Tuesday January 03 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending January 1, 2023, topsoil moisture supplies rated 33% very short, 40% short, 27% adequate, and 0% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 39% very short, 44% short, 17% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 10% very poor, 26% poor, 46% fair, 16% good, and 2% excellent.

The next report will be issued January 30, 2023.



2023 Beef Feedlot Roundtable Series

The 2023 Beef Feedlot Roundtable Series is an event that you won’t want to miss! We encourage feedlot owners, managers, employees, and allied industry to join Nebraska Extension February 7-9th as we dive into a series of timely topics covering feedlot management. Highlights from the program include the use of roller compacted concrete, implications of increasing hot carcass weight, and new requirements on implanting with speakers from UNL Extension and producers. This year’s program offers a new hands-on component targeted toward feedlot employees, including processing equipment maintenance, euthanasia considerations, and pregnancy management in the feedlot covered by UNL veterinarians from Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center. Spanish translation will be available for the animal health hands-on portion.

Join us from 1-6 pm, with dinner to follow. Cost is $30 at the door.
-          February 7th in Bridgeport, NE, at the Prairie Winds Community Center
-          February 8th in Gothenburg, NE, at the Bayer Water Utilization Learning Center
-          February 9th in West Point, NE, at the Nielsen Community Center

Pre-registration is requested by Friday, February 3rd, and can be completed online at: https://go.unl.edu/2023roundtable or via mail in registration.

For more information, contact Dr. Jessica Sperber, Beef Feedlot Extension Specialist; email: jsperber2@unl.edu.  



Calculating Annual Cow Costs Webinar Series: January 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16, 23

Knowing annual cow costs is the foundation for evaluating and making management decisions that can improve profitability for a cow-calf enterprise. Significant increases in input costs are challenging producers to examine cost of production and identify where there may be opportunities to adjust the production system. Calculating costs and breaking them into categories gives understanding into where there may be opportunity to make changes.

Nebraska Extension will be hosting a webinar series on Thursday evenings in late January and February that will explain the fundamentals of knowing and calculating annual cow costs. Dates will be January 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16, & 23 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CT.

Topics to be covered will include:
    Understanding economic unit cost of production for the cow-calf enterprise.
    Recognizing the value and cost of both grazed and harvested feed.
    Calculating cow depreciation and replacement development costs.
    Figuring the cost of equipment and labor utilized in the cow-calf enterprise.
    Examining breeding expenses and evaluating the value and cost relationship.
    Reviewing cost and production data to see how you compare.

Cost is $60 per person and includes a resource workbook.  The course will be limited to 30 participants. To register go to https://go.unl.edu/cow_costs. Registration is requested by Jan. 12 to ensure pre-meeting preparation material is available to participants.

A computer and internet connection will be needed to participate in the webinar series.

For questions about the webinar series or for more information, please contact Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Educator at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.



Saunders County Livestock January Events

Saunders County Livestock Ass'n January Membership Meeting, Wed. Jan. 11th 2023,
Saunders County 4-H building, Wahoo. 6;30 P.M. social, & 7;00 P.M. Dinner. Business Meeting to Follow.
Our Speakers & sponsors are Fronteir Co-op & Central Plains Milling.
Members are encouraged to pay their dues & purchase upcoming Banquet Tickets.

Saunders County Livestock Association Annual Meeting & Banquet.
Saturday January 28th 2023.
Starlite Event Center, Wahoo
Social Time; 5;30 P.M.
Banquet Dinner; 6;30 P.M.
Special Guest Speaker; John Cook, UNL Volleyball Head Coach
Tickets are $30 IN ADVANCE ONLY, Contact any of the board of directors.  
NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR!



2023 Cow-Calf College Beef Seminar

The 2023 Cow-Calf College Beef Seminar is set for January 19th at the Clay County Fairgrounds in the Activities Building. Registration starts at 9:00 am with programs scheduled from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. This year’s program is focused on strategies to manage forage resources during drought, including eastern redcedar control and adjusting pasture stocking and rental rates. The hands-on format will allow participants to engage with specialists and peers throughout the day.

Dillon Fogarty, Program Coordinator for Working Lands Conservation will provide an in-depth look at eastern redcedar control and management. Woody plant encroachment by species like eastern redcedar threatens the productivity and profitability of Nebraska’s grasslands. Eastern redcedar encroachment can result in up to a 75% reduction in forage production along with additional impacts to grassland resources. In the eastern redcedar control workshop, Dr. Fogarty will cover new guidelines for tackling woody plant encroachment. This will include the development of management plans, effective integration of management tools, and use of new rangeland monitoring platforms.

The afternoon workshop will be focused on 2023 Pasture Leases. Jessica Groskopf and Brent Plugge, Nebraska Extension Educators, will review the latest result from the Nebraska Farm Real Estate survey including cash rental rates and land values. They will also discuss leases, terminating verbal agreements, lease clauses, and landlord-tenant communication. Both landlords and tenants are encouraged to attend.

