Tuesday August 06 Crop Progress + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending August 4, 2024, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 37% short, 47% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10% very short, 33% short, 53% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 20% fair, 46% good, and 24% excellent. Corn silking was 97%, near 94% last year, and ahead of 92% for the five-year average. Dough was 51%, ahead of 39% last year and 40% average. Dented was 5%, near 2% last year and 3% average.

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 20% fair, 54% good, and 19% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 95%, ahead of 90% both last year and average. Setting pods was 73%, ahead of 63% both last year and average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 57% good, and 17% excellent. Sorghum headed was 65%, ahead of 53% last year and 54% average. Coloring was 2%, near 3% last year and 4% average.

Oats harvested was 91%, ahead of 73% last year and 84% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 9% very poor, 7% poor, 27% fair, 40% good, and 17% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 69%, equal to last year, and near 72% average. Setting pods was 41%, near 37% last year and 39% average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 11% very poor, 15% poor, 27% fair, 35% good, and 12% excellent.



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Most of the State received rain showers and experienced above average temperatures. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 4, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 92 percent this week, 5 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. Fifty-one percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage or beyond, 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent state. Corn condition was rated at 77 percent good to excellent.

Ninety percent of soybeans were blooming, one week behind last year but 1 day ahead of the normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 58 percent, 5 days behind last year and 3 days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent.

Eighty-five percent of oats have been harvested, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the five-year average.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 92 percent complete, 6 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 27 percent, 8 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.  



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

The condition of the nation's corn crop declined slightly last week, while soybean conditions improved slightly, USDA NASS reported in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday. NASS also reported that the winter wheat harvest continued slightly ahead of the five-year average pace, while the spring wheat harvest kicked off slightly behind average.

CORN
-- Crop development: Corn silking was pegged at 88%, 2 percentage points behind last year's 90% but even with the five-year average. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 46%, which is 2 points ahead of last year's 44% and 8 points ahead of the five-year average of 38%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 67% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, down 1 percentage point from the previous week and still well ahead of last year's 57%. Ten percent of the crop was rated very poor to poor, up 1 point from 9% from the previous week and still below 14% last year.

SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans blooming were pegged at 86%, 2 points behind last year's pace of 78% but 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 84%. Soybeans setting pods were estimated at 59%, 2 points behind last year's 61% but 3 points ahead of the five-year average of 56%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 68% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, up 1 point from 67% the previous week but still above last year's rating of 54% good to excellent.

WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 6 percentage points to reach 88% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 1 point ahead of last year's 88% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average pace of 86%.

SPRING WHEAT
-- Crop development: 97% of spring wheat was headed, 1 percentage point behind last year's 98% and 2 points behind the five-year average of 99%.
-- Harvest progress: In its first spring wheat harvest report of the season, NASS estimated that 6% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, 5 points behind last year's 11% and 4 points behind the five-year average of 10%.



Investigating the Effects of Beef Consumption on Brain Health

The Nebraska Beef Council is committed to advancing our understanding of the nutritional impact of beef. To that end, a new study led by a team of scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, including renowned neuroscientist and director of the Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, Dr. Aron Barbey and graduate student Jisheng Wu, is investigating the potential link between beef consumption and brain health. The Department of Animal Science and Loeffel Meat Lab will be collaborating on the project providing beef to the study participants.

Beef is a cornerstone of the American diet. Yet, the precise effects of beef consumption on brain function remain largely unexplored. This study aims to shed light on this critical area by following over 200 college students through a 12-week dietary intervention that varies beef intake. Advanced brain imaging and nutrient biomarker analysis will be employed to assess how different levels of beef consumption influence brain health.

“Nutrition is fundamental to our overall health, and the brain is no exception,” emphasized Dr. Barbey. “Given the prominence of beef in the American diet, understanding its potential impact on the brain is essential.”

Unlike previous research that relied on participants' self-reported dietary intake, this study will employ modern scientific methods to precisely quantify nutrient consumption through blood-based biomarkers, combined with state-of-the-art MRI to assess brain health. This multidisciplinary approach will enable researchers to advance our understanding of how dietary patterns, including beef consumption, influence cognitive function and brain health.

The study, supported by the Nebraska Beef Council, the Texas Beef Council, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is set to begin in Fall 2024.



