Wednesday August 09 Ag News

Terminating a verbal farmland lease in Nebraska
Jessica Groskopf, NE Extension Agricultural Economist
Dave Aiken, NE Extension Ag & Water Law Specialist

Some farm leases are not written but are verbal or "handshake" agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For verbal leases, six months advance notice must be given to legally terminate the lease. In contrast, the termination of a written lease is determined by the terms of the written lease. If the lease does not address termination, the lease automatically terminates on the last day of the lease.

Terminating verbal leases
For verbal leases, the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that the lease year begins March 1. Notice to a tenant to vacate under a verbal or handshake lease (legally referred to as a "notice to quit") must be given six months in advance of the end of the lease, or no later than September 1. This rule applies regardless of the type of crop planted. Those with winter wheat should consider providing notice before it is time to prepare wheat ground for planting.

For example, for the lease year beginning March 1, 2024, and ending Feb. 28, 2025, notice from the landlord that the lease will be terminated would have to be received by the tenant no later than Sept.1, 2023. The lease would then expire Feb. 29, 2024, with the new tenant (or new buyer) able to take over the lease March 1, 2024. If, however, the notice to quit were given (or received) after Sept. 1, 2023, the existing tenant would have the lease until Feb. 28, 2025.

Notice should be provided to the tenant for either lease termination or changing lease provisions. A verbal termination notice might be adequate but could be difficult to prove in court if litigation were necessary to enforce the lease termination. It is recommended that the farmland lease be terminated by Registered Mail™.  This means that the person receiving the letter signs for it, providing evidence that the termination notice was received.  The University of Nebraska – Lincoln does not provide example lease termination letters. If you need guidance, consult your attorney.

Pasture Lease Terminations
Handshake or verbal leases are different for pastures. The typical pasture lease is for the five-month grazing season rather than the entire year. The lease is only in effect for that time, so the lease is terminated at the end of the grazing season; however, different lease length arrangements can be made in a written lease, and that would be followed if in effect.

Importance of Good Communication
Regardless of the type of lease — written, verbal, or even multiple year — the landlord should have clear communication with the tenant. By sending a termination notice before September 1, even for written leases, you can avoid any miscommunication or pitfalls.

Written Leases
In all instances, written leases would be preferred over oral or “handshake” leases. Sample leases are available in the Document Library at aglease101.org and can help both parties start thinking about the appropriate lease conditions for their situation before they consult an attorney to draft a lease or review a proposed lease. The Ag Lease 101 site was developed by university extension specialists in the North Central Region but is not a substitute for personal legal advice.



CVA Coop Hosts ACS Plot Days

Central Valley Ag agronomists and industry field representatives will cover several topics and more at the ACS Innovation Series where you can interact with industry leaders to improve profitability on your farm!

At these events, there will be a variety of topics and demonstrations related to all of the products and practices Central Valley Ag has been testing in 2023.
 
In-Furrow & Foliars
We will review benefits of various products, ranging from increasing nutrient availability to plant stress mitigation, and discuss field scenarios where the performance of these products is maximized.

Soil Fertility
We'll discuss the base soil fertility in the plots, how the products we used can improve yield, and review the yield results from 2022. We will talk about our yield goals and how the different products fit into our overall fertility plan.
 
Technology
Learn about the latest ag technology available, including sensor technology, autonomous vehicles, scouting drones, and more. Efficiency helps you make the most of every dollar spent, and ACS technology offerings provide your operation with profitable solutions.
 
Seed Treatments
Hear how the CVA Elite seed treatment lineup improves crop performance and elevates profitability. Learn how seed treatments protect your soybeans from yield-robbing diseases and improves your profitability.
 
Carbon & Sustainability
Adopting sustainable practices can potentially provide another revenue stream to your operation, and CVA can help you tap into this market. Understanding the opportunities and pitfalls is the first step in determining if a carbon market is right for your operation.

August 15th | Beaver Crossing, Nebraska
August 17th | Belleville, Kansas
August 22nd | Norfolk, Nebraska
August 24th | Sheldon, Iowa

CVA Organic
August 29th, 2023| Marquette, Nebraska
This is the fourth year of the Organic Plot located near Marquette, Nebraska. At the plot we are testing organic certified fertilizers, in-furrow starters and biologicals, as well as foliar biological products. The plot will also showcase some different corn hybrids and soybean varieties. Contact Tim Mundorf to attend the CVA organic plot.

