Monday September 20 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending September 19, 2021, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 33% short, 59% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 42% short, 46% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Corn condition rated 5% very poor, 8% poor, 19% fair, 45% good, and 23% excellent. Corn dented was 94%, near 97% last year, and equal to the five-year average. Mature was 54%, behind 63% last year, but ahead of 47% average. Harvested was 7%, near 9% last year and 5% average.

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 21% fair, 50% good, and 21% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 71%, behind 79% last year, but ahead of 62% average. Harvested was 4%, behind 9% last year, and near 5% average.

Winter wheat planted was 35%, near 36% last year and 37% average. Emerged was 5%, near 3% last year, and equal to average.

Sorghum condition rated 8% very poor, 16% poor, 29% fair, 34% good, and 13% excellent. Sorghum coloring was 96%, near 92% last year and 93% average. Mature was 35%, behind 46% last year, and near 36% average. Harvested was 3%, near 2% both last year and average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 26% fair, 42% good, and 23% excellent. Dry edible beans dropping leaves was 85%, near 84% last year. Harvested was 49%, behind 57% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 11% very poor, 15% poor, 55% fair, 17% good, and 2% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Another warm, mostly dry week across the State allowed Iowa’s farmers 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 19, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting hay, finishing corn silage and starting on earlage.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 10% very short, 30% short, 59% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 15% very short, 37% short, 48% adequate and 0% surplus.

The warm windy weather helped crops dry down and push toward maturity. Corn in or beyond the dent stage reached 93%, four days ahead of the 5-year average. Half of Iowa’s corn crop has reached maturity, two days ahead of normal. Iowa’s corn condition rated 58% good to excellent. Producers have started corn harvest in many parts of the State.

Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 86%, four days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 53%, three days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Soybean harvest began in parts of Iowa during the week.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 97% complete. Some farmers were working on the fourth and in some areas the fifth cutting of hay.

Pasture condition was rated 29% good to excellent. In general, livestock were doing well.



Corn, Soybean Harvest Running at Near-Average Pace

While corn and soybeans are reaching maturity slightly ahead of normal this year, harvest of both crops so far is progressing at a close-to-average pace, USDA NASS' said in its weekly national Crop Progress report Monday.

In its first national soybean harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 6% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, Sept. 19, near 5% last year and equal to the five-year average.  For the rest of the crop, NASS estimated that 58% of soybeans were dropping leaves as of Sunday, 10 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 48%.  The condition of the soybean crop remaining in fields was pegged at 58% good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from 57% the previous week but down from 63% a year ago.

After trailing 1 percentage point behind normal the previous week, corn harvest edged 1 percentage point ahead of average last week, coming in at 10% as of Sunday compared to the five-year average of 9%. As with soybeans, corn continued to reach maturity ahead of normal last week. NASS estimated that 93% of corn was dented as of Sept. 19, up 4 percentage points from the five-year average of 89%. Fifty-seven percent of corn was rated mature, up 10 percentage points from the five-year average of 47%.  The condition of corn still in fields also rose last week, edging up 1 percentage point from 58% good to excellent as of Sunday, Sept. 12, to 59% good to excellent on Sunday, Sept. 19. That was down from 61% a year ago.

Winter wheat planting also continued slightly ahead of normal last week, with NASS estimating 21% of the crop had been planted as of Sunday, 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 18%. Winter wheat emerged was pegged at 3%, just 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 2%.

Sorghum coloring was pegged at 92%, 4 percentage points ahead of the average. Sorghum mature was 51%, 5 percentage points ahead of average. Sorghum harvested was 25%, 3 percentage points behind average.

Cotton bolls opening was 48%, 5 percentage points behind the average. Cotton harvested was 9%, 2 percentage points behind the average. Cotton condition was rated 64% good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week.

Rice harvested was 51%, 5 percentage points behind the average pace.

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Nebraska LEAD Announces 2021-23 Fellows

Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Group 40 participants have been announced by the program’s director, Terry Hejny. The two-year program will begin in September.

 The newest members of Nebraska's premier two-year agricultural leadership development program are involved in production agriculture and/or agribusiness in Nebraska.  

"Once again, it appears that Class 40 is filled with outstanding individuals from throughout our state and I am excited to get started with them. Our task will be to prepare and motivate them for future leadership roles in their community, our state and beyond," Hejny said.