New this year: Lunch sessions will be comprised of three mini-workshops, including a Lunch and Learn with Dr. Becky Funk, GPVEC Extension Specialist, on calf resuscitation tips and an opportunity to practice assisting the cow during calving using a life-sized model. The Mobile Beef Lab will also be present, giving attendees the chance to reach inside the rumen of a fistulated steer and review the process of ruminant digestion.

A lunch will be provided to those who register, and the program will conclude with a coffee shop panel where participants can ask question directly to the specialists as well as the opportunity to win a variety of door prizes.

There is no cost for the event; however, early registration is highly encouraged to allow for proper planning. Pre-registration can be made by calling the Webster County Extension office at 402-746-3417 or online at go.unl.edu/frcollege.




Applications Due January 13 for Cover Crops Crop Insurance Discount Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reminds farmers and landowners who planted cover crops this past fall to apply for the state’s Crop Insurance Discount Program. Eligible Iowans can receive a $5 per acre discount on spring crop insurance premiums. The deadline to apply is January 13.

In its sixth year, the program has helped increase cover crop acreage across the state. Iowa has approximately three million acres of cover crops, a conservation practice that improves soil structure, enhances permeability and holds phosphorus and nitrogen in place.

“Iowa farmers and landowners are continuing to accelerate the use of proven conservation and water quality practices statewide, including cover crops,” said Secretary Naig. “Approximately 2,000 Iowa farmers have enrolled over one million acres of cover crops in the program to date and I would encourage interested farmers to apply for this cost saving program ahead of the approaching deadline.”

Farmers may sign up for the Crop Insurance Discount Program at apply.cleanwateriowa.org.

Program Details
The Crop Insurance Discount Program is jointly administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). Iowa’s program has served as a model and has been replicated by the USDA as well as Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.

To qualify for the Crop Insurance Discount Program, the cover crop acres cannot be enrolled in other state or federal cost share programs. Farmers should visit the local USDA service center to learn about other cost share funding available to support the implementation of conservation practices.

Some insurance policies, such as Whole-Farm Revenue Protection or those covered through written agreements, may be excluded. Participants must follow all existing farming practices required by their respective policy and work with their insurance agencies to maintain eligibility.



Strong Counter-Seasonal Market
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

The last several weeks of 2022 and this first week in 2023 have seen two substantial storms – delaying holiday travel yes – but also putting substantial moisture in the mountain west, some in the southern plains, and more in the northern plains and upper Midwest. It will be some months before the moisture is needed but simply the availability is good news for the drought-stricken cattle and forage markets.
 
While it is often a good idea to ignore price signals given in the thinly traded holiday period, but what small calf prices have done is rather noticeable. 4-5 cwt calves in the southern plains increased from under $200 in October to about $230 in December. Many of the market watchers that I talk had anticipated a strong counter-seasonal market – but not of this magnitude. While calf prices have rallied and cow prices have been strong through the fall, there are certainly warning signs in the system. The boxed beef composite value has spent some time below $250 in December and showed none of the huge demand pulls of the prior two years. Likewise, beef primal prices have showed good seasonal demand but not the quantum improvements of the prior years. Higher fed cattle prices and flat boxed beef values have resulted in packer margins being squeezed. The live-to-cutout spread was about $250 per head in November and there’s no post-COVID packer that I know of that can make money with that margin. I know of and speak with several producers that think packing should be a nonprofit public service but the real world just does not operate that way. Hours and kills will be cut. And I am reasonably sure welcomed by both labor and some management after the past three years.

Saturday fed slaughter has been modest for the second half of 2022 and fell off sharply in December. Meanwhile beef cow slaughter finished the second half of the year well-above the prior year. The exception would be for weeks 49 and 50. A portend of the coming year? Likely but two points don’t show a trend or change in the trend. But several weeks in October chalked up better than 80 thousand head per week compared to the rolling five year history of 65 thousand head. I am reasonably certain what the USDA Cattle report at the end of the month is going to say.  



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to offer free, educational programs

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will host nine educational programs in early 2023. Cattle Producer Forums will be held January through March, and are free for members to attend. Tanner Lawton, ICA member services manager said each program will include a meal, educational sessions, a trade show, and an industry update from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Beef Industry Council.

 “We felt it was important to bring more educational opportunities to your backyard this year. Each forum will feature guest speakers talking about a variety of industry topics and a trade show with vendors ready to share their newest products and technologies to help make your operation more efficient and profitable,” he said. 

