Monday September 18 Ag News

Cover Crop Field Day Monday, Sept. 25 near Lincoln 
Paul Jasa - NE Extension Engineer

A field day to view a variety of cover crops seeded after wheat harvest will be held at the UNL Rogers Memorial Farm just east of Lincoln.  The free event will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, September 25.

Cover crop topics will include:
-    Understanding the goals and objectives of cover crops
-    Selection and management of cover crops to achieve the objectives
-    Using cover crops to improve soil health and help control weeds
-    Discussing the effects on yields and the soil system, both short-term and long-term

Six cover crop mixes, each planted for a specific objective, will be featured, showing how different species can be used for different purposes. Fertilizer has been applied in a strip across these six mixes to show the improvement in growth and biomass production, important if grazing is one of the objectives. In addition, a shredding across the six mixes was done to simulate grazing to show regrowth and recovery of the different species.

The field day will also include a no-till drill demo, seeding a 14-way diverse mix into wheat stubble. This will be the sixth planting date of the same mix, once every two weeks since wheat harvest, allowing attendees to compare the differences in growth and species performance.  Also featured will be a nitrogen rate response study to estimate the apparent nitrogen contribution of various legume cover crops for corn production in 2018.  Data from the same study conducted in 2012 and 2015 will be discussed.

Seed vendors and cover crop users will be in attendance to share some of their experiences, adding to the discussion and helping answer questions.

The Rogers Memorial Farm is located at 18630 Adams Street, Lincoln (north side of the road, about 7 ½ miles east of Lincoln, 2 miles north of Highway 34).



Ricketts Concludes Successful International Trade Mission to Japan

Governor Pete Ricketts has concluded his second international trade mission of 2017 following a six-day visit to Japan, including stops in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and the Kansai region.  Key members of the Governor’s administration as well as public and private sector leaders joined the Governor on the mission, which focused on efforts to grow Japan’s investments in Nebraska.  Department of Economic Development Director Courtney Dentlinger and Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Mat Habrock helped lead the Governor’s 40-member Nebraska Delegation.

“During my second trade mission to Japan, I saw firsthand how innovative leaders at Kawasaki and Shizuki are leveraging technology which has led to new opportunities for Nebraska’s workforce across our state from Lincoln to Ogallala,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Kawasaki’s new aerospace division in Lincoln will employ an additional 50 people, and new equipment at ASC in Ogallala will streamline their operations, improving production output by more than 20 percent.  Collaborative efforts to grow these companies and others are essential to help our state compete in a global economy.”

Japan is Nebraska’s number one direct foreign investor and has a number of investments within the state.  Kawasaki and the Shizuki Electric Company currently operate facilities in Nebraska and Japan.  In May, the Governor celebrated the opening of Kawasaki’s first aerospace division in the United States at its Lincoln facility.  For the past 30 years, the Shizuki Electric Company has manufactured capacitors at American Shizuki Corporation (ASC) in Ogallala.

This week, the Governor toured Kawaski’s Hyogo Works Heavy Industries plant and the Shizuki Electric Company in Nishinomiya.  In addition, Lt. Gov. Foley visited ACS’s Ogallala facility in early September for a tour of the plant’s ongoing remodeling project. 

Kawasaki employs more than 34,000 people worldwide and is Japan’s largest manufacturer of rolling stock.  The company’s Hyogo Works facility is home to six Kawasaki plants that specialize in aluminum, environmental and marine machinery, hydraulic equipment, jet engines, motorcycles, robotics, and ships.  The company has been investing in Nebraska since 1974.

“We appreciate Kawasaki’s long-standing relationship with Nebraska, as well as the company’s confidence and trust in our workforce to produce motorcycles, passenger rail and subway cars, and now, cargo doors for aeronautics,” said DED Director Dentlinger.  “Over the past 16 years, workers in Kawasaki’s Lincoln plant have manufactured more than 2,000 subway and commuter cars for transit authorities in other states.  This is just one example of the company’s direct foreign investment in Nebraska, which continues to grow our reputation as a global competitor in manufacturing.”   

On Monday, UNK and Toyo University signed an agreement to implement faculty and student exchanges, research projects and educational programs.  For the past three decades, the University of Nebraska-Kearney (UNK) has had the largest enrollment of Japanese students in Nebraska.  UNK’s efforts to facilitate a relationship with Toyo University in Tokyo were created to build research, education and networking opportunities for students and faculty in both countries.

