Thursday November 21 Ag News

Managing yards for cattle comfort in winter
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Beef Systems Extension Educator

We are approaching late November and dry fall weather, so far, has permitted late season clean up. Yet, we have had two or three rounds of precipitation recently. Although much needed, to restore soil moisture, even less than 0.5 inches of precipitation created some challenges for cattle in the yards, and the humans (and horses) taking care of them.

Looking at temperatures and precipitation for winter of 2024—2025, the US Drought Monitor calls for equal chances that each temperature and precipitation will be above or below normal (not much help here if you ask me!).

Although there is no set recipe for managing yards for cattle comfort, particularly when precipitation has been inconsistent

after a long dry spell, the following is a list of scenarios and suggested approaches for managing pen surfaces.

Precipitation (as snow or rain) with intermittent dry spells. Other than a dry winter, this may be the next easiest scenario to manage; the operator has two choices: 1) proactively bed if they expect that a cold spell will follow or that the 10-day forecast calls for additional precipitation or 2) do nothing.

Generally, manure is permitted to accumulate during dry spells; yet, during precipitation events, dry manure in high traffic areas will rapidly absorb moisture. This will lead to rapid accumulation of mud on concrete surfaces (feed and water trough aprons and cattle alleys) resulting in difficult situations for cattle, horses, humans, and machinery to get around the pen. Therefore, some operators and many cattle feedlot consultants recommend removal of dry manure shortly before precipitation is expected. This action needs not be confined to concrete surfaces. The base of yard mounds or other sloping areas of the pen may also be scraped to remove dry manure.

What might one do with manure that is scraped? Although there is a temptation to haul it away and apply before the precipitation event, some might consider keeping and piling manure as 2- to 4-foot-high mounds (32 square feet per head is ideal) onto loafing areas (concrete or dirt; away from feed and water troughs). These mounds will serve as high and “dry” areas for cattle to get away from rapidly forming mud and away from traffic patterns in the pen.

Once prepared, these manure mounds can also serve as the base where dry bedding is applied when the precipitation event is expected to last several days or to be followed by temperatures dropping below freezing for several days.

Precipitation (as snow or rain) followed by extended cold or additional precipitation periods. This scenario is expected to occur during December or the following January, as was the case in 2024. Most normal winters in higher latitudes are defined by one or two heavy precipitation events followed by extreme cold temperatures. Thawing from cold temperatures is generally not expected until January, briefly, followed by continued cold temperatures and precipitation in February and March.

These are the conditions that set up cattle (and cattle feeders) for performance below expectations and worse than break even closeouts.

When facilities managers refer to the need to bed cattle on dirt or concrete, they generally refer to these conditions. This is when investing in bedding and managing bed packs make sense.

How much bedding might be needed to establish the base of a pack?

The initial need to bed a given area surprises most operators. This is because a base must rise at least one foot above the existing surface (bare concrete or manure mound). This requires a minimum of 10 to 14 lb. per head for the initial application. This is equivalent to two large round corn stalk bales for a 250-head pen.

Should the bedding be processed? For most applications where high traffic will occur (pens stocked heavier, concrete-surfaced pens, cattle nearing finishing weights, and, most importantly, unsurfaced pens), the answer is no. This is because processed bedding will incorporate itself into the existing surface by hoof action.

Two key elements of building bed packs, even outdoors, are to continue to keep the areas around the pack free of mud accumulation (it prevents cattle from tracking it onto the pack) and to continue to add bedding to keep it dry.

Scraping around bed packs prevents manure from freezing onto large balls that prevent cattle access to the pack or to water and feed troughs. Adding additional bedding after scraping can be done with a bale processor or grinder if the base pack is built sufficiently or in pens where there is ample space or lightweight cattle. As a reference (for bedding inventory) prorated over a long period, one might expect to use 4 lb of bedding daily per head.

How often are operators expected to scrape and/or bed? During most winters when cold spells set in, scraping should occur at least once weekly. Bedding generally should take place the same day after scraping. If scraping stops during subzero temperatures, it cannot be resumed until at least 4 to 7 days of temperatures above freezing. This can create difficult conditions for cattle to get around. When scraping frozen chunks of manure, these can be placed on the bed pack before adding dry bedding.

