Tuesday March 05 Ag News

Buy Fresh Buy Local Opens Membership Registation for 2024 Season

Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska announces the opening of registration for membership for its highly-anticipated 2024 season. Spearheaded by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Buy Fresh Buy Local bridges the gap between producers, sellers and buyers eager for foods grown right here in the Cornhusker state.

Committed to fostering connections within Nebraska’s agricultural landscape, this innovative program has been promoting sustainability and community resilience by guiding Nebraskans to their closest, healthiest, local foods for 15 years.

“We call Buy Fresh Buy Local a guide because it guides Nebraskans not just to local producers or sellers, but also through improving the quality of life within their communities” said Charlotte Narjes, director of the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center and interm coordinator of the Buy Fresh Buy Local program. “When neighbors do business with neighbors, we nurture healthy bodies, create healthy relationships, and build up healthy communities.”

The Local Food Guide, produced by Buy Fresh Buy Local, is distributed in hard copy throughout the state as well as on the university’s website. In 2023, 5,000 copies reached Nebraskans. The guide includes:
    A state-wide map of the locations of Buy Fresh Buy Local members (the online version of which is interactive)
    Nebraska by region, with in-depth profiles of each member in that region
    Healthy eating tips
    Recipes
    Infographics for seasonal eating
    Market locations and guides
    Farmer profiles
    And updates on Nebraska agriculture

“Buy Fresh Buy Local is a great gathering point for anyone interested in local foods, and is a great resource for consumers who are invested in local foods access,” said Angelyn Wang, market manager for Legacy Farmers Market in Omaha. “The Local Food Guide is a great conversation starter with customers, and it was always well received and shared by our vendors.”

In 2023, 106 farmers, locally-owned markets, and farmers markets joined Buy Fresh Buy Local as members, each receiving the benefits of coverage and publicity provided by the guide and website.

For the 2024 season, Buy Fresh Buy Local offers memberships for farmers and ranchers, farmers markets and food-based businesses, with fees ranging from $25 to $150, depending on the type of membership.

Non-food-centered individuals and businesses can also sponsor the program through a range of tiers, starting at the “Friend” level of $25, and increasing to the “Steward” level of $5,000.

“Buy Fresh Buy Local has given me a network and source for suppliers and producers,” said Maggie Pleskac, owner of Milkweed Kitchen in Lincoln. “It’s a solid investment and worth the fee, especially when [they] highlighted its members in its social media posts, emails and other avenues that helped promote my business.”

Narjes said Buy Fresh Buy Local is all about connections—connecting the people who care about eating healthy food with the people who care about providing healthy food, and in the end, it’s about the people.

“Buying fresh and buying local is more than just about keeping dollars in our communities, although that is a benefit” said Narjes. “It’s about sustaining our local environments, creating healthy communities, and cultivating a thriving culture for Nebraska’s families and family farms.”

For more information and to register as a member, you can visit the Buy Fresh Buy Local website. The registration window closes March 15.



CAP Webinar: Financial Innovation in Accessing Farmland Equity
Mar 8, 2024 12:00 PM

A common statement in agriculture is that farmers are land-rich and cash-poor. Innovation has continued and will continue to challenge longstanding thought processes in agriculture. In this webinar, we will visit with a newly formed company, FRACTAL (https://fractal.ag/) about how they are innovating the way farmers access equity in land.  Equity farmers can then use to achieve farm goals. Please join us for a robust conversation about what FRACTAL is bringing to the farmer's table.   

Find out more information and register here: https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Agricultural Producers Have Until March 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs for the 2024 Crop Year

Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year have until March 15, 2024, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide vital income support to farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2024 crop year.

“Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs provide excellent risk protection, for market declines, at no cost to the producer. While we always hope for strong markets, anyone involved in production agriculture knows the only thing certain is uncertainty,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Nebraska. “Many producers may be holding off on making program elections pending planting decisions or maybe you’re working with a local advisor to consider how changes in the effective reference price might impact your election decisions. Please contact your local FSA county office as soon as possible to set an appointment so you’re on the books well in advance of the March 15 deadline.”

