Wednesday January 31 Ag News

NEBRASKA JANUARY 1 CATTLE INVENTORY

All cattle and calves in Nebraska as of January 1, 2024 totaled 6.25 million head, down 4% from January 1, 2023, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

All cows and heifers that had calved totaled 1.69 million head, down 4% from last year.

Beef cows totaled 1.64 million head, down 4% from last year.

Milk cows totaled 53,000 head, down 5% from last year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over totaled 1.81 million head, down 4% from last year.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 2.33 million head, down 5% from last year.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over totaled 100,000 head, up 11% from last year.

Calves under 500 pounds totaled 320,000 head, unchanged from last year.

All cattle on feed fed for slaughter in Nebraska feedlots totaled 2.75 million head, down 1% from last year.

The 2023 calf crop totaled 1.59 million head, down 3% from 2022.



IOWA CATTLE INVENTORY REPORT

All cattle and calves in Iowa as of January 1, 2024, totaled 3.45 million head, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle report. This was down 50,000 head from January 1, 2023. Beef cows, at 810,000 head, were down 40,000 head from last year. Milk cow inventory was unchanged at 240,000 head.

All heifers 500 pounds and over were down 5 percent at 690,000 head. Heifers for beef cow replacement were down 13 percent from 2023 at 100,000 head; heifers for milk cow replacement, at 125,000 head, were up 9 percent from the previous year; and all other heifers were down 7 percent at 465,000 head.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over were up 2 percent from last year at 1.18 million head. Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over were unchanged at 60,000 head. Calves under 500 pounds on January 1, 2024, totaled 470,000 head, up 2 percent from last year.

The 2023 calf crop was estimated at 1.00 million head, down 5 percent from the 2022 calf crop. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in all feedlots on January 1, 2024, totaled 1.18 million head, up 2 percent from one year ago.



January 1 Cattle Inventory Down 2 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2024 totaled 87.2 million head, 2 percent below the 88.8 million head on January 1, 2023.

All cows and heifers that have calved, at 37.6 million head, were 2 percent below the 38.3 million head on January 1, 2023. Beef cows, at 28.2 million head, were down 2 percent from a year ago. Milk cows, at 9.36 million head, were down slightly from the previous year.

All heifers 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2024 totaled 18.5 million head, 1 percent below the 18.8 million head on January 1, 2023. Beef replacement heifers, at 4.86 million head, were down 1 percent from a year ago. Milk replacement heifers, at 4.06 million head, were down slightly from the previous year. Other heifers, at 9.57 million head, were 2 percent below a year earlier.

Steers weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2024 totaled 15.8 million head, down 2 percent from January 1, 2023.

Bulls weighing 500 pounds and over as of January 1, 2024 totaled 2.02 million head, down slightly from January 1, 2023.

Calves under 500 pounds as of January 1, 2024 totaled 13.3 million head, down 3 percent from January 1, 2023.

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for all feedlots totaled 14.4 million head on January 1, 2024. The inventory is up 2 percent from the January 1, 2023 total of 14.2 million head. Cattle on feed in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head accounted for 82.7 percent of the total cattle on feed on January 1, 2024, up slightly from the previous year. The combined total of calves under 500 pounds and other heifers and steers over 500 pounds (outside of feedlots), at 24.2 million head, was 4 percent below January 1, 2023.  

Calf Crop Down 2 Percent
The 2023 calf crop in the United States was estimated at 33.6 million head, down 2 percent from the previous year's calf crop. Calves born during the first half of 2023 were estimated at 24.7 million head, down 2 percent from the first half of 2022. Calves born during the second half of 2023 were estimated at 8.89 million head, 26 percent of the total 2023 calf crop.



NEBRASKA JANUARY 1 SHEEP AND GOATS

All sheep and lamb inventory in Nebraska on January 1, 2024 totaled 76,000 head, up 2,000 from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Breeding sheep inventory totaled 59,000 head, down 4,000 from last year. Ewes one year and older totaled 48,000 head, down 3,000 from the previous year. Rams one year and older totaled 3,000, unchanged from last year. Total replacement lambs totaled 8,000 head, down 1,000 from last year.

Market sheep and lambs totaled 17,000 head, up 6,000 from last year.

The 2023 lamb crop totaled 64,000 head, down 1,000 from 2022. The 2023 lambing rate was 125 per 100 ewes one year and older, compared with 133 in 2022.

Sheep deaths totaled 3,000 head, unchanged from last year. Lamb deaths totaled 8,000 head, up 500 from last year.

Sheep and lambs slaughtered on farm totaled 1,000 head, unchanged from last year.

Shorn wool production during 2023 was 245,000 pounds, down 5,000 from 2022. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 35,000 head, unchanged from 2022. Weight per fleece was 7.0 pounds, down 0.1 from 2022. The average price paid for wool sold in 2023 was $0.75 per pound, compared with $0.70 in 2022. The total value of wool produced in Nebraska was 184,000 dollars in 2023.

