Friday Septmeber 25 Hogs & Pigs Report + Ag News

NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY UP 3 PERCENT

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2015, was 3.2 million head, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  This was up 3 percent from September 1, 2014, but unchanged from June 1, 2015.  

Breeding hog inventory, at 410,000 head, was up 5 percent from September 1, 2014, but unchanged from last quarter.  Market hog inventory, at 2.79 million head, was up 3 percent from last year, but unchanged from last quarter.  

The June - August 2015 Nebraska pig crop, at 1.89 million head, was down 1 percent from 2014.  Sows farrowed during the period totaled 170,000 head, down 3 percent from last year.  The average pigs saved per litter was a record high of 11.10 for the June – August period, compared to 10.90 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 175,000 sows during the September – November 2015 quarter, down 3 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.  Intended farrowings for December 2015 – February 2016 are 170,000 sows, unchanged from the actual farrowings during the same period the previous year.  



IOWA HOGS AND PIGS REPORT

On September 1, 2015,  there were 21.2 million hogs  and pigs on  Iowa  farms,  according  to  the  latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Hogs and Pigs report.  This is the second highest inventory since records began in 1870, behind only December 2014’s inventory of 21.3 million. The September 1 inventory was up 1 percent from June and up 2 percent from last September’s 20.8 million head. 

The June-August quarterly pig crop was 5.40 million head, up 3 percent from the previous quarter, but 5 percent below last year. A total of 500,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 10.80 for the June-August quarter, a record high.

As of September 1, producers planned to farrow 490,000 head of sows and gilts in the September-November quarter and 485,000 head during the December 2015-February 2016 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up 4 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on September 1, 2015 was 68.4 million head. This was up 4 percent from September 1, 2014, and up 2 percent from June 1, 2015. This is the highest inventory of all hogs and pigs since quarterly United States estimates began in 1988.

Breeding inventory, at 5.99 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up 1 percent from the previous quarter.

Market hog inventory, at 62.4 million head, was up 4 percent from last year, and up 2 percent from last quarter. This is the highest market hog inventory since quarterly United States estimates began in 1988.

The June-August 2015 pig crop, at 30.6 million head, was up 1 percent from 2014. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.94 million head, down 2 percent from 2014. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 50 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record high 10.39 for the June-August period, compared to 10.16 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 8.00 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 10.40 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

United States hog producers intend to have 2.92 million sows farrow during the September-November 2015 quarter, down 2 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2014, but up 5 percent from 2013. Intended farrowings for December-February 2016, at 2.87 million sows, are down 1 percent from 2015, but up 4 percent from 2014.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 47 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up from 46 percent last year.



Forty-Seven Senators File Resolution to Kill WOTUS

Forty-seven senators, led by Joni Ernst of Iowa, filed a resolution to kill the Obama administration's controversial water rule using the Congressional Review Act.

The 1996 law allows expedited procedures to be used to block new regulations. They are most significant in the Senate, where the law limits debate time and bans the use of some common procedural delay tactics, including the filibuster. That means a resolution needs only a simple majority to pass.

Nebraska Rep. Adrian Smith already filed a joint resolution of disapproval for the Waters of the U.S. rule in July, which was referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee but hasn't moved since. It is unclear whether the Senate's resolution is any more likely to see action. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), an avowed opponent of the water rule, is among the co-sponsors.

But even if the resolution were to pass, President Obama is certain to veto it, and critics of the rule would still need to muster a two-thirds majority for an override.



THISTLE CONTROL DURING OCTOBER
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Timing is everything.  That's particularly true with thistle control.  And October to early November is one of the best times to use herbicides.

               Did you have thistles this year?  If so, walk out in those infected areas this week.  Look close.  I'll bet you find many thistle seedlings.  Most thistle seedlings this fall will be small, in a flat, rosette growth form, and they are very sensitive now to certain herbicides.  So spray this fall and thistles will not be a big problem next year.

