Monday August 2 Crop Progress + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending August 1, 2021, there were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 11% very short, 37% short, 52% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 47% short, 41% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 20% fair, 51% good, and 20% excellent. Corn silking was 97%, near 93% last year, and ahead of 91% for the five-year average. Dough was 41%, equal to last year, and ahead of 32% average.

Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 16% fair, 59% good, and 21% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 95%, near 94% last year, and ahead of 87% average. Setting pods was 66%, near 62% last year, and ahead of 53% average.

Winter wheat harvested was 95%, near 96% last year, but ahead of 90% average.

Sorghum condition rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 25% fair, 50% good, and 14% excellent. Sorghum headed was 49%, behind 61% last year, and equal to average. Coloring was 4%, near 1% last year and 2% average.

Oats harvested was 89%, near 91% last year, but ahead of 83% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 60% good, and 16% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 80%, ahead of 71% last year. Setting pods was 43%, ahead of 35% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 8% very poor, 12% poor, 61% fair, 18% good, and 1% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

 Most of the state received much needed rain Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 which meant Iowa farmers had 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 1, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities continue to include applying fungicides and insecticides and harvesting hay and oats.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 16% very short, 34% short, 49% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20% very short, 41% short, 39% adequate and 0% surplus. Although moisture levels improved slightly in northwest Iowa, the shortage remains evident with topsoil rated 62% short to very short and subsoil rated 82% short to very short.

Corn silking or beyond reached 92%, one day ahead of the 5-year average. Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 42%, four days ahead of average. Five percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage. Iowa’s corn condition was rated 62% good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans were blooming, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans setting pods reached 73%, eight days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Oats coloring or beyond reached 97%. Seventy-two percent of oats for grain have been harvested, equal to the 5-year average.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 92% complete. The third cutting was reported at 22% complete, 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 57% good to excellent. Pasture condition was rated 40% good to excellent. No livestock comments were received this week.



USDA Corn Condition Down 2 Points, Soy Condition Up 2 Points

The condition of the nation's corn crop fell for the second week in a row, while soybean condition rebounded slightly last week, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report Monday.

U.S. corn condition was rated at 62% good to excellent as of Sunday, Aug. 1, down 2 percentage points from 64% the previous week, and down 10 percentage points from this time last year. Corn development continued to run ahead of the average pace with USDA pegging corn silking at 91% as of Sunday, 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 86%. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 38%, also 5 percentage points ahead of the average of 33%.

While corn conditions continued to decline, soybean conditions nationwide rebounded slightly last week after falling the previous week. NASS estimated that 60% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, up 2 percentage points from 58% the previous week. That puts current conditions 1 percentage point below where the 2017 crop was rated at this time. As with corn, soybean development was running ahead of the average pace last week. NASS estimated that 86% of the crop was blooming as of Sunday, 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans setting pods was pegged at 58%, 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

After plummeting for several weeks, the condition of the spring wheat crop managed to gain back 1 percentage point last week to reach 10% good to excellent as of Sunday. That remains the lowest good-to-excellent rating for the crop since 1988.  Spring wheat harvest picked up speed last week, moving ahead 14 percentage points to reach 17% complete as of Sunday. That is 9 points ahead of the five-year average of 8%.

Winter wheat harvest also moved further ahead of the five-year average, reaching 91% complete as of Sunday, 5 percentage points ahead of the average of 86%.

Sorghum headed was 57%, 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Sorghum coloring was pegged at 22%, 3 percentage points behind average. Sorghum condition was rated 62% good to excellent, down 4 percentage points.

Cotton squaring was 82%, 8 percentage points behind the average. Cotton setting bolls was 50%, 3 percentage points behind the average pace. Cotton condition was rated 60% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Rice was 59% headed, 6 percentage points behind the average pace. Rice condition was rated 72% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week.

Oats were rated 36% in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week. Barley was 13% harvested, 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Barley condition was rated 21% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week.



Albion Beef Cattle Symposium

The 2021 University of Nebraska Cow Symposium, sponsored by Elanco will be held at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Albion on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. The event will include industry and university representatives and live cattle demonstrations in the Niewohner Arena.

