College of ag, beef industry involvement sets Tonniges up for success
As first-generation Husker Chaylee Tonniges wraps up her junior year in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, she is solidifying her future after graduation to work in the beef sector in her home state—the beef state.
An experience she had as a four-year-old showing bucket calf at the 2003 York County fair set her on a trajectory that she has maintained throughout her childhood, high school and now as she wraps up her college years.
“Showing that calf at the fair would be a foreshadowing to what my lifelong passion would be,” says Tonniges.
Growing up as the fourth generation on her family’s row crop and backgrounding operating near Gresham, Tonniges naturally excelled in high school FFA, 4-H and showing cattle.
With Tonniges's energy and work ethic, it was no surprise to her family when she decided to be the first to attend college, and Nebraska was at the top of her list.
“East Campus is its own community and makes university life seem more personal,” says Tonniges.
“The staff in any department makes you feel welcomed and seen, and I think that’s really unique for a university with 20,000 students in attendance.”
Working towards a degree in animal science with minors in the Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars Program and Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program has allowed Tonniges to integrate all of her interests.
Tonniges says that her mentor, Gary Sullivan, and her advisor, Kacie McCarthy, have made all of the difference in her experience, encouraging her to get involved on campus and beyond.
With their guidance, Tonniges took the leap and got involved with the Block & Bridle club, helping put on the famous steak fry last year. She is also part of the FFA Alumni Club and the Young Nebraska Cattlemen, which have helped her build relationships with movers and shakers in the beef industry. As a result, she landed an internship with Nebraska Cattlemen during the school year, a real compliment to her involvement on campus already.
“I’m really understanding all of the work that organizations like Nebraska Cattlemen put in to advocate on behalf of producers,” says Tonniges.
This June, Tonniges’ year as the Nebraska Cattlewomen’s 2022 Collegiate Beef Ambassador ends, which has given her the opportunity to teach and utilize her background and education in animal science when visiting with students and adults from all walks of life.
“The best part about my role as an ambassador is being able to educate youth about beef and building relationships within Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraskans across the state,” said Tonniges.
“I’ve learned how to appreciate differences and to understand how others think and meet them where they’re at.”
Throughout this past year, Tonniges has traveled the state to promote beef and answer questions at elementary schools, high schools and the birthing pavilion Nebraska State Fair. She has also attended countless regional cattlemen's events.
In addition, Tonniges took the leap and purchased her very first Red Angus cows earlier this year with guidance from mentors in the Engler program and the support of her family.
“Engler has helped me build my own brand off of my family's legacy to create my own facet of the operation at home.”
Using her skills, Tonniges is building the foundation of her future herd at J Bar K.
“It’s very rewarding to see my family supporting me to refine the genetics for our operation so we can meet our goals and add more value to our operation,” Tonniges said.
Her experiences within CASNR and the beef industry will doubtless lead to a bright future in the beef industry. Tonniges is eager to get back to the family operation full-time, but her parents have encouraged her to get more experience before coming home.
Over the summer, Tonniges will serve as the U.S. Business Channels Sales field intern for Merck Animal Health. She will be based out of Nebraska but will take part in a project with Bomgaars stores covering Nebraska and Kansas and several western states focusing on equine and cattle.
Pillen, Agriculture Leaders Condemn Prop 12 Ruling
Today, Governor Jim Pillen joined the Nebraska Farm Bureau and other agriculture leaders in expressing disappointment over the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion upholding California's Proposition 12. The case stems from a 2018 California ballot initiative banning the sale of pork that doesn’t meet that state’s unilateral standards.
"This radical California law will have widespread, detrimental, and lasting impact," said Governor Pillen. "This decision is a huge blow for producers and will raise food costs for consumers and small businesses already struggling with mounting inflation."
A federal lawsuit challenging the ban was brought by the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau Federation. It was supported by 26 states and numerous agriculture and free market advocacy groups. They asked the court to clarify whether the U.S. Constitution allows California to dictate livestock production standards outside its borders. Speaking to the ruling, the Nebraska Farm Bureau expressed strong concern.
"Proposition 12 effectively gives California animal rights groups the ability to dictate food production practices to farmers and ranchers across America, including those in Nebraska," said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue. "It is imperative Nebraskans, and all Americans understand that California's Proposition 12 moves us in a dangerous direction, creating uncertainty around our food system."
"The danger is in what this ruling represents to the thousands of food producers across Nebraska, the Midwest, and the nation," said Governor Pillen. "Other types of farming operations could find themselves under similar restrictions, which will only drive prices higher and higher. Farmers know best how to raise healthy livestock. What we do here in Nebraska has an impact across the country and enables us to help feed the world."
