Tuesday September 05 Crop Progress + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending September 3, 2023, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 28% very short, 37% short, 34% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 29% very short, 38% short, 32% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 9% very poor, 16% poor, 24% fair, 40% good, and 11% excellent. Corn dough was 96%, near 94% last year and 95% for the five-year average. Dented was 76%, near 72% both last year and average. Mature was 24%, ahead of 17% last year and 13% average.

Soybean condition rated 9% very poor, 17% poor, 27% fair, 38% good, and 9% excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 96%, near 100% last year and 97% average. Dropping leaves was 30%, ahead of 23% last year and 18% average.

Winter wheat planted was 2%, near 1% both last year and average.

Sorghum condition rated 4% very poor, 10% poor, 34% fair, 36% good, and 16% excellent. Sorghum coloring was 67%, ahead of 54% last year and 62% average. Mature was 3%, near 4% last year and 5% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 28% fair, 60% good, and 7% excellent. Dry edible beans setting pods was 93%, near 89% last year and 96% average. Dropping leaves was 23%, ahead of 14% last year, but near 27% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 9% very poor, 16% poor, 32% fair, 36% good, and 7% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

A continued lack of precipitation throughout Iowa meant farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 3, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included chopping corn silage as well as cutting and baling hay. Continued drought conditions have stressed corn and soybeans and dried them out to the point that some farmers were getting equipment ready for harvest.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 42 percent short, 25 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 44 percent short, 24 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dent stage or beyond was 78 percent this week, 5 days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Seventeen percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity, 5 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Corn condition declined 5 percentage points to 49 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 40 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 8 percent this week, 1 week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition fell 4 percentage points to 49 percent good to excellent.

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 95 percent complete, 16 days ahead of last year and 19 days ahead of the average.

Pasture condition rated 16 percent good to excellent, the lowest rating since September 6, 2020. Hotter than normal temperatures continued to stress livestock across the State, however the reports of death loss were down this week.



USDA: Corn, Soy Conditions Fall in Week Ended Sept. 3

Bouts of extreme heat in much of the Corn Belt are starting to have a bigger influence on crop condition ratings, USDA-NASS stated in its weekly Crop Progress report. The percentage of corn and soybean crops rated good to excellent dropped 2 to 3 percentage points on Tuesday's report, which covered blistering hot days before the Labor Day holiday.

CORN
-- Crop progress: USDA said 93% of the corn was in the dough stage and 67% was dented, both slightly above the five-year average pace; 18% of the crop is mature.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 53% of the corn crop was rated good to excellent as of Sept. 3, down from 56% last week and one point lower than a year ago.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop progress: USDA said 95% of soybeans were setting pods, up from the five-year average of 94% for this time of year, and 16% of the crop was dropping leaves.
-- Crop condition: USDA said 53% of the soybean crop was rated good to excellent as of Sept. 3, down from 58% last week and compared to 57% last year.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: USDA said spring wheat harvest is 74% complete as of Sept. 3, just slightly behind the 77% average.

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Manure Spreader Calibration is Not Just for Research Plots
Leslie Johnson – Animal Manure Management Extension Educator

Back in May, faculty spent a good chunk of a day calibrating a manure spreader in preparation for applying manure to a research plot. Just prior to manure application season though, it’s good to remember that calibration is not only for research plots. All manure spreaders used for land application should be calibrated so you know how much has been applied.
 
Just like a spreader used for commercial fertilizer, a manure spreader must also be calibrated. If you don’t know the rate you’re applying, how can you possibly calculate the nutrients you’ve applied? And if you’re not factoring in the nutrients in the manure, you’re wasting money. And who wants to do that?
 
Many Ways of Calibrating
There are several ways to calibrate a manure spreader. Regardless of whether you’re using a liquid or solid spreader, you could drive over a truck scale with a full and empty spreader and then divide the difference by the number of acres you covered with the load. You could use onboard scales and a GPS system. Liquid spreaders could also use a flow meter.
The simplest method for solid application though, and the one I most often recommend for those that don’t have access to some of the equipment above is the sheet method. It’s the method we used for our research plots and it requires a few simple items you are likely to already have around the farm. You need:
a few plastic sheets or tarps (ideally cut to 22 square feet),
some pins or stakes to hold the tarps down,
a bucket or tub, and
a scale.
 
