Monday July 24 Crop Progress + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending July 23, 2023, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 32% short, 53% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 23% very short, 35% short, 41% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 6% very poor, 9% poor, 23% fair, 42% good, and 20% excellent. Corn silking was 77%, ahead of 65% last year and 70% for the five-year average. Dough was 10%, near 7% last year and 13% average.

Soybean condition rated 8% very poor, 11% poor, 25% fair, 40% good, and 16% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 75%, ahead of 65% last year, and near 72% average. Setting pods was 33%, near 29% last year and 35% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 11% very poor, 26% poor, 29% fair, 29% good, and 5% excellent. Winter wheat harvested was 43%, well behind 81% last year and 74% average.

Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 32% fair, 51% good, and 12% excellent. Sorghum headed was 13%, behind 19% last year and 26% average.

Oats condition rated 4% very poor, 12% poor, 34% fair, 42% good, and 8% excellent. Oats harvested was 39%, behind 53% last year and 57% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 34% fair, 51% good, and 6% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 40%, behind 46% last year. Setting pods was 4%, near 1% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 30% fair, 44% good, and 15% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Another dry, but relatively cool week left Iowa farmers with 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 23, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and harvesting oats. Some reports were received of farmers applying insecticides and fungicides. Persistent dry weather has raised concerns regarding crop conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 13 percent very short, 42 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 17 percent very short, 46 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 79 percent this week, 6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Nineteen percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Some reports were received of corn starting to dent. Corn condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.

Eighty-one percent of soybeans were blooming, 1 week ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 35 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition remained steady at 58 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-three percent of oats were turning color, 11 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Oats harvested for grain reached 36 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 1 day ahead the five-year average. Oat condition remained 51 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 86 percent complete, 6 days ahead of both last year and the average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 20 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Hay condition dropped to 37 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition fell to 24 percent good to excellent. Pasture and hay growth remain slow and below average, resulting in supplemental feeding of livestock.



USDA Crop Progress Report: Corn Condition Holds Steady, Soybean Condition Down Slightly

After improving the past few weeks, the national corn condition rating held steady last week, and soybean conditions fell slightly, according to USDA NASS' weekly Crop Progress report released Monday. A heatwave forecast for much of the country this week will likely put even more pressure on crop conditions.

CORN
-- Crop progress: 68% of corn was silking as of Sunday, July 23, 10 percentage points ahead of 58% last year and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 65%. Corn in the dough stage was pegged at 16%, 4 percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average rating of 14%.
-- Crop condition: Nationally, corn was rated 57% good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week and still below 61% a year ago at this time.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop progress: 70% of soybeans were blooming, 8 percentage points ahead of 62% last year and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 66%. Soybeans setting pods was pegged at 35%, 11 percentage points ahead of last year's 24% and 4 points ahead of the average of 31%.
-- Crop condition: Soybeans were rated 54% good to excellent as of Sunday, down 1 percentage point from 55% last week and below 59% a year ago at this time.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: 68% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, up 12 points from the previous week and now 9 points behind the five-year average pace of 77%.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop progress: 94% of spring wheat was headed as of Sunday, 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 93%.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 49% of the spring wheat crop was rated good to excellent as of July 23, down 2 percentage points from last week's 51%, and below 68% a year ago.

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Options for Safely Using High-Nitrate Forage: Grazing, Silage and Haying
Mary Drewnoski - Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Specialist

Given the drought conditions in some locations this year, many producers may be asking themselves how to handle the annual forages they have standing in the field that may not have grown as much as would be expected under normal conditions. These drought-stressed forages can be high in nitrates and may be potentially toxic to cattle.

But with careful management, you can reduce the risk of grazing drought-stressed forages. So, what are the options?

