Tuesday February 21 Ag News

Applications open for one-of-a-kind feedyard management internship

The Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship is a nationally renowned feedyard management training program, exclusive to the University of Nebraska­­–Lincoln, which has been producing feedyard management and industry leaders since 1988.

Designed for students interested in pursuing a career in beef feedyard management or other related agribusiness areas, the program trains students through comprehensive feedyard and personnel management classes and with real-world experiences in established Midwest feedyards.

“We’ve had students from 20 states, and we’ve worked with 50 feedyards and numerous interns who have completed the program in the past 30 years,” said Galen Erickson, Nebraska Cattle Industry Professor of Animal Science, and UNL feedyard extension specialist.

“This is the perfect way for students to get into agriculture, get your foot in the door to learn skills so you can continue at the feedyard you intern at or take them somewhere else.”

As the only internship program in the nation designed specifically to develop business and experiential skills necessary for the feedyard, interns who come to Nebraska will have a unique seven-month experience. The tri-segment program begins in late May with six weeks of class discussions and industry field trips.

From July through December, interns are assigned to a Nebraska feedyard, which is tailored to their specific goals and interests. Once placed at a feedyard, interns will have the opportunity to experience each facet of the business - from animal health, economics, waste management, working with rations at the feed mill, personnel management and bookwork.

Finally, students will return to campus in December for two weeks to review their experiences at feedyards and learn from the experiences of other students in the program.

“After the internship I’ve agreed to continue working at Brothers Feedlot in Spalding, Neb., where I am now, and continue working in the industry,” said Melissa Losby, Timmerman Feedyard Management Intern.

“Even if I wouldn’t continue at the feedyard, I think this would have been a super valuable experience. I’ve learned a lot of skills that I think can transfer to a lot of different areas in agriculture.”

The program works to fill the growing need of trained, responsible individuals who can enter into management positions in feedyards. That’s why the program opened its doors to accept students from two-year institutions for the first time, such as from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The late Terry Klopfenstein, Emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, pioneered the Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship and has mentored hundreds of graduate students during his 47-year career at Nebraska.

Timmerman Feedyard Management Internship applications close March. 1. For more information, visit https://animalscience.unl.edu/unl-feedyard-management-internship.



HUSKER FACULTY WILL DISCUSS DIGITAL AG AT COMMODITY CLASSIC

University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty members Laura Thompson and Laila Puntel will present talks in collaboration with NASA at the national Commodity Classic event in Orlando, Florida, in March, explaining the growing importance of ag technology and data-driven practices for modern agriculture.

Thousands of top U.S. ag producers attend the annual Commodity Classic, which describes itself as the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience.

Thompson, an associate extension educator with Nebraska Extension, is director of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. Puntel is an assistant professor of precision agriculture and nutrient management at Nebraska. Their live presentations, as part of a NASA-hosted hyperwall series at the Orlando event, will focus on two main themes:
> How farmers are using remote sensing for more efficient nitrogen fertilizer management.
> What the data-driven “farm of the future” will look like and what it will it take to get there.

Thompson and Puntel will highlight this work by the university and the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. Their presentations will note case studies illustrating innovative on-farm research by Nebraska producers facilitated by Nebraska Extension and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Video recordings of the presentations will be available for those who do not attend in person.

This outreach builds on the Space for Ag tour held last summer in Nebraska, in which NASA Earth Science scientists visited Husker research facilities and met with farmers from across the state working with the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. NASA representatives also participated in a commodity roundtable. In November, Puntel and Thompson held follow-up meetings at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

During the Space for Ag tour, NASA scientists noted that 25 NASA satellites circle the Earth, measuring a wide array of data, including precipitation, soil moisture and atmospheric pollutants. The space agency is working to make the information more useful to ag producers, the NASA representatives said.

NASA will be an exhibitor at the 2023 Commodity Classic, scheduled for March 9-11. The theme is “Preparing for the Next Generation.”

The event is sponsored annually by the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers.



Nebraska Corn and USMEF Internship Opportunity

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) is seeking applicants to take part in an internship experience hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) beginning in May 2023. The internship is designed to provide students with an overview of Nebraska’s corn industry through real-world professional examples and experiences.

This internship has responsibilities which include assisting with coordinating international teams visiting the U.S., representing USMEF at various industry meetings and events and gaining knowledge regarding foreign trade policy.
    Promotion and International Relations Internship
    Host: U.S. Meat Export Federation
    Location: Denver, Colorado
    Duration: Summer 2023

Nebraska Corn internships are open to all college students, with a preference given to students enrolled in colleges or universities located in Nebraska. The application process can be found online at https://nebraskacorn.gov/internships/. The submission deadline is Friday, March 17, 2023.



