Pillen Brings Together Governors and Corps for Missouri River Summit
Today, Governor Jim Pillen hosted the Missouri River Summit, bringing together governors, representatives of the U.S. Corps of Engineers and other state water experts – for a discussion about water management and related issues as well as steps to mitigate future events.
“The importance of the Missouri River is undisputed. From Great Falls, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri, we rely on it for our agriculture, transportation, hydroelectricity, wildlife habitat and more,” said Gov. Pillen. “We must all work together, and we must act proactively. For those reasons, it is important as states that we continue to have open dialogue with each other and with the U.S. Corps of Engineers.”
Gov. Pillen was joined by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Missouri Governor Mike Parson for the meeting at the Kiewit Luminarium in Omaha.
Collaboration among states was one of the top takeaways in the aftermath of river flooding in 2019. From that effort, work began on the Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency Plan – a document that is designed to streamline project planning athe the local, state and federal levels.
“Prior to 2019, work through the Corps was primarily reactive to an event,” said Gov. Pillen. “Since then, the focus has shifted to how we can jointly be proactive and stave off a water-related event, before it becomes catastrophic.”
Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDRC) Director Tom Riley, who also attended the summit, agreed.
“Redefining our process -- by having states work in conjunction with the Corps, has allowed us to move at a pace much faster than we could have without that collaboration,” said Riley. “I think we all agree, we need to have action. This is a much better way to do business and develop solutions that will have a meaningful impact.”
At the summit, Gov. Pillen shared his expectations for managing river flooding and low flows. In December of 2022, ice jams along the Missouri near Omaha impacted utility operations and caused concern for both the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) and the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Gov. Pillen challenged the Corps to improve communication, which might allow low flows and subsequent ice jams to be averted. He also called for updating the management plan for winter ice events, which after several decades, is significantly outdated.
In a matter unrelated to Missouri river management, Gov. Pillen complimented members of the Corps for making strides in processing permit applications necessary for dredge and fill projects.
“This has absolved the state for having to assume that responsibility,” said Gov. Pillen. “It is a great example of how improvements by the Corps have reduced those timelines, allowing projects to be completed without unnecessary delays.”
The Corps receives the majority of its management directives from Congress, through the bi-annual Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The next bill is scheduled for introduction in 2024, and would provide authorizations for flood control studies and project funding, setting and/or removing regulatory limitations, as well as giving direction to various Corps activities across the nation.
UNIVERSITY RELEASES WEB-BASED NITROGEN MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR CORN GROWERS
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has updated a digital tool to make it easier for ag producers to determine appropriate nitrogen rates for individual fields.
The nitrogen tool allows users to input specifics for a producer’s individual fields, including soil characteristics, soil nitrate sampling data, organic matter, irrigation practices and economic information. The university designed the software to provide easy-to-access information sources to aid in the producer’s decision-making, drawing on decades of nitrogen management analysis and recommendation. Producers can access the tool at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/nitrogen-tool.
The tool automates a process that previously relied on paper documents and Excel spreadsheets. Ultimately, the update is intended to help producers increase profitability and environmental stewardship.
“Our goal is to make it really user-friendly for everyone,” said Laura Thompson, a Nebraska Extension ag technologies educator and co-coordinator of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. “It will allow people to use a research-based guideline that can result in more sustainable nitrogen management.”
The web-based tool provides robust, user-friendly capability to help producers set a yield goal under the university’s recommendation, said Nicholas Colgrove, an IANR Media software development specialist who was involved in the tool’s design.
“Nebraska growers are becoming more tech-savvy all the time, and they're hungry for more technology-based solutions,” Colgrove said. “They want the information available to them wherever they are, whether in their tractor or at home. So making sure that the digital ag tool fits the mobile devices, the phones, was very important to us. That's some of the feedback we received right away, that people want to be able to access it anywhere.”
Andrew Stech, who operates a farm in Osmond, was among the early testers of the digital tool. He described the app as “an easy-to-use tool that will help farmers fine-tune their nitrogen applications and maximize yield while minimizing the amount of nitrogen needed, which increases profitability.
“There are so many factors in farming that can affect nitrogen efficiency,” Stech said. “Lack of time and labor is a major issue in farming, and this app helps address the issue of keeping track of how much nitrogen each field needs.”
Another early tester was Jon Walz, who farms near Stapleton. Nebraska agriculture is “in a whole new era” that requires efficient digital tools such as the new app, he said. He especially liked that the app enables users to save and recall their field data, which enables efficiency and ease of use.
The data-saving feature is one of several capabilities meant to maximize the app’s utility. Another example, Thompson said, are buttons that link to excerpts from Husker field management resources.
Other additional features:
> A producer can input data for each specific field.
> Once data is entered and a nitrogen rate is set, the app provides information on a producer’s anticipated nitrogen-use efficiency.
> In addition to the nitrogen rate recommendation, the software provides breakdowns of product needed per acre, total product needed for the field and product costs.
The app will be adjusted and updated over time. The software will collect limited and generalized user data to support improvements. Producers can opt in to provide more detailed information and help the university better understand user behavior and tool performance.
The university will provide training sessions for interested users.
“Nitrogen management is very challenging,” Thompson said. “There are very dynamic nutrient interactions in the environment, and that makes it very difficult for producers to manage. It's important that producers have tools to help them do the best job possible to manage nitrogen efficiently. That way, they can meet their crop production needs and help with environmental considerations to make sure they're not using excess.”
Digital technology provides an important tool for doing that, she said. The new app is part of a range of technologies to support nitrogen management, including variable-rate application tools, sensor-based management, aerial imagery and fertigation.
Nebraska producers “are looking for more of these technology pieces,” Colgrove said. “We're going to try to keep it moving forward. I think there’s a real need for it.”
Nebraska Farm Bureau Names 2024 Leadership Academy Class
Ten farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness professionals from across Nebraska have been selected for Nebraska Farm Bureau’s (NEFB) 2024 Leadership Academy. They will begin a year-long program starting Feb. 15-16 in Kearney.
