Thursday February 29 Ag News

 Nebraska Beef Council March Board Meeting

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors will have a virtual meeting at the NBC office in Kearney, NE located at 1319 Central Ave. on Monday, March 11, 2024 beginning at 12:00 p.m. CDT. The NBC Board of Directors will discuss strategic planning. For more information, please contact Pam Esslinger at pam@nebeef.org.  



I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course on March 21 to provide the latest economics, genetics, marketing information

The 2024 I-29 Moo University Dairy Beef Short Course is scheduled for Thursday, March 21 as part of the finale for the Central Plains Dairy Expo. It will be held in the auditorium of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls.

The focus of this years’ program is economics, marketing opportunities and genetics.

“We have national leaders in their fields presenting this year,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “They will definitely make it worth your trip to Sioux Falls. Their knowledge will be of benefit to all dairy beef producers.”

Presenters and topics will include:

Dairy Beef Industry Outlook – Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University
Peel’s presentation will cover the current cattle supply and demand fundamentals and expectations for prices, production, and cattle inventories for 2024 and beyond. He will also include interactions between the beef and dairy sectors in the broader beef market.

Beef on Dairy Economics: Results of a Video Auction Analysis – Dr. Ken Odde, Kansas State University
Odde’s presentation will cover the results of a video auction analysis of dairy x beef calves. The objective was to determine the value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared with steer lots of other breed descriptions, the value of beef x dairy cross weaned steer calves compared with either Holstein weaned calves or weaned calves of other breed descriptions, and the value of beef x dairy cross weaned steers and heifers compared with weaned steers and heifers of other beef breed descriptions sold through video auctions.

Genetic Considerations for a More Valuable Calf – Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University
Optimization of the value of calves produced in beef x dairy crossing systems requires careful consideration. Dairy cattle breeds bring differing strengths and levels of performance for economically important carcass and production traits and these differences should influence the genetic merit requirement of the selected beef service sires. Weaber will discuss how selection of beef service sires that complement these attributes, especially ribeye area, red meat yield and carcass weight, is critical for dairy producers and other downstream partners to realize the added value and sustainability of the matings.

How Do Dairy Based Cattle Fit into Value-Based Markets? – Dr. Lauren Kimble, Select Sires
Intertwining research findings and industry data, this presentation investigates how the increased volume of beef x dairy cattle in the market has molded trends and mindsets from the dairy producer to the packer, and everything in between. These insights can help dairy producers to participate more effectively in a dynamic and value-driven beef market.

There will also be a morning and afternoon Q & A session moderated by Dr. Warren Rusche from South Dakota State University.

Registration fee is $70 per adult plus $15 if a printed copy of the proceedings is desired. College students may register for a discounted rate of $20. A lunch will be provided.

To register, visit https://go.iastate.edu/24DBSC or mail the registration fee with your contact information and any dietary restrictions to Fred Hall at 400 Central Ave., NW, Suite 700, Orange City, IA 51041. Preregistration deadline is March 8.

If attendees also plan to attend the Central Plains Dairy Expo, they should register for that in advance at https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/registration/.

Questions can be directed to Fred at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu.



Agritourism Checklists Help Those with On-Farm Visitors Manage Liability

Agritourism can be a fun and rewarding experience for Iowa landowners. With some careful planning and foresight, agritourism can provide supplemental revenue to a farm or become its main source of revenue.

Whatever your plans may be, make sure to do your homework. The excitement of a new idea or a new enterprise should not take the place of careful planning.

Kendra Meyer, a program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program, recently published two fact sheets that help guide owners of agritourism enterprises through critical decisions that must be made.

“Getting Started in Agritourism” is a three-page checklist that covers basic considerations such as legal issues, food regulations, visitor accommodations, farm emergency preparedness, biosecurity, pesticide safety, public play area safety, employee management and marketing practices.

“Iowa Agritourism Business Start-up and Licensing Guide” is a two-page checklist that covers the legal and regulatory requirements of starting and licensing a business in Iowa.

“These checklists help agritourism destination owners and workers take a look at simple but important tasks when creating or reviewing an enterprise,” said Meyer. “It is critical for the business and its success to make sure liability and regulatory requirements are met.”

Both documents are focused on risk management, according to Meyer, and are intended to simplify the process. Both also contain hyperlinks to state and federal entities involved with agritourism.

Meyer formed the checklists in response to comments shared from participating farmers, as well as the agritourism bus tours held the last two summers. The tour, as well as the checklists, are all part of a grant she received from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program.

Both publications are available for free on the ISU Extension Store. For more information, Meyer can be reached at ksmeyer@iastate.edu or 515-294-9483.



NPPC Commends NSIS Line Speed Expansion
 
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for again extending the New Swine Inspection System line speed trials through Jan. 15, 2025. Processing facilities will enroll in a modified time limited trial, which will include a study to evaluate the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety.

“We appreciate USDA and FSIS for listening to the pork industry and taking another step toward making permanent these increased line speeds, which totals more than three percent of national harvest capacity,” said NPPC President and Missouri pork producer Scott Hays. “These actions give pork producers more certainty in an uncertain time.”

NPPC has advocated for increased line speeds since 2019, and in 2021, FSIS permitted increased line speeds at six pork packing plants while simultaneously gathering data to evaluate potential worker impacts.

In December 2023, NPPC applauded FSIS’s 90-day extension of the trials. After the results were collected, FSIS yesterday announced a swine study was needed and again extended the trials.

According to industry economists, without the increase in line speeds – and the resulting decrease in packing capacity – some pork producers could have incurred an additional loss of nearly $10 a head in the first and second quarters of 2024.

NPPC has regularly met with FSIS to underscore the importance of these trials and supports expanding and making permanent the line speed provisions to boost packing capacity and help alleviate supply issues.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 2/23/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending February 23, ethanol production edged 0.6% lower to 1.08 million b/d, equivalent to 45.28 million gallons daily. Yet, output was 7.5% more than the same week last year and 8.8% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 2.0% to 1.07 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.39 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks climbed 2.0% to a 49-week high of 26.0 million barrels. Stocks were 5.0% more than the same week last year and 7.2% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4). with almost all of the build in the Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, expanded 3.3% to 8.47 million b/d (129.80 bg annualized). However, demand was 7.1% less than a year ago and 4.3% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed, rising 4.3% to a 9-week high of 872,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.37 bg annualized. Net inputs were 0.1% less than a year ago but 0.1% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 77,000 b/d (3.2 million gallons/day), or 54.7% below the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 23rd consecutive week.



Most Fertilizer Prices Slightly Higher for Second Straight Week

For the second straight week, more retail fertilizer prices were higher than lower compared to last month. And, once again, no fertilizer saw a significant price move in either direction.

Prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were higher in the week of Feb. 19-23 compared to a month earlier. Prices for the remaining two fertilizers were lower. For the fifth consecutive week, no fertilizer price moved significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

Of the six fertilizers with a higher price, DAP had an average price of $749 per ton, MAP $812/ton, urea $534/ton, 10-34-0 $615/ton, UAN28 $339/ton and UAN32 $393/ton.

Prices for the remaining two fertilizers, meanwhile, were just slightly lower compared to last month. Potash had an average price of $506 per ton, while anhydrous was at $764/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.58/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.61/lb.N and UAN32 $0.61/lb.N.

All fertilizers except one are now lower by double digits compared to one year ago. MAP is 3% lower, DAP is 11% less expensive, 10-34-0 is 17% lower, urea is 20% less expensive, potash is 25% lower, UAN28 is 28% less expensive, UAN32 is 29% lower and anhydrous is 32% lower compared to the year prior.



New Resource Helps Cattle Producers Maximize Profitability

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions. “Right Way. Right Time. – A Guide to Cull Cattle Management” is now available at www.ncba.org.

With effective planning, cull cattle can be a significant source of revenue and should not be overlooked. In essence, cull cattle are market cattle. This new document addresses key problem areas, provides strategies for making timely culling decisions to prioritize animal welfare, and is designed to help producers capture more value through effective management regarding cull cattle.

“Cull animals can contribute significantly to the profitability of the ranch,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, president/CEO of Padlock Ranch Company. “We spend extensive time and money adding replacement cattle to our herd, so it is imperative that we capture good value for cull cattle to offset these expenses.”

For cattle producers across the country, whether beef or dairy, cull cattle are part of doing business. Animals age, they no longer breed back, and their health deteriorates. Incorporating culling decisions into an operation’s best management practices benefits both animal welfare as well as the producer’s bottom line.

“Managing cull cattle to be in good condition, sound and fit to transport will increase their value significantly,” said Patterson. “The animals leaving our ranching operations are not only a valuable financial resource, but they also constitute a class of cattle that need and deserve as much care as any other animal on the operation.”

According to the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit, the market cow and bull sector provides an alternative product and a secondary value to animals once their original purpose is no longer suitable. When it comes to product fabrication, market cows and bulls are typically associated with ground beef production. However, over time, the industry has realized that some market cows and bulls have the potential to yield valuable primals to be fabricated and sold as retail cuts and to the restaurant trade.

