Friday September 30 Grain Stocks, Small Grains, & Ag News

Drake, Hatterman crowned homecoming royalty at UNL

Seniors Jacob Drake of Murray and Emily Hatterman of Wisner have been crowned homecoming royalty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.  Drake and Hatterman, elected in an online vote of the student body Sept. 28 and 29, were crowned on the field at Memorial Stadium during halftime of the Oct. 1 Nebraska-Indiana football game.

Hatterman is an agricultural and environmental sciences communication major. She is the external philanthropy chair for Gamma Phi Beta sorority and a tri-chair with NHRI Leadership Mentoring. She is the daughter of David and Sara Hatterman.

Drake is a political science major. He is the president of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, a student regent and a former resident assistant. He is the son of Curt and Debbie Drake.



NEBRASKA SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 GRAIN STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2022 totaled 152 million bushels, down 7% from 2021, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 51.0 million bushels are stored on farms, up 7% from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 101 million bushels, are down 13% from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 20.3 million bushels, down 13% from last year. On-farm stocks of 3.50 million bushels are down 58% from a year ago, but off-farm stocks, at 16.8 million bushels, are up 12% from 2021.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 34.7 million bushels, down 40% from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 6.20 million bushels are down 10% from 2021 and off-farm stocks of 28.5 million bushels are down 44% from last year.

Sorghum Off-farm holdings, at 1.72 million bushels, are up 106% from last year. Oat stocks stored in all positions totaled 996,000 bushels, down 24% from last year. On-farm oat stocks totaled 800,000 bushels, down 20% from 2021 and off-farm oats totaled 196,000 bushels, down 36% from a year ago.



Iowa Grain Stocks Report

Corn stored in all positions in Iowa on September 1, 2022, totaled 255 million bushels, up 1 percent from September 1, 2021, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks, 37 percent were stored on-farm. The June-August 2022 indicated disappearance totaled 557 million bushels, 2 percent below the 568 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.

Soybeans stored in all positions in Iowa on September 1, 2022, totaled 51.5 million bushels, up 22 percent from September 1, 2021. Of the total stocks, 21 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for June-August 2022 was 156 million bushels, 65 percent above the 94.4 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year.



USDA Grain Stocks Report

Old crop corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2022 totaled 1.38 billion bushels, up 12 percent from September 1, 2021. Of the total stocks, 510 million bushels are stored on farms, up 29 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 867 million bushels, are up 3 percent from a year ago. The June - August 2022 indicated disappearance is 2.97 billion bushels, compared with 2.88 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Based on an analysis of end-of-marketing year stock estimates, disappearance data for exports, and farm program administrative data, the 2021 corn for grain production is revised down 41.4 million bushels from the previous estimate. Corn silage production is revised down 888 thousand tons. Planted area is revised to 93.3 million acres, and area harvested for grain is revised to 85.3 million acres. Area harvested for silage is revised to 6.45 million acres. The 2021 grain yield, at 176.7 bushels per acre, is down 0.3 bushel from the previous estimate. The 2021 silage yield, at 20.1 tons per acre, remains unchanged from the previous estimate. A table with 2021 acreage, yield, and production estimates by States is included on pages 17 and 18 of this report.

Old crop soybeans stored in all positions on September 1, 2022 totaled 274 million bushels, up 7 percent from September 1, 2021. Soybean stocks stored on farms totaled 62.9 million bushels, down 8 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 211 million bushels, are up 12 percent from last September. Indicated disappearance for June - August 2022 totaled 698 million bushels, up 36 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Based on an analysis of end-of-marketing year stock estimates, disappearance data for exports and crushings, and farm program administrative data, the 2021 soybean production is revised up 30.2 million bushels from the previous estimate. Planted area is unchanged at 87.2 million acres, but harvested area is revised to 86.3 million acres. The 2021 yield, at 51.7 bushels per acre, is up 0.3 bushel from the previous estimate. A table with 2021 acreage, yield, and production estimates by States is included on page 19 of this report.