PLANNING SUMMER GRAZING
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension

Last year’s drought conditions across the state left most pastures heavily used and short.  It is known that the combination of drought and heavy grazing can lead to reduced pasture production this year even if we get near normal rainfall.  Now is the time to be planning spring and summer grazing.

While most areas have received some good snowfall this winter, there always some uncertainty as to how much spring and summer precipitation we will get.  So, the key first step is to develop or adjust a good drought plan for your operation.

For native grass pastures, some reduction in stocking rate may be necessary.  Slightly delaying turnout this spring will allow those grasses to accumulate some growth and help in the recovery process.  Another management tip for pastures that were grazed first and into July in the 2022 season; is to defer grazing of those pastures until later in the summer.

Seeded annual forages are another option that can be used to supplement any grazing needs.  For spring or cool-season annual forages, the planting period is typically late March to early April.  This would include things like oats, field peas, or other spring cereal grains.  With that planting date, these would provide grazing beginning in late May through early July.

For the summer annual forages, the planting period is typically late May and on into the summer months.  This would include things like forage sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, pearl millet, and foxtail millet.  Additionally, other species or legumes that are typical of some cover crop mixes could be part of the package as well.  With a late-May or early-June planting of a summer annual, grazing should be available in July.

Planning ahead can help make your forage season run smoothly.



Water for Food Global Conference to address water and food security in a changing world

Registration is open for the 2023 Water for Food Global Conference organized by the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. The conference, held May 8-11, at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, will focus on innovative ways to improve water and food security by increasing farmers’ resiliency to a changing landscape.  A discount of $100 is available to those who register on or before March 13. Conference details, including how to register, are available at waterforfood.nebraska.edu.
 
The conference, situated in the middle of a living laboratory and atop the vast Great Plains Aquifer, will provide a platform to explore win-win scenarios to support improved water use in agriculture and increase productivity at a variety of scales – from smallholders, collectives and coops to commercial farm operations – while preserving water resources for other human and environmental needs. Additional topic-focused side events, meetings and site tours will round out the conference.
 
The conference theme is “Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for a Changing World,” focusing on the next generation of research, smart technology, policy development and best practices that are achieving breakthroughs in the vitally important mission of water and food security. Throughout the conference, experts will share research results, case studies and perspectives on how we can achieve global food and water security. Solutions discussed will be sustainable, scalable and adaptable to local contexts, involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
 
Speakers from academia, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and private industry, as well as growers from around the world, will share best practices and advances in science, technology and policy that are helping to achieve greater food security with less pressure on scarce water resources. The conference includes collaborative sessions developed with key partners of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, including the International Water Management Institute, The World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the National Drought Mitigation Center, the United States Department of Agriculture, the International Food Policy Research Institute, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund, among others.
 
In addition to the rich variety of sessions, there will be special events to facilitate networking among participants, including two evening receptions; tours of the Water Sciences Lab and the Greenhouse Innovation Center; optional site tours of a University of Nebraska research center, a working farm and a feedlot; and a student poster competition.
 
Session topics include:
    Scaling smallholder irrigation and supporting entrepreneurs in small-scale agriculture
    Western rivers, a changing climate and the role of irrigated agriculture
    The impacts of drought and water-related health issues on human health
    Sustainable crop intensification
    New techniques for irrigation water management
    Smallholder irrigation investments
    Gender diverse institutions for water security
    Making the business case for climate-resilient WASH for the food and beverage sector
    Transitioning from a linear to a circular bioeconomy
    Resilient and sustainable agri-food systems
    Addressing water scarcity in agriculture and the environment through partnerships and innovation
    A view from the field – how farmers from different parts of the world are using technology and best practices to increase yields
    A full list of sessions can be found at go.unl.edu/sessions.

Speakers include:
    Louise Mabulo, chef, farmer, entrepreneur and founder of The Cacao Project, which cultivates resilient and Climate-smart livelihoods, positioning farmers for sustainable success in the Philippines. Mabulo is a National Geographic Young Explorer, a featured honouree for Forbes Asia’s list ‘30 Under 30’, a Young Champion of the Earth under United Nations Environment Programme, and a member of the UN Women 30 for 2030 Network.
    Felicia Marcus, JD, attorney and consultant, Water Policy Group; Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford’s Water in the West Program; DWFI Board Member
    Ted Carter, PhD, President, University of Nebraska;
    John Berge, State Executive Director, USDA Farm Service Agency;
    Mike Boehm, PhD, Vice President and Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska;
    Mark Svoboda, PhD, Director and climatologist, National Drought Mitigation Center;
    Rachael McDonnell, PhD, Deputy Director General – Research for Development, International Water Management Institute;
    More speakers to be added as they are confirmed at go.unl.edu/speakers.

