Monday June 27 Crop Progress & Condition + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending June 26, 2016, irrigation was in full swing as temperatures, which averaged two to six degrees above normal, were accompanied by mostly dry conditions, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Dryland crops were beginning to showing signs of stress as soil moisture supplies were drawn down. Rainfall totals of an inch or more were limited to parts of west central Nebraska and a few eastern counties. Row crops were developing quickly and the dry conditions allowed wheat harvest to progress in parts of the south. Ridge till operations and herbicide applications were major farm activities. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 32 short, 60 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 18 short, 77 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 18 fair, 65 good, and 14 excellent. Corn silking was 1 percent, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 2.

Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 17 fair, 79 good, and 4 excellent. Sorghum emerged was 96 percent, ahead of 89 last year, but near 93 average.

Soybeans condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 66 good, and 12 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 8 percent, near 7 last year, and equal to the average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 9 poor, 25 fair, 50 good, and 13 excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 90 percent, ahead of 80 last year and 71 average. Harvested was at 4 percent, near 1 last year, but behind 9 average.

Oats condition rated 1 percent very poor, 1 poor, 25 fair, 66 good, and 7 excellent. Oats headed was 94 percent, ahead of 88 last year and 84 average. Coloring was 49 percent, well ahead of 22 last year.

Alfalfa condition rated 3 percent very poor, 3 poor, 12 fair, 67 good, and 15 excellent. Alfalfa second cutting was 12 percent, near 11 last year, but behind 22 average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 16 fair, 67 good, and 14 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 93 adequate, and 3 surplus.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION

Iowa experienced highly variable weather conditions ranging from almost no precipitation to heavy rain and isolated hail during the week ending June 26, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, herbicide and fungicide applications, and some hauling of grain. Heat and lack of moisture stressed some crops, causing corn leaves to curl.

Topsoil moisture levels declined to 8 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels also fell to 3 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. South central and southeast Iowa reported the lowest topsoil moisture levels with approximately two-thirds of topsoil moisture rated very short or short.

There were scattered reports of corn reaching the silking stage this week. Seventy-nine percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition.

Soybeans blooming reached 5 percent, equal to both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Oats headed reached 90 percent this week, 2 days ahead of last year, and 5 days ahead of normal. Oats coloring reached 22 percent, 4 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 24 percent complete, almost one week ahead of average. Hay conditions rated 75 percent good to excellent this week.

Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent. Livestock were reported as experiencing some stress as a result of heat and insects.



IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry J. Hillaker, State Climatologist
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

It was another hotter than normal week across Iowa with highly variable precipitation. Daytime temperatures reached into the nineties somewhere in the state on every day except Thursday (23rd). Temperature extremes varied from a Tuesday (21st) morning low of 49 degrees at Elkader to a Wednesday (22nd) afternoon high of 97 degrees at Lamoni. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged from about two degrees above normal northeast to five degrees above normal southwest with a statewide average of 3.2 degrees higher than usual. Showers and thunderstorms were scattered over the southern one-third of the state on Monday (20th) with some localized heavy rain in far southwest Iowa where Sidney reported 3.55 inches. Rain fell across the northeast two-thirds of the state between Tuesday (21st) evening and Wednesday (22nd) morning with very heavy rain centered upon the Iowa City area with 5.65 inches measured at North Liberty. Thursday and Friday were dry statewide while there were a few isolated areas of light rain on Saturday from southwest into north central Iowa. Finally, showers and thunderstorms dampened much of southwest, central, northeast and east central Iowa on Saturday (25th) night. No rain fell during the past week over parts of west central Iowa, such as Storm Lake, Sac City, Rockwell City and Denison while on the other extreme North Liberty picked up 7.47 inches. The statewide average precipitation was 1.18 inches, exactly matching the normal for the week.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Six percent of the nation's corn was silking and 9% of the soybeans were blooming as of June 26, according to the USDA Crop Progress report released Monday.

Corn silking progress was 1 percentage point ahead of the average and 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Corn condition worsened just slightly to 5% poor to very poor, compared to 4% last week. The good-to-excellent category remained steady at 75%.

