Wednesday June 15 Ag News

Heat Stress for Livestock Anticipated thru Sunday
Rob Eirich, UNL Director of Beef Quality Assurance

We are heading into a high heat stress cycle with little cooling in the evenings.  Please be aware of the situation.  Make sure there is more than adequate water available, allow animals more space to keep airflow going through the pens, use shading where possible, and make sure all your animal handling is done early mornings to reduce additional stress.

Here is a link to some information that Nebraska Extension has released:
BeefWatch News Articles: June 2015 http://beef.unl.edu/feeder-cattle-heat-stress
                                               May 2016 http://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/beef/5311/30522
“Feedlot Heat Stress Information and Management Guide”: http://go.unl.edu/94bo
Temperature Humidity Index (THI) or Cattle THI Chart: http://go.unl.edu/sdxt
USDA Heat Stress Homepage: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=21348

The US Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center NE puts out a daily seven-day forecast for livestock heat stress.  It shows that for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa very high heat stress is anticipated each day all the way through Sunday.  Here's the link to see the forecast...  http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=21348. 



Project SENSE Demonstration Day Features High Tech Sensors in Action

A Project SENSE Demonstration Day on Thursday, June 30 is planned in Edgar.  The demo day will show growers how to outfit and implement the project’s Nitrogen management strategy on their operations. Project SENSE (Sensors for Efficient Nitrogen Use and Stewardship of the Environment) focuses on improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use.

Strategies which direct crop nitrogen status at early growth stages are a promising way to improve nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and improve groundwater nitrate levels.  Growers will see a live demonstration of the project’s high clearance nitrogen applicator outfitted with active crop canopy sensors and will see the high tech sensors in action.  Attendees will learn how producers are conducting research trials on their own fields in partnership with the Project SENSE team.

Project SENSE is a collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska Corn Board, five Natural Resources Districts (Central Platte, Little Blue, Lower Loup, Lower Platte North, and Upper Big Blue) in Nebraska, and producers participating in the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network.

The demo day will take place from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Edgar Community Building, 601 5th Street, Edgar, NE.

A free noon lunch will be served.  Please preregister 2 days in advance for meal planning purposes. To preregister, call 402-624-8000 or e-mail christina.franklin@unl.edu.

Download the brochure at:  http://ardc.unl.edu/2016ProjectSenseDemoDay-Edgar.pdf.



NCTA Ag Education named top program

The agricultural education program at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis had been named Outstanding Post-Secondary Program in the state.

The Nebraska Agricultural Education Association recognized Dr. Douglas Smith of Curtis during its annual meeting in Kearney last week.

Smith, who is an assistant professor and livestock judging coach, is chairman of NCTA’s Animal Science and Agricultural Education in Agricultural Production Systems.

He also is a “professor of practice” on the faculty of UNL’s Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication department. The department prepares students to be high school agricultural teachers, FFA advisors, and youth ag program instructors.

Smith started the agricultural education program at NCTA three years ago. He instructs students who are studying their first two years of a 4-year program.  They receive an associate degree from NCTA and progress to their junior and senior years of study at UNL or other 4-year institutions.

His responsibilities include traveling to high school classrooms to observe student teachers.  In May, NCTA had two students graduate from ALEC at UNL and accept teaching positions, and two at NCTA who will go to UNL.

“I am humbled and blessed to receive recognition for our efforts here at NCTA,” Smith said. “We believe the future of agricultural education is one of the most important endeavors we can assist with, and this is why we work hard to provide a high quality education for future educators.”



Interior Appropriations Bill Advances through Committee

Today, the House Committee on Appropriations favorably reported the FY 2017 Interior and Environment appropriations bill to the House of Representatives by a vote of 31-18. The bill addresses a number of priorities for the livestock industry, including language regarding the Greater Sage Grouse and full defunding of EPA’s problematic “waters of the United States” rule.

