Wednesday November 29 Ag News

 Summit Contracting Announces Union with Petersen Ag Systems

Summit Contracting, the South Dakota-based leader in construction of farm and grain systems, has signed a purchase agreement with Nebraska-based Petersen Ag Systems, the companies announced today. Summit Contracting will take ownership on Jan. 1, 2024.

The union expands Summit Contracting’s footprint with Petersen Ag System’s current locations in Norfolk and Osmond, Neb., and Onawa, Iowa.

“Petersen Ag Systems is a perfect match for Summit Contracting, not only in its reputation for quality products and services but also in terms of company values,” said Summit Contracting CEO Tyler Samuelson. “We’re both focused on building strong relationships with customers, building strong relationships within our own teams, and building quality farm structures that last for generations.”

Petersen Ag Systems will undergo a name change to Summit Contracting.

Established in 1937, Petersen Ag Systems has a proud legacy in Nebraska and Iowa. Petersen Ag Systems President Henry Aschoff believes Summit Contracting will build on that legacy, which is one reason why he felt comfortable with the sale.

“We have found a partner who shares our dedication to customer satisfaction and high-quality service,” Aschoff said. “Like Petersen Ag Systems, they are a family-oriented business that believes in the happiness and well-being of their team, which directly translates to better service for our customers. I am confident that Summit Contracting will not only uphold but also enhance the standards and values our customers and employees have come to expect from us.”

Since its founding in Platte, S.D. in 2009, Summit Contracting has grown to include locations in Brookings and Pierre, S.D. as well as Seward, Neb. and Sioux Center, Iowa. With the union, they will have new capabilities in products including seed treaters and center-pivot irrigation.

“We’re committed to providing the same quality in products and services that Petersen Ag Systems’ customers have come to expect,” Samuelson said. “This is a new chapter for Summit Contracting and Petersen Ag Systems. I’m excited about the opportunities this creates for our new and current employees, our customers, and the company as a whole.”

 

Nebraska Soybean Board Announces New Officers and Committee Appointments

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) convened its inaugural board meeting for fiscal year 2024 on November 20–21, 2023, in Lincoln. During this meeting, restructuring of both the board and committees transpired alongside routine board business.

The newly elected officers, chosen to lead the board for a one-year term, are as follows:
    Chairman: Jason Penke of Craig – District 2
    Vice Chair: Anne Meis of Elgin – District 1
    Secretary: Mike Tomes of Utica – District 6
    Treasurer: Blake Johnson of Holdrege – District 8

In addition to these appointments, committee chairs and members were also announced:
    Farmer Support Committee: Chair: Ruth Ready
        Other Members: Jason Penke, Mike Tomes, Doug Saathoff
    Production & Crop Research Committee: Chair: Doug Saathoff
        Other Members: Eugene Goering, Blake Johnson, Mike Tomes, Greg Anderson
    Community Engagement Committee: Chair: Mark Caspers
        Other Members: Jason Penke, Anne Meis, Ruth Ready
    Demand & Utilization Committee: Chair: Mark Caspers
        Other Members: Eugene Goering, Anne Meis, Blake Johnson, Greg Anderson

Andy Chvatal, NSB executive director, expressed confidence in the newly appointed officers and committee members, stating, "These dedicated individuals will be working tirelessly on behalf of Nebraska’s soybean farmers. Throughout the upcoming year, they will continue to make strategic decisions to effectively invest and leverage soybean checkoff resources. Their focus will be on growing value for Nebraska farmers by maximizing their checkoff investments.”

NSB looks forward to a productive and prosperous year ahead under the guidance of its newly elected leadership team and ongoing strategic plan.

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.



Ricketts Fighting for Nebraska Priorities in Comprehensive Farm Bill Reauthorization

Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) commented on the recent temporary Farm Bill extension and highlighted the Nebraska priorities he’s pushing to include in a comprehensive Farm Bill reauthorization. Ricketts made the comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media.

“There are a lot of Nebraska priorities that should be included in a comprehensive Farm Bill,” Ricketts said. “A strong safety net for producers that protects them from natural disasters and volatile markets. Voluntary, working lands-based conservation programs that protect natural resources without restricting property rights. And, of course, trade programs like the Foreign Market Development Program, which returns $24.50 for every dollar invested.”

Specifically, Ricketts has introduced three pieces of bipartisan legislation he is working to include in the next Farm Bill reauthorization: the SNAP Next Step Act, the Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act, and the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act.

“My SNAP Next Step Act would provide services like job search coaching, interview prep, and resume writing to those on SNAP benefits,” Ricketts continued. “We started the SNAP Next Step Program when I was Governor to give people a hand-up, not a hand-out. And we saw great results… My bill would bring that proven Nebraska solution to workers across the country, all at no additional expense to American taxpayers.

“After hearing directly from stakeholders who want to see action on flood solutions in the next Farm Bill, I introduced the Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act,” Ricketts said. “Flooding can cost agriculture, businesses, and rural communities billions of dollars in losses each year. In 2019, we experienced this directly in Nebraska. My bill would cut red tape and help communities not just recover from disasters, but also reduce future damage.”

“Finally, my Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Act would extend and enhance the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program,” Ricketts said. “This program supports small businesses by giving rural microentrepreneurs access to capital for startup and development costs. All three of these bipartisan, common-sense bills would be great additions to the next Farm Bill. Most importantly though, I am committed to securing a full, 5-year Farm Bill reauthorization that Nebraska farmers and ranchers can rely on.“



New Water Quality Partnership Project Announced with Iowa Pork and INREC

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) will partner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on a “batch and build” water quality project in targeted Iowa watersheds.

The first phase of the Pig Farmer Water Quality Partnership Program, which is in place through June 30, 2026, will initially focus within the priority watersheds of the Boone River and North Raccoon River. As the project grows, the goal will be for the project to expand into other targeted watersheds.

By working with pork producers and other farmers and landowners who utilize manure as fertilizer, the plan is to install edge-of-field practices such as bioreactors and saturated buffers using Iowa’s innovative “batch and build” model. The model modernizes the project management process by installing batches of conservation practices on multiple farms at once, therefore allowing a faster acceleration of water quality progress.   

Bioreactors and saturated buffers help to filter and denitrify water as it leaves the farm field and before it enters our waterways. The goal of the project’s first year is to install 65 structures.

“Not only is Iowa the national leader in pork production, but we are also a national leader in conservation and this partnership with Iowa Pork and INREC will help accelerate our statewide water quality progress,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Our approach makes it easy for pork producers, farmers and landowners to participate and we invite everyone to join with us to keep building our water quality momentum.”

With more than 4,000 members, IPPA is the unified voice for pork producers in Iowa. This water quality project aligns well with their mission of educating and providing a leading voice for a sustainable, socially responsible, and globally competitive pork industry.

“Iowa Pork is excited to partner with the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council on this Batch and Build project in some of Iowa’s critical watersheds,” said Ben Nuelle, director of public policy and environmental programs at IPPA. “Pig farmers have long been and continue to want to be part of the solution to conserve Iowa’s clean air, land, and water resources for years to come.”

INREC strategically brings together farm and commodity organizations, fertilizer and crop production companies, agricultural retailers, and crop advisers in a formal organization to help lead the environmental efforts of agriculture in Iowa. Non-profit members include Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Certified Crop Advisors, Iowa Corn Promotion Board, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and IPPA.

“The Iowa Pork Producers Association is a founding member and supporter of INREC,” said Roger Zylstra, a farmer from Jasper County and Chair of the INREC Board of Directors. “We’re excited to work with Iowa pig farmers in targeted watersheds to facilitate accelerated nutrient reduction practice adoption via this innovative batch and build project.”

Additional partners on the project include Iowa Select Farms, National Pork Board, Wright County, Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District, Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District, Buena Vista County, Buena Vista County Soil and Water Conservation District and Grundy County.  



Two Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Cases Confirmed in Woodbury County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed two positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Woodbury County, Iowa. The affected sites are both backyard mixed species flocks.

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.



Updated SCN-resistant Soybean Variety List Has More with Peking Resistance than Ever

Iowa State University personnel contact more than 40 seed companies annually to collect details about soybean varieties that are resistant to the soybean cyst nematode (SCN). The information is compiled into an extension publication shared with farmers and those who advise them. The work is financially supported by the Iowa Soybean Association. The updated list for 2023 is available online here https://doi.org/10.37578/ONKA5947.

The publication includes information on varieties in maturity groups (MG) 0, 1, 2, and 3 that are available for use in Iowa. The varieties likely also are available in other states. In addition to indicating the genetic source of SCN resistance, the publication contains information on relative maturity, iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance, and herbicide resistant traits of the varieties.

SCN-resistant soybean varieties available for the 2024 season - by the numbers
    866 varieties and five blends are in the list, 48 more than in 2022 – see figure below.
    All varieties possess SCN resistance from PI 88788 or Peking.
    779 varieties (89%) have PI 88788 SCN resistance and 87 (10%) have Peking resistance.
    Five are blends or mixtures of soybeans with PI 88788 and Peking resistance.
    Four varieties with Peking resistance are in MG 0, 36 in MG 1, 39 in MG 2, and eight in MG 3.
    There are 40 more varieties with Peking SCN resistance than in the 2022 list - the most ever.
    23 of 33 seed brands in the publication have at least one variety with Peking SCN resistance.
    No variety with Peking SCN resistance has a relative maturity later than 3.4.
    Most varieties have herbicide resistant traits, but 63 varieties have none.



Raising ‘Dairy Best Heifers’ Is Topic for Dairy Days 2024

Iowa dairy producers will hear about raising their “dairy best heifers” during the 2024 Dairy Days events hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team. The program will be held at four eastern Iowa locations and one northwest Iowa location during January.

Dairy Days will be offered Jan. 16 in Elma at Innovative Ag Service, Jan. 18 in Elkader at Johnson’s Restaurant, Jan. 23 in Kalona at the Kalona Chamber of Commerce, Jan. 25 in New Vienna at the New Vienna Community Center, and Jan. 30 at the Dordt University Ag Stewardship Center near Sioux Center. Check-in for all events starts at 9:45 a.m. and the program will conclude by 2:30 p.m.