Soybean blooming at 9% is 2 percentage points ahead of last year and the five-year average, both at 7%. Soybean conditions worsened slightly to 72% good to excellent, compared to 73% last week.

Winter wheat is 45% harvested, compared to 25% last week, 33% last year and 41% on average. Winter wheat condition improved slightly to 62% good to excellent compared to 61% last week.

Spring wheat is 56% headed, compared to 28% last week, 42% last year and a 27% average. Spring wheat condition declined to 72% good to excellent, compared to 76% last week.

Cotton squaring is at 29%, compared to 22% last week, 31% last year and a 33% average. Cotton setting bolls was reported for the first time this growing season at 6%, compared to 4% last year and a 6% average. Cotton condition improved to 56% good to excellent compared to 54% last week. Rice is 16% headed, compared to 8% last week, 13% last year and a 10% average. Rice condition declined slightly to 69% good to excellent compared to 70% last week.

Sorghum is 95% planted compared to 88% last week, 91% last year and a 93% average. Sorghum is 26% headed, compared to 17% last week, 20% last year and a 22% average. Sorghum condition held steady at 70% good to excellent.

Oats are 83% headed, compared to 68% last week, 78% last year and a 69% average. Oats condition declined to 67% good to excellent compared to 70% last week.

Barley is 55% headed, compared to 23% last week, 55% last year and 30% on average. Barley condition declined slightly to 75% good to excellent compared to 77% last week.

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Nebraska Farmland Values Continue Gradual Decline

While farmland prices set records in 2012-2013 and enjoyed double-digit increase in the past 10 years, 2016 has seen a plateau in farmland values. From June 2015 to June 2016, high quality land is selling for $1,500 less per acre on average.

“And they continue to tail off,” said JD Maxson, area sales manager for Farmers National Company in North Platte, Neb. “This decline in farmland values in Nebraska denotes the first decline in recent years. It’s a result of a weak commodity market, soft cash rents and continued stress on livestock producers’ bottom line profit. Corn prices are at the lowest level in three years, affecting profit margins. Producers are waiting for an upward bump in prices, which explains the 'glut' of corn in on-site corn storage, and lower commodity prices have forced investors and owner/operators to rethink their strategies for calendar year 2016.”

Furthermore, as the demand for tillable cropland acres has dropped off, grazing pasture acres paralleled this downward trend as ranchers and livestock producers became more prudent and cautious, Maxson said.

“Livestock producers experienced a record-setting cattle market in 2014 and throughout 2015, only to see cattle numbers increase (heifers to feedlots and not held back for breeding). Livestock producers (cow/calf and cattle on feed) have experienced a sharp decline in bottom line profitability, which has a direct impact on pastureland/grazing acres. With cattle numbers up, one would automatically expect additional pressure on grazing acres; however short line profits have seemingly depressed the pastureland market. Purchasing additional grazing acres, while realizing lower profits at market time, has had a direct reflection on prices paid per acre. Buyers are more cautious and have been forced to be more selective with their long-term farmland investments.”

However, Maxson noted that specific pockets of Nebraska farmland have seen land pricing steady to strong. For example, a March 24 land auction in Milford, Neb.,  for 260 acres in Seward County sold in three tracts for $10,500-10,700, proving high quality land with improvements like tiling, center pivot irrigation, abundant water and good access to grain markets is still in demand, he said.

On the flipside, dryland cropland is showing a stronger rate of decline, 15 to 25 percent location specific, compared to pivot and gravity irrigated cropland. Then in other areas of the state, cropland values vary with the biggest adjustments found in central and western Nebraska. Maxson said he anticipates lower grain prices will persist throughout the rest of 2016, which will continue to have a negative impact on cash rental rates for early 2017.

“With the double digit appreciations over the past almost 10 years, these recent small declines in land values basically just bring us back to normalcy,” he said.

Iowa
The drop in commodity prices has caused land values to continue to soften in Iowa, said Sam Kain, ALC, GRI, ABRM, national sales manager for Farmers National Company based out of West Des Moines, Iowa. But, land values remain at a comparable level to June 2015, declining by $500 per acre on average for high quality land.

