Friday February 24 Cattle on Feed, Crop Values Report + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 3%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.57 million cattle on feed on February 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 3% from last year. Placements during January totaled 490,000 head, down 8% from 2022. Fed cattle marketings for the month of January totaled 500,000 head, up 9% from last year. Other disappearance during January totaled 20,000 head, up 5,000 head from last year.



Iowa Cattle on Feed

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 620,000 head on February 1, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service -- Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from January but up 2 percent from February 1, 2022. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 535,000 head on feed, up 1 percent from last month but down 9 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,155,000 head, up slightly from last month but down 3 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during January 2023 totaled 105,000 head, up 25 percent from December but down 5 percent from January 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 58,000 head, up 16 percent from December but down 32 percent from January 2022. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 163,000 head, up 22 percent from December but down 16 percent from January 2022.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during January 2023 totaled 103,000 head, up 12 percent from December and up 5 percent from January 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 50,000 head, up 6 percent from December but down 21 percent from January 2022. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 153,000 head, up 10 percent from December but down 5 percent from January 2022. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 4 Percent
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on February 1, 2023. The inventory was 4 percent below February 1, 2022.

Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.93 million head, 4 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.87 million head. During January, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 420,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 540,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 402,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 100,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 65,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.85 million head, 4 percent above 2022.  Other disappearance totaled 63,000 head during January, 2 percent below 2022.

On Feed - By State  (1,000 hd - % Feb 1 '22)
Colorado ......:              1,030           90                 
Iowa .............:               620            102                 
Kansas ..........:              2,450           96                  
Nebraska ......:              2,570           97                  
Texas ............:              2,770           94                  

Placements by State (1,000 hd - % Jan '22)
Colorado ......:                    165            83             
Iowa .............:                   105            95            
Kansas ..........:                   500           104             
Nebraska ......:                   490            92             
Texas ............:                   380            97            

Marketings by State (1,000 hd - % Jan '22)
Colorado ......:                  170            92             
Iowa .............:                 103           105            
Kansas ..........:                  430           102         
Nebraska ......:                  500           109         
Texas ............:                  370           104        

Cattle on Feed and Annual Size Group Estimates
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head represented 82.5 percent of all cattle and calves on feed in the United States on January 1, 2023. This is comparable to the 81.9 percent on January 1, 2022.

Marketings of fed cattle for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head during 2022 represented 87.2 percent of total cattle marketed from all feedlots in the United States, up slightly from 87.2 percent during 2021.



CAP Webinar: USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Programs
Date: Mar 2, 2023 12:00 PM  
With: Brad Lubben, Associate Professor and Extension Policy Specialist, UNL
and Patrick Lechner, USDA Nebraska FSA Price Support Programs Chief
and Cathy Anderson, USDA Nebraska FSA Production and Compliance Programs Chief

USDA continues its efforts to address natural disaster and pandemic-related farmer and rancher losses through two new assistance programs, the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and the 2020 Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). Both are ad-hoc, revenue-based assistance programs that rely largely on producer personal financial records as part of the application process. FSA will review what is needed to successfully apply for assistance. In addition, given the ongoing drought across Nebraska, FSA also will briefly review drought disaster programs that may be needed in 2023.

Presented by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska.  Register at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Saunders County Quarterly Ag Breakfast – Friday, March 3rd at 7:30 a.m.

Please plan on joining NE Extension on Friday for a hot breakfast sponsored by Union Bank & Trust starting at 7:30 a.m. and an update from Brad Lubben, UNL agricultural economics professor, about making Farm Bill decisions for 2023 between ARC and PLC as well as update on the direction of the 2023 Farm Bill discussions in Washington from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the ENREEC Building located at 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE near Mead. Pre-registering by March 1st is appreciated by calling the Saunders County Extension Office at 402-624-8030.



Nebraska Beef Council March Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will meet at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Ave. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023  beginning at 8:00 a.m. CST. The NBC Board of Directors will discuss strategic planning. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org.   



NEBRASKA CROP VALUES

The value of Nebraska’s 2022 field and miscellaneous crops is forecast at $15.3 billion, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is down 10% from 2021.

The value of corn production is expected to total $10.0 billion, down 9% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska’s corn price is projected to average $6.90 per bushel, up $0.94 from the last marketing year.

The value of soybean production is expected to total $3.98 billion, down 11% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska’s soybean price is projected to average $14.30 per bushel, up $1.60 from the last marketing year.

The value of winter wheat production is expected to total $222 million down 22% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's winter wheat price is projected to average $8.45 per bushel, up $1.58 from the last marketing year.