Al Juhnke, executive director of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, pointed out it was the goal of every pork producer to provide high quality and affordable products to customers.
“The ruling is especially disappointing for California consumers. Our first aim was to protect them from an ill-conceived bill of goods sold to them by animal rights activists,” said Juhnke. “Animal welfare is the top priority for every producer and farmer in our industry.”
Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture agrees.
“It is a shame that Nebraska producers will be subject to the whims of overzealous California laws that are not based on sound science and long-established animal husbandry techniques.”
McHargue noted the ability of farmers and ranchers to be innovative and dictate production practices, allows Americans to have a wide array of food choices at a wide array of costs.
"The Farm Bureau will be examining all options to course correct this dangerous and misguided California regulation that threatens farmers, consumers, and the long-term viability of our food system," said McHargue.
Nebraska Beef Council Participates in California Pasture to Plate Tour
The Nebraska Beef Council recently took part in helping to fund the annual “Pasture to Plate Tour,” held annually in California and hosted by the California Beef Council. The tour is a three-day immersive experience, where beef industry and nutrition professionals among others get to visit cattle ranches, a dairy, feedlot, stockyard, a processing facility and speak with experts in the industry as well.
Nebraska Beef Council Board Member, June Loseke, attended the event and represented Nebraska. Loseke has been a host of the Nebraska Beef Council Industry Influencer tours at her family’s feedyard near Columbus in past years, and says it was a welcome experience to be a guest in California.
“I looked forward to seeing how California’s tour compared,” said Loseke. “Since Nebraska is one of the top cattle producing states and California has the highest population, it is important to help fund beef promotion and education projects with the California Beef Council. It’s also important for me to tell our stakeholders in Nebraska how their dollars are working firsthand.”
Featured speakers during the tour offered their own insight into how beef is produced sustainably and responsibly. Loseke said that the knowledge she gained from others on the tour is something that can help her in the future back home.
“Meeting the attendees and listening to their concerns and questions regarding cattle production was helpful in knowing how best to address people who tour our own feedyard,” said Loseke.
Loseke also noted some of the differences between Nebraska and California agriculture, but found one common thread that ties everyone together, rain, or lack of it.
“There will always be regional differences in feed stuff availability for ration composition, being able to background cattle on grass from weaning in November to April at the Buchenau Ranch was amazing,” said Loseke. “Drought takes its toll on all agricultural segments and just hearing the relief in the cattle producers’ stories of how grateful they were for the recent rainfall somehow lessened the differences.”
For more information and to learn more about the Nebraska Beef Council, visit www.nebeef.org.
Registration Extended for the 2023 Water and Natural Resources Tour
When: June 19-22, 2023
Where: Northeast Nebraska
From Monday, June 19, to Thursday, June 22, attendees will explore Northeast Nebraska and gain first-hand experience with the water management practices, history, and innovation of that region of the state. Tour stops include the Norfolk Riverfront development, the Bazile Groundwater Management Area, Gavins Point Dam, Ashfall Fossil Beds and much more.
The 2023 Water and Natural Resources Tour is being hosted by the Nebraska Water Center and the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.
Registration Details
$685 per person, single occupancy room
$600 per person, double occupancy room
Registration includes: all meals, hotels, commercial transportation, on-board refreshments, and activities from Monday evening through Thursday at 5:00 p.m. The tour will begin and end in Norfolk, NE. Transportation to and from Norfolk, NE is not included with registration costs.
To register please print the registration form linked below, fill it out, and mail to Tricia Liedle at 2021 Transformation Drive, Suite 3220 Lincoln, NE 68508.
Registration will be open until May 19. More information can be found on our website https://watercenter.unl.edu/registration-open-2023-water-and-natural-resources-tour.
Powerline safety important during spring planting
Farmers are getting back in the field for spring planting season and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is asking equipment operators to look up and look out for powerlines.
Powerlines located along fields can pose a potential safety hazard for equipment operators who are not aware of their surroundings. If a large piece of equipment gets too close to a powerline, it can cause electricity to arc to the equipment, resulting in a potentially serious or fatal injury.
“Farmers are hard at work starting another planting season and we want to encourage them to keep safety around powerlines top of mind. Just like with our own team, it’s important that everybody can do their job and come home safely at the end of the day,” says NPPD Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Manager Scott Walz.