Managing cattle in the yards for comfort, like offering them feed daily, is more of an art than science.



Nebraska Cattlemen Announces Young Cattlemen’s Connections Class of 2025

Nebraska Cattlemen is proud to announce the Young Cattlemen’s Connections (YCC) Class of 2025. The selection committee chose ten emerging leaders for the prestigious two-year program to help these participants develop a solid foundation of industry knowledge and to strengthen the future of Nebraska’s beef industry.

This program is made possible by the sponsorship of Farm Credit Services of America, Neogen and the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.

Kenny Stauffer, Director of Key Accounts for Neogen stated, “YCC provides such an amazing opportunity for our aspiring young leaders. YCC opens doors for many young people. Most individuals do not understand what goes on behind the scenes of Nebraska Cattlemen and what they do daily to fight for our industry. YCC provides participants with hands on training from Seedstock to Packer and everything in between. If you want to better understand how NC creates policy and how you can have a voice, Nebraska Cattlemen’s YCC class is one of the best ways to learn. I am very excited for the class of 2025, they are an impressive group of young individuals. Our industry is in good hands!”

Young Cattlemen’s Connections Class of 2025
Ashley Bradbury, Lincoln
Madisyn Cutler, Elsie
Dustin Eide, Cozad
Preston Franzen, Aurora
Shelby Garland, Ord
Shaylee Jones, Stapleton
Drue Knobbe, West Point
Anna Kobza, Lincoln
Will Rhea, Arlington
Austin Schweitzer, Milford

During the two-year program, YCC members are provided with extensive communication training, given the opportunity to tour multiple Nebraska-based agriculture production facilities, and trained on how to navigate state agencies and legislative processes.

To learn more about the Young Cattlemen’s Connections Program, please visit www.nebraskacattlemen.org.



Livestock Custom Rate Survey Available Now

Many farmers and ranchers inquire about prevailing rates for various custom farm services. In addition to the regular biennial custom rates survey, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability has launched a new survey designed to provide market rate information for the Nebraska livestock industry. Producers and operators that perform and provide custom services for others, or that utilize custom services and pay others, are invited to participate in the survey.

Anyone interested in participating in the livestock-related custom rates survey can request a file copy to download, complete, and then return, or register to receive the online survey version. Users can sign up to receive the livestock-related custom rates survey at https://cap.unl.edu/customrates. Nebraska Extension livestock systems educators or county extension office staff may also assist in obtaining a survey or provide the online link.

Services covered in the survey include charges for pasture maintenance, fencing, and trenching services, livestock processing fees and yardage rates, hauling fees, custom feed preparation, haying services, facility and equipment rental rates, manure pumping, hauling and application charges.

Even if only one or a few custom services are utilized or performed by an individual operation, providing the rate information for services that you utilize or that you charge for is important. Individual survey responses are kept anonymous and confidential. Nebraska state ranges and averages will be published.

By completing the survey, you will help ensure that the most accurate information possible is provided to Nebraska livestock producers and those that provide related services. The survey should take only a few minutes to complete. This will be the second Nebraska livestock-related custom rates survey. Plans are to make this a biennial survey, alternating years between the traditional, more crop-related, biennial custom rates services survey and report.

If you have questions about the survey, email or call: Glennis McClure, Department of Agricultural Economics, at gmcclure3@unl.edu or 402-472-0661.



NORTHERN PLAINS FARM LABOR

In the Northern Plains Region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) there were 36,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches during the week of July 7-13, 2024, down 3% from the July 2023 reference week, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Workers numbered 42,000 during the week of October 6-12, 2024, down 2% from the October 2023 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $19.78 per hour during the July 2024 reference week, up 6% from the July 2023 reference week. Field workers received an average of $20.16 per hour, up $1.29. Livestock workers earned $17.95 per hour, up $0.51. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate at $19.17, was up $0.99 from the 2023 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 45.2 hours during the July 2024 reference week, matching the hours worked during the July 2023 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage of $20.48 per hour during the October 2024 reference week, up 6% from the October 2023 reference week. Field workers received an average of $21.16 per hour, up $1.28. Livestock workers earned $17.51 per hour, up $0.21 from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined wage rate, at $19.79, was up $0.90 from the October 2023 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 46.2 hours during the October 2024 reference week, compared with 47.9 hours worked during the October 2023 reference week.

