Wednesday March 23 Ag News

HPAI DETECTED IN COMMERCIAL FLOCK IN NEBRASKA

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial flock of 570,000 broilers in Butler County.

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick.

“Having a second farm in Nebraska confirmed to have HPAI is unfortunate, but not completely unexpected,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “NDA will use all the resources at our disposal, in coordination with our federal partners to manage a quick response.” According to NDA State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley, since the initial threat of HPAI in the United States, the farm has increased their biosecurity and heightened their observational testing and upon noticing a larger than normal death loss, immediately quarantined their facility and contacted NDA.

The farm is under NDA quarantine and the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner. Additionally, NDA will be establishing a 6.2-mile control zone around the infected premises. Premises with poultry that fall within that control zone will not be allowed to move birds or poultry products on or off their premises without permission from NDA. These producers should also know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and notify NDA immediately of sick or dying poultry.

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 poultry bird deaths or sick birds to NDA at 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.



ACE Leadership and Board Members Address Ethanol Policy, Market Development and Farming CI at NEB Forum

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings and CMO Ron Lamberty, as well as ACE board members Brian Vasa, Ron Alverson, John Christianson and Scott McPheeters are speaking and moderating this week during the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s 16th Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum in Omaha, Nebraska.

Vasa with the Nebraska Public Power District speaks on a panel at the event discussing the roadmap to carbon capture. Lamberty moderates a panel covering ethanol retailer market developments this year and those on the horizon. The status of E15 and efforts underway to ensure its year-round access are among topics to be covered. Jennings joins a discussion surrounding ongoing policy updates from the Hill and what to expect in the future.

Alverson, representing Dakota Ethanol on ACE’s board, is speaking to Forum attendees about the connection between corn farming carbon intensity (CI) and ethanol production for producers. As an expert on this topic, Alverson rebutted the Lark et. al report that misrepresented environmental outcomes of the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory issued their comments on the study this week. Joining Alverson on this panel is John Christianson of Christianson PLLP, Ryan Raguse of Bushel, and Mark Heckman of EcoEngineers in a discussion moderated by Scott McPheeters, a farmer on the ACE, NEB and KAAPA Ethanol boards.

“Since biofuel lifecycle GHG modeling was first developed by the DoE more than 30 years ago, corn production and ethanol manufacture have experienced significant efficiency improvements that have greatly reduced lifecycle GHGs of corn starch ethanol,” Alverson said.  “Lifecycle GHG accounting must reflect the latest science available, and as EPA accepts comments, I’ll be providing feedback to the Agency on the changes needed for modeling to achieve its desired result. Fossil fuel CI is getting worse and corn ethanol CI is improving, so failure to account for these trends unfairly penalizes biofuels in low carbon markets.”

Another panel on the event agenda covers a discussion on Midwest Clean Fuels Policy, an effort that ACE cofounded with the Great Plains Institute (GPI), and resulted in the 2020 policy blueprint white paper: A Clean Fuels Policy for the Midwest.

ACE is a proud supporting sponsor of NEB’s event. You can find more ethanol content coverage at our upcoming ACE Annual Conference taking place August 10-12, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska.



Ørsted completes onshore wind farm Haystack Wind in Nebraska

Located in Wayne County, Nebraska, Haystack Wind utilizes existing interconnection infrastructure in Southwest Power Pool (SPP) North from Ørsted's 230 MW onshore wind farm Plum Creek Wind, located nearby. Between the two projects, Ørsted has now invested over half a billion dollars in the state of Nebraska.

Haystack Wind becomes Ørsted’s second operating project in Nebraska and its third operating project in the SPP market. The wind farm has a capacity of 298 MW and is contracted by power purchase agreements with Hormel Foods, Target, and PepsiCo.

“I’m proud that the team has been able to issue commercial operation to all three Haystack offtakers on time despite industry-wide supply chain delays,” says Neil O’Donovan, CEO of Ørsted Onshore. “The SPP market is important to our Onshore business, and now we have a total capacity of 631 MW in operation across Willow Creek, Plum Creek, and Haystack. That’s enough to power almost 200,000 homes.”



NDA ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 2022 AG POSTER CONTEST

March 20-26 is National Agriculture Week, and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is adding to the celebration by announcing the winners of this year’s annual poster contest. More than 1,400 students in grades 1-6 from around the state entered NDA’s annual contest by highlighting Nebraska agriculture, the state’s number one industry.

