Tuesday March 21 Ag News - Happy National Ag Day!!

 FNBO Invests in the Future of Agriculture with $41,500 Donation

FNBO (First National Bank of Omaha) is investing in the future of agriculture by supporting FFA with donations in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, South Dakota and Wyoming, announced Barry Benson, Vice President, Agribusiness Banking. In addition, the bank is sponsoring a campaign to promote agricultural education with the American Royal in Kansas City. FNBO’s contributions are part of its broader efforts to celebrate National Ag Week and will help provide positive educational experiences for the students enrolled in agricultural education across the region.

“We’re proud to continue our support of the agriculture industry and the development of the next generation of agriculturalists through our multiple donations and volunteer efforts across the region,” added Benson. FNBO and its affiliates are among the largest agribusiness lenders in the country.

In Nebraska, FNBO is sponsoring the Nebraska FFA Launch! Program for the sixth year with a $10,000 donation. The funds will support the year-long program that serves as a catalyst in entrepreneurship-based education for Nebraska FFA members and agricultural education students.

The bank is also continuing its support of the Colorado FFA Foundation with a $2,500 donation. The funds will support agricultural education for students in Colorado.

FNBO is donating $24,000 to local FFA chapters in Nebraska, Illinois, South Dakota and Wyoming. In addition, FNBO Agribusiness Lenders will volunteer at various FFA chapters in their communities to provide agribusiness education to the students.

FNBO is also supporting ag education in its Kansas market and surrounding area through a $5,000 campaign sponsorship with the American Royal, a non-profit organization based in Kansas City that provides a platform for agriculture that inspires future leaders and creates an arena for agricultural learning.



Sensor-based Fertigation Management Research Boosts Efficiency, Profitability

For the past four years, University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers have studied the prospects for using sensor-based fertigation management, or SBFM, to increase the efficiency and profitability of nitrogen use. The latest results are now in from multiple Nebraska sites, and they show that the technology enables major gains in both regards.

“This method allows the sensors and imagery to detect what that crop needs, so that you’re not overapplying nitrogen,” said Taylor Cross, a graduate research assistant who oversaw the project last year. “You’ll really see a lot of nitrogen savings with this method.”

For the project, drones provided weekly updates on crop-condition data by using multispectral imagery that showed nitrogen levels. Analysis of the data via N-Time software then directed specific applications of liquid fertilizer by irrigation equipment in a set of eastern Nebraska cornfields.

At all three on-farm test sites in 2022, the approach produced greater efficiency in nitrogen use than did conventional management, with efficiency measured in pounds of nitrogen per bushel of grain. The two SBFM-recommended approaches produced about 44 pounds more grain per pound of nitrogen than did the growers’ traditional method. The two SBFM-recommended methods also showed the potential for boosting profitability. The increases ranged from $28 per acre to just over $40 per acre, on average, across the three sites.



Build a Better Plate with Beef during National Nutrition Month

"Build a Better Plate with Beef," during National Nutrition Month this March, and beyond. Beef is packed with key essential nutrients that complement the nutrients and flavors found in fruits and vegetables, making them the perfect team to help you reach your health goals. Director of Nutrition and Education for the Nebraska Beef Council, Mitch Rippe, says it is a month to focus on the power of lean beef.

“National Nutrition Month is a campaign focused on making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits,” said Rippe. “During National Nutrition Month, we’re celebrating lean beef’s incredible nutrient profile. Meaning, as part of a healthy, balanced diet and lifestyle maintained consistently over time, the nutrients found in beef like protein, zinc and iron support good health and a healthy immune system.”

The Nebraska Beef Council is collaborating with registered dietitians to showcase beef’s nutritional value and versatility in the meal planning process.  High-quality protein, like that found in beef, plays an increasingly important role in muscle maintenance, weight management, and the prevention of chronic diseases. NBC will highlight beef as a great protein option through these programs and through social media campaigns as well.

“Through our classes at high schools, healthcare facilities and professional conferences, we’re recognizing beef as a nutritional powerhouse given its high nutrient density that contain a wide variety of nutrients to support overall health,” Rippe said. “Coupled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, beef provides big nutrition in a small, 3 ounce package.”

This year's theme for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is, "Fuel for the Future." By choosing beef, we are choosing a sustainable food source for ourselves and the environment. Since not only is beef a great source of protein, but it also comes without the long and sometimes confusing list of other ingredients. Research from the Consumer Beef Tracker shows that beef has a slight advantage over chicken to have a higher nutritional value in terms of consumer perceptions.