Soybean Farmers Provide $1.3 million Ceremonial Check for Soybean Meal Export Expansion

Soybean farmer leaders on July 30th presented the Port of Grays Harbor a ceremonial check in the amount of $1.3 million for the port’s Terminal 4 Expansion and Redevelopment Project.  The Soy Transportation Coalition held its summer board meeting in Vancouver, Washington, on July 29-30, in order to visit soybean and grain export facilities within the greater Pacific Northwest region that accounts for 25% of U.S. soybean exports.  On July 30th, the group traveled to the Port of Grays Harbor in Aberdeen, Washington, in order to tour the Ag Processing, Inc. (AGP) soybean meal export terminal and receive an update on its future expansion.

AGP, the Omaha-based cooperative that owns and operates ten soybean processing facilities in the Midwest, announced in March of 2022 a major expansion and upgrade to its export terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor.  AGP plans to construct additional storage at its Terminal 2 facility and develop a new ship loader at Terminal 4.  These investments – scheduled to be operational in late 2025 to early 2026 – will ultimately allow the AGP terminal to increase annual soybean meal exports from 3 million to over 6 million metric tons.  In order to accommodate this growth and investment, the Port of Grays Harbor will add 40,000 ft. of railroad track, build a new fendering system and stormwater collection and treatment facility, and create more than 30 acres of additional cargo storage area.  These investments will allow the port to efficiently handle the increased volume of soybean meal while mitigating the surface traffic impact to the local community.

Given the significant benefit these planned investments will provide to U.S. soybean farmers, the United Soybean Board, the Soy Transportation Coalition, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Kansas Soybean Commission, the Nebraska Soybean Board, the North Dakota Soybean Council, and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council committed $1.3 million to help offset some of the pre-engineering, design, and site development costs of the Port of Grays Harbor Terminal 4 Expansion and Redevelopment Project.  The funding commitment was announced in the fall of 2022.  The Soy Transportation Coalition’s summer 2024 board meeting provided the opportunity for the farmer leaders to visit the export facility and present the port with the ceremonial check.

During the check presentation ceremony, speakers included Phil Papac, President of the Port of Grays Harbor Commission; Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition; Chris Brossart, a soybean farmer from Wolford, North Dakota and Chairman of the Soy Transportation Coalition and the North Dakota Soybean Council; Lowell Wilson, Chairman of the Board of AGP; and Leonard Barnes, Executive Director of the Port of Grays Harbor.

“As stewards of the funding through the soybean checkoff program, my fellow soybean farmers and I are constantly exploring any opportunity to increase the profitability of our industry,” said Chris Brossart.  “One of the most effective ways of achieving this is to invest in the supply chain that connects what we produce with our international customers.  The AGP soybean meal export facility at the Port of Grays Harbor is excellent example of this.  It is for this reason that farmer leaders from the United Soybean Board, the Soy Transportation Coalition, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Kansas Soybean Commission, the Nebraska Soybean Board, the North Dakota Soybean Council, and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council decided to invest $1.3 million toward this important project.”

One of the more profound developments within the soybean industry in recent history has been the proliferation of current and planned expansion of soybean processing throughout the United States – largely inspired by the demand for soybean oil as one of the primary feedstocks for the expanding renewable energy market.  These current and planned investments present a challenge and opportunity to effectively access markets for the increased soybean meal.  The farmer leaders of the Soy Transportation Coalition and other organizations are demonstrating their commitment to increasing U.S. soybean meal exports through this strategic investment.

“Soybean farmers have recognized that infrastructure can either be an impediment to farmer profitability and success, or it can be a facilitator of farmer profitability and success,” explained Mike Steenhoek.  “It all depends upon the degree to which we maintain and invest in our supply chain.  We are therefore very excited to support significant improvements to our supply chain like the investment at the Port of Grays Harbor.”

"The $1.3 million investment in the Port of Grays Harbor is a testament to our commitment to enhancing soybean meal exports,” said Doug Saathoff, Nebraska Soybean Board district director and STC board member. “This project not only strengthens our supply chain but also ensures that U.S. farmers remain competitive on the global stage."

