Wednesday June 28 Ag News

 Opportunity for Rural Nebraskans Seeking Higher Education

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation welcomes applicants for the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation Scholarship in honor of Max and Eric Brown. From trade school to training and other college credits, non-traditional students who are committed to living in a rural Nebraska community are eligible to apply for awards up to $2,500.

“Rural communities are at the heart of Nebraska. Keeping them vibrant means future successes for agriculture and ensuring the traditions of small towns are preserved. This scholarship supports individuals who are dedicated to protecting the vitality of rural Nebraska,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is accepting applications for the 2024 scholarships and will award up to $2,500 to non-traditional students, age 25 or older, living in Nebraska’s rural communities. Applicants must be pursuing an education in Nebraska including, but not limited to, community college, technical school, or training programs in any field of study.

“Rural communities need all kinds of professionals to thrive! The beauty of this scholarship is no matter your field of study, your commitment to staying in rural Nebraska makes you a candidate,” said Schafer.

Past winners have sought EMT training, master’s degrees, and nursing degrees, among other things. With this scholarship, they were able to ease some of the financial burden of continuing their education while staying committed to their rural Nebraska communities.

Through consecutive careers as General Manager of KRVN and volunteer leadership roles for numerous agricultural organizations, Max and Eric Brown dedicated their lives to serving rural Nebraska. This scholarship continues a legacy of support for farmers, ranchers, and their communities.

Applications can be found at www.nefbfoundation.org and are due August 1.
 


EPA Proposes New Standards that Pick Winners and Losers in Transportation Fuel
NE Farm Bureau

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released for public comment a proposed extreme emission standards rule for future light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles for (MY) 2027 and beyond.

This proposed rule aimed at accelerating growth of electric vehicles and reducing liquid fuel consumption. While the EPA does not mandate specific technology or fuel, they do set declining limits on fleet-wide grams of CO2 per mile which are strict enough to effectively require far more electric vehicles.
 
Farm Bureau policy opposes excessive increases in Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards and standards that reduce the availability and increase the cost of trucks.  These proposed standards also will decrease the demand for liquid transportation fuels and do not seem to account for the emissions reduction benefits of biofuels.

EPA is proposing a new regulations on consumer and commercial vehicles to effectively force the country to move away from liquid fuels, including biofuels, and force the adoption of electric vehicles.

Tell EPA not to push down a one-size-fits-all mandate that effectively forces more electric vehicles onto the roads by penalizing the production of liquid fuel vehicles.



LIVESTOCK WATER NEEDS ON PASTURE
– Jerry Volesky, NE Extension Educator

As summertime temperatures begin to heat up and cattle are on pasture, it’s important to make sure there is adequate water for livestock. How much do cattle need and where should it come from?

The water requirements for cattle depend on their size, class, and environmental conditions. High humidity and greater temperatures also increase water demand.  A University of Georgia study lists water requirements for days when the daily high temperature is 90°F. With these conditions, growing or lactating animals need two gallons of water per 100 pounds of body weight. This means a 1400-pound, lactating cow will need close to 28 gallons of water daily with 90°F daily highs. If the calves are 250 pounds, they will need about 5 gallons. Again, some of the water will come from grazed forage.   Make sure water tanks or water points are accessible for smaller calves.

Having fresh, clean water should also be a priority.  With dry conditions this year in many parts of Nebraska, water quality from water sources such as dugouts or ponds and dams may not be ideal.  The ability to have water close by should also be a goal, although sometimes it’s simply not possible.  More water locations can help meet the water demand but could also help grazing distribution too.  Cattle will receive some of their daily water requirements when they are consuming high moisture feedstuffs such as fresh forage when grazing pasture, silages, or green chopped feeds.  Feeds that are high-energy increase the water requirement.

Keep an eye on water this summer and make sure livestock have enough, good quality water available.



Nebraska 4-H Foundation announces 2023 Governor's Agricultural Excellence Award Winners

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is excited to announce the 2023 Governor's Agricultural Excellence Award winners. Seventeen 4-H Clubs were selected to receive $500 grants to complete projects that will have lasting and meaningful impacts on their communities.

The following clubs have been awarded the 2023 Governor’s Agricultural
Excellence Award:
    Country Kids 4-H Club, Boone County
    Minute Milker 4-H Club, Clay County
    Dog Gone Fun 4-H Club, Custer County
    Pathfinders 4-H Club, Gage County
    Grant County 4-H Council, Grant County
    Cloverdale 4-H Club, Holt County
    Shining Stars 4-H Club, Holt County
    5-Star 4-H Club, Lancaster County
    Fusion 4-Hers, Lancaster County
    Hunter’s Pride, Lancaster County
    Lancaster County Teen Council, Lancaster County
    Blossomfield 4-H Club, Polk County
    Clover Rovers 4-H Club, Polk County
    Sheridan County Jr. Leaders, Sheridan County
    Badger Buddies 4-H Club, Washington County
    Tomorrow’s Leaders 4-H Club, Washington County
    Webster County Wranglers, Webster County

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation’s Governor’s Agricultural Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, NIFA, is a prestigious award designed to recognize 4-H clubs for their efforts to serve their communities.  

