Wednesday August 30 Ag News

 FALL FORAGE INVENTORY
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Summer is flying by and fall is just around the corner. While it may seem like a weird question to ask already, do you know how much feed or hay you have for this fall or going into winter?

Last year’s winter didn’t do anyone’s bale yard a favor and a dry spring and early summer didn’t help alleviate pressure on forage resources. With tight supply and high costs, it’s worth asking if you have enough feed this fall or winter for your current cattle numbers.

Consider the “best case” and “worst case” scenarios. Count bales, measure silage, calculate remaining pasture, and get a real idea of how many calves and feeders you may have. If more forage is needed, there is still a very short window to plant a fall grazing crop, find some extra acres to hay, or decide to chop a bit more silage if the situation calls for it.

While temperatures are still warm, those wanting to plant some extra forage should skip the warm season species and focus on cool season crops that will really take off in the fall. Right now your two best choices are oats for either hay or grazing and turnips for grazing.  Winter small grains like cereal rye, wheat, and triticale can be mixed with the oats and turnips. They won’t produce much fall growth, but they will provide some early grazing next spring.

If growing your own feed isn’t an option, another action plan to consider is buying feeds that are cheaper now and storing them through the winter. We know how to do this with hay and silage, but what about distillers grains? Mixing distillers with low quality feeds and packing in a bunker or in a bag, can significantly reduce the cost of protein and energy supplements during the winter months. This is especially helpful if cows are coming of off grass thin and need to improve condition before calving.

Planning is indispensable. Having a feed inventory, adding needed forage when able, and checking prices and availability of purchased feeds now will go a long way to reducing the anxiety of what we will feed our cows this fall and winter.



Students at Eight Rural NE Schools To Learn 'Specialty Crop' Production
 
Students in eight rural Nebraska schools will soon be getting hands-on experience in “specialty crop” production thanks to a two-year U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded to the Center for Rural Affairs. Kirstin Bailey is senior project associate with the Center and the lead staff on the Nebraska Young Farmer Program – Introducing Specialty Crop Production. It’s a collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Education’s Farm to School Program. Bailey says “specialty crops” are non-commodity crops, including most vegetables, fruits, herbs, Christmas trees, cut flowers and honey. She says these crops are well-suited for school ag programs. She says, "Specialty crops can be done on as small as a couple of raised beds. So that’s what’s nice about it for schools, they might not need tons of acres to implement a new strategy. "
 
Bailey says each school will select a specialty crop and be matched up with an area farmer who will serve as a mentor – with both the farmer and the school receiving a stipend. In addition to a farm tour, students and teachers will receive training on budgeting and technical assistance from their farmer mentor, the Center and the NDE. Banner County and Bancroft-Rosalie schools are signed on so far, and applications will be accepted soon to add six more schools.
 
Bailey says this project came about after a number of students approached the Center's staff with questions about beekeeping and other specialty crops at the state FFA convention.  She says, "Because of their interest, we were able to put together this proposal and this project, so we’re really looking forward to what we’re going to learn from those kids and how this can help the schools introduce different forms of ag to these kids. "
 
Sarah Smith, a Farm to School Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, says the project has the potential to have a huge impact on students.  She says, "This has such a tie-in to actually involving the students in farm-to-school efforts, and growth in potential for careers in the future. "
 
And she praises the number of farm-to-school elements it incorporates... "They will have participation from the school nutrition programs where they’ll have a stake in the food that is grown on site, but also connecting those students to the farms, and those farmers that are mentoring the school as well. "



CVA's Technical Team partners with community for training

Central Valley Ag’s Technical Rescue Team had opportunities to get out into the public eye this month. On Aug. 10, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Haskell Ag Lab hosted a Family Field Day with visitors ranging from eight years old to 80. CVA’s Technical Rescue Team was invited to present a bin rescue demonstration. The team set up the grain bin prop with the ropes/cables in place to present a grain bin extraction. This demonstration led to several conversations regarding safe bin entry procedures and the dangers of not following such procedures.

On Aug. 15, CVA’s Technical Rescue Team 3, based in Humphrey, Neb., and the Columbus, Neb. Fire Department got together for rescue training. The two teams did patient packaging in the morning and discussed bin rescue protocol. That afternoon they practiced bin rigging and removing a victim from a grain bin, which featured the Mayor of Columbus acting as the victim in the demonstration.  The teams packaged him in a stokes stretcher and used a ladder truck and rope systems to get him to the ground. Both teams learned a lot from each other throughout this training.

Thank you to CVA’s James Droescher and firefighter/paramedic, Ryan Sabata, for coordinating this training.



Central Valley Ag Requests Your Best Recipes for its 2023 Cookbook

Central Valley Ag’s Unity Council is seeking out your favorite recipes to incorporate into a one-of-a-kind cookbook as a fundraiser for CVA's Life Fund program. This cookbook will serve as a way to preserve special recipes from employees, producers, and community members.

The cookbooks will be ready to order by the 2023 holiday season, costing $25.00 each. To order your cookbook please go to www.cvacoop.com/cookbook. You may also preorder when you submit a recipe. Deadline to submit recipes is September 15.

Recipes can be submitted one of three ways: online, in person, or emailed. For more information on how to submit your delicious recipe please go to www.cvacoop.com/cookbook. CVA’s Unity Council hopes this cookbook will become a staple in many households for years to come.

“We wanted to hold a fundraiser that provided our employees, member-owners, and communities with something meaningful,” said Chad Carlson, SVP of Talent at CVA and Director of CVA Unity Council. “This cookbook provides recipes from different cultures, time periods, and families; something that can be passed down through generations. It is our hope that this cookbook will be filled with many recipes, while also supporting CVA’s Life Fund Program.”

Central Valley Ag’s Life Fund is an employee donation program that provides support for CVA employees going through unexpected hardships that place undue financial stress on them and their families. The CVA Unity Council, made up of volunteer CVA employees, lead fundraising efforts to support this program. Show your support by submitting a recipe, or two, to the first ever CVA cookbook.



ICGA Delegates Adopt Policies Impacting Iowa Corn Farmers at Annual Grassroots Summit

The Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) hosted the Annual Grassroots Summit where ICGA delegates set the direction for state and federal policy priorities for the coming year. During the Grassroots Summit, a group of over 100 farmer-member delegates from across the state voiced opinions and thoughts on legislative priorities and policies.

ICGA delegates engaged in important topics that impact corn growers including the value of the core functions and activities of the Iowa corn checkoff such as market development, research and education. Throughout the policy session, they also discussed Prop-12, green energy, corn-based ethanol, carbon and taxes. While each of these topics yielded much discussion, ICGA farmer members reached a consensus and decision to reflect the majority’s interests.

“The discussions we had at the Grassroots Summit are a testament to the Iowa Corn mission of creating long-term opportunities for Iowa corn farmer profitability,” stated incoming ICGA President Jolene Riessen, a farmer from Ida Grove, Iowa. “Through grassroots policy development, Iowa Corn is able to represent our members’ farms when we work to create or defend policies at the state or national level. I am extremely proud of the farmer delegates who attended and took the time to voice what matters most to them and those they represent and look forward to a year of advocating on their behalf as the Iowa Corn Growers Association President.”

Additionally, the farmer delegates reviewed expiring policies and debated new policy resolutions. This ICGA policy process includes a member-wide survey in the spring, local roundtable discussions held in the summer, and the Annual Grassroots Summit in late August. Policies related to national issues will be brought forward at the Commodity Classic meetings with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) farmer delegates.  

ICGA will release its finalized 2024 state and federal policy priorities in December based on ICGA Board discussion as well as the grassroots input provided during the Summit. The complete 2023-2024 policy resolution book will be available online and upon request by emailing corninfo@iowacorn.org or calling 515-225-9242.



Cattle Feeders Should Be Cautious When Using Drought-stressed Corn

Iowa is fortunate to have corn as a major cropping enterprise. That's why it's important to keep harvest management tips in mind, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“We grow a lot of corn, which offers producers the opportunity to harvest green-chopped corn as forage or to put it up as silage,” Doran said. "Regardless of what producers choose, there are other factors to consider, especially when harvesting drought-affected crops."

Doran cautions producers to check with both their Farm Service Agency and crop insurance agency before chopping. If drought-stressed corn is green-chopped, producers should be aware of the potential for nitrate toxicity.

“There is a quick test that can be used to test for the presence of nitrates, but a sample of the green-chopped feed should be sent to a commercial testing laboratory to determine the amount of nitrate,” Doran said. “Do this before feeding!”

Ensiling of drought-stressed corn will reduce the nitrate concentration by about 40% to 60%. Still, producers need to have it tested after ensiling and before feeding to determine the actual level of nitrate. If the nitrate level is high, the silage may be diluted with low-nitrate feedstuffs.

Doran reminds producers that tolerance to nitrate ranges with the type of beef animal. Feedlot cattle over 700 pounds tend to be more tolerant, while lighter feedlot animals or pregnant cows and heifers are least tolerant. It is advisable to feed it to the most tolerant animals.

Other best management practices include raising the cutter bar as high as possible, harvesting at the proper dry matter, allowing four to five weeks for fermentation, slowly adapting the animal to the silage and providing a balanced diet.

See more information on drought and beef cattle in this Nitrates in Livestock Feed publication on the Iowa Beef Center website https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/bch/NitratesLivestockFeed.pdf or contact Doran by phone at 712-737-4230 or email doranb@iastate.edu.