Leah Beyer from Elanco will start the day to discuss how sustainability and social media can influence the beef industry’s clientele to expand beef production. Frank White will discuss Rumensin benefits. Dr. Brian Vander Ley from Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center and Dr. Brett Terhaar with Elanco will examine vaccination strategies and calf immunity. Attendees will also hear about the latest products and research for fly and lice control from Dave Boxler, UNL Livestock Entomologist.

After a lunch sponsored by Elanco, Dr. Elliot Dennis and Dr. Jay Parsons from UNL will give the latest cattle market and livestock risk protection forecasts and updates. Q&A panels will accompany all sessions.

A live cattle demo will follow with cow condition scoring, proper insecticide application, and implanting steps. A range and forage assessment and forage sampling will round out the day.

To register and for meal count, go to https://go.unl.edu/cowsymposium or call Jacque at (308) 696-6700 by August 17th.



LATE SUMMER PLANTING OF ALFALFA
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Range & Forage Specialist

Do you have plans for a late summer planting of alfalfa?  The time for getting this done is rapidly approaching.

Irrigated alfalfa planted in late summer establishes well.  The same is true for dryland acres where moisture is available.  Be sure to plant early enough, though, so alfalfa has six to eight weeks between emergence and a hard freeze to develop good cold tolerance.  In northwest Nebraska or southern South Dakota, you probably need to plant by the second to third week of August, but only if you also have moisture present for seeds to germinate.  Any delay is likely to cause poorer stands.  In southeast Nebraska you can plant as late as Labor Day but earlier is better.  In central Kansas, alfalfa can be planted as late as mid-September.

Proper seedbed preparation is crucial for late summer plantings.  Good seed-to-soil contact and weed control are critical, both when seeding into tilled, prepared seedbeds or into wheat stubble.  Conserve soil moisture whenever possible and put extra effort into getting a firm seedbed.  Extra packing often gives faster and more uniform emergence.

Whenever seeding alfalfa in late summer, be especially wary of grasshoppers.  They sometimes seem to come from nowhere, and they love to eat new alfalfa seedlings.  Spray field margins with insecticides before planting if necessary.

One important caution — never plant into dry soil.  Late summer plantings into dry soil may lie dormant for several weeks until it rains.  Too little time then will remain for seedlings to develop good cold tolerance.  Many failures occur because fall rains come too late or not at all.

With some help from Mother Nature, good hay is just a spring away.  



2021 NEBRASKA HONEY BEE COLONIES

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in Nebraska as of January 1, 2021 totaled 11,000 according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of colonies in Nebraska on April 1, 2021 was 18,500. During 2020, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 9,000, 16,500, 47,000, and 43,000, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 640 colonies or 4% lost. During April-June 2021, 1,800 colonies or 5% of colonies were lost. The quarter of October-December 2020, at 7,000 or 16%, showed the highest number of lost honey bee colonies of any quarter in 2020. The quarter of January-March 2020 had a loss of 670 colonies or 4%, the lowest number of honey bee colonies lost in 2020.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 1,300 colonies. The number of colonies added during the April-June 2021 quarter was 8,500. The quarter of April-June 2020, added 7,000 colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter in 2020. The quarter of January-March 2020, at 70 added, showed the lowest number of honey bee colonies added during 2020.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies during the quarter of January-March 2021, was 0 colonies. The number of colonies renovated during the quarter of April-June 2021 was 810. During July-September 2020, 3,100 colonies were renovated, the highest number of colonies renovated during 2020. The lowest number of honey bee colonies renovated for any quarter of 2020, at 0, occurred during January-March 2020. Renovated colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nuc or package.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during three of the quarters in 2020. The quarter of July-September 2020 showed the highest percentage of varroa mites during 2020, at 23.4%. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January-March 2021, and April-June 2021 were 0.0% and 17.4%, respectively.



