Tuesday February 22 Ag News

Extension to host risk management workshop for cattle producers in West Point

Nebraska Extension will host a risk management workshop for cattle producers in West Point from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on March 16 at the Nielsen Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave. Cattle producers will learn strategies designed to reduce risk exposure to achieve a profitable outcome in uncertain times.

Current issues facing the cattle industry will be discussed to help producers to make more informed decisions facing the industry.

Topics will include managing drought risk with PRF insurance, managing price risk and strategies to achieve better profitability. Specific marketing tools covered during the workshop to manage price risk will include futures and options as well as Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) Insurance. Participants will be guided through a case study to better understand strategies discussed during the workshop.  

Funding for this project is provided in partnership with the USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2018-70027-28586.

The workshop is free and a meal will be provided courtesy of KTIC Radio, but registration is required by March 11. For more information, and to register by March 11, please call Nebraska Extension in Cuming County at 402-372-6006.



Central Valley Ag Announces New Board Leadership

Central Valley Ag Cooperative has announced a transition of the leadership of its board of directors. Dave Beckman, previous board chairman, has stepped down from chairman. Luke Carlson, a board member from York, Neb., has been unanimously elected to serve as chairman. Dave will continue to serve on the board of directors throughout the year. He plans to help with the transition until his term is up in November 2022.

Dave Beckman, a producer from Elgin, Neb., began his service on CVA’s predecessor cooperative boards in 1991 when he was elected to Farmers Co-op Exchange (FCX). “I certainly had no intention of serving as a director for 30 years, but the time has passed quickly,” said Dave. His passion for the co-op kept him an active member on the board, eventually taking the chairman position in the mid-90s. Throughout various mergers and acquisitions, Dave held his position as chairman from 1999 until December 2021.

“The opportunity to work with many talented co-op directors and management people, while positioning our cooperative to meet the needs of our owners both today and in the future, is what kept drawing me back to serve,” stated Beckman. “I have been blessed to serve as board chairman for many years, that responsibility has now been passed to Luke Carlson. Luke has shown great leadership in the boardroom, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Carlson produces corn and soybeans near Silver Creek, Neb.; he is passionate about the agricultural industry and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Science from Northwest Missouri State University. He has served as a leader for various local organizations, such as the York County Farm Bureau and the Polk County Recreation Association. Luke served as an associate director on the Central Valley Ag board for one year before being elected to the board by the patrons in 2017. He has completed all four phases of the cooperative council director training and has attended FC Services Advanced Governance Series Director Training.

“I would like to thank Dave for his years of leadership and dedication to CVA. His guidance has placed CVA into a position to maintain relevance in an extremely competitive marketplace for generations to come,” said Luke. “It is my honor and pleasure to serve as the next chairman of Central Valley Ag. I look forward to working together with the board and management to strategically guide CVA.”

Mark Philips of Akron, Iowa, will serve alongside Luke as vice chairman, and Jacob Porter of Mankato, Kansas, will serve as secretary on the Central Valley Ag board of directors.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending February 20, 2022, topsoil moisture supplies rated 35% very short, 48% short, 17% adequate, and 0% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 45% short, 28% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 6% very poor, 12% poor, 46% fair, 33% good, and 3% excellent.

IOWA: Temperatures were up and down during the month, with only scattered reports of fields with snow cover remaining. Mild weather allowed for a lot of grain movement from farms to elevators and ethanol plants as well as livestock going to market. Some farmers were spreading manure on crop fields and getting equipment ready for the Spring. Livestock producers were busy with calving and lambing. Overall, livestock were reported to be in good condition although fluctuating temperatures were causing more sickness in livestock than usual. Across the State, producers are concerned about the lack of precipitation and dry conditions and hoping for Spring rains to replenish soil moisture levels.



Silage for Beef Conference Will Be Offered in Person and Online

Beef producers who attend this year’s Silage for Beef Conference March 17 will learn how to maximize the potential of silage as one of the largest components of their bottom line.

The conference returns for a fourth year as a one-day event with a full slate of topics and presenters on this vital part of beef cattle diets. New this year, the event focuses on small grain silage and will be available to attend in person or by livestream.

The conference is provided by the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, along with University of Nebraska Extension and Lallemand Animal.

