Monday January 16 Ag News

2017 NE Extension Beef Feedlot Roundtable
February 9: West Point, Nielsen Community Center

Please plan to participate in this meeting at a location nearest you. Topics and speakers were chosen to benefit feedlot managers, owners, employees, and allied industry. Sponsors include the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension and Nebraska Beef Council. 

12:30—1:00 Registration
1:00 Introduction and Welcome - Local Extension Personnel
1:15 Effects of Environment on Bovine Respiratory Disease - Brian Vander Ley, Great Plains Veterinary Educational Cener
2:00 Marketing fat cattle options and what the fed cattle exchange entails -Steve Sunderman, Producer; Nebraska Cattlemen Committee Co-chair
2:45 Break -Sponsored by the Nebraska Beef Council
3:00 Livestock and Climate Change– Facts and Fiction -Frank Mitloehner, University of California-Davis (via remote connection)
3:45 UNL Feedlot Research Update -Matt Luebbe, UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
-Galen Erickson, UNL Animal Science Industry Updates
4:15 Beef Quality Assurance– Feedlot Assessments -Rob Eirich, UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
4:30 Nebraska Beef Council- Doug Straight, Nebraska Beef Council
4:45 Adjourn
5:00 Optional: Beef Quality Assurance Training -Rob Eirich, UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center (Additional cost for BQA training. For more information please contact Rob at 308-631-2311 or e-mail reirich2@unl.edu)

Pre-registration ($20 for pre-registration, $30 at the door) for the Roundtable is due by Wednesday, February 1st 2017.   Please pre-register by phone, fax, e-mail, or mail. Checks can be made out to “UNL” .  Return completed registration form to: Matt Luebbe, Panhandle Research and Extension
4502 Ave. I Scottsbluff, NE 69361 - Phone: 308-632-1260 Fax: 308-632-1365 - E-mail: mluebbe2@unl.edu.  Or contact Larry Howard in the Cuming County Extension office at 402-372-6006. 



Sixth Annual Innovative Youth Corn Challenge 

Do you enjoy being outside? Learning new things about crops? Are you considering a career involving crops, insects, diseases, soils, water or more? Do you want to help figure out how to feed the world’s growing population sustainably?

Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board are offering the sixth Innovative Youth Corn Challenge contest. This contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 and older as of January 1) or FFA members (in-school members), guides participants through all aspects of corn production and explores agricultural careers related to corn production.

As a team (two or more participants), youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal and determine whether they increased their yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice also will be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary.

Cash prizes and plaques will be given to the first, second, and third place teams. First place will receive $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $250. Sustainability, crop scouting, and “extra mile” awards also will be given, each worth $150.    

To participate in 2017, youth must complete and return an entry form by March 15 to the Fillmore County Extension Office, 1340 G St.,Geneva, NE 68361. Forms can be downloaded here or at cropwatch.unl.edu/youth/cornchallenge.

For more information, contact one of these Nebraska Extension educators:
    Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu
    Aaron Nygren at anygren2@unl.edu
    Amy Timmerman at atimmerman2@unl.edu



Preparing for Farm Loan Renewal Time
Tina Barrett - Executive Director of Nebraska Farm Business Inc.

Shortly before Christmas, I was watching a Christmas movie with my family about a farm family who was in jeopardy of losing the operation if they didn’t come up with the required payments by January 2. You can guess, as well as I did, that it was a Christmas miracle and the necessary funds were found on Christmas Eve. While the story was predictable, it made me wish the struggles of the real farm economy could be fixed in less than two hours, with no family arguments and the only unknown being how it would be solved, not if.

The reality is that some operations are going to be faced with the real issue of foreclosure this year.  Others will need to look hard at restructuring debt, switching lenders, making major changes to their operation and/or living, and maybe even selling off excess assets.  So how can you make your operation be the best it can be through a stressful renewal season?  Here are a few things to consider before you go into your renewal appointment:

    Be prepared.  Come into your renewal appointment with a plan.  Have detailed estimate of your costs for the coming year, a cash flow that makes sense and is grounded in reality (no $7 corn sales), and include reasonable spending for family living. If your cash flow shows significant changes from previous years, come with an explanation. For example:  “My family living is down 20% from last year. We have a monthly budget and a commitment from our family to stick to it. We will send monthly accountability reports to show we are serious.” If you just reduced family living to make the cash flow work without a plan on how to make that change actually work, it’s not believable.

    Be honest.  Being honest with yourself is just as important as being honest with your lender. Take a hard look at your operation and figure out WHY your operation is having a tough time at renewal. It isn’t just because commodity prices are down. If that were the case, every operation would be experiencing this stress and they are not. So what’s different about your operation?  What costs have changed in the past five to six years? Where can you make different choices about your costs?

    Be accountable. This is YOUR farm operation. YOU get to make the choices about how the money is spent. Many times I hear, “We just don’t have a choice on how much we spend.” The reality is you make choices every day. You can choose a different seed variety or a different seed vendor (or any other input). You can choose to operate older equipment instead of having the latest and greatest technology. You can choose between buying a $60,000 family vehicle or a $30,000 one. You may have to make unpleasant choices, but they are still your choices to make. The choice of whether or not a bank continues to finance you may not ultimately be yours, but the choices that led to that decision were yours.