Grazing high-nitrate forage 
Most recommendations for the level of nitrates in forages that cause issues are based on hay and it is suggested that levels above 2,100 ppm N0 3 -N are toxic. Often grazing cattle can tolerate greater concentrations of nitrates than those consuming hay. The amount of nitrates cattle can consume without an issue depends a lot on the situation and management. You can test standing forage for nitrates, but situations and management are so variable we don’t make blanket recommendations about “safe” levels. If you’re interested in testing standing forage, or have any concerns about how to approach high nitrate forage, please contact your local Extension educator to work through your situation.

 If the forage to be grazed is high moisture it is often lower risk. Fresh forages release nitrates into the rumen at a slower rate than dry forages. The slower release rate allows rumen microbes that convert toxic nitrite to ammonia, to better keep up with nitrate inflow. If the forage is mature and dried out, the rate of release of nitrate and thus the risks would be greater, more like hay.

A few things to understand about risks when grazing higher nitrate forages:
1. Gradual adaptation is a key management strategy. Producers should not strip graze high nitrate forages, but allow cattle to be selective. The capacity of the microbial population in the rumen to detoxify nitrite will increase with exposure to nitrate. Nitrates tend to be greatest in the bottom of the stem and with the least nitrates in the leaf. If given the opportunity, cattle tend to select leaf material first and work their way down the plant, slowly increasing their nitrate exposure over the grazing period. That may allow microbial population in the rumen of grazing cattle to adapt to higher nitrate concentrations by the time the animal consumes the stem and lower portions of the plant. Losses from nitrate toxicity are more likely in cattle not adapted to nitrate. To adapt the cattle, start by grazing the lowest-nitrate fields and then work up to the highest. If a lower nitrate field is not available, producers should graze higher nitrate fields at lower stocking rates to allow animals to selectively graze the plant parts that are lower in nitrate concentration.

2. Feeding cattle prior to turnout can help slow initial intake of high nitrate feed. Grazing cattle often have a slower rate of dry matter intake than when eating harvested forages, allowing the microbes to better keep pace with the nitrate inflow. Also, if intake becomes restricted at any point (forage runs out or weather impedes grazing) producers should fill them up on lower nitrate hay again before they go back to grazing the high nitrate forage.

3. Research has shown that feeding a couple pounds of corn to cattle when feeding mature high nitrate forages can lower risk. Higher dietary energy increases the rate of detoxification. Cattle grazing immature forages can have lower risk than mature forages with the same amount of nitrate So, if the forage is older/mature, producers should consider grain supplementation. This will supply energy for rumen microbes to convert nitrate into bacterial protein and minimizes the accumulation of the intermediate nitrite. Grain feeding may be of limited benefit for high quality annual forages but is a good idea when grazing more mature forages.

Ultimately, the decision to graze high nitrate fields is a judgement call and a question of how much risk one is willing to take.

Harvesting high-nitrate forage as silage 
If done right, ensiling can decrease nitrate content of the forage by 40 to 60%. Ensiling is one of the best ways to decrease the potential nitrate toxicity of a forage, so this is an option worth considering. Warm season annuals such as corn, sorghum, sorghum-sudan and pearl millet can all be harvested as silage as can small cereals such as oats, barley, cereal rye and wheat.  
· Harvesting at the proper moisture content (65-70%) and packing it well are keys to lowering the nitrate content.
· Raising the chopper height can also decrease the amount of nitrates in the silage, as the highest concentrations are usually in the lower stem of the plant. 
· Letting the silage ferment for at least 21 days will be most effective.

Silage should be sampled and analyzed before feeding to ensure the amount of the silage in the ration provides acceptable nitrate levels in the diet. Producers should target an initial diet content of less than l000 ppm N0 3 -N. Animals can then be adapted to higher levels by slowly increasing the inclusion of high nitrate silage in the diet. Over time cattle can be adapted to consume diets up to 4,000 ppm N0 3 -N.