Iowa honey bee colonies
 
Honey bee colonies for operations with 5 or more colonies in Iowa as of January 1, 2021, totaled 15,000 colonies. This is 67% above the 9,000 colonies on January 1 last year, but 61% below the 38,000 colonies during the October-December 2020 quarter. Producers boosted their January 1 inventory by moving colonies into Iowa and adding colonies to a maximum of 25,000 during the January-March 2021 quarter. Since January 2020, both the July-September and October-December quarters had the largest maximum number of colonies at 38,000. while January-March 2020 quarter had the smallest maximum number of colonies with 17,000.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with 5 or more colonies for the January-March 2021 quarter was 2,100 or 8%. This was 1 percentage point below the same period last year and 5 percentage points below losses reported during the October-December 2020 quarter. Since January 2020 the largest percentage of the colonies lost, at 13%, or 4,800 colonies, occurred in the October-December 2020 quarter. The January-March 2020 quarter had the fewest number of colonies lost, at 1,600 colonies.

Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with 5 or more colonies in all of 2020. The July-September 2020 quarter showed varroa mites affected 49.1% of Iowa’s honey bee colonies. The April-June 2021 quarter was the least affected quarter by varroa mites but reported unknown causes as its greatest stressor.



January 1 Honey Bee colonies Up 2 Percent for Operations with Five or More colonies

Honey bee colonies for operations with five or more colonies in the United States on January 1, 2021 totaled 2.92 million colonies, up 2 percent from January 1, 2020. The number of colonies in the United States on April 1, 2021 was 2.86 million colonies. During 2020, honey bee colonies on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 were 2.88 million, 2.97 million, 3.18 million, and 3.14 million colonies, respectively.

Honey bee colonies lost for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2021, was 372,630 colonies, or 13 percent. The number of colonies lost during the quarter of April through June 2021 was 255,860 colonies, or 9 percent. During the quarter of October through December 2020, colonies lost totaled 484,920 colonies, or 15 percent, the highest number lost of any quarter surveyed in 2020. The quarter surveyed in 2020 with the lowest number of colonies lost was April through June, with 300,990 colonies lost, or 10 percent.

Honey bee colonies added for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2021 was 308,530 colonies. The number of colonies added during the quarter of April through June 2021 was 677,690. During the quarter of April through June 2020, the number of colonies added were 536,170 colonies, the highest number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter surveyed in 2020. The quarter of October through December 2020 added 271,500 colonies, the least number of honey bee colonies added for any quarter surveyed in 2020.

Honey bee colonies renovated for operations with five or more colonies from January through March 2021 was 156,270 colonies, or 5 percent. During the quarter of April through June 2021, the number of colonies renovated were 480,380 colonies, or 17 percent. The quarter surveyed in 2020 with the highest number of colonies renovated was April through June with 626,870 colonies renovated, or 21 percent. The quarter surveyed in 2020 with the lowest number of colonies renovated was October through December 2020, with 128,990, or 4 percent. Renovated colonies are those that were requeened or received new honey bees through a nuc or package.

Varroa Mites Top Colony Stressor for Operations with Five or More colonies
Varroa mites were the number one stressor for operations with five or more colonies during all quarters surveyed in 2020. The period with the highest percentage of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites was July through September 2020 at 55.7 percent. The percent of colonies reported to be affected by varroa mites during January through March 2021 and April through June 2021 are 31.3 percent and 48.7 percent, respectively.

Colonies Lost with Colony Collapse Disorder Symptoms Down 27 Percent for Operations with Five or More colonies

Honey bee colonies lost with Colony Collapse Disorder symptoms on operations with five or more colonies was 76,930 colonies from January through March 2021. This represents a 27 percent decrease from the same quarter in 2020.



CHS Expands E15 Availability Through 19 Additional Fuel Terminals

CHS Inc., the nation's leading agribusiness cooperative, will expand access to higher ethanol blend fuels by offering E15 through 19 additional fuel terminals starting in early August 2021.

CHS is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an E15 manufacturer and sells E15 as an approved grade of fuel through its Cenex® brand retail locations.

