Tuesday June 11 Crop Progress + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending June 9, 2024, there were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2% very short, 16% short, 71% adequate, and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 18% short, 69% adequate, and 9% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 14% fair, 57% good, and 27% excellent. Corn emerged was 93%, near 96% last year and 92% for the five-year average.

Soybean condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 19% fair, 60% good, and 19% excellent. Soybeans planted was 96%, near 97% last year and 94% average. Emerged was 82%, behind 91% last year, but near 81% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 18% fair, 40% good, and 32% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 93%, ahead of 80% last year and 77% average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 19% fair, 74% good, and 6% excellent. Sorghum planted was 75%, near 72% last year and 77% average.

Oats condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 12% fair, 65% good, and 20% excellent. Oats headed was 54%, well ahead of 32% last year, and ahead of 38% average.

Dry edible beans planted was 77%, well ahead of 44% last year. Emerged was 7%, behind 18% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 25% fair, 50% good, and 15% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Warm and drier weather throughout the State allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 9, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting and replanting of corn and soybeans and spraying were limited due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Corn planting is nearly complete with 89 percent emerged, 9 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn condition rated at 73 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, equal to the 5-year average. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 9 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete with 59 percent headed, 8 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated to 81 percent good to excellent.

Seventy percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 1 week behind last year. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

Over 70% of corn and soybeans that have emerged are in good-to-excellent condition, up considerably from last year at this time, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress on Monday.  Development of both crops continues to run slightly ahead of normal, NASS said.

CORN
-- Planting progress: Corn planting inched ahead 4 percentage points last week to reach 95% complete nationwide as of Sunday, June 9. That is equal to the five-year average but is 3 percentage points behind last year's 98%.
-- Crop development: 85% of corn had emerged as of Sunday, 6 points behind last year's 91% but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 84%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 74% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 point from 75% the previous week but well ahead of last year's 61%. Five percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor compared to 4% last week and 8% last year.

SOYBEANS
-- Planting progress: Soybean planting moved ahead 9 points last week, about steady with the previous week's pace of 10 percentage points, to reach 87% complete as of Sunday. That was 8 percentage points behind last year's 95% but 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 84%.
-- Crop development: 70% of soybeans had emerged as of Sunday, 13 points behind last year's 83% but 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 66%.
-- Crop condition: In its initial rating of this year's soybean crop, NASS estimated 72% of the soybeans that had emerged were in good-to-excellent condition and just 4% were very poor to poor. That compares to last year's rating of 59% good to excellent and 9% very poor to poor.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Crop development: 89% of winter wheat was headed as of Sunday. That was 2 points ahead of 87% at this time last year and 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 86%.
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 6 percentage points last week to reach 12% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 5 points ahead of last year's 7% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average pace of 6%.
-- Crop condition: 47% of the crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 2 points from 49% the previous week but still up considerably from 38% a year ago.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Planting progress: 98% of spring wheat was planted as of Sunday, 2 points ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 96%.
-- Crop development: 87% of spring wheat has emerged, 1 point ahead of 86% last year and 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 83%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 72% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 2 points from 74% the previous week. That is still ahead of last year's rating of 60% good to excellent.



HAIL IN PASTURE AND HAY
- Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

When hailstorms hit, row crops often get the most attention, but perennial forages can take a beating too. So, what should you do when hail strikes your pasture or hay field?

The timing of the hailstorm is crucial in assessing its impact on forage crops. While perennial forages are resilient—they do withstand regular grazing and haying—hail can cause significant yield loss.

In pastures, if standing forage is now on the ground, it's best to move animals to allow plants to recover. If regrowth occurs, graze appropriately to prevent overuse. However, if dry conditions follow the hail, regrowth might not happen, and you may need to keep animals off until moisture returns.

For alfalfa fields, damage assessment and timing are key to recovery. Work from the University of Wisconsin advises that fields with more than two weeks before harvest can usually be left alone, with some yield loss expected. If terminal bud damage exceeds 50% in these fields,  focus on managing and harvesting the regrowth.

If your alfalfa has less than two weeks before planned harvest, you can proceed with normal harvesting, expecting some yield loss. For severely lodged crops, wait 3-4 days for plants to right themselves. Disk mowers are better at picking up lodged crops than sickle bars, but for both tilt the bar or disc forward for better forage pickup. If damage is severe and the yield isn't worth the effort, focus on managing and harvesting the regrowth.