LEAD Fellows will participate in 12 monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a 14-16 day international study/travel seminar. The goal of the program is to develop problem solvers, decision makers and spokespersons for Nebraska agriculture and beyond.

Seminar themes include: leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, leadership through communication, agricultural policy, international trade and finance, Nebraska’s political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social and cultural issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, information technology, advances in health care, the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle and other areas designed to develop leaders through exposure to a broad array of current topics and issues and how they interrelate.

Nebraska LEAD 40 Fellows by city/town are:  
AURORA: Mitch Oswald
BAYARD: Maggie Dickey
BERTRAND: Tanner Nelson
COZAD: Andrew Bellamy
CREIGHTON: Rylee Stoltz
DAVID CITY: Nate Parde
GREENWOOD: Steve Landon
HEMINGFORD: Timothy Hashman
KEARNEY: Abe Smith, Hannah Swink
LINCOLN: Austin Benes, Tyson Broekemeier, Eric Coufal, Kurtis Harms, David Moss, Rachel Prosser, Stephanie Schuler, Logan Sheets, Curtis Welsh
LINDSAY: Amber Klassen
LITCHFIELD: Cole Lewandowski
MINDEN: Stephanie Nelson
NORFOLK: Trentee Bush
OMAHA: Kara Geweke
PLEASANTON: Molly Dixon
SAINT EDWARD: Dylan Haas
SCOTTSBLUFF: Blake Wohlers
UPLAND: Chris Grams, Melissa Haack

The Nebraska LEAD Program is sponsored by the non-profit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 12 other institutions of higher education throughout Nebraska.



Questions to Ask When Developing Winter Cow Care Agreements
Aaron Berger, NE Extension Educator

Given the current drought conditions in the western and north central United States, there has been increased interest by cattle producers to send cattle to other locations, such as Nebraska, where winter feed resources such as corn residue may be available for grazing. This creates a scenario where many folks are asking questions about what a fair agreement for wintering cows looks like. This article will provide things to consider when developing winter cow care agreements.

It is important that these agreements be in writing and spell out specific responsibilities as well as risk ownership to avoid uncertainties and disagreements. The goal of a good agreement is that there are no surprises and that all parties are clear on expectations and roles. It is easy to forget what was originally agreed to. Having a written agreement makes it easy to refer to as situations arise.

A number of questions need to be asked and answered up front.
    Expected date of arrival and date out. The number and type of cattle (this can be important when establishing value of cattle as well as expectations for performance). How animals be identified. Are the cattle branded? The location where the cattle will be managed. Who will pay trucking fees to and from home location to care location? Who will pay any local trucking costs, if cattle are to be moved during the care period?

    Have cattle seen electric fence before? If individual cows do not respect fences, does the provider have the right to send them home? How will these trucking costs be handled?>

    How will death loss and missing cattle be handled? One option is to set initial death loss that would be at the expense of the owner with an agreement that the operator is responsible for the value of cattle above this level. How will price be determined? It may be useful to set this price upfront to avoid issues. How will death be verified? Procedures utilized by insurance companies to verify cow death loss can be adopted and included in agreement. That typically involves a licensed veterinarian with the vet expense normally assigned to the cow owner.

    How will treatment of sick cattle be handled? How will treatment costs be handled? A common option would be to have the provider notify the owner of any unhealthy or injured animals so that a joint decision can be made to contact a veterinarian when necessary. It is also a good idea for the provider to supply the owner with the name and contact info of the veterinarian so they can communicate with them as needed.

    What will the cattle be fed or graze? Will supplemental protein or energy be fed when grazing? How will need be determined? If grazing, what are the feeding expectations when ice and snow restrict intake.  How will the costs associated with supplemental feed be handled? Will mineral/salt be delivered provided to the cattle. Who is paying for the costs? How will intake be managed? Will body condition monitored and feeding adjusted? What is acceptable condition? Herd body condition score should be assigned to cows when care for them is transferred and a discussion of the expectations for cow condition during the care period should take place. Having body condition assigned before cows leave the providers location is also a good idea. Use of a third party (such as a veterinarian) to assist both parties in the assessment of body condition is recommended.

    Will cows be comingled with any other herd? What are the vaccination requirements if comingled?

