Wednesday September 06 Ag News

 Youth experience swine production
Melissa Hagemeister, Cuming County Extension Assistant

The Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort is designed to enhance the traditional 4-H swine project and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the swine industry by providing opportunities focusing on swine production as a goal of the 4-H member's project, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and engagement by the 4-H member. In order to participate, youth must be 4-H age 9-18, complete YQCA, and farrowed their project animals.
 
Youth involved in the cohort, participated in learning opportunities hosted by Extension Swine Specialist Benny Mote about nutrition, feeding, genetics and more. They also maintained records related to swine management and basic care, which resulted in turning in a record book this weekend. Finally, they exhibited their Farrowed and Owned project animals at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair with the opportunity for special recognition for participating in the cohort.

The 2023 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned division at the Nebraska State Fair was sponsored by Parks of Nebraska LLC.

The following youth met the requirements of participating in 75% of the educational meetings from February - June and participating in the interview portion of the cohort at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair.
Olivia Beel, Brown County
Kade Goedeken, Platte County
Kambryn Vaughn, Phelps County
Keely Vaughn, Phelps County
Kyper Vaughn, Phelps County
Cullan Schmidt, Fillmore County
Alli Ritter, Cuming County
Eli Ritter, Cuming County
Trevin Steuk, Saline County

Results from the live show:
Grand Champion Farrowed and Owned Breeding Gilt: Cullan Schmidt, Fillmore County
Reserve Champion Farrowed and Owned Breeding Gilt: Trevin Steuk, Saline County
Grand Champion Farrowed and Owned Market Hog: Kade Goedeken, Platte County
Reserve Champion Farrowed and Owned Market Hog: Eli Ritter, Cuming County

Cohort members learned the importance of accurate record keeping through a detailed record book they compiled with information about their farrowed and owned projects.  The record books are used during an interview each cohort member participates in at the state fair. The interview is an important part of the cohort experience, as members gain valuable life skills from this experience.

Results from the interview portion of the cohort:
1st Place: Olivia Beel, Brown County
2nd Place: Keely Vaughn, Phelps County
3rd Place: Kade Goedeken, Platte County

Congratulations to all 2023 Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Cohort members!

For more information about Nebraska 4-H Farrowed and Owned Cohort learning opportunity, please visit https://4h.unl.edu/farrowed-owned.



NDA ANNOUNCES WINNERS IN ANNUAL POULTRY PHOTO CONTEST

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is pleased to announce the winners in NDA’s annual Poultry Photo Contest. The contest was open to Nebraska 4-H and FFA members. The winning photographs are featured in a special 2024 calendar that includes biosecurity information poultry owners can use to protect their flocks from diseases.

“Keeping backyard flocks healthy is important to poultry owners and the poultry industry,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “4-H and FFA members work hard to ensure that the animals in their care stay healthy and strong. The photos we received from this year’s poultry contest show healthy poultry living the good life in Nebraska.”

The students submitting winning photos from this year’s contest are: Kelsey Bunn of North Bend; Reagan Dinger of Roca; Sofie Farr of Farnam; Kaitlyn Flessner of Ord; Clara Krause of Hubbard; Charlie Meister of Springfield; Grant Meister of Springfield; Janae Oberg of Farnam; Jacob Rief of St. Paul; Charlotte Sanio of Lincoln; Kyla Wharton of Lincoln; and Ada White of Grand Island.

“I would like to thank the 4-H and FFA members who entered this year’s Poultry Photo contest,” Vinton said. “Through your photography, you are showing people in a unique and creative way just how diverse the poultry industry is in Nebraska. Congratulations!” NDA’s 2024 calendar featuring Poultry Photo contest photographs and important biosecurity information can be viewed and downloaded from NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian.