The day-long event has been developed to help dairy producers learn about current best practices supported by the latest research. All the topics will help producers make sound heifer management decisions.

“With nearly 25% of a dairy’s production costs associated with raising heifer replacements, optimizing growth and health is important to every dairy operation,” said Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach in northeast Iowa. “We anticipate great discussion and learning during this year’s Dairy Days.”

Dairy Days 2024 topics and presenters are:
    “Dairy best heifer: Lessons learned and path forward” – Dr. Gail Carpenter, Iowa State.
    “Decision tools for heifer inventory management” – Greg Palas, DRMS.
    “Starting your calves on the right hoof” – Dr. Phillip Jardon/Jennifer Bentley, Iowa State.
    “What does it cost to raise your dairy best heifer?” – Larry Tranel, Iowa State.

There is no cost to attend any of the Dairy Days. However, registration is encouraged to plan for the noon meal and proceedings. Local sponsors will be recognized at each event.

Pre-registration is requested by the Friday before each event to reserve a meal. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/2024DAIRYDAYS.

For more information, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach dairy field specialist in your area: in northwest Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu; in northeast Iowa, Jennifer Bentley, 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu; in east central Iowa, Larry Tranel, 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu; in Ames, Dr. Gail Carpenter, 515-294-9085 or ajcarpen@iastate.edu.



ICGA Thanks Representative Miller Meeks for Her Support of Flex Fuel Vehicles

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) applauds the introduction of the Flex Fuels Fairness Act by Representative Miller-Meeks. Once enacted, this legislation would encourage automakers to produce more flex fuel vehicles (FFVs), and levels the playing field for FFVs by properly recognizing the emissions benefits associated with using E85 flex fuels, containing between 51-83 percent ethanol.

“This legislation recognizes the significant emission benefits of using higher blends of ethanol, which ultimately is great for contributing to a low carbon, cleaner and more sustainable transportation sector for all.” said Jolene Riessen, a farmer from Ida Grove, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association President. “By encouraging automakers to produce more FFVs, it’s a win-win for all of Iowa and consumers nationwide. Consumers have more choices at the pump to fuel up with higher blends of ethanol, specifically E85, which in turn creates increased demand for Iowa corn farmers.”



RFA Salutes House Introduction of Bipartisan Flex Fuel Fairness Act

The Renewable Fuels Association today thanked Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Angie Craig (D-MN) and all co-sponsors for introducing the Flex Fuel Fairness Act in the House of Representatives to promote the production of more low-carbon flex fuel vehicles in the United States.

“We thank Reps. Miller-Meeks and Craig for introducing the Flex Fuel Fairness Act, which acknowledges the important emissions benefits of flex fuel vehicles and promotes the continued production of these popular automobiles,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “This legislation would provide more clean vehicle options for consumers and give automakers more ways to comply with increasingly stringent vehicle emissions standards. By leveling the playing field for all clean vehicle technologies, this bill allows low-carbon liquid fuels like ethanol to work alongside clean electricity, electric vehicles, and other technologies to reduce emissions from transportation.”

The bill would help to level the playing field for FFVs by properly recognizing the emissions benefits associated with using E85 flex fuels (which contain 51-83 percent ethanol). A Senate version was filed this past summer by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).

The legislation is designed to create more equitable incentives and market signals for producing a broader portfolio of clean vehicles. Under current EPA emissions regulations, battery electric vehicles (EVs) benefit from an assumption that there are zero carbon emissions associated with operating the vehicle. EPA announced plans to make the “zero emissions” assumption permanent for EVs in its recent proposed rule for 2027-2032 emissions standards. In essence, EPA’s regulations assume a battery EV will always operate on zero-carbon electricity over its entire lifetime.

To create an equitable incentive for the continued production of FFVs, today’s legislation creates a similar assumption that FFVs always operate on E85—a fuel that reduces lifecycle GHG emissions by 31 percent compared to gasoline. Thus, for the purposes of demonstrating compliance with vehicle emissions standards, the legislation allows automakers to use an emissions value for an FFV that is 31 percent lower than the emissions value for the corresponding non-FFV model.

“If EPA regulations are going to credit EVs for their maximum theoretical carbon emissions benefit, then it stands to reason that the agency should also credit FFVs for their maximum possible carbon emissions benefit,” Cooper said. “This bill would ensure that EPA is being fair and equitable in the way it uses emissions values as policy incentives to stimulate the production of lower-carbon vehicles.”

Even as demand for low-carbon E85 has soared in recent years, the number of new FFV models has decreased significantly in recent years, Cooper said, as previous regulatory incentives for FFV production have been phased out by EPA. For the model year 2023, the only FFVs available to consumers are select Ford F-150 and Transit models. As recently as the model year 2015, more than 80 different FFV models from nine manufacturers were available to consumers. Click here to see a chart of models available as flex fuel.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/24/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 24, ethanol production pared back 1.2% to a 7-week low of 1.011 million b/d, equivalent to 42.46 million gallons daily. Output was 0.7% less than the same week last year and 2.0% below the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 1.0% to 1.031 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.81 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks drew down 1.3% to 21.4 million barrels. Stocks were 6.8% less than the same week last year and 1.2% below the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Midwest (PADD 2).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slid 3.2% to an 8-week low of 8.21 million b/d (125.80 bg annualized). Demand was 1.3% less than a year ago and 4.6% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 2.2% to 871,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.35 bg annualized and the smallest weekly volume since the start of March. Net inputs were 2.2% less than a year ago and 0.2% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 151,000 b/d (6.3 million gallons/day), which is 93.6% more than the prior week and the largest volume since the EIA began reporting weekly estimates in May. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the tenth consecutive week.



UAN28 Leads Major Fertilizer Prices Lower

Retail fertilizer prices were a mixed bag again during the third week of November 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.

Average prices for five of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to last month, while prices for the remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

One fertilizer had a notable price move compared to last month. UAN28 was down 6% looking back to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $338 per ton.

The remaining four fertilizers were down just slightly. DAP had an average price of $713 per ton, urea $570/ton, 10-34-0 $583/ton and UAN32 $402/ton.

Three fertilizers were just slightly higher in price compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $811/ton, potash $512/ton and anhydrous $833/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.51/lb.N, UAN28 $0.60/lb.N and UAN32 $0.63/lb.N.

All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 17% lower, both DAP and 10-34-0 are 23% less expensive, urea is 29% lower, potash is 39% lower, both anhydrous and UAN32 are 41% less expensive and UAN28 is 42% less expensive compared to a year prior.



USDA Announces Opening of Application Period for Regional Agricultural Promotion Program

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the first tranche of funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). USDA is providing up to $300 million in funding in its first year to support eligible projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets.

Secretary Vilsack announced today’s Notice of Funding Opportunity at the President’s Export Council, after announcing the establishment of RAPP in October as part of a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. In total, RAPP is a $1.2 billion program made possible through the Commodity Credit Corporation, which will be made available over five years.

“It takes significant investment to open and develop new export markets and this new fund will be dedicated to helping provide that start-up capital so that American exporters can diversify their markets and create new opportunities,” said Secretary Vilsack. “There are many regions of the world – in South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa – where the middle class is growing and the desire for high quality products is increasing. In order to capture those markets from our competitors we need to have a presence, address barriers, and showcase America’s high-quality, agricultural products across the world.”

RAPP funds are available to non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, non-profit State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies that conduct approved market development activities to foster expanded exports and market diversification by encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of diverse commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products.

Market diversification is an important tool for maximizing growth opportunities for U.S. agriculture, as well to hedge the risk of market contraction and general volatility in the global marketplace. USDA is committed to promoting export opportunities in diverse and non-traditional markets, ensuring that U.S. agricultural commodities and products are available to diverse consumer groups. Therefore, the current top export markets will be ineligible for first tranche of RAPP funding. Those top ineligible markets are: China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

All other markets will therefore be eligible, with the exception of those countries for which sanctions or other legal barriers are in place. Further, the following three regions have been identified for special emphasis through the first tranche RAPP: 1) Africa, 2) Latin American/Caribbean, and 3) South/Southeast Asia. Out of the total funding available for the first tranche of RAPP, USDA will specifically set aside $25 million to fund activities in Africa.

Future tranches of funds will be released in future years to ensure that the focus of funding can be adapted to changing trade environments and market conditions.

RAPP awards will be generally granted for a period of performance of five years, with an expected period of performance starting June 1, 2024, and ending on September 30, 2029.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 2, 2024. Additional information on RAPP is available at grants.gov.

USDA also recently announced its planned agribusiness trade missions for 2024, which will include visits to the following markets: Seoul, Korea; New Delhi, India; Vancouver, Canada; Bogota, Colombia; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (with buyers from Thailand), and Casablanca, Morocco (with buyers from Senegal and Francophone West Africa).



USDA Makes Producer-Friendly Change to 2023 Notice of Loss Requirements for Two Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). In an effort to streamline assistance to support access to critical 2023 natural disaster recovery assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss within a pre-determined number of days for 2023. Instead, producers have the flexibility to submit 2023 notices of loss as soon as possible, once losses are realized, following a natural disaster event or no later than the established annual program application for payment deadlines for each program. FSA county committees are also being asked to re-evaluate 2023 ELAP and LIP late-filed notices of loss to determine if the waiver applies.  

“Our goal is to get producers into these disaster programs, and they are always encouraged to turn in an application if they believe they are eligible,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Program improvements are only effective if we ensure producers have sufficient time and information needed to submit their application. The ELAP and LIP waivers we are announcing today, in response to historic disasters in 2023, improve efficiencies for producers and our staff, are responsive to feedback about confusion regarding program timelines and are intended to give our staff the time needed to deliver the right support to producers when they need it most.  These waivers are also reflective of FSA’s efforts to integrate improvements and accessibility into our policy decisions. It’s critical that we increase awareness of these program flexibilities so all producers can participate.”  

