Tuesday April 30 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending April 28, 2024, there were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 19% short, 63% adequate, and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9% very short, 31% short, 53% adequate, and 7% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 22%, near 24% last year and 23% for the five-year average. Emerged was 1%, equal to both last year and average.

Soybeans planted was 10%, near 13% last year and 11% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 30% fair, 48% good, and 15% excellent.

Sorghum planted was 1%, equal to both last year and average.

Oats planted was 82%, near 79% last year, and ahead of 77% average. Emerged was 55%, ahead of 37% last year and 39% average.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS REPORT

Although the week began with dry weather, by Friday severe storm systems brought cooler temperatures and rain which allowed Iowa farmers 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 28, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The storms also brought tornadoes and hail to areas of the State. Corn, soybean, and oat planting advanced early in the week, but came to a halt for most as storms arrived.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 17 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Recent rains led to just 22 percent short to very short for the State’s topsoil versus 37 percent as of April 21, 2024.  Subsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 27 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 39 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average.  Two percent of the expected corn crop has emerged. Twenty-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 4 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Ninety percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 5 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Fifty-three percent of the oat crop has emerged, 8 days ahead of last year.

Pastures and hay ground continued to green up, but warmer temperatures would aid in growth. Reports were received of cattle being turned out onto pasture.



Crop Progress: Corn 23% Planted, Soybeans 16% Planted; Winter Wheat Condition Drops 1 Point

Corn planting bumped up to 27% of the country's expected planting, five percentage points higher than the five-year planting average, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. Soybean planting also is moving ahead of its five-year average over the past week. A stretch of wetter weather that hit several regions of the country could lead to some row-crop planting facing delays over the next week.

CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting moved ahead 4 percentage points last week to reach 27% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That's now four points ahead of the five-year average of 22%.
-- Crop development: 7% of corn was emerged as of Sunday, two points ahead of both last year and three points above the five-year average of 4%.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: 18% of soybeans were planted nationwide as of Sunday. That is two points ahead of last year's pace and is 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 10%.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 30% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That is seven points ahead of 23% at this time last year and nine points ahead of the five-year average of 21%.
-- Crop condition: 49% of the crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 point from 50% the previous week but still considerably higher than 30% a year ago. Sixteen percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, down from 43% a year ago.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 34% of spring wheat was planted as of Sunday, 24 points ahead of 10% last year and 15 points ahead of the five-year average of 19%.
-- Crop development: 5% of spring wheat was emerged, three points ahead of 2% last year and equal to the five-year average of 3%.



Nebraska Cattlemen Announces Matthew Melchor as Director of State Government Affairs

Nebraska Cattlemen is pleased to announce the hire of Matthew Melchor as director of state government affairs. Originally from Wichita, Kansas, Matthew holds an A.S. in Agriculture from Hutchinson Community College, a B.S. in Agribusiness from Kansas State University, and an M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University. Melchor has previously interned in government affairs for Kansas Farm Bureau and BASF Ag Solutions North America. Most recently, Melchor worked as a summer research intern for the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, focusing on the upcoming Farm Bill. He was also selected as the 2023 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Anthony M. Grano Fellow in Agricultural Policy. Additionally, he is a 2024 Farm Foundation Agricultural Scholar.

Melchor stated, “Through my previous experiences in public policy and research in graduate school, I have been fascinated with the livestock industry. I’m thrilled to use the skills and knowledge gained from these past opportunities to advocate for hard-working ranchers in the state of Nebraska. I look forward to working with the rest of the Nebraska Cattlemen staff and association members to help push the legislative issues most important to producers in the Beef State.”

Executive Vice President, Laura Field said, “Nebraska Cattlemen is excited to welcome Matthew to the team. Matthew brings experience, curiosity and a passion for the cattle industry, and I look forward to his immediate positive impact on shaping policy for cattle producers in Nebraska.”

Melchor will begin his duties on June 1, 2024.



Farm Progress Show Prepares for 2024 Event

Excitement is building as preparations kick into high gear for the 2024 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. The demo fields have already been planted, ensuring that everything is on track for this highly anticipated event.

