Thursday June 29 Hogs & Pigs Report + Ag News

NEBRASKA HOG INVENTORY UP 4%

Nebraska inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2023, was 3.65 million head, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was up 4% from June 1, 2022, and up 1% from March 1, 2023. Breeding hog inventory, at 390,000 head, was down 7% from June 1, 2022, but up 1% from last quarter. Market hog inventory, at 3.26 million head, was up 6% from last year, and up 1% from last quarter.

The March - May 2023 Nebraska pig crop, at 2.05 million head, was down 4% from 2022. Sows farrowed during the period totaled 180,000 head, down 3% from last year. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.40 for the March - May period, compared to 11.60 last year.

Nebraska hog producers intend to farrow 185,000 sows during the June - August 2023 quarter, unchanged from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago. Intended farrowings for September - November 2023 are 185,000 sows, down 3% from the actual farrowings during the same period a year ago.



Iowa Hog Inventory

On June 1, 2023, there were 23.8 million hogs and pigs on Iowa farms, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Hogs and Pigs report. Inventory was up 1 percent from the previous quarter and up 3 percent from the previous year.

The March-May 2023 quarterly pig crop was 5.41 million head, up slightly from the previous quarter but down 6 percent from last year. A total of 460,000 sows farrowed during this quarter. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.75 for the quarter.

As of June 1, producers planned to farrow 500,000 sows and gilts in the June-August 2023 quarter and 510,000 head during the September-November 2023 quarter.



United States Hog Inventory Up Slightly

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2023 was 72.4 million head. This was up slightly from June 1, 2022, but down 1 percent from March 1, 2023. Breeding inventory, at 6.15 million head, was down slightly from last year, but up 1 percent from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 66.2 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down 1 percent from last quarter.

The March-May 2023 pig crop, at 32.9 million head, was up 1 percent from  2022. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.90 million head, down 2 percent from 2022. The sows farrowed during this quarter represented 48 percent of the breeding herd. The average pigs saved per litter was 11.36 for the March-May period, compared to 11.00 last year.

By State        (million head  -  % June 1 '22)
Iowa .................:    23,800  -   103  
Minnesota ........:     8,700   -   105  
North Carolina ..:     7,600   -    93  
Illinois ..............:     5,400   -   103  
Indiana .............:     4,350   -   101  

United States hog producers intend to have 2.94 million sows farrow during the June-August 2023 quarter, down 4 percent from the actual farrowings during the same period one year earlier, and down 4 percent from the same period two years earlier. Intended farrowings for September-November 2023, at 2.95 million sows, are down 4 percent from the same period one year earlier, and down 3 percent from the same period two years earlier.

The total number of hogs under contract owned by operations with over 5,000 head, but raised by contractees, accounted for 51 percent of the total United States hog inventory, up 1 percent from the previous year.



Northeast Nebraska teachers explore student learning opportunities at HAL

Northeast Nebraska teachers visiting the Haskell Agricultural Laboratory this month learned that the 550-acre site is full of learning opportunities for students.

The arboretum at the Haskell site, part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s network of ag research centers around the state, can help children learn identification and biology for trees and plants. The beehives and pollinator gardens illustrate the interactions of insects and plants. The sweeping fields of corn and soybeans are prime sites to learn about everything from basic horticulture to soil conservation and nitrate management.

The lab’s Mesonet weather monitoring system can provide a starting point to explain meteorology, climate science and environmental management. And the range of ag equipment, from tractors to sensors to drones, can be of great interest for mechanically inclined students.

Teachers from northeast Nebraska school districts gathered at the Haskell Ag Lab, 15 miles north of Wayne, as the latest step in strategic planning by the Northeast Nebraska Agricultural Science and Natural Resources Education Compact. That partnership, created in 2019 and expanding in membership in 2022, involves a range of the region’s school districts, educational service units and higher education institutions including Nebraska’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Haskell “is the perfect spot to do a lot of those things that we strive for,” Amy Hall, a teacher with Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Public Schools, said during the compact’s June 12 teacher summit at the ag lab. She cited the example of a honeybee event she holds to teach students about bee behavior and science.

