Wednesday March 8 Ag News

STATE VET ADVISES POULTRY PRODUCERS TO STAY ALERT AND CONTINUE BIOSECURITY MEASURES AFTER AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFIRMATION IN U.S.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is asking state poultry producers, large and small, to stay alert and continue to follow strict biosecurity measures on their own farms after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in Tennessee recently.

“The confirmation of HPAI in Tennessee is a reminder for all Nebraska poultry producers to review biosecurity plans and do what you can to protect the health of your flock,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “Nebraska has large commercial poultry operations and small backyard poultry flocks all over the state. So, biosecurity and healthy poultry flocks are important to us all.”

As part of NDA’s existing avian influenza surveillance program, local, state, federal and industry partners work together to actively monitor the health of Nebraska poultry flocks and test domestic and wild bird populations in the state.

“Even though Nebraska has had no known cases of this disease this year, we want poultry producers to be aware of the situation in Tennessee and remain vigilant when it comes to the health of their flocks” said State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes. “Avian influenza can travel in wild birds without them appearing sick. Wild waterfowl are natural carriers of the virus and are currently migrating north.”

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should continue to practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or through USDA’s toll-free number at 866-536-7593.

Additional information on biosecurity can be found online at nda.nebraska.gov.



PLC, NCBA Applaud Senate Push for Transparency of Judgment Fund
The Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association applaud the introduction of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act, introduced today in the U.S. Senate. The bill, introduced by Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and co-sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), seeks to provide increased oversight and transparency of the Treasury Department Judgment Fund.

The fund was established in 1956 and is used to pay court judgments and settlements in cases brought against the federal government, if those costs are not otherwise covered by appropriated agency budgets. Currently, the Treasury has no reporting requirements or accountability to Congress or taxpayers.

“The livestock industry fully supports Sens. Gardner’s and Fischer’s introduction of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act, a good-governance transparency bill which will serve as a major step forward in the effort to track currently unaccounted-for tax dollars being used to put our producers out of business,” said PLC and NCBA Federal Lands Executive Director Ethan Lane.

The legislation would require the Treasury to issue a public report describing funds allocated, a brief description of facts surrounding the agency request and an identification of the recipient of those funds. The legislation targets abuse of the fund by groups that consistently challenge the federal government in court and receive reimbursement.

Lane asserted the bill would have a significant impact on the pervasive anti-agriculture lawsuits facing the government and livestock producers.

“In order to defend their homes and businesses, our members often end up paying out-of -pocket for personal attorneys at the same time that their tax dollars are being funneled to activist groups that have mastered the art of manipulating these programs,” he said. “This legislation will help make government more accountable.”



Donating to State Fire Relief Funds

As fires blaze across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado fellow cattlemen and women are battling to save their livelihoods. Fire relief funds have been set up for each area in the wake of the devastating fires. Currently there is a need for fencing supplies, feed, hay and trucking services. If you are able to help please see below, a list of how to donate to each area being affected. Please continue to say a prayer for those being affected.  

Kansas
Kansas Livestock Association is organizing hay and fencing material donations for delivery to affected areas in Kansas. To make in-kind donations, call KLA at (785) 273-5115. Cash donations can be made through the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF), KLA's charitable arm, by going to www.kla.org/donationform.aspx.

Colorado
There is an immediate need for hay, feed, fencing supplies, individuals willing to provide trucking, etc. for the farmers and ranchers devastated by yesterday's fires. Donations should be taken to CHS Grainland in Haxtun. A loader and scale are both available, if needed. Contact Rick Unrein 970-520-3565 for more information about dropping off donations. Donations can also be dropped off at Justin Price's farm (11222 CR 7 Sedgwick, CO). For more information, please contact: Kent Kokes 970-580-8108, John Michal 970-522-2330, or Justin Price 970-580-6315.

Oklahoma
If you would like to donate to this relief effort, you can do so by mail or online. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation and put "Fire Relief" in the memo line and send to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148. To donate online, visit www.okcattlemen.org. If you would like to donate hay or trucking services for hay, you can do so by contacting either the Harper County Extension Office at 580-735-2252 or Buffalo Feeders at 580-727-5530 to make arrangements or provide trucking services.

Texas
Multiple fires in the Texas Panhandle have burned more than 400,000 acres. As part of a coordinated response with multiple state agencies and emergency managers, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is soliciting hay donations. Two supply points have been established to collect donated hay. Each has been listed below. If you have hay that you can donate and transport to either supply point, please contact the location directly prior to transportation.

Supply Point 1
202 West Main
Lipscomb, TX
Contact: J.R. Spragg
Office: 806-862-4601
   
Supply Point 2
301 Ball Park Drive
Pampa, TX
Contact: Mike Jeffcoat
Office: 806-669-8033

As more information becomes available Nebraska Cattlemen will keep people updated via social and media outlets. We are truly grateful for any efforts put forth by NC members to help our friends during this troubled time.