“The limited amount of land for sale right now has definitely limited the decline in land values,” Kain said. “Although we have seen a decline in all types of land, there is still strong demand for quality land and there appears to be renewed interest from investors. Farmland has always been a very stable investment, which is appealing to investors seeking a secure place to put their money. The majority of ag land sold in my work area has been to settle estates and still goes to farmer buyers though.”

The continued threat of rising interest rates and lower commodity prices will put pressure on land values in the near future, Kain said.

“But considering all that has happened in agriculture, we still have a very good land market,” he noted.



Nebraska Teachers Talk Agriculture at National Conference

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded two Nebraska teachers an all-expense paid trip to the National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, June 20-24 in Litchfield Park, AZ.

Anica Brown from Pound Middle School in Lincoln received the trip in conjunction with 2016 Teacher of the Year honors from the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. Each year, the Foundation recognizes two outstanding teachers that incorporate agriculture into their classroom environments.

“The conference deepened my understanding and commitment to teaching my students the value of learning about agriculture, because farmers and ranchers provide for the world. It is important to engage each other in an agriculture conversation and teach our students to be confident consumers,” said Brown. “This was a fantastic conference. I look forward to attending again.”

Judi Roach from North Elementary in Sidney was also honored as a 2016 Teacher of the Year and was awarded the trip to Arizona.

“The conference has shown me what teaching agriculture looks like throughout the United States, across content areas and across grade levels,” Roach said. “I would encourage other Nebraska teachers, volunteers, administrators, or anyone who wants to help students learn about agriculture, to attend the conference. A huge thank you to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation for providing this incredible learning opportunity for me.”  

Nebraska teachers Patti Romshek and Kathy Bohac from East Butler Public School in Brainard also attended the conference. The American Farm Bureau Federation recognized their excellence in teaching with grants from the White-Reinhard Education Fund. Romshek and Bohac received Teacher of the Year Awards from the Foundation in 2014.

The National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference brings together kindergarten through 12th grade educators across the U.S. to discuss innovative ways they can use agriculture to teach core subject areas. In addition, conference participants have the opportunity to attend traveling workshops that include visits to local farms and touring the University of Arizona-Maricopa Ag Center (MAC).

Megahn Schafer, Executive Director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, says supporting teachers is a smart investment. “We are thrilled to partner with teachers who recognize the benefits of incorporating agriculture into their classrooms. The impact of attending this conference will multiply as they share the knowledge and resources gained with their students and fellow teachers.”



Nebraska Soybean Board Offers Steaks, Grill to Sizzle of Summer Winners

The Summer grilling season is heating up thanks to the Nebraska Soybean Board’s Sizzle of Summer Sweepstakes. Nebraskans still have time to enter before the second of three separate prize drawings on July 5, 2016. The top prize for July is $250 in Omaha Steaks gift cards, with smaller amounts given to four other winners. All entrants are eligible to win a new Weber Genesis E-310 gas grill at the end of the summer.

The Sizzle of Summer Sweepstakes is open to all Nebraska residents and limited to one entry per household. To enter, visit TasteoftheTailgate.com. The website also features videos with summer grilling tips from Nebraska experts and cookout-friendly recipes.

Follow the Nebraska Soybean Board on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the sweepstakes as well as tips and information for Nebraska soybean farmers. 



AGSOURCE LABORATORIES NOW OFFERING SOIL HEALTH TESTING

AgSource Laboratories is excited to introduce the Soil Health Assessment. This new soil report combines the chemical and physical results of traditional soil testing with biological assessments of microbial activity to provide a measure of the quality of the soil. In general, a higher score means a more healthy soil, and improving the score over time indicates that management practices are benefiting the soil and improving soil health. 

“Any practices that build organic matter and maintain a nutrient source for an active microbial population in the soil will improve soil health,” notes Dr. Jim Friedericks, AgSource Laboratories’ Outreach & Education Advisor.  “This in turn will enhance the overall quality of the soil, maximizing the productive capacity of the land.”

Improving soil health is a long term process that will build up the ability of the soil to sustain crops from season to season and year to year. Increasing organic matter improves structure and nutrient cycling because of greater microbial activity.  Improved structure helps to retain plant available water for longer periods between rains.  Both of these will benefit crops by mitigating against variability of water and nutrient supply during the growing season.  That could impact profits through reduced fertilizer inputs or better growth during hot summer weather.