“It would be fun for the kids to come out in the spring” to Haskell, she said, “and see all the different wildflowers and what impact they have on the honeybees.”

Brainstorming during the June 12 planning session showed the encouraging potential for future educational collaboration, said Meaghan Vollers, another teacher with Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Public Schools.

“I think that there is a great potential to bring science in a realistic way to students,” she said, “not only agri-science but biological sciences and environmental sciences, even physical science, so that students can explore this in a tangible way and excite that interest in learning.”

Participants in the teacher summit included representatives from CASNR, Nebraska Extension, Haskell and the university’s Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Department. Tammy Mittelstet, CASNR’s statewide education and career pathways coordinator, explained online assets, including a comprehensive CASNR newsletter, to inform teachers about educational resources and events.

The precision agriculture program at Northeast Community College in Norfolk is a helpful information source, said Mittelstet, the northeast compact’s coordinator. The college’s precision ag instructor, Courtney Nelson, provides online information including lesson plans and related material on precision agriculture. She also uses a mobile classroom for outreach to schools in the northeast region.

Teachers’ discussions generated an array of ideas for additional educational possibilities at Haskell, including help with greenhouses; hosting high school students to discuss data they collected on their crop plots; and creating a soil pit for land-judging practices and support with coaching.

Mini-classes on water sampling, nitrate application, farm-to-table concepts and the mechanics of farm equipment are another possibility. So is creating STEM learning initiatives where students can come to Haskell on a monthly basis to check ongoing projects such as decomposition of a pumpkin or the composting process.

The compact promotes students’ career exploration. One tool discussed is creating videos of different careers at Haskell and other research sites.

The compact’s original membership from 2019 consisted of CASNR, Little Priest Tribal College, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Nebraska Indian Community College, Northeast Community College, Wayne Community Schools and Wayne State College.

In March 2022, the compact’s membership expanded to include Educational Service Units 1, 7 and 8 along with these school districts: Ainsworth, Allen, Battle Creek, Boone Central, Crofton, Elkhorn Valley, Emerson-Hubbard, Homer, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Neligh-Oakdale, O’Neill, Ponca, South Sioux City, Stanton, Summerland, Umonhon Nation, Walthill, Winnebago, Winside and Wisner-Pilger.

The next steps for the compact will be meetings of the compact membership via Zoom on Sept. 12 and Nov. 14.



CONTROLLING BLUEGRASS IN IRRIGATED ALFALFA
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Bluegrass can be a common weed in irrigated alfalfa lowering forage quality and shortening stand longevity. Thankfully, these pesky plants can be controlled by maintaining thick alfalfa stands; properly managing irrigation; and/or using herbicides (as a last resort).

High-density alfalfa stands can effectively compete with bluegrass for sunlight, moisture, and nutrients. However, it is important to time irrigation so the upper several inches of fields are dry at harvest. Then, delay irrigation until significant alfalfa regrowth is initiated. Unlike alfalfa, that has a deep root system, bluegrass is shallow rooted and will not compete well with the alfalfa if the topsoil is dry. Conversely, early irrigation (following harvest) may allow bluegrass to out compete the alfalfa for available surface moisture; since bluegrass basal leaves help it grow more rapidly after the alfalfa is cut. Once alfalfa regains some regrowth, it will compete well with the bluegrass.

If stands are thick, and water management is adequate, then labelled herbicides like Select Max®/Arrow®; Poast®; Velpar®; or Roundup WeatherMax® might be cost effective to weaken or kill grassy weeds like bluegrass. Apply any one of these immediately after harvest. Glyphosate herbicides can be used on Round-up Ready® alfalfa fields. For bluegrass and annual grasses like foxtail and crabgrass control; Select Max® and Arrow® have the highest rated control and is safe for your alfalfa.

Bluegrass is a problem in many irrigated alfalfa fields, but it doesn’t need to be. Using proper management, you can effectively control it.



Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Agricultural Producers to Promote Competition, Strengthen Food Supply Chain and Rural Economies

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and support a growing workforce in rural areas. The announcement comes on the heels of President Biden delivering a major address on “Bidenomics” —his vision for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up by investing in America, increasing competition, and empowering workers.