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish
ELAP provides recovery assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish losses due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including blizzards, disease, water shortages and wildfires. ELAP covers grazing and feed losses, transportation of water and feed to livestock and hauling livestock to grazing acres. ELAP also covers certain mortality losses for livestock including honeybees and farm-raised fish as well as honeybee hive losses. ELAP is designed to address losses not covered by other FSA disaster assistance programs.  

For 2023, FSA is waiving the regulatory requirement for producers who are eligible for ELAP to file a notice of loss with FSA within 30 calendar days from when the loss first became apparent for livestock and farm-raised fish and 15 calendar days for honeybees. Under this waiver, notices of loss are to be completed by the eligible producer and submitted to FSA no later than the annual program application deadline of January 30 following the program year in which the loss occurred. Therefore, producers who incurred ELAP-eligible losses in 2023, will need to submit a notice of loss by Jan. 30, 2024.

Livestock Indemnity Program
LIP provides disaster recovery assistance to livestock owners and contract growers who experience livestock deaths, in excess of normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions including adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators. LIP also helps livestock owners who must sell livestock at a reduced price because of an injury from certain loss conditions.

For 2023, FSA is waiving the regulatory requirement for producers who are eligible for LIP to file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days from when the loss first became apparent. Under this waiver, producers are still required to complete and submit the notice of loss to FSA no later than the annual program payment application date, which is 60 calendar days following the program year in which the loss occurred. The LIP payment application and notice of loss deadline is Feb. 29, 2024, for the 2023 program year.  

2023 Disapproved Applications
FSA county committees will review all notices of loss for both ELAP and LIP that were previously disapproved for the 2023 program year due to late filing and re-evaluate them to determine if the waiver applies. To receive ELAP and LIP benefits, producers will still need to file an application for payment by the established program deadline for the 2023 program year. Producers who are unsure about the status of their notice of loss or application for payment, should contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible.

Supporting Documentation
Accurate records and loss documentation are critical following disaster events and are required when filing notices of loss with FSA. Acceptable loss documentation includes:  
    Documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock that have died, supplemented, if possible, by photographs or video records of ownership and losses.
    Rendering truck receipts by kind, type, and weight - important to document prior to disposal.
    Beginning inventory supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.
    Documentation from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Natural Resources, or other sources to substantiate eligible death losses due to an eligible loss condition.
    Documentation that livestock were removed from grazing pastures due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition.
    Costs of transporting livestock feed to eligible livestock, such as receipts for equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removal.
    Feed purchase receipts if feed supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.
    Number of gallons of water transported to livestock due to water shortages.

More Information
The improvements to ELAP and LIP build on others made since 2021. This includes ELAP benefits for above normal costs for hauling feed and water to livestock and transporting livestock to other grazing acres during a qualifying drought. FSA also expanded eligible livestock under ELAP, LIP, and the Livestock Forage Disaster Assistance Program, and increased the LIP payment rate for beef, beefalo, bison, and dairy animals less than 250 pounds and most recently beef calves over 800 pounds. Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs on farmers.gov.  



RFA to COP28 Attendees: Embrace Ethanol as a Climate Solution
    
As leaders from around the world convene this week in the United Arab Emirates to kick off the 2023 United Nations climate change conference (COP28), the Renewable Fuels Association is calling on U.S. delegates at the event to “prominently highlight the U.S. biofuels industry’s remarkable contributions to the fight against global climate change.” In a letter to climate envoy John Kerry, RFA asked that U.S. leaders “…ensure renewable biofuels like ethanol are explicitly included in our nation’s plans to meet future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction commitments.”

Along with the letter, RFA submitted a brief white paper providing details on ethanol’s low-carbon benefits, the substantial greenhouse gas emissions reductions achieved under the Renewable Fuel Standard, and the road ahead toward fully carbon-neutral ethanol.

“While biofuels like ethanol have already made extraordinary contributions in the fight against climate change, America’s farmers and biofuel producers have even more to offer,” Cooper wrote. “A strong endorsement of biofuels by the U.S. delegation in Dubai would not only send a powerful signal to the global community, but it would also serve to unleash further innovation and investment in the U.S. biofuels sector. COP28 is a pivotal forum to outline the U.S. vision for low-carbon biofuels, and we look forward to continuing our work with you and the entire Biden administration to make that vision a reality.”

In the accompanying white paper on ethanol and carbon emissions, RFA Chief Economist Scott Richman laid out the groundbreaking 2021 net-zero pledge by RFA producer members and progress seen in the industry. He noted the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory estimates that ethanol reduces GHG emissions by up to 52% compared to gasoline, and that the carbon intensity of corn ethanol fell 23% from 2005 to 2019.

In 2021, RFA’s producer members pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions on average, by 2050 or sooner, and the following year a detailed roadmap report explored five distinct pathways to net-zero corn ethanol by 2050, based on a set of 28 emissions reduction actions. In a survey earlier this year, all the participating ethanol facilities reported adopting at least one tracked carbon-reduction technology in recent years, and most have adopted more than one. These plants have seen a 12 percent reduction in average carbon intensity since 2015/16.

The white paper also discusses the potential to take ethanol in directions beyond motor vehicle fuel, toward a future that includes sustainable aviation fuel and other emerging applications. The report concludes: “As countries gather for COP28, they should embrace ethanol and other renewable fuels as a proven solution for reducing emissions. With the right policies and commitments, biofuels can play a much larger role in decarbonizing transportation globally.”



USDA RMA Announces Continued Improvements to Sorghum Crop Insurance

The United States Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) released several important updates to sorghum crop insurance that will continue to expand sorghum production and empower farmers across the nation. Effective in 2024, the price election factor for sorghum will be at its highest level ever relative to corn; simplifications made to the sorghum silage policy will offer more support to sorghum farmers; and a key barrier to insuring irrigated double crop sorghum was removed in certain areas.

The sorghum price election is determined by applying a multiplier to the corn crop insurance price.  For 2024, this multiplier is 100.2%, the highest level ever for sorghum and surpassing corn for the first time in history.

“As sorghum prices continue to strengthen, this development is poised to bring substantial benefits to sorghum farmers by enhancing the financial protection of their sorghum crop,” NSP CEO Tim Lust said. “The higher sorghum crop insurance price will serve as a significant incentive for growers to expand grain sorghum production, ultimately boosting the sorghum industry's vitality and profitability.”

Recognizing the substantial growth in irrigated sorghum silage and forage acreage on the High Plains and around the U.S., RMA is simplifying the process for insuring irrigated sorghum silage. The previous requirement of having two years of history growing irrigated silage as a condition of insuring irrigated sorghum silage under the sorghum silage policy has been eliminated in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

This change streamlines the transition for farmers who primarily have a history of growing and insuring irrigated grain. It allows them to immediately access crop insurance for irrigated sorghum silage under the sorghum silage policy, eliminating unnecessary barriers and ensuring they have the coverage they need. Similarly, the arduous written agreement process for irrigated double crop sorghum where it was required in 2023 has been removed for 2024, eliminating more barriers to growing sorghum following wheat.

"These updates to sorghum crop insurance represent continued improvements for the sorghum industry,” NSP Chairman Craig Meeker said, “and while we recognize they are significant, we will continue to work with RMA to improve sorghum insurance for our members."

Farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local crop insurance agents for further details on these exciting updates and how they can benefit from the improved sorghum crop insurance options.

For more information, please visit USDA RMA or contact the National Sorghum Producers at 806-749-3478.



Dairy Innovators Welcome to Apply for Dairy Runway Entrepreneurship Program

Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) is accepting applications for the second cohort of Dairy Runway, an entrepreneurship program for food innovators with value-added dairy products at the ideation stage. Launched earlier this year in partnership with the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NDFRC), the program offers a free, virtual curriculum that focuses on product concept and consumer discovery, along with training in prototype development and business coaching. Funded by the New York State Dairy Promotion Order (NYSDPO), the program takes participants through a process to assess their products' desirability, viability, and feasibility before going to market.

The program's first cohort kicked off this past summer with 10 food entrepreneurs at the early stages of product development. Participants were selected from over 25 applicants with a variety of products, ranging from flavored milks to savory yogurts and reflecting a growing consumer interest in novel dairy products.

"Our goal for this program is to increase the utilization and sales of milk and dairy ingredients produced in New York, a state known for producing high-quality milk," said Larry Bailey, chair of the New York State Dairy Promotion Advisory Board. "The Dairy Runway program provides the knowledge and training dairy entrepreneurs need to successfully introduce new products to the market, leading to increased demand for our state's milk."

Up to 10 participants will be selected into the program's second cohort which starts in late January 2024. This five-week course combines self-directed online learning activities with Zoom-based class meetings and one-on-one instructor check-ins. Virtual classes include discussions with industry experts from creative marketing agencies to established retailers.

"CREA excels at producing easily accessible, results-oriented entrepreneurship curricula, and we're thrilled to provide this resource to New York's dairy community," said Jenn Smith, CREA's Director of Food and Ag Startup Programs. "Dairy is foundational to our state's economy and our rural communities, and introducing new dairy products that respond to today's consumer preferences is key to keeping this sector strong.

Program participants who complete the virtual course are offered fully-funded access to Cornell's food processing facilities, support from Cornell Food Science technical experts, and one-on-one coaching to further test the technical feasibility of their products.

"Our goal with this program is to position dairy innovators for success by teaching them the fundamentals of customer discovery and delivering to that group," said Dr. Samuel Alcaine, director of the NDFRC and associate professor at Cornell CALS. "By providing the necessary knowledge, training and skillset to dairy entrepreneurs, we can help them avoid those common, early pitfalls innovators can experience when launching a new product."

The application period for the Dairy Runway program closes January 8, 2024. Dairy innovators with value-added dairy products who are located in New York and New England, and committed to using New York-produced cow milk in their product, are eligible to apply.

