Friday April 21 Cattle on Feed Report + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 5%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.53 million cattle on feed on April 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 5% from last year. Placements during March totaled 470,000 head, unchanged from 2022. Fed cattle marketings for the month of March totaled 460,000 head, down 6% from last year. Other disappearance during March totaled 10,000 head, unchanged from last year.



Iowa Cattle on Feed Report

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 April 1, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from March and unchanged from April 1, 2022. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 545,000 head on feed, up 2 percent from last month but down 5 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,165,000 head, up 1 percent 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 March 2023 totaled 109,000 head, up 4 percent from February but down 1 percent from March 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 52,000 head, up 4 percent from February and up 24 percent from March 2022. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 161,000 head, up 4 percent from February and up 6 percent from March 2022.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during March 2023 totaled 107,000 head, up 4 percent from February but down 1 percent from March 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 40,000 head, down 15 percent from February and down 27 percent from March 2022. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 147,000 head, down 2 percent from February and down 10 percent from March 2022. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 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 11.6 million head on April 1, 2023. The inventory was 4 percent below April 1, 2022. The inventory included 7.12 million steers and steer calves, down 6 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 61 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.50 million head, down 2 percent from 2022.

On Feed - By State  (1,000 hd - % April 1 '22)
Colorado ......:                 980           89               
Iowa .............:                 620          100           
Kansas ..........:               2,430           97            
Nebraska ......:               2,530           95             
Texas ............:               2,810           95           

Placements in feedlots during March totaled 1.99 million head, 1 percent below 2022. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During March, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 310,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 540,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 517,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 175,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 60,000 head.

Placements by State (1,000 hd - % March '22)
Colorado ......:                165            92                
Iowa .............:                109            99             
Kansas ..........:                460            94          
Nebraska ......:                470           100             
Texas ............:                455           105            

Marketings of fed cattle during March totaled 1.98 million head, 1 percent below 2022. Other disappearance totaled 53,000 head during March, unchanged from 2022.

Marketings by State  (1,000 hd - % March '22)
Colorado ......:                  190            97                
Iowa .............:                 107            99                 
Kansas ..........:                  480           100               
Nebraska ......:                  460            94               
Texas ............:                  415           100              



Don’t Lose Out on Free Nitrogen from Irrigation Water
Steve Melvin - NE Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems

Key Takeaways
    In many locations, irrigation water can provide significant, valuable in-season fertilizer.
    The amount of nitrogen depends on the concentration of nitrate and amount irrigated.

Nitrogen continues to be one of the highest cropping system input expenses with irrigated corn. In many parts of Nebraska, there is a significant amount of nitrogen available in groundwater as nitrate. When applied through irrigation, this nitrate is readily available to crops and is a free source of fertilizer.

How Much Nitrogen is in My Irrigation Water?
The amount of nitrate in water is measured as parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L), these are the same measure for nitrate. Each ppm will add 0.227 pounds of nitrogen per acre with each inch of irrigation water applied.

To find out how much nitrate-nitrogen is in your irrigation water, we recommend that you test each well every few years. Also check with your local NRD for testing requirements in water quality phase areas. Nitrate levels can vary significantly from well-to-well and nitrate levels are changing over time across much of the state. (Note: some water test results are reported as nitrate (NO-3), others are reported as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N).

When Will Fertilizer from Irrigation Water Be Available?
The timing of irrigation application in relation to the period of rapid nitrogen uptake by the crop affects the value of the nitrogen in the water to that year’s crop. The most rapid N uptake extends from about V6 to after pollination, but N is taken up all season. Nitrogen in irrigation water applied during the rapid uptake period is just as useful to the crop as the same amount of nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen in water applied late in the growing season — after the crop has already taken up most of its nitrogen needs — is of limited value for this year's crop.

Care must be taken to reduce drainage below the root zone since nitrogen will leach with water from rain or irrigation. So, since rain is unpredictable, irrigation scheduling should leave as much rain storage room in the soil as is practical while optimizing yields.