University of Nebraska enrollment holds steady at 49,419

Consistent with projections, enrollment at the University of Nebraska System is holding steady at 49,419 for fall 2023, according to new census figures announced today by President Ted Carter.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Kearney both saw growth in the key demographic of first-time freshmen, system-wide enrollments of graduate and professional students increased including a record-high graduate enrollment at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center has its 23rd straight record enrollment, among other highlights.

Overall student credit hours are also up and the number of full-time students grew, both positive signs in relation to the university’s goals to increase timely graduation rates and provide more talent for Nebraska’s workforce. Enrollments in high-demand workforce areas, including engineering and agriculture at UNL, information science and technology at UNO, and health science and business and technology at UNK, are also seeing positive growth trends.

The total headcount enrollment, which includes all four campuses in the NU System plus the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, is a decline of 0.3 percent from fall 2022, or 148 students. The figures align with the 2023-24 operating budget approved in June by the Board of Regents, which assumed flat enrollment.

Carter said he was pleased to see enrollment stabilize after two years of declines and credited campus teams for their work in engaging prospective students. He added that student recruitment and retention will continue to be an “all-hands-on-deck” effort across the university system, given Nebraska’s urgent need for more highly skilled workers with postsecondary education.

“A strong, growing State of Nebraska is directly linked to a strong, growing University of Nebraska,” Carter said. “While our university is not immune to demographic realities and other challenges facing all of higher education, the needs of our workforce and state are too important for us not to be completely focused on attracting, retaining and graduating as many students as possible.

“I am cautiously optimistic that we have turned a corner. As our Five-Point Plan for elevating the University of Nebraska’s competitiveness and success makes clear, student recruitment is at the top of our priority list. We will continue to be creative and aggressive in building new strategies for making certain all students know there is a place for them at the University of Nebraska.”

Included in Carter’s plan are goals to blanket statewide events and schools to ensure every prospective student is aware of the opportunities available to them at the university. The university also plans to review options for more competitive full scholarship programs to attract top students.

Those efforts will build on steps the university has taken in recent years to expand affordable access to quality education to more students, including the creation of the Nebraska Promise financial aid program, elimination of application fees, and tuition rates that remain well below peer institutions.

Carter noted that the university’s efforts to create access and opportunity are showing results: More than one-quarter of all NU undergraduates are now the first in their families to attend college. The university also enrolls students from every Nebraska county and all 50 states.

“Higher education is a transformative force in a student’s life, and in the life of our communities and state as a whole,” Carter said. “The breadth of educational opportunities, world-class research and engagement that the University of Nebraska offers is unmatched in our state. I’m proud that so many students and families, along with our many partners across the state, continue to recognize the value and impact that our university provides.”

Details on the University of Nebraska System’s fall 2023 enrollment follow. Figures are based on a student census taken on the sixth day of classes.

System-wide enrollment totals
·         University of Nebraska System total headcount: 49,419 (0.3 percent decrease)
·         First-time freshmen: 7,865 (1 percent decrease)
·         Undergraduate students: 36,172 (1.2 percent decrease)
·         Graduate students: 9,718 (2.3 percent increase)
·         Professional students: 3,529 (2.5 percent increase)
·         Resident students: 37,515 (Flat)
·         Nonresident students: 11,904 (1 percent decrease)
·         Full-time student enrollment: 39,555 (0.2 percent increase)
·         Student credit hours: 599,223 (0.3 percent increase)

Campus enrollment totals
·         University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 23,600 (0.9 percent decrease)
·         University of Nebraska at Omaha: 15,015 (0.3 percent decrease)
·         University of Nebraska at Kearney: 6,017 (0.4 percent decrease)
·         University of Nebraska Medical Center: 4,555 (3.4 percent increase)
·         Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: 232 (7.2 percent decrease)



Plan to Visit Nebraska Corn at Husker Harvest Days

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) are preparing to welcome visitors to Grand Island, Nebraska for Husker Harvest Days, known as the world’s largest totally irrigated working farm show.

