Monday March 7 Ag News

 HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN WILD BIRD IN NEBRASKA

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) in a wild goose near Holmes Lake in Lincoln. This is the state’s first confirmed case of HPAI since 2015.

“While Nebraska has not seen HPAI in a backyard or commercial poultry flock within the state this year, the finding of this single goose adds Nebraska to a long list of states with confirmed cases of HPAI,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley. “Infected wild birds can carry the disease to new areas when migrating, so we encourage backyard poultry and commercial poultry flocks to continue to remain vigilant, practice good biosecurity and report sick or dying birds immediately.”

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments. Poultry owners should report unusual bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.

Enhanced biosecurity helps prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and diseases including HPAI. NDA and USDA have resources available to help poultry owners step up their biosecurity efforts.
• Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases like HPAI. Be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths.
• Restrict access to your property and poultry.
• Keep it clean. Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with your flock.
• If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.
• Don’t share equipment, tools, or other supplies with other livestock or poultry owners.
• In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, making sure wild birds cannot access domestic poultry’s feed and water sources.
• Report sick birds immediately to: NDA at 402-471-2351; the USDA at 866-536-7593; or your veterinarian. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk to people getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States.

All poultry entering Nebraska must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, or health certificate). If you are considering moving an animal into Nebraska from an affected state, please call 402-471-2351 to learn more. Nebraska poultry owners wanting to ship poultry out of state should consult the state veterinarians of the destination states for import requirements.
For more information about avian influenza, visit NDA’s website at https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html or the USDA’s website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/. Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found at http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov.



IDALS and USDA APHIS Confirm Case of HPAI in Buena Vista County, Iowa

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Buena Vista County, Iowa. The virus was found in a commercial turkey flock.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

“The Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA APHIS are working diligently with producers to trace back, control and eradicate this disease from our state,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Protecting the health of our livestock and Iowa’s agriculture-based economy are our top priorities.”

If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases should also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture at (515) 281-5305.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard flock owners, should practice good biosecurity, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual deaths to state/federal officials. Practicing good on-farm biosecurity is the best way to keep livestock healthy. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity.



NeCGA Members Visit Washington D.C. to Advocate for Farmers
    
Last week, 16 individuals attended Nebraska Corn Grower's annual D.C. Leadership Mission. This mission provides an in-depth look at the work of the association inside the Beltway, along with providing an experience for our members to see grassroots advocacy in action.

The group visited ag partners such as the U.S. Grains Council, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, and many others. Foreign partners like the Mexico Embassy and British Embassy also took the time to listen to NeCGA.

Attendees also had a chance to meet with Nebraska's government officials. Senators Ben Sasse and Deb Fischer, along with representatives Jeff Fortenberry, Adrian Smith, and Don Bacon were able to hear from our members about issues that farmers in Nebraska are facing. Input prices, ethanol, the Mexico decree, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict's impact on Nebraska were some of the topics discussed.



Forseth New NPPC Director of Animal Health

The National Pork Producers Council has hired Dr. Anna Forseth for the newly created position of director of animal health. She will focus on foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness, as well as antibiotic use and resistance issues.

“We welcome Dr. Forseth to the NPPC team,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “She has a wealth of knowledge about hogs and swine diseases and a great background in swine research. We know she will be a great asset to and resource for the U.S. pork industry.”

A Montana native who grew up on the family’s farrow-to-finish swine operation near Three Forks, Forseth received a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Montana State University, her DVM from Colorado State University and a master’s in veterinary preventive medicine from Iowa State University.

Prior to joining NPPC, she was a program veterinarian for the Montana Department of Livestock, overseeing foreign animal disease preparedness, including grant projects, the Secure Food Supply, the Swine Health Improvement Plan, One Health activities and disease programs.

While earning her master’s degree, Forseth was a research associate at Iowa State’s Swine Medicine Education Center and a contract veterinarian for Smithfield Foods at its hog production operation in Algona, IA. She completed student internships with Pipestone Veterinary Services in Pipestone, MN, and with the National Pork Board in Des Moines, IA. In 2010, she was the recipient of an NPPC-CME Group scholarship. The program is for college students who intend to pursue careers in the U.S. pork industry.

“We’ll look to Dr. Forseth to be our lead as we work to strengthen our defenses against foreign animal diseases, particularly African swine fever,” Humphreys said.

Forseth, who began her duties last week, reports to Andrew Bailey, NPPC’s science and technology legal counsel, and works out of the organization’s Washington, DC, office.



2021 Cattle Imports Off...
USDA Economic Research Service

U.S. cattle imports equaled 1.8 million head in 2021, off 16 percent from 2020 according to the USDA Economic Research Service. Last year’s imports were the fewest since 2016, the second fewest since 2004, and breaks a streak of four consecutive years of growing cattle imports. Imports last year equaled 5.4 percent of the federally inspected cattle slaughter. The record high for imported cattle over the past 22 years occurred in 2002 with 2.5 million head. The most recent high occurred in 2014 at 2.36 million head imported.