For more information or to access the resource online, visit www.ncba.org/producers.  



USDA Seeks Nominees for the United Soybean Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the United Soybean Board to succeed 16 members who represent Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Virginia, and one alternate member in Georgia, all with terms that expire December 2024. Individuals appointed to the board will serve three-year terms beginning in late 2024 and ending in 2027. The deadline for nominations is May 3, 2024.

Soybean producers within the United States who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of soybean production are eligible for nomination. A soybean producer must be nominated by a qualified state soybean board and complete an application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.

A list of qualified state soybean boards, the nomination form and information about the Board are available on the AMS United Soybean Board webpage and on the Board’s website, unitedsoybean.org. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at 202-713-6918 or Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov.



Cattle Industry Consortium Funds Research Aimed at Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions

Enteric methane, which animals release into the atmosphere by burping or exhaling, is a significant source of direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Today, the Greener Cattle Initiative (GCI), a multi-partner international consortium created by the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, opened its second request for proposals for research to develop scalable technologies that reduce enteric methane emissions and benefit farmers and ranchers, consumers and the environment.

Methane and carbon dioxide are GHGs that contribute to climate change. Yet, methane is more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Reducing the amount of methane cows emit presents an opportunity to slow the effects of climate change while also helping the dairy and beef sectors meet their sustainability goals. However, more research is needed to determine how to safely, sustainably and productively do so.

GCI will consider applications addressing one or more of the following: Delivery mechanisms of non-vaccine enteric methane mitigation technologies; impact of applying interventions early in life to reduce enteric methane emissions later in life or in offspring; combined impacts of administering multiple enteric methane mitigation technologies to examine additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects; and long-term and longitudinal studies to evaluate lasting effects of enteric methane mitigation technologies on mitigation, animal health and productivity.

A maximum request of up to $5 million is available for all proposed projects. Matching funds are optional for this program. Pre-applications are due at 5 p.m. ET, April 3, 2024. All domestic and international higher education institutions, non-profit and for-profit organizations and government-affiliated research agencies are encouraged to apply. Visit the GCI Request for Applications webpage for additional information.

Additionally, FFAR is hosting an informational webinar about this funding opportunity on March 6, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET. Preregistration is required. A recording of the webinar will be available on FFAR’s website. FFAR invites interested individuals to submit questions in advance of the webinar to GreenerCattleInitiative@FoundationFar.org.

“This research is aimed at developing more enteric methane mitigation options for farmers and ranchers, so they can make informed, individualized decisions based on the conditions unique to their farms,” said Dr. Juan Tricarico, senior vice president for environmental research at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “Scientifically proven solutions addressing farmers’ needs across the multitude of farming systems that exist today is critical for increasing adoption rates of these new technologies and methods and reducing greenhouse gases.”

In 2023, GCI awarded its initial grants in the total amount of $5,554,669 to Penn State’s Distinguished Professor of Dairy Nutrition Dr. Alexander N. Hristov; the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Animal Sciences Professor Dr. Roderick Mackie; and the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Assistant Professor of Quantitative Genomics, Dr. Francisco Peñagaricano.



Corteva Agriscience Launches Enversa Herbicide

Corteva continues its drive to deliver farmer-focused solutions with the launch of Enversa™ herbicide. The new versatile solution received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration in December 2023. Pending state registrations, Enversa herbicide is expected to be available for use on soybeans, cotton, corn, sorghum, peanuts and sugar beets in the 2025 growing season.

“Enversa is a residual herbicide that will handle some of the toughest, hard-to-control broadleaf and grass weeds that farmers face today,” says Shawna Hubbard, Strategic Marketing Manager, Corteva Agriscience. “This will be the first soybean and cotton herbicide in Corteva’s portfolio to feature a proprietary encapsulated acetochlor component to help protect plants from emerging weeds.”

The encapsulated acetochlor complements tank-mix partners by allowing Enversa herbicide to move from the leaf surface and drive to the soil, resulting in a residual barrier around the soybean or cotton plant.

In addition to its versatility across crops, Enversa herbicide provides farmers with a wide application window — preplant up to R2 for soybeans and preplant up to first bloom for cotton — to help navigate challenging weather conditions. Enversa herbicide offers easy handling and tank-mix compatibility, particularly with Enlist One® herbicide for Enlist E3® soybeans and Enlist® cotton.

“Enversa is designed to serve farmers by providing high crop tolerance along with the residual weed control they’ve come to expect with Group 15 herbicides as part of their weed control program,” Hubbard says.

Enversa herbicide delivers extended weed control for up to four weeks on more than 25 of the toughest broadleaf and grass weeds, including Palmer amaranth and waterhemp. In addition to compatibility with Enlist One herbicide for Enlist E3 soybeans, Enversa herbicide will fit perfectly into a program approach along with other Corteva Agriscience™ soybean herbicides, such as Sonic® and Trivence®.



Pioneer Introduces New High-yield, High-performing Z-Series Soybeans

Building on 50 years of leadership and innovation in soybean research and variety development, Pioneer announces the commercial availability of Pioneer® brand Z-Series soybeans in the United States and Canada. This new class of soybeans offers farmers a significant yield advantage and better disease resistance.

“Z-Series soybeans represent the next step forward for soybean farmers, with a generational leap in yield potential and agronomic performance over any soybean line-up Pioneer has ever introduced,” said Liz Knutson, Pioneer U.S. Soybean Marketing Lead. “It is the sixth soybean series Pioneer has introduced in its 50-years of soybean breeding, with each series signaling trait technology innovations and transitions that set new standards for Pioneer soybean performance.”

Nearly 3 bu/A advantage over Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans
While Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans are notable throughout the industry for their yields, Pioneer expects Z-Series varieties to set a new benchmark for soybean yield potential. In extensive 2023 IMPACT™ trials, Z-Series soybeans showed an average yield advantage of 2.7 bu/A over A-Series soybeans, equating to an additional $35/acre USD return on investment.1

“The level of disease resistance and number of traits doesn’t matter if the genetics don’t yield,” said Don Kyle, Pioneer Soybean Breeding Evaluation Lead. “But with Z-Series soybeans, it was obvious from the beginning that we had something revolutionary.

“In the breeding world, we’re used to seeing small, incremental changes so a yield advantage like this is significant,” Kyle continued. “And the numbers aren’t just based on limited observations; we have years of data that have repeatedly shown Z-Series soybeans to be the highest-yielding varieties in each of the maturity groups – something we’re sure farmers will notice in the field and on the yield monitor.”

Localized performance and disease protection traits
In addition to a significant average yield advantage, this new class of soybeans offers outstanding disease and pest resistance. It features improved scores in sudden death syndrome (SDS), brown stem rot, white mold and iron deficiency chlorosis.

“The level and range of disease resistance serves as a testament to our R&D initiatives at a local level,” Kyle said. “Our breeders have access to one of the largest and most diverse soybean germplasm libraries in the world. From there, our extensive localized breeding and testing program allows us to deliver varieties that perform across a wide range of geographies and environments so they can withstand heavy disease pressure while delivering industry-leading yields.”

Z-Series soybeans also will deliver significantly improved protection against soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and Phytophthora. Thirteen new varieties will offer stacked Peking and Phytophthora resistance, the most ever introduced in a single year.

“With the new Z-Series soybeans with Peking and Phytophthora resistance, Pioneer will start to move Peking resistance into new maturity groups, giving farmers more tools to help fight SCN resistance,” Knutson said. “This is a critical issue for soybean farmers, and we’ll continue to devote time and research efforts to SDS, SCN and Phytophthora resistance.”

A complete range of herbicide traits
Pioneer is launching more than 50 new Z-Series soybean varieties in the U.S. and 20 varieties in Canada.
    Almost all varieties contain the Enlist E3® soybean trait for tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate and glufosinate (Liberty® herbicide), giving farmers in-season weed-control flexibility while reducing the potential for herbicide-resistant weeds to develop.
    For the Southern U.S. region, four new varieties contain BOLT® technology and the STS® gene.

“We expect Z-Series varieties with BOLT technology will be especially valuable for reduced-till and no-till farmers in the Southern U.S.,” Knutson said. “The BOLT varieties are the only soybeans that can be planted immediately after burndown applications of LeadOff® or Basis® Blend herbicides, giving those farmers a greater degree of planting-time flexibility.”

Full availability for 2025 planting season
Pioneer will offer limited availability of Z-Series soybeans for the 2024 planting season, with greater quantities available for 2025. Z-Series varieties will range from relative maturity 00.3 to relative maturity 6.4 – providing farmers across North America access to varieties that fit their needs.

“If there ever was a class of soybeans that was going to offer something truly, tangibly different, Z-Series soybeans are it,” Knutson said. “The performance is not something we’ve seen in just select seasons or through limited observation. We have several years’ worth of data proving the performance advantages of Z-Series soybeans – and that’s why we’re so confident and excited for farmers to see the yield and the agronomic performance for themselves. We believe they’ll decide very quickly that it’s smart to plant Z-Series soybeans.”



