Friday August 11 Crop Production + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2023 corn production is forecast at 1.69 billion bushels, up 16% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 9.16 million acres, up 4% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 184 bushels per acre, up 19 bushels from last year.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 316 million bushels, up 14% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.45 million acres, is down 4% from 2022. Yield is forecast at 58 bushels per acre, up 9 bushels from last year.

Nebraska's 2023 winter wheat crop is forecast at 37.8 million bushels, up 44% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 840,000 acres, is up 2% from last year. Average yield is forecast at 45 bushels per acre, up 13 bushels per acre from 2022.

Sorghum production of 21.1 million bushels, is up 207% from a year ago. Area for grain harvest, at 220,000 acres, is up 76% from last year. Yield is forecast at 96 bushels per acre, up 41 bushels from last year.

Oat production is forecast at 1.25 million bushels, up 36% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 25,000 acres, is up 39% from last year. Yield is forecast at 50 bushels per acre, down 1 bushel from 2022.

Dry edible bean production is forecast at 2.54 million cwt, up 2% from last year. The average yield is forecast at 2,470 pounds per acre, up 170 pounds from last year. Acres planted by class are as follows: Pinto, 53,400; Great Northern, 36,400; Light Red Kidney, 2,600. Other classes of dry edible beans were not published to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.30 million tons, up 36% from 2022. Area for harvest, at 46,000 acres is up 16% from last year. Yield is estimated at 28.3 tons per acre, up 4.1 tons from a year ago.

Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 2.62 million tons, up 7% from last year. Expected yield, at 3.45 tons per acre, is up 0.35 ton from last year. All other hay production is forecast at 2.80 million tons, up 48% from last year. Forecasted yield, at 1.75 tons per acre, is up 0.35 ton from last year.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION ESTIMATES

Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.62 billion bushels, up 6 percent from the previous year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 203.0 bushels per acre, up 3.0 bushels from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 13.4 million acres. An estimated 12.9 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain.

Soybean production is forecast at 558 million bushels, down 5 percent from the previous year. The yield is forecast at 58.0 bushels per acre, 0.5 bushels lower than 2022. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 9.70 million acres with 9.62 million acres to be harvested.

Oat production for grain is forecast at 3.15 million bushels, down 2 percent from the previous year. The expected yield is 70.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the July forecast but down 10.0 bushels from 2022. Oat planted acreage is estimated at 185,000 acres with 45,000 acres to be harvested for grain.

Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay is forecast at 2.63 million tons, down 3 percent from the previous year. Yield is expected to average 3.60 tons per acre, down 0.10 ton per acre from last year. Production of other hay is forecast at 672,000 tons, down 29 percent from last year. Yield for other hay is expected to average 2.10 tons per acre, up 0.10 ton per acre from last year.

The forecasts in this report are based on August 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next crop production forecasts, based on conditions as of September 1, will be released on September 12.



USDA forecasts US corn up and soybean production down from 2022

The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production up from 2022 and soybean production down from last year. Corn production is up 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 2% from 2022, forecast at 4.21 billion bushels.

Average corn yield is forecast at 175.1 bushels per acre, up 1.8 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts a record-high yield in Indiana. As of July 30, 55% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, six percentage points below the same time last year.

Soybean yields are expected to average 50.9 bushels per acre, up 1.4 bushels from 2022. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina will be record highs.

Wheat production is forecast at 1.73 billion bushels, up 5% from 2022. Growers are expected to produce 1.23 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 2% from the previous forecast and up 11% from last year. Durum wheat production is forecast at 57.4 million bushels, down 10% from 2022. All other spring wheat production is forecast at 450 million bushels, down 7% from last year. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the U.S. all wheat yield is forecast at 45.8 bushels per acre, down less than one bushel from 2022.

Today’s report also included the first NASS production forecast of the season for U.S. cotton. NASS forecasts all cotton production at 14.0 million 480-pound bales, down 3% from last year. Yield is expected to average 779 pounds per harvested acre, down 171 pounds from 2022.

NASS interviewed approximately 14,700 producers across the country in preparation for this report. NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the country. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.



