Friday August 30 Ag News

 Gov. Pillen and Dept. of Ag Take Action to Address Lab-Grown Meat Sales
 
Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced three initiatives that he, along with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) would be undertaking now and in the future, to protect the state’s agriculture industry, as well as consumers, from lab-grown meat. Standing before a group of producers at Oak Barn Beef in West Point, the Governor signed an executive order creating strict guidelines when it comes to state agencies and its contractors from obtaining lab-grown meat.
 
“Nebraska farmers and ranchers, like those here today, are committed to producing the best food products anywhere,” said Gov. Pillen “We feed the world and we save the planet more effectively and more efficiently than anybody else and I will defend those practices with my last breadth.”
 
Additionally, the Governor has directed the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to initiate a rulemaking process to make sure that any lab-grown meat products sold in stores are properly labeled and are not marketed next to natural meat on the same shelves.
 
“Nebraska consumers want to know and deserve to know that what they are purchasing is safe, wholesome meat and not a lab grown product,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. A public hearing has been scheduled Oct. 8, on those draft regulations.
 
Hannah Klitz owns Oak Barn Beef with her husband Eric. She said as a producer and retailer, she knows how important it is to educate consumers about where their food comes from.  
 
“We are 5th generation cattle producers and business owners with customers across Nebraska and in 49 other states, so transparency is something we value,” said Klitz. “Shoppers want to know that they are getting the best, naturally raised product available. That transparency is essential to maintaining our reputation in the marketplace and meeting consumer expectations.”
 
Cattle producer Jeanne Reigle said no one works harder to ensure the best treatment of their livestock and their food products, than Nebraska’s farm families.
 
"Nebraska ranchers engage in best practices when it comes to raising their animals. Our focus is on providing top quality products that are favored by consumers here and around the world,” said Reigle. “We need to support our state's top economic driver – agriculture. The uncertainties surrounding lab-grown meat need to be examined more closely and now is the time to put some guardrails in place, so people know what they are buying and consuming."
 
In addition to the Governor’s signed executive order and the drafting of rules and regulations through NDA, Governor Pillen announced that in the upcoming legislative session he would be working with senators to draft legislation banning lab-grown meat in Nebraska.
 
This year, Iowa became the third state to sign legislation aimed at regulating the sale of lab-grown meat. Florida and Alabama have already moved to outright ban the products.



Nebraska Extension Appoints New Educators to Enhance Rural Wellness

Nebraska Extension has appointed Beth Nacke and Hannah Guenther as Statewide Food, Nutrition, and Health Rural Health Educators, effective September 1. The focus and target audience is rural youth, adults, families, and the communities and environments in which they live and work. Health behavior change and translation of research will be the foundation of their program development, delivery, evaluation and assessment.

Rural health is a key priority for Nebraska Extension, which serves residents across the state, regardless of location. Nacke and Guenther are part of Extension Food, Nutrition and Health program, focusing on individual behavior patterns and environments that prevent/reduce chronic health conditions and improve human well-being, a safe and diverse food supply and system with choice and access for people focused on health, and rural health, safety, and wellbeing.

Nacke, a registered dietitian, has served as a SNAP-Ed educator in Dodge County since 2018 and has been with the Dodge office since 2016, working under contract with the Nutrition Education Program. She has been instrumental in delivering grant objectives for SNAP-Ed, school wellness, and school breakfast programs in partnership with DHHS and NDE-Team Nutrition. Nacke holds a master’s degree in nutrition science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“I am thrilled to take on this new challenge—health and well-being are my passion,” Nacke said. “The Rural Health position opens an abundance of opportunities to make a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of rural communities, and I welcome the challenge. I aim to be a trusted resource for credible health information across the state and work with public health partners to address the complex health issues facing Nebraskans.”

Guenther has served in Extension for the past 5 years as the Food, Nutrition, and Health Educator in Cuming County with Accountability to Stanton and Colfax Counties. Key programs have included the creation of Health Food Fast and Food in the Field which is a nutrition education program that aims to help farmers, and their families make healthy eating choices during the busy seasons of life and farming. She earned her bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is currently pursuing a master’s in public health from UC-Berkeley as a Rural Health Innovation Scholar.

“This truly feels like a dream job. I am eager to dedicate my time and energy to improving health outcomes in rural Nebraska and making a real difference in rural health,” Guenther said.