For more information about the Governor's Agricultural Excellence Awards, visit Ne4HFoundation.org.

 

Nebraska 4-H Foundation announces 2023 scholarship winners

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of its annual scholarships. Nineteen recent high school graduates were selected to receive higher education scholarships based on their outstanding accomplishments in 4-H, dedication to community service, and high scholastic achievement.

Scholarship winners include:
•       Ashley Abrahams, Dodge County
•       Paige Bunn, Dodge County
•       Sierra Cain, Lincoln County
•       Alexa Carter, Butler County
•       Addison Cotton, York County
•       Aleyna Cuttlers, Lancaster County
•       Evan Hartman, Dodge County
•       Jaci Larsen, Garfield County
•       Creyton Line, Buffalo County
•       Caleb Most, Keith County
•       Abigail Owens, Dawson County
•       Thomas Perrin, Keith County
•       Kaylee Powell, Hall County
•       Kyle Rote, Garden County
•       Carson Sullivan, Hall County
•       Gregory Treffer, Dawson County
•       Olivia Vanderford, Lancaster County
•       Spencer Walahoski, Dawson County
•       Paige Wood, Nance County

The Nebraska 4-H Foundation provides up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to graduating seniors who have been actively involved in 4-H. To learn more about Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarships, please visit Ne4HFoundation.org/Scholarships.



I-29 Moo University Presents Producer Dairy Margins Webinar July 20

The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, July 20 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT with a focus on milk margins.

The webinar will feature Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira, associate professor in the School of Animal Sciences (former Department of Dairy Science), Virginia Tech. Dr. Ferreira will note that indications show that margins are not promising in the near future and that close attention to financial management is as critical now as it was during previous periods.

“Listeners will be reminded that this happened in 2015 through 2018 and how commodity prices and milk prices all play into the scenario,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.  

Dr. Ferreira is originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where his family manages a cropping and beef cow/calf farm. Dr. Ferreira obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Universidad Católica Argentina (1998). Since he was an undergrad, Dr. Ferreira has been fascinated with forage management and cattle nutrition. After graduation, Dr. Ferreira performed a research internship at the USDA-Dairy Forage Research Center located in Madison, WI. He then pursued a Master of Science in Dairy Nutrition from University of Wisconsin-Madison (2002) and a Ph.D. in Dairy Nutrition from The Ohio State University (2006).

After working 2 years in the industry as a technical manager for DSM Nutritional Products Argentina SA, Dr. Ferreira worked 5 years as a technical and management consultant for dairy farmers in Asociación Argentina de Consorcios Regionales de Experimentación Agrícola (AACREA). Since August 2013, Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira has been a Dairy Management Extension Specialist in the Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/X1XRNI.

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Patricia Villamediana, 605-688-4116.

 

Nature-Positive Food Production Explored Through New Dairy Management Inc. and Yara Partnership

Yara North America and the U.S. Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) have launched a first-of-its-kind soil health collaboration. Yara brings world-class agronomic expertise to help accelerate learnings in regenerative agriculture practices that can benefit the dairy industry.
 
The partnership will complement the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration (DSWR) project and explore the use of organic fertilizers derived from manure for the benefit of soil health and regenerative nutrient management practices. Trialing is underway at Yara’s Incubator Farm in Auburn, Alabama, and benefits of manure-derived fertilizers in combination with mineral fertilizers will be evaluated to determine their positive impact on water use efficiency, nutrient use efficiency, and crop yield and quality.
 
“Supporting innovations and explorations centered around soil health, nutrient management and water regeneration are key as we work toward our ambition of growing a nature-positive food future,” said Debbie Watts, VP, innovation and market development, Yara North America. “This cooperation with Dairy Management Inc. is a terrific example of Yara’s commitment to participate in the transformation of the food system through actions that reduce emissions, protect nature and improve livelihoods. The dairy industry can look to Yara as a partner and valued contributing resource in agronomy and soil health expertise.”
 
At Yara’s Soil Health Incubator Farm, experiments will be conducted to parallel the outcomes of the DSWR soil health, nutrient management and environmental efforts. Insights and findings from these trials will be shared across the dairy industry and others involved in the U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative, focused on the industry’s environmental stewardship goals of achieving GHG neutrality and improvements in water quality and quantity by 2050.
 