John Deere Announces See & Spray™ Premium Availability on 2025 Hagie STS Sprayers

John Deere announces the expanded availability of one of its premier technology solutions - See & Spray™ Premium – on model-year 2025 Hagie STS sprayers. Already available as a precision upgrade on select John Deere sprayers, See & Spray Premium is an AI-powered weed-sensing system that activates individual spray nozzles when target weeds are “seen” by boom-mounted cameras.

“The availability of See & Spray Premium on Hagie STS sprayers means that more farmers and more custom applicators will have access to one of the most powerful tools available for maximizing cost-efficiency and in-field productivity,” said Tim Deinert, John Deere go-to-market manager for application equipment.

With See & Spray Premium, farmers and custom applicators have the ability to pay for the technology when they need it, making their investment directly connected to their operational needs. This approach offers a customizable solution for operations of any type. Additionally, through improved data and farmer feedback, John Deere can enhance the technology through software updates and ultimately provide operational efficiencies as well as incremental value over the lifetime of the equipment.

Reduce post-herbicide use by more than 50%
See & Spray Premium uses a system of boom-mounted cameras to scan over 2,100 square feet of crop per second as the sprayer is in motion. On-board processors then determine whether an individual plant is crop or weed. Those processors send commands to individual ExactApply™ nozzles, which deliver a precise dose of herbicide only where the weed is recognized.

“Used in conjunction with a good residual herbicide, the ability to selectively spray only targeted weeds – without spraying an entire field – can potentially reduce postemergence herbicide use by more than 50%,” Deinert said. “At the same time, we’re reducing the number of water stops and lowering crop stress, all while increasing efficiency, profitability, and delivering cleaner fields with better yields. But as revolutionary as See & Spray Premium has been, its greatest value may be in the level of documentation it enables.”

In combination with John Deere Operations Center™, the system collects data from each application, showing precisely where spray solution was applied as well as the volume of chemical saved.

“After spraying, application data is sent to John Deere Operations Center,” Deinert said. “From there, farmers and their trusted advisors, including agronomists and crop consultants, can view layered maps showing where individual inputs were applied, and the chemical savings compared with a broadcast application. See & Spray Premium not only saves on input costs, but paired with the John Deere Operations Center, it also shows you the receipts.”

Improving the operator experience
In addition to See & Spray Premium, model-year 2025 Hagie STS sprayers will be available with the John Deere G5PLUS display and Integrated StarFire™ 7500 receiver, enabling the use of the most advanced John Deere guidance, documentation and automation products while offering a larger, faster, higher-definition operator interface.

“Taken together, the G5PLUS display and Integrated StarFire 7500 receiver can help save farmers and applicators real time,” Deinert said. “The faster processor in the display can import and export large guidance files in half the time of previous displays, and provides faster boot times, while the Integrated StarFire 7500 receiver with optional SF-RTK offers greater accuracy and repeatability, so boundaries and lines don’t shift from season to season.”

A game-changing innovation
With input costs rising, See & Spray Premium can be a game-changer for farmers and applicators who need to make the most of their time and chemical investment.

“Since the first self-propelled sprayers came to market nearly 80 years ago, this is where spray technology has been headed,” Deinert said. “See & Spray Premium is an exciting product, and we’re proud to continue our history of offering class-leading solutions to the industry.”



John Deere Introduces New S7 Series Combines

John Deere (NYSE: DE) introduces the new S7 Series of combines, a family of harvesters designed for efficiency, harvest quality and operator friendliness. Harvest time is no time to let up in the chase for efficiency. The new S7 Series of combines helps farmers and custom operators perform at the maximum to make the most of the season’s efforts.

“While we’ve made very visible updates to the cab and exterior styling, the real performance, efficiency and harvest-quality improvements come from the new engines, updated residue-handling, grain-handling and loss-sensing systems, new automation options and more,” said Bergen Nelson, John Deere go-to-market manager for harvesters. “With the S7 Series, farmers can reasonably expect productivity gains of up to 20%, with 10% less fuel used.”

The new S7 Series combine family includes four models:
    S7 600: 333hp/249kw rated power; 367hp/274kw max power
    S7 700: 402hp/300kw rated power; 460hp/343kw max power
    S7 800: 473hp/353kw rated power; 540hp/402kw max power
    S7 900: 543hp/405kw rated power; 617hp/460kw max power

New engines, new grain-handling and new residue management features
New S7 Series combines will be equipped with either the JD14 13.6L engine, or the JD9 9L engine, both in Final Tier 4 configuration, from John Deere Power Systems. Designed to produce higher power at lower RPMs, these powerhouses offer improved all-conditions performance and advanced diagnostics capabilities to help keep the S7 Series combines running strong, all day long.

“Farmers are under growing pressure to operate in both an economically and environmentally sustainable manner,” Nelson said. “The improvements we’ve made to these engines, from the new sensor design to the improved fuel dosing and EGR systems, will help bring emissions down to Final Tier 4 standards and reduce fuel consumption, all while helping increase uptime during critical harvest windows.”

The S7 Series combines also offer a new high-efficiency residue management system. Featuring straight knives, a mechanical tailboard drive, and the available Premium PowerCast™ tailboard, the S7 Series combines can more consistently size and spread fine- or extra-fine cut residue up to 45 feet, while drawing up to 15 fewer hp for residue management functions.

“Spring tillage begins with fall harvest,” Nelson said. “It’s critical for residue to be sized and spread properly to promote fast breakdown. The residue management system on the S7 Series combine can be configured with a range of tailboards and knives, so farmers can get the chop they need, regardless of crop.”

Once the grain carts start rolling, operators can be sure those hard-earned bushels are going into the cart and not on the ground, thanks to the new adjustable unloading spout. After the grain tank is emptied, the new cross-auger shutoff feature completely empties the unloading system, reducing weight in the unloading auger and reducing wear on the associated belts.

The new S7 Series combines also feature an improved grain loss monitoring system in base equipment.

“The new loss-sensing system detects grain loss at the rear of the cleaning shoes and the separator and is up to three times more accurate than the previous system,” Nelson said. “The loss rate is shown clearly on the in-cab display, so operators can quickly make any adjustments necessary.”

The S7 Series combine: corner-office comfort
Because a comfortable operator is a more productive operator, John Deere designed the S7 Series combines to be among the most comfortable ever produced. The new operator’s station offers more storage space, more cupholders, more heat for the feet, a more comfortable seat and more glass for better visibility – all designed for the operator to remain alert and focused through even the longest days of harvest.

“We’ve even redesigned the cab ladder,” Nelson said. “We increased its angle to make entry and exit easier and more comfortable, while also keeping the combine within transport width limits.”

Along with the operator comfort upgrades, John Deere will equip base S7 Series combines with the G5PLUS CommandCenterTM, an Integrated StarFireTM 7500 receiver, a JDLink™ modem, and a new corner post display.

“The new cab features and updates serve two purposes,” Nelson said. “The technology solutions pave the way for the new automation features and functionality, and the comfort and convenience updates help reduce distractions that can take the operator’s attention away from the task at hand. This is a win for farmers, custom harvesters, and their operators.”

Automated settings help keep operators focused
As every farmer knows, finding experienced combine operators can be a challenge. To help new operators become more productive in less time, the new S7 Series combines offer automation packages that allow operators to concentrate on the task at hand, with less worry over settings and ground speed. The Model-Year 2025 S7 Series and X9 Series combines are available with three technology packages operators can choose from – select, premium and ultimate. Available options in the ultimate package include:
    Ground Speed Automation, a dynamic ground speed control feature that helps maintain a consistent feed rate by automatically adjusting the combine’s ground speed based on operator inputs and operator-defined limits on variables such as grain loss, engine power and rotor pressure.
    Harvest Settings Automation helps operators get into the field faster by automatically setting concave clearance, fan speed, rotor speed, sieve clearance and chaffer clearance, all based on the combine model, crop type and geolocation. After the operator selects limits for grain loss, foreign material and broken grain, the system automatically adjusts the five initial settings to stay within the selected limits.
    Predictive Ground Speed Automation controls the combine’s ground speed based on crop height and biomass measurements taken pre-harvest from satellite scans and from on-the-go measurements made by cab-mounted cameras.

“These automation packages will help relieve pressure on newer operators while providing new conveniences and efficiencies for those with more experience,” Nelson said. “They’ll contribute to a faster, higher-quality harvest; allow farmers to put their more experienced labor into higher-value roles; and help reduce overall labor costs and equipment depreciation through faster harvest.

“Taken together, these updates make the S7 Series combines some of the most efficient, capable and operator-friendly machines we’ve ever produced, and will be game-changers for custom harvesters and farmers of all scales.”

Wednesday February 28 Ag News

Managing calf growth pre-weaning, Part I
Alfredo DiCostanzo, NE Extension Beef Educator, Cuming County

Recently, I wrote about how calf prices in 2024 are supportive of greater investments in cow reproductive and calf rearing practices. Efforts to ensure that cows have a better-than-average probability of becoming pregnant will pay off in the next calf crop, also expected to be characterized by higher-than-normal prices (signals for the industry to retain heifers and expand are not here yet). Those efforts include an evaluation of nutritional status of the cows as they calve, and the nutrient program planned for them before the breeding season. It also involves a thorough evaluation of bull battery and the capacity by each bull in that battery to breed successfully. This includes bull soundness examination at least 60 days before the breeding season.