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which provide crop-by-crop protection, or ARC-Individual, which protects the entire farm. Although election changes for 2024 are optional, producers must enroll, with a signed contract, each year. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm, the contract will continue for 2024 unless an election change is made.  

If producers do not submit their election revision by the March 15, 2024, deadline, the election remains the same as their 2023 election for eligible commodities on the farm. Also, producers who do not complete enrollment and sign their contract by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2024 year and will not receive a payment if one is triggered. Farm owners can only enroll in these programs if they have a share interest in the commodity.

Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities:  barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.  
 
Crop Insurance Considerations
Producers are reminded that enrolling in ARC or PLC programs can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products offered by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Producers who elect and enroll in PLC also have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider, but producers of covered commodities who elect ARC are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres.

Unlike SCO, RMA’s Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by participating in ARC for the same crop, on the same acres. You may elect ECO regardless of your farm program election.

More Information   
Nebraska FSA partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability on an informational webinar to discuss the ARC/PLC decision-making process. Producers can access the recording at the Nebraska FSA webpage, www.fsa.usda.gov/ne.



USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program General Signup for 2024  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin signing up for the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting March 4 and running through March 29, 2024. This conservation opportunity gives producers tools to conserve wildlife habitat while achieving other conservation benefits, including sequestering carbon and improving water quality and soil health.  

“The USDA has a long track record of fostering and supporting the vital relationship between agriculture and conservation, and the Conservation Reserve Program helps our producers be good stewards of their lands and boost wildlife populations at the same time,” said Tim Divis, FSA Acting State Executive Director in Nebraska. “These efforts demonstrate the power of USDA’s Farm Bill conservation programs to conserve wildlife habitat, protect clean water and address climate change in partnership with farmers, ranchers, forest owners and conservation organizations across the country.”   

On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-22), which extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334), more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, through Sept. 30, 2024. This extension allows authorized programs, including CRP, to continue operating.   

As one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, CRP offers a range of conservation options to farmers, ranchers, and landowners. It has been an especially strong opportunity for farmers with less productive or marginal cropland, helping them re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and support wildlife habitat.

Producers and landowners enrolled about 926,000 acres in General CRP in 2023, bringing the total of enrolled acres in General CRP to 7.78 million. This, combined with all other acres in CRP through other enrollment opportunities, such as Grassland and Continuous CRP, bring the current total of enrolled acres to 24.8 million.  

General CRP   
General CRP helps producers and landowners establish long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat on cropland. Additionally, General CRP includes a Climate-Smart Practice Incentive to help increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by helping producers and landowners establish trees and permanent grasses, enhance wildlife habitat, and restore wetlands.    

General CRP is one of several ways agricultural producers and private landowners can participate in the program.

Other CRP Options
This past January FSA began accepting applications for the Continuous CRP signup. Under this enrollment, producers and landowners can enroll in CRP throughout the year. Offers are automatically accepted provided the producer and land meet the eligibility requirements and the enrollment levels do not exceed the statutory cap.  

The USDA also offers financial assistance to producers and landowners enrolled in CRP to improve the health of their forests through the Forest Management Incentive (FMI), which can help participants with forest management practices, such as brush management and prescribed burning.  

FSA will announce the dates for Grassland CRP signup in the near future.  

Producers with expiring CRP acres can use the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), which incentivizes producers who sell or enter a long-term lease with a beginning, veteran, or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher who plans to sustainably farm or ranch the land. 

How to Sign Up   
Landowners and producers interested in CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or to apply for the program before applicable deadlines.    



Nebraska Farm Bureau Launches Initiative Aimed at Assisting Farmers and Ranchers in Estate and Succession Planning

Nebraska Farm Bureau is excited to announce the establishment of the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group, a dedicated initiative aimed at assisting farmers and ranchers in estate and succession planning. This innovative group will focus on providing specialized legal counsel to farm and ranch families, ensuring a smooth transition of assets and securing a sustainable future for agricultural legacies.