Find more sustainable, nutritious recipes on nebeef.org.



New Nebraska Custom Rates Survey Related to Livestock Services
Glennis McClure, Extension Educator, Farm and Ranch Management Analyst

Many farmers and ranchers make inquiries to Nebraska Extension about prevailing rates paid for various kinds of custom farm services. In addition to the regular biennial custom rates survey, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability has launched a new survey designed to provide market rate information for the Nebraska livestock industry. Producers and operators that perform and provide custom services for others, or that utilize custom services and pay others, are invited to participate in the survey.

Anyone interested in participating in the livestock-related custom rates survey can request a printed copy and return envelope to complete the survey or register to receive the online survey version link at: cap.unl.edu/customrates/livestock. Your area beef systems extension educator or county extension office staff may also assist in obtaining a survey or the online link.

Services covered in the survey include charges for pasture maintenance, fencing and trenching services, livestock processing fees and yardage rates, hauling fees, custom feed preparation, haying services, facility and equipment rental rates, manure pumping, hauling and application charges.

Even if only one or just a few custom services are utilized or performed by an individual operation, providing the rate information for services that you utilize or that you charge is important. Individual survey responses are kept anonymous and confidential. Nebraska regional information and state ranges and averages will be published.

By completing the survey, you will help ensure that the most accurate information possible is provided to Nebraska livestock producers and those that provide related services. The survey should take only a few minutes to complete. The livestock-related custom rates survey may become a biennial survey in opposite years of the regular biennial custom rates services survey and report, which tends to be more crops-oriented.

If you have questions about the survey, email or call: Glennis McClure, UNL Department of Agricultural Economics, gmcclure3@unl.edu or 402.472.0661.



Understanding Soil Residual Nitrogen and its Dollar Value for Next Crop
Javed Iqbal - Extension Nutrient Management and Water Quality Specialist

The 2023 cropping season is just around the corner. Unfortunately, drought continues to influence nutrient management decisions for the upcoming season, as seen in the latest Drought Monitor map, even with significant snowfall in parts of the state.

The 2022 corn grain yield in Nebraska was reported at 1.46 billion bushels (USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service), down 22% from 2021. The 2022 average corn yield was 165 bushels/acre, down 29 bushels from 2021. Lower yields in 2022 were likely due to hot and dry growing conditions as well as hail events. These conditions might have reduced crop nitrogen uptake, leaving higher-than-normal residual nitrogen in many growers’ fields. Drier conditions could also reduce nitrogen losses through leaching or denitrification, resulting in a build-up of nitrogen from the mineralization of soil organic matter. Residual nitrogen should be accounted for and used at “no cost” to help supply the nitrogen needs of the next fertilized crop. This will help to reduce the cost of N fertilizer applied, especially when the prices for nitrogen fertilizer are higher than a couple of years ago.

If you plan soybean following last year’s corn, then no N fertilizer management would be desired. However, if you plan corn-on-corn and applied normal amounts of N fertilizer to corn in 2022 corn, but had a low yield, a significant amount of residual nitrogen is likely available for the 2023 corn crop. Therefore, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recommends a lower N application rate when you account for residual nitrate-nitrogen in the N fertilizer prescription for the 2023 growing season. Here we provide an example of N recommendation with and without accounting residual N in the N recommendation. Table 1 provides a comparison of N recommendations with vs. without residual N credit. In this example, growers can save $27 per acre by crediting 36 pounds of N per acre. Of course, the saving can vary across the grower’s field, owing to previous crop, precipitation pattern, geographical location and irrigated vs. dryland fields.

Read more on this topic, along with techniques to test for residual nitrogen, at this CropWatch article.... https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2023/understanding-soil-residual-nitrogen-and-its-dollar-value-next-crop.  



Flood: President Biden’s Ag Week Actions Harm Future of Family Farming

Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement regarding President Joe Biden’s actions impacting farm and ranch families in the midst of National Agriculture Week.

“During National Ag Week, the Biden Administration has finalized implementation of their draconian Waters of the U.S. Rule and expanded the reach of its 30 x 30 land grab. Rather than taking action to grow agriculture, President Biden is advancing the agenda of environmental activists by slapping new red tape on family farms and ag producers who are trying to grow the food we need to feed the world. At a time when the president should be helping American farm and ranch families thrive, he’s instead been using the power of the federal government to make it harder for the next generation of farm families to live the American dream.”

