Thursday August 31 Ag News

 LAST ALFALFA CUTTING
– Todd Whitney, NE Extension Educator

Best management practices, like cutting alfalfa in the morning to speed drying to preserve sugars and starch for higher quality hay, are followed by most producers. However, timing the last fall alfalfa cutting seems to vary among growers; since the forage quality does not change as rapidly in later cuttings compared to earlier cuttings.

Usually, the first week of October is the average first killing frost (28°F) for alfalfa, so targeting Sep. 1 as the last alfalfa cutting would allow plants 6 weeks to store root carbohydrates prior to the killing frost. Last cutting timing decisions will potentially impact your crop’s winter survival and vigor next spring. For example, in five-cutting irrigation system, research has shown that the next spring first cutting yield will be lowered by approximately the same amount as the yield from a late-fall last cutting.

This year’s drought may have extended the traditional 35-days between cuttings for four-cutting growers; so some producers are just now harvesting their 3rd cutting with possibly only about 6 weeks until the first fall frost.

What may be the risk if these producers seek yet another cutting during this growing season?

If the first fall frost occurs earlier than normal, then winter injury is a risk. However, conditions vary from year to year; and plant winterizing generally begins about three weeks before the first frost date with the “ideal” being six weeks of uninterrupted growth in the fall to become well winterized. Winter survival of later cuttings will improve with younger stands (except new stands); winter hardy varieties and disease-resistant varieties. For those needing extra cash or forage this fall, the higher dairy quality forage values may off-set the financial risk of needing to re-establish alfalfa stands next year which winterkill.

For most producers, the best strategy is to avoid harvesting alfalfa (Sep. 1 to Oct. 15) during the critical fall period 6 weeks before the first killing frost. This allows plants to enter winter with higher root carbohydrates.



Nebraska LEAD Announces 2023-25 Fellows

Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Group 42 participants have been announced by the program’s director, Dr. Terry Hejny. The two-year program will begin in September. The newest members of Nebraska's premier two-year agricultural leadership development program are involved in production agriculture and/or agribusiness in Nebraska.

"I am excited to get started with this cohort as it appears that Class 42 is filled with outstanding individuals from throughout our state. Once again, our task will be to prepare and motivate them for future leadership roles in their community, our state, and beyond," Hejny said.

LEAD Fellows will participate in 12 monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a 14–16-day international study/travel seminar. The goal of the program is to develop problem solvers, decision makers, and spokespersons for Nebraska agriculture and beyond.

Seminar themes include leadership assessment/potential, natural resources, energy, communication, agricultural policy/finance, international trade, Nebraska’s political process, social/cultural issues, agribusiness and marketing, information technology, advances in health care, the resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle and other areas designed to develop leaders through exposure to a broad array of current topics and issues and how they interrelate.

Nebraska LEAD 42 Fellows by city/town are:
ARCADIA: Michelle Bose
AURORA: Matthew Oswald
AYR: Adam Oldemeyer
BELLEVUE: Annalyssa Fountain
BROKEN BOW: Levi French
CAIRO: Ryan Hanousek
DE WITT: Wes Cammack
ELKHORN: John Garlock
GREENWOOD: Nicholas Swenson
HEMINGFORD: April Delsing
HOLDREGE: Logan Reed
KEARNEY: Sloane Holtmeier
LINCOLN: Nic Grams, Rachel Ibach, Michael Manning, Nathan Watermeier, Jake Werner
LOOMIS: Sidney Robinson
MASON CITY: Brad Parliament
MITCHELL: Jessica Palm
NORTH PLATTE: Emmet Storer
OMAHA: Cathryn Klein
ORD: Kelby Sudbeck
RANDOLPH: Blake Hokamp
SEWARD: Traci Menke, Zach Tveitnes
SHELBY: Carter Smith
WAHOO: Brett Storer
WOOD RIVER: Dalton Kenning

The Nebraska LEAD Program is governed by the non-profit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 13 other institutions of higher education throughout Nebraska.



Nebraska Corn Board Now Accepting Internship Applications

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) has opened the internship application period for five internship experiences beginning in May 2024. The internships vary in location, focus and scope but are designed to provide students with an overview of Nebraska’s corn industry through real-world professional examples and experiences.