FSA: Prevented Planting Acres Nearly Cut in Half This Year

Farmers got their work done in the spring on more acres this year as the Farm Service Agency (FSA) reported prevented-planting acres this spring at 3.56 million acres -- nearly half the unplanted acreage from 2022.

States where farmers found themselves with the most challenges getting crops planted: North Dakota (918,008 acres); Texas, (841,890 acres); South Dakota, (336,890 acres); Arkansas (226,281 acres) and Oklahoma (203,918 acres). Those five states accounted for more than 70% of the prevented-planting acres reported.

The 3.56 million prevented-planting acres largely hit corn at 1.4 million acres, while unplanted upland cotton acreage came in at 464,901 acres. Prevented-planting acres for soybeans was 458,915 acres.

In 2022, farmers reported 6.39 million prevented-planting acres.  



Platte Valley Cattlement August Outlook Meeting
Braden Wilke, President

It’s time for our annual Outlook meeting on Monday, August 21st at Doernemann’s Barn in Clarkson.  Social hour at 6:00 and meal at 7:00 pm. Our guest speaker is Brodie Mackey from Consolidated Beef Producers (CBP). Consolidated Beef Producers is a cooperative of innovative cattle producers working to elevate the fed cattle marketing opportunities for their members.

We would like to thank Pinnacle Bank for sponsoring the social hour and Don Johnson Angus Bulls/Dan and Linda Egger for sponsoring the meal.

We look forward to seeing you on August 21st at the Barn.



Nebraska Corn Board Hosts Trade Team

A delegation of 12 nutritionists and buyers from different feed-producing companies in Mexico were in the Midwest and Nebraska this week to gain a better understanding of the U.S. ethanol sector. In conjunction with the DDGS Symposium, the delegation visited Nebraska to see U.S. corn production areas, visit ethanol plants and meet with potential business partners.

During their visit to Nebraska, the group was provided with an overview of Nebraska’s agricultural and ethanol industries before they traveled to Friend and visited Bruntz Farms. At the farm, the delegation discussed and was introduced to American agriculture including irrigated and non-irrigated corn, soybeans and feeding cattle.

“This opportunity provides benefits for not only the trade team, but me as we learn from one another,” said David Bruntz, farmer from Friend. “With Mexico being our No. 1 customer when it comes to corn and distillers grains, it is vital to for us to understand their needs and to emphasize on why U.S. grown corn is highly regarded. We work together, and this in-person tour delivers the best interaction possible for deep-rooted relationships.”

During the remainder of the group’s visit to Nebraska, they toured POET Ethanol, an ethanol processing plant in Fairmont, Green Plains, an ethanol plant in York, and met with Viterra in Omaha.

“We’re honored to continue to grow our relationships with buyers from across the world,” said Jay Reiners, Chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Nebraskan grown agriculture products are some of the highest quality. We must continue to tell our stories in farming, trade and an excellent product. What we grow matters and ensuring we have worldwide buyers for our crops is important as we can’t utilize all the corn we produce in Nebraska.”

The visit from the Mexican delegation was an offshoot of an event held earlier in the week, DDGS Symposium in Des Moines, Iowa. The event was organized and hosted by the U.S. Grains Council to bring together teams from across the globe to experience American agriculture and its advantages.



USDA NASS TO COLLECT 2023 SMALL GRAIN PRODUCTION AND STOCKS DATA

During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will be contacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2023 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

“The small grains industry is important to Nebraska agriculture and it is crucial for everyone to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said NASS’ Northern Plains Regional Director, Nicholas Streff. “We will contact more than 2,200 producers in Nebraska to accurately measure 2023 acreage, yield, and production for small grains and the quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farm.

Responses to the survey will also be used in calculating county yields,” explained Streff. “USDA uses county yield information from the survey to evaluate and administer vital farm disaster mitigation. Farmers who receive this survey should use this opportunity to assure their county is accurately represented in the calculation of Nebraska county yields.”

The data collected from this survey, along with additional information, will be used to help set small grain acreage, yield, and production estimates at the county level, which will be available this December in NASS’s Quick Stats database at quickstats.nass.usda.gov.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” stated Streff. “We recognize that this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers, but the information they provide becomes useful data for decision making on the farm, for federal farm programs, and the markets. I urge them to respond to this survey and thank them for their time and cooperation.”

Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 29. These survey data also contribute to USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. All NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at 800-582-6443.



Pillen Hosts Ag and Economic Development Summit

This week, Governor Jim Pillen welcomed around 500 leaders to Kearney’s Younes Conference Center North for the “Governor’s Summit on Ag and Economic Development,” co-hosted by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

“When our kids grow up and graduate, we want them to enter the most competitive economy in America—right here in Nebraska,” said Gov. Pillen. “This begins with strengthening our top industry of agriculture. It also involves developing quality infrastructure, reliable broadband access, a modern highway network, and a world-class system of water management. Together, we can grow Nebraska, and this Summit is the key to unifying our efforts.”

The Governor’s Summit is the state’s premier economic development forum, convening leaders from across Nebraska to discuss how to grow the Good Life. This is the third consecutive year the Summit has had an agricultural focus.          

“The Governor’s Ag and Economic Development Summit brings together agriculture groups, leaders and businesses so people can focus on building relationships and finding solutions to the common challenges we face as an industry,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “We are fortunate to live in a state with diverse agriculture and abundant resources. Gov. Pillen, a life-long ag advocate who knows the industry inside and out, is focused on value-added agriculture, livestock development, innovation and trade. Nebraska is an agricultural powerhouse because of these unique opportunities, and we will continue to build our ag industry to grow Nebraska.”

“The annual Summit allows our agency to discover opportunities for partnership and build collaborative relationships,” said DED Director K.C. Belitz. “DED is well-positioned to fill in the gaps of programs being launched by businesses and civic leaders across Nebraska. The Summit is a valuable time to learn how we can best support the creative ideas originating in our local communities.”

This year’s event included a focus on Nebraska’s highway, water, and broadband infrastructures and their importance to the state’s long-term prosperity. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) headed sessions to highlight how improvements to the state’s transit system, and expansion of Nebraska’s broadband networks, are creating opportunities for businesses to grow. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NeDNR) led panel discussions on the potential of artificial intelligence and data management tools to benefit agricultural operations through greater water use efficiency, reduced energy costs, and optimal chemical use for water treatment.

“As the Governor has said, the most important resources of Nebraska are our people and our water,” said Director Tom Riley of the Department of Natural Resources. “Nebraska is positioned to lead out on artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance opportunities for all Nebraskans. Our water resources are rivaled by no other state, and this will help us lead our effort to push our economy forward.”

The Summit started on Tuesday night with a reception and awards banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats. During the evening event, North Platte was honored as Nebraska’s “Community of the Year” for its recent economic development accomplishments. Additionally, leaders were recognized for their contributions to grow Nebraska agriculture, create thriving businesses, and promote the state to international partners.

Gov. Pillen kicked off Wednesday’s activities with opening remarks. Attendees then took part in discussion tracks featuring issues central to the state’s growth. Session topics included growing the state’s workforce, attracting investment in biomanufacturing, tapping demand for Nebraska’s sustainable ag commodities, and helping communities find creative housing solutions. The day’s luncheon featured an informal fireside chat between Gov. Pillen and Trev Alberts, vice chancellor for Athletics at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Gov. Pillen was a panel leader for two sessions at the Summit, focused on value-added agriculture. The Aksarben Foundation has launched an initiative highlighting efforts around sustainability and stewardship by Nebraska farmers and ranchers. The idea is to track data and ensure compensation for those initiatives. The Foundation has created a website promoting the project here: https://aksarben.org/full-value-ag/.



Pillen Announces Communications Team Hire

Governor Jim Pillen has announced the hiring of Jacy Schafer as his deputy communications director.

Schafer was previously vice president of government affairs with Nebraska Cattlemen. She has held prior communications and legislative roles in North Dakota, including with the Soybean Growers Association and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer. Schafer has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications from North Dakota State University

Schafer serves on the Governor’s communications team with Communications Director Laura Strimple.