“The bill maintains the one-year delay on further rulemaking or listing of the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act and prevents implementation of federal management that is inconsistent with successful, ongoing state management of the species,” said Ethan Lane, executive director of the Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen's Beef Association Federal Lands. “Additionally, the bill fully defunds EPA’s ‘waters of the United States’ final rule and begins to address the abuse of the Antiquities Act by limiting the President’s ability to make sweeping designations at the stroke of pen and over local objections.”

The bill also blocks the President’s proposed administrative fee on top of the grazing fee. Additionally, it reduces funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to $322 million, restoring some responsibility and prioritizing state and local projects while reducing funding for federal land acquisition. Payment in Lieu of Taxes was fully funded, offsetting the loss of local tax revenue for public lands, and the bill increases funding for wildfire suppression to $3.9 billion. Furthermore, the bill provides some additional flexibility and management for the overpopulation of wild horses.

“We applaud the members of the Appropriations committee for taking an active stance in addressing some of the most pressing needs of the livestock industry,” said Lane. “As the Senate works to mark up their companion bill later this week, we hope this bill will move quickly to a vote on the House floor.”



U.S. Meat, Poultry Industry Contributes $1 Trillion in Economic Output

The U.S. meat and poultry industry accounts for $1.02 trillion in total economic output or 5.6 percent of gross domestic product, according a new economic impact analysis conducted by John Dunham & Associates for the North American Meat Institute (NAMI).

The meat and poultry industry is responsible for 5.4 million jobs and $257 billion in wages, the report found. An estimated 527,019 people have jobs in production and packing, importing operations, sales, packaging and direct distribution of meat and poultry products. Wholesaling directly employs an estimated 232,418 individuals in all 50 states, and 1.11 million employees' retail jobs depend on the sale of meat and poultry products to the public. All totaled, the meat and poultry industry (packers, processors, wholesalers and retailers) directly employs 1.9 million people, paying $71.63 billion in wages and benefits.

In addition, approximately two million full-time equivalent jobs are created in firms that supply goods and services to the meat and poultry industry. This includes people working in industries as broad as real estate services, trucking and container manufacturing. An additional 1.57 million people have jobs throughout the economy that depend on the re-spending of wages by meat and poultry, as well as supplier industry employees. These are real people with real jobs ranging from restaurant workers to automobile mechanics, to bakers and refrigerator manufacturers.

Dunham's analysis is featured on the web site www.MeatFuelsAmerica.com , which enables users to view the summary of findings presented nationally, on a state by state basis, or on a Congressional district by district basis. The site also showcases the top ten states in terms of direct output and total output, as well as the top 25 Congressional districts in terms of direct output and total output.



Little Movement in Fertilizer Prices

Retail fertilizer prices continued to move very little the first week of June 2016, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. Fertilizer prices have been steady for nine consecutive weeks now.

All eight fertilizers were lower compared to last month, but has been the case in recent weeks, none of these fertilizers were down significantly. DAP had an average price of $470 per ton, MAP $498/ton, potash $359/ton, urea $370/ton, 10-34-0 $556/ton, anhydrous $569/ton, UAN28 $267/ton and UAN32 $310/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.40/lb.N, anhydrous $0.35/lb.N, UAN28 $0.48/lb.N and UAN32 $0.48/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. All fertilizers are now double-digits lower.

10-34-0 is 14% lower while UAN32 is 16% less expensive and MAP is 17% lower. DAP is 18% lower and UAN28 is 19% less expensive from a year previous.

In addition, both urea and anhydrous are 20% lower and potash is 27% less expensive.



Farmers Linked to Oceans Through Global Water System
NCGA Director of Soil Health and Sustainability Nick Goeser, Ph.D.

We just celebrated World Oceans Day which carries the two-year theme of "Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet." This is a reminder that we live together on one planet, with one global system that interacts across our society: Water, soil, air, plants and animals.

