Tuesday January 24 Ag News

Candidates Sought for Nebraska Dairy Princess Title

The Nebraska dairy community is recruiting candidates to become the 2017-18 Nebraska Dairy Princess. The young woman who holds the title represents dairy farm families and the dairy industry by helping consumers learn more about dairy products and how farm families care for their cows and land.

The contest judging is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18, in Norfolk. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, Feb. 14, and applications are found at MidwestDairy.com or can be obtained by calling the contest director, Julie Meier, at 308-390-9338 or emailing Julie.Meier@Thrivent.com.

The coronation of the new princess will be held during the banquet at the Nebraska State Dairy Convention Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Inn in Columbus.

The Nebraska Dairy Princess is chosen on the basis of her knowledge and enthusiasm about dairy, personality and communication ability. Both the princess and the runner-up receive scholarships from Midwest Dairy Association, which sponsors the contest and princess program on behalf of Nebraska’s dairy farmers.

Dawn Klabenes, 18, of Chambers is the reigning Nebraska Dairy Princess.



Registration now open for 2017 Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop

Get registered now for the 2017 Nebraska Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop, presented by the Nebraska Tourism Commission. The Workshop will be held in Broken Bow, February 21-23, 2017. Join us to learn creative ways to get the right tools to grow your business.

“This Workshop gives landowners and businesses a chance to learn how to use their land, gifts and ideas to develop or advance an attraction, increase their operating income or just bring excitement to their area. We hope people walk away with new skills to successfully connect the land to the visitor and provide tourists a rustic experience in our agriculture based state,” said Karen Kollars, Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop planner.

This year’s Workshop theme is “Brewing up Business.” The event will officially kick-off Tuesday at Kinkaider Brewing Company where a panel discussion will take place along with an evening event. Opening in 2015, Kinkaider is one of the newest hot spots in Broken Bow and where small-batch, hand crafted beer is created using ingredients from right off their farm.

Wednesday and Thursday’s events will be held at the One Box Convention Center, where all types of breakout sessions will take place, giving folks a chance to learn from a variety of industry professionals. Nebraska native and world-traveler, Dean Jacobs, will be the keynote on Wednesday. Jacobs’ presentation, 7 Wonders 7 Lessons, will give attendees insight from his lessons learned after leaving a successful corporate career and following his dream to travel the world. Dean’s presentation will leave you energized and empowered to take action, challenge the norm and provide a roadmap to effect change.

Wednesday night, the Taste and Feel of Nebraska event will give attendees the opportunity to network while sampling local products. The workshop will wrap-up Thursday, with a tour of attractions in the city of Broken Bow, a NETA meeting and the February Nebraska Tourism Commission meeting.

To get more information and a full schedule go to http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry/2017-agri-ecotourism-workshop.

A block of rooms is reserved at the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites (this hotel is connected to the One Box Convention Center), for hotel reservations call 308-767-2060. The room rate is $ 83 + tax until January 31, 2017. Another block is reserved at The Arrow Hotel, located in downtown Broken Bow. For reservations call 308-872-6662 before January 21, 2017. When calling to book the rooms, make sure to clarify that you’re with the Nebraska Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop. 



NEBRASKA 4Q MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production in Nebraska during October-December 2016 quarter totaled 352 million pounds, up 3.2 percent from the October-December quarter last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 60,000 head.

October-December Milk Production up 2.4 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the October  - December quarter totaled 52.5 billion pounds, up 2.4 percent from the October - December quarter last year.

The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.35 million head, 10,000 head more than the July - September quarter, and 26,000 head more than the same period last year.

U.S. December Milk Production up 2.4 Percent
Milk production in the 23 major States during December totaled 16.8 billion pounds, up 2.4 percent from December 2015. November revised production at 16.1 billion pounds, was up 2.8 percent from November 2015. The November revision represented an increase of 27 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,931 pounds for December, 35 pounds above December 2015. This is the highest production per cow for the month of December since the 23 State series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.69 million head, 53,000 head more than December 2015, and 10,000 head more than November 2016.