The program will host three information sessions for interested innovators to learn more about the program's requirements and benefits. Register for an information session: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/dairy-innovation-program-59879491743

To learn more about the Dairy Runway program and apply, visit: www.dairyinnovation.org/dairy-runway-program/

Tuesday November 28 Ag News

NDA REPORTS CASE OF HPAI, REMINDS POULTRY PRODUCERS TO REMAIN VIGILANT

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is reminding poultry owners to continue to monitor for and protect their birds against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Recently, NDA in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, confirmed a case of HPAI in Nebraska in a small backyard flock in Colfax County.

“While Nebraska hasn’t had any reported cases of HPAI for a few months, we are disappointed but not surprised, to see another case, as there have been several confirmed HPAI cases in surrounding states,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Roger Dudley. “Poultry producers need to continue to be vigilant in protecting their flocks. It’s important for producers to know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and to continue to practice good biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of this disease into their flocks.”

HPAI is a highly contagious virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. Wild birds can carry the virus without becoming sick, while domesticated birds can become very sick and die.

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.

Resources are available for poultry producers at https://nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/index.html as are updated maps of HPAI cases in Nebraska. Poultry experiencing signs of HPAI or unusual death should be reported to NDA at 402-471-2351 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.



FALL HAY INVENTORY
– Samantha Daniel, NE Extension Educator

How much feed or hay do you have going into winter? Will you have enough feed to provide for current cattle numbers?

Consider the “best case” and “worst case” scenarios. Count bales, measure silage, evaluate remaining fall and winter pasture, and estimate how much possible grazing there will be.  Of course, get a real idea of how many calves and feeders you will have. Some may have too much feed laying around that is getting old. Selling some may generate a premium.

Another action plan to consider is buying feeds that are cheaper now and storing them through the winter. We know how to do this with hay and silage, but what about distiller’s grains? Mixing with low quality feeds and packing in a bunker or in a bag, can significantly reduce the cost of protein and energy supplements during the winter months. This is especially helpful if cows are coming off grass thin and need to improve condition before calving.

Planning is indispensable. Having a feed inventory and checking prices and availability now will go a long way to reducing the anxiety of what we will feed our cows this winter.



CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF CONNECTION AT THE 2023 IOWA CATTLE INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, invites cattle producers across Iowa to attend the 2023 Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit held December 14 and 15 at the Meadows Events Center in Altoona, Iowa.

This annual event is for the leader in every cattle producer. The Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit is an excellent opportunity for those just getting their start or those with years of experience to come together to network, learn, and participate in ICA’s policy development process. This year is extra special as we celebrate 50 years of ICA.

ICA is pleased to welcome Cameron Bruett, head of corporate affairs for JBS USA, as our keynote presenter. Bruett will set the stage for the conference with a session entitled, ‘The State of the Beef Industry.’ As the world’s largest food company in terms of revenue, Bruett is sure to bring an intriguing look at the beef cattle industry, exploring the major factors impacting the market.

Additionally, we’ll welcome a series of exceptional breakout session topics and speakers for participants to select from and gain valuable insights that fit their operation’s needs. Topics such as succession planning, modern ag in a cancel culture, grazing, and the innovation of data are all part of the formal agenda.

Connection is key and ICA has worked in a variety of opportunities for networking. Guests will not want to miss out on our Beef & Bourbon Pairing Experience, 50-year champagne toast, entertainment, and more. We also have more than 25 industry partners exhibiting throughout the event.

The Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit is the culmination of ICA’s formal policy development. Producer members are encouraged to participate and provide input in the policy committee meetings which will review expiring resolutions and directives and provide time to introduce new policy priority suggestions. Voting and ratification will conclude this process during the committee meetings and Annual Meeting on December 15.

“We know our members are busy, but there is no better investment in your operation than the time spent at the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit,” said Tanner Lawton, ICA director of member services. “From the educational opportunity to the chance to network with other producers, there will be something to gain for everyone. We also can’t emphasize enough the importance of having our members involved in ICA’s policy development process. Your participation helps shape the industry’s future.”

Registration and additional event details can be found at https://www.iacattlemen.org/events-meetings/iowa-cattle-industry-leadership-summit. ICA would like to thank our gracious sponsors for their support in making this event successful.



Researchers Comment on Proposed EPA Models for Predicting Broiler Operation Emissions

Proposed federal draft models designed to guide emissions forecasting for broiler operations need improvement and clarification, according to an in-depth analysis led by Iowa State University scientists.

In August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a set of draft models to estimate daily levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and several types of particulate matter (dust) typically emitted from U.S. broiler operations. The original data stemmed from the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study (NAEMS), which measured emissions to eventually guide Clean Air Act policies for livestock and poultry operations. Once finalized, the EPA emissions models may be used by animal feeding operations to determine whether their emissions trigger air quality reporting requirements.

The agency developed the proposed models for broiler operations using environmentally focused datasets collected between 2005-2007 at a small number of broiler houses in California and Kentucky.

“EPA’s models are quite outdated,” said Brett Ramirez, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State, and assistant director of the Egg Industry Center. Ramirez is one of the researchers who evaluated the EPA draft emissions models. “The underlying data set is 15 years old. A lot has changed since then, including the sizes of barns, nutrition, genetics, and management practices in facilities.”

“The EPA model development approach is very complicated,” Ramirez said. “Using the EPA model as it is currently proposed would be beyond the capability of many growers – especially smaller facilities – and might even be less accurate than calculating emissions based on the numbers of birds a facility will house during a specific time period.”

Also, the EPA model data comes from only four facilities at three sites in Kentucky and California, neither of which are among states that currently produce the most broilers annually. “At the time of NAEMS, there was limited resources and a best effort was made, but it means the results don’t adequately represent today’s industry across the U.S.,” Ramirez said.

Other concerns included:
· The models estimated greater impacts from multiple barns, even if they housed the same or smaller number of birds. For example, two houses with 10,000 birds were predicted to have more emissions than a single 20,000 bird house. However, emissions should be relatively constant per bird, assuming the same environmental conditions, according to the researchers.
· The appropriate range of all input values were not provided in the draft EPA report and thus, it was not possible to adequately extrapolate to larger facilities, which have become more common since 2007.

Along with Ramirez, the research team assessing the EPA model included Guoming Li, assistant professor of poultry science at the University of Georgia, formerly a postdoc at Iowa State, and the late Richard S. Gates, then director of the Egg Industry Center and Iowa Egg Council Endowed Professor at Iowa State. Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Tennessee were also involved. Their evaluation of the draft EPA emissions models was published recently in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research and an interpretive summary was featured by the Poultry Science Association.

“Overall, the current draft EPA models are not likely to realistically estimate emissions from a range of broiler operations,” Ramirez said. “As a result of these problems and others outlined in our evaluation, the panel of scientists encourages those whose businesses could be influenced to review this information and consider responding when EPA opens its comment period.”

This research was jointly supported by the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPEA) and state and USDA Hatch Act funds allocated to Iowa State University, the University of Georgia and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Any conclusions or opinions expressed are those of the investigators, and not of USPEA and USDA. No funds provided by USPEA were or will be used for the purposes of influencing legislation and/or government policy or action.



Crossroads ahead: Get the insights at American Dairy Coalition’s annual meeting webinar

American Dairy Coalition (ADC) will have its annual business meeting open to all dairy farmers across the country – by zoom webinar – on Thurs., Dec. 7th, beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST.

The Honorable Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Chairman of the U.S. House Ag Committee, will keynote with an update on the Farm Bill, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and other top priorities for the coming year.

“Chairman Thompson understands dairy and the issues facing rural businesses, communities, and farm families. He has led numerous farm bill listening sessions across the nation, as the Committee has received much input. He has demonstrated his commitment as a strong voice for agriculture, not only in his home district (15th) in Pennsylvania, but across the U.S.,” notes Laurie Fischer, CEO of ADC, a nationwide grassroots organization of dairy producers based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Walt Moore, a Chester County, Pennsylvania dairy producer serving as President.

Additional insights will be gained from the educational program planned, which includes hearing a staff-level update on the Farm Bill from the Senate side from Trey Forsythe, professional staff for the Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman of Arkansas. Forsythe handles the dairy, livestock, poultry, animal health and food safety portfolios. He previously served as senior manager for federal government and industry affairs at Land O'Lakes, Inc.

American Farm Bureau Chief Economist Roger Cryan will bring information on the highlights, and lowlights, and what to expect from the Federal Milk Marketing Order Hearing, which will reconvene Nov. 27 after eight weeks of proceedings and over four weeks of recess. Roger brings years of experience as both a prior Director of Economics for USDA and prior VP for National Milk Producers Federation.

Corey Scott of Athian will give a snapshot of what farmers should know about Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, carbon credits and the dairy value chain. She is an experienced livestock sustainability systems professional for Athian, whose key mission is to help dairy and beef value chains capture and claim carbon credits earned through sustainability efforts by aggregating, validating, and certifying reductions so they can be monetized.

“The dairy industry is becoming increasingly complex and reaching an intersection of rapid change. Reports about biotech, big data, precision farming, climate targets, carbon credits, complex marketing strategies, uncertainty about the future of a new farm bill and of FMMO milk pricing have America’s dairy farmers on edge. This is why it is so important to acquire as much information as you can, to navigate what's ahead,” says Fischer.

ADC urges dairy farmers to gain firsthand insight on the latest and most substantial influences on business, production, markets, and cash flow by joining ADC’s annual business meeting webinar Dec. 7th at 2:30 p.m. EST.

Go to https://qrco.de/ADCwebinar to register to attend.



U.S. beef and pork exports to China receive a boost

The United States is a major exporter of pork and beef to China. Recently, the General Administration of Customs of China approved 18 U.S. beef establishments and 12 U.S. pork establishments for export to China. This is the first time that new U.S. plants have been cleared for export to China in about 10 months.

Erin Borror, vice president for economic analysis for the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), said that the plant approval process was streamlined by the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. The Phase One Agreement has "many benefits for U.S. agriculture," Borror said, "but particularly related to plant approvals."

China is still a major market for U.S. beef and pork

Despite a decline in beef shipments to China in 2023, China remains the fourth largest destination for U.S. beef exports. Borror said that China has "strong upside potential" for U.S. beef exports.

China is also a major market for U.S. pork variety meat. Shipments of U.S. pork variety meat to China are up 9% from last year.