“One of the most discussed topics of conversation with our members has been about farm/ranch estate and succession planning. We are providing a list of attorneys that Nebraska Farm Bureau recommends, that have experience in estate and succession planning, and that is agriculture focused and agriculture friendly in the legal profession,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue. “This list recognizes attorneys who specialize in the unique legal needs of the agricultural industry.”

With a commitment to the unique challenges faced by the farming community, the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group will bring together legal experts well-versed in the complexities of estate/succession planning. The group is committed to the unique challenges faced by farm and ranch communities across Nebraska. These selected attorneys will provide guidance that will empower local farmers and ranchers to make informed decisions for the continuity of their operations.

"We recognize the significance of effective estate and succession planning for farm and ranch families. The Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group is a testament to our dedication to supporting agricultural communities, ensuring they have the resources and expertise needed for long-term success," McHargue said.

The group's services will encompass a range of legal aspects: wills, trusts, tax planning, and business structure and is categorized by region to easily connect farmers and ranchers with legal professionals in their communities. By addressing these crucial elements, the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group aims to contribute to the resilience and prosperity of Nebraska's farm and ranch families.

You must be a member of Nebraska Farm Bureau to access the Nebraska Ag Legal Professionals Group. To join and learn more go to www.nefb.org.



Wallace Foundation to Hold Annual Program and Meeting at Armstrong Farm

The Wallace Foundation will hold an educational event for the public, followed by its annual business meeting, March 13 at the Armstrong Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm, just west of Lewis, Iowa.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a welcome address from Mark Bentley, president of the Wallace Foundation.

From 10 a.m. to noon, attendees will hear updates from two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists: Richard Roth, nitrogen science education specialist, and Doug Houser, digital ag extension specialist.

Roth will discuss nitrogen impacts with the use of cover crops and address other nitrogen concerns heading into the 2024 growing season.

Houser will discuss the many uses of drones for agricultural applications and will touch on other trends within digital agriculture.

“As we head into the spring season, new technology and the efficient use of nitrogen is going to be critical for success this year,” said Aaron Saeugling, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Both speakers are new to ISU Extension and Outreach and bring many years of experience in their respective fields.”

Also before lunch, Kendall Lamkey, research farms director and associate dean for facilities and operations for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State, will give a general update on the farms.

The annual business meeting of the Wallace Foundation will be held at 1 p.m.

The event is free to attend and includes lunch by Downtowner Cafe and Catering. Attendees are asked to pre-register in order to help with facility and meal planning.

To register, email Farm Superintendent Matt Groves at mjgroves@iastate.edu or call him at 712-769-2402.

The meeting will be held inside the Wallace Foundation Learning and Outreach Center, 53020 Hitchcock Ave. Lewis, Iowa 51544.



The United Soybean Board selects Ed Anderson as the recipient of the 2024 Tom Oswald Legacy Award

The United Soybean Board presented the Tom Oswald Legacy Award to Ed Anderson at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas. Anderson was recognized for his work in advancing soybean research and bringing soybean scientists together to work collaboratively on topics important to farmers. His efforts to create a more resilient and nutritious soybean have positively impacted research advancements across academia, industry, and commodity groups — all while keeping farmers’ best interests in mind.

“In my career, conducting and promoting research to advance soybean yields; protect soybeans from diseases, insects, weeds, and abiotic stressors; improve sustainable soybean production; and enhance soybean components for human and animal nutrition has been rewarding,” said Ed Anderson, PhD, executive director of the North Central Soybean Research Program and former senior director of research at Iowa Soybean Association. “This award means the world to me because Tom Oswald and I were more than just colleagues. Tom was my friend. Tom was intelligent, insightful and provocative. Tom challenged us to think bigger and bolder to further the productivity and sustainability of our U.S. soybean crop. Most importantly, Tom made me and everyone around him ‘better-er,’ and I miss him.”

Anderson has dedicated his efforts to promoting soybean research. For the past decade, he has served on the Iowa Soybean Association and North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) in addition to being a research consultant for the Kansas Soybean Commission, where he provides leadership to several state farmer boards in prioritizing soybean checkoff-funded research projects at more than 13 major land-grant universities. He leads multidisciplinary programs to enhance farmers’ efforts through soybean genetic and agronomic production and yield improvement, yield protection, improved quality, and sustainability. He received his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, received his PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia and  completed postdoctoral research at the University of Florida.