Schedule at each spot  
9:00 AM | Registration
9:30 AM | Rotating Sessions Begin
12:00 PM | Wrap Up with Lunch

Register by contacting Tim Mundorf, CVA Director of Soil Management at: timothy.mundorf@cvacoop.com / 402-909-3052... or click this link:  http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ejsez4pyaadef337&llr=pjtmtolab



Registration Open for Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium
Kacie McCarthy, UNL Cow-Calf Specialist

In partnership with the University of Wyoming, the Beef Reproduction Task Force will host the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) symposium at the Little America Hotel and Resort (2800 W. Lincolnway) in Cheyenne, Wyoming on Sep. 6-7th, 2023.

The event will run from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sep. 6, and 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Sep. 7. Producers, veterinarians, artificial insemination technicians, students and others interested in beef cattle production are encouraged to attend.

“This is a producer-focused meeting that brings in speakers from across industry and academia to speak on topics relevant to the reproductive management of beef cattle and the implementation of reproductive technologies,” says Shelby Rosasco, University of Wyoming Extension beef specialist.  

The Beef Reproduction Task Force is made up of research and extension specialists from across the U.S. The annual ARSBC symposium, co-hosted with state extension programs, distributes the latest information about reproductive technology in cattle production, nutritional management, herd health, male fertility and genetic selection.

This year, presentation topics include estrus synchronization and artificial insemination; nutritional management for the cowherd; brucellosis; selecting for sires to perform at high altitudes; calving management; and bull development. To view the conference program and register for the event, visit https://beefrepro.org/arsbc/.

For those who register before Aug. 18, the cost is $200, or $150 for students. After Aug. 18, registration prices will increase to $250, or $200 for students. Aug. 18 is also the cut-off date for booking rooms at the Little America Hotel and Resort.  

Conference details and booking information are available at beefrepro.org. Contact Shelby Rosasco at srosasco@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-2329 with questions.



CLAAS Announces New Head of Sales and Marketing

CLAAS of America is pleased to announce that David December has joined the company as Head of Sales and Marketing. David brings with him an extensive background in sales, marketing, and global communications with a number of prominent agricultural and industrial brands.

“We are excited to add David December to our senior leadership team,” explained Eric Raby, Senior Vice President, Americas, for CLAAS. “I’m extremely confident that his experience, education and deep understanding of the agriculture market will make him a valuable asset in his new role leading the sales and marketing departments.”

In previous positions, David successfully implemented marketing strategies that expanded brand awareness, increased channel sales, and improved product positioning.

Most recently, he was the Vice President of Marketing for a large equipment dealership where he optimized and replaced the existing e-commerce presence, developed a strong brand strategy, and monetized tech support. He met his objectives by increasing the company’s strategic communications and staying well informed about the equipment, emerging technologies, and trends within the industry.

David holds a Bachelors of Business Administration, Marketing from the Wisconsin School of Business in Madison, Wisconsin.



Why Consider Drylotting Cows this Fall?
Connor Biehler, Nebraska Extension Educator

This fall as pastures continue to recover from drought in previous years, some producers who traditionally pasture their cattle are considering feeding cow-calf pairs in confinement. Drylotting can be a feasible way to allow pasture recovery, while feeding grain, forage, and crop stover to pairs. A few of the many advantages of a drylot system include closer observation of the herd, low weaning stress, and providing opportunity to bunk break calves prior to weaning.

While input costs of confined feeding of pairs is more expensive than in years past due to increased commodity prices, it provides the opportunity for producers to stockpile forage in the future. With hay prices still above $200/ton, limiting inclusion amounts in diets is economical. However, in order to keep a healthy rumen, forage inclusion should be at least 0.5% of the cow’s weight on a dry matter basis.

When developing rations, consider using cost per unit of protein and energy to determine the most cost-effective feed. If available, corn silage produces more energy per acre than any other crop. Silage mixes well with low quality forages, and it can help to limit the needed inclusion of low-quality hay, which can help to prevent ruminal impaction. Low level grain inclusion can also decrease cost per unit of energy.

Knowing the quality of your feedstuffs is an important part of feeding cattle in a drylot. It is recommended to test your feed as a total mixed ration, but more importantly testing forages prior to the feeding period. This allows nutritionists/producers the ability to develop rations that properly meet the nutrient requirements of the animal, and not exceed them, wasting resources.