    Will any additional services need to be provided, such as calving out of cows? What if will happen, if for instance, the cows start calving unexpectedly?

    Inspection of cattle and facilities? What rights and under what conditions does the owner have the right to inspect the cattle when under control of the care provider?

    Termination of agreement? What conditions would lead to the owner being able to remove cattle/terminate the agreement with the care provider and the reverse. How much notice must be given?

    Payment terms. When and how much. It is common for some money to be paid to the provider upfront and then costs to be bill monthly by the provider. Will full payment be required before cattle are returned to owner (see note on cattle lien below).

Certain Legal Issues also need to be addressed:
    What are the expectations for liability insurance?

    Establish whether the cattle owner is responsible for complying with interstate cattle shipment requirements. Typically, this would include CVI certificate of veterinary inspection for disease, vaccinations. Plan on at least 30 days minimum to obtain approval. This is needed both when the cattle enter Nebraska and when the cattle leave Nebraska (unless the cattle are slaughtered in Nebraska). Contract should specify who pays for CVI veterinary services necessary for interstate cattle movement for cattle entering Nebraska and cattle leaving Nebraska.

    If cattle are loan collateral, the cattle owner is responsible for obtaining permission of owner's lender to remove cattle/loan collateral out of state. Failure to do so could violate security agreement, result in loan acceleration, foreclosure.

    Establish whether cattle owner or care provider will arrange for brand inspection of owner's cattle out of state cattle upon entering Nebraska and upon leaving Nebraska.

    Agister (Care Provider) lien: in Nebraska, an agister (care provider) has lien on cattle for unpaid bills. Determine whether care provider will be paid in full before cattle leave care provider’s premises. Depending on type of payment, determine whether care provider will notify owner when payment has cleared so owner can arrange for transportation back to owner's premises. Once cattle leave care provider's premises, could be legally complicated to create and enforce care provider's lien outside of Nebraska.

Winter cow care agreements involve a lot of trust by both parties. It is advisable to get references for the other party when working with someone for the first time. Care providers may find it useful to talk with the owner’s lender and other individuals that have conducted business with the owner. The owner may find it useful to talk with other owners that the provider has worked with in the past.

This resource (https://cap.unl.edu/publications/2021/Winter%20Cow%20Care%20Agreements--jda1.pdf) is meant to provide a list of questions and issues to consider in drafting an agreement for winter care of cattle. It is intended for educational purposes. The details of any actual agreement are up to the parties involved and obtaining legal advice from a licensed attorney is encouraged in developing the actual agreement.



GRAZING FOR INTERSEEDING
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Pastures and hay meadows provide higher quality feed, are more productive, and require fewer inputs when they have good forage legumes growing in them.

Outside of moisture, nitrogen is often the limiting nutrient in pasture production.  While commercial fertilizer may be a quick and easy option, it’s costly.  Instead, let’s grow our own N using legumes.

Do you have a pasture area or hay meadow that is relatively free of weeds and makes up no more than about 15 percent of your total pasture acres?  If so, here is what I want you to do.  From now until that grass will grow no more this year, I want you to graze that grass hard.  Grub it down, then graze it some more. Maybe you’ve already accomplished this with the dry conditions this summer.

Now why would I recommend overgrazing?  Surely it will hurt the grass.  Well, that's exactly what we want.  Next spring, you will interseed legumes like red clover, white clover, and alfalfa into that grass to make it more nutritious and productive.  We may even consider a winter frost seeding if conditions are right.

The biggest challenge to establishing legumes into a grass sod is competition by that existing grass on new, slow growing legume seedlings.  Anything you do to reduce competition and slow down grass growth will help.  Overgrazing this fall prior to next spring’s seeding will weaken the grass and slow its spring growth, thus giving new legume seedlings a better chance to get started.

And while you’re at it, also collect some soil samples.  Then analyze them and apply any needed fertilizer.  Legumes especially need good phosphorus and the proper soil pH.

So, add some legumes to your pasture next spring.  Graze your grass this fall until virtually nothing is left.  Then, keep grazing a couple weeks more just to make sure. Legumes you add next spring will establish better because of it.



Annual NRD Conference Focuses on Resource Sustainability, New Technology

Natural resources stakeholders and experts will be in Kearney for the annual Nebraska Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) Conference at the Younes Conference Center Sept. 26-28.