“The goal of leadership academy is to equip the future leaders of Farm Bureau with the tools they need to successfully advocate for agriculture, connect with members and embody the grassroots mission. The opportunities to serve in leadership roles in Farm Bureau and our state are vast and Leadership Academy provides participants the opportunity to develop the skills needed to step into those roles and positively impact their local communities,” said Audrey Schipporeit, NEFB’s director of generational engagement and facilitator of the 2024 Leadership Academy.
Academy members will participate in sessions focused on leadership development, understanding the county, state, and national structure of Farm Bureau and its grassroots network, policy work on agricultural issues, and the importance of agricultural literacy. The group will also travel to the Capitols in Lincoln and Washington, D.C. to visit with elected officials and agency representatives.
“We congratulate this group of diverse individuals and are excited to support their passion, ambition, and dedication to agriculture. We can't wait to see the positive impact they will have on their communities, state, and world,” said Schipporeit.
The 2024 Nebraska Farm Bureau Leadership Academy members are:
Clade Anderson, a member of Sherman/Valley County Farm Bureau, lives near Ord. He grew up on a diversified farm in central Kansas and attended Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) earning an associate degree in agronomy before continuing his education at Fort Hayes State university earning bachelor's degrees in agronomy and agricultural business. Clade is currently employed as a sales agronomist for Country Partners Cooperative.
Sam Gifford is a member of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau and now resides in Kearney. He graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics and is currently attending the University of Nebraska - Kearney pursuing his master’s in business administration while working as an agribusiness professional. He was born and raised in the Cornhusker State and has a passion for agriculture that stems from his third-generation family farm and ranch. In his free time, Sam enjoys working on the ranch, golfing, and cheering on the Huskers.
Katie Nolles, a member of Boyd County Farm Bureau, is a sixth-generation rancher and an agricultural education teacher. She graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural Education and will graduate with her master’s degree in School Counseling from Chadron State College in May of 2024. Katie enjoys raising cattle alongside her family on the ranch where they have a Hereford seedstock and commercial recip operation. In her spare time, Katie enjoys being involved in her church, judging livestock shows, and reading.
Christopher Kuehn is a member of Kearney/Franklin County Farm Bureau and is a fourth generation farmer and rancher. He runs his operation with his father, where they raise mostly irrigated corn, soybeans, and wheat along with a calving herd of about 200 Hereford cows. Christopher has served as president of the County Farm Bureau board for 10 years. He is also very active as an elder in his church, in the community on the County Extension board, and is a director with the Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards. Chris and his wife Tessa raised their two children across the road from the original Kuehn homestead near Heartwell, Nebraska.
Daniel Kristensen, a member of Kearney/Franklin County Farm Bureau, has been involved in agriculture his entire life. He is a fourth-generation corn and soybean farmer that just finished his tenth year managing his family's operation. He has developed leadership skills by being involved with Franklin/Kearney County Corn Growers, Franklin/Kearney County Cattleman's Association, and other agricultural affiliated organizations. Besides farming, Daniel enjoys politics and agricultural economics as well as coaching junior high basketball for Minden Public Schools.
Jordon Harms is a member of Clay County Farm Bureau and is a fourth-generation farmer near Glenvil. He’s passionate about technology and isn’t afraid to bring new ideas and strategies to his family’s operation. Jordon also sells seed for Beck’s Hybrids which allows him to share the latest seed and agronomy advancements with his customers. Off the farm, Jordon enjoys spending time with his family and friends and drumming on the praise team at church.
Chris Popken, a member of Dodge County Farm Bureau, lives near Hooper. Chris graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Mechanical Engineering degree and went on to work for Deere & Co in Nebraska and Eastern Washington in a variety of roles. Chris moved back to Nebraska when an opportunity to start farming arose. He raises corn and soybeans, has a Channel Seedsman dealership, and tunes off-highway equipment. Chris enjoys spending time traveling with his wife Nichole and passing along his love for farming to his three daughters.
Kellie Kennedy is a member of Nemaha County Farm Bureau and is a fifth-generation farmer with her husband Steve near Nemaha. Along with her husband and son, they operate a rotational row crop farm of soybeans, yellow and white corn, and alfalfa, plus raise a cow/calf herd and background heifers. Kellie and her daughter also raise pumpkins and other fall produce for retail sale. She is involved with her community in various causes and is a grandmother of six. Kellie currently holds the position of the OA/PKR of the Nemaha County Farm Bureau.
James McArtor, a member of Keith County Farm Bureau, graduated from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanized Systems Management-Production Option and a minor in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. He works with his father as an owner/operator of McArtor Family Farms near Grant, where they farm in Perkins County. James is a partner of McArtor Trucking, LLC, and contracts with local COOPs to transport grain primarily during the winter season. He additionally hires out as a custom sprayer applicator to area farmers.
Robert Stuart is a member of Dawson County Farm Bureau and a fifth-generation farmer from Lexington. The Stuart family has been farming the same land since 1888. Robert is married to Megan Stuart, and they have two children, Harrison age four and Eleanor age two. Robert grows corn and soybeans with his parents and brother and operates a small-scale feedlot.
Register Today for the NOFRN 2024 Annual Results meetings
The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network invites farmers and agronomists to attend the 2024 Annual Results Update meetings starting this February!
Join us to hear more about on-farm research projects relating to new products, practices, and technologies that impact farm productivity and profitability and connect with other innovative producers throughout the state. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is required for all attendees.
2024 Dates & Locations
ALL SESSIONS START AT 9 AM LOCAL TIME
CHECK-IN AND REFRESHMENTS START 30 MINUTES PRIOR
MEAD | Feb. 20 | UNL Eastern Nebraska REEC
BEATRICE | Feb. 21 | Holiday Inn
ALLIANCE | Feb. 21 | Knight Museum & Sandhills Center
YORK | Feb. 27 | Holthus Convention Center
KEARNEY | Feb. 28 | Buffalo County Extension Office
It's not too soon to register! Reserve your seat at the 2024 Annual Results Update meetings today!
