Friday August 4 Ag News

 Although at Low Levels, Soybean Aphids are in Nebraska
Wayne Ohnesorg - NE Extension Educator

Soybean aphids have been observed in eastern Nebraska soybean fields, although at extremely low levels. Aphids have not been a widespread problem for soybean fields in the north-central region of the United States for a number of years now. If you have not yet begun to scout for aphids, start now. The good news is that we also observed soybean aphid natural enemies in these fields, so they may hold the populations in check, or at least slow their population growth.

During the last few years, soybean aphids have been at low levels in many Nebraska soybean fields, but they did not reach economically damaging levels in most fields. Soybean aphid natural enemies (predators, parasitoids and pathogens) are essential to maintaining low, non-economic populations of many soybean pests. Insecticide treatments applied prematurely may cause population outbreaks not only for soybean aphid, but also for two-spotted spider mite. Both pests can flare up from eliminating natural enemies. Early treatment followed by cool, mild temperatures may cause soybean aphid populations to surge. Premature treatment followed by hot, dry conditions may cause spider mite populations to surge (more information is available on spider mites in soybean). Preserving natural enemies should always be a goal under an integrated pest management approach, and treating only when pest populations reach economic or treatment thresholds to let them do their work.

Soybean Aphid Description
The soybean aphid is soft-bodied, light green to pale yellow, less than 1/16th inch long, and has two black-tipped cornicles (cornicles look like tailpipes) on the rear of the abdomen. It has piercing-sucking mouthparts and typically feeds on new tissue on the undersides of leaves near the top of recently colonized soybean plants. Later in the season, the aphids can be found on all parts of the plant, feeding primarily on the undersides of leaves, but also on the stems and pods.

The seasonal life cycle of the soybean aphid is complex, with up to 18 generations a year. It requires two different species of host plant to complete its life cycle — common buckthorn and soybean. Common buckthorn is a woody shrub or small tree and is the overwintering host plant of the aphid. Soybean aphids lay eggs on buckthorn in the fall. These eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring, giving rise to wingless females. These females reproduce without mating, producing more females.

After two or three generations on buckthorn, winged females are produced that migrate to soybean. Multiple generations of winged and wingless female aphids are produced on soybeans until late summer and early fall, when winged females and males are produced that migrate back to buckthorn, where they mate. The females then lay eggs on buckthorn, which overwinter, thus completing the seasonal cycle.

Nebraska lacks significant and widespread buckthorn populations, and so early season soybean colonization by aphids migrating from buckthorn appears to be limited.

Soybean aphid populations can grow to extremely high levels under favorable environmental conditions. Populations increase fastest when temperatures are between 70°F through the mid-80s. Aphid numbers can change rapidly. Populations can double in two to three days under optimal conditions in the field. Aphids do not do well when temperatures are in the 90s, where mortality is reported as temperatures reach 95° F. When temperatures drop below 48°F, aphid development stops.

When populations reach high levels during the summer, winged females are produced that migrate to other soybean fields. Like a number of other insect species (e.g., potato leafhoppers), these migrants can be caught up in weather patterns, move great distances and end up infesting fields far from their origin. These summer migrants are likely the major source of initial infestations in Nebraska.

Soybean Aphid Natural Enemies
There are many insect predators of soybean aphid. The most visible soybean aphid predator is the multicolored Asian lady beetle, but the tiny (1/10-inch long) insidious flower bug (or Orius) is the most commonly occurring and important predator. This is a common predator that feeds on a variety of small insects and spider mites. Naturally occurring predators — primarily the insidious flower bug — can significantly slow soybean aphid population growth, particularly during our hot July weather. Resident populations of predators also help reduce the rate of successful colonization of soybeans by the soybean aphid. Other common predators include green lacewings, brown lacewings, damsel bugs or Nabids, and spined soldier bugs, among others.

Other groups of natural enemies include parasitoids and pathogens. The presence of aphid “mummies” (light brown, swollen aphids) indicates the presence of parasitoids. These mummies harbor immature parasitoids, which will become adults, emerge from the mummy and parasitize more aphids. The presence of “fuzzy” aphid carcasses indicates fungal pathogens are present, which occasionally can lead to dramatic reductions of aphid populations.

