Wednesday February 23 Ag News

 Nebraska Receives Federal Approval for Public Assistance Following Mid-December Storm Damage

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has approved Governor Pete Ricketts’ request for a federal disaster declaration related to the thunderstorms, high winds, and tornadoes that struck Nebraska on December 15, 2021.  The storm system downed powerlines, broke tree limbs, damaged small structures and agricultural equipment, and caused power outages.

The Governor’s letter requesting the federal disaster declaration detailed the extensive damages caused by the storm.  “The cities of Beatrice, Bradshaw, Columbus, Fairbury, Geneva, Guide Rock, Syracuse, Tecumseh, Red Cloud, and Wymore all experienced damage to the city electrical distribution infrastructure and/or excessive debris issues,” the Governor wrote.  “Farmers Mutual of Nebraska, the state’s largest farm insurer, claims the storm will be one of the largest losses caused by a December storm in over 130 years, with over 4,000 claims and losses topping $30 million.”

The federal disaster declaration authorizes public assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Adams, Buffalo, Burt, Cass, Cuming, Fillmore, Gage, Hamilton, Harlan, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Platte, Polk, Richardson, Saline, Sarpy, Saunders, Thayer, Washington, and Webster counties.  Communities are eligible to apply for assistance for “emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.”  Private property damages from the storm did not meet the threshold to trigger a request for individual assistance from FEMA.

The federal disaster declaration also makes funds available through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  These federal funds, available anywhere in Nebraska, can help to share the costs of public projects undertaken to decrease the risk of future damages from natural disasters.



2021 Annual Milk Production up 1.3 percent from 2020

The annual production of milk for the United States during 2021 was 226 billion pounds, 1.3 percent above 2020. Revisions to 2020 production increased the annual total 89 million pounds. Revised 2021 production was down 18 million pounds from last month's publication. Annual total milk production has increased 12.8 percent from 2012.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 23,948 pounds for 2021, 171 pounds above 2020. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 10.2 percent from 2012.

The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States during 2021 was 9.45 million head, up 0.6 percent from 2020. The average number of milk cows was unrevised for 2021. The average annual number of milk cows has increased 2.3 percent from 2012.

2021 Milk Production By State
                           (million lbs.   -   % change from '20)
Nebraska .....:           1,423.0          -2.5    
Iowa ............:           5,538.0           3.1    


January Milk Production down 1.4 Percent
                        
Milk production in the 24 major States during January totaled 18.2 billion pounds, down 1.4 percent from January 2021. December revised production, at 18.0 billion pounds, was down 0.8 percent from December 2020. The December revision represented a decrease of 35 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,053 pounds for January, 14 pounds below January 2021.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.88 million head, 63,000 head less than January 2021, and 5,000 head less than December 2021.

Iowa: Milk production in Iowa during January 2022 totaled 475 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous January according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during January, at 225,000 head, was unchanged from last month but up 3,000 from January 2021. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,110 pounds, up 5 pounds from last January.



Most Fertilizer Prices Continue Upward Climb

Average retail prices for most fertilizers continued to climb the second full week of February 2022, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the second week in a row, prices of all but one of the major fertilizers were higher compared to last month.  Seven of the eight major fertilizer prices were higher, with one fertilizer up a considerable amount, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The average retail price of 10-34-0 was 5% more expensive compared to a month ago. The starter fertilizer had an average price of $837 per ton.

DAP had an average price of $874/ton compared to last month, MAP $935/ton, potash $815/ton, anhydrous $1,488/ton (all-time high), UAN28 $603/ton (all-time high) and UAN32 $703/ton (all-time high).

UAN32 was $700 per ton for the first in the history of the DTN dataset. This is an all-time-high price for the liquid nitrogen fertilizer.

One fertilizer was lower in price from the prior month. Urea was slightly lower with an average price of $891/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.97/lb.N, anhydrous $0.91/lb.N, UAN28 $1.08/lb.N and UAN32 $1.10/lb.N.

Most fertilizers continue to be considerably higher in price than one year earlier.  MAP is now 44% more expensive, DAP is 46% higher, 10-34-0 is 60% more expensive, urea is 95% higher, potash is 102% more expensive, UAN32 is 144% higher, UAN28 146% is more expensive and anhydrous is 181% higher compared to last year.



ASA Selects Gena Perry as WISHH Executive Director

The American Soybean Association (ASA) announces Gena Perry as executive director of ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program. Perry, who currently serves as project director global strategy, will be promoted Feb. 28 to WISHH’s top staff role.

“We are pleased Gena will take the reins at WISHH, where she has a proven record leading highly successful work with U.S. soybean organizations as well as international programs and partnerships,” said WISHH Chair and ASA Director Gerry Hayden, a soybean grower from Kentucky. “Gena worked closely with WISHH’s farmer leadership on our new strategic plan and is uniquely qualified to grow WISHH’s role in connecting global trade and development. She is already cultivating WISHH partnerships and opportunities.”

Perry joined WISHH in 2019 as project director of WISHH’s USDA-funded Food for Progress poultry project in Ghana. Before joining WISHH, she lived and worked in West Africa as liaison for AgriCorps and 4-H Ghana then took on the role of AgriCorps chief of staff. Perry received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agribusiness from the University of Georgia, where she also conducted research on management tools for livestock producers and aquaponics. She steps into the position following Liz Hare, who was in the role since 2018 and continues to serve as a consultant to WISHH during this transition.

“I’m excited to lead WISHH’s unique work at the intersection of trade and development,” said Perry. “I look forward to expanding our activities with U.S. soybean growers and our U.S. and international partners to create better access to protein-rich foods and feeds while improving food security in developing and emerging markets.”