The value of alfalfa production is expected to total $492 million, down 18% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's alfalfa price is projected to average $201.00 per ton, up $41.00 from the last marketing year. The value of other hay production is expected to total $229 million, down 13% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's alfalfa price is projected to average $121.00 per ton, up $18.00 from the last marketing year.



 IOWA CROP VALUES

The production of Iowa's field and miscellaneous crops was valued at $25.9 billion in 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Values 2022 Summary. This was up 5 percent from 2021.

The value of corn for grain production totaled $16.9 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year. Iowa's corn price averaged $6.80 per bushel, 70 cents above the last marketing year.

The value of soybean production was $8.39 billion, down 1 percent from 2021. The average price increased 90 cents from the previous year to $14.30 per bushel.

Value of production increased from 2021 to 2022 for other hay and oats.



Biofuels Caucus Re-Launches for the 118th Congress

Biofuels Caucus Leadership Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Angie Craig (D-MN), and Mark Pocan (D-WI) re-launched the Congressional Biofuels Caucus for the 118th Congress.

The Congressional Biofuels Caucus is a bipartisan caucus keeping Members of Congress and their staff informed and engaged on developments in the biofuels industry. The caucus works with stakeholders to ensure policy reflects the role biofuels play in bolstering our nation’s domestic fuel supply and production, and creating jobs across rural America.

“I am proud to be named one of the co-chairs of the Biofuels Caucus again this Congress,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03). “The Biofuels Caucus has been impactful in promoting the availability and importance of biofuels as an energy source. Nebraska is a biofuels powerhouse, and I am committed to ensuring Nebraskans are always part of these policy discussions.”

“Biofuels are a tool in unleashing the full potential of American-made energy,” said Johnson. “The Biofuels Caucus organizes support and takes action at the Congressional level to protect the production and use of biofuels across America, lowering prices, increasing energy supply, and increasing American energy security.”
 
“Every summer, Minnesota’s Second District is 60% covered in corn and soybeans, so we know firsthand the power of biofuels,” said Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02). “I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on the Congressional Biofuels Caucus to increase bipartisan support for those farmers and producers, expand access to biofuels as an energy source and bring fuel costs down for Minnesotans.”
 
“I am glad to join my colleagues in the Congressional Biofuels Caucus to fund investment in biofuels infrastructure and update the EPA’s greenhouse gas modeling for ethanol and biodiesel,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02). “Corn growers in Wisconsin deserve to have an even playing field in the market dominated by the oil and gas industry. These bills will help us further understand how biofuels can help us reach our emissions reduction goals while investing in rural jobs and infrastructure.”
 
“Part of what keeps our industry so strong is the unwavering support we receive from this bipartisan group of legislators,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “We look forward to working with the Congressional Biofuels Caucus in the 118th Congress to expand consumer access to American-made biofuels like ethanol, and to educate other policymakers about the impact our industry is having right now on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering costs for American families.”
 
“RFA is excited to see the Congressional Biofuels Caucus is being reconstituted for the 118th Congress,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The Caucus serves a vital role in educating House members on the numerous benefits of renewable fuels, and advancing crucial legislation. We thank Representatives Dusty Johnson, Adrian Smith, Angie Craig and Mark Pocan for leading the Caucus, and we look forward to working with them to promote and advance biofuel policies that benefit the rural economy, the environment, and consumer pocketbooks.”
 
“Corn farmers appreciate Reps. Dusty Johnson, Angie Craig, Adrian Smith and Mark Pocan taking the lead and co-chairing the House Biofuels Caucus in this Congress,” said National Corn Growers Association President Tom Haag. “Biofuels like ethanol offer solutions for energy, environmental and economic issues that Members of Congress from both parties care about. The bipartisan House Biofuels Caucus works together to advocate for those solutions, and NCGA encourages House members to join the Caucus.”



Iowa Farm Bureau Federation pledges $1 million for Iowa FFA

The National Association of Agricultural Educators reports mounting losses of ag educators since 2015, significantly limiting ag education opportunities for the next generation of Iowa’s agriculturalists and threatening Iowa’s national status as a leader in agriculture.  To help combat the crisis and reverse the decline in ag educators, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has pledged $1 million to Iowa FFA, with a portion of the funds dedicated to its ‘All in for Ag Education’ strategic initiative.  

Since 2015, Iowa has lost 204 ag educators to retirement and other pursuits, including losing teachers to neighboring states with more competitive teaching contracts.  The ag teacher shortage is at a critical point today, with nearly half of net instructor losses within the past two years. In addition to recruiting, training, and retaining ag educators, the FFA ‘All in for Ag’ campaign outlines a goal of ag education access for 100% of Iowa high school students by 2029.     

