Tuesday January 26 Ag News

How Do Your Cows Look?
Steve Tonn, NE Extension Educator, Washington County

Calving season is upon us and how do your cows look?  Are they are on the thin side or in good body condition?  Has the winter been tough on them?  Has your pre-calving nutrition program been adequate?  Cow body condition is closely related to reproductive efficiency and is a more reliable indicator of nutritional status of a cow than body weight.  Body condition score at the time of calving has the greatest impact on subsequent re-breeding performance.   The body condition of a cow at calving influences the productivity of the herd.

Thin cows may give birth to calves that are less vigorous and slower to stand to nurse for the first time.  They also produce less colostrum and lower quality colostrum for their calves.  This means the calves will not receive as high a dose of passive immunity or antibodies from the cow to help the calf fight off disease.  Thins cows are slower to re-breed after calving than compared to moderate condition cows. 

That means more calves will be born later in the calving season next year.

Cow body condition scores are based on a scale of 1 to 9.  Mature cows should calve at a body condition score of at least 5 and first calf heifers should have a body condition score of 6 at calving.  If body condition scoring is new to you, then just focus on separating cows into thin, moderate and fat groups without worrying about a numerical score.   A goal is to have your cows in moderate condition at calving.  For help with getting started using cow body condition score as a management tool, contact the Washington County Extension Office.

Following calving, it is very difficult to increase the body condition on a cow.  Lactating cows have a very high nutrient requirement.  They need a lot of excess energy to increase their body condition.  This is usually not practical or economical to do.

However, separating thin cows from moderate condition cows would be a good management practice.  This would allow the thin cows to get their fair share of the feed.  Also feeding thins cows a higher quality more nutrient dense ration would be helpful.  Poor nutrition prior to and following calving, can have harmful lasting impacts on cow productivity and cow herd profitability.



Ag and Business Groups Praise Legislature for Advancing Bill Targeted to Growing Nebraska Pork Industry

The Nebraska Legislature is receiving praise from Nebraska agriculture and business groups for advancing a bill targeted to growing Nebraska’s pork industry. On Jan. 22, Lawmakers advanced legislative bill 176 onto the third and final round of debate. The measure would eliminate a ban that restricts pork processors with facilities in Nebraska from owning hogs and in turn partnering with farmers to handle the day-to-day feeding care of the animals. The practice is common in other states and Nebraska is the last state in the U.S. to prevent pork processors from owning hogs, said Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association.

“The legislature’s action moves Nebraska one-step closer to creating a climate where pork processors that own Nebraska facilities, employ Nebraskans and pay Nebraska taxes, can work together with Nebraska farmers to raise hogs. Every other state in the nation allows this to occur. Nebraska’s self-imposed restriction on packer ownership is one of the contributing factors as to why neighboring states have expanded pork production at a faster rate over the last decade than Nebraska,” said Juhnke.

A number of agriculture and business organizations support the bill citing the numerous positive impacts of expanded pork production in the state.

“While this bill reflects an opportunity to expand pork production on our family farms, it also reflects expanded opportunities to feed Nebraska grown grains, as well as generate economic activity that helps boost rural Main Street businesses,” said Juhnke.

“On behalf of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Growers Association, Nebraska Bankers Association and the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we thank all of those in the legislature who have helped move this initiative one-step closer to final passage.”



IOWA FARM TO SCHOOL LOCAL PURCHASE REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Iowa Farm to School Local Purchase Report is now available.  The Iowa report is the first in the nation to track monthly procurement of locally-grown produce (within Iowa and a 30 mile radius surrounding our state) from school food service directors.

“This report is designed to help farmers interested in supplying schools know what types of produce schools want and the price that is being paid for it.  The consistent and reliable information included in the report is extremely valuable in helping farmers build a business that includes marketing directly to schools,” Northey said.  “In addition, it may help schools not yet purchasing local produce learn what other schools are buying as they consider starting to add local foods to their menu.”

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is partnering with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) on these monthly reports.  School food service directors are asked to complete a report on local produce procurement monthly.  As with all AMS reports, the information is confidential and only products and price ranges are shared.

The monthly report can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website at www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsmiafts.pdf. 