               Several herbicides are effective and recommended for thistle control.  Several newer herbicides like ForeFront, Milestone, and Chaparral are very effective.  Two other very effective herbicides are Tordon 22K and Grazon.  Be careful with all these herbicides, but especially Tordon and Grazon, since they also can kill woody plants, including trees you might want to keep.  2,4-D also works well while it’s warm, but you will get better thistle control by using a little less 2,4-D and adding a small amount of Banvel or dicamba to the mix.

               Other herbicides also can control thistles in pastures – like Redeem, Cimarron, and Curtail.  No matter which weed killer you use, though, be sure to read and follow label instructions, and be sure to spray on time.  

               Next year, avoid overgrazing your pastures so your grass stands get thicker and compete with any new thistle seedlings.

               Give some thought now to thistle control during October and November.  Your pastures can be cleaner next spring.



Cargill to Convert Nebraska Meat Plant, Move Ground Beef Operations

Cargill is investing $111 million to convert its ground beef plant at Columbus, Neb., to a cooked meats facility and relocate ground beef production currently taking place there. The converted plant will give the company capabilities it currently does not possess to produce specific types of cooked meat products for its customers.

The conversion will begin in early December 2015, with cooked meat production scheduled to start in mid-2016. Ground beef production currently taking place at Columbus will be relocated to existing processing facilities at Butler, Wis., and Forth Worth, Texas.

"This project, especially the investment we're making in Columbus, is significant and exciting, and it represents our long-term commitment to current and future Cargill customers, as well as to the community," explained John Niemann, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Cargill Turkey and Cooked Meats.

"When completed, our Columbus plant will give us a variety of cooked meat processing capabilities we currently don't have, and those new capabilities will provide our customers with more options to help them grow their businesses," said Niemann.

Approximately $27 million will be carved out of the total funding package for investment in the company's ground beef plants at Butler and Fort Worth, where additional new production lines will be installed. The new lines will increase overall capacity, improve efficiency and enhance the company's capability to service Cargill foodservice customers.

"These changes will better position us to serve a variety of Cargill customers while enhancing our ability to provide them with products and support they value," stated Chris Roberts, president of Cargill Value Added Protein, also based in Wichita.

"Our focus is on doing whatever is required to help grow our customers' businesses by meeting consumers' needs which, in turn, will help us grow our business. This is a win-win for our customers, Cargill and the community, and something we believe is important for us to do to maintain our competitive edge in the marketplace going forward," said Roberts.

Both Niemann and Roberts point to the 150-year heritage Cargill has for nourishing people and communities as a motivational driver that contributes to the success of the company's operations at Columbus, Butler and Fort Worth, as well as at its other protein operations in North America.

"From Cargill's humble beginning in rural Iowa during 1865, the company has maintained a deeply seated sense of responsibility to help feed and nourish people, and we are serious about doing so in a transparent and sustainable way that helps everyone in the value chain thrive," said Niemann.

Of the 250 positions currently at the Columbus facility, approximately 80 will be impacted when the conversion begins in December, and the company is working with those employees to provide information about opportunities to fill open positions at other Cargill facilities in the region.

The company is optimistic that each affected employee will choose to take an open position with the company at another of those locations. The impacted employees are also being offered support if relocation is required.



Natural Resources Districts Talk Future Changes To Nebraska

Groundbreaking information and the latest ways to keep Nebraska’s water, soil and other natural resources protected and the public safe will be presented at the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Annual Conference on Monday, September 28th and Tuesday, September 29th of 2015. 

Several Nebraska senators are scheduled to attend the Annual Conference on Monday and Tuesday. The Annual Conference is being held at the Younes Conference Center at 416 W. Talmadge Road in Kearney, NE.

The media is invited to attend the two-day event. There are several important topics that affect all Nebraskans that will be discussed.