Iowa Corn Farmer-Leaders Set Policy at Commodity Classic

Iowa Corn farmer-leaders headed to San Antonio, Texas this past week to take part in the 2017 Commodity Classic. The delegation from Iowa consisted of both Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) directors as well as:
- Iowa Corn farmer voting delegates and alternates
- Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) representing future leaders in agriculture
- Premier County Achievement grassroots leaders

A main task for ICGA at Classic is debating the policies that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) should promote to benefit Iowa's farmers. "In Iowa, the policy process starts with the grassroots farmer-members from across the state through our membership survey and at our local roundtable meetings. The resolutions then move to the ICGA Grassroots Summit, and now onto national policy development during NCGA's Corn Congress at Commodity Classic," said Kurt Hora, a farmer from Washington and current ICGA President. "Last week Iowa farmers brought their concerns and policy positions that matter back at home in Iowa to the national platform."

The delegates discussed ICGA priority issues such as:
- Expanding existing and exploring new trade agreements, such as the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
- Retaining U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ag export promotion programs
- Defending the Renewable Fuel Standard
- Protecting Crop Insurance funding

The Iowa resolutions passed by the delegate body include:
- Supporting the use of high compression engines, using low carbon, high octane renewable fuels to meet the CAFe standards
- Providing farmers access to the information and tools necessary to upkeep and repair their farm equipment
- Allowing for noxious weed control or drainage ditch maintenance within Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land or continuous CRP land

"ICGA delegates presented resolutions and in turn voted on these and other resolutions and policies brought forward by NCGA and other states," said Hora. "These policy positions set the framework for our federal legislative efforts and directly influence our direction for years to come."

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at iowacorn.org/policy when it becomes available. For more information on upcoming policy development meetings in your area, contact the Iowa Corn office at (515)225-9242 or email at corninfo@iowacorn.org.



NORTHEY PRESENTS SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE LEADER AWARDS

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today highlighted four Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Awards that were presented at the Iowa Agricultural Leaders Dinner held on March 7.  The winners were recognized for their progress, their innovative solutions and their commitment to serving our communities through collaboration and hard work.

Northey created the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Awards to recognize, honor and promote Iowa citizens, companies and organizations who have made significant contributions to Iowa’s agriculture industry.  Those recognized have displayed leadership within the categories of Innovation, Conservation, Service, and Collaboration.

“It is a tremendous honor and privilege to recognize these leaders that contribute so much to our state and the agriculture industry,” Northey said.  “These Ag Leader Award recipients epitomize the values of Iowa agriculture that makes our state a leader nationally and globally.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Award Winners
Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Science Team – Leadership in Conservation
In 2010, a partnership was launched between Iowa State University, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to develop the science assessment as part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, a statewide strategy to reduce nutrients in Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico in a scientific, reasonable, and cost-effective manner.

The team working on this effort consisted of 23 individuals representing five agencies or organizations under the leadership of Dr. John Lawrence at Iowa State University. The goals         of the science team were to assess nutrient loading from Iowa to the Mississippi River and   conduct an extensive review of practices and their ability to ultimately reduce nutrients in surface water.

This assessment is believed to be the first of its kind and has since been replicated by several other states since the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy’s initial release. This strategy will continue to improve Iowa water quality and could not have been done without the dedication and expertise of these talented individuals.

Sehgal Foundation – Outstanding Service in Agriculture
Seedsman and agriculturalist Dr. Suri Sehgal and his wife Edda Sehgal established the Sehgal Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1998, and S M Sehgal Foundation in 1999, in Gurgaon, India.

Their goal was to make a positive difference in the lives of the rural poor and to strengthen relations between Iowa and India by actively encouraging student exchanges in agriculture and social sciences.

Working in partnership with communities, the foundations create and implement programs that increase agricultural productivity, manage water resources, and strengthen rural governance, with strong emphasis on the empowerment of women.  Their crop research unit adapts rural technologies to meet local needs, and advocacy for biodiversity and conservation is built into all projects.

The Sehgal Foundation teams in India and Iowa strive to design and promote rural development interventions that create opportunities, build resilience, and provide solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in India’s poorest communities so that every person can lead a more secure, prosperous, and dignified life.

The Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers – Leadership in Collaboration
The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers was established in 2004 by farmers for farmers to help those that raise livestock successfully and responsibly manage changes to their livestock farms.

The Coalition does this by helping farmers navigate regulations, providing a building site analysis, consulting on safeguarding the environment, and enhancing neighbor relations.  These services are provided free-of-charge to Iowa livestock farmers.