“Healthy soil has more organic matter, greater pore space and better water holding capacity,” notes Dr. Friedericks. “Nutrient cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus and micronutrients is improved as well.”

The cover crop recommendations in the report are formulated to meet two objectives: to provide the soil with easily decomposable plant biomass for better health and to retain the nutrients that are still present in the soil after crop harvest.  In addition to planting cover crops, other management practices that can help improve soil health include reducing tillage, extending rotations and diversifying your cover crop mixture. 

How to Sample
 ·    Normal soil sampling guidelines apply: take the sample at 6-8 inch depth; combine multiple cores to make a representative sample; and zone sampling can also be used for soil health.
 ·    Sample size is similar to fertility testing, around 2 cups.  Fill a bag and mail as soon as possible.  Samples will be dried in the lab when received.

AgSource is a leader in agricultural, turf and environmental laboratory analysis and information management services, with facilities in Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Wisconsin. A division of Cooperative Resources International, AgSource Laboratories provides testing services to clients in the United States and across the globe. Learn more at www.AgSource.com.



Harrison Co. Corn Growers Host Branstad

The Harrison County Corn Growers Association hosted Iowa Governor Terry Branstad last week on the farm of Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Director Curt Mether for a discussion on policy issues affecting corn farmers. This visit was part of the Governor's 99 Iowa County Tour where he met with 11 farmers. The group chatted about the need for Iowa to pass legislation to set consistent funding for our state's water quality efforts, support for Section 179 coupling in 2017 and the signing of the biochemical tax credit.

"We appreciate the Governor taking the time to hear our views on a number of policy issues," said Mether, a farmer from Logan. "We appreciate the legislators and his work on water quality funding legislation even though no additional funding was passed. The Iowa Corn Growers Association remains committed to seeking significant, long-term funding for improving water quality in the state of Iowa. We are hopeful the state legislature can come to a consensus this coming session."

Local and county corn grower groups such as the one in Harrison County make up the backbone of ICGA's membership organization. Grassroots members guide policy, help establish legislative priorities and build relationships with elected officials in helping to advance the Iowa Corn Growers Association's key policy objectives.

The next step in the policy development process is the ongoing ICGA membership survey and roundtable meetings, which will be held across the state in early July. These meetings allow ICGA members to gather together and discuss policy directions for the upcoming year. To see ICGA's full list of state and federal priorities, please visit iowacorn.org/policy.



Modules Provide Education on Grain Handling, Storage Safety

With the goal of providing information and training on grain handling and storage safety, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has produced a series of online learning modules. Developed through the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative, the no-cost learning modules can be used to train employees on current best practices.

A wide variety of issues are examined in the series, including: drying, aeration, grain storage, mycotoxins, processing, rendering, quality assurance and safety, sanitation and pest management and preventive maintenance. Modules also include information on the beef, dairy cattle, poultry, and swine industries. Go to the Extension Store to view the complete selection.

“These modules provide a new format for the public to access information and distance education that we haven’t previously seen at Iowa State,” said Howard Shepherd, extension program specialist with the Center for Crops Utilization Research.

The modules contain videos that cover each topic, along with audio and text information. When accessed through the Certified Crop Advisor program at Iowa State, the modules can also be used to gain continuing education credits.

“We wanted to provide information that previously had only been available in a brochure or other written form and make it accessible to all,” Shepherd said. “Visually, the modules allow producers to look at specific things they could do to have better quality management strategies.”

With the modules covering such a wide variety of topics, they can also be useful in onboarding new employees, Shepherd said.

“Our partner in this process — the FDA — wanted tools specifically geared to train new employees,” Shepherd said. “Ag businesses also have new employees who could use these modules as a learning tool when they begin their jobs. Or they can be used to enhance the education level of their producers so they would have a better understanding of food safety and management practices.”