“This contribution aided this transformative project during a critical point,” shared Leonard Barnes.  “But this project isn’t just about Grays Harbor.  This project is about all of you – the farmers – and the transportation of a global food source.  And we can’t thank you enough for having the confidence in AGP, our Port, and this project to step up and be willing to play such a role.”

In October of 2022, the U.S. Maritime Administration announced the approval of the Port of Grays Harbor’s Port Infrastructure Development Program grant application.  The port received $25.5 million for their Terminal 4 Expansion and Redevelopment Project.  There were two motivations for soybean farmer organizations to provide funding for this important project: 1.) To provide meaningful investment to a project that will enhance U.S. soybean meal exports in the near future and 2.) For the Port of Grays Harbor and AGP to be able to highlight the funding commitment from farmer organizations, which would enhance the viability and competitiveness of their grant application.  Soybean farmers have a long history of seeing their funding leveraged – thereby helping accelerate project completion and increasing its scale and scope.  The investment by soybean farmers for the Port of Grays Harbor project is another terrific example of this.   

“Over the years, AGP has developed a very strong relationship with customers in southeast Asia,” explained Lowell Wilson.  “This project at the port will significantly improve speed, capacity, and product availability for the benefit of our current and future customers.  In short, the work being done here will ensure the direct link from the farmer to the international customer grows ever stronger.”   

“The financial contribution the Soy Transportation Coalition and the supporting associations have committed to this important infrastructure project does not go unnoticed by the Port and our community,” stated Phil Papac. “We are incredibly proud of the role the Port plays in exporting the crops that you grow, that AGP processes, and that help feed millions of people throughout the world.”  



NCBA Reminds Cattle Producers to Review Corporate Transparency Act and Avoid Costly Penalties

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reminding cattle producers to consult with their tax attorneys regarding the Corporate Transparency Act, with key deadlines approaching at the end of 2024. NCBA’s grassroots members recently passed policy at the 2024 Summer Business Meeting directing the association to take action on the Corporate Transparency Act, including outreach and education to cattle producers.

The Corporate Transparency Act was passed by Congress in 2021 and requires companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The goal of the legislation is to reduce financial crime, but the new mandate will impact farmers and ranchers whose operations have fewer than 20 employees and are structured as corporations such as limited liability companies (LLC) or companies that are registered with the secretary of state.
 
“Farmers and ranchers need to speak with their tax attorneys to make sure they are not in violation of this new law, and to submit necessary information to FinCEN before the December 31 deadline,” said NCBA Tax and Credit Committee Vice Chair Jeff Magee, a Mississippi cattle producer and former Internal Revenue Service agent. “I strongly encourage you to review the resources on www.fincen.gov/boi to determine if the Corporate Transparency Act applies to your business. Deadlines are coming up soon and failing to comply with the law can carry a fine of $500 per day and possible jail time. For more information, contact FinCEN and consult your attorney or tax professional.”
 
Farms and ranches that are structured as corporations, LLCs, or other entities that file with the secretary of state may be subject to the Corporate Transparency Act and required to file a “beneficial ownership” report with FinCEN, identifying the individuals who own or manage the operation. For companies registered and operating before January 1, 2024, the deadline to file this report is the end of 2024. Companies registered or created in 2024 have 90 days from the date of registration or creation to file their beneficial ownership report. In 2025, the reporting period will be reduced to 30 days.

These reports require basic identifying information like legal name, date of birth, and home or business address. Resources, including a frequently asked questions document and a Small Entity Compliance Guide, and the filing form are available online at www.fincen.gov/boi. Producers with additional questions should contact FinCEN by calling 1-800-767-2825 toll free or 703-905-3591.

Every producers’ situation is different, and this information should not be construed as professional advice. Always consult your attorney and/or tax professional to determine how the Corporate Transparency Act impacts you.



USDA Dairy Products June 2024 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.16 billion pounds, 1.4 percent below June 2023 and 4.0 percent below May 2024. Italian type cheese production totaled 486 million pounds, 0.1 percent below June 2023 and 3.9 percent below May 2024. American type cheese production totaled 457 million pounds, 4.9 percent below June 2023 and 6.3 percent below May 2024. Butter production was 169 million pounds, 2.8 percent above June 2023 but 17.3 percent below May 2024.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with June 2023)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 128 million pounds, down 26.1 percent.
Skim milk powder - 60.5 million pounds, up 21.6 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with June 2023)
Dry whey, total - 81.5 million pounds, down 7.5 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 94.8 million pounds, down 3.4 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.6 million pounds, down 7.0 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with June 2023)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 66.5 million gallons, down 0.3 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.4 million gallons, down 10.8 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.73 million gallons, down 9.9 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.16 million gallons, down 2.5 percent.