Registration:
    Early registration runs through March 13: $400
    Regular registration runs March 14 to April 28: $500
 
Special registration discounts are available to University of Nebraska staff, faculty and students, DWFI affiliates and members of the media. The 2023 Water for Food Global Conference is a regional event for the 10th World Water Forum, the world’s largest water-related forum organized by the World Water Council.
 
Stay up-to-date with the latest information on the conference by visiting waterforfood.nebraska.edu and following the institute on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.



ANNUAL NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

Nebraska's layer numbers during 2022 averaged 6.91 million, down 15% from 2021, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2022 was 288 eggs, down 2% from 2021.

Nebraska egg production during the year ending November 30, 2022 totaled 1.99 billion eggs, down 17% from 2021.

Total number of chickens on hand on December 1, 2022 (excluding commercial broilers) was 9.34 million birds, down 8% from last year.

The total value of all chickens in Nebraska on December 1, 2022 was $52.3 million, up 3% from December 1, 2021. The average value increased from $5.00 per bird on December 1, 2021, to $5.60 per bird on December 1, 2022.

USDA Chickens and Eggs 2022 Summary
United States Average Layers Down 3 Percent: Layers during 2022 averaged 379 million, down 3 percent from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2022 was 289 eggs, up 1 percent from 2021.

United States Egg Production Down 2 Percent: Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2022 totaled 110 billion eggs, down 2 percent from 2021. Table egg production, at 94.0 billion eggs, was down 2 percent from the previous year. Hatching egg production, at 15.5 billion eggs, was up 2 percent from 2021.

United States December 1 Chicken Inventory: The total inventory of chickens on hand on December 1, 2022 (excluding commercial broilers) was 513 million birds, down 2 percent from last year.

United States Total Value: The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2022 was $3.46 billion, up 18 percent from December 1, 2021. The average value increased from $5.56 per bird on December 1, 2021, to $6.74 per bird on December 1, 2022.



Naig, IEDA Leading Trade Mission to Japan, South Korea

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is currently leading a 16-member trade mission delegation to Japan and Korea. The mission, which is focused on the food and ag industry, is aimed at expanding trade and investment opportunities and is being coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).

In 2022, Iowa companies exported $1.8 billion goods to Japan and $886 million to South Korea. Japan is Iowa’s third largest export destination and the second-leading export market for pork and beef products. Iowa companies exported $551 million in meat products to Japan in 2022. In addition, Japan is the second largest destination for Iowa corn – in 2022, Japan imported $500 million in Iowa corn.

South Korea is the fourth largest destination for Iowa pork and beef ($348 million) and sixth largest destination for Iowa corn ($87 million). South Korea is also Iowa’s second largest international market for ethanol ($71.2 million). There is significant potential for growth of biofuel exports to both Japan and South Korea.

“Trade matters to Iowa and we are grateful for our strong trading partnership with the people of Japan and South Korea. Iowa is a proven, consistent and reliable supplier of products to our trading partners around the world,” said Secretary Naig. “I’m honored to lead this delegation of Iowans as we seek to build new relationships, strengthen existing friendships, and create even more consumer demand for our grain, meat, biofuels and other agricultural products within Japan and South Korea.”

The delegation left for Japan on February 17 and is scheduled to return to Iowa on February 25. The itinerary is comprised of stops in Tokyo and Seoul and mission highlights include trade policy discussions, grain and protein import information sessions with leading organizations, and meetings with ag industry representatives on business development opportunities. In addition, the delegation celebrated “Iowa Agriculture & BBQ Day” in Tokyo today by presenting a Proclamation, which was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds commemorating the day, to Japanese ag industry leaders.

Mission participants include Iowa companies involved in meat and food processing and representatives from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn and Iowa Soybean Association. Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs. IEDA cooperated with U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation and U.S. Soybean Export Council to identify business prospects for the delegation.

The IEDA’s International Trade Office connects Iowa companies with markets for their products and services, educates Iowa businesses on exporting and assists global companies wishing to establish or expand operations in Iowa. To find out more about these services or other trade missions that the IEDA is planning, please visit iowaeda.com.



Suggestions on Managing Calving during Muddy Conditions

Given the recent precipitation and the weather forecast, things are shaping up to create very muddy conditions in Iowa just as spring calving season is really taking off. Mud is always a headache but it can be particularly challenging for cattle producers during calving season. Chris Clark, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, describes some of these challenges and offers a few suggestions to help producers manage muddy conditions.