Naig Encourages Fuel Retailers to Apply for Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Grants

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa fuel retailers to apply for cost-share grants through the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) to upgrade fueling systems and provide consumers with greater access to higher blends of lower-cost biofuels.

The RFIP helps fuel retailers provide more consumer options for higher blends of lower cost Iowa grown biofuels by incentivizing the installation, replacement and conversion of ethanol and biodiesel dispensing and storage infrastructure. Incentives to upgrade biodiesel terminal and storage facilities are also available.

During the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature authorized a record $15 million for the program during this fiscal year, up from $10 million last year. This increase builds off the momentum that was established during the 2022 session when Iowa became the first state in the nation to establish an E15 access standard.

“As Iowans continue to face expensive fuel costs and unacceptably hot inflation, consumers benefit from greater access to higher blends of lower-cost biofuels,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Given the historic investment made by Gov. Reynolds and the Legislature in this grant program, there has never been a better time for fuel retailers to utilize this cost-share funding to upgrade their fueling infrastructure and help Iowans save money at the pump.”

While the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship manages the program, a board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate determines grant allocations on a quarterly basis. The board will consider the next round of RFIP grant applications during its next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, October 11. The RFIP grant application is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. To be considered at the next meeting, grant applications are due to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship by the close of business on Monday, September 25.

Over the history of the RFIP program, the state has invested approximately $75 million while private industry has invested over $225 million.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Down 3 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 108 million head on July 1, 2023, down 3 percent from the 111 million head on July 1, 2022. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 43.4 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago.
                        
All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2023, totaled 95.9 million head, down 3 percent from July 1, 2022. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 38.8 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of July 1, 2023, totaled 12.2 million head, down 1 percent from the 12.3 million head on July 1, 2022. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.62 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Down Slightly

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for June 2023 was 86.2 million head. This was slightly lower than June 2022 and down 2 percent from June 2021. The breeding inventory, at 7.39 million head, was slightly lower than last year and down 1 percent from 2021. Market hog inventory, at 78.8 million head, was slightly lower than last year and down 2 percent from 2021. The semi-annual pig crop, at 80.0 million head, was up 1 percent from 2022 but down 1 percent from 2021. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.06 million head, down 1 percent from last year and down 2 percent from 2021.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1, 2023 was 72.4 million head. This was up slightly from June 1, 2022 but down 1 percent from March 1, 2023. The breeding inventory, at 6.15 million head, was down slightly from last year, but up 1 percent from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 66.2 million head, was up slightly from last year, but down 1 percent from last quarter. The pig crop, at 32.9 million head, was up 1 percent from 2022 but down 1 percent from 2021. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.90 million head, down 2 percent from 2022 and down 5 percent from 2021.  

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on July 1, 2023 was 13.8 million head. This was down 1 percent from July 1, 2022 and down 4 percent from July 1, 2021. The breeding inventory, at 1.24 million head, was down slightly from last year and down 2 percent from 2021. Market hog inventory, at 12.5 million head, was down 1 percent from last year and down 4 percent from 2021. The semi-annual pig crop, at 15.0 million head, was up 1 percent from 2022, but down 2 percent from 2021. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.25 million head, up 1 percent from last year, but down
2 percent from 2021.



Unified Vision Drives Beef Checkoff Success

Since 1963, the Federation of State Beef Councils has been committed to building beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership. By working together with one unified vision and plan, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and state beef councils continue to set a positive course for beef’s future.

Here are a few examples of recent program successes:

Nutrition Research
Research continues to serve as the foundation for all Beef Checkoff-funded initiatives. Nutrition research provides proof that beef has a role in a healthy, sustainable diet. Current projects focus on human clinical trials investigating healthy diets, across the lifespan, where beef is the primary source of dietary protein, and focuses on the impact of cardiometabolic health, strength, and performance, and the benefits of beef in the diets of children and adolescents.

National Beef Quality Audit
The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA), conducted approximately every five years since 1991, is foundational research that provides an understanding of what quality means to the various industry sectors, and the value of those quality attributes. This research helps the industry make modifications necessary to increase the value of its products. The findings from the 2022 NBQA serve to improve quality, minimize economic loss, and aid in advancements in producer education for the U.S. beef industry.

Results from the 2022 NBQA indicate that the beef cattle industry is producing a high-quality product that consumers want more efficiently and the industry’s primary focus across the supply chain remains food safety. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of Prime and Choice quality grades, with 7.5% of carcasses grading Prime, the highest since audits began. Market sectors also reported that their companies strive to increase their sustainability, and work with the entire beef supply chain to do so.

Beef Quality Assurance
Cow-calf producers, stockers and feedyards implement Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) practices on their operations to produce the highest quality cattle and provide consumers with the best possible eating experience. BQA principles don’t end at the farm gate, and cattle haulers can also become BQA Transportation (BQAT) certified through recently updated modules. Since BQAT began in 2017, more than 32,000 certifications have been completed.

E-Commerce
With consumers making more shopping decisions online, e-commerce efforts are essential to driving beef sales. National e-commerce campaigns during the holidays and summer grilling months helped put beef front and center for consumers shopping online. These e-commerce campaigns delivered impressive results, generating more than $22 million in incremental beef sales and reaching nearly 16 million households.

Advocacy
Ten Trailblazers from eight states were selected for the second cohort of beef community spokespeople, beginning the year-long program which includes in-person and virtual training opportunities to prepare the next generation of advocates who will help protect the reputation of the beef industry.

The unified vision of the Federation of State Beef Councils continues to drive Beef Checkoff success. For more information, visit www.ncba.org/federation.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/25/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 25, ethanol production slowed by 3.9% to 1.007 million b/d, equivalent to 42.29 million gallons daily and the lowest weekly volume since May. However, output was 3.8% more than the same week last year and 2.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.4% to 1.037 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.90 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks sank 5.2% to a 41-week low of 21.6 million barrels. Stocks were 8.2% less than the same week last year and 3.6% below the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions, including a 13.7% drawdown in the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, rose 1.8% to 9.07 million b/d (139.01 bg annualized). Demand was 5.6% more than a year ago but 1.8% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol lifted 0.5% to 920,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.10 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.5% more than the same week last year and 0.3% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 69,000 b/d (2.9 million gallons per day), a 26.6% decrease from the prior week. There were zero imports recorded for the 38th consecutive week.



All Major Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower Again

Retail fertilizer prices are once again moving lower, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the third full week of August 2023. As has been the case in recent weeks, all eight major fertilizers were again lower compared to a month ago. Five of the eight major fertilizers had a substantial price decline from a month ago. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way lower were anhydrous and UAN32. Both were 10% lower compared to last month with anhydrous posting an average price of $622/ton while UAN32 had an average price of $399/ton. DAP was 8% lower compared to last month and the phosphorus fertilizer had an average price of $735/ton. UAN28 was 7% less expensive than last month and had an average price of $355/ton. Potash was also down a considerable amount from last month. The fertilizer was down 6% and had an average price of $557/ton.

Three fertilizers were just slightly lower compared to the prior month. MAP had an average price of $764/ton, urea $575/ton and 10-34-0 $698/ton. 10-34-0 was sub-$700/ton for the first time since the fourth week of October 2021. That week the starter fertilizer's average price was $663/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.38/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.62/lb.N.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. 10-34-0 is 20% lower, DAP is 24% less expensive, MAP is 26% lower, urea is 29% less expensive, potash is 37% lower, UAN28 is 38% less expensive, UAN32 is 41% lower and anhydrous is 53% less expensive compared to a year prior.



Growth Energy: EPA Is Right to Deny SREs

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuels trade association, filed briefs to intervene in three cases this week in support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its decisions to deny small-refinery exemptions (SREs) for refiners seeking to avoid complying with their blending obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  

“Petitioners have tried over and over again to avoid complying with the RFS because less biofuel in America’s fuel mix means more money for them,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "Thankfully, EPA has continued to rightly deny SREs, having demonstrated again and again that refiners have no good reason not to meet their blending obligations. In this week’s filings, Growth Energy continues to seek to defend the RFS—the nation’s most successful climate policy to date—from any attempts to weaken it."

The cases are Calumet Montana Refining LLC v. EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and San Antonio Refinery LLC v. EPA and Wynnewood Refining Co. LLC v. EPA, both in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Tuesday August 29 Ag News

 Considering how hot and dry it has been, one may not think so!
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator

Yet, several indicators of presence or effects of moisture in the form of precipitation, soil moisture and crop and pasture conditions may indicate otherwise. Weatherwise, meteorologists describe a transition time from La Nina to El Nino at present time. Bursts of rain in the Northeast regions of Nebraska from July to August may support that. In contrast, Western Nebraska received continuous and significant rains, in addition to snow last winter, to the point where the US Drought Monitor declared that area free of drought.

Corn conditions reported by USDA for the week ending August 20 of 2023 indicate that 83% of the corn in Nebraska is at dough state while 43% of the corn is dented. Relative to corn crop conditions in 2022 or the average of crop years 2018 to 2022, the 2023 corn crop in Nebraska is somewhat ahead.

Similarly, only 11% of the pasture was reported to be in the very poor and poor categories for Nebraska in the report ending the week of August 20, 2023. This is in sharp contrast to the report for the same week in 2022 when 81% of pasture was considered very poor or poor.

Observations on top or subsoil moisture conditions support these characterizations. For the week ending June 25 of 2023, 30% of the soils evaluated were categorized as having very poor moisture content. By the week ending August 20, 2023, only 19% of the soils were described in this category.

