Tuesday February 04 Ag News

Can Pine Needles Cause Abortions in Cows?
Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator

Can pine needles cause abortions in cows? The short answer is “yes.”

Pine needle abortion can cause significant losses for producers, but simple strategies can reduce the risk. Check and repair fences around ponderosa pine trees to prevent losses in your herd, especially during the second and third trimesters. By excluding pregnant cows, you can avoid devastating losses.

Here are two real-life examples of producers who experienced premature calf losses.

Example 1: The Prairie Blizzard. The four lone pine trees were all that remained from the pioneers who tried to settle on the prairie. During a recent blizzard that dropped over a foot of snow, it took several days for ranchers to reach their pregnant cows with hay. With drifts underfoot, the cows were tall enough to reach up and eat the pine needles out of the trees during the blizzard. A week later, half the cows prematurely lost their calves.

Example 2: The Old Farmstead. A neighbor purchased an old farmstead, which included a pasture where a shelterbelt of trees surrounded the buildings- pine and cottonwood trees. The buildings and wire fence that kept the cows out of the old shelterbelt had fallen down in disrepair, so the neighbor pulled the fence. His bred heifers ran there that winter, and more out of curiosity, nibbled on the pine needles. Several heifers aborted that winter.

Both producers lost calves to pine needle abortions, as the cows and heifers “slinked” or calved too early, and the fetuses died.

Why do pine needles cause abortions in cows?
Since the 1920’s, cattlemen wondered if ponderosa pine needles were causing abortions in their herds. In the 1980’s to 1990’s, researchers were able to determine that ponderosa pine needles did indeed cause abortions in pregnant beef cows.

Compounds in the Pinus ponderosa (or ponderosa pine tree) needles interferes with blood flow to the uterus and fetus, leading to premature births or fetal death.

Both green or dried needles from ponderosa pine trees, if ingested by pregnant cows, can be harmful. Cows would need to eat 3-5 pounds of needles for several days to trigger an abortion. The later the trimester, the more susceptible cows are to “pine needle abortions.” The third trimester, especially the last 30-60 days, can cause more abortions than early in the pregnancy. Low temperatures also seemed to increase pine needle consumption.

What animals are not affected by eating pine needles?
Cows that are not pregnant, steers, and bulls are not affected if needles are ingested, as well as pregnant elk, sheep, or goats.

How to prevent pine needle abortions
What are solutions to avoid pine needle abortion? The simplest solution is to fence out ponderosa pine trees so that cattle cannot reach the needles to ingest them.

Another strategy is to adjust the calving season, so cows are calving in the summer or late fall, when they are less likely to eat pine needles in their second or third trimester.



2024 Nebraska Corn Research Report is Out

The Nebraska Corn Board distributes an annual research report that showcases the research portfolio of Nebraska Corn in six core areas of focus: Livestock, Biotechnology/Industrial Use, Outreach/Education, Pest Management, Production Efficiency and Nutrient Management.

Research answers the “what if” questions that lead to new uses, new markets, new opportunities and new ways to grow corn even more efficiently and sustainably.

NCB research dollars are continually seeking new opportunities for corn farmers. What is the “next” ethanol? The emerging new use for corn that will again change the game for Nebraska farmers? What breakthrough will lead to significant change in the way farmers grow their crops, to use even less water, less fertilizer?

The majority of Nebraska Corn research dollars are invested in partnership with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Nebraska Corn also collaborates on research projects with fellow corn states, cooperators and other stakeholders.

See the 2024 report here: https://nebraskacorn.gov/research/.

Research Priorities

Enhancing Demand & Adding Value
Nebraska’s corn farmers have the ability to grow more corn than consumers can currently utilize
as food, fuel or feed. In order to sustain the economic viability of corn farmers, it is critical that
we discover new uses and markets for Nebraska’s corn crop that meet the needs of a growing
and evolving world. NCB seeks to encourage research that will give the highest return to
Nebraska corn producers through:
    Innovative research to find new uses for corn and corn products
    Identify value-added uses of the chemicals/components of corn
    Corn focused projects that result in commercialization of corn-based products or technology
    Expanding/developing commercially significant markets for corn utilization

Ensuring Sustainability
Nebraska corn farmers are faced with the challenge of producing crops necessary to meet local,
national and international demands while maintaining the quality and quantity of resources for future generations. NCB supports research leading to regionally integrated system of plant and
animal production practices designed to produce long-term results such as:
    Sustained economic viability of corn production in Nebraska
    Improved efficiency of inputs
    Enhanced carbon sequestration and improved measurement, reporting and verification
    Minimizing threats from pests and diseases
    Improved quality of surface water and groundwater resources
    Improved soil health
    Increased resilience to changing climate conditions and weather extremes