Harvesting high nitrate forage for hay
For some situations, hay may be the only option. The drying process does not decrease nitrates, so this hay may need to be diluted in the diet with other forages low in nitrates.
· Grinding and blending of low and high nitrates hay is best to reduce risk. 
· Feeding a couple pounds of grain per cow each day can also help reduce risk.
· Producers should unroll the low nitrate hay first, then after they have consumed most of the low nitrate hay, roll out high nitrate hay, if blending the hay isn’t possible. Be sure animals are not hungry when eating the high nitrate hay (slow intake is key to reducing risk).
· To adapt the cattle, start by feeding the lowest-nitrate hay and then work up to higher levels. Even with adaptation, feeding hay free-choice is risky when the hay has higher than 2,100 ppm NO 3 -N. This is because there are likely to be “hot spots” in the hay with high nitrate content that could result in a cow consuming a much higher load of nitrate.
· Do not feed hay, straw, or fodder suspected of being high in nitrate when it is damp. Damp hay tends to be more toxic because some of the nitrate already has been converted to the more toxic nitrite before being consumed.

Producers with high nitrate forage who need assistance with developing a management plan can contact their local extension educator.



Join Nebraska Cattlemen to Honor Our Nation's Veterans

As Americans, we are forever indebted to our veterans and military service members who make the freedoms we relish every day possible. As a way to thank them for their service and sacrifice, Nebraska Cattlemen is proud to support our troops through our annual Beef for Troops event.

Since 2009 the Nebraska Cattlemen Farmer Stockmen Council has sponsored beef drafts for military members on Veterans Appreciation Day at the Nebraska State Fair. The Farmer Stockman Council will again honor veterans and active-duty service members in the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair during the Veterans Appreciation Day celebration on Monday, September 5th.

As we come together to honor our military veterans and service members, we need your help! We will be accepting cash donations through August 14, 2023. These donations are used to purchase beef drafts, which are given randomly to our veterans and active-duty service members who eat at the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit at the Nebraska State Fair.

Please mail your donations to:
Nebraska Cattlemen
4611 Cattle Drive
Lincoln, NE 68521
*Please note your donation is for Beef for Troops

We appreciate your support of Nebraska Cattlemen, but more importantly, we appreciate your support of our military personnel. Your name will be listed on the beef draft envelope to thank you for your donation.

Questions can be directed to Bonita Lederer at (402) 450-0223 or blederer@necattlemen.org.



Fischer Introduces Bill to Stop Burdensome Ag Odor Reporting Requirement, Ensure First Responders Aren’t Unnecessarily Overwhelmed

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently introduced legislation to stop a burdensome reporting requirement on family farmers and ranchers by President Biden’s Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The legislation would clarify that the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is not intended to regulate manure odors, which pose no threat to public safety. It would also ensure that emergency first responders are not inundated with unnecessary reporting.

“The last thing producers need are more government regulations. And first responders, who deal with real public safety emergencies every day, don’t need to be inundated with irrelevant reports. My bill would make permanent the previous administration’s reporting exemption under EPCRA for animal waste emissions. Rural America doesn’t need Washington bureaucrats pushing through more rules that burden producers and provide no value to local emergency planning commissions,” said Senator Fischer.

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, United Egg Producers, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council, and National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO).

“The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act is an important tool in keeping communities safe in times of emergency, but it was never designed to require farmers to report the normal odors of a farm to first responders. We appreciate Sen. Fischer for her work to formally exempt farms from EPCRA, which will enable authorities to focus on responding to real disasters when they threaten neighborhoods,” said American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Director Courtney Briggs.

“United Egg Producers is very grateful to Senator Fischer for leading this legislative effort to eliminate a reporting requirement that would impose on egg producers a pointless burden that serves no legitimate purpose and would only create risk and liabilities,” said United Egg Producers President Chad Gregory.

"Routine emissions from farms do not constitute an emergency. Animal rights extremists' efforts requiring farmers to overwhelm local first responders with unnecessary reports is dangerous. Burdening emergency response with false alarms can pull valuable resources away from a real crisis. America's pork producers applaud Senator Fischer for bringing common sense to this long-running debate,” said National Pork Producers Council CEO Bryan Humphries.