Iowa Corn Partners with Kum & Go, Growth Energy on Unleaded 88 Brand

Iowa Corn is proud to partner with Kum & Go and Growth Energy on Unleaded 88 branding updates at stores across the country. With more and more stores across the nation coming online, there is a growing need to create uniformity for fuel blended with 15% ethanol – represented as Unleaded 88 in the large majority of retail outlets selling this fuel option.

Updating all signage and pump labels with Unleaded 88 will allow Kum & Go to be consistent with other fuel retailers. Not only will this send a clearer signal when choosing fuel options at the pump, but from an Iowa Corn perspective, it will help increase sales of higher blends of ethanol that will support corn farmers across the country.

“We are consistently striving to help consumers understand the value of ethanol, as it’s a low-carbon, homegrown, lower cost fuel, that everyone should have access to,” said Dan Keitzer, a farmer from Mediapolis, Iowa and Chair of the Iowa Corn Industrial Usage and Production Committee. “Iowa Corn farmers continue to build demand for corn in all forms. Ethanol is a top market for Iowa’s corn farmers, and it provides many benefits for drivers and our state. With this brand update, our goal is to cut down on confusion at the pump for drivers to fuel up with the best fuel for their vehicle, Unleaded 88.”

“Growth Energy is pleased to lend support for this effort, as we continue our work to raise awareness on the benefits of higher biofuel blends,” said Growth Energy’s Vice President of Market Development Jake Comer. “Through our Get Biofuel initiative, we have seen strong receptivity among consumers who are looking for a simple change that can save money and reduce carbon emissions and know that a mainstream fuel option like Unleaded 88 promotes greater awareness.”

Kum & Go currently has over 200 locations across the Midwest that offer Unleaded 88 and will offer even more locations in the future.

“We are excited to be partnering with Growth Energy & Iowa Corn to ensure we are providing the best customer experience for our customers and being consistent in the product naming of Unleaded 88,” said Brad Petersen, Kum & Go Director of Fuels.



California Rancher Urges Congress to Address Wildfires Through Livestock Grazing and Effective Land Management Tools

Today, Dr. Dave Daley, a leader in the California Cattlemen’s Association, Public Lands Council, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association testified before the House Natural Resources Committee in a field hearing titled “Conservation in a Crown Jewel: A Discussion About Wildfires and Forest Management.”

“In the wake of historic wildfire seasons in recent years, even this state has taken note of the value livestock bring to wildfire resilience,” Dr. Daley testified. “Wildfire resilience practices such as livestock grazing work, and confronted with the very real threat of worsening wildfire conditions, there ought to be bipartisan consensus endorsing these effective tools.”
 
Dr. Daley’s testimony focused on the need for the federal government to look holistically at land management and recognize that livestock grazing is an important tool for reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. He also recommended that Congress utilize federal legislation, like the forestry title of the 2023 Farm Bill, to strengthen tools like grazing, prescribed fire, timber thinning, and other effective forestry management practices. In addition, Dr. Daley acknowledged the need for federal agencies to conduct post-fire operations, the importance of federal use of fuel breaks, and historic management failures that have hampered the federal government's ability to make meaningful improvements in landscape resiliency.
 
“Cattle producers are in a unique position to help reduce the threat of wildfire if the federal government only acknowledged their critical role and relied on their land management expertise,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA appreciates the House Natural Resources Committee traveling away from Washington to see conditions on the ground and hear from local producers like Dr. Daley.”
 
“Decades of mismanagement have left the West ravaged by catastrophic wildfires, especially as federal agencies ignore one of the most helpful tools at their disposal—livestock grazing,” said Public Lands Council Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “The Public Lands Council is proud of our Ecosystem and Environment Committee Chair Dr. Daley for delivering the message to Congress that federal agencies should work with ranchers and local land managers to protect these landscapes across the West.”

“The Daley family experienced the devastating impacts of a catastrophic wildfire three years ago when their cattle herd and the forest lands they love were decimated by the Bear Fire,” CCA Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur said. “We appreciate policy makers taking the opportunity to visit California, hear Dr. Daley’s firsthand experience with wildfire, and discuss solutions. We urge decisionmakers to include grazing and California cattle ranchers in the toolbox of solutions for mitigating extreme wildfires.”



USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small to Lead Trade Mission to Angola

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small will lead the first-ever U.S. agribusiness trade mission to Luanda, Angola on Nov. 28 – Dec. 1. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this trade mission.

“When it comes to trade opportunity, Sub-Saharan Africa is both promising and often over-looked, and the USDA trade mission to Angola presents an incredible prospect for U.S. food and agriculture exporters to expand and explore new business opportunities,” said Torres Small. “Angola is one of the largest markets in Africa, and with imports making up more than half of its food market, Angola is a perfect location for U.S. exporters to introduce more American-made products to African consumers.”

While in Angola, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential buyers, receive in-depth market briefings from FAS and industry trade experts, and participate in site visits and other networking opportunities. In addition to meeting with importers in Angola, U.S. participants will also meet with buyers from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

With a population of nearly 36 million people, many of whom are middle- and high-income consumers, Angola is looking for high-quality imported products. In 2022, U.S. food and agriculture exports to Angola totaled $236.8 million, making it the 7th largest African market for U.S. exporters. Consumer-oriented products accounted for more than 99 percent of U.S. agricultural and food exports to Angola in 2022. Angola was the largest U.S. poultry market in Africa, and the sixth largest globally last year, importing more than $232 million of American poultry and poultry products.

The Angolan market presents strong export opportunities including poultry, pulses and dry beans, wheat, and wine. Local and U.S. industry partners also see opportunities for other products, including rice and soy and vegetable oils, and other consumer-oriented products, including beef, pork, sauces and condiments, and distilled spirits.



CASE IH EXPANDS LINE-UP WITH NEW TECH FOR SMALL- AND MID-SIZE OPERATIONS  

Narrow operating windows make maximizing productivity essential during planting and harvest, regardless of farm size. That’s why Case IH has purposefully designed its latest models of the Early Riser® planter, Early Riser 2120, and Axial-Flow® combine, Axial-Flow 160 series, to ensure peak performance for all producers. Both equipment solutions deliver advanced technology to small- and mid-scale operations at a price point that makes sense for their operation. These new models will be on display at Farm Progress Show 2023 from August 29-31.

“Farmers shouldn’t have to over-buy or retrofit equipment to get something that works for their operation,” said David Brennan, planter marketing manager at Case IH. “The Early Riser has been a rockstar since its introduction delivering early, uniform emergence. These new planter models will deliver on the Early Riser name, with a smaller package for farms that need it.”

Brennan explains that the unmatched accuracy found through the Early Riser 2120 delivers rapid, consistent emergence and improves productivity for the operation. Plus, the Early Riser 2120 is driven by flexibility. It will be offered in three row unit configurations, 6R30”, 8R30” and 11R15”, and will also offer industry-leading seed and fertilizer capacity, including options for both liquid and dry fertilizer. Early Riser also added 11- and 15-row configurations for the 2110 Rigid Mounted Planter to the 2024 lineup.  

The premium tech doesn’t stop at planting. The new Axial-Flow 160 series offers built-in benefits for farmers looking to increase their production efficiencies with a reliable machine. The Axial-Flow 160 series now comes with Harvest Command™ combine automation technology to take the guesswork out of harvesting.

“We know that every field comes with its own unique set of challenges,” said Leo Bose, harvest marketing director at Case IH. “Harvest Command was designed with built-in technology that helps navigate those field conditions by making automatic adjustments, regardless of the operator’s experience.”

The Axial-Flow 160 series comes with the simplicity operators have come to expect from the Axial-Flow combine line, but with some additional benefits. The higher-capacity grain tank, holding up to 350 bushels, combined with the fuel efficiency keeps an operator moving during harvest. And while that grain is being harvested, the in-cab adjustments and grain-on-grain threshing design maintains quality of the crop throughout the fields.

Planting and harvest activities generate agronomic data for farmers, which can simply be aggregated, visualized and managed in Case IH AFS Connect. The company is debuting a new Connect Room at Farm Progress Show to showcase a range of connected machines and services. Farmers can come to the Connect Room to learn how they can harness the power of data on their operation from new machines to mix fleets.