Friday April 26 Ag News

Harms named next director of Nebraska LEAD program

Kurtis Harms, an experienced agricultural industry leader and communicator, has been selected as the next director of the Nebraska LEAD Program.

Harms will begin his appointment June 1. He succeeds Terry Hejny, who is retiring after serving 17 years as the program’s director.

LEAD is a leadership development program for adults tailored toward preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders in Nebraska. The program, founded more than 42 years ago, has prepared hundreds of leaders who have held local, county and statewide office. The Nebraska LEAD Program is housed within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“The LEAD Program has a very strong foundation, and LEAD fellows have had an incredible impact on Nebraska,” said Harms, who took part in the 40th class of the program. “I’m excited to continue that legacy.”

Harms is interested in pursuing avenues to connect LEAD to younger Nebraskans through partnerships with 4-H, FFA and other youth leadership development programs. He is also interested in expanding opportunities for graduates of LEAD to remain involved and engaged.

“I think there is an opportunity to connect the dots before and after the Nebraska LEAD Program,” he said.

For the past two years, Harms has served as the director of marketing for Pillen Family Farms and DNA Genetics, overseeing marketing strategy, internal and external communications for both entities. Prior to that, he served as the director of communications for the Nebraska Corn Board. Before that, he spent 10 years with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the executive director of Market Journal, UNL’s weekly agricultural television program.

He has also taught courses for students in UNL’s Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communications program.

“Kurtis has spent his entire career advocating for Nebraska agriculture, its future and, most importantly, its people,” said Mike Boehm NU vice president and Harlan Vice Chancellor for IANR. “He brings energy, fresh ideas and incredible passion to this position, and I am confident LEAD will flourish under his leadership.”

The Nebraska LEAD Program is currently accepting applications for its 43rd class. The application deadline is June 15. To learn more about Nebraska LEAD or apply, visit LEAD.unl.edu.



Nebraska Celebrates Renewable Fuels Month This May

Renewable Fuels Month highlights the importance of renewable biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, especially for Nebraskans. The month of May marks the beginning of the summer driving season, making it an ideal time to fuel up on clean and cost-saving biofuels. Ethanol, renewable diesel and biodiesel help to decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil, boost our nation’s economy, and support thousands of jobs in rural communities.

Ethanol is the third largest Nebraska agriculture commodity, and the use of a 10% blend saves Nebraskans millions per year. In 2023, thanks to ethanol blends of E10 and above, Nebraska drivers saved at least $325 million. The benefits extend from there, as according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ethanol blends reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% compared to regular gasoline. Owners of vehicles 2001 and newer can safely use blends of ethanol up to E15 (15% ethanol) and will often enjoy significant additional savings per gallon. Owners of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) can use blends up to E85 and experience even greater savings.

Nebraska is the second-largest producer of ethanol in the country, and the fuel will soon take to the skies in the coming years. Landmark legislation passed by the 2024 Nebraska Legislature provides a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced in Nebraska. Ethanol and oils from corn and soybean processing serve as low-carbon, low-cost feedstocks for the production of SAF, which can reduce emissions by more than 50% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Biodiesel adds 70 cents per bushel to the value of soybeans. Bigger demand for soybean oil to make biodiesel also increases the supply of soybean meal, leading to lower animal feed prices paid by poultry and livestock farmers. Biodiesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% on average compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles can lower emissions by filling up with biodiesel blends of 20% (B20) or higher. Find locations near you at biodieselne.com.

The renewable diesel industry also continues to grow. According to Clean Fuels Alliance America, “renewable diesel is a biomass-based diesel fuel made from the same renewable feedstocks as biodiesel using a process that resembles traditional diesel fuel production. Renewable diesel is a drop-in diesel replacement that meets ASTM D975 – the same standard for petroleum diesel. It can be used in ground, rail and marine transportation, as well as agricultural equipment.”

Fueled by Nebraska, a partnership of Nebraska biofuels organizations, and the Nebraska Soybean Board, invite you to join them to celebrate renewable fuels in your classrooms, at work, and in your community this May. Learn more and find ethanol retail locations at fueledbynebraska.com.



VÉLEZ IS A LEADER IN GENETIC TECHNOLOGY TO CONTAIN CORN ROOTWORM THREAT

Husker scientist Ana Maria Vélez is pioneering a genetic technology to contain the western corn rootworm, which annually causes up to $2 billion in yield loss and control costs in the Corn Belt. The research seeks to contain agricultural pests by targeting rootworm genes.

This genetic technique, known as RNAi, increases rootworm larvae mortality to protect the corn plant.

Vélez, an associate professor in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Department of Entomology, explained the research area in a recent presentation at North Carolina State University and later online. She and coauthor Ken Narva with Greenlight Biosciences discussed their new paper, “RNA Interference in Agriculture: Methods, Applications and Governance,” addressing a wide range of dimensions in this area of science.

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology sponsored the recent events. The paper describes how RNAi functions, its current agriculture applications and the regulatory views of RNAi-based pesticides. It concludes with a discussion of current challenges for the commercial application of this technology in agriculture.

Vélez and Narva’s analysis provides a resource for regulatory agencies, policymakers and lawmakers, private and public institutions, and the public.

The gathering at North Carolina State provided the latest in a series of presentations Vélez has been invited to make at U.S. and international conferences.

Vélez and graduate students in her lab are advancing the knowledge in multiple ways. The researchers focus on small interfering RNA molecules derived from applied double-stranded RNA molecules. The interfering RNA molecules bind to targeted rootworm genes and prevent them from producing proteins that enable particular physiological functions.

Researchers are developing RNAi science to engineer crops for insect resistance traits or as a sprayable bioinsecticide for use in integrated pest management programs. Another research area is development of oral RNAi to control mosquitoes transmitting pathogens.

Through her Husker lab, Vélez “is doing cutting-edge work looking at manipulating the gene expression of pest insects to control those insects,” said John Ruberson, professor and head of the Department of Entomology. “Her work has focused on how interference with RNA in insect cells can disrupt the cellular mechanisms and suppress the pests.”

Vélez and her lab students, along with Lance Meinke, professor emeritus of entomology at Nebraska, pursue multiple projects in this area. They identify relevant rootworm genes, then study how the desired RNAi molecules enter a cell, are processed by it and move throughout the rootworm body. One project looks to identify the specific rootworm gene that guides larvae toward corn plant roots, which the larvae then attack.

Vélez is a global expert in this field. In September, she spoke in Washington, D.C., to industry and government representatives, sharing her expertise regarding ecological risk assessment of RNAi-based pesticides. Since 2017, she has organized an annual symposium on RNAi for the Entomology Society of America. In 2019, she briefed government representatives at the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation in Paris on RNAi-based pesticides.

Adding genetic techniques to the inventory of preventive actions against this crop threat has particular importance in light of corn rootworms’ extraordinary adaptive ability, Vélez said.

“They have evolved resistance in different locations to different kinds of pesticides, to Bt's (proteins toxic to rootworms) and even to crop rotation,” she said. “They learn to lay eggs on soybeans, because they know it will be sown in corn probably the following year. They are really an amazing insect in some ways, in that they adapt to everything.”

Considering that demonstrated resistance ability, it’s best to use multiple preventive methods against rootworms by incorporating RNAi, Bt proteins, insecticides and crop rotation, Vélez said.

SmartStax PRO, a genetically engineered corn seed using RNAi and Bt proteins to address the rootworm threat, became available in 2022 to U.S. producers and is seeing increased usage.

The rootworm’s resistance ability threatens over time to erode the efficacy of SmartStax PRO, however, and underscores the need to develop a comprehensive understanding of RNAi science regarding the pest. UNL is well positioned to address the gaps in knowledge in key areas: gene identification, rootworm processing of RNAi molecules, specifics of rootworm resistance capacity and applicability to other insect species.

Scholars have visited Vélez’s UNL lab to learn not only about her RNAi research, but about her mentoring. Mentorship, she said, “is a huge part with students in my program.”

After she briefed lawmakers at the 2019 international conference in Paris, Vélez asked her students to review her presentation. The aim is to get them involved, she said. “That way, they also know all the implications of the technology."

In addition to their lab projects, students are involved in collaborative research Vélez pursues with private-sector companies.

“That way, they see the research not only from the academic point of view, but also from the industry point of view — what are the questions companies are asking?” she said. “As a result, students get broader experience.”
   


Homer Buell Elected Sand County Foundation Chairman

Homer Buell has been elected chairman of the board of Sand County Foundation.

Buell, a cattle rancher from Rose, Nebraska, was first elected to Sand County Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2014. He succeeds Lynne Sherrod, a Colorado cattle rancher who has served as chairman since 2015. Sand County Foundation is a national nonprofit organization working at the intersection of agriculture and environmental improvement.

“Homer brings tremendous experience and landowner perspective to this role. We’re grateful to have him at the helm,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO.

Buell and his wife Darla are the fourth generation of Buells to own Shovel Dot Ranch near Rose, Nebraska. The ranch received the Leopold Conservation Award in 2012 for the Buell’s efforts to improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on their working land.

Buell, who recently served as Sand County Foundation’s treasurer, is the former president of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, Nebraska Hereford Association and Nebraska 4-H Foundation. He serves on the board of the Sandhills Task Force and has served in many positions within the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association during 14 years of board service.

Buell also chaired the Campaign for Nebraska Committee and Rock County Community Fund. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1971 with a degree in business administration and serves on the University of Nebraska President’s Advisory Council.

Lynne Sherrod joined the Sand County Foundation Board of Directors in 2014. A year later she succeeded Sand County Foundation founder Reed Coleman as chairman. Coleman had served as chairman since 1967.

Sherrod and her husband Delbert own and operate Rocking U7 Ranch near Grand Junction, Colorado. She previously served as Executive Director of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, where she partnered with more than 125 ranching families to protect 225,000 acres of productive working landscapes.

“Lynne’s remarkable leadership over the years has had an enduring impact on Sand County Foundation,” McAleese said.

Sherrod was instrumental in creating the Colorado Leopold Conservation Award in 2003. Sand County Foundation now presents the award to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners in 27 states.