In her free time, Guenther enjoys experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, which she shares on her social media account, @feedlotsofpeople.



PSC ISSUES HARVEST REMINDERS

With harvest season soon to get underway, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) reminds producers of the need to familiarize themselves with Nebraska Grain Laws.

“Understanding the law and how it affects producers/sellers is key to protecting assets,” said Terri Fritz, PSC Grain Department Director.

Under the Grain Dealer Act if a producer/seller wants to ensure their transactions with a licensed grain dealer are covered by the grain dealer’s security posted with the PSC, they must demand payment within 15 days of completion of their contract with the dealer. Producers/sellers who  choose not to demand payment withing 15 days after completion of their contract will be unsecured creditors of that dealer and forfeit any protection from the grain dealer’s security.

Director Fritz said, “It the responsibility of the producer/seller to demand payment within a set timeframe to ensure they are covered.”

Grain Warehouse operators are also reminded by the PSC of the Emergency Storage Policy. In order to store grain on the ground, an Emergency Storage application form, must be filed with, and approved by the PSC.

A list of licensed Grain Dealers, along with the PSC Emergency Storage 2024 memo and Emergency Storage application form can be found on the Grain Department page of the PSC website https://psc.nebraska.gov/grain.



PRICING SILAGE
- Shannon Sand, NE Extension Educator

Silage is a cornerstone feed for Nebraska livestock producers, and its price is a critical factor in operation profitability. Determining a fair market value for silage involves several considerations.

UNL research has shown that corn silage priced standing in the field before harvest should be valued at 7.65 x the price per bushel of corn where a ton of corn silage is harvested at 60-65% moisture. This multiplier value is consistent regardless of corn price.  As of August 20, 2024, December, corn for the West Central part of Nebraska is estimated to be at $3.71 per bushel. Corn at $3.71x$7.65=$28.38 per ton. This accounts for harvest grain price, not having to combine or haul grain to market, increased grain price due to storage and the cost of silage storage.

When estimating costs in the silo, harvest, hauling and packing expenses can vary.  The 2024 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates publication showed an average custom rate of $15.13 per ton. At $28.38 per ton in the field plus $15.10 per ton for harvesting, hauling, and packing we come out to $43.48 per ton in the pile. When $3 per ton is added for storage expense, the price per ton is $46.48.

When valuing silage out of storage and into the bunk, remember the ensiling process will cause shrink and dry matter loss from 10-20% or more from when silage is packed into the silo until it is removed to be fed.  With 10% dry matter shrink, the value of silage delivered to the bunk would be $51.13 per ton.

Ultimately, the price of silage is a dynamic factor influenced by market conditions, production costs, and more. By utilizing some calculations, Nebraska producers can gain a greater understanding of their operation’s finances.



Nebraska Extension to Showcase Future-Focused Solutions at 2024 Husker Harvest Days

Nebraska Extension is set to participate in the 2024 Husker Harvest Days from September 10-12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grand Island, Neb. This year’s event theme, “Forging Nebraska’s Tomorrow,” underscores the organization’s dedication to advancing Nebraska’s agricultural future through innovation, technology, and collaboration.