“The National Turkey Federation (NTF) commends Senator Fischer for introducing a bill to make clear once and for all that air releases from animal manure are exempt from reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). Previous administrations and Congresses believed they had settled this matter, first in 2009 and again five years ago.  Congress should approve Senator Fischer’s bill swiftly so that this issue finally is resolved,” said National Turkey Federation President Joel Brandenberger.

“NASTTPO over the past several years has had the opportunity to work with various animal agriculture associations on emergency preparedness related rulemaking programs at EPA. These experiences have taught us that the most important thing to LEPCs and first responders is not detailed regulatory requirements for a facility’s relationship to these groups, but rather the simple act of open dialog and coordination. That cannot be regulated, but rather must be nurtured through the goodwill of facilities, emergency planner and responders all of whom wish to improve community safety,” said Timothy Gablehouse, Past President/Director of Government Affairs at the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO).

In addition to Senator Fischer, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.).



Nebraska Dietetic Intern Students Gain Valuable Insights on Farm Tours

In a joint effort to bridge the gap between dietetic programs and the agricultural industry, the Midwest Dairy Council and the Nebraska Beef Council recently organized farm tours for dietetic intern students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

The initiative aimed to provide future dietitians with first-hand experiences in understanding sustainability, animal care, and feed rations, essential components of their education. Students toured the Circle 5 Feedyards near Henderson, Nebraska, where the students were led by the farm's owner, Al Janzen, manager Travis Miller, and PhD ruminant nutritionist Kyle Vander Pol.

The students engaged in interactive discussions about the critical role of nutrition in animal welfare and the production of high-quality beef products. These topics addressed core competencies within the dietetic programs, emphasizing the significance of a strong foundation in understanding agricultural practices.

Allison Aden, a student at UNL in the professional studies of dietetics, was among the participants in the farm tours. She is due to graduate in December and aims to become a registered dietitian (RD) or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) based on the state's licensure process. Aden expressed her enthusiasm for the program and the exposure it provided to the agricultural side of nutrition and dietetics.

“The programs decided we need to have a day where our students can see where everything's coming from and completely understand this process,” said Aden. “Especially if this is a product that we're going to eventually recommend to clients or patients in the future.”

The farm tours proved to be a valuable opportunity for Aden to address misconceptions about the agricultural industry. Having firsthand knowledge and experiences, she can now confidently dispel any misunderstandings that her future clients or family members may have about the production of meat and dairy products.

“I knew that they (producers) wanted what's best for the animal but seeing it and knowing it’s been in their family for generations is a whole new experience for me,” said Aden. “Taking such great care of them is obviously going to give you a better-quality meat for the end product.”

The success of the program prompted Aden to encourage her peers to participate in such farm tours if given the opportunity. She emphasized the importance of gaining insights into the agricultural industry, as it provides invaluable context for dietitians to make well-informed recommendations and foster trust with their clients. These types of farm tours continue to be instrumental in providing aspiring dietitians like Aden with key insights into commodity partnerships and beef nutrition for future program collaborations.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

Nebraska egg production during June totaled 196 million eggs, up from 109 million in 2022.  June egg production per 100 layers was 2,435 eggs, compared to 2,288 eggs in 2022. All layers in Nebraska during June 2023 totaled 8.03 million, up from 4.78 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

IOWA:  Iowa egg production during June 2023 was 1.17 billion eggs, up 36 percent from the previous June, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics
Service. The average number of all layers on hand during June 2023 was 47.1 million, up 35 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for June 2023 was 2,494, up 1 percent from a year ago.