Sherrod remains a director on Sand County Foundation’s 16-member board. In other board business, David Hanson was elected as vice-chairman, Nancy DeLong as secretary, and Tom Zale as treasurer.



Commercial Red Meat Production Down 11 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.38 billion pounds in March, down 11 percent from the 4.91 billion pounds produced in March 2023.

Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 12 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.51 million head, down 15 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,392 pounds.

Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 15 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 18,900 head, down 28 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was up 46 pounds from last year, at 323 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.25 billion pounds, down 10 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, down 9 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 289 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was down 5 percent from March 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 199,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, down 3 pounds from March a year ago.

Prod By State       (million lbs   -  % March '23)
Nebraska .....:               623.0             93       
Iowa ............:               765.2             96       
Kansas .........:               438.9             85       

January to March 2024 commercial red meat production was 13.7 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2023. Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.



Dairy Market Report - APRIL 2024
NMPF

U.S. dairy exports posted a February record, 17.3 percent of U.S. milk solids production equivalent, even as domestic commercial use of milk in all products showed its first monthly drop since January 2023.

The year-over-year deficit in U.S. milk production continued to grow, with February production down over a year ago by 1.3 percent, adjusted for leap year. For the last nine months, the U.S. milking cow herd has been smaller than a year earlier, with the contrast increasing each month, from a drop of 12,000 head year-over-year in June 2023 to an 89,000-head decline in February.

Monthly NDPSR and federal order Class prices showed mostly modest gains from February to March, while the U.S. average all-milk price rose by $0.50 per cwt from a month earlier to February’s $20.60 per cwt. The February DMC margin gained almost a dollar per hundredweight on this price move, to $9.44 per cwt, as a $0.46 per cwt drop in the DMC feed cost accompanied the higher price.

View the full report here: https://www.nmpf.org/u-s-dairy-exports-rebound-as-milk-production-slowly-slips/.  



USGC Strengthens Ties With Turkish Feed Industry  

This past week in Turkey, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) took part in the 15th International Feed Congress and Exhibition (TUYEM), organized by the Turkish Feed Manufacturers Association.

The event, organized by the association since 1992, brings together all sectors related to the feed business. With the participation of thousands of local and foreign attendees, TUYEM holds the distinction of being the world's largest congress on compound feeds. The Congress disseminates new information in feed and animal production and fosters the emergence of new business opportunities and collaborations.

“Turkey‘s feed production has surged by approximately 400 percent in the last two decades, reaching 28 millon metric tons (MMT) in 2023 and boosting demand for those feed ingredients including corn and corn co-products. Although U.S. corn faces stiff competition from the Black Sea origins, U.S. high-value co-products continue making their way into this market. In 2023, Turkey was the sixth-largest export partner for U.S. DDGS, with 628,000 MT, including 100,000 MT of containerized exports. The Council has been active in introducing U.S. DDGS producers and exporters, executing trials and providing educational opportunities for Turkish industry leaders. As the efforts have paid off, the Council needs to make sure it remains a relevant partner for the Turkish feed industry. Participating at their event and p roviding a speaker builds on this effort,” said Ana Ballesteros, USGC deputy regional director for Europe and the Middle East.

Dr. Dirk Maier, a professor of grain and feed operations and processing at Iowa State University and director of the university’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, spoke on behalf of the Council during the program, highlighting advancements in feed technology. Artificial intelligence, operational efficiency and measurement technology were all featured during Maier’s presentation.

“The Turkish Feed Millers Association was interested in providing its stakeholders with information aiming to enhance feed production efficiencies. Due to the inability of the country’s crop production to match the pace of animal production, a considerable amount of raw materials used in compound feed production are sourced from abroad. Consequently, the feed sector is directly impacted by foreign market prices and fluctuations in exchange rates,” Ballesteros said.

“The Council was able to provide value to the feed industry through Dr. Maier’s presentation on the advances in feed technology. Maier’s research program focusing on post-harvest engineering applied to grain and feed operations and processing made him an ideal candidate to speak during the event.”

In addition to Maier’s presentation, other topics at the event included sustainability in feed production, global developments in the compound feed industry and the future of alternative protein sources and biotechnology. This year’s event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Feed Manufacturers Association.

By taking part in this event, the Council expects to strengthen its relationship with the Turkish Feed Manufacturers' Association and other relevant players who were in attendance. It was also an opportunity to gather market intelligence about corn and corn co-products in the country and identify opportunities to increase sales of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and corn fermented protein (CFP).

While there is significant adoption of the use of corn and corn co-products in the Turkish feed industry, there are still opportunities for increased inclusion rates, as inclusion rates tend to be conservative.

Thursday April 25 Ag News

USDA Actions to Protect Livestock Health From Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza

To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions that we are taking with our federal partners to help us get ahead of this disease and limit its spread.

Today, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures, effective Monday, April 29, 2024:

Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle
    Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
    Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
    Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.  
    As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

Mandatory Reporting
    Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS.
    Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.  

USDA has identified spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements, and cows without clinical signs that have tested positive. On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted further analysis of the specimen sequence, which did not change their overall risk assessment for the general public, because the substitution has been seen previously in other mammalian infections and does not impact viral transmission. Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and did not enter the food supply.

The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action. This Federal Order is critical to increasing the information available for USDA. Requiring positive test reporting will help USDA better under this disease and testing before interstate movement will limit its spread.  

While we are taking this action today, it is important to remember that thus far, we have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, our partners at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that the current risk to the public remains low.

Additionally, we continue to see affected cows recover after supported care with little to no associated mortality. We also continue to work with our partners in the states and industry to emphasize the critical importance biosecurity plays in limiting disease spread for all livestock and poultry.

The Federal Order is effective on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Further, in an effort to maximize understanding and research on H5N1 in dairy cattle, on April 21, APHIS made publicly available 239 genetic sequences from the U.S. H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus recently found in samples associated with the ongoing HPAI outbreak in poultry and wild birds, and the recent H5N1 event in dairy cattle. APHIS has also offered virus samples to interested researchers to facilitate epidemiological study. Increasing our understanding of this disease and how it spreads is critical to stopping it. This is why APHIS is urging dairy cattle producers and those who work in or with the industry to share epidemiological information from affected farms, even if they are not planning to move cattle interstate. APHIS further urges producer participation in public health assessments to continue to confirm worker safety and monitor for any potential changes in the virus that could impact transmissibility.   

In addition, our partners in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an update on the ongoing work to ensure continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. It is important to emphasize that, based on the information and research available to us at this time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and USDA believe that our commercial milk supply is safe because of both the pasteurization process and the required diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows. Pasteurization has continuously proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk. The FDA and USDA continue to work closely to collect and evaluate additional data and information specific to avian influenza in dairy cattle and to support state counterparts as this emerging disease in dairy cattle is managed.  

As USDA continues to take steps to protect the health of livestock, the Department continues to work closely with federal partners at the CDC on protecting the health of people and FDA on protecting the safety of the food supply. The U.S. government is committed to addressing this situation with urgency.  

To learn more about USDA’s response to HPAI in dairy cattle, visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.  



Information from NE Dept. Of Ag Regarding H5N1 In Dairy Cattle
 
On Wednesday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a Federal Order that will take effect on Monday, April 29th to continue to monitor and understand the extent of the HPAI virus in livestock.  The order mandates testing for interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle as well as mandatory reporting of positive cases.
 
This federal order was announced via federal order:  https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/04/24/usda-actions-protect-livestock-health-highly-pathogenic-h5n1-avian
 
USDA APHIS is expected to release guidance documents today (April 25).  
 
NDA plans to host webinars to discuss the order and guidance document later this week and will be sending out webinar links soon.
 
For your planning purposes:
Thursday, April 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. webinar for accredited vets
Sign up to receive the webinar link directly from NDA here: https://forms.gle/d2zC8PxtEnCQj8oq7

Friday, April 26 from 12:15-1:15 p.m. webinar for dairy producers
Sign up to receive the webinar link directly from NDA here: https://forms.gle/KTK2KVh1XJQXfYid8



NMPF Statement on H5N1 and Federal Order on Lactating Cows
President & CEO Gregg Doud

Since this virus was first discovered in cows, H5N1 in dairy cattle has been primarily an animal health concern. Today’s announcements and actions underscore that continued concern and focus on the well-being of animals and those who care for them.

USDA, FDA and scientific research has established what accumulated science indicated all along: The consumer milk supply is safe. Pasteurization renders the H5N1 virus, like other viruses, inactive, an important reminder to consumers of its value as a basic safeguard for human health. We appreciate that these agencies are sharing this message, which will help alleviate any concerns consumers may have.

That said, the presence of this virus in dairy herds, as well as dairy farmers’ own commitment to animal and human health, makes USDA’s actions on testing and interstate travel appropriate. Dairy farmers stand ready to take a proactive approach to ensuring that we better understand the spread of the virus, do what we can to limit that spread, and ensure the health of our animals and workers.  



Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen Signs Landmark SAF Legislation Into Law

Wednesday Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signed into law LB937, which includes the establishment of a production tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Nebraska. The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) welcomes the passage and signage of LB937, which was introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar and was amended to include the SAF tax credit created by Sen. George Dungan’s LB1072.

“We are excited and encouraged by this landmark SAF legislation, and Gov. Pillen’s signing of the bill,” Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) Executive Director Reid Wagner said. “This bill creates a first-in-the-Midwest tax credit for SAF to be produced right here in Nebraska. We thank Sens. Dungan and Bostar for helping develop SAF production, which represents a tremendous opportunity for our state moving forward.”

Ethanol and oils from corn and soybean processing serve as low-carbon, low-cost feedstocks for the production of SAF, which can reduce emissions by more than 50% compared to conventional jet fuel. LB937 establishes an income tax credit for the production of SAF beginning in 2027.

“The potential of the SAF market in the coming years could be enormous,” Wagner said. “LB937 marks an important step in realizing that opportunity. As Nebraska looks to the future, this bill ensures our state is in prime position to be a leader in the SAF market.”