At the event, Nebraska Extension professionals will be at the Big Red Building on 8th Street.  to offer expert advice on a range of topics crucial to agricultural producers, families, and communities. Highlights include:
    Landscapes & Weather Resilience: Techniques for managing landscapes to withstand extreme weather, including plant selection, irrigation, pruning, and pest management. https://hles.unl.edu./
    Soil Health: Methods for enhancing soil productivity through cover crops, interseeding, and sustainable practices. https://cropwatch.unl.edu/.  
    Digital Agriculture & Technology: Insights into new digital tools and technologies that improve production and profitability, such as on-farm research and precision-ag software. https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/.
    Pest Management – Plant Health: Learn about advanced strategies for pest control that minimize environmental impact. https://pat.unl.edu/.
    Health & Wellness: Strategies for maintaining physical and mental well-being amid the demands of farm life. https://ruralwellness.unl.edu/.
    Manure Management: Best practices for integrating manure into farming for better soil health and reduced use of synthetic fertilizers. https://manure.unl.edu/.  
    Water Management: Innovative techniques for conserving water resources, including irrigation management and soil water monitoring. https://water.unl.edu/.
    Livestock Health: Approaches to improving cattle herd productivity through disease prevention, early detection, and proper nutrition. http://beef.unl.edu/.
    Rural Prosperity: Support for community leaders and entrepreneurs to promote economic development and vibrant local food systems. http://ruralprosperityne.edu/.
    Agricultural Profitability: Resources from the Center for Agricultural Profitability to aid in financial decision-making for securing the future of farming operations. http://cap.unl.edu.
    Leadership Development: Information on the Nebraska LEAD Program, which prepares agricultural leaders for industry challenges. http://lead.unl.edu.
    Youth Education & Career Preparation: Interactive displays by Nebraska 4-H to help youth explore career paths and develop employability skills. http://4h.unl.edu.
    UNL TAPS Extension - Crop Skills Challenge: Located west on 8th street. Try out your agriculture skills and knowledge with this fun competition covering: drones, cover crop ID, insect feeding & herbicide Injury ID, and irrigation scheduling.
     . https://taps.unl.edu/.
    The Dairy Store Ice Cream Truck: Located across from the “Big Red Building.” https://dairystore.unl.edu/.
    Nebraska Women in Agriculture: The team will be in a tent next to the Big Red Building on Wednesday only. https://wia.unl.edu/.

Visit Nebraska Extension at Husker Harvest Days to connect with experts and discover how they can assist in building a more resilient and prosperous future for Nebraska. For free tickets, visit https://www.huskerharvestdays.com/en/home.html.



Conduit sponsors Heartland United Way food drive at 2024 Husker Harvest Days

Husker Harvest Days, in partnership with the Heartland United Way, will continue its tradition of supporting an annual food drive, sponsored by Conduit, in Grand Island, Nebraska. The event will be held Sept. 10-12, 2024.

For this year’s event, FFA members from across the state will donate at least five nonperishable food items and receive free entry to the show. In 2023, 112 FFA chapters participated in the food drive, resulting in enough food for about 12,500 meals.

"Food insecurity in rural Nebraska remains a significant challenge, with many families struggling to put meals on the table due to limited access to resources,” said Karen Rathke, Heartland United Way president. “The impact of hunger extends beyond just empty stomachs; it affects the well-being, health, and future potential of our communities. Supporting the Husker Harvest Days food drive is a vital way to ensure that our neighbors don't have to choose between paying bills and feeding their families."

The food drive will also extend to local grocery stores in Hall, Hamilton, Merrick and Howard counties during the show week. All Husker Harvest Days attendees are encouraged to donate nonperishable food items at the show or at participating groceries stores.

“We are committed to creating a world free of hunger,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director. “Husker Harvest Days is an opportunity to support that mission locally in the state of Nebraska. We are honored to partner with the United Way, FFA and Conduit to serve the food insecure in rural America.”

To learn more about Heartland United Way and to donate funds, visit heartlandunitedway.org.

Husker Harvest Days will be held Sept. 10-12, 2024, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Gates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register for complimentary three-day entry to the event and to learn more, please visit HuskerHarvestDays.com.  



