. In fact, the United Soybean Board (USB) has been working with industry on two replacement options for partially hydrogenated soybean oil for more than 10 years. And now, those solutions are coming to the forefront.

“The soy industry estimates that 2 billion pounds of partially hydrogenated soybean oil are used in food today,” says Jimmy Sneed, a soybean farmer from Hernando, Mississippi and USB farmer-leader. “We’re excited to bring solutions like high oleic and interesterified soybean oil to the market and ready to shift the discussion to innovation.” 

High oleic soybeans produce an oil that food companies can use for stability without the need for partial hydrogenation. Farmers currently grow high oleic soybeans in nine states, with more acreage being added each year.

Commodity soybean farmers can help with the solution, as well. By interesterifying commodity soybean oil, processors produce a hard fat, similar to the consistency of margarine, which helps meet needs for some baking customers.

“The U.S. food industry continues to be an important customer to soybean farmers and the entire soybean industry,” adds Sneed. “High oleic soybeans and interesterified soybean oil are solutions brought online to help food companies maintain the taste consumers prefer, while using a domestically sourced, sustainable oil.”

The FDA has been considering removing the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status of partially hydrogenated oils since late 2013. After an open comment period in 2014, it announced this week intentions to phase out partially hydrogenated oils over the next three years.

Farmers interested in helping bring the solutions to the market sooner through high oleic soybeans should talk to their local seed or processing representative, or visit soyinnovation.com.



In Trans Fat Decision, FDA Adds Time for High Oleic Soybean Oil to Meet Market Needs

Following a final ruling from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today that rescinds the generally regarded as safe (GRAS) designation for partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the American Soybean Association (ASA) noted the industry’s ongoing progress at removing trans fats from American diets, and thanked FDA for the three-year time period – until June of 2018 – for the food industry to replace most uses of PHOs. ASA believes this compliance period will allow the U.S. soybean industry to ramp up production of high oleic soybean oil that can safely replace PHOs and highly saturated fats such as palm oil in many food applications.

“ASA absolutely echoes the commitment from both government and the food industry to better public health through nutrition, which can be seen in the more than 70 percent reduction in trans fat consumption since 2003,” said Wade Cowan, ASA’s president and a soybean farmer from Brownfield, Texas.

In its comments on FDA’s proposed rule, ASA called on FDA to build in the time needed by the soybean industry to increase production of high oleic soybean varieties, which provide the functionality of PHOs in many baking and frying applications without the addition of trans fats.

“High oleic soybeans represent a key evolution in soybean farmers’ ability to meet the needs of our customers,” said Cowan. “But we’ve emphasized to FDA all along that we need the time to get the high oleic trait integrated into soybean varieties and approved in overseas markets so we can produce what the industry demands.”

By June of 2018, the food industry must replace the existing use of PHOs in the marketplace, estimated at between 2 and 2.5 billion pounds. The concern, said Cowan, was that without a suitable ramp-up timeframe, the food industry to get the functional characteristics it needs for certain applications would turn to competing oils such as palm oil that are either high in saturated fat or that create a detrimental environmental impact.

“Soybean oil contains no trans fat, is low in saturated fat, is sustainable, and is a broadly available, domestic option for the food industry here in the United States,” he said. “We hope our partners in the food industry will utilize the timeframe FDA has provided, and join us as we move seamlessly to high oleic soybean oil to replace PHOs.”



Biodiesel Producers Take RFS Advocacy to Congress

Nearly 120 biodiesel producers and other industry leaders are visiting Washington this week calling on lawmakers to push for a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) as the EPA finalizes a long-awaited rule.

The industry leaders represent businesses in some 30 states supporting thousands of jobs from California to Iowa to Florida.

“We want to show Congress that the RFS is working and that thousands of jobs are at stake in this pending EPA rule,” said Anne Steckel, National Biodiesel Board vice president of federal affairs. “We want lawmakers to see first-hand how these issues are playing out in their states and districts. The RFS is not some political football. It’s a successful policy that’s driving innovation, creating jobs and building competition in the fuels markets.”

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the EPA’s definition as an Advanced Biofuel - meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel.

The EPA recently released its draft RFS proposal that provides modest growth for biodiesel over several years. The proposal would increase the Biomass-based Diesel sector of the RFS by about 100 million gallons per year to 1.9 billion gallons in 2017.

“The proposal is a step in the right direction, and we appreciate the Administration’s efforts to strengthen and grow the RFS,” Steckel said. “However, there is plenty of room for improvement before it is finalized in November. We intend to make sure policy makers in Washington understand biodiesel’s full potential to help grow the economy and strengthen our energy security while sharply reducing pollution.”



Federal Spending Bill Includes Important Provisions for Producers

The House Interior appropriations bill passed through committee today 30 to 21. The Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association strongly support the bill, which allocates how federal dollars are spent for the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies during fiscal year 2016. The bill included language that would help provide relief from the regulatory burdens that continue to hamper the productivity and profitability of farmers and ranchers across the country.