Driving around the state while observing corn fields, it is clear to see the effects of drought on dryland corn fields. Relative to crop conditions in late June 2023, the USDA reports corn crop condition relatively unchanged for Nebraska or other states at the end of August, 2023.

What does this all mean for corn grain yields, prices, feeding costs and pasture availability this fall and into next year?

On a national level, because of the drought, the USDA projects corn grain yields down 2.4 bu per acre to 175 bu (15.1 billion bushels). Yet, a few situations are leading to a bearish corn grain market:  larger beginning stocks, lower usage domestically and abroad, and increased competition for export markets. September corn grain futures traded downwardly since January of 2023. Though it may be early to project, planning for corn grain to trade between the upper $4/bushel range into the lower $5/bushel range may be a prudent option. Considering the supply of feeder cattle, easing the pressure on feeding costs will help sustain a bullish cattle market.

Pasture and hay production have benefitted from rain. These conditions may favor keeping cattle in grow yards or pastures to heavier weights in 2023 and 2024. However, for cow-calf and stocker producers in Eastern Nebraska, managing pastures and hay fields to optimize grazing or haying in 2023 while preserving roots and moisture to over winter and prepare for 2024 is a must.

Although hay prices have moderated some, they are expected to remain high. Therefore, careful management during storage and delivery is recommended to preserve this resource.

While drought cannot be declared as having ended (simply based on the US drought monitor maps), effects of it on grain crops linger while there is some indication that forage supply may improve in the short term. In the meantime, economic pressures from a reduced cow inventory and ensuing low feeder calf supply, high interest rate, high fuel costs, and moderating feed prices continue to pressure cattle producers to fine tune their management for profitable and sustainable production.



CORN SILAGE KEYS: PACK AND COVER
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Making good silage includes many factors. Are you prepared for corn silage harvest this year?

One of the most difficult pieces of silage harvest is getting the correct packing density A good density goal is to have 14 lb. of dry matter per cubic foot. Pack only a 4 to 6 inch layer at a time and have proper tractor weight. The 800 rule can be used to determine how fast a tractor can pack based on weight. Take the weight of the tractor and divide by 800. That will give a how many tons per hour a tractor can pack to have a good density. For example, if the tractor weights 32,000 divide that by 800, and we estimate 40 tons per hour that tractor can pack.

Silage harvesters can put out impressive volumes of chop, often overwhelming the packer with too many loads before they can get a proper pack. Remember, the speed of chopping should be determined by the packing speed, not the silage chopper.

The next item to address is covering the pile. Even after the silage is packed correctly, air and water can penetrate the outer layers and severely damage the quality and quantity of silage. Additionally, molds, unwanted bacteria, and fungi have a prime place to grow in uncovered silage.

Studies at Kansas State University have reported up to forty percent losses in dry matter from the top three feet of silage in uncovered silage bunkers compared to covered. Covering with plastic will give about an 8:1 return on investment for the producer.

Silage should be covered as soon as possible. Whether using standard black and white 6mil plastic or adding an oxygen exclusion layer, make sure the edges are sealed and the top has plenty of weight on it.  This helps hold the plastic as close to the pile as possible, even in high winds, to reduce oxygen exposure.

A solid pack and a good cover can reduce losses, increase profit, and be safer when facing the pile.



Flood: EU Climate Tyranny a Warning for American Ag States

Today, Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following recent action by the European parliament imposing “restoration targets” on 20 percent of the European Union’s (EU) land and seas by 2030. Over the weekend, a New York Times profile detailed the stories of European farmers grappling with the fallout of EU climate policy.

“Europeans are living on the front lines of climate tyranny that is destroying the way of life of their farm families while putting the continent’s food security at risk. Their ag producers are being pushed to shrink herds, shift production, and even to shut down their operations forever. Their stories should serve as a warning to Americans: This is what happens when Green New Deal extremists take over. The EU is putting their own future at risk to appease activists pushing policy that’s destabilizing food chains even as Ukraine, the breadbasket of Europe, remains under siege by Russia.”

“America doesn’t have to follow the European model. The fight against Biden’s 30 x 30 land grab started here in Nebraska, and early opposition has helped raise awareness about the consequences of federal land controls. Furthermore, Nebraska has long innovated to better conserve our natural resources to ensure that we feed ourselves and the world while stewarding our resources more efficiently. To secure our future, we need to empower producers to innovate towards sustainable solutions, rather than caving to the demands of climate extremists who want to ‘rewild’ land, which would drive family farmers out of business and devastate the economy of ag states across the country.”



USDA Updates Livestock Disaster Payment Rate to Assist with Heat-Related Losses

Some financial relief is in sight for cattle producers following recent extreme weather conditions. USDA's Farm Service Agency announced it has updated its Livestock Indemnity Program payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the high heat and humidity experienced this summer.

LIP provides benefits to livestock owners and some contract growers for livestock deaths exceeding normal mortality from specified conditions, including eligible adverse weather events such as the recent heat domes. Indemnity payments are made at a rate of 75% of the prior year’s average fair market value of the livestock.

Beth Doran, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist in northwest Iowa, said both weight and color contribute to heat stress in the animals.

"Market weights have increased the past several years, with finished weights for market steers now hovering around 1,500 pounds," she said. "And color also makes a difference. The darker the hide the greater the heat stress for the animal."

To help indemnify ranchers to reflect a trend toward these higher weights, the 2023 LIP payment rate for beef calves over 800 pounds will increase from $1,244 per head to $1,618, an increase of $374. Producers who have already received LIP payments for 2023 losses will receive an additional payment, if applicable, commensurate with this updated rate.

Recent heat indexes across Iowa the past week have been over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well above the comfort zone of 70 F for cattle. Temperatures over 90 F also are forecast for this weekend. Consequently, Doran said, more counties may qualify for the LIP program.

Producers who lost animals due to recent high temperatures are encouraged to contact their Local Farm Service Agency to see if LIP has been approved for the county and if their loss qualifies for reimbursement,” said Doran.

The livestock owner must provide evidence acceptable to FSA that an eligible loss occurred and was directly caused by extreme heat. Notice of this loss must be filed within 30 days of when the loss of livestock was first apparent to the producer.

For details on eligibility and the documentation process, producers should check with their county FSA office immediately.



New Study Finds U.S. Soybean Industry Has $124 Billion Impact on the United States Economy

The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and the United Soybean Board (USB) are pleased to announce the availability of a new study, The Economic Impact of the U.S. Soybeans & End Products on the U.S. Economy, that examines the value of the American soybean industry. To develop the study, NOPA and USB commissioned LMC International Ltd., an independent economic consulting firm specializing in global agricultural commodity and agribusiness sectors.

NOPA’s President Thomas Hammer observes, “As indicated by this study’s findings, the economic contributions of the soybean processing and refining sectors to the U.S. economy are substantial, connecting soybean farmers with end users. Soybean processors convert soybeans into meal and oil. These value-added products are used in food, feed, industrial products and biofuels, supporting billions of dollars in domestic wages and tens of thousands of good paying jobs in the United States.”

This 33-page study analyzes the soybean value chain’s impact on the U.S. economy based on data from crop years 2019/20 to 2021/22. As highlighted in the report summary, during this period:
    The total economic impact on the U.S. economy from the soybean sector averaged $124 billion, including $85.7 billion from soy production and $9.8 billion from soybean processing — the U.S. soy sector accounts for approximately 0.6 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.
    There are more than 500,000 individuals involved in soy farm decision-making. This includes 223,000 paid, full-time equivalent jobs and an additional 62,000 family members, beyond growers, who reside on farms and are integral to soybean farming operations.
    The total wage impact of the sector averaged $10 billion.

“It’s reaffirming to see that the U.S. soybean industry has such a tremendous impact on U.S. farmers and the economy overall,” says USB Chair and Missouri farmer Meagan Kaiser. “When we think about soy’s role in food security, renewable energy and more than 1,000 products on the market, it may be surprising to the everyday consumer how our product extends across multiple sectors. This report, funded by our U.S. soybean farmers, allows soy as an often invisible ingredient to become a visible contribution and sustainable solution for our future.”

Economic impacts highlighted in the study are quantified in terms of revenue, wages, jobs and the number of people dependent on the sector — all focused on the production, distribution and use of soybeans and soybean products, spanning across the value chain, from soybean farming and production to consumers and exports. Findings are presented, with educational intent, at the national and state level and by congressional district. The study also includes one-page summaries for key states where the soybean industry primarily operates.

A copy of the complete study and related national and state summary sheets are available for download from NOPA’s website at www.nopa.org.



To Conform with Recent Supreme Court Decision, EPA and Army Amend “Waters of the United States” Rule

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies are committed to following the law and implementing the Clean Water Act to deliver the essential protections that safeguard the nation’s waters from pollution and degradation. This action provides the clarity that is needed to advance these goals, while moving forward with infrastructure projects, economic opportunities, and agricultural activities.

“While I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett case, EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state co-regulators, Tribes, and partners," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We’ve moved quickly to finalize amendments to the definition of ‘waters of the United States’ to provide a clear path forward that adheres to the Supreme Court’s ruling. EPA will never waver from our responsibility to ensure clean water for all. Moving forward, we will do everything we can with our existing authorities and resources to help communities, states, and Tribes protect the clean water upon which we all depend.”