Growth Energy Cheers New SAF Credit in Nebraska

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, celebrated legislation signed today by Governor Jim Pillen that will speed investment in Nebraska’s production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Originally introduced by state Sen. George Dungan and incorporated into a broader bill by Sen. Eliot Bostar, LB937 will provide a $0.75 per gallon tax credit for the production of aviation fuel that reduces lifecycle emissions by at least 50 percent, which may be calculated based on the most recent version of Argonne National Laboratory's GREET model.

“We applaud Governor Pillen, Senator Dungan, Senator Bostar, and all the biofuel champions in Nebraska who worked hard to advance this exciting legislation,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “These incentives promise to propel Nebraska into a leadership position on SAF, which is the single most promising new market for low-carbon biofuels. With the right incentives and the best available science, as afforded by Argonne’s GREET model, this approach promises to fast-track investments in low-carbon aviation that will benefit our climate, our economy, and our rural communities.”



IOWA CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES STATE LEGISLATIVE WINS

The Iowa Legislative Session adjourned in the early morning hours of Friday, April 19. The 103-day session resulted in several major legislative wins for Iowa cattlemen. And much like the cattle business, the relationships we maintain and develop helped us along the way. We especially want to thank Gov. Kim Reynolds and legislative leaders like Speaker Pat Grassley and Senate President Amy Sinclair for their leadership and support of cattlemen priorities. 

A cohort of livestock producers that serve as state legislators led important discussions related to ICA’s priorities with support from ICA’s contract lobbyist, Jake Swanson, and director of government relations, Cora Fox.  

“The active engagement by producers with their legislators–both in Des Moines and in district–reinforced ICA’s presence and resulted in outcomes that align with member-driven policies,” said ICA President Rob Medberry.

Legislation signed into law:
    S.F. 2204: Sen. Dan Zumbach (SD-34) and Rep. Derek Wulf (HD-76) managed legislation to enhance state laws by giving the Attorney General more oversight to investigate suspected violations of foreign ownership of agricultural land.

Legislation to be considered by Gov. Reynolds:
    S.F. 2391: Sen. Dawn Driscoll (SD-46) and Rep. Heather Hora (HD-92) successfully led legislation to protect against misbranding of fake meat products and keep experimental, lab-grown protein out of supplemental nutrition programs and schools. 
     
    H.F. 2465: Sen. Ken Rozenboom (SD-19) and Rep. Chad Ingels (HD-68) worked to include agriculture instruction as part of the science curriculum for grades nine through 12. 
     
    H.F. 572: Sen. Annette Sweeney (SD-27) advanced legislation to prohibit surveillance of homes and livestock facilities by use of drones from individuals that do not have consent from property owners. This legislation was first passed by Rep. Wulf and members of the Iowa House in 2023.

    H.F. 2649: Sen. Driscoll and Rep. Wulf initiated legislation to prevent a new tax on producers by reinstating the livestock capital gains deduction. Collectively, this will save livestock producers millions of dollars in taxes. 

As we look back on a productive and successful legislative session marked by several wins for Iowa cattlemen, we recognize the importance of working with elected officials on both sides of the aisle and those who may be less familiar with beef cattle production. Each of the aforementioned bills were passed by the legislature with bipartisan support. The future of beef cattle production in Iowa depends on the relationships we maintain and seek to build, and we look forward to continuing this work in the interim. 



Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference Is May 15

Farm managers, rural appraisers, real estate brokers and others interested in the Iowa land market can receive timely updates at this year’s Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference May 15 in Ames.

Experts from across Iowa and the nation will examine current issues in rural property management, appraisal, the selling and buying of land as well as agricultural policy.

The annual conference – now in its 96th year – is the longest running at Iowa State University in research and extension.

This year’s conference will be held in person at the Scheman Building from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Rabail Chandio, conference chairperson, will review the attendees’ land values forecasts to start the day, followed by a discussion on the U.S. and Global Ag Economy in relation to the land markets by Jason Henderson, Iowa State's vice president for extension and outreach.

Alejandro Plastina, associate professor and extension economist at Iowa State, will join Hingli Feng, an assistant professor of economics at Iowa State, and Ruth McCabe, an agronomist with Heartland Cooperative, for a panel discussion on conservation and easement programs and their influence on land values and soil quality.

Neil Hamilton, former director of the Drake Agricultural Law Center, will follow the panel with a presentation called “Soil Health and Water Quality Concerns: Implications for Land Values and Marketability.”

After lunch, Eric Snodgrass, the principal atmospheric scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, will present his weather outlook for the 2024 growing season; and Erin Hodgson, professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State, will discuss the implication of recent warm winters and climate change for soil health, yields and land valuation.

The final two sessions will include a look at the legal developments that affect land purchases and sales, with Kristine Tidgren, director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State; and a look at how the crop and livestock market futures can influence farmland land markets, by Brian Grete, commodity analysis expert and editor of Pro Farmer.

Chandio, who is also an assistant professor and extension economist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the conference continues to be an excellent educational venue for Iowans and beyond.

"The economic situation in agriculture and globally is not exactly clear right now,” said Chandio. “On top of that, the warm Iowa winters leave many to wonder about what to expect this year. With our agenda and the experts we have lined up, this is a great opportunity for attendees to gain a clearer understanding about several concerns, quite unique to this year, as we head into another crop season.”

Registration for the Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference is $150.

For more information, visit the conference website at https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/smlv/.

Or reach out to Rabail Chandio at 515-294-6181 or rchandio@iastate.edu.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 4/19/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending April 19, ethanol production declined 3.0% to a 13-week low of 954,000 b/d, equivalent to 40.07 million gallons daily. Output was 1.3% less than the same week last year but 7.5% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate decreased 2.4% to 1.02 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.59 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks eased 1.3% to a 9-week low of 25.7 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 5.9% more than the same week last year and 9.9% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, shrank 2.8% to a 9-week low of 8.42 million b/d (129.12 bg annualized). Demand was 11.4% less than a year ago and 0.2% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol were unchanged at 899,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.78 bg annualized. Net inputs were consistent with year-ago levels but 7.7% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 134,000 b/d (5.6 million gallons/day), or 23.4% below the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 31st consecutive week.



All Major Fertilizer Prices Continue Higher for Fourth Consecutive Week

Average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers were up from last month in the third week of April 2024, marking the fourth consecutive week all prices have been higher, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. Despite the increases, no fertilizer price was up significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The average price for DAP was $780 per ton, MAP $830/ton, potash $513/ton, urea $585/ton, 10-34-0 $641/ton, anhydrous $794/ton, UAN28 $364/ton and UAN32 $418/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.64/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.65/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

Most fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago, but one fertilizer is slightly higher. MAP is 2% higher looking back a year. The remaining fertilizers are lower. DAP is 6% less expensive, urea is 7% lower, 10-34-0 13% less expensive, UAN28 is 14% lower, UAN32 is 18% less expensive and both potash and anhydrous are now 20% lower compared to a year prior.



USDA Cold Storage March 2024 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on March 31, 2024 were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 13 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 18 percent from last month but down 2 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on March 31, 2024 were up slightly from the previous month but down 6 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 11 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 7 percent from last month and up 5 percent from March 31, 2023.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on March 31, 2024 were up slightly from the previous month but down slightly from March 31, 2023. Butter stocks were up 6 percent from last month and up 2 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on March 31, 2024 were down 6 percent from last month but up 6 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 6 percent from last month and down 2 percent from a year ago.



Total Red Meat Production Down 2 Percent in 2023

Total red meat production for the United States totaled 54.5 billion pounds in 2023, 2 percent lower than the previous year. Red meat includes beef, veal, pork, and lamb and mutton. Red meat production in commercial plants totaled 54.4 billion pounds. On-farm slaughter totaled 91.6 million pounds.

Beef production totaled 27.0 billion pounds, down 5 percent from the previous year. Veal production totaled 52.8 million pounds, down 10 percent from last year. Pork production, at 27.3 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Lamb and mutton production totaled 135.1 million pounds, down 1 percent from 2022.

Commercial cattle slaughter during 2023 totaled 32.8 million head, down 4 percent from 2022, with federal inspection comprising 98.1 percent of the total. The average live weight was 1,365 pounds, down 4 pounds from a year ago. Steers comprised 46.8 percent of the total federally inspected cattle slaughter, heifers 31.1 percent, dairy cows 9.5 percent, other cows 10.9 percent, and bulls 1.6 percent.

Commercial calf slaughter totaled 293,600 head, 20 percent lower than a year ago with 97.3 percent under federal inspection. The average live weight was 280 pounds, up 27 pounds from a year earlier.

Commercial hog slaughter totaled 128.0 million head, 2 percent higher than 2022 with 99.5 percent of the hogs slaughtered under federal inspection. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from last year, at 287 pounds. Barrows and gilts comprised 97.3 percent of the total federally inspected hog slaughter.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter, at 2.17 million head, was up 5 percent from the previous year with federal inspection comprising 84.8 percent of the total. The average live weight was down 7 pounds from 2022 at 119 pounds. Lambs and yearlings comprised 93.6 percent of the total federally inspected sheep slaughter.

Commercial Red Meat Production by State
   million lbs   -   2023     -    2022
Nebraska ....:    7,637.2  -  7,983.8
Iowa ...........:    8,954.8  -  8,563.2
Kansas ........:    5,806.3  -  6,090.0

There were 1,012 plants slaughtering under federal inspection on January 1, 2024 compared with 946 last year. Of these, 835 plants slaughtered at least one head of cattle during 2023 with the 11 largest plants slaughtering 46 percent of the total cattle killed. Hogs were slaughtered at 718 plants, with the 14 largest plants accounting for 60 percent of the total. For calves, 2 of the 148 plants accounted for 36 percent of the total and 4 of the 601 plants that slaughtered sheep or lambs in 2023 comprised 39 percent of the total head.    

Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas accounted for 49 percent of the United States commercial red meat production in 2023, down 1 percent from 2022.