Hailstorms are part of life on the plains. When they impact your forage production, assessing the damage and adjusting your management strategy can help you make the best of a tough situation.



Nebraska Teacher Named “Ag Educator of the Year”

As the need grows for more ag educators across the nation, the ag teachers who go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders are more important than ever. In Nebraska, six exceptional ag teachers were recently named as finalists of the 2023-2024 Golden Owl Award® for their positive impact in the classroom and communities they serve. Of the finalists, Stephanie Mann, an agricultural teacher at Crofton High School, was named Nebraska’s grand prize winner and 2023-2024 Ag Educator of the Year.

Nationwide, in partnership with the Nebraska FFA Foundation and the Nebraska Agriculture Educators Association (NAEA), recognized Mann as the Golden Owl Award grand prize winner during the Nebraska Career Education Conference. In addition to the title of Nebraska’s Ag Educator of the Year, Mann will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and a $3,000 Nationwide-funded donation to further Crofton’s agricultural education efforts.

Mann’s nominations describe her as dedicated, supportive, and passionate. One nomination read, “Mrs. Mann has been one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. She is so dedicated to not only teaching her students about agriculture, but the industry as a whole.” Another one states, “Our students have been tremendously fortunate to participate and succeed in FFA under her tutelage for nearly three decades. Her students are knowledgeable and prepared for not only FFA competitions but also careers in the agricultural field after high school.”

Nebraska FFA Foundation Director Stacey Agnew says, “Stephanie Mann has been a true example of what it means to grow students into leaders in FFA and Agriculture Education at Crofton. She is a wise mentor for many younger advisors and a trusted friend to all. We are pleased to honor Stephanie as the winner of the 2024 NAEA Outstanding Agricultural Educator and Nebraska Golden Owl Award. We also wish her the best upon her retirement.”

As the number one insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.1, Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award with its state partners to shed light on the contributions of Nebraska’s leading agricultural teachers and provide additional resources to support their programs.

“Nationwide is proud to recognize the dedicated teachers who are educating and inspiring students to pursue careers in agriculture,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re honored to have the opportunity to appreciate their contributions, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help provide their students with optimal learning experiences.”

Nationwide supports the future of the ag community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA, including the Nebraska FFA Foundation, to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers, and advisors alike.

For more information, visit www.goldenowlaward.com.



Agencies Plan Agriculture Recovery Events

State, federal and local agencies, in conjunction with farming industry groups, will host a one-day Agriculture Recovery Center in Pottawattamie County noon to 8 p.m. June 13 to help Iowans recover from spring tornado and storm damage.

Additional Agriculture Recovery Centers are planned for Union and Polk counties. The walk-through events, designed as resource fairs, will provide information on addressing agricultural or rural needs that are not covered by standard programs offered by FEMA or the state of Iowa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Iowa Insurance Division and other government agencies are working with industry organizations such as Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa Soybean, and Iowa Cattlemen to ensure unmet needs are identified and resources are shared.

The first event is noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 13, here:
Pottawattamie County
Treynor Community Center
11 W Main St.
Treynor, IA 51575
    
Download the Iowa Disaster Agriculture Resource Guide here: https://www.iowa.gov/resources-0/agricultural-resources.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. For Spanish, press 2. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.



Producers and consumers are responsible for food safety
Iowa Beef Center - Iowa State University press release

Three USDA studies reaffirm the beef supply is safe! The first study examined 30 samples of ground beef collected from retail outlets in states with dairy herds testing positive for the H5N1 influenza virus. All 30 samples tested negative for H5N1. In another study, muscles from the carcasses of 96 condemned cull dairy cows were examined for H5N1. One carcass tested positive for the virus. But it’s important to note that when a carcass is condemned, it cannot enter the food chain. The second study compared the effect of three cooking temperatures (120°, 145°, and 160°F) of ground beef inoculated with a surrogate H5N1 virus. Cooking to 145° and 160°F destroyed the virus.

This is good news! But cattle producers and consumers still have a role in keeping the beef supply chain safe. Cattle producers need to be diligent in biosecurity. Consumers are responsible for proper handling and cooking.

Implement biosecurity
Simply defined, biosecurity is keeping diseases out of the cattle operation. However, implementing biosecurity is complex as it involves cattle, movements, people, equipment, and the environment.