June Egg Production Up 4 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.08 billion during June 2023, up 4 percent from last year. Production included 7.78 billion table eggs, and  1.30 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.20 billion were broiler-type and 95.8 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during June 2023 totaled 387 million, up 5 percent from last year. June egg production per 100 layers was 2,348 eggs, down 1 percent from June 2022.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on July 1, 2023 totaled 386 million, up 5 percent from last year. The 386 million layers consisted of 317 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 65.0 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.69 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on July 1, 2023, averaged 78.5 eggs per 100 layers, down 1 percent from July 1, 2022.



Field Crop Insect Guide Helps with Identification, Insect Behavior and Management

Crop farmers, agronomists and others who scout crops for insect injury can gain new insight through the latest version of Field Crop Insects.

First published in 2012, the latest edition became available in print from the Iowa State University Extension Store in July 2023.

Field Crop Insects provides detailed descriptions and photos of more than 50 pest and beneficial insects found in Iowa and information on insect life cycle, crop injury, scouting and management options.

“This new compendium has some important updates for field crop insects in Iowa,” said Erin Hodgson, professor in entomology and extension specialist in entomology at Iowa State. “It includes some new pests since the first edition and highlights common alfalfa pests now, too. It is a valuable resource for new farmers and agronomists, and for those who regularly scout crops.”

Insect pests reduce yields in Iowa’s crop fields every year and are responsible for grain, seed and forage quality reductions.

Many insects injure multiple field crops, and the choices made during one season can impact losses during future seasons.

Important interactions exist among insect pests, plant pathogens and weeds. New technologies are continually emerging, and insect genetics, behavior and distribution can change over time. Therefore, looking at insect issues from a holistic viewpoint is important, considering both short-term pest management needs and long-term farm resiliency.

“Field Crop Insects provides a practical and informative look at the different kinds of insects Iowa’s farmers encounter,” said Adam Sisson. “We explain how to identify insect pests, and then we provide further information about insect behavior, scouting and management basics when applicable.”

The publication can be purchased in single copy printed editions for $8, digital pdfs for $5 or bundles of 25 printed copies for $6 per copy.

Development of this guide was supported by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa State University Integrated Pest Management Program and the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



NCGA Elects Four Members to Serve on Corn Board

Delegates attending the National Corn Growers Association’s (NCGA) Corn Congress, which was held July 20 in Washington D.C., elected four farmers to serve on the organization’s Corn Board.  Taking office on Oct. 1, the start of NCGA’s 2024 fiscal year, are new board members Troy Schneider of Colorado, Kelly Nieuwenhuis of Iowa and Bill Leigh of Illinois. Current board member Jed Bower of Ohio was re-elected. All four candidates were elected to three-year terms.

“This year’s Corn Board candidates brought impressive records of service to their fellow farmers,” said NCGA Nominating Committee Chairman Chris Edgington. “Their willingness to share their time and talent serves as a testament to the importance of the work we do. I look forward to watching how the insights, ideas, experiences and perspectives each brings helps guide NCGA’s work to build a bright future for corn farmers across the country.”

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations. Board members represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokesmen for the NCGA and enhance the organization’s public standing on all organizational and policy issues.



Majority of Iowa grocery shoppers pass on lab-grown and plant-based imitation meat, instead opting for real meat according to new Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ®

Despite the recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval of lab-grown meat products, Iowa Farm Bureau’s Food and Farm Index® finds most Iowa grocery shoppers do not plan to purchase cell or plant-based imitation meat and instead are likely to choose the flavor and nutritional benefits of real meat. Only 21% of Iowa grocery shoppers are even somewhat likely to purchase lab-grown imitation meat, and only 24% are likely to purchase plant-based imitation meat instead of real meat.

Additionally, for Iowans who have previously purchased plant-based imitation meat, the majority (53%) are not likely to make a future purchase. While Iowans appear underwhelmed by imitation meat, Iowans’ affinity for real meat remains strong, with 97% of Iowa households consuming meat and/or poultry at least weekly.

