Wednesday November 23 Ag News

 Elsmere rancher named Northeast Community College’s Agceptional Woman of the Year

An advocate for agriculture in Nebraska has been recognized for her contributions to the industry.

Anita Keys, Elsmere, was named 2022 Ag-ceptional Woman of the Year during Northeast Community College’s Agceptional Women’s Conference recently on the Northeast campus in Norfolk. The announcement was made as part of a video tribute that was played during the opening session of the 14th annual conference. The video was sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America and produced by the Northeast Agriculture Department and District 25 Productions, LLC.

A special selection committee made up of professionals from agricultural businesses and operations is assembled each year to select the winner from a competitive group of nominees.

“I am humbled and honored to get this award, and to receive it from your peers is something extra special,” Keys said in accepting the award. “It’s one thing to get an award for best yield or best whatever, but this is very special.”

Keys was raised on a farm in Wayne County. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) where she met her future husband, Kerry Keys. The couple, who operate a ranch near Elsmere in southeast Cherry County, has two adult daughters who have become successful in their own careers. Stacey Keys is a 4-H extension assistant for UNL Extension in Burt County while Amanda Keys is employed as an accountant in Broken Bow.

Keys was nominated for the Agceptional Woman award by Karen Grant, Meadow Grove, who was bestowed the honor in 2015. She said Keys is deserving of the recognition.

“Elsmere may be a tiny town out west, but Anita is big on educating about life as a farmer or rancher from her own home to all parts of the United States and the world,” Grant said. “She has connections and is willing to go above and beyond to spread the word of agriculture.”

Keys was a member of the Leadership Education/Action Development (LEAD) 17 program with content focused on economics, government, human relations, communications, international trade, sociology, education, the arts, social-cultural understandings as well as agriculture. She has utilized the knowledge she gained from her experiences with LEAD with others.

Keys is a member of Common Ground Nebraska which is described as, “a group of farm women having conversations about food and how it’s grown and produced.” She also uses social media to explain life on the ranch and discuss how and what they do with their livestock.

“(Anita) can speak with knowledge because she is involved on the ranch helping wherever she is needed,” Grant said.

Keys is also active with IFYE (International Four-H Youth Exchange), which focuses on bringing young people ages 18-25 to the United States to live with up to three families to learn their customs and lifestyles. Students from the United States may also travel to other countries as part of the program. Keys assists in matching farm and ranch families with individuals from other countries in the program. She serves as a substitute teacher and works with 4-H. She chaperoned 4-H members to Life Challenges held in June at the UNL East Campus, an activity she has done for many years.

The Agceptional Women’s Conference is northeast Nebraska’s premier event for women in agriculture, attracting over 400 women annually who come together for a full day of networking, professional development, and personal growth opportunities. This year’s event featured over 20 speakers who discussed issues related to creating predictable profits in an unpredictable industry, nitrates and public health, dedicating one’s life to service, hemp in Nebraska, smartphone photography for the farm or ranch, keys to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, and growing intuitive eaters, among many more options.

To learn more about the conference, visit northeast.edu/events/agceptional.



Five Students Take State in Conservation Poster Contest

Earthworms, insects and roots were artfully crafted by young Nebraskans throughout the year turning blank paper into award-winning posters.

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) recognize students from kindergarten to 12th grade, who competed in the annual “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life” Conservation Poster Contest. Students winning in the state competition include:
    K-1: Sadie Foltz, Humphrey, Nebraska (Lower Elkhorn NRD)
    2-3: Isabel Larson, Humphrey, Nebraska (Lower Elkhorn NRD)
    4-6: Kiersten Hans, Wynot, Nebraska (Lewis & Clark NRD)
    7-9: Ember Chavez, Purdum, Nebraska (Upper Loup NRD)
    10-12: Myranda Hansen, Norfolk, Nebraska (Lower Elkhorn NRD)

Each NRD selects a winner from their district contest to compete in the state competition. The state winners take home a $25 prize and will go on to compete in the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) poster contest for a chance to win $200. National winners are selected at the NACD annual conference in February.

Typically, NRDs notify area teachers about the contest and allow them to introduce it in the classroom. Individual students can participate outside of the classroom by submitting their artwork to their local Natural Resources District. The 2023 poster theme is “One Water.”