USDA Announces Additional RAPP Funding to Expand, Diversify Export Markets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will make an additional $300 million available through the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program to help grow export markets for American farm and food products around the world, Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced today.

“Access to international markets supports U.S. farmers at home and food security throughout the world,” said Deputy Secretary Torres Small. “USDA launched RAPP last year as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to create more, new and better markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses, and we’ve seen tremendous interest, culminating in more than a billion dollars in proposals for the first $300 million round of RAPP funding earlier this year. Given the importance of exports in supporting farm income and rural economic development, we’re delighted to be able to make an additional $300 million available this year.”

Secretary Vilsack announced in October 2023 that USDA would use $1.2 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to establish RAPP to help U.S. exporters expand their customer base beyond established markets such as China, Mexico and Canada, which collectively account for nearly half of all current export sales. In May, USDA allocated the first $300 million in RAPP funding to 66 U.S. organizations to implement hundreds of market development projects focusing on a wide range of products and markets.

USDA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov today and interested organizations must apply by Oct. 4. USDA anticipates that allocations will be announced before the end of the calendar year. As with the first round of RAPP funding, USDA is again setting aside $25 million specifically for activities in Africa, which has the some of the fastest-growing economies – but the lowest levels of U.S. export market investment – of any region in the world.

For more information about RAPP, visit: fas.usda.gov/programs/regional-agricultural-promotion-program.



USMEF Statement on Regional Agricultural Promotion Program Notice of Funding Opportunity

Deputy U.S. Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the second tranche of funding under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), which utilizes Commodity Credit Corporation funds to diversify export markets for U.S. agricultural products.

U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement:

The first tranche of RAPP funding is already at work identifying and developing new opportunities globally for U.S. pork, beef and lamb, and USMEF is excited to see that implementation of the program continues to move forward. RAPP’s emphasis on market diversification is especially critical, as it allows for dedication of resources in markets where demand has only scratched the surface. In this respect, RAPP is an excellent complement to USDA’s Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program, as well as the checkoff investments of our industry partners, which allow USMEF to expand and defend market share in both emerging and well-developed destinations.



NATIONAL FFA ORGANIZATION REACHES RECORD-BREAKING 1 MILLION MEMBERS

National FFA Organization, a nationally-recognized school-based student leadership development organization, announced today that it reached a record-breaking milestone of having more than one million FFA members: 1,027,273. States that have shown the largest membership percentage growth this past year are Utah, Florida and Alaska.
 
“It’s exciting to watch this generation continue to find their place in agricultural education and FFA,” said National FFA CEO Scott Stump. “We know there are many opportunities in the field of agriculture – from being a leader in your community to filling the need in the talent pipeline in one of the more than 350 careers in agriculture. We believe our members are also seeing these opportunities and welcome all to the table.”

FFA Membership Stats, 2023-2024:
    Student Membership: 1,027,273 (+8.6% from last year)
    Student Chapters: 9,235
    Alumni Membership: 760,152
    Alumni Chapters: 2,033

Top states with highest membership numbers:
    Texas (177,401)
    California (104,450)
    Georgia (81,963)
    Florida (60,817)
    North Carolina (48,241)

Top states for % membership increase compared to last year:
    Utah (+172.7% from last year)
    Florida (+116.9 % from last year)
    Alaska (+74.9% from last year)

FFA, formerly known as “Future Farmers of America,” was founded in 1928 and has since evolved into a youth organization that extends past the traditional farmer. Today, FFA reaches middle and high school students in both rural and urban communities and encourages diversity in membership. For example, as of 2023, 42.4% of FFA members were female and FFA chapters are currently in 23 of the 25 largest cities in the U.S., reaching more students in suburban areas. The wider range of student participation sheds light on the value of both traditional and urban farming.