RFA Partners with Girls Auto Clinic for Ethanol Education

The Renewable Fuels Association has partnered with the Girls Auto Clinic to lead the way in bringing ethanol education and promotion to a new and growing audience: women who are actively interested in auto purchasing, maintenance, and repair.

Founded in 2013 by entrepreneur Patrice Banks, Girls Auto Clinic builds and provides tools to drive knowledge and engagement to women, or “shecanics,” to own their automotive experiences. GAC empowers women to be fully engaged and confident in purchasing and managing their vehicles, while also increasing the presence of women successfully and happily employed within the automotive industry.

“The Girls Auto Clinic Car Care Workshop is an in-depth, interactive and fun way for women to learn about their cars, what maintenance they can do to prolong the life of their car (and save money), how to talk to a mechanic, and what to do in an emergency,” said Banks, GAC’s CEO and founder. “And now, with RFA's backing, we can extend our reach, empowering more women across the country to become confident drivers and smart consumers.”

“We’re looking forward to working with Girls Auto Clinic, which does terrific work in expanding automotive knowledge and confidence to more women,” said RFA Vice President for Industry Relations Robert White. “It’s important for all consumers to understand the value of American-made ethanol, as it provides critical cost savings for families and benefits for the climate and the air we breathe. It’s also critical that all drivers understand the advantages and proper uses of higher-level blends like E15 and flex fuels like E85. Patrice and her team are the perfect partner for this effort.”



MSU-led research team receives $946K grant to study alfalfa autotoxicity

A multi-institutional research team led by Michigan State University has received a $946,349 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to explore alfalfa autotoxicity. The award is within NIFA’s Alfalfa Seed and Forage Systems program.

The project is led by Kim Cassida, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences and MSU Extension forage specialist. Other researchers include:
    Sarah Lebeis, an assistant professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences.
    Paige Baisley, a graduate student in Cassida’s lab.
    Virginia Moore, an assistant professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell University.

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, alfalfa is the nation’s third most valuable field crop at roughly $8.7 billion per year. While alfalfa has many uses, it’s most often grown for animal agriculture forage due to its nutrient-rich profile.

Like any other crop, alfalfa faces insect and diseases challenges, but current varieties are exceptionally hardy and able to withstand a variety of environmental pressures. Its most significant threat may be itself.

Alfalfa exhibits autotoxicity, a phenomenon in which the plant inhibits germination and development of seedlings of its own species. The cause is believed to be chemical compounds released by the plants, but researchers are unsure which compounds are to blame.

“We’ve known about this issue for a long time, but there haven’t been any concrete solutions generated,” said Cassida, whose work is also supported in part by MSU AgBioResearch. “Alfalfa is a tremendously valuable crop for Michigan, the U.S. and beyond, so finding answers to the problem of autotoxicity is extremely important. In my role as an MSU Extension specialist, I work directly with farmers, and I want to be able to give them more prescriptive recommendations.”

Cassida said managing autotoxicity in the field can be tricky. Alfalfa stands are typically productive for four or more years, but as the plants begin to age and thin out, growers can’t simply add new seedlings to fill the gaps.

Current recommendations are to rotate with other crops, waiting to let toxins dissipate before replanting alfalfa. But the risk of lingering autotoxicity varies greatly by conditions such as precipitation and soil type, as well as management decisions such as tillage.

“When I talk to growers, one of the most common questions I get is, ‘Has it been long enough to replant alfalfa?’” Cassida said. “We tell growers to wait at least six months to two years depending on all the contributing factors, but that uncertainty is frustrating.

“To bring more certainty into the fold, we are developing a soil bioassay that will eventually be available through MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics that can let a grower know whether the soil is ready to plant alfalfa again. At this point, we still can’t tell them exactly how long it will take their field to recover if it’s not ready, but we’re looking to improve the bioassay through this work.”

For the new project, researchers have four primary objectives:
    Identify the compounds responsible for autotoxicity.
    Determine how root function and soil microbiology interact with factors such as soil fertility to influence chemical development and release.
    Begin the process of breeding alfalfa varieties that do not cause this problem.
    Communicate with growers via MSU Extension education.

The end goal is to pave the way for developing new varieties that either produce less toxins or are able to tolerate them more effectively. Cassida said this research could also serve as a framework for other crops with autotoxicity issues.

Preliminary efforts to develop the bioassay were supported by Project GREEEN and the U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative, a checkoff program funded by alfalfa growers to support research. While the bioassay is not ready to share with growers yet, it will be used as a research tool.

“We need to do greenhouse work to identify the mechanisms of autotoxicity before we can take this to field scale,” Cassida said. “Once we do that, we can start to examine things like the effects of nutrient stresses in test plots. The bioassay gives us the ability to definitively identify research plots or production fields that exhibit the problem and focus on differences between those and non-toxic plots or fields. This should improve our ability to conclusively identify causal compounds and interactions among environmental or management factors that impact the severity of the problem.”



Deere Reports Net Income of $2.369 Billion for Fourth Quarter, $10.166 Billion for Fiscal Year

Deere & Company reported net income of $2.369 billion for the fourth quarter ended October 29, 2023, or $8.26 per share, compared with net income of $2.246 billion, or $7.44 per share, for the quarter ended October 30, 2022. For fiscal-year 2023, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $10.166 billion, or $34.63 per share, compared with $7.131 billion, or $23.28 per share, in fiscal 2022.

Worldwide net sales and revenues decreased 1 percent, to $15.412 billion, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and rose 16 percent, to $61.251 billion, for the full year. Net sales were $13.801 billion for the quarter and $55.565 billion for the year, compared with $14.351 billion and $47.917 billion in 2022.

“Deere’s fourth-quarter and full-year results can be attributed to the successful execution of our Smart Industrial Operating Model and the value that customers recognize in our industry-leading products and solutions,” said John C. May, chairman and chief executive officer. “We must also recognize and credit our dedicated employees, dealers, and suppliers, whose hard work and focus have been instrumental to our overall success.”

Monday November 27 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending November 26, 2023, there were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 21% very short, 26% short, 50% adequate, and 3% surplus.
Subsoil moisture supplies rated 26% very short, 37% short, 34% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 11% poor, 37% fair, 40% good, and 9% excellent.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 12% very poor, 16% poor, 34% fair, 28% good, and 10% excellent.

This is the last weekly Crop Progress and Condition report for the 2023 growing season. We would like to extend our appreciation to the dedicated county FSA and extension staff who supplied the necessary information for these reports. For December through March, we will issue monthly reports. The first monthly report (for week ending December 31) will be issued January 2, 2024. Weekly reports will begin April 1st for the 2024 season.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

A relatively dry week with snow falling at the weekend resulted in 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 26, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities started to slow down this week with reports of fertilizer and manure application wrapping up.

Topsoil moisture rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 33 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 40 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain is virtually complete with farmers in the southern part of the State still running a few combines, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average.

Cattle grazing on stalk fields continued this week, while no reports were received regarding livestock conditions.

This is the final Crop Progress and Condition Report of the season. Reports will resume in April 2024.



Final 2023 USDA Crop Progress Report: Corn 96% Harvested, Winter Wheat Condition 50% Good to Excellent

About 4% of corn was left to harvest nationally as of Sunday, Nov. 26, and half of the new winter wheat crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, USDA NASS reported in its final national Crop Progress report of 2023 on Monday. The weekly reports will resume on Monday, April 1, 2024.

CORN
-- Harvest progress: Corn harvest inched ahead 3 percentage points last week to reach 96% complete as of Sunday. That is 3 percentage points behind last year's pace of 99% but 1 percentage point ahead of 95% for the five-year average.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop progress: 91% of the winter wheat crop had emerged as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of last year's 90% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 89%.
-- Crop condition: Winter wheat condition was rated 50% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from 48% the previous week and well above 34% at this time a year ago.



Ricketts Comments on Reports White House is “Stalling” Ethanol Expansion

Friday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), released the following statement in response to reports the Biden administration is “stalling” ethanol expansion this summer in Midwestern states:

“The Biden administration needs to follow the law and keep their commitments for this summer. President Biden has overlooked and underestimated the economic and environmental benefits of biofuels like ethanol as part of our energy portfolio. Ethanol saves consumers money at the pump, it is made in the USA and a boom to Midwest state economies, and it’s good for the environment.”



Biden-Harris Administration Partners with Ag Producers to Strengthen Agricultural Supply Chains and Lower Food Costs

As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is making investments that will strengthen American food and agriculture supply chains, expand markets for agricultural producers, and lower food costs.   

“The Biden-Harris Administration is championing America’s farmers and ranchers by helping expand businesses and supporting more robust American supply chains,” Vilsack said. “Today’s investments in agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs will create better economic opportunities that bolster food supply chains across the country and increase competition—a key pillar of Bidenomics. This will result in more affordable prices and choices for consumers, as well as more opportunities and revenue for farmers.”

Today’s announcement was made as part of the inaugural meeting of the new White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience which is part of President Biden’s Bidenomics agenda to lower costs for American families and increase investment in America’s supply chains critical to economic and national security. Today’s funding builds on prior investments made by USDA under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to increase competition and lower costs by enhancing independent meat and poultry and other diversified food processing capacity, strengthening local and regional food systems, and expanding domestic, innovative fertilizer production.  

USDA is making investments in 185 projects worth nearly $196 million to create new and better market opportunities for producers and entrepreneurs in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,  Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.

For example:  
Lot 279, LLC in Wisner & Norfolk, Nebraska will use a Value-Added Producer Grant to process, market, distribute and advertise their direct-to-consumer beef cattle cuts and shares. The project is expected to increase revenue for the company by almost $600,000 a year and increase their customer base by 4,800 people.  

Other Value-Added Producer Grants in Nebraska
Nebraska Vegetable & Protein LLC, Nebraska City - $250,000
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital for the processing of direct-to-consumer fish emulsion fertilizer. This is specifically the costs for processing, marketing materials, website, ingredients, and distribution of the value-added product. The project is expected to increase revenue for the producer by $1,024,799, increase their customer base by 30,000 customers.

