Thursday June 06 Ag News

 NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Lindsay Corporation (18135 Burke St., Suite 100,) in Omaha, Neb.

The meeting is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. The board will conduct regular board business.

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



HPAI Detected in an Iowa Dairy Herd

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in O’Brien County, Iowa. Final confirmatory testing is pending at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames.

The affected farm is a dairy herd, and this is Iowa’s first reported case of HPAI within a dairy. To date, APHIS has confirmed over 80 dairy cases on farms in South Dakota, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Kansas, Idaho and Colorado.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will soon be announcing additional response measures.

Additionally, genomic sequencing of the virus that was detected at the Sioux County farm announced on May 28 was determined by the NVSL in Ames to be consistent with the variant identified in affected dairies in other states. Sequencing is not yet completed on the virus detected at a recent turkey flock in Cherokee County or this dairy in O’Brien County. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing to try to determine how the virus was introduced into the flocks and herd.

“Given the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa. While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry. Our team at the Department has been preparing for this possibility and will soon be announcing additional response steps to protect our flocks and herds,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “Poultry producers and dairy farmers should immediately take steps to harden their biosecurity defenses, limit unnecessary visitors, and report symptomatic birds or cattle to the Department. This remains an evolving situation and we will continue to be in close communication with stakeholders, USDA, and other states as we evaluate our response. Our top priority is to protect our livestock and the farmers and people who care for them.”

About HPAI
HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations as well as lactating dairy cattle.  HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys. With supportive care, dairy cattle recover with little to no mortality associated with the disease.

Suspected Cases in Dairy
If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305. USDA’s federal order regulating the interstate movement of lactating dairy cattle remains in effect.

Clinical signs of HPAI in dairy may include:
    Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
    Clear nasal discharge
    Drop in milk production
    Tacky or loose feces
    Lethargy
    Dehydration
    Fever
    Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Heightened Biosecurity
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has biosecurity recommendations for dairy herds to utilize. In addition, the Department has numerous other biosecurity resources for poultry producers and livestock farms to reference on its website. Farmers or farm workers who interact regularly with both dairy and poultry or who interact frequently with other farm workers in poultry or dairy, should take extra precautions to limit possible transmissions.



Farm bill spotlights pork producer priorities at World Pork Expo
 
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) hosted a policy panel discussion today at the 2024 World Pork Expo, where producer-leaders and experts highlighted the need to work with both sides of the aisle to support America’s pork producers.
 
Preparing for and preventing foreign animal diseases (FADs), navigating challenges posed by California Proposition 12, increasing market access programs for U.S. pork, and protecting herd health are the key priorities that NPPC has successfully advocated for within the farm bill.
 
“Having a proactive, producer-focused advocacy plan has enabled NPPC to elevate our common interests to impact inclusions in the 2024 House Farm Bill,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “We appreciate our legislators addressing the issues facing the agriculture industry because they hold real-world implications for farms across the country.”
 
Dr. Anna Forseth, NPPC director of animal health, highlighted the importance of preserving FAD risk and prevention programs, which include National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank; National Animal Health Laboratory Network; National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program; and National Veterinary Stockpile.
 
“Pork producers continue to face threats from foreign animal disease like African swine fever,” Forseth said. “Farm bill funding can address these risks and help mitigate an outbreak that could lead to billions of dollars in losses, food shortages, and immediate closure of export markets.”
 
Chase Adams, NPPC assistant vice president of domestic policy, discussed the complications created by California Proposition 12 in potentially opening the door to a web of 50 different, often conflicting, standards on how food is produced. “NPPC urges Congress to adopt a legislative solution in the farm bill to mitigate further impacts to both farmers and consumers,” he said, noting the legislation has led to price spikes as high as 41% for fresh pork in California and is negatively impacting consumers.
 
Additional resources are needed for feral swine eradication, authorization of the National Detector Dog Training Center, and funding for the USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP).
 
“Exports create significant opportunities for the U.S. pork industry. USDA’s MAP program is designed to build commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural products,” said Maria C. Zieba, NPPC vice president of government affairs. “NPPC values the role international marketing plays in developing markets for U.S. pork.”
 
As the pork industry continues to bounce back from historic economic losses, producers need certainty and peace of mind in other areas of their businesses.”
 
“NPPC continues to work on a range of policy issues that protect herd health and safeguard producers’ farming businesses,” said Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO. “As it relates to ongoing discussions around the farm bill, we want to continue the momentum set by inclusions in the House version and encourage Congress to finalize a bipartisan bill this year that reflects the needs of pork producers.”