The series is authored by Iowa State researchers Greg Brenneman, agricultural engineering specialist; Steve Johnson, farm management specialist; Erin Bowers, postdoctorate research associate in agriculture and biosystems engineering; Charles Hurburgh, professor and extension ag health and safety specialist in agriculture and biosystems engineering; Alison Robertson, associate professor and extension specialist in plant pathology and microbiology; Connie Hardy, specialist in value added agriculture; Heather Snyder, lecturer and extension specialist; Gretchen Mosher, assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering; Megan Smith, veterinary specialist with the Centers for Food Security and Public Health; and Shepherd.

Cassie Jones, assistant professor of feed technology at Kansas State University; Charles Stark, associate professor of feed technology at Kansas State University; Bhadriraju Subramanyam, distinguished professor in grain science at Kansas State University; Carlos Campabadal, specialist of integrated pest management at Kansas State University; and Adam Fahrenholz, assistant professor of feed milling and poultry science at North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension also wrote sections of the series.



Panama Canal Expansion Could Open Opportunities for U.S. Soy

U.S. soybean farmers now have access to faster and more efficient waterway transportation when delivering U.S. soy to international end users, but investment in U.S. inland-waterway infrastructure is required to optimize these efficiencies.

The long-awaited Panama Canal expansion opened today, doubling the waterway’s capacity. The new, larger lane allows more freight to be loaded on each vessel, decreases transit time and lowers transportation costs overall as compared with the original canal.

Transportation is not only necessary, it’s also a key aspect of the U.S. soy industry’s competitive advantage in the global marketplace. In fact, according to a soy-checkoff-funded study, foreign soy buyers often pay as much attention to the timeliness of deliveries as they do to the price. Currently, the U.S. transportation system supports the most efficient soy supply chain in the world, which provides the U.S. with a significant competitive advantage over South American soy suppliers.

While the expansion offers U.S. soy opportunities to capitalize on faster, more efficient shipping, it also offers those opportunities to many other countries, including U.S. soy’s biggest competitors: Brazil and Argentina. For U.S. soybean farmers to be able to fully capitalize on the expanded canal, domestic transportation infrastructure is in need of maintenance and repair to allow U.S. soy to be moved into export position. Improvements are needed to accommodate larger ships and the increased volume of commodities moving via U.S. inland waterways.

“We need to focus on improving our infrastructure, especially the locks and dams on our inland waterways,” says Mark Seib, a farmer-leader on both the United Soybean Board and Soy Transportation Coalition from Poseyville, Indiana. “Panama has done an excellent job of maintaining and improving its infrastructure for over 100 years, and it’s time to step up the work on ours.”

The Panama Canal is integral to the movement of soy. Approximately 600 million bushels of U.S. soybeans annually transit the Panama Canal, making soy the No. 1 U.S. agricultural commodity using the canal. In fact, 44 percent of total U.S. soy exports move through the canal.

“The transportation of soy beyond the elevator is not something we soybean farmers usually see, but it is the backbone of our industry,” says Seib. “Without a reliable transportation connection between supply and demand, soybean farmers would not be able to deliver their crop to end users at home and abroad.”



Rabobank Global Beef Quarterly Q2 2016: Volatility Challenges Beef Markets

The Rabobank global beef index ticked up in Q1 2016 after declining for much of 2015. However it shows signs of dropping again as softening prices in the U.S. and Canada battle strengthening prices in Australia and Brazil, according to the Rabobank Global Beef Quarterly Q2 2016.

“Volatility is a key theme across most markets at the moment,” says Angus Gidley-Baird, Senior Animal Protein Analyst at Rabobank. “A range of factors are creating a degree of uncertainty, including the economy and exchange rates influencing Brazil, seasonal conditions impacting Australia, the economy impacting China, and market volatility impacting the U.S.”

U.S.: market disrupted by volatility
U.S. market volatility continues to be a market disrupter. The combination of marked week-to-week price volatility, and equal volatility in the futures market, has made marketing decisions difficult to impossible.

Brazil: continuing to increase exports
The low value of the real, high domestic prices and the slow economic conditions will continue to support increased Brazilian beef exports. Exports to China, which reopened in June 2015, totalled more than 70,000 tonnes from January to May, while exports to Saudi Arabia, another new market, are more than 11,000 tonnes in the first five months of 2016.