As food costs remain high across the country, price continues to be a key factor for Iowa grocery shoppers when choosing meat/poultry and dairy products to purchase (75% and 68% rank in their top 3 most important factors when making food purchase decisions, respectively). When making food purchase decisions, Iowans say the labels that provide them the most information they are seeking are: raised/grown/made locally (34%), raised/grown by Iowa family farmers (33%) and raised/grown/made in the U.S. (26%).

In addition to meat consumption, Iowans are also dairy lovers, with nearly all Iowa households (98%) consuming dairy at least weekly. While 44% of all Iowa grocery shoppers expressed a likelihood to purchase plant-based imitation milk instead of real dairy milk moving forward, one in three who have ever purchased imitation milk (33%) are not likely to purchase it again.

The annual survey, now in its 10th year, was conducted online by The Harris Poll in the spring of 2023 and asked 500 Iowans, ages 20 to 60, with primary or shared household grocery shopping responsibilities about their purchasing habits and attitudes. The index also uncovered other trends and factors shaping consumption habits, including how and where Iowa grocery shoppers purchase meat and dairy for their families.

Iowans overwhelmingly trust farmers
Trust and confidence in Iowa farmers have remained strong over the decade of polling. This year, 93% of Iowa grocery shoppers say they trust Iowa farmers, 88% are confident that Iowa farmers care for their animals responsibly, and 81% feel confident that Iowa farmers are caring for the environment responsibly.

About three quarters (74%) of Iowa grocery shoppers are confident Iowa farmers are taking on the challenge of improving water quality, and that number jumped to nearly 90% when they learned Iowa farmers lead the nation in no tillage and reduced tillage farming, which allows farmers to minimize soil disturbance protecting soil and water (89%) and that Iowa ranks #1 nationally in several water quality and soil protection practices, like water quality wetlands, bioreactors, grassed waterways, filter and buffer strips, and conservations tillage – which improve soil health and protect water quality (86%). Confidence in U.S. agriculture also remains high, with nearly four in five (77%) confident that U.S. farmers are implementing sustainable farming practices.

“There were several encouraging takeaways from the Food and Farm Index®, but earning the trust of Iowans when it comes to protecting the environment and caring for our animals is a badge of honor for Iowa farmers,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “Iowa farmers are committed to sustainability and farming responsibly, and maintaining the trust and confidence of fellow Iowans remains a top priority.”

Nutrition sways Iowans to consume more real meat and dairy
More than 9 in 10 Iowa grocery shoppers consider animal-based proteins like meat and milk as healthy options when considering foods and beverages in an average diet, and more than two-thirds of shoppers say they are likely to consume more meat and dairy after learning more about the unique nutritional attributes of real meat, poultry and dairy. Nutritional attributes of real meat and dairy appear to influence Iowa grocery shoppers’ purchases.

Even shoppers who said they were likely to purchase imitation meat or milk are swayed by the nutrition of real meat, poultry and dairy. When learning about the high-quality protein, Vitamin B12, zinc and iron found in real animal products, likely buyers of imitation products and those unlikely to purchase imitation products in the future were equally inclined to increase consumption of real meat and milk.

Grocery shoppers in Iowa more frequently say meat (96%) and milk (94%) from animals are healthier compared to plant-based alternatives (vs. 65% plant-based meat and 75% plant-based milk), and according to nutrition experts, they are correct. Health experts like Dr. Ruth MacDonald, an Iowa State University food science and nutrition scholar, understand the appeal and value of those nutritional attributes.

“Animal proteins - meat, milk and eggs - are ‘complete’ proteins which mean they contain all the required amino acids needed for humans. These foods are also great sources of nutrients that maintain and enhance the immune system, such as vitamin B12, iron and zinc which are not as well absorbed from plant-based foods,” said Dr. MacDonald. “Having a well-balanced diet is always important, but especially during high stress times like these, it’s even more important to ensure the foods we eat are rich in the vitamins, minerals and proteins that support and strengthen our immune system, and animal-based proteins remain an excellent source.”