Registration is free although attendees are asked to register by March 2 here... https://ssp.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0TfB8Kr5eqDtyKy. During the online registration process, attendees will choose to either stream the conference online or attend in person at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center in Ithaca, Nebraska. The event begins with a welcome at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude by 4 p.m.
Topics, speakers and affiliations
    Agronomic management of small grain for silages, by Daren Redfearn, professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    When to harvest small grain silage, by Mary Drewnoski, associate professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
    Sorghum silage: A solution for limited water, by Matt Atkins, assistant scientist and extension dairy specialist, University of Wisconsin.
    Why fermentation analysis is important and what it means for your operation, by John Goeser, director of nutritional research and innovation at Rock River Laboratory and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
    Fundamentals of silage harvest management, by Becky Arnold, custom harvest business development manager, Lallemand Animal Nutrition.
    Inoculants for small grain silage, with Limin Kung, professor at the University of Delaware.
    Economics and ROI on quality forage in grower and finishing rations, by Jhones Sarturi, associate professor at Texas Tech University.
    Making small grain silage work, a panel discussion by Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center and professor at Iowa State University.

"This is a great opportunity for us to bring current research information to the cattle industry in Nebraska, Iowa and beyond," said Dan Loy, director of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State. "Hopefully the livestreaming option increases the reach of this information to a national and international audience."



DON’T RISK CATTLE WITH HIGH NITRATES
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension

Are you feeding cane, millet, or oat hay, or maybe corn stalk bales, to your cows this winter?  If so, don’t let high nitrate levels kill your cows or cause abortions.

Nitrates occur naturally in all forages.  At low levels, nitrates either are converted into microbial protein by bacteria in the rumen or they are excreted.  But when nitrate concentrations get too high, they can cause issues.

When stress affects pasture and hay production, nitrates often reach potentially toxic levels.  Some plants are more likely to be high in nitrates than others.  Annual grasses like cane, millet, oats, and even corn often have elevated nitrate levels.  So do certain weeds like pigweed, kochia, and lambsquarter.  If your hay has lots of these weeds or is an annual grass, be alert to the potential for high nitrates.

That doesn’t mean these feeds always are toxic, nor does it mean that high-nitrate hay can’t be fed safely.  But always test these feeds for nitrates in a lab before feeding, to determine how to feed them safely.

If we do have high nitrates, there are many ways to feed the hay safely.  Diluting with grain or low nitrate forages is most common.  Frequent, small meals that slowly increase the amount of nitrate fed helps cattle adapt to high nitrate hay.  Remember with this last approach that any time cattle go off feed then come back, like after a snow storm or if a feeding was missed, they are more likely to consume more hay than normal.  This raises the amount of nitrate consumed and can result in poisoning, even in an adapted herd. Finally, make sure cattle have plenty of clean, low nitrate water at all times.

Nitrate concerns are nothing to sneeze at, but with the right tools, can be managed safely.  Test hay you think may have an issue, especially annual grasses and hay with a high percentage of weeds.  If tests come back high, plan to feed safely by dilution, or gradually increase the amount of the feed to adapt animals to it.   



CATTLEMEN’S BEEF BOARD RELEASES 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) has released its official 2021 Annual Report. Visitors to the CBB’s website can view specific sections of the report online or download the full report as a PDF.

The 2021 CBB Annual Report includes information about projects and results within each of the organization’s program areas: promotion, foreign marketing, consumer information, industry information, research and producer communications. The report also contains a financial statement of assets, liabilities and net assets from September 30, 2020, to September 30, 2021.

“Compiling our annual report is an opportunity for us to examine what the Beef Checkoff and its contractors accomplished during the previous fiscal year and consider what we should focus on in the future,” said Greg Hanes, CBB CEO. “It’s also another example of the Checkoff’s ongoing efforts to be more transparent with the producers who invest in our programs. We want them to know how their dollars are making a difference.”

Highlights within the 2021 CBB Annual Report include:
    Fifteen million views of the Beef in the Early Years educational content encouraging parents to consider beef as a first food for their children.
    A 20 percent increase in export value compared to the previous record pace established in 2018.
    Incremental beef sales of 1.5 million accomplished through a partnership with retailer Sam’s Club designed to increase online beef purchases.
    A 27.8 percent increase in producer subscriptions to the CBB’s newsletter, The Drive, both in print and online.

“The CBB shares the information within the annual report to solicit feedback and encourage producer involvement,” Hanes said. “The Beef Checkoff is an industry-wide initiative, and it has the greatest impact when all stakeholders work together. We’re looking forward to even more collaboration and success throughout 2022.”

For more information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Beef Checkoff, visit DrivingDemandForBeef.com.



USDA Cold Storage January 2022 Highlights

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on January 31, 2022 were up slightly from the previous month and up 3 percent from January 31, 2021.  Butter stocks were up 11 percent from last month but down 33 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen poultry supplies on January 31, 2022 were up 11 percent from the previous month but down 10 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 47 percent from last month but down 19 percent from January 31, 2021.

Total frozen fruit stocks on January 31, 2022 were down 7 percent from last month and down 3 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 8 percent from last month and down 4 percent from a year ago.