The Biden Administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule took effect in 48 states earlier this week. Additionally, President Biden has also made new announcements regarding his 30 x 30 plan, locking away hundreds of thousands of acres.



DOUBLE CROPPING FORAGES ON CROP GROUND
- Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Pasture & Forage Specialist
 
There are many producers looking at ways to grow more forage for hay or pasture.  Double cropping annual forages can be an option.
 
Successful double cropping of annual forages requires good planning and timely operations along with some timely moisture.  To use this approach this spring, small grains like oats or spring triticale, would need to be planted here in late March to early April.  Grazing of these plantings can begin around the third week of May last until early July if stocked and managed properly.
 
As portions of this spring planting get grazed out, the double crop of a summer annual grass like sudangrass or pearl millet can be planted.  With adequate moisture, the summer annual grass will be ready to graze in forty-five to fifty days and may last through September.
 
This double crop forage strategy works even better if winter annual cereals like winter rye, wheat, or triticale were planted last fall for spring forage.  They will be ready to graze earlier than any spring planting and like the spring plantings, as portions are grazed out, plant summer annual grasses to begin grazing them by mid-summer.
 
Another strategy is to plant the summer annual grasses first in mid- to late May.  Graze portions of them out in August, then plant oats or turnips or both for late fall and winter grazing.
 
Of course, adequate moisture or irrigation is needed for these options to produce both double crops.  Thus, it is wise to have a nearby pasture where animals can be placed and fed temporarily if extra time is needed to grow sufficient forage for grazing.



Workshop to Help Cattle Producers Plan for Successful Breeding Season

Research has consistently shown that calves born earlier in the season are more profitable. To help beef producers optimize the potential for getting more females bred earlier, the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University and Select Sires are partnering on a breeding season workshop set for April 13.

The program will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Community Building at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, 402 W State St., Guthrie Center. The workshop is free to attend, and pre-registration is encouraged but not required.

Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist for southwest Iowa, is coordinating the workshop and said attendees will benefit from classroom presentations and hands-on opportunities.

“The workshop will address taking advantage of available technologies, production information, and best management practices to positively impact overall reproductive success,” she said.

The program includes the following classroom style presentation topics and speakers:
    Utilizing Reproductive Technologies to Improve Efficiency – Burke Suckow, Select Sires.
    The Genetics of Reproduction – Randie Culbertson, ISU Extension and Outreach cow-calf specialist.
    Maximizing Herd Bull Care – Erika Lundy-Woolfolk, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist.

Over the lunch hour, several hands-on stations will be available for attendees to build on their existing knowledge base at their own pace, and to seek one-on-one guidance from speakers and sponsors.

The stations will include semen handling, nitrogen tank care, Iowa State Estrus Synch planner usage and exploring reproductive technologies. There will also be a discussion on reproductive herd health led by Guthrie County Veterinary Services.

The workshop is free, including a noon meal, thanks to sponsorship of Select Sires and ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County. Walk-ins are welcome, although pre-registration is strongly encouraged by April 11 to ensure adequate meals and supplies. Register by calling the ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County office at 641-747-2276 or emailing Erika at ellundy@iastate.edu.



RFA Applauds Governors’ Action in Support of Year-Round E15

The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked a bipartisan group of governors who called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to take swift action to ensure consumers in their states will have uninterrupted access to lower-cost E15 throughout the summer 2023 driving season. Signing onto today’s effort are Govs. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), Jim Pillen (R-NE), Tim Walz (D-MN) and Kristi Noem (R-SD).

“We applaud the efforts of these governors to secure year-round access to E15 for consumers in their states,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We agree with the governors that EPA still has time to implement their petition in time for this summer. But if EPA fails to do that, the governors have made a strong case that EPA could and should use its authority to issue emergency waivers, just as it did last year. The governors’ letter underscores the point that year-round access to E15 saved consumers more than 20 cents per gallon last summer, or about $3 to $5 per fill-up. Those savings are in jeopardy this summer unless EPA acts quickly.”

