Tuesday September 12 Crop Production Report + Ag News

 USDA forecasts US corn production up, soybean and cotton production down from 2022

Corn production is up, while soybean and cotton production is down from 2022, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is up 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 3% from 2022, forecast at 4.15 billion bushels; cotton production is down 9% from 2022 at 13.1 million 480-pound bales.

As is done every year in September, planted and harvested acreage estimates for corn, cotton, and soybeans were reviewed based on all available data, including the latest certified acreage data from the Farm Service Agency. As a result, area planted to corn is estimated at 94.9 million acres, up 1% from the previous estimate; area planted to soybeans is estimated at 83.6 million acres, up slightly from the previous estimate; and area planted to cotton is estimated at 10.2 million acres, down 8% from the previous estimate.

The average U.S. corn yield is forecast at 173.8 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels from last month’s forecast but up 0.5 bushel from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in Ohio and South Carolina. Acres planted to corn, at 94.9 million, are up 7% from 2022. Area to be harvested for grain is forecast at 87.1 million acres, up 1% from last month and 10% more than was harvested last year. As of Sept. 3, 53% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, one percentage point below the same time last year.

Area for soybean harvest is forecast at 82.8 million acres, up slightly from last month but 4% less than was harvested last year. Planted area for the nation, estimated at 83.6 million acres, is down 4% from last year. Soybean yields are expected to average 50.1 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushel from last month’s forecast but up 0.6 bushel from 2022. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee will be record high.

NASS forecasts all cotton area to be harvested at 8.02 million acres, 7% below last month’s forecast, but 10% more acres than were harvested last season. Yield is expected to average 786 pounds per harvested acre, up 7 pounds from last month’s forecast, but down 164 pounds from 2022. Area planted to all cotton is estimated at 10.2 million acres, down 26% from last year.

NASS surveyed more than 7,000 producers across the country and conducted objective yield surveys for corn, cotton, and soybeans in preparation for this report.



NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on September 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2023 corn crop is forecast at 1.70 billion bushels, up 17% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Area harvested for grain, at 9.59 million acres, is up 9% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 177 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from last year.

Soybean production is forecast at 286 million bushels, up 3% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.20 million acres, is down 8% from 2022. Yield is forecast at 55 bushels per acre, up 6 bushels from a year ago.

Sorghum for grain production of 20.0 million bushels is up 191% from a year ago. Area for harvest, at 220,000 acres, is up 76% from 2022. Yield is forecast at 91 bushels per acre, up 36 bushels from last year.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.32 million tons, up 38% from 2022. Area for harvest, at 46,000 acres, is up 16% from last year. Yield is forecast at 28.7 tons per acre, up 4.5 tons from a year ago.

Dry edible pea production is forecast at 418 thousand cwt, up 188% from a year ago. Area for harvest, at 19,000 acres, is down 10% from 2022. Yield is forecast at 2,200 pounds per acre, up 1,510 pounds from last year.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION FORECAST

Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.52 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the previous year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 200.0 bushels per acre, down 3.0 bushels per acre from the August 1 forecast but unchanged from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 13.1 million acres, down 300,000 acres from the previous estimate. An estimated 12.6 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain, down 300,000 acres from the previous forecast. Acreage updates were made based on a thorough review of all available data.

Soybean production is forecast at 572 million bushels, down 2 percent from 2022. The yield is forecast at 58.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from the August forecast but 0.5 bushel lower than 2022. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 9.95 million acres, up 250,000 acres from the previous estimate. An estimated 9.87 million of the acres planted will be harvested, up 250,000 acres from the previous forecast. Acreage updates were made based on a thorough review of all available data.

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



Awards Aim to Keep Agricultural Education Teachers in Nebraska

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded 24 teachers with funds in support of agricultural education and FFA programs in Nebraska.

“The Dr. Allen G. and Kay L. Blezek Teacher Retention Award is an investment in the future of Nebraska agriculture,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We are very proud to support these teachers as they get established in their classrooms and communities. The return on investment is clear as the number of schools that offer agricultural education and FFA grows, and alumni go on to contribute to Nebraska’s number one industry.”

Recipients are all agricultural education teachers in their first through fifth year of teaching. Teachers are eligible for increasing awards over time. As the teachers’ impact grows in the classroom, in their FFA chapters, and in their communities each year, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation aims to recognize and support their efforts.  A longtime program of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, the award was renamed in recognition of an estate gift from Dr. Allen Blezek. Dr. Blezek was an agricultural education teacher, the first director of the Nebraska LEAD program, and a founding member of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation board of directors.