Nearly 9 in 10 Iowa grocery shoppers (87%) are likely to purchase food based on its ability to support and strengthen their immune system. Sixty-nine percent of Iowa grocery shoppers are likely to increase meat and poultry consumption after learning they provide the majority of zinc in our diets, which aids proper immune system function.

After learning that the human body absorbs iron, which helps the body use oxygen, from meat and poultry more easily than iron from plant-based foods, 68% are likely to increase their meat and poultry consumption. Seventy-two percent are likely to increase consumption after learning that meat, eggs and dairy are natural sources of Vitamin B12, which promotes brain development in children and helps the nervous system function properly. And 68% are likely to consume more meat, eggs and dairy after learning they are the highest quality sources of protein, which can help with weight loss and muscle tone.

Methodology
The research was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau among 500 Iowa adults aged 20-60 who have primary or shared responsibility for grocery shopping. The survey was conducted May 12 through June 1, 2023.

Data is weighed where necessary by education, age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, size of household, material status, and propensity to be online to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +5.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subset of the surveyed population of interest.



EPA Releases Draft Strategy to Better Protect Endangered Species from Herbicide Use

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft Herbicide Strategy for public comment, a major milestone in the Agency’s work to protect federally endangered and threatened (listed) species from conventional agricultural herbicides. The Strategy describes proposed early mitigations for more than 900 listed species and designated critical habitats to reduce potential impacts from the agricultural use of these herbicides while helping to ensure the continued availability of these important pesticide tools.

“Ensuring safe use of herbicides is an important part of EPA’s mission to protect the environment,” said Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Jake Li. “This strategy reflects one of our biggest steps to support farmers and other herbicide users with tools for managing weeds, while accelerating EPA’s ability to protect many endangered species that live near agricultural areas.”

The Strategy released today is part of EPA’s ongoing efforts to develop a multichemical, multispecies approach to meeting its obligations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). EPA’s traditional chemical-by-chemical, species-by-species approach to meeting these obligations is slow and costly.  As a result, EPA has completed its ESA obligations for less than 5% of its actions, creating legal vulnerabilities for the Agency, increased litigation, and uncertainty for farmers and other pesticide users about their continued ability to use many pesticides. The Strategy — which is primarily designed to provide early mitigations that minimize impacts to over 900 listed species — is one of EPA’s most significant proposals to help overcome these challenges.

EPA focused the Strategy on agricultural crop uses in the lower 48 states because hundreds of millions of pounds of herbicides (and plant growth regulators) are applied each year, which is substantially more than for non-agricultural uses of herbicides and for other pesticide classes (e.g., insecticides, fungicides). Additionally, hundreds of listed species in the lower 48 states live in habitats adjacent to agricultural areas. The proposed mitigations in the Strategy would address the most common ways that conventional agricultural herbicides impact these listed species.

EPA expects that the Strategy will increase the efficiency of future ESA consultations on herbicides with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which has authority over most listed species that could benefit from the proposed mitigations. Under the Strategy, EPA proposes to identify and begin mitigating for potential impacts even before EPA completes ESA consultations. These early mitigations should expedite EPA’s ability to fully comply with the ESA by reducing impacts to listed species before EPA conducts most of its ESA analysis. Adopting mitigations earlier will also allow EPA and FWS to far more efficiently use their resources in ESA consultations.

The Strategy’s proposed mitigations reflect practices that can be readily implemented by growers and identified by pesticide applicators and that provide flexibility for growers to select the mitigations that work best for them. The Strategy also gives credit to landowners who are already implementing certain measures to reduce pesticide runoff. For example, existing vegetated ditches and water retention ponds will qualify for credits that reduce the need for additional mitigation. Similarly, the Strategy would require less mitigation on flat lands, which are less prone to runoff, and in many western states, which typically experience less rain to carry pesticides off fields. The Strategy also describes how the Agency could add other mitigation practices to the menu of mitigation options in the future, particularly to incorporate emerging technology or new information on the effectiveness of specific practices.

