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.