Yet, the focus of today’s column is on the calf. Once calves are recovered from the stress of birth and past any disease challenges such as scours, cow-calf operators are faced with at least two decisions to manage calf growth pre-weaning: whether they will rely on creep-feeding and/or suckling calf growth-promotion implants. The former is a consideration that every producer makes within the context of feed prices seldom evaluating the growth response. The latter has become somewhat of an argument around producer meetings and, I imagine, local cafes. We shall cover this issue later.

Feeding a calf through a specific devise that prevents the cow or other adult females access to the feed source is called creep feeding. There are many creep feeder manufacturers that are happy to sell creep feeders or some do-it-yourself enthusiasts that have built their own feeders. Perhaps, that is the easy part.

The often-complicated part is the decision whether to use creep feed or not. Evaluation of existing calf and feed price information available to the operator as the decision is made should simplify making this decision. Two economic and one biological factor interact to determine whether creep feeding pays: feed (creep feed) price, calf price and conversion efficiency of creep feed to calf gain.

Although most of us are familiar with feed conversion efficiency, creep feed conversion should be calculated differently. We do not know what the feed conversion efficiency is for a calf not provided with creep feed (although we can measure growth by weighing a calf between two time points, milk or forage consumption on an individual basis is unknown). Therefore, we must calculate creep feed conversion efficiency as the differential in gain obtained by a calf fed and one not fed creep feed (gain resulting from creep feeding). Creep feed consumption may be the easiest to obtain at the ranch or farm as this information is available when paying the creep feed bills from the feed company.

Using this information, one can determine the feed conversion efficiency resulting from feeding creep feed to calves: pounds of feed purchased or prepared that disappeared from inventory divided by gain resulting from creep feeding. How do we calculate this last item when we do not weigh calves? If we use a reference to previous years when calves were not creep fed and estimate that most calves will weigh around 80 lb at birth, we can determine calf gain pre-weaning from weaning weight (at sale barn or the operation) and birth weight. Typical calf gains in response to creep feeding range from 0.20 to 0.40 lb/day for intakes between 2 lb and 4 lb daily. Feed conversion efficiencies for these examples would range from 5 lb of creep feed for each one lb gain response to this supplemental feed.

If none of these is available, a range of creep feed conversion efficiency can be used as a reference. Because creep feeding represents supplemental feed, conversion of this supplemental feed to gain is not as efficient as when one calculates the full efficiency between daily total feed intake and daily total gain.

Using a range in creep feed conversion efficiency between 6 to 12 lb creep feed/lb gain above non-creep fed calves, calf price of $3.50/lb and creep feed price between $360 and $540/ton, a return to creep feeding can be calculated.

If a calf consumes 12 lb of creep feed to gain 1 lb (comparing against no supplementation; example, 4.8 lb daily creep feed intake an. .4 lb daily gain), expected sale price is $3.50/lb and creep feed costs $540/ton, say for 100 days, then the total gain will be 40 lb ($140) after consuming 480 lb of creep feed ($130). The return for every dollar spent is $140/$130 or $1.08.

Because it is not the most ideal use of space, the various combinations of calf and creep feed price for the range in feed conversions illustrated in Table 1 were not included. Suffice it to say that for a change in calf price of $0.10/lb returns to creep feeding change $0.06, $0.04, and $0.03 for every dollar spent in creep feeding when feed conversion efficiency ranges from 6 to 12 lb creep feed per lb gain.

Within a given calf price, and feed conversion efficiency, a change in creep feed price of $60/ton results in variable changes in return to creep feeding: from $0.14 to $0.46 for every dollar spent in creep feeding.

Generally, feed prices are moderating, and calf prices are increasing; therefore, the only unknown, for someone that has not used creep feeding is feed conversion efficiency. However, this simple exercise demonstrated that even at poor conversion efficiencies, creep feeding is a viable alternative to consider for managing growth in calves that will be sold right at or shortly after weaning in 2024. Considerations for calves that will be kept for further growth within the same operation may differ from this recommendation.



2024 Water and Natural Resources Tour June 17 and 18

Join the Nebraska Water Center and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District on June 17 and 18 as we get up close and personal with water and natural resources in southeast Nebraska.

Experience the unique landscape and local charms of southeast Nebraska, where water and natural resources are the key to collaboration and innovation. This exclusive tour is your passport to:
    Learn from local experts: Get the inside scoop on the Nemaha Natural Resources District’s current projects and future plans.
    Rediscover iconic destinations: Escape the crowds with a private tour of Kimmel Orchard.  
    Tour new projects: Be one of the first to tour Lincoln’s Water 2.0 project, from the Missouri River source to the Ashland treatment facility.
    Make new connections: Forge new friendships with water professionals and enthusiasts alike as we experience what southeast Nebraska has to offer together.  

This is more than just a tour; it’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature, gain a deeper understanding of Nebraska, and experience what makes southeast Nebraska unique.

Registration will be available in the next few weeks. You can visit go.unl.edu/watertour to stay up to date.



Flood Backs Resolution to Prohibit Dangerous Paraguayan Beef Imports

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood recently co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution alongside U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX) in disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to oppose the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay final rule.

“Nebraska is known as the Beef State. For over 150 years, thousands of ranchers and farmers around the state have raised the best quality cattle in the world,” Rep. Flood said. “Paraguay has a history of poor infectious disease management in livestock production. I am proud to co-sponsor Rep. Jackson’s resolution to ensure Americans are eating the healthiest and safest beef possible. The Biden Administration is putting America’s cattle producers and consumers at risk – Americans can’t afford this gamble and Congress needs to overturn this decision quickly.”

On November 14, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) made the decision to begin allowing the import of fresh Paraguayan beef using risk assessment data from site visits to the country from over 10 years ago. These outdated risk assessments put America's beef, pork, and sheep industries at risk of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which Paraguay has a long history of in their beef herds. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that has the potential to derail America's robust beef production system, which is the safest and most abundant in the world.

This CRA is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, R-CALF USA, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, and the Livestock Marketing Association.



Ricketts, Brown Introduce Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act

Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act to allow companies to preserve Renewable Identification Number credits (RINs) under the RFS program for renewable fuel, when the fuel for use is in ocean-going vessels.

“This legislation will drive demand for biofuels and provide more opportunities for Nebraska farmers who have played a crucial role creating a strong renewable diesel economy,” said Senator Ricketts. “These kinds of solutions strengthen American energy independence, support American jobs, and reduce emissions.”

“Nebraska’s soy farmers have helped build a robust, rapidly growing biodiesel and renewable diesel industry,” said Doug Bartek, Chairman of Nebraska Soybean Association. “This legislation will open new market opportunities for Nebraska’s farmers and clean fuels producers, who can provide ocean-going shipping vessels a better, cleaner fuel today.”

“The international shipping industry is seeking to decarbonize and clean fuels like biodiesel and renewable diesel are available today to help,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “This commonsense legislation will enable biodiesel and renewable diesel producers to meet the low-carbon fuel demand from shipping companies operating on both coasts and the Great Lakes. It will open new markets to American clean fuel producers and their farmer partners.”

BACKGROUND:
The RFS excludes “fuel used in ocean-going vessels” from the definition of transportation fuels and from refiners’ and blenders’ obligations. Refiners and blenders are currently required to retire RINs from any biodiesel and renewable diesel used in vessels with Class 3 engines operating in international waters, including the Great Lakes. In the first ten months of 2023, more than 5 million D4 RINs were retired under this rule.

The Environmental Protection Agency, however, allows companies to generate and use RINs for “additional renewable fuel,” which includes heating oil and jet fuel. The Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act would expand the RFS definition of additional renewable fuel and allow companies to use or sell the RINs associated with biodiesel and renewable diesel used in ocean-going vessels.



Iowa Secretary Naig's Successful Trade Mission to Mexico

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently spearheaded a successful trade mission to Mexico, held from February 18-24. The mission, orchestrated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), aimed at expanding Iowa's exports of both manufactured products and agricultural goods.

Expressing the potential created by Iowa's productive farmers and favorable trade agreements, Secretary Naig emphasized the opportunity to supply customers globally. Mexico, being Iowa's largest export destination for corn, pork, and dried distillers grains, holds significant market share for soybeans, soybean meal, beef, and ethanol.

The trade mission focused on acknowledging past business, strengthening existing relationships, and uncovering new opportunities. With Iowa companies achieving a record $4.2 billion in goods exported to Mexico in 2023, the state solidifies its position as a key trade partner. Key agricultural exports include corn ($973 million), pork ($706 million), and soybeans ($392 million).

Mexico stands as the second-largest export market for U.S. exporters, with overall exports valued at $323 billion in 2023. In the agricultural sector alone, Mexico's purchases reached a record $28.5 billion, underlining its significance as a vital market for Iowa's agricultural products.

The mission included representatives from prominent organizations such as the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and IEDA staff. Delegates engaged in meetings tailored to their market entry or expansion needs.