IOWA - Milk production in Iowa during December 2016 totaled 424 million pounds, up 3 percent from the previous December according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during December, at 214,000 head, was 1,000 more than last month and 4,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,980 pounds, up 25 pounds from last December.



NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during December 2016 totaled 8.96 million, up from 7.54 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Nebraska egg production during December totaled 231 million eggs, up from 164 million in 2015. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,582 eggs, compared to 2,179 eggs in 2015.

IOWA - Iowa egg production during December 2016 was 1.38 billion eggs, up 6 percent from last month, and up 69 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The average number of all layers on hand during December 2016 was 55.2 million, up 1 percent from last month, and up 45 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for December were 2,500, up 5 percent from last month, up 17 percent from last year, and the highest rate of lay since records began in 1988.

USDA:  December Egg Production Up 11 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.97 billion during December 2016, up 11 percent from last year. Production included 7.84 billion table eggs, and 1.13 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.04 billion were broiler-type and 87.0 million million were egg-type. The total number of layers during December 2016 averaged 372 million, up 7 percent from last year. December egg production per 100 layers was 2,415 eggs, up 4 percent from December 2015.
                                   
All layers in the United States on January 1, 2017 totaled 372 million, up 6 percent from last year. The 372 million layers consisted of 314 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 53.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.64 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on January 1, 2017, averaged 77.9 eggs per 100 layers, up 4 percent from January 1, 2016.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 1 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during December 2016 totaled 46.2 million, down 1 percent from December 2015. Eggs in incubators totaled 40.2 million on January 1, 2017, down 16 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 194 thousand during December 2016, down 10 percent from December 2015.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during December 2016 totaled 811 million, up 2 percent from December 2015. Eggs in incubators totaled 661 million on January 1, 2017, up 2 percent from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 7.54 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 2016, down slightly from December 2015.



USDA Cold Storage December 2016 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on December 31, 2016 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 2 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 7 percent from the previous month and up 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 8 percent from the previous month and down 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 4 percent from last month and down 67 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on December 31, 2016 were up 6 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 2 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 18 percent from last month and up 39 percent from December 31, 2015.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on December 31, 2016 were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 5 percent from December 31, 2015.  Butter stocks were up 9 percent from last month and up 13 percent from a year ago. 

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 7 percent from last month but up 20 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 3 percent from last month but up 7 percent from a year ago.



Iowa Beef Center Offers Revised BRaNDS Software

The Iowa Beef Center recently updated the Beef Ration and Nutrition Decision Software (BRaNDS), software for beef producers interested in having help balancing rations. Garland Dahlke, Iowa Beef Center assistant scientist, recently completed the update and said the new version is more user friendly and reflects guidelines updated in the recently released "Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle."

"This software will continue to be provided in both Standard and Professional versions," Dahlke said. "For those who already have the existing professional edition, the update will be $50; otherwise, the cost is $525 for new users. For those who have the standard edition, the update is $10 per module, and the complete standard edition will be sold to new customers for $260."

Dahlke said users should note that the professional version now requires Microsoft Excel 2007 or newer installed on a Windows-based computer to operate. The Standard Edition will operate on both Windows and Mac systems running MS Excel.

"Whether you are a new user or are upgrading your old version, remember that program support is just a phone call or email message away," Dahlke said. "You can call the Iowa Beef Center at 515-294-2333 or email us at beefcenter@iastate.edu."

To order, pay for and download your desired version, go to the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach online store at https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ProductList?Keyword=brands+. 

Customers updating from a previous version should indicate update in the customer request space on the order shipping page to receive the much lower update price. This will be validated with your name and email. Those who prefer to order a program CD rather than electronically download the program should call the Extension Distribution Store at 515-294-5247.



Informa: Soybean Acres Projected Higher as Corn Acres Draw Down

U.S. farmers will boost soybean acres by 5.2 million acres this spring, while dialing back on corn planting by 3.5 million acres, according to a survey released Tuesday by Informa Economics EIG of prospective crop planting projects.

