Thursday March 30 Ag News

NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY DOWN 1 PERCENT

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2017, was 3.35 million head, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was down 1 percent from March 1, 2016, and down 1 percent from December 1, 2016.

Breeding hog inventory, at 415,000 head, was down 1 percent from March 1, 2016, and unchanged from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 2.94 million head, was down 2 percent from last year, and down 2 percent from last quarter.

The December 2016 - February 2017 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.08 million head, was up 5 percent from 2016. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 180,000 head, up 3 percent from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.55 for the December - February period, compared to 11.30 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 180,000 sows during the March – May 2017 quarter, down 3 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for June – August 2017 are 180,000 sows, also down 3 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period the previous year.



IOWA HOGS & PIGS REPORT

On March 1, 2017, there were 21.8 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. The March 1 inventory was down 3 percent from the previous quarter but up 8 percent from the previous year.

The December 2016-February 2017 quarterly pig crop was 5.70 million head, down 7 percent from the previous quarter but 7 percent above last year. A total of 530,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 10.75 for the December-February quarter, down from 10.90 the previous quarter.

As of March 1, producers planned to farrow 520,000 sows and gilts in the March-May quarter and 525,000 head during the June-August quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up 4 Percent

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2017 was 71.0 million head. This was up 4 percent from March 1, 2016, but down 1 percent from December 1, 2016.  Breeding inventory, at 6.07 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, but down slightly from the previous quarter.  Market hog inventory, at 64.9 million head, was up 4 percent from last year, but down 1 percent from last quarter.

The December 2016-February 2017 pig crop, at 31.4 million head, was up 4 percent from 2016. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 3.01 million head, up 3 percent from 2016. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 49 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was a record high of 10.43 for the December-February period, compared to 10.30 last year. Pigs saved per litter by size of operation ranged from 8.00 for operations with 1-99 hogs and pigs to 10.50 for operations with more than 5,000 hogs and pigs.

United States hog producers intend to have 3.01 million sows farrow during the March-May 2017 quarter, up 1 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period in 2016, and up 5 percent from 2015. Intended farrowings for June-August 2017, at 3.05 million sows, are down slightly from 2016, but up 1 percent from 2015.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 48 percent of the total United States hog inventory, the same as previous year.



PRE-SEASON ALFALFA IRRIGATION
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Attention growers of irrigated alfalfa.  Have you watered your alfalfa yet?  With low soil moisture levels in many areas, now might be a good time to start.

                It seems silly to irrigate alfalfa before first cutting, doesn't it.  But look at your soil moisture profile.  If it's dry, you may need to.  In fact, early spring often is the best time to irrigate alfalfa.  After all, it's about the only time you can actually build a reserve water source for summer use.

               The biggest advantage of reserve water comes after each mid-summer cutting.  Alfalfa can develop roots that will use water more than eight feet deep.  But it will only do this when surface moisture does not meet crop needs and moisture is available all the way down to those depths.  If you have deep roots and deep reserve moisture, though, it will make your summer irrigating much easier by providing extra moisture when plants use as much as half an inch per day.  Unfortunately, typical shallow watering during summer encourages only shallow rooting.            

               Shallow summer watering causes other problems.  Alfalfa roots need oxygen in the soil if plants are to regrow rapidly.  Watering right after cutting suffocates roots, slowing regrowth.  Immediate watering also stimulates shallow rooted or sprouting weeds, especially at a time when alfalfa plants are not very competitive.  Both problems are reduced when reserve water is available for use by deep alfalfa roots.  Then the top several inches of soil can remain dry for a couple days until alfalfa regrowth is well underway.

               So, improve your alfalfa irrigation by watering early, with a goal of at least six feet of soil at field capacity at first cutting.



 Smith and Yoho Introduce Resolution Urging Establishment of Trade Agreement with Japan

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL) introduced H. Res. 236 today, a resolution urging the Trump administration to start the process of establishing a trade agreement with Japan.

“We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to reduce trade barriers with Japan, especially for U.S. agriculture producers,” Congressman Smith said.  “We have already seen the results of U.S. inaction on trade.  For example, Japan currently levies a nearly 40 percent tariff on U.S. beef, while Australia, which established its own agreement with Japan, only pays a 28 percent tariff on the same export.  Strong trade policy strengthens our relationships around the world, and doing so with Japan, one of our allies and top trading partners, is a logical place to start.”