Soybean Aphid Injury to Soybean
Soybean aphids injure soybeans by removing plant sap with their needle-like mouthparts. Symptoms of soybeans infested by soybean aphid may include yellowed, distorted leaves and stunted plants. A charcoal-colored residue also may be present on the plants. This is sooty mold that grows on the honeydew that aphids excrete. Honeydew by itself makes leaves appear shiny. Soybean plants are most vulnerable to aphid injury during the early reproductive stages. Heavy aphid infestations during these stages can cause reduced pod and seed counts.

Soybean Aphid Occurrence in Nebraska
Soybean aphids have been reported in most soybean producing regions of Nebraska, although the highest likelihood for economically damaging populations is in northeastern Nebraska.

In much of the soybean aphid’s range — northeast and further east of Nebraska — significant aphid infestation can begin during the vegetative stages of soybean. These infestations can undergo rapid population growth to reach high populations during the flowering stages (R1, R2). During most years in Nebraska, however, very few aphids have been found during the vegetative stages. This may be in part because in Nebraska we have less of the soybean aphid’s overwintering host — common buckthorn — than in states further east and north. We usually find a few in late June to early July, but it is usually mid-July before we begin to regularly find aphids, while soybeans are entering or in R3 (beginning pod stage).

Historically, Nebraska aphid populations have reached economically damaging levels in late July, but more commonly the economically damaging populations occur in August. During this time, soybeans are in the mid-reproductive stages (R4-R5). There have been some instances when the aphid populations peak in late R5 (beginning seed) to early R6 (full seed). Once soybean reaches R6, it takes even greater populations of aphids to be economically damaging. Of course, there are always exceptions to any rule, so one should always be watchful for soybean aphid colonization and population increase.

Treatment
For treatment recommendations, including products and timing, see Soybean Aphid Scouting and Management https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2023/soybean-aphid-scouting-and-management.



Pillen Advocates for Cattle Producers Following Heat Loss Event

Governor Pillen had a phone call with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week to inform him of livestock losses recently experienced by cattle producers. The combination of extreme temperatures, high humidity and lack of air movement over the course of several days impacted cattle feeders in the east central region of the state. Gov. Pillen is requesting Sec. Vilsack’s help in ensuring producers receive timely and appropriate federal support through existing disaster assistance programs such as the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

“The weather situation only lasted a few days, but some Nebraska producers were significantly impacted. Connecting affected producers with emergency resources available to them is important,” said Gov. Pillen. “I appreciate the time Sec. Vilsack took to understand what our cattle producers experienced, and I am hopeful he will be able to assist in this unique situation.”

The LIP provides financial benefits to producers who suffer excessive livestock losses due to adverse weather. All losses or injuries must be documented within 30 days, making reporting of those situations time sensitive.

Gov. Pillen urged producers to do their part and report losses to their county Farm Service Agencies (FSA).

“Those offices are the front lines for determining eligibility for federal assistance. Any producers whose herds were adversely affected by the extreme heat need to document and report their losses to FSA as soon as they can,” said Gov. Pillen.



RESEARCH BOOSTS HONEY BEE PROTECTION AGAINST DEADLY VIRUSES

America’s honey bee population faces enormous stress. During 2022, nearly half the nation’s managed colonies were lost. A central threat is the Varroa mite, a parasite whose spread of viruses regularly triggers catastrophic colony loss.  

However, new research findings by a group of scientists, including Husker entomologist Troy Anderson, could provide a breakthrough in combatting the threat.

Through field study and cutting-edge biochemical analysis, the researchers have identified a specific drug treatment that stimulates honey bees’ immune systems and dramatically strengthens protection against mite-facilitated viral assault.

Infected honey bees that received the treatment, Anderson and his colleagues reported, “had similar survival rates as uninfected bees.” Once colonies received treatment at the proper level via the drug pinacidil, their viral infection rates were reduced “to levels comparable to non-inoculated colonies.”

The team, led by researchers at Louisiana State University, explained its findings in an article recently published in Virology Journal.

