Friday July 21 Cattle Inventory, Cattle on Feed + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 2%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.33 million cattle on feed on July 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 2% from last year. Placements during June totaled 425,000 head, up 5% from 2022. Fed cattle marketings for the month of June totaled 525,000 head, down 4% from last year. Other disappearance during June totaled 20,000 head, unchanged from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT  

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 630,000 head on July 1, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service -- Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from June but up 3 percent from July 1, 2022. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 525,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month but up 1 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,155,000 head, down 1 percent from last month but up 2 percent from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during June 2023 totaled 60,000 head, down 19 percent from May but up 3 percent from June 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 43,000 head, down 22 percent from May but up 30 percent from June 2022. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 103,000 head, down 20 percent from May but up 13 percent from June 2022.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during June 2023 totaled 58,000 head, down 19 percent from May and down 12 percent from June 2022. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 51,000 head, down 30 percent from May and down 9 percent from June 2022. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 109,000 head, down 25 percent from May and down 11 percent from June 2022. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 4,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 2 Percent
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on July 1, 2023. The inventory was 2 percent below July 1, 2022. The inventory included 6.73 million steers and steer calves, down 3 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 60 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.47 million head, unchanged from 2022.

Placements in feedlots during June totaled 1.68 million head, 3 percent above 2022. Net placements were 1.61 million head. During June, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 275,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 380,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 368,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 185,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 80,000 head.

Marketings of fed cattle during June totaled 1.96 million head, 5 percent below 2022. Other disappearance totaled 69,000 head during June, unchanged from 2022.



July 1 Cattle Inventory Down 3 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States on July 1, 2023 totaled 95.9 million head, 3 percent below the 98.6 million head on July 1, 2022.

All cows and heifers that have calved totaled 38.8 million head, 2 percent below the 39.6 million head on July 1, 2022. Beef cows, at 29.4 million head, down 3 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.40 million head, unchanged from previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 15.0 million head, 4 percent below the 15.6 million head on July 1, 2022. Beef replacement heifers, at 4.05 million head, down 2 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 3.65 million head, down 3 percent from previous year. Other heifers, at 7.30 million head, 5 percent below a year earlier.

Steers 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 13.9 million head, down 3 percent from July 1, 2022.

Bulls 500 pounds and over on July 1, 2023 totaled 1.90 million head, down 5 percent from previous year.

Calves under 500 pounds on July 1, 2023 totaled 26.3 million head, down 3 percent from a year earlier.

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 13.1 million head on July 1, 2023, down 2 percent from previous year. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 85.5 percent of the total cattle on feed on July 1, 2023, up slightly from previous year. The total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots), at 34.4 million head, down 4 percent from the 35.7 million head on July 1, 2022.

Calf Crop Down 2 Percent
The 2023 calf crop in the United States is expected to be 33.8 million head, down 2 percent from last year. Calves born during the first half of 2023 are estimated at 24.8 million head, down 2 percent from the first half of 2022. An additional 9.00 million calves are expected to be born during the second
half of 2023.



Improving Water Quality and Soil Health With Cover Crops

Mark Peterson and his son, Lane, farm 2,000 acres near Craig, Nebraska, and use cover crops on about half of their acres. Together, they raise corn and soybeans and Lane operates his own cover crop seeding and custom application business. Mark advocates for clean water and healthy soils by promoting buffer strips and testing the soil and water on their farm. The Petersons have been using cover crops for nine years and hope to share with field day attendees how to get started and keep going with cover crops in Nebraska.

Lunch will follow the field day.

Date: Monday, Aug. 7
Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
Location: Peterson Farms | 2410 County Road M, Craig, NE 68019

For full event details and to RSVP, visit the event page at https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days/improving-water-quality-and-soil-health/. Attendees can also RSVP by calling PFI at (515)-232-5661.



New custom rates for livestock services published Center for Agricultural Profitability

A new report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability features current rates for custom services related to livestock production in Nebraska. It reflects the results of a statewide survey that was circulated in early 2023 to those who either provide or pay for custom work related to livestock.

