Monday May 22 UNL Chancellor, Crop Progres + Ag News

‘A new standard among flagships’: Rodney Bennett, Ed.D., named priority candidate for UNL chancellor

University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter announced today that following a national search, he has named Rodney D. Bennett, Ed.D., a 30-year veteran of higher education with a track record of growing research, student success and impactful partnerships, as the priority candidate for the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Bennett most recently served for nearly a decade as president of the University of Southern Mississippi, a comprehensive public research institution that enrolls 14,000 students across multiple campuses. During his presidency, Bennett brought Southern Miss into the top tier of research institutions, delivered improved student outcomes, invested in faculty and high-growth academic programs, and stabilized the budget through fiscally conservative management – all qualities that Carter said made Bennett the right person at the right time to take the helm at UNL.

“We launched this search with a goal of finding the right leader who could articulate an ambitious vision for Nebraska’s flagship university. Dr. Rodney Bennett is that leader,” Carter said.

“At every turn during his impressive career, Dr. Bennett has made his institution stronger than when he arrived. He is a proven and gifted leader, an exceptional relationship-builder, and he knows from personal experience that higher education is nothing less than a transformative force in a student’s life. Rodney recognizes that Nebraska and our world need UNL to be a leading driver of opportunity, discovery and economic growth, and I believe he will chart the path to get us there.”

Carter thanked the search committee, chaired by College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Dean Tiffany Heng-Moss, for its diligent work, as well as the many Nebraskans who offered input on the qualities they wanted to see in the next chancellor.

Bennett said: “The more I learn about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the more excited I get about the opportunities for this university to help shape the future of higher education. As I have heard President Carter say, our industry is at a crucial juncture. The challenges we face are real, but with unapologetically bold leadership, the right teams in place, and an unwavering focus on our foundational priorities of teaching, research and service, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln can set a new standard of excellence among flagship universities.

“I am humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to listening to and learning from UNL students, faculty, staff and stakeholders in the weeks ahead.”

As Southern Mississippi’s president from 2013 to 2022, Bennett led the university’s reclassification from a Carnegie R2 to an R1 university, signaling its growth in research prestige and funding. That designation made USM one of only 14 R1 institutions in the country that also compete at the NCAA Division I level and maintain accreditation in all four major areas of the arts. Bennett also brought a conservative approach to USM’s budget management, meeting or exceeding all new budgetary metrics set by its Board.

Additionally, Bennett improved the academic quality of the student body during his tenure; expanded high-demand programs in engineering, ocean science, business, cybersecurity, nursing and other areas; and elevated technology transfer efforts.

Recognizing that communities are stronger and economic growth is more prosperous when all individuals have affordable access to quality education, Bennett invested in programs to support student recruitment, retention and outcomes, including for the 30 percent of USM students who are first-generation. His efforts led to declines among students who earned D’s, F’s or withdrawals in science and history courses, and USM’s overall six-year graduation rate improved.

Bennett invested in new faculty positions in high-growth areas and increased the average salary for full-time faculty, oversaw $300 million in facilities work, and launched the largest fundraising campaign in USM’s history in 2022. He was a strong champion of USM’s Division I athletics program, investing in new facilities and programs to support student-athletes, including a dedicated mental health counselor to serve student-athletes. During Bennett’s tenure, USM student-athletes earned their highest overall grade point average in recorded history, a 3.1 across all sports.

Prior to his role at Southern Mississippi, Bennett served at the University of Georgia for over a decade, ultimately as an associate professor and vice president for student affairs. In that role, he was the senior administrator for student programs and services for Georgia’s 34,000-plus students. He oversaw $150 million in capital projects and made key staff and programmatic investments in extracurriculars, mental health programs and other areas to better support students from all walks of life.

Previously, Bennett was the dean of students at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and associate dean of student life at Middle Tennessee State University.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, a master’s degree in educational administration and a specialist in educational administration from Middle Tennessee State. He earned his Doctor of Education from Tennessee State University.