Supporting Agriculture and STEM Education
The future of farming in Nebraska depends not only on continuing to advance research-based
technologies and production practices, but also on improving consumer appreciation of the
importance of food, fuel, and feed production to human and animal health and sustainability.
NCB seeks proposals that include education and outreach as components of the research
project. Education and outreach components might include:
    Promoting linkages among Pre-K through 12, two-year postsecondary and higher education
    programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines related to food
    and agricultural sciences
    Teacher preparation and professional development programs
    Communicating agriculture research to non-ag audiences



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending February 2, 2025, topsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 51% short, 22% adequate, and 0% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 47% short, 23% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report:  
Winter wheat condition rated 9% very poor, 25% poor, 41% fair, 25% good, and 0% excellent.

The next report will be issued March 3, 2025.



CAP webinar: Estate Planning vs. Succession Planning
Feb 6, 2025 12:00 PM
With Jessica Groskopf, Extension Agricultural Economist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability.

Farms and ranches require more than just a standard estate plan — understanding the difference between estate planning and succession planning is crucial. Unfortunately, this distinction is often overlooked until it's too late. In this webinar, Extension Educator Jessica Groskopf will dive into the key differences between estate and transition plans and outline important considerations to ensure you have the right plan in place for both your assets and your operation’s future.

Details and registration can be found at https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.  



Platte Valley Cattlemen Ladies Nite is Feb 17
Heath Clausen, President

The next meeting of the Platte Valley Cattlemen will be Monday, February 17, 2025, at THE BARREL HOUSE in Columbus.  This is our ladies’ night, so bring your bride along for supper. Our social hour will start at 6:00 PM. We want to thank First National Bank for sponsoring the social hour. The meal will be at 7:00 PM. We want to thank Columbus Sales Pavilion for sponsoring the meal. Baum catering will be serving the meal and June Loeske will be our speaker.

We look forward to seeing you at and our meeting February 17th!



Gain Expert Insights at Iowa Pork Regional Conferences
    
The annual Iowa Pork Regional Conferences return this February, continuing the long-standing partnership between the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and the Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC). These conferences provide producers with valuable research, education, and practical insights to improve their operations.

"Iowa Pork is always looking for more ways to engage growers, and these topics were designed to tackle decisions they make on their farms," said Zoey Dinkla, producer education director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "These conferences are open to anyone, and I believe each person will take valuable information home."

How to Register
Preregister by at this link. https://www.iowapork.org/producers/resources/regional-conferences/register

Expert Speakers & Topics
This year’s lineup features industry experts covering key topics in pork production:

    Brian Blumhagen, Director of Operations, Altenburg Construction
Learn what to inspect in your hog barns, when to consider major repairs, and the costs associated with repairs, remodels, or replacements.

    Dr. Chris Rademacher, ISU Extension Swine Veterinarian
Best practices for composting in daily operations and emergency situations, such as foreign animal disease outbreaks.

    ISU Extension Agricultural Engineers
Strategies to improve barn ventilation, reduce ventilation-related costs, and enhance overall facility efficiency.

    Gracie Greiner Marlow, IPPA Sustainability Manager
Understanding the National Pork Board’s Pork Cares Farm Impact Reports and how they help producers track, measure, and monitor conservation efforts.

    ISU Extension Swine Specialists
Region-specific updates on industry issues and opportunities, provided by specialists serving each conference location.

Conference Schedule & Locations
Each session runs from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. Attendance is free, but preregistration is encouraged to ensure adequate materials and meals
    Monday, Feb. 24 – Orange City - Sioux County Extension Office, 400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700
    Tuesday, Feb. 25 – Nashua - Borlaug Learning Center, 3327 290th St.
    Wednesday, Feb. 26 – Algona - ILCC Tietz Entrepreneurial Center, 2111 Hwy. 169 N.
    Thursday, Feb. 27 – Washington - Washington County Extension Office, 2223 250th St.

Check-in begins 30 minutes before each session.

Can’t attend in person? The Feb. 27 session will be recorded and made available on the IPPA website after the conference.

Join us for these informative sessions designed to help pork producers stay ahead in a constantly evolving industry!



IDALS Launches the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant program. Small-scale meat processors and custom lockers are encouraged to submit proposals to expand meat processing capacity within Iowa. This grant is part of Choose Iowa, the state’s branding and marketing program designed to identify and promote Iowa grown, raised and made ag products. The grant is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

“Iowa’s small-scale meat processors and custom lockers are important to our livestock industry and the vitality of our rural communities,” said Secretary Naig. “Through our new Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant Program, we are helping these small businesses upgrade and expand their processing capacity to better serve our farmers and ensure consumers have more fresh and local options.”

The Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant replaces a previous program, created in 2021, that was administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The Legislature authorized this new Choose Iowa grant program during the 2024 legislative session and allocated nearly $250,000 for the first year.