All wheat stored in all positions on September 1, 2022 totaled 1.78 billion bushels, up less than 1 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 591 million bushels, up 41 percent from last September. Off-farm stocks, at 1.18 billion bushels, are down 13 percent from a year ago. The
June - August 2022 indicated disappearance is 543 million bushels, down 24 percent from the same period a year earlier.



2022 NEBRASKA SMALL GRAIN ACREAGE AND PRODUCTION

Winter wheat production is estimated at 26.2 million bushels, down 36% from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The area harvested for grain totaled 820,000 acres, down 2% from 2021. Planted acreage totaled 980,000, up 7% from a year earlier. The yield is 32.0 bushels per acre, down 17 bushels from last year.

Oat production is estimated at 918,000 bushels, down 37% from 2021. Area harvested for grain, at 18,000 acres, is down 31% from last year. Planted acreage totaled 125,000, up 4% from a year earlier. Average yield is 51.0 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels from 2021.



Iowa Small Grain Summary

Oat production was estimated at 3.20 million bushels, down 20 percent from last year, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Small Grains 2022 Summary. Oats planted, at 130,000 acres, was unchanged from last year. Harvested area for grain was 40,000 acres, down 23 percent from the harvested acres in 2021. Oat yield, at 80.0 bushels per acre, was up 3.0 bushels from last year.



USDA Small Grains 2022 Summary

All wheat production totaled 1.65 billion bushels in 2022, up less than 1 percent from the 2021 total of 1.65 billion bushels. Area harvested for grain totaled 35.5 million acres, down 4 percent from the previous year. The United States yield was estimated at 46.5 bushels per acre, up 2.2 bushels from the previous year. The levels of production and changes from 2021 by type were: winter wheat, 1.10 billion bushels, down 14 percent; other spring wheat, 482 million bushels, up 46 percent; and Durum wheat, 64.0 million bushels, up 70 percent.

Oat production was estimated at 57.7 million bushels, up 45 percent from 2021. Yield was estimated at 64.8 bushels per acre, up 3.5 bushels from the previous year. Harvested area, at 890 thousand acres, was 37 percent above last year.

Barley: Production was estimated at 174 million bushels, up 45 percent from the revised 2021 total of 120 million bushels. The average yield, at 71.7 bushels per acre, was up 11.4 bushel from the previous year. Producers seeded 2.95 million acres in 2022, up 9 percent from 2021. Harvested area, at 2.43 million acres, was up 22 percent from 2021.



What to Know About Leftover Nitrogen in Soil Following Dry Conditions
Javed Iqbal - Extension Nutrient Management and Water Quality Specialist
Aaron Nygren - Extension Educator

Nebraska has faced two consecutive dry seasons in 2021 and 2022. The severely dry 2022 season in most of Nebraska has raised questions about nitrogen application for the next year’s crop. In irrigated or dryland areas with normal production, the management practices may continue as normal, but for dryland areas with drastic yield reductions, there is potential for nitrogen fertilizer adjustment for the 2023 crop.

If corn grain yield is drastically reduced due to drought conditions affecting crop growth, then it is likely that crop nitrogen uptake was reduced as well. This often leaves a considerable amount of unused nitrate nitrogen in the soil. Therefore, it is a profitable and environmentally sound practice to sample soil to give proper credit for this residual soil nitrogen when determining fertilizer-N rates for 2023 crops.

'It is a profitable and environmentally sound practice to sample soil to give proper credit for the residual soil nitrogen when determining fertilizer-N rates for 2023 crops.'