“Iowa agriculture is a national leader in so many areas of production: corn, pigs, eggs, ethanol and biofuel, and in conservation: water quality wetlands, bioreactors, grassed waterways, buffer strips, pollinator habitat and conservation tillage. Our state depends on the next generation of youth to fill critical roles in agriculture to maintain that status and provide solutions to a growing global population. Without qualified ag educators to train and inform young people of future career opportunities in agriculture, we lose out as a state – and nation,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.

“Iowa Farm Bureau has been one of the Iowa FFA Foundation’s longest and most dedicated supporters, and we are so grateful for this gift that will have a lasting and meaningful impact in communities across the state,” said Josh Remington, Iowa FFA Foundation executive director.  “IFBF’s support will allow us to tackle our state’s ag educator crisis head-on and remove hurdles to attract and retain talent so we can deliver valuable opportunities to Iowa’s next generation of leaders.”

IFBF has supported Iowa FFA for decades and serves as the presenting sponsor of the annual FFA Leadership Conference.  Iowa Farm Bureau’s support has allowed Iowa FFA to keep annual dues and State Leadership Convention registration fees consistent for the past 15 years, even during times of inflation and rising costs for other youth programs and activities.

“Supporting youth and education is a pillar of IFBF’s mission, and we are proud to lead the ‘All in for Ag Education’ campaign through this gift to grow opportunities for the next generation of Iowa leaders,” said Johnson.   “Agriculture is the backbone of Iowa, and if current trends hold true, one in five Iowa students will have a career supported by agriculture.  We know ag education opportunities for high school youth can have a profound impact on their future, and we feel this support is mission critical to the future of Iowa agriculture.”  

Donations to the Iowa FFA Foundation through February 2025 are eligible for a 50% match. To learn more about ag education opportunities in Iowa and the ‘All in for Ag Education’ campaign and 50% donation match, visit www.IowaFFAFoundation.org .



Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference to Be Held in Washington, Iowa

“What is YOUR legacy” is the theme for this year’s Women in Agriculture Conference, to be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington on March 25.

The event is being hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Washington County office, along with the Washington County Women in Agriculture Advisory Board.

The goal is to get women of all ages thinking about what they want their legacies to be. Whether looking to transition into agriculture or transition their farms to the next generation, attendees will get valuable information to help them tackle their goals with confidence.

“We are looking forward to our fifth Women in Ag Conference and we’ve got a great lineup of speakers to help attendees think about what they want their legacy to be,” said Rebecca Vittetoe, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach and member of the Washington County Women in Agriculture Advisory Board.

The conference will feature three speakers: Ben Isaacson, general manager of Growthland, and an appraiser; Kitt Tovar Jensen, staff attorney, Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State; and Emma Humphreys, FFA and 4-H member.

Isaacson will start the conference with a session titled “Value of Ag Real Estate as Part of your Portfolio,” which will help attendees with decision making related to ownership of land and livestock facilities, and he will provide an overview of ag real estate value.

Following Isaacson, Jensen will be joining to discuss two different topics related to farm transitions. The first is “Legal Tools and Strategies in Farm Succession Planning,” in which she will discuss some of the well-known tools such as wills and trusts and will go over strategies available to farmland owners to help make farm succession planning less of a daunting task.

Jensen’s second session will follow lunch, and is called “Avoiding Pitfalls in Farm Succession Planning.” She will share more about the three main issues that lead to farm estate litigation.

Prior to lunch, Humphreys, a local FFA and 4-H member, will share her speech on “Mental Health in Agriculture.” Humphreys won the Iowa FFA State Prepared Public Speaking contest and placed in the top 16 at the national level with her speech. She touches on historical dates, personal stories and ways to find help. Her speech not only opens the eyes of those on the outside, but also helps farmers to find the courage to share their own stories and the strength to realize it is OK to ask for help.

Registration details
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The conference will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 2:15 p.m.

The registration fee is $25; $15 for students. A light breakfast and lunch will be included. The early registration deadline is March 17. Late registrations and walk-in registrations will be accepted based on availability and the registration cost jumps to $35; $25 for students.

For more information or to register, call the ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County office at 319-653-4811 or visit https://go.iastate.edu/FNS2PF.

The conference is being made possible in large part thanks to ISU Extension and Outreach, the Azariah and Martha Foster Heritage Endowment, Hills Bank and other local sponsors.