Corn planted acres are pegged by Informa at just under 90.5 million acres, down from 94 million acres in 2016. That would be a 3.7% decline in corn acres. With a yield assumption of 170.4 bushels per acre, Informa pegs corn production for the 2017-18 marketing year at 14.2 billion bushels. If realized, that would be 978 million bushels below 2016's record harvest.

Soybean planted acres under the survey are projected at 88.6 million acres, up from 83.4 million acres in 2016. That would be a 6.2% bump in soybean acreage.  Despite the bump in acres, Informa uses a soybean yield assumption of 47.2 bpa, which is 4.9 bushels below the 2016 record yield of 52.1 bpa. If that plays out, then 2017 soybean production would be 4.2 bb, which is 153 mb lower than 2016's record production.

Spring wheat acres are projected at 11.2 million acres, down 391,000 acres from 2016. Durum wheat acres would be 2.165 million acres, down 355,000 from a year ago.

Grain sorghum planting is pegged at 6.35 million acres, down from 6.69 million acres from 2016.



2016 Biodiesel Market Skunks Previous Records

 US consumers saw a record of almost 2.9 billion gallons of biodiesel and
renewable diesel in 2016, outpacing the previous record by almost 40 percent. Also for the first time ever, the monthly market topped 300 million gallons, with December’s numbers coming in at 362 million gallons.

“We are proud to be delivering record gallons of American made biodiesel, but that success is undermined by the fact our members are losing more than a third of the market to foreign imports,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO, Donnell Rehagen.

According to numbers released by the EPA Thursday, the 2.9 billion gallons was an increase of 800 million gallons from 2.1 billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel in 2015.  At the same time domestic production rose from about 1.4 billion gallons in 2015 to more than 1.8 billion gallons in 2016, well below available capacity.  Imports increased by more than 50 percent from an estimated 670 million gallons in 2015 to over 1 billion gallons in 2016, shortchanging potential economic benefits to U.S. producers.

“The market realities spotlight two important points. First the RFS is working to deliver energy choices to consumers and promote local economic activity. Second that reforming the biodiesel tax incentive as a domestic production credit remains critical to grow these programs in America’s best interest,” Rehagen said.

According to a study conducted by LMC International, a 2.9 billion gallon biodiesel and renewable diesel market divided between domestic and foreign supply supports about 64,000 U.S. jobs and $11.42 billion in total impact.  Economic benefits increase substantially with growing domestic production, rather than imports.  For example, just 2.5 billion gallons domestic production would support at least 81,600 U.S. jobs and $14.7 billion in total economic benefit. 

“It’s just common sense that our tax dollars should benefit American jobs and local companies instead of incentivizing imports,” Rehagen said.

The biomass-based diesel category under the RFS alone saw a record 2.6 billion gallon market, allowing the advanced biofuel program to reach over 4 billion ethanol-equivalent gallons. These numbers exceeded EPA’s estimates for 2016, and track NBB’s projections, showing the industry can deliver on the goals set by Congress.

EPA’s announcement comes on the heels of the biodiesel industry’s premier event, the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, held last week in San Diego. During the event biodiesel experts from around the nation discussed future opportunities to grow America’s Advanced Biofuel.



AFBF Endorses Bills to Repeal Death Tax

The American Farm Bureau Federation has endorsed bipartisan legislation in the House and Senate to repeal the federal estate tax. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said the bills are needed because farm and ranch families continue to face challenges to passing their family businesses to the next generation.

The AFBF-endorsed Death Tax Repeal Act of 2017 was introduced today in the House by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.). Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

“Farmers and ranchers face a number of factors that are unpredictable and beyond their control, from changing weather to fluctuating markets,” Duvall said. “These family-run businesses need a tax code that encourages investment, rather than one that punishes their success. We believe that repeal of the estate tax offers the best solution to protect farms, ranches and all family-owned businesses from the estate tax.”



Maintaining Pork Exports to Canada, Mexico Critical

The National Pork Producers Council today committed to work with the Trump administration to preserve tariff-free market access for U.S. pork exports to Canada and Mexico. The administration is planning to pursue trade discussions with the two countries.