USDA's Agricultural Research Service Honors Scientists of the Year

For pioneering studies on Influenza A Viruses in swine, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist Amy L. Baker is the agency's Distinguished Senior Research Scientist of the Year for 2024. Baker, a research veterinary medical officer at the ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa, is one of 12 total ARS researchers who were honored April 23 for their scientific achievements.

“We’re so proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these 12 scientists. They exemplify the scientific excellence and innovation that our agency seeks in delivering solutions to agricultural challenges nationally and abroad,” said ARS Administrator Simon Liu.

Baker joined the NADC in 2004 and today serves as lead scientist in the center’s Virus and Prion Research Unit in Ames. Among her accomplishments, Baker’s research on the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus in pigs helped the swine industry address food-safety concerns in export markets. Baker went on to draw national and international acclaim for her sustained research excellence investigating the pathogenesis, diagnostics, vaccinology and interspecies transmission of Influenza A Viruses (IAV) in swine.

Baker’s systematic genetic and antigenic characterization of IAV revealed previously unrecognized diversity and established a baseline in the United States for monitoring ongoing evolutionary changes in the viruses, as well as the relatedness of U.S. isolates to those found in swine in other parts of the world. This information has also been pivotal to the improvement of commercial swine influenza vaccines.

Baker’s expertise in IAV and interspecies transmission has led to numerous speaking invitations, advisory positions and collaborations, including with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—particularly in response to the ongoing exchange of IAV between people and pigs. Under Baker’s leadership, the NADC’s Virus and Prion Research Unit directly contributes swine IAV genetic and antigenic data to the World Health Organization’s influenza vaccine composition meetings, which are held twice annually to inform decisions on strain selection for future human influenza vaccine production.

ARS also named four 2024 Area Senior Research Scientists of the Year. They are—
    Scott M. Geib, with ARS’s Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit in Hilo, Hawaii (Pacific West Area), for his leadership and contributions to the advancement of insect genomics research and national-level initiatives such as the USDA Ag100Pests and Beenome100.
    Brian E. Scheffler, with ARS’s Genomics and Bioinformatics Research in Stoneville, Mississippi (Southeast Area), for scientific leadership and innovation ranging from herbicide mode-of-action discoveries to high-quality crop genomes and contributions to SCINet, Ag100Pest and Beeome100.
    Curtis P. Van Tassell, with ARS’s Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland (Northeast Area), for leadership in livestock genomics employing a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve unprecedented advances for the U.S. dairy and beef cattle industries.
    Gayle M. Volk, with ARS’s Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research in Fort Collins, Colorado (Plains Area), for leadership on the clonal cryopreservation of critical plant germplasm, collections assessment and training of aspiring plant scientists and genebankers.

ARS is also honored scientists who are in the early phases of their careers. The early-career awards recognize the achievements of ARS researchers with the agency for seven years or less.

This year, the top award in this category, the Herbert L. Rothbart Outstanding Early Career Research Scientist of 2024, goes to Revathi Shanmugasundaram (“Reva Shan”), a research biologist at ARS’s Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit in Athens, Georgia (Southeast Area). Shan is being recognized for her groundbreaking work in evaluating mycotoxin levels in feed, which significantly impacts poultry-related food safety along with poultry health and productivity. Additionally, Shan is recognized for her innovative approach in developing nanoparticle vaccines to neutralize multiple mycotoxins in animal feed.

ARS honored four other Area Early Career Research Scientists. They are—
    Mohamed Alburaki, with ARS’s Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland (Northeast Area), for incorporating epidemiological modeling and other scientific innovations to create faster, more accurate diagnoses of bee diseases and other health issues, benefiting beekeepers and regulatory agencies alike.  
    Matthew S. Crouse, with ARS’s Nutrition, Growth and Physiology Unit in Clay Center, Nebraska (Plains Area), for advancing the understanding of how maternal nutrient restriction during early pregnancy in cattle negatively impacts the embryos and for developing a supplementation program based on targeting the one-carbon metabolism pathway, a key function of all cellular growth.
    Brittany E. Davis, with ARS’s Forage-Animal Production Research Unit in Lexington, Kentucky (Midwest Area), for pioneering studies on the nutritional microbiology of grazing ruminants and for research demonstrating the potential of isoflavones naturally found in red clover to help abate symptoms of fescue toxicosis in grazing cattle.
    Karen Poh, with ARS’s Animal Disease Research Unit in Pullman, Washington (Pacific West Area), for innovative studies at the intersection of ticks, hosts, pathogens, and the environment to implement methods of predicting, preventing and controlling tick infestations and tickborne diseases in livestock.

The agency also announced its 2024 ARS Technology Transfer Award winner. This Award recognizes individuals or groups who have done outstanding work in transferring technology to the marketplace.

This year’s winner is the Phosphorous Transport Reduction App Team, consisting of Jim R. Frankenberger and Chad J. Penn—both at ARS’s National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory in West Lafayette, Indiana. Phosphorus that leaves agricultural fields in runoff or drainage water can end up in water bodies like lakes and streams, compromising water quality and causing harm to aquatic life.

The team developed a software application named the P-Trap that makes it easier for users to select, design, build and evaluate phosphorus removal systems that would work best with a specific farm operation. The team’s push to expand awareness and adoption of phosphorus removal systems also extended to furnishing content for a series of training modules and providing consultations and on-site demonstrations, including on how to recycle captured phosphorus from runoff.

Penn also lent his technical expertise to the American Society of Agronomy and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, which developed the training modules with support from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Together with NRCS, Penn worked to devise a national standard allowing for cost-sharing of the removal systems under the agency’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program.



Administration Announces New School Meal Standards to Strengthen Child Nutrition

Wednesday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced major steps to promote the health of America’s children through school meals. Nutrition standards for school meals will be gradually updated to include less sugar and flexibility with menu planning between Fall 2025 and Fall 2027. The Department arrived at these changes after listening closely to public feedback and considering the latest science-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The new rule continues the work of the Biden-Harris Administration to address both food and nutrition security.

K-12 schools serve nutritious breakfasts and lunches to nearly 30 million children every school day. These meals are the main source of nutrition for more than half of these children and help improve child health.

“We all share the goal of helping children reach their full potential,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Like teachers, classrooms, books, and computers, nutritious school meals are an essential part of the school environment, and when we raise the bar for school meals, it empowers our kids to achieve greater success inside and outside of the classroom. Expanding on this major milestone, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to partner with schools, districts, states and industry to build on the extraordinary progress made to strengthen school meals.”

The final rule previewed today, is a significant step toward advancing the Administration’s national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030 set forth at the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in September 2022.

“The new standards build on the great progress that school meals have made already and address remaining challenges - including reducing sugar in school breakfasts. These updates also make it easier for schools to access locally sourced products, benefiting both schools and the local economy,” said USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Cindy Long.

Key updates to the nutrition standards to support healthy kids include:

Added Sugars
    For the first time, added sugars will be limited in school meals nationwide, with small changes happening by Fall 2025 and full implementation by Fall 2027. USDA heard concerns from parents and teachers about excessive amounts of added sugars in some foods, which factored into this new limit. Research shows that these added sugars are most commonly found in typical school breakfast items. Child care operators will also begin limiting added sugars in cereals and yogurts – rather than total sugars – by Fall 2025.

Milk
    Schools can continue to offer flavored and unflavored milk, which provide essential nutrients that children need, such as calcium, vitamin D and potassium. There will be a new limit on added sugars in flavored milk served at breakfast and lunch by Fall 2025. Thirty-seven school milk processors – representing more than 90% of the school milk volume nationwide – have already committed to providing nutritious school milk options that meet this limit on added sugars.

Sodium
    Schools will need to slightly reduce sodium content in their meals by Fall 2027. In response to public comments, USDA is only requiring one sodium reduction, and not the three incremental reductions that were proposed last year. This change still moves our children in the right direction and gives schools and industry the lead time they need to prepare. The sodium limits in this final rule will be familiar to schools, as they were supported by leading school nutrition and industry stakeholders during previous rulemaking activities in 2017 and 2018.

Whole Grains
    Current nutrition standards for whole grains will not change. Schools will continue to offer students a variety of nutrient-rich whole grains and have the option to offer some enriched grains to meet students’ cultural and taste preferences.

Supporting Other Food Preferences
    While not a new requirement, starting in Fall 2024 it will be easier for schools to serve protein-rich breakfast foods such as yogurt, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds, which can help reduce sugary food options, while also supporting vegetarian diets and other food preferences.

Supporting Local Food Purchases
    Also starting in Fall 2024, schools have the option to require unprocessed agricultural products to be locally grown, raised or caught when making purchases for school meal programs, making it easier for schools to buy local foods.

Additionally, starting in Fall 2025, schools will have limits on the percentage of non-domestic grown and produced foods they can purchase, which will enhance the role of American farmers, producers, fishers, and ranchers in providing nutritious foods to schools.



Industry Leaders Share Sustainable Aviation Priorities for Farm Bill

Amid the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Farm Bill, industry stakeholders representing nearly the entire supply chain for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – including seven major airlines – called on Agriculture Committee leaders in the House and Senate to boost the role of American farms in fueling low-carbon aviation.

“SAF, which can be produced from renewable biomass and agriculture-based feedstocks, presents an opportunity to expand U.S. markets for agricultural goods, bolster our nation’s rural economy and provide a renewable, low-emission domestic energy supply for the aviation sector,” wrote the Aerospace Industries Association,  Airlines for America, Airbus, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, the American Soybean Association, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., Boeing, the Cargo Airline Association, Clean Fuels Alliance America, Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, Fuels America, GE Aerospace, US, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Gevo, Inc., Growth Energy, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, the Kansas Corn Growers Association, the Kansas Grain Sorghum Association, the Kansas Soybean Association, Marquis Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the National Air Carrier Association, the National Air Transportation Association, the National Business Aviation Association, the National Corn Growers Association, Novonesis, the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, the Ohio Soybean Association, POET, LLC, the Renewable Fuels Association, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, United Parcel Service, and  Vertical Aviation International.

“Due to wide bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress, as well as benefits to U.S. farmers, biofuel producers and the aviation industry, we ask that you include meaningful SAF provisions, such as the Farm to Fly Act, in the Farm Bill to strengthen American agriculture and help leverage this key resource,” they added.