“This year’s posters represented all areas of agriculture and livestock from production and conservation to transportation and food on the table, highlighting just how important the ag industry is to Nebraska,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “I would like to thank every student who participated in the contest along with the teachers and parents who continue to teach Nebraska youth about the important role agriculture plays in our lives every day.”

The posters, depicting this year’s theme of “Nebraska Agriculture Makes the Good Life Great,” were judged in three separate categories: first and second grade; third and fourth grade; and fifth and sixth grade. The poster contest is in its 19th year.

In the first and second grade division:
• 1st place: Breck Moore, 2nd grade, Blue Hill Schools
• 2nd place: Wylie Ryan, 2nd grade, Hay Springs Elementary
• 3rd place: Piper Hanson, 2nd grade, Sandhills Elementary in Halsey
• Governor’s Choice: Jaxon Taylor, 2nd grade, Blue Hill Schools

In the third and fourth grade division:
• 1st place: Anahi Diaz Vargas, 4th grade, North Park Elementary in Broken Bow
• 2nd place: Hanshiya Vijay, 3rd grade, Cavett Elementary in Lincoln
• 3rd place: Alivia Markham, 4th grade, Ackerman Elementary in Omaha
• Governor’s Choice: Emma White, 4th grade, Ackerman Elementary in Omaha

In the fifth and sixth grade division:
• 1st place: Vanessa Alarcon-Ortega, 5th grade, Chase County Elementary in Imperial
• 2nd place: Erin Kruid, 6th grade, Humphrey Public Schools
• 3rd place: Haylie Hinrichsen, 6th grade, St. Wenceslaus School in Dodge
• Governor’s Choice: Hayden Worth, 5th grade, Chase County Elementary in Imperial

NDA announces the winners of its annual poster contest during National Ag Week to highlight the diversity of agriculture and to celebrate the food, feed and fuel that farmers, ranchers and ag industry workers provide every day. The winning posters and the names of the schools submitting entries are on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/kids.



CattleFax Elects 2022 Officers

CattleFax elected a new slate of officers at this year’s annual business meeting on Feb. 2, which was held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston. The new President is Pono Von Holt of Kamuela, Hawaii.

Von Holt is a cow-calf producer on the Big Island of Hawaii who also has stocker and feedlot interests in the northwestern United States and the Southern Plains. A third-generation rancher, Von Holt has long been active in cattle industry organizations locally and nationally, as well as other organizations in Hawaii.

The President-Elect is Nick Hunt of Atlantic, Iowa, who was also elected to serve a second term as Midwest Director. Hunt is the fourth generation of his family to farm and feed cattle in Iowa. He is active in local, state and national agricultural boards and organizations, and is a past winner of the NCBA Environmental Stewardship Award.

Ted Parker of Seminary, Miss., was elected to serve a four-year term as the Southeast Director. Other directors currently serving terms for CattleFax include Jerry Adams of Broken Bow, Neb.; Mark Frasier of Fort Morgan, Colo.; Chris Kalkowski of Omaha, Neb.; Jeff Sternberger of Ingalls, Kan.; Jeff Sparrowk of Clements, Calif.; and Dale Smith of Amarillo, Texas.



IDALS cancells live bird exhibitions due to HPAI

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced an order cancelling all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings of birds due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The order also prohibits live birds from being sold or transferred at livestock auction markets, swap meets and exotic sales. The Department’s order begins immediately and is effective for a minimum of 30 days, and until 30 days has passed without a confirmation of a new infection of HPAI in domestic poultry in the state of Iowa.

“Protecting animal health and Iowa’s agriculture-based economy remain our top priorities,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “As HPAI continues to impact poultry flocks across the state and nation, it is essential that we take every possible step to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Biosecurity remains our best line of defense.”

Iowa currently has more than six million birds impacted by HPAI across five commercial and backyard poultry flocks.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is asking flock owners to prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity. 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.

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 Poultry Association recommended that bird exhibitions be cancelled in Iowa due to avian influenza. Iowa leads the nation in egg production and ranks seventh in turkey production.

For updates on this developing situation, please visit https://iowaagriculture.gov/animal-industry-bureau/avian-influenza. For information on Governor’s disaster proclamations for HPAI, visit https://governor.iowa.gov/newsroom.  



