NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending August 11, 2024, there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 10% very short, 32% short, 53% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11% very short, 32% short, 52% adequate, and 5% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 20% fair, 45% good, and 24% excellent. Corn dough was 63%, near 62% last year and 61% for the five-year average. Dented was 26%, ahead of 16% last year and 12% average.
Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 21% fair, 52% good, and 19% excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 85%, ahead of 74% last year and 77% average. Dropping leaves was 1%.
Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 26% fair, 52% good, and 18% excellent. Sorghum headed was 85%, ahead of 68% last year and 73% average. Coloring was 6%, behind 11% last year, and near 10% average.
Oats harvested was 94%, ahead of 86% last year, and near 92% average.
Dry edible bean condition rated 6% very poor, 9% poor, 32% fair, 36% good, and 17% excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 81%, near 85% last year, and behind 87% average. Setting pods was 58%, ahead of 51% last year, and equal to average.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 10% very poor, 16% poor, 33% fair, 26% good, and 15% excellent.
Iowa Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report
Most of the State experienced dry conditions and cool temperatures which allowed Iowa farmers 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 11, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and preparing for the fall harvest.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
Corn silking reached 96 percent this week. Sixty-nine percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage or beyond, 1 day behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Seventeen percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, 4 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the average. Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-four percent of soybeans were blooming, equal to the five-year average. Soybeans setting pods reached 74 percent, 5 days behind last year and 2 days behind the average. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-three percent of oats have been harvested, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of average.
The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 97 percent complete. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 45 percent, 1 week behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.
Pasture condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report
Good-to-excellent ratings for both corn and soybeans were unchanged last week, continuing a season-long trend of ratings for both crops holding mostly stable at the national level, 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 continued to run slightly behind average last week.
CORN
-- Crop development: Corn silking was pegged at 94%, 1 percentage point behind last year's 95% but equal to the five-year average. Corn in the dough stage was estimated at 60%, equal to last year's pace but 4 points ahead of the five-year average of 56%. Corn dented was estimated at 18%, 3 points ahead of last year's 15% and 6 points ahead of the five-year average of 12%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 67% of the crop was in good-to-excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week and still well ahead of last year's 59%.
SOYBEANS
-- Crop development: Soybeans blooming were pegged at 91%, 2 points behind last year's pace of 93% but 1 point ahead of the five-year average of 90%. Soybeans setting pods were estimated at 72%, 3 points behind last year's 75% but 2 points ahead of the five-year average of 70%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 68% of soybeans were in good-to-excellent condition, also unchanged from the previous week and still above last year's rating of 59% good to excellent.
WINTER WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Harvest moved ahead 5 percentage points to reach 93% complete nationwide as of Sunday. That was 2 points ahead of last year's 91% and 2 points ahead of the five-year average pace of 91%.
SPRING WHEAT
-- Harvest progress: Spring wheat harvest jumped ahead 12 percentage points last week to reach 18% complete as of Sunday. That was 2 points behind last year's 20% and 3 points behind the five-year average of 21%.
-- Crop condition: NASS estimated that 72% of the crop remaining in fields was in good-to-excellent condition nationwide, down 2 points from 74% the previous week. That remains well ahead of last year's rating of 42% good to excellent.
NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT
Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2024 corn production is forecast at 1.88 billion bushels, up 9% from last year's production, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This would be a new record high production if realized. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 9.70 million acres, up 2% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 194 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from last year, and would tie the record high if realized.
Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 310 million bushels, up 16% from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.25 million acres, is up 1% from 2023. Yield is forecast at 59 bushels per acre, up 7.5 bushels from last year.
Nebraska's 2024 winter wheat crop is forecast at 48.6 million bushels, up 31% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 900,000 acres, is up 2% from last year. Average yield is forecast at 54 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels per acre from 2023.
Sorghum production of 16.3 million bushels, is down 1% from a year ago. Area for grain harvest, at 230,000 acres, is up 2% from last year. Yield is forecast at 71 bushels per acre, down 2 bushels from last year.
Oat production is forecast at 1.69 million bushels, up 33% from last year. Harvested area for grain, at 26,000 acres, is up 2,000 acres from last year. Yield is forecast at 65 bushels per acre, up 12 bushels from 2023.
Dry edible bean production is forecast at 2.72 million cwt, up 39% from last year. The average yield is forecast at 2,250 pounds per acre, up 110 pounds from last year.
Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.42 million tons, up 6% from 2023. Area for harvest, at 47,000 acres is up 400 acres from last year. Yield is estimated at 30.2 tons per acre, up 1.6 tons from a year ago.