Building partnerships and adding value to products is important in all segments of agriculture.  Nebraska’s corn, grain sorghum, soybean and wheat producers are partnering at one location with their exhibits during this year’s Husker Harvest Days farm show.

Attendees can learn about the latest developments in agriculture and gather new information at the Ag Commodities Building on Main Street. The eight groups in the Ag Commodities Building will also communicate programmatic opportunities and the importance of agricultural trade within their commodities. Learn how Nebraska commodities are American Made, Nebraska Raised.

The entities participating in the joint effort are: Nebraska Corn Board (NCB), Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA), Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board (NGSB), Nebraska Sorghum Producers Association (NeSPA), Nebraska Soybean Association (NSA), Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB), Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) and the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association (NWGA).

Farmers representing NCB and NeCGA will be on hand throughout Husker Harvest Days to discuss key initiatives that are enhancing demand, adding value and ensuring sustainability for Nebraska’s corn industry. While visiting, attendees are encouraged to grab an ice cold can of Coca-Cola (one of the many uses of Nebraska Corn), learn about Nebraska Corn’s new strategic plan and sign up or renew NeCGA membership to further advocate for Nebraska’s corn industry.

“Husker Harvest Days is the one week per year every grain commodity is together for an extended period of time under one roof,” said Chris Grams, NeCGA President. “This week is about developing relationships with farmers across the state, learning about how Nebraska Corn is working for you and discussing key initiatives we’re focused on.”

The Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) will be located in the Ag Commodities Building towards the east end of Main Street on the show grounds.



NEBRASKA POULTRY AND EGG DEVELOPMENT, UTILIZATION AND MARKETING COMMITTEE NOTICE OF MEETING
 
The Nebraska Poultry and Egg Development, Utilization, and Marketing Committee has planned a meeting for Friday, October 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lincoln, NE.
Schedule
PED - 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
NPI - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The current agenda of subjects to be discussed at this meeting is available for public inspection at the offices of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Poultry and Egg Division, 521 First Street, Milford, Nebraska.

Please send any funding requests or additions to the PED agenda to Alyssa no later than October 9, 2023.

Please contact the PED office at 402-761-2216 or alyssa@nepoultry.org if you have any questions.



Dicamba-resistant Waterhemp in Iowa

While the registration of 2,4-D and dicamba products for over-the-top use in resistant-varieties has improved waterhemp control for many farmers, weed scientists warned that these herbicides would eventually select for resistant waterhemp populations. Bayer recently reported the discovery of two likely dicamba-resistant waterhemp populations in Iowa, which warrants a discussion on best management practices to slow the evolution of resistant waterhemp populations.

On Friday, September 1, Bayer released an external communication reporting that suspected dicamba-resistant waterhemp populations were sampled in Scott County in 2021 and Marshall County in 2022. After extensive screening the company states they are likely resistant to dicamba but will continue testing to positively confirm the resistance. This is the first case of plant growth regulator (HG 4) resistant waterhemp in Iowa, though other states have already documented HG 4 resistance in their own waterhemp populations. HG 4-resistant waterhemp were documented by university researchers in Nebraska in 2009, Illinois in 2016, and Missouri in 2018.

This discovery is not a cause for panic, but it is an important reality check for farmers who rely heavily on HG 4 herbicides or any other individual herbicide group for waterhemp control. Waterhemp is known for its ability to quickly adapt to herbicide management tactics; Iowa State University has already officially documented resistance to five HGs in Iowa waterhemp populations.



I-29 Moo University Presents Evaluation of Fodder Production Systems for Dairy Farms Webinar On September 19

The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues on Tuesday, September 19 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT with a focus on feeding fodder to dairy cattle.

The webinar will feature Brad Heins, Professor of Organic Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota's West Central Research Center in Morris, Minnesota. Currently, Dr. Heins conducts his research at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center. The Center has a 130-head herd in a certified organic system, and a 160-head herd in a conventional grazing system. His research and extension program focuses on best management practices for dairy production, crossbreeding of dairy cattle, group rearing of calves, and renewable energy for dairy production systems.  He serves on the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture Board of Directors and the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force.