“As the United States’ fourth largest trading partner in 2016, pursuing a bilateral trade agreement with Japan would only continue to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship,” Congressman Yoho said.  “This trade agreement will provide additional opportunities for the free flow of goods between our two nations.  Additionally, a U.S.-Japan bilateral trade agreement will signify that the United States is not only willing, but intends to stand by one of its most important and trusted allies and remain engaged in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“America’s pork producers thank Rep. Smith and Rep. Yoho for introducing a resolution urging the Trump administration to pursue a free trade agreement with Japan,” said National Pork Producers Council President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Illinois.  “An FTA with Japan, the U.S. pork industry’s number one export market, would exponentially expand our exports and create American jobs.  Without one, though, we could lose market share to competitors such as the European Union.”

“Nebraska currently has a record inventory of beef, and we know our red meat exports are in high demand overseas.  Japan is our leading export market, and we greatly appreciate Rep. Smith’s and Rep. Yoho’s commitment to helping expand access for U.S. beef.  When producers are able to trade, everyone is rewarded, from the pasture down to Main Street,” said Troy Stowater, Nebraska Cattlemen President.



Fischer Meets with U.S. Trade Representative Nominee Robert Lighthizer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today released the following statement after meeting with Robert Lighthizer, President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Trade Representative:

“During our productive conversation today, Mr. Lighthizer said that he is committed to ensuring any future U.S. trade deals or renegotiations will not harm Nebraska agriculture. He also shared one of his main objectives, if confirmed as U.S. Trade Representative: opening new markets for agriculture producers. I was pleased to hear he intends to be an advocate for the many families in our state who work hard to feed a growing and hungry world.”

According to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, in 2016, Nebraska was the highest selling beef exporter with more than one billion dollars in exports. In 2015, Nebraska’s $6.4 billion in agricultural exports translated into $7.8 billion in additional economic activity.



Iowa Corn Farmers Take Their Priorities Issues to the State Capitol

More than 75 Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members filled the State Capitol rotunda for “Iowa Corn Day on the Hill” lobbying event. This delegation included ICGA Board of Directors, county leaders and student FFA members from across the state.

“Iowa corn farmers from across the state are here in Des Moines today to share our policy priorities with our state legislators,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association President Kurt Hora, a farmer from Washington. “Our ‘Day on the Hill’ event facilitates those one-on-one interactions where we are able to discuss and promote ICGA priorities. It’s the dedication and engagement of our members which allows ICGA to have a strong, unified voice at the State Capitol.”

ICGA's “Day of the Hill” efforts focused on three of the organization’s top state legislative priorities for this session, including:
·         Taxation: State coupling of the federal section 179 small business expensing provision
·         Conservation: Long-term increased funding for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
·         Ethanol: Obtaining funding for Iowa's biofuels infrastructure cost-share program (RFIP)

“Our highest priority is full state coupling of the federal Section 179 for small business expensing. This allows Iowa farm families to manage their cash flow and reinvest in their businesses which supports Iowa’s rural economy. A very close second for us is water quality funding. We will continue to work with our state legislators and the Governor to support any legislation to create long-term and consistent water quality initiatives in our state.” Hora added.

The next step in the policy development process will be the roundtable meetings in early July and the Grassroots Summit in August. These meetings allow ICGA members to gather together and discuss policy directions for the upcoming year.



Harmon Named Interim Associate Dean for Extension in ISU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Jay Harmon has been named the interim associate dean for extension and outreach programs and the interim director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

Harmon fills the positions held by John Lawrence, who on Monday was named the interim vice president of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Lawrence succeeds Cathann Kress, who is leaving Iowa State for a new position at The Ohio State University.

Harmon, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension livestock housing specialist, will assume the his new responsibilities effective April 1. Lawrence becomes acting vice president on March 31, and will assume his interim role on April 29.

“We are fortunate to have a leader of Dr. Harmon’s caliber to continue the extraordinary commitment to science-based information and engagement we are known for in our agricultural and natural resources extension programs,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Dr. Harmon has a remarkable record of service to the state of Iowa, and is nationally recognized for his expertise in livestock production systems.”

Harmon joined ISU’s agricultural and biosystems engineering faculty in 1993. His extension duties have focused on improved profitability and sustainability through a systems approach to livestock housing, management of ventilation and heating systems for swine housing and environmental modifications that improve swine conception rates. He has advised more than 200 producers on making the best decisions on siting new swine facilities by running an ISU-developed odor assessment model. He leads the Agricultural Systems and Environmental Stewardship Extension Group and, from 2014 to 2015, he served as interim director of ISU’s Iowa Pork Industry Center.

