Friday August 19 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 5 PERCENT

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.09 million cattle on feed on August 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 5 percent from last year.  Placements during July totaled 350,000 head, down 10 percent from 2015.  Cattle marketings for the month of July totaled 430,000 head, down 5 percent from last year.  Other disappearance during July totaled 10,000 head, down 5,000 from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 600,000 head on August 1, 2016, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 2 percent from July 1, 2016, and down 5 percent from August 1, 2015. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 525,000 head on feed, down 4 percent from last month and down 3 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,125,000 head, down 3 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 68,000 head, an increase of 26 percent from last month but down 4 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 25,000 head, down 51 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 93,000 head, down 11 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during July totaled 76,000 head, up 6 percent from last month but down 5 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 42,000 head, down 43 percent from last month and down 14 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 118,000 head, down 19 percent from last month and down 9 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent
   
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.2 million head on August 1, 2016. The inventory was 2 percent above August 1, 2015.

Placements in feedlots during July totaled 1.57 million head, 2 percent above 2015. Net placements were 1.52 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 352,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 235,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 360,000 head, and 800 pounds and greater were 625,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.71 million head, 1 percent below 2015. Marketings were the lowest for July since the series began in 1996.  Other disappearance totaled 50,000 head during July, 11 percent below 2015.

Cattle on Feed as of August 1, 2016
                              1,000 hd   -  % of Aug 1 '15
Colorado .......:         810           103        
Iowa .............:         600             95         
Kansas ..........:       2,110          109          
Nebraska ......:       2,090           95            
Texas ............:       2,520          103          

Cattle Placed in July 2016
                            1,000 hd   -   % of July '15
Colorado .......:       115           128          
Iowa .............:         68             96           
Kansas ..........:        445           113         
Nebraska ......:        350            90       
Texas ............:        380           104        

Cattle Marketed in July 2016
                              1,000 hd    -   % of July '15
Colorado .......:          150           120       
Iowa .............:            76             95      
Kansas ..........:           375            95     
Nebraska ......:           430            95        
Texas ............:           400           101        



JULY ELECTION RESULTS FOR DIRECTORS ON NEBRASKA SOYBEAN BOARD

The Nebraska Soybean Board held an election in July for the Director Seats in District 2, 4 and 8. Nebraska soybean farmers in those districts voted with the following results:

District 2 (Counties of Burt, Cuming, Dakota, Dixon, Stanton, Thurston and Wayne) Candidates:
Tony Johanson, Oakland, NE - Burt County – Ballot Count Total 99 – Re-elected
Lucas Miller, Randolph, NE - Wayne County – Ballot Count Total 92
The re-elected Director, Tony Johanson, will begin his second term on the board.

District 4 (Counties of Boone, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk and York) Candidates:
Eugene Goering, Columbus, NE - Platte County – Ballot Count Total 163 – Re-elected
Wayne Sackschewsky, York, NE - York County – Ballot Count Total 83
Brian Brown, Central City, NE - Merrick County – Ballot Count Total 78
The re-elected Director, Eugene Goering, will begin his second term on the board.

District 8 (Counties of Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Brown, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Howard, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Thomas, Valley and Wheeler) Candidates:
Terry Horky, Sargent, NE - Custer County – Ballot Count Total 138
Norm Lewandowski, Rockville, NE - Sherman County – Ballot Count Total 91
The re-elected Director, Terry Horky, will begin his third term on the board.

“A special thank you to all the candidates who took time out of their busy schedules to run in this year’s election. The three returning directors will continue to face the many challenges and seek opportunities that will benefit all soybean farmers in Nebraska,” said Victor Bohuslavsky, Nebraska Soybean Board executive director.

The elected directors will serve a three-year term beginning October 1, 2016 and ending September 30, 2019.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation – PAC Announces “Friend of Agriculture” Candidates

A number of candidates seeking election to the Nebraska Legislature have received the official “Friend of Agriculture” designation from NFBF-PAC, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s political action committee. The designations have been made for candidates seeking voter approval in the Nov. 8, General Election.

“We are pleased to support a number of candidates we believe possess a strong understanding of the role and importance agriculture plays in boosting not only rural communities, but also Nebraska’s overall economy and job creation across the state,” said Mark McHargue, NFBF-PAC committee chair Aug. 19.

Farm Bureau’s ”Friend of Agriculture” designation is given to selected candidates for public office based on their commitment to and positions on agricultural issues, qualifications, previous experience, communication abilities and their ability to represent their district.

“It is critical rural and urban interests work together for the betterment of Nebraska, and having people who understand that connection and are willing to work together is important to all of us,” said McHargue.