CORNBELT II FARM LABOR
There were 21,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri) during the reference week of July 7-13, 2024, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Farm Labor report. Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $19.40 per hour, $1.55 above July 2023. The number of hours worked averaged 40.5 for hired workers during the reference week, compared with 40.1 hours in July 2023.

During the reference week of October 6-12, 2024, there were 25,000 workers hired directly by farms in the Cornbelt II Region (Iowa and Missouri). Farm operators paid their hired workers an average wage rate of $19.35 per hour during the October 2024 reference week, 30 cents above October 2023. The number of hours worked averaged 42.2 for hired workers during the reference week, matching the 42.2 hours in October 2023.

October Hired Workers Up 3 Percent; Gross Wage Rate Increased 2 Percent from Previous Year
There were 797,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on the Nation's farms and ranches during the week of October 6-12, 2024, up 3 percent from the October 2023 reference week. Workers hired directly by farm operators numbered 808,000 during the week of July 7-13, 2024, up 3 percent from the July 2023 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $19.11 per hour during the October 2024 reference week, up 2 percent from the October 2023 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.57 per hour, up 2 percent. Livestock workers earned $17.51 per hour, up 2 percent. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage rate, at $18.27 per hour, was up 2 percent from the 2023 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 41.4 hours during the October 2024 reference week, down 1 percent from the hours worked during the October 2023 reference week.

Farm operators paid their hired workers an average gross wage of $18.95 per hour during the July 2024 reference week, up 2 percent from the July 2023 reference week. Field workers received an average of $18.36 per hour, up 2 percent, while livestock workers earned $17.36 per hour, up 2 percent from a year earlier. The field and livestock worker combined gross wage rate, at $18.08 per hour, was up 2 percent from the July 2023 reference week. Hired laborers worked an average of 40.6 hours during the July 2024 reference week, down 1 percent from the hours worked during the July 2023 reference week.

The 2024 all hired worker annual average gross wage rate was $19.10 per hour, up 3 percent from the 2023 annual average gross wage rate. The 2024 field worker annual average gross wage rate was $18.42 per hour, up 3 percent from the 2023 annual average. The 2024 livestock worker annual average gross wage rate was $17.45 per hour. The 2024 annual average combined gross wage for field and livestock workers was $18.12, up 3 percent from the 2023 annual average of $17.55 per hour.



Iowa Farm Bureau analysis finds downturn in ag economy claims up to 11,400 Iowa jobs and $1.5 billion in GDP this year

A sharp downturn in the agriculture economy is causing a ripple effect throughout the state resulting in the loss of up to 11,400 jobs and $1.5 billion in value-added economic activity (GDP) and a $100 million loss to the state and local tax base, according to an exclusive Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) economic analysis.  

Twenty-three businesses in Iowa announced layoffs for 4,097 individuals working in production agriculture and adjacent industries from the first of the year through Sept.18, 2024, but IFBF’s analysis finds those numbers balloon when taking broader impacts into consideration.

“Ultimately, this starts with depressed incomes at the farm gate that have ripple effects on the Iowa economy,” said Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager. “For example, because farm incomes are down, farmers aren’t making the same machinery purchases they’ve made in previous years which means manufacturers, suppliers and retailers slow down production and are forced to lay people off.”

Iowa’s ag-related layoffs have occurred during a prolonged period of economic hardship and uncertainty for farmers. USDA’s September 2024 farm income forecast projects another challenging year for farmers, who are expected to lose nearly a quarter of their income in just two years due to slumping commodity prices and stubbornly high input costs.  Net farm income, a key measure of profitability, is projected to decline 4.4% from 2023, following a record year-over-year drop of 19.5% from 2022 to 2023.

Pudenz said that the downturn is particularly impactful in Iowa, considering agriculture accounted for more than 22% of Iowa’s total economic output in 2022, according to a study commissioned by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Nearly one in every five Iowans are employed due to agriculture and ag-related industries, accounting for more than 385,000 jobs. “Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Iowa economy, and when agriculture struggles, those pains are felt throughout the state,” Pudenz said.  