We used a shipping scale, but a fishing or feed scale would work too – maybe even a bathroom scale if you’re hard pressed to find another one.
 
Using the Sheet Method
I like to use at least 3 tarps, but if you only have one, repeat the process multiple times. The more you repeat the calibration with similar results, the more confident you can be in your calibration.
 1.    Start by weighing your bucket and one tarp while empty. Write that number down so you can subtract it from the full weight later to get only the manure weight.
 2.    Pin down your tarps very well in a row through the middle of your drive path so that the tires of your tractor and spreader will miss them.
 3.    Spread your manure making sure you’re spreading at the full rate before you get to the tarps and until you’re fully past them, noting your spreader settings. With the settings documented, you can make adjustments if necessary or repeat this rate later.
 4.    Collect each tarp and weigh it in the bucket and subtract the empty weight you wrote down previously.
 5.    Repeat for all tarps and average the results.

If you’re aiming for a particular rate, change your spreader settings or the gear you’re in and repeat the process until you reach your goal.
 
For our research plots, we also used the tarps to verify our rate. We placed the tarps right in our plots and did our application, then came back and weighed the manure on each of them so we could be sure of the rate we applied so we could adjust our additional fertilizer rates accordingly. We then went back and spread the manure from the tarp back where it came from. This process is what I often recommend for people who are short of time during application season, but want to make sure they’re accounting for those fertilizer nutrients in their manure. It’s a quick check that has the potential to save future fertilizer expenses.
 
Capitalize on a Sampling Opportunity
One advantage of the sheet method is that it is also a great opportunity to grab a few handfuls of manure to send a sample to the lab for analysis. Grabbing a bit of manure from each of the tarps makes for a representative sample because the manure has already been mixed when loading and again to some extent when spreading. And, by taking samples from multiple tarps, you’re taking your samples from multiple points. Just mix the samples together and send a portion of that to the lab to really figure out what you’re applying.
 
To summarize, by calibrating your spreader, you know precisely how much manure has been applied. Then, with the sample collected on the tarps, you can use the information provided by the analysis and adjust your commercial fertilizer application rate accordingly, thus setting your crops up for success and helping your bottom line.
 


Nebraska Soybean Board to meet

The Nebraska Soybean Board will hold its next meeting on September 6-7, 2023 at the Embassy Suites located at 12520 Westport Parkway, La Vista, Nebraska.

Among conducting regular board business, the Board will finalize funding for FY24 proposals and learn about other new opportunities. The meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for public discussion. The complete agenda for the meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org.

About the Nebraska Soybean Board
The nine-member Nebraska Soybean Board collects and disburses the Nebraska share of funds generated by the one-half of one percent times the net sales price per bushel of soybeans sold. Nebraska soybean checkoff funds are invested in research, education, domestic and foreign markets, including new uses for soybeans and soybean products.



Lindsay to Showcase Innovation in Irrigation at Husker Harvest Days

A series of five panels and presentations at the upcoming Husker Harvest Days – hosted by Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology – will highlight issues in agriculture and the different ways the company uses technology to solve problems in irrigation.

Sessions will take place Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Lindsay building on lot 410. Topics include:
    New irrigation technology: mapping, predictive analytics and more
    Ideas from the new generation of leaders in agriculture
    Benefits of the dealer-customer relationship
    The present and future of AI in agriculture
    Solutions to minimize soil disruption, ponding and rutting for water application

Outside of the Tuesday panels and presentations, Lindsay will have experts on hand during the full duration of Husker Harvest Days, Sept. 12-14 near Grand Island, Neb. with opportunities for media interviews. Please contact Lisa Schoenberger at (402) 201-4222 or Lisa.Schoenberger@lindsay.com if you’d like to schedule an interview in advance.

Tuesday, September 12 (all times CST)
10 a.m. – Grow your Potential with the New FieldNET UI
Dr. Justin Gibson, Senior Product Manager – Global Agricultural Software, will demonstrate new capabilities available in the recently released FieldNET user interface. Visitors will experience innovative improvements in mapping, predictive analytics and more.