“Dr. Heins will present current research on the science behind feeding fodder to help clear up some of the information appearing in recent media articles,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.  

Sprouting grain for livestock feed has gained renewed interest as a method to produce a continuous supply of fresh, high-quality forage. We will discuss the feasibility, effectiveness and challenges of implementing sprouted grain systems on dairy farms.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour before the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/GSOWT0 .  

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Patricia Villamediana, 605-688-4116.



IDALS Announces Another Conservation Record

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, working with Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other partners, once again shattered a record for conservation and water quality practice adoption within Iowa during the last fiscal year.

“There has never been more awareness, resources, partners, people and actual conservation work getting done in the State of Iowa than we have today. Despite the supply chain disruptions, inflation, and drought, we continue to see record engagement in our state’s conservation activity,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “While we are far from satisfied with our results and we have much more work to do, we are making progress and the acceleration of this important water quality work will only continue to build as more farmers, landowners, partners, practices, people and resources are added in the years and decades ahead.”

Notably, these record totals of cost-share investments and practices do not take into account all other conservation and water quality funding that is paid for by the farmer and landowner, other government entities, and other public and private partners. They do not factor in other programs at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship which also advance conservation and water quality efforts, including our wetlands program.

Highlights
    Department-wide Summary:
        $21.86 million in total cost-share paid, which leveraged a total spending of $52.67 million in practice implementation. In the year prior, $18.79 million and $47.89 million were the respective totals. This shows a growth of more than $3 million over last year in total cost-share funding delivered. Ten years ago, in FY13, the totals were $8.24 million and $22.85 million respectively.
        There was a record number of practices funded at 6,751. This is up nearly 865 from the previous year’s 5,886, which had also been a record.
    Water Quality Initiative (WQI):
        Of the department-wide investment total, more than $12 million was as a result of the Water Quality Initiative. This is up from $10.14 million last year.
        We have grown from approximately 700 practices funded a decade ago utilizing Water Quality Initiative funds to 4,785 this past year.
    The Iowa Financial Incentives Program (IFIP):
        IFIP started in 1973 and is celebrating 50 years of providing cost-share to Iowa farmers and landowners. Demand for these funds remains high, with more applicants than funding available.
        91 percent of the IFIP funding was used for permanent structural practices, such as terraces and basins, grassed waterways, grade stabilization structures, and more.
        IFIP provided financial assistance for 880 practices with cost share of $6.24 million. The total project costs amount to $15.76 million.
    Additional Cost-Share Programs:
        Approximately $3 million of the department-wide funding total was provided by programs including the Resource Enhance and Protection Program (REAP), Watershed Protection Fund, District Buffer Initiative, and others.

To keep the record-setting momentum going, Secretary Naig is encouraging farmers and landowners to utilize IFIP and WQI cost-share funds to add even more proven practices this year.

Through WQI, farmers who are planting cover crops for the first time are eligible for $25 per acre. Those who have already experienced the benefits of using cover crops and are continuing the practice can receive $15 per acre. Farmers transitioning acres to no-till or strip-till for the first time are eligible for $10 per acre. A payment of $3 per acre is available to first-time users of a nitrogen inhibitor when applying fall anhydrous ammonia fertilizer. WQI cost-share funding is available for up to 160 acres per farmer or landowner for each practice.

IFIP program funding is available as a continuous year-round signup and offers cost-share opportunities for a wide variety of conservation offerings. These include management practices such as cover crops as well as permanent structural practices such as terraces and grade stabilization structures.

Farmers and landowners can visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District office located in the USDA Service Center in their county to learn more about program eligibility and to sign-up to participate.



Prepare Grain Bins Responsibly Using These Safety Tips

As harvest season quickly approaches, Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipment.