The Farm to Fly Act (H.R. 6271 and S. 3637) would affirm eligibility for SAF within current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bio-Energy Programs, facilitate greater collaboration on SAF, and affirm a common “GREET” definition of SAF for USDA purposes to ensure accurate measurements of emissions reductions from climate-smart farming practices and low-carbon aviation fuel.

Wednesday April 24 Ag News

Time to start planning heat stress abatement strategies in the feedlot
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator

As we approach the end of April, it may be time to start thinking of the summer heat, particularly that first heat event that could potentially catch cattle and folks who manage them not fully prepared. Therefore, the following is a list, likely not inclusive, of strategies cattle feedlot managers and their crews could begin thinking about as nice weather today turns into heat-stressing weather later.

The list is divided into areas of focus: from cattle type, to feeding and watering considerations, and facilities management.

Cattle size and type
· Keeping cattle marketing current to avoid excessively heavy cattle.
· Consider extending show lists to include pens that are from 30 to 45 days of initially projected final weight.
· Place cattle with light-colored coats in pens with greater propensity to create heat stress.

Diet composition and intake
· Higher fiber concentrations in feedlot diets lower the peak of heat of fermentation.
· Afternoon/evening deliveries prevent excessive heat load.
· Avoid challenging cattle to eat more when hot weather is forecast.

Water supply, needs and access
· Threshold concentrations (concentrations beyond which water may pose health problems) of total dissolved solids, sulfate, nitrite, and nitrate are 3,000, 1,000, 33 and 45 mg/L, respectively.
· (Note: mg/L are also expressed as parts per million, ppm).
· Maintain water quality by regularly cleaning water troughs.
· Stray voltage may be the reason cattle in certain pens underperform. Check for stray voltage.
· Daily water intake may be approximated by multiplying dry matter intake by 0.75 to render a workable estimate in gallons per head. (Example: dry matter intake is 24 lb per head daily, projected summer water need is 18 gallons per head daily).
· Water flow to meet an 1,800-gallon demand for 100 head: 75 gallons per hour (18 times 100 divided by 24 hours) or flow of 1.25 gallons per minute.
· Plan for cattle daily water needs to be met in 6 rather than 24 hours (flow of 5 gallons per minute minimum required).
· Cattle access at the water tank should permit 48” of linear space per animal and for 5% of the pen population.
· Add temporary water tanks if necessary.

Shade, bedding, sprinklers, and windbreaks
· Deploy temporary shades.
· The minimum area to consider shading an individual animal should be 32 square feet.
· Bedding during hot, summer days keeps cooler surface temperatures and permits space management.
· Test and adjust or repair sprinkler heads.
· Bedding stacks and any other temporary windbreak structures should be removed from the vicinity of pens.
· Control weeds and grass growth within pen alleys and waterway berms.
· Deploy fly control programs that consider premises, habitat, and on-animal control.

The intention to release this list well ahead of any heat event was to aid in reminding feedlot managers and their crew to start preparing for heat events. However, some items listed above must be in place well ahead of the heat stress events.

These include placing more heat-tolerant cattle in pens prone to experiencing greater heat loads, evaluating water tanks or other areas for stray voltage, increasing water access, deploying sprinklers and shades, and controlling fly and weed populations. In some cases, cattle need to be accustomed to these strategies while in others, such as fly control, the target organism needs to be exposed to the intervention well ahead of the heat event.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Endorses Nine Candidates for Election to the Nebraska Legislature

Nebraska Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agriculture organization, has announced a slate of endorsements for candidates seeking election to the Nebraska Legislature. Endorsements made by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) are based on the candidate’s positions on agriculture and rural issues and recommendations from district evaluation committees made up of farmer and rancher members.

“We are pleased to announce our support for several candidates seeking election to serve in the Nebraska Legislature. Given the important role farmers and ranchers play in helping produce our food and the prominent role agriculture plays in supporting our state’s broader economy, it’s important we elect leaders who have an appreciation for and understanding of both,” said Katie Olson of Atkinson, chair of NEFB-PAC and first vice president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

NEFB-PAC endorsed candidates seeking election to the Legislature in open races:
    District 1 – Dennis Schaardt of Steinauer
    District 15 – Roxie Kracl of Fremont
    District 17 – Mike Albrecht of Thurston and Glen Meyer of Pender
    District 23 – Dennis Fujan of Prague
    District 33 – Paul Hamelink of Hastings
    District 37 – Stanley Clouse of Kearney
    District 43 – Tanya Storer of Whitman
    District 47 – Paul Strommen of Sidney

“We look forward to supporting this slate of candidates in their election efforts. Each of them possesses distinct leadership styles and will strive to address Nebraska's property tax burden, enhance rural broadband access, and promote rural economic development. We have confidence that the candidates vying for office in open races possess comparable abilities to guide our state towards a prosperous future,” said Olson.



CANADIAN CABINET MINISTER TO VISIT UNL TO DISCUSS TRADE, GEOPOLITICS

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, will deliver a May 3 address at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, speaking on “U.S.-Canada Trade and Geopolitics.”

Champagne’s presentation, which is free and open to the public, is 1 to 2 p.m. in the Willa Cather Dining Complex, Red Cloud B-C, 530 N. 17th St. It will be livestreamed at https://yeutter-institute.unl.edu.

Event cosponsors are the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance and the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska.

“Canada is Nebraska’s largest export market,” Champagne said. “With a talented workforce and a stable, competitive economy, Canada is also a top destination for American companies looking to invest abroad. Millions of jobs on both sides of the border depend on trade and investment between our two countries.”

Champagne said he looks forward “to meeting with Nebraskans to discuss our mutual interest in North American competitiveness by shoring up our agricultural supply chains, investing in life sciences and seizing the opportunities of the new digital economy.”

In his cabinet position, Champagne has been energetic in traveling internationally to promote business opportunities in Canada. A Quebec native, he has a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio and has worked in the private sector in Italy, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

He has held various ministerial roles in the Canadian government, including foreign affairs, infrastructure and trade.

Canada is the top export market for the United States and Nebraska, and a leading trade partner for both. Nebraska’s annual exports to Canada top $1.8 billion and recently included $247 million in agricultural machinery, $222 million in natural gas and other gases, $124 million in animal meats and $50 million in insurance services.

Nebraska’s top imports from Canada include $172 million in animal feed, $125 million in live animals, $108 million in plastics and $92 million in animal meats.

Omaha-based Werner Enterprises annually ships nearly 20,000 cross-border loads between the U.S. and Canada, according to the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis. More than 3,800 Nebraskans are employed by 63 Canadian-owned companies, the Consulate General reported.

The May 3 event is the latest in a series of trade-focused presentations sponsored or cosponsored by the Yeutter Institute, named after Eustis, Nebraska, native Clayton Yeutter (1930-2017). A University of Nebraska alumnus, Yeutter served as U.S. trade representative, U.S. secretary of agriculture and president and CEO of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.



Register Now for the 2024 Water and Natural Resources Tour

Registration is now open for the 2024 Water and Natural Resources Tour. Join the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District as we visit Tecumseh, Nebraska City, and more.

$330 per person, single occupancy room
$260 per person, double occupancy room

Registration includes all meals, hotel, commercial transportation, on-board refreshments, and activities from Monday morning through Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. The tour will begin and end at UNL’s Innovation Campus in Lincoln.

The draft agenda and additional details are available at go.unl.edu/WaterTour.

Registration will be open until May 17. Spaces are limited, so act fast to secure your seat!  

To register online, visit go.unl.edu/WaterReg.

If you prefer to register by mail, print the PDF attached below, fill out the form, and mail with a check to the address listed.

If you have any questions, please contact Ann Briggs at annbriggs@nebraska.edu..

Don't miss your chance to be part of this enriching tour! Reserve your spot today to experience southeast Nebraska's water and natural resources.



Meat Animals Production, Disposition, and Income 2023 Summary

Total 2023 production of cattle and calves and hogs and pigs for the United States totaled 86.6 billion pounds, up slightly from 2022. Production decreased 4 percent for cattle and calves but increased 5 percent for hogs and pigs.

Total 2023 cash receipts from marketings of meat animals increased 10 percent to $128 billion. Cattle and calves accounted for 79 percent of this total and hogs and pigs accounted for 21 percent.

The 2023 gross income from cattle and calves and hogs and pigs for the United States totaled $129 billion, up 10 percent from 2022. Gross income increased 17 percent for cattle and calves but decreased 11 percent for hogs and pigs from previous year's gross income.

Cattle and Calves: Cash receipts from marketings of cattle and calves increased 17 percent, from $86.3 billion in 2022 to $101 billion in 2023. All cattle and calf marketings totaled 58.8 billion pounds in 2023, down 5 percent from 2022.

Cattle Marketings by State 2023
Nebraska ...:  $16,118,634,000     
Iowa ..........:  $5,157,790,000       

Hogs and Pigs: Cash receipts from hogs and pigs totaled $27.2 billion during 2023, down 11 percent from 2022. Marketings totaled 43.9 billion pounds in 2023, up 4 percent from 2022.

Hogs & Pigs Marketings by State 2023
Nebraska .......:    $941,988,000            
Iowa ..............:   $9,328,112,000            



Milk Production, Disposition, and Income 2023 Summary

Milk production decreased slightly in 2023 to 226 billion pounds. The rate per cow, at 24,117 pounds, was 30 pounds above 2022. The annual average number of milk cows on farms was 9.39 million head, down 14,000 head from 2022.

Cash receipts from marketings of milk during 2023 totaled $45.9 billion, down 19.8 percent from 2022. Producer returns averaged $20.38 per hundredweight, 19.7 percent below 2022. Marketings totaled 225.4 billion pounds, down slightly from 2022. Marketings include whole milk sold to plants and dealers and milk sold directly to consumers.