The IEDA's International Trade Office plays a pivotal role in connecting Iowa companies with global markets, providing education on exporting, and assisting global companies looking to establish or expand operations in Iowa. For further details on these services or upcoming trade missions, visit iowaeda.com/missions.

Secretary Naig's strategic mission underscores Iowa's commitment to fostering international partnerships and expanding its global footprint in both agriculture and manufacturing sectors.



Iowans Encouraged to Nominate Conservation Leaders for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award

Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon invite Iowans to nominate individuals or families for the 2024 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award.

Iowa farmers and landowners who implement proven practices to improve water quality and incorporate farming practices that conserve and protect our natural resources are eligible for the award. Awardees should also actively serve as leaders within the Iowa agriculture community. Since the creation of the award in 2012, 777 farm families have been recognized.

To be considered for recognition in 2024, nominations will be accepted through May 6, 2024.

“Farming and environmental stewardship have always gone hand-in-hand,” said Governor Reynolds. “The farm families who are recognized with an Environmental Leader Award balance their role to feed and fuel the world with their responsibility to preserve our state’s natural resources, leaving a remarkable legacy for generations to come.”

“Iowa continues to set records for conservation adoption and that would not be possible without the devoted farm families and landowners implementing proven water quality and soil conservation practices on their land,” said Secretary Naig. “We would encourage Iowans to nominate deserving individuals or families from their community and we look forward to recognizing these conservation leaders at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.”

“Every year, deserving farmers get an opportunity to share their stories about why they implemented conservation practices on their farms and the incredible impact it has made,” said Director Lyon. “This award is a perfect way to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond and acknowledge their hard work and commitment to improving soil and water quality.”

The recipients of the award will be honored during a ceremony on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at the Iowa State Fair. Governor Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Secretary Naig and Director Lyon will present each awardee with an Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award sign and certificate.

The nomination form can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. An appointed committee representing conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.



World Pork Expo Returns with Exciting Updates for 2024

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated 2024 World Pork Expo, set to take place on June 5-6 at the iconic Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

The two-day event promises an immersive experience from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, bringing together the global pork industry’s leaders for a schedule packed with opportunities for education and networking. The world’s largest pork-specific trade show will also return to showcase the latest products and innovations from across the industry.

“The World Pork Expo continues to be the pinnacle event for pork professionals worldwide,” said NPPC President Scott Hays. “This year, we’re excited to introduce a new two-day schedule to make every moment of the Expo jam-packed with value for our attendees.”
 
World's Largest Pork-Specific Trade Show
The 2024 Expo will draw more than 10,000 pork producers and industry professionals. Participants will be able to engage with over 400 companies from North America and around the globe, showcasing the latest products, services, and technologies in nearly 700 booths and more than 50 hospitality tents serving fresh and delicious pork products across almost 300,000 square feet of exhibit space.

"The Expo's new two-day setup, filled with educational content, business opportunities, and entertainment, highlights our commitment to the industry's growth and success, no matter the challenges we may face together, " Hays said. "We invite all industry professionals to join us for what promises to be an unforgettable experience."
 
New Entertainment Options
The 2024 World Pork Expo will see the return of live entertainment, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the already vibrant atmosphere of the Expo. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to celebrate the pork industry in a festive setting, providing attendees with days full of useful insights with enjoyable entertainment, networking, and camaraderie to unwind after a day full of activities. Further details on the lineup will be shared in the upcoming months.
 
Online Registration Opens Soon
Registration information will soon be available on WorldPork.org for those who plan to attend the 2024 World Pork Expo, June 5-6. Attendees are also encouraged to follow #WPX2024 on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to stay connected and informed.



An Analysis of the Effect of Sunsetting Tax Provisions for Family Farm Households
USDA Economic Research Service

Two recent laws enacted temporary provisions to the Federal tax code: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

A new report issued today by USDA’s Economic Research Service, An Analysis of the Effect of Sunsetting Tax Provisions for Family Farm Households, evaluates the impact of these expired and expiring Federal income and estate tax policies on the financial well-being of farm households.

Here are a few findings from the report:
    The sunsetting of ARPA and TCJA provisions would result in increased taxes for most farm households, with the impact varying by farm size.
    Because most farms (97.6%) are structured as pass-through entities that are taxed under the individual income tax, the sunsetting provisions revolving around the income tax rates (including changes to the standard deductions and personal exemptions) were estimated to have the largest increase on farm household tax liabilities.
    The second largest impact was from the qualified business income deduction, which reduces taxable income by 20% of farm income. For farm households with positive farm income, this deduction offers a significant reduction in tax liability. Sunsetting this deduction would increase tax liabilities by $2.2 billion.

For more information, please refer to the full report here https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/108636/err-328.pdf?v=5400.



EPA Convenes Endangered Species Interagency Working Group Meeting

On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted an in-person meeting of the Interagency Working Group (IWG) focused on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). CropLife America (CLA) commends EPA for holding this session and engaging stakeholders on this important issue.

The meeting featured Biden Administration officials and career employees, as well as Congressional staff and impacted stakeholders including NGOs, pesticide companies and trade associations, grower organizations, non-agriculture pesticide users, state agencies, and academia. The discussion provided an opportunity for impacted stakeholders to share their input and suggest ways to help protect endangered species and their habitats when registering pesticides. CLA voiced its support for a transparent process that is science based, addresses risks through review of real-world data, and considers the impacts to agriculture, while being protective of endangered species.

All parties present communicated areas of agreement and ‘right track’ components of the workplan, as well as areas for where they feel EPA can improve its ESA Workplan. The involvement and engagement by stakeholders in this process provides the IWG with the best chance for success and stability into the future.

Authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill, this IWG consists of representatives from EPA, USDA, Interior, Commerce, and CEQ. Participants discussed various components of the EPA’s ESA Workplan including mitigation measures, species habitat, interagency coordination, and further stakeholder engagement.



Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack On the Confirmation of Dr. Basil Gooden as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development
 
Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the following statement upon the Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Basil Gooden as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development.

“The Senate’s confirmation of Dr. Basil Gooden as Under Secretary for Rural Development speaks directly to the results of his work in championing affordable housing, community advancement, and economic development. I have the fullest confidence that he will lead USDA’s Rural Development mission area with the energy and personal commitment he has demonstrated throughout his impressive career. Through prior roles, Dr. Gooden has been directly involved in so much that Rural Development has accomplished in every state under the Biden-Harris Administration, from expansion of independent meat and poultry processing, to connecting rural households to critical high-speed internet through ReConnect, to supporting investments in clean water, clean energy, modernized facilities and other vital community infrastructure. Dr. Gooden is a true asset at the People’s Department, and I look forward to continuing our work advancing and improving policies that benefit agriculture and rural America.

“I want to also thank Roger Glendenning, Chief Operating Officer for Rural Development, and Farah Ahmad, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, for their exemplary leadership during this time of transition. USDA Rural Development is in great hands with this team, and I know they will continue to surpass expectations in the months ahead.”



FMCSA and PHMSA Issue Safety Advisory for Nurse Tanks

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issue this safety advisory to provide notice of the possibility of catastrophic failure of certain hazardous materials packages commonly known as “nurse tanks.” See Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) §173.315(m).

Background
This notice focuses on nurse tanks manufactured from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2011, by American Welding and Tank (AWT) at its Fremont, Ohio plant. Nurse tanks manufactured by AWT from 2009 to 2010 were the subject of a prior FMCSA investigation and enforcement action in response to improper manufacturing procedures.

On August 23, 2023, a 2009 AWT nurse tank containing anhydrous ammonia experienced a catastrophic failure in a farm co-op lot, resulting in the release of all product. The failure caused the tank shell to “rocket” over 300 feet from its original location. While no injuries were reported, this event is an indicator of potential continuing problems with AWT nurse tanks that have now been in service for over a decade.

As a result of this incident, the owner of the nurse tank involved contracted with a third-party testing company to examine their AWT nurse tanks that were manufactured between 2008 and 2012. Radiographic testing showed that 7 of 8 the nurse tanks tested had extreme stress corrosion cracking, porosity, and inclusions/voids in the welds where the heads and shells of the nurse tanks were joined. Only the 2012 tank passed. The nurse tank owner submitted these results to engineering experts who were involved in previous research funded by FMCSA into similar issues with this series of AWT nurse tanks.1 Based on the test results and the review by the experts, the owner voluntarily placed the nurse tanks out-of-service.  The parent company of the farm co-op subsequently conducted similar radiographic testing on 142 AWT nurse tanks manufactured between 2007 and 2012, and 100 failed the test.  All 2012 tanks passed.

Recommendation
The current Hazardous Materials Regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-180) do not require periodic inspection and testing of nurse tanks that have attached and legible American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) identification plates and that meet the other requirements in 49 CFR §173.315(m)(1). Requirements for periodic inspection and testing of nurse tanks apply only when the ASME plate is missing or illegible. See 49 CFR §173.315(m)(2).