Alfalfa hay production is forecast at 3.63 million tons, up 26% from last year. Expected yield, at 3.90 tons per acre, is up 0.50 ton from last year. All other hay production is forecast at 2.79 million tons, up 14% from last year. Forecasted yield, at 1.70 tons per acre, is unchanged from last year.
Iowa Crop Production Report
Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.58 billion bushels, up 2 percent from the previous year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 209.0 bushels per acre, up 8.0 bushels from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 12.9 million acres. An estimated 12.4 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain.
Soybean production is forecast at 608 million bushels, up 6 percent from the previous year. The yield is forecast at 61.0 bushels per acre, 3.0 bushels higher than 2023. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 10.1 million acres with 9.97 million acres to be harvested.
Oat production for grain is forecast at 10.3 million bushels, up 36 percent from the previous year. The expected yield is 86.0 bushels per acre, up 4.0 bushels from the July forecast and up 6.0 bushels from 2023. Oat planted acreage is estimated at 210,000 acres with 120,000 acres to be harvested for grain.
Production of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures for hay is forecast at 2.81 million tons, up 17 percent from the previous year. Yield is expected to average 3.90 tons per acre, up 0.70 ton per acre from last year. Production of other hay is forecast at 768,000 tons, up 41 percent from last year. Yield for other hay is expected to average 2.40 tons per acre, up 0.30 ton per acre from last year.
The forecasts in this report are based on August 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next crop production forecasts, based on conditions as of September 1, will be released on September 12.
USDA forecasts US corn production down and soybean production up from 2023
The Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production down from 2023 and soybean production up from last year. Corn production is down 1% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 10% from 2023, forecast at a record high 4.59 billion bushels.
Average corn yield is forecast at record high 183.1 bushels per acre, up 5.8 bushels from last year. NASS also forecasts record high yields in Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, and Wisconsin. As of Aug. 4, 67% of this year’s corn crop was reported in good or excellent condition, 10 percentage points above the same time last year.
Soybean yields are expected to average a record high 53.2 bushels per acre, up 2.6 bushels from 2023. If realized, the forecasted yields in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio will be record highs.
All wheat production is forecast at 1.98 billion bushels, up 9% from 2023. Growers are expected to produce 1.36 billion bushels of winter wheat this year, up 1% from the previous forecast and up 9% from last year. Durum wheat production is forecast at 76.9 million bushels, up 30% from 2023. All other spring wheat production is forecast at 544 million bushels, up 8% from last year. Based on Aug. 1 conditions, the U.S. all wheat yield is forecast at 52.2 bushels per acre, up 3.6 bushels from 2023.
Today’s report also included the first NASS production forecast of the season for U.S. cotton. NASS forecasts all cotton production at 15.1 million 480-pound bales, up 25% from last year. Yield is expected to average 840 pounds per harvested acre, down 59 pounds from 2023.
NASS interviewed approximately 14,200 producers across the country in preparation for this report. NASS is now gearing up to conduct its September Agricultural Survey, which will collect final acreage, yield, and production information for wheat, barley, oats, and rye as well as grains and oilseeds stored on farms across the nation. That survey will take place during the first two weeks of September.
ANNUAL IOWA GOVERNOR’S CHARITY STEER SHOW RAISES RECORD-BREAKING $568,000
In another record-breaking year, the 42nd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to elevate the bar raising $568,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. This was a significant jump from last year’s record of $501,000. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.
All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.
This event, hosted by the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council is another example of the care the beef cattle industry has for our state, rural communities, and those in need.
“This worthy cause supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa is a celebration of our great cattle industry, and highlights how important this industry is to the state of Iowa,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “I want to thank everyone who helped us achieve another record-breaking total again this year of more than $568,000. This donation will be so impactful to the families served by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. I applaud the next generation of producers, our youth exhibitors, for their dedication and hard work, and their drive to help others in need.”
The Governor’s Charity Steer Show would not be possible without our sponsors, youth exhibitors and their families, celebrities, and buyers. Their impact through volunteering, donations, and dedication created another successful show and fundraising outcome. This year, more donations and support were collected in advance of the event than ever before.
We also had two exhibitors that exceeded the threshold of the most dollars raised throughout the event from donations and the sale of their steer. Baylen Brink raised $71,354 and Jacob Ringkob raised $58,211, which topped the previous record of $48,000.
Not only was Pioneer Pavilion packed for the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, but more than 4,000 people watched online. This event has become an anticipated and loved Iowa State Fair tradition. It is no surprise, as it brings together what is great about our state.