The governors’ letter notes that if EPA fails to implement their petition before this summer, emergency waivers are justified by current conditions. “The market conditions that justified emergency action last summer still exist today; indeed, fuel supplies are even tighter than they were a year ago and there is greater risk of disruption heading into summer,” the governors wrote. “U.S. inventories of crude oil and petroleum products recently hit a 19-year low, and nationwide gasoline stocks are 3 percent lower than a year ago. Gasoline futures prices are up roughly 15 percent in just the last two weeks; and with a larger-than-usual amount of refining capacity offline for maintenance, supplies and prices could experience greater pressure as summer approaches. These are the same sort of circumstances that led EPA to issue emergency waivers last year.”

Earlier today at an EPA virtual hearing on the governors’ proposal, Cooper stressed that action needs to take place as soon as possible to ensure drivers can take advantage of E15 savings this summer. Even though EPA’s proposal is more than seven months late, there remains no economic, environmental, or legal justification for the agency to delay implementation by another year, Cooper said.



ICGA Applauds Governor Reynolds for Summer E15 Efforts

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) thanks Governor Reynolds for leading a joint, bipartisan letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue an emergency waiver for E15 sales during the 2023 summer. In doing so, the EPA would ensure consumers have uninterrupted access to homegrown, cleaner-burning, more affordable fuel options at the pump during the summer driving season.

“We are very appreciative for all Governor Reynolds has done in leading the charge for access to higher blends of ethanol at the pump. Reynolds has been a champion for biofuels and believes in the products we grow right here in Iowa that help alleviate the stress on many consumers’ wallets when fueling up at the pump,” said Denny Friest a farmer from Radcliffe, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association President. “Not only are higher blends of ethanol more affordable by 15-16 cents a gallon, but also cleaner burning, which is why we continue to encourage the EPA to use its authority to increase the fuel supply through uninterrupted access to E15 year-round.”

In early March, the EPA delayed the implementation of a plan, created by a group of bipartisan Midwest Governors, that would allow for the sale of E15 year-round in each respective state until April of 2024. However, based on precedent of the EPA exercising its emergency authority during the summer of 2022 for continued availability of E15 sales, there is hope a waiver will be granted before the 2023 summer driving season begins. The Iowa Corn Growers Association continues to urge the EPA to act now, and give consumers access to reliable, homegrown, affordable fuel this summer.



IRFA Thanks Governor Reynolds for Action in Support of Year-Round E15

In response to Governor Kim Reynold's bipartisan letter to the EPA regarding summertime E15 sales, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw released the following statement today:

"IRFA members thank Governor Kim Reynolds for her continued leadership to ensure consumers have access to year-round E15. Today, she led a bipartisan, multistate letter to the EPA urging them to issue an emergency E15 waiver for this summer. EPA needs to act quickly to ensure consumers don’t pay the price at the pump for the the agencies inaction."



NCGA President to EPA: Ensure Consumer Access to Higher Ethanol Blends

The president of the National Corn Growers Association urged EPA officials today to implement a petition from Midwest governors that would remove barriers to higher blends of ethanol and avoid further delay.

EPA’s public hearing reviewed the agency’s recent proposal to implement a plan from eight Midwest governors to require lower-volatility gasoline so drivers in those states continue to have year-round access to fuel with 15 percent ethanol, often marketed as Unleaded 88. EPA has proposed delaying implementation of the governors’ plan until 2024.

Haag took issue with the delays to date and urged EPA to avoid further delays in implementation. He also highlighted the emissions reduction benefits of E15 and the current cost savings of up to 20 cents or more per gallon when drivers choose E15.

“We are disappointed with EPA’s delayed response to states,” Minnesota farmer and NCGA President Tom Haag told EPA officials during the public hearing. “Governors submitted their initial request a year ago, allowing sufficient time for EPA to respond and implement for 2023. However, given the delayed response, we now strongly urge EPA to implement this rule with an effective date of April 28, 2024 -- as proposed --without further delay.”

Haag also took the opportunity to renew the ask for the Biden administration to also again act as summer approached to prevent a disruption in E15 availability in 2023 and increase the fuel supply, the same successful action EPA took last year.



Growth Energy Thanks Governors for Pressing EPA on E15 Emergency Waiver

Growth Energy applauded a bipartisan group of governors today for continuing to lead on E15 by urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue an emergency waiver that would allow fuel retailers to sell E15—a fuel blend made with 15 percent ethanol—this coming summer.
 
“Without an emergency waiver, the summer of 2023 would become the first time since 2019 that American drivers didn’t have access to E15, a fuel blend that’s less expensive, better for the environment, and usable in 96 percent of all cars on the road today,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud this bipartisan group of governors for urging EPA to do the right thing and issue a waiver that would keep this lower-cost, lower-carbon fuel option on the market for American consumers this summer.”
 