Click Here to Register... https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/nebraska-farm-research-network-results-update-meetings-2024
New Takes on Beef in the Cafeteria at the Healthy Kids Collaborative Workshop
The Healthy Kids Collaborative recently hosted a workshop at the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Napa, California. The event, supported by various partners including the California Beef Council, brought together school nutrition professionals, skilled chefs, suppliers to schools, and nonprofit stakeholders with a focus on creating culinary-driven healthier food options for school meals.
The program is designed to drive forward innovation in school nutrition, providing a platform for professionals to deepen their expertise in K-12 school foods. Mitch Rippe, Director of Nutrition and Education for the Nebraska Beef Council, was in attendance and highlighted the importance of the initiative for the beef industry.
"Beef is a culinary staple that can drive fruit, vegetable, and whole grain consumption,” said Rippe. “It fills critical nutrient gaps in an age range that is important for growth and development.”
Rippe described some of the innovative approaches discussed at the workshop, showcasing how beef can be incorporated into school lunches in unique and appealing ways. One example was a savory oatmeal for breakfast, featuring barbecue-braised beef, sautéed or fried onions, mushrooms, and pesto sauce. The aim was to introduce novel twists on familiar foods, engaging students with exciting culinary experiences.
The workshop also included a competition where groups designed breakfast and lunch items. Students served as judges, providing feedback on their preferences. A beef frittata and a tostada topped the list, showcasing the versatility and appeal of beef in school meals.
“We plan to incorporate some of these innovative approaches into a summer workshop for school nutrition professionals in Nebraska, collaborating with the Department of Education,” said Rippe of his takeaways from the workshop.
As the collaborative efforts continue, the focus remains on providing school nutrition professionals with creative and healthy options to enrich meals for students across the nation.
For more information and to learn more about the Nebraska Beef Council, visit www.nebeef.org.
COST OF WATER FOR CATTLE GRAZING ON CORNSTALKS
– Shannon Sand, NE Extension Educator
Recently I have been asked about how much the cost of accessing water for grazing cattle on cornstalks should be. This is difficult to answer because of factors such as distance from the field, who is going to pay for pipes to go from the well to the cattle, and maintenance costs just to name a few.
The easiest option would be to use either USDA-ERS (Economic Research Service) or (Natural Resources Conservation Service) NRCS rates. For example, -ERS estimates off-farm per acre surface water to cost between $10-85 dollars (which when $85/acre is converted it’s $0.00026/ gallon); ground water between $7-69 and on farm surface water between $0-15. This range is due to many factors such as distance to water source, materials, etc.
For producers or landowners interested in pricing water for animals grazing cornstalks who bears the cost will be important. Some questions to ask are: Does the cattle producer pay the cost for materials, supplies and labor or does the landowner? Also, maintenance? No one wants a busted pipe in winter, but it does happen.
The time of the year can also factor in determining water costs as dry cattle in cold weather drink on average 1 gallon per hundred weight, and twice that in summer; and lactating cows require almost twice as much water compared to dry cows. All these factors can make a lot of difference when determining the cost of water.
UNL has an Extension Circular on water development costs for grazing livestock. Search online for UNL water costs for grazing livestock to find the publication and worksheet. In the end, It is up to the producer and landowner to come up with an equitable solution.
Nebraska Farmer and Pivot Bio Team Up to Deliver Food to Boone County Food Pantry
In an ongoing effort to highlight the growing challenge of food insecurity this holiday season, Pivot Bio, alongside farmer Brian Wegener, donated a truckload of food to the Boone County Food Pantry in Alibion, Nebraska. Wegener, a fourth-generation farmer from Lindsay, Nebraska, delivered the donation in his new “John Wayne” edition truck presented to him in a surprise delivery at his family farm as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Pivot Bio, Sparks Motors and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
The food donation reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to address agriculture’s biggest challenge of feeding a growing population while giving back to the local communities the company and its farmer partners serve. The pantry provides five weeks’ worth of food to recipients who do not have immediate access to food in Boone County and the surrounding area. “Donations around the holidays are always needed and this generous donation of food will help many families in need in Boone and the surrounding counties,” said Lynn Bygland, manager of the Boone County Food Pantry. “We were truly stunned by the generosity of such a large food donation. Thank you to Pivot Bio for such an amazing act of generosity.”
"Pivot Bio is dedicated to supporting our local communities. We recognize the challenges faced by many families this holiday season and are committed to serving those in need,” said Lance Novacek, territory sales manager for Pivot Bio, who serves the area and was present for the truck presentation and donation. "This initiative is our way of addressing the needs of our communities while also expressing sincere appreciation for the farmers who continue to work hard to feed a growing world."
The custom-built 2020 Ford F-550 truck, the Ultimate Ranch Truck — John Wayne Edition, incorporates elements of John Wayne, known as “The Duke.” Designed and built by Sparks Motors as part of their online series, the one-of-kind truck boasts a comprehensive list of farmer-specified features, making it truly unique. In addition to honoring the iconic Cowboy, Wayne, the truck giveaway raised awareness for skin cancer within the ag community as part of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation’s Block the Blaze initiative.
Kale Huettner, a sales representative with Dean Preister Seed, arranged the surprise delivery. David “Diesel Dave” Kiley and Caleb Perkins with Sparks Motors presented the truck, and Ethan Wayne, son of John Wayne, attended on behalf of the Foundation.
“The Wegeners are an amazing farm family deserving of this great prize. They are founding members of the Lindsay Area Development and are extremely active in ensuring the health of their community,” Huettner said.