To estimate residual nitrogen, sample soil at least 24 inches, although 36 inches or 48 inches is preferable to better capture nitrate present in the soil profile following dry conditions. These cores should be split into one-foot increments instead of mixed together into one sample to give a better understanding of where nitrate is present in the soil profile. Cores should be air dried, refrigerated or frozen if they can’t be submitted with 24 hours to a soil testing lab for soil nitrate-N analysis. A sample consisting of six to eight soil cores should be collected to represent no more than 40 acres if fields are uniform. However, drought conditions often result in uneven yields across fields depending on soil types and landscape position. In fields with soil and yield variability, consider doing the soil sampling by zones within the field to better capture the patterns of residual nitrate-N. Yield monitor data, digital soil maps and elevation are some of the data layers that could be used to identify zones for nitrate sampling. More information can be found in our extension circular, “Soil Sampling for Precision Agriculture — EC 154”.

The depth-weighted average nitrate-N concentration (parts per million) across several soil depths in the rootzone is considered in the university’s N recommendation equation. The depth-weighted concentration is calculated as the sum of the nitrate-N concentration in the zero- to two-feet depth soil sample plus 3.0 (which is the assumed nitrate concentration below two feet) divided by two. For example, if there was 9.0 ppm nitrate-N for the zero to two-feet depth, then the depth weighted average = (9.0+3.0)/2 = 6 ppm. The recommended N need is then reduced by 8 lb/ac for each ppm of the nitrate-N concentration for the zero- to four-foot depth (e.g. 6 x 8 = 48 lbs/ac N credit). More information can be found in our extension circular, “Fertilizer Suggestions For Corn”.

The timing of soil sampling for making N recommendations could be important as snowmelt and precipitation during early spring may affect N losses (especially for coarse-textured soils), resulting in under-application of pre-plant or in-season N. Collecting pre-plant soil nitrate-N samples in spring is a good practice for determining residual soil nitrate-N to be credited in N rate decisions. However, if you plan to have nitrogen application this fall, consider the following to avoid the over-application of nitrogen while reducing the potential of nitrogen loss.

    Sample soil at two-, three- or four-foot to determine residual nitrate-N to be credited in nitrogen rate calculations.
    With the potential of early harvest this year, carefully consider the risks of early N fertilizer application. Apply fertilizer-N (and manure) when the soil temperature is below 50°F at the four-inch soil depth and trending cooler to minimize nitrification losses (Check CropWatch soil temperature).
    Apply anhydrous ammonia rather than other N fertilizers.
    Limit fall application of N to silt loams, silty clay loams and finer-textured soils.
    Consider the use of nitrification inhibitors to slow the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, especially on coarse textured soils.
    Avoid fall application on wet or flooding-prone soils.
    If fall anhydrous is going to be applied, consider applying part of the total nitrogen requirement in the fall and applying the remaining in-season, preferably according to the results of pre-sidedress nitrate testing or canopy sensing.

Summary
With the two consecutive dry seasons in 2021 and 2022, there is likely a considerable amount of unused nitrogen left in the soil, which could be used for the 2023 crop. With the higher fertilizer prices, such fertility adjustments for next crop can be profitable as well as environment friendly. So, it is recommended to test your soil and account for all sources of nutrients for the next crop.



Sample for Soybean Cyst Nematode This Fall
Dylan Mangel - Extension Plant Pathologist

The end of the field season is near and many producers are likely to spend some time watching the yield monitor as they harvest. This time is a great opportunity to identify spots in the field with unexplained yield loss.

A potential explanation for these areas could be soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This pest is the number one yield limiting biotic agent of soybeans in North America and is estimated to cause U.S. producers $1.5 billion a year. The reason this pest is so insidious is because SCN can cause up to 30% yield loss with no significant above-ground symptoms. For this reason, SCN is an invisible threat that many producers do not know they have and are not actively managing it in their fields.

As of Jan. 1, 2022, SCN has been identified in 59 Nebraska counties. Fortunately, effective management options are available, but the first step in deciding to manage is to determine if the nematodes are present in your field. The best time to test fields for SCN is at the end of a soybean season. This is when SCN levels will be at their highest in the soil.