Here are a few key topics:
-          The latest on the Niobrara River Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding. Now that the Natural Resources Districts have partnered with Game and Parks Commission and NPPD in conserving the Niobrara River, what’s the next step and why is this agreement vital to the success of the Niobrara River? The NRDs will dive into this subject and update everyone on the latest things they’re working on. (Monday at 9:50 am – Room: Diamond 4-5)

-          The Natural Resources Districts are debuting a brand new website called the NRD Oral History Project. They partnered with the Water for Food Institute and the Nebraska Historical Society to create a one-of-a-kind website that has recorded the history of the NRDs by the early leaders who were there in the beginning. (Monday 9:30 am – Room: Diamond 4-5)

-          The Natural Resources Districts teamed up with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to save extra flood water from flooding on the South Platte and Platte Rivers in 2015 to recharge the local aquifer and even prevented flood damage.

-          Topics also include updates on the Republican River Basin, Southeast Nebraska Flooding, drone use and how Milkweed plants may be the key to keeping Monarch butterflies fluttering through Nebraska.



Beef Checkoff Shorts ... Promotion

Did you know ... The checkoff’s Summer Grilling Veal promotion grilled up results? The promotion wrapped up Sept. 4, supported by more than 2,000 grocery outlets and more than 340,000 on-pack recipe labels. The promotion was boosted through a checkoff partnership with the Mushroom Council, which supported the veal promotion through its social media channels, including Instagram Videos.

Did you know ... The checkoff is helping to build the best school lunch ever? A big question on the minds of many millennial parents this time of year is what to pack for their kids’ school lunches that is both delicious and nutritious. That’s why the checkoff provides these parents with a selection of nutritious beef recipes, simple tips, and a how-to video that helps ensure that kids eat and enjoy their favorites at lunch every day. Dr. Chris Mohr, a notable sports nutritionist and registered dietitian, provides his insights and strategies about building the “Best. School lunch. Ever.” through a new landing page on the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner”.

Did you know ... The checkoff is engaging consumers through Pinterest? The checkoff’s last few months of promoting beef on the quickly growing Pinterest social-media platform has engaged and inspired consumers with beef recipes and information, simultaneously growing the checkoff’s “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” Pinterest page followers by a whopping 65 percent! The checkoff accomplished more than 134,000 promoted-pin “engagements,” which includes re-pins, likes and comments on checkoff promotions. That far surpassed the Pinterest re-pin rate benchmark of 2 to 5 percent by achieving a 33 percent re-pin rate.

To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



Iowa pig farmers connect farm to fork during October Pork Month

October became known as Pork Month because it marked the time of year when hogs were traditionally marketed. Today, it serves as a celebration to thank pig farmers and share their stories with consumers.

"If you eat, you have a connection to a farmer every day," said David Struthers, a hog farmer from Collins and president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "October Pork Month is an opportunity to refresh the connection consumers have with farmers. Our mission is to produce safe, nutritious food in a responsible manner for families across the United States and around the world."

In 2008, pork producers adopted six We CareSM ethical principles at the National Pork Industry Forum. The pork industry follows the six guiding ethical principles of the We Care initiative to maintain a safe, high-quality pork supply. Pig farmers are committed to:
    Producing safe food
    Safeguarding natural resources in all industry practices
    Providing a work environment that is safe and consistent with the industry's other ethical principles
    Contributing to a better quality of life in communities
    Protecting and promoting animal well-being
    Ensuring practices to protect public health

"The ethical principles define our values and who we are," said Struthers. "Consumers can be confident that the pork they eat was raised using these ethical principles."

Pork is the world's most widely eaten meat, representing 36 percent of all meat consumed, according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

According to retail scanner data from June 30, 2014, to June 28, 2015, the top five most popular pork cuts sold are boneless New York chops, back ribs, bone-in chops, spareribs and boneless tenderloin.

In terms of sales, boneless New York Chops accounted for more than $836 million, back ribs more than $674 million, bone-in chops more than $432 million, spareribs more than $352 million and boneless tenderloin more than $398 million.