Proposed projects should support job creation and expanding meat processing capacity within Iowa. Grants are intended for smaller-scale facilities, and awarded projects should create processing, storage and meat transportation efficiencies. Eligible projects, for example, may include the purchase and installation of equipment used in the processing or storage of meat products, including refrigerators, freezers, meat processing equipment, packaging equipment, mobile harvest units and more. Grant dollars may also be used to restructure existing facilities to increase efficiency or aid in the construction of a new or expanded facility.

“The Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant is essential for upholding the tradition of butchery and empowering small, independent businesses to flourish,” said Shelly Tiefenthaler, President of the Iowa Meat Processors Association and co-owner of Tiefenthaler Custom Meats in Holstein. “It also plays a key role in supporting local food systems and encouraging sustainability within the meat industry.”

Awardees are eligible to receive up to $100,000. Applicants must provide at least a one-to-one financial match. Grant funds are paid out as a reimbursement after the project is completed. The project cannot be in progress before a grant is awarded and must be able to be completed within 12 months. Full details including financial matching requirements, application, eligibility, and scoring criteria are available on the Choose Iowa website.

Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Services (CIRAS) will provide free reviews of Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation project plans. Although not required, those that have their plans reviewed by CIRAS will receive bonus points in the scoring process. Plans for review by CIRAS must be submitted directly to CIRAS at ciras.grants@iastate.edu by February 21. Choose Iowa grant applicants should submit both their original project plan and the revised plan with their application.

Final applications should be submitted through the online portal on the Choose Iowa website by 12 p.m./CT on March 31, 2025. Grant recipients will be announced in May 2025. Projects must be completed between May 2025 and June 2026.

The Choose Iowa program was initiated by Secretary Naig and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Questions about the Butchery Innovation Grant or the Choose Iowa marketing program and member benefits may be emailed to chooseiowagrant@iowaagriculture.gov.



Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 521 million bushels in December 2024. Total corn consumption was up slightly from November 2024 but down 2 percent from December 2023. December 2024 usage included 92.8 percent for alcohol and 7.2 percent for other purposes. Corn consumed for beverage alcohol totaled 3.18 million bushels, down 18 percent from November 2024 and down 16 percent from December 2023. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 473 million bushels, was up less than 1 percent from November 2024 but down 2 percent from December 2023. Corn consumed in December 2024 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 92.0 percent and 8.0 percent, respectively.

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 6.53 million tons (218 million bushels) in December 2024, compared with 6.30 million tons (210 million bushels) in November 2024 and 6.13 million tons (204 million bushels) in December 2023. Crude oil produced was 2.57 billion pounds, up 3 percent from November 2024 and up 8 percent from December 2023. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.92 billion pounds during December 2024 increased 5 percent from November 2024 and increased 12 percent from December 2023.

Flour Milling Products
All wheat ground for flour during the fourth quarter 2024 was 231 million bushels, down 1 percent from the third quarter 2024 grind of 232 million bushels but up 2 percent from the fourth quarter 2023 grind of 227 million bushels. Fourth quarter 2024 total flour production was 107 million hundredweight, down less than 1 percent from the third quarter 2024 but up 2 percent from the fourth quarter 2023. Whole wheat flour production at 4.55 million hundredweight during the fourth quarter 2024 accounted for 4 percent of the total flour production. Millfeed production from wheat in the fourth quarter 2024 was 1.64 million tons. The daily 24-hour milling capacity of wheat flour during the fourth quarter 2024 was 1.60 million hundredweight.



Trump Names Nominees to Fill Key USDA Positions
 
President Trump has made several picks to fill key roles in USDA, including Stephen Vaden to be deputy secretary of Agriculture. Vaden was USDA’s general counsel in the first Trump administration. He currently serves as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade.
 
Here are the four – of eight – USDA undersecretaries recently named by Trump:

•    Michael Boren as undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, which principally includes the U.S. Forest Service. A businessman, Boren served as a volunteer fireman for Sawtooth Valley (Idaho) Rural Fire Department and a board member of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

•    Richard Fordyce as under secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, which includes the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Risk Management Agency. A Missouri farmer and former director of the state’s agriculture department, Fordyce was administrator of the Farm Service Agency during the first Trump administration.

•    Dudley Hoskins as undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Hoskins currently is counsel on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and previously was chief of staff for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and senior adviser to then-Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in the first Trump administration.

•    Luke Lindberg as undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs. Lindberg currently serves as South Dakota Trade president and CEO and was chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the U.S. Export-Import Bank during Trump’s first term.



Senate Ag Committee Advances Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture

Monday, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry voted unanimously to advance Brooke Rollins to be the Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins will now be considered by the full United States Senate. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule provided the following statement in response.  