Graf Bees LLC, Emerson - $117,425
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital for the processing  and marketing of local honey, specifically the costs for direct processing, marketing materials, website, and distribution. The project is expected to increase revenue for the producer by $35,500, increase customer base by 325 customers.

76 Cattle Co Incorporated, Shickley - $49,257
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital for the processing of direct-to-consumer beef sticks and jerky, specifically the costs for direct processing, marketing materials, website, and distribution. The project is expected to increase revenue for the producer by $143,811 and increase customer base by 170 customers.

Barreras Family Farm LLC, Blair - $242,245
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital for the processing of direct-to-consumer premium beef cuts, specifically the costs for direct processing and marketing. The project is expected to increase revenue for the producer by $143,417 and  increase customer base by 2465 customers.

Barada Hills Trading Company LLC, Shubert - $22,779
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital for the processing of direct-to-consumer beef cattle cuts and shares, specifically the costs for direct processing, marketing materials, website, and distribution. The project is expected to increase revenue for the producer by $10,000 and increase customer base by 140 customers.

Twin Springs Pecans LLC, Bennet - $49,999
 This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital funds to increase product awareness and create grocer-friendly packaging and displays. This project is estimated to increase revenues by $100,000 and add 20 new customers.

Flying Diamond Beef Incorporated, Lakeside - $49,388
This Rural Development investment will be used to provide working capital to expand Flying Diamond Beef's customer base. Funds will be used for processing and distribution of its packaged beef. This project is expected increase revenue by $32,000 and add 85 new customers.



2024 Beef Heifer Replacement Price Forecast
Nov 30, 2023 12:00 PM
With Matt Stockton, Professor, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL;
Randy Saner, Extension Beef Systems Specialist, UNL;
and Shannon Sand, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL.

For the last several years, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Beef team has created a short document that forecasts the expected value of replacement heifers. These forecasts are intended to be used as a guide in what cow replacement costs might be, given the current future expectations of costs and markets, and reflect what might happen over the life of purchased animals.

Forecasts such as this one intend to help individuals create a reference point for their individual situations and expectations of future events and to use their own ideas to arrive at what a reasonable value might be for a heifer/cow purchased or retained for replacement.

This webinar will cover price forecasts for 2024 and offer advice to producers on how to apply the information.

It is being held as part of the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s weekly webinar series. Registration is free and may be completed on the center’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.




UNL webinar to cover Corporate Transparency Act requirements for farm and ranch businesses

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability will host a webinar at noon Central time on Dec. 7, covering the Corporate Transparency Act and 2024 filing requirements for businesses, including many farms and ranches.

In 2021, the U.S. Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act, which will require virtually all U.S. corporations and limited liability companies to file basic information regarding the officers and major owners of the business. The filings will be used to develop an ownership registry in the interest of preventing money laundering and similar criminal activities. Filings will be required in 2024 and there are no exemptions for small, agricultural, rural, family-owned or similar business entities.

The webinar will be presented by Dave Aiken, professor and extension agricultural law and water law specialist with UNL. He will introduce the act, explain why it was adopted, and identify the information required to be filed as well as who in the business must be included in the filing.

It is being held as part of the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s weekly webinar series. Registration is free and may be completed on the center’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.

 

IOWA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION NAMES NEW CEO

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, is pleased to announce Bryan Whaley as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 4, 2023. Whaley brings many years of experience leading successful teams, serving customers, and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle industry that will be invaluable to the future of the association.

Whaley most recently worked as the Director of Field Operations – North for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Before that, he was a regional extension education director for more than seven years. He has also worked with youth development in several roles with 4-H Youth Development through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Upon completing his first college degree, he was a classroom educator. Whaley holds a master's degree from Iowa State University in agriculture education and a Bachelor of Arts from Simpson College.

The cattle industry is a part of Whaley’s daily life. He and his family own and operate Whaley Cattle in Eagle Grove, Iowa, raising Maine Anjou and Maine Angus seedstock. He has also been involved in many organizations that support the beef cattle industry, including regular membership with ICA, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and American Maine Anjou Association. Whaley is serving as the current president and board member of the Iowa Maine Anjou Association.

“The search committee is very excited for Bryan to join the ICA staff as the new CEO,” said ICA Board President Bob Noble. “Those on the search committee were impressed with his experience leading teams, working with county committees, and his positive attitude toward the work ahead of ICA. The association has just celebrated 50 years, and Bryan’s energy and optimism will bring a renewed perspective to the association and be the perfect way to move us into our next 50 years.”

The hiring of Whaley comes at no better time as ICA heads into one of the busiest times of the year for the association. This will offer many opportunities for him to get out within the state to meet the Iowa beef cattle producers ICA serves.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association,” said Whaley. “I am excited for the opportunity to serve the members of the association, but also the entire cattle industry in Iowa, and support the efforts nationally to advocate for the policies set forth by our members.”

The ICA Board of Directors and staff look forward to welcoming Bryan Whaley to the team and continuing our mission of serving Iowa’s beef cattle industry now and in the future.



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Case Confirmed in Sioux County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed a positive case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Sioux County, Iowa.  The affected site is a flock of commercial layer chickens.

Commercial and backyard flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds. Sick birds or unusual deaths among birds should be immediately reported to state or federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship website. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.



United Soybean Board Announces Call for Nominations for 2024 Tom Oswald Legacy Award

Does an individual, organization or group come to mind that’s left a lasting mark on the soybean industry and the soy checkoff? United Soybean Board (USB) announces today a call for nominations for the Tom Oswald Legacy Award. In its second year, this annual award honors the late Tom Oswald, who will always be remembered as a passionate farmer-leader and dedicated volunteer. The award recognizes someone who went above and beyond to move research and promotion investments forward in an unconventional way.

An Iowa soybean and corn farmer, Oswald served eight years as a USB director and three years on the USB executive committee. He frequently posed the question, “How do we make it better-er?” — meaning what extra steps, thoughts, and efforts could the checkoff take to go beyond expectations and provide the best possible outcome?

“Tom embodied kindness, innovation, and forward-thinking, and most of all asked the tough questions, which are qualities we seek in the recipient of this award. Within our soy community, we are fortunate to have leaders who ensure we’re stewarding farmer checkoff dollars to their full potential,” said Meagan Kaiser, USB chair and Missouri farmer. “We anticipate receiving numerous worthy nominations and eagerly await the opportunity to celebrate an exceptional leader who’s paving the path for a more prosperous and sustainable future for U.S. soybean farmers.”

Kenneth Bader, Ph.D., won the esteemed inaugural award in 2023. While nominated by several of his peers and for many reasons, the emphasis was his tenure for 16 years as CEO of the American Soybean Association. Many claim that without Bader there wouldn’t be a national soy checkoff, and that his drive and exploration helped to grow the industry for all U.S. soybean farmers.

If there is an organization, group or individual that you believe should be recognized for their efforts and passion for this industry, visit the USB website to submit your nomination. Nominations will close on Jan. 8, 2024, and the award will be presented at Commodity Classic in March 2024.

In one of Oswald’s final interviews with his local TV station KMEG-TV on its “Proud to be a Hometown Farmer” segment, he encouraged farmers to serve on the soy checkoff. He spoke from the heart saying, “The rewards are not financial, the rewards are hard to describe because it’s that intangible. Working with other farmers, locally, nationally, it’s that bigger picture. Working with city people who do not know a thing about agriculture and making a connection — you can’t be paid for that. It’s wonderful.”



USMCA Dispute Panel Limits Canadian Market Access

Friday’s ruling by a U.S-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute panel allowing Canada to restrict the dairy access that the United States negotiated for in the USMCA pact weakens the agreement’s value to the US dairy industry, according to the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

An earlier panel ruled in January 2022 that Canada had improperly restricted access to its market for U.S. dairy products. In response, Canada made insufficient changes to its dairy tariff rate quota (TRQ) system, resulting in an outcome that still fell far short of the market access the U.S. expected to receive under USMCA. To address that shortcoming, the U.S. brought a second case to challenge the changes that Canada instituted. Today the panel announced that Canada was not obligated to make further changes.

“It is profoundly disappointing that the dispute settlement panel has ruled in favor of obstruction of trade rather than trade facilitation,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Despite this independent panel’s adverse ruling, we’d like to thank the Biden Administration and the many members of Congress who supported us for their tireless pursuit of justice for America’s dairy sector. We urge Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack to look at all available options to ensure that Canada stops playing games and respects what was negotiated.”

Since the U.S. Trade Representative initially launched the first dispute settlement case against Canada in 2021, USDEC and NMPF have worked with USTR, USDA, and Congress to try to secure full use and value of USMCA’s dairy TRQs for American dairy producers and processors.

“By allowing Canada to ignore its USMCA obligations, this ruling has unfortunately set a dangerous and damaging precedent,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “We do however want to express our appreciation for allies in Congress and the Administration for their efforts and commitment to fighting for U.S. dairy. This is unfortunately not the only shortcoming in Canada’s compliance with its international commitments. We are committed to working with USTR and USDA to evaluate efforts to address Canada’s continued harmful actions that depress dairy imports while simultaneously evading USMCA’s dairy export disciplines.”

When first implemented in 2020, USMCA established 14 different TRQs, which allow a predetermined quantity of imports at a specified low tariff rate. The TRQ system that Canada implemented awarded the vast majority of TRQ volumes to Canadian processors and granted very limited access to TRQs to distributors – resulting in limited market access for U.S. exporters. Minor modifications to that system made in 2022 have continued that imbalanced approach.



Smith Statement on Dairy Announcement

Rep. Adrian Smith, Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement panel issued their final report on the U.S.-Canada dairy tariff-rate quota (TRQ) allocation dispute:

“I remain fully supportive of Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack’s efforts to hold Canada to its USMCA commitments, and I am disappointed in the dispute settlement panel’s ruling. This decision does not take away from the panel’s 2022 determination that Canada breached its USMCA commitments with its dairy restrictions. Canada’s failure to come to the table and honor its USMCA commitments would have a lasting and negative impact on the bilateral and economic partnership between our countries. Market access is one of the most important components of our rules-based trading system, and I call on Canada to make the changes necessary to come into compliance.”