Bennett and his wife, Temple, are the parents of two adult daughters, Colby and Logan.

As required by state law, Bennett’s candidacy now undergoes a 30-day vetting period, beginning today, that will include a series of public sessions during which members of the UNL community and the news media can meet Bennett and ask questions. The schedule for the open forums is being finalized now and will be released in the coming days. Members of the public are invited to submit feedback about Bennett’s candidacy anytime during the 30-day period at www.nebraska.edu/unl-chancellor-search.

At the conclusion of the vetting period, if Carter deems appropriate, he will bring Bennett’s candidacy to the Board of Regents at its June 22 meeting for consideration.

If approved by the Board, Bennett would become the first person of color to become UNL chancellor.

The next chancellor will succeed current Chancellor Ronnie Green, who is retiring after seven years in the role.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending May 21, 2023, there were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 25% very short, 33% short, 41% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 36% very short, 37% short, 27% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 87%, ahead of 82% last year, and near 86% for the five-year average. Emerged was 60%, ahead of 44% last year and 51% average.

Soybeans planted was 79%, ahead of 68% last year and 70% average. Emerged was 45%, well ahead of 24% last year, and ahead of 29% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 17% very poor, 19% poor, 32% fair, 31% good, and 1% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 19%, behind 25% last year, but near 16% average.

Sorghum planted was 20%, near 21% last year, and behind 29% average.

Oats condition rated 20% very poor, 22% poor, 31% fair, 24% good, and 3% excellent. Oats emerged was 92%, ahead of 85% last year and 84% average.

Dry edible beans planted was 4%, near 8% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 26% very poor, 29% poor, 30% fair, 15% good, and 0% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

Cooler than normal temperatures and relatively dry weather helped Iowa farmers to 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 21, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans, and oats this week, although planting activities were nearing completion.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 25 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Ninety-five percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 9 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average.

Eighty-four percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, just over a week ahead of last year and nearly 2 weeks ahead of normal. Forty-three percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average.

Ninety-four percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 8 days ahead of normal. Eleven percent of the oat crop has headed, 9 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the average. Oat condition improved to 80 percent good to excellent.

Eight percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition declined to 66 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 58 percent good to excellent. Reports of livestock turned out to pasture were received again this week, overall livestock conditions are good.



USDA: Corn 81% Planted, Soybeans 66% Planted

Corn and soybean planting continued ahead of the average pace last week, spring wheat planting accelerated, and winter wheat condition improved slightly, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress Report on Monday.

CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting moved ahead 16 percentage points last week, the same pace as the previous week, to reach 81% as of Sunday, May 21. That's still 12 percentage points ahead of last year's 69% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 75%.
-- Crop progress: 52% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, up 22 percentage points from the previous week and 7 percentage point ahead of the average of 45%.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting sped up slightly last week, moving ahead 17 percentage points last week compared to a 14-percentage-point jump the previous week to reach 66% as of Sunday. That is 19 percentage points ahead of last year's 47% and 14 points ahead of the five-year average of 52%.
-- Crop progress: 36% of soybeans were emerged as of Sunday, 17 percentage points ahead of last year's 19% and 12 points ahead of the average of 24%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 61% of winter wheat was headed nationwide as of Sunday, up 12 percentage points from the previous week and now even with the five-year average
-- Crop condition: Nationwide, winter wheat was rated 31% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from 29% from the previous week and ahead of last year's rating at the same time of 28% good to excellent.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 64% of the spring wheat crop was planted as of Sunday, up 24 percentage points from the previous week and now 9 percentage points behind the five-year average of 73%.
-- Crop progress: 32% of spring wheat was emerged as of Sunday, up 19 percentage points from the previous week and 8 percentage points behind the five-year average of 40%.



Workshop series to focus on starting a poultry operation

Current and beginning  Latino farmers in and around West Point and Douglas who are interested in starting a poultry business and hearing from farmers about their operations are invited to “Cycle of a Poultry Operation,” hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs.