Four of the five internships are summer-long experiences that are based outside of Nebraska. These four experiences are with cooperating partners of NCB. The remaining position is a yearlong internship where one student will work in the Nebraska Corn office in Lincoln.

Internship opportunities for 2024 - 2025:

Communications and Event Management Internship
Host: Nebraska Corn
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Duration: May 2024 – May 2025

Event Management Internship
Host: U.S. Grains Council
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2024

Communications and Investor Relations Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Duration: Summer 2024

Public Policy and Analysis Internship
Host: National Corn Growers Association
Location: Washington, D.C.
Duration: Summer 2024

Promotion and International Relations Internship
Host: U.S. Meat Export Federation
Location: Denver, Colorado
Duration: Summer 2024

“Students today are vying for a high-energy, motivating and hands-on opportunity to grow their knowledge and skills, and these internships provide exactly that,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of Nebraska Corn. “Each of these internships are designed with students in mind who will excel and grow their skillsets to leave college prepared for the working force. Our goal is to assist in their development and career aspirations.”

Nebraska Corn internships are open to all college students, with a preference given to students enrolled in colleges or universities located in Nebraska. The application process can be found online at https://nebraskacorn.gov/internships/. The submission deadline is Friday, October 13, 2023.



Seasoned NE Beekeeper Abuzz Over Bee Lawns, Other Bee-Friendly Practices

Bees and other pollinators are indispensable to a huge number of crops, and in Nebraska as well as across the country their numbers have been declining. From 2020 to 2021, Nebraska beekeepers lost 45-percent of their honeybee colonies. This is more than double the rate expected as a result of weather and other stressors such as the deadly Varroa mite. The disappearance of foraging material is another factor in the decline. Longtime beekeeper Dustin Scholl with the Nebraska Beekeepers Association says the most helpful thing property owners can do is plant flowers.  He says, "We need flowers blooming from the earliest in spring to super late in the fall. For all our bees -- they all rely on that forage. And I'm talking about our native flowers. "
 
Scholl admits his "big soapbox" is lawns -- especially "pristine" lawns free of pollinator-friendly plants such as clover and dandelions. He encourages Nebraskans to consider replacing at least a portion of their lawns with native wildflowers. Scholl says the local extension service or one of the many nurseries that specialize in native plants are good resources.
 
He says another option is to plant a bee lawn -- which is a mix of grass seed and bee-friendly flowers which are low-growing and resistant to drought...  "Once you mow them off, if you do have to mow, the flowers come back, so that you can provide more forage for all bees throughout the year."
 
Scholl says the grass that's included in a bee lawn mixture is a slower-growing grass. The University of Minnesota has research about the effectiveness of bee lawns.
 
Care and management of garden areas at the end of the season can also make a huge difference for bees and other pollinators. Scholl encourages leaving stalks and stems -- where bees can shelter during the winter -- until well into the spring.  He says, "If you have native plants planted in your landscape, you'll have these tiny little bees -- hopefully -- that are making a nest in the hollow stems."
 
For those interested in learning more about bees, the Nebraska Beekeepers Association's Bee Fun Day will take place Sunday, September 10th at the State Fairgrounds in Grand Island.




National Drought Summary for August 29, 2023
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