The survey report is divided into sections based on the types of work, which include common custom livestock services, custom feed preparation and delivery charges, custom land/pasture maintenance services, fencing and trenching, livestock hauling, haying and baling, equipment rental and manure hauling and application.

The report lists the number of reported responses for each service, the average reported rate and a range that reflects the minimum and maximum rates reported. Rates include charges for the use of necessary equipment, fuel, labor and supplies provided by the custom operator.

This year marks the first publication of the report, which is a companion to the biennial Nebraska Farm Custom Rates Survey Report that features more detailed information about custom service rates related to cropping operations and is typically published in even-numbered years.  

Glennis McClure, a Nebraska Extension educator and farm and ranch management analyst, leads the survey and publication efforts for both reports.

“While the long-running biennial custom rates report contains some information related to livestock services, we’ve known for some time that there has been demand from livestock operators and service providers for more detailed custom rate information,” she said.

McClure noted that information reported in both publications is intended as a guide when calculating what to charge or pay for custom operations and that actual rates may vary from those listed in the survey due to differences in the operators responding and those providing services across the state.

The livestock-related survey report provides rates for 53 custom services, based on 91 surveys completed by custom operators and clients across the state. Responses were received from all eight of the state’s USDA-designated Agricultural Statistics Districts and only services that received at least three responses are published in the report.

“We know that the biennial custom rates report is a very widely used publication in the state, so our hope is to continue growing participation in the survey for livestock-related services, to be able to offer the latest and most accurate information possible,” McClure said.

Nebraska custom rates reports are available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/customrates. A webinar covering the new livestock-related report will be held at noon Central time on Aug. 3. Registration is available at go.unl.edu/cap8-3.



Field Conditions Shift to Favor Soybean Phytophthora Stem and Root Rot
Dylan Mangel - NE Extension Plant Pathologist

We typically expect conditions for soybean seedling disease to be ideal early in the season during crop emergence. This season, conditions were dry and the crop experienced limited seedling disease. Disease levels were exceptionally low for oomycete pathogens like Pythium and Phytophthora. These oomycete pathogens are also known as the ‘water molds’, and that name provides a clue for why they were missing this spring. These pathogens rely on water to complete their lifecycle and when it is absent the spores will remain dormant in the soil.

Spores from Phytophthora sojae, which causes the soybean disease Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR), can infect soybean plants throughout the season and will often do so if moisture increases mid-season. With moisture increasing across the state in the last few weeks, PRSR is beginning to show up on farms.

PRSR symptoms, when infecting plants mid-season, often show up two weeks after a large rain event or even the first irrigation event of the season. Initial symptoms are often plant wilting and leaf chlorosis accompanied by a brown color on the exterior surface of the stem that extends from the soil surface up for two or three nodes. After these symptoms are present, the plant will typically dry-down quickly and drop leaves.

A key takeaway here is that Phytophthora is not manageable in season. However, this is a controllable disease if management is applied in the correct spot. Therefore, step one is to verify the disease is caused by Phytophthora and to carefully note what areas are experiencing symptoms. With this information, consider management options for the next season.

The first line of management is to select a resistant soybean variety. Varieties that contain a Phytophthora resistance gene are available. Additionally, varieties are commonly rated for Phytophthora field tolerance. Pairing both field tolerance and a resistance gene will provide the best control. However, if you have an area with high infection, consider planting that field last to give the soil more time to warm and dry out.

Seed treatments are also effective against PRSR. Mefenoxam and metalaxyl are effective but often require use at increased rates. See the UNL NebGuide: Management of Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot of Soybeans, G1785 for additional seed treatment information.



NDOT Hay Permit Applications Accepted Online Beginning July 30

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has announced hay harvesting permit applications for the public will be accepted through an online application portal beginning July 30 at 12:01 a.m. CDT. Applications will be processed in the order they are received during normal business hours beginning Monday, July 31, 2023. Individuals must have a permit to harvest hay on State Right of Way.