This series of online and in-person workshops is presented in Spanish and scheduled for the following dates, times, and locations.

Online sessions, Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
    June 15: Envision your dream farm and meet a farmer
    July 6: Types of poultry production, goal setting
    Sept. 14: Record keeping, company budgets
    Nov. 2: Marketing and markets
    Nov. 9: Biosecurity
    Nov. 16: FSA loans and services, legal issues, and requirements

On the farm, Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. (Brunsing Farms: 1078 Highway 32, West Point, Nebraska)
    June 17: Housing, zootechnical practices, and selective breeding
    July 15: Food and nutrition
    Aug. 5: Management of pastures and housing facilities
    Sept. 9: Cleaning, packing, and egg marking
    Oct. 7: Winter preparation

On the farm, Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. (Neal Family Farms: 521 O Road, Douglas, Nebraska)
    June 24: Housing, zootechnical practices, and selective breeding
    July 23: Food and nutrition (Sunday)
    Aug. 12: Management of pastures and housing facilities
    Sept. 23: Cleaning, packing, and egg marking
    Oct. 14: Winter preparation

“One of the simplest ways to get into farming is by starting a small poultry operation,” said Lucia Schulz, community organizing associate for the Center. “During these workshops, poultry farmers will help you along that path. We will provide the beginner and/or existing farmer with the resources needed to start or add a poultry operation.”

Registration is required by June 15 at cfra.org/events. For more information, contact Schulz at lucias@cfra.org or 402.380.7006.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Socially Disadvantaged Farmer and Rancher Assistance Competitive Grant Program, also known as the 2501 program. All Center for Rural Affairs events and activities are open to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities and/or persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) will be made if requested in advance.



Pasture Fly Resistance
Dave Boxler, Nebraska Extension Educator

Regardless of your choice of livestock fly control product and application method, plan for resistance. For example, many horn fly populations in Nebraska exhibit a level of resistance to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides.

Fly resistance to insecticides is defined by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC, https://irac-online.org/ as a heritable change in the sensitivity of a pest population reflected in repeated failure of a product to achieve the expected level of control when used according to the label recommendation for that pest species. Simply put, flies can develop resistance to products if used repeatedly.

The recommended practice to manage resistance is to alternate insecticide Mode of Action (MoA) groups. This applies to dusts, insecticide ear tags, animal sprays, pour-ons, insect growth regulators (IGRs and also known as feed-throughs), and compressed air application devices.

Insecticide MoA groups are based on how the insecticide works against insects. Continual use of products from a single MoA group can lead to reduced control and resistance to all products in that MoA. To improve fly control and minimize resistance, do not apply insecticides within the same MoA repeatedly. Rotate between MoA groups every fly season and if possible, during the fly season. The table below contains information about the primary action site, the active ingredient, and a partial list of products from each MoA group currently labeled for use against pasture flies.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Awards Student Project Grants to 4-H and FFA students in Antelope, Lancaster, Saunders, Hall, Fillmore, Saline, and Merrick Counties

From horticulture and dog breeding to show pigs and chickens, the passion of the winners of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants shine through in each of their projects.

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants, supported by the Charles Marshall Fund at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, were awarded to eight deserving student Farm Bureau members in Antelope, Lancaster, Saunders, Hall, Fillmore, Saline, and Merrick counties. Nebraska Farm Bureau awards $4,000 in grants for students to begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project. The grants are in the amounts of $250, $500, $750, and $1,000 until funds are exhausted.

“We are proud of the entrepreneurial spirit our student members embrace and are very impressed by the dedication they have shown with their projects,” said Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement. “Nebraska Farm Bureau is thrilled to support these students and hopes these funds will help them achieve their goals. We look forward to watching them continue to bring innovative ideas and ventures into their communities for years to come.”

The grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. This year the grants were opened up to students under the age of 15. Those applicants’ parent(s) must be Farm Bureau members. Applicants who are age 16 or older must be student Farm Bureau members. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards starting or growing their 4-H or SAE projects. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:
    Hailey Johnson is an Antelope County Farm Bureau member and received $750 for her project. She raises hens for egg production and plans on using the grant money to rebuild her chicken coop on a more stable foundation, using newer materials to build a 20 by 20 chicken coop to raise 60 chickens, and further her high-quality egg business for her family and the local Neligh community.

    Austin Kamm is a Lancaster County Farm Bureau member and received $500 for his greenhouse project. Kamm manages the Bato Box hydroponic system at his high school in Lincoln. He plans on using this award to build a small greenhouse to expand his horticultural business and experiment with different growing methods like hydroponic and aquaponic systems. He plans to pursue his interest in greenhouse management at Southeast Community College.

    Morgan Kliment is a member of Saunders County Farm Bureau and received $500 for her livestock project. Kliment owns Red Angus heifers and market show pigs. She plans to use the grant money to feed and grow the cattle and enter shows. On the show pig side, she will use part of the award to help pay for feed, wood chips, enter shows, and skin care products.

    Zach Korbelik is a member of Fillmore County Farm Bureau and was awarded $750 to expand his cattle operation. Currently, Korbelik is responsible for managing 65 head of cattle, which includes building and putting up fences around corn fields they graze, checking and counting them, supplying them with water every day, and bale feeding them during times of heavy snow. He is working toward increasing his herd to 200 head. He plans on using the award to purchase more fencing supplies and watering equipment.  

    Zach Mader is a Hall County Farm Bureau member and received $250 for his project. He owns and operates CTZ Lawn Care. He and two other FFA members not only mow lawns but do landscaping projects for more than 30 customers. Mader plans on using this award to purchase a large riding lawn mower to help with large yards. He is currently using small push mowers, and the purchase of a large riding mower will help expand his business, grow his customer base, and expand his knowledge of the plant and lawn care industry.     

    McKenzie Van DeWalle is a Fillmore County Farm Bureau member and received $250 for her baking business. Van DeWalle has a small business selling baked goods called Teal Cat Bakery. With this grant, she plans on purchasing more baking equipment to increase her baking production, her capacity to sell more products, and earn more money.

    Gracie Vyhnalek is a Saline County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to breed and raise Australian Shepard puppies. With this grant, Vyhnalek plans to purchase a female dog to breed and show. There are numerous cattle operations in Saline County that use working dogs for herding, and this grant can help place a viable breeder in the area.

    Levi Webb is a Merrick County Farm Bureau member and received $500 to expand his show pig business. He has two breeding gilts and two sows and showed them at the Merrick County Fair and a few progress shows. Webb will use the award to expand his hog operation to eight sows with the hopes of selling show pigs to other youth in the area.  

Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants (or their parents) must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau membership. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.  



KAAPA Partners Aurora Joins RFA as Newest Producer Member

The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased to announce the addition of KAAPA Partners Aurora LLC as the organization’s newest producer member. In February, KAAPA Ethanol Holdings closed on a joint venture with Aurora Cooperative and assumed a majority interest in its ethanol plant in Aurora, Neb., which has an annual production capacity of 100 million gallons. KAAPA Ethanol Holdings also owns and operates two other biorefineries in Nebraska, in Minden and Ravenna, and CEO Chuck Woodside represents these ethanol plants on the RFA Board of Directors.

“We are proud to welcome KAAPA Partners Aurora to RFA’s membership and we appreciate KAAPA Ethanol’s ongoing support and leadership within the association,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “KAAPA’s story is remarkable. After starting out two decades ago with one small ethanol plant in south-central Nebraska, the company has grown by leaps and bounds—but it has always stayed true to its roots and core values. The company has had a tremendous positive impact on Nebraska’s farm economy, and we look forward to continuing our work together at the national level.”

“KAAPA Ethanol has been a member of RFA for more than 20 years and we have seen first-hand the positive impact that they have made on our industry and the resources they have made available at the plant operations level,” said Woodside, who served as RFA’s Chairman in 2011-2012. “RFA has been an important part of our previous success, and we look forward to deepening that relationship with the membership of KAAPA Partners Aurora.”