U.S. cattle imports come exclusively from Canada and Mexico. Nearly all cattle imported from Mexico are intended for feeding. Last year, cattle imports from Mexico equaled 1.13 million head, down roughly 313,000 head from 2020, or 22 percent. Most cattle imported from Canada are intended for slaughter and numbered 647,248 head last year, off 26,000. Market observers attribute last year’s decline in imports to the ebb and flow of cattle markets and trade and changes in the cattle sectors in each country.



Choice/Select Spread
Brenda Boetel, Dept of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Last week, Elliott Dennis discussed the relationship between corn price and feeder cattle placement weights and the likelihood that the industry will continue to place lighter weight cattle while corn prices remain high. When cattle are placed on feed at lighter weights, they tend to finish at lighter weight, which typically reduces the percentage of cattle grading Choice. As the industry adjusts to high corn prices what will happen to the Choice/Select spread?

Over a 12-month time period, the Choice/Select spread is typically narrowest in the January to March timeframe as the demand for Choice graded middle meats is at its lowest and the supply of Choice graded cattle is typically at its highest. In contrast, as we go into summer, the demand for Choice graded middle meats is higher as retailers fill shelves in anticipation of the grilling season, but the supply of Choice graded cattle is lower as we see more calf-fed cattle being harvested. The percentage of lightweight animals (<700 pounds) placed on feed is highest in November and this percentage typically decreases until May.

The last few weeks have seen the Choice/Select spread narrow to $3.97, compared to a 2019-2021 average of $5.78 for the same week. Considering we began 2022 with a spread that was almost $4.50 wider than the 2019-2021 average, the narrow spread illustrates the back up in cattle processing in January. Currently, the average weekly year-to-date dressed steer weight is up 9 pounds over 2021 and 24.8 pounds over the 2019-2021 average for this time of year. The increase in dressed weights is partially due to the backed-up cattle supply due to COVID labor issues in the packing sector. As cattle finish at higher weights, the percentage of Choice graded cattle tends to increase. Year to date, the percentage of cattle grading choice is up 1.25% over the 2019-2021 average.

Seasonally, the Choice/Select spread will widen until late June/early July due to the supply/demand considerations for Choice and for Select beef. However, given the higher percentage of lightweight cattle placed on feed since November, as compared to the 2019-2021 average lightweight percentage placed on feed, the Choice/Select spread will likely widen more than average. How wide the spread becomes is dependent on corn prices when cattle are placed, the percentage of cattle grading Choice, total amount of beef production, as well as beef demand. If we hold all those factors affecting Choice/Select spread at a constant level and allow only the percentage of beef grading Choice to change, the impact of a 1% change in cattle grading Choice, can have almost a 9% change in the spread. This means that since the average 2016-2020 spread was as wide as $22.45 in June, a decrease of 1% in Choice graded beef could widen that spread by another $2, providing some incentives to feed cattle longer and to heavier weights.



Research-based agronomic guide uses farmer insights to deliver valuable advice

Golden Harvest released its Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review today to help equip corn and soybean farmers for the upcoming season. This review takes learnings from applied and practical agronomic studies conducted during the 2021 growing season at Golden Harvest® Agronomy in Action research sites and provides nearly 100 pages of data and recommendations to help farmers make research-backed decisions throughout the season.

For the third edition of this agronomic guide, Golden Harvest started by turning to farmers to better understand what most influenced corn and soybean yields on their farms over the last 10 years and thus where to place research emphasis.

“We wanted farmers to know that we’re listening,” said Syngenta Seeds Technical Agronomy Manager Bruce Battles. “That’s why we started off the development of this year’s agronomic guide with a survey, because we trust our farmers to tell us exactly what they need to make a difference in their fields.”

The survey consulted 101 Midwestern corn and soybean farmers, who cited improvements in management practices as being almost as important as genetic improvements for enhancing average yield. Interestingly, 84% of farmers felt it is important to customize management practices to specific hybrids, yet only half of them are actually doing so ― likely due to the lack of having hybrid-specific knowledge readily available to do so.

“The agronomic information in the book is extremely helpful for any corn and soybean farmer, but even more so for the Golden Harvest farmer because it provides tailored data and recommendations featuring the Golden Harvest corn and soybean portfolios,” said Battles. “Aerial imagery, tar spot management in corn and hybrid specific response to precision fertilizer placement are just some of the topics explored in this edition.”

The book features 34 articles and is organized into seven sections with each focusing on a critical factor of farm management:
·       Technology Spotlight
·       Corn Management
·       Corn Pest Management
·       Nutrient Management
·       Soybean Management
·       General Management
·       Livestock Feed Management

“Golden Harvest is committed to our farmers and our research, which is why we’re so excited to bring our customers yet another insight-filled edition of the Agronomy in Action Research Review,” said Battles.

The Agronomy in Action 2022 Research Review is now available for download at GoldenHarvestSeeds.com.