An individual may purchase hay harvesting permits online from July 30 through September 15 on a first-come, first-served basis, with each permit limited to five miles of roadside hay total. The hay is for private use only and only one permit is allowed per person. With the online option, an integrated online map will better aid customers and staff to select miles to mow, and will be routinely updated showing available the miles that are available for permits.

Landowners are given the opportunity to renew last year’s permits between March 1 and July 29.

The Hay Harvesting Permits Application and Help Docs will be available on the NDOT website. The option to purchase permits from specified NDOT locations will still be available. Please visit ndot.info/haypermit for more information.



See Latest Field Research at South Central Ag Lab Field Day Aug.1

The public is invited to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL) field day on Tuesday, Aug. 1.  The field day includes topics focusing on improved crop production and profitability.  The event is designed so guests can select the tours they are most interested in. Topics and presenters include:

Nutrient Management -   
Fertigation demonstration and Precision Ag Technologies for Nutrient Management
Guillermo Balboa, Research Assistant Professor, Jose Pinto, Ph.D. student and Seth Norquest, research technologist

Disease Management - Corn and soybean disease updates  
Tamra Jackson-Ziems and Dylan Mangel, Nebraska Extension plant pathologists

Insect Management - Corn and soybean insect updates                   
Robert Wright, Nebraska Extension entomologist and Ron Seymour, Nebraska Extension educator

Irrigation Management - Technologies for Irrigation Scheduling  
Bruno Lena, Nebraska Extension educator

Weed Management - Cover Crop for Weed Suppression in Corn and Soybean: Planting Green and Intercropping
Vipin Kumar and Mandeep Singh, Ph.D. students, and Amit Jhala, Nebraska Extension weed management specialist

The event begins with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by opening remarks by Derek McLean, dean of UNL’s Agricultural Research Division at 8:45 a.m. Tours of research sites will follow. Sentinel Fertigation founder and CEO Jackson Stansell will give the keynote address, “Image-based Fertigation Scheduling: A win-win for improving profitability and sustainability,” during lunch.  

SCAL is located at 851 Hwy. 6, near Harvard.  

Details, map and registration are available at https://go.unl.edu/scalfieldday.  There is no cost to attend the field day, but participants are asked to pre-register by July 28 for planning purposes.

For more information, call (402)762-3536 or e-mail shachtel1@unl.edu.  Continuing Education Units have been applied for and are pending.



CAP Webinar: Ag Law in the U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 27, 2023 12:00 PM
Dave Aiken, Professor and Agricultural/Water Law Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This webinar will examine three 2023 decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court that are related to agriculture. The first is the California Proposition 12 case, dealing with limiting meat imports into California. Next is another wetlands case dealing with what constitutes Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS. Finally, we will consider a property tax forfeiture case, which will have important implications in Nebraska.

Presented by the Center for Agricultural Profitability at UNL.

Register and get more information at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



‘Organic Transition Academy’ scheduled for Aug. 18-19

A new training to help producers explore the transition and economics of certified organic production is set for Aug. 18-19, in Aurora, hosted by the Center for Rural Affairs, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).

The free event is for grain, livestock, fruit, and vegetable producers, farmers, or beginning farmers who have thought about starting a certified organic operation but don’t know where or how to start.

On Friday, Aug. 18, a farm and granary tour with a community dinner will take place, from 3 to 8 p.m. Then, on Saturday, Aug. 19, sessions will be held at The Leadership Center in Aurora from 8 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

“Organic farming offers significant environmental and economic benefits, but making the transition can be challenging,” said Angelyn Wang, local foods associate with the Center. “This training offers market development, resources, and technical assistance to local farmers looking to explore organic transition and make those first steps easier.”

The Organic Transition Academy, brought to you by NCAT and their Organic Academy Roadshow, will feature expert speakers and farmers from the Northern Great Plains region who will help producers navigate the marketing of organic products, organic certification, business planning, and transition strategies for organic production.

Stipends of $200 are available to assist with travel and lodging costs for the first 45 farmer participants who register.

To register, visit cfra.org/2023-organic-transition-academy. For questions, contact Wang at angelynw@cfra.org or 402.870.1721.