National Drought Summary for August 27, 2024
droughtmonitor.unl.edu

A strong ridge of high pressure maintained its grip across the central part of the contiguous U.S. (CONUS) during this U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week (August 21-27). It was responsible for warmer-than-normal temperatures that stretched across the Plains and into the Upper Midwest. Upper-level troughs of low pressure dominated the West and East coasts, keeping weekly temperatures cooler than normal on both ends of the country. Pacific weather systems spread above-normal precipitation over northern California to the Pacific Northwest as they moved through the western trough, then triggered bands of thunderstorms over the Rockies and central to northern Plains as they bumped up against the ridge. In between the West Coast and Rockies rain areas, the West was dry from southern California to northern Montana. Rain developed along a stationary front that was draped across Florida. But for most of the CONUS east of the Rockies, the week was drier than normal with little to no rain falling from western Texas to the Mid-Atlantic Coast. The ridge migrated eastward as the week ended, so warmer-than-normal temperatures spread into the Midwest and Southeast. Abnormal dryness and drought expanded and intensified across the southern Plains and Tennessee and Lower Mississippi Valleys in a rapidly developing flash drought situation, as well as parts of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, northern Plains, and Far West. Exceptional drought (D4) developed in parts of Ohio and West Virginia for the first time in the 25-year USDM history. Hurricane Hone’s rains brought improvement to most of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Midwest
Average weekly temperatures ranged from 6 to 8 degrees warmer than normal in northwestern parts of the region to 4 to 6 degrees cooler than normal in southeastern parts. Half of an inch to an inch of rain fell over western and northern parts of the Midwest, with locally 2 inches or more in Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Upper Michigan. The heaviest rain fell over drought-free areas. But states to the south and east, especially those in the Ohio Valley, received no rain. Abnormal dryness and moderate to extreme drought expanded in Ohio, with exceptional drought being added for the first time in the state’s USDM history. Abnormal dryness expanded in Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois; abnormal dryness and moderate drought expanded in Missouri; abnormal dryness expanded and moderate drought developed in Indiana; and abnormal dryness and moderate to severe drought expanded in Kentucky. According to USGS data, the Hocking River at Enterprise, Ohio, measured the fifth lowest river level on record, and the lowest measurement ever (since 1997) at Hocking River at Athens. Other drought impact reports include pasture conditions rated poor to very poor with yields dropping to 36%, springs and private wells are running dry, creeks are dry with low ponds, soybeans are not filling pods, there is extensive tip-back in corn, and some farmers are chopping corn plants for feed or selling their cows. USDA statistics indicated that over 70% of the topsoil (75%) and subsoil (71%) was short or very short of moisture in Ohio, and over 40% was so rated in Indiana and Kentucky.

High Plains
Weekly temperatures were warmer than normal across most of the High Plains region, ranging from near to 2 degrees below normal in western Colorado to 6 to 10 degrees above normal in parts of Nebraska and the Dakotas. Thunderstorm complexes moved across parts of the region, dropping locally 2 to 3 inches of rain. In many cases, the storms were localized with one part of a county receiving rain and another part getting nothing – this was the case in other parts of the country as well. Drought or abnormal dryness contracted in a few areas of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, but expanded or intensified in parts of all of the High Plains states. USDA statistics indicate half or more of the topsoil is short or very short in Wyoming (73%), Colorado (52%), and Kansas (52%), and half or more of the subsoil is short or very short in Wyoming (81%) and Kansas (57%).

Looking Ahead
In the two days since the Tuesday valid time of this USDM, scattered showers and thunderstorms brought areas of rain to a few parts of the Southwest, northern Rockies, northern and southern Plains, Midwest, and Florida, but the rest of the CONUS was mostly dry. For August 29-September 3, an upper-level ridge will build over the West, bringing warmer- and drier-than-normal weather, while a weather system moves across the eastern CONUS and a weather disturbance lingers over the western Gulf of Mexico Coast. An inch or more of rain, with locally over 2 inches, is forecast for the southern Plains to Lower Mississippi Valley, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Carolinas to New York. Four or more inches could fall over parts of the southern Plains, New Mexico, and western Gulf Coast. The rain will help to improve drought conditions in the Deep South and central Appalachians, but won’t be enough to end the drought. The Rockies to West Coast, and western High Plains, are forecast to receive no precipitation during this period.

For much of the next 2 weeks, a ridge will remain anchored over the West with a trough along the East Coast, while a couple weather systems try to move through this upper-level blockade. The Climate Prediction Center’s (CPC) 6-10 Day Outlook (valid September 3-7) and 8-14 Day Outlook (valid September 5-11) favor warmer-than-normal temperatures across the West, central and northern Plains, along the Gulf of Mexico Coast, and over the eastern half of Alaska, with near to cooler-than-normal temperatures expected over parts of the southern Plains and from the Ohio Valley to East Coast. Odds favor below-normal precipitation across most of the West, the northern tier states, the Midwest, the northern and central Plains, and Hawaii. Odds favor above-normal precipitation across the Gulf of Mexico Coast to the Carolinas, and over eastern Alaska.



Grains Council Demonstrates U.S. Biotechnology Quality To South Korean Stakeholders

Last week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) sponsored a biotechnology legislation advisory team of South Korean scientists and governmental committee members to meet with U.S. regulators and leading biotechnology companies to learn about the development trends and quality-control systems of the U.S. genome editing technology.