Currently, the Nebraska Soybean Board is sponsoring soybean cyst nematode sample analysis for samples from any Nebraska field. To take advantage of this program, contact your local extension office or the UNL Applied Soybean Pathology Lab for free soil sampling bags and submit soil samples using the following procedure.

Sampling Procedure
Collect SCN samples with a once-inch diameter soil sampling probe or spade. Collect at least 15 to 20 soil cores in a zigzag pattern from across the field. Samples should be collected from the root zone at a depth of about six to eight inches across about 10 to 20 acres. Break up the collected soil cores and mix them well in a bucket. Place at least two cups of the composite soil sample in a bag and submit for SCN testing. A sealable plastic bag works great to prevent samples from drying, or use marked SCN sample bags available at your local Nebraska Extension office or the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic.

While sampling, keep in mind that anything that can move soil can move soybean cyst nematode. For this reason, there are several areas with increased SCN introduction risk. Below is a list of high-risk areas that you should consider sampling.  
    Areas of the field where soybean crops yielded less than expected.
    Areas of the field where soybean plants appeared stunted, yellow and/or defoliated earlier than the rest of the field.
    Low spots in fields.
    Previously flooded areas of fields.
    Field entryways.
    Along field borders.
    Areas where sudden death syndrome (SDS) or brown stem rot (BSR) developed.

Submit samples to:
UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Clinic
448 Plant Sciences Hall
P.O. Box 830722
Lincoln, NE 68583-0722

Sample bag information to include:
    Name
    Address
    Email address
    Phone number
    Field name or ID for your reference
    Number of acres the sample represents
    Crop history of the field
    This year’s crop

Management
Once you have identified fields with SCN, there are four broad management recommendations. The first is to rotate between resistant varieties. There are several resistance sources available. The most common are “PI88788” and “Peaking”. Effort should be made to rotate between resistance sources if possible as SCN populations are evolving to overcome the PI88788 resistance source. Rotation will help prolong the life expectancy of current resistance sources while new resistance is being developed.

The second management recommendation is to rotate to a non-host crop. Fortunately, corn, wheat and alfalfa are non-hosts that work well with common Nebraska rotation. While rotation alone will not get rid of SCN, it will help decrease the number of SCN in the soil.

The third management recommendation is to consider the use of a nematode-protectant seed treatment. There are many new seed protectant products entering the market. If you plan to use one, be aware that these should only be used in combination with a resistant soybean variety. A seed treatment should not be considered a replacement for a resistant variety for any pathogen, including SCN.

The final recommendation is to continue to monitor SCN populations and levels through testing. As you make management changes, monitoring of SCN levels is important to determine if your management is effective. Sampling should be continued every two to three years to ensure management is effective. This will also provide another opportunity to monitor uninfected fields.

Many producers are experiencing some yield loss to SCN. Actively managing these populations will provide the opportunity to recover this yield. Remember that this pest is often invisible and soil testing is the only way to accurately identify and monitor the pest. If you don’t recall the last time you tested, it is time to test again. Pick up sample bags for free testing from your local extension office.



APPLY NOW FOR DAIRY BUSINESS BUILDER GRANTS

Dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in Nebraska can apply now until Nov. 10 at 5:00 p.m. (CT) for a new round of Dairy Business Builder grants through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each, aim to support small- to medium-sized dairy businesses in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs. In addition to Nebraska, dairy farmers and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Kansas, and Wisconsin can apply.

“Dairy products are one of Nebraska’s top 10 commodities, so there is a strong focus on dairy growth and development in this state,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman. “We welcome these grants as an additional source of support for Nebraska dairies and processors looking to expand and improve their businesses and make a positive impact on rural Nebraska.”

Application materials and resources are now available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia. Successful applicants will be notified by Dec. 15, 2022. Questions may be directed to Allissa Troyer at 531-220-9211 or allissa.troyer@nebraska.gov.