This project is a regional partnership with NCAT, Montana Organic Association, Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, Center for Rural Affairs, Intertribal Agriculture Council, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, International Organic Inspectors Association, North Dakota State, and University of Wyoming. This project is funded by U.S. Department of Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and supported through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program. The Transition to Organic Partnership Program is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service National Organic Program.



Senators Introduce Bill to Exempt Farm Emission Reporting
NPPC

On Thursday, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), along with 16 additional Senate Co-Sponsors, introduced a bill (S. 2430) to amend the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act to exclude reporting of routine emissions from livestock farms to state and local emergency response authorities.
 
Pork producers and other livestock industries have engaged with federal and state regulators for decades over permitting and reporting of air emissions. This engagement has included both the air consent agreements that many producers signed, exempting them from having to file emergency reports to first responders.
 
In 2018, due to continued pressure from animal rights extremists, Congress permanently exempted livestock farmers from having to report emissions under the Superfund law to the US Coast Guard’s National Response Center. At the same time, EPA exempted those same farms from making similar reports to state and local first responders. Following litigation by animal rights extremists, the Biden Administration agreed to re-open that rulemaking to reconsider the exemption from the emergency release reporting rule. Senator Fischer’s bill would clarify that the 2018 Farms Act, and EPA’s prior regulations, were correct and that livestock farms should not be required to inundate local fire departments with emission reports.



USDA Accepts Nearly 2.7 Million Acres in Grassland CRP Signup
Nebraska Second Highest State for Number of Acres Accepted  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland signup. This program allows producers and landowners to continue grazing and haying practices while protecting grasslands and further CRP conservation efforts. Grassland CRP is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s broader effort to address climate change and conserve natural resources. This year’s signup results include 417,865 acres in Nebraska, behind Colorado which lead the nation with 430,899.  

“This year’s Grassland CRP signup demonstrates the continued success and value of investments in voluntary, producer-led, working lands conservation programs,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska. “Grassland CRP clearly demonstrates that conservation priorities and agricultural productivity not only have the capacity to coexist but also complement and enhance one another. Through all our working land conservation programs, farmers and ranchers play a critical role in helping secure the future of both our food production and our natural resources.”   

Additionally, USDA has accepted more than 1 million acres through the General CRP signup nationwide, and more than 465,800 acres have been submitted through the Continuous CRP signup so far this year.   

Grassland CRP leverages working lands practices to improve biodiversity and conserve environmentally sensitive land. To target conservation in key geographies, USDA prioritizes land within two National Priority Zones: the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Dust Bowl area. FSA accepted more than 911,000 acres in these two zones. Land enrolled in these zones will contribute to broader USDA conservation efforts through Working Lands for Wildlife by conserving working grasslands and other lands that underpin iconic big game migrations.

Grasslands enrolled in CRP help sequester carbon in vegetation and soil, while enhancing resilience to drought and wildfire. Meanwhile, producers can still conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing or harvesting seed from the enrolled land, which supports agricultural production.    

Broadening Reach of Program  
As part of the Agency’s Justice40 efforts, producers and landowners who are historically underserved, including beginning farmers, limited-resource producers, and military veterans, received 20 additional ranking points to enhance their offers. From more than 6,400 underserved producers, USDA accepted offers of more than 1.8 million acres, about 74% of those who submitted applications.

Additionally, USDA is working to broaden the scope and reach of Grassland CRP by leveraging the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to engage underserved communities. CREP is a partnership program that enables states, Tribal governments, and non-profit entities to partner with FSA to implement CRP practices and address high priority conservation and environmental objectives. Interested entities are encouraged to contact FSA.



Nebraska Extension Launches New Drones in Ag Conference on Aug. 3

Drone pilots and businesses utilizing drones across Nebraska will converge on Aug. 3, 2023 for the inaugural Drones in Ag Conference, sponsored by Nebraska Agricultural Technology Association (NeATA) and organized by Nebraska Extension. The conference is a one-day event held at UNL’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Education Center (ENREEC) located near Mead, Nebraska.