Those receiving the “Friend of Agriculture” designation include:
·         Tommy Garrett of Bellevue, seeking re-election to Legislative Dist.3
·         Justin Wayne of Omaha, seeking to represent Legislative Dist.13
·         Gregg Neuhaus of Grand Island, seeking to represent Legislative Dist.35
·         Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, seeking to represent Legislative Dist.39
·         Tom Briese of Albion, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 41

In addition to the newly announced “Friend of Agriculture” designees, Nebraska Farm Bureau had previously named several Legislative candidates as “Friends of Agriculture” prior to the Primary Election. Those designations will carry over into the General Election. Candidates having previously received the designation include:
·         Dan Watermeier of Syracuse, seeking re-election to Legislative Dist. 1
·         Joni Albrecht of Thurston, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 17
·         Jim Scheer of Norfolk, seeking re-election to Legislative Dist. 19
·         Mike Hilgers of Lincoln, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 21
·         Jerry Johnson of Wahoo, seeking re-election to Legislative Dist. 23
·         Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 25
·         Bob Lammers of Kearney, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 37
·         Al Davis of Hyannis, seeking re-election to Legislative Dist. 43
·         Steve Erdman of Bayard, seeking to represent Legislative Dist. 47

“We look forward to providing support for all of the ‘Friend of Agriculture’ candidates as they seek to represent the interests of Farm Bureau members from across the state in the Nebraska Unicameral,” said McHargue.



SECRETS FOR DRYING SORGHUMS AND MILLETS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               What’s the secret to getting sorghums, sudans, and millets dry enough to bale?  I hear that question every year and you know what, there is no secret.

               Most summer annual forage grasses have large, coarse stems that dry slowly when cut for hay.  It is not unusual for windrows to lay in the field for two weeks and still not be dry enough to bale safely.  So it’s important to use every method known to get them dry.

               Begin by cutting when plants are only about 3 feet tall to reduce volume and have smaller stems.  It may be too late for that advice this year, however.  Also, be sure to crimp the hay as it is being cut to crack open stems and allow moisture to escape more easily.

               I like to cut high, leaving 8 to 10 inches of stubble to hold hay off the ground for faster drying and to encourage more rapid regrowth.  But, some growers prefer to cut as short as possible to slow down regrowth, hoping of get the hay dry before regrowth grows into it.

               When you first cut the hay, spread it out in as wide a swath as possible.  This exposes more of it to sunlight energy that is critical for drying.  After the exposed top surface is mostly dry start raking to turn and expose wetter portions to sunlight and wind.  Effective raking probably is more skill and art than it is science, but do your best to keep the windrow loose and fluffy.  And lay newly raked hay onto dry ground if at all possible.  It usually takes several rakings to fully dry these annual grasses.

               It is really hard to tell when the stems are dry enough to bale so it often helps to use a propionic acid-based preservative when baling to reduce the risk of mold and heat damage to the hay.

               Annual grasses are difficult to dry.  By using these steps, and with a little luck with weather, it can be done.



 ‘Local Foods for Local Tables’ 2nd Annual Conference Draws 175 to Scott Conference Center

Sam Rikkers, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administrator for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service was the featured luncheon speaker today at the ‘Local Foods for Local Tables’ 2nd annual conference at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha. The conference was hosted by Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford with participation from USDA agencies.  Nearly 175 people attended.

“USDA is pleased to lend its support to the local foods effort. This program is a great opportunity for people to access healthy, local foods and connect with producers in their community,” Rikkers said. “The local foods movement is one strategy that USDA has used to help turn rural communities into more vibrant places where businesses can thrive.”

“Locally grown foods, from a number of area providers, are the answer to providing well balanced diets to many in our community, especially those struggling to afford and prepare healthy meals,” said Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford.  “As a member of the Nutrition Subcommittee on Agriculture I will continue to support innovative, grassroots programs and help remove red-tape that gets in the way.  Healthy foods provide children the opportunity to learn more at school, receive a better education and grow into healthy adults who become active members of our community.”

USDA Rural Development (RD), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) all participated in the event discussing USDA resources available to help farmers in urban agriculture settings.  Focus was placed on the Local/Urban Foods Initiatives in the Greater Omaha Area including technical, financial and educational support services available through USDA agencies and partners.



Upper Big Blue NRD Board Approves Decrease in FY2017 Budget

The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors approved the FY2017 Budget with a 2.19% decrease.  This is a reduction of $85,362.58 from last year’s budget.  The FY2017 Budget is $3,820,334.64.  The tax levy is 2.6 cents per $100 valuation.

According to David Eigenberg, General Manager of the Upper Big Blue NRD, “Items budgeted for FY2017 include flood control, groundwater quantity & quality protection, sustaining forestry, maintaining safe and comfortable recreation areas, and providing cost-share opportunities for best management practices in agriculture. These measures serve to protect lives, protect property, and protect the future of Nebraska’s natural resources, and enhance the quality of life that District citizens enjoy.”

A Special Public Hearing for the FY2017 Tax Request is scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.  This hearing will take place at the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District office located at 319 East 25th Street, York, Nebraska.  The proposed tax request for FY2017 continues to include safety measures for protecting District citizens and the delivery of quality services.

The Upper Big Blue NRD Board also approved District Rule 8: Erosion & Sediment Control revisions.  These Rule 8 revisions are reformatted to remain consistent with changes in statute passed by the Nebraska Legislature. 



July Milk Production in the United States up 1.4 Percent

Milk production in the United States during July totaled 17.9 billion pounds, Up 1.4 percent from July 2015.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,920 pounds for July, 23 pounds above July 2015.  The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.33 million head, 18,000 head more than July 2015, and 2,000 head more than June 2016.