“As far a pork is concerned, the trade deals with Canada and Mexico have been tremendous for U.S. pork producers,” said NPPC President John Weber, a pork producer from Dysart, Iowa. “Our exports to those nations exploded because of the trade pact we have with them. But we know that some concerns have been raised by others, so we are committed to working with the Trump administration in looking for ways to improve our trade relationships with Canada and Mexico.”

Through November, U.S. pork exports to Mexico in 2016 were nearly $1.2 billion, up 21 percent from the same time last year, and to Canada they totaled $731 million, making those countries the No. 2 and No. 4 export markets, respectively, for U.S. pork.

Since the U.S.-Canada-Mexico free trade agreement went into effect Jan. 1, 1994, U.S. trade north and south of the borders has more than tripled, growing more rapidly than U.S. trade with the rest of the world. Canada and Mexico are the two largest destinations for U.S. goods and services, accounting for more than one-third of total U.S. exports, adding $80 billion to the U.S. economy and supporting more than 3 million American jobs, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. In fact, U.S. manufacturing exports to Canada and Mexico have increased nearly 260 percent over the past 23 years, and U.S. farm exports to the countries have grown by more than 150 percent.

“Trade in pork with Canada and Mexico has been so successful that any disruption in exports with either partner could hurt our producers’ ability to compete,” Weber said. “We need to make sure we maintain and even improve our pork exports to our neighbors while working to ensure that others benefit as much as we do.”



Soy Growers Urge Prudence on NAFTA Renegotiation

The American Soybean Association (ASA) has communicated to the White House that the significant trade benefits U.S. farmers have achieved under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) must be protected as President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to renegotiate the agreement. ASA President Ron Moore, a farmer from Roseville, Ill., noted the significant stakes for soybean farmers in a statement:

“Given the size and impact of the Mexican and Canadian markets for American soybean producers, we're watching the Administration’s decisions very, very closely, and it's fair to say that we're nervous. For the last 20 years, NAFTA has been a core component in the growth of soybeans as a positive contributor to the U.S. balance of trade. Overall, U.S. ag exports to Mexico and Canada have more than quadrupled since NAFTA enactment, growing from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.6 billion in 2015. Mexico’s imports alone are a particularly notable success story for U.S. soy, growing more than five-fold over that same time period to $2.44 billion in 2015. Needless to say, there's a great deal at stake.

All of this isn't to suggest that there isn't room for improvement in NAFTA, and we look forward to being part of that discussion. In particular, we are interested in discussing how to reduce non-tariff barriers as well as the few remaining tariffs on U.S. ag products sold to Canada and Mexico. Throughout his campaign, President Trump spoke of the need to give farmers an active role in helping to make policy decisions that impact us. This is clearly the first of those instances, and we look forward to our part in that process.”



Food and ag organizations ready to work with President Trump to modernize NAFTA

A total of 133 organizations and companies from the food and agriculture sector, which supports more than 15 million jobs nationally, sent President Donald J. Trump a letter this week expressing their eagerness to work with his Administration to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while preserving and expanding the gains achieved to date.

"U.S. food and agricultural exports have produced a trade surplus for nearly 50 years," the letter notes. "Consistent growth over this period resulted in over $130 billion worth of exports, which created $423 billion in U.S. economic activity in 2015." The letter also noted that in the 20 years since NAFTA was implemented, the market integration it fostered helped quadruple the value of U.S. food and agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico.

"With a few key sector exceptions that still require attention, North America intraregional food and agriculture trade is now free of tariff and quota restrictions....," the letter continues. "Because of these market access gains, the food and agricultural sectors of the North American region have become far more integrated, as is evidenced by rising trade in agricultural products and substantial levels of cross-border investment in the agriculture and food sectors....[W]e look forward to working with your Administration on reducing the non-tariff trade barriers that continue to inhibit our exports to the North American marketplace, as well as to addressing the remaining tariffs impeding access for some U.S. export sectors."