“Muddy conditions increase the risk for hypothermia, failure of passive transfer and infectious disease of newborn calves,” he said. “Wet, muddy coats do not insulate as effectively as clean, dry coats. Born into these conditions, newborns can struggle to regulate body temperature and become chilled, which can lead to weakness, lethargy and suckling issues. Pathogens thrive in muddy lot conditions and udders can easily become dirty with contaminated mud and manure.”

Clark said there is no silver bullet because every farm has its own unique limitations and challenges, but producers should strive to calve in well-drained areas and do their best to keep cattle high and dry.

"Use bedding to create dry areas and layers of insulation between the animals and the wet ground, and remember to remove saturated bedding and/or re-bed as necessary," he said. "Feeding on concrete or pads of packed rock or lime can create a solid base under high traffic areas that can become extremely messy.”

It's also very important to check cattle carefully and frequently when calving in muddy conditions. Early intervention can be valuable to help calves get going and ensure colostrum consumption.

“When we are talking about things like hypothermia and failure of passive transfer, the earlier we can intervene the better,” said Clark.

Reducing stocking density or increasing pen space per head can help to reduce traffic and the effect of manure and urine, promoting drying and managing mud depth. It can be extremely helpful to occasionally move cattle to cleaner, drier pens.

It is common for people to move pairs out to pasture once they feel the calves are doing well. On one hand, this is great to spread out the cattle and get them in a cleaner environment; however, there are a couple problems with this approach.

"One is that pastures may not yet be ready to graze and may be very wet themselves. This creates the risk of reducing pasture productivity by grazing too early and damaging the wet ground," Clark said. "The other problem is that newborns still arrive into a muddy and often, pathogen-contaminated environment.”

Clark recommends being creative to implement some sort of modified Sandhills Calving System by occasionally moving remaining pregnant females to a new calving area.

“Moving pregnant cows to a cleaner, drier environment can work well to protect newborn calves. There should be less risk of chilled calves and dirty udders and stuff like that. And the new calving area will not be contaminated with pathogens being shed by older calves,” he said.

Mud also can contribute to greater energy requirements for cattle. Muddy conditions can increase energy demands by affecting the insulating ability of the hair coat and by simply increasing calories burned as animals struggle to walk through mud. Deep mud can increase energy requirements by up to 30%.

“This time of year I often emphasize the importance of sufficient nutrition to support adequate body condition score at calving and meet the increasing requirements of third trimester and early lactation, he said.

"Cattle can burn many calories just walking through the mud," he explained. "Think about how difficult it can be trying to walk through deep mud. It is no different for a cow. It is critical for health and performance of cow and calf that the diet is balanced to meet the greater energy requirements of challenging environmental conditions.”

Clark reminds producers that cows may choose to avoid the challenge of getting to the feed so may be prone to simply eating less. That's why it's important to manage conditions around the feeding area and try to maintain a navigable path from loafing areas to feeding areas.

"There's no question that most of these suggestions are easier said than done, but investing effort in these areas can reap great rewards with greater calf survival, health and performance," Clark said.



IRFA: Legislation Creating De Facto Ban on Iowa Ethanol Carbon Capture Technology Hurts State, Doesn’t Protect Landowners

According to multiple news reports, today members of the Iowa House are expected to introduce legislation that would create a de facto ban on new projects that allow Iowa ethanol producers to install carbon capture technology. Based on a draft of the bill posted on the Des Moines Register website, the bill singles out CO2 pipelines for strict regulations that would not be applied to pipelines carrying flammable or explosive liquids.

“The difference between the rhetoric and reality on this bill is truly staggering,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “We hear about property rights, but this bill wouldn’t impact the next Dakota Access oil pipeline or Rock Island Clean Line Transmission project. We hear about safety, but this bill doesn’t apply to pipelines that carry explosive or flammable liquids while CO2 is neither. Instead, this bill singles out for destruction the single most important technology we have to keep liquid fuels like ethanol competitive with electric vehicles in the rapidly growing low carbon transportation markets. It is no surprise that anti-agriculture groups like the Sierra Club support preventing carbon capture and sequestration from going forward.”

IRFA recently released a new study that found without viable access to carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), Iowa could see 75 percent of its ethanol production migrate to states that facilitate sequestration. Losing nearly 3.5 billion gallons of Iowa ethanol production would reduce the local corn grind by over one billion bushels, thereby lowering Iowa corn prices and harming the entire Iowa agricultural economy. This scenario is closer to reality as just last week both the South Dakota and North Dakota legislatures overwhelmingly rejected bills to restrict CO2 pipelines.