“While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of the benefits,” Vilsack said. “Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is committed to championing meat and poultry processers, increasing competition and lowering costs for working families. The announcement I’m making today highlights these producers and reflects the goals of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which advances a sustainable vision of agriculture, prioritizes the needs of our producers and small businesses, promotes competition, strengthens our domestic agricultural supply chains and brings prosperity to people and places in rural parts of our country.”

USDA is providing 15 awards totaling $115 million in 17 states. USDA is providing five awards totaling $38 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) to help independent processors in five states. USDA is also providing 10 awards totaling $77 million under the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) in 12 states.

Iowa: Cattlemen's Heritage Beef Company LLC
$25,000,000 - Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program - This Rural Development investment will be used to help offset the costs associated with commissioning the new beef processing plant. Cattlemen's Heritage Beef Company LLC is a startup enterprise. Funds will be used for equipment for the new 500,000 square foot facility in Mills County, Iowa, southeast of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. When the facility reaches capacity it is projected to process 1,500 head of cattle per day, increasing access to U.S. meat products

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is also providing seven awards totaling $4.5 million to community and technical colleges in seven states through the Meat and Poultry Processing–Agricultural Workforce Training (AWT) program. These investments will build a pipeline of well-trained meat processing workers and support safe workplaces with fair wages for workers.

Secretary Vilsack made today’s announcement during a roundtable with producers and businesses in Des Moines, Iowa, and highlighted efforts under the Biden-Harris Administration to build more, new and better markets and strengthen farm and food businesses. This visit comes as officials from the Biden-Harris Administration are spending the next two weeks in communities across the country to demonstrate how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is delivering results and creating transformative new economic opportunities for families and businesses.

Today's announcement will support projects in Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.



Precision Agriculture Loan Program Proposed for Farmers

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra has put forth a pioneering legislation called the Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act, aiming to provide essential support to Iowa farmers. The proposed federal loan program, to be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, seeks to offer low-interest loans to farmers, enabling them to invest in precision agriculture technology.

Feenstra's initiative comes in response to the financial challenges faced by farmers, especially those who are starting out. Rising input costs and limited access to advanced agricultural solutions have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to thrive. The Precision Agriculture Loan Program aims to ease this burden by offering loans of up to $500,000, with repayment terms ranging from three to 12 years and interest rates below 2 percent.

Precision agriculture technology presents significant benefits to farmers, including improved efficiency and productivity. These tools can optimize the use of fertilizers and herbicides, reduce water consumption, and enhance overall farm productivity. Advanced equipment such as robotic milkers and modern parlor systems have already proven their value in Iowa's dairy sector, streamlining operations and increasing profitability.

Representative Feenstra's legislation is currently under review by the House Agriculture Committee, with expectations of bipartisan support. If passed, the Precision Agriculture Loan Program could empower Iowa farmers by providing them with accessible capital to adopt cutting-edge agricultural practices and drive the industry forward.



2023 Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo Announces Keynote Presenter Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, Director of NASA Harvest and NASA Acres

Tech Hub LIVE, the premier event for advancing tech-enabled agriculture, is thrilled to announce Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft as the keynote presenter for this year’s event taking place July 24-26th in Des Moines, Iowa. Alyssa brings a wealth of knowledge about and expertise in the intersection of technology and agriculture, making her an ideal choice to address the audience of ag retailers, distributors, consultants, manufacturers, and other stakeholders in the ag supply chain, all committed to leveraging the latest tech innovations for practical business advantages on the farm.

Alyssa is a renowned figure in the field of agricultural technology.  She has dedicated her career to harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies to address the challenges faced by the agricultural industry and her work continues to be a driving force behind advancements in the industry. She is the Executive Director of NASA Acres and the immediate-past Deputy Director of NASA Harvest, respectively the U.S.-focused and global NASA consortia on food security and agriculture. NASA Acres, which officially launched in April 2023, is NASA’s latest investment in agriculture. It builds on the successes of the NASA Harvest global consortium to advance solutions for agriculture in the U.S.