There were nine reported grain entrapments in Iowa in 2022, more than any other state, according to an annual report by Purdue University.

Grain bins.Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases, which rose nearly 45%.

Nearly all of these cases involved grain flow issues due to grain spoilage, which means that improved grain management could help prevent cases in the future, according to Kristina TeBockhorst, an agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In order to get Iowans information to help keep them, their employees and their families safe around grain, TeBockhorst is publishing a series of short articles that highlight important considerations for grain safety, including storing grain without spoilage.

Her first article covers grain bin preparation – how to safely clean and prepare bins before new grain arrives.

“Now is the time to take inventory of your bins and ensure they are in good condition for the new crop,” said TeBockhorst. “These to-do lists aren’t fun, but they will help minimize grain spoilage from insect and mold activity and moisture entry.”

Before cleaning out old grain, be sure you have on your NIOSH-approved respirator that is certified for grain dusts, and that it fits your face to fully seal and protect you.

She advises farmers to “start with a clean bin, exterior bin perimeter, and handling equipment” by removing potential food sources for pests, including residual grain, broken kernels, fines, foreign material, dusts and molds.
    Sweep the bin walls and floor, making sure to clean the tops of doors, inside hollow pipes or ladders, and inside of augers.
    Trim down vegetation, remove grain material and debris, and consider using a rodenticide around the bin’s outer perimeter.
    Clean out dust and debris from harvesting and handling equipment, like combines, trucks, wagons, augers, and in grain legs and elevators.
    While the bin is empty, check mechanical parts and conduct needed maintenance, seal gaps or cracks along the bin, and check the roof for potential spots that could leak, especially around the vents or access doors. STOP sign.
    If fines or Indian meal moth silks are starting to plug up the space below the floor, it is time to remove the floor to vacuum or power wash.
    If the aeration floor can’t be removed, fumigation is the best option to eliminate carryover insects.
    Check that ladders are in good condition and consider upgrading them with cages or replacing with staircases.
    Assemble your safety equipment for your grain storage facility, like respirators, life harnesses, and lock-out tag-out kits for unloading equipment.
    Ensure that all bin entry points have clear warning labels so that all are aware of the hazards. Also be sure that kids can’t enter bins and that they know of the hazards when they live or spend time around stored grain.

In her next installment, TeBockhorst will address safety concerns related to grain handling equipment. For more information, she can be reached at 319-337-2145 or ktebock@iastate.edu.



Most Fertilizer Prices Continue Lower

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the fourth week of August 2023 continue to move mostly lower. But there was one exception. All but one of the eight major fertilizer prices were down a considerable amount. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

After months of lower prices, anhydrous broke to the high side last week. The nitrogen fertilizer was 7% higher compared to last week and now has an average price of $680/ton. Some retailers have now moved to fall prices, which appear to be higher.

Leading the way lower was 10-34-0 and potash. Starter fertilizer was 15% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $607/ton, while potash was 11% less expensive and had an average price of $518/ton. UAN28 was 6% lower compared to the prior month and the nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $355/ton. DAP, MAP and UAN32 were all 5% less expensive than last month and DAP had an average price of $730/ton, MAP $736/ton, and UAN32 $391/ton. One fertilizer was just slightly lower compared to last month. Urea had an average price of $563/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.61/lb.N, anhydrous $0.41/lb.N, UAN28 $0.63/lb.N and UAN32 $0.61/lb.N.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. DAP is 23% lower, MAP is 28% less expensive, both urea and 10-34-0 are 30% lower, UAN28 is 38% less expensive, potash is 41% lower, UAN32 is 42% less expensive and anhydrous is 50% lower compared to a year prior.