Cash Receipts from Milk Marketings - 2023
Nebraska ....:            $267,000,000          
Iowa ...........:            $1,116,045,000          



Nebraska Wheat Board Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors Vacancies

The directorship appointments for two of the Nebraska Wheat Board will expire June 30, 2024, and are seeking candidates to apply for those districts. The open positions are District 1 and District 6.

District 1 – Includes the counties of Sioux, Scotts Bluff, Dawes, Box Butte, Morrill, Sheridan, and Garden. Bob Delsing, the current District 1 director, has indicated that he will not seek reappointment.

District 6 – Includes the counties of Adams, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, Jefferson, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Otoe, Cass, Lancaster, Seward, York, Hamilton, Hall, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Nance, Polk, Butler, Saunders, Sarpy, Douglas, Washington, Dodge, Colfax, Platte, Burt, Cuming, Stanton, Madison, Boone, Valley, Greeley, Antelope, Pierce, Wayne, Thurston, Dakota, Dixon, Cedar, Knox, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine, Brown, Rock, Holt, Boyd, Keya Paha, Clay, Filmore, and Saline. Mark Knobel, the current District 6 director, has indicated that he will not seek reappointment.

Qualified candidates include those who are citizens of Nebraska, are at least 21 years of age, have been actively engaged in growing wheat in Nebraska for a period of at least five years, reside in a county in the respective district for which the candidate is applying and derive a substantial portion of income from producing wheat.

Appointments to the board for these districts are made by the Governor of Nebraska. Interested producers can complete the application online at https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req or contact Pat Selk, Office of the Governor, at (402) 471-2256.

The Nebraska Wheat Board administers the excise tax of 0.5% of net value of wheat marketed in Nebraska at the point of first sale. The board invests the funds in programs of international and domestic market development and improvement, policy development, research, promotion, and education.



Central Valley Ag Delivers Value to Member-Owners in the Form of $2 Million in Equity Redemptions

Central Valley Ag (CVA) reinforces its commitment to its farmer-owners by returning nearly $2 million in age-based equity. This distribution exemplifies the cooperative spirit in which CVA operates for the benefit of its member-owners.

The CVA Board of Directors approved this distribution to eligible member-owners who reached retirement age (65 years old) by December 31, 2023.

"We deeply appreciate every member-owner who has helped build CVA's success," said Carl Dickinson, President/CEO. "Returning this equity demonstrates the cooperative's strength that puts it in a position to give back to its membership. We not only provide essential products and services, but are able to share profits with our members."

Formed in 2003 through the merger of three cooperatives, CVA has expanded its reach through strategic partnerships across Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. Today, it stands as a leading Midwestern cooperative.

"CVA's business model prioritizes a balanced approach," said Dickinson. "We focus on delivering exceptional service, generating profits, rewarding patronage, and strategically reinvesting while returning equity to our members. True success lies in serving our members and sharing the benefits of our achievements."



Land O'Lakes donates 40,000 pounds of Macaroni & Cheese to Food Bank of Lincoln in Nebraska

Land O’Lakes, Inc. donated nearly 40,000 pounds of LAND O LAKES® Macaroni and Cheese to Food Bank of Lincoln through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program. This provides over 100,000 servings of food to the community.

The First Run Program has donated nearly 7 million pounds of product since it was established in 2010. The program is committed to donating truckloads of fresh product year-round, made specifically for food banks to help alleviate hunger across the United States.

"As a farmer-owned cooperative, Land O'Lakes, Inc. is deeply committed to hunger relief. This effort begins locally in the communities that our members and employees call home, many of them rural," said Sheilah Stewart, SVP & General Counsel, Land O’Lakes, Inc. "We are honored to help our Feeding America food bank partners get fresh, nutritious food directly to the families who need it most."

Leadership from three of Land O’Lakes ag retailer member-owners, Central Valley Ag, Frontier Cooperative, and Farmers Cooperative, were present to see the donation, which also included a $1,000 contribution from Frontier Cooperative that was matched by the Land O’Lakes Foundation.

“Here in Nebraska, we recognize the critical role our farmers and producers play when it comes to feeding the world,” said Suzanne Pillen, First Lady of Nebraska. “I commend Land O’Lakes for its donation to the Food Bank of Lincoln. I hope people take the time to learn what they can do in their own communities to meet the needs of those who are hungry.”

Through its bi-monthly drive-thru food distributions, the Food Bank of Lincoln will begin distributing this mac and cheese the afternoon of April 19th, when an estimated 800-1,000 households are expected to visit the food bank for food assistance.

“This Land O’Lakes, Inc. donation is not only generous but also sure to bring smiles to the faces of our neighbors in Southeast Nebraska who receive it,” said Michaella Kumke, President & CEO of Food Bank of Lincoln. “As a staple comfort food, mac and cheese is a significant expression of care. Members of the

Land O’Lakes farmer-and retailer-owned cooperative understand responsibility and sustainability. We’re honored to share in their commitment to serve and feed.”



Iowa Farm Bureau appreciates Iowa Legislature's passage of policy and budget priorities important to agriculture and rural Iowa

Following the conclusion of the 2024 Iowa legislative session, Farm Bureau members would like to thank the governor and legislators in both chambers for addressing policy and budget priorities that are important to agriculture and rural Iowa, including the reinstatement of capital gains tax deduction for the sale of breeding livestock.  This will prevent a direct tax increase for livestock farmers, many of whom are young and beginning farmers.

Farm Bureau members appreciate the Governor’s approach on foreign ownership of Iowa ag land, with the legislature passing her bill creating more transparency and enforcement of Iowa’s nation leading foreign ownership laws.  Additionally, members were pleased with the legislature’s property taxpayer protections, including maintaining funding levels for the Homestead Tax Credit and Ag Land and Family Farm Tax Credit, as well as continuing the property tax replacement payments for K-12 education.  

Members are also pleased by the legislature’s continued partnership in conservation progress.   Sustained funding for proven conservation efforts through the Conservation Cost-Share program and Water Quality Initiative (WQI) will allow Iowa to continue efforts for improved water quality as national leaders in several conservation practices.  



FDA Reaffirms that Pasteurization is Effective against HPAI, Commercial Milk Supply Safe

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed again today that pasteurization of milk consistent with the federal Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) destroys harmful pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other viruses. The data cited by FDA is consistent with many other studies demonstrating that the legally required temperature and time for milk pasteurization will readily inactivate HPAI. Viral fragments detected after pasteurization are nothing more than evidence that the virus is dead; they have zero impact on human health. Further, the federal PMO prohibits milk from sick cows from entering the food supply chain. Milk and milk products produced and processed in the United States are among the safest in the world.
 
The FDA has remained consistent in its vigilance against raw milk consumption, as well. Raw milk is a key vehicle in the transmission of human pathogens, including E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella, among others. As this situation continues to evolve, our dairy organizations strongly discourage the consumption of raw milk and recommend that all raw milk and raw milk components be heat treated to a temperature and duration that kills harmful pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, including HPAI, regardless of the product’s intended use for human or animal consumption. FDA also recommends out of an abundance of caution that milk from cows in an affected herd not be used to produce raw milk cheeses.
 
We encourage the FDA to continue to gather scientific data and information, consistent with its plans.



NAAA Urges Hobbyist and Professional Drone Operators to Operate Safely and Give Right-of-Way to Low-Altitude Manned Agricultural Aircraft This Growing Season

As the U.S. agriculture industry enters the upcoming growing season, the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is asking all uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators (or drones) to be mindful of low-altitude crewed (or manned) agricultural aircraft operations. Agricultural aviators treat 127 million acres of cropland in the United States each year in addition to pastureland, rangeland and forestry that help farmers increase productivity and protect their crops.

UAS are not allowed above 400 feet without a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and manned agricultural aircraft fly as low as 10 feet off the ground when making an application, meaning they share this low-altitude airspace with drones.

A pie chart with a blue triangle and a blue triangle Description automatically generated“With the growing number of uncrewed aircraft operations over the last few years, it is critical for their operators to be aware of low-flying, manned agricultural aircraft,” said Andrew Moore, chief executive officer of NAAA. “It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications 10 feet off the ground at speeds as fast as 140 mph. We encourage professional and hobbyist UAS operators to keep this in mind, equip UAS with detect and avoid technology and give right-of-way to manned or crewed ag aircraft to ensure a safe 2024 growing season.”

While aerial applications are already underway in many parts of the country, operations nationwide will peak during the summer months. In a survey conducted by NAAA near the end of the 2023 agricultural aviation season, 11% of manned aerial application operators reported that either they or a pilot flying for them encountered a drone while operating an ag aircraft last year (see Fig. 1).

NAAA has and will continue to work to educate uncrewed aircraft users and the public about how to use drones safely, especially in agricultural areas. NAAA urges drone operators to do everything they can to avoid manned ag aircraft conducting important low-altitude work. NAAA recommends that uncrewed aircraft operators:
·      Give the right of way to a manned aircraft. It’s the law.
·       Equip drones with visible strobe lights, highly visible markings and tracking technology, like an ADS-B In system.
·      Be certified and well-trained in operating an uncrewed aircraft.
·       Contact local agricultural aviation operations before flying by consulting the Find An Aerial Applicator database at AgAviation.org.
·      Land your uncrewed aircraft immediately when a low-flying aircraft is nearby.
·      Carry uncrewed aircraft liability insurance.

The FAA also reminds UAS users to keep safety in mind during their annual Drone Safety Day on Saturday, April 27. According to the FAA, “Drones are the fastest-growing segment of aviation in the U.S. As of October, there are nearly 864,000 drones registered with the FAA, and over 330,000 certified Remote Pilots. These numbers are projected to continue to grow.”

Small UAS can be virtually invisible—and potentially lethal—to agricultural aviators, air ambulance helicopters, law enforcement and other low-flying manned aircraft operating in the same airspace. In a test conducted by the Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association and other stakeholders, including manned and uncrewed aircraft organizations, and the state of Colorado, no pilot operating a manned aircraft could continuously visually track a 28-inch-wide UAS when flying at regular speeds. While they might be spotted for a second, UAS are not constantly visible to pilots, meaning it is up to the drone operator to avoid a collision.