“This analysis underscores why a farm bill is so important – farmers need assurances as they try to balance economic uncertainty,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “A farm bill extends beyond the farm and protection of our food supply; it also provides access to nutritional programs for families facing hunger, advances conservation efforts and spurs innovation through research. If a new farm bill isn’t passed, many critical programs will face significant interruptions,” said Johnson.



October Milk Production in the United States up 0.2 Percent

Milk production in the United States during October totaled 18.7 billion pounds, up 0.2 percent from October 2023. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,996 pounds for October,
3 pounds above October 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.37 million head, 10,000 head more than October 2023, and 19,000 head more than September 2024.

IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during October 2024 totaled 508 million pounds, up 3 percent from the previous October according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during October, at 243,000 head, was 2,000 above last month and up 4,000 from October 2023. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,090 pounds, up 30 pounds from last October.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 11/15/2024

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending November 15, ethanol production marginally decreased from the prior week’s high, down 0.3% to 1.11 million b/d, equivalent to 46.62 million gallons daily. Output was 8.5% more than the same week last year and 6.9% above the five-year average for the week. The four-week average ethanol production rate increased 0.6% to a record high of 1.10 million b/d, which is equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.94 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks expanded 2.4% to a 7-week high of 22.6 million barrels. Stocks were 4.2% more than the same week last year and 6.6% above the five-year average. Inventories built across all regions.

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, plummeted 10.3% to 8.42 million b/d (129.42 bg annualized), the lowest weekly volume since mid-February. Demand was 0.7% less than a year ago and 3.2% below the five-year average.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol slipped 1.9% to 892,000 b/d, equivalent to 13.71 bg annualized for a 10-week low. Yet, net inputs were 0.1% more than year-ago levels and 1.2% above the five-year average.

Ethanol exports were even with the prior week at an estimated 144,000 b/d (6.0 million gallons/day). It has been 61 weeks since imports of ethanol were recorded.



Most Retail Fertilizer Prices Slightly Higher During Second Week of November

Most average retail fertilizer prices continued to be higher than they were a month ago during the second week of November 2024, according to sellers surveyed by DTN. For the second week in a row, prices for seven of the eight major fertilizers were up from last month, while the price of the remaining fertilizer was down. Once again, no fertilizer saw a substantial price move in either direction, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

The seven fertilizers that were slightly more expensive were DAP, which had an average price of $740 per ton, MAP $811/ton, urea $498/ton, 10-34-0 $607/ton, anhydrous $711/ton, UAN28 $323/ton and UAN32 $364/ton.

The one fertilizer that was slightly less expensive was potash, which had an average retail price of $443/ton, down $8 per ton from the previous month.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.54/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.58/lb.N and UAN32 $0.57/lb.N.

All fertilizers but two are lower compared to one year ago. MAP is 1% higher, while DAP is 3% more expensive than it was a year ago. The remaining six fertilizers are lower than they were a year ago. Both 10-34-0 and UAN28 are now 10% less expensive; urea, potash and UAN32 are all 13% lower; and anhydrous is now 14% less expensive compared to last year.



Call for Applications in Aflatoxin Research Grants

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is calling for a new round of research grants to help farmers manage aflatoxin issues. Letters of intent from principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and collaborators—and not exceeding the $100,000 per year limit—will be accepted by the Aflatoxin Mitigation Center of Excellence (AMCOE) no later than Friday, November 29, 2024. For more information about the review process, evaluation criteria and program eligibility, click here.

AMCOE’s Competitive Grants Program offers research grants for projects focused on solving profit-robbing aflatoxin issues for farmers. The program was developed by a consortium of southern state corn checkoff boards to provide a unified approach to funding projects affecting growers across the region. NCGA serves as the management structure in order to leverage more dollars for solving aflatoxin issues and to build strong regional teams which would be highly competitive for federal, public, and private funding.

"Corn growers are steadfast in their commitment to delivering safe, top-quality products to consumers," said Texas grower and AMCOE Committee Chair Charles Ring. "Thanks to AMCOE's initiatives, we’ve achieved meaningful progress in identifying and reducing risks from aflatoxin and other mycotoxins. Our competitive grants program is fueling innovative research and equipping our industry with better tools and solutions to address these challenges."

