Monday March 18 Ag News

 Nebraska Farm Bureau Makes Strong Impression at National YF&R Conference

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) recently sent a group of 24 members from all over the state to attend the American Farm Bureau (AFBF) Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Conference in Omaha March 8-11. With a focus on leadership development, members were able to gain new perspectives on being innovative leaders in agriculture, network with peers from across the nation, and build relationships with those around them.  

NEFB members attend 2024 AFBF YF&R Conference in Omaha included Caleb Durheim, Lancaster; Cody Maricle, Boone; Kaleb Senff, Kearney/Franklin; Abygail Streff, Lancaster; Addy Donelson, Platte; Charlotte Brockman, Lancaster; Carson Maricle, Boone; Courtney Nelson, Madison; Parker Jessen, Morrill; Josh England, Hall; Kyle and Tiffany Lechtenberg, Burt.  

“There’s something really special about a conference where you surround yourself with 18–35-year-olds who are also passionate about agriculture,” said Courtney Nelson, NEFB YF&R Committee member. “While we raise different crops, animals, produce, etc., our values and struggles boil down to be quite similar. The breakouts are applicable, the interactive sessions are valuable, and the networking is unforgettable.”

Nearly 1,000 young farmers and ranchers from across the country gathered in Omaha, experiencing “The Good Life” while building valuable connections in the agricultural industry. Conference attendees had the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of breakout sessions, explore agricultural operations firsthand, and gain insights from influential speakers.

Apart from enjoying the conference activities, Abygail Streff, a member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), participated in the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet. She successfully advanced to the sweet sixteen round of competition. Streff is a junior agricultural economics student at UNL from Pierce.   

“We are so proud of Abygail! She represented Nebraska well in the Collegiate Discussion Meet,” said Audrey Schipporeit, NEFB director of generational engagement. “She brought forth innovative solutions to problems facing agriculture and encouraged her fellow contestants to think boldly and try new things!”

The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and realize their full potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau.



Farm Bill, Interstate Commerce, and Labor Top Issues for Nebraska Farm Bureau Visit with Congressional Delegation

Emphasizing the importance of protecting and even growing federal risk management programs with the next Farm Bill, Nebraska Farm Bureau’s (NEFB) agricultural leaders met with Nebraska’s congressional delegation and other elected officials during a national affairs fly-in to Washington, D.C. March 11-13.

“Updating the farm safety net to help farmers manage risk is necessary and one of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s top priorities for the Farm Bill. We need Congress to pass an updated farm bill as much has changed since passage of the 2018 Farm Bill: a pandemic, record-high inflation, rising supply costs, and global unrest. It is critical that the U.S. make it a top priority to protect our food supply for the well-being and security of our nation,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president.

Members of the NEFB Board shared NEFB’s farm bill priorities with the congressional delegation, which includes protecting the federal crop insurance program, opposing any tie of climate focused practices to federal crop insurance programs, and reforming USDA disaster programs to provided better flexibility in the event of a natural disasters, among other priorities.

NEFB also urged the delegation to incorporate a legislative solution for California’s Proposition 12 into the Farm Bill. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court up-held California Proposition 12, granting California voters the power to dictate food production methods to farmers and ranchers located outside of their state’s borders, including Nebraska.

“The Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 12 means that only Congress can fix a gap in the law that allows one state to dictate business practices for the entire nation. We’re currently at risk of states tangling up our whole system of interstate commerce by passing laws limiting or prohibiting the sale of any type of goods from other states. Without a congressional fix, consumers will face increased costs for goods and services. On state should not be allowed to dictate the business practices for an entire nation,” said McHargue.

Farm Bureau leaders also pushed for Congress to pass meaningful farm labor legislation. Due to continued declines in availability of a domestic workforce, the H-2A program has become a critical avenue to secure a reliable labor force across the country. Certified H-2A positions reached 378,513 in 2023 and just under 4,000 in Nebraska alone. Nevertheless, the Board informed the delegation that despite this growth, the program has become excessively complicated and costly due to unsustainable and unpredictable wage increases.

“Farmers and ranchers rely on their employees and are committed to paying a fair wage, but the mandated wage calculations make it hard for farmers to remain competitive. Changes in the rule have made it so complicated that it’s riskier for farmers to use the H-2A program because they are worried about unintentional missteps. We urge Congress to pass meaningful farm labor legislation to deliver the certainty farmers and ranchers need to continue producing affordable food for our nation’s families,” said McHargue.