If a vehicle or piece of equipment is in contact with a powerline, call 911 or your local power provider and remain inside the vehicle until help can arrive and deenergize the powerline. When a powerline is touching a vehicle, it can electrify both the vehicle and the ground in the surrounding area. If a fire forces you to exit the vehicle, then do so by jumping away from the vehicle, landing on two feet, and shuffling as far away from the area as possible.
NPPD encourages farmers to review the following safety precautions before entering the fields to begin harvest operations. Find more information on farm safety at NPPD.com.
Each day, review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around powerlines and remind all workers to take precautions.
Know the location of powerlines and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local public power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.
Use caution when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck or wagon. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a powerline is closer than it looks. For large equipment, use a spotter to ensure the equipment stays a safe distance from the line.
Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground, or shifting weight can cause unexpected results.
NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT
Based on May 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2023 winter wheat crop is forecast at 33.0 million bushels, up 26% from last year's crop, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 34 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from last year. Acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 970,000 acres, up 150,000 acres from last year. This would be 84% of the planted acres, above last year's 84% harvested.
May 1 hay stocks of 530,000 tons are down 58% from last year.
Winter Wheat Production Up 2 Percent from 2022
U.S. Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.13 billion bushels, up 2 percent from 2022. As of May 1, the United States yield is forecast at 44.7 bushels per acre, down 2.3 bushels from last year's average yield of 47.0 bushels per acre. Area expected to be harvested for grain or seed is forecast at 25.3 million acres, up 8 percent from last year.
Hard Red Winter production, at 514 million bushels, is down 3 percent from a year ago. Soft Red Winter, at 406 million bushels, is up 21 percent from 2022. White Winter, at 210 million bushels, is down 11 percent from last year. Of the White Winter production, 10.2 million bushels are Hard White and 200 million bushels are Soft White.
Scout for Black Cutworm in Corn Early this Year
Ashley Dean, ISU Extension Entomology Specialist
Black cutworm (BCW) is a migratory pest that arrives in Iowa with spring storms each year. Black cutworm moths lay eggs in and near crop fields, and larvae can feed on leaves or cut corn seedlings. Larvae must attain a certain size (4th instar) to be large enough to cut corn plants, and cutting can occur until plants reach the V5 stage. Black cutworm is sporadic and unpredictable, making it essential to scout to determine whether BCW larvae are present in a field and if management is required. Because BCW is sporadic, it is usually not economical to use preventative insecticide applications; however, rescue treatments can be very effective if scouting reveals larvae. Although late-April 2023 was cool, it has been warm enough that black cutworm is likely developing more quickly this year than previous years.
In a typical year, early planted corn grows quickly enough in the spring to escape black cutworm feeding. However, cool and wet conditions in mid-April kept planters out of the field until recently, and any corn already planted grew slowly. This, combined with accelerated development of black cutworm, may result in the “perfect storm” for BCW injury: seedling corn (less than V5) in the field and BCW larvae large enough to cut corn plants. Use the predicted cutting dates in this article as a guide to begin scouting fields before the cutting date predicted in your area. Fields with cover crops or other green tissue (i.e., weeds) this spring should be prioritized since they serve as egg-laying sites for migrating moths.
Predicting cutting dates
We can predict when BCW will reach the 4th instar based on accumulating degree days and the occurrence of significant flights. A significant flight is defined as the capture of eight or more BCW moths over a two-night period in a pheromone trap. Larvae reach the 4th instar after 300 GDD have accumulated since a significant flight.
The Iowa Moth Trapping Network enlists the help of volunteers around the state to monitor BCW activity annually. Counties that have reported significant flights include Hancock (April 10), Taylor (April 11, April 15, and April 20), Mahaska (April 12), Buena Vista (April 19), Floyd (April 21), and Keokuk (April 24).
Figure 1 shows the predicted cutting dates for BCW in each crop reporting district. These cutting dates are estimated by combining actual, historical, and forecasted degree day data. BCW trapping will continue throughout May, and any additional significant flights that occur will be included in our weekly ICM Blog updates. Additional significant flights in an area may represent prolonged feeding of BCW larvae, so continue to scout until corn reaches V5.
Black cutworm cutting dates. Figure 1. Estimated black cutworm cutting dates for each Iowa crop reporting district based on initial significant flights in 2023, as of May 5. These are estimates of when cutting will begin, but additional large flights may result in prolonged feeding by black cutworm larvae.
Capturing BCW moths in a pheromone trap does not necessarily mean economic infestations will occur in a particular location. Scouting fields is the only way to determine if BCW are present and whether management is warranted. Combine scouting for BCW with early season stand assessments. Missing or cut plants are signs of black cutworm feeding but dig in the soil near affected plants to confirm larvae are present. Other early season pests (grubs, seed corn maggot, wireworms) may also be present.