“We have worked with EPA to expeditiously develop a rule to incorporate changes required as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett,” said Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “With this final rule, the Corps can resume issuing approved jurisdictional determinations that were paused in light of the Sackett decision. Moving forward, the Corps will continue to protect and restore the nation’s waters in support of jobs and healthy communities.

While EPA’s and Army’s 2023 rule defining “waters of the United States” was not directly before the Supreme Court, the decision in Sackett made clear that certain aspects of the 2023 rule are invalid. The amendments issued today are limited and change only parts of the 2023 rule that are invalid under the Sackett v. EPA decision. For example, today’s final rule removes the significant nexus test from consideration when identifying tributaries and other waters as federally protected.

The Supreme Court’s Decision in Sackett v. EPA, issued on May 25, 2023, created uncertainty for Clean Water Act implementation. The agencies are issuing this amendment to the 2023 rule expeditiously—three months after the Supreme Court decision—to provide clarity and a path forward consistent with the ruling. With this action, the Army Corps of Engineers will resume issuing all jurisdictional determinations. Because the sole purpose of this rule is to amend specific provisions of the 2023 Rule that are invalid under Sackett, the rule will take effect immediately.

The agencies will work with state, Tribal and local partners to safeguard waters in need of protection following the Sackett v. EPA decision and will continue to use all available tools to protect public health and provide clarity for stakeholders.

The agencies will host a public webinar on September 12, 2023 to provide updates on the definition of “waters of the United States.” For registration information, please visit EPA’s webpage for the amendments rule. The agencies also plan to host listening sessions this fall with co-regulators and stakeholders, focusing on identifying issues that may arise outside this limited rule to conform the definition of “waters of the United States” with the Sackett v. EPA decision.

Background
On January 18, 2023, the agencies published a final rule revising the definition of “waters of the United States”, which became effective on March 20, 2023. On May 25, 2023, the Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of Sackett v. EPA.

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from a point source into “navigable waters” unless otherwise authorized under the Act. “Navigable waters” are defined in the Act as “the waters of the United States, including the territorial seas.” Thus, “waters of the United States” is a threshold term establishing the geographic scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The term “waters of the United States” is not defined by the Act but has been defined by the agencies in regulations since the 1970s and jointly implemented in the agencies’ respective programmatic activities.



Ricketts Statement on the EPA's Revised WOTUS Rule

Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), a member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Sackett v. EPA that struck down the EPA’s definition of “waters.”

“The Supreme Court told the EPA they took illegal actions in the original rulemaking,” Ricketts said. “The EPA’s new rule once again disregards concerns by farmers, ranchers, and small business owners across the country. The Biden administration had an opportunity to do better and failed. Today’s limited revisions reinforce once again big government overreach and ignoring the needs of the American people is the only method of governing President Biden abides by. We must continue to fight these detached-from-reality mandates with every tool we have.”



Secretary Naig Comments on EPA’s Amended Waters of the United States Rule
 
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an amended Waters of the United States rule:

“The Supreme Court made it abundantly clear in Sackett v EPA that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers overstepped their legal authority and therefore must re-work their overly broad, confusing and burdensome Waters of the United States rule. Unfortunately, while this latest amendment does include some positive movement, the amended rule continues to overreach resulting in uncertainty. I would encourage the Biden Administration to head back to the drawing board, listen to stakeholders from Iowa and across the country and finally fix the rule.”



NCBA Statement on Updated WOTUS Rule

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart released a statement following the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that is intended to conform with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA:

“The entire cattle industry breathed a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court curtailed the EPA’s overreach under the Clean Water Act. Today’s revised WOTUS definition is an important step toward bringing the EPA more in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling. NCBA looks forward to working with the agency to protect farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations and provide them with lasting certainty on WOTUS.

“NCBA was proud to lead the fight against burdensome WOTUS rules from Congress to the courts. We will continue analyzing this latest development to ensure that cattle producers are protected.”



 ASA Expresses Concerns with EPA’s ‘Confusing & Harmful’ Final WOTUS Rule

The American Soybean Association released a statement today in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of its final Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule:

“When EPA and the Army Corps announced they planned to tweak the flawed WOTUS regulations on the heels of the Sackett decision, we were concerned this could be the outcome," said ASA President Daryl Cates, a soybean farmer in Illinois. "These revisions are unfortunately window dressings and leave in place much of the rule’s confusing and harmful foundations. It is even more unsettling that EPA and the Corps plan to finalize this rule without public comment. This revision is a missed opportunity to address very real and impactful farmer concerns.”



Corn Growers Disappointed in EPA’s WOTUS Rule

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) expressed disappointment with the revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that was issued today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“U.S. corn growers are disappointed by EPA’s revised WOTUS rule,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “The agency failed to open the process to public comment and engagement, which would have been extremely valuable. Instead, the agency has released a rule that does not fully respect the holdings from the recent U.S. Supreme Court case on WOTUS. ”

EPA released the revised rule after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Sackett v. EPA earlier this summer that narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction by, among other things, a unanimous decision that “significant nexus” was unlawful.



New WOTUS Rule Still Unfair to Farmers

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Biden Administration’s revised Waters of the U.S. Rule.

“EPA had a golden opportunity to write a Waters of the U.S. Rule that’s fair to farmers and stands the test of time, but instead chose to continue government overreach and revise only a small slice of the rule that was rejected by the Supreme Court.

“We’re pleased the vague and confusing ‘significant nexus’ test has been eliminated as the Supreme Court dictated. But EPA has ignored other clear concerns raised by the Justices, 26 states, and farmers across the country about the rule’s failure to respect private property rights and the Clean Water Act.

“Farmers and ranchers share the goal of protecting the resources they’re entrusted with. They deserve a rule that respects farmers as partners in that effort.”



EPA’s revised WOTUS rule misses the mark for states’ rights and regulatory certainty

With today’s release of their revised ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers have disregarded the U.S. Supreme Court, local regulators and public stakeholders’ expertise and concerns. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Ted McKinney shares the frustration agriculture departments across the country feel.
 
“The ruling in Sackett v. EPA was a chance for EPA and the Army Corps to correct a deeply flawed, prematurely released rule and work to truly improve water quality outcomes. It is baffling that the revised rule does not accurately address all the issues and questions raised by the Supreme Court in the Sackett decision, nor does it address many of the questions stakeholder groups raised about the WOTUS rule EPA released at the end of last year," McKinney said.
 
NASDA repeatedly asked for engagement with and offered input to EPA and Army Corps, yet the agencies made the decision to exclude active participation not only from regulated stakeholders but also from states who share in the regulatory responsibility.
 
NASDA remains ready and willing to work with the agencies on a durable, clearly defined rule and aiding farmers, ranchers and local regulators in interpreting how to implement the current rule.



Ethanol Is Turning Down the Heat on Labor Day Gasoline Prices
Scott Richman, Chief Economist, Renewable Fuels Assoc.

As temperatures have heated up this summer, so have gasoline prices. Regular unleaded gasoline rose to $3.87 per gallon during the week ending August 21—the highest price in nearly a year and well above the long-term average (Figure 1). However, the good news is that ethanol is keeping gasoline prices in check, saving American families money as they hit the road for Labor Day.

Almost all finished motor gasoline sold in the U.S. contains 10% ethanol, a blend referred to as E10. In June and July, E10 cost $0.40 less per gallon at wholesale than regular unleaded gasoline without ethanol.[1] Assuming a similar discount in August, which is conservative since ethanol prices have declined while gasoline prices have risen, the presence of ethanol will have directly reduced Americans’ spending on gasoline by $14 billion this summer, equivalent to $108 per household, according to an analysis by the Renewable Fuels Association. For Labor Day weekend alone, ethanol is expected to save travelers $155 million on gasoline purchases.[2]

The savings are even greater for E15, a 15% ethanol blend that is approved for more than 95% of the cars and trucks on the road today. In order to “provide Americans with relief at the pump,” the Biden administration has issued a series of waivers allowing E15 to be sold in conventional gasoline areas this summer. As noted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, similar E15 waivers last summer helped keep a lid on pump prices. Given the compelling economics, RFA estimated that U.S. sales of E15 surged 26% to a record 1.02 billion gallons in 2022.

E15 has continued to be attractively priced this year. In June and July 2023, the cost of E15 was $0.48 less per gallon at wholesale than regular unleaded gasoline without ethanol.[1] If Americans had fueled up on E15 this summer, they would have reduced gasoline purchase costs by an additional $1.4 billion over the savings from E10, assuming the per-gallon discount remained the same in August.

It is worth noting that this further discount of $0.08 per gallon versus E10 might understate the savings due to E15. According to another source that focuses on E15 retail prices, E15prices.com, the national average price of E15 has been $0.22 per gallon less than E10 from June through August.

Moreover, the estimates provided above reflect only the direct savings associated with ethanol. A study conducted earlier this year by energy economists from the University of California-Berkeley and leading universities in Brazil and the Czech Republic demonstrated that the blending of 14 billion gallons of ethanol “into U.S. gasoline lowers global crude oil prices as well as retail gasoline prices.” The authors concluded, “Adding ethanol to gasoline decreases the price paid by U.S. drivers at the pump. We estimate the average discount per gallon to be $0.77 between 2019 to 2022 and averaged across our models.”

As Americans mark the “unofficial end of summer” this Labor Day, it’s helpful to know that ethanol is turning down the heat on gasoline prices.