The National Affairs Fly-In featured a session with House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, a discussion with the Environmental Protection Agency’s senior advisor for agriculture, Rod Snyder, and meetings with the National Pork Producers Council and Renewable Fuels Association.

Those attending the Washington, D.C. Fly-In were:
    Mark McHargue, president, NEFB – Merrick County  
    Dennis Beethe, Southeast Region representative, NEFB Board – Johnson County
    David Grimes, South Central Region representative, NEFB Board – Kearney/Franklin County
    Brady Revels, Farm Bureau Member – Douglas County



District 23 Legislative Forum
March 18 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm CDT

You're invited to an engaging and informative Legislative Candidate Forum for District 23 in David City, Nebraska! Hosted at the Butler County Fairgrounds Event Center at 462 L St, David City, NE on March 18, 2024, this event offers voters a unique opportunity to hear directly from the candidates vying for legislative positions in the 23rd legislative district. During the forum, candidates will discuss their platforms, answer questions, and share their vision for the future of our state. This is your chance to learn about where the candidates stand on important issues and to make an informed decision before heading to the polls.

Mark your calendars and join us for the Legislative Candidate Forum on March 18 at the Butler County Fairgrounds Event Center!

All candidates who filed by March 1, 2024 have been invited to participate.

This forum is sponsored by Butler, Colfax, and Saunders County Farm Bureaus.



Nebraska Extension Hosting First Nebraska Sprayer Drone Conference on March 28

Nebraska Extension is hosting the first sprayer drone conference in Nebraska on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Aurora. This one-day event will provide participants an opportunity to interact with fellow sprayer drone enthusiasts and learn the necessary steps to enter the sprayer drone arena. The conference is for anyone who wants to know more about sprayer drone technology, whether using sprayer drones for crop or livestock production.

“It has become increasingly clear that aerial application of agro-chemicals and seed with drones is becoming very popular,” said Dr. Dirk Charlson, statewide Nebraska Extension educator for digital agriculture. “We all have a lot of questions regarding regulations and efficacy of using sprayer drones, and Nebraska Extension hopes this conference will answer some of these questions.”

Kevin Knorr of Volitant Technologies of Dunbar, Nebraska agrees.

“Spray drones have become an indispensable piece of technology in defining spray tools needed for production farming today,” Knorr said.

Knorr owns and operates one of the first sprayer drone businesses in Nebraska, and he will share his experiences during the conference.

Conference speakers will address how to get started with using sprayer drones in a farming operation or business, legal requirements of using sprayer drone technology for agro-chemical applications, and thoughts on how to safely share the national airspace with manned aircraft.

Presenters include Kevin Knorr of Volitant Technologies, Libby Smith of Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Chad Hendricks of Hendricks Flying Service, and Dirk Charlson of Nebraska Extension. Nebraska sprayer drone pilots will also be available for an open forum discussion during the conference.

The conference starts at 9 a.m. on March 28 at The Leadership Center, located at 2211 Q St., Aurora, NE 68818. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided, and the conference will wrap up by 3 p.m.

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits for attending the conference are pending.

Registration is available online here https://cvent.me/DEzPoG. Pre-registration is required with a $75 registration fee. Contact Dirk Charlson at 402-460-0742 with questions or comments.



NEBRASKA HONEY PRODUCTION

Honey production in 2023 from Nebraska producers with five or more colonies totaled 1.58 million pounds, up 6% from 2022, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

There were 33,000 honey producing colonies in Nebraska during 2023, down 3% from 2022. Average yield was 48 pounds per colony, up 4 pounds from 2022. Producer stocks were 554,000 pounds on December 15, 2023, down from 598,000 pounds a year earlier.

Prices for the 2023 crop averaged $2.26 per pound, down from $2.89 per pound in 2022. Prices were based on retail sales by producers and sales to private processors and cooperatives. Total value of honey produced in 2023 was $3.58 million, down 17% from 2022.



Iowa Honey Production

Honey production from producers with five or more colonies in Iowa totaled 2.64 million pounds in 2023 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Honey report. This was 8 percent higher than the 2.45 million pounds produced in 2022. The number of honey producing colonies in the state, at 40,000, was down 8,000 from 2022. This number does not include producers with fewer than five colonies or producers who did not harvest honey. Yield per colony in Iowa averaged 66 pounds, compared to 51 pounds per colony in 2022. Iowa ranked 12th nationally in honey production, up from 16th place in 2022. Colonies which produced honey in more than one state were counted in each state where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted.