Post-Labor Day Markets
Stephen R. Koontz, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

Labor Day is behind us, and the fall run of calves is in front. What portends for the rest of September and October? Historically, October is a tough month for fed cattle markets with the summer demand season winding down and fed cattle weight winding to some of their seasonal highest. Likewise, calves have a tendency to be plentiful. This year is likely to not follow the trend. Boxed beef values are well above $300/cwt and the Choice-Select spread is $25/cwt. These are strong values compared to the current and past year and are also seasonally strong. But again, October is in front of us. Slaughter weights are climbing and will continue to do so until November. We will have to see if the seasonal climb persists with the heat of this summer. Weekly slaughter numbers were reasonably good – with the exception of Saturdays – with some clear periodic reduction in numbers. Packer margins were much tighter some of the year and expected response can only be lower kill volumes. These were seen. But the USDA Cattle on Feed report last month was more than a bit of a surprise with respect to the tightness on-feed numbers. Calculated inventories of cattle on feed over 120 and over 150 days also jumped higher in August with the lighter kills but remain below recent years.

The crux of the immediate outlook is where will boxed beef values head? And how hard will feedlot push? Currently, the feedlot cash return is excellent and has been for the past four months. Any bid is going to pencil out excellent. (And those hedges are going to be tough to explain to inexperienced investors.) Will packers return to more disciplined buying through this fall? My bet is yes. And my apologies for jinxing it, but April Live Cattle are sure knocking on $2 a pound. I am jumping to the technical picture but that sure could be a strong number for resistance. Again, depending on the box value.

Regardless of other fundamentals, the price of replacement female beef animals has moved significantly higher in the last month. These transactions are on the order of 50% higher than this time last year for the same regions. There is not much trade yet and this is a counter seasonal trade. But there is some evidence of herd building albeit with minor in overall animal numbers.



U.S. Exports of Ethanol and DDGS Gain Momentum in July
Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst, Renewable Fuels Association

U.S. ethanol exports lifted 1% to a 3-month high of 113.4 million gallons (mg). Canada was our largest destination for the 28th consecutive month with a whopping 55% of global sales. A record 62.6 mg (bolstered by 58 mg in denatured ethanol)—a 23% month-over-month leap—was the fourth-largest single month U.S. exports purchased by any country. Essentially all remaining gallons were distributed to nine markets, including the United Kingdom (up 23% to 16.7 mg), South Korea (up 5% to 10.7 mg), the European Union (down 55% to 7.1 mg), Colombia (down 22% to 4.3 mg), and Mexico (down 6% to 3.9 mg). Brazil and India again were notably absent from the market. Year-to-date ethanol exports total 818.3 mg.

For the seventh consecutive month, the U.S. did not register any meaningful imports of foreign ethanol.

Exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, totaled 993,018 metric tons (mt) in July. U.S. shippers netted their largest monthly exports in a year with a collective 5% improvement over June. While imports softened 2% to 185,136 mt, Mexico held firmly for the 13th consecutive month as the largest U.S. DDGS market. Exports swung higher in Vietnam (up 11% to 124,184 mt), Indonesia (up 31% to 120,839 mt for a record high), and Turkey (roughly double at 89,859 mt) but scaled back in the European Union (down 9% to 68,879 mt), South Korea (down 26% to 64,888 mt, the lowest monthly volume in more than 3 years), and Canada (down 16% to 59,670 mt). Rounding out our top ten customers in July were Japan (56,371 mt), Morocco (30,041 mt), and Taiwan (24,526 mt). Year-to-date U.S. DDGS exports total 6.11 million mt, which is 9% behind last year at this time.



NCGA Praises Stabenow, Boozman for Calling on USDA to Allocate Funding for Market Development

The National Corn Growers Association applauded Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) for a letter they sent today to the U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraging the agency to allocate funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to support the creation of new and better market opportunities for farmers, as well as in-kind international food assistance.
 
“Cultivating new foreign markets is one of NCGA’s top priorities,” said NCGA President Tom Haag. “So, we are deeply appreciative of Sens. Boozman and Stabenow for taking the lead on this issue. Both senators have proven time and time again that they are staunch advocates of corn growers.”