11 a.m. – Growth Through Innovation: Showcasing the Next Generation of Agriculture Leaders
Moderated by Eric Fleming, Vice President of North America Irrigation, the panel will feature:
    Joe Knobbe, agriculture producer, founder and owner of Flyover Whiskey, a distillery in Northeast Nebraska that produces whiskey from corn provided directly by growers.
    Jena Ochsner, agriculture producer raising three boys on Double O Farms, a 135-year-old operation near Sutton, Neb. Jena also operates Double O Beef, a farm-to-table operation that ships Nebraska beef nationwide. She is the co-host of “Beyond the Crops”, a podcast highlighting the joys and challenges of agriculture production.
    Mary Pat Sass, farm wife and mother of two, partner in a row crop operation and cattle farm operating in Northern Illinois. MP, as she is affectionately known by her 253k TikTok followers, also founded Grounded Journals, a prompted journal that helps farm and ranch families create a written history of their operation. She also cohosts “Beyond the Crops”.

1:30 p.m. – Grow Your Capacity Through Key Partnerships: A Chat with Zimmatic™ Dealers and Growers
Brad Dunbar, Regional Manager for the Midwest Region, will moderate a discussion with Nebraska Zimmatic dealers and their customers to learn how their operations have benefited from strong relationships including ability to make highly customized product recommendations and show up when it matters most.

2 p.m. – FieldNET Advisor™ and the Future of AI In Agriculture
Dr. Justin Gibson, Senior Product Manager – Global Agricultural Software, will present on the latest developments in artificial intelligence, its rising popularity and accessibility and what it will mean for the future of agriculture. He will demonstrate how Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor platform can provide predictive analytics that generate irrigation recommendations to make every drop count.

3 p.m. – On Track for Success: Comparing Tracking Solutions
Product Manager Stephanie Johnson will share insights on various tracking solutions designed to minimize soil disruption, ponding and rutting, key for efficient water application.

FieldNET Updates
Lindsay’s remote irrigation management solution, FieldNET, which provides recommendations on when, where and how much growers should irrigate, was recently released in a new, highly intuitive beta UI (user interface), which current, North American FieldNET customers can access and provide input on, prior to the full release for the next growing season.

The new user interface provides enhanced mapping and visualization, enabling users to geographically visualize and interact with their irrigation systems and fields. With FieldNET Advisor and through the incorporation of satellite imagery, growers can accurately monitor irrigation patterns, soil moisture levels and other vital factors influencing crop performance. Predictive analytics and advanced reporting capabilities provide insights growers need before, during and after the growing season to inform decisions that conserve resources and increase efficiency.

For more information about Lindsay’s irrigation solutions, visit http://lindsay.com/irrigation.



I Believe in the Future of Ag Campaign Begins for 2023-24

September marks the official start of the 12th annual I Believe in the Future of Ag fundraising campaign. This campaign serves as an outlet for local FFA chapters to receive donations for innovative projects in their classrooms, leadership programming, community service projects and field trips to advance agriculture education in their schools.

Corporate sponsors provide support for an educational campaign for FFA and agricultural education in Nebraska and support fundraising efforts at the local level. “Local FFA/Agriculture Education programs play an integral role in growing and developing future leaders in agriculture and in our communities. I see this campaign as a very important tool to help those chapters have the resources they need to grow leaders and build communities,” says Stacey Agnew, Nebraska FFA Foundation Executive Director.

Donors to the I Believe in the Future of Ag campaign choose which chapter they support. One hundred percent of each local donation will be sent back to the designated chapter at the end of the campaign and a portion of the $30,000 challenge matching pool will be distributed to participating chapters. To donate to a local FFA chapter contact your local FFA advisor or visit neffafoundation.org. 



Rush Elevates Beef on Global Stage: Sharing Insights from Latin American Meat Showcase

With a seven-year tenure on the Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors, Ivan Rush sheds light on his extensive experience at the Latin American Meat Showcase and its significance in promoting beef products abroad. Rush, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, has been a stalwart beef advocate for years. He recounted his involvement in the Latin American Meat Showcase through the efforts of the US Meat Export Federation, a contractor to the Nebraska Beef Council, and his participation in international trade missions.

"I've been very fortunate," Rush said, "I was able to be a part of the Latin American Meat Showcase for three trips and then I was able to represent the Nebraska Beef Council on the governor's trade mission to Japan."