CHS plans to offer E15 at the following Magellan terminals: Alexandria, Minnesota; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Columbia, Missouri; Des Moines, Iowa; Doniphan, Nebraska; Fargo, North Dakota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Great Bend, Kansas; Mankato, Minnesota; Marshall, Minnesota; Mason City Iowa; Milford, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; Rochester, Minnesota; Springfield, Missouri; Waterloo, Iowa. The fuel will also now be available through the Nustar terminal in Jamestown, North Dakota; as well as the CHS terminal in McPherson, Kansas.

In addition to these terminals, CHS already offers E15 at 10 Nustar terminals and one CHS terminal.

"As the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative, expanding options for ethanol blended fuel is important for our Cenex brand retailers and our farmer-owners," says Akhtar Hussain, director of refined fuels marketing, CHS. "CHS has always been committed to offering ethanol blended flexible fuels throughout its network of 1,450 Cenex brand retail facilities. We continue to demonstrate this commitment by working with our terminal partners to offer higher ethanol blends in a broader geography across the Cenex retail network."

To make E15 more accessible, CHS has removed barriers for its Cenex brand retail locations by establishing an EPA-approved misfueling mitigation plan – the only refiner to do so – and establishing E15 as a qualifying grade of fuel. CHS also owns two EPA-approved ethanol plants in Rochelle and Annawan, Illinois.



NBB Launches Ad Campaign for the Renewable Fuel Standard

Today, the National Biodiesel Board launched an ad campaign calling on President Biden to maintain his commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The ads will air on more than 200 radio stations in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

"As a candidate last August, Joe Biden called the Renewable Fuel Standard 'our bond with our farmers and our commitment to a thriving rural economy.' But now, there are reports he's considering handouts to oil refiners -- at the expense of biodiesel producers and soybean farmers," the ad states. "Contact your member of Congress. Let them know, it's time for President Biden to make good on his promise and to support Midwest farmers and biodiesel producers"

Kurt Kovarik, NBB's Vice President for Federal Affairs, added, "The Renewable Fuel Standard is a vital policy for the biodiesel industry and for soybean producers. Instability in the program creates economic uncertainty for the communities where biodiesel production generates jobs and economic growth. As members of Congress return to their states and districts this summer, we want them to hear that message and encourage President Biden to maintain his commitment to the RFS program and to rural communities."

The U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel industry supports 65,000 U.S. jobs and more than $17 billion in economic activity each year. Every 100 million gallons of production supports 3,200 jobs and $780 million in economic opportunity. Biodiesel production supports approximately 13% of the value of each U.S. bushel of soybeans.



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 492 million bushels in June 2021. Total corn consumption was down 2 percent from May 2021 but up 14 percent from June 2020. June 2021 usage included 91.5 percent for alcohol and 8.5 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.71 million bushels, down 4 percent from May 2021 but up 2 percent from June 2020. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 440 million bushels, was down 2 percent from May 2021 but up 16 percent from June 2020. Corn consumed in June 2021 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 91.7 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.93 million tons during June 2021, down 1 percent from May 2021 but up 16 percent from June 2020. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.11 million tons in June 2021, up 3 percent from May 2021 and up 27 percent from June 2020.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 287,839 tons during June 2021, down 4 percent from May 2021 and down 2 percent from June 2020. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 207,751 tons in June 2021, down less than 1 percent from May 2021 and down 6 percent from June 2020.



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

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.85 million tons (162 million bushels) in June 2021, compared with 5.21 million tons (174 million bushels) in May 2021 and 5.32 million tons (177 million bushels) in June 2020. Crude oil produced was 1.91 billion pounds down 7 percent from May 2021 and down 6 percent from June 2020. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.60 billion pounds during June 2021 decreased 7 percent from May 2021 but increased 2 percent from June 2020.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 161,302 tons in June 2021, compared with 159,120 tons in May 2021 and 123,242 tons in June 2020. Canola crude oil produced was 133 million pounds, down 1 percent from May 2021 but up 26 percent from June 2020. Canola once refined oil production, at 154 million pounds during June 2021, was up 4 percent from May 2021 and up 33 percent from June 2020.