AFBF Disappointed in USMCA Dairy Report

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the report released by a dispute settlement panel established under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement regarding Canada’s dairy tariff-rate quota allocation measures.

“AFBF is disappointed in the findings released by the dispute panel. We believe Canada’s TRQ policies put America’s hardworking dairy farmers at a disadvantage and don’t live up to the spirit of agreements put in place under USMCA.

“Canada has long been a strong trading partner for American farmers and ranchers, but that relationship relies on both sides playing fair. We encourage USTR Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack to continue to fight to ensure our dairy farmers have access to a level playing field and Canadian consumers have access to a variety of choices at the supermarket.”



Farm, Biofuels Coalition Responds to Fifth Circuit Small Refinery Exemptions Decision

A coalition representing farmers and ethanol producers today responded to last week’s decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals remanding to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency its rejection of six small refinery exemption requests. The following statement is from the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol and National Farmers Union.

“While we are disappointed by this decision, we will continue to vigilantly defend the Renewable Fuel Standard and fight against the illegal abuse of small refinery exemptions. As other Federal courts have determined, the RFS does not impose an economic burden on oil refiners because any compliance costs are passed down the supply chain. All refiners—regardless of their size or location—face equitable RFS obligations, and all of them pass through their costs to comply. This lawsuit was never really about purported economic hardship; rather, it was about a handful of entrenched oil refineries doing everything they can to dodge their legal obligations to blend renewable fuels and block consumer access to lower-cost, lower-carbon options at the pump.”



Create Family Memories at CattleCon24

CattleCon, the cattle industry’s largest event of the year, will bring producers and their families to Orlando, Florida, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2024, for education, networking and business, along with family fun.

Arrive early for an engaging half-day Grazing Management Workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 30, where experts will discuss benefits of pasture and grazing management, assessing pasture condition, forage growth and quality, latest technology resources, fencing strategies and water resource management. Attendees will also leave with a completed grazing management plan for their operation.

CattleCon24 officially kicks off on Wednesday, Jan. 31, with Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, returning as emcee. The Opening General Session will feature former professional football player and sleight-of-hand magician, Jon Dorenbos, sharing his humbling story. Dorenbos played professional football for 14 years before a life-threatening heart condition ended his athletic career. Adversity didn’t keep Dorenbos down, whose passion for magic made him a top contender on America’s Got Talent.

Thursday morning begins with the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program’s Celebration of Excellence, honoring BQA award winners and featuring keynote speaker Jim Carroll. Carroll, a renowned futurist, author, and innovation expert, will share the knowledge and foresight needed to embrace the ever-changing agricultural landscape, shedding light on the trends and technologies that are shaping the future of the cattle industry.

The final day begins with CattleFax conducting their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session. Randy Blach, the team at CattleFax and meteorologist Matt Makens will discuss what 2024 and beyond might look like for the cattle industry.

Throughout CattleCon, the 31st annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics. Other highlights include a D.C. Issues update, Sustainability Forum and Beef Industry Forum. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet and Environmental Stewardship Award Program reception will recognize leaders for their achievements, and there will be more than eight acres of trade show displays and exhibitors to explore.

While the general sessions are packed with engaging speakers and information every producer can use, entertainment will also be around every corner. Anna Sponheim, winner of the 11th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, will perform at the Opening General Session, Paul Bogart will bring his down-to-earth charm and country music to Thursday night’s Palm Tree Pachanga, and The Bellamy Brothers will headline the Cowboys & Coasters event on Friday night.

In addition, producers will be hard at work guiding both NCBA policy and Beef Checkoff programs. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also take place.

For those coming early or staying a little longer, there are plenty of opportunities to create family memories with discounted tickets to area theme parks and pre- and post-convention cruise options. Invest in the future and create memorable moments by registering today. A variety of registration and housing options are available at convention.ncba.org.

Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible to apply for the Rancher Resilience Grant. The first 75 grant applicants will receive reimbursement for registration and up to three nights hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.  



Don't Forget the P and K After Harvest

With grain bins filled, farmers should be turning their attention to field fertility. While nitrogen may be the most important nutrient for crop production, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are two elements that shouldn’t be forgotten when creating a fall fertility program.

Regular soil testing is the foundation of sound fertility. Soil samples should be collected every two to four years to provide the best diagnostic information.

“One of the most important investments you can make is finding out what your soil pH is,” said Matt Montgomery, Pioneer Field Agronomist. “Once pH is determined, managing it accordingly is paramount.”

Soil test results can be used in conjunction with P and K removal rates to develop fertilizer recommendations that best fit fertilizer price, management style and risk position. Rate recommendations can be developed to maximize short-term returns following a nutrient sufficiency approach, or to provide consistent, long-term profitability following a build-and-maintain approach.

Biannual P and K applications can be equally as effective as annual applications, as long as biannual application rates account for the nutrient needs of two crops.

Additionally, various banded and starter application methods have been evaluated for increasing P and K efficiency. Specific cases where banded and starter P and K applications may be beneficial include:
    Heavy or wet soils that are slow to warm in the spring
    Soils that have a high degree of P and/or K variability
    No-till, when there is evidence of P and/or K stratification at the soil surface
    Strip-till and zone-till, for which P and K are typically banded at planting
    Calcareous and high pH soils

Farmers should consult state extension guidelines or local Pioneer sales professionals for region-specific rate recommendations. Precision soil sampling and variable rate technology can help match P and K inputs to crop needs and improve return on fertilizer investment.

Wednesday November 22 Ag News

 Ag Exports Near $10 Billion
Nebraska Farm Bureau

In a year when the value of U.S. agricultural exports set a record, it is not surprising 2022 was also a record-setting one for exports from Nebraska. Nebraska’s agricultural exports were $9.97 billion, $763 million or 8 percent greater than 2021. It marks the third consecutive year of record-setting exports. Since 2019, Nebraska’s overseas sales have grown $3.7 billion, or 60 percent. Nebraska again was the fifth-largest agricultural exporting state trailing only California, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. Nebraska topped the nation in exports of beef at $1.86 billion, was the second-largest exporter of hides and skins ($141 million), the third-largest exporter of corn ($2.25 billion), feed ($1.28 billion), and processed grain products ($442 million), and the fifth-largest exporter of soybeans ($2.3 billion), soybean meal ($417 million), and vegetable oil ($277 million).

Soybeans, corn, and beef remained solidly entrenched as Nebraska’s top agricultural exports, accounting for nearly two-thirds of total exports. Soybeans were the top export, up 23 percent from the prior year, tracking U.S. exports which were up 26 percent in value. The USDA says that the export value of soybeans “was mostly driven by growth in prices, but volumes also rose significantly on strong protein demand in most top export markets.” China was the largest soybean purchaser, but growth was also seen from Mexico, the European Union, Egypt, and Japan. Nebraska’s corn exports were off 4 percent, but they still finished as the second highest on record. Like soybeans, China was the largest buyer followed by Mexico and Japan. Exports to these three countries accounted for 71 percent of total U.S. corn exports. Finally, the value of Nebraska beef exports rose 13 percent, also setting a record. The USDA attributes last year’s growth in beef trade to robust demand from East Asian countries. Purchases by South Korea, Japan, and China accounted for 62 percent of total U.S. exports.

U.S. agricultural exports in 2023, so far, are trailing last year’s record-setting levels. A stronger dollar, a sluggish global economy, competition, and world geopolitics have been headwinds to continued growth. U.S. agricultural exports were expected to decline in 2023. The decline, though, has been more severe than what most people expected. Nebraska’s string of years of record-setting exports will likely end at three.



INTERPRETING FORAGE QUALITY OF GRASS HAY
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Have you ever tested the quality of your grass hay and been disappointed at the low relative feed value?  Well, maybe your worry is unnecessary.

Producers testing prairie, cane, or other grass hay can be confused when the hay itself looks really good but when a lab tested it, the relative feed value, or RFV, was surprisingly low. Numbers came back in the 70s or 80s.  Is something wrong with the hay?

Actually, things may be just fine.  You see, relative feed value was initially developed primarily to test legumes like alfalfa for the dairy industry.  It used two types of fiber, the ADF and the NDF to calculate the RFV score.  The NDF helped estimate intake and ADF estimated energy.

However, this system assumed all fiber had the same digestibility.  We know that is not true, and it especially misrepresents the forage quality of grasses.  Grasses have more fiber than legumes but grass fiber usually is more digestible than legume fiber.  So, grass hay frequently is ranked lower than it should be using relative feed value.

Fortunately, researchers quickly became aware of this issue and developed another test that better measures digestible fiber, thus doing a better job of estimating forage quality of grasses.  This test is called relative forage quality, or RFQ for short.

It’s also good to note that neither RFV nor RFQ are very useful in planning animal rations, they are best used to benchmark your production, comparing hay at market, and as a quick identification to allocate hay to different types of animals.

So, the next time your hay test comes back and the RFV seems a bit off, focus on RFQ instead.



NDEE announces schedule of stakeholder workgroup sessions for the Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Program

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is continuing public outreach for Nebraska’s Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Program by holding a series of stakeholder working group sessions. These sessions will consider greenhouse gas emission reduction measures in various sectors of the economy.

The working group sessions will be conducted online via Zoom to facilitate participation across the state. Interested parties should visit the program web page (http://dee.ne.gov/ndeqprog.nsf/onweb/cprg) to register for individual sessions and to download a stakeholder information packet.

Two sessions are planned for each working group. The schedule of sessions is as follows:

Transportation
Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Agriculture / Natural & Working Lands
Thursday, Nov. 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Dec. 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Industry / Waste & Wastewater
Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Energy Production
Thursday, Dec. 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Dec. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Buildings/Housing/Communities
Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The online stakeholder workgroup sessions will be followed in January by in-person public meetings at several locations around the state. The in-person meeting schedule will be posted on the program web page at a later date.

