Thursday February 01 Ag News

NePPA Slate Regional Swine Producer Meetings

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) has scheduled three Regional Producers meetings to take place in February and March. The goal of these meetings is to provide producers with up-to-date information that impacts their operations. All swine producers are invited to attend.
 
DATES & LOCATIONS
Tuesday, February 13, 2024 – Nielson Event Center, West Point, NE
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 – 1888 Tavern, Lindsey, NE
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 – Valentino’s Restaurant, Beatrice, NE

EVENING SCHEDULE
6:00 P.M. Arrival & Socialize
6:30 P.M. Dinner is Served
6:45 P.M. PROGRAM
  - A close up look at the Danish swine industry.
  - Nebraska livestock modernization updates and state tax advantages.
  - Learn how NPPC and National Pork Board impact your bottom line.
  - Updates on swine health – area swine veterinarians answer your questions.
  - New traceability standards –how it will impact your business.
  - UNL Swine Research Update.
 
FREE Registration: Please RSVP to Steve Hoefer at Steve@nepork.org or call 402-239-1749.



Nominate a Deserving Agriculture Teacher for the "Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award"

The Nebraska FFA Foundation is now seeking nominations of Nebraska high school agriculture teachers and FFA advisors for the 2024 recipient of the Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award.

Scharf, who was a victim of an Omaha mall shooting incident, grew up on a family farm near Curtis, NE. He worked in the agricultural chemical industry. Over the years, he made contributions to Nebraska’s agricultural and FFA communities through years of service on the Nebraska FFA Foundation Board including a year as president in 2002-2003. It's our pleasure to honor Gary Scharf's legacy by awarding an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor with the Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award each year. The selected advisor personifies school and community citizenship and service and goes above and beyond for their community and school.

The 2023 Gary Scharf Helping Hand Award was presented to Mr. Kurt Vandewalle from the Fillmore Central FFA Chapter. He received a plaque and a $500 cash award from the Nebraska FFA Foundation.

In order to be considered for the award, agricultural educators must be nominated by students, colleagues, high school officials, parents or others in the community. Nominations for the 2024 award must be submitted on the Nebraska FFA Foundation website at neffafoundation.org. The deadline is March 1 and the award presentation will take place during the 2024 Nebraska FFA Convention.



Nebraska Wheat Board Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors Vacancies

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

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

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

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

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

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



Winners Announced of 2024 Beef Quality Assurance Awards

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, announced the winners of the 2024 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, sponsored by Cargill. The National BQA Awards, funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers and educators.

“These winners are committed to incorporating BQA principles into their day-to-day operations,” said Josh White, senior executive director of producer education and sustainability at NCBA. “Their dedication to animal care and continuous improvement results in high-quality beef for consumers.”

The 2024 BQA Award winners are:

2024 BQA Cow-Calf Award
VanWinkle Ranch, Colorado
VanWinkle Ranch is dedicated to improving consumer confidence through public engagement. The VanWinkle family takes pride in ranching and producing a quality end product and they are committed to caring for the land, livestock and community, with BQA serving as the backbone for success. The family focuses on doing the “little” things right. By implementing BQA standards and maintaining BQA certifications as part of doing business, the VanWinkles have noticed a consistent improvement in the quality of products they market to their customers – whether those customers are feedlots who purchase loads of calves on video or customers further up the beef supply chain, like beef packing companies and direct-to consumer clients who feed VanWinkle Ranch beef to their families.

2024 BQA – Dairy FARM Award
Dotterer Dairy, Pennsylvania
Dotterer Dairy relies on BQA and Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) principles to care for 1,200 milking cows and produce high-quality milk and beef. The farm’s focus to produce a consistent, high-quality product that provides a remarkable taste, starts with providing a comfortable life for their animals. The family expanded the dairy to include state-of-the-art technology, including a double 20 parallel milking parlor, a new group housing structure and a fully ventilated calf barn. The dairy also relies on record keeping software to maintain accurate animal treatment records, which aid in accountability and decision-making related to withdrawal times, milk production, health and reproduction. Their innovative practices have helped make the dairy a pioneer within the industry.

2024 BQA Feedyard Award
Adams Land & Cattle, Nebraska
For 50 years, family-owned and operated Adams Land & Cattle has been feeding the world, and BQA is a critical component of the company’s commitment to supplying beef consumers with a wholesome, high quality and safe product. Adams Land & Cattle is dedicated to pursuing and implementing industry advancements and making decisions with a foundation in science-based production practices while considering animal well-being. The company’s commitment to quality begins with employee training and every member of the staff is BQA certified. As part of their core values, Adams Land & Cattle is committed to maintaining a good animal welfare culture and recognizes the moral and ethical obligation to uphold humane animal handling practices.