Draft Herbicide Framework Document
The draft framework document includes a discussion of both the proposed scope of the Herbicide Strategy and the proposed decision framework to determine the level of mitigation needed for a particular conventional agricultural herbicide. The draft framework document also includes examples of how the proposed herbicide mitigation would apply to some of the herbicides for which EPA has conducted case studies as well as EPA's proposed implementation plan.

The draft herbicide framework and accompanying documents are available in docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0365 for public comment for 60 days https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPP-2023-0365.

In its ESA Workplan and ESA Workplan Update, EPA outlined this and other ESA initiatives to develop early mitigations that provide listed species with practical protections from pesticides. The Strategy complements those other initiatives, such as targeted mitigations for listed species particularly vulnerable to pesticides and Interim Ecological Mitigations that EPA has begun incorporating under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The draft framework describes how EPA would apply the mitigations in the Strategy compared to mitigations in the other initiatives.



Top economists, industry leaders preview farm economic outlook
EPA Administrator Michael Regan will speak at the Ag Outlook Forum in K.C.
 
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan will provide perspective on key issues facing his agency during the Ag Outlook Forum on September 25 at the downtown Marriott in Kansas City.
 
“With so many environmental issues top of mind for the agricultural community, we are excited to have the Administrator join us in person,” said Sara Wyant, editor-in-chief of Agri-Pulse. Bob Petersen, executive director of The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, added that, “the event has become a ‘must attend’ for agribusiness executives looking to re-set their expectations heading into the fall harvest.”
 
The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Communications are bringing together top economists, industry leaders and government officials to offer unique insights during their 9th annual Ag Outlook Forum. Other speakers include:
    Denver Caldwell, director of sales for the U.S. and Canada, John Deere
    Hans Kabat, president, Cargill Protein North America
    Ken Seitz, president, and CEO, Nutrien
     
USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer will lead off a panel discussion looking at the ag economy. Panelists include:
    Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist, StoneX
    Krista Swanson, lead economist, National Corn Growers Association
    Roland Fumasi, EVP & North American regional head, RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness
    Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse will serve as the panel moderator
 
The program will also feature a discussion of the 2023 farm bill prospects led by Missouri farmer Blake Hurst. Invited to join him on the panel are U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids, D-Kan., and Tracey Mann R-Kan.
 
Further information, including registration, is available at www.agoutlookforum.com. Attendees may register to attend both in-person and virtually. Early bird registration discounts are available before August 25.



Tell ASA Your Conservation Story!

Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation, and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award. The awards recognize farm management practices of U.S. soybean farmers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable.

Are you using a reduced tillage practice on your farm? Do you grow cover crops? Have you taken steps to improve energy efficiency or water quality? These are just a few conservation practices used on some farms that help produce sustainable U.S. soybeans. Different regions of the country have their own unique challenges and ways to approach conservation and sustainability. We want to hear your farm’s conservation story!

All U.S. soybean farmers are eligible to enter and potentially be presented a Conservation Legacy Award. Entries are judged on soil management, water management, input management, conservation, environmental management, and sustainability.

The selection process for these awards is divided into four regions: Midwest, Upper Midwest, Northeast and South. A farmer from each of these regions will be recognized at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, TX, and one of those four will be named the National Conservation Legacy Award recipient.

Award Winners Receive:
• An expense-paid trip for two to Commodity Classic Feb. 28–March 2, 2024, in Houston, TX.
• Recognition at the ASA Awards Celebration at Commodity Classic.
• A feature story and news segment on their farm in Farm Journal magazine and on the AgDay television show.
• Video produced on their unique farming and conservation practices.

The Conservation Legacy Awards are sponsored by the American Soybean Association, BASF, Bayer, Nutrien, the United Soybean Board/Soybean Checkoff, and Valent U.S.A.

More information on past winners and how to submit an application is available in the “About” section under “Awards” on the ASA website. All applications must be submitted by Aug. 31, 2023.