To further reduce wasting of feed resources, drylots provide the option to limit feed, by reducing intake while still meeting nutritional requirements. Limit feeding should be fed at least 1.75% of body weight, otherwise cows will exhibit irritable disposition from lack of fill. This can be mitigated further by feeding long stem hay, which promotes rumination, keeping the cattle more content and reducing behaviors like fence chewing.

If properly managed, confined feeding herd health is comparable to pasture scenarios. Cattle should be lotted into pens allowing 500-800 square feet per pair. If pens are too large and dry conditions persist, the increased dust from the surface promotes a greater chance of pneumonia for calves. When planning to drylot cows, allow for 28-36 inches of bunk space per pair.

It is ideal to separate cows based on nutrient requirements. Younger cows and first calf heifers have greater energy and protein requirements, whereas mature cows in good condition require less energy relevant to their body weight. If feeding everything in one pen is the only option a producer has, maximizing bunk space per head is highly recommended to allow smaller, more timid cattle a spot at the bunk.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind if intending to dry lot cows:
-          Feeding whole corn works better than rolled corn when daily forage intake is at 0.5% of body weight
-          Mineral can be either mixed into the feed or fed free choice.
-          Feeding cattle in a dry lot increases the production life of older, broken mouth cows
-          A smaller, confined area, allows for easier health checks of cattle

For more information on Nebraska Beef Extension or drylotting cows, reach me at my office (402)624-8007 or visit my programming website bigredbeeftalk.unl.edu.



What Will You Do with Profits?
Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator

Cow-calf producers are looking at the potential for significant profits for 2023 due to high calf prices. This income may give cow-calf producers the rare opportunity to invest capital back into the ranch.

The following are options, in no particular order, to consider when thinking about and planning for investments into the ranch or cow-calf enterprise.

    Celebrate and reward the people who have made investments and sacrifices to make the ranch successful! Recognize the blood, sweat, tears and stress that family and employees have given and show them appreciation.

    Visit with your banker and tax accountant about your current financial position and how income and investments can be managed to address tax liability for the 2023 year.

    Invest in others and yourself! Is there a class or an educational experience that would help people be more knowledgeable and effective in their roles and responsibilities? Take a trip and go see other operations who are doing something you are considering or would like to learn more about. Great leaders and managers are lifelong learners. The greatest educational gains usually are at the edge of your comfort zone.

    Look at your management information system. Does your current recordkeeping and accounting system provide you with the information needed to make effective decisions?  If it doesn’t, then an investment in the tools, training or hiring of help in this area could be extremely beneficial.

    Hire an attorney to review and evaluate your current estate plan. If you have been putting off developing an estate plan, this may be the time to complete one.

    Consider how livestock water and monitoring systems could be improved. Water is frequently the first limiting factor for grazing management systems. A dependable water supply is critical for good grazing management. Technology has made remote water monitoring systems effective and affordable. Consider how this technology may work for your operation.

    Evaluate emergency power sources for wells and homes on the ranch. A backup generator that can be incorporated into the electrical grid for the ranch could be valuable to maintain ranch operations and deliver water to livestock when the power is out for an extended period.    

    Think about how additional permanent and temporary electric fence might be used to improve grazing management and increase forage utilization. Consider purchasing fencing supplies now when cash is available. Strategic use of electric fence tools and technology can provide a rapid payback on investment through improved forage management.

    Look at investments that could have a multiyear benefit, especially for improved pastures and hay meadows. Consider spending money on soil fertility and pasture renovations such as adding legumes that can cost-effectively improve the quantity and quality of forage produced over the long term.

    Evaluate your ability to buy inputs in bulk.  Frequently there are cost advantages to being able to buy truckloads of products or buy inputs seasonally when prices historically are lower. Would an investment in this area provide flexibility in purchasing inputs and reduce the cost of production?

    If you don't have a scale as part of your operation, consider adding one. Being able to accurately know the weights of cattle has management and marketing benefits.

    Evaluate working and load out facilities. Could changes provide a safer environment and better working experience for cattle and the people who are handling them?

    Invite a team of people to evaluate and give you feedback on your business. Find people who will challenge you and who think differently than you. The implementation of just one or two ideas could have a tremendous impact on long-term business success.