“We've provided a critical proof of concept that you can find a therapeutic target to inhibit virus-mediated mortality in bees at the field level,” said Anderson, professor of entomology at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “That is not only groundbreaking. It's a huge step forward in being able to improve bee colony health with specific chemistries.”

With these research findings in hand, Anderson said the task now is to develop “novel therapeutics” — drug treatments — for commercial hives. This initial treatment approach identified by the researchers might be feasible for only some beekeepers, “but what we've shown is that we can regulate the immune system to provide some protection for bees against viruses,” he said. “So now we need to work on other drug treatments that may work better or are more cost-effective.”

To achieve the breakthrough, the scientists needed to understand the specifics of using pinacidil to administer the proper amount of reactive oxygen species — unstable molecules commonly known as free radicals — that can stimulate a body’s immune response. The reactive oxygen species, or ROS, produced the desired immune system activity by entering cells through potassium ion channels — biological entry points whose signaling regulates a wide range of cell activity.

The researchers needed to get the ROS level just right, Anderson said, because a level of free radicals too high can damage tissues, and a level too low fails to stimulate the immune system.

“A moderate increase in these ROS can benefit bees by enhancing their immune function, which is what we’ve done here with pinacidil treatments,” Anderson said.

The scientists delivered the drug through sugar water drizzled on beehive frames. Bees ingested the liquid and passed it on to younger bees.

Previous laboratory research by the scientists had indicated the likely viability of the treatment approach, and this new project confirmed the effectiveness in the field, using hives at Louisiana State University. The hives were sizable, with at least 80,000 honey bees per hive.

Over the past 12 years, the annual loss of colonies nationwide averaged 39.6%. In 2022, the figure stood at 48%, the second-highest mortality rate on record. Bee colony loss undercuts environmental sustainability and the U.S. agriculture sector, given the broad importance of honey bee pollination for many plants and crops.

Honey bee colonies “are complex, dynamic machines,” Anderson said, and affected by multiple stressors including parasites, pathogens, pesticides, landscape and climate change. By identifying treatment to address the Varroa mite and its viral-spreading capacity, this research addresses one of the gravest threats to bee colony health.



Schoengold named Nebraska Water Center Associate Director

The Nebraska Water Center recently named Karina Schoengold as the new Associate Director.

In this role, Dr. Schoengold will assist the director in the administration of the Center as well as take a leadership role in coordinating multi-disciplinary grant proposals to federal/state agencies and private/non-profit donors.

As Associate Director, Dr. Schoengold will work directly with faculty and staff to form teams of researchers with complimentary expertise in developing large research and extension proposals to address some of the critical water problems of the state.

“I started working in water resource economics as a graduate student in California,” Schoengold said, “and I find the interdisciplinary nature of water research to be fascinating. As an economist, most of my work is related to incentives, policy design, and improving water management. I have been affiliated with the Nebraska Water Center since I started working at UNL, and have regularly participated in NWC activities and projects. I enjoy collaborating with researchers and stakeholders from a variety of fields, and the NWC position is an excellent opportunity to enhance existing collaborations and build new ones. I enjoy developing partnerships to address important issues, and the NWC is a place where I can be effective in doing so.”



NEBRASKA 2023 FARM REAL ESTATE VALUE AND CASH RENT

Nebraska's farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, increased from 2022, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farm real estate value for 2023 averaged $4,240 per acre, up $490 per acre (up 13%) from last year.

Cropland value increased 14% from last year to $6,830 per acre. Dryland cropland value averaged $5,550 per acre, $750 higher than last year. Irrigated cropland value averaged $8,900 per acre, $950 above a year ago. Pastureland, at $1,440 per acre, was $200 higher than the previous year.

Cash rents paid to landlords in 2023 for cropland increased from last year. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $277.00 per acre, $17.00 above last year. Dryland cropland rent averaged $164.00 per acre, $2.00 higher than a year earlier. Pasture rented for cash averaged $27.00 per acre, $1.00 above the previous year.

County level averages of 2023 cash rents paid to landlords will be released on August 25, 2023 and will be available through NASS Quick Stats, located at http://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/.