Total red meat supplies in freezers on January 31, 2022 were up 6 percent from the previous month but down 3 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 1 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 8 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 17 percent from last month and up 43 percent from last year.



ANNUAL NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

Nebraska's layer numbers during 2021 averaged 8.16 million, down 5% from 2020, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2021 was 295 eggs, up 4% from 2020.

Nebraska egg production during the year ending November 30, 2021 totaled 2.40 billion eggs, down 1% from 2020.

Total number of chickens on hand on December 1, 2021 (excluding commercial broilers) was 10.2 million birds, up 3% from last year.

The total value of all chickens in Nebraska on December 1, 2021 was $50.9 million, up 61% from December 1, 2020. The average value increased from $3.20 per bird on December 1, 2020, to $5.00 per bird on December 1, 2021.

USDA Chickens and Eggs 2021 Summary
United States Average Layers Down 1 Percent: Layers during 2021 averaged 389 million, down 1 percent from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2021 was 285 eggs, unchanged from 2020.

United States Egg Production Down 1 Percent: Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2021 totaled 111 billion eggs, down 1 percent from 2020. Table egg production, at 95.6 billion eggs, was down 2 percent from the previous year. Hatching egg production, at 15.2 billion eggs, was up 3 percent from 2020.

United States December 1 Chicken Inventory: The total inventory of chickens on hand on December 1, 2021 (excluding commercial broilers) was 523 million birds, up 1 percent from last year.

United States Total Value: The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2021 was $3.00 billion, up 16 percent from December 1, 2020. The average value increased from $4.99 per bird on December 1, 2020, to $5.75 per bird on December 1, 2021.




Growth Energy, EPA Reach Settlement on Deadline for Issuing 2021, 2022 RVO

Following settlement discussions with Growth Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will file a notice in the Federal Register tomorrow seeking comment on a proposed judicial consent decree that would require EPA to finalize the 2021 and 2022 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), which are the subject of a pending rulemaking, by no later than June 3, 2022. EPA’s notice comes after Growth Energy filed multiple notices of intent to sue and a complaint in federal district court in response to the agency’s extended delay in issuing the RVOs, a direct violation of the deadlines established by Congress for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.  

“This agreement is a significant milestone for the biofuels industry and reflects Growth Energy’s persistent efforts to hold EPA accountable to its responsibilities under the RFS to issue timely RVOs and provide market certainty,” stated Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We are pleased that EPA has agreed to take this action.”  

“Furthermore, we are hopeful that EPA’s agreement to submit to judicial oversight of a binding RVO deadline gives credence to the agency’s commitment to get the RFS back on track and provide regulated parties and the biofuels industry with timely guideposts to enhance market certainty and incentivize innovation for the future of biofuels. This is particularly important as EPA moves to consider the blending obligations for the already-delayed RFS “Set” in the year ahead.,” Skor concluded.



RFA’s Cooper: Ethanol has Historic Opportunity to Cut Carbon, Lower Fuel Prices
        
In his annual State of the Industry Address, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said that, while the U.S. ethanol industry has a long history of capitalizing on unique opportunities, the global quest to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 “may very well be the greatest opportunity for growth and value creation in the industry’s history.”  

Cooper’s address served as the keynote during today’s 27th National Ethanol Conference, which began yesterday and concludes tomorrow in New Orleans.

“Just as the ethanol industry seized on opportunities to stimulate the rural economy, reduce smog-forming air pollution, and bolster energy security, we now have—right in front of us—another great opportunity to provide a solution to one of the world’s most daunting challenges: reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change,” Cooper said. “And we cannot afford to miss this opportunity—not just because it will help our industry grow and thrive, but because the very health of the planet is at stake.”

The ethanol industry has already made great progress toward decarbonization, Cooper said, as today’s corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50% percent compared to gasoline. And, as highlighted in a new study released at the conference, ethanol is on a trajectory to achieve net-zero carbon emissions well before 2050. But ethanol’s ability to contribute to decarbonization goals goes far beyond the light-duty vehicle fleet, Cooper said.

“With the right chemistry and technology, ethanol can serve not only as a future low-carbon fuel for jets, ocean liners, trucks, and farm equipment, but also as the fundamental building block for sustainable chemicals and plastics,” Cooper said. “In reality, anything you can do with a barrel of crude oil, we can do with a barrel of renewable ethanol.”
 
Cooper also highlighted a big opportunity for ethanol to help address another vexing problem: high gas prices. Oil prices topped $95 per barrel last week and average retail gas prices hit $3.50 a gallon, which Cooper said “reminds us of an inconvenient reality: We cannot frack our way to low gas prices and energy security. Whether we like it or not, pump prices here in America continue to be shaped by the whims of OPEC and geopolitical events—like the current situation in Ukraine.”