“Alaska's rich natural resources are a cornerstone of our new FFA chapter,” said Maureen Cronin, Bettye Davis East High FFA co-advisor based in Anchorage. “In just one year, we are proud to have become the third largest chapter in the state and already have plans to expand for year two. We provide our students with unique hands-on experiences – from our environmental, natural sciences and marine science programs to emerging environmental public health pathway and more. Our school is on the traditional lands of the Dena'ina people, so through interagency cooperation our FFA members are gaining skills in sustainable indigenous agriculture practices, and traditional ecological knowledge. Our members can gain invaluable insights into sustainable practices and resource management with what we have in our backyard.”

The importance of agricultural education continues to become more apparent, with companies in the agriculture industry seeking employees with skills such as problem-solving and decision-making, teamwork, verbal communication, technical knowledge, and more. To meet this need, FFA actively works to maintain successful chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and regularly provides educational opportunities outside the school setting for students to connect and learn from students across the country. The success of a chapter largely depends on the support from a local community, including teachers, school administrators and parents/guardians.

“I couldn't be prouder of the remarkable growth we've seen in our chapter and across the state,” said Austin Courson, JM Tate High School FFA Advisor and Assistant Principal based in Florida. “Watching our students embrace leadership roles, develop practical and technical skills, and work together has been incredibly rewarding. Their dedication to agriculture and the community is inspiring and we look forward to another great year of learning and growing together. As an advisor, it’s truly an honor to support each FFA member on this journey."

The announcement of the milestone of reaching more than one million FFA members comes ahead of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo, which is set to take place October 23-26 in Indianapolis. In 2023, the Convention had a record-breaking attendance of nearly 72,954, comprised of members, advisors, and guests, and the organization anticipates to see that number grow this year.



Cull Cows & Beef Production
Hannah Baker, M.S.
State Specialized Extension Agent - Beef and Forage Economics
University of Florida / IFAS Extension

According to the USDA July Livestock Slaughter report, cattle slaughter totaled 2.4 million head in June. This is a 12% decrease year-over-year and a 7% decrease since last month. Total cattle slaughter for the first 6 months of 2024 is 4% below the total for the first 6 months of 2023. Beef cow slaughter for the first half of the year is 15% lower than 2023 and has declined by almost 20% since January. As a result of a decrease in cow slaughter due to limited cattle supplies, beef production is consequently expected to decrease in 2024 and by even more in 2025. However, forecasts for beef production in 2024 have increased by 555 million pounds since January due to an increase in number of days on feed and carcass weights of fed cattle. The forecast for 2024 is now 26.655 billion pounds, a 1% decline from 2023.

The somewhat steady rate of steer and heifer slaughter combined with longer days on feed and heavier carcass weights are offsetting the decreased cow slaughter and “softening” the beef production decline in 2024. Total steer and heifer slaughter for the first half of 2024 are both roughly 1% lower compared to 2023. The number of cattle on feed for over 120 days is 10% higher than 2023 and 5% higher than the 5-year average (2018-2022). Dressed carcass weights for steers in June averaged 915 pounds with heifer carcass weights averaging 834 pounds. During the first half of the year, dressed weights for steer and heifer carcasses averaged 919 pounds and 842 pounds, more than 2-2.5% higher than 2023.

Trimmings from fed cattle carcasses are referred to as 50s and are combined with lean trimmings from non-fed cattle (cull cows and bulls) referred to as 90s, essentially creating ‘80/20’ ground beef. The steady decline of cow slaughter and lean cattle trimmings from non-fed cattle (90s) combined with heavier carcasses from fed cattle (50s) causes disruptions in the ground beef market as the ratio of 90s and 50s becomes imbalanced. As a result, wholesale prices for lean beef trimmings are rising to record levels due to the steady demand of ground beef products. Wholesale prices for 90s are currently $375.20/cwt. This is a 47% increase since January and a 27% increase year-over-year. The average retail value of all fresh beef products is currently $7.99 per pound.

The demand for lean beef trimmings has been driving up prices for cull cattle nationwide. Prices for 85-90% lean boner cows reached an average national price of $129.11/cwt as of June 2024, a 90% increase from the 2018-2022 national average. With expansion bound to start at some point in time, cull cow slaughter will inevitably decline even more as producers reduce culling rates, continuing to affect the supply of lean beef trimmings and cull cow prices.