It is critical that producers monitor the health of their cattle daily. An early sign of oncoming sickness is a change in appetite - taking longer to eat or not consuming all the provided feed. But look for other changes such as dryness of the nose, labored breathing, reduced activity, or abnormal feces, and isolate sick animals. Work closely with a local veterinarian to develop a treatment plan and conduct necropsies.

Producers should control movements on and off the farm. New incoming cattle need to be quarantined for a minimum of 28 days. Provide a single entry to the farm with a sign indicating where to check in. It’s appropriate to require all visitors to sign a registry log and to limit their contact with cattle.    

Cleanliness and sanitation are key. Employees and visitors should wear clean clothing and footwear. Equipment such as front-end loaders, cattle trailers, and syringes should be clean before using and washed after using.     

To avoid attracting wildlife, cover cattle feed when possible. Although it may not be possible to limit the access of wildlife to water, regular cleaning of tanks and waterers is recommended. Dispose of spoiled feed and dead animals in a manner that prevents attracting wild birds, rodents, and scavengers.

Safe handling and cooking
It is very important to cook beef to the appropriate temperature because undercooking can contribute to foodborne illness. The minimal internal temperature for steaks and roasts is 145°F. Ground beef should be cooked to a minimal internal temperature of 160°F.      
 
Color of cooked beef is not an acceptable means to determine temperature. To get an accurate reading, insert a meat thermometer sideways into a patty. Be wary of food service establishments asking how you would like your hamburger cooked! Undercooked ground beef is not safe.      

There is no substitute for cleanliness. To prevent cross-contamination, use two clean plates when grilling. Dedicate one for carrying raw beef to the grill and another to carry the grilled beef to the table.

Remember that everyone up and down the beef supply chain has a significant role in food safety!

The Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.org.



2024 Cover Crop Options in Prevented Planting Fields

Continued above average rainfall from April through May has led to flooded fields and conditions that are too wet to plant or do field work in parts of Iowa. Early June planting decisions surrounding your delayed and prevented planting provision should involve a conversation with your crop insurance provider. The Ag Decision Maker File A1-57 (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/html/a1-57.html) talks about the insurance provision implications related to late planting, prevent planting, and replanting decisions in Iowa. Additionally, there are articles addressing Late Corn Planting Options and Late Soybean Planting Options; these articles discuss late planted yield potential. Each choice has practical and economic implications; approach this decision with caution and with good information.

Flooded field.If a prevented planting provision is taken, it is highly recommended to plant a cover crop or an emergency forage crop (See ICM article, Forage Options with Prevented Planting Fields) rather than letting the field be fallow through the summer. Please discuss this with your crop insurance provider.

Before deciding on a cover crop species for prevent plant fields, read the label from herbicides that were used in the past growing season as well as any that may have been used this growing season. Check for grazing restriction (if applicable), in addition to rotation restrictions before planting to understand any possible herbicide interactions of past herbicides and the cover crop.

Cover Crop Options and Considerations
Soybean can be planted as a prevent plant cover crop option. Soybeans cannot be harvested for grain. It is recommended to plant in rows narrower than 15-inches or broadcast seed. Row crop planters can be used by planting at a ½ seeding rate in the normal row direction followed by planting perpendicular, at an angle, or offset from the original row. Use a seeding rate of 60,000 to 80,000 seeds per acre, and maybe slightly higher if broadcast seeding. Narrower rows and lower seeding rates will support branching to achieve canopy closure more quickly for weed competition. For consideration, soybean might be a viable option to use treated seed that has already been purchased. Soybeans winter kill. Be cautious if corn herbicides were applied before planting as soybeans can be sensitive to those herbicides.

Spring Cereals (Oats, Wheat, Barley) can be planted any time before September 15. When planted early they will likely produce a seed head that will shatter, causing some reseeding. Disking after shattering would help reseed the plants, giving a cover through fall until winter kill occurs.

Brassicas (Turnips, Kale, Forage Rape, Radishes) should be planted from late July into August for best biomass.  If planted in June, most of these will likely ‘bolt’ and produce seed by fall. They can be planted with a cereal grain such as oats, triticale, or rye. The brassicas will winterkill, but they are highly frost tolerant and will remain a good grazing forage well into November.  Some species of brassicas may have a hard seed coat that may delay emergence. Emergence of seed with hard seed coats may emerge in the spring. Field culvert with flooding.