USDA Cold Storage January 2023 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on January 31, 2023 were up 5 percent from the previous month and up 9 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 2 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 13 percent from the previous month and up 19 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 11 percent from last month and up 57 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on January 31, 2023 were up 3 percent from the previous month and up 13 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 7 percent from the previous month but up 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 50 percent from last month and up 17 percent from January 31, 2022.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on January 31, 2023 were down slightly from the previous month and down slightly from January 31, 2022. Butter stocks were up 21 percent from last month and up 20 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on January 31, 2023 were down 11 percent from last month but up 17 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 7 percent from last month but up 2 percent from a year ago.



South Korea Reports Another Case of ASF
 
South Korea recently reported a case of African swine fever (ASF) at a hog farm in Yangyang-gun in the northeast part of the country. It was the fourth case reported this year and the 32nd since the pig-only virus was first confirmed in the country in September 2019.

The South Korean government culled nearly 2,000 hogs at the commercial farm and issued a 48-hour standstill order on livestock facilities in most areas of the Gangwon Province. It is estimated that more than 21,000 hogs are being raised within about a 6-mile radius (10 kilometers) of the infected farm.

In 2022, South Korea was the number five destination for U.S. pork exports when the country imported more than $608 million of product. That was 9% more than in 2021.

The U.S. pork industry is dependent on exports, which in 2022 were nearly $7.7 billion, represented 23.5% of total pork production, and added $61.26 to the price producers received for each hog marketed.
 


R-CALF USA Statement on Aerial Slaughter of Cattle in the Gila National Forest

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, Humane Farming Association, Spur Lake Cattle Company and others filed a complaint and application for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction against the United States Forest Service (USFS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to stop the aerial slaughter of what the USFS calls “unauthorized cattle” in the Gila National Forest.

But on Wednesday, February 22, US District Judge James Browning denied the Temporary Restraining Order to stop the aerial hunt by helicopter of estray cattle, citing that “the court does not see a legal prohibition on the operation. It would be contrary to public interest to stop the operation from proceeding.”

R-CALF USA Region V Director (Texas) and Property Rights Committee Chair Shad Sullivan issued the following statement in response to the impending aerial slaughter of cattle in the Gila National Forest.

“The cattle in question are descendants of herds that legally grazed on rancher-owned allotments decades ago. An estimated 150 to 200 head currently roam the Gila Wilderness that may possess DNA and genetic markers. In some cases, estrays may have intermingled with adjacent allotment owners branded and tagged cattle, proving they are domestic livestock. NMCGA and the group believe there is a great likelihood of this in the aftermath of the Black Fire last year, which destroyed over 30 miles of fencing near the aerial gunning operation area. But Browning and USFS officials don’t agree.

“The plaintiffs in the case contend that not only is the gunning down of the animals inhumane and cruel, but an environmental issue as well. The results of the aerial hunt in 2022, were in some cases considered grotesque, as some cattle were shot but were not killed. Calves were left motherless, and mature cattle received injuries that prolonged suffering, leading to an inevitable death and leaving carcasses strewn about the land and in waterways. It is estimated that the current 2023 aerial hunt will leave 65 tons of beef to decompose.

“The issue at hand, however, may not be the inhumane aerial slaughter of the cattle. Instead, the issue may be the unchecked power by unelected bureaucrats within governmental agencies setting a precedent for how federal officials handle authority. The ranchers in this case are challenging the authority of USFS actions contending that the USFS isn’t abiding by its own regulations. In fact, Daniel McGuire, the plaintiff’s attorney, said to Judge Browning, ‘There’s a severe danger here, not just in this particular case and the horrific results that it will actually bear if this is allowed to go forward. But it also has long-term ramifications for the power of federal agencies to disregard their regulations that they, themselves passed.’

“The estray cattle issue in the Gila Wilderness has been decades in the making. Over the years, by over-regulation or otherwise, allotment owners have left or have been removed from the area, leaving the land vacant and without proper management. This resulted in remnants of cattle herds being left behind. With no plans by USFS to reactivate vacant allotments and lengthy and unsuccessful contract applications for a more humane cattle removal plan, the decades-long problem has come to a head. NMCGA President Loren Patterson recognizes the removal of the livestock but opposes the lethal methods and is concerned that the abuse of authority by federal agencies will set a precedent across the nation and especially the West. R-CALF USA agrees with Patterson.

“Unfortunately, the slaughter is moving forward. With pressure from environmental groups and because of the rugged and vast terrain, the Forest Service feels this is the most humane way to deal with the immediate removal of the cattle. R-CALF USA and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association disagrees. We call on the Forest Service to step back and consider other options, such as seeking applications for private individuals to gather the cattle over time or, at least, putting the meat from the estray cattle to good use such as for feeding people in need.”