Milk goats and kids inventory in Nebraska totaled 3,500 head, up 200 from last year.

Iowa:  All sheep and lambs inventory in Iowa as of January 1, 2024, totaled 155,000 head, down 7,000 head from 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Sheep and Goats report. Total breeding stock, at 110,000 head, was 6 percent below one year ago. Market sheep and lambs was unchanged from a year ago and totaled 45,000 head. The 2023 lamb crop was estimated at 115,000 head, down 4 percent from the 2022 lamb crop. Wool production for 2023 was 740,000 pounds, down 8 percent from 2022, with fleece weights averaging 5.5 pounds.

Milk goat inventory in Iowa as of January 1, 2024, was 24,000 head, 11 percent below January 2023, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Sheep and Goats report. Total meat and other goat inventory was 45,000 head, 10 percent below the previous year.

January 1 Sheep and Lambs Inventory Down 2 Percent
All sheep and lambs inventory in the United States on January 1, 2024 totaled 5.03 million head, down 2 percent from 2023. Breeding sheep inventory at 3.67 million head on January 1, 2024, decreased 2 percent from 3.74 million head on January 1, 2023. Ewes one year old and older, at 2.87 million head, were 2 percent below last year. Market sheep and lambs on January 1, 2024 totaled 1.36 million head, down 2 percent from January 1, 2023. Market lambs comprised 94 percent of the total market inventory. Market sheep comprised the remaining 6 percent of total market inventory.

The 2023 lamb crop of 3.03 million head was down 2 percent from 2022. The 2023 lambing rate was 103 lambs per 100 ewes one year old and older on January 1, 2023, down 2 percent from 2022.

Shorn wool production in the United States during 2023 was 22.7 million pounds, down 2 percent from 2022. Sheep and lambs shorn totaled 3.22 million head, down 2 percent from 2022. The average price paid for wool sold in 2023 was $1.56 per pound for a total value of 35.3 million dollars, down 1 percent from 35.5 million dollars in 2022.

Sheep death loss during 2023 totaled 200,000 head, down 4 percent from 2022. Lamb death loss decreased 3 percent from 377,000 head to 365,000 head in 2023.

January 1 All Goats and Kids Inventory Down 2 Percent
All goats and kids inventory in the United States on January 1, 2024 totaled 2.47 million head, down 2 percent from 2023. Breeding goat inventory totaled 2.03 million head, down 2 percent from 2023. Does one year old and older, at    1.51 million head, were 2 percent below last year's number. Market goats and kids totaled 438,700 head, down 4 percent from a year ago.

Kid crop for 2023 totaled 1.52 million head for all goats, down 2 percent from 2022.

Meat and all other goats totaled 1.95 million head on January 1, 2024, down 3 percent from 2023. Milk goat inventory was 415,000 head, up 1 percent from January 1, 2023, while Angora goats were down 2 percent, totaling 105,000 head.

Mohair production in the United States during 2023 was 505,000 pounds. Goats and kids clipped totaled 100,000 head. Average weight per clip was 5.1 pounds. Mohair price was $6.35 per pound with a value of 3.21 million dollars.



Smith, Costa, Johnson, and Panetta Launch Ag Trade Caucus

Today, Congressmen Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jim Costa (D-CA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus to advance and promote policies vital to U.S. agriculture, including boosting agricultural exports, facilitating food and agriculture trade, and knocking down unnecessary trade barriers.

As co-chairs of the caucus, the members released the following statements:

“American agriculture producers have the capacity to feed and fuel the world, and robust engagement on trade opportunities is vital to unleashing this potential,” said Rep. Smith. “Increasing—and maintaining—market access for our first-class products through rules-based trade strengthens our economy, increases economic security with our allies, and benefits consumers worldwide. I thank my fellow co-chairs for joining me in this effort to advance bipartisan trade policy.”

“Representing the breadbasket of the world, access to global markets is critical to our economy,” said Rep. Costa. “As Co-Chair of the Agricultural Trade Caucus, I look forward to working together to promote trade policies that will ensure American farmers remain competitive on the global stage.”

“Ensuring access to international markets for ag products is essential for South Dakota producers,” said Rep. Johnson. “I look forward to working with the co-chairs to help booster America's ag exports to retain healthy demand for our farmers and ranchers.”

“Congress needs to be more active in promoting trade agreements that will keep American producers competitive and empower them to feed the world,” said Rep. Panetta. “The bipartisan Agriculture Trade Caucus was founded to ensure the farmers and ranchers in our districts and throughout the country are prioritized in our nation’s overall trade agenda. Together, we are committed to ensuring new trade agreements are enforceable, high-standard deals that ensure fairness and expand new markets for the immense bounty our country produces.”