The 24 recipients of the scholarships are Paige Aylward, Hershey Public Schools; Kaydie Brandl, Lakeview Community Schools; Danie Brandl, Elm Creek Public Schools; Rylee Dexter, Chamber Public Schools; Amanda Hafer, Lutheran High Northeast; Hunter Hill, Franklin Public Schools; Toriann Holly, Fairbury Jr./Sr. High; Miranda Hornug, Exeter-Milligan Public Schools; Carrie Johns, Gering High School; Allison Johnson, Falls City High School; Alex Meyer, St. Edward Public Schools; Hallett Moomey, Schuyler Community School; Katie Nolles, Stuart Public Schools; Tanner Nun, Diller-Odell Public Schools; Jocelyn Pohl, Alliance High School; Emily Santero, Morrill High School; Alex Stocker, Central City High School; Caleb tenBensel, Broken Bow Public Schools; Maggie Vyhnalek, Bruning-Davenport Schools; Brooke Wehrbein, Auburn High School; Emily Whipple, Ainsworth Community Schools, Kealey Widdowson, Gibbon High School; Cara Wolverton-Holtorf, Wilber-Clatonia; and Payden Woodruff, Palmer Public Schools.



Top 10 Named in Ag Innovation Challenge

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is shining a spotlight on start-up companies focused on advancing agricultural innovation by naming the top 10 teams in the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge.

“The future of American agriculture is bright due in part to start-up companies like those competing in the Ag Innovation Challenge,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Entrepreneurs’ innovative solutions to the challenges that we’re facing today help clear hurdles for the farmers and ranchers of tomorrow as they provide food, fiber and renewable fuel for families both here at home and around the globe.”

The competition provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase ideas and business innovations in agriculture. This is the 10th year of the Challenge, which was the first national business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs launching agriculture and food-related businesses. Farm Bureau is offering $165,000 in start-up funds throughout the course of the competition.

The 10 semi-finalist teams are being awarded $10,000 each. They are:

Idem Irrigation, Nebraska. Team lead: Phil Holliday
(from www.idemirrigation.com) Our patent pending pivot "BALL" sprinkler head application system, processes, and attachments will limit chemigation/fertigation to a more precise amount per acre. We have seen as much as 1/3 of the chemical is being applied resulting in almost parallel results and yields. You factor in the IDEM Irrigation "BALL" sprinkler head application results with the cost saving to growers, an already overused crop-dusting industry, pilot hour shortages resulting in tens of thousands of acres needing application during a pest infestation, and an opportunity to limit overuse of chemicals in agriculture, our water, and our food...we introduce to you a revolution in irrigation by IDEM Irrigation! IDEM Irrigation sprinkler head technology offers the flexibility of “plug-n-play" attachments that can be retrofitted to any existing pivot manufacturer.

Appanoose Manufactured Products, Iowa. Team lead: Mark Mendick
(from appanoosemfg.com) Appanoose Manufactured Products started out as a small engineering and fabrication shop in our local community (Moulton, IA). We are firefighter owned and saw a need for various new and improved technologies in the world of firefighting. We continually strive to develop new products and ideas that are field tested by the customers they serve.

Ultra High Pressure (UHP) has been categorized by the NFPA as a pump system with a minimum rated capacity of 6 gpm at discharge pressures greater than 1,100 psi. Water droplets at this pressure are over 60 times smaller than a conventional, low pressure line. This allows a UHP system to put more droplets into the atmosphere, creating more surface area for heat absorption. Smaller droplets also convert to steam quicker, displacing oxygen and helping to extinguish the fire. Less water, more heat absorption, quicker knockdown. UHP proves to be a valuable tool in many applications:
    Transitional Attack
    Room and Contents Fires
    Vehicle Fires
    Wildland / Grass Fires

Other Finalists
    anu, Indiana. Team lead: Scott Massey
    Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, Colorado. Team lead: Sarah Hinkley
    ReproHealth Technologies, Indiana. Team lead: Jim Donahue
    Secret Garden Bees, North Carolina. Team lead: James Hartman
    Share Farm, Washington. Team lead: Vincent Peak
    Smooth Ag, Texas. Team lead: River McTasney
    UAV-IQ Precision Agriculture, California. Andreas Neuman
    Udder Ways LLC, New York. Team lead: Jody Neal

