Tuesday January 2 Ag News

Seventeen Beef Workshops will be held in Eastern Nebraska

During the winter of 2018 Nebraska Extension will host 17 Beef Profitability Workshops in Eastern Nebraska counties. To help beef producers evaluate their operations to make them more profitable through the latest research information. Extension Educators will present topics such as Composting Livestock Mortality Carcasses, Mineral Nutrition, Grass Production, Cover Crop Production, Hay Storage and Hay Waste, Fencing and Watering Options on Crop Residue, Nebraska Fence Laws and others. These workshops have been held across Nebraska for the pasts fifteen years. The cost is $15.00 but may vary from location depending on local sponsorship. Please register three days before the location you plan on to attending to the local Extension Office.

2018 LOCATIONS SITES ARE AS FOLLOWS: (NO MEALS UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED)

January 16, 2018- Cedar County Extension Office in Hartington, NE at 1:00 p.m. contact Jackie Steffen 402-254-6821

January 17, 2018 – Knox County Extension office at 1:00 p.m. @ Center, NE contact Ruth Vonderohe (with Private Pesticide class.) 402-288-5611

January 18, 2018 – Pierce County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ Pierce, NE contact Ann Fenton 402-329-4821

January 30, 2018- Loup County Fair Grounds at 1:00 p.m. @ Taylor, NE contact Steve Niemeyer 308-346-4200

February 6, 2018- Wheeler County @ Ericson Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. contact Steve Niemeyer 308-346-4200

February 8, 2018 - Fillmore County @ Fairgrounds Ag Hall in Geneva, NE at 1:00 p.m. Contact Brad Schick 402-746-3417

February 15, 2018- Boyd County Extension Office at 1:30p.m. @ Butte, NE contact Amy Timmerman (along with private pesticide training) 402-336-2760

February 20, 2018- Holt County Extension Office at 6:30 p.m. @ O’Neill, NE contact Amy Timmerman (along with private pesticide training) 402-336-2760

February 22, 2018 – Antelope County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ Neligh, NE contact Bradly Averill 402-887-5414

February 26, 2018- Saunders County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @ ENRE Mead, NE contact Kristen Ulmer 402-624-8030

February 27, 2018 – Johnson County- Meeting at Nemaha Natural Resource District room at 1:00 p.m. Contact Jessica Jones at 402-335-3669

February 28, 2018 – Saline County at 1:00 p.m. @ Lutheran Church in Wilber, NE contact Randy Pryor 402-821-2151

March 6, 2018 – BKR at 1:30 p.m. @ Methodist Church in Bassett, NE Contact BKR office 402-387-2213 (along with Pesticide Training)

March 13, 2018 – Wayne County at 1:00 p.m. @ Wayne Fire Hall in Wayne, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

March 14, 2018 – Colfax County at 1:00 p.m. @ Colfax County Fairgrounds Leigh, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

March 15, 2018 – Washington County Extension Office at 1:00 p.m. @Blair, NE contact Larry Howard 402-372-6006

Boone-Nance- TBA



2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

The 2018 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report is now available. The report provides a summary of the latest beef cattle research conducted at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The report can be accessed at https://beef.unl.edu/2018-nebraska-beef-cattle-report.   



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the month of December 2017, topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 37 short, 56 adequate, and 1 surplus, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 27 short, 66 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 29 fair, 58 good, and 6 excellent.

The next monthly report (for January) will be issued January 29, 2018. Weekly reports will begin April 2nd for the 2018 season.



Still Time to Apply for NE Corn Growers PRIME Program

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association is accepting application for Class II of its PRIME Program. This program is designed for Nebraska producers who want to increase their knowledge and better themselves and their operation in all aspects. All sessions are focused on maximizing the long-term viability of the operation through the latest research, emerging technologies, farm management practices, and peer relationships.

The program consists of three sessions, lasting approximately two days each, plus attendance at the Nebraska Corn Growers Association Annual Meeting. Participants can expect a total time commitment of 6-8 days away from the farm over a 12-month period. The material will be relevant and presented by the best that the industry has to offer. Locations of the sessions will be determined once the class has been selected.  The tentative schedule is Session 1 - March 2018, Session 2 - June/July 2018, Session 3 - December 2018. 

A registration fee of $190 is required up enrollment. The fee will be waived for NeCGA 3-year members. All other costs of the program will be covered by NeCGA. The class will consist of 8-12 corn farmers selected from applications and local association board recommendations.

Applications should be submitted by January 12, 2018. Details at www.necga.org.  Participants will be selected and notified by early February. Primary selection criteria will be the applicant’s desire and ability to participate and contribute during all sessions. Diversity among farm size, geographic location, and background will be sought as well.