On December 15, 2023, producer honey stocks in Iowa, excluding stocks under government loan programs, were 739 thousand pounds, 4 percent higher than 2022. The state's 2023 honey crop was valued at $7.89 million, up 5 percent from the previous year's $7.49 million. The average price per
pound for all marketing channels in Iowa was $2.99, down 7 cents from 2022.



United States Honey Production Up 11 Percent in 2023

United States honey production in 2023 totaled 139 million pounds, up 11 percent from 2022. There were 2.51 million colonies producing honey in 2023, down 6 percent from 2022. Yield per colony averaged 55.2 pounds, up 17 percent from 2022. Colonies which produced honey in more than one State were counted in each State where the honey was produced. Therefore, at the United States level yield per colony may be understated, but total production would not be impacted. Colonies were not included if honey was not harvested. Producer honey stocks were 44.0 million pounds on December 15, 2023, up 90 percent from a year earlier. Stocks held by producers exclude those held under the commodity loan program.

Honey Prices Down 16 Percent in 2023
United States honey prices decreased 16 percent during 2023 to $2.52 per pound, compared to $3.01 per pound in 2022. United States and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels. Prices for each color class are derived by weighting the quantities sold for each marketing channel. Prices for the 2022 crop reflect honey sold in 2022 and 2023. Some 2022 crop honey was sold in 2023, which caused some revisions to the 2022 crop prices.



Celebrating Nebraska Agriculture, a Powerhouse of an Industry
Sherry Vinton, Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Agriculture is Nebraska’s number one industry and the heart and soul of our state. Agriculture deserves recognition and celebration every day, especially during National Ag Week, March 17- 23. As the Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the dedicated people of Nebraska's agricultural community.

Being Nebraska born and raised, my roots run deep within the agricultural community. My family and I ranch south of Whitman in the scenic Sandhills, giving me a firsthand understanding of the role agriculture plays in shaping Nebraska. I’m proud to be part of the extensive network of 45,000 farmers and ranchers who consistently deliver high-quality agricultural products year after year.

I always like to talk with people about Nebraska agriculture because it’s interesting and exciting. Nebraska is the best place in the world to grow agriculture. Nebraska has abundant resources, the best land for growing crops and for grazing, plenty of water, wide open spaces, and ample feed for livestock.

Out of Nebraska’s perfect resources for growing agriculture, one tops them all – our people. Nebraska farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses are true innovators, embracing precision agriculture, genetic advances, and modern equipment to produce more while using fewer resources. Their innovations ripple across the entire state, impacting all of us and emphasizing the interconnectedness of agriculture with our daily lives.

Farmers and ranchers are also dedicated and resilient. They face challenges and come back stronger. January proved to be a challenging start to this year when severe winter weather created significant challenges for everyone, including those who work in Nebraska’s agriculture industry. During these severe winter weather emergencies, Nebraska livestock producers did what they do best. They fed, cared for, and kept close watch on their livestock.

For those producers unable to tend to their livestock and needing immediate assistance during the storms, NDA worked with local, state, and federal partners to prioritize their critical needs. We send our heartfelt thanks to Nebraskans for supporting Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses during winter emergencies and always.

Building on past challenges makes us stronger as we continue to look toward the future of Nebraska agriculture. Nebraska agriculture provides us with ample reasons to be grateful and to celebrate.

Notably, Nebraska is a powerhouse when it comes to agriculture, leading the nation in many important categories. In beef production, Nebraska’s quality products are unmatched. We are:
• #1 in beef and veal exports (2023);
• #1 in commercial cattle slaughter (2023);
• #2 in all cattle on feed (Jan. 1, 2024); and
• #2 in all cattle and calves (Jan. 1, 2024).

While beef takes the spotlight, the Nebraska swine industry, with 3.8 million head and a sixth-ranking of all hogs and pigs on farms (Dec. 1, 2023), makes its mark.

Our state’s poultry production has significantly increased in recent years, as well, with recent hatcheries and a world-class chicken processing operation in Fremont. Chicken eggs are on Nebraska’s list of 10 leading commodities for 2022.

Nebraska’s varied climate, elevation and soil help farmers grow a plentiful supply and variety of crops. In 2023, we ranked:
• #2 in the nation for proso millet production;
• #3 in the nation for corn for grain production;
• #4 for dry edible pea production;
• #5 in grain sorghum production; and
• #6 in soybean production.