Calculating Your Field’s Irrigation Water Nitrogen Credit
Due to the uncertainty of precipitation during the growing season, we suggest that the nitrogen contained in 80% of the five-year average irrigation depth be used when calculating the N contribution by irrigation water. If your field site is within an NRD with an annual water allocation, use the annual allocation in place of the five-year average.

Example
Irrigation water contains 15 ppm nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N). The five-year average irrigation water application depth is 10 inches per year. Using 80% of the five-year average, how much crop available N is in the irrigation water?
          80% x (NO3-N ppm) x (0.2267) x (in. of irrigation) = pounds of nitrogen/acre
          0.8 x 15 ppm x 0.227 x 10 in. = 34 lb of nitrogen/acre added through irrigation

Adjusting In-season
Predicting how much nitrogen and irrigation water will be needed for a given field this coming summer in January or February is difficult. However, good in-season techniques are now available to help determine the optimal rates of irrigation and nitrogen to produce optimum yields. Center pivot and SDI irrigation systems provide an easy method to make in-season application. We recommend applying a lower rate of nitrogen in the spring, followed by monitoring the crop to see if additional nitrogen is needed.



CAP Webinar: Fertilizing Pasture... Is It Worth It in Today’s Economic Conditions?
Apr 27, 2023 12:00 PM
With: Mary Drewnoski, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist; Daren Redfearn, Nebraska Extension Forage Crop Residue Specialist; Jay Parsons, Nebraska Extension Farm and Ranch Management Specialist

With forage supplies low and nitrogen prices high, the natural question is, “Should I fertilize my hay or pasture this year?” This webinar will discuss the expected responses to nitrogen fertilizer and how to estimate if the extra forage is worth the cost for smooth bromegrass and annual forages.

Find more details and register at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Nebraska Producers’ Investments Help Expand Global Demand for U.S. Beef
Adam Wegner - Nebraska Beef Council

The Nebraska Beef Council is a longtime supporter of international marketing efforts for U.S. beef. According to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, exports reached new heights in 2022, setting annual records for both volume (1.47 million metric tons) and value ($11.68 billion).  

Through their checkoff investments, Nebraska producers have assisted the USMEF in growing U.S. beef’s market share in well-established destinations such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, capturing the attention of new customers in emerging markets and jump-starting U.S. beef’s rapid expansion in the Chinese market.   

One of USMEF’s most innovative and successful promotions is the Latin American Product Showcase, which brings meat buyers from Central and South America and the Caribbean together in a single location with U.S. exporters. Nebraska Beef Council was an original sponsor of the showcase when it began as a small gathering in Panama in 2011, and has worked with USMEF to make it a premier, go-to event. The next showcase is set for July 12-13 in Cartagena, Colombia.   


In Taiwan, U.S. beef has achieved exceptional growth in the retail sector. Now that in-store tastings have returned to Taiwan post-COVID, Nebraska producers are helping maintain this momentum through promotional events at major retail chains such as Costco, RT Mart, A Mart, Carrefour and PX Mart.         

Over the past year, Japanese consumers have received an up-close look at U.S. beef production through a series of promotional videos highlighting family farm and ranch operations. One of the producers featured is Steve Hanson of Elsie, Neb., USMEF vice chair and former chair of the Nebraska Beef Council. See a brief sample of the campaign here and learn more about the Hanson family’s participation in this USMEF video.      

For more information, please visit nebeef.org or usmef.org.



USDA still accepting 2022 Census of Agriculture forms from producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding Iowa farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. NASS is encouraging producers who have not returned their completed ag census questionnaires to do so as soon as possible to avoid additional mail, phone, email, text, and in-person follow-up, which is currently underway.

"We thank everyone who has completed their ag census.” said Greg Thessen, director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office. "To date, NASS has received just over 73,600 completed questionnaires from Iowa producers for a return rate of 64%. We are grateful that those producers recognized the importance of completing the ag census to help show the importance of the agricultural industry.”