“NeATA is thrilled to announce its hosting of the Drones in Ag Conference, which aims to unite all stakeholders and foster a collaborative learning environment in the rapidly evolving field of utilizing drones in agriculture,” said Ryan Meister, NeATA member and vice president of digital transformation at Frontier Cooperative in David City, Nebraska.

This conference serves as a platform to exchange knowledge and experiences among participants, given the growing nature of this industry. The widespread adoption of drones in agriculture offers significant prospects for enhancing resource management and operational efficiency in farming practices.

The conference will begin with a keynote address delivered by Mike O’Shea, program manager of the UAS Integration Office for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He will discuss how the FAA is working to streamline the process of using drones in the national airspace and providing resources that participants can use.

“The FAA is striving to make entering and operating in the UAS space easier, and we are very interested in addressing the needs of farmers,” O’Shea said, adding that his goal is to build communication avenues for conference participants to the FAA. “We want to be an easily accessible resource.”

Three practical informational sessions with panel discussions from 10 drone practitioners will be presented throughout the day to allow participants opportunities to have their questions answered by experts in the field. These sessions will include information on how to fly drones legally in the national airspace, including requirements to fly sprayer drones, practical uses of drones in agriculture, and tips and tricks to successfully use drones in a business.

“What is unique about our event is we are bringing together speakers that represent Nebraska businesses that use drones in their daily work,” according to Dr. Dirk Charlson, associate extension educator for digital agriculture at UNL, who has been using drones for aerial crop scouting in his own ag consulting business for the past seven years. “Additionally, we want participants to leave the conference with information that can be applied immediately to their own drone activities.”

The conference starts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 3 at ENREEC, located at 1071 Co. Rd. G, Ithaca, NE 68033. Lunch will be provided and sessions will wrap up at 2:30 p.m., followed by drone demonstrations.

Certified Crop Advisor credits for attending the conference are pending.

More information, agenda details and registration for the Drones in Ag Conference can be found on the NeATA website https://neata.org/. Contact Dirk Charlson, 402-460-0742, for questions or concerns.

NeATA is a non-profit organization that provides a professional network for producers, businesses and educators to share agricultural research experiences and related knowledge. Registration to the conference includes free membership to NeATA.



YEUTTER INSTITUTE’S MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH ENRICHES INSTRUCTION, STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

International trade is too complex to be understood using only one academic discipline. That’s why the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, which is now marking its fifth anniversary, uses a cross-disciplinary approach in its instruction and events. Students say they benefit from the breadth of insights provided by fields including economics, law, business and policymaking.

“It’s a multidisciplinary approach to teaching,” said John Beghin, professor of agricultural economics and the Yeutter Institute’s faculty chair for ag economics. “It provides good opportunities to learn about international relations — the politics, the economics, the agribusiness dimensions. It’s a good mix of analytical skills and operational skills.”

To date, 29 undergraduate students have participated as Yeutter Student Fellows, including four selected for the upcoming academic year.

The institute provides a broad-based understanding of global trade issues that’s proven vital for personal advancement, said Savannah Gerlach, who graduated in May and is now working as a commodity trader with agribusiness giant ADM. Jill O’Donnell, the Haggart-Work Director of the institute, provides important academic guidance, Gerlach said, and helps students make connections that open up promising opportunities for internships and post-graduation employment.

“Of all my involvement through college, I would say that the Yeutter Institute is the most focused on helping students find success in their career,” said Gerlach, a native of Dewitt, Nebraska. “They're extremely focused and dedicated to making sure that students are successful.”

Academic diversity is core to the program. Having instructors and presenters from different academic fields makes for a stronger educational experience, said Aline Abayo, a 2022 alumna working as an African issues specialist with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

That breadth of academic backgrounds extends to the institute’s undergraduate student fellows, who can major in any field but spend time together in common trade-focused activities. Abayo, who majored in economics, says the notable variety of majors within her cohort regularly produced worthwhile discussions, broadening students’ understanding.