The Coalition is a joint partnership involving the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy Association.

Their mission of helping Iowa’s farm families grow successfully and responsibly is still as important to the state today as it was thirteen years ago.

Their pre-emptive approach of helping farmers start raising livestock or grow their existing farms has proven to be successful – and in many cases – essential to reaching the farm family’s goals.

Sukup Manufacturing – Innovation in Agriculture Manufacturing
Sukup Manufacturing Company was founded in 1963 when Eugene Sukup patented a stirring machine which improved in-bin drying for thousands of farmers in the United States.  Since then, innovation has been a company priority.

In the last 20 years alone, Sukup Manufacturing Company has seen exponential growth due to the innovative minds of Charles and Steve Sukup, who emphasized advanced manufacturing methods and the development of new product lines. Today, 80% of sales come from products that didn’t exist just two decades ago.  These new product lines with patents include Grain Dryers, Grain Bins, Material Handling equipment and Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings.

Sukup Manufacturing now holds 85 patents and has sales in all 50 states and over 80 countries.  Headquartered in Sheffield, Iowa, the manufacturing company employs over 500 people, and has global distribution locations in Denmark and Ukraine.

Since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Sukup Manufacturing has designed and delivered 240 Safe T Homes to the people of Haiti, which provide element-resistant safe housing. Made entirely of metal, they are earthquake-proof, hurricane-proof, and combine innovation with humanitarian need.



U.S. Red Meat Exports Maintain Strong Pace in January

January exports of U.S. beef and pork were up significantly year-over-year, maintaining the solid momentum established in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Beef exports totaled 96,488 metric tons (mt), up 17 percent from a year ago, valued at $515.5 million – up 18 percent and the highest ever for the month of January. Exports accounted for 12.2 percent of total beef production and 9.5 percent for muscle cuts only – with both ratios being fairly steady with January 2016. Export value per head of fed slaughter was $256.62, up 7 percent from a year ago.

January pork exports were up 21 percent from a year ago in volume (202,667 mt) and jumped 26 percent in value to $508.6 million. Exports accounted for 26.2 percent of total pork production and 21.7 percent for muscle cuts – up significantly from the respective January 2016 shares of 22.3 percent and 18.8 percent. Pork export value averaged $50.23 per head slaughtered, up 21 percent from a year ago.

“The red meat industry entered 2017 with an optimistic outlook, confident that we can continue our recent strong momentum in the international markets,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “The January results certainly validate that feeling, but we understand that significant challenges still lie ahead. With record-large pork production and beef production also trending higher it’s more important than ever that we capitalize on our abundance of protein, and move more product out of the country by growing U.S. market share in established markets and breaking new ground in emerging destinations.”

Beef exports still red-hot in key Asian markets
Beef exports were higher year-over-year to most major destinations, but Japan and South Korea continued to be the pacesetters for the start of 2017. Exports to Japan were up 34 percent in both volume (22,487 mt) and value ($125.2 million), with muscle cut exports climbing 41 percent. Exports to Korea achieved similar growth, with volume up 35 percent to 15,194 mt and value increasing 36 percent to $91.6 million – maintaining the pace that carried exports to Korea over the $1 billion mark for the first time last year.

Other January highlights for U.S. beef include:
• Exports to Mexico were 26 percent above last year’s pace in volume (19,151 mt) and up 11 percent in value ($76.2 million). Exports to Canada also rebounded, up 8 percent in volume and 11 percent in value (9,885 mt; $60.8 million).
• Following a record year for export value, exports to Taiwan climbed 24 percent in both volume (3,591 mt) and value ($29.9 million).
• Led by growth in the Philippines and renewed momentum for U.S. beef in Indonesia, exports to the ASEAN region were up 56 percent in volume to 2,556 mt and 45 percent in value to $14.1 million.

Mexico continues to shine for U.S. pork
Coming off the fifth consecutive record year for pork export volume to Mexico, the Mexican market shows no signs of letting up. January volume climbed nearly one-third higher than a year ago to 72,406 mt – the third-largest monthly total on record. Export value was up even more dramatically, increasing 50 percent to $128.7 million, as Mexico’s strong buying helped sustain higher U.S. ham prices.

Pork exports to China/Hong Kong were up 17 percent from a year ago in volume (38,012 mt) and 19 percent in value ($76.2 million). U.S. exports to China/Hong Kong peaked last May at 58,000 mt and regained momentum in November and December, averaging 47,000 mt per month, with strong buying ahead of Chinese New Year. China’s hog prices have softened following the holiday, and are down about 5 percent year-over-year.

Japan took 31,597 mt of U.S. pork in January, up 6 percent year-over-year, valued at $125.7 million (up 11 percent). Following a record year in 2016, U.S. chilled pork exports to Japan continued to grow in January, up 12 percent from a year ago to 17,619 mt.