“To ensure the Census of Agriculture remains a comprehensive and impartial source of agriculture data for every state and county in the nation, we need responses from all farmers and ranchers. Even though many farmers have already responded, we want the voices of all producers to be represented in the data since the resulting statistics will directly impact farming communities for years to come.”

Census data are used by policymakers, trade associations, researchers, agribusinesses, educators, and many others. The information helps inform decisions on farm policy, rural development, the development of farm technologies, and more. It also aids in the creation and funding of loans and insurance programs and other forms of assistance.

NASS is reminding producers that if they produced and sold $1,000 or more of agricultural product in 2022, or normally would have produced and sold that much, they meet USDA’s definition of a farm. However, federal law requires everyone who received the 2022 Census of Agriculture questionnaire to complete and return it, even if they do not currently meet this definition. Producers can respond online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail.

“If you received the ag census but do not fit the definition of a farm, are no longer farming, never farmed, or are a landowner who leases your land to a producer, please write your status on the form and mail it back,” said Thessen.

The ag census differs from other NASS surveys. Beyond being conducted just once every five years, it provides important demographic information and data on certain commodities, such as specialty commodities produced in Iowa that would not otherwise be available. The Census of Agriculture collects information on nearly every aspect of American agriculture to provide a complete picture of the health of the industry.

Federal law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113 requires that NASS keep all submissions confidential, use the information for statistical purposes only, and publish aggregate data to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

NASS will release the results of the ag census in early 2024. To learn more about the Census of Agriculture, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus. On the website, producers and other data users can access frequently asked questions, past ag census data, special study information, and more. For highlights of these and the latest information, follow USDA NASS on Twitter at @usda_nass.



New Iowa State Agricultural Communication Major Approved for Fall 2023 Semester

The Iowa Board of Regents approved a new undergraduate major – Bachelor of Science in agricultural communication – in Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on April 20. The interdisciplinary major received strong support throughout the approval process and is expected to be a popular choice for future students. The major debuts in August with the university’s new catalog.

Housed in the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies, the new major will offer core coursework in foundational agricultural communication. Students will have the flexibility to choose pathways in agriculture and various communication courses, including those from Iowa State’s Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

“Students can take advantage of the best courses all over campus to build the agricultural communication program of their choice,” said Virginia Hanson, associate teaching professor in agricultural education and studies. “Our ideal location in central Iowa also positions students well for learning outside the classroom with endless opportunities connected to our agricultural industry.”

Students in the major will be required to participate in field experiences and internships to gain hands-on experience and enhance their educational training.

Previously, students interested in agricultural communication could enroll in the communication option within the agriculture and life sciences education major. The new major will offer additional credits of coursework, providing students with critical knowledge and skills to communicate about agriculture with diverse audiences.

Job placement for agricultural and life sciences – communication option graduates has remained at 99% for the last five years. Demand for individuals to fill agricultural communication-related roles is expected to remain high in the coming years.

“The demand for ag communication students, especially in the digital marketing space, has been incredibly strong over the last two years,” said Mike Gaul, director of career services in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “Our office has seen impressive opportunities for full-time positions and internships at the corporate, commodity group, agency and non-profit levels.”

Current Iowa State students are already interested in the major, especially those involved in the university’s Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club. The club hosts industry speakers at its monthly meetings and publishes an agricultural magazine each semester. Logan Schmitt, senior in agricultural and life sciences education – communication option, and international agriculture, said the new major will provide “momentum and motivation” for the club’s officer team as they work to implement new opportunities for members.

“It’s an exciting time for ag comm students and faculty! Establishing agricultural communications as its own major will put Iowa State University students at industry standard with other universities,” Schmitt said. “As President of the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club, I am extremely eager to see how this will impact club membership and alumni support.”

In addition to support from the Greenlee School, the marketing, communication studies and English departments submitted letters of support for the new major. The proposal passed unanimously in Iowa State’s Faculty Senate.