Pivot Bio recently opened a new 110,000-square-foot distribution center in Omaha, Nebraska. The company has spent years developing its microbial nitrogen products to not only give farmers a more sustainable and more predictable tool, but also make their lives easier on the farm. That mindset is continued with the Ultimate Ranch Truck.
USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Sheridan Livestock Auction Company Inc.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Sheridan Livestock Auction Company Inc. (Sheridan), Neb., on Oct. 19, 2023, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation, Sheridan waived its rights to a hearing and paid a penalty of $3,750.
An investigation by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) revealed that Sheridan had custodial account shortages on Sept. 15 and Nov. 16, 2022, of $23,648.18 and $320,973.84, respectively. The custodial shortages were due to the market failing to reimburse the custodial account by the close of the next business day for owner and market purchases and by the seventh day following the sale for uncollected receivables.
A custodial account is a trust account designated for shippers’ proceeds from the sale of livestock in trust for sellers. Failure to reimburse the custodial account timely is a violation of the Packers & Stockyards Act and regulations.
The P&S Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess civil penalties up to $33,896 per violation against any person after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record. USDA may offer alleged violators the option of waiving their right to a hearing and enter into a stipulation agreement to resolve alleged violations quickly.
The P&S Act is a fair-trade practice and payment protection law that promotes fair and competitive marketing environments for the livestock, meat and poultry industries.
Three-State Beef Conference Registration Is Open
The Three-State Beef Conference will be held Jan. 17 in Greenfield, Iowa, and is designed to provide beef cattle producers and others in the industry a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics.
The Iowa event is organized by Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Chris Clark, beef specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The content is based on prior attendee feedback and current industry economic conditions.
"The committee pursued topics that we feel will help cattlemen get more bang for their buck," Lundy-Woolfolk said. "This is reflected in this year's theme, 'Reevaluating Today’s Management Practices for Future Success.'”
The conference has locations in each of the three cooperating states – Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri – and people can attend whichever site best fits their schedule. All locations have registration at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6 p.m., and all follow the same schedule. The Iowa location is second in the series, and will be held Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield.
In the first presentation, Mary Drewnoski, beef systems specialist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will share some recent data from a grazing corn residue study at University of Nebraska-Lincoln that was funded by the Iowa State Beef Checkoff program. The other two topics will share tips and best management practices focused on proper development of heifers and on continued management through the first couple years of production, with the end goal of facilitating greater cow longevity in the herd. Other topics include....
Corn Residue Grazing, Current Recommendations and Adjustments Based on New Data: Mary Drewnoski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Developing Heifers for the Future: Kiernan Brandt, professional services technician, Trans Ova Genetics.
Managing Young Cows for Longevity and Profitability: Thiago Martins, assistant professor in beef reproduction extension and research, University of Missouri.
The Adair County Cattlemen are sponsors for the Iowa location at Greenfield. The Iowa-specific event flyer has agenda and registration information.
The first session will be held in Maryville, Missouri, at the Northwest Technical School on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and the third session is Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Otoe County Fairgrounds in Syracuse, Nebraska.
Preregistration will help with meal plans and with keeping costs down. Call or email with your registration information by Thursday, Jan. 11. Iowa producers should contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Adair County office at 641-743-8412. The fee is $30 per person, and includes a meal and copy of the conference proceedings.
If you need accommodations because of a disability, have emergency medical information to share, or need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, inform organizers as soon as possible. For more information, contact your university extension county office.
Secretary Naig, 7 Other State Ag Leaders Raise Concerns Over USDA’s Paraguay Beef Import Rule
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and seven other Secretaries, Commissioners, and Directors of Agriculture from Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Nebraska, and Wyoming sent a letter today to United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack raising concerns about a new rule allowing for the importation of beef from Paraguay.
The group of agriculture officials is asking the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to pause the implementation of the Importation of Fresh Beef from Paraguay final rule. Given that the South American country has a history of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), and that the severe and highly transmissible disease would pose a significant threat to our nation’s critical livestock sector as well as the beef production system in the United States, the state leaders are asking for a more current and reliable risk assessment to be completed.
“The U.S. is the largest, most reliable producer and consumer of beef in the world. We have the reputation of providing the safest and most efficient beef production system in the world. A FMD outbreak in the U.S. would severely impact our nation’s economy and the people behind the product,” wrote Secretary Naig and the seven other state agriculture leaders. “We urge USDA to consider pausing the implementation of this rule until a more reliable risk assessment can be completed based on modern visits in Paraguay.”
The group focused their comments on 3 key areas:
- While we are strong proponents of robust trade, we must do so in a manner that does not put our livestock producers at risk. We urge USDA to consider pausing the implementation of this rule until a more reliable risk assessment can be completed based on modern visits in Paraguay. The last visits USDA conducted to Paraguay were in December 2008 and July 2014. The information relied upon is outdated.
- The United States is the largest, most reliable producer and consumer of beef in the world. We have the reputation of providing the safest and most efficient beef production system in the world. An FMD outbreak in the U.S. would severely impact our nation’s economy and the people behind the product: American farmers and ranchers and the businesses that bring beef from pasture to plate.
- We appreciate the partnership that USDA has with our states and the work that is being done to prevent FMD and other foreign animal diseases from entering the country and negatively impacting the agriculture industry. The U.S. should not open our markets to potentially unsafe actors and jeopardize the herd health and livelihood of American farmers.
Naig Announces Expansion, New Phase for Northwest Iowa Water Quality Project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that a successful Water Quality Initiative (WQI) project in Plymouth, Sioux, O’Brien and Cherokee Counties is expanding into a larger territory while beginning a new phase that includes an added focus on edge-of-field conservation practices.
Since the Deep Creek Water Quality Initiative Project started in 2014, nearly 27,000 acres of cover crops have been seeded in the project area. While cover crops, an effective in-field conservation practice, will continue to be emphasized, the project will also now expand to focus on edge-of-field practices like saturated buffers and bioreactors. These two proven structural practices filter water as it leaves farm fields, which helps to keep nutrients from entering our waterways. Traditional practices such as nutrient reducing grade stabilization structures and terraces will also be deployed.