While meeting with Japanese business and government officials, leaders from the state’s ag and business sectors provided first-hand knowledge about the value of Nebraska’s products and commodities.  On the trip, Governor Ricketts was briefed on Japan’s agricultural markets, discussed trade issues with national government officials, and celebrated a new agreement with Japan’s Sagami Restaurant Chain to purchase Nebraska pork for their 170+ facilities in Japan and around the world.

“Last year, Japan imported almost half of the $398.7 million in Nebraska pork exports,” said Department of Agriculture Assistant Director Habrock.  “The agreement with Sagami Restaurant Chain will keep our state in a strong position as a leading pork exporter.  Throughout this mission, we have shared Nebraska’s agricultural story with government officials and industry leaders.  We have shown our ability to provide Japanese consumers the high-quality products they are seeking.”

Other notable events during the Governor’s Japan visit included a promotional meeting to introduce Japan’s travel and media officials to tourism opportunities in Nebraska.  Nebraska Tourism Commission Executive Director John Ricks led a discussion on educational and recreational tourism destinations unique to our state, such as Nebraska’s annual Sandhill Crane migration.

Earlier this week, Governor Ricketts attended the Midwest US-Japan Association’s annual conference in Tokyo.  Nebraska is one of nine U.S. states involved in the association, which was designed to create pathways for investment opportunities between Japan and the central U.S.  In 2018, Omaha will host the association’s 50th anniversary celebration.

This week’s Japan trip was the Governor’s second trade mission of 2017 and concludes less than a month after the Governor’s trade mission to Canada, which marked the state’s first-ever Governor-led trade mission to the country.

Trade missions have been a critical part of the Governor’s Grow Nebraska agenda.  As mentioned earlier, this was the Governor’s second trip to Japan in two years.  Following his 2015 trade mission to Japan, Kawasaki announced the location of their first U.S. aerostructures production in Lincoln.



AFAN joins education effort for National Farm Safety and Health Week

About 23 out of every 100,000 farmers die of workplace injuries in a year, and new Department of Labor data lists the agricultural sector as the most dangerous in America, costing about 570 lives a year. To top it off, harvest season in the Corn Belt is the peak time for accidents involving farm children.

Those are a couple of the reasons that the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) is assisting with safety education as part of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 17-23.

"Farming and ranching is one of the most dangerous professions out there, and I would venture to say that everyone in agriculture has experienced or witnessed the devastation that farm accidents can bring to families and communities," said AFAN Executive Director Kristen Hassebrook. "This is the 73rd year that National Farm Safety and Health Week has been designated to the third week of September, as farmers enter the harvest season."

The theme for the 2017 Farm Safety & Health week is "Putting Farm Safety into Practice."
"This is a great reminder that we must follow all best practices to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe," Hassebrook said. "The National Education Center for Agriculture Safety (NECAS) offers safety information on topics including tractor safety; farmer health; child/youth health & safety; confined spaces in agriculture; and rural roadway safety."

Watch for AFAN to focus one day on each of these five categories on its social-media platforms this week. Get more in-depth information from NECAS at http://www.necasag.org/nationalfarmsafetyandhealthweek/.



U.S. Ag Centers’ YouTube channel ready for National Farm Safety Week, Sept. 17-23

The U.S. Agricultural Centers’ YouTube channel provides the quickest way of “Putting Farm Safety into Practice,” the theme for this year’s National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 17-23.

The 11 U.S. Agricultural Centers, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), have posted 100 safety and health videos related to agriculture, forestry and fishing. The videos, many in both English and Spanish, can be used by Extension agents, agricultural science teachers, producers, first responders, families and others interested in agricultural safety best-practices.

The videos have undergone formal review and only the best are put on YouTube. Popular topics include grain bins, heat illness, tractor rollovers and needlestick injuries.

Agriculture is among our most hazardous industries, with a work-related death rate of 22.2 deaths per 100,000 workers annually, according to the most recent numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, far ahead of transportation (13.1/100,000) and mining (12.3/100,000).

NIOSH joins the Ag Centers in recognizing National Farm Safety and Health Week as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of working together to prevent injuries and illnesses to agriculture workers. Additional information and resources for the Week are available through the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.

How are you advocating for farm safety? Find ideas in the social media kit. Do you have news to share regarding events during National Farm Safety and Health Week? Join the conversation on Twitter, #USAgCenters #NFSHW #necasag.



Iowa Beef Center Introduces New Heifer Development Program

Iowa’s new heifer development program, Iowa Cowmaker Elite, is officially underway, according to program coordinator Patrick Wall, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist. Wall said the intent of the long-term project is to help Iowa’s beef producers select, manage and develop high quality heifers year after year.