“This program focused on technological development trends and regulatory systems for new breeding technologies, including gene editing, as part of the Council’s efforts to educate policymakers about deregulation of gene editing technology in South Korea and to help establish a rational and scientific review process for genetically edited products,” said Haksoo Kim, USGC director in South Korea.

Attendees touched down in Washington, D.C. to start the program with a meeting with Pairwise, a gene editing company that has multiple crop varieties being grown by U.S. farmers today.

Afterward, the group visited the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) headquarters to meet with staff from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The discussion focused on the science-based regulatory framework that allows startup companies to easily participate in technology development, and shared recent technological development trends and the benefits of gene editing technology development for humanity.

The team then traveled to Des Moines, IA, to learn about the practical development of genome editing technologies from Corteva, a biotechnology company and USGC member.

Iowa Corn Growers’ Association Director Dan Keitzer also welcomed the Council’s group at his farm, where he raises corn, soybeans and hogs with his son. Keitzer introduced the sustainable farming practices he uses, including no-till farming, and showed how biotechnology can bring value and benefit to crop production and the future of agriculture.

The program concluded in St. Louis, MO, where participants visited a research campus of Bayer, a biotechnology company and USGC member, to discuss the need for streamlining the biotech review system in South Korea and trends in genome editing technology. They then met with scientists from Benson Hill, a soybean and pea breeding and genome editing startup, to better understand business growth models for small and medium-sized startups.

“Learning about the regulatory framework and technological advancements for genome-editing technologies in the United States and seeing farmers’ awareness of the safety of biotechnologies and their sustainability efforts on the ground will be a great help to policymakers and stakeholders in Korea in understanding how biotechnologies are solutions that can provide abundant food for humanity in the era of growing climate change,” Kim said.

“The Council will continue to work to improve global buyer awareness and to encourage importing countries to adopt science-based, rational regulatory systems to ensure that biotechnology does not become a barrier to expanding U.S. agricultural exports.”



USDA Launches Online Debt Consolidation Tool to Increase Farmer and Rancher Financial Viability

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Debt Consolidation Tool, an innovative online tool available through farmers.gov that allows agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might be provided by obtaining a debt consolidation loan with USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) or a local lender.  

“Providing producers with options to structure their debt in a manner that affords them every opportunity to meet the goals of their agricultural operation is the best way to ensure the nation’s farmers and ranchers build financial equity and resilience,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.   

A debt consolidation loan is a new loan used to pay off other existing operating loans or lines of credit that might have unreasonable rates and terms. By combining multiple eligible debts into a single, larger loan, borrowers may obtain more favorable payment terms such as a lower interest rate or lower payments. Consolidating debt may also provide farmers and ranchers additional cash flow flexibilities.   

The Debt Consolidation Tool is a significant addition to FSA’s suite of improvements designed to modernize its Farm Loan Programs. The tool enhances customer service and increases opportunities for farmers and ranchers to achieve financial viability by helping them identify potential savings that could be reinvested in their farming and ranching operation, retirement accounts, or college savings accounts.   

Producers can access the Debt Consolidation Tool by visiting farmers.gov/debt-consolidation-tool. The tool is built to run on modern browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or the Safari browser. Producers do not need to create a farmers.gov account or access the authenticated customer portal to use the tool.  



 USDA Announces $300,000 in Funding Available to Support U.S. Sheep Industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced $300,000 in grant funding available through the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program (SPMGP). Grant applications are currently being accepted through Sept. 30, 2024.

“The investments announced today are investments in the future of our nation’s sheep industry,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “Projects funded by this program will help build and support the infrastructure needed to ensure sustainable sheep production and enhanced marketing of U.S. sheep products for years to come.”

In 2019, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service awarded a five-year grant for $1.9 million to the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) through the Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program to provide subawards to projects that develop solutions for practical problems and address the needs of the entire sheep industry, while focusing on measurable benefits for sheep producers, encouraging partnerships among other sheep industry organizations, and reducing duplication of effort among participating organizations. In 2024, Congress appropriated additional funds for this program.

More information about the grant and the application process is available on the AMS website. Applications must be submitted directly to the NSIIC and will be reviewed by their Board of Directors via a competitive process. The Board will then make funding recommendations to AMS for approval.

For more information about the Center, including previous awardees, visit the NSIIC website http://www.nsiic.org/.