Since its creation in the 2018 Farm Bill, the DBIA has administered more than $3.7 million in grants to dairy farms and businesses in five Midwestern states. Additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is now supporting an expansion of the program’s service area to include Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.



Korean Grain Importers to View U.S. Corn Crop Firsthand Across Four States Ahead of Export Exchange 2022

A 24-member team of feed grain and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) buyers and a Korean government official will be in the United States from Oct. 3-15 to better understand grain quality control and export systems in Washington, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois. The team is the first of 21 groups with participants from 51 countries that will travel to the United States as a lead up to the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) marquee event, Export Exchange.

Export Exchange is a biennial educational and trade forum for U.S. feed grains that will host more than 400 international buyers and end-users. This year’s edition will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from Oct. 12-14.

“The Council is delighted to have the chance to hold Export Exchange again for the first time since 2018 and to welcome in a diverse range of accompanying trade teams,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO. “It’s a great opportunity for foreign buyers to create connections with U.S. producers that can last a lifetime and benefit all parties.”

This program will be crucial for stakeholders in the Korean feed industry who have been unable to travel and conduct in-person business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to see the U.S. value chain from farms to ports is an immeasurable asset for buyers, building their trust in U.S. product and providing the building blocks for long-term partnerships.

“In a situation where the grain market is very unstable due to extreme drought concerns in the northern hemisphere and the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, the harvest situation and quality of U.S. corn are of the greatest concern to Korean buyers,” said Haksoo Kim, USGC director in South Korea. “This visit will serve as an opportunity to strengthen ties with U.S. producers and suppliers and expand purchases of corn and DDGS, as Korea is the fifth largest importer of U.S. corn and the third largest importer of DDGS.”

The Korean team will have its first hands-on experience on Oct. 4 when they visit a grain export terminal and a grain inspection service in Washington. The group will then travel to the heartland for a meeting with Nebraska Corn on Oct. 5 and have a tour of an ethanol plant, as well as discussions with key logistical supply chain partners, on Oct. 6.

The Oct. 7 itinerary will feature a morning meeting with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenney at the state capitol, along with a farm tour and visit to the Iowa Corn Growers’ Association in the afternoon.

“Strengthening the relationships between international buyers and our state-level partners is one of the highlights of the trade teams that the Council sponsors,” LeGrand said. “Personally, knowing who you’re doing business with is a factor that cannot be underestimated, and trade teams help ensure that U.S. product is the first choice for importers in Korea and beyond.”

Participants will arrive in Illinois on Oct. 8 in preparation for visits to local grain elevators and business-to-business meetings on Oct. 10. The group is then set to arrive in Minneapolis on Oct. 11 in anticipation of a packed schedule for Export Exchange 2022, which will feature expert speakers on the key topics in the global agricultural marketplace, such as outlooks on international demand, policy challenges and opportunities and logistical export overviews. The event is also a major networking and business opportunity, where more than $400 million in grain sales were made in 2018.

“For Korean buyers who have had limited opportunities to meet and discuss deals with U.S. suppliers due to COVID-19, Export Exchange is expected to deliver great results for finding new suppliers and expanding purchase contracts with existing suppliers,” Kim said. “Business consultations between suppliers and buyers through this year's Export Exchange will contribute to an expected 1.2 million tons of U.S. DDGS exports to Korea, a record amount.”



Iowa Corn’s Genome to Phenome Collaboration with Iowa State University Receives Major USDA Grant to Further Pioneering Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced yesterday it is awarding almost $1.9 million to support the work of the Agriculture Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) being led by Iowa State University in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Idaho. The new grant is the third and largest award made through USDA NIFA’s AG2PI national initiative launched two years ago as part of the 2018 Farm Bill.