USDA Cold Storage February 2022 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on February 28, 2022 were up 5 percent from the previous month and up 1 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 4 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 11 percent from the previous month but down 1 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 12 percent from last month and up 34 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on February 28, 2022 were up 6 percent from the previous month but down 1 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 21 percent from last month but down 8 percent from February 28, 2021.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on February 28, 2022 were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from February 28, 2021. Butter stocks were up 20 percent from last month but down 26 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on February 28, 2022 were down 9 percent from last month and down 4 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 8 percent from last month and down 5 percent from a year ago.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 3/18/2022

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending March 18, ethanol production expanded by 16,000 barrels per day (b/d), or 1.6%, to 1.042 million b/d, equivalent to 43.76 million gallons daily. Production was 13.0% more than the same week last year, which was affected by the pandemic, and 3.7% more than the same week two years ago. The four-week average ethanol production volume increased 0.4% to 1.023 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.68 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks rose 0.8% to 26.1 million barrels, the largest reserves since April 2020. Stocks were 19.9% higher than a year ago and 8.3% more than the same week two years ago. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, decreased 3.4% to 8.64 million b/d (132.41 bg annualized). Gasoline demand registered 0.2% higher than a year ago but 2.3% less than the same week two years ago.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol narrowed by 3.6% to a five-week low of 865,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.26 bg annualized. Net inputs were 3.1% more than a year ago but 1.0% less than the same week two years ago.

There were zero imports of ethanol for the eighth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of January 2022.)



Nitrogen Fertilizer Prices Keep Setting New Records

Strength is returning to the retail fertilizer market, according to prices tracked by DTN for the third week of March 2022.  All eight of the major fertilizers were higher compared to last month and four were considerably higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

DAP was up 11% compared to last month with an average price of $970/ton. Both MAP and urea were 7% more expensive. Urea was $954/ton, an all-time high in DTN's price records, while MAP had an average price of $1,001/ton. The last time MAP was above the $1,000/ton level was the third week of November 2008 when the price was $1,039/ton. The all-time high price for MAP in the DTN dataset is $1,079/ton the first week of November 2008. In addition, 10-34-0 is up 5% from last month. Starter fertilizer's average price was $876/ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were slightly higher compared to last month. Potash had an average price of $843/ton, anhydrous $1,520/ton (all-time high price), UAN28 $610/ton (all-time high price) and UAN32 $706/ton (all-time high price).

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $1.04/lb.N, anhydrous $0.93/lb.N, UAN28 $1.09/lb.N and UAN32 $1.10/lb.N.

Most fertilizers continue to be considerably higher in price than one year earlier. MAP is now 45% more expensive, 10-34-0 is 47% higher, DAP is 58% more expensive, UAN28 is 84% higher, UAN32 is 89% more expensive, urea is 92% higher, potash is 99% is more expensive and anhydrous is 127% higher compared to last year.



NGFA, ag groups urge CRP flexibility amid threat of global food crisis

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide flexibility for Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to help address global commodity supply challenges caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“As Russia’s latest aggression against the sovereign nation of Ukraine enters its fifth week, there is growing concern over the implications this war will have on global food security,” noted the NGFA, American Bakers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, Agricultural Retailers Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Millers’ Association, and North American Export Grain Association in a March 23 letter.

“The United States needs to produce more grain and oilseeds to offset the loss of Ukraine’s grain and sunflowers,” they wrote. “Time is of the essence.”

Ukraine provides 12 percent of the world’s wheat, 15 percent of the world’s corn, 15 percent of the world’s barley and 50 percent of the world’s sunflower oil.

“It remains unclear whether Ukrainian farmers will be able to safely plant crops this spring or harvest their soon-to-ripen winter wheat crops, or if carriers will be able to safely export available commodities out of the region,” the groups noted. “Tragically, this situation recently prompted United Nations Secretary General António Guterres to warn of a possible ‘hurricane of hunger and a meltdown of the global food system.’”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2017 National Resources Inventory, 26 percent of general CRP acres were “prime farmland,” which is defined as “land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops…” The groups urged USDA to provide flexibility to producers to plant crops on prime farmland enrolled in CRP without penalty, whether on an emergency basis or through an early-out of their current CRP contracts.

The groups also urged USDA to enroll only “environmentally sensitive” land in the latest general CRP signup, which closed on March 11, and preclude the addition of any additional prime farmland into CRP.

The groups encouraged USDA to instead use working lands programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, on prime farmland to the maximum extent possible.

“The U.S. is blessed with some of the best quality soils on the planet, coupled with the best farmers in the world,” the letter stated. “The U.S. should do all it can to feed a growing hungry population now threatened by a likely global production shortfall by reassessing vital productive acres being idled here at home.”



March 2022 Dairy Market Report Now Available

U.S. milk production fell below year-ago levels by increasing amounts during the period from November 2021 through January 2022, following a period of flat growth last fall. January production was 1.6 percent below a year ago. Meanwhile, domestic commercial dairy use during the same period was strong for yogurt, butter, and all major types of cheese.