This U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week saw continued intensification of drought across areas of the Midwest, South, Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest. In the Midwest, extreme heat impacted areas of the region including Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Illinois with temperatures soaring 6 to 10+ degrees F above normal. Daily high temperature records were broken across the region during the past week including in Chicago (98), Milwaukee (101), Minneapolis (101), and Des Moines (100). Similarly, areas of the South including the northern Gulf Coast of Texas, Louisiana, and southern Mississippi saw continued drought-related deterioration on this week’s map as the heatwave continued to push high temperatures over 100 degrees F with numerous records broken during the past week. Record daily highs were set or tied in various southern cities including Houston (109), San Antonio (104), Austin (107), Dallas (109), Baton Rouge (106), New Orleans (103), Jackson (106), and Mobile (101). In Louisiana and southern Mississippi, the continued hot and dry conditions have led to numerous wildfire outbreaks as well as widespread poor hydrologic conditions and severe impacts within the agricultural sector. In the Southwest, monsoon precipitation has been well below normal across much of the region with areas of southern Arizona and New Mexico reporting rainfall deficits ranging from 3 to 6 inches since the beginning of July. In the Pacific Northwest, areas of drought expanded on the map in Oregon, Washington, and Montana in response to a combination of above-normal temperatures over the past 90-day period, precipitation shortfalls, and poor surface water conditions. Conversely, some areas saw improved drought-related conditions on the map, including southern Texas where heavy rains, in association with Tropical Storm Harold last week, provided much-needed moisture to the region. Rainfall accumulations along the southern Gulf Coast and South Texas Plains regions ranged from 2 to 6 inches. In the Southeast, areas of Florida braced themselves for the impacts of Hurricane Idalia as it intensified rapidly early this week. The hurricane made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida early Wednesday morning (8/30) as a dangerous Category3 hurricane bringing a life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds, and severe flooding.

Midwest
For the week, light precipitation accumulations (<2 inches) were observed across areas of Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. On the map, some degradations were made in areas of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois where both short- and long-term precipitation deficits persist. According to the latest USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Progress Bulletin (8/29), the percentage of topsoil rated short to very short is as follows: Iowa 68%, Minnesota 60%, Wisconsin 48%, and Illinois 43%. Furthermore, the latest USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report (8/28) noted that the persistent dry conditions have put stress on crops, especially soybeans, with numerous reports of disease entering fields. Average temperatures for the week were well above normal (2 to 10+ degrees F) across much of the region with the greatest anomalies observed across areas of southern Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwestern Wisconsin.

High Plains
On this week’s map, degradations were made in northern portions of North Dakota and in eastern Kansas. Conversely, recent precipitation during the past 30-60-day period led to some minor improvements on the map in drought-affected areas of southeastern Nebraska. Across most of the Plains, hot and dry conditions prevailed this week except for some isolated shower activity along the Kansas-Nebraska border region where 1 to 3 inches were observed. Average temperatures for the week were well above normal (2 to 8 degrees F) with the greatest departures observed in northwestern North Dakota and eastern portions of Nebraska and Kansas.

Looking Ahead
The NWS WPC 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) calls for heavy precipitation accumulations ranging from 4 to 10+ inches in association with impacts of Hurricane Idalia, which is forecast to bring very heavy rains across the Big Bend region of Florida as well as across areas of the Coastal Plain of Georgia and the Carolinas. In the Northeast, dry conditions are expected, while most of the South, Midwest, and the Plains states are forecasted to experience generally dry conditions. In the West, some light to moderate accumulations ranging from 1 to 3 inches are expected across portions of Arizona, Utah, and in isolated areas of the central and northern Rockies. The CPC 6-10 Day Outlooks call for a moderate-to-high probability of above-normal temperatures across much of the conterminous U.S. in an area extending from the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern Seaboard, while near-normal temperatures are expected over the remainder of the West except in Washington state where temperatures are forecasted to be below normal. In terms of precipitation, below-normal precipitation is expected across much of the southern tier of the conterminous U.S. as well as portions of the Mid-Atlantic, Great Basin, and Intermountain West. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation is forecasted for areas of the Upper Midwest, Northern Plains, and the Pacific Northwest.



Gearing up for National Nematode Day and Weekly $500 Sweepstakes

The SCN Coalition is declaring October 2 National Nematode Day, with support from BASF, Bayer, Nufarm and Syngenta, to increase soybean farmers’ awareness of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) — the No. 1 yield-grabbing pathogen of the soybean crop in North America.

The four weeks leading up to National Nematode Day will feature quizzes about SCN and other parasitic nematodes that impact soybean production like lesion, Southern root-knot and reniform, and a chance to win a weekly $500 sweepstakes. Follow @TheSCNCoalition on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for your chance to win.

Are you smarter than a nematode?
Look for the first quiz on September 5, with the answer announced on Friday. Beyond bragging rights, those answering the quizzes correctly will be entered into a weekly sweepstakes for a $500 giveaway. See our National Nematode Day page for more sweepstakes details. The four winners will be announced on National Nematode Day.