 The goal of AG2PI is to help advance multidisciplinary crop and livestock research by addressing genome to phenome challenges, developing solutions for research infrastructure needs and sharing solutions across kingdoms. It aims to foster collaborations of crop and livestock scientists with colleagues in diverse areas, including data science, statistics, engineering and social sciences, to improve the long-term efficiency and resilience of U.S. agriculture.

 “This genome to phenome research will have far-reaching effects,” said David Ertl, Technology Commercialization Manager at Iowa Corn. “It will allow breeders to create improved varieties faster, allow farmers to produce more resilient crops and livestock, and give consumers more choices for sustainably produced food.” Ertl serves on the Executive Board of the project and leads the stakeholder committee, including nearly 20 industry organizations.

The Iowa Corn Promotion Board® (ICPB) has been working with several universities and the National Corn Growers Association to obtain this federal funding for phenotyping research, including Iowa State University.

 “The pioneering work supported by this initiative is beginning to provide scientists and breeders with the tools needed to adapt agricultural systems to improve their profitability and make them more sustainable and resilient to climate change,” said Distinguished Professor Patrick Schnable, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board Endowed Chair in Genetics at Iowa State University.

 This work is supported by the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative, grant number 2022-70412-38454, project accession number 1029371 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



Sheep and Lamb Inventory Outlook
Livestock Market Information Center

As of Jan. 1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported total sheep and lamb inventory levels at 5.065 million head, down 2 percent – or 105,000 head – from 2021. This was the largest decline of inventory since 2014, which saw a 2.3 percent decline. But in the last five years, the annual average decline has been less than 1 percent.

The breeding flock also saw a 1.9 percent decline last year to 3.710 million head, which was partly due to annual mature sheep slaughter of 141,000 head in 2021. That’s a 24.5 percent – or 28,000 head – increase from 2020, and the highest level in a decade. This year, weekly mature sheep slaughter through mid-September is tracking nearly 24 percent below last year’s level – and near typical levels – indicating the breeding flock is likely to stabilize.

Lower ewe prices this year have partially slowed the rate of mature sheep slaughter to more typical levels, which are expected to be around 120,000 head. The three-market average (Colo., Texas and S.D.) good slaughter ewe price has been averaging about $82 per cwt. since mid-June. During the same period last year, the average was $100 per cwt. From a salvage value perspective, last year provided an economic opportunity for producers to sell cull ewes at levels that had never been seen based on available price data through 2006. Although ewe prices have moved lower this year, price levels are still well above the five-year average for the mid-June to September per of $73 per cwt.

The Livestock Marketing Information Center is currently forecasting all sheep and lamb inventory levels as of Jan. 1, 2023, to be down less than 1 percent, which follows typical annual declines that have occurred for the last two decades. This is based on a total breeding flock decline of less than 1 percent to 3.680 million head and inventory levels of ewes 1 year and older of about 2.9 million head.

The current LMIC forecast is working with a 2023 lamb crop of about 3.1 million head, which leads to a lambing percentage of 106.5 percent – just below the 2022 level of 106.8 percent and the five-year average of 107 percent. The forecast does depend on producers’ ability to rebuild as drought pressures have remained, which could constrain available feed and forage supplies.



Mandatory Price Reporting Extended in Federal Funding Bill
 
The Senate and House approved legislation that funds federal programs, including the Mandatory Price Reporting program, through Dec. 16. President Biden was expected to sign into law the continuing resolution, which keeps the government running at current funding levels, before the start of fiscal 2023, which begins Oct. 1.

The price reporting program requires meatpackers to report to USDA the prices they pay for cattle, hogs, lambs, and other information. USDA uses the data to publish twice-daily reports with pricing information, contracting for purchase, supply and demand conditions for livestock, livestock production, and livestock product values.