Recognizing the Winners
The 42nd Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show was held on August 10 in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair. Winners in four categories were recognized in the show ring – Community Hero, Grand Champion Showman, People’s Choice, and Judge’s Grand Champion. This year’s event hosted 24 sponsored steers, shown by their youth exhibitor and a local celebrity.
The Community Hero Award recognizes the youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event. This year’s winner of the Community Hero Award was Layne White from Blakesburg. Iowa. Layne collected 175 pounds of pop tabs and a lot of nonperishable items for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Layne was sponsored by the Davis County Beef Promoters and showed with celebrity, Mercedes Northup, who was on The Bachelor.
Our showmanship contest was judged by Brad and Drake Hook. Their focus was on the partnership between the celebrity, youth exhibitor, and the steer. While we had some excellent celebrity showmen in the ring, who had done their homework, Drake awarded Cheyenne Houk also from Blakesburg, Iowa, and her celebrity showman, Mark McCully, CEO of American Angus Association, as the Grand Champion Showman. Their steer was The Business and they were sponsored by the Monroe County Cattlemen and Supporters.
A fan favorite, the People’s Choice Award, gives the audience and team supporters a voice in the competition as they help select the winner of this event. This year Brad Hook helped judge this award and as he worked the ring, he had the crowd roaring for their favorites. In the end, it was two-time NCAA champion wrestler, David Carr, and his youth partner, Kate Totemeier from Columbus Junction, Iowa, along with her steer, ZZ, who took the award! David, Kate, and ZZ were sponsored by the District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations.
Finally, the most prestigious award of the show, the Judge’s Grand Champion, was selected. Ross Havens from Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa, had the hardest task of working through and judging the stellar lineup of steers and showmen. Whopper and his youth exhibitor, Emma Norman of Searsboro, Iowa, and celebrity showman Jeff Angelo, an iHeart and WHO Radio personality, received the honor. This team was sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association.
Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities. These funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in the $568,000 donation going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
Thank you to Governor Kim Reynolds for her continued dedication to this event and for her partnership with Iowa beef cattle producers. This event is a rewarding and humbling experience for all who participate.
IDALS to Host Iowa State Fair Ceremonies
As part of the 2024 Iowa State Fair, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will host three award ceremonies this week celebrating and commemorating Iowa agriculture. Each of the three ceremonies are open to the media and the public is invited to attend.
The details of each are as follows:
What: Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar Recognition Ceremony
Where: Northside Stage, Agriculture Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds
When: Tuesday, August 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Notes: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will recognize 16 K-12 students from around the state whose artwork was selected for the 2024-2025 Choose Iowa Coloring Calendar. Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made food and ag products. A full press release listing the featured artists will be sent on Tuesday, August 13. Free Choose Iowa Coloring Calendars will be available for fairgoers at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s booths in the Agriculture Building and Varied Industries Building while supplies last. Photos of the students in attendance with Secretary Naig will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
What: Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards Ceremony
Where: Oman Family Youth Inn, Iowa State Fairgrounds
When: Wednesday, August 14 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Notes: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon will recognize 44 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award (IFELA). The award recognizes the exemplary voluntary efforts of Iowa’s farmers committed to healthy soil and improved water quality while also serving as leaders within their ag community. A full press release listing the families will be sent on Wednesday, August 14. Photos of the families in attendance with the dignitaries will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
What: Iowa Century and Heritage Farm Recognition Ceremony
Where: Livestock Pavilion, Iowa State Fairgrounds
When: Thursday, August 15 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Notes: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson will recognize 439 Century Farm (100 years) or Heritage Farm (150 years) owners. The Century Farm recognition will begin at 9:00 a.m. and proceed in alphabetical order by county. The Heritage Farm recognition will begin after the Century Farm recognition ceremony concludes and proceed in alphabetical order by county. A press release will be sent on Thursday, August 15. Families receiving Century and Heritage Farm recognition will be added to the searchable database on the Department’s website. Photos of the families in attendance with Secretary Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Johnson will be available within one month of the conclusion of the fair on the Department’s Flickr page.
Low Dairy Cow Culling Boosts Cow Market
David Anderson, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Texas A&M University
Even though dairy cow slaughter popped higher during the last two weeks of data following the short fourth of July week, dairy cow culling continues well below last year. Reduced dairy cow culling is likely to continue the rest of the year, even though culling may increase seasonally. It’s normal for dairy cow slaughter to climb seasonally after early July. Overall, reduced dairy cow culling is coinciding with low beef culling and is further boosting prices.