"Ed is a highly respected leader whose dedication toward the progress of soybean research earned him widespread respect among plant scientists,” said Steve Reinhard, USB chair and Ohio farmer who worked directly with Anderson on the NCSRP. “He represents the ideals of Tom's legacy, and we appreciate his unrelenting efforts to create a better soybean that ultimately drives value back to the farm."

Some of Anderson’s colleagues shared sentiments about why they nominated him:
    “Ed excels at bringing soybean farmers and researchers together — listening to their ideas while bringing his knowledge and expertise to the discussion. These conversations result in research projects on the cutting edge, providing farmers with a greater return on investment.” —Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State University
    “He is universally respected by university plant scientists and administrators, by industry and governmental plant scientists, and by scores of elected farmer directors and staff in soybean checkoff organizations. It is hard to imagine anyone having a more thorough background, more pertinent experiences and perspective, and higher credibility to be a leader in soybean research than Ed Anderson.” —Greg Tylka, director of the Iowa Soybean Research Center
    “Ed is a humble leader. He is masterful in bringing people together to advance the soybean industry. It’s an honor to serve on a board where I have witnessed his passion to drive soybean research forward and dream about how the advancements would be deployed on my farm.” —Suzanne Shirbroun, North Central Soybean Research Program president

The United Soybean Board established the annual Tom Oswald Legacy Award in memory of the late Tom Oswald. This award is given to an individual, organization, or group that has made a significant contribution to the soybean industry and the soy checkoff. As a farmer-leader for eight years and a member of the United Soybean Executive Committee for three years, Oswald always asked the question, "How do we make it better-er?" He wanted to know what additional steps, thoughts, and efforts could be taken to exceed expectations and achieve the best possible outcomes.



Beef Spokespeople Join Next Group of Trailblazers

The Trailblazers program, developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, takes advocacy to an unprecedented level by giving participants the tools and training they need to promote beef to new audiences while addressing and correcting myths. After a competitive application process, ten Trailblazers have been selected for the program’s third cohort of beef community spokespeople, including:
    Mandy Atterholt, Ohio
    Amanda Hall, Kentucky
    Cara Henri, California
    Jessie Jarvis, Idaho
    Sierra Jepsen, Montana
    Katey Johnson, Oklahoma
    Anna Kobza, Nebraska
    Max Krupp, Texas
    Lettie McKinney, Kansas
    Arlie Reeves, Washington

“It’s evident that producers are seeking community across the industry as we received almost 50 applications for this year’s program, a 76% increase from last year,” said Chandler Mulvaney, director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development at NCBA. “The newly selected cohort will join efforts with previous Trailblazers, building community, providing opportunities for mentorship, and collaborating with other experienced grassroots advocates.”

Trailblazers receive in-depth training to become expert communicators, excel in media interviews and understand how to build confidence in beef-related practices when talking to consumers. Throughout the year, Trailblazers will receive advanced training from subject matter experts, learning how to effectively engage on various social media platforms, interact with the media, and enhance public speaking skills.

Sebastian Meija Turcios of California, participant in the inaugural class of Trailblazers, said the following about his experience, “The Trailblazers program has provided me with invaluable opportunities to find my role as a leader in the beef industry and to make connections that will endure the test of time. As a scientist, Trailblazers has provided me with the tools and skills that will help me be a stronger communicator.”

Trailblazers will meet online and in person to foster constant growth and refinement of skillsets when speaking about beef. Upon joining the advanced advocacy program, Trailblazers serve as industry spokespeople and inform beef advocates at the local and state levels on advocacy, media, and spokesperson best practices. Every year, ten new Trailblazers are accepted into the community building program.



Summit Carbon Solutions Announces New Shipper for its Carbon Capture Project

In a significant development for the advancement of low-carbon fuel production, Summit Carbon Solutions (Summit) announced today that Valero, the world’s second-largest corn ethanol producer and a leader in low-carbon transportation fuels production, will be a shipper on Summit’s pipeline, as part of the largest proposed carbon capture and storage project in the world. This collaboration underscores a commitment to reliable energy, growing markets for Midwest fuel and grain, and support for rural communities.