That combination of lower supply and increased demand generated a spectacular $2.40/cwt monthly jump in the U.S. average all-milk price in January, to $24.20/cwt, the sixth highest monthly U.S. milk price ever. The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) feed cost formula cost rose by only $0.39/cwt from a month earlier in January, catapulting the DMC well above the maximum $9.50/cwt coverage level to $11.54/cwt.

VIEW FULL REPORT https://www.nmpf.org/dairy-market-report-march-2022/.



AFBF Urges Swift Passage of Ocean Shipping Reform Act
 
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act advancement out of the Senate Commerce Committee.

“AFBF is pleased the Senate Commerce Committee worked together to advance the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to the full Senate. Ongoing supply chain issues and record-high shipping costs threaten to limit exports at a time when our trading partners are increasingly relying on America’s farmers and ranchers. Limiting trade also negatively affects farmers’ ability to get much-needed supplies like fertilizer, which ultimately drives up the cost of growing food for America’s families. We urge the Senate to follow the House and the Commerce Committee’s lead and pass the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers can continue to meet the needs of families at home and abroad.”



Growth Energy Ad Campaign Presses E15 Fix to Deliver Relief at the Pump

Growth Energy launched a new ad campaign calling on President Biden to direct his administration to lift restrictions on the year-round sale of E15 to boost energy security and combat the surge in fuel costs accelerated by the conflict in Ukraine. The campaign will air on FOX, MSNBC, and CNN in the Washington, D.C area. It will run until June 1, when many retailers will be forced to pull E15 from the market due to oil companies’ successful challenge in court to eliminate this fuel choice.  

“The White House says all options are on the table to ease surging gas prices, and E15 is a common-sense solution that can deliver immediate relief at the pump,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Biofuels are a homegrown, plant-based solution that can further reduce our dependence on foreign oil and shield American drivers from the volatility of the oil market. Right now, U.S. ethanol is available at a deep discount, but consumers can’t tap into those savings without access to higher biofuel blends like E15.  

“In some markets, E15 is already saving drivers 50 to 60 cents per gallon, but that option could vanish on June 1 unless the Biden EPA takes swift action. Given the current crisis, we simply can’t afford for outdated summertime restrictions to get in the way of clean, affordable biofuels made in the United States. The time to act is now.”  

Available at more than 2,500 gas stations across 31 states, E15 is approved for more than 96 percent of light duty vehicles, which account for 98 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Even before the recent run up in oil prices, it was estimated that nationwide access to E15 could save drivers $12.2 billion annually in fuel costs.  



Farm Progress Announces Extension to Farm Progress Show Site in Decatur, IL

Farm Progress is excited to announce its extended contract with Brush College, LLC., confirming Farm Progress Show’s biennial location in Progress City USA at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. The contract enables Farm Progress to continue carrying out its mission to provide world-class ag experiences in both Illinois and Iowa for decades to come.  

“Since being selected in 2005 as the first permanent site to host the Farm Progress Show, the relationship between Richland Community College [owner of Brush College LLC] and Farm Progress has grown into a great partnership opening tremendous opportunities for the Decatur region and the companies participating in the Show. We look forward to hosting the future shows,” said Greg Florian, Vice President of Finance and Administration at Richland Community College.

The first show at this world-class site was held in 2005 and since then has continued to grow. In 2007 paved roads were added followed by three expansions of the exhibit field over the course of nine shows. The Farm Progress Show alternates between its two long-term locations in Decatur, IL and Boone, IA. Both show sites have carefully designed and developed infrastructures, offering convenience for exhibitors and show visitors.

Don Tourte, SVP of Sales & Events for Farm Progress, expressed gratitude for the Decatur community’s support while addressing the core mission of the Farm Progress Show, saying, “We’re delighted to retain our location in Decatur and our partnership with Brush College to bring together the agricultural community.”

He continued, “By keeping our deep roots in both Illinois and Iowa, it’s an opportunity for us to continue our legacy and support of the industry.”

Today the Farm Progress Show is just one of many world-class agricultural events hosted by Farm Progress. Husker Harvest Days, located in Grand Island, Nebraska, is the world’s largest irrigated farm show. Additionally, New York Farm Show, hosted in Syracuse, NY, proudly stands as the largest farm show in the Northeast.

This year’s Farm Progress Show will take place from August 30th to September 1st in Boone, IA. For more information, please visit: farmprogressshow.com.