"Consumers recognize the versatility of serving pork in their homes," Struthers said. "Cook pork until the internal temperature reaches between 145 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest. This will ensure flavorful and tender pork on the plate."



Iowa pig farmers and Culver's partner for October Pork Month

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is teaming up with Culver's restaurants in Iowa during a special October Pork Month "Bacon-up" promotion.

Culver's customers will be encouraged to add bacon to their ButterBurger® or other sandwich orders throughout the month. In addition, on Oct. 1 only, Culver's will take $1 off its pork tenderloin basket. Special in-store signage will be displayed at each of Culver's 34 Iowa restaurants during the month.

October was designated National Pork Month because it marked the time of year when pigs were traditionally marketed. Hog farmers celebrate the month by sharing their stories and promoting pork.

"To help celebrate, pig farmers encourage busy families throughout Iowa to enjoy the delicious pork products Culver's offers, especially when they're on the go this fall," said Kelsey Sutter, marketing and program director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "If you've never tried Culver's breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, October 1 will be a perfect time because it will cost a dollar less."

In addition to the in-store promotions, a short video highlighting the pork tenderloin sandwich, introducing consumers to Midwest pig farmers and providing an inside look at modern hog barns and production practices will be available on Oct. 1. "A Heartland-inspired Specialty" will be featured on the Culver's website, Facebook page and YouTube channel. The video also will be posted for viewing on the IPPA website and Facebook page.

"We naturally promote pork and encourage consumption throughout the year, but October is our month and we ask consumers to support Iowa's hog farming families by enjoying the delicious products they humanely produce on a daily basis," Sutter said.

Culver's locations in Illinois and Wisconsin also are participating in the October Pork Month promotion.

To learn more about hog farming today or find inspiring pork recipes, visit iowapork.org or porkbeinspired.com.



IA Corn Growers Announce 60 Day Harvest Weight Limit Waiver

To help haul in this year’s harvest, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into effect today a proclamation granting a temporary weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The 2015 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed the truck’s regular maximum by more than 12.5 percent per axle and must obey the posted limits on all roads and bridges.

“We as farmers understand the harvest weight proclamation is not a right by law, but a petition to the Governor,” said Bob Hemesath, a farmer from Decorah and President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA). “On behalf of Iowa farmers, we sincerely thank Governor Branstad for the proclamation, which will significantly improve farmers’ efficiency during harvest.”

ICGA provided Governor Branstad the information required for a proclamation, as well as information on the estimated harvest predictions. The proclamation directs the Iowa Department of Transportation to monitor the operation of the proclamation, assure the public’s safety and facilitate the movement of the trucks involved. Farmers who are transporting grain are also required to follow their vehicle safety standards on axle weights.

The exemption will be granted for 60 days beginning, September 25, 2015.



Corn Growers Thank Speaker Boehner for Legacy of Service
National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling today released the following statement regarding the retirement announcement of House Speaker John Boehner:

“We are grateful for Speaker Boehner’s leadership in so many areas, including service on the House Agriculture Committee, and his work for a more transparent and productive Congress. We note this announcement comes the day after Pope Francis addressed a Joint Session of Congress, at the speaker’s invitation, calling politics ‘an expression of our compelling need to live as one, in order to build as one the greatest common good: that of a community which sacrifices particular interests in order to share, in justice and peace, its goods, its interests, its social life.’ Speaker Boehner has always striven to live up to these words, and we hope Congress will also take this message to heart. We ask Congress to set aside partisan interests and work together to solve important issues such as the federal budget, tax reform, and investing in our roads and bridges. Let's come to the table with constructive solutions to move our country forward.”