Save the Date for the 2023 Fall Water Conference

The Nebraska Water Center Fall Water Conference will be held again this year. On October 3 and 4, we’ll gather in Omaha to discuss the management of water resources in urban Nebraska. The conference will look to learn from the past in order to prepare for the future.

As Nebraska’s metro areas continue to grow, unique management strategies will be necessary to provide enough resources to support urban growth today while planning for tomorrow.

This interdisciplinary conference will feature experts in urban water and natural resources planning, the hydrology of eastern Nebraska, current natural resource challenges faced by Lincoln and Omaha, and the future of water management in eastern Nebraska. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit some of the unique water projects recently completed in Omaha.

More details and full agenda coming soon!



Regional Bison Conference

The National Bison Association (NBA), in cooperation with 777 Bison Ranch and the Dakota Territories Buffalo Association, will hold its first of three regional summer conferences in 2023. The setting for this event will be the beautiful 777 Bison Ranch near Hermosa, South Dakota, on Saturday June 17th.

"Mark your calendars and plan to join the NBA, in cooperation with the Dakota Territory Buffalo Association, on June 17th at the 777 Bison Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The 777 team is graciously opening up their bison operation to NBA and DTBA members for the first of the NBA's 2023 regional summer/fall conferences. This is a great opportunity to tour one of the premier bison operations in the US today, tour their well-managed herd and see first-hand the results of over 30 years of holistic land management," shared NBA President Chad Kremer.

The field day will on the prairie where the Hillenbrand family has been raising bison for over 30 years. It is located in southwestern South Dakota, where the landscape is comprised of mixed, short grass prairie. The 777 Bison Ranch raises its animals holistically, sustainably, and humanely. It has a strong belief to care for the land, plants, and the wildlife in the same manner. It plans for the whole, using Holistic Management, which has helped set its goals and achieve them.  

Leaders in holistic management and bison restoration from across the continent are scheduled to present, including Liz Riffle, Glenn Plumb, and Cody Smith. The event will lead with gathering at the host hotel, the Ramkota, in Rapid City, South Dakota Friday night. All day Saturday will be ranch time, featuring field sessions that will cover an array of topics including how to utilize bison as a tool in regenerating healthy soils and grasslands, while sequestering carbon and adding value to your farm or ranch.

Registration is currently open for this event, and is only $150/ person and includes all meals. Please register online at - https://bisoncentral.com/nba-conferences/.

"We have a great lineup of expert speakers addressing pertinent bison topics, ranging from handling to holistic management to species restoration, - weather permitting - live in the field, concluding with a bison BBQ at the 777 Ranch! We'll also have a great bison gathering and networking event the previous evening at the host-hotel, the Rapid City Ramkota, with dinner and a fundraiser. Don't miss out on this unique bison opportunity!" said NBA Executive Director, Jim Matheson.

Learn more about the National Bison Association and their work at www.bisoncentral.com



New Right to Repair MOUs Bring Industry Coverage to 70%

The American Farm Bureau Federation signed two more memoranda of understanding with two agricultural equipment manufacturers, AGCO and Kubota, providing farmers and ranchers the right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOUs, which were negotiated independently with each manufacturer, follow similar agreements AFBF entered into with John Deere and CNH Industrial Brands earlier this year. Combined, the four MOUs cover roughly 70% of the agricultural machinery sold in the United States.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation is pleased to announce new agreements with AGCO and Kubota,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers urged us to find a private sector-solution to the challenges of repairing their own equipment. These agreements represent ongoing efforts to ensure farmers have access to the tools necessary to keep their equipment running, and to keep food on the table for families across America.”

AGCO Vice President of Customer Support Barry O’Shea said, “AGCO’s farmer-first focus guides us in everything we do, and we support farmers’ ability to repair the equipment they own. We are dedicated to being their most trusted partner for smart farming solutions, and this MOU with Farm Bureau is an outcome of that commitment. We appreciated the American Farm Bureau’s diligence, and we will continue delivering tools farmers can use to diagnose, maintain, and repair their AGCO machinery.”