According to Farm Progress Show Manager Matt Jungmann, meticulous planning is essential to ensure a successful showcase. "That's one of the things that keeps all of us up at night," Jungmann explains. "Making sure that super early corn goes in the ground right on time so that we'd be able to have field demonstrations at the end of August."

Reflecting on past experiences, Jungmann notes the challenges faced in 2022 when the corn wasn't planted until May 19th. However, this year tells a different story. "I got the text at about 11 o'clock on April 12th that all the field demo corn has been planted," Jungmann shares. "So we're in about as good a shape as we can possibly be setting up for the show."

Despite dry conditions in some parts of Iowa, Jungmann remains cautiously optimistic about the situation. While areas like Eastern Iowa are experiencing drought concerns, Boone benefited from being planted into good moisture. "For right now, we're cautiously optimistic when it comes to the drought thing," Jungmann adds.

As preparations continue, anticipation grows for what promises to be an exciting and informative event for the agricultural community. Stay tuned for more updates as the 2024 Farm Progress Show approaches!



Nine Trade Associations Ask EPA to Meet November Deadline for 2026 RFS Volumes

Today, nine trade associations representing feedstock providers, advanced biofuel producers, and low-carbon fuel customers wrote to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, urging the agency to propose and finalize robust 2026 Renewable Fuel Standard volumes by this November’s statutory deadline. The letter highlights the dramatic drop in the value of RFS compliance credits (or RINs) in response to EPA’s unreasonably low 2023 -2025 volumes EPA set last year. The situation prompted several production facilities to close and now threatens investments in feedstock processing capacity as well as production of sustainable aviation fuel, according to the association letter.

“Each of our industries are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and we recognize that sustainable biofuels offer some of the most substantial immediate benefits to deliver carbon reductions. The EPA should utilize the RFS to improve energy security, bolster domestic industry and manufacturing, and maintain America’s leadership in developing and using sustainable, clean transportation technologies,” the associations write. “While our industries will continue to make investments in producing, distributing, and using low-carbon fuels, EPA can and should send a strong signal to the market through robust RVOs.”

“Transportation industries are looking for low-carbon solutions – particularly for heavy-duty engines – and clean fuels producers and feedstock suppliers are coordinating to deliver those solutions,” added Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs with Clean Fuels. “We are united in asking EPA to use the Renewable Fuel Standard to drive growth in the market, achieve significant near-term greenhouse gas emission reductions, and support the investments we’ve made. EPA must act in a timely manner on the 2026 RFS volumes to keep the program on track.”

“The U.S. oilseed industry continues to meet food, feed and fuel demand and stands ready to meet higher RVOs for 2026 and beyond. March was the largest monthly crush ever reported, up 11 million bushels year over year. National Oilseed Processors Association members have made over $6 billion in investments to increase crush capacity by nearly 30 percent,” said Kailee Tkacz Buller, president and CEO of NOPA. “This growth trajectory will be put in doubt risking billions in investments without certainty, clarity, and aligning RVOs to actual industry capacity from the EPA.”

Joining Clean Fuels in sending the letter are American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Soybean Association, American Trucking Associations, Association of American Railroads, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Oilseed Processors Association, North American Renderers Association, and U.S. Canola Association.



NMPF Statement on New Federal Travel and Test Order That Begins Today
President & CEO Gregg Doud
 
The crossover of this H5N1 virus from birds to dairy cattle has presented some extraordinary challenges to animal and human health regulators in Washington. Throughout my regular contact with Secretary Vilsack, Undersecretary Moffitt, and officials from FDA and other agencies in recent weeks, I have seen how leadership at USDA, FDA and other federal agencies is well-equipped to get us through this challenge.

As new rules on testing and travel take effect today, dairy farmers and their cooperatives are ready to support these efforts to protect animal health and guard against a potential human health risk. We have offered input to federal officials on how to help farmers implement these guidelines, and we will continue sharing feedback as these procedures are put into practice. We appreciate the around-the-clock efforts that federal and local authorities and experts, from USDA and other agencies to state officials and local veterinarians, have been making to get a new system up and running these past few days, and we are grateful for their dedication and commitment.