The Latin American Meat Showcase, he explained, brings together buyers and sellers from the United States and various countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The showcase has evolved over the years, with attendance growing significantly from its initial 50-60 participants to a staggering 475 attendees at this year’s show hosted in Colombia.

"The idea was to bring all of the buyers and sellers together at one point in one time," he shared.

During these trips, the representative's role has been twofold: to represent Nebraska beef producers and communicate the industry's commitment to animal welfare, sustainability, and high-quality products. He emphasized that "Nebraska does an excellent job of producing beef cattle and produces some of the highest quality beef in the country."

He also aimed to strengthen connections between buyers and sellers, highlighting the significance of face-to-face communication in fostering trade relationships. Reflecting on his most recent trip, Rush recounted a key insight he gained: "Countries do not trade with countries; people trade with people."

Additionally, Rush was impressed by the display and promotion of US beef products in Colombian supermarkets that he was able to tour. He noted that US beef was presented in an appealing and informative manner, creating a positive image among consumers.

Rush also emphasized the role of the USMEF in facilitating international trade efforts by connecting buyers and sellers, organizing cooking demonstrations, TV shows, and educational activities that promote US beef products in foreign markets.

"They live there, they understand the culture, they understand the purveyors, and they know who they are," he stated.

Having spent part of his career working in Colombia, Rush’s connection to Latin America runs deep. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for promoting Nebraska's beef industry, he continues to serve as a vital link between American producers and global consumers.

For more information and to learn more about the Nebraska Beef Council, visit www.nebeef.org.  



Husker Harvest Days includes Free Trees and Water Testing

Questions about trees, erosion, flood control or water quality? Stop in to visit Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts during Husker Harvest Days Sept. 12-14.

“This is a great opportunity for producers to meet with conservation agencies all in one place and learn more about cost-share programs that can benefit their operation and Nebraska’s natural resources,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD).

Located in the Natural Resources Hub (39E), Nebraska’s NRDs are stationed with various organizations that offer conservation assistance, cost-share opportunities and producer programs. Attendees can visit with the Nebraska Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service’s Bessey Nursery, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, The Nature Conservancy, and Central Platte NRD’s Native Prairie and Pollination Awareness Program.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Water Well Standards Program will also be on site to provide free water testing and screen for nitrates in minutes. Private well owners should bring a cup-size sample of water in a clean container.

In addition, the Natural Resources Districts will announce three individuals to induct into the NRD Hall of Fame during a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, on the Hospitality Tent Stage (SE Quadrant, #33). These Hall of Fame inductees have made significant contributions to protect our state’s natural resources through the NRDs. Hall of Fame categories include:
    Natural Resources District Board Member
    Natural Resources District Employee
    Natural Resources District Supporter

During the three-day event, Husker Harvest attendees also will receive a free blue spruce tree seedling from the NRD Conservation Tree Program. All 23 Nebraska NRDs administer tree planting programs to provide trees and shrubs for local landowners. Each district varies, but possible services include: planting, weed barrier installation or weed control, and drip irrigation. Free prairie grass seed will also be available as part of the Native Prairie and Pollinator Awareness Project.

For more information on the Conservation Tree Program and other conservation resources, visit www.nrdnet.org.



O’Brien County Ag Supply based in Primghar, Iowa, now carrying Meristem products

O’Brien County Ag Supply and Meristem Crop Performance Group, LLC (meristemag.com), based in Columbus, Ohio, today announced a new dealership agreement to serve farmers in Northwest Iowa.

Under the new relationship, owners Brennen Triplett and Joshua Rausch and their team at O’Brien County Ag Supply will carry the Meristem Crop Performance product line and become Meristem’s ally in helping Iowa farmers make the most of every dollar they spend on crop inputs.

“Brennen, Josh and their crew are well-known in Iowa for helping every customer they serve make the most of every seed they plant and win consistently, season after season,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO, in announcing the agreement. “We’re excited to be able to come alongside to help them serve those farmers and gain from their field experience as we add new products.”

“Meristem has a product portfolio geared to helping every farmer we serve gain a better ROI (return on invement),” said Triplett of the engagement. “Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality products and superior service for our farmer-customers and we’ve worked to expand our services to include seed sales, comprehensive chemical sales, and application in conjunction with professional agronomic assistance.”