    Be careful of seeking to avoid paying taxes by purchasing equipment. Overhead costs associated with depreciation, interest, repairs, taxes, and insurance that come with owning equipment are costs that should be minimized to the cowherd for long-term profitability.  Consider investments that will help to reduce overhead expenses. If it isn't a good business investment, it isn't a good tax management strategy either.

This year will likely be profitable for many cow-calf producers. Thinking ahead and coming up with a plan for profits can increase the long-term impact on the bottom line.  



Leopold Legacy Field Day to be Held Near Clarinda

Iowa Learning Farms and the Sand County Foundation will host a field day Thursday, Aug. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at the Garrison House in Clarinda, with a sunset prairie walk led by the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award recipient.

The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

This field day aims to assist farmers and landowners with identifying best management practices for their land, including the establishment and maintenance of perennial vegetation to improve farm sustainability and profitability. Perennial vegetation areas on the farm offer many benefits including reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat and providing beauty to the landscape.  

Seth Watkins has been working to bring his vision for farming to life since the 1990s when he inherited and purchased land that would become Pinhook Farm. He understands sustainability is not possible without profitability and has successfully demonstrated that the use of no-till and rotationally grazing livestock can create a balance between caring for the land and supporting his family. With 100 acres enrolled in CRP, including restored prairies and windbreaks, shallow water habitats, and riparian buffers, Seth has seen an influx of songbirds, Monarch butterflies and beneficial pollinators.

The field day will also feature Adam Janke, associate professor in natural resources ecology and management and extension wildlife specialist at Iowa State University, and Joe McGovern, president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The field day will conclude with Watkins leading a sunset tour of the farm and prairie.

The field day be held at the Garrison House located at 106 N. 16th St., Clarinda, Iowa, 51632. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for Iowa State Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.



Iowa Corn Day at the Iowa State Fair on August 18

Iowa Corn Promotion Board is proud to sponsor Iowa Corn Day at the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 18, 2023. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt across the fairgrounds while Iowa Corn Growers Association® members will come together for a memorable experience as they flood the fairgrounds in their member t-shirts.

To participate in the Iowa Corn scavenger hunt, fairgoers can spot the seven stations scattered throughout the fairgrounds using the hint card found at the Iowa Corn tent on the Grand Concourse. The scavenger hunt will share the over 4,000 everyday products made from corn. By completing and engaging in the scavenger hunt, participants will earn a $5 coupon to enjoy a corn-fed treat at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters, Turkey Grill, Iowa Pork Tent or Pork Chop-on-a-Stick stands.

“We are excited to be adding a membership portion to Iowa Corn  Day at the Fair to say, ‘thank you’ to those that continue to be strongly engaged as Iowa Corn Growers Association members,” said Denny Friest, ICGA President and a farmer from Radcliffe, Iowa. “Events like the Iowa State Fair are a time to bring people together, which is why bringing farmers and consumers alike to the fair will encourage conversations on not only how Iowa grows corn, but also how corn grows Iowa.”

Fairgoers are encouraged to visit the interactive Iowa Corn mobile education trailer on the Grand Concourse. The 40-foot state-of-the-art mobile trailer takes visitors on a multi-media journey and shares how Iowa corn farmers conserve their land while growing corn that’s used for food, feed, fuel and 4,000 other everyday products.

For more information on Iowa Corn Day at the Fair visit https://www.iowacorn.org/education/iowa-corn-day-at-the-iowa-state-fair.



Choose Iowa to be Featured at the 2023 Iowa State Fair

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will feature the Choose Iowa program throughout the 2023 Iowa State Fair. Choose Iowa is an agricultural marketing initiative to increase the visibility of Iowa grown, raised and made foods. By building on the growing demand for local foods, investing in value-added projects and helping consumers find and purchase Iowa food and beverages, Choose Iowa gives farmers access to new markets and shortens the distance between farms and plates.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for local foods, and Choose Iowa is where they will find it,” said Secretary Naig. “Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa foods, and consumers will soon begin to see the Choose Iowa logo at grocery stores, retailers, farmers markets and farm stands as well as on menus in restaurants. We invite fairgoers to learn more about Choose Iowa as they enjoy the 2023 Iowa State Fair.”

Choose Iowa Chats
Farmers and special guests from across Iowa who raise, grow and prepare the local food we enjoy will join us for Choose Iowa Chats on weekdays at 10 a.m. on the Ag Building stage. Each day will feature different speakers discussing timely topics pertinent to Choose Iowa.