Rather than calling on OPEC to increase production, releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, or suspending the federal gasoline tax, Cooper encouraged the Biden Administration to move quickly to facilitate the sale of higher ethanol blends like E15.

“Today, fuel blenders can buy a gallon of ethanol for about 50 cents less than a gallon gasoline,” he said, noting that E15 is selling for 20 to 25 cents less than E10 in some places in recent weeks. “Make no mistake, the quickest way to lower gas prices would be to restore the ability of retailers to sell E15 year-round and allow them to do it through existing equipment. The Biden Administration could make that happen with little more than the stroke of a pen, and we will continue to encourage them to pursue this commonsense strategy for reducing consumer fuel prices in the near term.”



The Data Doesn’t Lie: It Pays to Participate in the Advanced Acre Rx Program

Farming is the ultimate risk-reward business. Every year, farmers make upwards of 40 critical business decisions that can make or break their operations. With little to no room for second guessing or second tries, there is a tremendous amount of risk placed on the farmer.

To help farmers identify opportunities in their fields to improve ROI without making them carry the full burden of risk that comes with using new products or practices, two years ago WinField® United rolled out the Advanced Acre® Rx (AARx) program.

“From supply constraints and lending cutbacks to extreme weather and evolving pest problems, a farmer’s job is only getting harder,” said Brett Bruggeman, president, WinField United and executive vice president, Land O’Lakes, Inc. “As the leader of a federated cooperative system, it is our duty to ensure our farmer-owners continue to thrive in the face of adversity, and the Advanced Acre Rx program is a critical piece of the farm management puzzle.”

Since launching in 2020, WinField United has tracked the performance of AARx through its Answer Plot® program. The program uses approved yields as benchmarks to track performance, but the real story lies within the ROI of the approach. Data from more than 20 locations across the Corn Belt has shown an average ROI of $83/ac for Elite Rx® corn and almost $16/ac for Elite Rx soybeans when compared to local agronomic recommendations as the baseline.

In 2021, 200,000 acres were enrolled in the program, and 28% of growers enrolled in the AARx program received a payout from WinField United for fields that did not meet predetermined approved yield thresholds.

AARx uses a systems approach to agronomy. Every prescription includes a field-level agronomic plan that features products and ag technology recommendations with a service warranty for performance.* Drawing on more than 20 years of data from the Answer Plot program, AARx prescriptions deliver predictable outcomes based on past performance in local fields.

“WinField United’s dedication to gathering two decades worth of agronomic data on a national scale can really pay off for farmers through AARx,” said Bruggeman. “However, the real key to unlocking the potential of the program is the expertise of trusted local retailers who develop these plans that deliver ROI for the farmers they work with.”

Even when Mother Nature throws a curveball, WinField United stands behind AARx prescriptions. If farmers follow the customized plan and don’t reach an approved yield target, WinField United covers the cost of services.  

Farmers can participate in the Advanced Acre Rx prescription program through their local WinField United affiliated retailer.



Deere Reports First Quarter Net Income of $903 Million

Deere & Company reported net income of $903 million for the first quarter ended January 30, 2022, or $2.92 per share, compared with net income of $1.224 billion, or $3.87 per share, for the quarter ended January 31, 2021.

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 5 percent in the first quarter of 2022 to $9.569 billion. Equipment operations net sales were $8.531 billion for the quarter, compared with $8.051 billion in 2021.

"Deere's performance in the first quarter was impressive given production issues surrounding the delayed ratification of our UAW contract in late November as well as persistent challenges posed by the supply chain and pandemic," said John C. May, chairman and chief executive officer. "These factors led to higher production costs in the quarter. We continue to work closely with key suppliers to manage the situation, enabling our customers to deliver food production and critical infrastructure. We are proud of the extraordinary efforts being taken by our dealers and employees to get products to our customers as soon possible in today's challenging environment."

Company Outlook & Summary
Net income attributable to Deere & Company for fiscal 2022 is forecast to be in a range of $6.7 billion to $7.1 billion.

"Looking ahead, we expect demand for farm and construction equipment to continue benefiting from strong fundamentals," May said. "At the same time, we are excited about the opportunities to create value for our customers and other stakeholders as outlined in our goals. Because of the hard work that has been done executing the Smart Industrial operating model, we are leveraging technology that delivers improved customer profitability, productivity, and sustainability."

Today the company announced new goals, known as the Leap Ambitions, that are linked to the Smart Industrial strategy and operating model introduced in 2020. The ambitions are designed to boost economic value and sustainability for Deere's customers, as well as for employees, investors, and other stakeholders. Deere is committed to achieving these goals over the remainder of the decade. Details can be found in the presentation accompanying this release as well as in the 2021 Deere & Company Sustainability Report, published today at www.Deere.com/sustainabilityreport.