Farmers have a keen interest in understanding the diverse roles our oceans play and the links across this global system. In agriculture, the links between society, water soil, air, plants and animals are paramount and something that deserves to be top-of-mind every day.

Farmers wear many hats. They act as biologists, ecologists, soil scientists, agronomists, accountants, market analysts and more. As a result, farmers understand complex interactions across diverse systems - including the terrestrial effects on marine environments.  Farmers also recognize that oceans serve as an important resource for international trade and business. Oceans afford farmers the ability to market their crops across the globe, utilizing international trade routes to link countries together across wide geographic expanses.

Farmers engage in many efforts to personally and collectively act in conserving our oceans through improving sustainable agricultural production practices across terrestrial environments. One example of active farmer discovery, research and innovation in implementing the best soil management to protect our water is through the Soil Health Partnership. Farmers across the Partnership are innovating, testing and measuring new conservation technologies to continually improve sustainable agricultural production and enhance water quality.

An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, federal agencies and well-known environmental groups toward common goals. The Partnership is in its third year with 65 partner farms across eight Midwestern states.

Farmers recognize nutrient management, soil erosion mitigation, and responsible application of all agricultural inputs helps to maintain high-quality water and conserve our oceans. We have just one planet, and our farmers continually rise to the challenge of stewardship - of both land and sea. 



ACE Conference breakout sessions tackle pressing industry topics 

The annual conference hosted by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 8-10, will feature three rounds of breakout sessions enabling technical speakers to go in-depth regarding pressing ethanol industry topics, according to ACE officials.

Breakout sessions commence after the morning general session and lunch on Tuesday, August 9.   The first round of breakouts includes a panel on how ethanol producers can make more money by improving carbon intensity, speakers discussing compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act, and an overview of safety regulations impacting ethanol production facilities.   Round two of breakouts feature a presentation by Kristy Moore, a technical expert, on fuel quality regulations impacting the future of E15 and flex fuels, a discussion of new co-processing technologies, and a session specifically-designed for plant boards of directors on how to improve the bottom line.   The final round of breakout sessions will cover policies and trends impacting global ethanol demand, another breakout specifically for boards of directors titled “Board Pitfalls: When to say no, when to seek advice, and why you can’t do it all,” and a session on how to take advantage of online/digital content to be a better advocate of ethanol in a changing world.

To learn more about the breakout sessions and conference agenda, or to register to attend the ACE Conference, click here... https://ethanol.org/events/conference. 

ACE previously announced that the conference general session will include a panel discussion on octane, an energy market keynote by Tom Kloza for the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), discussion of efforts underway to develop export demand for ethanol and DDGs, and a ‘Progress at the Pump’ panel featuring retailers discussing the outlook for E15 and flex fuel sales.



Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Reserve is keeping interest rates unchanged in light of an uncertain job market, while offering no specifics about when its next rate hike might occur.

The Fed said in a statement Wednesday after its latest policy meeting that the pace of job growth has slowed, even as the overall economy has picked up speed.

The central bank indicated that it needs a clearer picture of economic developments before raising rates again. It noted that the consequences of a slowdown in exports have lessened.

Some economists think a July rate increase is possible if the job market rebounds and markets remain calm after Britain's vote next week on whether to leave the European Union.



European Commission Takes Questionable Approach to Endocrine Disruptor Criteria

Today, the European Commission (Commission) released draft documents establishing specific criteria for identifying so-called endocrine disruptors. Once again, European authorities have left behind sound scientific principals in favor of the notion of “precaution.” This action ignores other endocrine policy programs and well-researched and verifiable data available from governmental peers worldwide. This proposal by the Commission builds on policies in other regulatory categories that are based on hazard-only assessment, with little to no consideration of exposure to any chemical. The weight of the significant body of scientific data addressing endocrine disruptors does not show that crop protection products are associated with human disease, including studies on endocrine-related conditions.