K-State researcher has $2.6 million in new support to fight deadly African Swine Fever

A Kansas State University researcher has new support to battle one of the biggest global threats to pigs and swine production, which is a $57-billion-dollar industry in the U.S.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, or FFAR, recently awarded a $1 million Seeding Solutions Grant to Waithaka Mwangi, immunology professor in the department of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, to support his ongoing work to develop safe and rapidly deployable vaccines to prevent African Swine Fever Virus.

Elanco Animal Health, K-State's Office of the Vice President for Research, Kansas State University Innovation Partners and MEDIAN Diagnostics Inc. provided matching funds for a $2,645,427 total investment.

African Swine Fever Virus, or ASFV, is a highly contagious, fatal disease in pigs that spreads rapidly. Currently, there is no commercially available treatment or vaccine for the virus.

That's why Mwangi and his team are working urgently to develop and validate a promising vaccine that could protect pigs from the virus.

"Certain proteins inherent within the virus can activate an immune response in swine," Mwangi said. "My research is identifying which ASFV proteins induce protective immune responses, the optimal dose, the most effective immunization platform and a way to differentiate infected pigs from vaccinated ones. This FFAR Seeding Solutions grant provides the funds for us to leverage additional stakeholder support needed to fund the necessary research to validate the effectiveness of a prototype vaccine that has already generated promising results."

Mwangi's work comes as swine producers urgently search for a way to protect their herds, since without a preventative vaccine or treatment, the only way to control ASFV is through enhanced biosecurity methods, such as quarantining or culling infected pigs.

ASFV has existed in Africa for decades, but the virus has started to spread globally, with cases detected recently in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Outbreaks in the U.S. would be staggeringly devastating — not just for the pork industry, but also for other agriculture commodities, such as corn and soy, that support it.

"Should the virus reach the U.S., outputs from this research could slow the virus's spread, protect millions of U.S. pigs and safeguard our food supply," said Jasmine Bruno, Ph.D., FFAR scientific program director for Cultivating Thriving Production Systems.

Additionally, Mwangi's research team is addressing safety concerns and production constraints that would allow regulatory agencies to approve the use of this vaccine.



More Front Loaded Long-Fed Cattle
Stephen R. Koontz, Colorado State University

While market attention appears to be captured by the HPAI information from the cattle herd – specifically dairy animals, there remains a rather substantial amount of other bearish short-term news in the market fundamentals. Primarily, the calculated and assumed cattle on feed over 150 days is substantial and growing. This is new information but as of the USDA Cattle on Feed report from two weeks ago. It is as large as ever for the first four months of the year. Seasonally this is what happens this time of year but not to this magnitude. I have received a bit of feedback that the industry is now feeding cattle substantially longer and that more animals on feed for this length of time should not be surprising. However, the amounts are more than this longer general feeding. Further, average daily fed cattle marketings based on the report were light, especially given the availability of animals, for January through March. This is not a surprise given the $200 and sub-$200 per head cash packer margins. So, what does the boxed beef market portend? The Choice cutout value peaked four weeks ago. It has recently returned to sub-$300/cwt. And the Choice-Select spread has recently spent two weeks below $5/cwt. The spread is usually soft in March, but this level is surprising. I am focused on the cutout value and what it does between now and June. And likewise, the CH-SL spread. The overall beef market is very soft given what is being observed in the ground beef and cow market.

And while the short term is pessimistic there are longer-term indicators of the impending much shorter supplies. While the cattle inventory on feed over 150 days has only been bigger during the COVID-19 summer, the inventory of animals on feed over 90 days dropped between March and April. The on-feed inventories appear to be very front-loaded. On-feed over 120 days is in between. As my colleague from Oklahoma State says – the cattle feeding industry never markets its way out of the problem but rather it places its way out. Sluggish marketings into the summer will likely be okay and the tight supplies anticipated this fall will become clear. At issue becomes the strength of the economy in the fourth quarter.