The letter provided a roadmap to USDA on how to fund market development programs and explore opportunities to advance food assistance initiatives.

“As Congress works toward reauthorizing critical programs in the Farm Bill, we continue to hear from organizations representing the vast majority of U.S. agriculture about the need to strengthen trade opportunities, increase revenue streams, and help producers grow and thrive in a global economy,” the letter said. “Farm Bill trade promotion programs help address these needs and build new markets. We believe that resources available under the CCC can support similar efforts to open accesss to markets and promote American-grown products abroad.”

The Commodity Credit Corporation funds are used by the government to implement specific programs established by or to carry out activities under the broad authorities of the CCC Charter Act.
 
NCGA has been calling on Congress to increase its investments in programs, such as the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program, which help grow foreign markets for American farmers.



Producer Profitability Initiative Seeks to Spark Conversation, Unite Industry
   
Livestock Marketing Association members have a front-row seat to a disturbing trend: the continued loss of livestock producers across the U.S. They see this as a critical threat, not only to the livestock industry, but to the nation’s food supply. That’s why they’re launching an initiative to strengthen producers’ bottom lines and incentivize the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
 
Joe Goggins, owner of Public Auction Yards, Billings, Montana, said despite recent record-high livestock prices, it’s tougher than ever to be a producer. Lack of access to land and labor, over-regulation and input costs are causing more people to exit the business, while preventing new producers from getting started.
 
“We continue to disperse cow herds,” he said. “We continue to disperse flocks of sheep. We continue to lose thousands and thousands of acres out of protein production. And we really feel that we better push back, we better unify this industry somehow, some way, to try to encourage and incentivize people to be in this business.”
 
Goggins said by working together all industry segments can accomplish so much more than they can individually, and every voice matters.
 
“I’d encourage producers of all types, sizes and locations to reach out to people in their network and to the organizations they are a part of to have conversations about the biggest barriers to profitability,” he said.
 
These include, but are not limited to, the death tax, lack of incentives to keep land in livestock production, and competition for land and margin.
 
Mike VanMaanen, who owns Eastern Missouri Commission Co. in Bowling Green, Missouri, said despite the producer-focus of this initiative, they're not trying to expand into an organization for farmers and ranchers — they just know every segment of the industry depends on the others for success.
 
“We just want to help our customer base by starting the conversation with them,” he said. “And hopefully they’ll take that to the organizations they belong to, and we can all work together toward a common goal.”
 
He said the producer’s livelihood is the livestock marketer’s livelihood, and for one to be successful, they both must be.
 
Mandy Geistweidt, who alongside her husband Shaun and family, owns and operates Gillespie Livestock Co., Fredericksburg, Texas, said the initiative will help market owners help their customers — and she’s seen just how much help is needed.
 
“Our taxes are going up incredibly, because the value of our land is rising astronomically,” she explained. “So, a lot of what was Dorper sheep and Angus cattle is now becoming vineyards and agritourism.
 
“On a personal note, I hope I can take this initiative back myself because we have so many small producers coming out of the city that are just coming to Mom and Dad’s place now. And I hope that I find some ways I can help even those small producers stay — stay active, stay producing.”
 
But while the message applies anywhere, the implications could be much farther-reaching, Goggins said.
 
“It’s not only for our benefit if we keep these ranches in production,” he said. “We look at this thing as preserving our food independence in this country. Preserving our national security. The way we look at this is if the world wants the United States to produce the highest quality, safest product in the world, then all we ask is that these people can make a decent living.”
 
To join the conversation, visit producerprofitability.com or contact your local LMA member livestock marketing business.



College Aggies Online scholarship program kicks off September 11

The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 College Aggies Online (CAO) program kicks off on September 11. Influencers Emily Schaapman, known online as @DairyGirlFitness, Natalie Kovarik (@NatalieKovarik), Brandi Buzzard (@BrandiBuzzard), Jessica Peters (@SeeJessFarm), and Ryan Goodman, known online as @BeefRunner, are among the list of 2023 student mentors. More than $20,000 in scholarship awards are available to participating students and clubs. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, collegiate clubs and classes are encouraged to sign up by September 10: https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online-sign-up/.