Legumes (Crimson Clover, Berseem Clover, Field Pea, Hairy Vetch, Common Vetch, Sun Hemp) are slower to establish and more expensive than other cover crop options. Seeding should occur in August to ensure adequate growth that would lead to higher overwintering success.

Winter Cereals (Rye, Wheat, Triticale) can be planted as early as August with good success of winter survival and high forage yield potential in the spring. Minimum seeding rates of 45 pounds per acre for cover, but twice that to maximize a forage harvest in the spring. Rainfall after seeding leads to greater success. Drill seeding is more uniform than broadcast or aerial seeding. Winter cereal rye is generally the most economical.  If planting cereal rye early, late summer clipped cereal rye overwinters well, and unclipped cereal rye may have some winterkill. If planting winter cereals in late summer, they would overwinter okay. Termination is needed in the spring for winter cereals.



Iowans Encouraged to Visit Farmers Markets, Vouchers Available for Low-Income Seniors and WIC Recipients

As summer kicks off, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa families to visit and support the more than 200 farmers markets located across the state. Farmers markets and farm stands provide consumers with easy access to local fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey, cut flowers, eggs, meat, cheese, craft beer, Iowa wine and many other fresh or prepared products.

“Farmers markets are wonderful events that can bring a community together. I'm excited that a growing number of vendors across the state are also Choose Iowa members. I encourage consumers to look for the Choose Iowa logo when they are searching for Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made food, beverages and ag products,” said Secretary Naig. “Our Farmers Market Nutrition Program is also offering vouchers to eligible low-income seniors and WIC recipients, which participating vendors will accept as payment for their produce.”

A directory of community farmers markets and farms stands, including those who are participating in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. For a list of current Choose Iowa members as well as information about what’s in season, visit chooseiowa.com.

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which helps Iowans in need purchase fresh, locally grown produce and also supports Iowa farmers by building market demand for their products, is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in partnership with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Iowa residents 60 years or older with a low income may be eligible to receive Farmers Market Vouchers through the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. These vouchers may be used to purchase fresh, local produce and honey at participating farmers markets and farmstands across the state. Eligible individuals may apply to receive farmers market vouchers through the Area Agency on Aging that serves their county. To learn more and request an application, call 866-468-7887 to contact the Area Agency on Aging serving your county. Income eligibility guidelines are available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. Vouchers may also be available for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients and those guidelines are available on the Department’s website.



STC Partners with Trucking Companies to Promote Soy-Based 5th Wheel Lube Pads

Expanding soybean markets and improving the environment can come in small packages. Soybean farmers continue to pursue any opportunity to diversify markets for soybeans and soy products while meeting the growing imperative for environmental sustainability. A recent
partnership between the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) and trucking companies highlights how both objectives can be simultaneously advanced.

The STC conducted a promotional initiative in which it provided free samples of soy-based fifth wheel lubrication pads to trucking companies and farmers throughout the country. The pads are produced by Gear Head Lube (https://gearheadlube.com/), a Cedar Falls, Iowa, based manufacturer of environmentally sustainable lubricants.

“These products have been in existence for a number of years but given the STC’s extensive relationships within the transportation sector, we concluded we could play a meaningful role in ncreasing the awareness and the utilization of these soy-based fifth wheel lube pads,” explains Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition. “Unfortunately, there can often be a significant delay between the development of an innovative and effective product and the widespread utilization of it. The STC’s goal of this project has been to increase awareness and the motivation to use these soy-based fifth wheel lube pads so that the benefits can be more accelerated.”

The square-shaped soy-based fifth wheel pads are three by three inches in size and a half inch thick. Application involves simply placing a pad by hand at both the nine and three o’clock positions on the fifth wheel. After the trailer is hooked up, the grease from the pads is evenly distributed around the fifth wheel with no mess. The pads, comprised of over 80% U.S. soy, are listed on the United States Department of Ariculture’s Certified Biobased Product program.

The STC capitalized on its relationships within the trucking and agricultural sector to widely distribute free samples of the pads for individual testing on both large and small truck fleets. Ruan, one of the largest family-owned transportation management companies in the nation, partnered with the STC in evaluating the pads for their own fleet. The benefits of utilizing them became quickly apparent.

“At Ruan, we examine each aspect of our business to identify opportunities to implement more sustainable practices,” says Mike Elliott, Technical Maintenance Operations Manager for Ruan. “The use of soy-based fifth wheel pads is one such example. These pads are very effective, easy to use, and affordable. And as a product listed on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Certified Biobased Product program, they are better for the environment. We look forward to expanding our usage of this product across the fleet in the future.”