January 9, 2023
Anthon Community Center N 5th Ave., Anthon, IA

January 10, 2023
ISU Extension Office 309 N Main St., Leon, IA

January 23, 2023
Ventura Community Center 4 North Weimer St., Ventura, IA

February 7, 2023
Guthrie Co. Fairgrounds  Community Building 408 W State St., Guthrie Center, IA

February 8, 2023
Legion Hall 301 Jackson St. NE, Cascade, IA

February 23, 2023
The Great Hall of Royal 300 1st Ave., Royal, IA

March 1, 2023
Washington Co. Extension office 2223 250th St., Washington, IA

March 21, 2023
Keystone Turner Hall 91 2nd Ave., Keystone, IA

March 28, 2023
Newton Fore Seasons 6232 Hwy S74 S, Newton, IA

 Producers can register to attend by calling 515-296-2266. Registration is not required, but appreciated. Walk-ins are welcome. Non-members are encouraged to attend for $20. All events begin at 5 p.m.



USDA Nov '22 Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 498 million bushels in November 2022. Total corn consumption was down 1 percent from October 2022 and down 4 percent from November 2021. November 2022 usage included 91.9 percent for alcohol and 8.1 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 4.42 million bushels, down 4 percent from October 2022 and down 8 percent from November 2021. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 447 million bushels, was down less than 1 percent from October 2022 and down 4 percent from November 2021. Corn consumed in November 2022 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.2 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.78 million tons during November 2022, up 2 percent from October 2022 but down 11 percent from November 2021. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.46 million tons in November 2022, up 5 percent from October 2022 and up 10 percent from November 2021.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 277,379 tons during November 2022, up 3 percent from October 2022 but down less than 1 percent from November 2021. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 203,891 tons in November 2022, down 2 percent from October 2022 and down 3 percent from November 2021.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 5.68 million tons (189 million bushels) in November 2022, compared with 5.90 million tons (197 million bushels) in October 2022 and 5.72 million tons (191 million bushels) in November 2021. Crude oil produced was 2.20 billion pounds down 6 percent from October 2022 and down 2 percent from November 2021. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.63 billion pounds during November 2022 decreased 9 percent from October 2022 and decreased 2 percent from November 2021.



European Expedition Taught U.S. Pork Leaders About Preparing for ASF

Pork industry leaders toured countries in Europe late last year to learn new ways to protect and prepare the U.S. in case of a foreign animal disease outbreak.

The entourage included producers, veterinarians, state and federal authorities and staff members from both the National Pork Board and National Pork Producers Council. The group visited Poland, Germany and Belgium, and they virtually connected with representatives from Denmark and Romania.  

They listened to first-hand accounts from individuals who faced a variety of issues:  
         Control and spread of African swine fever (ASF) by people and the wild boar population
         Export and trade considerations
         Tools and considerations to eliminate the disease or alleviate the impact
     
Examples of situations shared by countries in Europe:  
Belgium: Interrupted virus transmission in the wild boar population and prevented infection in the domestic herd. Two years after identifying the first case in wild boar, they regained ASF-free designation by the World Organization for Animal Health.
Germany: Identified spread from multiple sources, including people and wild boar.
Denmark: Prevention, or bio-exclusion, through construction of a fence on the German border, elimination of wild boar and strict truck washes.
Poland: Regionalized ASF to maintain exports.
Romania: Reduced sow herd due to inability to control spread.

Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, NPB’s chief veterinarian, said Pork Checkoff funds paid for the collaborative expedition to encourage asking questions and discovering strategies that could help in an outbreak if it were to occur in the U.S.

“There is value for producers and veterinarians to learn about how countries have been impacted by ASF and hear success stories,” Oedekoven said. “This information reinforces the industry ASF priorities set in 2022, and the key findings will help shape 2023 milestones and industry opportunities.”



NCGA Expresses Disappointment in EPA WOTUS Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers released a final rule on December 30 that determines what constitutes Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, under the Clean Water Act.

The rule was released as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide a case, Sackett vs. EPA, which will provide more clarity on the issue.  

“We are disappointed that EPA moved ahead with its final rule when the Supreme Court will soon render a decision on this matter,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “The Court’s ruling could negate major elements of this WOTUS rule and will create even more uncertainty for farmers.”

This year, NCGA submitted comments to EPA and encouraged corn growers to do the same as the rule was being considered. The group also participated in regional hearings held by EPA.

NCGA has made it clear that farmers are committed to the objectives of the Clean Water Act and the protection of water quality around agricultural operations and downstream. But, the organization has argued, achieving these objectives does not require drainage and water features, which are distant from relatively permanent flowing tributaries, be made subject to EPA’s regulations.

“As farmers, we are the ones who will feel the impact of this rule,” said Haag. “Yet, it appears that our comments fell on deaf ears.”



USDA Announces January 2023 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2023, which are effective Jan. 3, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
FSA offers farm ownership and operating loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.  For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including veterans, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for January 2023 are as follows:
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.125%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.250%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.250%
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750 %

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.