The 10 semi-finalist teams will compete at the AFBF Convention on Friday, Jan. 19, to advance to the final round where the four finalist teams will receive an additional $5,000 bringing their total to $15,000 each. The final four teams will compete live in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives on Sunday, Jan. 21, to win three top titles and prizes:
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, for a total of $50,000
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, for a total of $20,000
    People’s Choice Team selected by public vote, for an additional $5,000 (all 10 semi-finalist teams compete for this honor)

The top 10 semi-finalist teams will participate in pitch training and mentorship from Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business faculty prior to competing at AFBF’s Convention. In addition, the top 10 semi-finalist teams will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders and venture capital representatives from USDA’s Rural Business Investment Program.

Farm Bureau would not be able to recognize and support these rural businesses without generous funding provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank and Farm Bureau Financial Services.

To learn more about the Challenge visit fb.org/challenge.



Crop insurance workshop October 19 in Grand Island

Nebraska Extension will host a crop insurance workshop for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19, at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, 700 E. Stolley Park Rd.

The event will help attendees improve their risk management strategies and boost their understanding of crop insurance. Crop and livestock producers, insurance agents, marketing consultants, agricultural educators and other risk management service providers are encouraged to attend.

“Understanding crop insurance can give producers a financial advantage,” said Cory Walters, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Failure to understand how it works can leave producers financially stressed and at a financial disadvantage.”

The workshop will include updates from the USDA Risk Management Agency, market outlooks for crops and livestock, and sessions on Annual Forage and Livestock Risk Protection programs, climate trends, stress and resiliency, the 2023 farm bill and strategies for margin protection. Lunch will be provided.  

The workshop is presented as part of a series produced in collaboration between Nebraska Extension, Kansas State University Research and Extension and Colorado State University Extension.  

Registration costs $100 and is required by Oct. 14. A late fee of $20 applies after Oct. 14. Registration can be completed at https://cropinsure.unl.edu. For questions, please contact Cory Walters at 402-472-0366 or cwalters7@unl.edu.  



Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program Surpasses Million Dollar Milestone

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (ILFPA) has surpassed $1 million in purchases from Iowa farmers and producers which are then distributed to underserved communities throughout the state.

Announced in June of 2022 and launched in September of 2022, the statewide program was created to facilitate the purchase and distribution of Iowa grown and produced food for underserved communities. Iowa originally received approximately $2.7 million. In May of 2023, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced that it had received an additional $2.9 million, bringing the total to over $5.6 million.

“The Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program allows us to not only combat hunger and food insecurity within our own communities, but also build markets for Iowa farmers and producers,” said Secretary Naig. “The partnerships stemming from this program will yield long-term benefits, including a more resilient supply chain, stronger markets for farmers, greater access to nutritious food, deeper community connections and ongoing support for those most in need.”

ILFPA has thus far benefited 194 Iowa farmers and has an overall goal of exceeding 300. With a reach of 2,000 food distribution sites through partnerships with 15 distributors, including food hubs, food banks, and the Meskwaki Nation, the decentralized emphasis allows local specialists to meet the community's needs through the implementation plans they design for their area.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has an operating agreement with Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development (Iowa Valley RC&D), which continues to lead project management and implementation. The program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is in place through May of 2025.

To learn more about the program or how to participate, visit www.iowalfpa.org or https://iowaagriculture.gov/ILFPA.   



CHS Intends to Return $730 Million to Owners

CHS Inc., the nation's leading agribusiness cooperative, has announced it intends to return $730 million in cash patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in calendar year 2024. The decision demonstrates the cooperative's ongoing commitment to sharing profits with its owners and strengthening rural communities.

The CHS Board of Directors determines the total amount of cash to be returned to CHS owners at the close of each fiscal year. Based on business done with CHS in fiscal year 2023, which ended on Aug. 31, 2023, the CHS Board has elected to return $365 million in cash patronage and $365 million through equity redemptions to CHS owners.

CHS owners are member cooperatives and farmer-owners in hundreds of communities across rural America. The cash returns earmarked for distribution in 2024 will combine with the previous year's cash returns for more than $1.7 billion shared with owners over two years and more than $3.2 billion returned to owners over the past 10 years.

"As a cooperative, CHS was founded in the commitment to share financial strength with its owners while growing capabilities and efficiency to help our owners, customers and business partners succeed," said Dan Schurr, chair of the CHS Board of Directors. "No other business model has this deep connection with its owners and unrelenting focus on empowering our stakeholders and building communities."