When birds hit an ag aircraft, they can break through its windshield, causing deadly accidents. A study conducted by the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) showed UAS collisions with aircraft cause more damage than a bird strike of comparable size would, due partially to uncrewed aircraft’s dense motors and batteries, as opposed to a bird made mostly of water, feathers, hollow bones and sinew.

The public depends on the continued safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and bioenergy and America’s agricultural aviators are busy working in the skies to help farmers produce their crops. Ag aircraft are also flying at low altitudes to combat fires and conduct public health applications to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes and other deadly pests. If you’re going to fly an uncrewed aircraft system, please be responsible and do everything you can to avoid crewed/manned agricultural aircraft. Learn more at AgAviation.org/uavsafetycampaign and Knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Tuesday April 23 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending April 21, 2024, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 33% short, 51% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11% very short, 39% short, 46% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 6%, near 8% last year and 5% for the five-year average.

Soybeans planted was 2%, near 3% last year, and equal to average.

Winter wheat condition rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 27% fair, 52% good, and 16% excellent.

Oats planted was 71%, ahead of 63% last year and 60% average. Emerged was 36%, ahead of 20% both last year and average.



Iowa Crop Progress Report

Although the week began with above normal temperatures, multiple storm systems brought cooler temperatures and much-needed rain, which only allowed Iowa farmers 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 21, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Corn, soybean and oat planting continued this week when field conditions allowed. Topsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 36 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 13 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 4 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Seventy-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 1 week ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Thirty-four percent of the oat crop has emerged, 10 days ahead of last year.

Pastures and hay ground continue to green up due to much-needed rain. No reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet.



Crop Progress: Corn 12% Planted, Soybeans 8% Planted; Winter Winter Condition Drops 5 Points

The winter wheat crop's good-to-excellent condition rating dropped 5 percentage points nationwide last week, likely due to dry conditions and possible frost damage in some areas, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. Meanwhile, corn and planting progress continued ahead of their five-year average paces last week.

CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting moved ahead 6 percentage points last week to reach 12% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That's now equal to last year's progress and 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 10%.
-- Crop development: 3% of corn was emerged as of Sunday, 1 point ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 2%.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: 8% of soybeans were planted nationwide as of Sunday. That is equal to last year's pace and is 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 4%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 17% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That is 1 point ahead of 16% at this time last year and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 13%.
-- Crop condition: 50% of the crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 5 points from 55% the previous week but still up from 26% a year ago. Sixteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, down from 41% a year ago.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 15% of spring wheat was planted as of Sunday, 11 points head of 4% last year and 5 points ahead of the five-year average of 10%.
-- Crop development: 2% of spring wheat was emerged, 1 point ahead of 2% last year but 1 point behind the five-year average of 3%.



Hejny has shown vision in directing LEAD Program's 'transformational' mission

For the past 17 years, Terry Hejny has regularly traveled Nebraska, from the Missouri River to the Panhandle, on an important mission. As director of the Nebraska LEAD Program, he spearheads activities and experiences that help LEAD fellows understand the breadth of the state, preparing them for future leadership in agriculture and agribusiness.

“I always say that LEAD is a transformational travel and experiential development program. It’s full of experiences and opportunities,” said Hejny, who grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Seward County and has headed the program since 2007.

The two-year LEAD experience includes detailed looks at Nebraska’s agriculture, economics, health care, education, community development and government, and includes travel to Washington, D.C., and overseas.

“We have something for everyone,” Hejny said. “We help them become passionate about issues and where they want to put their advocacy as they go through this program.”

LEAD, a part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been in place since 1981. Over the decades, its alumni have gone on to provide important leadership in production agriculture and agribusiness, including on grower associations and commodity boards, as well as on town councils, school boards, natural resource district boards and the State Legislature.

LEAD’s 12 in-state seminars over two years are “the building blocks of the program,” Hejny said. The sessions take LEAD fellows to every region of the state and help them understand Nebraska’s diversity in topography, climate, economics and culture. Those experiences encourage an important sense of connection and understanding among Nebraskans.

“That is a key thing that has made our program successful,” Hejny said. “We connect people.”
Hejny, who was a member of LEAD 20 class during 2000-02, will retire from his LEAD director position at the end of June. He also will retire as president and chief operating officer of the nonprofit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council, which governs the LEAD program in cooperation with IANR and support from 13 other institutions of higher education throughout the state.

A retirement reception for Hejny will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. May 9 in the Nebraska East Union, in the third-floor Prairie Suite. Husker faculty, staff and students, as well as LEAD graduates and anyone else who would like to wish him well, are invited to attend.

Hejny’s greatest satisfaction has been working with so many talented Nebraskans over the years and seeing LEAD Fellows develop their leadership skills.

“I’ve been blessed to have those experiences to see that personal and professional development happen,” Hejny said. “It’s a beautiful process.”

The decades of support from IANR have been particularly important for the program, he said.
Hejny, who earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from UNL, feels a strong connection to LEAD’s tradition due to his ties both to the program’s founding director, James Horner, and his successor, Allen Blezek. Both were faculty members in UNL’s Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication.

Horner’s class on program development helped Hejny understand principles he’s used throughout his career as a high school agriculture teacher in Geneva, Extension educator in Fillmore and Cass counties, and LEAD program director.

Similarly, he said, “I learned everything I needed to know about how to teach from Professor Blezek.”

After becoming LEAD director in 2007, Hejny earned a doctorate in human sciences with a specialization in leadership studies. What are the elements of constructive leadership? It’s a long list, Hejny said, but five key components are integrity; trustworthiness; instilling a sense of ethics; fairness; and ensuring transparency.

“Leaders have to model those behaviors,” said Hejny, who also was a high school coach. “They always represent high standards, high expectations.”

LEAD stands out for the breadth of support it receives from institutions, communities, corporations and individuals across the state.

“That’s what makes me feel very blessed,” Hejny said. “That support means that people have ownership of the program, which means they want it to succeed.”

Mark McHargue, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, said the LEAD Program “stands as a top leadership development initiative in the state for agricultural stakeholders, fostering well-informed, ready and enthusiastic leaders from various sectors of the agriculture industry across Nebraska.”

The farm bureau has long been a steadfast supporter of the program, McHargue said.

“I appreciate Dr. Hejny’s guidance in steering this vital program over the last several years,” he said. “His legacy will endure through the service and leadership of LEAD graduates from across Nebraska for years to come.”

Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, said Hejny “has continued to build upon the foundation of his predecessors in expanding the LEAD program into the premier leadership program across the state. It is a model for other states to build upon.”

As his retirement from LEAD approaches, Hejny is working with the program’s staff members Shana Gerdes and Irene Malzer to enable a smooth transition for his successor.

“Dr. Blezek had it ready to roll when I took over,” Hejny said, “and I’m going to do the same thing for the next person.”



NEBRASKA MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production in Nebraska during the January-March 2024 quarter totaled 314 million pounds, down 8% from the January-March quarter last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 51,000 head, 4,000 head less than the same period last year.

January-March Milk Production up 0.1 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the January - March quarter totaled 56.9 billion pounds, up 0.1 percent from the January - March quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.33 million head, 16,000 head less than the October - December quarter, and 85,000 head less than the same period last year.

March Milk Production down 0.9 Percent
Milk production in the 24 major States during March totaled 18.8 billion  pounds, down 0.9 percent from March 2023. February revised production, at 17.4 billion pounds, was up 2.9 percent from February 2023. The February revision represented an increase of 82 million pounds or 0.5 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Adjusting February production for the additional day due to leap year causes February revised production to be down 0.7 percent on a per day basis.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,115 pounds for March, 3 pounds below March 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.88 million head, 71,000 head less than March 2023, and 7,000 head less than February 2024.

Iowa: Milk production in Iowa during March 2024 totaled 520 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous March according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during March, at 242,000 head, was unchanged from last month but up 2,000 from March 2023. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,150 pounds, up 20 pounds from last March.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

Nebraska egg production during March totaled 206 million eggs, up from 173 million in 2023. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,493 eggs, compared to 2,514 eggs in 2023. All layers in Nebraska during March 2024 totaled 8.28 million, up from 6.90 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

IOWA: Iowa egg production during March 2024 was 1.15 billion eggs, up 1 percent from the previous March, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during March 2024 was 44.2 million, down 1 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for March was 2,599, up 2 percent from a year ago.

March Egg Production Up 1 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.29 billion during March 2024, up 1 percent from last year. Production included 7.99 billion table eggs, and 1.30 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.20 billion were broiler-type and 101 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during March 2024 totaled 379 million, down 1 percent from last year. March egg production per 100 layers was 2,455 eggs, up 2 percent from March 2023.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on April 1, 2024 totaled 379 million, down 1 percent from last year. The 379 million layers consisted of 313 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 61.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.90 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on April 1, 2024, averaged 79.5 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from April 1, 2023.



Secretary Naig Thanks Governor Reynolds, Legislature for Strong Support of Iowa Agriculture

Following the conclusion of another strong and successful legislative session, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today thanked Governor Reynolds and the members of the Iowa Legislature for their steadfast support of Iowa agriculture:

“It’s hard to imagine a strong Iowa without a strong agriculture. The work accomplished during the 2024 legislative session will ensure that Iowa continues to be a great place to live, work and play, and our state’s top industry will continue to grow and thrive. I appreciated the opportunity to work alongside the Governor and our legislators to protect Iowa’s farmland, develop markets and build processing capacity, enhance Iowa’s soil and water, support Iowa’s livestock industry and build our future workforce, which will positively benefit Iowans for many years to come.

I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Reynolds, Leader Whitver and Speaker Grassley for yet another successful and productive legislative session. I also want to specifically thank the Co-Chairs of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Dan Zumbach and Representative Norlin Mommsen, for their continued investment in priorities that are important to Iowa’s agriculture community.”

The following represent a sampling of successes for Iowa agriculture during the 2024 session:

Responsive Government that Serves Iowans

Lower Taxes for Iowans
    Hard-working Iowans will keep more of their money following the tax reform that will reduce Iowa’s flat tax to 3.8 percent. These changes will save taxpayers billions of dollars over the next several years, allowing Iowans to invest more in their families and businesses.