“Information from Iowa Cowmaker Elite females will be compiled and used for constant improvement in Iowa’s cowherd,” he said. “These females will be selected for longevity and ability to thrive in Iowa’s various environments, and in turn, will generate more desirable feeder cattle backed with reliable herd health, performance and carcass information.”

The Iowa Cowmaker Elite program is a cooperative effort of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University, with the end goal of aiding Iowa’s cattle producers in building more profitable and sustainable cow herds, regardless of operation size or system.

“The educational component of this project is two-fold: help producers decide which heifers are the right ones to keep and breed, and then help them find the right bulls to use on those females,” Wall said. “We want producers to set goals for their operation, then we’ll teach them the visual indicators, the genetics, even which columns on the paper that will most likely get them there.”

Heifers enrolled in the program may be purchased or home-raised and developed at any cooperating central location or on-farm, he said. Entry fees for the Iowa Cowmaker Elite program include an annual membership fee of $25 per owner and a $5 per head fee for heifer enrollment. In addition, the owner is responsible for the cost of the program tag for females who graduate from the program.

Details of the program including standards, health protocols, list of centralized development locations and contact information is on the Iowa Cowmaker Elite web page. An informational video on the program itself and the enrollment process also is available on that page.

Enrollment of heifer calves is a simple process.
-        Visit the Iowa Cowmaker Elite page at www.iowabeefcenter.org/iowacowmaker.html
-        Download the Data Entry file.
-        Print the program requirements.
-        Share the files with your local veterinarian to ensure the herd health protocols are met.
-        Fill in the columns chute-side as the heifers cross the scale.
-        Email the Data Entry file to Wall at patwall@iastate.edu

Producers will receive a detailed analysis of their heifers compared with others in the program at each stage in the process: weaning, yearling, breeding and pregnancy check.



Study Examines Current Financial Stress in Iowa Farms

Iowa farm financial conditions have deteriorated since 2012, but average indicators of liquidity and solvency remain close to their long term levels, according to a new study published in the September issue of Ag Decision Maker.

The study is titled “Financial stress in Iowa farms,” and was written by Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist with Iowa State University. The study is also available as a publication from the ISU Extension Store.

Nearly 300 farms were analyzed in the study based on their financial statements for 2014, 2015 and 2016. These farms are representative of medium-sized commercial farms largely managed by experienced farmers.

“When looking at the averages of the last three years, it’s not surprising that current financial conditions are close to their historical averages,” Plastina said. “What was surprising is the consistent increase in financial stress by the end of 2016. Four out of ten farms showed vulnerable levels of liquidity, so it’s important to let people know that financial stress is more common than most would like to admit.”

Liquidity in Iowa farms has dropped over the last three years, with 47.3 percent of farms in a strong liquidity position in 2014 and 41.7 percent in that same category in 2016. At the same time, the number of farms in a vulnerable liquidity position has risen from 31.5 percent to 42.9 percent. This translates to an average loss in working capital of $180 per acre during that period. Farms with vulnerable liquidity ratings were hurt even more, averaging a loss of $347 in working capital per acre.

Similar trends are seen in these farms’ debt-to-asset ratio. Strong farms have declined from 42.5 percent in 2014 to 39.9 percent in 2016. Vulnerable farms have increased from 20.5 percent to 25.3 percent.

“It is apparent that solvency issues are much less prevalent than liquidity issues,” said Plastina. “However, it must be noted that machinery, land and other long-lived assets are valued at their cost or book value, and do not reflect the recent decline in asset value.”

The number of financially stressed farms – those with vulnerable liquidity or solvency ratings – increased from 38 percent in December 2014 to 47 percent in December 2016.

“Farmers need to be benchmarking their own financial situation,” Plastina said. “If they have financial statements or if they are able to create their own balance sheets they should do that and analyze their situation objectively.”

Farmers with concerns regarding their operational finances can also schedule a consultation with an ISU Extension and Outreach Farm Financial Associate. The associates will run a complete FINPACK analysis that provides an in-depth evaluation of the farm business and financial projections based on potential changes to the operation.

Farmers can also contact an ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist with questions regarding their finances.



CWT Assists with One Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 9 requests for export assistance from member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 760,600 pounds (345 metric tons) of Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese, and 275,600 pounds (125 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from September through December 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 53.851 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.729 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 20 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 580.952 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Growth Energy: McKinney, Censky Nominations Strong Choices for USDA

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor released the following statement today in support of the nominations of Stephen Censky to be Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Ted McKinney to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Having strong leaders at the USDA who understand the role biofuels play in improving the U.S. farm economy and rural America is of the utmost importance to our industry. We have faith that both Mr. Censky and Mr. McKinney would bring this knowledge to these positions, and we fully support their nominations.