The 22-year-old WISHH organization is now working in a record 28 countries in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. WISHH has a strong record of implementation of programs with the support of 24 state soybean organizations, the United Soybean Board, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and others.



Sharda receives Deere & Company grant to innovate planting systems

Ajay Sharda, Patrick Wilburn — Carl and Mary Ice Keystone research scholar and associate professor in the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University, has received a grant from Deere & Company to innovate planting systems to more accurately place seeds and maximize productivity and profitability.

Sharda will lead the three-year, $285,000 project, "New innovations and controls for planting systems," in an effort to help further evolve planter technology and aid producers.

"With rising input costs, increasing size of farming operations, uncertainty of available planting days and global supply chain issues, producers are continuously looking for newer innovations in planter technology to accurately place inputs while planting at higher operating speeds," Sharda said. "This project will focus on the evaluations of newer planting systems, developing implementation practices and establishing newer technology innovations needed for accurate seed and nutrition handling and placement for even emergence."

Sharda said the project goals will be accomplished through continuous on-farm research on producer's fields. The spatial data collected from crop production fields with real-world operating scenarios will help drive the innovation process to produce more intelligent and functional systems for farmers.

"Successful completion of this project would identify enhancements needed within row units for accurate placement of seed and nutrition for optimal emergence and yields," he said.



USDA NIFA Invests $16M for Undergraduate Agriculture Research and Extension Experiences
Diverse college students

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced today a $16 million investment in agricultural education and workforce development for undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds.  This investment will ensure that all students, including underrepresented and underserved students, are prepared and have a fair opportunity to compete for professional jobs in science and agricultural fields.

“Our nation is increasingly facing the challenge of meeting the demand for qualified graduates in the agricultural, food and renewable resources sectors of the U.S. economy,” said NIFA Director Dr. Carrie Castille. “USDA’s investments in students today through programs like this will expand opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce to develop the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the agricultural sector, while ensuring that all voices across the fabric of our society are heard and included.”

These investments are part of the Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) program, which promotes research and extension learning experiences for undergraduates such that upon graduation they can enter the agricultural workforce with exceptional knowledge and skills. This initiative helps colleges and universities provide opportunities for undergraduate students, including those from underrepresented and historically underserved groups, minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and universities. The program is funded by NIFA’s Agriculture Food and Research Initiative Education and Workforce Development Program.  

Some highlights of the 23 funded projects include:
    The University of Maine System will create the first five-year REEU site focused on both marine- and land-based aquaculture. The program will incorporate Indigenous cultural and ecological knowledge through a unique codesign of student projects with interdisciplinary aquaculture faculty, the aquaculture industry, and Wabanaki Traditional Knowledge Keepers; engage Tribal college and university students; and train students in applied aquaculture research through industry and mentoring to increase capacity for sustainability research and leadership. ($750,000)

    The University of Nebraska (Lincoln) will provide experiential learning through student participation in an integrated, interdisciplinary research pipeline that creates novel crop traits and applies innovative bioprocessing and formulation technologies to develop new food and feed applications. Research-based, experiential training will expose students to diverse disciplines such as plant breeding and biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, food science, and human and livestock nutrition. The program will develop recruitment networks with 1890 Land-grant Universities and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities to enhance underrepresented minority participation in the agricultural science, technology, engineering and math workforce. ($742,668)

    The University of Texas Health Science Center (Houston) will provide 12 months of interprofessional training to undergraduate students who are interested in a health care profession. Undergraduates will receive scholarships and primarily come from Minority-Serving Institutions and universities not designated as top research universities. The program will provide nutrition education, applied research and community engagement opportunities led by medical/dental/nursing and health professionals and scientists at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, in addition to partnering with community organizations. ($749,999)

    Florida International University (Miami), a Hispanic-serving Institution, will recruit and train outstanding minority undergraduate Fellows in research and Extension to prepare them for careers in the scientifically challenging and globally competitive U.S. food and agriculture industry. Training will focus on plant health and production, bioenergy, natural resources and environment, agriculture economics with a focus on natural resource sustainability, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural climate adaptation. The program will enhance multicultural diversity in the skilled agricultural workforce by recruiting from traditionally underrepresented groups and will increase the percentage of undergraduate degrees awarded in food and agricultural sciences relative to the number of undergraduate degrees in all fields of study. ($392,742)

USDA is committed to equity and inclusion in all of its programs and services. Investments like this opens doors, creates opportunities and helps build a future workforce that mirrors America.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and Extension across the nation to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges. NIFA supports initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture and applies an integrated approach to ensure that groundbreaking discoveries in agriculture-related sciences and technologies reach the people who can put them into practice. In FY2021, NIFA’s total investment was $1.96 billion.



ADM Sets Record For Single Soybean Shipment From Northern Brazil

U.S. grains merchant ADM said Feb. 22 it has carried out the largest soybean shipment in the history of the Ponta da Montanha Grain Terminal (TGPM), located in the northern Brazilian city of Barcarena, as it shipped 84,802 tonnes in a single vessel.

It also represented the largest volume ever shipped on a grain vessel from ports located in the Amazon Basin, the company told Reuters.

"This showed us that we have one more option to move soybeans through the TGPM, using our own vessel," ADM's South America Logistics Director, Vitor Vinuesa, said in a statement.

"This is definitely something we will do again more often."

ADM-owned bulk carrier MV Harvest Frost, which is 237 meters (777.56 ft) long and 40 meters wide, set sail last week for the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where the company also owns a terminal.

The company said all the soybeans moved will be crushed by ADM itself, obtaining products such as soymeal, cooking oil, and biodiesel.

The previous record for shipments from Brazil's northern region was set at the port of Santarem in 2020, when 82,531 tonnes of soybean were moved in a single vessel.