Being ready for your appointment may only be half the battle, but it will show you have a commitment to turning your operation around.

When a Farm Operation Loan is Denied
If your bank does deny continued funding, there are other options to consider.

-    Your current bank is not the only one who can finance your operation.  You can go back to the “drawing board,” get even more organized and prepared, and try another bank or two.

-    If you are unable to obtain credit elsewhere, you may qualify for a loan from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). The funding for these loans can change from year to year and is set by the government so there may be first come-first served access to these loans. More information about these loans can be found at:  https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/fsa_br_01_web_booklet.pdf

-    Consider liquidating some assets.  It may seem like you can’t operate without ALL of your equipment, but it may be a good time to rent some of those larger assets such as a combine or have your harvest done by a custom harvester. If you sell some equipment so you can retire debt, you may be able to put yourself into a position where you can service the remaining debt while continuing to farm. You also may need to liquidate some land to keep going. Don’t forget to hold back some proceeds for income taxes.

-    Bankruptcy may be a word that comes back into normal conversation. Our office is preparing to dust off old books and take classes to prepare for potential questions from farmers hoping to avoid or best navigate through the potential reality of bankruptcy.  While avoiding bankruptcy will be ideal, the laws exist for a reason and may be a good tool for you to use so your operation can continue.  Unfortunately, bankruptcy is complicated and the services of a good attorney and accountant will be necessary to complete the process.

Seek Expertise and Engage Your Support Network
Regardless of the outcome, going through a stressful renewal is tough on everyone. I don’t know a single lender who got into the business with the goal of putting farmers out of business and I don’t know a single farmer who wanted their business to end with a liquidation.

Using your management team is going to be important. It may seem silly to be paying professional fees when you are trying to cut costs, but many of these issues are very complex and require detailed expertise.

It is also stressful for your family. Consider professional counseling to protect those relationships, your marriage, and your mental health. Talking about financial struggles is never fun, but keeping it to yourself could cause even bigger consequences.

Several sources of assistance are readily available to you.
-    Nebraska Extension has developed a team of educators trained to help producers improve their financial literacy. For more information, contact your local extension educator.
-    The State of Nebraska also has the Farm/Ranch Hotline ready to provide immediate help. Call 1-800-464-0258 to find financial, legal and counseling services and referrals. The schedule of

For more information on farm financial management, see farm management information in CropWatch.unl.edu, published by Nebraska Extension, and on the Department of Agricultural Economics website.

The author, Tina Barrett, is executive director of Nebraska Farm Business, Inc. and a program manager in the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics.



BQA Producer Forum Open to All Cattle Producers

Attention all dairymen, cattle farmers and ranchers:  The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Producer Forum will be held Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn., during the Annual Cattle Industry Convention. The forum is open to all cattle producers and BQA stakeholders.

This is a time for cattle producers to have their voices heard about the checkoff-funded BQA program and where it’s headed in the future.

“This is where the grassroots ‘rubber meets the road’,” says Dan Kniffen, BQA Advisory Board chair. “As we work to shape the program into what’s best for producers and the beef industry as a whole, your input is highly encouraged and appreciated at this critical time."

During the forum, producers will hear updates on current programs and resources, meet the BQA program staff and leaders, and have an opportunity for engagement and discussion.



Major Accomplishments are Fueling Biodiesel’s Future At the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo

From the streets of New York City to the surf of the California Coast, big things are happening to fuel biodiesel’s future. So it’s no surprise enthusiasts of America’s Advanced Biofuel are excited to converge this week in San Diego at the industry’s largest gathering of producers, distributors and fans.

San Diego residents are invited to join the action free-of-charge when the 14th Annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo kicks off in earnest Tuesday. The day opens with an overview of the industry at the conference’s General Session, which is followed by numerous breakout sessions where experts will present on the latest trends in the industry. Local fans will be particularly interested in the discussion in the session, “California’s Thriving Low Carbon Markets.”

“The General Session is one event attendees won’t want to miss,” said Donnell Rehagen, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, which produces the annual conference. “Not only will they get presentations on what’s been accomplished and what’s expected ahead, we are looking forward to a very special announcement from General Motors that will be exciting news for biodiesel fans everywhere.

“Plus we all will be treated to a keynote address from master negotiator Chris Voss,” Rehagen added. “Chris has used his many years of experience as an FBI agent in international crisis and high stakes negotiations to develop a unique program and team that applies globally-proven techniques to the business world. This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn from an expert that can make us all better at what we do in business and in life.”

Attendees will also enjoy the Biodiesel Vehicle Showcase that kicks off Tuesday in the Expo Hall. There they will find the latest biodiesel-capable vehicles, technologies and special announcements on what to expect in the future.