AgroLiquid Celebrates 40 Years of ‘Prospering the Farmer’

Forty years ago, a desire to change the fertilizer industry brought Troy Bancroft and his father-in-law, Douglas Cook, together to start a groundbreaking company. Now AgroLiquid is celebrating the progress made throughout those 40 years and looking to the future.

More than 350 AgroLiquid employees and retail partners from across the U.S., Canada and Mexico gathered at AgroLiquid headquarters in St. Johns, Mich., on Aug. 17 to mark the company’s 40th anniversary.

Bancroft, owner and co-founder, reflected on the needs he and Cook set out to address and the strides AgroLiquid has made in researching and developing new crop nutrition products that maximize outputs while protecting plants.

“Farmers needed something different,” Bancroft said. “They were looking for foliars, transplant solutions and fertigation options.There was an opportunity to address those needs by providing a true solution chemically and agronomically. We could change the industry. We could ‘prosper the farmer.’

Bancroft and Cook co-founded the company in April 1983. Since then, the company has grown to include five manufacturing plants and a 1,400-acre research farm. AgroLiquid has also built a national team of agronomy experts and a network of more than 200 independent retail partners and hundreds of highly trained sales representatives.

“From day one, our goal has stayed consistent: providing farmers with what they need,” said Nick Bancroft, who took over as president and CEO from father Troy in 2020. “Looking forward to the next 40 years, the goal is the same, but the process has changed.”

Nick Bancroft also credited the AgroLiquid team and partners with driving the company’s mission to prosper the farmer forward.

“AgroLiquid has a unique organization and infrastructure that puts us ahead of the competition,” he said. “But that is only as strong as the people behind it – those of you here today. We thank you for being here to celebrate with us.”

The company, which manufactures and distributes precision crop nutrition products throughout North America, remains family-owned. In addition to Nick Bancroft serving as president and CEO, Troy Bancroft’s sons Albert and Gerrit are leaders in the company. Albert Bancroft is the company’s workplace development lead and Gerrit Bancroft is operations director. The third generation of Bancrofts is actively involved in the company’s management.

“I’m proud to be part of AgroLiquid and thank you for being a partner with us,” Troy Bancroft told the crowd. “Thank you for being here today to celebrate with us and those who have gone before us, especially Mr. Cook.”



Corteva Agriscience Launches New Fungicide With Best-in-class White Mold Protection for Soybeans

Corteva Agriscience today announced the expansion of its U.S. fungicide portfolio with the launch of Viatude™ fungicide, a new solution for farmers from northern U.S. soybean-producing states to help protect their soybeans from white mold disease.

“White mold is one of the most significant crop diseases soybean farmers in that northern geography deal with – it causes millions of dollars in yield loss every year,” said Clark Smith, U.S. Fungicides Product Manager, Corteva Agriscience. “Viatude fungicide is a new crop protection tool that will provide best-in-class protection against white mold in soybeans, and help prevent yield loss and protect profitability."

Viatude fungicide contains two effective modes of action on white mold in a convenient, all-in-one premix. Viatude fungicide has the same proven disease control and performance of Onmira™ active found in Aproach® fungicide that farmers have come to rely on, plus prothioconazole for added white mold protection and strong plant health.

Viatude fungicide offers preventive and curative action on white mold to reduce disease infection. Smith said the superior protection in Viatude fungicide leads to vigorous soybeans throughout the year.

“Viatude fungicide provides complete plant coverage with its rapid absorption and translocation. The four movement properties found in Viatude fungicide quickly surround, penetrate and protect leaves and stems,” Smith explained. “This strong plant health helps farmers achieve higher yield potential at harvest.”
 
According to Smith, farmers can pair Viatude fungicide with Aproach fungicide in a two-pass system for even stronger plant health throughout the year. A program approach with two fungicide passes, along with other Integrated Pest Management practices, can help prevent disease resistance from developing.

Viatude fungicide received federal regulatory approval in late 2022. Several key northern soybean-producing states have also approved the new solution. Viatude fungicide is also labelled for use in canola. A limited supply of Viatude fungicide is available this year for farmers in northern U.S. soybean states, with additional supply anticipated for 2024 in the same geographies.



Pairwise and Bayer start new five-year multi-million Dollar collaboration to further advance short-stature corn

Pairwise, a food and agriculture company known for bringing the first gene-edited food to the U.S. market, and Bayer today announced a new five-year, multi-million Dollar agreement focused on innovations in short-stature corn. This new program leverages Pairwise’s Fulcrum™ platform and builds on the success of the companies’ initial five-year collaboration for corn, soy, wheat, cotton, and canola.

The upcoming collaboration between Pairwise and Bayer will be focused on optimizing and enhancing gene-edited short-stature corn for future use in Bayer’s Preceon™ Smart Corn System. Short-stature corn – with a targeted height of 30 to 40 percent less than traditional corn – is an innovative new approach to growing corn and offers a number of sustainability benefits, including protections from crop loss due to increasingly severe weather events and extreme winds brought about by climate change. Short-stature corn also allows for more precise application of inputs throughout the growing season, sustainably growing more through reduced risk of crop loss.

"Pairwise’s proprietary base editing tools allow for specific changes at virtually any location in the genome, which has the potential to make targeted and much needed improvements in agriculture," said Bob Reiter, Head of R&D at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. "These kinds of new genomic techniques are extraordinarily focused and produce results much more quickly and precisely than the conventional breeding process, ensuring that we can accelerate the delivery of solutions that growers need."

The initial five-year collaboration focused on corn, soy, wheat, cotton and canola with the aim of empowering producers to grow more with fewer inputs on the same amount of land. The partnership, which concluded in June 2023, resulted in 27 novel traits being transferred into Bayer’s testing programs. Results of the program demonstrated significant commercial value including edited corn phenotypes with a 20 percent increase in kernel row numbers, which could lead to significantly more yield on the same number of acres. Another outcome has been edited soy that reduces the severity of Asian soybean rust, potentially reducing the need for fungicides to combat the disease and protecting the potential for higher yields.

These, and other significant achievements, were made possible through the development of custom gene editing tools by Pairwise. These include REDRAW™, or RNA encoded DNA replacement of alleles with CRISPR, a precise templated editing toolbox that can make any type of small edit at CRISPR-targeted sites. Another tool is SHARC™, a proprietary enzyme that works well for cutting, base editing, and REDRAW editing. These tools will also be used in the new collaboration focused on advancing short-stature corn.

"We look forward to continuing our work with Bayer, with new emphasis on contributing to their novel smart corn system," added Tom Adams, Co-founder and CEO at Pairwise. "Working closely with Bayer on furthering this revolution in corn gives us the market reach to enable our technology innovations to more quickly adjust to the biggest challenge of our time: the changing climate."



Enhancing Farmer's Confidence and Performance with New Soybean Seed Treatment

Corteva Agriscience is dedicated to empowering farmers with outstanding performance and unwavering confidence through its expanding LumiGEN® seed treatment portfolio. New LumiTreo™ fungicide seed treatment is a powerful three-way premix fungicide, with three effective modes of action for key early season diseases to help soybeans reach their full potential.

“LumiTreo fungicide seed treatment will bring a welcome and significant boost to yield potential as the ingredients will provide significant protection against Phytophthora sojae, known as the number one soybean disease for causing substantial yield reduction in North America,” said Brad Van Kooten, Seed Treatment Category Leader, Corteva Agriscience. “The active ingredients include oxathiapiprolin, ipconazole and picoxystrobin.”

For added insect protection, when farmers pair LumiTreo fungicide seed treatment with an imidacloprid insecticide, they will achieve a whole new level of yield potential, disease and insect protection for their soybeans – all backed by extensive research.

“Based on extensive trial research conducted over three years at 256 total locations in the U.S., this new soybean recipe will deliver disease protection, in-field performance and plantability,” Van Kooten said. “LumiTreo fungicide seed treatment will also help soybean seeds start the season off strong by protecting against common seedling diseases, such as damping off, seedling blight, and seed and root rot.”

The LumiGEN seed treatment portfolio is built on a proven foundation backed by the rigorous Corteva Agriscience seed applied technologies (SAT) evaluation process. At the Corteva Center for Seed Applied Technologies (CSAT) – a comprehensive facility encompassing a laboratory, testing center and seed treating plant – potential products undergo meticulous evaluation through an exclusive six-step PASSER process (Plantability, Application, Seed Safety, Stewardship, Efficacy and Regulatory requirements). This enables Corteva to nimbly meet the evolving needs and expectations of farmers while also minimizing potential adverse effects on the environment.

LumiTreo fungicide seed treatment will be available at Corteva production facilities and downstream treating facilities this spring.

Monday August 28 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending August 27, 2023, there were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 24% very short, 30% short, 45% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 25% very short, 37% short, 37% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 8% very poor, 16% poor, 21% fair, 41% good, and 14% excellent. Corn dough was 94%, ahead of 87% last year, and near 91% for the five-year average. Dented was 59%, near 56% last year and 57% average. Mature was 11%, near 7% last year, and ahead of 5% average.

Soybean condition rated 9% very poor, 15% poor, 24% fair, 40% good, and 12% excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 92%, behind 97% last year, and near 95% average. Dropping leaves was 8%, near 9% last year, and equal to average.

Sorghum condition rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 45% good, and 19% excellent. Sorghum headed was 96%, ahead of 84% last year, and near 95% average. Coloring was 44%, ahead of 31% last year, but near 45% average. Mature was 1%, equal to both last year and average.