Harmon teaches courses on subjects that include agricultural engineering design, swine environmental management and ventilation of agricultural facilities. He conducts applied research on efficient and sustainable swine production systems.

Harmon is professor-in-charge of the Midwest Plan Service at Iowa State, which produces agricultural engineering publications and materials in collaboration with 12 Midwestern universities. In 2015, he was nationally recognized as the recipient of the G.B. Gunlogson Countryside Engineering Award for exemplary service to animal production systems from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. He is a Fellow of ASABE.

Harmon earned his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University, his master’s at University of Minnesota and his doctorate at Virginia Tech, all in agricultural engineering.



EPA Administrator to Cattlemen: “You Care Deeply About Clean, Healthy Environment”

U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt addressed cattlemen and women at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual legislative conference today in Washington D.C. In his remarks, Administrator Pruitt said he is working to build a partnership between the agency and the men and women who serve as the stewards of our natural resources.

“In Oklahoma, I saw first-hand that cattlemen care deeply about a clean and healthy environment, because their livelihoods depend on it,” said Pruitt. “Looking forward, we will build a partnership with landowners across the country and create commonsense rules that protect our environment.”

Craig Uden, NCBA president, said he appreciated the candid comments and looks forward to working in collaboration the Administration.

“After eight years of aggressive regulatory overreach, it is reassuring to have an Administrator that wants to work with our nation’s farmers and ranchers,” said Uden. “We are the front line in terms of environmental stewardship. A one-size-fits-all approach to environmental conservation simply doesn’t work, and we look forward to working with Administrator Pruitt to create an environment that incentivizes voluntary conservation and provides the flexibility needed for cattlemen and women to care for their land.”

Pruitt’s appearance at NCBA’s annual legislative conference caps off an action-packed three days during which hundreds of cattle and beef producers stormed Capitol Hill, met with their Senators and Members of Congress about the issues that affect them, got updates from Administration officials, and helped announce the re-establishment of the Congressional Beef Caucus at a Capitol Hill news conference.



USDA Offers Renewal Options for Expiring Conservation Stewardship Program Contracts

Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael Young today announced that a contract renewal sign-up is underway for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), USDA’s largest working lands conservation program with more than 80 million acres enrolled. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) made several updates to the popular program last fall.  These changes help producers better evaluate conservation options that benefit their operations while improving the health and productivity of private and Tribal working lands.

“The changes made to CSP are providing even greater opportunities for stewardship-minded producers across the country to participate and bring their conservation efforts to a higher level,” said Young.  “The new tools and methods for evaluating operations, expanded options to address the producer’s conservation and business objectives, and the focus on local resource priorities have resulted in a 30 percent increase in applications for this widely popular program.”

Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on Dec. 31 can access the benefits of the recent program changes through an option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands.  Applications to renew expiring contracts are due by May 5.

Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, buffer strips, pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, and soil health building activities – all while maintaining active agricultural production on their land. Benefits to producers can include:
-    Improved cattle gains per acre;
-    Increased crop yields;
-    Decreased inputs;
-    Wildlife population improvements; and
-    Better resilience to weather extremes.

“CSP is for working lands,” said Young. “Thousands of people have made the choice to voluntarily enroll in the program because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation.”

Producers interested in contract renewals or applying for CSP for the first time should visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/csp or contact their local USDA service center to learn more.



IGC Raises Grain Output Forecast

The International Grains Council Thursday said it still expects global grain production to top 2.1 billion metric tons, as it raised its 2016-17 production forecast.

The IGC also released its first full set of projections for 2017-18, saying it expects a 56 million ton drop in production for next year. When accounting for carryover stocks, consumption, and trade, that adjusts to a 29 million ton inventory drop on-the-year.

The IGC increased its monthly output forecast for 2016-17 to 2,106 million tons from 2,102 million tons, a 5% increase year-on-year and the largest production figure on record.

Forecasts of huge harvests across several grain-producing regions has seen the IGC raise its production forecast in 10 of its last 11 reports.

Of the 34 million ton production increase on the last forecast, the IGC expects wheat and maize to account for 16 million tons and 15 million tons, respectively.

The IGC upgraded its corn production forecast to 1,053 billion tons from 1,049 million tons and its soybean forecast by 5 million tons to 341 million tons. It raised its wheat production forecast by 2 million tons to 754 million tons, also increasing its rice forecast by 1 million to 483 million tons.