“We are delighted to add Yara to our diverse set of partners and greatly value the tools and insights they bring in soil health, regenerative agriculture and agronomy,” said Lori Captain, executive vice president of global sustainability at Dairy Management, Inc. “Yara’s global expertise, matched with dairy farmer experience, will help advance learning and scalability of sustainable practices.”



Dairy Market Report: Farmer Milk-Price Outlook a Challenge

Bright spots in the dairy outlook are harder to find than usual at the moment.

As in 2015–2019, butter is acting as the pole holding up the dairy price tent, having found a firm floor at around $2.40/lb, as certified by the current futures. This is happening in spite of what could be described as a case of raging inflation, which peaked at a 31.4 percent annual rate last November, but is now down to just 3.1 percent in May.

Most dairy products are unwinding from their peak inflation rates of 2022, although that trend is not yet translating into correspondingly strong wholesale prices; even so, domestic commercial use of milk in all dairy products is recovering from last year’s inflation, and growing by more than 2 percent by all milk equivalent measures. Butter and American-type cheese domestic use is growing again, by at least as much as their production is up.

Read the full monthy report here:  https://www.nmpf.org/farmer-milk-price-outlook-challenging/.  



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/23/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending June 23, ethanol production was unchanged from the prior week at 1.052 million b/d, equivalent to 44.18 million gallons daily. Output was 0.1% more than the same week last year and 2.0% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 1.2% to 1.039 million b/d—the highest since mid-December, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.93 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks climbed 0.8% to a 6-week high of 23.0 million barrels. Stocks were 1.0% more than a year ago and 5.1% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 0.7% to 9.31 million b/d (142.66 bg annualized). Yet, demand was 4.3% more than a year ago and 1.1% above the five-year average.

Likewise, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 0.7% to 897,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.75 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.2% less than the same week last year and 1.9% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports jumped to an estimated 104,000 b/d (30.6 million gallons for the week). There were zero imports recorded for the 29th consecutive week.



Nitrogen Products Lead Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower

Retail fertilizer prices continue their decline, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the third week of June 2023. This trend has been in place for more than six months now. All eight of the major fertilizers were lower in price compared to last month. Two fertilizers were noticeably less expensive. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

UAN32 was 8% less expensive compared to the prior month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price was $471/ton. Anhydrous was 5% lower looking back to last month with an average price of $755/ton.

The remaining six fertilizers were slightly lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $825/ton, MAP $827/ton, potash $618/ton, urea $619/ton, 10-34-0 $734/ton and UAN28 $402/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.46/lb.N, UAN28 $0.72/lb.N and UAN32 $0.74/lb.N.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. 10-34-0 is 19% less expensive, DAP is 21% lower, MAP is 22% less expensive, potash is 30% lower, urea is 31% less expensive, UAN32 is 34% lower, UAN28 is 35% less expensive and anhydrous is 50% lower compared to a year prior.



John Linder, Former NCGA President, Elected to Lead MAIZALL

John Linder, an Ohio corn grower and former president of the National Corn Growers Association, was elected today to serve as president of MAIZALL, an international farmer’s organization that focuses on eliminating regulatory obstacles to innovation in agriculture. The group contains members from the U.S., Brazil and Argentina.

His one-year term begins on Monday, July 3. NCGA’s leadership expressed enthusiasm over the news.

“John is a dedicated leader, and he will no doubt do an outstanding job leading MAIZALL,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “We are very proud to see a fellow corn grower take the lead at a group that does so much to advance the agenda of farmers in the international arena.”

MAIZALL engages private sector stakeholders, national government officials and leaders from international organizations, such as the World Trade Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, to work towards alignment on regulatory barriers to trade.

Linder, who served as president of NCGA in 2020-21, said he looks forward to serving as president of the group.

“Trade is vital to American farmers,” Linder said. “That’s why as MAIZALL president I will work to encourage foreign governments and international organizations to embrace science-based regulatory decision-making that allows farmers to use all the innovate tools in their toolbox to feed and fuel the world.”

The MAIZALL presidency rotates between countries each year.



NGFA supports the Reliable Rail Service Act

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) issued a statement supporting the Reliable Rail Service Act (S.2071), a bill recently introduced by Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., that would better define Class I rail carriers’ common carrier obligation.
 
“Clarification of the common carrier obligation has been needed for decades and this bipartisan bill provides STB with clear oversight rules to help address our nation’s freight railroad supply chain challenges and improve rail service for agricultural shippers,” NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert said. “NGFA members appreciate the leadership of Sens. Baldwin and Marshall in responding to rail service issues and cosponsoring this legislation, which will help regulators respond to service disruptions that cause hardship for livestock producers, grain exporters, and grain processing facilities.”
 