From language that blocks the listing of the Sage Grouse, to requiring alternative allotments where ranchers are impacted by drought or wildfire without the need to complete extensive environmental analyses and many others, Dustin Van Liew, PLC and NCBA federal lands executive director, said the provisions are important to keeping livestock producers in business.

This bill would maintain the current grazing fee, fund the range budgets at the same levels as fiscal year 2015 and prohibit funding for the creation of de facto wilderness areas under Secretarial Order 3310. These are all critical in maintaining the viability of federal lands grazing and multiple use.

“This bill contained several priorities for public lands ranchers,” said Van Liew. “Our industry supports the current federal grazing fee formula, which is based on market criteria and accurately reflects the costs of operating on public lands. We also support maintaining range budgets so the agencies can retain staff and work to reduce backlogs, managing the additional burdens of red-tape and frivolous litigation.”

The bill also continues to block listing of the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act through September 30, 2016.

“Due to a closed-door settlement between United States Fish and Wildlife Service and radical environmental groups, arbitrary deadlines have been set for making hundreds of decisions on species in all fifty states to be listed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Van Liew. “We encourage Congress to provide direction to the agencies to defer to state sage grouse management plans so that land management agencies cannot continue to make decisions that will negatively impact livestock grazing. Research shows that livestock grazing is one of the only tools available to benefit sage grouse habitat; reducing fuel loads and preserving open space.”

Scott Yager, NCBA environmental counsel, commended lawmakers for including language that would help reign in the EPA’s attempt to control even more land and water on private property.

“This committee took the much needed step of defunding the implementation of the EPA’s waters of the United States final rule,” said Yager. “The final rule released by the agency does not satisfy the concerns of cattle producers or land owners. The provisions contained in this legislation send a clear signal to the EPA that they need to start over, working with Congress, land owners, and the states to draft a rule that will work for everyone.”

The committee took a positive step, in line with last year’s bill, by including a provision to withhold funding to any rule that would require mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. The committee additionally continued to include language preventing EPA from requiring Clean Air Act permits from livestock operations based on greenhouse gas emissions.

PLC and NCBA encourage the full House to take up this bill without delay.



National Wheat Foundation Launches 2015 Wheat Harvest Photo Contest

America’s wheat harvest is something to celebrate. The National Wheat Foundation is proud to sponsor a photo contest recognizing wheat farmers and showcasing this year’s harvest season.

“We are excited to announce the 2015 Wheat Harvest Photo Contest,” said National Wheat Foundation Chairman and Colorado wheat farmer, Dusty Tallman. ”We want to commemorate this year’s harvest and thank America’s wheat farmers by inviting all to enter our photo contest.”

Entering the photo contest is simple. Email your best 2015 wheat harvest picture to kbullerman@wheatworld.org. Photos will be posted on the National Wheat Foundation’s Facebook page. The Foundation directors will vote to determine the winning photo. All photos must be received by August 28, 2015. The NWF Directors will be awarding four winners. First place will receive an iPad and three runners up will receive a 50-dollar gift card. The winning photos will be displayed in the Wheat Growers office in Washington, D.C.

“America’s wheat farmers are dedicated to producing a healthy, sustainable and safe wheat crop harvesting over 45 million acres each year,” said Tallman. ”Join us in celebrating the 2015 wheat harvest and the continued success of the U.S. wheat industry.”

Contest Rules: Photos must have been taken during the 2015 wheat harvest. Entries must be submitted by email to kbullerman@wheatworld.org before August 28, 2015. There is no limit on the number of entries. Entrants must be located in the United States and be at least 14 years of age.



Syngenta Drive to Thrive 10 finalists announced

Syngenta announced today the 10 finalists in its Drive to Thrive contest. These finalists, who will each receive a mini touch-screen tablet and leather case, will now compete for the grand prize – a $500 gift card, plus Syngenta will donate $1,000 to the winner’s favorite local charity or civic organization. The winner also will be featured in an upcoming issue of Thrive magazine. The competition, which began in February, invited growers and other agricultural industry professionals to describe how farming makes their communities thrive. 

"Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the success of so many communities across the country,” said Wendell Calhoun, communications manager at Syngenta. “We are proud to recognize our 10 Drive to Thrive finalists, and thank all of our readers for their participation in this year’s contest.”

The finalists are:
    Nicholas Blevins from Hiawatha, Kansas
    Mike Dierickx from Long Grove, Iowa
    Rachel Fishback from Washington, Iowa
    Cheryl Groenwold from Norcross, Minnesota
    Stacey Lilja from Leonard, North Dakota
    Krista Lottinville from Sheldon, Illinois
    Jeremy Wayne Moore from Pope, Mississippi
    Kevin Rempp from Montezuma, Iowa
    Jared Larry Skelton from Larned, Kansas
    Ernest Waldner from Raymond, South Dakota

Syngenta has posted all 10 winning entries to the Thrive website. Online voting, along with the judges’ scores, will determine the grand prizewinner. Voting ends Sept. 1, 2015, with Syngenta announcing the winner in October.

For more information and to vote for your favorite, go to the Drive to Thrive page at www.syngentathrive.com. Join the conversation online – connect with us at social.syngentaus.com.