Todd Stucke, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Kubota Tractor Corporation, said, “Kubota is pleased to join the AFBF in signing a memorandum of understanding to ensure our customers are empowered with the information and tools needed to safely maintain, diagnose and make repairs on their own equipment. Through our network of over 1,100 dealers, Kubota makes available the shop tools, parts, guides and manuals to owners who choose to work directly on their machines. We strive to ensure that our equipment is manufactured to the highest engineering standards to maximize performance for our customers, and this agreement is a good step toward further protecting their safety while operating, maintaining and repairing it.”

The MOUs respect the intellectual property rights of the manufacturers while setting a framework for farmers and independent repair facilities in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico to access AGCO and Kubota manuals, tools, product guides and information to self-diagnose and self-repair machines, as well as support from the manufacturers to directly purchase or lease diagnostic tools and order products and parts.



May USDA Cattle on Feed Report Assessment
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

The USDA Cattle on Feed Report released on May 19 appears to be rather neutral with continuing evidence of the smaller numbers ahead. Focusing on the most important piece of information first, placements were lower than the prior year and were modestly lower than anticipated. Pre-report expectations suggested that placements would be 96.4 percent of the prior year with a range of 91.8 to 99.6 percent. Actual placements during the month of April were 95.8 percent at 1.748 million head. The futures market reacted lower on Monday but the weakness was in the nearby as opposed to the deferred contracts. Trading today is more than likely reflecting simple everyday volatility as opposed to a reaction to the report. There has been some recent relief to the dry weather in the southern plains, but it is likely too little too late to have much impact on feeder cattle movements. It was anticipated that placements through the spring would be more modest than typical. Thus, both the intermediate and long-term – or outlook into the fall and winter remains optimistic.

Fed cattle marketings have been modestly softer than anticipated. Week to week fed animal slaughter has been off. Pre-report expectations anticipated that marketings would be 90.2 percent of last year with a range of 89.0 to 91.0 percent. Actual marketings during the month of April was basically inline and 89.9 percent of the prior year at 1.701 million head. The cattle feeding and meatpacking industries continue to move forward with lighter weekly and monthly marketings and slaughter. There have been very modest Saturday kills and no incentive for the packer to run this additional day given the much tighter wholesale margins. The beef supply chain appears to have no problems related to throughput. The inventory of cattle on feed over 150 days were up modestly over the prior month and down over the prior year, on feed over 120 days are up very modestly, and over 90 days were seasonally up compared to last month but down the most compared to the prior year. Marketings were clearly slower and while the inventories of animals are tighter than the prior year but larger than the prior month. This is only long-term bullish for the market outlook.

Cattle on feed inventories continue to tighten from the peaks in 2022. The beginning of May saw an inventory of 11.608 million and roughly even with the beginning of April inventory of 11.612 million head. But for the first time this year the cattle on feed are below the prior year. And there will likely be more of this to come with calculated days on feed inventories, the level of heifer slaughter, and beef cow liquidation. Pre-report expectations anticipated that on-feed inventory would be 96.5 percent of last year with a range of 95.5 to 97.1 percent. Actual inventories were 96.6 percent of the prior year – as expected.



USDA Announces Atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Detection

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), a neurologic disease of cattle, in an approximately five-year-old or older beef cow at a slaughter plant in South Carolina.  This animal never entered slaughter channels and at no time presented a risk to the food supply or to human health in the United States. Given the United States’ negligible risk status for BSE, we do not expect any trade impacts as a result of this finding.

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed that this cow was positive for atypical L-type BSE. The animal was tested as part of APHIS’s routine surveillance of cattle that are deemed unsuitable for slaughter.  The radio frequency identification tag present on the animal is associated with a herd in Tennessee.  APHIS and veterinary officials in South Carolina and Tennessee are gathering more information during this ongoing investigation.