Milk production in Iowa during July 2016 totaled 414 million pounds, up 2.5 percent from the previous July according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during July, at 211,000 head, was the same as both last month and last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,960 pounds, up 45 pounds from last July.



CattleFax Trends+ Cow-Calf Webinar
August 31, 2016 - 6:30 p.m. CDT

Cow-calf margins have been and will continue to be under pressure as the U.S. beef cowherd has expanded recently, producers will need to continue to make adjustments in years to come to help mitigate a reduction in profitability. An upcoming free CattleFax webinar will address an outlook for the cow-calf and entire beef industry for the last half of 2016 and into 2017.

To participate in the webinar and access program details, producers and industry leaders simply need to register online.... www.cattlefax.com. 



Demand Increases For Short-Term Grain Transportation

Strong demand for grain transportation from mid-July through early August is evident due to high inspections, barge movements, and rail carloads, along with strong vessel loading activities in the U.S. Gulf.

During the last four weeks, total grain inspections from all major ports averaged 2.7 mmt, up 67 percent from the same period last year and 93 percent above the three-year average.

Weekly down-bound grain movements at Mississippi River Locks 27 near St. Louis for the past four weeks have averaged 958 thousand tons, 40 percent higher than the same period last year, and 106 percent higher than the 3-year average.

In addition, during the past 4 weeks ending August 11, an average of 54 ocean-going grain vessels were loading or waiting to be loaded in the U.S. Gulf, 39 vessels were loaded in the previous seven days, and 66 vessels were due in the next 10 days.

In the prior eight weeks ending July 14, an average of 32 vessels were either loading or waiting to load, 34 vessels loaded in the previous seven days, and 55 vessels were due in the next 10 days.



RCIS enters 2016 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour with New Parent Company Zurich and Renewed Energy

Zurich American Insurance Company (Zurich), the new parent company to Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS) , today announced the continued tradition of sponsoring the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour. This will be the seventh year RCIS has been the exclusive crop insurance sponsor of the Crop Tour that runs from Aug. 22 – 25 in seven Midwestern states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota.

“We enter this year’s Crop Tour having a renewed energy with our new parent company Zurich at our side,” said Mike Day, head of RCIS. “The Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour is an opportunity to showcase how important farmers and the agriculture industry are to the American economy. Both Zurich and RCIS have strong ties with farmers throughout the U.S. and we are committed to the viability of crop insurance.”

During this year’s tour, 26 RCIS crop adjusters will be among 100 plus tour scouts out in the fields collecting field samples and analyzing corn and soybean crops in each of the state tour locations. The analysis will result in the first projections on harvest yields of the season. Corn and soybeans from the Tour’s seven states account for more than 60 percent of the total corn and soybean production in the U.S., according to RCIS data.

This year’s Tour – the first since Zurich closed on the acquisition of RCIS on March 31 – will bring RCIS leadership together with area farmers and agents giving them the opportunity to share the progress made since the global insurer reached the 100 days post close milestone.

“The transition has been a positive experience for our team members, agents and farmers,” said Day.

Since the close, RCIS has been successfully on-boarded into Zurich. They have launched initiatives to improve both the farmers’ and agents’ experiences and implemented new tools, such as Digital Signature Service for Claims, a new, timesaving service that allows farmers to sign claims without having to schedule an appointment and interrupt their farm work. For more information about RCIS and Zurich, go to http://www.zurichna.com/en/industries/agriculture.



Deere Cutting Output as Farm Slump Continues

Deere & Co. said Friday it plans to cut more production of its trademark tractors and harvesters this fall in response to the continued downturn in the global farm economy.

The world's largest maker of farm equipment by sales is trimming output and laying off workers at plants in Illinois and Iowa due to weak demand in North America and big overseas markets in Europe and South America.

Falling crop prices have hit farmer incomes and made them more reluctant to buy new machinery, while Deere and its rivals also face a glut of used equipment bought during a near decadelong sales boom that ended three years ago.

Deere outlined its latest cost-cutting efforts as it reported better-than-expected fiscal third-quarter profit and raised its full-year guidance, boosting shares that were recently up 11.2% at $85.56.

The company faces its fourth year of falling sales in 2017 and plans to cut hours at the East Moline, Ill., plant that assembles harvesters by 60% from a year ago, with those at the Waterloo, Iowa, factory that builds high-horsepower tractors falling by a fifth, said Tony Huegel, Deere's director of investor relations, on a call with analysts.

The market for large tractors in the U.S. and Canada that Deere leads has been particularly weak. Industrywide retail sales so far this year are down 24% from 2015, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, a trade group.

U.S. farmers' cash receipts from major crops are forecast to drop 9% to $95.4 billion for the current growing season even as farmers are set to bring in record corn and soybean harvests, according to J.P. Morgan.

The Moline, Ill.-based company has been throttling back on production to avoid swelling inventories of new machinery at its dealers. The company reported Friday that fiscal third-quarter sales of farm equipment slipped 11% to $4.7 billion, though profit from the business rose 21% to $571 million as cost cuts boosted margins.