“High engagement from area farmers and landowners, coupled with strong local leadership and partners, has propelled this Northwest Iowa water quality project into a larger territory with more resources and practices,” said Secretary Naig. “As this priority watershed project expands, we welcome more partners, farmers, and landowners to join in on the next phase to keep the water quality momentum building.”
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, through the Water Quality Initiative, is allocating $660,150 for the next phase of this expanded project. Additional partners include the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Plymouth County Farm Bureau, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Plymouth County Pheasants Forever, Plymouth County Pork Producers, Le Mars Agri-Center, Remsen Farmers Coop, Farmers Coop of Hinton, Oyens, Akron, and Le Mars, and the Plymouth County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Interested farmers and landowners should contact their local soil and water conservation district office to learn more about participating.
National Corn Yield Contest 2023 Winners Announced
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is excited to announce the winners of the 2023 National Corn Yield Contest. This group of farmers put up some impressive yields and proved, once again, the ingenuity and resiliency of the U.S. farmer.
In its 59th year, the National Corn Yield Contest saw nearly 7,000 entries from farmers in 46 states. Entrants across the 10 production categories, including the pilot category for nitrogen management, Class J, had verified yields averaging 269 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 173 bushels per acre. This includes a new national record yield of 623.8439 bushels per acre from David Hula in Charles City, VA, besting the previous record of 616.1953 bushels per acre.
“Year after year, the National Corn Yield Contest remains the most popular program for NCGA members,” said Harold Wolle, president of the National Corn Growers Association. “It is an opportunity for farmers across the country to put their skills to the test and show the true craftmanship it takes to grow a successful corn crop, and the agronomic data generated by the contest each year helps provide valuable information for future success.”
STATE WINNERS FOR 2023 CORN YIELD CONTEST - Nebraska
Name - town - brand - variety - yeld
A: Conventional Non-Irrigated
1 James C Frederick Rulo DEKALB DKC66-06RIB 272.0966
2 Gretchen Anthony Brock DEKALB DKC62-89RIB 269.7537
3 Glen Thomas Thoene Hartington Golden Harvest G11V76-AA 256.1677
C: No-Till Non-Irrigated
1 Marvin and Glenn Wiles Plattsmouth DEKALB DKC68-35 318.3923
* Marvin and Glenn Wiles Plattsmouth DEKALB DKC68-35RIB 313.1379
2 Jonathan Bodlak Wakefield DEKALB DKC63-91RIB 296.2343
3 Kevin Steffensmeier Howells DEKALB DKC63-91RIB 283.7722
E: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated
1 Michael G. Heldt Yutan DEKALB DKC70-27RIB 293.5037
2 Galen Grimm Hiawatha Pioneer P1742QΠ278.1938
3 Mike Scholting Louisville AgriGold A643-37-3110 269.7265
G: No-Till Irrigated
1 Dalton Peterson Bertrand Pioneer P1170AMΠ316.9667
2 Ted Schrock Elm Creek Pioneer P1718AMLΠ315.7486
3 Paul Kenney Amherst Pioneer P1170AMΠ312.4037
H: Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated
1 Nicholas A. Jerabek Farwell DEKALB DKC62-89RIB 357.1558
2 Christopher McDonald Phillips Pioneer P1742QΠ332.4029
3 Ashton Peterson Bertrand Pioneer P1563AMLΠ328.8325
I: Conventional Irrigated
1 Bob Panowicz Cairo Pioneer P1742QΠ334.1324
2 Rocky Peterson Bertrand Pioneer P1170AMΠ324.6367
* Rocky Peterson Bertrand Pioneer P14830AML 324.5210
3 Matt Peterson Bertrand Pioneer P1742QΠ320.5110
*Same grower has the high yield across multiple classes; same grower can only win one class.
The 27 national, 526 state and 3 Class J winners will be honored by NCGA at Commodity Classic in Houston, TX, February 28 – March 2, 2024.
Weekly Ethanol Production for 12/8/2023
According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending December 8, ethanol production ticked 0.2% lower to 1.074 million b/d, equivalent to 45.11 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 1.2% more than the same week last year and 3.0% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.6% to 1.046 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.04 billion gallons (bg).
Ethanol stocks expanded 3.1% to 22.1 million barrels, which is the largest volume since mid-August. However, stocks were 9.5% less than the same week last year and 3.0% below the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions.
The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, scaled up 4.6% to a four-week high of 8.86 million b/d (135.81 bg annualized). Demand was 7.3% more than a year ago but 0.1% below the five-year average.
Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol improved 2.1% to 882,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.52 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.3% more than a year ago and the five-year average.
Ethanol exports were estimated at 124,000 b/d (5.2 million gallons/day), or 65.3% above the prior week’s volume. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the twelfth consecutive week.
UAN28, Urea Lead Fertilizer Prices Lower
Average retail fertilizer prices continued to be mixed in the first week of December 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Prices for five of the eight major fertilizers were lower than last month, while prices for the remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher.
Two fertilizers had a notable price move compared to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more. UAN28 was down 6% from last month and had an average price of $340 per ton. Urea, meanwhile, was 5% lower compared to a month earlier with an average price of $543 per ton. Three fertilizers were down just slightly. DAP had an average price of $713 per ton, 10-34-0 $595/ton and UAN32 $409/ton.
Prices for the remaining three fertilizers were just slightly higher compared to last month. MAP had an average price of $820/ton, potash $516/ton and anhydrous $847/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.52/lb.N, UAN28 $0.61/lb.N and UAN32 $0.64/lb.N.
All fertilizers are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 14% lower, 10-34-0 is 21% less expensive, DAP is 23% lower, urea is 31% lower, potash is 37% lower, both anhydrous and UAN32 are 40% less expensive and UAN28 is 42% less expensive compared to a year prior.