“The bill is a veritable cornucopia of unreasonable regulations narrowly targeted at CCS technology,” continued Shaw. “For example, section three of the bill would allow just two people to effectively veto an interstate CCS project even if that project had 100 percent voluntary easements. It would only take two county supervisors to enact an ordinance, like a setback requirement that is physically impossible to meet, and then the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) would be prevented from issuing a final permit.”

IRFA does not object to the provisions in the bill that clarify and expand landowner rights that apply to all projects that come before the IUB.

“IRFA continues to urge all Iowans to unite to find a fair and equitable path forward for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects – fair and equitable to landowners, CCS projects and communities,” stated Shaw. “Further, any changes to the IUB permitting process should apply to all applicants, not just CO2 pipelines.”

Update on HF 368, Implementing Additional Regulations on Carbon Capture Projects
As noted in our morning press release, the comments and analysis were based on a draft version of the CO2 pipeline legislation made available over the weekend. The actual legislation filed today as HF 368, has three differences from the draft bill. Two are relatively minor but one is substantive. Section 11 of the bill now applies the new regulatory restrictions to the current CO2 pipeline projects, not just future projects. This change is wholly unfair (and quite possibly illegal) to the current projects that have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in good faith based on the rules and regulations in place when they filed permit requests.



UAN Fertilizers Push Prices Down

The downward trend in retail fertilizer prices continues, according to data tracked by DTN for the second full week of February 2023. This trend has been since the last week of December 2022.

All eight of the major fertilizer prices are lower compared to last month. Only two, however, show considerable price declines compared to last month. UAN32 and UAN28 lead the way lower once again. Both liquid nitrogen fertilizers were 10% less expensive than last month. UAN28 had an average price of $483/ton while UAN32 was at $572/ton.

The remaining six fertilizers were all just slightly lower looking back to the prior month. DAP had an average price of $838/ton, MAP $857/ton, potash $692/ton, urea $686/ton, 10-34-0 $754/ton and anhydrous $1,213/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.75/lb.N, anhydrous $0.74/lb.N, UAN28 $0.86/lb.N and UAN32 $0.89/lb.N.

All fertilizers' prices are now lower compared to one year ago. DAP is 4% less expensive, MAP is 8% lower, 10-34-0 is 10% less expensive, potash is 15% lower, both anhydrous and UAN32 are 19% less expensive, UAN28 20% lower and urea is 23% less expensive compared to a year prior.



Solutions for Actively Managing Soybean Cyst Nematode Go Beyond Genetics

“Don’t ever let politics or pessimism deter you from producing novel and bold strategies,” said Ed Anderson, executive director of the North Central Soybean Research Program, to kickoff the 2022 National Soybean Nematode Conference. Those presenting at the conference have clearly embraced that mission.

A hot topic at the event was a new genetic tool for managing soybean cyst nematode (SCN) that’s expected to hit the market late this decade. “The new Bt SCN resistance trait developed by BASF will slow the rate of increasing yield loss, but it alone won’t fix the problem,” says Greg Tylka, nematologist at Iowa State University and a leader of The SCN Coalition. The mounting economic toll of parasitic nematodes must not be met with complacency. Barring the unexpected development of a silver bullet, an active, multipronged defense against SCN will be needed.

SCN is a mounting economic threat
SCN currently costs farmers 5.5 bushels an acre, equating to roughly $1.5 billion in yield loss each year, estimates Mike McCarville, trait development manager at BASF. By 2030, he expects that yield reduction to grow to “about 10 bushels an acre, amounting to over $2 billion in lost soybean yield each year.”

Farmers are planting resistant varieties, but McCarville explains that data from Tylka’s variety trials in Iowa show SCN is reproducing at around 35% on the PI 88788-based varieties that dominate the market today. McCarville expects reproduction will rise to 50% by 2030. Based on that, it might be tempting to switch completely to another source of SCN resistance known as Peking. But McCarville explains resistance management modeling shows SCN will adapt to Peking much faster than it did to PI 88788. Therefore, experts encourage farmers to rotate resistant varieties to preserve that longevity.

“This is a massive problem that requires a big solution,” McCarville says. “I believe that big solution will require new traits, and those traits will have to be partnered with other tactics and technologies to provide a sustainable solution for this pest.”

Parasitic fungi for biological control of SCN
One possible avenue of defense is the development of new biocontrol strategies for SCN, an approach pursued by Kathryn Bushley, research molecular biologist and curator of the Agricultural Research Service Collection of Entomopathogenic Fungal Cultures at USDA. “The field of biological control has long focused on a single-mechanism approach,” she says. “An interactive or multi-faceted approach to agronomic threats like SCN is worth exploring.”