On average, a semi-truck uses 20 lbs. of fifth wheel grease a year. With approximately three million semis operating in the country (source: TruckInfo.net), this amounts to a market in the United States of 60 million pounds of fifth wheel grease each year. Fifth wheel grease is predominantly petroleum-based and applied by hand, grease gun, or via small plastic pouches that often become litter after application.

Utilizing the soy-based pads have proven to be an environmentally sustainable alternative that are easier to apply while providing better lubrication over the entire fifth wheel. “Farmers are always looking for opportunities to use products derived from the soybeans we grow,” says Chris Brossart, a soybean farmer from Wolford, North Dakota, and chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council and the Soy Transportation Coalition. “I have utilized the soy-based fifth wheel lube pads on the trucks at our family farming operation. They are incredibly easy to use and are very effective. Finally, they are a great example of how soy-products continue to provide sustainable solutions for our environment.”



Bullish Charts but in Need of Good Demand News
Steven R. Koontz, Dept of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University

Memorial Day and the official start of summer are behind us. How is the summer beef demand playing out? The Choice boxed beef composite value rallied above $3 per pound three weeks ago. The rally is favorable to fed cattle markets, but it is very comparable to that seen in March and is a bit softer than last year. The composite value is front and center for me as an indicator of demand going forward. What type of strength do we see? The other historical indicator is the Choice-Select spread. This value spent much of April below $10 per cwt and has just recently rallied into double digits. Last year the value rallied to better than $20 in April and spent much of the last half of last year between $25-$30. The current spread is historically seasonally weak. Market followers will likely suggest moving to a Choice-Prime spread or a Choice versus Program Beef spread as the Select product is currently much less important. I agree but those spreads are also somewhat weak and weaker than last year. Like CH-SL, these other spreads were strong for the last half of last year. Are there rallies in the various spreads through the next month? These will communicate the potential strength of the fed cattle market in the third quarter. Also front and center.

Somewhat counteracting the normal improved demand during the summer are the strong slaughter volumes – especially of fed heifers – and the very strong counter-seasonal fed steer and heifer slaughter weights. Fed weights were flat through March, April, and May, so now there are almost 30 more pounds of beef per animal – both steers and heifers – than last year. It varies depending on the week but there is almost 5% more beef due to heavier slaughter weights. And again, numbers of up compared to last year. Second quarter beef supplies will finish substantially.

We are finally seeing some reduction in the long-fed inventories. The large slaughter has helped pull down these numbers. Cattle on feed more than 150 days – calculated from the report two weeks ago – are still very strong compared to last year and strong compared to all but the peak of the COVID disruptions. Inventories are down sharply from the prior month but are still large.

Along with the supply information, we are seeing much-discussed reductions in beef exports along with the fact that packer cash margins continue to be very weak. Summer demand will have to do a lot of work to create a strong price outlook through June for fed cattle. And again, like much of this year, the exception is ground beef. Ground beef is by far the strongest market and the strength in those prices continues to be manifest in cow prices. So, excellent strength in hamburger prices but nothing comparable in other products.



USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports

Agricultural producers should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline after planting is complete. July 15 is a major deadline for most crops, but acreage reporting deadlines vary by county and by crop.  

“By filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, producers can avoid the loss of important safety net, disaster assistance, conservation and crop insurance program benefits,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Call your local FSA office to make an appointment to report your acres once planting is complete. While you’re in the office, make sure to check on other FSA business that might require your attention. Our knowledgeable staff is more than happy to help make the most of your visit.”

How to File a Report
An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch, its intended use and location. Producers can contact their FSA county office for acreage reporting deadlines that are specific to their county.  

To file a crop acreage report, producers need to provide:
    Crop and crop type or variety
    Intended crop use
    Number of crop acres
    Map with approximate crop boundaries
    Planting date(s)
    Planting pattern, when applicable
    Producer shares
    Irrigation practice(s)
    Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable
    Other required information

Acreage Reporting Details
The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates:
    If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
    If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or crop harvesting begins.

Prevented Planted Acreage
Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant but were unable to because of a natural disaster, including drought. Prevented planted acreage must be reported on form CCC-576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency.  