Oats harvested was 96%, near 100% last year and 99% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 25% fair, 69% good, and 5% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 95%, near 99% last year. Setting pods was 86%, near 83% last year. Dropping leaves was 4%, equal to last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 7% very poor, 15% poor, 26% fair, 46% good, and 6% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Hot and humid weather with well below normal precipitation throughout Iowa gave farmers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 27, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting and baling hay as well as harvesting oats. Persistent dry weather has put continued stress on crops, especially soybeans with multiple reports of disease entering fields.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 45 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 28 percent very short, 45 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 96 percent this week, 8 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-two percent of the corn crop was dented or beyond, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Six percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity. Corn condition declined 6 percentage points to 54 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans setting pods reached 97 percent, 1 week ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of the average. Soybeans turning color was 15 percent this week, 2 days ahead of normal. Reports of soybeans dropping their leaves were received this week. Soybean condition dropped 6 percentage points to 53 percent good to excellent.

Oats harvested for grain is nearly complete.

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 90 percent complete, 18 days ahead of last year and 17 days ahead of the average.

Pasture condition rated 23 percent good to excellent. The hot and humid weather severely stressed livestock across the State this week, with several reports of death loss.



Despite Heat Wave, US Corn, Soybean Conditions Drop Just Slightly in Week Ended Aug. 27

Despite the extreme heat that blasted much of the Corn Belt last week, national corn and soybean condition ratings declined just slightly, USDA-NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. Though the region will get a temporary break from the heat this week, crops won't get much relief from the dryness, according to forecasts.

CORN
-- Crop progress: Corn in the dough stage as of Sunday, Aug. 27, was estimated at 88%, 4 percentage points ahead of last year's 84% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 86%. Corn dented was pegged at 51%, 7 points ahead of last year's 44% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 49%. Corn mature was 9%, 2 points ahead of last year's 7% and 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 8%.
-- Crop condition: Nationally, corn was rated 56% good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from 58% the previous week but still slightly above 54% a year ago at this time.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop progress: Soybeans setting pods were pegged at 91%, 1 percentage point ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 90%. Soybeans dropping leaves was estimated at 5%, 1 point ahead of last year's 4% and 1 point behind the five-year average of 6%.
-- Crop condition: Soybeans were rated 58% good to excellent as of Sunday, down 1 point from 59% the previous week and still slightly above 57% a year ago at this time.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest continued at a steady pace last week, moving ahead by another 15 percentage points to reach 54% completed as of Sunday. That was 9 percentage points behind the five-year average of 63%.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 37% of the spring wheat crop was rated good to excellent as of Aug. 27, down 1 percentage point from last week's 38% and well below 68% a year ago.

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Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District Board of Directors Approves JEO Consulting Group As Consultant for North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed Plan

At the August 24th Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors Meeting, Directors approved JEO Consulting Group (JEO) as the consultant for the North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed Plan/Environmental Document (Watershed Plan). This project is about identifying and evaluating opportunities to reduce flood risk within the watershed, notably within the communities of Pierce and Osmond. However, the study area also includes the communities of Plainview, Foster, McLean, Magnet and Wausa.

While Osmond has interest in flood reduction of their own, the Pierce levee may need improvements to meet FEMA accreditation. Five proposals for the project were submitted and reviewed by the Evaluation and Selection Committee on Wednesday, August 23rd. Though all the candidates submitted strong proposals, JEO stood out to the selection committee because of their emphasis on community engagement as well as their familiarity and experience in the communities of Pierce and Osmond.

“We had good proposals from five highly reputable firms. They all really did put their best foot forward,” said interim General Manager, Brian Bruckner. “The stakeholder engagement was a high priority and the JEO proposal really articulated well what their intention and commitment would be. That was a deciding factor for the steering committee.”

Directors have a key focus on stakeholder and community engagement for this Watershed Plan project. “One thing that we’re looking at is buy-in from community members,” said Director Chad Korth. “JEO had the most contact meetings set up with community peers, and that’s what we’re looking for. The more community buy-in, the better.”

A stakeholder advisory team will be created to assist the LENRD staff, Board, and JEO with decisions regarding this project. A series of stakeholder meetings and open houses are planned throughout the duration of the project schedule.  The first open house is planned for early this fall. More detailed information will be coming soon and community involvement in the areas within the watershed plan boundaries is strongly encouraged.

Not only has JEO worked with multiple NRDs with similar Watershed & Flood Prevention Operations Plans, but they have also worked on flood risk studies for Pierce and Osmond.

Approval of Conservation Cost-Share Programs Cost Docket Changes
Directors approved updates to the average cost dockets for the Agroforestry, Cover Crop and Conservation Cost-share Programs. Projects Manager, Curt Becker, provided Directors with information about the changes that will be implemented. Cost-share program cost docket changes are made annually to ensure the rates are kept current.

LENRD Quantity Management Sub Area – 2” Allocation
Directors also voted unanimously to approve an additional two acre-inches of groundwater, only for irrigation wells in the LENRD Quantity Management Sub Areas, to be utilized for germination and establishment of a cover crop after September 15, 2023. The Board has the authority to grant an additional two-acre inches of groundwater to be used for beneficial purposes – specifically for germination and establishment of a cover crop – in any quantity management subarea after September 15th of each calendar year. This also grants District staff administrative authorization to approve use of the additional allocation prior to September 15th on a case-by-case basis.

Approval of a Work Contract for the Completion of Flow Meter Preventative Maintenance
Directors voted to approve a Work Contract with Derek and Austin Becker (Norfolk) to complete flow meter preventative maintenance inspections and services in Antelope and Madison Counties. For the past five years, the LENRD has had an agreement to contract out preventative maintenance on flow meters within the district. There are approximately 848 flow meters in this area and the cost is approximately $54 per meter. The price per meter is less than last year due to the location of the work and the distance between wells. The contractors will use their own vehicle and equipment to conduct the maintenance and will perform a physical exam of each meter.

Budget Subcommittee Report
Directors agreed in a 12-1 vote to approve an additional 1% increase in Restricted Funds Authority for the 2024 Fiscal Year. The biggest misconception is that the approval of the additional 1% increase in Restricted Funds Authority means the Board is approving increasing the political subdivision’s actual property tax request by 1%. However, by approving the additional 1%, the Board is only increasing their authority to generate additional restricted funds, not actually increasing the property tax request. The primary component of restricted funds is property taxes, but other types of receipts include motor vehicle pro-rate, in-lieu of taxes, transfers of surplus fees, prior year capital improvements that were not spent, and nameplate capacity tax.

Approving the 1% increase does not mean that the funds will be spent but it will grant the Board authority to use them if needed. Restricted Funds have not been used by the LENRD in at least the last 15 years. The funds are typically used in an emergency. Prior to designating how the funds should be used, a Special Board Meeting will be held to determine the use - which  must be approved by a majority vote.

Directors also approved District staff to advertise and present the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and Long Range Plan at a public hearing on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lower Elkhorn NRD Board Room (1508 Square Turn Boulevard, Norfolk, NE 68767).

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of the Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.



New Appointment and Leadership Selected for the Nebraska Corn Board

Gov. Jim Pillen recently appointed Matt Sullivan as the District 2 Director of the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), which represents Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Nuckolls, Thayer and Webster counties. Sullivan, from Superior, is replacing John Greer, from Edgar, who served on the board since 2014 and chose not to seek reappointment.

“The Nebraska Corn Board is continually striving to maintain and build the value of the corn I grow and made me want to get involved,” said Sullivan. “When John and I began chatting about the board, his belief in the organization and mentioned his choice not to run again, the opportunity to invest my time was clear. I’m honored to be able to represent District 2 and the farmers in my area.”

Sullivan is a fourth generation farmer who grows corn and soybeans in south-central Nebraska. After graduating from Kansas State University, he worked in Oklahoma for 18 years as a director of food manufacturing for Braum’s Ice Cream. With a desire to move back and resume farming, he and his wife purchased their father and father-in-law’s operations and moved back to Nebraska in June of 2010. Sullivan has been on the Superior School Board since 2012 and president since 2016. He also has a crop insurance agency servicing clients in Southern Nebraska and Northern Kansas. Teresa, his wife, is an accountant and owns and operates a CPA practice.

“The Nebraska Corn Board is elated to welcome Matt to the board,” said Jay Reiners, Chairman of NCB. “With his extended experience in agriculture, manufacturing and food science, we look forward to the wealth of knowledge he will contribute. I also want to thank John Greer for his leadership on the board. He will be greatly missed and will always appreciate his level-headed guidance and knowledge he provided.”

Sullivan’s position is effective immediately following his appointment by Gov. Pillen. Additionally, Brandon Hunnicutt of Giltner, Nebraska, was reappointed to serve as the District 3 Director.

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) also elected three farmers to serve leadership roles at its recent board meeting on August 18. The leadership roles are effective immediately and are yearlong in duration, with the possibility of being reelected.

Jay Reiners, At Large Director, was reelected as chairman of the board. Reiners farms near Juniata, where he grows field corn, seed corn and soybeans. He has been farming for over 30 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He graduated with an associate’s degree in general agriculture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Reiners has been with NCB since 2017.

Brandon Hunnicutt, District 3 director, was reelected as vice chair of NCB. Hunnicutt farms near Giltner with his father and brother. On his farm, Hunnicutt grows corn, white corn, non-GMO corn, popcorn and soybeans. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from UNL and has served on the board since 2014.