Strong soy bean production in the southern hemisphere is one of the drivers behind the IGC's production forecast hike.

The council said the upward revision in expected production slightly outstrips a hike in its consumption forecast. As a result, its forecast for year-end global grain inventories was raised by 5 million tons to 513 million tons.

The body said it expects falls for wheat, maize, and sorghum to drive the 2017-18 downtick.



Farm Groups Support Estate Tax Repeal

The American Soybean Association (ASA) was among 32 agricultural groups that signed onto a letter to House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-MA) indicating support for full repeal of the estate tax. The groups urged that the estate tax repeal be included in any tax reform package passed this year. In addition, the letter expresses support for maintaining the stepped up basis provisions in current law, which limit the amount of property value appreciation that can be subjected to capital gains taxes when inherited assets are sold.

Comprehensive tax reform is a top priority for Congress in 2017 and the House intends to move forward on a package in the coming months. ASA will also be weighing in with policymakers on other tax issues that impact soybean farmers, such as continuation of the cash accounting method for farm operations, an option to allow full and immediate expensing of capital investments, maintaining 1031 like-kind exchanges and extension and restructuring of the biodiesel tax credit.



Farm Bureau Cheers Perdue Committee Vote, Urges Full Senate to Confirm

The following may be attributed to Zippy Duvall, President, American Farm Bureau Federation: “Today’s vote by the Senate Agriculture committee to move Sonny Perdue’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation recognizes what we’ve said all along: Gov. Perdue is supremely qualified to run the USDA. He knows agriculture inside out, from veterinary medicine to row crops to the business of handling and exporting the food Americans grow for the world. He is a real-world farmer who wants to build on farmers’ successful efforts to sustain and conserve the natural resources that surround us. He understands the great good – and serious harm – government can do to farmers and ranchers. We could not be happier or prouder to support Sonny Perdue for confirmation by the full Senate.”



Farm Bureau Praises EPA Chlorpyrifos Decision

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today applauded Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt for rejecting a petition that would have eliminated the use of chlorpyrifos in agriculture.

“Farmers nationwide depend on chlorpyrifos in managing their crops,” Duvall said. “It is widely and safely used for a wide range of crops, including alfalfa, citrus, vegetables, soybeans, almonds and others. It also protects hundreds of thousands of acres of grass seed production, where it controls aphids, cutworms and other pests. As USDA has noted, chlorpyrifos has been used as a part of environmentally friendly IPM (integrated pest management) programs for nearly 50 years.”

Duvall noted that the chemical is still subject to registration review and any concerns about its safe use can be addressed in that process.

AFBF earlier filed comments with EPA expressing concern over the agency’s approach. The agency had apparently relied on epidemiological studies even though researchers had failed to share raw data with the agency. EPA’s own Scientific Advisory Panel, as well as USDA, had expressed caution about how the agency used the epidemiological study.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding EPA Denying Petition to Ban Widely Used Crop Protection Product

“Last night’s action by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt to deny a proposed ban on chlorpyrifos, a widely used agricultural crop protection product, is a sign that we are moving in the right direction with this administration when it comes to fixing the problematic culture of an agency that has promoted regulation first instead of science and common sense.”

“From the beginning of this process it was clear there were serious scientific concerns about the validity of trying to take this tool away from farmers, yet those concerns were ignored previously by the EPA. Not only did agriculture groups like Nebraska Farm Bureau raise concerns, but those concerns were shared by USDA and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.”

“Pruitt’s decision is clearly a ‘win’ for Nebraska and American agriculture.”

Note:
In October 2015, EPA proposed to revoke all food residue tolerances for chlorpyrifos, an active ingredient in insecticides. The proposal was issued in response to a petition from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Pesticide Action Network North America. Chlorpyrifos is commonly referred to as Lorsban and Dursban and primarily used in Nebraska to control insect damage to soybeans and alfalfa.



NCGA Applauds EPA Decision on Chlorpyrofis

The National Corn Growers Association today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for dismissing a petition related to the crop protection tool chlorpyrifos.

“We are pleased with the EPA’s decision today to deny a petition against chlorpyrifos and return to the standard pesticides review process as called for under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),” said NCGA President Wesley Spurlock. “The overwhelming scientific consensus is that chlorpyrifos is safe for use by farmers, and we are confident that the pesticide review process will reaffirm this.”