Proposed credit benefits veterans looking to start farming
Officials in rural areas of Nebraska continuously seek ways to attract residents to their communities and into the agricultural sector. Now, military veterans may soon have an extra incentive to call these communities home.

During the 2018 state legislative session, Sen. Carol Blood, of Bellevue, will introduce the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit. The bill seeks to expand Nebraska’s existing beginning farmer tax credit program by adding a 1 percent incentive for property and landowners who rent to a qualified beginning veteran farmer.

“A veteran’s sense of service and work ethic draw a distinct parallel to the skills and dedication required for successful farming and ranching,” said Jordan Rasmussen, policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “However, access to the land and financial resources needed to transition from military service to farming can be a challenge.”

Under current statute, a 10 percent tax credit on cash rent, or 15 percent credit on the value of a sharecrop or cow-calf share rent, is available to the property owner when they rent to a qualified beginning farmer. The proposed revision would increase the incentive to 11 percent and 16 percent if the property is rented to a qualified beginning veteran farmer.

“By encouraging agricultural property owners to rent to veterans, they are more readily able to pursue farming,” Rasmussen said. “As farmers and landowners look to transition their operations, renting to a beginning veteran farmer is not only an investment in an individual but also an investment in rural communities and the state’s economy.”

The Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit will be introduced as part of Sen. Blood’s Military Families Initiative for Nebraska legislative package.

The Center for Rural Affairs understands the challenges beginning veteran farmers and ranchers face, and has endorsed the Beginning Veteran Farmer Tax Credit.



FORMER TYSON FOODS EXECUTIVE TO DELIVER JAN. 9 LECTURE AT NEBRASKA

Donnie Smith, former president and CEO of Tyson Foods, will discuss global food security during the second Heuermann Lecture of the 2017-18 season on Jan. 9.

Smith said he believes the story of agriculture must be told truthfully to strengthen the ability to feed a growing population. He will highlight the role conventional farming must play in this effort and why the public should vigorously and vocally defend the practice.   

The free lecture, sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will be at 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive.

While president and CEO of Tyson Foods from 2009 to 2016, he led the company to focus on feeding the world high-quality, affordable food, while also making a positive difference in people's lives. Under his leadership, the company achieved four straight years of record profits, multiplying stock value six times in seven years.

He joined the company in 1980, working in poultry operations for seven years in Tennessee before moving to the company's headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, where he started as a commodity buyer. He was named director of commodity purchasing in 1991 and during the next several years added complementary responsibilities to his management portfolio. He moved into the company's consumer products division in 2008 and was named senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods in early 2009. He is now a consultant for the company, while also focusing on his work to feed the world.

Smith earned his bachelor's degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

The theme for the seventh year of Heuermann Lectures is "Think Globally, Act Locally." The lectures are funded by a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips. The Heuermanns are longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

Lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and air live on campus channel 4. Lectures are archived after the event and are later broadcast on NET2.



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to hold educational forums

Feedlot Forums, educational events for feedlot operators, will be held in Sioux Center and Carroll.

The Feedlot Forums will cover topics important to Iowa’s cattlemen and women. “Producers always want to know what to expect from the cattle markets, so there will be a market outlook at each event,” says Merle Witt, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Western Iowa Membership Coordinator. “We’ll also talk about international markets, because we know that trade has a big impact on the prices we see for cattle in Iowa.”

The first Feedlot Forum, held in partnership with ISU Extension, will take place on January 16 in Sioux Center. Topics covered include a domestic and international markets for beef, how to respond to a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, and the 2016 National Beef Quality Audits. Registration for the Sioux Center Feedlot Forum is $25 per person, with a special reduced rate of $10 for students. Registration includes a steak dinner and $10 beef certificate. Register at the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office by Jan. 11. For more information, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office at 712-737-4230.

On January 17, another Feedlot Forum will be held in Carroll at the Carrollton Inn from 9:00 - 3:00. Topics there will also be timely and important to the future success of Iowa’s feedlot producers. Markets, trade, the beef checkoff, and cattle buildings will all be discussed, in addition to an ICA listening session.

The Carroll event is free of charge and includes lunch. RSVP by Friday, January 13 to 515.296.2266 or tristen@iabeef.org.



Iowa Beef Center to Offer Cow-Calf Short Course

A two-day short course that combines both classroom learning and hands-on instruction will be offered by the Iowa Beef Center on Feb. 6-7. The cow-calf short course will instruct advanced cattlemen in areas specific to beef cow nutrition, reproduction and calving management.

The program will be held at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 and continuing until 5 p.m. Feb. 7.

“There will be several experts making presentations about reproduction and calving management, all in the same room,” said Erika Lundy, program specialist with the Iowa Beef Center. “The morning of day two will be a hands-on, intensive ‘Calving College.’ These sessions include a dystocia demonstration with a calving simulator (nicknamed Frosty the cow) and information on planning for calf size and newborn calf health management and processing.”