2024 BQA Marketer Award
Power Genetics, Nebraska
Power Genetics incorporates BQA into its management plan to meet its goal of producing a safe, wholesome, high quality beef product. The cattle marketer begins with the end in mind and collaborates with licensed member feedyards to purchase the highest caliber cattle to meet industry demand. Since the adoption and implementation of BQA standard operating procedures and best management practices at member yards, Power Genetics can verify that employees are being introduced or reminded of the importance their role has on the quality of beef products produced from the cattle under their care. Power Genetics works to make certain that all employees are trained and understand the importance of animal welfare and maintaining the integrity of beef products.

2024 BQA Educator Award
Dr. John Wenzel, New Mexico
When New Mexico brought BQA to the state in the early 1990s, Dr. John Wenzel, DVM, stepped up to teach producers the principles and management techniques to improve beef quality and safety. Traveling thousands of miles and conducting BQA training sessions for hundreds of beef producers, Dr. Wenzel’s BQA education program focuses on building consumer confidence with an end goal of providing the safest and most wholesome beef products possible. His decades of service to his profession, community, state, college and universities along with noted success of numerous programs, contributes to his reputation as a professional influence and quality educator in this industry.

Award winners are selected by a committee comprised of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups, who assess nominations based on their demonstrated commitment to BQA practices, their service as leaders in the beef industry and their dedication to promoting the BQA message to grow consumer confidence. For more information about each of the award winners, visit https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-awards.



2023 Iowa Ethanol Production Ticked Up to Another Record

In 2023, Iowa ethanol production increased to a record-breaking 4.6 billion gallons, up from the previous record of 4.5 billion gallons in 2022. Solid corn production combined with some of the most efficient plants in the world drove Iowa ethanol production forward.

“Given relatively stable ethanol demand over the last few years, it was a pleasant surprise to crunch the numbers and find Iowa ethanol producers again increased production,” stated Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “It is a testament to the innovation and efficiency of both Iowa corn growers and ethanol producers. Looking forward, in order to provide opportunities for further growth in the short term we need to see year-round E15 finalized quickly. But we also have the opportunity to unlock a new market, sustainable aviation fuel, that can drive massive biofuels growth for the next three decades.”

U.S. ethanol production in 2023 exceeded 15.5 billion gallons, with Iowa producing roughly 30 percent. Annual Iowa ethanol production capacity has increased to approximately 4.7 billion gallons and could grow dramatically if ethanol demand increased.

The IRFA compiled production information from an industry survey, public reports, and other industry sources.



New IPIC extension specialist is passionate about pork industry

The next time you see someone in a grocery store aisle enthusiastically teaching customers about the pork industry, you might have just met Iowa Pork Industry Center's new extension specialist. Lindsay Peters began this position in early January, with her primary responsibilities including content development, website management and overall support for IPIC programming efforts.

She's gregarious and enjoys listening to and learning about others she meets, and strives to have at least one good laugh a day. Don't let that description fool you. She's also a self-described advocate of Iowa's pork producers and sees her role as a way to continue sharing that news.

"I was interested in this position because I am very passionate about educating producers and other individuals about the swine industry, and about keeping available informational materials current and relevant for the producers," she said.

Peters graduated from Iowa State University with a master's degree in animal physiology in December 2023, and this work allowed her to meet and work with faculty and staff affiliated with IPIC over the past few years. Through these connections she was able to network with large integrators, researchers, pork associations and others in the industry, all to her benefit.

"Building these relationships early has allowed me to kickstart my role as the new extension specialist," she said.

Peters grew up on a small hobby farm in northeast Nebraska, raising a few cow-calf pairs, a small number of grow-finish hogs, horses, and rabbits. She was actively involved in showing all four species through 4-H and FFA. After receiving her bachelor's degree in animal science at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, she headed to ISU where she chose a specialization in ethology as part of her graduate work.

"I was and am driven to improve caretaker mental welfare," she said. "My grad school research helped me understand learning styles, personality types, and culture differences, and I know these factors can positively affect caretaker mental welfare."

Through her thesis work, she built a tailored swine euthanasia training module based on personality type that can help support swine caretaker welfare.

"I want to improve the industry's knowledge, and how tools and procedures can be utilized to ensure barn labor is well taken care of," she said. "We cannot ensure the welfare of our pigs without labor to care for them."

Peters can be reached by email at lkieffer@iastate.edu and by phone at 515-294-8963.