In 2014, Triplett purchased Black’s Farm Store, a 35-year-old business in Primghar. After the purchase, he and his business partner, Joshua Rausch, formed O’Brien County Ag Supply. Both Triplett and Rausch are agronomists, the former having studied at Iowa State and the latter at South Dakota State University.

O’Brien County Ag Supply provides application services to crops at pre-plant and pre- and post-emergent. They can apply fungicides and insecticides to post-emergent crops with a HAGIE high-clearance sprayer, enhancing coverage to better protect the crop and gain a better response compared to aerial application. In addition, they offer yield-enhancing tools from the 360 Yield Center.

The O’Brien County Ag team will now add the Meristem product portfolio including HOPPER THROTTLE™ planter box treatments, REVLINEtm biologicals and plant growth regulators, TRUTRACKtm drift control, AQUADRAFT™ water conditioners and surfactants, UPSHIFT starter fertilizers and HOMESTRETCHt™ micronutrients and foliar nutritionals. Of special interest is EXCAVATOR™, powered by MICROBILIZE™, a new biological designed to break down tough crop residue and release nutrients faster.

“We’ve seen outstanding results from several of these Meristem products already,” said Rausch, “and Meristem’s approach of helping growers make the most of every pass through the field fits well with our mission to help farmers improve their yield and ROI.”



Farm Sector Profits Forecast to Fall in 2023
 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast at $141.3 billion in calendar year 2023, a decrease of $41.7 billion (22.8 percent) relative to 2022 in nominal (not adjusted for inflation) dollars. This follows an increase of $42.9 billion (30.7 percent) from 2021 to a record high $183.0 billion in 2022. After adjusting for inflation, net farm income is forecast to decrease $48.0 billion (25.4 percent) in 2023 relative to 2022. Despite this expected decline, net farm income in 2023 would be 22.6 percent above its 20-year average (2003–22) of $115.2 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Net cash farm income is forecast at $148.6 billion in 2023, a decrease of $53.6 billion (26.5 percent) relative to 2022. This follows an increase of $52.9 billion (35.4 percent) from 2021 to 2022. When adjusted for inflation, 2023 net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $60.5 billion (28.9 percent) from a record high of $209.1 billion in 2022. Despite the decrease, net cash farm income in 2023 would be 7.8 percent above its 2003–22 average of $137.8 billion. Net cash farm income encompasses cash receipts from farming as well as cash farm-related income (including Government payments) minus cash expenses. It does not include noncash items (including changes in inventories, economic depreciation, and gross imputed rental income of operator dwellings) reflected in the net farm income measure.

Cash receipts from the sale of agricultural commodities are forecast to decrease by $23.0 billion (4.3 percent, in nominal terms) from a record high of $536.6 billion in 2022 to $513.6 billion in 2023. Total crop receipts are expected to decrease by $11.2 billion (4.0 percent) from 2022, led by lower receipts for corn and soybeans. Total animal/animal product receipts are expected to decrease by $11.9 billion (4.6 percent), following declines in receipts for milk, broilers, eggs, and hogs.

Also contributing to lower forecast income in 2023 are lower direct Government payments and higher production expenses. Direct Government payments are forecast to fall by $2.9 billion (19.0 percent) from 2022 to $12.6 billion in 2023. This decrease is expected largely because of lower supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance in 2023 relative to 2022. Meanwhile, total production expenses, including operator dwelling expenses, are forecast to increase by $29.5 billion (6.9 percent) to $458.0 billion in 2023. Interest expenses and livestock/poultry purchases are expected to see the largest increases in 2023 relative to 2022.

Average net cash farm income for farm businesses is forecast to decrease 19.7 percent from 2022 to $87,300 per farm in 2023 (in nominal terms). Eight out of nine USDA, ERS Farm Resource Regions are expected to see average net cash farm income fall in 2023 relative to 2022 in nominal dollars, with farm businesses located in the Northern Crescent expected to see the largest decline. Average net cash farm income for farm businesses in the Eastern Uplands is forecast to increase nearly 1 percent from 2022 to 2023. When grouped by commodity specialization, all farm businesses specializations except one (cattle/calves) are forecast to see lower average net cash income in 2023. Cattle/calves specialized businesses are forecast to see average net cash farm income increase 36.3 percent. Farms specializing in dairy are expected to see the largest decline relative to 2022.