Atypical BSE generally occurs in older cattle and seems to arise rarely and spontaneously in all cattle populations.

 This is the nation’s 7th detection of BSE. Of the six previous U.S. cases, the first, in 2003, was a case of classical BSE in a cow imported from Canada; the rest have been atypical (H- or L-type) BSE.

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recognizes the United States as negligible risk for BSE. As noted in the WOAH guidelines for determining this status, atypical BSE cases do not impact official BSE risk status recognition as this form of the disease is believed to occur spontaneously in all cattle populations at a very low rate. Therefore, this finding of an atypical case will not change the negligible risk status of the United States, and should not lead to any trade issues.

 The United States has a longstanding system of interlocking safeguards against BSE that protects public and animal health in the United States, the most important of which is the removal of specified risk materials - or the parts of an animal that would contain BSE should an animal have the disease - from all animals presented for slaughter. The second safeguard is a strong feed ban that protects cattle from the disease. Another important component of our system - which led to this detection - is our ongoing BSE surveillance program that allows USDA to detect the disease if it exists at very low levels in the U.S. cattle population.



Lessons Learned from Decades of Overuse of a Single Source of SCN Resistance

The farm sector is keenly aware of the dangers of dependence on a single tool, having endured the unintended consequences of narrow reliance on one herbicide active ingredient for 20-plus years. Why, then, after more than two decades does the soybean industry still lean heavily on PI 88788, a source of genetic resistance that soybean cyst nematode (SCN) populations are increasingly able to skirt? It’s complicated.

A lot has been invested into what had been a highly effective tool
Brian Diers, who recently retired from the University of Illinois and led groundbreaking research on SCN resistance, has a simple explanation for the industry’s prolonged use of PI 88788: “It’s been so darn good.” He says the successful and high-yielding germplasm has been tough to beat, despite efforts to find alternatives.

There were numerous breeding lines with SCN resistance available for variety development in the late 1980s, but none had the agronomic or maturity characteristics needed for soybean production in the Midwest, explains Greg Tylka, Iowa State University (ISU) nematologist and a leader of The SCN Coalition. Therefore, soybean breeders began crossing SCN resistance breeding lines with varieties possessing desirable agronomic characteristics.

PI 88788 stood out because it was the least difficult to work with and it outperformed other breeding lines on yield. Seed companies continually strive to create new varieties with increased yields and other improved agronomic traits. Once PI 88788 SCN resistance became available in some soybean varieties and breeding materials, these plants were used to develop additional new soybean lines and varieties. “It’s most efficient to take what’s already good in the breeding program with PI 88788 SCN resistance and improve on it,” adds Tylka. “That’s a main reason why 95% of SCN-resistant soybeans on the market today rely on PI 88788.”

Continuous use of a single resistance source is not the answer
Varieties with SCN resistance from PI 88788 allowed farmers to produce soybeans profitably in SCN-infested fields for decades. PI 88788 was slow acting on the nematode and “leaky,” meaning there were low levels (< 10%) of SCN reproduction on varieties with this SCN resistance from the beginning, says Tylka. But the ability of SCN populations to reproduce on PI 88788 slowly increased as time passed, snowballing to the point that many farmers now face a major resistance problem.

The second-most common source of SCN resistance, Peking, is fast acting and highly effective. But in many cases, the stronger the chemical or pest resistance, the quicker the targeted pest population will overcome it. “Very few nematodes are able to overcome Peking resistance,” Tylka explains. “But those that do have a high likelihood of passing that ability along to their offspring. With Peking SCN resistance, the very few nematodes that successfully reproduce will likely become a high percentage of SCN populations in fewer years than we saw with PI 88788.”

The slow but dramatic buildup of SCN reproduction on soybean varieties with PI 88788 resistance has resulted in varieties with Peking SCN resistance that now outyield those by 20 bushels an acre or more, according to a 2019 study by Tylka. Therefore, he’s concerned farmers may be tempted to plant Peking year after year. Doing so might generate more income in the short term but could result in greater yield reductions in the long term.