CAO connects college students who are interested in promoting agriculture and gives them the skills they need to effectively engage with key audiences online and on campus. Individual participants engage with their peers on social media by posting information about current and emerging issues facing farmers and ranchers and telling personal stories. Club participants are challenged to host events virtually or on their campus to talk about modern agriculture with their peers. Last year, students reached more than 8.5 million people online and 2,300 people in person.

During the program, participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from industry and farmer mentors. 2023 mentors include:
    Jessica Peters, Pennsylvania dairy farmer
    Emily Schaapman, Dairy Girl Fitness
    Paul Montgomery, United Egg Producers
    Ryan Goodman, Certified Angus Beef
    Kristin Stawarz, Ketchum
    Jennifer Sorenson, Iowa Select Farms
    Laycee Gibson, National Turkey Federation
    Natalie Kovarik, Nebraska cattle rancher
    Brandi Buzzard, Kansas cattle rancher
    Kylie Diaz, Signal Theory

“College Aggies Online gave me the opportunity to put my skills and creativity to use,” said one 2022 participant. “It gave me materials to add to my portfolio and something to share to future employers… It was rewarding to hear feedback from my friends and know they were learning with me!”

Throughout the competition, students will compete for points and the opportunity to win $100 scholarship prizes each week. At the end of the competition, the top five students and top three clubs with the most points receive scholarship money, including a $3,000 prize for the first-place individual and $2,000 for the first-place club. Top individuals and one representative from each of the top clubs at the conclusion of the program will be invited to attend the Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri, for national recognition.

Students interested in networking with industry professionals and learning from successful agriculture influencers while strengthening their communication skills are invited to sign up today at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online-sign-up/.

Show your support for CAO participants by becoming an official CAO sponsor. The Alliance needs $3,300 in sponsorship funding to reach the 2023 goal! For sponsorship opportunities, go to https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/ or email Casey Kinler at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.

CAO would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors. 2023 sponsors include: Dairy Management Inc., CHS Foundation, National Pork Industry Foundation, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, National Corn Growers Association, Bayer Crop Science, National Pork Board, Institute for Feed Education and Research, Culver Franchising System, Domino’s Pizza, Ohio Poultry Association, National Chicken Council, and Pennsylvania Beef Council.



New Cover Crop Survey Data Challenges Assumptions on Role of Incentive Payments

A new national survey report has found that the vast majority of farmers who use cover crops don't need incentive payments to continue with the practice because of how much they appreciate its value to their land and business.

According to the National Cover Crop Survey, incentives play a key role in getting some farmers started on cover crops—49% of the cover crop users participating in the survey reported receiving some sort of payment for cover crops in 2022, and 77.8% of cover crop non-users said incentive payments would be helpful. However, 90.3% of the farmers who were receiving cover crop incentives reported that they would definitely or probably continue planting cover crops after the payments ended, while only 3.3% said they definitely or probably would drop cover crops at the end of the incentive program.

In all, just 15.6% of cover crop users said receiving incentive payments was one of their goals for cover cropping.

These findings were among many conclusions drawn in a report, issued jointly by SARE, the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), based on insights from nearly 800 farmers in 49 states.

"Cover crop incentive payments are an important factor in encouraging and helping farmers to transition into cover cropping, but once they see the soil health improvements and other cover crop benefits, most stick with cover crop planting long after the incentives end," says Dr. Rob Myers of SARE, lead researcher on the 2022-2023 National Cover Crop Survey Report. "Insights like these make the National Cover Crop Survey such a valuable tool in understanding the impacts of cover crops, the motivations of users and non-users, and needs for additional information and incentives."