Eight of Valero’s ethanol facilities across Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and South Dakota are expected to be incorporated into Summit’s project. That includes one plant in Albion, Nebraska; one plant in Aurora, South Dakota; one plant in Welcome, Minnesota; and five plants in Iowa, including those in Hartley, Albert City, Fort Dodge, Lakota and Charles City. Participation from these eight facilities adds 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol per year and will lead to the capture of 3.1 million metric tons of CO2 annually. This will reduce the carbon intensity of ethanol production and further open access to low-carbon fuel markets.

“I am excited to welcome one of the premier energy companies in the world into our project, bringing in a new era where agricultural innovation and energy market expansion go hand in hand,” said Bruce Rastetter, Founder and Executive Chairman of Summit Agricultural Group. “By integrating Valero’s facilities into this project, we will make major strides in providing more than a billion gallons of low-carbon fuels to a marketplace hungry for the product. This project ensures the agriculture and biofuels industries will remain dynamic and competitive, meeting the needs of today while preparing for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

“I view our project, as representing a meaningful shift in agriculture to lower the carbon intensity of biofuel products,” said Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank. “It’s about practical changes that can make a real difference: improving farm profitability, increasing land values, and offering solid support to our farm families and rural communities. This project represents a significant step forward that is grounded in the humble and hardworking spirit of agriculture.”

With the inclusion of Valero, Summit’s project now extends to 57 ethanol production facilities across the upper Midwest, from which it will capture and sequester over 16 million metric tons of CO2 per year.



Vytelle Expands Presence in Nebraska Region with the Opening of its 17th Global Laboratory, Ushering in a New Level of Accessibility to Hormone-Free in vitro Fertilization (IVF) for Cattle Producers

Vytelle, the fastest-growing in vitro fertilization (IVF) company, proudly announces the opening of its 8th US-based and 17th global laboratory, strategically located in the heart of Nebraska. This expansion further signifies Vytelle's commitment to providing innovative reproductive solutions and unparalleled access to hormone-free IVF for beef and dairy producers.

With its newest laboratory situated in Nebraska, a region known for elite cattle genetics and performance-focused herds, Vytelle continues to revolutionize the way livestock reproduction is managed. The expansion will enable local producers to access Vytelle ADVANCE™, a breakthrough in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology, empowering them to further enhance their herds' genetic potential and overall productivity.

"Our expansion into the Nebraska region underscores our dedication to supporting the needs of our current and future customers by bringing our Vytelle ADVANCE™ solutions closer to home," said Kerryann Kocher, CEO of Vytelle. "We are excited to increase collaboration with producers in this cattle genetics hub, leveraging our expertise to optimize herd performance and drive sustainable agricultural practices."

The Nebraska-based laboratory offers increased accessibility to modern reproduction technology and enables the possibility of fresh embryo transfers for producers in the region. Vytelle’s state-of-the-art laboratories offer reverse-sort technology and a hormone-free IVF process, including proprietary media, delivering high-quality embryos to producers, giving them the technology to make more valuable calves to maximize genetic progress.  

"We are thrilled to open our doors in the Nebraska region and expand our footprint," said Grady Bishop, Vice President of North America Commercial Operations at Vytelle. "Vytelle can now access 50% of the national beef and dairy breeding herd through a strong network of Satellite partners who help provide our IVF technology across the US. This expansion brings a lab closer to our partners in the area, allowing them to expand their customer offerings to include fresh transfers.”  

“By combining our innovative technologies with local expertise, we aim to foster collaboration and drive positive outcomes for livestock producers, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and resilience of the industry."



NCBA Calls on Congress to Adopt FY24 ‘Minibus’

Monday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) called on lawmakers to pass the minibus appropriations package announced yesterday by congressional leadership. The bill prevents a disastrous government shutdown and provides support for several key cattle industry priorities.