Farm sector equity is expected to increase by 6.8 percent in 2023 to $3.57 trillion in nominal terms. Farm sector assets are forecast to increase 6.6 percent in 2023 to $4.09 trillion following expected increases in the value of farm real estate assets. Farm sector debt is forecast to increase 4.9 percent in 2023 to $520.1 billion. Debt-to-asset levels for the sector are forecast to improve from 12.93 percent in 2022 to 12.72 percent in 2023. Working capital is forecast to fall 5.5 percent in 2023 relative to 2022.

Median Income of Farm Operator Households Forecast to Increase Nominally, Decrease After Inflation, in 2023
Median total farm household income is estimated to have increased in 2022 to $95,740 and forecast to increase again to $98,148 in 2023. That is a nominal increase of 3.8 percent (a 3.0-percent decline after inflation) between 2021 and 2022, and a 2.5-percent nominal increase (a 0.9-percent decline after inflation) in 2023.

Farm households typically receive income from farm and off-farm sources. Median farm income earned by farm households is estimated to have decreased in 2022 to -$849 from $210 in 2021 and is forecast to decline further to -$880 in 2023. Many farm households primarily rely on off-farm income: median off-farm income in 2022 is estimated at $81,108, a decrease of 2.1 percent (a decrease of 8.4 percent after inflation) from $82,809 in 2021, and it is forecast to increase by 3.4 percent (a 0.1-percent decline after inflation) to $83,831 in 2023. Since farm and off-farm income are not distributed identically for every farm, median total income will generally not equal the sum of median off-farm and median farm income.



U.S. Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2024 Forecast at $172.0 Billion; Imports at $199.5 Billion
USDA Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2024 are projected at $172.0 billion, down $5.5 billion from the revised forecast for FY 2023. This reduction is largely driven by lower exports of soybeans, soybean meal, and dairy products. Soybean exports are forecast down $5.8 billion to $26.5 billion on lower volumes due to a lower U.S. production forecast, competition from South America, and high domestic crush demand. Soybean meal exports are projected at $5.9 billion, down $800 million as lower unit values more than offset higher export volumes. Overall oilseed and product exports are projected $6.0 billion lower to $37.5 billion. Dairy exports are forecast down $1.2 billion to $7.4 billion due to declines in global export prices of key products. Beef exports are forecast to decline $600 million to $8.5 billion on lower volumes due to tight U.S. supplies. Overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are projected at $37.6 billion, down $1.4 billion from FY 2023. Cotton exports are forecast at $5.8 billion, $300 million lower due to slightly reduced unit values. Horticulture exports are up $1.6 billion to a record $39.5 billion, driven by higher exports of tree nuts and processed fruits and vegetables. Ethanol exports are forecast at $3.3 billion, down $300 million as falling unit values more than offset higher export volumes. Agricultural exports to China are forecast at $30.0 billion, $3.0 billion lower from FY 2023, driven by weaker outlook for soybeans, dairy, and beef. Agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada are forecast at $28.2 billion and $27.5 billion, respectively, both $300 million lower from FY 2023.

U.S. agricultural imports in FY 2024 are forecast at $199.5 billion, $3.0 billion higher than the revised FY 2023 estimate due to higher imports of horticultural and livestock products and stabilizing global prices. For FY 2023, agricultural imports are forecast at $196.5 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion from May’s projection, mainly due to easing import prices throughout FY 2023.

The forecasts in this report are based on policies in effect at the time of the August 11, 2023, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) release and the U.S. production forecasts thereof.



USDA Dairy Products July 2023 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.16 billion pounds, 0.7 percent below July 2022 and 0.7 percent below June 2023. Italian type cheese production totaled 482 million pounds, 1.5 percent below  July 2022 but 0.2 percent above June 2023. American type cheese production totaled 475 million pounds, 0.2 percent above July 2022 and 0.3 percent above June 2023. Butter production was 157 million pounds, 3.5 percent above July 2022 but 3.2 percent below June 2023.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with July 2022)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 135 million pounds, down 18.6 percent.
Skim milk powder - 62.6 million pounds, up 2.6 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with July 2022)
Dry whey, total - 87.2 million pounds, up 3.4 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 92.7 million pounds, down 2.8 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.3 million pounds, up 10.6 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with July 2022)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 62.0 million gallons, up 1.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 40.9 million gallons, up 0.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.65 million gallons, down 26.0 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.88 million gallons, down 2.5 percent.