RFA Unveils New and Improved Ethanol Emergency Response Website

The Renewable Fuels Association is proud to announce its new and improved Ethanol Emergency Response website, showcasing a cleaner, user-friendly resource where emergency responders can easily access the various types of training resources offered.

The new website was created under a grant received from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration through TRANSCAER, an outreach program focused on assisting communities and training emergency responders to prepare for and respond to hazardous material transportation incidents.

“One of RFA’s main priorities is safety in the renewable fuels industry, and we consider it our mission to help and provide the best resources available to our ethanol plants and the emergency response community,” said RFA Director of Safety and Technical Programs Missy Ruff. “The new Ethanol Emergency Response website helps us ensure the best resources are easily available and user friendly. We are thankful to have received the ALERT Grant through TRANSCAER.”

Through this website, visitors can learn about the many elements of RFA’s award-winning emergency training program—seminars, webinars and self-paced online opportunities—along with a library of training materials that can now be viewed and downloaded in both English and Spanish versions. The Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response consists of eight modules. Each module includes an instructor manual, participant guide, PowerPoint presentation embedded with instructor notes and training video—also available in both English and Spanish.

In 2022, more than 1,200 attendees were trained via 37 training opportunities supported by RFA. Since its inception in 2010, RFA’s safety program has been responsible for training over 15,000 individuals and conducting over 400 training sessions and events.



Ranch Group Urges USDA to Scrap RFID Rule

In comments submitted this week by R-CALF USA to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding the agency’s proposed rule to require adult cattle shipped across state lines to be affixed with electronic radio frequency identification (RFID or EID) eartags, the ranch group said no.

In its 13-page comments, the ranch group argues the proposed rule’s stated propose of enhancing the ability of animal health officials to quickly respond to disease outbreaks could not be achieved by the proposed rule because it only requires the participation of 11% of the nation’s cattle herd while the agency has repeatedly stated that a minimum participation level of 70% would be needed to achieve rapid and effective disease traceback capabilities.

The ranch group stated the agency’s omission of any scientific analysis explaining why an 11% participation rate was sufficient when the agency has repeatedly said at least 70% was needed renders the proposed rule arbitrary and capricious.

The comments also point out that the proposed rule does not even attempt to address the principal problems the agency has identified as impeding rapid disease traceback, primarily the agency’s failure to digitalize veterinary certificates and other movement records that would continue to be completed on paper under the proposed rule. The ranch group urged the USDA to focus on transitioning veterinary certificates and other movement records to an electronic format rather than attempt to impose a costly RFID requirement on independent cattlemen.

The ranch group hit hard at the proposed rule’s cost on individual ranchers and cites cow/calf financial data from the USDA and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln to conclude:

The USDA can neither rationalize nor justify forcing cattle producers to add the high costs of EID eartags to their cost of production when the contemporary marketplace, as discussed above for many cattle producers, provides no opportunity to recover even their preexisting costs of production. Given the dire financial circumstances faced by untold numbers of U.S. cattle producers caused by the industry’s prolonged lack of profitability, the proposed rule would be expected to accelerate the ongoing exodus of U.S. cattle ranchers, thus fostering further industry consolidation and concentration.

Also in its comments, the ranch group states the proposed rule threatens national security given the group’s understanding that the electronic chips inside the RFID eartags are manufactured in China under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.

Further, the comments assert the proposed rule violates the U.S. Constitution because at least two states, Wyoming and South Dakota, have already passed statutes authorizing identification devices other than RFID eartags (Tenth Amendment), the proposed rule constitutes a taking (Fifth Amendment), and the proposed rule effectively seizes the value-added property of independent cattle producers without compensation (Fourth Amendment).

The comments also assert the proposed rule constitutes an insurance policy benefiting multinational beef packers with the premium paid for by independent cattle producers.

In its conclusion, R-CALF USA urges the USDA to immediately withdraw the proposed rule.