Upcoming Nebraska Farmers Union Convention Agenda Highlights Announced
December 2-3, 2022
Marriott Cornhusker Hotel, 333 South 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508

“Building Rural Communities Since 1913” is the theme for the 109th annual Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) state convention.  John Hansen, NeFU President said, “We have an exciting program with 22 speakers addressing a wide range of topics from new water quality research from University of Nebraska Dr. Jesse Bell, Dr. Eleanor Rogan, and Matt Sutton, the prospects for the 2023 Farm Bill with NFU President Rob Larew and Government Relations Layla Soberanis, state updates from USDA FSA Executive Director John Berge, USDA Rural Development Director Kate Bolz, Nebraska Ethanol Board Executive Director Reid Wagner, Farm To Schools coordinator Sarah Smith and a State Senator panel with Senators Carol Blood, Tom Brandt, John Cavanaugh, and John McCollister.”

Layla Soberanis, NFU Government Relations staff will report on NFU legislative issues Friday noon, Bryce Anderson, DTN retired Senior Meteorologist and Tom Giessel, NFU Historian will keynote the Friday evening banquet, and Rob Larew, NFU President will keynote the Saturday noon luncheon.

Hansen noted, “In addition, we will set our NeFU state policy, elect one member to our NeFU Foundation Board, two NeFU Board of Directors, and three delegates to National Farmers Union Convention. We are pleased to once again be meeting in person. There will be lots of handshakes and hugs.”

NeFU delegates will elect Board of Directors for three-year terms from Districts 3 and 7. Mary Alice Corman is running for re-election in District 3 and Art Tanderup is running for re-election in District 7.

In addition to electing officers, three delegates and alternates to the National Farmers Union (NFU) Convention will be elected after the Friday noon luncheon. NeFU Vice President Vern Jantzen will chair the 2022-2023 NeFU policy day that will be held Thursday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Marriott Cornhusker, and also the policy adoption process Saturday afternoon when delegates finalize the policy.  

Hansen noted “NeFU has helped build economically stronger rural communities since 1913 by organizing hundreds of farmer-owned cooperatives, develop new profitable customer direct markets for ag producers, and capture the billions of dollars of value-added economic benefits from biofuels, wind, and solar renewable energy. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, registration and meal costs are affordable to encourage member participation. Our members are the owners and builders of our organization. Convention is their chance to put their hands on our steering wheel to give us direction for the next year.”



Reynolds Signs Harvest Proclamation Extension

Tuesday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through Dec. 22. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.



Khanna to Share Remarks at Iowa Farmers Union Anual Convention

Iowa Farmers Union is excited to add another guest speaker to the line-up of presenters at our upcoming annual state convention, Dec. 2-3, at the Iowa Valley Continuing Education Conference Center in Marshalltown. California Rep. Ro Khanna will address the convention body on day two of the event Dec 3 at 8:30 a.m. CT.

"We're so pleased to hear that Congressman Khanna will be joining us in Marshalltown to share his thoughts on rural development and the 2023 Farm Bill," says Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union. "Rep. Khanna holds a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, which makes his voice an influential one when it comes to building good farm policy and a more equitable food system."

Khanna represents California's 17th Congressional District and is serving in his third term. He sits on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees, where he chairs the Environmental Subcommittee. Khanna is also the Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus; serves as an Assistant Whip for the Democratic Caucus and is the Democratic Vice Chair of the House Caucus on India and Indian Americans.

Register for the State Convention, Dec. 2-3, in Marshalltown at iowafarmersunion.org, where people can also view the full line-up of speakers, panels, and workshops.

The Iowa Farmers Union State Convention is a chance for members from all over Iowa to connect with one another, hear from world-renowned speakers, attend educational sessions, and influence changes made to its guiding policy.



NEW Cooperative 50th Annual Meeting Notice
2022 Annual Meeting
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Webster County Fairgrounds
Doors Open at: 4:00 P.M.
Meeting Starts at: 5:00 P.M.