Throughout the week, attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the exciting developments for the biodiesel industry that have occurred in the past calendar year. Thanks to new legislation, New York City residents will see the amount of biodiesel used in place of conventional heating oil gradually grow over the coming years. In fact, the amount of biodiesel used for home heating oil there is expected to skyrocket from 50 million gallons last year to 200 million gallons by 2034.

And in Oregon, residents there have followed California’s lead and instituted their own Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which means more clean-burning biodiesel being substituted for petroleum diesel. Not to be outdone, California last year took it to another level by extending the state’s targets for carbon emissions reductions to 2030. Biodiesel and renewable diesel are leading credit generators under the low carbon fuel standard and their presence will continue growing with the expansion of this landmark policy.

Beyond the victories in individual states and municipalities, much of the discussion this week will center on what the new Congress and Administration will mean for the biodiesel industry in general and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) specifically. The RFS is the program signed into law under the George W. Bush administration with bipartisan support in Congress that guarantees minimum levels of biodiesel and other alternative fuels are blended into the nations fuel supply.

“There’s no question this is an interesting time for biodiesel and our industry,” Rehagen said. “Like so many others we are eager to see what the coming months and the Trump Administration will mean for renewable energy, for tax reform and for the RFS.  Biodiesel is one of the few truly bi-partisan issues and we are confident our new Congress and new leadership will continue to support a smart solution that is working for America on so many levels.”



FARM Version 3.0 Launched Jan. 1

The new FARM Animal Care Version 3.0 went into effect on Jan. 1, 2017. This latest version of FARM includes new documents and guidelines to update and strengthen the program, which now enjoys the support of companies marketing 98% of the nation’s milk supply. These requirements include a signed Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) form, a signed Dairy Cattle Care and Ethics agreement, FARM training in basic stockmanship by all employees, and the phaseout of tail docking.

Revisions to the FARM Program occur every three years and are based on input from farmers, veterinarians and others involved in the FARM Program’s Technical Writing Group, NMPF’s Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee, and recommendations received through a public comment period. The revision process began in May 2015. The NMPF Board of Directors approved the changes at its board meeting last March.

FARM Animal Care is one silo within the broader National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, alongside the Antibiotic Resistance and the new Environmental Stewardship components. A complete summary of the Version 3.0 updates can be found on the FARM website... http://nationaldairyfarm.com/v3changes. 



 CWT-Assisted Export Sales Contracts Total 7.8 Million Pounds in December

Cooperatives Working Together assisted member cooperatives in winning 48 contracts to export 4.75 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 3.03 million pounds of butter in the holiday-shortened month of December. The products will go to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, North Africa, and Oceania, and will be shipped from December 2016 through March 2017.

The contracts captured in December raise the 2016 CWT-assisted sales totals to 50.32 million pounds of American-type cheese, 12.13 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 21.32 million pounds of whole milk powder destined for customers in 23 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 892.91 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. Totals are adjusted for cancellations received during the month.

Assisting CWT member cooperatives gain and maintain world market share through the Export Assistance program expands the long-term demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This increases demand which positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Vilsack Resigns Early as Ag Secretary

Friday was Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's last day as head of the USDA. He resigned his position a week before tenure.

In a blog post, he says, "I have been honored to serve my country. I will always love the people I worked with at USDA and the people we work for."

The Agriculture Secretary position is now vacant, the last to be filled by the Trump Administration. Many names have been tossed around but none have stuck.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he's talked to Vice-President Elect Mike Pence and didn't get an answer.

He says he can't give an update nor can he get an update, "I've suggested several times to this team that they take a real hard look at Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey but there doesn't seem to be any indication out there. I imagine over a period since the election, I've seen almost a dozen names pop up. Never one has popped up a second time."

Grassley adds he's talked to Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Pat Roberts who also hasn't gotten an update.



NCBA/PLC Support Confirmation of Rep. Zinke for Secretary of Interior

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council released the following statements today in support of the confirmation of Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) for the Secretary of Interior:

“During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Zinke has consistently advocated for our western communities, economies, and ranchers,” said Tracy Brunner, NCBA president. “He has demanded transparency and the inclusion of stakeholders when it comes to land management decisions, and has a strong understanding of the challenges that come with stewarding the West.”

Western ranchers own approximately 120 million acres of the most productive private land in the West and manage nearly 250 million acres of public land. Ranchers who hold grazing permits on public land do vital work that benefits public land including the improvement of water sources, improvement of wildlife habitat, and maintaining the open space that Americans enjoy, yet are often targeted by outside interest groups.

“For too long, ranchers have been marginalized and overlooked during planning processes and the benefits they provide to public rangelands, wildlife and natural resources have gone unrecognized,” said Dave Eliason, PLC president. “The current leadership of the Department of Interior refuses to stand up for the very people who have invested their time and livelihoods into the management and improvement of public lands. Having a Secretary of Interior who understands public lands, and who values true cooperation with stakeholders is in the best interest of all Americans. We are excited for Representative Zinke to refocus the agency’s efforts to their core mission, and to have someone in this role that understands the unique challenges we face in the West.”