Commodity Classic Discounted Registration Fees End January 26

Only a few days remain to take advantage of registration discounts for the 2017 Commodity Classic to be held March 2-4, 2017, in San Antonio, Tex. Thursday, January 26, 2017, is the last day the discounts will be in effect.

Registration fees vary depending on the number of days attended. Full registration covers all three days of the event, and one-day registrations are also available.  Members of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Sorghum Producers and National Association of Wheat Growers receive additional discounts on registration.

All registration and housing reservations should be made online at www.commodityclassic.com.  Experient is the official registration and housing provider for Commodity Classic.  In order to stay at an official Commodity Classic hotel, reservations must be made only through Experient to ensure favorable rates, reasonable terms and confirmed hotel rooms.

The 2017 Commodity Classic will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  The convention center will house all Commodity Classic events, including the Opening Reception, General Session, Evening of Entertainment, Trade Show, Learning Center Sessions and What’s New Sessions.

A detailed schedule of events is also available on the website.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, and Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



Early Signs Show Promising ‘Triple Win’ Possible for Farmers at Soil Health Summit

Building long-term data by its very nature takes time, but early indicators are promising on the relationship between soil health and economic, productivity and environmental gains in agriculture.

That was the message delivered from the Soil Health Partnership, a project to make agriculture more productive and sustainable through healthy soil, at its annual meeting last week. About 185 Ag scientists, industry leaders, environmentalists, water quality experts and enrolled farmers discussed their efforts at SHP’s third annual Soil Health Summit in Des Moines, Iowa Jan. 19-20.

“Through this program, we have powerful analytics underway providing early indicators of tangible links between soil health and enhanced farm performance,” said Nick Goeser, SHP director.

Working with their agronomists and trained field managers, SHP farmers have enrolled about 32,000 acres to provide data for the analytics. The three main areas of study are cover crops, reduced tillage and advanced nutrient management.

Doug Karlen, a USDA distinguished senior research scientist based in Iowa, provided a first look into the soil sample data collected across SHP farms. His team analyzed data from approximately 700 soil health assessment samples. These data provide a basis to guide soil health assessment interpretations.

For example, results indicate soil texture is extremely important for organic matter content, Goeser said.

“While dry lab studies and analyses have documented the patterns shown, this is the first time the relationship has been supported across an on-farm trial network as expansive as the Soil Health Partnership,” he said. “These early looks will help us better understand opportunities and limitations to interpreting soil health assessments based on different regions and soil types. SHP is revolutionary in this effort.”

One of the farmers enrolled is Roger Zylstra, a corn and soybean grower in Lynnville, Iowa. He practices no-till and grows cover crops like cereal rye.

“On our farm, early results show we’re making some progress. This year we noticed a definite suppression of weeds in our soybeans,” Zylstra said. “It’s too soon to say much about yield improvement, but that marked improvement in late season pigweed emergence made a difference and was obviously connected to cover crops.”

Zylstra presented at the summit alongside David Muth, one of the founders of the Ames-based company AgSolver. Farmers enrolled in SHP have access to the company’s software tools to analyze a field’s agronomic and economic performances side-by-side, and compare potential management scenarios.

Three years into the program, the SHP teams, with support from AgSolver, are developing a preliminary research summary to be released soon.

Other speakers included Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Working Lands Michael Doane and Purdue Agricultural Economics Professor Wallace Tyner.

Tyner compared mining the data through SHP to Michelangelo “bringing David out of the marble.”

As for his farm, Zylstra said he expects to see more concrete data coming in the next year, and has some advice for other farmers.

“Anybody thinking about doing cover crops – don’t let the potential challenges at start-up stop you from trying them on the farm,” he said. “There’s going to be a lot of value to cover crops. Don’t give up. Try, try again. We need to figure it out to improve our soil.”

An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the SHP works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, industry groups, federal agencies and well-known environmental groups, including TNC, toward common goals. The Partnership is completing its third year with more than 65 partner farms across nine Midwestern states.