Why dedicate an entire day to nematodes?
Soils are rife with nematodes, most of which benefit the environment. But those that are not can be devastating. In fact, SCN robs farmers of an estimated $1.5 billion in profit potential each season.1 And SCN is just one of several parasitic nematode threats.

The good news is there are ways to actively manage the pest. “Increasing awareness about parasitic nematodes lays the foundation for the importance of soil testing and developing a plan so farmers can realize their soybean crops’ full potential,” says Horacio Lopez-Nicora, plant pathologist and nematologist with the Ohio State University and a member of The SCN Coalition.

Visit NematodeDay.com for more information.



Council, Cooperators Come Together For Animal Nutrition, Genetics Seminar

The U.S. Grains Council, along with industry cooperators, recently hosted a seminar on animal nutrition and genetics in Nicaragua. With more than 90 attendees, the event aimed to continue improving cattle producers' knowledge of best practices in animal husbandry and nutrition.

To continue improving cattle producers' knowledge of best practices in animal husbandry and nutrition in Nicaragua, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and U.S. Livestock Genetics Export recently hosted an animal nutrition and genetics seminar.

“Cooperators, and the USDA/FAS working together brought a variety of products and expertise, which enriched the program. The seminar also benefited from working with the domestic cattle association and IICA, which resulted in a large attendance from both beef and dairy farmers from the diverse regions of the country,” said Alvaro Lopez, USGC regional marketing specialist.

Held at the Instituto Interamericano de Cooperacion para la Agricultura (IICA) in mid-August, the event reached more than 90 people, including representatives from domestic cooperatives and associations, cattle farmers and students.

DDGS optimization in cattle nutrition offered by USGC Consultant Ruben Aguilera was a highlight of the meeting, but the meeting also included topics such as the U.S. export advantage by Lopez; the benefits of raising specific breeds in the region; and selection for heat tolerance genetics, among others.

The Council and its cooperators in the area are dedicated to providing continued trade servicing for producers in the country and throughout the Central American region. By improving the knowledge and technical skills of cattle producers, the Council hopes to not only help increase their productivity, but to also increase the use of feed grains and corn-co products.

“Central America is a region that has seen regular adoption of DDGS in feed diets, and the use of this ingredient continues to grow. In addition to this, Nicaragua's beef and dairy exports are strong, and feedlot operations are expected to grow. Programs in country will focus on promoting the benefits of both U.S. corn and DDGS, such as their high energy, protein content and other nutritional values to lower feed cost,” Lopez said.



Drought, Record Heat Threaten U.S. Soybean Crop at Critical Growing Stage

Prolonged drought and record heat are threatening soybean yields in several key growing states across the Midwest. With most of the soybean crop still in the critical pod-setting phase that depends on moisture in August, persistent dry conditions are lowering yield projections and raising concerns about the availability of supplies.

Scouts participating in the recent Pro Framer Crop Tour found sporadic and highly variable yields for both corn and soybeans, especially across the western Corn Belt. Record high temperatures and dry conditions in August have negatively impacted both crops. At this stage of the growing season, yield loss due to ongoing heat stress is a much greater risk for soybeans than for corn.  

According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, soybeans have a much tighter supply situation than corn due to the loss of planted acres. USDA estimates soybean planted acreage fell 4.6% year-over-year this spring to the lowest level since 2020.

“If hot and dry conditions in the Midwest continue and yield loss for soybeans increases, the U.S. soybean supply will tighten further, resulting in stronger interior cash basis and lower exports,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist for CoBank.

Ehmke was among the scouts participating in the crop tour who observed soybean pods being aborted in the triple-digit heat. Although pod counts were higher in many states compared to last year and the three-year average, more pods will likely be aborted if hot and dry conditions continue. In addition to drought and heat stress, sudden death syndrome was widely noticed by scouts, as was white mold.

However, high temperatures late in the growing season are associated with a higher soybean oil content, according to the United States Soybean Quality Annual Report. This coincides with historically strong soybean oil prices relative to soybean meal prices, driven by the expansion in demand for renewable diesel.