The new bipartisan Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus will work to solidify support for trade policies that benefit farmers, ranchers, producers, rural communities, and all those along our food and agricultural supply chains. The caucus will support education and engagement opportunities for members of Congress to promote policies which boost international competitiveness, increase market access, address non-tariff barriers to trade, improve supply chains, and reestablish U.S. global leadership on trade.



Cover Crops and Relay Intercropping Workshop Series to Be Held in February

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a series of cover crop and relay intercropping workshops in February. Farmers and landowners are welcome to attend these free workshops and join for a complimentary meal.

Cover crops provide many benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression,Cover crops and blue sky. reduced nutrient loads entering water bodies, increased organic matter in the soil and forage for livestock.

In a relay intercropping system, where three crops are grown in two years, the benefits include a marketable small grain crop and additional revenue for the farmer. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to compare and contrast these two conservation practices, discuss new relay intercropping opportunities, ask questions and share their experiences.

The workshops will be hosted by Matt Helmers, professor and agricultural engineering specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center; Mark Licht, associate professor in agronomy and extension cropping systems specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; and Jon Dahlem, postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State.

All sessions are in February, from noon to 2 p.m.
    Feb. 20, Milton R. Owen Nature Center, 18793 Highway 9, Osage.
    Feb. 21, ISU Extension and Outreach Mahaska County office, 212 N. I St., Oskaloosa.
    Feb. 22, Youth Development Center, Jones County Fairgrounds, 800 N. Maple St., Monticello.
    Feb. 27, Southeast Research Farm, 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville.
    Feb. 28, East Shelter House, Swan Lake State Park, 23248 Swan Lake Road, Carroll.
    Feb. 29, Cass County Community Center, 805 W. 10th St., Atlantic.

The events are free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Alena Whitaker at 515-294-2473 or ilf@iastate.edu. Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 1/26/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending January 26, ethanol production snapped back 21.1% to 991,000 b/d, equivalent to 41.62 million gallons daily. Still, output was 3.6% less than the same week last year and 1.9% below the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate declined 1.5% to a 36-week low of 981,000 b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.04 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks drew down 6.0% to a 4-week low of 24.3 million barrels. Stocks were 0.7% less than the same week last year and 0.6% below the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, turned up 3.4% to 8.14 million b/d (124.85 bg annualized). Yet, demand was 4.1% less than a year ago and 4.2% below the five-year average.

Similarly, refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol increased 3.8% to 828,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.69 bg annualized. Net inputs were 1.2% less than a year ago and 1.7% below the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 137,000 b/d (5.8 million gallons/day), or 13.2% above the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 19th consecutive week.



CattleCon24 Kicks Off in Sunshine State

Thousands of cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders have arrived in Orlando, Florida, for CattleCon24. The largest cattle industry event in the country offers education, engagement and entertainment through February 2.

This year’s event begins in patriotic fashion with Anna Sponheim, winner of the 11th Annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, singing the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, returns as convention emcee and will introduce opening general session speaker Jon Dorenbos, a former professional football player and sleight-of-hand magician.

The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program’s Celebration of Excellence will honor BQA award winners and feature keynote speaker Jim Carroll, renowned futurist and author. Throughout CattleCon, the 31st annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics.

Other highlights include a D.C. Issues update, Sustainability Forum and business meetings. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also take place.

The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet and Environmental Stewardship Award Program reception will recognize leaders for their achievements, and there will be more than eight acres of trade show displays and exhibitors to explore. CattleFax will conduct their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session on Friday morning. Randy Blach, the team at CattleFax and meteorologist Matt Makens will discuss what 2024 and beyond might look like for the cattle industry.

In addition to conducting the business of the beef industry, CattleCon attendees will enjoy entertainment and family fun throughout the event. Paul Bogart will bring his down-to-earth charm and country music to Thursday night’s Palm Tree Pachanga, and The Bellamy Brothers will headline the Cowboys & Coasters event on Friday night.



NCBA Releases 2024 Policy Priorities

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Executive Committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. This year’s priorities focus on advocating for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill, protecting cattle producers from federal regulatory overreach, and defending the U.S. cattle industry against external attacks.

“NCBA will continue pushing for passage of a Farm Bill that includes key animal health and voluntary conservation provisions, as well as hold the line against all federal policies that could damage the livelihoods of U.S. cattle producers,” said NCBA President-Elect and Wyoming cattle rancher Mark Eisele. “In the past year we have seen radical animal activists ramp up their attacks on our industry and our producer-funded Beef Checkoff that drives consumer demand and funds critical research. We will never let the same people that want to shut down family cattle operations, dictate how we promote our products.”  