Weekly Ethanol Production for 5/31/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending May 31, ethanol production inched up 0.4% to 1.07 million b/d, equivalent to 45.02 million gallons daily and the highest level since the end of March. Output was 3.5% more than the same week last year and 5.6% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 2.7% to 1.04 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.99 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks declined 0.7% to a 24-week low of 23.1 million barrels. Yet, stocks were 0.5% more than the same week last year and 4.6% above the five-year average. Inventories thinned across all regions except the Rocky Mountains (PADD 4) and West Coast (PADD 5).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, decreased 2.2% to 8.95 million b/d (137.52 bg annualized). Demand was 3.0% less than a year ago but 0.1% above the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slipped 3.1% to 908,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.96 bg annualized. Still, net inputs were 2.4% higher than year-ago levels and 3.0% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were estimated at 123,000 b/d (5.2 million gallons/day), or 42.0% below the prior week. There were zero imports of ethanol recorded for the 37th consecutive week.



Urea, Anhydrous Lead Retail Fertilizer Prices Lower at End of May

Most average retail fertilizer prices continued to be lower in the fourth week of May 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. This was the fourth week in a row that most fertilizer prices were lower compared to last month.

For the first time in many months, prices for multiple fertilizers fell significantly, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The price of urea was down 8% from last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $537 per ton. Anhydrous also saw a significant price drop, down 5% from last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $758 per ton.

Prices for five other fertilizers were down just slightly from last month. DAP had an average price of $781 per ton, MAP $828/ton, potash $508/ton, UAN28 $356/ton and UAN32 $406/ton.

The price of one fertilizer was slightly higher than a month ago: 10-34-0 had an average price of $642/ton.

Prices of all fertilizers are lower compared to one year ago. The price of MAP is 1% lower, anhydrous is 4% less expensive, DAP is 5% lower, 10-34-0 is 13% lower, both urea and UAN28 are now 14% less expensive, UAN32 is 15% lower and potash is 18% lower compared to a year prior.



Dairy Products April 2024 Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.19 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above April 2023 but 3.0 percent below March 2024. Italian type cheese production totaled 504 million pounds, 6.2 percent above April 2023 but 2.8 percent below March 2024. American type cheese production totaled 468 million pounds, 4.7 percent below April 2023 and 4.3 percent below March 2024. Butter production was 208 million pounds, 5.3 percent above April 2023 but 1.3 percent below March 2024.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with April 2023)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 173 million pounds, down 12.7 percent.
Skim milk powder - 36.3 million pounds, down 20.8 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with April 2023)
Dry whey, total - 81.2 million pounds, up 2.1 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 91.5 million pounds, down 1.5 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 39.2 million pounds, down 6.1 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with April 2023)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 64.7 million gallons, up 7.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.5 million gallons, down 6.0 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.80 million gallons, down 8.8 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 3.12 million gallons, down 3.6 percent.



NMPF Board Calls for Milk Pricing Fairness, Leads on H5N1 Response

National Milk Producers Federation leadership expressed confidence that farmers would soon see a fairer federal system for milk pricing and highlighted dairy farmers’ robust response to the challenge of H5N1 influenza in dairy cattle at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting, which concluded today.  

“Even with all the stresses on the farm, there's still not a better industry,” said Randy Mooney, a dairy farmer from Rogersville, MO, and a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, in remarks at the meeting. “I'm proud of where we’re at, producing high quality, nutritious food for the consumer. It's amazing how dairy farmers do it.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to release its plan for Federal Milk Marketing Order modernization at the beginning of July. NMPF has led the push for updated rules that reflect the current industry, a three-year effort that culminated in a 49-day FMMO hearing late last year.  

Board members spent two days reviewing recent policy developments, including the progress of the 2024 Farm Bill, and receiving up-to-date information on H5N1, which has led to significant federal and farmer investments in biosecurity and testing. NMPF Chief Science Officer Dr. Jamie Jonker led discussion on an issue that is critical to dairy’s future.   

The meeting was held with NMPF’s annual Young Cooperators fly-in, in which young dairy farmers meet with lawmakers to advocate for the industry. Dairy farmers urged passage of a Farm Bill, expanded market access for U.S. dairy products and federal action toward integrity in milk labeling, restricting the use of dairy terms to animal products in line with Food and Drug Administration standards.  

The Board also examined potential improvements to the NMPF-led Cooperatives Working Together program, the 21-year-old farmer self-help initiative that is up for renewal after 2024. A member task force has been weighing a range of options to expand the use of CWT’s export assistance program. The NMPF Board approved a series of five directional goals for CWT as it considers the program’s parameters in 2025 and beyond.

At the meeting, the board also elected three new members: Dave Peterson of Minnesota, representing Associated Milk Producers, Inc.; Alex Peterson of Missouri, representing Dairy Farmers of America; and Mike Schoneveld of Washington, representing Darigold.  



Corteva Agriscience Launches Resicore® REV Herbicide for Premier Corn Weed Control

Corteva Agriscience today announced the launch of Resicore® REV herbicide, which will offer premier pre- and postemergence corn weed control. With a powerful combination of three proven active ingredients, plus superior handling, outstanding flexibility and enhanced crop safety, this new premix formulation will put the brakes on more than 75 of the toughest broadleaf and grass weeds while helping farmers rev up corn yield potential.