Peterson Report Points to Explicit Benefits of TPP, Risks of Delay in its Approval

The American Soybean Association released a statement in response to a report issued yesterday by the Peterson Institute for International Economics on the impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, pointing specifically to the significant benefits of the TPP for the United States and 11 other nations in the agreement. According to the report, the TPP would boost U.S. exports by $357 billion annually in 2030. The Peterson report also warns that delaying implementation by just one year would represent a $77 billion permanent loss to the U.S. economy by giving up gains that compound over time. Delay also would jeopardize other trade deals, such as the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement with the European Union. ASA President and Delaware farmer Richard Wilkins referenced the report in a call on Congress to move forward with consideration of the agreement.

“The Peterson report only adds more evidence to what we already knew to be the case: TPP is an essential component to the success of American farmers overseas. With nearly a 10 percent increase in exports as soon as 2030, and more to come after that, the TPP lays the groundwork for sustained success for American farmers for years to come. The report also highlights the positives in TPP for our partner nations like Malaysia and Vietnam as well. Remember these are big markets for American beans already, and the agreement will not only further expand our opportunities there, but also aid in the continued emergence of the rapidly developing markets along the Pacific Rim. As their buying power increases, so does the market for American meat, which in turn drives demand for soy meal here at home. We hope that House and Senate leadership will move quickly on the Trans-Pacific Partnership so that farmers across the country can see these benefits as soon as possible.”



Chicken Still Most Consumed Meat Product

In 2013, 57.7 pounds of chicken per person on a boneless, edible basis were available for Americans to eat, compared to 53.6 pounds of beef and 43.4 pounds of pork, according to ERS's food availability data. USDA says that from 1909 to the early 1940s, chicken availability had been around 10 pounds per person a year, while yearly per-person beef and pork availability had ranged from between 30 and 50 pounds.

Chicken began its upward climb in the 1940s, as innovations in breeding, mass production, and processing made chicken more plentiful, affordable, and convenient for the dining-out market and for cooking at home.

By 1996, chicken had overtaken pork as the second-most-consumed meat, and in 2010, chicken overtook beef for the No. 1 spot.

Beef availability rose during the second half of the last century, peaking at 88.8 pounds per capita in 1976.

Pork availability, which had fallen in 2010 and 2011, was up in 2012 and again in 2013.



DAP, Anhydrous Prices Decline Again

Retail fertilizer prices continue to move lower, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the third week of January 2016. This week marks the fourth week in a row of significant price declines.
Anhydrous prices slipped 5% in the past month, to levels not seen since 2010.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers edged lower compared to a month earlier with two fertilizers down some consequence.

Both DAP and anhydrous slid 5% compared to a month earlier. DAP averaged $495/ton and anhydrous $581/ton.

Five fertilizers were lower compared to the previous month but the moves to the low slide were fairly slight. MAP averaged $520/ton, potash $392/ton, urea $381/ton, UAN28 $272/ton and UAN32 $319/ton.

One fertilizer is slightly higher in price compared to a month earlier. 10-34-0 advanced slightly and now averages $571/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.41/lb.N, anhydrous $0.35/lb.N, UAN28 $0.49/lb.N and UAN32 $0.50/lb.N.

With retail fertilizer moving lower in recent months, all fertilizers are cheaper compared to a year earlier. All but one fertilizer is now double digits lower. The only fertilizer not down much is 10-34-0, which is down 2%.

MAP, DAP and UAN32 are all 13% less expensive while UAN28 is 17% below a year ago. Anhydrous is now 18% lower, urea 19% less expensive and potash is 20% lower compared to a year earlier.



Biodiesel Poised to Fuel Nation’s Carbon Strategy

Everyone loves an underdog. Often overlooked in the shadow of more established products and challenged by misinformation, the biodiesel industry is gearing up for what could be its best year yet.

In the opening General Session of the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, underway at the Tampa Convention Center this week, it was clear that America’s Advanced Biofuel is here to fight and win.

“Last year the biodiesel industry demonstrated more than ever that no matter how beat up we are, no matter how outgunned we are, we don’t back down,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe. “We came together like never before.  We stayed true to our principles in the face of deceitful attacks and we achieved the success necessary to put us back on track.”

The industry marked several major achievements in 2015. First, the Renewable Fuel Standard, the federal law governing renewable fuel blending, is back on track and on schedule for the first time in its history with volumes defined for biodiesel through 2017. Second, the industry securedan extension of an important tax law that helps make the fuel more cost competitive with heavilysubsidized petroleum.  These two programs together provide biodiesel producers, investors and suppliers a strong roadmap for the marketplace. This is a big victory for biodiesel, carbon reduction strategies and for the environment.

Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning, renewable diesel fuel replacement made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats. Last year’s biodiesel use in the U.S. cut carbon by some 18 million metric tons or the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 3.8 million cars.

Though optimistic, Jobe also noted significant challenges still remain. “While our fight is not
over, we have a different future. 2016 is going to be our strongest year yet,” he said.  “A year we will show that we are ready to take on one of the biggest challenges of our time.”

That challenge begins with standing up for the truth. The biodiesel industry has always relied on science-based facts to support sustainable growth. Now the truth has come under attack.

Intentional strategies of deception, modeled after those pioneered by the tobacco industry, are working to spread doubt about climate change and the need for action.

“The strategy of disinformation is now being deployed to attack renewable energy and climate change science. Our opponents will continue to use outrageous and desperate tactics as they continue to undermine and work to repeal the only carbon reduction policy currently available in the transportation sector,” Jobe said. “In the face of a bizarre revival of science-rejection and a seeming indifference toward the truth in public discourse, we must maintain our position as an industry committed to objective science, critical thinking, and the truth.”

The phenomenon of misinformation was exposed by the documentary movie, “Merchants of
Doubt” based on a book by the same name. As part of the conference the National Biodiesel Board  and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby are offering a free public screening of the movie at 9 p.m. tonight at the convention center.

Former Republican Congressman and climate disputer turned advocate Bob Inglis, who appeared in the documentary, was also featured in today’s opening general session. 

"It's fabulous when an important industry group like the National Biodiesel Board calls for an objective consideration of climate science and an apples-to-apples comparison between the competing fuels” said Inglis, Executive Director of Republicen.org. “With that kind of clarity, free enterprise can fix climate change."

The conference continues through Thursday.



USDA Funding Available for Ag in the Classroom

The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced more than $850,000 in available funding to support the Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program. These grants will help ensure that a competent and qualified workforce will exist to serve the food, agricultural, natural resource, and human sciences system.

The purpose of NIFA's SPECA Challenge Grants Program is to address educational needs, as determined by each institution, within a broadly defined arena of food and agricultural sciences-related disciplines. The goals of this program are to enhance the quality of K-12 instruction in order to help meet current and future FANH sciences workplace needs and to increase the numbers and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a 2- or 4-year degree in the FANH sciences. These projects should encourage academic institutions, in partnership with organizations and employers, to work collectively to identify and address a state or regional challenge or opportunity facing the FANH sciences education and workforce community.

Applications are due March 18. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.



NK Soybeans outperform competitor varieties in 2015 and offer high potential for 2016

As 2016 planting approaches, Syngenta encourages growers to reflect on the 2015 growing season. Evaluating what positively or negatively affected soybean yields one year provides insight for the next year’s management plans and variety selections.

In many parts of Nebraska, a wet spring delayed soybean planting and created ideal conditions for sudden death syndrome (SDS). This yield-damaging disease continued to move farther west across the state and threaten soybean yields.

NK® Soybeans S30-C1 brand offers a strong overall agronomic package, which set it up for another year of high yield performance in 2015. Its outstanding SDS resistance and excellent standabilty offer Nebraska soybean growers an easy-to-harvest variety with top-end yield potential. In 2015, NK Soybeans S30-C1 brand out-yielded all Pioneer® varieties by an average of 2.4 bushels per acre (bu/A) in 132 trials in Nebraska.

“This year, I grew NK Soybeans S30-C1 brand, and it was probably the best yield we’ve had on a couple of our farms,” said Dave Kirschner, a grower in Pleasanton, Nebraska. “We planted NK Soybeans S30-C1 brand because we have some trouble with sudden death syndrome, and this variety has that resistance. The harvestability was another benefit. They yielded about 77 to 82 bu/A and were really consistent on each and every farm.”

The 2016 portfolio of performance-class NK Soybeans comprises varieties ranging from very early Relative Maturity (RM) 0.0009 to late RM 7.6. Developed through the award-winning Y.E.S. Yield Engineering System™, NK Soybean varieties offer elite genetics to cover a wide array of agronomic concerns, allowing growers the opportunity to fully exploit their fields’ yield potential. Proven yield performance aligned with regionally focused defensive packages elevates soybean growers’ potential for a successful 2016 growing season.