The FMCSA and PHMSA nevertheless strongly recommend that owners of AWT nurse tanks manufactured between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011 that are exempted from periodic inspection and testing requirements as described above, conduct voluntary periodic visual inspection in accordance with 49 CFR §173.315(m)(2)(i); thickness testing in accordance with 49 CFR §173.315(m)(2)(ii), and pressure testing in accordance with 49 CFR §173.315(m)(2)(iii). Note these dates reflect the years of manufacture that failed testing.

For owners of affected AWT nurse tanks unable to conduct voluntary pressure testing, FMCSA and PHMSA recommend that either radiographic or ultrasonic testing be conducted. While the period of voluntary inspection and testing is at the discretion of the nurse tank owner, FMCSA and PHMSA recommend conducting the inspection and testing at least once every five years consistent with 49 CFR §173.315(m)(2)(iv).



SSGA promoting quality with U.S. Identity Preserved in Japan

The Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) is taking its Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop to Tokyo, Japan, on March 7 during FOODEX Japan 2024. FOODEX Japan is the largest annual food and beverage trade show in Asia, making it an ideal venue to host the Identity Preserved workshop.

“SSGA launched the U.S. Identity Preserved program a little over two years ago, and 15 certified companies now use the ‘Identity Preserved United States’ brand mark to signify the great quality and traceability of U.S. specialty soybeans and grains to international food companies and buyers,” said Shane Frederick, SSGA’s manager of strategic programs. “We are going to Tokyo to tell the U.S. Identity Preserved story and emphasize that when it comes to these premium U.S. field crops, quality doesn’t cost, it pays!”

Taking place at Tokyo Big Sight in Room 3, Hall 4, Second Foor, the Identity Preserved International Summit Workshop will feature educational presentations describing U.S. Identity Preserved protocol and labeling and includes translation and ample networking opportunities. With traceability at the heart of it all, the identity preserved process segregates crops and products throughout production, processing and distribution so customers receive the exact qualities and characteristics that they order.

"We’re building and growing a strong relationship between farmers and suppliers of U.S. specialty field crops and customers and consumers overseas,” said Bryan Stobaugh, SSGA board director and director of licensing and commercialization for Missouri Soybeans. “As the identity preserved association of the United States, SSGA has a ‘fork to farm’ focus that covers the entire IP value chain.”

Workshop presentations include:
    Information about suppliers of identity preserved, variety-specific field crops, including U.S. companies and products certified with the Identity Preserved United States mark.
    An explanation of the U.S. Identity Preserved system and assurance plan and how it assures quality and traceability.
    Opportunities to include the Identity Preserved United States label on retail product packaging and how to communicate the mark’s message to customers.
    Crop updates and outlooks from U.S. farmers.

Along with the Summit, SSGA will be exhibiting in booth E4-C12-34 at FOODEX March 5-8.

Tuesday February 27 Ag News

Melissa Temple Announces Candidacy for State Legislature

Melissa Temple of Norfolk, NE publicly announced today that she would seek election to Nebraska’s 19th Legislative District, which includes Madison County and Southern Pierce County. This district is currently represented by Rob Dover who was appointed in 2022 to fill the vacated seat of Congressman Mike Flood.

“I want to give voters an alternative choice outside the boxes of our two party system,” said Temple. “I believe leadership is first and foremost about service. I am running for the legislature as an independent candidate in order to make thoughtful decisions on behalf of my constituents, not tied to partisan politics. Being conservative and compassionate are not mutually exclusive, and my faith tradition compels me to work towards justice for the most vulnerable in our community and address social issues with empathetic solutions.”

A daughter of two veterans, Melissa’s family moved to Norfolk over twenty years ago. After college Melissa worked as a special education teacher for ESU #8’s Eastern Learning Center in Norfolk for five years and co-founded and served as the vice president of a local non-profit that worked to combat human trafficking and rehabilitate survivors in Nebraska. Melissa followed a call to seminary, and after graduating, she returned to Norfolk where she continues to serve her community today as a chaplain with St. Croix Hospice and as an educator for children on the autism spectrum.

“Nebraska’s children are our state’s most precious resource and wisest investment. We must prioritize their education, protect their physical and mental health, and carefully manage the natural resources they will inherit. By making this corner of our state a great place to grow up, we can encourage young folks who have left the region for education or career opportunities to return like I did and re-invest themselves back into our community.”

In November 2022, Melissa was elected to the board of directors for the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District where she has worked to address District 19’s high levels of nitrates. As a director, Melissa has advocated for good stewardship of the groundwater, regenerative ag practices, flood protection, and outdoor recreation opportunities for our region. As a leader, Melissa stands up for our constitutional freedoms. She has fought for increased government accountability, integrity, and transparency, and is a fierce defender of our First Amendment rights. She filed a federal lawsuit last year to help protect those civil liberties for others.

Melissa currently serves as the vice president of the Norfolk Parks and Recreation board and recently joined the board of The Connections Project, a peer-run non-profit for individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. Melissa is active with the Norfolk Community Theater, Norfolk Connect, the Nebraska Organizing Project, and was selected as one of Norfolk’s 2024 “Top 20 Under 40.” In her free time Melissa coaches gymnastics at the YMCA, enjoys walking the Cowboy Trail with her family, and recently completed the Norfolk 101: Citizens Academy.

These many community connections have shaped Melissa’s perception of life in the 19th District and the diverse challenges and needs of this area. “I have spent the past few years listening to and learning from citizens in our community who represent all walks of life. In the legislature I will work to promote rural healthcare access, keep our public schools and community colleges well funded, address our affordable housing and childcare crisis, be an advocate for folks with disabilities and mental health challenges, recommend responsible tax reform, and partner with producers to mitigate the rising nitrates in our groundwater. I hope to be an independent voice for the people of this district and help make it a place everyone wants to come back home to.”

A lifelong learner, Melissa first attended Northeast Community College before eventually transferring to Indiana Wesleyan University where she graduated with a B.S. in K-12 Special Education. She holds an M.A. in Social Justice and M.A. (ABT) in Innovation and Leadership from Kilns College in Bend, Oregon. She most recently attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where she earned an M.Div. with a focus on ethics and political theology and an M.A. in Christian Education with a focus on ecology. While at Princeton Melissa worked on a farm and took classes in political leadership and public policy at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and was a fellow in Religion, Diplomacy, and International Affairs at Princeton University’s Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination. Melissa is an alumni fellow with the Fellowship at Auschwitz for the study of Professional Ethics (FASPE) and a candidate for ordination with the Presbyterian Church (USA).



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting in the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 2024, on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus and Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Embassy Suites in Lincoln (1040 P Street, Lincoln, Nebraska). The board will address regular board business on March 13.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. A copy of the agenda is available by writing to the Nebraska Corn Board, 245 Fallbrook Blvd. Suite 204, Lincoln, NE 68521, sending an email to renee.tichota@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2676.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board to increase the value and sustainability of Nebraska corn through promotion, market development and research.

 

NEBRASKA CROP VALUES

The value of Nebraska’s 2023 field and miscellaneous crops is forecast at $13.5 billion, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is down 11% from 2022.

The value of corn production is expected to total $8.56 billion, down 13% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska’s corn price is projected to average $4.95 per bushel, down $1.82 from the last marketing year.

The value of soybean production is expected to total $3.36 billion, down 14% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska’s soybean price is projected to average $12.60 per bushel, down $1.60 from the last marketing year.

The value of winter wheat production is expected to total $255 million up 16% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's winter wheat price is projected to average $6.90 per bushel, down $1.48 from the last marketing year.

The value of alfalfa production is expected to total $578 million, up 11% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's alfalfa price is projected to average $200.00 per ton, down $7.00 from the last marketing year. The value of other hay production is expected to total $329 million, up 41% from the previous marketing year. Nebraska's other hay price is projected to average $135.00 per ton, up $7.00 from the last marketing year.

IOWA CROP VALUES
The production of Iowa's field and miscellaneous crops was valued at $20.0 billion in 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Values 2023 Summary. This was down 21 percent from 2022.

The value of corn for grain production totaled $12.2 billion, down 25 percent from the previous year. Iowa's corn price averaged $4.85 per bushel, $1.77 below the last marketing year.

The value of soybean production was $7.22 billion, down 13 percent from 2022. The average price decreased $1.60 from the previous year to $12.60 per bushel.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending February 25, 2024, topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 30% short, 61% adequate, and 2% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10% very short, 41% short, 48% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 33% fair, 48% good, and 12% excellent.

The next report will be issued March 25, 2024



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during January 2024 totaled 8.28 million, up from 6.25 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during January totaled 210 million eggs, up from 148 million in 2023. January egg production per 100 layers was 2,529 eggs, compared to 2,369 eggs in 2023

IOWA: Iowa egg production during January 2024 was 1.11 billion eggs, up 6 percent from the previous January, 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 January 2024 was 42.7 million, up 2 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for January was 2,602, up 4 percent from a year ago.

January Egg Production Up 2 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.27 billion during January 2024, up 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.98 billion table eggs, and 1.29 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.19 billion were broiler-type and 98.3 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during January 2024 averaged 377 million, up slightly from last year. January egg production per 100 layers was 2,458 eggs, up 2 percent from January 2023.
                                    