NCBA’s policy priorities include:
    Secure reauthorization of the animal health provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and advocate for expanded funding of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) to protect against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
    Defend the U.S. cattle industry against radical animal activist groups that want to end cattle production, including the Beef Checkoff.
    Fight against misguided Endangered Species Act rules and any expansion of bureaucratic red tape under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
    Preserve family farms and ranches for future generations by advocating for essential tax relief for cattle producers.

“Despite our success last year in finally reducing the size and scope of the onerous Waters of the U.S. rule, many more misguided regulations have been proposed that undermine the voluntary conservation work of cattle producers. NCBA will stand strong against these rulemakings – setting the record straight on regulations that are not backed by science and would leave America’s rangelands in total disorder,” Eisele added.



NMPF Statement at FMMO Hearing Conclusion
Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation

“NMPF spent more than two years preparing for USDA’s Federal Order hearing, and that preparation paid off. Our proposals, unanimously supported by our Board of Directors, reflect farmer unity and a good-faith effort to build industry consensus. After five months, 12,000 pages of testimony, and almost two dozen separate proposals considered, our plan remains the most comprehensive, coherent, and compelling framework for modernizing a system that’s badly in need of improvement. We look forward to working with USDA and the entire industry in the weeks and months to come, noting that any plan USDA designs will by necessity require complex analysis to result in a proposal that serves diverse farmer needs well.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue to advocate for badly needed changes in areas such as the Class I mover. The current formula has cost farmers $1.2 billion in losses since its implementation after the 2018 farm bill, with additional losses expected in the coming months. It needs to change back to the previous “higher-of’ formula that served farmers best. The higher-of responds quickly to the marketplace, it helps farmer cash flow, it’s simple to understand, and it would have no real impact on processors who are using the formula to boost their immediate balance sheets, not manage future risk as they claim.  

“Dating to NMPF’s first internal discussions, our path toward FMMO modernization is now nearly three years old. This final year is the most critical. We are excited to continue our leadership in this critical area, and will, as always, fight for the best approaches to ensure that dairy farms prosper.”  

FACTS ABOUT NMPF’s FMMO PROPOSAL:
NMPF supports the federal legislation that authorizes the FMMO system, as well as improvements that increase clarity and producer understanding of milk pricing and ensure an orderly market and fair prices for dairy farmers.

NMPF’s proposed changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order System include:
    Returning to the “higher of” Class I mover;
    Discontinuing the use of barrel cheese in the protein component price formula;
    Extending the current 30-day reporting limit to 45 days on forward priced sales on nonfat dry milk and dry whey to capture more exports sales in the USDA product price reporting;
    Updating milk component factors for protein, other solids and nonfat solids in the Class III and Class IV skim milk price formulas;
    Developing a process to ensure make-allowances are reviewed more frequently through legislation directing USDA to conduct mandatory plant-cost studies every two years;
    Updating dairy product manufacturing allowances contained in the USDA milk price formulas; and
    Updating the Class I differential price system to reflect changes in the cost of delivering bulk milk to fluid processing plants.



Case IH Brings LiDAR Technology to Hay Producers, a first of its kind in Large Square Baler Automation

The next wave of automation is coming to large square baling in 2024 through Case IH Baler Automation. Designed for hands-free efficiency, Large Square Baler Automation maximizes throughput and delivers consistent, high-quality bales regardless of operator experience level. The dealer-installed automation kit connects seamlessly with Class 3 ISOBUS Puma, Optum and Magnum tractors.

“Productivity is the name of the game when it comes to the tight operating windows hay producers face,” says Brian Spencer, hay and forage marketing manager at Case IH. “Baler automation is the perfect example of purposeful technology from Case IH. It aims to tackle efficiencies by taking the duty off the operator to steer and make adjustments in field, allowing them to add productivity while in the cab.”

Case IH Baler Automation is the industry’s first LiDAR (light detection and ranging) baling system, opening unprecedented opportunities for hay producers in efficiency and productivity.

The LiDAR-based swath analysis sends out laser pulses to measure the position and size of the windrows. The technology adjusts the speed and steering of the tractor to maximize throughput without overloading the baler, resulting in increased runtime compared to traditional baling. With the automatic adjustments and hands-free baling, producers can put less experienced operators in the cab, or spend their time in the cab running farm operations or focusing on other business.

“This technology is built for the unpredictable yet expected challenges in baling with crooked windrows, and inconsistent widths and heights,” adds Spencer. “The automatic adjustments in steering and speed ensure the bales are consistent and the baler is running at peak performance, avoiding blockages and overfilling.”

Case IH precision technology through AFS Connect also ensures that tracking and monitoring is happening during the baling process. Hay producers can remotely monitor field performance and tractor diagnostics during baling, while securing records for review after harvest.

Baler Automation, being launched at the 2024 NCBA Cattle Con, is compatible with HD models from Model Year 2020 to 2024, and XL models from Model Year 2022 to 2024.