The institute’s emphasis on multidisciplinary understanding is illustrated by the specializations of its three faculty chairs: Beghin, with the Department of Agricultural Economics; Matthew Schaefer, with the College of Law; and Ed Balistreri, with the College of Business.

“It’s absolutely true that international trade is a very interdisciplinary field,” said Katrin Kuhlmann, an Omaha native and trade specialist who has taught two mini-courses to Yeutter students. “These are really complex questions we’re grappling with. The solutions are not going to come from just one area of study or professional focus.”

That interdisciplinary approach fits in with the example set by the late Clayton Yeutter himself. Yeutter earned three degrees from Nebraska: a Bachelor of Science; a law degree; and a doctorate in agricultural economics. His career encompassed the private sector, as president of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, as well as agricultural economics and government service, as the U.S. secretary of agriculture and as a trade representative for the federal government.

The institute couples its multidisciplinary approach with extensive engagement with trade professionals. Since 2018, more than 80 outside trade professionals and experts, including current U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, have participated in the institute’s programming through on-campus conferences and student events, as well as webinars and podcasts. Tai spoke with university students in the fall of 2020, when she was serving as chief trade counsel on the House Ways and Means Committee. Four former U.S. trade negotiators have taught mini-courses to undergraduate, graduate and law students on topics ranging from new models for trade agreements to trade with China.

A range of Nebraska agricultural and business professionals and industry representatives also attend a national biennial conference hosted by the Yeutter Institute.

The interdisciplinary approach used by the institute has helped College of Law students who applied for internships. The breadth of trade-focused studies now available through the Yeutter Institute gave the students an “expanse of expertise” that stood out to their interviewers, said Schaefer, professor of law.

Research is another tool to help students gain broad, practical understanding. For the past three summers, undergraduates in Ag Economics and the College of Business have done 10-week internships analyzing economic issues brought by external stakeholders. The research topics have included new export markets for farm equipment and sales prospects for Nebraska’s biorenewable products.

Yeutter emphasized the need for students to understand that times change and decision-makers need to have critical thinking skills to adapt to new conditions, O’Donnell said.

“With that in mind, we try to create opportunities for students to develop that kind of thinking and adaptability,” O’Donnell said. “It’s the skill of learning we hone throughout their time in the program. It’s very important for students to bring fresh and critical thinking to all the fundamental questions that are being asked about trade right now.”



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for August

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in August. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Dates
    Thursday, August 3 – Norfolk
    Friday, August 11 – Valentine
    Tuesday, August 22 – Fairbury
    Friday, August 25 – Norfolk

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.

Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



Ag Voices of the Future: Students Sharpen Ag Policy Knowledge on the Hill

A select group of nine college students from across the country completed the Ag Voices of the Future program July 10-13 while in Washington, D.C. Sponsored by the American Soybean Association and Valent U.S.A., the program gives students an inside look at how agricultural policies are made in the nation’s capital. The class was held in conjunction with ASA’s summer board meeting and other soy events.

An application process for the Ag Voices of the Future program was initiated this past winter in partnership with the collegiate organization Agriculture Future of America. Students had the opportunity to apply for the AFA Leaders Conference and Ag Voices of the Future program through the same application. The following students were selected for this year’s Ag Voices of the Future class:
• Lakin Booker, University of Tennessee – Knoxville
• Colby Brandt, Iowa State University
• Owen Brown, Oklahoma State University
• Julia DeSalvo, Southern Arkansas University
• Reagan Koester, Purdue University
• Cody Loganbill, Oklahoma State University
• Eliza Patchin, Iowa State University
• Caleb Simpson, University of Missouri – Columbia
• Makenna Stundebeck, University of Missouri – Columbia

“We are proud of our partnership with ASA to provide students with a hands-on educational experience focused on ag policy,” said Matt Plitt, Valent U.S.A.’s president and CEO. “Valent is committed to advancing all aspects of ag education, and this program provides our next generation of leaders with the opportunity, access, and education that will enable them to develop skills and knowledge to shape the future of ag.”