All layers in the United States on February 1, 2024 totaled 376 million, up slightly from last year. The 376 million layers consisted of 309 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 62.9 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.79 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on February 1, 2024, averaged 79.0 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from February 1, 2023.



JBS meat packing facility in Grand Island avoids major fire damage, no injuries

No injuries were reported following a fire inside two storage containers Friday night at JBS in Grand Island.

Grand Island Fire Department crews responded around 10 p.m. to the meat packing plant at 555 S. Stuhr Road for a report of two bulk storage containers outside the building that were smoking.

GIFD report the chemicals inside the containers heat up when exposed to air and that when crews put water on it to extinguish the blaze, it would heat up, leading crews to end up making a sprinkler system to continuously have water on it.

GIFD reports no damage to buildings at JBS was reported and operations were not impacted.



Consider These Factors When Writing a Pasture Lease

In Iowa, the same law that pertains to cropland leases also applies to pasture leases.

However, unlike crop leases that typically run from March 1 to the last day of February the following year, pasture leases may be written for a shorter period of time.

Charles Brown, a farm management specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said this process still requires that all leases be terminated by serving a written termination notice at the end of the lease, or the tenant will have the lease for the following year under the same terms as the old lease.

“The termination notice must be a separate document and cannot be part of the lease agreement,” he said. “Also, verbal termination is not recognized in Iowa.”

Brown reminds farmers that it's always best to have a written lease as this can eliminate arguments later and improve landlord/tenant communications.

"In the written lease, it should spell out the responsibilities of the landlord and the tenant," he said. "Who is responsible for maintaining fences, weed control, providing water, paying for utilities, seed, fertilizer, lime, etc. Is mowing pasture for hay allowed? Who has the hunting rights? These should all be spelled out in the written lease."

Determining a fair lease amount for a pasture lease can be accomplished in several ways. Although the most popular lease is still a dollar amount per acre, other lease arrangements are possible.

Some other examples are based on a percentage (2-3%) of the fair market value of the farmland, an amount based on a per-head per-day, rental rate based on carrying capacity per AMU, and rental rate based on rate of gain. These and more are explained further in the Decision Tool C2-23, on the Ag Decision Maker website.

Each May, ISU Extension and Outreach publishes the results of an annual survey on cash rental rates (publication C2-10) with the pasture rental rates listed by crop reporting district.

Read more about the 2023 survey and download a pdf of the results.

"With the improvement in cow/calf profits, I believe these rates may increase for 2024," Brown said. "Again, it is always best to have a signed written lease agreement and list all things that landlord and tenant agree to."

Other rental arrangements can be found on the Ag Decision Maker website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/html/c2-23.html, the Iowa Beef Center website https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Pasture-and-Grazing-Arrangements-for-Beef-Cattle and Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/resource/2011/12/pasture-rental-arrangements/.



Naig Praises Iowa House Passage of Small-Scale Poultry Processing Legislation

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today following the Iowa House of Representatives’ passage of House File 2257, his legislation to expand small-scale poultry processing in Iowa:

“Iowa poultry producers, especially those who sell directly to consumers, have long struggled to find poultry processing options within Iowa and have instead had to travel to neighboring states for this service. This legislation, combined with our request to USDA for additional flexibility for states, can be a step toward fixing this problem. I want to thank the Iowa House for its overwhelming bipartisan support of my legislation, and I am hopeful that the Iowa Senate will take action soon to send this bill to Governor Reynolds for her signature.”

Background on companion legislation House File 2257 and Senate File 2207

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship performs meat and poultry inspections through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS). Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, red meat establishments are specifically allowed to perform both official and custom processing at the same facility through a provision that is commonly referred to as the Curtis Amendment. The Poultry Products Inspection Act, however, does not include such a provision, resulting in poultry processors having to choose between doing only official or only custom processing. There is no increased food safety risk associated with allowing the same facility to perform both activities.

If House File 2257 or its companion, Senate File 2207, is enacted, the Department’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau could allow state poultry processing establishments to perform both official inspected and custom-exempt processing at the same facility. The change would not impact food safety and would treat poultry processing with the same standards already in place for establishments that perform red meat processing.

In addition to proposing and supporting House File 2257 and Senate File 2207, Secretary Naig will formally petition USDA-FSIS to ask them to reassess their interpretation of the federal law and grant states the flexibility to allow for additional poultry processing capacity. If this legislation is passed and signed into law, it would not go into effect until USDA specifically grants this additional flexibility to states.



Iowa Pork Honors Individuals as State's Top Pork Promoters

The men and women involved in Iowa’s pork industry are both enthusiastic and dedicated to the work they do to promote pork and pig production in the state, as well as providing leadership to their county organizations. That’s why the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) tips its hat each year to these local leaders.

The nominees and state winners were announced at the Iowa Pork Congress in late January.

Belle Ringer Award Winners
Three women from across Iowa were nominated for the state Belle Ringer award. Each was recognized for the key role she plays in her county pork producer organization.

Those county winners are:
    Buchanan — Kalynn Cavanaugh, Oelwein, has served on the Buchanan County Pork Producers board of directors for three years. She assists with many promotional activities, including at the pork producers food booth at the Buchanan County Fair; the Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival in Waterloo; and pork grilling events.
    Delaware — Kelley Ries, Manchester, has served on the Delaware County Pork Producers board of directors for more than six years. She plays a vital role in the contests for county pork queen and other youth royalty; helps with annual pie-baking contests; assists with pork educational efforts; and serves pork meals to area residents.
    Washington — Jaelyn Hesseltine, Washington, has served on the Washington County Pork Producers (WCPP) board of directors for three years, including as vice president and president. She strives to keep all members better informed about activities. She led the effort to organize volunteers for the Iowa Pork Tent during the 2023 Iowa State Fair; opened a WCPP Instagram account and posts about the industry; grilled at local events; and helped with presenting pork facts to attendees at the annual Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere Foundation outing in Riverside.

Hesseltine was named the winner of the state Belle Ringer award, presented by IPPA.

Hog Wild Award Winners
Four men from across Iowa were nominated for the top Hog Wild Award. Each of the nominees was recognized for the key role he plays in his county pork producer organization.

Those county winners are:
    Buchanan — Lucas Cavanaugh, Oelwein, is a three-year member of his county board of directors. Like his wife Kalynn, who was nominated for the Belle Ringer award, he is active with promotional activities, including at the Buchanan County Fair pork producers food stand; the Iowa Eats Food & Drink Festival in Waterloo; and pork grilling events.
    Cherokee — Rod Parker, Cherokee, has served for 19 years on his county’s board of directors, including as vice president and grilling chairman. Parker has helped coordinate many projects, and participated with activities like grilling at the Iowa Pork Tent during the Iowa State Fair.
    Delaware — Jim Shover, Hopkinton, has been on his county board of directors for many years, including three as president. Shover has served as pork superintendent of the Delaware County Fair, and represented pork producers on the fair livestock sale committee. He works with 4-H and FFA youth during the fair and throughout the year.
    Plymouth — Andy Schroeder, Le Mars, has served on his county’s board of directors for 10 years, including four as president. He has coordinated many projects, including donating hams to area food pantries during the holidays, as well as to local service members, police officers, medical professionals, and firefighters. He helps with promotions during October Pork Month, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, and the Plymouth County Fair; educates college students about meat processing; and actively communicates industry voices to legislators.

Schroeder was selected as the state winner of the Hog Wild Award, presented by IPPA.

Awardees Share Qualities
The individuals nominated for both the Belle Ringer and Hog Wild awards show the highest qualities of leadership, dedication, and commitment to the activities that promote the Iowa pork industry. The IPPA promotion committee selects the nominees and winners of the state awards.

The county organizations that nominated the state winners each received $250; the county organizations nominating the others each earned $100.



USDA Cold Storage January 2024 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up 4 percent from the previous month but down 11 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 10 percent from the previous month but down 10 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 14 percent from last month but down 8 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on January 31, 2024 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 4 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 5 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 24 percent from last month and up 4 percent from January 31, 2023.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on January 31, 2024 were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 1 percent from January 31, 2023. Butter stocks were up 25 percent from last month but down 6 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 10 percent from last month but up 4 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 8 percent from last month and down 3 percent from a year ago.



Northern Soy Marketing unveils revamped website

Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) has unlocked a new realm of increasing soybean farmer profitability with its recent rebranding and the launch of its new website. The refreshed logo features a lock and the tagline, “Unlocking knowledge of soy quality,” which supports NSM’s vision of shifting the soybean value paradigm from crude protein to nutritional value.

“The concept of the lock came to fruition as we brainstormed the true mission of NSM,” said Kristeena Thisius, director of marketing for Ag Management Solutions, which led the re-brand project. “NSM’s goal is to be an education hub for soy quality information, both through in-person visits and its digital presence.”

A farmer-led board formed by the soybean checkoff boards of Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota, NSM invests grower checkoff funds to conduct research on soybean quality in U.S. soybeans and soybean meal destined for export, especially those from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) ports. Additionally, NSM funds educational outreach sessions for international soybean buyers to consider critical amino acid value as a complete assessment of soybean feed quality rather than only crude protein levels.