“Through his years at the helm of the American Soybean Association, Mr. Censky has seen biofuels transform the U.S. agricultural economy, which assures us he knows that biofuels can be an excellent tool as we seek innovative ways to strengthen the farm economy.

“Mr. McKinney has a keen understanding of what drives the growth of American ethanol in the international marketplace. Given trade challenges across the globe, including in Brazil, China, and the European Union, we need a strong agricultural voice at USDA who will make sure our trading partners understand that open markets mean more prosperity for all.”

The nomination hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. EST on September 19, 2017, in the Hart Senate Office Building.



Mexico Mulls Pork as Response to U.S. NAFTA Produce Proposal

Mexican negotiators are working on a response to informal U.S. proposals to include protections for fresh produce in the re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), two people briefed on the proposals said. U.S., Canadian and Mexican delegations finished a second round of talks last week to renegotiate the 23-year-old treaty, which U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to abandon if he could not get a better deal for U.S. workers.

According to Reuters, Mexico is looking at creating its own list, that might include pork, in case Washington formally proposes to give seasonal fruit and vegetable farmers added protection, the people briefed on the matter said.

Mexican negotiators are studying the inclusion of pork legs in its counterproposal, including possible limits on the volume of U.S. exports to its southern neighbor, the people said.

The legs account for the bulk of Mexico's pork imports from the United States and are used to make some of the country's most popular dishes, like tacos al pastor and carnitas.

Some Mexican agricultural leaders have said that dairy and chicken could also be deemed sensitive, though those products were not mentioned by the sources briefed on the proposal.

In its NAFTA negotiating objectives published in July, the Trump administration said it would seek a "domestic industry provision for perishable and seasonal products" in trade cases. Since then the issue has not come up in official statements and it was unclear whether the idea was brought up again in the latest round of talks.

However, the possibility of a tit-for-tat response by Mexico to a potential U.S. proposal to limit fresh produce trade highlights the risks of granting exceptions to selected interests. Several U.S. retail, restaurant and agriculture groups flagged such risks last week in letters sent to Trump administration officials.



Beef Board CEO Search

The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB) announces a national search to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer after accepting the resignation of current CEO Polly Ruhland in late August.

CBB’s primary function is to oversee and administrate the national beef checkoff through the management of programs that are proposed and carried out by various contractors. As part of the administration of the program, CBB oversees the collection of a mandatory assessment fee on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle and imported beef and beef products through a coordinated effort with qualified state beef councils.

CBB consists of 100 board members representing domestic beef, dairy and veal producers and importers of beef and beef products. A staff of nine employees conducts day-to-day operations.

Under the direction of the Board, the CEO manages all administrative and organizational affairs of CBB. The successful candidate will lead CBB operations, manage organizational strategy, financial and legal matters, and communications, as well as CBB’s relationships with the United States Department of Agriculture and beef community stakeholders.

The position is based in Centennial, Colorado, and the new CEO must reside in the Denver area.

Interested parties should click here to find a job description and additional information, or contact CEOcandidate@mwmlaw.com with inquiries. All discussions will be held strictly confidential.

Ruhland resigned in late August to accept the position of CEO at the United Soybean Board. The CBB Executive Committee subsequently tapped Chief Financial Officer Katherine Ayers as interim CEO, effective beginning Nov. 1, 2017.



The Value of Preconditioning Calves
Brenda Boetel, Professor and Extension Economist
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Preconditioning is a generic term that means different things to different people and encompasses the different operating procedures that may be applied to a calf prior to shipping. Preconditioning activities may include weaning, vaccinations, dehorning, castration, and starting calves on a high energy diet. Several reasons exist for the cow/calf producer to precondition their calves, but the underlying goal is to increase the value of the calf being sold or the productivity of the calf being retained.

Preconditioning adds weight and health to the calf, which in turn enhances the cow/calf producer's reputation. Most preconditioning programs require 45 days where the calf is bunk broke and the manager follows specified animal health protocols and a nutritional program. Several studies show the decreased morbidity and mortality of preconditioned calves, a higher feedlot performance level, and a higher quality carcass. The economic justifications for preconditioning are harder to quantify though as the additional economic value is dependent on several factors.