Thursday, Aug. 10 at 10 a.m.
Beginning and longtime farmer perspectives
Kate and Jacob Van Manen of Van Manen Sweet Corn and Fresh Produce in Kellogg, IA
Steve Kerns of Kerns Farms and Mangalitsa Estates in Clearfield, IA

Friday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.
Bridging the gap from farm to consumer
Carmen Black and team from Local Harvest CSA at Sundog Farm in Solon, IA
Katie Olthoff of ChopLocal in Wayland, IA

Monday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m.
How we get from farm to table
Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm in Mitchell, IA
Chef Jessica Baldus of Taste, The Bakery and Piggyback Smokeshack in Osage, IA

Wednesday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m.
Farming isn’t all the same...how do you see diversity in ag?
Chris Deal of Deal’s Orchard near Jefferson, IA
Ray Gaesser of Gaesser Farms near Corning, IA
Corrine Rowe of Rowe’s Red Cows and Meat Market near Dallas Center, IA

Thursday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m.
Connecting consumers with fresh foods from the farm
Jenni Birker with Birker Farms near Garrison, IA
Bob Howard with Country View Dairy near Hawkeye, IA

Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m.
What is Choose Iowa?
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig
Choose Iowa Program Director Beth Romer

Choose Iowa Brunch
The Iowa State Fair will be hosting a farm-to-fork brunch highlighting seasonal and local ingredients sourced from Iowa farmers and prepared by some of the state’s top chefs. The Choose Iowa Brunch, presented by Choose Iowa and Travel Iowa, will be a chance for guests to experience and learn about all things local - from meeting the farmers and enjoying the chef-crafted cuisine and exclusive cocktails to listening to live music and hearing from experts about Iowa agriculture. This fine dining experience will feature Iowa ingredients in a 3-course plated meal served by Iowa FFA students. Students in the ProStart High School Culinary Arts Program will also be helping the chefs behind the scenes. Proceeds from the brunch will support the Iowa FFA Foundation with local food programming and the ProStart Program. Tickets are limited.

Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will recognize 16 Iowa students whose artwork was selected for inclusion in the 2023-2024 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar. The ceremony will be held in the Agriculture Building at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15. The Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship received over 120 submissions from K-12 students across the state and 16 student artists were selected for the annual calendar. The free 2023-2024 calendar will be available to the public, while supplies last, at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s booths in the Agriculture Building and Varied Industries Building. A digital version of the calendar will also be available online.

Fair Booths in the Agriculture Building and Varied Industries Building
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has a presence in the Agriculture Building marked with large Choose Iowa banners as well as in the Varied Industries Building. Choose Iowa information will be available in both areas, and fairgoers can take a free “Picture yourself in Iowa agriculture” photo at the Ag Building. Choose Iowa Coloring Calendars will be available while supplies last.



IPPA and SOI Team Up for Bacon Buddies at Iowa State Fair

Special Olympians from across Iowa will receive a unique challenge at the Iowa State Fair. Under the tutelage of Iowa FFA and 4-H members, 16 Special Olympians will show a pig during the Bacon Buddies® Pig Show on Saturday, August 12 in the Swine Barn.

This is the fourth year for the Bacon Buddies® event at the Iowa State Fair. It is an annual collaboration between the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and Special Olympics Iowa (SOI).

“This event brings a smile to my face and it’s one that we most look forward to every year,” said IPPA President-Elect Matt Gent, who is a pig farmer from Wellman. “One of the primary principles for Iowa pig farmers is caring for the community and this annual event is a great way to help build stronger communities. Bacon Buddies unites Iowans with intellectual or developmental disabilities with 4-H and FFA youth in a shared experience of showing pigs at the Iowa State Fair.”

Each Special Olympian is partnered with two 4-H/FFA mentors to learn about animal agriculture, show a pig, and interact with judges in front of a live audience.

“We are thrilled for our Special Olympics Iowa athletes to have the opportunity to participate in Bacon Buddies for the fourth year,” said Special Olympics Iowa CEO John Kliegl. “Our partnerships with the Iowa Pork Producers, 4-H, FFA and the Iowa State Fair have provided a platform for our athletes to be recognized. This experience brings joy and excitement to all the participants and spectators as our athletes and mentors show their skills in the show arena.”