Andy Groskopf, District 8 Director, was reelected secretary/treasurer of the board. Groskopf farms near Scottsbluff, where he farms irrigated corn and dry edible beans. He has been farming for over 20 years and is the fourth generation managing the family farm. He attended Western Nebraska Community College for automotive technologies. Groskopf has been with NCB since 2018.

“I look forward to what we will accomplish this upcoming year,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of NCB. “As we implement our strategic plan, we will be making decisions that look to align with our goals and objectives, and this leadership team will be instrumental in guiding our efforts.”



EPA Selects University of Nebraska-Lincoln for Nearly $100K Grant Toward Groundwater Environmental Project

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the selection of 33 organizations to receive over $3.1 million in funding for projects under the Environmental Education Grants program, including $99,795 to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln will use the funding to expand the Know Your Well Project and develop a science curriculum that will be rolled out to over 100 rural Nebraska high school students with the goals of increasing science literacy, awareness of agricultural practices, and groundwater stewardship.

“We know that climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time, and it demands bold and innovative solutions,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “This year’s grant recipients represent some of the brightest minds from across the country, and they demonstrate what it means to couple the power of environmental education with a commitment to creating a future with clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet for all.”

“We look forward to adding curriculum to the set of tools currently available to teachers involved in the Know Your Well program,” said Nebraska Water Center Assistant Director Rachael Herpel. “This will help us build capacity and eventually expand the program beyond Nebraska.”

Nationwide, the funding will range from $50,000 to $100,000 to organizations that provide environmental education activities and programs. This year’s grantees will conduct project activities in 27 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among the grant recipients are four Minority Serving Institutions.

EPA anticipates providing funding for these projects once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.



Loran Steinlage Receives Iowa Leopold Conservation Award

Loran Steinlage of West Union has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award®.

Loran, who owns and operates FLOLO Farms in Fayette County, will be formally presented with the $10,000 award this December at The Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working lands.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust annually present the Leopold Conservation Award to farmers, ranchers and forestland owners in 27 states for extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Iowa, the award is presented with state partners: Conservation Districts of Iowa, Farmers National Company, and Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Earlier this year, Iowa landowners were encouraged to apply (or be nominated) for the award. Applications were reviewed by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders. Last year’s recipient was Seth Watkins of Clarinda.

The Leopold Conservation Award is given to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners across the U.S. in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.

The Iowa Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Farmers National Company, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Sand County Foundation, Soil Regen, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nancy and Marc DeLong, Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, and Leopold Landscape Alliance.

ABOUT LORAN STEINLAGE
Loran Steinlage has the qualities that make a good land steward.

He’s open-minded to innovation, yet patient with the process of trial and error. He welcomes researchers to measure the impact and efficacy of each conservation practice he adopts on his 900-acre farm in Fayette County.

Loran is most passionate about sharing what he’s learned with others, from local youth to farmers from Iowa, Ukraine, or Australia. Whether participating in soil health field days or podcasts, he’s helping forge a new path for modern agriculture.

Loran’s the first to admit he wasn’t always this way. He was once a “conventional” corn and soybean grower focused on yields and renting as much land as possible. When he and his wife Brenda learned their son was diagnosed with brain cancer, he scaled back his rented acreage to spend more time at home. He started looking differently at the land his parents had passed on to him.

While experimenting with cover crops and no-till practices, Loran saw an improvement in his soil’s health. He realized the cover crops would be more robust and beneficial if they were planted sooner. This led him to explore ways to interseed cover crops into standing fields of corn and soybeans.

Before becoming a pioneer in the practice of relay cropping, Loran drew inspiration by connecting with farmers across the nation through social channels and peer groups. Among the farmer mentors he credits with advancing his conservation ethic was the late Dave Brandt of Ohio.

Through global travels and interactions, Loran recognized there’s no room for complacency within mainstream agriculture in the face of environmental challenges ranging from climate change to water pollution. He believes it’s up to farmers to not just be ahead of the curve but to drive the change.

In most cases, there was no blueprint for the changes Loran saw as important, nor did his practices fit within available conservation programs. Undaunted, he cobbled ideas together with his network of peers and brought them home.

Loran works with a variety of organizations to host field trials at his family’s FLOLO Farms. The data collected is used to study the agronomics of conservation practices, water quality impacts, flood mitigation, crop insurance provisions, and market viability of alternative crops and methods.

After altering a row-crop combine to be able to harvest cereal grains in his relay-cropped fields, Loran saw the need to marry agribusiness with stewardship efforts. He works with an agricultural manufacturer to bridge a gap between farmers and the engineers designing farm machinery.

In 2021, when Loran welcomed Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources to survey a stream that dissects his farm, they discovered it was full of trout. Without proper stewardship in the surrounding fields, this stream would not support fish that are extremely sensitive to contaminants in water.

Loran credits growing heritage varieties of corn for a nearby brewery with making his farm ecologically and economically resilient. However, it’s not just an anecdotal success. He believes growing diverse crops, regenerating soil, and ensuring clean water, leads to increased farm profitability, environmental regeneration, and rural invigoration.

As Loran grows his 38th crop of corn this year, he’s as committed as ever to helping others see how conservation advances will impact future crops.

ACCOLADES
“The Leopold Conservation Award highlights the importance of prioritizing conservation and carries on the inspiring work of Aldo Leopold,” said Sally Worley, Practical Farmers of Iowa Executive Director. “We are honored to support an award that recognizes individual efforts towards improved land, water and wildlife.”

“The landowner plays a critical role in the conservation of America’s farmland resources. Sustainable practices not only benefit the local environment and community, but also improves the quality and value of the land as an asset for the current owner and future generations,” said Clayton Becker, Famers National Company President. “This is why Farmers National Company is honored to sponsor this prestigious award recognizing hard work and commitment to conservation.”

“One of Loran’s most important characteristics is his willingness to be open minded in conservation. It is often difficult to try new things, but Loran demonstrates that he is willing to accept conservation innovation as a challenge, not an obstacle,” said John Whitaker, Conservation Districts of Iowa Executive Director.

“Recipients of this award are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today. Their dedication to conservation shows how individuals can improve the health of the land while producing food and fiber,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the Steinlage family,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that conservation in agriculture requires a focus on the land, the practices and the people and this award recognizes the integral role of all three.”



ACE, eFlexFuel Technology Demonstrate Benefits of Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel Vehicle at Conference in Minneapolis

Two years after the public unveiling of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Hybrid Electric Flex Fuel vehicle at its 2021 annual conference in Minneapolis, ACE demonstrated the project’s value to conference attendees at this year’s conference, once again held in the Twin Cities. ACE’s Chief Marketing Officer Ron Lamberty shared updated stats over the first two years of driving the 2019 Ford Fusion standard hybrid, made flex fuel capable courtesy of California E85 wholesaler Pearson Fuels and an eflexfuel.com conversion kit. The vehicle, nicknamed “HEFF,” was on display at the host hotel, and Juha Honkasalo, head of industry relations for eFlexFuels Technology was also onsite to answer questions of interested conference attendees.

Two years ago, with the push for net zero vehicles intensifying, and “net-zero” being widely understood as meaning battery electric vehicles (BEVs) only, ACE announced the first-of-its-kind, three-year vehicle demonstration project to disrupt the “EV-only” narrative by showing a standard hybrid vehicle powered by higher ethanol blends can have lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as low or lower than plug-in electrics, and is likely to reach net-zero long before BEVs.

Even after several years of huge federal rebates for BEVs, hybrids still make up 80 percent of registered electric vehicles, and 90 percent of hybrids are standard hybrids while 10 percent are plug-in hybrids. “Range anxiety” continues to be a top reason drivers hesitate to buy EVs, and hybrids address those fears. Lamberty said hybrids make sense from a total GHG reduction standpoint, too, especially when teamed with ethanol. He said ACE’s project “reminds everyone a battery isn’t a fuel source, it’s a fuel tank, and to reduce carbon pollution, you fill a vehicle’s ‘tank’ with the cleanest fuel available, which is currently E85. While BEVs don’t have tailpipe emissions, electricity doesn’t come out of the wall, it comes from power plants that have plenty of emissions. Sixty percent of U.S. electricity still comes from burning fossil fuels, while E85 continues to lower its carbon intensity (CI), with some ethanol CIs in the 20’s.”

ACE devised the hybrid flex-fuel project after calculating a hybrid electric vehicle running on the lowest CI E85 available at the time (85 percent corn-fiber ethanol, 15 percent renewable naphtha) could obtain a total GHG score as low as 40 to 50 grams of CO2 per mile – far lower than current EPA total GHG emissions calculations for PHEVs or full EVs. “And those CI numbers don’t give ethanol credit for sustainable ag practices farmers already use or will be adopting, or the massive reductions ethanol will see as carbon capture and sequestration technologies are put in place,” Lamberty added.

Yet, while hybrid vehicle sales increase, no carmaker has ever offered a flex fuel hybrid in the U.S. So, ACE partnered with eFlexFuel to make their own. The conversion kit manufacturer is happy with the results so far. “This project with ACE has been a success,” said Juha Honkasalo, head of industry relations at eFlexFuel Technology. “The results point out great potential for decarbonization in the current vehicle fleet with technology and fuel that are already widely available. With ethanol, we can achieve similar or even a lower carbon footprint than a plug-in electric vehicle. Best of all, flex fuel and ethanol are affordable and don’t force consumers to compromise on their driving. We were excited to demonstrate this technology at the ACE Conference.”