To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process Loan Assistance Tool, visit the  on farmers.gov.

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.750%
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:
        o Three-year loan terms: 4.125%
        o Five-year loan terms: 3.750%
        o Seven-year loan terms: 3.750%
        o Ten-year loan terms: 3.625%
        o Twelve-year loan terms: 3.625%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans (15 years): 3.750%

Pandemic and Disaster Support
FSA broadened the use of the Disaster Set Aside (DSA), normally used in the wake of natural disasters, to allow farmers with USDA farm loans who are affected by COVID-19, and are determined eligible, to have their next payment set aside. Because of the pandemic’s continued impacts, producers can apply for a second DSA for COVID-19 or a second DSA for a natural disaster for producers with an initial DSA for COVID-19. The COVID-DSA is available for borrowers with installments due before Dec. 31, 2022, and whose installment is not more than 90 days past due when the DSA request is made. The set-aside payment’s due date is moved to the final maturity date of the loan or extended up to 12 months in the case of an annual operating loan. Any principal set-aside will continue to accrue interest until it is repaid. Use of the expanded DSA program can help to improve a borrower’s cashflow in the current production cycle.

FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.

Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Producers
On Aug. 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. It is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities that USDA serves. Section 22006 of the IRA provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. USDA has allocated up to $1.3 billion for initial steps to help these distressed borrowers. This includes both automatic and case-by-case assistance. For more information producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.



Corn-Colonizing Fungus May Help Repel Disease, Grow Larger

A fungus that can colonize, or grow within, corn plants doesn’t just leave the plant unharmed — it also can help the plant stave off harmful bugs and other fungi, according to a new study by Penn State researchers.

In the study, the College of Agricultural Sciences researchers studied the effects of the fungus Metarhizium robertsii on corn. They found that when the fungus colonized corn, the plants were less vulnerable to the effects of another fungus, C. heterostrophus, which causes the disease southern corn leaf blight.

They also found that corn plants grown from seeds treated with M. robertsii grew to be taller and heavier than plants grown from untreated seeds.

Mary Barbercheck, professor of entomology, said the findings — recently published in PLOS One — suggest that M. robertsii could be an important tool in growing a crop and helping it stave off disease, especially for organic growers.

“There’s been a lot of interest recently in biological products to put on seeds or plants either to replace or complement synthetic chemicals,” Barbercheck said. “These findings could potentially be used to help develop a treatment to apply to plants or to treat seeds before they’re planted. This could then help promote growth and protect the plants from pests and disease.”

According to the researchers, M. robertsii is a fungus that scientists have studied for hundreds of years as a way to control insects. But while researchers knew that the fungus could infect insects and kill them, it wasn’t until about a decade ago that they discovered the fungus was also an endophyte — an organism, such as some bacteria and fungi, that lives within plants without harming them and also potentially can benefit them.

Meanwhile, Barbercheck said there is a large demand for organic livestock products in the U.S. For example, if chicken is going to be labeled as “organic” in the grocery store, it would have needed to consume organic feed, such as corn, throughout its life. For corn to be considered organic, growers must use primarily “physical, mechanical and biological” ways to control pests, weeds and diseases, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“For grain growers, there are virtually no economical pesticides that they can use,” Barbercheck said. “We were interested in how we can foster the plant’s own ability to tolerate or fight off pests and diseases, and here is this fungus that is common in agricultural environments that we thought might have other benefits, too.”

To test their hypothesis, the research team applied M. robertsii spores to corn seeds before planting both treated and untreated seeds in a greenhouse. Once the seedlings were large enough to have sprouted three or four leaves, the scientists applied C. heterostrophus — the fungus that causes southern corn leaf blight — to both the treated and untreated plants.

Four days later, they measured the seedlings’ height, biomass above the ground, colonization of the plants by M. robertsii and severity of southern corn leaf blight infection.

The researchers found that 74% of plants whose seeds had been treated with M. robertsii spores were colonized successfully by that fungus. The maize grown from M. robertsii-treated seeds had less severe southern corn leaf blight, as well as greater height and above-ground biomass, than plants grown from untreated seeds.

Barbercheck said that in the future, she and her colleagues will continue to explore how the fungus interacts with corn — for example, how environmental conditions, such as soil moisture, impact its effects.

“As climate change affects the frequency of droughts and flooding, we want to see how different environments could change how this fungus colonizes and benefits corn,” Barbercheck said. “The research reported in this paper took place under ideal conditions in the lab and in a greenhouse, so we want to take that next step examining it in different environments.”

Imtiaz Ahmad, former postdoctoral research scientist at Penn State; María del Mar Jiménez-Gasco, professor of plant pathology; and Dawn S. Luthe, professor of plant stress biology, also participated in this work.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and its Organic Transitions program helped support this research.