Thursday August 12 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2021 corn production is forecast at 1.75 billion bushels, down 2% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 9.40 million acres, down 5% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 186 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last year.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 321 million bushels, up 9% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.35 million acres, is up 4% from 2020. Yield is forecast at 60 bushels per acre, up 3.0 bushels from last year.

Nebraska's 2021 winter wheat crop is forecast at 39.5 million bushels, up 16% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 840,000 acres, is up 1% from last year. Average yield is forecast at 47 bushels per acre, up 6 bushels per acre from 2020.

Sorghum production of 18.9 million bushels, is up 38% from a year ago. Area for grain harvest, at 230,000 acres, is up 53% from last year. Yield is forecast at 82 bushels per acre, down 9 bushels from last year.

Oat production is forecast at 1.11 million bushels, down 39% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 21,000 acres, is down 8,000 acres from last year. Yield is forecast at 53 bushels per acre, down 10 bushels from 2020.

Dry edible bean production is forecast at 2.55 million cwt, down 29% from last year. The average yield is forecast at 2,360 pounds per acre, up 90 pounds from last year. Acres planted by class are as follows: Pinto, 57,800; Great Northern, 34,800; Black, 4,800; Light Red Kidney, 11,800; All Other, (D). D is withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.33 million tons, down 6% from 2020. Area for harvest, at 44,500 acres is down 1,200 acres from last year. Yield is estimated at 29.8 tons per acre, down 1.2 tons from a year ago.

Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 3.65 million tons, up 12% from last year. Expected yield, at 3.80 tons per acre, is unchanged from last year. All other hay production is forecast at 2.48 million tons, down 20% from last year. Forecasted yield, at 1.60 tons per acre, is down 0.05 ton from last year.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION ESTIMATE

 Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.44 billion bushels according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 193.0 bushels per acre, up 15.0 bushels from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 13.1 million acres. An estimated 12.7 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain.

Soybean production is forecast at 570 million bushels. The yield is forecast at 58.0 bushels per acre, 5.0 bushels higher than 2020. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 9.90 million acres with 9.82 million acres to be harvested.

Oat production for grain is forecast at 4.42 million bushels. The expected yield is 68.0 bushels per acre, up 5.0 bushels from the July forecast, but 10.0 bushels lower than 2020. An estimated 65,000 acres will be harvested for grain.

Iowa hay yield for alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures is expected to be 3.30 tons per acre with a total production of 2.61 million tons, down 10% from the previous year. The projected yield for other hay is 2.00 tons per acre, with production at 720,000 tons, down 9% from 2020.

The forecasts in this report are based on August 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next corn and soybean production forecasts, based on conditions as of September 1, will be released on September 10.



USDA: Corn Production Up 4 Percent from 2020
Soybean Production Up 5 Percent from 2020
Winter Wheat Production Down 3 Percent from July Forecast

Corn production for grain is forecast at 14.8 billion bushels, up 4 percent from 2020. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 174.6 bushels per harvested acre, up 2.6 bushels from last year. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 84.5 million acres, unchanged from the June forecast, but up 2 percent from the previous year.

Soybean production for beans is forecast at 4.34 billion bushels, up 5 percent from 2020. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 50.0 bushels per harvested acre, down 0.2 bushel from 2020. Area harvested for beans in the United States is forecast at 86.7 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 5 percent from 2020.

All cotton production is forecast at 17.3 million 480-pound bales, up 18 percent from 2020. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 800 pounds per harvested acre, down 47 pounds from 2020. Upland cotton production is forecast at 16.9 million 480-pound bales, up 20 percent from 2020. Pima cotton production is forecast at 371,000 bales, down 32 percent from 2020. All cotton area harvested is forecast at 10.4 million acres, up 25 percent from 2020.

All wheat production for grain is forecast at 1.70 billion bushels, down 3 percent from the previous forecast and down 7 percent from 2020. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 44.5 bushels per harvested acre, down 1.3 bushel from the previous forecast and down 5.2 bushels from 2020. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 38.1 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but up 4 percent from 2020.

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.32 billion bushels, down 3 percent from the July 1 forecast but up 13 percent from 2020. As of August 1, the United States yield is forecast at 51.8 bushels per acre, down 1.8 bushels from last month but up 0.9 bushel from last year's average yield of 50.9 bushels per acre. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 25.4 million acres, unchanged from last month, but up 11 percent from last year.