Final financial results for fiscal year 2023 are expected to be announced in November 2023. Additional patronage-related details will be available at that time, including the amount of fiscal year 2023 patronage equity certificates that will be issued to CHS members.



USDA Extends Deadline to Oct. 12 for Input on Prevented Planting Crop Insurance Coverage

RMA has extended the deadline to October 12 for public input about the prevented planting provisions of the Common Crop Insurance Policy (CCIP), Basic Provisions. RMA is interested in public input on the following:
    Additional prevented planting coverage based on harvest prices in situations when harvest prices are higher than established prices initially set prior to planting;
    The requirement that acreage must have been planted to a crop, insured, and harvested, in at least 1 of the 4 most recent crop years;
    Additional levels of prevented planting coverage; prevented planting coverage on contracted crops; and other general prevented planting questions.

We invite stakeholders to respond to this request for information by close of business October 12, 2023 here.... https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/23/2023-10926/request-for-information-and-stakeholder-listening-sessions-on-prevented-planting.  



Milk Advocates Stress Dairy’s Unique Nutrition Benefits Before Dietary Guidelines Committee

The National Milk Producers Federation’s Regulatory Affairs Director, along with an Olympic athlete (and dairy farmer), told the government’s Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee how dairy is a critical component of diet that should be considered in light of its full range of benefits in comments made today before the panel.

Miquela Hanselman from NMPF, and Elle St. Pierre, a farmer-member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative and a world medalist track athlete who represented the United States in the women’s 1,500-meter race in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, both offered their perspectives on dairy’s role in diet before the panel that will shape the scientific report informing the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Both Hanselman and St. Pierre hold degrees in nutrition and public health.

“Nearly 90% of Americans don’t consume the recommended servings of dairy,” said Hanselman. “Dairy products have always been an integral part of the dietary guidelines. Milk is a good or excellent source of 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium and vitamin D, three of the four nutrients of public health concern.”

Hanselman’s comments focused heavily on how dairy at all fat levels benefits diverse communities and how current guidelines work against including varieties of milk that Americans consume the most. “With the scientific question focused on sources of saturated fats, this committee has the opportunity to remedy a previous oversight and include the newer science on dairy fats and the dairy matrix,” she said. “Dairy foods, regardless of fat level, appear to have either neutral or beneficial effects on chronic disease risks including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and stroke. This committee shouldn’t default to the overly broad recommendation to avoid saturated fats regardless of food source.”

St. Pierre, a U.S. track and field champion and recent new mom, spoke out against the proliferation of plant-based imitation beverages that offer wildly inconsistent nutritional value, cautioning against any consideration of them as potential dairy replacements. Plant-based beverages “are so nutritionally different from real milk that whether one views them positively or negatively, their impact on health cannot be assumed to be the same as, or even similar to, that of milk,” said St. Pierre, who lives near Berkshire, VT. “I strongly caution against and oppose any inference that health impacts associated with milk consumption would apply to plant-based milk alternatives.”

Today’s hearing is part of the committee’s information-gathering process for the next set of guidelines. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is convened every five years by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services to make recommendations for American diets, affecting numerous federal nutrition programs.  



Survey: Voters Want Congressional Action Supporting Low-Carbon Ethanol

With Congress back in session after the August recess, a new survey from the polling firm Morning Consult found continued strong voter support for policies promoting the use of lower-cost, lower-carbon American-made ethanol. In the latest results, registered voters also indicated robust support for specific legislation to allow the year-round sale of E15 (fuel containing 15 percent ethanol), as well as policy that would promote the production of more flex fuel vehicles capable of using the lower-cost E85 fuel blend.

“Voters across the country clearly want to see solutions that will help them save money at the pump while also improving the environment and public health. Consumers want greater access to lower-carbon, lower-cost renewable fuels,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This nationwide poll of more than 2,000 voters shows strong support for important legislative proposals that are currently pending in the House and Senate. We are calling on Congress to listen to their constituents and get this legislation over the goal line before the end of the year.  Now is the time for action.”   

Among the results:
    62 percent of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of ethanol, while only 17 percent had an unfavorable opinion; of those who have an opinion either way on ethanol, nearly four out of five voters (79 percent) support it.
    67 percent support the Renewable Fuel Standard, with 19 percent offering no opinion and 14 percent opposed. This is the highest percentage of support since RFA first began surveys with Morning Consult in 2016.
    67 percent also support the United States increasing the availability of the E15 blend, and 62 percent believe it is very or somewhat important to promote the production and sale of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). Only 14 percent opposed the expansion of E15, and just one out of five respondents said it isn’t important to increase production of FFVs.