Bacon Buddies® has expanded significantly to county fairs across Iowa as well. More than 30 counties held similar events this year. IPPA assisted county pork producer organizations with organizational and promotional resources.

The Bacon Buddies® Pig Show begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 12 in the east show ring of the Swine Barn on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event is open to the public.



Fertilizers See Large Price Move Lower

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the week including the last couple of days of July and the first few days of August 2023 continue to move lower. All eight major fertilizers were lower compared to a month ago. In addition, seven of the eight major fertilizers had a considerable price move looking back a month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

Leading the way lower once again was anhydrous. The nitrogen fertilizer was 15% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $638/ton. Anhydrous dropped below the $700/ton level for the first time since the first week of April 2021. That week the average price was $692/ton.

Also, double-digits lower was UAN32. The nitrogen fertilizer was 12% less expensive and had an average price of $411/ton. The trio of DAP, MAP and urea were all 7% lower compared to last month. DAP had an average price of $766/ton, MAP $773/ton and urea $572/ton. Both DAP and MAP fell below the $800/ton level for the first time in almost two full years. DAP was last at this level the second week of October 2021 at $798/ton, while the last time MAP was this low was the third week of September 2021 when the price was $786/ton.

Potash was 6% less expensive compared to a month earlier. The fertilizer had an average price of $579/ton. UAN28 was 5% lower looking back a month and the fertilizer had an average price of $378/ton. One fertilizer was just slightly lower compared to the prior month. 10-34-0 was just slightly lower and had an average price of $713/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.39/lb.N, UAN28 $0.68/lb.N and UAN32 $0.64/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 25% lower, urea is 30% less expensive, potash is 35% lower, UAN28 is 36% less expensive, UAN32 is 40% lower and anhydrous is 54% less expensive compared to a year prior.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/4/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending August 4, ethanol production dropped 4.1% to an 8-week low of 1.023 million b/d, equivalent to 42.97 million gallons daily. However, output was 0.1% more than the same week last year and 1.4% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.2% to 1.064 million b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.31 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks crept 0.1% higher to 22.9 million barrels. Stocks were 1.6% less than a year ago yet 2.0% above the five-year average. Inventories built in the East Coast (PADD 1) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3) but thinned across the other regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, jumped 5.3% to 9.30 million b/d (142.60 bg annualized), the highest level since June. Demand was 2.0% more than a year ago but 0.8% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 0.3% to 921,000 b/d, equivalent to 14.12 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.3% more than the same week last year but 0.2% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 69,000 b/d (2.9 million gallons per day), a 51% decrease from the prior week. There were zero imports recorded for the 35th consecutive week.



National Institute for Animal Agriculture Launches Policy Review Panels

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) has launched a new program to review organizational policies and positions specific to animal agriculture as a third-party reviewer.

As the protein value chain works to continuously improve, new animal agriculture policies and positions are often adopted by organizations. Access to third-party subject matter experts through NIAA ensures the latest science and information for practical animal handling and husbandry practices are applied. Review panels span all species and sectors of the animal agriculture value chain.

As a convener of interdisciplinary leaders to explore, discuss, and learn about specific topics and issues, NIAA’s mission is put into action through this program. NIAA Animal Agriculture Policy Review Panels are assembled upon request by animal agriculture stakeholders to review a specific organizational policy or position statement. The Policy Review Panels are comprised of subject matter experts (SMEs) and serve to:
    Determine if the policy follows the latest scientific research;
    Assess if the policy encourages continuous improvement;
    Review the policy for practical application;
    Evaluate if the policy is balanced to allow for species, regional, cultural, and other differences in production practices and models; and,
    Offer feedback and counsel that the requesting organization can implement into the policy.

NIAA provides the panel of SMEs with the proposed policy text with no distinguishing language or branding to prevent bias. Feedback from the panel is aggregated into a final report by NIAA staff and includes the credentials of the SMEs. NIAA does not share confidential review panel reports. However, reports may be shared by the requesting organization if they choose.

“We look forward to continuing to serve the animal agriculture community as policies and positions on a variety of animal agriculture topics are developed or revised,” said Eric Moore, NIAA board chairman and director of technical services – North America of Norbrook, Inc. “A NIAA Policy Review Panel just completed its first report, and the requesting organization shares the practical feedback was ‘well received’ and will be applied to their final position statement.”