China: economy affecting consumption
China’s slowing economy is affecting general beef consumption, but higher- and middle-income earners are supporting continued imports as they continue to seek quality beef products. Beef prices will remain stable in the coming quarter, as supply and demand are likely to be balanced.

Australia: cattle supplies remaining tight
Australian cattle supplies remain tight and prices strong. Australian cattle prices are expected to remain strong through Q3, given ongoing tight cattle supplies. Buoyed by recent rains, cattle prices have again risen to record levels in June.

Europe: calm in a sea of volatility
Europe is the most stable beef production region right now, with prices strengthening slightly, supported by steady exports, in particular to Turkey, despite ample availability of beef and low prices of competitive proteins.



Animal Agriculture Alliance Releases 2016 Advances in Animal Ag Report

Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance released its 2016 Advances in Animal Agriculture Report. The report highlights animal agriculture’s advances in animal care, antibiotic use, food safety and sustainability for each sector of the industry.

“The animal agriculture industry collaborates, funds research and evolves to meet the highest animal care and food safety standards while feeding a growing population,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our Advances in Animal Agriculture report is an essential resource in communicating that message to key stakeholders including consumers, the media and partners throughout the supply chain.”

Highlights from the report include:
-    Compared to 1960 laying hens, 2010 laying hens have 26 percent less daily feed use, 27 percent higher hen-day egg production, 42 percent better feed conversion, 57 percent lower mortality and 32 percent less direct water use per dozen eggs produced.
-    Pork producers today use 78 percent less land and 41 percent less water than they did 50 years ago.
-    The National Pork Board has adopted a new three-point antibiotic stewardship plan that is proactive, collaborative and aggressive in its strategy and scope.
-    From 2005-2011, beef producers achieved a 7 percent overall improvement in environmental and social sustainability.
-    Today, more than 94 percent of the milk supply comes from dairy producers enrolled in the National Dairy FARM program.

In addition to the 31-page report, an updated industry group contact list and a third-party expert contact list are available upon request. A new Advances in Animal Ag infographic illustrating one key advancement in each category for pigs, dairy, beef, laying hens, sheep and goat, chicken, turkey and veal is also available.

“The animal agriculture industry is committed to continuous improvement – and maintains that commitment of its own accord and in spite of groups who use fear and misinformation to confuse the public about livestock and poultry production,” said Johnson-Smith. “This report helps set the record straight by sharing the positive, factual story of animal agriculture today.”



All-American July 4th Cookout Ticks Up, Still Under $6 Per Person

A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly more this year but still comes in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $56.06, or $5.61 per person.

Although the cost for the cookout is up slightly (less than 1 percent), “Prices in the meat case are starting to look better from the consumers’ perspective,” said Veronica Nigh, an AFBF economist. “Retail ground round prices are trending lower,” she noted, pointing to the nation’s cattle inventory and commercial beef production, which continue to rebound from dramatically low levels in 2014 and 2015.

In addition, “On the pork side, commercial production also continues to grow and is at the highest level in 25 years,” Nigh said. Spare rib prices are about the same as a year ago, while the amount of product in cold storage is up 121 percent, Nigh pointed out. “This is helping mediate the normal seasonal upswing in spare rib prices we typically see around the July 4th festivities,” she said.

AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.

Commenting on factors driving the slight increase in retail watermelon prices, Nigh said, “While watermelons are grown across the U.S., most come from four states – Texas, Florida, Georgia and California – which together produce approximately 44 percent of the U.S. crop. Shipments of watermelons are down nearly 8 percent compared to the same time period last year,” she said.

U.S. milk production is up 1 percent compared to the same period last year. During the first quarter of 2016 (January-March), U.S. milk production reached historic levels, putting significant downward pressure on the price farmers receive for their milk.

Nigh said the increase in the price of cheese slices highlights the spread in prices that often occurs between values at the farm, wholesale, and retail stages of the production and marketing chain.

A total of 79 Farm Bureau members (volunteer shoppers) in 26 states checked retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.

The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.

The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that figure has decreased steadily and is now about 17 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Nigh said.

Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $56.06 marketbasket would be $9.53.