For further information about the stakeholder working group sessions and the program contact NDEE via email at: NDEE.climatepollution@nebraska.gov.

The Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Program was created through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. NDEE received $3 million through this grant to develop and implement a Priority Climate Action Plan, due by March 1, 2024, and a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, due in late summer 2025. Completing these action plans makes Nebraska eligible to receive competitive implementation grants to carry actions detailed in the plans.



Nebraska Beef Council December Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will meet at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Ave. on Friday, December 8th, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m. CST. The NBC Board of Directors will review AR's evaluations for FY-2022-2023.  For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org  



Pillen Makes Case for Growing Biobased Economy at National Convention

Governor Jim Pillen is making the case for growing a biobased economy in Nebraska. He delivered remarks and participated in multiple panel discussions during the Alternative Fuels and Chemical Coalition (AFCC) Global Biobased Economy Conference in Washington D.C. This annual event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators to explore the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this rapidly growing sector.

Sharing his vision, Gov. Pillen emphasized the state’s ability to feed the world, while prioritizing sustainable farming practices and implementing innovative, science-based technologies that monitor progress in ag production.

“The biobased economy is gigantic for the future. It’s our Silicon Valley,” said Gov. Pillen. “Sustainable farming that creates products with lower carbon scores is good business. It’s something that Nebraska farmers have been doing for generations. Now, we need the data that confirms those practices and allows farmers to keep making improvements, so they get the credit they deserve – improving their bottom line.”

At the conference, Gov. Pillen expressed his commitment to expanding the biomanufacturing industry in Nebraska, which in turn, will create career opportunities for future Nebraskans. He encouraged all manufactures to consider Nebraska for future projects, emphasizing the state’s abundant natural resources and collaborative atmosphere for supporting those investments.

“We will take advantage of the endless opportunities that the new biobased economy holds for our state,” said Governor Pillen. “The time is now for Nebraska to be the lead in growing this industry for our planet, our country, and for our state.

Expansion efforts are supported through Executive Order 14081, signed by President Biden, which builds on the policies enacted by presidents Obama and Trump aimed at growing a U.S. bioeconomy.

These actions mirror President Bush’s renewable fuels policies he enacted during his 2007 State of the Union Address. The action President Bush took transformed Nebraska agriculture overnight, by increasing crop production, doubling cattle on feed, all while utilizing the byproducts of ethanol production.

“We will lead the way again through Executive Order 14081 by enhancing the plant-based manufacturing industry of Nebraska with our grains and feedstocks,” said Gov. Pillen. “Together Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and business owners will leverage this opportunity to ensure Nebraska is the frontrunner in the new bioeconomy.”

The Alternative Fuels and Chemical Coalition (AFCC) Global Biobased Economy Conference was in Washington D.C. Nov. 12 - 14.



USDA NASS TO COLLECT 2023 CROP PRODUCTION AND STOCKS DATA

As the 2023 growing season comes to an end, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to gather final year-end crop production numbers and the amount of grain and oilseeds stored on their farms. At the same time, NASS will survey grain facility operators to determine year-end grain and oilseed stocks stored in commercial facilities.

“These surveys are the largest and most important year-end surveys conducted by NASS,” explained NASS’s Northern Plains Director Nicholas Streff. “They are the basis for the official USDA estimates of production and harvested acres of all major agricultural commodities in the United States as well as grain and oilseed supplies. Data from the survey will benefit farmers and processors by providing timely and accurate information to help them make crucial year-end business decisions and begin planning for the next growing and marketing season.”

“Responses to the survey will be used in calculating county-level yields which have a direct impact on farmers around the State. USDA’s Farm Service Agency may use the data in administering producer programs and in determining disaster assistance program calculations,” said Streff. “NASS cannot publish a county yield unless it receives enough reports from producers in that county to make a statistically defensible estimate. So, it is very important that producers respond to this survey. In 2022, NASS was unable to publish several large producing counties due to an insufficient number of responses.”

“As required by Federal law, all responses are completely confidential,” Streff continued. “We safeguard the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Individual responses are also exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.” Survey results will be published in several reports, including the Crop Production Annual Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on January 12. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information call the NASS Nebraska Field  Office at (800) 582-6443.



NORTHERN PLAINS FARM LABOR

In the Northern Plains Region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) there were 37,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches during the week of July 9-15, 2023, down 3% from the July 2022 reference week, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Workers numbered 43,000 during the week of October 8-14, 2023, down 4% from the October 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $18.68 per hour during the July 2023 reference week, up 6% from the July 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.87 per hour, up $1.30. Livestock workers earned $17.44 per hour, up $0.59. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $18.18, was up $0.93 from the 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 45.2 hours during the July 2023 reference week, compared with 44.4 hours worked during the July 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $19.37 per hour during the October 2023 reference week, up 6% from the October 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $19.88 per hour, up $1.42. Livestock workers earned $17.30 per hour, up $0.42 from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $18.89, was up $1.01 from the October 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 47.9 hours during the October 2023 reference week, compared with 45.9 hours worked during the October 2022 reference week.



Cornbelt II Ag Labor Report

There were 24,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri) during the reference week of July 9-15, 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Farm Labor report. Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $17.85 per hour, 25 cents below July 2022. The number of hours worked averaged 40.1 for hired workers during the reference week, compared with 39.3 hours in July 2022.

During the reference week of October 8-14, 2023, there were 32,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri). Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $19.05 per hour during the October 2023 reference week, 86 cents above October 2022. The number of hours worked averaged 42.2 for hired workers during the reference week, compared with 40.6 hours in October 2022.



October Hired Workers Down 1 Percent; Gross Wage Rate Increased 6 Percent from Previous Year

There were 776,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of October 8-14, 2023, down 1 percent from the October 2022 reference week. Workers hired directly by farm operators numbered 781,000 during the week of July 9-15, 2023, down 2 percent from the July 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $18.81 per hour during the October 2023 reference week, up 6 percent from the October 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.24 per hour, up 7 percent. Livestock workers earned $17.19 per hour, up 4 percent. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage rate, at $17.95 per hour, was up 6 percent from the 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.7 hours during the October 2023 reference week, down slightly from the hours worked during the October 2022 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $18.61 per hour during the July 2023 reference week, up 6 percent from the July 2022 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.08 per hour, up 8 percent, while livestock workers earned $16.95 per hour, up 2 percent from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage rate, at $17.76 per hour, was up 6 percent from the July 2022 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.2 hours during the July 2023 reference week, up slightly from the hours worked during the July 2022 reference week.

The 2023 all hired worker annual average gross wage rate was $18.53 per hour, up 6 percent from the 2022 annual average gross wage rate. The 2023 field worker annual average gross wage rate was $17.88 per hour, up 7 percent from the 2022 annual average. The 2023 livestock worker annual average gross wage rate was $16.85 per hour. The 2023 annual average combined gross wage for field and livestock workers was $17.55, up 6 percent from the 2022 annual average of $16.62 per hour.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/17/2023

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 17, ethanol production slowed 2.3% to a 6-week low of 1.023 million b/d, equivalent to 42.97 million gallons daily. Output was 1.7% less than the same week last year and 2.0% below the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 0.4% to 1.041 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.96 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks grew 3.3% to a 7-week high of 21.7 million barrels. Stocks were 5.2% less than the same week last year but 1.1% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and Rocky Mountains (PADD 4).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, slumped 5.2% to 8.48 million b/d (130.00 bg annualized)—the smallest weekly volume since September. Demand was 1.8% more than a year ago yet 4.0% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol declined 1.3% to 891,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.66 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 0.6% more than a year ago and 0.4% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 78,000 b/d (3.3 million gallons/day), which is 8.2% less than the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the ninth consecutive week.



USDA October 2023 Livestock Slaughter

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.77 billion pounds in October, up slightly from the 4.76 billion pounds produced in October 2022.

Beef production, at 2.34 billion pounds, was 3 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.83 million head, down 3 percent from October 2022. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 1,374 pounds.

Veal production totaled 4.2 million pounds, 8 percent below October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 23,100 head, down 24 percent from October 2022. The average live weight was up 49 pounds from last year, at 308 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.42 billion pounds, up 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.4 million head, up 5 percent from October 2022. The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 285 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.3 million pounds, was up 7 percent from October 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 193,500 head, 14 percent above last year. The average live weight was 115 pounds, down 7 pounds from October a year ago.

By State   -   million lbs - % Oct '22
Nebraska ...:     687.8     -       99       
Iowa ..........:     780.5     -      104       
Kansas .......:     500.3     -       97       

January to October 2023 commercial red meat production was 45.2 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2022. Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent.



USDA October 2023 Cold Storage Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on October 31, 2023 were down slightly from the previous month and down 14 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 6 percent from the previous month but down 13 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 6 percent from the previous month and down 14 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 6 percent from last month and down 31 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on October 31, 2023 were down 6 percent from the previous month but up slightly from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 24 percent from last month but up 13 percent from October 31, 2022.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on October 31, 2023 were down 1 percent from the previous month but up 1 percent from October 31, 2022. Butter stocks were down 11 percent from last month and down 1 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on October 31, 2023 were up 22 percent from last month and up 19 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 5 percent from last month and up 1 percent from a year ago.



How China’s African Swine Fever Outbreaks Affected Global Pork Markets
New report from USDA’s Economic Research Service

After moving from Europe to China in 2018, the African swine fever (ASF) virus spread throughout China in less than a year after the country’s first outbreaks were reported, dramatically reducing China’s pork supplies.

A report issued today by USDA’s Economic Research Service, How China’s African Swine Fever Outbreaks Affected Global Pork Markets, investigates the impact on China’s pork market and how China’s increased demand for imported pork affected markets for pork-exporting countries.

Here are a few key points from the report:
    China’s swine herd experienced a 30-month cycle of decline and recovery, as the country lost an estimated 27.9 million metric tons of its pork output.
    Pork prices in China more than doubled despite a surge of pork exports from the European Union, United States, Canada, Brazil, and other countries.

For more information, please refer to the full report https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/107925/err-326.pdf?v=2216.5.