“Education is at the heart of NSM’s mission,” said NSM Chair Patrick O’Leary, who farms in Benson, Minnesota. “We want to connect with buyers and end users to provide them with the knowledge to make the best nutritional decisions for their livestock. The new logo and website reflect that.”

The new website – soyquality.com – will act as the true education hub and resource center for international buyers, nutritionists and U.S. soybean farmers.

“We are excited for this next chapter for NSM,” O’Leary said. “The new website will be the premier spot for international buyers, feed nutritionists and farmers to gather the knowledge they need to make the best decisions for their companies and operations.”

About Northern Soy Marketing
Northern Soy Marketing, LLC is the farmer-leader board formed by the soybean checkoff boards of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The board invests grower checkoff funds to conduct research on soybean quality and Critical Amino Acid Value (CAAV) levels in northern-grown soybeans and funds outreach to buyers around the world.



USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small Leads Trade Mission to Angola

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small is leading USDA’s first agribusiness trade mission to Luanda, Angola, this week, accompanied by representatives from the Kansas and Wisconsin departments of agriculture, as well as 16 U.S. companies and organizations.

“I am proud to lead USDA’s first trade mission to Angola to help American agri-businesses build strong relationships in this exciting market and region” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Torres Small. “USDA is invested in market access, whether new or expanded, across the globe. Angola provides ample opportunities to export high-quality, high-value U.S. agricultural products, and I’m excited to see the connections that are formed over the coming days.”

Members of the U.S. delegation will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential buyers from Angola, as well as from neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo. They will also receive in-depth market briefings from USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff and industry trade experts, gaining insights that will help inform their export strategies for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Trade mission participants represent a variety of American-made food and agricultural products, including beef, dairy, distilled spirits, dry beans and lentils, grains, oilseeds, poultry and more. Participating companies and organizations are:
    Agrisar, Inc., Broadway, Va.
    AMER-CON Corporation, Miami, Fla.
    Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA-Northeast, Chicago, Ill.
    Grove Services, Inc., Wellesley, Maine
    Health Enhanced Foods, Rockaway, N.J.
    J. Reiger & Co., Kansas City, Mo.
    JM Grain, Garrison, N.D.
    Montana Dakota Brands, Lodgepole, N.D.
    Mountaire Farms, Millsboro, Del.
    Schreiber Foods, Green Bay, Wis.
    U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va.
    U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., Mount Horeb, Wis.
    U.S. Meat Export Federation, Denver, Colo.
    U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
    U.S. Wheat Associates, Arlington, Va.
    USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, Tucker, Ga.



Tester, Rounds Introduce CRA to Overturn Biden Administration Decision Allowing Beef Imports from Paraguay

As part of their continued efforts to support American ranchers and ensure the safety of consumers, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today officially filed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would overturn the Biden Administration’s recent decision to lift a long-standing ban on beef imports from Paraguay.  

A Congressional Review Act resolution, or CRA, is an oversight tool Congress may use to overturn final rules issued by federal agencies by a simple majority vote.

“My message to the Biden Administration is simple: cutting corners to resume beef imports from a country with a recent history of foot and mouth disease is bad news for both Montana consumers and producers, and I won’t let it stand,” said Tester. “Montana ranchers produce the best beef in the world, and it’s clear that the USDA doesn’t have the data to show that Paraguay meets the same animal health standards. That’s why I’m teaming up with Senator Rounds to overturn this decision from the Biden Administration that is giving a raw deal to American ranchers and could have dangerous impacts on our food supply.”

“South Dakota farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to produce the safest, highest quality and most affordable beef in the world,” said Rounds. “Paraguay, on the other hand, has historically struggled to contain outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. Consumers across America should be able to confidently feed their families beef that they know has met the rigorous standards required in the United States. I’m pleased to be filing this CRA with Senator Tester to overturn this rule that harms American producers and consumers.”

Tester and Rounds’ bipartisan resolution is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), R-CALF USA, Livestock Marketing Association, National Farmers Union, Montana Farmers Union, Montana Stockgrowers Association, and the Montana Farm Bureau Federation.

“USDA’s decision to allow Paraguayan beef imports into the U.S. creates an unnecessary risk to the health and safety of the U.S. cattle herd. U.S. cattle producers are held to the highest food safety and animal health standards in the world and any trade partner must be able to demonstrate they can meet those same standards,” said Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “Given Paraguay’s long history of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, it is simply too risky to allow Paraguayan imports without recent site visits to confirm Paraguay’s safety claims. U.S. cattle producers are thankful for the leadership of Senators Jon Tester and Mike Rounds for applying the Congressional Review Act to hold USDA accountable and protect our nation’s cattle herd.”

“The last time U.S. government officials stepped foot in a Paraguayan meat processing facility was in 2014. That nearly ten-year gap since the last site visit does not inspire confidence in Paraguay’s animal health and food safety protocols,” said Justin Tupper, President of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA). “Further, in its regulatory impact analysis, USDA fully admits that there is a real possibility we could import beef from an animal infected by Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). An outbreak of FMD in the United States would be devastating for both producers and consumers, causing lasting financial losses between $33 and $93 billion. We thank Senators Tester and Rounds.”

“We applaud Senator Tester and Senator Rounds for protecting the integrity of America’s beef supply,” said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA. “The USDA’s reliance on outdated inspections of Paraguayan food safety protocols is unacceptable. We urge swift passage of this critical measure.”

“LMA greatly appreciates Senator Tester and Rounds standing up for the health of the U.S. cattle industry,” said Mark Barnett, President of Livestock Marketing Association. “The irresponsible decision to allow fresh Paraguay beef imports based on outdated site visits and inadequate data is an unacceptable risk for hardworking beef producers in this country.”

“Importing beef from Paraguay risks undermining consumer trust in the safety and quality of domestic beef,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “Given the unresolved concerns about Paraguay’s quality standards and regulatory system, Senators Tester and Rounds’ leadership in pushing to reinstate the ban is crucial.”

“Here in Montana we hold our beef to a higher standard, and Senator Tester will stand up to anyone that tries to jeopardize the hard work of our ranchers,” said Walter Schweitzer, President of the Montana Farmers Union. “With plenty of questions surrounding animal safety and standards in Paraguay, it’s clear that reversing a ban on Paraguayan beef is the wrong move for producers and consumers in Montana. Thank you Senator Tester for looking out for our ranchers and standing up for Montana.”

“American cattle ranchers work diligently to grow and deliver the most safe, healthy, sustainably produced beef to the world,” said John Grande, President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA). “Montana Stockgrowers Association applauds Senators Tester and Rounds on their work to protect the American beef industry and for their effort to stop unscientific rulemaking on beef imports from Uruguay.”

“We appreciate Senator Tester and Senator Rounds’ efforts to protect the American beef supply and urge swift passage of this CRA,” said Cyndi Johnson, President of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation. “Until it can be absolutely proven that there is no risk of an infectious animal disease outbreak in the U.S. domestic animal population caused by these imports, they must be halted.”  

Tester and Rounds have led the charge to support American ranchers. In December, Tester and Rounds first announced their plan to file a CRA to overturn the Biden Administration’s decision. The senators also introduced bipartisan legislation to suspend beef imports from Paraguay in response to animal health concerns. Their bipartisan bill would also require the establishment of a working group to evaluate the threat to food safety and animal health posed by Paraguayan beef. Tester and Rounds have called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect more up to date data before resuming beef imports from a country like Paraguay with a recent history of foot and mouth disease. Paraguay last reported cases of foot and mouth disease in 2012. The USDA’s decision to resume Paraguayan imports relies on an analysis completed in 2018, and American inspectors have not conducted a site visit to Paraguay since 2014.

Last year, Tester and Rounds introduced bipartisan legislation to suspend Brazilian beef imports to the U.S. until experts can conduct a systemic review of the commodity’s impact on food safety and animal health.



Syngenta announces an upcoming addition to its seed treatment portfolio: Victrato

Syngenta announced today that it has a new seed treatment in development for soybeans and cotton, which will be called Victrato®. Upon approval by the Environmental Protection Agency for registration, which is anticipated by the 2025 growing season, the new seed treatment will introduce targeted technology to stop nematodes, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and Cotton Root Rot (CRR) without harming beneficial organisms.

“Victrato will protect against adults, juveniles and eggs from multiple nematode species, including Soybean Cyst (SCN), root knot, reniform, lance and lesion,” said Dale Ireland, Ph.D., Syngenta Seedcare technical product lead. “The high intrinsic activity will also help defend against Fusarium virguliforme, the causal organism of SDS, while providing early-season suppression of foliar diseases, such as frogeye leaf spot, target spot and Septoria brown spot.”

Featuring a novel SDHI active ingredient, TYMIRIUM® technology, Victrato will deliver targeted protection in the root zone. Upon registration, Victrato will be the newest edition to the Syngenta Seedcare portfolio and will help growers protect their crops from some of the most damaging early-season yield threats, while also offering crop safety.

“Victrato will be a true example of Syngenta’s continued commitment to Seedcare innovation,” Ireland says.