Therefore, Tylka urges farmers to:
    Start growing varieties with Peking SCN resistance NOW.
    Never grow varieties with Peking SCN resistance in consecutive soybean crops.
    Alternate growing Peking SCN-resistant varieties with varieties containing PI 88788 resistance.
    Plant non-host crops, such as corn, in annual rotation with soybeans.

Peking availability far from universal
Farmers outside the primary soybean-producing states may not have a Peking option for their maturity zone, handicapping their long-term defense against SCN. North Dakota farmer Chandra Langseth says farmers in her state are frustrated by a lack of seed options for proactive management of SCN.

Langseth says while SCN-resistant variety options for North Dakota have improved, they are still primarily based on PI 88788, which means “we may be shooting ourselves in the foot by planting the same resistance source year after year.”

Overcoming that obstacle will require “a major shift in soybean breeding efforts and increased and sustained funding for basic and applied research,” says Tylka.

Signs of progress
Tylka was encouraged to see the number of varieties with Peking SCN resistance double to 53 for his 2023 SCN-resistant soybean variety trials for maturity groups 1, 2 and 3. “While PI 88788 remains the dominant resistance source in SCN-resistant soybean varieties available to farmers, the increase in Peking offerings for these maturity groups shows seed companies are increasingly aware of the problem and working to fight SCN – now and in the future.”



USDA Extends Application Deadline for the Organic Market Development Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for the Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) Request for Applications (RFA) to August 8, 2023.

On May 10, USDA announced the OMDG program will fund up to $75 million in competitive grants to support the development and expansion of new and existing organic markets. The program aims to create new and better markets access for organic products, increase capacity for processing, storage, handling/shipping, and increase the consumption of organic agricultural commodities.

AMS is soliciting applications from certified organic or transitioning food producers or handlers, non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and state and local government. Through OMDG, AMS encourages applications that serve smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. USDA is looking for applications that address the following pinpointed organic markets or other markets with clearly defined needs.
    Organic grains and livestock feed
    Organic dairy
    Organic fibers
    Organic legumes and other rotational crops
    Organic ingredients currently unavailable in commercial form

Application Submission
Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on August 8, 2023. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered for funding.

For questions, contact OMDG@usda.gov or view the FAQ document. Additional information is available on the AMS Organic Market Development Grant Program webpage. AMS is hosting a webinar on May 24 at 1 p.m. ET to provide applicants with an overview of the program. Applicants can also register to attend OMDG office hours for assistance.



Counting Nodules to Assess Early Soybean Health

Soybean nodulation is the result of a symbiotic relationship with the bacterium B. japonicum, or rhizobia, and is initiated in the early vegetative stages.

To produce a bushel of grain, soybeans require as much as five pounds of nitrogen. Between 50% and 90% of that nitrogen is provided via the relationship with rhizobia. However, the growth, health and activity of rhizobia can be affected by many factors, such as saturated soils, unbalanced soil pH, extreme temperatures or even fertilizer applications. The presence of nitrogen in the soil can also impact the plant’s relationship with the bacteria as rhizobia may not be initially needed.

Staging soybean growth and counting nodules is the earliest and best way to gauge the nitrogen health of the plant. Nodules that are fixing nitrogen are pink or red inside. If the nodule is green, brown or white, it could indicate that little or no fixation is occurring.

Reduced nodulation can lead to nitrogen deficiency symptoms, such as yellow or stunted plants, if adequate residual nitrogen is not available. Yellowing of soybeans can also be caused by soybean cyst nematode (SCN), other nutrient deficiencies, herbicide applications or general environmental factors, leading to the importance of counting nodules.

To better manage nodulation, check first year soybean fields for nodulation around V2 to V3. Adequate nodulation is seven to 14 nodules per plant. If the number and quality of the nodules is not sufficient, supplemental nitrogen can be applied.

Follow best management practices if using urea-type products and apply at early flowering, when foliage is dry. Applications of up to 44 pounds of nitrogen per acre can be made, as higher rates are not usually profitable.