Bushley is studying nematode-trapping fungi that colonize in the soybean root zone, vetting them as candidates for seed coatings or root bio-inoculants for protection against SCN. In addition to trapping nematodes, Bushley says the beneficial root endophytes can also indirectly prep a plant’s defense mechanisms.

SCN interaction with other pathogens
Soybean pathologist and nematologist Horacio Lopez-Nicora at The Ohio State University set the stage for his presentation with this quote: “Nature does not work in a pure culture.” A farmer rarely deals with a single pathogen. What’s more, those pathogens interact, Lopez-Nicora says.

His survey work in Ohio showed 77% of the samples collected contained SCN and Macrophomina phaseolina, the pathogen that causes soybean charcoal rot. Analysis of that data showed a significant interaction between the two that had a linear and negative impact on yield without causing visible symptoms. The yield hit was especially pronounced for fields with high populations of both pathogens. Lopez-Nicora’s findings drive home the importance of integrated pest management strategies that consider the full picture when dealing with SCN and other soilborne pathogens.

Speakers with Pattern Ag expressed similar sentiments, noting their soil sampling shows SCN-infested fields are often also infested with Pythium or Fusarium virguliforme, the agent that causes sudden death syndrome. SCN causes other diseases to be “highly expressed,” explains Pattern Ag’s Mike Tweedy. There’s a lot of farmer apathy toward SCN, but he says, “the breakthrough happens when we discuss the synergistic effect with other diseases and their impact on yield.”

Leveraging digital tools to enhance agricultural systems
Bruno Basso, an agronomist and crop systems modeler with Michigan State University, uses digital agriculture to enhance the sustainability of agricultural systems. Thermostability mapping shines a light on how much variability can exist within a field, marking stable and unstable zones. Unstable areas of fields are more vulnerable to SCN and other threats, Basso says. Farmers can use that information to optimize management and improve profits.

Many are working on digital solutions that leverage the wealth of farm data in a way farmers can understand and use. Tom Eickhoff, a chief science officer at Bayer Crop Science’s Climate LLC, says farmers want tailored solutions in seed and crop protection. They want these tools to help them make more informed and confident decisions and plans. The idea of tailoring product and management solutions to solve challenges on the farm is not something new to farmers, Eickhoff says. Rather, they are interested in how digital tools can streamline and improve management decisions.

An all-of-the-above approach to SCN management
Advances in technology are bringing the industry a deeper understanding of SCN and potential new avenues for fighting it – whether that’s with biocontrol agents or a focus on overall soil health or using drones for more precise management of fields. All these strategies have a place at the table, giving farmers more ways of keeping SCN on its toes.

“The National Soybean Nematode Conference brought together an innovative and diverse group of thinkers with a shared passion for fighting SCN. Seeing them come together to share ideas, collaborate and plan was powerful,” says Melissa Mitchum, plant nematologist at the University of Georgia and a leader of The SCN Coalition. “I’m excited to see how we capitalize on the momentum built at the conference.”  



Vilsack to Participate in 99th Annual USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum

On Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will participate in the 99th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, the largest annual meeting and premier event of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and visit a family owned and operated farm with Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture. This year’s Agricultural Outlook Forum is titled “U.S. Agriculture: Seeds of Growth Through Innovation.”

On Thursday, Secretary Vilsack will deliver the keynote address. In his remarks, he will highlight the need to transition rural America to a “circular economy” – one where the wealth and opportunities created in rural America stay there, and USDA’s efforts to make that type of economy more prevalent in rural areas across the United States through its efforts to transform the food system, create more, new and better markets, and embrace climate-smart agriculture and forestry.  

Following his remarks, Secretary Vilsack will moderate a panel discussion titled “Workers and the Workforce: Essential Contributors to American Agriculture,” which will unpack the challenges around supply and demand of labor in U.S. agriculture and potential solutions being explored, including support for essential workers, increasing access to guest worker programs, and technology and innovation advancements. 

Upon the conclusion of the panel, Secretary Vilsack will participate in an in-person press conference with members of the media.

On Friday, Secretary Vilsack will participate in a discussion with Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, during which they will highlight their respective visions for sustainable agriculture and how domestic policies as well as transatlantic cooperation can help address challenges facing global agriculture.   

Later that day, Secretary Vilsack and Commissioner Wojciechowski will travel to a family owned and operated farm in Carroll County, Maryland. There, they will see and hear more firsthand about the innovative, cutting-edge climate-smart practices employed by American producers across the U.S., as well as USDA’s efforts to increase farmers’ access to these practices through opportunities like Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which will expand markets for America’s climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers.   