Lamberty records miles driven, gallons, price and ethanol content of every fuel purchase, and calculating E10 use and cost, based on a benchmark set driving 4,500 miles on E10. After two years of running HEFF just under 25,000 miles on fuel averaging 71 percent ethanol, using EPA’s highest ethanol lifecycle GHG estimates and real-world mileage performance, the vehicle emitted approximately 202 grams of CO2 per mile – comparable to 2019 Tesla numbers when adjusted for actual range as opposed to showroom sticker values, and less than half the emissions from the gas version of the Fusion. The eflexfuel converter limited BTU mileage loss to 19.7 percent, and when using that figure versus the EPA original window sticker estimates for the car, and the lowest CI E85 currently available, ACE’s hybrid electric flex fuel vehicle would emit 108 grams of CO2 per mile. While fuel cost was not a primary concern of the HEFF project, the total fuel cost of the E71 used to date has been $2,500 compared to $2,719 for E10 regular gas, a savings of about 9/10ths of a cent per mile driven.



Feed Situation
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Beef cattle inventory levels have been expected to continue to remain low. Feed availability has been a limiting factor in recent years. Its attending cost has also limited profits for cow-calf producers. Heading into fall, there are a few signs of changing aggregate conditions that may allow for some expansion to begin. The largest change is probably on the range and pasture side where the latest conditions show much higher percentages in the continental U.S. in good or excellent compared to a year ago. There are also much lower percentages in very poor or poor relative to last year. While conditions are subjective, their consistency and direction would be considered an improvement. The reduction in inventory levels has also meant less demand on the pastures. In general, the conditions are better in the eastern U.S. and worse in the southwest U.S.

The Economic Research Service tracks and builds indexes of grain, high protein, and roughage consuming animal units. The roughage consuming units are dominated by cattle, mainly grazing and then dairy animals. Several years in a row of declining units means less demand for feed, particularly for forage. The grain consuming units are spread across hogs and poultry, then cattle feedlots. That index has not changed much in recent years. The high protein index is dominated by poultry, and it has been increasing slightly in recent years. Thus, pasture demand has gone down, but demand for other feed has been constant when aggregated across other livestock.

The hay situation has improved from a buyer’s perspective. Production is up sharply from a year ago, mitigating a slightly tighter old stocks situation. Thus, supply is larger. Fewer roughage consuming units translates into lower demand. Both combine to push down prices. A major demand source in recent years has come from hay importing countries. In part, high prices seem to have slowed trade, meaning more tons are available in the domestic market. Regionally, the corn crop has a high level of variability. There have been anecdotes of low grain yields expected in different areas, even though the plant height is normal. That suggests a larger than normal amount of corn may be switched to silage production. This can result in substantial tons of forage, albeit at lower energy levels than if the grain production was normal. Distillers’ grains will likely make up any ration needs.

The most obvious impact of changing feed prices will show up in continued changes to the price slide across feeder cattle weight classes and the price spread between steers and heifers. The expected price of corn is much lower than a year ago. This has helped support calf prices and made the slide steeper than a year ago. The spread would also widen, reflecting the better gain of steers over heifers. However, if feed availability improves and costs fall, then cow-calf producers may look favorably on heifers as replacements, which could narrow the spread.



AFBF Presents First Round of Testimony at FMMO Hearing

American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist Roger Cryan presented the first round of testimony on behalf of AFBF and its membership today at the ongoing Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula hearing. AFBF anticipates testifying numerous times during the hearing, which is expected to continue for several weeks.

Cryan provided testimony on the first category of issues outlined by USDA for the hearing, milk composition. AFBF submitted nine proposals for consideration during the hearing, and four were accepted by USDA. Additionally, AFBF largely supports four of the five proposals submitted by the National Milk Producers Federation, and the testimony provided today is in support of NMPF’s proposal to incorporate updated component values into Class III and IV price formulas.

“AFBF supports the updating of the component values in the Class III and IV skim price formulas,” Cryan said in the written testimony. “Adjusting these values will more accurately define the market value of skim milk used in the skim/butterfat markets and in Class I in all markets. In component markets, it will ensure that Class I milk prices reflect at least the national average component value, rather than a low outdated value, which undermines the premium for Class I milk intended by FMMO pricing formulas.”

The hearing, which began on August 23, comes after several calls from AFBF and other dairy groups to begin the process of much-needed reform to Federal Milk Marketing Orders. AFBF brought together representatives from all sectors of the industry last October for a Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum, held in Kansas City, Missouri.

USDA has announced that the hearing will examine milk marketing issues in six subject areas: milk composition; surveyed commodity products; Class III and Class IV formula factors; base Class I skim milk price; Class I and Class II differentials; and a final category for Agricultural Marketing Service changes required to accommodate implementation of other proposals. AFBF has submitted proposals within the surveyed commodity products, base Class I skim milk price and Class I and Class II differentials categories.

AFBF’s proposals are based on years of work by dairy farmer members, policy established through AFBF’s grassroots policy development process, and recommendations developed during the FMMO Forum.



RFA Efforts Seek Fair Treatment for Ethanol as SAF Feedstock

A major farm show and state fair this week in two Midwest states will provide the backdrop for the Renewable Fuels Association’s latest push to see American-made, lower-carbon ethanol supported as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel.

A full-page advertisement in Monday’s St. Paul Pioneer Press welcomes USDA Sec. Tom Vilsack to Minnesota—“Ethanol Country.” Sec. Vilsack is scheduled to visit the Minnesota State Fair today.

“Just last month, President Biden said: ‘Mark my words: In the next 20 years, farmers are going to be providing 95% of all the sustainable airline fuel,’” the ad states. “We agree. U.S. farmers and ethanol producers are up to the challenge … and we're ready to deliver low-carbon aviation fuel. But to ensure sustainable aviation fuels really take off, we’ll need your continued help and support. Government standards for sustainable aviation fuel must be guided by sound science and current data, not outdated European schemes that disqualify America’s farmers from fulfilling the President’s vision.”

The Department of Treasury is preparing final guidance related to tax credits for SAF under the Inflation Reduction Act, and RFA and its allies (including airlines, SAF producers, farm groups, members of Congress and university researchers) have argued that the Treasury should recognize the Department of Energy’s GREET model as a viable methodology for the purposes of determining SAF carbon intensity (and, thus, tax credit values), as RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper spelled out in a blog post last week.

This topic will be front-and-center for the industry this week at the Minnesota State Fair, as well as at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill., where RFA will be present. Following today’s event in Minnesota, Sec. Vilsack is expected to visit the Farm Progress Show, along with several federal lawmakers and other political officials.



Syngenta Seeds, Sustainable Oils Announce Commercial Agreement to Sell Camelina Seed

Syngenta Seeds, LLC, part of the Syngenta Group, and Sustainable Oils, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB:GCEH), have entered into a new agreement to sell Camelina sativa (camelina) seed – an ultra-low carbon oilseed crop that can be used as feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable fuels, and an ingredient for sustainable animal feed.

The collaboration reflects Syngenta’s strong commitment to enabling farmers to economically adopt regenerative practices around the world. Camelina can be planted on fallow land or land left idle between crop cycles. It is valued for its low water usage, quick maturity, and resilient yields. Camelina protects land like a cover crop providing a range of environmental benefits, including soil health and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

By offering farmers a new cash crop in high demand, the commercial partnership promotes a more diverse and resilient agricultural system while helping to deliver direct economic benefits to farmers from their otherwise idle or fallow farm acres.

“The collaboration of Syngenta Seeds and Sustainable Oils to sell camelina seed for use in sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and animal feed production is a significant step forward in promoting regenerative agriculture and renewable energy,” said Eric Boeck, Regional Director North America for Syngenta Seeds. “By supporting farmers and offering a sustainable source of fuel and animal feed, this partnership represents a win-win for producers, the environment, and the rural economy. It embodies our commitment to sustainability and our drive to bring innovative solutions to market.”

“We are very excited to partner with Syngenta Seeds on this collaboration to expand camelina’s growth in the U.S.,” Sustainable Oils President Mike Karst said. “Camelina represents a key feedstock for the production of renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel. It is a remarkable crop that protects like a cover crop and pays like a cash crop. We’re proud to be working with Syngenta to bring this opportunity to more farmers, improving our soil health and carbon storage while strengthening our nation’s domestic energy production in the process.”

Camelina seed will be sold through Syngenta’s AgriPro® dealer network in a vertical marketing model. Farmers who buy camelina seed will have a harvest purchase contract. There is no marketing risk for the farmer since there is already an integrated value chain model.

In addition, producing camelina is an attractive option, providing farmers with quick soil cover and improved soil structure, without displacing another crop or requiring new equipment.

Camelina seed will be marketed in select areas of Western Kansas, Colorado, Montana and the Pacific Northwest. It can be included as a spring crop in a wheat-fallow rotation in Montana and the Pacific Northwest, and as a winter crop in Kansas and Colorado.

About Camelina sativa:
    Camelina produces oil seeds that produce a sustainable oil for renewable fuel production.
    Camelina is a drought resilient oilseed that provides quick soil cover and improves soil structure.
    Sustainable Oils’ proprietary camelina varieties and farm-to-fuel pathways can yield renewable diesel with an ultra-low lifecycle Carbon Intensity (CI).
    Renewable diesel and other renewable fuels produced with Sustainable Oils’ patented camelina varieties have the potential to achieve a Net Zero or below CI score.