“Brooke Rollins will be an outstanding Secretary of Agriculture. Mrs. Rollins is deeply committed to advocating for our countries’ producers and understands the needs of rural America. NAWG encourages the Senate to move quickly to get her confirmed as soon as possible.”



Ranking Member Angie Craig Statement on Hostile Takeover of USAID, Disruption of U.S. International Food Programs

Monday, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig released the following statement regarding the unelected billionaire Elon Musk’s barrage of attacks on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“U.S.-run international food assistance programs provide critical business for American farmers and the entire agricultural supply chain. There are currently over 550 million metric tons of food – worth over $340 million – that were expected to be provided by America’s farmers which is now either in limbo or stuck at U.S. export ports, unable to be delivered. The uncertainty caused by Elon Musk’s attacks on USAID hurts the rural economy and damages the proud heritage of American farmers feeding the world. I’ll keep standing up to anyone who doesn’t have our farmers’ best interests at heart.”

Background
The Food for Peace, Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole programs play a critical role in supporting our agricultural economy. Dismantling these critical programs will erode the rural economy and the infrastructure that supports it. With funding freezes, employees furloughed at USAID and a lack of leadership at USDA, future commodity sales for U.S. international food aid programs are now in doubt. This uncertainty will start to stall rail car movements, back up our export ports and tie up ships headed towards their destinations with food that can’t be delivered, risking the spoilage of tons of commodities here and abroad. Markets where U.S.-grown commodities once had a steady presence now look shaky.

Food for Peace is the United States’ flagship program for providing international food assistance. America’s farmers are the bedrock of this program. In 2022 alone, American farmers provided over 4 billion pounds of American-grown grains, soybeans, lentils, rice, and other commodity staples to the Food for Peace program. That food fed nearly 60 million hungry people in developing countries.



USDA Announces February 2025 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2025, which are effective Feb. 3, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.               

Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans       
FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.      

Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for February 2025 are as follows:       
    Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.125%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.500%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.500%  
    Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.500%
    Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.       

Commodity and Storage Facility Loans     
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.   
    Commodity Loans(less than one year disbursed):5.250%  
    Farm Storage Facility Loans:  
    Three-year loan terms: 4.375%
    Five-year loan terms: 4.500%
    Seven-year loan terms: 4.500%
    Ten-year loan terms: 4.625%
    Twelve-year loan terms: 4.750%
    Sugar Storage Facility Loans(15 years): 4.875%         

More Information
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.

FSA helps America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs for all Americans. FSA implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.



Cattle Inventory Report
Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, South Dakota State University

The latest USDA-NASS Cattle report affirmed tighter U.S. cattle supplies. As of January 1, 2025, there were 86.7 million head of cattle in the U.S. Breakdowns by categories were generally lower by the same percentage as the overall total. Beef cows were lower, while milk cows were steady. All heifer types were lower as were all steer and bull categories. The only category that was outside of expectations was the calf crop, which was only lower by about 35,000 head from the total for 2023. Trade expectations could have been hindered without July 1 estimates. Higher calf prices may also have given producers an incentive to not cull open cows as quickly this past year, leading to a slightly better aggregate calf crop.

The breakdowns across states suggest some minor adjustments have occurred. Note that more states with lower inventory levels are being lumped together under other states. Among states with higher inventory levels, the total cattle inventory was up more in Texas and down more in Kansas and Nebraska. States around and including Colorado generally have lower inventory levels. For beef cows, the inventory was higher in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Montana. The inventory was lower in Nebraska and South Dakota. No state had a noticeable increase in beef replacement heifers. In Texas, the volume was sharply lower. There were fewer cattle grazing wheat pastures in the southern plains. Drought conditions are intensifying in and around Wyoming and along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. That will be an aspect to monitor but would not likely be reflected yet in inventory adjustments.

The total cattle on feed for all feedlot sizes, at 14.3 million head, is down slightly from a year ago. The percentage decrease is like the decline in large feedlots from the January Cattle on Feed report. Starting with that report, Minnesota is lumped in with other states. That leaves Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota as states with relatively large inventory levels in large and small feedlots. Backing out the totals by lot sizes, there were more cattle on feed in small lots in Iowa and South Dakota compared to the year before. In contrast, in Nebraska the total in small lots was 70,000 head lower than the year before.

The residual calculation of feeder cattle outside of feedlots at 14.3 million head, is down from the year earlier. Thus, potential feedlot placements remain tight even with the stronger than expected calf crop. The beef replacement total, being smaller again also, continues to point to further delay in any expansion of the U.S. breeding herd. The feed situation had been improving but now drought conditions are expanding into cattle inventory areas. The take-away story remains that expansion is not yet occurring, and tight supplies will remain supportive of prices.