The Staggers Act of 1980 required rail carriers to serve the wider shipping public “on reasonable request,” a principle known as the common carrier obligation. However, more than 40 years later, the common carrier obligation remains poorly defined with no established criteria.
 
The Reliable Rail Service Act statutorily clarifies the common carrier obligation and establishes specific criteria for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider when determining whether a railroad is meeting this obligation to provide rail service. If the STB determined a carrier was not meeting its common carrier obligation, the bill would empower the STB to prescribe service standards consistent with the needs of the shipper making the request.



Tire reminders to reduce soil compaction

Today’s typical farming operation often requires bigger machinery that weighs more and carries heavier loads than machinery did decades ago. When growers consider the impact of heavier equipment in the field combined with persistent weather volatility, soil compaction should remain top of mind all season long.  
 
What is soil compaction?
Soil compaction is an increase in the soil’s bulk density, resulting from pressure. Essentially, soil particles are forced closer together which reduces the air space between them.
 
What to remember with soil compaction?
    It worsens when soil is wet.
    Reduces water percolation.
    Limits soil’s air and water-holding capacity.
    Restricts root development.
    Limits nutrient movement.  
    Reduces crop yield.
 
How can soil compaction be reduced or mitigated?
Choosing the right farm tires and ensuring proper tire inflation pressure can help the grower maximize their machinery’s capabilities, decreasing soil compaction and helping to build favorable soil structure.  
 
Firestone farm tires built with Advanced Deflection Design (AD2) technology can further help growers get more work done in less time and with less soil compaction compared to standard, equivalent-sized radial tires. This newer class of farm tires can carry more load at a lower pressure, resulting in a larger footprint that reduces the potential for soil compaction. The tires also improve traction and provide a smoother ride for the operator, which reduces fuel consumption and time spent in the field.



Dan Basse Elected to Lead Farm Foundation® Board

Dan Basse of Chicago, Illinois, president of AgResource Company, has been elected chair of the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. Basse, who will serve a two-year term, succeeds Jerome Lyman, a retired executive of McDonald’s Corporation.

“It is an exciting time for Farm Foundation as we celebrate our 90th Anniversary and look to accelerate our mission with the construction of an Innovation and Education Center on our recently purchased farm in Libertyville, Illinois,” says Basse. Furthermore, Basse says that he is looking forward to closely working with Farm Foundation CEO Shari Rogge-Fidler to accelerate people and ideas in soil health and sustainability, farmer health, digital agriculture, and market access for US farmers. “There is much to accomplished, and thankfully, Farm Foundation is blessed with a deep and dedicated board and management team.”

Cheri De Jong of Dalhart, Texas, principal owner of Natural Prairie Dairy and owner and CFO of AgriVision Farm Management, was elected vice chair of the 29-member board. Andrew LaVigne of Alexandria, Virginia, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, was elected treasurer. The election took place at the board’s June meeting.

Farm Foundation is an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture that leverages the power of collaboration between food and agricultural stakeholders to advance agriculture in positive ways. As a 501(c)(3) charity, the organization applies its non-partisan, objective approach to a suite of projects and programs aimed at addressing both emerging and persistent issues facing farmers and the wider industry.

In addition, six new members have been elected to the board: Former United States Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns; Former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jewel Bronaugh; Michael Doane, global managing director, food and freshwater systems, The Nature Conservancy; James (Jimmy) Kinder, co-owner/operator, Kinder Farms; Cristina Rohr, managing director, food and agriculture, S2G Ventures; and Todd Van Hoose, president and CEO, Farm Credit Council.

The Farm Foundation Board of Directors is responsible for managing the affairs of Farm Foundation. Other members of the board are:
Chuck Ahlem, Charles Ahlem Ranch
Angela Caddell, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
Steve Coulter, Koch Agronomic Services
John Foltz, The Ohio State University (retired)
David Gilmore, Deere & Company
Gregg Hillyer, Progressive Farmer
George Hoffman, Restaurant Services Inc.
Robert Jones, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation
A.G. Kawamura, Orange County Produce
Kristin Kroepfl, Quaker North America
Thayne Larson, Bestifor Farms
Brad Lubben, University of Nebraska
Klaas Martens, Martens Farm and Lake View Organic Grain
Sylvester Miller II, FMC
Nathan Rudgers, Farm Credit East
Ryan Schohr, Schohr Ranch
Mary Snapp, Microsoft Philanthropies
Mike Torrey, Michael Torrey Associates