RFA to Treasury: Success of SAF Tax Credit Depends on Fair, Science-Based Lifecycle Analysis

The use of science-based, consistent and transparent lifecycle analysis methods will be crucially important in implementing the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Renewable Fuels Association said in comments submitted Friday to the Department of Treasury. RFA’s comments were in response to a request for comments from the Treasury on considerations for implementation of the SAF credit.

“SAF production presents a major new market opportunity for ethanol producers, as the lifecycle carbon footprint of ethanol continues to shrink and the economics of ethanol-to-jet fuel processes continue to improve,” wrote RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “The ethanol industry sees tremendous promise and potential in the emerging market for sustainable aviation fuels. The ethanol industry has the scale and capacity to deliver the volume of feedstock to meet SAF volume targets for the decades to come.”

However, Cooper pointed out that fair and consistent lifecycle analysis (LCA) modeling must be used for all potential SAF feedstocks and production pathways. “Rules which effectively pick one technology or feedstock over another or use incomplete or outdated science could serve as a barrier to entry and keep production volumes from reaching targets,” he wrote. Cooper noted that RFA member companies have unanimously committed to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.

RFA continues to believe the most appropriate lifecycle analysis methodology for the determination of SAF emissions is the GREET model, developed and updated regularly by the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. Cooper stressed that GREET—an acronym for Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation—is widely considered to be the leading and most sophisticated model, and it is more robust and current than the methodology used by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

“The ethanol industry looks forward to playing a central role in the carbon reductions achieved through the use of SAF,” Cooper said. “However, Treasury/IRS should be cognizant of the potential barriers to entry and disincentives for investment that faulty or incomplete LCA modeling can create. With the right policy signals and support – including technology-neutral LCA, particularly Argonne GREET, ethanol-to-jet technologies can quickly scale up to meet the future SAF needs of the aviation sector.”



Study Shows the Early Planting Yield Advantage Is Real

“My hybrid and variety trials have generally shown the earlier corn or soybeans are planted, the higher their yield potential,” says AgriGold Agronomist Ron Roling who is based in northeast Iowa. “Early planting allows soybeans to capture more sunlight, claiming more of their yield potential. Extending the corn growing season enables plants to accumulate more growing degree units (GDUs).  

“I would encourage everybody to start planting soybeans earlier,” Roling continues. A corn hybrid’s response to early planting is more varied. Therefore, he says farmers who plan to plant early should choose hybrids with strong emergence scores.   

Best practices when planting soybeans early
“My No. 1 rule on early planting of soybeans is to use a seed treatment,” Roling says. “In fact, I would not recommend planting soybeans early without one.”

His next caution is to make sure the ground is fit for planting. Soils shouldn’t be overly saturated, soil temperatures should be trending higher, and farmers should be sure planting won’t cause compaction, Roling details.

His third piece of advice on early soybean planting is, “Don’t be afraid to back down populations on high-quality soils. In my opinion, we are still too high on our normal soybean populations.” Roling and other researchers have had success with lower planting populations on productive soils. Higher populations are still needed for poorer-quality soils to ensure canopy coverage and minimize weed escapes.   

Tips for early corn planting
Whereas most soybean varieties respond well to early planting, corn hybrids’ responses to early planting varies. To better gauge those differences, Roling tested one of AgriGold’s top-rated emergence products, one with moderate emergence characteristics and one with a slow emergence in 2022. He used flag testing to monitor emergence and followed those hybrids through the growing season.   

“Hybrids with high emergence scores performed well, but those with slower emergence sacrificed some yield with earlier planting,” Roling explains. He emphasizes how important it is that farmers understand their hybrid selections and their emergence scores and how they fit with their planting intentions.  

Roling also advises farmers to make sure soil conditions are fit for planting and soil temperatures are trending warmer. “Avoid planting just before a cold rain,” he adds. Failure to do so can lead to imbibitional chilling and reductions in stand establishment and seedling vigor.  

Seed treatments and a starter fertilizer are also smart additions with early planting, according to Roling, who prefers in-furrow applications of the latter.  

“I think farmers will continue to pursue early planting, especially on soybeans – for good reason,” Roling says. “Don’t hesitate to reach out to your local AgriGold agronomist for information about early planting and what hybrids and planting populations might best fit that mold.”   