FSA recently updated policy that applies to prevented planted acreage due to drought. To certify prevented planted acreage due to drought, all of the following must apply:  
    The area that is prevented from being planted has insufficient soil moisture for seed germination on the final planting date for non-irrigated acreage.
    Prolonged precipitation deficiencies that meet the D3 or D4 drought intensity level as determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.  
    Verifiable information must be collected from sources whose business or purpose is recording weather conditions as determined by FSA.  

Continuous Certification Option for Perennial Forage
Agricultural producers with perennial forage crops have the option to report their acreage once, without having to report that acreage in subsequent years, as long as there are no applicable changes on the farm. Interested producers can select the continuous certification option after FSA certifies their acreage report. Examples of perennial forage include mixed forage, birdsfoot trefoil, chicory/radicchio, kochia (prostrata), lespedeza, perennial peanuts and perennial grass varieties.

Once the continuous certification option is selected, the certified acreage will roll forward annually with no additional action required by the producer in subsequent years unless the acreage report changes.  



USDA, University of Wisconsin-Madison Break Ground on New Dairy Research Facility

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony here today for the construction of a world-class dairy research facility that will expand the two organizations’ long-standing partnership to tackle key issues affecting dairy farms across the country.

Scheduled for completion in 2027 and administered by ARS’ U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in partnership with UW–Madison CALS, the new facility and its associated buildings will house robotic milking systems, chambers for measuring greenhouse gas emissions, an advanced animal nutrition unit and state-of-the-art laboratories for agronomy and dairy science, as well as offices and a visitor center.

“The construction of this new facility represents a continuum of cooperative research between ARS and UW–Madison CALS that builds on achievements of the past to meet the evolving needs of our dairy producers now and in the future,” said ARS Administrator Dr. Simon Liu. “This facility also is a testament to the unwavering support and advocacy of our stakeholders at all levels of the process.”

“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, and we take very seriously our responsibility to conduct relevant research that can be put to use by our dairy farmers” said Dr. Glenda Gillaspy, dean of the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. “The partnership between UW–Madison and USDA has allowed us to amplify our collaborations with the state’s dairy industry, and we look forward to that continuing with this new facility.”

Located on a 42-acre site about a 45-minute drive from the city of Madison, WI, the new facility will broaden both laboratory and field research aimed to improve soil health, forage production, forage quality, dairy nutrition, nutrient-use efficiency, ecosystem services, milk production, and resiliency in the face of climate change.

According to ARS Acting Associate Administrator Dr. Nora Lapitan, the new facility will enable research that better replicates conditions of modern dairy farms, from studies with free-stall pens to the use of automated milking systems that reflect the more than 35,000 robotic units operated on dairies worldwide. This new facility will foster holistic studies of dairy forage agroecosystems, including the improvement of manure management and the application of nutrients back to the field, as well as the prevention of potential environmental impacts that could arise from manure use, including preventing the occurrence of manure-borne pathogens.




Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Deadline Extended to June 22

The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has extended the deadline to June 22 for entrepreneurs to apply online for the 2025 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. Now in its 11th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

The overall winner of the competition will receive $100,000 in startup funds, the runner-up will be awarded $25,000 and two additional business owners who advance to the final four round will receive $10,000.

“Imagine what $100,000 could do for your business,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’ve doubled the prize and doubled the impact.”

Farm Bureau is offering a total of $145,000 in startup funds throughout the course of the competition. After the application period closes, 10 semi-finalist teams will be selected and announced on Sept. 3. Next, the 10 semi-finalist teams will pitch virtually to compete for a spot in the final four round of the contest.

The final four teams will be awarded $10,000 each and participate in a live pitch competition in front of Farm Bureau members, investors and industry representatives at the AFBF Convention in January 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, to win:
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, $90,000 (total of $100,000)
    Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, $15,000 (total of $25,000)

Farm Bureau is proud to recognize these innovative businesses, in partnership with sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank, Farm Bureau Financial Services and T-Mobile.

Recent winners of the Ag Innovation Challenge include Barn Owl Precision Agriculture, a company that manufactures a fully autonomous robot that supports farmers as they plant crops, control weeds and collect soil samples (2024 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner) and NORDEF, a company that developed technology to produce diesel exhaust fluid at the point of use (2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner). Other examples of successful Ag Innovation Challenge participants, as well as detailed eligibility guidelines and the competition timeline, can be found at fb.org/challenge.

Entrepreneurs must be members of a county or parish Farm Bureau to qualify as top 10 semi-finalists. Applicants who are not Farm Bureau members can visit https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved#join to learn about becoming a member.