Alyssa also serves as the Executive Director of the Harvest Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, a non-profit forum that uses satellite data and other tools to build a robust evidence base for different agricultural management practices that balance environmental, economic, and social demands on agriculture. Additionally, Alyssa is the Programme Scientist for the G20 Global Agriculture Monitoring (GEOGLAM) Programme, where she works with the world’s space agencies to justify and develop new satellite missions and data products for global agriculture monitoring.

Tech Hub LIVE, now in its third year, provides a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and showcasing the latest advancements in ag tech. With a focus on digital farming, robotics, precision agriculture, and data analytics, Tech Hub LIVE attracts a diverse audience of ag retailers eager to explore emerging technologies and gain a competitive edge.

Alyssa Whitcraft's keynote presentation is highly anticipated, as she will shed light on the transformative potential of space technologies and data-driven insights in agriculture. Her talk, titled "From Space to Soil: How NASA Data and Tools are Supporting a Revolution in Ag Tech," will delve into the groundbreaking research and applications that NASA Acres is spearheading to tackle the unique challenges faced by farmers and ag retailers today.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the agricultural technology landscape. Alyssa's keynote address will provide a visionary perspective on how advancements in satellite imagery, data analytics, and remote sensing can revolutionize the way ag retailers operate, optimize resource utilization, and enhance sustainability practices.

Tech Hub LIVE Conference and Expo will take place on July 24-26th at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. With a diverse lineup of speakers, engaging panel discussions, and a bustling expo floor showcasing cutting-edge technologies, the event promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for networking, knowledge sharing, and business growth. Click here to view who's already registered and planning to attend.

Don't miss the chance to hear Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft share her invaluable insights and vision for the future of agricultural technology at Tech Hub LIVE. Register today (www.TechHubLIVE.com/register) and secure your spot at the must-attend ag tech event of the year.



Latin American Delegation Sees Newest Technologies At World Pork Expo

To show its continued support for the Latin American (LTA) pork sector, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) hosted a team of pork industry professionals at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, IA, in early June.

The expo, the world’s largest pork industry-specific trade show, brought together pork producers and industry representatives from around the world for three days of education, innovation and networking.

“Given their opportunity to increase pork consumption, the Latin American pork industry has the conditions and the potential for sustainable growth. However, one of its main challenges is access to suppliers of genetics, raw materials and equipment to improve their productivity and be more competitive,” said Carlos Maya, USGC regional consultant. “For this reason, this expo is a great opportunity for Latin American pork producers.”

In the past few years, the Council has partnered with six pork producers’ associations in Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Peru, conducting different programs primarily focused on strengthening the associations’ roles in the development of the pork sectors within those countries, increasing awareness of the use of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and the relevance of appropriate nutrition to increase profitability. These efforts have helped the Council establish and maintain strong relationships with leaders in the LTA pork sector.

The expo offered the Council the opportunity to showcase ideas and technologies that can support further growth for the LTA pork industry. By providing the tools at the expo, the Council hopes the pork professionals invited can influence others in their countries to shift toward more innovative practices.

“APA from Colombia, COPO from Guatemala and Coopagro from Panama - the organizations the invitees represent - are alliances of pork producers that have grains procurement as one of their main activities. In addition to their importance as buyers, they are an example for other producers and groups, and they are constantly aiming to improve their members' competitiveness. These professionals are among the best references for transmitting knowledge to the industries of their countries,” Maya said.

In July, the Council will continue its efforts to support the Latin American swine industry by supporting Ecuadorian pork producers with a virtual training on biosecurity for the prevention of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), one of the main challenges of the pork industry. The Council will also participate in an upcoming conference on African Swine Fever at the International Pork Producers Congress (CIPORC) organized by the Peruvian Pork Producers Association.



NCBA Files Legal Motion to Strike Down Biden WOTUS Rule

Last night, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and litigation partners filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas asking the court to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA.

“In Sackett v. EPA, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the EPA had overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “A full rewrite of the Biden Administration’s WOTUS definition is the only path to comply with the Sackett decision. NCBA is seeking summary judgement in our lawsuit against the Biden WOTUS rule and urging the Southern District of Texas to strike the rule from the books.”