Hard Red Winter production, at 777 million bushels, is down 3 percent from last month. Soft Red Winter, at 366 million bushels, is up 1 percent from the July forecast. White Winter, at 176 million bushels, is down 11 percent from last month. Of the White Winter production, 16.1 million bushels are Hard White and 160 million bushels are Soft White.

Durum wheat production is forecast at 34.7 million bushels, down 7 percent from the July 1 forecast and down 50 percent from 2020. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 24.0 bushels per harvested acre, down 1.8 bushels from last month and down 17.4 bushels from 2020. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed totals 1.44 million acres, unchanged from last month, but down 13 percent from 2020.

Other spring wheat production for grain is forecast at 343 million bushels, down less than 1 percent from the July 1 forecast and down 41 percent from last year. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 30.6 bushels per harvested acre, down 0.1 bushel from last month and down 18.0 bushels from 2020. If realized, this would be the lowest yield since 2002 for the United States. Area harvested for grain or seed is expected to total 11.2 million acres, unchanged from last month, but 7 percent below 2020. Of the total production, 305 million bushels are Hard Red Spring wheat, down 42 percent from 2020.



GRANDIN TO HEADLINE INAUGURAL HERD THAT! CONFERENCE

Colorado State University Professor and animal behaviorist Temple Grandin will headline the inaugural Herd That! Conference, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Animal Science Complex on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus.

The conference, sponsored by the Nebraska Women in Agriculture and Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance programs, will focus on the five areas of risk management specific to livestock. A highlight of the event will be a live cattle-handling demonstration with Grandin and Dean Fish, ranch manager at Santa Fe Ranch in Nogales, Arizona.

“We are thrilled to be bringing a new event to our Women in Agriculture programming that is specific to women who raise livestock,” said Jessica Groskopf, director of Nebraska Women in Agriculture. “With Nebraska being one of the largest beef-producing states in the country, and women across our state taking an active role in their operation, there is no better time to launch this event.”

The conference’s workshops and speakers will offer tools and information that attendees can take back to their operations to become more successful. During the morning sessions, participants can learn from industry experts and Nebraska Extension professionals. Topics will include market outlooks, herd health, livestock insurance and veterinarian practices.

Grandin and Fish will close the conference with a live cattle-handling demonstration focusing on low-stress cattle handling and facility design.

Jesse Fulton, director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance, said animal handling is an important issue for producers to understand, and the conference will offer a unique opportunity to learn from nationally recognized experts on the topic.

“Being able to have Dr. Grandin, the matriarch of low-stress cattle handling and facility design, teamed up with Dr. Fish, a nationally renowned cattle stockman, come to Nebraska to demonstrate the importance and ease of low-stress cattle handling is a great chance for Nebraska producers to hear from the industry-leading experts on the topic,” he said. “Just because we are using cattle for the demonstration doesn’t mean you can’t ask questions about other species.”

Registration for the event is open on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, https://wia.unl.edu.



Albion Farmer Appointed to Nebraska Corn Board

Gov. Pete Ricketts recently appointed John Krohn as the District 7 Director of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), which represents Boyd, Holt, Antelope, Garfield, Wheeler, Boone, Platte, Valley, Greeley and Nance counties. Krohn is a farmer from Albion and is replacing David Merrell, from St. Edward, who served on the board since 2006 and chose not to seek reappointment.

“I wanted to become a part of the Nebraska Corn Board simply to get involved,” said Krohn. “I have a basic understanding of the state’s corn checkoff program, but I wanted to better understand all of the ways our half a cent per bushel investment can impact programs in Nebraska, the U.S. and even around the world. Instead of simply reading about how corn growers benefit from the Nebraska Corn Board, I want to be a part of the decision-making process.”

After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006 with a degree in agronomy, Krohn was the production supervisor for Cargill before an opportunity allowed him to join the farm operation full time. He is the fifth generation to operate his family’s farm. The Krohn family grows corn and soybeans in the Boone County area which includes some land that has been in his family for over 120 years. Krohn practices sustainable production methods within his operation including no-till and cover crops.