 
USDA Proposes Rule on Buying, Selling Livestock
 
The Biden administration this week proposed a new regulation related to the buying and selling of livestock. According to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, the “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Rules,” which would be part of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA), will “protect farmers and ranchers from abuse.” The regulation would:
    Prohibit certain prejudices and disadvantages against “market vulnerable individuals.”
    Prohibit retaliatory practices that interfere with lawful communications, assertion of rights, participation in associations, and other activities.
    Identify unlawfully deceptive practices that violate the PSA with respect to contract formation, contract performance, contract termination, and contract refusal.
    Require regulated entities to keep records, including policies and procedures, staff training and producer information materials, data and testing, and other materials, for the purpose of determining compliance with the rule.

The livestock regulation is the second of three USDA has proposed. Earlier, it issued one related to the poultry industry, and a third rule, related to livestock and poultry, will cover “unfair practices, undue preferences, and harm to competition.”

Livestock groups, including the National Pork Producers Council, are reviewing a draft of the proposed regulation. There will be a 60-day public comment period once the rule is published in the Federal Register.
 
    

Legislation Would Exclude Agriculture from SEC Reporting Rule
 
Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) Thursday introduced a bill to prohibit the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring publicly traded companies to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions from their partner companies, suppliers, and distributors if their activities arise from farming.

In March, the SEC proposed a regulation mandating such companies to report their carbon emissions and other climate-related data, as well as similar information from their “upstream” and “downstream” affiliates.

In comments submitted to the agency in June, National Pork Producers Council and 10 other agricultural groups requested that the SEC reconsider its application of burdensome and unnecessary climate disclosure requirements in the proposed rule. “As currently drafted,” the organizations said, “[the rule’s] requirements would overly burden American farmers, forcing them to take on costly and expensive reporting that will set back farm environmental performance, and would be in violation of federal law.”

Lucas’ ‘‘Protect Farmers from the SEC Act’’ and a companion Senate bill, which is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks, would exclude agriculture from the disclosure regulation.
 


Lawmakers Offer Bill to Boost U.S. Export Promotion Programs
 
Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), Angus King (I-Maine), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced legislation to increase funding for U.S. agriculture’s primary export promotion programs.

The “Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports Act” would double the annual funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, giving the former $400 million and the latter $69 million. The MAP and FMD annual funding levels haven’t increased since 2006 and 2002, respectively.


 
Groups Ask That Food Security Be Part of Future Talks with Mexico
 
More than two dozen organizations representing U.S. food and agricultural producers and companies, including National Pork Producers Council, this week urged the Biden administration to include food security in future High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED) talks between the United States and Mexico.
 
In a letter to President Biden dated Sept. 27, the groups pointed out that HLED “provides an effective forum for promoting food security in our countries and tackling inflationary pressures.”

At the most recent HLED meeting, food security was addressed, and both countries emphasized the importance of facilitating bilateral trade and engaging in cooperative efforts to strengthen food security in North America. The United States is Mexico’s largest agricultural trading partner, buying 81% of Mexico’s farm exports and providing 70% of its agricultural imports.

“[W]e strong urge the U.S. government to engage Mexico in future HLED fora on the importance of resilient food and agriculture supply chains to address food security challenges in North America,” the organizations concluded.



Brazil Soy Crushers Halt Production as Margins Go Negative

A number of Brazilian soybean processors have temporarily halted units as crushing margins turned negative, reflecting weak domestic demand for biodiesel and high vegetable oil inventories at production sites, according to two analysts on Wednesday.

Abiove, a trade group representing global oilseed crushers in Brazil, confirmed the move, telling Reuters that some of its members advanced scheduled maintenance stoppages as soy oil prices dropped even as soybean prices remained high, hurting margins, reports Reuters.

Victor Mendes, an analyst at HedgePoint Global, said Brazil has over 99 soybean crushing plants, adding over 10 units had already been halted as global soy oil prices fell reflecting a spike in Indonesian palm oil stocks.

Abiove could not comment on how much capacity has been shut, but said it may revise 2022's soy processing forecasts as fresh crushing data come in reflecting changes in the market.