“While this legislation is not perfect, it advances a number of priorities important to cattle producers, including critical investments in electronic animal ID tags for producers and strengthening oversight of lab-grown protein,” said NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. “Further, a government shutdown would unnecessarily harm farmers and ranchers by restricting their access to federal personnel, essential market information, and delaying access to critical disaster assistance programs. We urge Congress to avoid a shutdown by passing this important legislation.”
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently crafting a rule that would require the use of electronic ID tags instead of existing metal tags on certain classes of cattle moving interstate. This change is designed to facilitate faster traceability in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak in the United States. In the event this rule finalizes, NCBA supports USDA covering the entire cost of electronic ID tags for impacted producers. Additionally, NCBA supports greater oversight of emerging lab-grown technology to ensure that consumers are protected, and cattle producers have a level playing field with the lab-grown protein products currently in development.



USDA Seeks Nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board to succeed 35 members with terms that expire in March 2025 who represent the following states and units:
    Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
    Mid-Atlantic Unit: South Carolina and West Virginia.
    Northeast Unit: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont.
    Southwest Unit: California and Nevada.
    Importer Unit

The deadline for nominations is May 17, 2024. Individuals appointed to the board will serve three-year terms beginning in February 2025.

The Cattleman’s Beef Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 99 members representing 34 separate states, four units of geographically grouped states and one importer unit.

Beef producers within the United States who own cattle or any importers that import cattle or beef may be nominated. Producers and importers must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The Secretary of Agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted.

A list of certified producer organizations, the nomination form and information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Board are available on the AMS Cattlemen’s Beef Board webpage and on the board’s website, https://www.beefboard.org/. For more information, contact Barbara Josselyn at (202) 713-6918 or Barbara.Josselyn@usda.gov.



New Assessment Shows Value of Soybean Oil as Low-Carbon Feedstock for Clean Fuels

A recent Life Cycle Assessment conducted by Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) for the United Soybean Board (USB) and the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) reveals a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of U.S. Soy throughout its cultivation, harvesting, transportation and processing stages. The assessment highlights a notable 22% decrease in the carbon footprint associated with U.S. production of crude soy oil, which is a key feedstock for U.S. biodiesel, renewable diesel and SAF producers.

Soybean production and oil processing constitute more than 40% of the carbon intensity (CI) score for soy biodiesel. The improvements documented in this report are expected to translate into reductions in CI across the clean fuels industry.

Clean Fuels Alliance America assisted USB and NOPA in ensuring the data collected for processors in the report aligns with data specifications for GREET, so it could be easily integrated into GREET model updates.

“We look forward to working with Argonne National Laboratory through the data quality assessment process to update the GREET model to reflect the latest improvements in the industry,” said Veronica Bradley, Environmental Scientist at Clean Fuels Alliance America.



USDA Dairy Products January 2024 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.19 billion pounds, 1.2 percent below January 2023 and 0.5 percent below December 2023. Italian type cheese production totaled 503 million pounds, 0.7 percent above January 2023 but 1.1 percent below December 2023. American type cheese production totaled 471 million pounds, 5.5 percent below  January 2023 and 1.9 percent below December 2023. Butter production was 214 million pounds, 6.4 percent above January 2023 and 10.6 percent above December 2023.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with January 2023)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 139 million pounds, down 20.4 percent.
Skim milk powder - 56.9 million pounds, up 27.7 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with January 2023)
Dry whey, total - 78.0 million pounds, up 1.7 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 90.8 million pounds, up 2.1 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.3 million pounds, up 1.9 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with January 2023)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 49.6 million gallons, down 6.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 26.5 million gallons, down 8.6 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.75 million gallons, down 11.3 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.33 million gallons, down 3.9 percent.



Heifer Field Days to be Offered in Three Locations in March

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host three heifer field days in late March, focused on reproduction and growth management, facilities and economics.

The field days will be held March 26 in Kalona, March 27 in Postville and March 28 in Orange City.

Holstein cattle eating hay, by hiv360/stock.adobe.com.“Nearly 25 percent of a dairy's production costs are in raising heifer replacements, thus a considerable amount of feed, time and facilities must be invested to optimize growth for heifers to calve at an appropriate age,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “That is why this topic of raising your ‘dairy best’ heifers can have significant financial and herd benefits.”