On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, the 2022 Annual Meeting of NEW Cooperative, Inc will take place at the Webster County Fairground’s auditorium with doors opening at 4:00pm and meeting starting at 5:00pm. The meetings agenda will include a status update of the cooperative, financial report, and director elections.  A meal and guest speaker, Jim Olson, the former Chief of Soviet Operations at the CIA, will follow the adjournment of the meeting.

Guest Speaker - James Olson, Former Chief of Soviet Operations
James Olson, the former Chief of Soviet Operations at the CIA, spent his 31-year undercover career at the CIA focused on Russia. He first started tracking Vladimir Putin when Putin was a lieutenant colonel in the KGB in East Germany in the 1980s. Mr. Olson will share with the audience his knowledge of Putin and describe the many assassinations and atrocities for which Putin has been responsible, most recently in Ukraine, but also in Chechnya, Syria, Georgia, and elsewhere. This is the story of a monster, a man with no respect for human life, international law, or national sovereignty. Mr. Olson will draw on his personal operational experiences in Moscow to highlight how Putin and the KGB have operated. He will leave time at the end for questions from the audience.



Commercial Red Meat Production Up Slightly from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.76 billion pounds in October, up slightly from the 4.75 billion pounds produced in October 2021.

By State   (million lbs.  -  % Oct '21)
Nebraska ........:     696.8            103       
Iowa ...............:     748.0             96       
Kansas ............:     515.9             96       

Beef production, at 2.40 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.90 million head, up 2 percent from October 2021. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 1,375 pounds.

Veal production totaled 4.5 million pounds, 1 percent below October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 30,400 head, down 14 percent from October 2021. The average live weight was up 34 pounds from last year, at 259 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.34 billion pounds, down 1 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.9 million head, down 1 percent from October 2021. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 288 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 10.4 million pounds, was down 9 percent from October 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 169,100 head, 10 percent below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, up 1 pound from October a year ago.

January to October 2022 commercial red meat production was 46.2 billion pounds, down slightly from 2021. Accumulated beef production was up 2 percent from last year, veal was up 3 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.



Japan’s Diet Approves the Revised Beef Safeguard Mechanism Under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement
 
Yesterday, the Upper House of Japan’s Diet approved the Protocol Amending the Trade Agreement Between Japan and the United States of America regarding the beef safeguard mechanism under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which completes the Diet’s process to finalize the agreement.  Once in effect, the updated agreement will amend the beef safeguard trigger level under the USJTA with a new, three-trigger safeguard mechanism that will allow U.S. exporters to meet Japan’s growing demand for high-quality beef and reduce the probability that Japan will impose higher tariffs in the future.   The agreement was signed by United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Japan’s Ambassador to the United States Koji Tomita on June 2, 2022.  The United States and Japan are currently working to finalize all domestic procedures in order for the agreement to enter into force.
 
“The Protocol will ensure our farmers and ranchers continue to have access to one of the world’s most dynamic markets,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “We are excited that Japan’s consumers can enjoy high-quality U.S. beef that is a staple of our agricultural industry.  The Protocol represents a foundational pillar of our bilateral trade relationship – and I am grateful to our producers and stakeholders who helped make it possible.”  
 
In 2021, the United States was the top beef exporting country in the world, with global sales of beef and beef products valued at over $10 billion.  Exports of U.S. beef to Japan totaled almost $2.4 billion in 2021, with Japan representing the United States’ second largest beef export market.



Fertilizer Prices Mainly Lower

Retail fertilizer sellers tracked by DTN for the second week of November 2022 continue to show prices floating around slightly higher and slightly lower.

Five fertilizers were marginally lower compared to last month while the remaining three were somewhat higher. No fertilizer was substantially higher or lower; DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.  The five slightly lower were MAP, potash, urea, 10-34-0 and anhydrous. MAP had an average price of $978/ton, potash $848/ton, urea $812/ton, 10-34-0 $753/ton and anhydrous $1,415/ton.

The other three fertilizers were slightly more expensive looking back to last month. DAP had an average price of $930/ton, UAN28 $584/ton and UAN32 $681/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.88/lb.N, anhydrous $0.86/lb.N, UAN28 $1.04/lb.N and UAN32 $1.06/lb.N.