Other January highlights for U.S. pork include:
• Exports to Korea continued their recent upward trend, climbing 32 percent in volume (16,073 mt) and 48 percent in value ($45.1 million) year-over-year. Korea’s domestic pork prices have exceeded year-ago levels since late December due to a number of factors, including strong demand (especially for pork belly), relatively high domestic beef prices and most recently concerns about foot-and-mouth disease, which impacted domestic beef production.
• Exports to Central and South America continue to reflect growing demand for U.S. pork, with both volume (14,240 mt) and value ($33.1 million) up nearly 60 percent year-over-year. Muscle cut exports to Colombia were the second-largest on record in January – trailing only November 2016 – at 6,155 mt. Combined muscle cut and variety meat exports were also higher for Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Peru.
• Australia – a key destination for boneless hams and other raw materials for further processing – maintained its recent strong momentum with volume increasing 26 percent to 6,498 mt and value up 34 percent to $17.9 million.
• Exports to the Dominican Republic were record-large at 2,746 mt valued at $6.2 million, up 24 percent and 37 percent, respectively, from a year ago.

Slow start for lamb exports, but muscle cuts trend higher
U.S. lamb exports continue to be held back by weak variety meat volumes. January muscle cut exports increased 42 percent from a year ago in volume (194 mt) and 29 percent in value (to just under $1 million), but this was offset by lower variety meat exports. Combined export volume was 573 mt (down 41 percent) valued at $1.4 million (down 8 percent). Exports were lower to most markets, but increased to Jordan and the Netherlands Antilles.



ACE thanks members of Congress for RVP waiver extension legislation

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) sent letters to the House and Senate thanking Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and David Loebsack (D-Iowa) for their leadership and support by introducing the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (S. 517, H.R. 1311). This bipartisan legislation clarifies that E15 should be allowed for sale year-round, increasing market access opportunities for higher blends of ethanol while eliminating confusion at the pump.

The Clean Air Act requires EPA to control the evaporative emissions of gasoline, or Reid vapor pressure (RVP), during the June 1  to Sept. 15 summer driving season to reduce smog from vehicle emissions. In 2011 EPA approved the use of E15, a clean and safe fuel with lower RVP emissions than E10 and straight gasoline. Congress granted E10 an RVP waiver because E10 reduces tailpipe emissions, but EPA has historically refused to extend the same RVP waiver to E15, even though higher ethanol blends are less volatile, and fuel such as E15 further decreases emissions.

Consequently, retailers are largely prohibited from selling E15 for use in 2001 and newer vehicles from June 1 through Sept. 15, robbing consumers of the opportunity to buy a lower cost product, as E15 typically costs 2 to 10 cents less per gallon than E10 and gasoline.

ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings noted in the letters that while ACE is very encouraged by statements from President Trump that EPA will revisit this regulatory burden, the coalition also strongly supports this legislation.

ACE’s annual Washington, D.C., fly-in coming up March 22-23 will serve as an opportunity for its members to rally more support. “Nearly 70 of ACE’s grassroots members will be calling on your colleagues to cosponsor the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act during our annual Washington, D.C., fly-in,” Jennings expressed in the letters.

Cosponsors of S. 517 currently include Sens. Baldwin (D-Wis.), Blunt (R-Mo.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Ernst (R-Iowa), Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Hoeven (R-N.D.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), McCaskill (D-Mo.), Roberts (R-Kan.), Sasse (R-Neb.) and Thune (R-S.D.). Cosponsors of H.R. 1311 currently include Reps. Cartwright (PA-17), Cramer (ND-AL), Davis (IL-13), King (IA-4), Kinzinger (IL-16), Peterson (MN-7), Pocan (WI-2) and Walz (MN-1).



Average Retail Fertilizer Prices Higher Again

Retail fertilizer prices were still on the rise the last two days of February and first three days of March 2017, though at a slower rate than in previous weeks, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. This is the sixth consecutive week prices have moved higher.

For the second week in a row, all eight major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, though none were up by a significant amount.

DAP had an average price of $436 per ton, MAP $458/ton, potash $335/ton and urea $361/ton. 10-34-0 had an average price of $440/ton, anhydrous $502/ton, UAN28 $246/ton and UAN32 $279/ton.

One interesting note is with anhydrous. The nitrogen fertilizer was back above $500 per ton for the first time since the first week of September 2016 when the price was $502/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.39/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Only three of the eight major fertilizer are double digits lower.

10-34-0 is 22% lower from a year ago while UAN32 and potash are both 10% less expensive. DAP is 9% less expensive, both MAP and anhydrous is 7% lower, UAN28 is 6% less expensive and urea is 4% compared to year earlier.