Field Day Details:
    March 26 at the Taylor Bontrager dairy, located at 1881 Johnson Washington Road SW, Kalona, from 1-3:30 p.m. Topics will include facilities and ventilation presented by Kris Kohl, northwest Iowa ag engineer, and heifer reproduction programs presented by Victor Gomez, assistant professor and extension dairy specialist with Kansas State University, and will conclude with a group discussion and facility tour.
    March 27 at the Brian and Monica Enyart dairy, located at 630 Highway 51 South, Postville, from 1-3:30 p.m. Topics will include facilities and ventilation, presented by Kris Kohl, northwest Iowa ag engineer; heifer reproduction programs presented by Victor Gomez; and a group discussion and facility tour.
    March 28 at Dordt Agricultural Fellowship Center and heifer barn, 3648 US-75, Sioux Center, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided. Topics will include facilities and ventilation, presented by Kris Kohl, northwest Iowa ag engineer; economics of raising heifers presented by Larry Tranel, dairy field specialist; and a foreign animal disease presentation by Lisa Hindle with USDA-Veterinary Services and Dr. Greg Schmitt with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. From 1-4 p.m., a Spanish and English reproduction training will take place for those wanting a better understanding of best management practices when working with artificial insemination programs. Victor Gomez will lead the training.

Those interested in attending one or more field days should register online by March 20 at https://go.iastate.edu/DAIRYHEIFER2024 or call ISU Extension and Outreach in Sioux County at 712-737-4230; Allamakee County at 563-568-6345; or Washington County at 319-653-4811. There is no fee to attend, but an RSVP is requested for meals and materials.

For more information, contact dairy specialist Fred Hall at 712-737-4230 or fredhall@iastate.edu, Jennifer Bentley at 563-382-2949 or jbentley@iastate.edu, or Larry Tranel at 563-583-6496 or tranel@iastate.edu.



Surging Cull Cow Prices
David P. Anderson, Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Cull cow prices have surged in recent weeks, along with calf and feeder prices. Southern Plains auction prices for 85-90 percent lean cows jumped from $85 per cwt to $105 per cwt over the last two weeks. National average cutter quality cows hovered around $100 per cwt.

Cull cow prices tend to increase seasonally until about May-June. Higher prices are normally supported by seasonally declining cow slaughter into early summer and grilling season demand for ground beef. Dairy cow slaughter remains well below a year ago even with struggling milk prices. Dairy culling tends to decline to seasonal lows in mid-year. Weekly beef cow slaughter has remained below a year ago.

Fewer cows available are certainly boosting live prices. Tighter supplies of cow beef are boosting the meat market. Since the first of the year, cow beef production has been about 14 percent lower than the same period last year. Heavier weights are boosting pounds of production, partially offsetting fewer animals slaughtered.

The boxed cow beef cutout hit $240 per cwt at the end of February up from about $205 per cwt at the beginning of the year and $32 per cwt higher than the same week in 2023. Wholesale 90 percent boneless beef hit $305 per cwt at the end of February, $47 per cwt higher than last year. The increase in 90 percent lean price is in sharp contrast to the 50 percent lean price which is about 27 percent lower than last year. Beef imports, which are largely lean beef trimmings, have exceeded year-ago levels since April 2023, boosting lean beef supplies.

Cow prices are likely to continue to increase seasonally in the coming weeks. Beef and dairy cow weekly slaughter should remain below a year ago keeping supplies tight. The calendar moving towards Spring and the grilling season’s start should boost prices further.

A Note on the Texas Wildfires
By now, everyone has seen the news about the wildfires in the Texas Panhandle. No estimates of total damages are available yet. While a large portion of Texas cattle are in the Panhandle region, most of those are in feedlots and dairies. None of those have been hit by the fires. The impact is on rangeland beef cattle. Losses are likely to be large and will include ranch infrastructure like fences, lost grazing while rangelands recover, and cows and calves lost, especially given this time of year. After several years of drought, low cattle prices, and higher costs, losses from the fires will be especially damaging because of today’s record-high prices and the lost opportunity to make up financially for the last few years.