Speakers Confirmed for U.S. Grains Council’s Global Ethanol Summit in October

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has confirmed Bruce Rastetter and Jeff Broin as keynote speakers for Global Ethanol Summit (GES), held Oct. 16-18 in Reston, VA. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has also been invited to give opening remarks.

GES seeks to elevate bioethanol’s international visibility and ongoing successful initiatives as a viable decarbonization solution within the transportation sector. More than 450 ministerial-level officials and industry leaders, ethanol producers and refiners from more than 40 countries have been invited to attend with the goal of engaging a diverse group of international ethanol leaders about the benefits of expanding global use.

Rastetter is the founder and Executive Chairman of Summit Agricultural Group, a leading agribusiness and renewable energy firm with operations in North and South America. Rastetter’s hands-on experience in global agricultural and renewable energy sectors, matched with his strong focus on strategic business development, has been key to building successful companies and advising government leaders on policy matters.

Broin is the founder and CEO of POET, the world’s largest biofuel producer, and founding chairman of Growth Energy. For more than 35 years, Broin has worked to advance the role of renewable biofuels and bioproducts in addressing national and global issues surrounding agriculture, human health and climate change.

GES will begin with four general sessions on Oct. 16 and continue with breakout sessions focused on particular challenges and opportunities facing the biofuels industry today.

Oct. 16 general sessions:
• Opening Remarks and Keynote Speakers
• Governmental Prospectives: Current and Future Global Ethanol Policies and Regional Success Stories
• Multilateral Entities: Global Ethanol Feedstocks and End Use Outlooks and Trends
• Ethanol Associations: Domestic Dynamics, International Engagement Efforts and Next Steps to Achieve Global E10 and Beyond

Oct. 17 breakout sessions:
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel: Future of Alcohol to Jet Technology, Plant Technologies and Policy Support
• Retailer Ethanol Integration, Best Practice Examples, and Blending Benefits
• Ethanol's Low Carbon Analysis Updates from the Producer Level: Recent Zero Carbon commitments, Carbon Capture and Underground Storage status, and Farm Level applications
• Bio-based Chemical Applications for Ethanol around the World
• Automaker Trends, Recent Fleet Success Utilizing Ethanol Blends, and the Future of Ethanol Engine Technology
• Refinery and Terminal Industry Experience: Ideal Logistics, Sourcing, Storage and Blending Implementation for Ethanol Blended Gasoline
• Utilizing Ethanol as a Clean Air Solution and Updated Ethanol Modeling Within Carbon Fuel Standards

Registration for GES is now open and hotel rooms with special event rates are available until Sept. 15.



Proper Corn Harvest Timing Requires Patience and Balance

Properly timing corn harvest is a critical crop management decision. While an early harvest can reduce field losses, drying costs can increase. Likewise, harvesting later reduces drying costs but may result in decreased crop quality and reduced yield.

Determining the right time to harvest each field can be difficult. Competing field demands and weather play important roles in harvest timing. Choosing where to start is often difficult as weather and grain moisture levels quickly alter carefully laid plans.

“If you haven’t been out scouting in your fields yet, right before drydown is a good time,” said Pioneer Field Agronomist Crystal Williams. “While it won’t tell you the full yield story, it can help prioritize fields for harvest.”

Grain moisture levels at harvest affect grain quality, as well as the time and cost required to dry the grain. Wet grain can incur damage during combining, handling and drying.

If grain quality is significantly reduced during harvest and drying, dockage may result, and grain losses can occur.

University of Minnesota Extension corn agronomist Jeff Coulter recommends a guideline of 24% to 25% grain moisture to begin harvest, noting today’s farmers have the logistics for handling and drying corn.

Achieving this requires close monitoring of crop conditions during drydown. Timing corn harvest to maximize profitability means striking a balance between maximizing bushels harvested and minimizing drying costs.