In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) follows a risk based approach, with due consideration of benefit, to the regulation of pesticides, including the assessment of any potential endocrine disruption effects. The EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) is the most advanced program in the world for identifying and regulating endocrine disruptors. Almost one year ago, EPA released its Tier One assessments through the EDSP, highlighting EPA's approach to following a risk-based approach that considers human exposure. CropLife America and its members applaud EPA’s rigorous testing and science-based regulation of crop protection products that contribute to the protection of public health and the environment. We must continue to support this approach and ensure that growers have access to increasingly effective and valuable crop protection products.

“The U.S.’s risk-based approach to crop protection products is founded in strong science, ensuring farmers have access to the most advanced tools and technology, while protecting human and environmental health,” stated Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “It is unfortunate that European farmers may no longer have access to much-needed crop protection products, and that U.S. producers could be subject to import restrictions on crops and commodities grown using these important tools."

Twenty years ago, the U.S. was the first and only nation in the world to pass endocrine disruptor provisions in pesticide and drinking water legislation, and followed this action with millions of dollars of public and private investment implementing these policies. In the European Union, the Commission has taken a hazard-based approach, taking into account only the intrinsic properties of a chemical without consideration of potency, exposure, or beneficial effects. CLA and its members continue to support a risk-based approach to the regulation of crop protection products and to oppose precautionary, hazard-based regulation of these products.



Dairy Farmers Turning To Genetics To Improve Profit Margins

Tough conditions in the dairy industry are prompting U.S. dairy farmers to rely increasingly on genetics to improve their profit margins, according to a new research report from CoBank.

Milk prices are down 40 percent from their highs in late 2014, and lower slaughter prices have also hurt the industry. As a result, many American dairy farms are currently operating at or below break-even margins.

Trevor Amen“Producers are left with two ways to bolster margins – increase milk productivity or obtain higher premiums for bull calf sales,” said Trevor Amen, animal protein economist with CoBank and author of the report. “Recent advances in genetics make both of these possible, and at a much more affordable cost than in years past.”

Farmers have a number of genetic tools at their disposal including sexed semen, genomic testing, in vitro fertilization, estrus synchronization techniques and management software technology. In addition, some dairy producers are crossbreeding dairy cows with proven beef sires to add value to the bull calf crop, enabling the capture of market premiums in the beef market.

“These strategies can provide much-needed advantages for dairies,” Amen said.

Amen notes that while genetic advancements and breeding programs can offer dairy producers distinct advantages, breeding programs should be customized for each farm, and may not work for all dairy producers.

“The objective should be to continue to improve production efficiencies and add value to both the dairy and beef cattle supply chains,” concludes Amen.

Until recently the effects of falling milk prices were somewhat muted by record high cattle prices, Amen said. Record-high beef cattle prices boosted dairy producer’s margins by as much as one-third in mid-2015 through the sale of cull cows and bull calves.  Now, calf and cull cow sales are responsible for less than 10 percent of margins.



Swine industry veteran Wes Johnson joins Ceva

Longtime industry sales veteran Wes Johnson, has joined Ceva Animal Health’s swine business unit as strategic account manager with a keen focus on the custom vaccine business. In his new role, Johnson will focus on helping to launch the company’s customized swine vaccines to key accounts, as well as growing and managing Ceva’s portfolio of swine products.

“With nearly 30 years of product sales experience, most of it in the swine industry, Wes is the ideal professional to lead our custom vaccine sales efforts and to provide these solutions to swine veterinarians and producers,” says Gary Robertson, director, swine business unit. “Wes is well known and highly regarded by producers and veterinarians and has a thorough understanding of the production and health challenges currently facing producers. His previous custom vaccine sales experience and knowledge will be especially beneficial to our team and the customers we serve.”

Prior to joining Ceva, Johnson spent nearly 11 years as national swine accounts manager for MVP Laboratories, Inc., in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was responsible for calling on key swine integrators and consulting veterinarians and providing direction for the company’s swine business.  Johnson also has held swine sales positions with Novartis Animal Health, ImmTech Biologics and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Johnson has a Bachelor of Science degree in dairy science and ag education from Iowa State University. Following graduation, he spent nearly 10 years as a vocational agriculture instructor and FFA Advisor at high schools in Iowa.