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 22.



NIAA Announces Dates and Location of 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture will host the 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium in Denver, Colorado at the Colorado State University’s SPUR Campus from November 19-21, 2024.

The planning committee is in the process of selecting presenters and speakers for the Symposium. Symposium topics will include an industry report on the current state of antibiotic stewardship, information on the latest antimicrobial stewardship and resistance research, regulatory updates, One Health collaborations, and more.

Last year’s Symposium program set the stage for two collaborative efforts that will in 2024. The Pork Checkoff is supporting a One Health pork tour in Minnesota in July that will convene veterinary, public health, and  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leaders on a tour to multiple swine facilities to learn about biosecurity, stewardship practices, and more. This tour intends to bridge the gap between animal agriculture and human health professionals and connects leaders for more collaborative efforts to combat AMR. The second convening will connect farmers and ranchers with CDC officials in Atlanta, GA in August, prior to the UN General Assembly meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This meeting will support CDC delegates as they provide informed One Health information that includes perspectives and practical applications from experts and professionals in the animal agriculture sector.

To register for the 14th Annual Antibiotics Symposium please visit www.AnimalAgriculture.org. For assistance with media registration, please contact Morgan Young, Director of Communications and Outreach for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture at morgan.young@animalagriculture.org.



U.S. Industrial Bioeconomy Supports Nearly 644,000 Jobs

Biomanufacturing advocates today released a new report that provides a closer look at the employment, wages, and economic activity driven by the U.S. industrial bioeconomy. Authored by TEConomy Partners, LLC, the report, “The Economic Impact of the U.S. Industrial Bioeconomy,” illuminates an increasingly important segment of the U.S. economy associated with biomanufacturing and bioproducts (those other than food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals). Included in the report are state and federal figures for economic activity tied to the transformation of renewable biomass into fertilizers, bioplastics, biofuels, bio-lubricants, and a host of other industrial bioproducts, as well as the research and development of microbes, enzymes, biocatalysts, and other technologies used in modern biomanufacturing. Supporting expansion in the sector is a key goal of the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, as outlined by President Biden.

“Our abundant natural resources, unparalleled agricultural sector, and strong leadership in the sciences have combined to establish America’s industrial bioeconomy as a powerful engine for U.S. growth,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Industry Sectors & Product Leadership at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “These are high-tech jobs, often in union-heavy supply chains like those for biofuels, that add value to the economy at every stage. With the right support from Washington and a continued focus on renewable products, this segment has the potential to turbo-charge U.S. manufacturing.”

According to the report, in 2023, the U.S. industrial bioeconomy supported nearly 644,000 domestic jobs, contributed $210 billion to the U.S. GDP, and drove $49 billion in wages. In terms of total economic output, the top five states were Illinois, Iowa, California, Nebraska, and Minnesota. Other states, Georgia and Ohio, broke into the top five when looking specifically at direct and total employment, respectively.

“The U.S. industrial bioeconomy has remained a consistent source of domestic jobs and manufacturing strength without the need for any special strategies to bring jobs back from overseas,” explains the report. “The significant jobs multiplier demonstrates this key facet of the U.S. industrial bioeconomy. The U.S. industry provides jobs, economic activity, and sustainability throughout the U.S. A considerable competitive and policy advantage of these industrial bioeconomy jobs is their tie to U.S. soil, both literally and figuratively—these jobs are here and stay in the U.S.”

The report also found that the average industrial bioeconomy worker took home $133,600 in annual compensation and that each direct job in the sector generates or supports more than 11 additional jobs through indirect means, such as the purchase of raw materials, including agricultural commodities, and other inputs.
 
“Relative to other industrial sectors, the extended domestic supply chain of the U.S. industrial bioeconomy generates outsized secondary economic benefits,” wrote the authors. “This is especially true of domestic employment, where each direct job supports 11.08 additional indirect and induced jobs (total employment multiplier of 12.08). For comparison, the employment multiplier for the sector that includes solar photovoltaics is 6.50 and the multiplier for the sector that includes wind turbines is 3.73.”
 
The report was commissioned by a coalition of leading innovators, manufacturers, and trade associations committed to expanding the U.S. bioeconomy. Supporters include the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Clean Fuels Alliance America, National Corn Growers Association, Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, ADM, Aemetis, Bayer, Bunge, Marquis Energy, Novonesis, and POET.