When it comes to specific legislation now pending before Congress:
    63 percent support the Flex Fuel Fairness Act, which would encourage automakers to expand production of flex fuel vehicles that can run on E85. The bill would create an incentive for flex fuel vehicle production similar to the incentive already in place to encourage automakers to expand production of electric vehicles.
    61 percent support the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would allow E15 to permanently be sold nationwide on a year-round basis. Only 15 percent of voters oppose the legislation.
    Likewise, 61 percent support the Next Generation Fuels Act, which would establish a high-octane, low-carbon fuel standard, with just 14 percent expression opposition.

The online survey was conducted of 2,013 registered voters Sept. 6-9, and has a 2 percent margin of error.



Michigan auctioneer wins qualifier for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.

Wade Leist, Boyne City, Michigan, qualifies for the 2024 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship and was named champion at the qualifying event in Torrington, Wyoming.
 
The event, hosted by Torrington Livestock Markets, on Sept. 11 was the first of three qualifying events building up to the 2024 WLAC Championship. Thirty-six contestants from across the U.S. and Canada competed for the title. The top 10 auctioneers earned a spot in the 2024 WLAC semifinals to be held next June at Oklahoma National Stockyards, Oklahoma City.
 
"I wasn't yet competing in the WLAC when the championship was hosted there back in 2010," Leist said. "It's a contest that a lot of guys still talk about and I'm sure they'll outdo themselves there next June. My grandfather and I visited there in about 2001 and it was the first time I'd ever seen a western market. I was in awe at the size and scope of that place. We visited a few markets on that trip and those markets have always been on my list of places to sell at. He passed a few years after that trip so getting the opportunity to compete there for the world's championship is checking a big one off the list for me."
 
Leist first competed in the event in 2014. He’s earned a top 10 spot six times, as well as a qualifying event runner-up champion title. He also competed in the WLAC last year as the Calgary International Livestock Auctioneer Champion.
 
The competition was held as part of a special sale at Torrington Livestock Markets that featured more than 4,000 head of yearlings, feeder cattle, calves and a complete herd dispersal of breeding stock.
 
Contestants are scored by a panel of livestock marketing industry judges on the clarity and quality of their chant, presentation, ability to catch bids as well as conduct of the sale and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. The contestants are taking bids from buyers on the seats at the auction and online while working on behalf of the livestock producer customers of Torrington Livestock Markets.
 
Along with Leist, the individuals advancing to the semifinals for 2024 are Reserve Champion (and High Score Rookie) Jace Thompson of Billings, Montana; Runner-Up Champion Brennin Jack of Virden, Manitoba; Eric Drees, Caldwell, Idaho; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta; Brandon Hamel, Natoma, Kansas; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, California; Jason Santomaso, Sterling, Colorado; Andrew Sylvester, Westmoreland, Kansas; and Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Nebraska.
 
Other contestants who competed were Cinch Anderson, Izee, Oregon; Zach Ballard, Presho, South Dakota; Brandon Barton, Mountain Grove, Missouri; Andy Baumeister, Goldthwaite, Texas; Albert Carroll, Downeyville, Ontario; Spencer Cline, Kingston, Arkansas; Casper Corfield, Oshkosh, Nebraska; David Cox, Orderville, Utah; Gary Crawley, Kiowa, Oklahoma; Tristan Hunter, Ardmore, South Dakota; John Kisner, Hays, Kansas; Lane Marbach, Victoria, Texas; Tilon Mast, Kalona, Iowa; Mark Mast, Billings, Montana; Ross Parks, New Concord, Ohio; Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho; Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas; Kade Rogge, Rupert, Idaho; Austin Schaben, Dunlap, Iowa; Seth Schneider, Elsie, Nebraska; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kansas; Shawn Silverberg, Fort Collins, Colorado; Preston Smith, Imperial, Nebraska; Sam Stamper, Checotah, Oklahoma; Scott Twardowski, Swanville, Minnesota; and Brad Veurink, Platte, South Dakota.
 
The next WLAC qualifying event will be held at Tri County Stockyards, Motley, Minnesota, on Wednesday, Oct. 25. Rules and entry information are available at lmaweb.com.