The conference brings together NRD employees, directors and others integrally involved in conservation, technology and policymaking. The event kicks off with the Ron Bishop Memorial Golf Outing and trap shoot on Sunday, Sept. 26, to raise money for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Foundation. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Topics include an overview and discussion of successful natural resources programs, new technologies and research for future programs. Panelists at the forum will also provide insight on water quality, groundwater management, and flood mitigation.

Recognizing citizens for their conservation efforts, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts also will present awards during the noon luncheon Monday, Sept. 27. Due to the pandemic, both 2020 and 2021 awardees will be recognized. Winners include:
    2020 Tree Planter of the Year: Terry Hoit – Red Cloud, Nebraska
    2021 Tree Planter of the Year: Diamond Bar Ranch – Stapleton, Nebraska
    2020 Grassland Conservation Award: Star Cattle Company – North Platte, Nebraska
    2021 Grassland Conservation Award: Chris Larsen – Lexington, Nebraska
    2020 Community Conservation Award: City of Norfolk – Norfolk, Nebraska
    2021 Community Conservation Award: Curt Arens – Crofton, Nebraska
    2020 Soil Stewardship Conservation Award: Dan & Melinda Stelling – Pierce, Nebraska
    2021 Soil Stewardship Conservation Award: Jeff & Jolene Steffen – Fordyce, Nebraska
    2020 Director of the Year: Terry Martin, Upper Republican NRD – Benkelman, Nebraska
    2021 Director of the Year: Ed Kyes, Central Platte NRD – Central City, Nebraska
    2020 Educator of the Year: Boyd Bowder, St. Paul High School
    2021 Educator of the Year: Sharla Hanzlik, Niobrara High School

Monday evening includes a silent auction for the NARD Foundation, which support youth programs involved in natural resources and agriculture, followed by a dinner banquet.

During the banquet, four NRD Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized including: W. Eugene Haarberg, Imperial, Nebraska (2020 Board Member); Leon “Butch” Koehlmoos, Ord, Nebraska (2020 NRD Employee); Doug Bereuter, Alamo, California (2020 NRD Supporter); and Ted Hughes, Neligh, Nebraska (2021 Board Member). The Omaha World-Herald will also present the Agriculture Master Conservationist Award to Russ and Kay Edeal of Loomis, Nebraska.

More than 300 natural resources stakeholders are expected to attend the conference. Online registration and a detailed agenda are available on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts’ website.

The annual NRD Conference is presented by Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts with a range of local and national sponsors.



What to do with High Nitrate Forage?
Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Given the drought conditions in some locations this year, many producers may be asking themselves how to handle the annual forages they have standing in the field that may not have grown as much as would be expected under normal conditions. These drought stressed forages can be high in nitrates and may be potentially toxic to cattle.

So, what are the options?
Grazing the forage. Most recommendations for the level of nitrates in forages that cause issues are based on hay and it is suggested that levels above 2,100 ppm N03-N are toxic. Often grazing cattle can tolerate greater concentrations of nitrates than those consuming hay. The amount of nitrates cattle can consume without an issue depends a lot on the situation and management.   If the forage to be grazed is high moisture it is often lower risk. Fresh forages release nitrates into the rumen at a slower rate than dry forages. The slower release rate allows rumen microbes that convert toxic nitrite to ammonia, to better keep up with nitrate inflow. If the forage is mature and dried out, the rate of release of nitrate and thus the risks would be greater, more like hay.