Other short course topics include:
-    Body condition scoring demonstration
-    Setting the female up for a successful pregnancy
-    Exploring alternatives in the cow herd
-    Beef Quality Assurance certification

Registration for the course is $100 and includes materials and meals. Online registration and a downloadable registration form are available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/cowcalf/. Registration is due by Jan. 31; any cancellation requesting a refund must also be received by midnight Jan. 31.

Course instructors include:
-    Taylor Grussing, cow-calf extension specialist at South Dakota State University
-    David Bruene, beef teaching farm manager, Iowa State University
-    Dr. Chris Clark, extension beef specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
-    Dr. Grant Dewell, extension beef veterinarian, ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Dr. Tyler Dohlman, professor of vet diagnostic and production animal scienc, Iowa State
-    Erika Lundy, beef program specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach
-    Marshall Ruble, Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center director, Iowa State
-    Joe Sellers, extension beef specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach

“Because our agenda was designed to be very hands-on and interactive, we anticipate a high level of interest,” said Lundy. “People who want to attend need to act quickly because registration is limited to 30 participants.”

For questions on the short course content contact Lundy at ellundy@iastate.edu. For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on the status of your registration contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu.



USDA:  Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.20 million tons (173 million bushels) in November 2017, compared to 5.28 million tons (176 million bushels) in October 2017 and 5.12 million tons (171 million bushels) in November 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.98 billion pounds down 2 percent from October 2017 but up 1 percent from November 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.46 billion pounds during November 2017 decreased 9 percent from October 2017 but increased 1 percent from November 2016.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 151 thousand tons in November 2017, compared to 184 thousand tons in October 2017 and 209 thousand tons in November 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 130 million pounds down 17 percent from October 2017 and down 27 percent from November 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 127 million pounds during November 2017 was down 13 percent from October 2017 and down 22 percent from November 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 45.5 million pounds during November 2017 was down 15 percent from October 2017 and down 7 percent from November 2016.

Edible tallow production was 91.4 million pounds during November 2017, up 25 percent from October 2017 and up 12 percent from November 2016. Inedible tallow production was 322 million pounds during November 2017, up 18 percent from October 2017 and up 2 percent from November 2016. Technical tallow production was 120 million pounds during November 2017, up 16 percent from October 2017 but down 5 percent from November 2016. Choice white grease production at 117 million pounds during November 2017 increased 8 percent from October 2017 but decreased 8 percent from November 2016.



USDA:  Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 525 million bushels in November 2017. Total corn consumption was up 1 percent from October 2017 and up 9 percent from November 2016. November 2017 usage included 92.3 percent for alcohol and 7.7 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.45 million bushels, up 16 percent from October 2017 and up 3 percent from November 2016. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 476 million bushels, was up 1 percent from October 2017 and up 5 percent from November 2016. Corn consumed in November 2017 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 90.2 percent and 9.78 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 2.00 million tons during November 2017, up 2 percent from October 2017 and up slightly from November 2016. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.38 million tons in November 2017, up 3 percent from October 2017 and up 7 percent from November 2016.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 312 thousand tons during November 2017, down 12 percent from October 2017 but up 1 percent from November 2016. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 303 thousand tons in November 2017, up slightly from October 2017 but down 7 percent from November 2016.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for January 2018

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced interest rates for January 2018. The Commodity Credit Corporation borrowing rate-based charge for January is 1.625 percent, up from 1.500 percent in December.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during January is 2.625 percent, up from 2.500 percent in December.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for January are as follows, 1.875 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in December; 2.125 percent with five-year loan terms, up from 2.000 percent in December; 2.250 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.250 percent in December; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in December and; 2.375 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.375 percent in December.



Beck's Hybrids to Expand Seed Production Plant

Beck's announced an on-going expansion project for their processing and distribution facility in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. The expansion will begin with a new warehouse and dock space that is projected to be complete in November 2018.

Future plans also include a new structure for bulk storage and installation of a new color sorter technology. "Not only is Iowa one of our fastest growing markets, but our marketing area continues to expand further to the west," said Scott Beck, president of Beck's.

"As we continue to grow, it's important we have the infrastructure in place to serve farmers with the best in quality seed, performance and customer service. By expanding the processing capacity at our Mt. Pleasant facility, we'll be able to provide farmers with a high level of service that helps their operation succeed."

Purchased in 2014, Beck's Mt. Pleasant facility sits on 62-acres and currently features more than 105,000 square feet of warehouses, 500,000 bushels of bulk storage capacity, three double-pass dryers, machinery storage, as well as sales and agronomic support.