Nebraska has a unique advantage, known as the “Golden Triangle,” where the combination of corn, livestock and ethanol production provides significant opportunity to add value at every step along the production chain.

In 2023, Nebraska ranked number two in ethanol production with 24 operating facilities having the capacity to create more than 2.3 billion gallons of clean, reliable, renewable fuel. Approximately 35 percent of Nebraska’s 2023 corn crop was used in ethanol production putting Nebraska corn and value-added agriculture in action.

Clearly our agriculture industry is worthy of celebration. Anything worthy of celebration is also worthy of preservation and education. Youth outreach in agriculture education is an important part of the work we do at NDA. With that in mind, I’d like to mention NDA’s annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute. NAYI is a good way for Nebraska high school juniors and seniors to learn more about Nebraska agriculture and the many careers available in the ag industry. Those who attend NAYI do so for free thanks to many generous sponsors. Applications are available online at nda.nebraska.gov/NAYI. Students need to apply by the April 15 deadline to secure a place at this year’s NAYI.

As we celebrate National Ag Week, let us express our gratitude to the farmers, ranchers, and all the people working in the ag industry to provide us with the food, feed, and fuel we depend on every day. By recognizing the challenges, celebrating the successes, and advocating for the future of agriculture, we help make our agriculture sector even stronger.

Thank you for allowing me to shine a spotlight on Nebraska agriculture during this special week and always.



Secretary Naig Encourages Iowans to Celebrate Iowa Ag Week from March 17 to March 23

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged all Iowans to celebrate Iowa Ag Week from Sunday, March 17 through Saturday, March 23. The weeklong statewide celebration, which includes National Ag Day on March 19, will highlight the immense importance of agriculture to the state, its people, economy and way of life. The week will also highlight ways that Iowa agriculture gives back, positively impacting fellow Iowans through community involvement and volunteer service.

“Agriculture is the lifeblood of our state – it powers our economy, shapes our way of life, and feeds and fuels consumers here and around the world,” said Secretary Naig. “During Iowa Ag Week from March 17 to 23, I welcome and encourage all Iowans to celebrate Iowa agriculture’s positive impacts on our state while also giving back to our communities through volunteerism and service.”  

Celebrate Iowa Agriculture During Iowa Ag Week
The recent ag census pegs the value of Iowa crops and livestock at nearly $44 billion annually. Approximately one in five Iowans are employed directly because of agriculture. Our state’s farmers are setting records for conservation adoption. We are continually adding value to the commodities we grow, including by leading the country in biofuels and red meat production. We are investing in our youth through 4-H, FFA, workforce and ag literacy efforts, as well as many other initiatives. The Iowa Ag Community is encouraged to share this positive and impactful story in their own special way. And all Iowans can join in the celebration - by attending an event, helping out in the community, or simply sharing on social media using #IowaAgWeek, everyone can participate in some way – big or small.

Iowa Agriculture Gives Back During Iowa Ag Week
A major focus for Secretary Naig and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship during the week will be giving back to Iowans through a day of service. Secretary Naig and Department employees will be volunteering at the Food Bank of Iowa. Secretary Naig has also challenged other ag organizations, businesses and non-profits to organize their own way of giving back through volunteering, or to showcase other examples of service to our state, our communities and our people.

Secretary Naig will be celebrating Iowa Ag Week throughout the week through the following events:

Monday, March 18
    Secretary Naig will volunteer in the afternoon at the Food Bank of Iowa in Des Moines with staff members from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Tuesday, March 19 – National Ag Day
    Secretary Naig will give remarks at an event at the Food Bank of Iowa recognizing a donation of pork made by the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
    Secretary Naig will host the 12th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny.

Wednesday, March 20
    Secretary Naig will attend and provide remarks at the annual Iowa Master Farmers Association awards ceremony.
    Secretary Naig will announce Choose Iowa Value-Added Grant awardees at a family farm near Indianola.

Thursday, March 21
    Secretary Naig will visit a farm in Johnson County that is receiving a Choose Iowa Value-Added Grant.
    Secretary Naig will attend and deliver remarks at the 36th Annual Celebration of Agriculture Dinner in Cedar Rapids.

Friday, March 22
    Secretary Naig will visit a family farm in Benton County.
    Secretary Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to a farm family in Buchanan County.
    Secretary Naig will attend and deliver remarks at a conservation field day in Buchanan County.