Outside of the farm, Krohn serves as an associate director for Country Partners Cooperative and is in a stakeholder group with the Lower Loup Natural Resources District working to develop a drought management plan. Krohn is a fellow of the Nebraska LEAD Program (Class 39) and was involved in his local church as the council president. He farms with his parents, his wife, Sheena, and has three children: Kasey, Annie and Caleb.

“We look forward to welcoming John to the Nebraska Corn Board,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB. “One of the biggest strengths we have within our board is the shared passion to improve our state’s corn industry through our key pillars of market development, research, promotion and education. We have a diverse group of leaders from different backgrounds and farming operations, yet they all come together for a common goal. John will be a great addition, but I would also be remiss not to mention Dave Merrell and thank him for his service to the industry.”

Krohn’s position is effective immediately following his appointment by Gov. Ricketts on Aug. 9. Additionally, Ted Schrock, from Elm Creek, and Andrew Groskopf, from Scottsbluff, were reappointed to serve as the District 6 and 8 directors respectively.



Baker Completes Summer Internship With Council

U.S. Grains Council (USGC) summer intern Patrick Baker closed out his time at the organization’s Washington, D.C., headquarters on Aug. 6. Baker, a political science and global studies double major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was sponsored as an intern with the support of the Nebraska Corn Board.

Working with the Council’s global strategies team, Baker focused this summer on projects supporting the organization’s operations in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

Among other projects, he created a feed price database to compare prices across countries in the Middle East and Africa, that allows Council employees to log prices and analyze data to identify potential barriers and inefficiencies in the trade that could restrict exports of U.S. commodities. The database also looked at internal barriers in each country that limited livestock sector development and posed the question about what the Council can do to address these constraints with the support of the local industry.

“Patrick took a project that had been sitting on the shelf for a couple of months and really helped us consolidate and analyze the information in a useful format. He also helped us analyze the impact of the COVID pandemic or other crisis on the feed industry in a couple of key countries,” said Kurt Shultz, director of global strategies.

He will return to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall to complete his undergraduate studies, after which he plans to work in public policy or trade before pursuing either a master’s or law degree.

“I am incredibly grateful for the staff at the U.S. Grains Council for making it a priority for me to feel like a welcome member of the team,” Baker said. “The global strategies team welcomed me on day one and ensured that I was an included member of the team on all meetings, webinars, and other Council functions.“



Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association and US Global Leadership Coalition Partner for “Nebraska Exports and Global Leadership Series”

The Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association (NeSPA) has partnered with the US Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) for meetings to be held across the state in early September. NeSPA represents Nebraska Sorghum Growers’ efforts in regard to federal and state policy matters. USGLC advocates for the 1% of the federal budget that supports foreign aid.

The “Nebraska Exports and Global Leadership” meeting series will be held in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, McCook, North Platte, Valentine, Norfolk, and Columbus September 7th through the 10th. Discussions will focus on America’s role on the global stage, and the resulting implications for foreign trade and agricultural markets development.

“Nebraska Sorghum is excited to host USGLC Regional Director, Ms. Alexandra Moyer,” stated NeSPA Executive Director, Nate Blum. “The work of USGLC helps to maintain and build relationships which are of vital importance to ongoing international markets development for sorghum and other agricultural products. America’s commitment to helping our allies around the world also maintains and helps build consensus and partnerships which necessarily decrease incidences of conflict, military interventions, and human suffering. NeSPA firmly believes that the partnership between our organization and USGLC is integral in growing value for Nebraska Ag producers while providing stability in a rapidly changing world.”

“As one in five Nebraska jobs is tied to the $7 billion in exports from the Cornhusker State each year, America’s foreign assistance programs provide a tremendous return on investment,” stated USGLC Regional Director, Alexandra Moyer. “By helping to build new overseas markets for products like sorghum, biofuels, bioplastics, manufactured goods, and other agricultural products, Nebraska families benefit every day from America’s engagement in the world.”  

To learn more about how you can participate in the “Nebraska Exports and Global Leadership” series, email the Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association at: sorghum.board@nebraska.gov. RSVP’s for these meetings are required.



681 Century and Heritage Farm Families to be Honored at the Iowa State Fair

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Craig Hill and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Joe Heinrich will honor 681 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the Iowa State Fair. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same families for 100 and 150 years, respectively.