Annual Soy Quality Report ‘sets stage’ for success
The 2023 U.S. Annual Soy Quality Report, conducted by Dr. Seth Naeve’s lab at the University of Minnesota, has been released.
“This report is an important tool in our toolbox,” said Patrick O’Leary, Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) chair. “It sets the stage for the messaging that we bring to our international audiences each year.”
The report, which revealed that “all purchasers will find as-is protein and oil levels to be higher in 2023 crop soybeans than usual,” collected an initial 1,169 samples and serves as the preview of the 2023 U.S. soybean crop. The final report, which will include late harvested soybean samples, will be available in the first week of 2024.
“Purchasers know what the quality of the soybeans have been from the U.S. over the past year,” Naeve said. “With this report, we can basically say to them, ‘OK, these are the kinds of changes you might see in protein and oil or amino acids in the next year.’ It gives them a little bit of a heads up for what’s coming.”
Weather is often a deciding, and uncontrollable, factor when gauging crop quality.
For soybean growers across the Upper Midwest, 2023 was a dry year. Naeve, who travels to China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan each year to present the report, highlights Mother Nature’s impact.
“When I’m presenting the report, I really try to spend some time talking about how the weather might impact quality, but also a lot about how the weather might impact yields regionally,” Naeve said. “This year, I spent a lot of time talking about the drought and how we had a carryover from last year, what the conditions were like in the spring and how that tends to affect crops in different parts of the country.”
A staple of the soybean industry since its inception in 1986, the report is funded by the United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff dollars. While supported by the American Soybean Association and the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the report has come a long way since its inception.
“At the time it began, it was mostly a survey of the U.S. crop for Japanese purchasers because the Japanese were the primary importers of U.S. soybeans,” Naeve said. “It was primarily to give the Japanese audience an idea of what the crop will look like and what to expect for the next year.”
Soybeans grown in NSM’s member states – Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Nebraska – don’t boast the highest crude protein contents. But they do have other qualities that make them an attractive option for international purchasers.
“We know that northern-grown soybeans don’t have the highest protein content,” O’Leary said. “But, the report highlights other qualities – like foreign material, sucrose and amino acid content – that put our beans and meal on the soy quality leaderboard.”
To read the report in its entirety, visit https://www.soyquality.com/soybean-quality-reports/.
NMPF Applauds House Increasing Kids’ Access to Critical Nutrition
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) emphatically commended the House of Representatives for taking a critical step toward improving child nutrition by approving the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act today with a commanding 330-99 bipartisan margin. The measure, led by Representatives GT Thompson, R-PA, and Kim Schrier, D-WA, expands the tools schools can use to deliver vital nutrition to students by increasing the variety of healthful milk options school can choose to serve.
“NMPF is delighted that the House approved the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” said Jim Mulhern, President & CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. “Milk’s unique nutritional profile gives it an unparalleled role in providing kids the nutrients they need. Expanding the milk schools can choose to serve to include 2% and whole is a common-sense solution that will help ensure kids have access to the same healthful milk options they drink at home. House passage is a critical step, and we urge the Senate to consider this bill immediately so it may be enacted into law.”
School milk, a mainstay of lunch menus for generations, plays an especially important role in improving nutrition security as an effective, inexpensive way of providing the nutrition kids need. NMPF has been tireless in its advocacy for reinstating whole milk, which was removed from school lunch menus in 2012. Since then, advancing science on the benefits of milk at all fat levels, as well as evidence of increased food waste from current limited choices, makes its return a top nutrition priority for schoolchildren, the families who serve nutritious fuller-fat varieties at home, and the school meal professionals who strive to effectively nourish those whom they serve.
The House-approved Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will now be sent to the Senate, which already has its own version of the bill. The Senate measure is being led by Senators Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Peter Welch, D-VT, and has Republican, Democratic, and Independent cosponsors.
RFA Thanks Lawmakers for Seeking Swift White House Action on Year-Round E15
The Renewable Fuels Association is applauding a bipartisan group of 22 lawmakers from both the House and Senate, who asked the White House today to swiftly finalize regulations that would allow year-round sales of lower-carbon E15 in eight Midwest states, as requested in April 2022 by the states’ governors.
In a letter to White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda D. Young, the lawmakers said that this rulemaking should have been completed no later than July 2022—more than 500 days ago. “Unfortunately, we still have no regulatory certainty for our fuel retailers, fuel blenders, or biofuel producers more than 16 months later,” the members wrote.
The letter was led by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) in the Senate, and Reps. Brad Finstad (R-MN) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) in the House. Other signers included Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Reps. Mike Flood (R-NE), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mark Alford (R-MO) and Max L. Miller (R-OH).
“RFA applauds this bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sens. Baldwin and Ernst, and Reps. Finstad and Budzinski, for standing with America’s farmers and ethanol producers,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We thank them for pressing the administration to finalize this rule as soon as possible. We’re hopeful that their letter will help break the logjam and ensure drivers in these states are able to enjoy the benefits of lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 all year long. Waiting until the last minute to act on the governors’ request isn’t good for anyone. The marketplace needs clarity and certainty now about the status of E15 in these eight states.”
At the same time, RFA continues to call on Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would permanently remove the summertime barrier on E15 nationwide. The federal legislative solution—which is supported by ethanol producers, agriculture, the petroleum industry, fuel marketers and retailers, and other stakeholders—would eliminate the need for a regional or state-by-state approach to securing year-round E15.
“While we strongly support the action being taken by these eight Midwestern states, the optimal solution for the marketplace is a permanent legislative fix that applies nationwide,” Cooper said. “We urge Congress to expeditiously adopt the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to provide the market certainty and stability that the entire supply chain—and consumers—are looking for.”
Growth Energy Applauds Bipartisan Letter to OMB on E15 Opt-Out Requests
A bipartisan group of lawmakers today sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that urges “the swift implementation of outstanding regulatory action to remove the 1-psi volatility waiver for gasoline-ethanol blends in Midwest states.”