Most fertilizers continue to be higher in price than one year earlier, although one is now slightly lower. Urea is now 5% less expensive from one year ago. Both UAN28 and 10-34-0 are 2% higher, UAN32 is 5% more expensive, MAP is 7% higher, potash is 10% more expensive, DAP is 13% higher and anhydrous is 16% more expensive compared to last year.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/18/2022

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 18, ethanol production rebounded 3.0% to 1.041 million b/d, equivalent to 43.72 million gallons daily. Production was 3.5% lower than the same week last year and 0.7% below the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production volume rose to a 19-week high of 1.036 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.88 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks built 7.2% to 22.8 million barrels, the highest level in ten weeks. Stocks were 13.2% above the year-ago level and 7.4% above the five-year average. Inventories increased across all regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, fell 4.7% to 8.33 million b/d (127.65 bg annualized). Demand was 10.8% less than a year ago and 6.6% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol ticked down 0.8% to 886,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.58 bg annualized. Net inputs were equal to the year-ago level but 1.0% below the five-year average.

There were no imports of ethanol for the fifth consecutive week. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of September 2022.)



Longview Livestock to host 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifying Event

The second of three qualifying events for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) will be hosted by Longview Livestock in Longview, Texas, on December 1, 2022.
 
Opening ceremonies will commence at 1:00 p.m. (CT), with the awards presentation following the competition. A total of 31 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the semi-finals for the 2023 WLAC at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla.
 
Each qualifying event is a live sale where each contestant auctions at least 8 drafts of livestock (traditionally cattle) to actual bidders. Contestants are judged on the clarity of their auction chant, professionalism, and their ability to conduct the sale while catching bids.

Contestants competing are Andy Baumeister, Goldthwaite, Texas; Gary Crawley, Kiowa, Okla.; Shannon Davis, Winnsboro, Texas; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Keelan Dunn, Bowie, Texas; Quest Flesner, Hannibal, Mo.; Cody Hanold, Brighton, Ill.; Kirby Hill, Paris, Texas; Travis Holck, Lake Crystal, Minn.; Calvin Hollis, Mannford, Okla.; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, Calif.; Takoda Kiser, Wytheville, Va.; Jonathan Lopinto, Amite, La.; Lane Marbach, Victoria, Texas; Tilon Mast, Auburn, Neb.; Brandon McLagan, Elmer, Mo.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; Bill Nance, Sheldon, Mo.; Tate Rainey, Sweetwater, Texas; Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas; Luke Schubert, Brainerd, Minn.; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kan.; Dustin Smith, Jay, Okla.; Brooks Thompson, Prague, Okla.; Scott Twardowski, Swanville, Minn.; Seth Waldroup, Westminster, S.C.; Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Neb.; Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Ga.; Zack Zumstein, Marsing, Idaho.
 
The public may attend the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed live on the Livestock Marketing Association’s Facebook page.

Qualifying events are balanced across LMA membership. The final qualifying event will be held at Windsor Livestock Auction Co., Inc. in Windsor, Mo., on January 4, 2023.  



Agriculture Committee members surveyed current state of agricultural practices in Cuba, discussed state of food supply and related issues

Today, U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jim Baird (R-IN) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) concluded their bipartisan congressional delegation trip to Cuba as representatives of the United States and the House Agriculture Committee.

The four-day trip included meetings with Cuban farmers, agricultural business operators, and local officials to discuss the current state of agriculture in Cuba.

“Our journey to Cuba was an important opportunity to see the impact that U.S. agriculture is having in a nation that relies heavily on U.S. agricultural imports. As members of the House Agriculture Committee, we work every week in Washington to understand how U.S. agriculture and agricultural trade is affecting peoples around the world–and Cuba is no exception,” said the delegation. “We also had the chance to meet with farmers and local experts to better understand Cuba’s own agricultural operations, as well as discuss where opportunities for mutual economic benefit may exist for American businesses and the Cuban people. We look forward to sharing our findings with our colleagues and the rest of our committee in the coming weeks.”

The House Agriculture Committee members also met with the Vice President of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa, officials from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Representatives of the National Assembly.

In addition to discussing agriculture, the congressional delegation also raised concerns about human rights, migration, and consular issues.