NPPC CRITICAL OF FDA ANIMAL FEED RULE

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently released its final rule on animal feed, and the National Pork Producers Council has concerns with it. Issued in response to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the regulation gives FDA considerably more regulatory and enforcement authority over the production, distribution and storage of all animal feeds. It is closely modelled on the rule for human food and takes an intensive “HAACP-like” approach to feed safety. Although the rule contains an exemption for farms, it does not exempt people or businesses that produce feed for animals they own if the feed mill and animals are not on the same farm. Feed mills that supply contract growers – even in the same system where there is common ownership of the mill and animals – will not be exempt, according to FDA. Covered feed production facilities will be required to have a hazard analysis conducted, develop good manufacturing practices and implement preventative controls. Compliance will be costly for covered facilities, with estimates on the hazard analysis alone in the $170,000 range. NPPC, along with other animal agriculture organizations, is reviewing the underlying authority for the rule but doesn’t believe it was the intent of Congress to give FDA such reach onto livestock farms. NPPC will be asking Congress for clarification to the FSMA.



National Farmers Union Thanks Pope Francis For His Focus on Climate Change

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today welcomed Pope Francis to the nation’s capital for the first-ever papal address of a joint session of Congress and specifically for the world-wide attention he has made for climate change. Johnson noted that the NFU board of directors recently selected climate change as the organization’s top issue area going forward because of the tremendous threat it poses to family agriculture.

“The attention that Pope Francis has brought to bear on the issue of climate change is a great gift to family farmers, ranchers and those who rely on them for sustenance. It has challenged us to focus on this enormous threat that increased weather volatility poses to farmers everyday,” said Johnson.

In June, the Pope issued the Encyclical, “On Care for our Common Home,” that both recognized climate change as a real global phenomenon and specifically challenged humans of all faiths to take actions to address it. “In recent decades this warming has been accompanied by a constant rise in the sea level and, it would appear, by an increase of extreme weather events, even if a scientifically determinable cause cannot be assigned to each particular phenomenon. Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat this warming or at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it,” notes the document.

Five Farmers Union state presidents – representing Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana  – and NFU’s chief counsel were granted an audience with Pope Francis in March following a weeklong series of meetings in Milan that focused on the importance of family farming and food security. “We’re very proud that Farmers Union leaders from across the nation have played an active role in highlighting the challenges farmers face with climate change,” noted Johnson.

Minnesota Farmers Union President Doug Peterson said he was quite pleased that the Encyclical focused on a number of issues of great importance to family farming. “The 178-page encyclical actually used farm-related terminology thirty times, underscoring that the Pope both understands and chose to highlight the challenges farmers face,” said Peterson.

Wisconsin Farmers Union President Darin Von Ruden noted, “the Vatican understands the various issues facing production agriculture, and also the fact that climate change will impact all of us, but unfortunately the developing world will feel its brunt the most.”

The Encyclical notes that, “climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day. Its worst impact will probably be felt by developing countries in coming decades.”

“Clearly, climate change and its direct impact on food security – particularly in a time of rapid population expansion like we’re experiencing today – is a challenge for the whole world,” said Johnson. “And when the Pope is delivering the message, it’s nearly impossible to avoid hearing it.”



NFU Applauds Administration for International Climate Change Agreement

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today applauded President Obama for issuing a joint statement with Chinese President Xi Jinping announcing the countries’ goals for an international climate agreement, citing the negative consequences climate change could have for global food security.

“Climate change jeopardizes the security of the global food system,” Johnson said. “NFU applauds the efforts of the Obama administration and President Xi to address this growing risk for American family farmers and ranchers, as well as those who rely on them for sustenance.”

Johnson noted that more frequent extreme weather events and changing access to water threaten farmers’ yields, and have the potential to further consolidate an already concentrated food industry.

“The amount of capital that will be required to cope with these adverse weather impacts threatens the livelihoods of many in family agriculture,” said Johnson. “Many producers will not be able to withstand severe periods of drought or excess wet and cold spells. This, in turn, could worsen the already existing, troubling trends of market consolidation.”

Johnson has expressed support for many actions undertaken by the White House to address climate change. “The United States cannot secure the food system from climate challenges alone. Today’s statement demonstrates the will of the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters to work toward a meaningful international agreement in Paris,” said Johnson.