Conservative and Responsible Budget
    Iowa has consistently been ranked as one of the most fiscally responsible states in the nation. Iowa's budget will continue to spend conservatively and invest in programs and priorities that help our economy grow, all while maintaining full reserve accounts and a healthy surplus.

Efficient Government
    Numerous technical changes were incorporated throughout various bills that will help streamline existing programs and processes at the Department, all of which will help us more efficiently and effectively serve Iowans.

Protecting Iowa’s Farmland

Foreign Ownership of Farmland Law
    With the additional enforcement, deterrence and disclosure tools and requirements that are incorporated through legislation, Iowa’s prohibition on the foreign ownership of farmland will continue to be a model for other states.

Developing Markets and Building Processing Capacity

Choose Iowa
    A Butchery Innovation Program was authorized within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Previously, the program existed under the purview of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and provided grants to expand and revitalize small-scale meat processors and lockers.
    The Choose Iowa program received additional funding to continue promoting our state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made products
    Choose Iowa’s Value-Added and Dairy Innovation grant programs received funding to continue to broaden the availability of Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made products.
    A new food purchasing incentive program was authorized within Choose Iowa that will connect Iowa farmers to food banks and schools. This will create markets for farmers as we provide nutritious meals to our students and help to alleviate food insecurity for our neighbors in need.

Small-Scale Poultry Processing
    Pending federal authorization, small-scale poultry processing establishments will be able to perform both official inspected and custom-exempt processing at the same facility. The change aligns poultry processing with existing standards for red meat processing.

Greater Access to Biofuels
    Drivers save money when they can access lower cost and lower carbon biofuels like E15. Continued funding for the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, a successful longstanding program, will help more gas stations install infrastructure to offer higher blends of biofuels.
    Fuel retailers will also be given greater flexibility and more options to upgrade their fueling infrastructure to offer higher biofuel blends. This will accelerate the expansion of lower cost E15 availability for Iowa consumers and reduce compliance costs for Iowa fuel retailers.

Enhancing Iowa’s Soil and Water

Continued Investment in Water Quality and Soil Conservation
    Iowa is continuing to set records for water quality and soil conservation adoption and continued support for long-term dedicated funding will allow for further acceleration and momentum.

Iowa Nitrogen Initiative
    Farmers depend on the best science when making decisions about crop production, including nutrient management, crop inputs and conservation practices. The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative leads to tools that farmers can utilize to optimize nutrient management, boost profitability and protect our natural resources.

Supporting Iowa’s Valuable Livestock Industry

Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness
    Iowa’s livestock farmers are continually threatened by foreign animal diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever. The Department received additional funding to support ongoing preparedness and response activities that help to protect Iowa’s valuable livestock industry.

Food Labeling Integrity
    Consumers deserve to know what goes into their food. Legislation passed this session will require the transparent labeling of lab-grown, plant-based and insect-based proteins to ensure that consumers are well-informed of what they are buying to feed their families.

Tax Relief for Livestock Farmers
    Livestock farmers that own breeding stock will receive tax relief from legislation that eliminates capital gains taxes on that livestock. The bill is retroactive to 2023.

Building Iowa’s Future Workforce

Agriculture Education
    High school students can use agricultural education instruction to meet a portion of the requirements related to science. They can also use curriculum from applied sciences, technology, engineering, or manufacturing to meet a portion of the unit requirements related to mathematics.



On Feed
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

Last week’s Cattle on Feed report was difficult to decipher. After February had leap day, the end of March had some potential Easter holiday effects. The on-feed total of 11.8 million head was slightly below trade expectations. The components were less consistent. Before the report, the trade expectations were a little unusual. Placements, which are always difficult to predict, had a very narrow range of estimates, 89-95% of a year ago. Sales of feeder and stocker cattle, nicely compiled by LMIC, had total receipts in March down 28% from a year earlier. Thus, there was a large amount of uncertainty in placements that was not accounted for. The actual placements came in at only 88% of last March, below and outside the range of trade expectations. Marketings also presented a surprise, coming in at 86% of last March and outside the range of trade expectations.

Placements were relatively low in Texas, while being relatively high in Nebraska. Compared to last year, the weight breakdown revealed lower placements for cattle weighing less than 900 pounds. The placements of cattle weighing 900 pounds or more was unchanged. Marketings were also relatively high in Nebraska compared to other large feedlot states. Texas and Kansas had relatively low marketings. Nothing else major really stood out from a spatial perspective. If just the placements had been low, it would have clearly supported feeder cattle prices. With the maketings also lower than expected the impact on makets is unclear.

Once a quarter NASS collects a breakdown of the heifer mix on feed. The latest mix of heifers to the total, at 38.5%, is down from both last quarter and last year. A lower heifer mix would suggest fewer heifers on feed. However, the absolute number of cattle on feed is higher than a year ago and the breakout shows both more steers and more heifers on feed. In addition, heifer slaughter has been running ahead of the 5-year average year-to-date while steer slaughter has been running behind the 5-year average. These aspects counter the lower mix and suggest heifers continue to be pulled from the replacements pool and run through feedlots. The mix is generally cyclical, putting in a low on April 1. A sustained mix below 36.0% would likely be needed to signal widespread retention of heifers for breeding.

NASS has announced that they will not be collecting the July Cattle report in 2024. The absence of this report would likely have an adverse effect on efficiency in the market. The July numbers have only been at the national level for several years, but still provide a snapshot by weight categories for all cattle. Having an objective measure of replacement heifers at mid-year helps reconcile heifer mix and slaughter trends. The mid-year estimate of the calf crop is the only chance to gauge feeder supplies before the large fall runs of calves. July also gives inventories of all feedlots (not just the largest lots).



FARM Program, NMPF Celebrate Dairy Conservation Efforts on Earth Day

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program released findings from its Conservation Practice Questionnaire highlighting the leading stewardship of dairy farmers as FARM and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) observe Earth Day.

The questionnaire, a voluntary addition to the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) Program, highlights some of U.S. dairy farmers’ conservation efforts, including practices and technologies that show effective water, energy and other resource stewardship.

FARM ES launched the questionnaire in August 2022 after significant stakeholder feedback and on-farm piloting. More than 450 of them have been completed on dairy farms across 20 states since its launch, with respondents ranging in milking herd size from 17 cows to more than 15,000. The completed questionnaires offer a lens into the natural resource stewardship of the dairy farmers who participate.

As of March 2024, questionnaires indicate that:
    79% of participating dairy farmers reuse or recycle water on their farm: 76% reuse plate cooler water to flush the barn, as drinking water, or for other uses; 14% capture rainwater for cleaning or other use; and 29% reuse water for irrigation;
    90% of participating farms report implementing field conservation practices;
    68% of participating farmers use recycled manure, recycled sand or byproducts as bedding for their cows; and
    More than 97% of participating dairy farmers use energy saving technologies and practices.

“Dairy farmers have long been early adopters of sustainable practices and good stewards of the land,” Nicole Ayache, NMPF’s chief sustainability officer, said. “The findings from our Conservation Practice Questionnaire underscore the U.S. dairy industry’s commitment to continuous improvement and finding new ways to be even more sustainable.”

To further support dairy farmer efforts to implement conservation practice and technologies, the FARM Program launched a searchable database of technical and financial resources. Farmers and their technical advisers may use the new resource to identify support suitable to the farm’s conservation goals.

The database contains information from government, non-profit, extension, state planning tools, and many other relevant financial or technical assistance providers and resources. Financial resources include grants, cost-share, loan programs and other incentives available. The database’s first areas of focus are on resources for cover cropping, conservation tillage, energy efficiency, nutrient management, and pollinator habitat.



AGI Kicks-Off Fourth Annual Safety Week with Worldwide Call to Action

Every year, an estimated 340 million occupational accidents happen in the global workplace, according to the International Labour Organization. Ag Growth International (“AGI”) is on a mission to create a zero-harm work environment by making safety a core guiding principle and driving best practice awareness during its fourth annual One AGI Safety Week, April 22-26, 2024.

“Today, I am extremely pleased to kick off our 2024 One AGI Safety Week celebrated globally across our organization,” says Paul Householder, AGI President & CEO. “The week reinforces the tremendous safety strides we made last year in reaching an all-time low for recordable and lost time injury rates. This year’s theme, Safer Acts and Safer Conditions, is a call to action for our team to continue to be vigilant, look out for one another, and never compromise on the high safety standards we have set.”

AGI recognizes facilities with one of its highest designations – the AGI Safety Standout Award – for earning one, three, five and even 10 years of no lost time incident records. To date 18 AGI sites worldwide have made milestone achievements including those teams specially honored for earning year-over-year, long-term records: (10 years) Olds, AB and (3 years) Joplin, MO; Nobleford, AB; and Marshall, IL.

“Our employees’ commitment and diligent adherence to safety procedures have enhanced our work environment and ensures that we all return home safely each day,” says Householder. “We aim to make AGI a beacon of safety excellence.”

Throughout the week, employees will engage in activities designed to reinforce a strong safety culture and share best practices that further their commitment to a zero-harm workplace. According to Harsha Bhojraj, AGI Vice President of Manufacturing and Safety Lead, the week also begins employee nominations for AGI’s annual Safety Awards that acknowledge individuals, teams and locations for exemplary safety best practices and performance.

“Our employees are AGI’s safety champions. The nomination process gives them the opportunity to shine a spotlight on colleagues, who they believe go above-and-beyond to embody a safety priority. We want to tell and reward their stories of excellence,” says Bhojraj.

Categories include:
    The Outstanding Performance Award, celebrating an individual, team, or location that has demonstrated exceptional safety performance or implemented a significant safety innovation.
    The Progress in Safety Award, recognizing a location or team that has shown remarkable improvement in safety metrics over the past year.
    The Safety at a Customer Site or Project Award, honoring a project where safety was not just a plan, but a well-executed reality.

Nominations end in October with awards to be announced in the first quarter of 2024. To learn more about AGI’s Safety culture, visit aggrowth.com.