New Holland Agriculture Wraps Up 2023 National Farm Machinery Show, Showcases New T7.300 Long Wheelbase with PLM Intelligence Tractor

At last week’s National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, New Holland Agriculture put it’s diverse portfolio on display. With new launches for 2023, the New Holland booth was headlined by the T7.300 Long Wheelbase with PLM Intelligence™ and recent newcomers like the Guardian™ SP310F front boom sprayer, Discbine® 310 Plus and Pro-Belt™ 450 baler.

The National Farm Machinery Show is the largest indoor farm show in the United States. More than 300,000 guests from around the world visit the agriculture industry’s most comprehensive display of equipment, services and technology in more than 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space.

New products on the centerstage
Earlier in the week, New Holland Agriculture introduced three new pieces of equipment for North America. Of the three new launches, the T7.300 Long Wheelbase (LWB) with PLM Intelligence, took centerstage in the New Holland booth at the show.  

The T7.300 LWB tractor delivers ultimate performance density, superior precision technology and complete operator comfort. It is the most compact tractor in its power class delivering up to 300 HP for PTO and haulage jobs. Combining enhanced turbo efficiency, transmission functions and operator productivity with the same maneuverability and dimensions as previous T7 models, the T7.300 LWB tractor adapts to any terrain for Ultimate Performance Density. Additionally, the tractor comes equipped with a PLM Intelligence™ system, Tractor Implement Management (TIM), Large Square Baler Control and Horizon™ Ultra cab technology to reduce input costs and increase operator comfort.

Other notable, and recently launched, equipment on display at the National Farm Machinery Show included the:  
        Discbine® 310 Plus – a nimble, low-PTO-horsepower package, which makes it a perfect partner for utility tractors and enables the operator to easily maneuver through tight gates, narrow cattle guards, and crowded roadways.
        Guardian™ SP310F front boom sprayer – integrates advanced precision technologies from Raven with high horsepower and large tanks to enhance efficiency in and out of the field while covering more acres per hour in the field.
        Pro-Belt™ 450 baler – features heavy-duty components, like the TwinDrive™ gearbox, and more robust construction to enhance reliability for a higher bale count over the baler’s lifetime.

    “This show continues to prove itself as one of the premier events New Holland attends each year. It allows us to demonstrate every facet of the New Holland portfolio and serve as an impactful springboard to introduce new and innovative equipment,” stated Sally Johnson, vice president of New Holland Agriculture North America. “The response we received from customers and attendees on the new T7.300 Long Wheelbase tractor has been tremendous. Truly, Ultimate Performance Density is turning heads.”

What’s next for New Holland Agriculture?
New Holland Agriculture will be exhibiting at Commodity Classic (booth #659) in Orlando, Florida, March 9-11, 2023. As part of their exhibition, New Holland will be participating in the Mini What’s New programming on Thursday, March 9 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. EST with its session, “New Era of Spraying is Connected and Precise: The Guardian Front Boom Spray.” For more information, visit agriculture.newholland.com.



NK Seeds Introduces 2023 NK Soybean Lineup Featuring Broad Trait Choice, Top-Performing Genetics

Today, NK Seeds revealed their soybean lineup for the 2023 growing season, offering a diverse soybean class with the trait choices farmers want and need, including Enlist E3® and XtendFlex® soybean technologies. Few aspects of farming are static — but while seasons change, technologies evolve, and regulations adjust, NK Seeds remains steadfast in its commitment to helping farmers make the most of every acre in the face of continuously changing field conditions.

“Now more than ever, farmers are looking for choices, along with trait flexibility and, subsequently, strong defensive agronomic traits,” says Jared Benson, Soybean Product Manager at NK Seeds. “With the recent label changes for over-the-top dicamba application in several key U.S. soybean states, farmers seek soybean products that they can be confident will give them a strong, fast start this spring. The proprietary genetics and proven performance that NK Seeds offers in both traits will help them do just that.”

The NK soybean portfolio provides multiple top-performing products in each maturity group and geography, including:
    Enlist E3 soybeans, which provide tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D choline — three distinct modes of action that help farmers and applicators manage tough-to-control weeds. This complete, easy-to-use system offers farmers greater yield potential along with responsible, effective and flexible weed control.
    XtendFlex soybeans, which deliver tolerance to dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate herbicides. Stacked on strong yield potential and agronomics, this high-yielding trait technology provides farmers with greater flexibility.

Both products are viable for farmers who are wanting options for the 2023 growing season. “We’re the only seed provider to offer the most sought-after herbicide traits stacked on our own proprietary germplasm, and it’s a powerful combination,” says Benson. “Taking a farmer-first approach to all that we do, we understand the importance of providing farmers with top-performing genetics and a range of trait options for high yield potential and strong performance. Because the leading herbicide trait choices don’t matter if the varieties don’t yield.”