A few things to understand about risks when grazing higher nitrate forages:
 1.    The capacity of the microbial population in the rumen to detoxify nitrite will increase with exposure to nitrate. Nitrates tend to be greatest in the bottom of the stem and with the least nitrates in the leaf. If given the opportunity, cattle tend to select leaf material first and work their way down the plant, slowly increasing their nitrate exposure over the grazing period. Therefore, the microbial population in the rumen of grazing cattle may have time to adapt to higher nitrate concentrations by the time the animal consumes the stem and lower portions of the plant. Thus, gradual adaptation is a key management strategy. Producers should not strip graze high nitrate forages, but allow cattle to be selective. Losses from nitrate toxicity are more likely in cattle not adapted to nitrate. The bacteria in the rumen capable of converting the toxic nitrite to ammonia will increase in numbers when nitrate is available to them. Adapted animals can be safely fed higher levels than un-adapted animals. To adapt the cattle, start by grazing the lowest-nitrate fields and then work up to the highest. If a lower nitrate field is not available, producers should graze higher nitrate fields lightly to allow animals to selectively graze the plant parts that are lower in nitrate concentration.
 2.    Grazing cattle often have a slower rate of dry matter intake than when eating harvested forages. Again, this means that the microbes can better keep pace with the nitrate inflow. Feeding cattle prior to turnout can help slow initial intake of high nitrate feed. Also, if intake becomes restricted at any point (forage runs out or weather impedes grazing) producers should fill them up on lower nitrate hay again before they go back to grazing the high nitrate forage.
 3.    Higher dietary energy increases the rate of detoxification. Thus, cattle grazing immature forages can have lower risk than mature forages with the same amount of nitrate. Previous research found that feeding a couple pounds of corn to cattle when feeding mature high nitrate forages can lower risk. So, if the forage is not young/immature, producers should consider grain supplementation. This will supply energy for rumen microbes to convert nitrate into bacterial protein and minimizes the accumulation of the intermediate nitrite. Grain feeding may be of limited benefit for high quality annual forages but is a good idea when grazing more mature forages.

Even though the potential for nitrate toxicity exists, careful grazing and cattle management can be used to eliminate cattle losses. Ultimately, the decision to graze high nitrate fields is a judgement call and a question of how much risk one is willing to take.

Another great option would be to harvest the forage as silage. If done right, ensiling can decrease nitrate content of the forage by 40 to 60%. Ensiling is one of the best ways to decrease the potential nitrate toxicity of a forage, so this is an option worth considering. Warm season annuals such as corn, sorghum, sorghum-sudan and pearl millet can all be harvested as silage as can small cereals such as oats, barley, cereal rye and wheat. The nitrate content of poorly ensiled forages will not be decreased to the same extent as well-made silage. Thus, harvesting at the proper moisture (65 to 70%) content and getting the forage packed well are key to ensure the best result. Raising the chopper height can also decrease the amount of nitrates in the silage, as the highest concentrations are usually in the lower stem of the plant. Producers need to let the silage ferment for at least 21 days for maximal effect.   Silage should be sampled and analyzed before feeding to ensure the amount of the silage in the ration provides acceptable nitrate levels in the diet. Producers should target an initial diet content of less than l000 ppm N03-N. Animals can then be adapted to higher levels by slowly increasing the inclusion of high nitrate silage in the diet. Over time cattle can be adapted to consume diets up to 4,000 ppm N03-N.  

Harvesting high nitrate forages for hay, an option of last resort? For some situations, hay may be the only option. The drying process does not decrease nitrates and thus, this hay may need to be diluted in the diet with other forages low in nitrates. Grinding and blending of low and high nitrates hay is best to reduce risk.   Additionally, feeding a couple pounds of grain per cow each day can also help reduce risk. If blending of hays is not possible, producers should unroll the low nitrate hay first, then after they have consumed most of the low nitrate hay, roll out high nitrate hay. Be sure animals are not hungry when eating the high nitrate hay (slow intake is key to reducing risk). To adapt the cattle, start by feeding the lowest-nitrate hay and then work up to higher levels. Even with adaptation, feeding hay free-choice is risky when the hay has higher than 2,100 ppm NO3-N. This is because there are likely to be “hot spots” in the hay with high nitrate content that could result in a cow consuming a much higher load of nitrate. Do not feed hay, straw, or fodder suspected of being high in nitrate when it is damp. Damp hay tends to be more toxic because some of the nitrate already has been converted to the more toxic nitrite before being consumed.

Producers with high nitrate forage who need assistance with developing a management plan can contact their local extension educator.



RFA Congratulates E Energy Adams for Billion-Gallon Milestone
    
The Renewable Fuels Association today congratulated member company E Energy Adams for producing its billionth gallon of ethanol, a rare achievement in the renewable fuels industry.

“With the achievement of this milestone, E Energy Adams joins an elite group of ethanol biorefineries that have reached one billion gallons of production,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We congratulate Carl Sitzmann, his excellent staff, and all of the E Energy investors who made this accomplishment possible. Day in and day out for the last 14 years, they have worked tirelessly to support the local economy and provide American consumers with cleaner, greener, and more affordable fuel options.”