NPPC Tells Lawmakers U.S. Must Open New and Expand Existing Export Markets for Farmers to be Successful
Lori Stevermer, a Minnesota pork producer and President-Elect for the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), testified before the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture as part of its hearing on “Stakeholder Perspectives on Agriculture Trade.”
“Trade is vital to America’s pork producers, and exports continue to be a bright spot for our industry even during tough times,” said Stevermer. “Our success largely comes from our ability to produce the world’s safest, most nutritious, and affordable pork products, as well as from fair and unfettered access to foreign markets negotiated through comprehensive trade agreements.”
U.S. pork exports increased more than 1,850 percent in value and more than 1,560 percent in volume since 1989, the year the U.S. implemented its first substantial free trade agreement. By 1995, the United States had moved from a net importer to a net exporter of pork.
“It is very clear that comprehensive trade deals are why we have been, on average, the top pork exporter in the world over the past decade,” added Stevermer. “For the United States and America’s pig farmers to stay on top, we need more trade deals that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers to U.S. products to allow for the free flow of goods and expand export markets.”
Last year, pork farmers exported nearly $7.7 billion worth of pork to more than 100 countries. These exports supported 155,000 mostly rural U.S. jobs and added $14.5 billion to the country’s GDP. These exports equated to approximately $61, in value for each hog marketed in 2022.
In her testimony, Stevermer outlined the U.S. pork industry’s top trade policy priorities:
Negotiate comprehensive trade agreements that eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Expand market access in the Asia-Pacific region, including having China remove its 25 percent retaliatory tariff on pork.
Leverage and renew U.S. preferential trade programs.
Address the country’s labor shortage.
Support efforts to keep the United States free from African swine fever by adequately funding federal agencies that deal with foreign animal diseases.
Farm Progress Show Drives $31 Million a Year
The Farm Progress Show brings more than $31 million in economic activity annually to its host communities in Boone, Iowa, and Decatur, Ill., according to a new study.
The study was conducted by Informa, the global events company that owns the Farm Progress Show, which measured the direct and indirect dollars spent by visitors, exhibitors and local suppliers during the 2022 FPS in Boone, Iowa. Based on scope and size, the figures apply to Decatur, as well.
Matt Jungmann, national events director for Farm Progress, says when he and his team inked a deal with the two communities in the early 2000s that locked in 10 shows over 20 years, they estimated each year would have a $10 million economic impact.
“Now we’re up to $31 million, and it feels good to more than fulfill the promise with our upcoming 10th show at the Decatur site,” Jungmann says.
Teri Hammel, Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, estimates that more than 9,000 hotel rooms were booked in Macon County, Ill., alone during the 2021 Decatur Farm Progress Show. Her research did not include rooms booked before or after the show, when many exhibitors and company representatives arrive on-site for setup and teardown.
In addition to hotels, Jungmann says the $31 million figure includes landscapers on-site, trucking for every last wood chip and mum, every chair, every table, spreading internet across 4 million square feet of exhibit space, and more. It does not include Farm Progress’ donations to volunteer groups.
“Plus, that number accounts for everyone who got in the truck, drove to Decatur or Boone, fueled up, bought Casey’s breakfast pizza, spent money for lunch at the concession stand, and drove home,” he adds.
Hammel says their community welcomes all its Farm Progress Show visitors.
“There’s such a sense of pride that Decatur and Forsyth have that we can share with the visitors,” she says. “This community has wrapped our arms around this whole event. We always look forward to it and are grateful that it comes back every other year.”
The annual Farm Progress Show rotates between Decatur, Ill., and Boone, Iowa. “I’m an Iowa native and an Iowa State grad, so plenty makes me happy about bringing that kind of investment back to Iowa,” he adds.
And as exhibits have become more expansive over the years, so has investment in a permanent show site — and in each exhibit. That means dollars are driven back into the local economy through local hardware and office supply stores. And the impact is spread out over more than three days.
Jungmann, who’s worked with the Farm Progress Show for 25 years and recently served as president of the Farm Show Council, says it’s incredibly unique to have a trade show of this size in a place like Macon County, Ill., or Boone County, Iowa.
“Normally a trade show with 4 million square feet would exclusively be in Las Vegas or Orlando,” he says. “But the Farm Progress Show comes to town and focuses the entire global ag world on this community for three days.”
The 2023 Farm Progress Show will be held in Decatur, Ill., Aug. 29-31. For more information, check out FarmProgressShow.com.
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