At Growth Energy’s recent Executive Leadership Conference, some retailers voiced their agreement that EPA must address the 2023 waiver for them to ensure continued access to E15 for their customers. “We need regulators to provide an emergency waiver this summer to continue to offer our guests the low-cost E15 that they’ve been able to buy for years,” said Sarah Blodgett, fuel category manager at Casey’s General Stores, at the conference. “Retailers and American drivers need certainty.”



USGC Signs Ethanol MOU In Panama; USDA Undersecretary Taylor Witnesses

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) hosted a regional seminar in Panama City, Panama, held on Mar. 21-22, that brought together critical stakeholders and high-level government officials from Central American (CTA) countries and the Dominican Republic to learn about and discuss the technical aspects, benefits and challenges of ethanol and gasoline blending in the region.

While there, the Council and the Industrial Association of Sugar Cane of Panama (AZUCALPA) signed – and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor witnessed – an ethanol memorandum of understanding (MOU). The MOU recognizes the importance of assessing the role and benefits of biofuels and ethanol in the promotion of economic growth, diversification of the energy matrix and decarbonization of transportation in the global energy transition to address global greenhouse gas emissions.

“This MOU bolsters economic and energy security through both domestic production and strengthening trade ties between our two nations,” said Taylor. “Ethanol blending helps countries meet their climate change goals by boosting the use of renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. I hope these benefits encourage other nations throughout the region to explore ethanol blending policies of their own.”

Participants included ministers and vice ministers from the mines and energy, environment and agriculture sectors, along with representatives from national refineries, agro-industrial industries, oil and gas, finance, logistics and transportation.

“Cultivando Energia is an incredibly impressive event that brings together like-minded individuals from across the region who can share their concerns and explore areas of collaboration in developing coherent and robust biofuels programs in their countries,” said USGC Regional Director for Latin America Marri Tejada, who signed the MOU on behalf of the Council.

“We are encouraged by the high-level of distinguished representatives at the conference, further demonstrating the interest and willingness to continue the development of ethanol use in their countries.”

The seminar - Cultivando Energía - also included extensive discussions around ethanol’s role in the global energy transition; dispelling ethanol myths; ethanol’s contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction; the ethanol production chain; ethanol pathways in Latin America; and regional challenges to ethanol policy.

“We want to thank the U.S. Grains Council for organizing this seminar and for their support and accompaniment with technical, strategic and best practices contributions which have been of great value and which we are sure will continue to be of great importance for the biofuels sector in Panama,” said Rodrigo Cardenal, CEO of Grupo Calesa and President of AZUCALPA.

“As a national agricultural industry with a tradition of more than 100 years operating in Panama, we are very optimistic about implementing a national biofuel and renewable energy program. We know the direct, positive impact and benefits the program will provide in terms of creating direct and indirect employment, ensuring investments in agriculture and the impact on several communities.”

Global ethanol consumption has grown from 16 billion gallons in 2010 to more than 27 billion in 2022. CTA, with an area of 523,000 square kilometers (Km2) and a population of around 51 million, consumes on average 244 gallons of oil and oil products per person per year. Fuel consumption for transportation has increased 9.1% over the last few years, driven by an increase in population, a growing middle class and an increased vehicle ownership.



State agriculture officials celebrate National Ag Day recognizing the contribution of each state’s agriculture industry through “Feeding the Economy” report

Today on National Ag Day, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture celebrates the many contributions agriculture makes to our nation’s security and prosperity. NASDA is a proud partner of the seventh annual Feeding the Economy report revealing food and agriculture industries and their suppliers contribute over $8.6 trillion to the U.S. economy.
 
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney shared his support of the report and National Ag Day celebrations.
 
“Feeding the Economy” in concert with National Ag Day celebrates the collective impact that everyone working to grow, process and produce our food has on the economy. State departments of agriculture recognize that a thriving U.S. agricultural industry feeds our U.S. economy and nourishes the world through international trade. We’re proud that today’s report proves our industry’s continued strength across the states and around the globe,” McKinney said.
 
Learn more about the report at FeedingtheEconomy.com and celebrate National Ag Week all week long as NASDA highlights the impact of each state's agriculture and food industry on social media and NASDA members’ efforts to ensure agriculture leads the way toward a healthy and resilient world.