The Sackett case was not directly about agriculture, but the plaintiffs in the case were harmed by the EPA’s overregulation on WOTUS. NCBA filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court siding with the Sackett family in their lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers. Ultimately, points raised in NCBA’s brief were incorporated in the justice’s final opinion, demonstrating the importance of NCBA joining the fight on this issue.

Separate from the Sackett case, NCBA and a coalition of litigation partners also filed their own lawsuit against the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule to block it from taking effect. NCBA secured injunctions in 27 states to temporarily halt the rule. Now, NCBA is filing a motion for summary judgement to ask the court to rule on vacating the full Biden administration WOTUS rule based on the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Sackett case.

“NCBA has been fighting against overreaching WOTUS rules for years and this is just the latest example of how NCBA fights on every front from Congress to the courtroom,” said Hart. “We are proud to be the voice of America’s cattle producers in Washington.”



Sens. Hoeven, Lujan Reignite MCOOL, Cosponsor American Beef Labeling Act

Earlier this month, Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds, (R-S.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in cosponsoring the American Beef Labeling Act of 2023 (S.52), reigniting support for the bill across rural America.

Reintroduced in January of 2023, the bipartisan bill would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. According to R-CALF USA, this would aid in ensuring that American families know where their beef comes from and that American ranchers have fair cattle markets, as foreign beef imports continue to rise.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, the United States continues to import beef from approximately 20 different countries and approximately 150,000 head of live cattle a month from Canada and Mexico.

Originally passed in the 2002 Farm Bill and amended in the 2008 Farm Bill, current labeling laws require consumers be informed of the country of origin of fresh fruits and raw vegetables, fish, shellfish, lamb, chicken, goat, venison, peanuts, pecans, ginseng, and macadamia nuts.

While the original law included beef and pork, Congress removed the products from the MCOOL law in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, in response to an adverse ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO), stripping consumers of knowing the origins of all beef bought at the grocery store.

Widely applauded by cattle producers around the country, the Act directs the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to determine the means of reinstating beef in the current MCOOL law in a manner that complies with WTO rules. If such means are not implemented within 12 months of the legislation’s enactment, the legislation will take effect on the one-year anniversary date.

“We are grateful for the ongoing bipartisan support for this important legislation as seen by Senators Hoeven and Luján’s recent cosponsorship of the MCOOL bill,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “Beef should not be excluded from the law that currently requires many other food items to be labeled as to their origin.

“This legislation is vitally important to American consumers and American ranchers. We look forward to its eventual passage by Congress.”

R-CALF USA and its partners in the national MCOOL coalition remain strong in their support of the Act and are hopeful for the reintroduction of its House companion bill.



RFA: Independence Day a Good Reminder of Ethanol’s Many Benefits

With AAA projecting that a record number of Americans will hit the road for a long holiday weekend, the Renewable Fuels Association is reminding drivers that lower-cost, lower-carbon ethanol fuel blends are better for the environment and the family budget.

“This holiday weekend, American drivers can declare independence from foreign oil and battery minerals by choosing higher-ethanol blends,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Across the country, the lowest-cost fuel available at the pump is the fuel with the highest content of ethanol, whether that is E10, E15, or E85. E15 is typically sold for 15-25 cents per gallon less than E10 and up to $1 per gallon less than gasoline with no ethanol. And if you’re lucky enough to drive a flex fuel vehicle, E85 offers even greater savings. At the same time, drivers choosing ethanol blends are supporting an American-made product that is better for the environment and the air our families breathe. Renewable fuels like ethanol help our rural economy grow and are part of a balanced portfolio of products that both feed and fuel our great country. What better time to celebrate the benefits of ethanol to American families than on the Fourth of July?”

Cooper pointed out that the U.S. ethanol industry supports more than 420,000 American jobs and has a higher-than-average percentage of workers who are military veterans. And ethanol also promotes energy independence; in 2022 alone, the use of ethanol in the U.S. fuel supply reduced crude oil imports by over 600 million barrels.

To celebrate ethanol’s benefits and help drivers fuel up with American-made renewable fuels, RFA this summer is rewarding drivers with free fuel for helping us report fuel prices around the country, by submitting prices to E85prices.com or sharing them on Twitter. The contest runs through Labor Day.