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 529 million bushels in December 2023. Total corn consumption was up 4 percent from November 2023 and up 11 percent from December 2022. December 2023 usage included 93.0 percent for alcohol and 7.0 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.80 million bushels, down 29 percent from November 2023 and down 15 percent from December 2022. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 482 million bushels, was up 5 percent from November 2023 and up 13 percent from December 2022. Corn consumed in December 2023 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 91.9 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.95 million tons during December 2023, up 9 percent from November 2023 and up 16 percent from December 2022. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.41 million tons in December 2023, up 3 percent from November 2023 and up 3 percent from December 2022.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 245,983 tons during December 2023, up 1 percent from November 2023 but down 3 percent from December 2022. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 209,818 tons in December 2023, up 4 percent from November 2023 and up 11 percent from December 2022.

Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks
Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.13 million tons (204 million bushels) in December 2023, compared with 6.00 million tons (200 million bushels) in November 2023 and 5.62 million tons (187 million bushels) in December 2022. Crude oil produced was 2.38 billion pounds, up 2 percent from November 2023 and up 8 percent from December 2022. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.71 billion pounds during December 2023 increased 1 percent from November 2023 and increased 8 percent from December 2022.

Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the fourth quarter 2023 was 226 million bushels, down 2 percent from the third quarter 2023 grind of 231 million bushels and down 1 percent from the fourth quarter 2022 grind of 229 million bushels. Fourth quarter 2023 total flour production was 105 million hundredweight, down 2 percent from the third quarter 2023 and down 1 percent from the fourth quarter 2022. Whole wheat flour production at 4.58 million hundredweight during the fourth quarter 2023 accounted for 4 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the fourth quarter 2023 was 1.61 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the fourth quarter 2023 was 1.59 million hundredweight.



Prepare Now to Apply for Dairy Business Builder Grants

Grow your business with a new round of Dairy Business Builder grants administered by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), set to open on February 5. Small- to medium-sized dairy farmers, manufacturers, and processors in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin may apply for the funding, which is administered by the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA).
 
The reimbursement grants of up to $100,000 each aim to support recipients in diversifying on-farm activity, creating value-added products, enhancing dairy byproducts, and creating or enhancing dairy export programs.
 
“These grants have helped small businesses with the support they need to grow and diversify. This program helps strengthen our cheese and dairy industry by supporting more value-added products and diversification,” said John Lucey, CDR Director.
 
“Dairy Business Builder awards have helped kick-start growth for dairy farmers and processors all over the Midwest. These grants are ideal for any dairy business owner looking to expand and improve their business. We look forward to seeing more innovative funding proposals this spring,” added John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.
 
Application materials for the Dairy Business Builder grants are available online at cdr.wisc.edu/dbia. Prospective applicants are encouraged to join an informational webinar hosted by DBIA staff at 1:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, February 7. The webinar will be recorded and accessible throughout the application period. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on April 4. Successful applicants will be notified by late May.
 
The DBIA is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was created in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Since then, the DBIA has administered over $13 million to 129 dairy farms and businesses. The program also offers technical assistance to dairy farmers and processors in participating states.
 


‘Communicating With Farmers Under Stress’ webinar aimed at ag professionals

An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar, “Communicating With Farmers Under Stress,” is aimed at helping participants learn the signs of stress and how to help. This webinar will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on February 15, 2024.

The program is designed for agriculture industry professionals, loan officers, family members of farmers and concerned citizens. The session will cover how to communicate with and respond to farmers and their family members when they need assistance.

The webinar will help participants to:
— Build awareness of the stressors affecting farmers and their families.
— Recognize the signs and symptoms of anxiety and warning signs of suicide.
— Assess, approach and assist farmers who are showing changes in their mental health.
— Access local, state and national resources.
 
This webinar is free, but attendees must register prior to the start of the webinar to get the access link. Those who register also will receive a link to watch the recording of the program.

For more details and to sign up, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/communicating-with-farmers-under-stress-webinar or call 1-877-345-0691.



USDA Announces February 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2024, which are effective Feb. 1, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.  

“I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.  

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans   
FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.  

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for February 2024 are as follows:      
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.125% 
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.375%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.375% 
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500% 
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750% 

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.    

To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.   

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans  
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.      

    Commodity Loans (less than one year disbursed): 5.750%  
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:   
        Three-year loan terms: 4.125  
        Five-year loan terms: 3.875  
        Seven-year loan terms: 4.000  
        Ten-year loan terms: 4.000  
        Twelve-year loan terms: 4.000
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans(15 years): 4.250