E Energy Adams operates an ethanol plant in Adams, Neb. The plant started operations in October 2007. While the original plant capacity was 50 million gallons per year, various expansion efforts and projects to remove bottlenecks over the years brought the current capacity to 100 million gallons. In addition to doubling ethanol capacity, the plant also increased corn storage, added various new technologies, and gained unit-train capability to ship to California. E Energy Adams joined RFA in 2012, and CEO Carl Sitzmann is a member of RFA’s board of directors, serving on its executive committee for the past four years.

“It took us nearly 14 years to make a billion gallons of ethanol, and we’re very proud of what we have achieved for our community and investors,” said Sitzmann. “We have a huge impact on the surrounding community. In addition to the significant tax revenue we provide to the county and local village, we’re boosting corn prices for the local producers, providing a protein-rich distillers grains to livestock feeders, and our distillers corn oil is used as either livestock feed or as feedstock for renewable diesel production.”



RESCHEDULED: Animal Health in the Heartland

The Animal Health in the Heartland Symposium, hosted by IowaBio and Bio Nebraska, has been rescheduled from October 12-13, 2021, to May 24-25, 2022.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions that have impacted our presenters and guests, IowaBio and Bio Nebraska made the difficult decision to reschedule. Rescheduling the symposium to a later date provides a better opportunity to include those who have been impacted by travel restrictions, ensuring that the important, quality content that guests have come to expect from Animal Health in the Heartland will not be impacted.
 
Attendees who have already registered for Animal Health in the Heartland will have the option to remain registered and will not be required to re-register for the rescheduled event.
 
IowaBio and Bio Nebraska look forward to seeing you next Spring in Lincoln!

ABOUT ANIMAL HEALTH IN THE HEARTLAND
Animal Health in the Heartland, hosted by IowaBio and Bio Nebraska, joins together industry leaders, professionals, and innovators in the animal health industry to address critical and important conversations surrounding animal health innovation, management, sustainability and more. Learn more at www.iowabio.org/animalhealth.



IDALS and ISU Extension Announce Farm to Table Task Force

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Vice President John Lawrence today announced members appointed to the Farm to Table Task Force.

During the 2021 Iowa legislative session, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach were directed to establish and co-chair the Farm to Table task force to identify strategies that will improve the farm to table supply chain, making it easier for farmers to access markets and sell their products.

“As Secretary of Agriculture, one of my top priorities is helping to develop and grow markets for Iowa producers. Strengthening our local and regional food systems is a key component of that,” said Secretary Naig. “I’m looking forward to working with our partners at Iowa State and members of the task force to identify the challenges and opportunities within our supply chain.”

“The local foods sector has grown dramatically over the past decade,” said Lawrence. “This task force of sector leaders seeks to identify existing barriers and opportunities to strengthen the farm-to-table supply chain for farmers and buyers.”

The task force is charged with understanding and recommending how institutional purchasers, including schools, may procure food derived from local or regional producers and processors; including meat, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables, nuts and honey. Additionally, the task force will review existing practices and recommend ways to improve direct-to-consumer transactions, donation efforts and nutrition programs.

Task Force Members:
    Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
    John Lawrence, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
    Jan Libbey, One Step and a Time Gardens
    Bob Howard, Country View Dairy
    Corinne Rowe, Rowe’s Red Cows
    Penny Brown Huber, Prairie Rivers of Iowa
    Darrell Goering, Milo Locker
    Steve Winders, Loffredo Fresh Produce
    Jason Grimm, Iowa Valley RC&D; Grimm Family Farm
    Kelly Foss, Des Moines Farmers Market
    David Smigo, Cornell College Dining; Bon Appetit
    Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, Harlan CSD Food Service; Farm Table Delivery
    Matt Unger, Des Moines Area Religious Council
    Aaron Lehman, Iowa Farmers Union

The task force will prepare a report and submit its findings to the Iowa Legislature by Dec. 10, 2021.