Date: Thursday, Aug. 19
Time: Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the ceremony starts with Century Farm recognitions at 9 a.m. The Heritage Farm acknowledgments will follow.
Location: Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds

The Century Farm program began in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. This year, 476 Century Farms and 205 Heritage Farms will be recognized, including recipients from 2020 and 2021. To date, 20,541 Century Farms and 1,566 Heritage Farms have been recognized across the state of Iowa.



Seven Farmers Elected to Iowa Soybean Association Board of Directors

Seven farmers, including six incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors.

Lee Brooke of Clarinda was elected District 7 director. New to the board, Brooke manages a diversified row crop and livestock farm in partnership with his son and son-in-law. He also serves as president of the Southwest Iowa Rural Water Association and has held leadership posts in a local cooperative, church and county cattlemen’s association.

“Soybean farmers are facing new challenges every day to feed a growing population in a cost-effective way,” Brooke says. “The ISA, with the involvement of soybean farmers and industry partners, can positively impact this need through developing new uses, expanding trade and keeping additional regulations in check. I look forward to digging in and making a difference.”

Re-elected to three-year terms on the board were: Brent Swart, Spencer (District 1); April Hemmes, Hampton (District 2); Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg (District 3); Robb Ewoldt, Davenport (District 6); Pat Swanson, Ottumwa (District 9); and Tim Bardole, Rippey (At Large).

“Every soybean farmer who participated in the election – whether as a voter, candidate or both – is to be recognized for engaging in this important process,” said ISA President Jeff Jorgenson of Sidney. “We are a farmer-led association so farmer participation in the election is paramount.”

Jorgenson, who will complete his service on the board in September, said directors take their volunteer service to fellow soybean farmers very seriously. He also encourages fellow soybean farmers to get involved in the association they fund via their investment in the soybean checkoff.

“I encourage every soybean grower to engage with their district and at-large leadership as we work collectively to grow and sell soybeans and advance industry priorities during a very critical time for Iowa and U.S. agriculture,” he said.  

The seven directors elected join 15 full-time soybean farmers in overseeing the management and allocation of the soybean checkoff and non-checkoff resources.

Those continuing their service as directors are: Chuck White, Spencer (District 1); Casey Schlichting, Clear Lake (District 2); Rick Juchems, Plainfield (District 3); Jeff Frank, Auburn and Marty Danzer, Carroll (District 4); and Morey Hill, Madrid and Tom Vincent, Perry (District 5).

Also: Dave Walton, Wilton (District 6); Scot Bailey, Anita (District 7); Warren Bachman, Osceola and Randy Miller, Lacona (District 8); and Tom Adam, Harper (District 9). Serving at-large are: Brent Renner, Klemme; Steph Essick, Dickens; and Lindsay Greiner, Keota.



MLB at Field of Dreams Presented by GEICO Goes Down Tonight

Lovers of all things corn, baseball and America are in for a real treat tonight when the Chicago White Sox play the New York Yankees in the MLB at Field of Dreams game presented by GEICO. The game will be played at a newly constructed ballpark adjacent to the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa and broadcast nationally on FOX.

“This is the first time two professional sports franchises will play a game in a field of corn. This is a big stage, and America’s corn farmers will be proud of how America’s crop will be portrayed tonight,” said NCGA President John Linder, a corn farmer from Ohio.

NCGA’s partnership of this event is made possible through the generous support of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB)and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB). Tune in to your local FOX affiliate at 6:00 pm CDT to watch it.



CLAAS Opens Program for 2022 Orders with Incentives to Help Manage Supply Chain Disruptions

Supply chain disruptions have been a challenge for manufacturers throughout the agriculture sector over the past year. Since the pandemic, availability of inputs related to the production of agricultural equipment has decreased dramatically. Steel, rubber and computer chips are just a number of the components that manufacturers have struggled to get their hands on.

While the cost of materials has increased as well, CLAAS’s primary focus is ensuring access to the components needed to build machines. CLAAS encourages growers to get their orders in during the company’s Pre-Sell Program period, starting now, in order to help with production planning and ensure timely delivery.

“While our manufacturing has remained resilient throughout the pandemic, supply chain disruptions continue to impact the agriculture industry as a whole,” says Eric Raby, President & General Manager – Sales, CLAAS. “It’s important for us to understand what products are needed for next year and that is why we have opened up our order books earlier than normal with an even broader line of incentives to farmers and contractors. This line of sight on demand allows us to manufacture products more efficiently and that is something we are sharing with our customers.”