Iowa Cash Rent and Land Values

Cropland cash rent paid to Iowa landlords in 2023 averaged $269.00 per acre according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Non-irrigated cropland rent averaged $269.00 per acre, $13.00 above last year. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $271.00 per acre, $19.00 above 2022. Pasture rented for cash averaged $60.50 per acre, $1.00 above the previous year.

Iowa's farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $9,930 per acre in 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Land Values 2023 Summary. This was up 6 percent, $530 per acre higher than last year's value.

Cropland, at $10,100 per acre, was $750 higher than last year. Pasture, at $3,400 per acre, was $100 above last year.



Agricultural Land Values Highlights

The United States farm real estate value, a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms, averaged $4,080 per acre for 2023, up $280 per acre (7.4 percent) from 2022. The United States cropland value averaged $5,460 per acre, an increase of $410 per acre (8.1 percent) from the previous year. The United States pasture value averaged $1,760 per acre, an increase of $110 per acre (6.7 percent) from 2022.



Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team Applications Now Open

Applications are open for the Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) program, which focuses on increasing college students’ understanding of the corn industry. During the one-year program, students will visit the Capitol, tour industry leaders' operations and expand their network and knowledge outside of the classroom. Applications are available on Iowa Corn’s website and are due September 29, 2023.  

“I would recommend the Collegiate Advisory Team to others because it helped me expand my network of industry professionals before leaving college,” said Austin Miller of Buchanan  County and 2022-2023 CAT member.  “Through the program, I was able to tour an ethanol plant, learn how policy development is created from the ground up and expand my knowledge of what commodity organizations do.”

“Leadership development is a priority at Iowa Corn,” said Larry Buss, President of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. “Our organization and other commodity groups rely on strong farmer and producer volunteers to guide our organizations now and into the future. The Collegiate Advisory Team, allows us to jumpstart many farmers and ag industry leader’s careers and leadership capabilities.”

2023- 2024 Schedule of Events:
    Session 1: November 9 - 10, 2023
    Session 2: January 25 - 26, 2024
    Session 3: March 28 – 29, 2024
    Session 4: Iowa Corn Grassroots Summit (Optional)

Any post-secondary student who has completed high school and is attending an Iowa college of university to pursue a career in agriculture is encouraged to apply. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Brian Bell, Iowa Corn Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at bbell@iowacorn.org.  For more information, visit www.iowacorn.org/CAT.   



County Agricultural Agents Headed to Iowa

The third week of August will bring some new faces to Iowa as more than 1,100 people gather in Des Moines for the 108th Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Program of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Comprised of agricultural extension educators and specialists from across the country, the attendees represent 48 states and two United States Territories. The group members provide technical assistance and education in the areas of 4-H and youth, agricultural economics and community development, agronomy and pest management, animal science, horticulture and turfgrass, natural resources and aquaculture, and sustainable agriculture.

ISU Extension and Outreach staff welcoming people to the conference.The five-day conference at the Iowa Events Center features 160 professional development seminars selected from the best extension educators. Attendees will learn about topics and trends that impact communities across the country.  In addition, the conference includes a trade show highlighting Iowa agriculture, awards and recognition programs, and general sessions featuring keynote speakers.

Iowans can plan on meeting some of the attendees elsewhere, as they travel across the state for conference tours, leisure and personal interest events. The participants have all been invited to museums and parks across Iowa, special attractions and Iowa restaurants. A visit to the Iowa State Fair will be a conference highlight for many agricultural agents coming to Iowa.

Many of the attendees will be traveling with their family, including their children, and will be seeking out family-friendly experiences. Prescheduled tours include stops in all parts of Iowa, with a heavy focus on agricultural and natural resource destinations.

“We’ve spent countless hours preparing for this year’s conference and are confident that the people who attend will be in for great learning experience and a real Iowa treat,” said Kapil Arora, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach and chairman of the 2023 NACAA conference planning committee. “The first order of business is the conference, but we know our members like to be entertained as they learn, so we encourage them to seek out unique Iowa experiences while they are here.”

This year’s conference is being hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and this is the first time Iowa has hosted the conference in the organization’s 100-plus year history.