Projects funded through AMCOE’s grant program for 2025 should focus on one of these three priority research areas:
    Methodologies and technologies that prevent and/or defend against the presence of aflatoxin
    In-field mitigation measures
    Post-harvest strategies

While corn farmers in southern states experience aflatoxin challenges every year, these challenges may present themselves in any corn region of the United States when the crop comes under stress. Therefore, the benefits of such research—particularly as outlined in the three priority areas—are truly national in scope. Proposals will be considered regardless of the party’s geographic region. Any state wishing to provide additional funding for AMCOE is encouraged to do so.



NCBA and PLC Members Testify in Support of Grazing Bills to Prevent Wildfires

Yesterday, members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council (PLC) testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands in support of legislation to expand the use of livestock grazing as a tool to reduce wildfire risk, make grazing permits more responsive to range conditions, and remove regulatory barriers to the maintenance of critical infrastructure. Each of these bills works together to protect beautiful landscapes across the West and support the ranchers who drive the economic success of rural communities.
 
“I see such a clear need for the Operational Flexibility Grazing Management Act. This bill provides much-needed flexibility to ensure land managers like me can be responsive to what the land needs while also maintaining compliance with our grazing permit,” testified NCBA member and Utah Cattlemen’s Association President Jeff Young. “Resource management shouldn't be static; it should be responsive and collaborative. This bill represents an updated, modernized way to manage the land, understanding that you need flexibility to make things work from year to year.”
 
California rancher and Public Lands Council member Sherri Brennan shared her personal experience from the 2013 Rim Fire that burned over 257,000 acres in Tuolumne County, CA and the need to prevent recurrent resource damage.
 
“The combination of reduced grazing and timber harvest, and the lack of meaningful fuel breaks has made many parts of the West one long stretch of high fuel loads. Eight million acres have burned so far this year. What’s worse is that every year, the percentage of total acres that experience the worst kind of fire—high intensity burns—continues to grow,” Brennan testified. “There’s a way to fix this. Targeted grazing with the intention of fuels reduction can remove up to 1,000 pounds of fine fuels per acre. This means that if the area burns, the fire is likely to be shorter—flames under 4 feet tall—which means it’s safer for first responders. Less fuel, cooler flames, and safer firefighters should be common objectives.”
 
Together, Young and Brennan discussed NCBA’s and PLC’s support for the Operational Flexibility Grazing Management Program Act (H.R. 9062) introduced by Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), the Ranching Without Red Tape Act (H.R. 6441) introduced by Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), and legislation to increase livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risk (H.R. 7666) introduced by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA).
 
“Livestock grazing is a valuable tool for protecting our scenic Western landscapes from the ever-present threat of catastrophic wildfire, habitat conversion, and damage from a wide variety of sources,” said Executive Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA and PLC are proud to support legislation that supports and expands the use of livestock grazing as a tool to reduce wildfire risk and we are grateful for leaders like Rep. Curtis, Rep. Vasquez, and Rep. LaMalfa for addressing the needs of Western ranchers.”



Kansas Singer Wins Annual NCBA National Anthem Contest

Anah Higbie of Quenemo, Kansas, is the winner of the 12th annual NCBA National Anthem Contest, sponsored by Norbrook®. Higbie will sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas.

“Cattle have been a defining part of who I am from a very early age,” said Higbie. “My heart is, and always will be, deeply passionate about the cattle industry.”

Higbie’s family owns a commercial Simmental cow-calf operation in eastern Kansas. Besides thriving on the day-to-day operations of running cattle, she enjoys showing cattle and considers being an animal agriculture advocate one of the biggest passions of her life.

As the winner of the contest, Higbie will receive roundtrip airfare to San Antonio, hotel room for three nights, convention registration, plus a pair of boots, jeans and a shirt from Roper or Stetson. Online voting by the public determined the winner.

CattleCon is the oldest and largest convention for the cattle industry. The 2025 convention is Feb. 4-6, and features education, entertainment and meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, CattleFax, National Cattlemen’s Foundation and American National CattleWomen. For more information and to register and reserve housing, visit convention.ncba.org.