“While hot temperatures during the growing season tend to cause lower protein levels in soybeans and lower soybean meal values, the combination of higher oil extraction and higher soybean oil prices will benefit processors,” said Ehmke. “Buy basis for co-ops and processors will be higher in the forthcoming crop year for soybeans, but processor margins are expected to remain strong.”



July Prices Received Index Down 2.1 Percent

The July Prices Received Index 2011 Base (Agricultural Production), at 124.7, decreased 2.1 percent from June and 7.0 percent from July 2022. At 118.7, the Crop Production Index was down 1.2 percent from last month and 4.9 percent from the previous year. The Livestock Production Index, at 132.4, decreased 2.0 percent from June, and 9.4 percent from July last year. Producers received lower prices during July for broilers, corn, milk, and hay, but higher prices for hogs, lettuce, soybeans, and strawberries. In addition to prices, the volume change of commodities marketed also influences the indexes. In July, there was decreased marketing of cattle, milk, broilers, and hogs, but increased monthly movement for wheat, grapes, hay, and cotton.

July Prices Received by Farmers
Crop production: The July index, at 118.7, is 1.2 percent lower than June and 4.9 percent lower than July 2022. The grain & oilseed, other crop, and vegetable & melon index decreases more than offset the fruit & tree nut index increase.

Grain and oilseed: The July index, at 107.1, is down 2.1 percent from June and 11 percent from July 2022.

Feed grain: The July index, at 103.4, decreased 4.3 percent from last month and 14 percent from a year ago. The corn price, at $6.22 per bushel, is down 27 cents from last month and $1.03 from July 2022.

Food grain: At 104.9, the index for July decreased 2.9 percent from the previous month and 11 percent from a year ago. The July price for all wheat, at $7.61 per bushel, is 6 cents lower than June and $1.08 lower than July 2022. The July price for rice, at $19.20 per cwt, is 70 cents lower than June but $1.50 higher than July 2022.

Oilseed: At 116.6, the index for July increased 3.4 percent from June but decreased 5.7 percent from July 2022. The soybean price, at $14.70 per bushel, is 50 cents higher than June but 80 cents lower than July a year earlier.

Other crop: The July index, at 117.8, is down 5.6 percent from the previous month and 8.7 percent from July 2022. The all hay price, at $221.00 per ton, is down $13.00 from June and $19.00 from July 2022. At 72.3 cents per pound, the price for upland cotton is 2.7 cents lower than June and 25.9 cents lower than July 2022.

Livestock production: The index for July, at 132.4, decreased 2.0 percent from the previous month and 9.4 percent from July a year earlier. Lower poultry & egg and dairy indexes more than offset the higher meat animal index.

Meat animal: At 146.2, the July index increased 2.9 percent from the previous month and 18 percent from a year earlier. At $74.30 per cwt, the July hog price is $9.70 higher than June but $8.70 lower than a year earlier. The July beef cattle price of $181.00 per cwt is unchanged from the previous month but
$39.00 higher than July 2022.

Dairy: The index for July, at 86.6, is down 2.8 percent from the previous month and 32 percent from July a year ago. The July all milk price of $17.40 per cwt is 50.0 cents lower than June and $8.10 lower than July 2022.

Poultry and egg: At 143.5, the July index decreased 13 percent from June and 34 percent from July 2022. The July market egg price, at 95.0 cents per dozen, is 2.3 cents lower than June and $1.60 lower than July 2022. The July broiler price, at 68.4 cents per pound, is 13.7 cents lower than June and 27.9 cents lower than a year ago. At 96.0 cents per pound, the July turkey price is 6.0 cents lower than the previous month and 13.0 cents lower than July 2022.

July Prices Paid Index Up 0.1 Percent
The July Prices Paid Index for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW), at 138.7, is up 0.1 percent from June 2023, but unchanged from July 2022. Higher prices in July for feeder cattle, concentrates, diesel, and LP gas more than offset lower prices for hay & forages, feed grains, nitrogen, and complete feeds.



Improving Layer Hen Welfare with Better Bone Health  

Keel bone damage, deviations or fractures in a bird’s breastbone, is a prevalent problem among commercial laying hens. This damage may be painful for hens and can be linked to the number and quality of their eggs. Keel bone damage is a multifactor problem attributed to a combination of housing design, genetics, feed and nutrition, behavior, rearing practices and other issues.