Revved up benefits of Resicore REV herbicide include:
    High-powered weed control. Resicore REV herbicide will be the ideal foundation for any premier corn weed-control program with three proven modes of action, plus up to eight weeks of residual activity, to control more than 75 of the toughest broadleaves and grasses. The solution is powerful against even the most resistant weed varieties, including Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, marestail and giant ragweed.
    Pumped-up flexibility. Resicore REV herbicide has the flexibility to fit nearly any weed-control or agronomic program. The new formulation can be applied preplant, preemergence or postemergence on corn up to 24 inches tall – and it allows farmers to customize their application rates to suit their needs. Resicore REV herbicide can be used on traited corn and conventional corn, as well as on reduced- and no-till acres.
    Supercharged tankmix compatibility. Resicore REV herbicide is compatible with a wide variety of tank-mix partners, including micronutrients, such as UAN and ammonium thiosulfate (ATS), and other corn herbicides, such as atrazine and glyphosate. This supercharged mixing and handling will allow corn farmers more options to tailor their weed control programs to better fit their acres.
    Boosted crop safety. Resicore REV herbicide is formulated for increased crop safety with an encapsulated acetochlor. The boosted crop safety builds off the strong foundation of Resicore® herbicide for healthier corn throughout the growing season, helping farmers achieve maximum yield potential.

“Resicore REV herbicide will not only help corn farmers overcome their weed control challenges for one season but also will help set them up for better field management down the road,” Burke said. “By providing premier efficacy and the flexibility to work across a multitude of management programs, Resicore REV herbicide will bring farmers the confidence of knowing they’re helping sustain the longevity of the weed control tools and technologies they currently rely on.”

Resicore® REV herbicide will be available for growers to include in their 2025 weed control plans.



Pivot Bio Releases 2023 Impact Report

Pivot Bio, a leading sustainable agriculture company, today announced its customers, since the beginning of 2022, reduced carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by over 932,000 metric tons (MT). The savings, the result of their using Pivot Bio’s microbial nitrogen to improve the efficiency of their nitrogen management plans, is equivalent to the annual emissions of two-and-one-half gas-fired power plants — a leading pace of emissions reductions in agriculture.

The data comes from the company’s latest Impact Report, which looks back on 2023 and provides in-depth evidence demonstrating the critical role microbial nitrogen plays in permanent on-farm decarbonization. Last year alone, growers who used Pivot Bio products avoided the emission of more than 700,000 MT of CO2e — nearly 20x the annual capacity of the world’s most advanced direct air capture facility in Iceland.

“Nitrogen is an essential building block for life and agriculture, necessary to produce the food needed to meet global demand. But the status quo in nitrogen management is not enough,” said Karsten Temme, Pivot Bio co-founder and chief innovation officer. “The data is clear — when our microbial-produced nitrogen is a foundational pillar of a holistic crop nutrition plan, growers can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make a positive on-farm impact that extends across global supply chains.”

The 2023 Impact Report also highlights the company’s N-OVATORTM program, the first-ever insetting initiative to focus on nitrous oxide emissions by connecting growers with companies looking to draw down Scope 3 emissions.

In 2023 alone, Pivot Bio matched nearly 400,000 grower acres with downstream partners, including major consumer packaged goods companies, ingredient suppliers, spirit producers and grain buyers. In the process, it enabled the reduction of nearly 140,000 MT of permanent, nonreversible Scope 3 emissions. Pivot Bio expects the 2024 acreage will be higher once it finalizes additional downstream programs for corporate customers.

Through N-OVATORTM, Pivot Bio partnered with over a half-dozen companies to develop programs that returned dollars to growers for the CO2 and N2O reductions and watershed improvements they delivered. Many of the growers received payments that resulted in up to 35% of their product cost coming back to them as cash payments. The net effect of these payments to growers typically makes Pivot Bio products their cheapest form of nitrogen — across all sources of nitrogen.

“Building a more sustainable future for agriculture hinges on leveraging strategic partnerships like the ones being built through our N-OVATORTM program,” said Pivot Bio CEO Chris Abbott. “Transforming agriculture isn’t a zero-sum game. If we can find creative ways to work together, it will benefit us all. From growers, ag input partners and complementary technology companies to commodity brands, the fuels market and even traditional fertilizer manufacturers, there is opportunity to create value across the supply chain with improved sustainable impact and economic advantages. That is the power of technology.”

Nitrogen is a critical component of the global food system, with synthetic nitrogen fertilizer credited for supporting the caloric needs of nearly half of the world’s population. However, the manufacturing, transportation and application of synthetic fertilizer accounts for 2.5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and is a significant source of water use and nitrate leaching. Pivot Bio products are used across several million acres in the United States, typically providing up to 25% of a plant’s nitrogen needs while improving growers’ profitability, sustainability and productivity as they work to feed a growing population.