The letter notes that on April 28, 2022, several Midwest governors formally notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of their request to permanently remove the 1-psi volatility waiver to allow their states to sell gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) year-round, without restriction. Despite the fact that EPA was statutorily required to respond to the request by July 2022, the rulemaking has still not been completed.
Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy—the nation’s largest biofuel trade association—issued the following statement in response to the letter:
“E15 can deliver meaningful savings to consumers at the fuel pump--a fact that only becomes more apparent during the busy holiday travel season. We're glad this bipartisan group of lawmakers is committed to lowering fuel costs by increasing access to homegrown biofuels. This letter is yet another example of how the industry and its champions are pressing the Biden Administration at every level to compel them to finally comply with the law and allow for the sale of E15 year-round in the petitioning states.”
USDA to Begin Issuing Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program Payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it will begin issuing more than $223 million in Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) payments. These payments help producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020 calendar year.
Eligible PARP applicants must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15% or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to a baseline year. PARP benefits help address gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access, rather than overall revenue losses. PARP was designed to help deliver financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including underserved communities, small and medium sized producers, and farmers and producers of livestock and less traditional crops.
“USDA realizes the importance of PARP payments, especially since they are benefitting producers who may not have received assistance through other USDA pandemic assistance programs,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “PARP implementation marks the delivery of the final program in the suite of pandemic assistance programs provided by FSA and is also one of the first times that FSA has delivered a program focused on decreases in revenue. The number of applications we received for PARP assistance shows there is producer need for and interest in programs that consider other indicators of disaster impacts on their business, like decreases in revenue.”
The PARP application period closed July 14, 2023. More than 38,500 PARP applications triggered payments totaling nearly $7 billion, meaning PARP program participation exceeds available funding. Therefore, consistent with PARP regulations, to ensure equitable funding distribution to all eligible producers, a 9.5% payment factor has been applied to all payments. These PARP payments are in addition to the $31.9 billion in pandemic assistance that USDA has already provided to eligible producers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1 and 2 as well as the FSA programs in the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
“It is important to remember that, as part of filling gaps in equitable service to all pandemic-impacted producers, we were able to increase the number of specialty crop and underserved producers benefiting from pandemic assistance and bring new producers to FSA through our Service Center doors,” said Ducheneaux. “The demand for PARP assistance greatly exceeds available funding resources. We left no stone unturned in our efforts to find additional funding. We worked to assist as many producers in need of help as possible in designing PARP, which requires the current decision to heavily factor payments consistent with program regulations.”
Tips to successfully control cattle lice
M. Wayne Ayers, DVM, Beef Cattle Technical Consultant, Elanco Animal Health
For beef producers, lice infestations are as much of an emotional issue as they are an economic issue.
These parasites not only affect the well-being of cattle and the producer’s bottom line, but they can also stir up emotions. It’s disheartening to see cattle with patchy, balding hides and the sight of them incessantly rubbing and scratching on fence posts and equipment is a painful one. The hair loss caused by lice can also lead to reduced market value, adding to the emotional burden.
Since lice-infested cattle tend to scratch excessively, their attention from eating and gaining weight is easily diverted, resulting in reduced productivity and financial losses for producers. Lice infestations can cause a reduction in average daily gain (ADG) of 0.042 lb., and it’s estimated that the U.S. beef industry’s economic loss due to lice is about $428.2 million annually.1
Understanding the lice life cycle
To ensure the well-being of your cattle and business, controlling lice is necessary. Fighting lice can be a difficult proposition because once you have one, they can quickly multiply into more. However, understanding the louse life cycle can help determine how to break the cycle and prevent infestations.
Two types of lice can live on cattle: sucking lice and chewing lice. Sucking lice feed on the host’s blood and are most often found on the neck, dewlap, brisket, shoulder, back, tail head and down to the switch. Chewing lice feed on hair, skin, skin exudates and debris near the skin surface. They are initially found on the shoulder and backline, but as populations increase they can be found over the entire body.
Regardless of the type of lice, the life cycle of the different species impacting cattle are essentially the same. Lice have three developmental stages: egg, nymph and adult. A louse typically reaches adulthood in four to six weeks, but some may do so as quickly as three weeks in colder weather. Once lice become an issue, it’s often difficult to stop them. Assuming all eggs develop into adults, mathematically a single adult female louse in September can result in 1 million lice by January, if not controlled. The cyclical nature of lice is further illustrated below.
Successful treatment requires a proper application strategy
When challenged with a lice infestation, proper product dosage, application and timing are most important to combat these difficult pests and keep cattle productive. While producers often add on lice control when conducting other management practices, that may not be the best time to apply the product and may not provide the control needed to last the entire lice season. Instead, producers should consult with their veterinarians and consider the following to help achieve optimal lice control:
Determine when lice are active: For lice to be active, air temperatures must be consistently below 65 degrees for around five consecutive days. This allows the animal’s skin to reach a temperature that is optimal for lice to reproduce. They reproduce most efficiently when the animal’s skin temperature is 95 degrees and 75 percent relative humidity. When the animal's skin temperature is too high, lice cannot reproduce and when the skin temperature reaches 125 degrees or higher, lice will die within an hour.
Dose by weight: Proper dosing is essential to realizing the maximum benefits provided by lice control products. For pour-ons, dosing generally is determined by an animal’s body weight. Knowing the proper weight range can help determine the appropriate dosage needed.
Follow label application directions: When treating cattle for lice, it’s important to provide coverage to the animal’s entire body as lice are not necessarily localized to any one area. This is especially important for chewing lice because they do not feed on the animal's blood; they need to walk through the product for it to be effective. Be sure to read the product label and follow the application directions.