As part of his sales management responsibilities for custom vaccines, Johnson works with the Ceva Technical Services team to assist swine producers in diagnosing and implementing custom vaccines to address herd-specific disease problems.

“The combination of swine sales and teaching experience has served Wes well in this industry and helps him to effectively communicate and work with customers in a consultative role,” says Robertson. “He has a tremendous depth of knowledge and unique ability to help producers solve disease problems that impact their operations.”



Low-pressure agriculture tires from Michelin reduce soil compaction and increase yield

Faced with finding tires to support today’s heavier farm equipment, farmers are also looking to protect the integrity of the soil, improve productivity and enhance crop performance on their farms. One of the most effective ways to improve yield is to minimize soil compaction by using tires that are designed to operate at lower air pressures compared to standard radial tires. Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom completed a three-year study involving Michelin’s Ultraflex Technology IF (Increased Flexion) and VF (Very High Flexion) tires that demonstrated a yield increase of up to 4 percent compared to standard radial agriculture tires.1 

To this end, Michelin is introducing three new tires for North American farmers that are designed with Michelin Ultraflex Technology, an innovative tire and casing design that promotes soil protection, fuel savings, longer service life and greater endurance. At the Canada Farm Progress Show, June 15 ? 17 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Michelin will feature the following new tire models, designed for sprayers and harvesting equipment, in Booth 70420 (Hall 7) in the Credit Union EventPlex:

•    MICHELIN® SprayBibTM VF 480/80R46 177D
The new VF480/80R46 177D MICHELIN SprayBib is one of the latest additions to Michelin’s VF sprayer line. Part of the Michelin Ultraflex Technologies portfolio, this new SprayBib is designed to offer the farmer a unique sprayer tire that falls between the standard, narrow row-crop tire and a flotation tire for pre-planting applications. This tire provides a load capacity of up to 16,094 pounds, at speeds of up to 40 mph, all while maintaining a low-inflation pressure to minimize soil damage and maximize traction. 

•    MICHELIN® SprayBibTM VF 380/90R54 176D
Designed for high-clearance sprayers and row-crop tractors, the new Michelin VF380/90R54 176D SprayBib has the load capacity to carry today’s largest sprayers and planters on the market and does so at very low pressures compared to standard radial tires. Because of these lower air pressures, it provides a huge footprint that delivers the traction required by tractors used in narrow-row spacing.

•    MICHELIN® CereXBibTM IF 1000/55R32 CFO 188A8 
The largest harvester tire in the Michelin portfolio, the IF1000/55R32 CFO 188A8 CereXBib is designed for use on large harvesters and grain carts. Harvesters and grain carts are among the heaviest machines to hit the field and have surpassed the weight capacities of most radial tires. This new Michelin Ultraflex tire carries these loads at lower pressures to guarantee the least-possible soil compaction and rutting. 

“As farm equipment has grown larger and heavier in recent years, farmers now cover more acres per day, but soil compaction has become a greater challenge,” said Mike Pantaleo, customer engineering support for Michelin Agriculture tires. “Michelin Ultraflex tires address this issue by operating at lower pressures than standard radial tires, therefore producing a larger footprint. This larger footprint distributes the weight of the machine over the largest area possible to reduce compaction.”

Michelin Ultraflex VF tires can operated at up to 40 percent less air pressure than standard radial tires (up to 20 percent less pressure for Ultraflex IF tires.) The result is a larger footprint, which reduces soil compaction and can improve yield. In addition, a larger tire footprint provides excellent traction in the field, which can improve fuel economy by reducing slippage. For more information on Michelin Ultraflex tires, visit www.MichelinAg.com or contact your local Michelin Agriculture Tire dealer.