In 2015, the Obama administration proposed banning chlorpyrifos, but the decision had not been finalized. Last August, a federal court ordered the EPA to decide by March 31 whether to ban the pesticide. NCGA and its farmer-members have submitted numerous comments to the EPA about this issue.

“NCGA supports transparent, science-based oversight of pesticides. We are encouraged by the EPA’s decision because it signals a return to these standards and procedures,” said Spurlock.

“Effective pest management requires access to a variety of treatments, including chlorpyrifos. If we become too reliant on a single tool, it can start to lose its effectiveness, and that’s how resistance develops. Farmers need access to many crop protection tools to ensure all tools can remain effective.”



Carl's Jr. & Hardee's Introduce 'No Antibiotics Ever' Chicken

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, the sister quick service restaurant chains, added to its all-natural arsenal with the introduction of the all-natural, charbroiled chicken fillet with no antibiotics ever. In addition to featuring no antibiotics ever, the new chicken has no artificial ingredients, no preservatives, and is now available on all of the chains' current charbroiled chicken sandwiches at participating restaurants nationwide.

Over the past several years, the restaurants have become the first major QSR chains to introduce an all-natural, grass-fed beef burger with no added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids; as well as the industry's first All-Natural Charbroiled Turkey Burger.

"While the public's desire for decadent burgers isn't going away anytime soon, more and more consumers are looking for 'cleaner' and more all-natural, menu options, too," said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. "A few years ago, we became the first major fast food chains to offer all-natural, grass-fed beef burgers with no added hormones, steroids or antibiotics, and we're still the only ones doing so today. So, we 'naturally' wanted to try to do something similar with our charbroiled, chicken breast fillet sandwiches, but we had set the bar pretty high for ourselves with our All-Natural Burger."

Both Carl's Jr. and Hardee's will offer the all-natural, charbroiled chicken fillet with no antibiotics ever on the Charbroiled Chicken Club Sandwich and the Charbroiled BBQ Chicken Sandwich, and Carl's Jr. will also offer its famous Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich topped with a sliced Anaheim chili.



Novozymes and Boehringer Ingelheim announce strategic collaboration in probiotics for poultry hatcheries

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Novozymes today announced a strategic collaboration to develop and commercialize probiotics for global poultry production. The parties will focus on developing products for hatcheries, the facilities where eggs are hatched before the chickens move to grow-out farms. As part of the agreement, Boehringer Ingelheim will market and distribute Novozymes’ FloraMax® probiotic product for the U.S. poultry industry. Boehringer Ingelheim plans on expanding to other markets globally in the coming years.

“Boehringer Ingelheim is continuously exploring new science, products and industry categories, to deliver a powerful range of innovative solutions with a focus on customer needs. Poultry producers are looking for improved ways to deliver on the growing global need for sustainable protein,” said George Heidgerken, Global Head of Livestock at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Collaborating with Novozymes enables Boehringer Ingelheim to enter an exciting new segment of products to provide alternatives in an environment that is increasingly challenged by antibiotic bans.”

Probiotics are naturally occurring, live microbes that can improve the gut flora of poultry and other animals. Robust gut flora can significantly improve animal health, thereby providing a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Rising global consumption of meat, and legislative and consumer-driven curbs on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal farming have increased demand for alternatives such as probiotics.

“We are excited to collaborate with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a range of probiotic solutions for poultry that will improve sustainability in the industry”, said Susanne Palsten Buchardt, Vice President, Animal Health & Nutrition at Novozymes. “The collaboration is an important step in solidifying Novozymes’ capabilities within probiotics and helping poultry producers deliver greater quantities of safe, affordable protein. Utilizing Boehringer Ingelheim’s close relationships with large-scale producers, Novozymes will gain valuable access to new distribution channels and customers, many of which are seeking sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters”.



India Remains World's Largest Milk Producer

India is the largest milk-producing country in the world. Records from the USDA show that the country is trailed by the United States, which is the second largest producer, in milk production by a large margin.

India is unique among the major milk producers because more than half of its production comes from water buffalo, rather than cattle. Its dairy herd, also the largest in the world, has the biggest herds of both dairy cattle and water buffalo.

Since 1980, production has grown consistently at an average of 4.5 percent per year. The rate of growth between water buffalo and cow's milk has also been quite similar at 4.6 and 4.5 percent, respectively.

In 2016, total production reached 154 billion tons compared with 96 billion produced in the United States.

India surpassed the United States as the largest dairy producer in 1997, when both countries produced roughly 70 billion tons, each.