Over the last 8 weeks dairy cow culling is 18 percent smaller compared to the same period last year. Dairy cow slaughter is reported by region and major dairy states are included in each region. Regions 9 and 10 include California, Arizona, Idaho, and Washington. Region 2 includes New York and region 5 includes Minnesota and Wisconsin. Regions 4 (Southeastern states), 6 (Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana), and 3 (Virginia and Pennsylvania) include Southern states.
Over the last 8 weeks, the Midwest (5) and New York (2) regions report slaughter that is 15 and 16 percent below the same period last year. Dairy cow slaughter in regions 3 and 4 are down 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Culling in the Western regions (9 and 10) indicates slightly slower slaughter than the national rate. Slaughter in Region 6 is down 32 percent. Regional differences in slaughter rates continue to indicate shifts in regional milk production with faster than average culling rates in the South, Northern Plains, and Midwest but, slower culling in the Southern Plains. On an interesting note, region 8, which includes Colorado and the Dakotas, has reported larger dairy cow slaughter this year than last year and is the only region to do so. Dairy cow culling is likely to remain relatively low in coming months due to fewer dairy cows in total, relatively few replacement heifers, and rising milk prices.
Reduced dairy cow culling coinciding with reduced beef cow slaughter is further cutting supplies of lean beef. Wholesale boneless 90 percent lean beef hit a new high of $3.76 per pound last week. The cow-beef cutout is in record territory at over $290 per cwt. Lean slaughter cows at auction continue to hover around $125 per cwt. The lack of dairy replacements and the need for replacements by some have bred dairy cow and heifer prices up from $300 to $600 per head in dairy auctions around the country.
While reduced dairy cow culling is working with beef cow culling to boost cow and beef prices, the lack of culling is putting additional strain on cow packing plants. This strain is likely to worsen in the coming months even if culling increases seasonally later in the year.
NMPF, USDEC Urge U.S. Government to Preempt Colombian Trade Barriers
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) are asking the U.S. government to prepare a plan to “leverage all available tools” should Colombia move forward with imposing countervailing tariffs on U.S. milk-powder exports, making that request in a letter sent Friday to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
USDEC and NMPF also commended a complementary Congressional letter sent Friday to Colombian Ambassador to the United States Luis Gilberto Murillo in response to the investigation. Led by Reps. Jim Costa, D-CA, Adrian Smith, R-NE, Jimmy Panetta, D-CA and Dusty Johnson, R-SD, the letter highlights that the U.S. and Colombian dairy industries should be working collaboratively to promote policies that strengthen the dairy sector instead of launching “damaging protectionist investigations.”
Colombia’s recent decision to initiate an unwarranted Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation into U.S. exports of milk powder is a tariff threat without merit, USDEC and NMPF say in the letter, noting that no causal link exists between U.S. milk powder exports and the injury alleged by Colombian officials. The letter also explains that imported milk powder products and domestically produced fluid milk are not interchangeable ingredients in a food manufacturing facility.
“The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement has been a success story for American and Colombian producers and consumers alike,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “Initiating unfounded investigations undermines this progress and is a step backward in our trade relationship. We appreciate the Ag Trade Caucus leaders for recognizing this investigation for what it is – baseless. USDEC commends the U.S. interagency team for their extensive work on the ongoing investigation and will continue to work closely with the U.S. government and Congress as the legal process moves forward.”
“NMPF appreciates Representatives Costa, Smith, Panetta and Johnson for standing up for American dairy producers’ market access rights,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “We will continue working with the U.S. government to ensure this unsubstantiated investigation doesn’t set a dangerous precedent."
Graduate Students Advancing Beef Industry Eligible for Scholarship
Applications are now being accepted for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program. Established in 2007 by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF), the scholarship recognizes outstanding graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal agriculture.
Two $15,000 grants are awarded to graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to the advancement of the beef industry. Previous scholarship recipients recognize that the program not only benefits their work but also the entire industry.
“One day I’d like to share my knowledge, experiences and research findings related to meat science with future students, colleagues and industry professionals; receiving this scholarship gets me closer to that aspiration,” said 2023 recipient and West Texas A&M University doctoral candidate Megan Eckhardt.
Graduate students must apply online by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, a short essay, statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation by Sept. 20, 2024. The 2024 scholarship recipients will be recognized at CattleCon 2025, Feb. 4-6, in San Antonio, Texas.
The scholarship honors the successful career of the late W.D. Farr, a third-generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker who was known for his extraordinary vision. His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock and water development resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation. Farr was the first president of the NCF and served as president of the American National Cattlemen’s Association, which would later become the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.
The NCF advances the future of the beef industry by assisting in the education of the next generation of beef industry professionals. For more information and to apply for the scholarship, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.
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