The students received education on effective advocacy and the significant legislative, trade and regulatory issues that impact farmers. The program also gave students the chance to visit with others who work in Washington, D.C., to learn more about careers related to agriculture policy.

“It’s important that young people have an understanding of the significant policy issues that directly impact the productivity and economic wellbeing of our farms and the soybean industry,” said ASA President Daryl Cates, a farmer from Columbia, Ill. “ASA appreciates Valent’s support of this valuable program that helps to cultivate future voices for agriculture in D.C.”

The three-day program was packed with activities and valuable networking opportunities, including the chance to hear from ASA and Valent’s industry and government affairs representatives and a House staff member about their current position and past career experience. The group attended an ASA policy issues briefing, Capitol Hill visits with farmer-leaders, a visit to USDA, presentation from EPA, and session on soy’s role in addressing global food security issues. The students completed a writing workshop with a top speech writing firm and enjoyed an evening tour of the National Mall and memorials.



Greiner Named Director of Iowa Pork Industry Center

Stepping into the director role, Laura Greiner is ready to guide Iowa State University’s Iowa Pork Industry Center in its efforts to maintain the state’s standing as a leader in advancing animal agriculture.

Greiner, assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State, succeeds Chris Rademacher, who has spent the past year as the center’s interim director. Rademacher, clinical professor in veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and swine extension veterinarian at Iowa State, will remain involved with the center as its associate director. Both positions took effect July 1.

“I am very pleased to welcome Laura Greiner as the new director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center,” said Jay Harmon, associate dean of extension and outreach and director of agriculture and natural resources extension. “Iowa leads the nation in swine production, and I am very confident that Laura’s experience and knowledge of the industry will pay dividends for swine producers in our state and beyond.”

Greiner has been a faculty member at Iowa State since 2018. She received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in animal science with an emphasis on nutrition from Iowa State. She completed her postdoctoral training in microbiology at the University of Iowa.

At Iowa State, she leads the Greiner Laboratory, which focuses on conducting research to address contemporary challenges in swine production. Within the lab, Greiner and her student researchers explore ways to improve sow longevity; better understand the vitamin and mineral needs of pigs throughout their life cycle; and strengthen the immune system of young female pigs prior to their first mating.

In addition to her research work, Greiner instructs the swine production introductory course. Through this course, she teaches more than 180 Department of Animal Science students each year about raising swine for commodity pork and niche production.

Greiner said she is excited and honored to take on this leadership role and to be a part of the tradition of ISU Extension and Outreach.

“With pork being the number one animal protein consumed globally, and Iowa being a significant producer of pork, we need to continue to be a leader in advancing animal agriculture through modern production practices, welfare, technology and sustainability,” Greiner said. “We hope to offer new programs and help our producers with issues such as caretaker education and feed mill management, while continuing to offer activities, including our Pork Quality Assurance training and various webinars, to keep swine producers up to date and informed.”

The Iowa Pork Industry Center, established in 1994, is a coordinated effort of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State. Its mission is to promote efficient pork production technologies in Iowa, maintain Iowa's pork industry leadership and strengthen rural development efforts. This is accomplished by pulling people together from various disciplines to provide educational and informational opportunities to producers and industry members in the state.



Butter Buoys Milk Prices as Inflation Ebbs

Looking for bright spots in this year’s dairy outlook is increasingly challenging.

Butter continues to do outsized work in supporting milk prices, holding firm at around $2.40/lb, while other key product prices sag. The butterfat value of producer milk checks has averaged an estimated 58 percent of total milk checks since last August, compared to a more normal 40 percent during 2020–2021.

Retail price inflation has dropped dramatically this year for all dairy products tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all dairy products just 2.7 percent higher in June than a year earlier, a potential boon to demand. The overall Consumer Price Index measuring general inflation was 3 percent higher in June than a year ago. Domestic commercial use of milk in all products, meanwhile, is up over a year ago by more than 3 percent on a total solids milk equivalent basis, according to USDA.

View the full report here... https://www.nmpf.org/butter-buoys-milk-prices-as-inflation-ebbs/. 



USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Until August 11

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) to August 11, 2023. This extension gives organic dairy producers more than two additional weeks to apply for the program. ODMAP helps producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. This assistance will help keep organic dairy operations sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions.   

Through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), $104 million is available to organic dairy operations to assist with projected marketing costs in 2023. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep. ODMAP assistance is calculated using a producers’ marketing costs in 2022. For new, transitioning or expanded organic dairy operations, assistance is based on projected marketed production in 2023. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep.

FSA will make an initial ODMAP payment to eligible applicants factored by 75%. If funds remain at the end of the application period, an additional payment, not to exceed the remaining 25%, may be issued to eligible producers.   

How to Apply
Signup opened May 24 and closes Aug. 11, 2023. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. To complete the ODMAP application, producers must certify to pounds of 2022 milk production or to a projection of marketed pounds in 2023, if applicable, and submit a completed application form.   

At the time of application, organic dairy operations are required to provide their USDA certification of organic status confirming the operation as an organic dairy in 2023 and 2022 along with the certification of 2022 milk production in hundredweight.  

ODMAP complements other assistance available to dairy producers, including Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental DMC, with more than $611 million in benefits paid for the 2023 program year to date.  For details, visit the FSA Dairy Programs webpage https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-bill/farm-safety-net/dairy-programs/index.  



NMPF Statement on USDA Federal Order Announcement
Board Chairman Randy Mooney, dairy farmer, Rogersville, MO

Dairy farmers nationwide are grateful that USDA is moving forward by including the full scope of NMPF’s proposal to guide the dairy industry forward as it modernizes the Federal Milk Marketing Order system.

This recognition of NMPF’s consensus-based leadership allows us to continue the substantial momentum for change that we’ve achieved. Each piece of our proposal, from returning to the “higher-of” Class I mover as soon as possible, to updating both Class I price differentials and manufacturing cost allowances, has been crucial toward building that consensus, and all components of our plan are critical to a successful update to this important program.

There is still a long journey ahead toward a modernized federal order system that works better for farmers, but NMPF is ready, with co-op led efforts well under way to ensure that we are well-prepared for the FMMO hearing that begins next month. We’re excited to lead this industry toward solutions that will offer benefits for everyone, and we are gratified that USDA is showing thoughtful leadership through its responsiveness and support for dairy.



ACE Releases Conference Agenda for 36th Annual Event

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference agenda is now available for the 36th annual event taking place next month Wednesday, August 23, through Friday, August 25, at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center.

“Our conference agenda is packed with dynamic sessions, insightful speakers and countless networking opportunities, making it the premier destination for anyone passionate about advancing the biofuels industry,” said Katie Muckenhirn, Vice President of Public Affairs. “You’ll see our conference theme ‘Everything Counts’ carried throughout the agenda – from the myriad of pursuits to help drive down ethanol’s carbon intensity to how each individual’s contribution to moving this industry forward makes a difference.”   

Participants can expect to delve into cutting-edge technologies, policy developments and market trends that are shaping the biofuels sector. The lineup of experts and thought leaders will explore innovative strategies to boost production, enhance efficiency and maximize policies that support biofuels.

Notable highlights of the day-and-a-half agenda include:
    Keynote: Ethanol Outlook in a Changing Energy Market Landscape – Tom Kloza, Global Head of Energy Analysis, OPIS
    Untangling and Maximizing IRA Biofuel Incentives
    Cultivating Progress: Climate-Smart Farming for Carbon Markets
    Real Time CI Scoring for Ethanol Producers
    Unlocking Corn Oil Extraction and Utilization Advancements
    Workforce Evolution: Harnessing the Power of your Current Workforce and the Future Role of AI Technology
    The Journey to Capture, Store, and Utilize Carbon
    Outlook for Exports

The program also includes opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and expand your professional network during dedicated receptions and break times, including the Welcome Reception on the evening of Wednesday, August 23, and a special reception being held at Target Field during a Twins Game on the evening of Thursday, August 24.

To view the full agenda online, along with other event details and registration, visit ethanol.org/events/conference.