To address this welfare and production challenge, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Open Philanthropy created the Layer Hen Keel Bone Health Program to provide funds to support global, cross-disciplinary teams that use evidence-based approaches to measurably reduce the incidence of keel bone damage. This program expands upon previous FFAR funding for keel bone research. The program is awarding two grants totaling $2,989,012 to researchers at the University of Edinburgh and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) who are taking innovative genetic and interdisciplinary approaches to investigating the multi-factorial causes of keel bone damage. Several matching funders provided support for a total $6,990,477 investment.

“Improving the welfare of animals is a critical component of animal husbandry, and keel bone damage is a serious threat to the wellbeing of layer hens,” said Nikki Dutta, FFAR interim scientific program director for Advanced Animal Systems. “These research projects are helping ensure humane treatment and a better quality of life for the animals that meet our food and nutrition needs.”

FFAR and Open Philanthropy are awarding the following grants:

Professor Ian Dunn - University of Edinburgh

Consortium Partner and/or Matching Funder: Hy-Line International; Lohmann Breeders GmbH; Open Philanthropy; Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Universidad de Granada; University of Alberta; University of Guelph

The research consortium is using genetic selection to address keel damage. The team is using x-ray images and machine learning to refine and validate the measurements of bone quality and keel damage in living hens to inform the selection of hens to reduce keel bone damage. This work is also examining if breeding programs for improved keel health need to vary depending upon poultry housing design.

Moreover, prior research has highlighted the role of age at puberty on bone strength. The consortium’s work is further exploring this relationship by manipulating diet and light to delay puberty and measuring the resulting effects on bone quality. They are also determining whether a diet that produces lower homocysteine, an amino acid, increases collagen strength and improves keel quality.

“Keel bone damage is a particular problem as non-cage systems are in increasing use across the world,” said Dunn. “This project seeks to enable genetic selection directly for the keel bone itself, as well as novel nutritional approaches and the influence of the timing of when hens start to lay eggs on their bone quality.”

Dr. Huaijun Zhou - UC Davis
Matching Funders: Hy-Line International; Open Philanthropy

Zhou’s research is bringing an interdisciplinary approach to the complex, multi-faceted challenge of keel bone damage. The research team is aiming to decrease the occurrence of keel bone damage by examining the birds’ housing environments and assessing the key relation and role of genetics. The researchers are identifying genetic markers associated with keel bone damage in breeding flocks raised under different housing environments and improving genetic selection to promote resistance to keel bone fractures. They are also evaluating the effects of housing design interventions on the development, type and prevalence of keel bone damage. Finally, the researchers are exploring alternative housing designs and conducting economic analyses to determine the costs and gains from the proposed adjustments to breeding and housing designs.

Zhou is the principal investigator for the UC Davis research and a professor of animal science in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

“Like many other economically important traits in poultry, keel bone damage is a complex issue affected by genetic and environmental factors, such as type of housing system,” said Zhou. “By partnering with the world’s leading poultry breeding company, Hy-Line International, we are thrilled with the opportunity to apply advanced genetic, genomic and precision livestock farming technologies to sustainably improve poultry well-being and production.”

Collaborating with Zhou at UC Davis are animal science associate professors Dr. Maja Makagon, Dr. Richard Blatchford and Dr. Hao Cheng; and agricultural economist and distinguished professor Dr. Daniel Sumner. The UC Davis team will partner with Dr. Yang Zhao, an associate professor at University of Tennessee and Dr. Danny Lubritz, Dr. Anna Wolc, Dr. Petek Settar, Dr. Kaylee Roland and Dr. Luke Kramer at Hy-Line International.

“Hy-Line International is proud to be collaborating with Dr. Huaijun Zhou and his team at UC Davis on this hen keel bone health project,” said Lubritz, Hy-Line International’s director of research and development. “We believe this research will deliver tools for the early detection and genetic improvement of keel bone health in cage and cage free settings. Hy-Line International can integrate this information into its genomic program to simultaneously improve egg production, egg quality and bird welfare.”