“It is an honor for Iowa to host the 2023 NACAA AM/PIC,” said Carter Oliver, president of the Iowa chapter of NACAA and director of ISU Extension and Outreach in Harrison County. “The past three years have been full of excitement as staff all throughout ISU Extension and Outreach have been working hard to put together a memorable experience for everyone traveling to Des Moines.”

Keynote speakers include Iowa’s own Jolene Brown, internationally recognized for her presentations on estate and family business planning, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and acclaimed Iowa opera singer Simon Estes. Invitations have also been sent to state and national dignitaries.



Cattle Group Applauds Reps. Hageman and Khanna for Introducing Mandatory COOL Bill for Beef in U.S. House

Last Friday U.S. Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) co-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives H.R. 5081, a bill that requires country of origin labeling for beef and that prohibits retailers from designating the United States as the country of origin of foreign beef.

The bipartisan bill already has six bipartisan cosponsors: Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

The House bill is a companion bill to S.52, the American Beef Labeling Act, which likewise is a bipartisan bill that reinstates mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.

Unlike the Senate bill that directs Administration officials to determine a means of reinstating MCOOL that complies with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, the new House bill expressly states that no ruling by the WTO may affect the implementation of MCOOL for beef.

While the Senate bill reserves the United States label for beef from animals born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S., the House bill adds “packaged” to those criteria. Further, the House bill would impose a $5,000 per pound penalty for beef not in compliance with the proposed law.

Finally, the House bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report on the false labeling of foreign beef as originating in the United States during the 10-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2013. The report, among other things, would require an assessment of the financial losses U.S. ranchers incurred because consumers unknowingly purchased beef originating in foreign countries under the assumption the beef originated in the United States.

Earlier this year, a nationwide poll by Morning Consult revealed that of the over 2000 registered voters polled, 86% of them supported MCOOL.

“We are grateful to the House sponsors of H.R. 5081 and will work closely with them and other members of Congress to include MCOOL in the 2023 Farm Bill,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.



USDA Dairy Products June 2023 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.17 billion pounds, 0.4 percent above June 2022 but 2.8 percent below May 2023. Italian type cheese production totaled 479 million pounds, 1.3 percent below June 2022 and 0.6 percent below May 2023. American type cheese production totaled 478 million pounds, 2.7 percent above June 2022 but 6.2 percent below May 2023. Butter production was 163 million pounds, 2.3 percent above June 2022 but 16.4 percent below May 2023.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with June 2022)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 183 million pounds, up 8.0 percent.
Skim milk powder - 37.4 million pounds, down 31.2 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with June 2022)
Dry whey, total - 83.5 million pounds, up 4.3 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 97.8 million pounds, down 0.6 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.1 million pounds, up 10.8 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with June 2022)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 67.1 million gallons, up 0.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 41.8 million gallons, down 3.4 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.91 million gallons, down 7.4 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.59 million gallons, up 0.3 percent.



National FFA Organization and MANRRS Sign MOU

The National FFA Organization and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Science (MANRRS) recently signed a memorandum of understanding to create a formative alliance with the shared goal of growing diversity, equity and inclusion in the industry of agriculture.

“One of our goals at the National FFA Organization is to partner with like-minded organizations to expand our collective impact on agriculture, food and natural resources, especially with underrepresented and marginalized populations,” said Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization. “This partnership with MANRRS will be a catalyst for advancing our shared goals.”

As a result of the MOU, FFA and MANRRS will work together to build a more equitable, diverse and inclusive talent pipeline for agriculture.

“As a result of nearly 40 years of organization and intentional efforts, MANRRS has earned its place as the premier recruiting venue for diverse, cultivated talent to supply the needs of government, industry, and academia in agriculture and related fields. Today we build on the MANRRS network and formalize a relationship with the National FFA Organization. There is a critical need for synergizing efforts to improve the prospects of an equitable and inclusive future. This MOU is an exciting step in that process because if we want to impart real change in the world, we must welcome everyone to the process,” said Dr. Derris Burnett, MANRRS national president.  “This shared approach between MANRRS and FFA is important for making agriculture more accessible, removing barriers for young people and supporting the advancement of NextGen careers in the industry.”