Don’t forget the eggs: Most lice control products only kill the adults but not the eggs. It’s recommended to give a second application two to three weeks following the first one to kill the adults that hatch from the original eggs and ultimately halt the lice life cycle. Failure to apply this second treatment can result in reproductive adults that can reinfest already-treated cattle. To help avoid reinfestations and save on the labor of having to perform a second application, consider the use of a lice product with an insect growth regulator (IGR), which requires only one application to kill the adults and eggs.
Separate animals: After animals are treated, it’s critical to keep them separate from animals that either have not been treated or for those with an unknown treatment status. Failure to separate animals can lead to reinfestation of the entire herd, negating any previous control efforts.
Consider an early-season knockdown: While broad-spectrum pour-on dewormers (endectocides) should only be used when internal parasites are the primary target, they can provide added benefits for lice. Treating with an endectocide in the fall can provide an added knockdown for early lice infestations, keeping them at bay until winter treatment with a lice control product.
Evaluate mid-season: Even if a product promises full-season control, if it’s applied too early or with poor technique, underdosed or re-exposure occurs, it may be necessary to retreat during winter, especially in colder areas with longer lice seasons.
As we continually navigate solutions, it becomes clear that a comprehensive approach to lice control is essential, one that not only safeguards the economic interests of cattle producers but also acknowledges and alleviates the emotional burden.
Ensuring Spinner Spreader Fertilizer Application Accuracy
There is nothing more beautiful (to your eye, yield monitor and bottom line) than a perfectly and uniformly fertilized field. Broadcast fertilizer spreaders are used to apply the bulk of most dry fertility programs—making them an important factor in crop productivity and return on your fertilizer investment. Just like all pieces of equipment on the farm, proper set-up and calibration is critical.
“We’ve all seen fields that are almost wavy across the field. That's because the fertilizer spread pattern is uneven,” says Daryl Patten, operations manager at Heartland Ag Systems, an application equipment dealer and manufacturer headquartered in Hutchinson, Minn. “The operator may have put the right total amount on the field, but because of improper settings, poor maintenance, operator error or worn equipment, different rates were applied within the field.”
For farmers, this streaking comes with the potential for an embarrassing ribbing at the coffee shop. Most importantly, it can significantly affect crop yields.
Published studies in small grains have shown when nitrogen application rates varied from 20% up to 40% across the swath the resulting yield variations compared to the correct rate were 17 to 45 bushels per acre.*
Uneven application can be a nemesis for farmer applicators and is especially noticeable when the rate of nutrients such as nitrogen varies in the overlap areas. When the cover crop seed is uneven, in turn, there will be varied emergence and noticeable, uneven stand density. Though this happens rarely when product is spread by professional applicators, thanks to the continually advancing spinner technology introduced by industry-leading manufacturers more than 20 years ago, the application experts at Heartland offer these tips for farmers who own their own machines.
Prep your spreader for an even spread pattern.
The best way to ensure optimal performance is to routinely pattern test the fertilizer spreader with the product(s) or blends that will be spread, conducting a pan test in real-world conditions.
Patten recommends completing these important steps before you pan test.
1. Check the hitch height for pull-type spreaders. If the spreader is hitched to the tractor too low or too high, the angle of the spinners to the field surface will affect the distance fertilizer particles are thrown. Turn to the operator’s manual for the right height. For truck-mounted spreaders, level the spinners with respect to the rest of the machine.
2. Run the spreader at its intended operating speed (ground speed). Be sure you can maintain this speed over the field’s terrain.
3. Make sure that your spreader is in good condition and well-maintained:
Check for worn or corroded parts, rusted and sagging spinner frames, loose components and sticking bearings that can cause the machine to work poorly.
Replace worn and bent spinner-discs and/or blades.
Remove buildup of fertilizer and lime on spinner discs and/or blades.
Free any frozen mechanisms.
Replace corroded and rusty hoppers and components.
Consult the owner’s manual for guidance on correcting anything that may be out of adjustment.
4. Check the spinner-disc speed. For machines with dual spinners, using a handheld tachometer, be sure the fins on the spinner-discs are rotating at the same speed to prevent varied patterns on the left versus the right side of the swath. On machines with an operator interface, ensure the RPM of the spinners matches the rate controller setting.
“Today’s technology advancements like electronic and hydraulic dual spinner speed monitoring and control on the commercial spreaders used by ag retailers allow the operator to watch and manage spinner speed from within the cab and receive warnings if the spinners aren’t operating properly,” Patten explains. “That’s just one example of how manufacturers are helping ag retailers deliver the right nutrient, in the right place, at the right rate, at the right time in the growing season.”
5. Check the density and quality of fertilizer to be spread. Fertilizer that has been handled several times, especially through augers, may have lots of fine particles and dust.
“Changes in product (season to season, location to location, load to load) have an impact on a machine’s performance and the quality of the application pattern. One setting does not ‘fit-all’,” says Patten. “Dust and fine particles can change the flow of product through the spreader, affecting the accuracy of the application since fine particles often aren’t thrown as far as larger particles.”
Pan test to ensure an even spread pattern.
Patten reiterates, “Spinner spreaders are a great tool—easy to use, accurate, and with proper maintenance— and the most cost-effective form of application for farmers who own their own machine. At the farm level, the best way to ensure your machine is working properly is to routinely pattern test in actual field conditions with the product(s) or blends that will be spread.” Though it is tempting to evaluate spread pattern uniformity in the field by looking at the fertilizer on the soil surface, this isn’t recommended. Crop residue, soil surface cracks, soil color and clods can make it hard to see and compare product distribution.
Evaluating a spread pattern involves using a calibration kit that includes pans with baffles, which are laid out across the path of the spreader. Baffles are important to keep fertilizer granules from bouncing out. Once pans are in place, a pass is made over the pans to spread fertilizer at the required speed and proper machine settings. Samples are caught across the width of the swath and compared. Calibration kits can be bought from many application equipment suppliers and may also be available though some fertilizer retailers.
Each time a different product is spread, or the rate of application changes, the spread pattern should be checked, and the necessary adjustments made.
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