The Farm to Table Task Force will hold its first meeting on Monday, Sept. 27. This meeting is open to the public and offered in a hybrid setting.
WHAT:    Farm to Table Task Force
WHEN:    Monday, Sept. 27, 2021
TIME:       1:00 pm                      
WHERE:  Iowa State Research Park: 1805 Collaboration Pl, Ames, IA 50010
Or register for zoom: https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwodempqDkqHNTV5nUX2YNtJn9_eVhCdCEm

For information about the task force and initiative, contact Colin Tadlock, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at colin.tadlock@iowaagriculture.gov or Courtney Long, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Food Systems Program Manager at court7@iastate.edu.



August Milk Production in the United States up 1.1 Percent

Milk production in the United States during August totaled 18.8 billion pounds, up 1.1 percent from August 2020. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,987 pounds for August, 1 pound below August 2020. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.48 million head,
106,000 head more than August 2020, but 19,000 head less than July 2021.

Iowa:  Milk  production  in  Iowa  during  August  2021  totaled  463 million  pounds,  up  3%  from  the  previous  August according  to  the  latest  USDA,  National  Agricultural  Statistics  Service  –  Milk  Production  report.  The  average number  of  milk  cows  during  August,  at  226,000 head,  was  2,000  fewer  than  last  month  but  8,000  more  than August 2020.  Monthly production per cow averaged 2,050 pounds, down 20 pounds from last August.



Dairy Nourishes Africa, Building an Industry and Resilience

With the UN Food Systems Summit this week and World Food Day next month, dairy’s global leadership in building sustainable, robust food chains are in the spotlight. Dairy Nourishes Africa, an initiative from Global Dairy Platform, is developing dairy’s potential in East Africa, where nutrition needs are great and dairy provides an economically promising, sustainable solution.

“It's an opportunity for U.S. dairy to build a business base in one of the fastest-growing regions in the world over the next 20, 30 years,” said Andrei Mikhalevsky, a former CEO of California Dairies Inc. and an advisor on the DNA Project. “And it gives the US dairy industry a real opportunity to make a difference in this part of the world and to do good, starting with the work in Tanzania.”

The podcast focuses on one project, a small dairy processor in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania called Sebadom founded by entrepreneur Anaty Kokushubira Kombeson and her mother. Working with DNA, the processor is supplying local schools and working with smallholder farmers to supply fresh milk while creating jobs.

“We started this company when I had my kid, she's six years now. When she was about to start consuming dairy products, it was a bit of a challenge to get the quality milk for her,” she said. “Because of that challenge that we faced, that is where Sebadom came in.”

Also discussing DNA and dairy’s promise are Jay Waldvogel, a board member of Global Dairy Platform and Senior Vice President of Strategy and International Development for Dairy Farmers of America, and Dai Harvey, DNA’s Regional Technical Director with Land O’Lakes Venture37, the project’s implementing partner.

To learn more about Global Dairy Platform and the DNA effort, visit globaldairyplatform.com.



Corn Continues Call for Research Projects Which Help Solve Aflatoxin Issues

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announces a new round of research grants to help farmers manage aflatoxin issues. Letters of intent from principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and collaborators--not exceeding the $75,000 per year limit--will be accepted by the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence (AMCOE) no later than October 15, 2021. For more information about the review process, evaluation criteria and program, click here.

AMCOE’s Research Program will again offer grants for projects focused on solving profit-robbing aflatoxin issues for farmers. These grants, which will be awarded to researchers focusing on one of six priority areas, were designed by Southern corn checkoff boards to bring a unified approach to funding research projects across the region and will therefore favor research teams that include members from multiple states.

The six priority areas for projects funded for 2022 are biological control, transgenic modification, plant breeding, amelioration technology, best management strategies and improved testing procedures.  

“Through the efforts of the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center for Excellence, substantial progress has been made in understanding and managing aflatoxin and other mycotoxins,” said Texas corn grower and AMCOE Committee Chair Charles Ring. “Working with Southern state grower associations including Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina, NCGA administers AMCOE to create a united approach to aflatoxin research.  Our primary goal is to deliver advanced strategies, tools and results to growers.”

While corn farmers in Southern states experience aflatoxin challenges every year, these challenges may present themselves in any corn region of the United States when the crop comes under stress. Thus, the benefits of such research, particularly as outlined in the six priority areas, are truly national in scope. Proposals will be considered regardless of the parties’ geographic region. Any state wishing to provide additional funding for AMCOE is encouraged to do so.