One of the biggest economic justifications is the added weight. Total revenue for cow/calf producers is largely dependent on calf weight. The added calf weight from a preconditioning program typically adds additional dollars in the cow/calf producer's pocket. Obviously, the management challenge is to find a feed ration where the cost of gain is less than the value of additional pounds. Typically the preconditioned calf has approximately half the shrink experienced by the non-preconditioned calf. The decreased shrink will also help keep the value higher than the cost.1 Nonetheless, the additional value will be somewhat dependent on the current market and whether the classic price slide is being experienced. Note also that preconditioning will typically delay the sale of the calf until November or December, which can have a slight seasonal price increase.  

Another value to preconditioned calves is the increased ability to comingle your calves with another producer's calves through a marketing agent. Typically, the commission rates are lower in this scenario.

Although, keeping the calves an additional 45 days to precondition increases feed costs, labor costs, death loss, interest, etc., the premiums received for the preconditioned calves is a pretty convincing argument to precondition.  This premium continued to increase through 2014. In the current environment preconditioning may become even more important, not necessarily due to the premium received for preconditioning, but because the cow/calf producer can avoid the discount received for calves with unknown health status of non-preconditioned calves.  Buyer interest in preconditioned calves is expected to continue to grow as increases are realized in calf prices and the cost to finish cattle. Yet many producers still do not precondition calves, and are essentially leaving money on the table.



Franken Teams with Grassley to Protect Midwest Family Farmers

The Senate unanimously approved a key piece of bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that will enable family farmers in Minnesota, Iowa, and across the country to get a fairer shake when they fall on hard times.

As a part of a 2005 bankruptcy reform bill, Congress passed a provision to address the unique financial situations of family farmers who are reorganizing their assets following bankruptcy. However, a 2012 Supreme Court ruling found that the 2005 law, as written, failed to achieve Congress' express goal of helping family farmers. Grassley and Franken's Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017 fixes the ruling and ensures that the law, as first intended, will protect our family farmers.

"Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense fix to ensure that the law functions as intended and protects family farmers in Minnesota and across the country," said Sen. Franken. "Getting this measure passed, which I'm glad to say we did in the Senate, will help ensure farmers going through bankruptcy get a fair shake and are able to repay the debts they owe without sacrificing their families' futures."

The Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act will allow struggling family farmers to reorganize their debts to treat capital gains taxes owed to a governmental unit, arising from the sale of farm assets during a bankruptcy, as general unsecured claims. It also removes the IRS' veto power over a bankruptcy reorganization plan's confirmation, giving the family farmer a chance to reorganize successfully.



Merck Animal Health Applauds Dr. Dee Griffin as Mentor of the Year

Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) recently presented Dr. Dee Griffin with the Mentor of the Year Award as a result of his significant contributions to the bovine medicine industry and his commitment to mentoring the next generations of bovine veterinarians. Each year, the award is given out at the AABP Annual Conference to recognize an individual who has played a role in educating, supporting and advancing the careers of future bovine veterinarians.

     “We admire Dr. Griffin’s contributions to veterinary medicine and his ongoing passion for being a resource for students,” said Norman Stewart, DVM, livestock and technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “We commend him for his ability to engage with and share his experience and knowledge with students and young veterinarians.”

     Dr. Griffin’s interest in beef production began at an early age, as he was raised on a cow-calf operation in western Oklahoma. He played a key role in founding the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. He has been a member of the BQA advisory board since it began and is passionate about educating producers on the program. The program works to teach producers about beef quality issues, including animal husbandry, antibiotic stewardship and health management.

     "Dr. Griffin is dedicated to the next generation and never quits giving back,” said Bob Smith, DVM, a long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Griffin. “He is always encouraging and uplifting students and instilling in them a deep passion for the beef industry and vet medicine.”

     As a result of his dedication and service to the beef industry, Dr. Griffin also received the Industry Leadership Award and was inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame.  

     "Dr. Dee Griffin has made an impact on the career of many veterinarians. A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor, and Dr. Griffin certainly fulfills that definition,” said Dr. Fred Gingrich II, DVM, executive vice president of AABP. “His lifelong passion for veterinary medicine and teaching make him the ideal candidate to join the long list of other Mentor of the Year recipients.”

     Dr. Griffin is an active member of numerous veterinary organizations, including AABP, and is the eleventh recipient of the Mentor of the Year Award, which was instituted in 2007. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree at Oklahoma State University in 1976 and then completed his Master of Science (MS) degree in pathology and ruminant nutrition from Purdue University. He practiced beef-cattle medicine before becoming faculty at Nebraska’s Great Plains Veterinary Education Center (GPVEC). Dr. Griffin retired from GPVEC after 25 years and is now working as a clinical professor and director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Center at West Texas A&M University.