Cottonseed once refined oil production, at 39.9 million pounds during June 2021, was up less than 1 percent from May 2021 but down less than 1 percent from June 2020.

Edible tallow production was 89.6 million pounds during June 2021, down 13 percent from May 2021 but up 17 percent from June 2020. Inedible tallow production was 306 million pounds during June 2021, down 10 percent from May 2021 and down 6 percent from June 2020. Technical tallow production was 94.0 million pounds during June 2021, down 21 percent from May 2021 and down 15 percent from June 2020. Choice white grease production, at 88.6 million pounds during June 2021, decreased 3 percent from May 2021 and decreased 23 percent from June 2020.



Flour Milling Products

All wheat ground for flour during the second quarter 2021 was 223 million bushels, down 1 percent from the first quarter 2021 grind of 225 million bushels but up 2 percent from the second quarter 2020 grind of 219 million bushels. Second quarter 2021 total flour production was 103 million hundredweight, down less than 1 percent from the first quarter 2021 but up 1 percent from the second quarter 2020. Whole wheat flour production at 4.87 million hundredweight during the second quarter 2021 accounted for 5 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the second quarter 2021 was 1.63 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the second quarter 2021 was 1.59 million hundredweight.



USDA Announces August 2021 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for August 2021, which are effective August 2. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures, or meet cash flow needs.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for historically underserved producers, including beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for August 2021 are as follows:
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 1.750%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 3.250%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 2.500%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 2.750%

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.
You can find out which of these loans may be right for you by using our Farm Loan Discovery Tool.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 1.125%
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:
        Three-year loan terms: 0.500%
        Five-year loan terms: 0.875%
        Seven-year loan terms: 1.125%
        Ten-year loan terms: 1.375%
        Twelve-year loan terms: 1.500%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 1.750%

Disaster Support
FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by natural disasters, such as drought, wildfires and hurricanes, that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster assistance options.

Pandemic Support
Through September 1, 2021, FSA’s Disaster Set-Aside provision is available to direct loan borrowers who have been impacted by the pandemic. This enables an upcoming annual installment to be set aside for the year and added to the final installment. For annual operating loans, the loan maturity date may be extended up to twelve months in order to set aside the installment. This provision is normally used in the wake of natural disasters, and a second Disaster Set-Aside may be available for direct loan borrowers who already have a DSA in place on a loan due to another designated natural disaster.

More Information
Producers can explore available options on all FSA loan options at fsa.usda.gov or by contacting your local USDA Service Center.



NCBA Pleased to See Legislation Recognizing the Needs of Ranchers on the Border

On Friday, Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan RAPID (Reimbursing Agriculture Producers for Immigration Damages) Act with Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to create a reimbursement program for agricultural producers that incur losses caused by illegal border crossings.

The bill would allow producers to receive reimbursement for livestock losses, damage to fences or physical structures, or property losses, all of which currently occur at the border due to those crossing the border illegally. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) thanks Rep. Pfluger and this bipartisan group of members for supporting policies that protect cattle farmers and ranchers who are simply trying to raise not only their livestock, but their families on this land.

“Texas ranchers are facing significant hardships amid a flood of illegal border crossings and must continually fix cut fences and damaged infrastructure,” said Hughes Abell, president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. “We commend the bipartisan legislation filed today to help these hardworking men and women recoup some of the costs they bear, and urge Congress to quickly pass this much-needed assistance."

“As stewards of large sections of the Southern Border, ranchers suffer a disproportionate share of the burden associated with illegal border crossings,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “Not only do illegal border crossings damage property and livestock, but they also endanger ranchers and their families. We are extremely grateful to Representatives Pfluger, Gonzalez, Cuellar, and Gonzales for their bipartisan support for ranchers whose land and livelihood have been harmed by the border crisis.”

Illegal border crossings pose a critical danger to ranchers and their families who often live in remote locations on our Southern Border. This legislation finally provides much-needed relief to those who face the challenges and damage to their property that illegal immigration causes every day. NCBA will continue advocating for the needs of American cattle producers and urges Congress to pass this important legislation.