CLAAS is offering Pre-Sell Program incentives including low financing rates and early order discounts on their equipment to those proactive customers. 



Cattle Industry Commits to Climate Neutrality by 2040

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) solidified U.S. cattle ranchers’ commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability with the release of U.S. cattle industry sustainability goals.

Beef producers in the United States are already the global leader in sustainable beef production. The setting of these goals will further enhance the sustainability of the U.S. system and set targets that demonstrate to the world that producers are committed to continued improvement. The goals for the U.S. cattle industry include:
-    Demonstrate climate neutrality of U.S. cattle production by 2040.
-    Create and enhance opportunities that result in a quantifiable increase in producer profitability and economic sustainability by 2025.   
-    Enhance trust in cattle producers as responsible stewards of their animals and resources by expanding educational opportunities in animal care and handling programs to further improve animal well-being.  
-    Continuously improve our industry's workforce safety and well-being.            

“Cattlemen and women have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability for generations. They work tirelessly to protect the land, water and air resources in their care. Through countless improvements in genetics, grazing management, manure handling and the adoption of many other technologies, this is just the next step on our industry’s path,” said Marty Smith, a Florida cattleman and NCBA past president. “Producers deserve recognition for their use of cutting-edge practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact. By setting goals, we’re publicly committing to continuous improvement and setting targets that allow us to measure and document those efforts.”

These goals are the culmination of a grassroots, rancher-led process. The Sustainability Goals Task Force was formed in 2021 to evaluate the current state of U.S. beef cattle sustainability, determine which improvements are most critical and help share the story of progress. Members of this working group – cattle farmers and ranchers from across the U.S. – led the process and made all decisions, including setting the sustainability goals.

“Sustainability is, and will continue to be, an incredibly important part of what we do, and I’m proud that my fellow leaders across the cattle industry have taken these important steps,” Smith said. “As our country and the world examine risks associated with climate change and other sustainability challenges, our commitment to sustainability positions us to play an even bigger role in mitigating these risks in the future.”

To learn more about the cattle industry’s sustainability goals, go to ncba.org/sustainability.



Cattle Group Issues Rebuke on Call for Regional Cash Market Minimums

In a white paper distributed this week to the U.S. Senate agriculture committee and other Senate offices, R-CALF USA provides real-time evidence that varying minimum cash cattle purchase requirements region-to-region will allow major beef packers to continue denying timely market access to independent cattle feeders.

Titled Why a 50% National Negotiated Cash Volume Is Needed and Why That Volume Should Not Vary Region by Region, the group’s paper provides the example of at least one Iowa cash cattle seller who was informed that one major packer was out of the market for five weeks and another was reducing Iowa cash cattle purchases.

The paper explains that this example shows that even in Iowa, where negotiated cash cattle purchases have met or exceeded the 50% volume level for the past 16 years, packers can nevertheless deprive independent cattle producers timely access to the negotiated cash market simply by trucking cattle from regions where cash volume requirements are or would be lower, such as from Kansas.

“The ability of packers to ship fed cattle via truck from region to region relegates the five fed cattle procurement regions to mere geographical reporting regions in a procurement market that is, in fact, national in scope,” states the group.

The group says this out-of-region shipping practice demands a cross-regional solution to the lack of competitive cattle purchases and the Grassely/Tester Bill (S.949) provides Congress with such a solution.

By mandating that all large packing plants purchase at least 50% of their cattle needs from negotiated cash cattle markets, the group says Congress can ensure that independent cattle producers located everywhere have access to a competitive market.

The paper also addresses the claim that packers need alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs), such as marketing agreements, to meet the quality requirements of branded beef programs. The paper refutes this claim using a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study that found negotiated cash market purchases were more likely to be eligible for branded beef programs than were marketing agreement purchases.

Pointing to another USDA study, the paper also provides evidence that the theoretical offsetting benefits of AMA’s do not benefit cattle producers who choose to market in the negotiated cash market. Instead, the paper states those independent cattle producers are carrying the brunt of the financial harm caused by the AMAs without receiving any offsetting benefits.

“Indeed,” states the paper, “they cannot even gain timely access to a competitive market!”