Wednesday February 19 Ag News

Nebraska Benefits from Precipitation Recycling . . .
NeFB Newsletter

More than 30 years ago, an eastern Nebraska, dryland farmer said he benefitted from irrigation in central and western Nebraska because the added humidity resulted in more precipitation on his fields. His comment was met with a bit of skepticism. But now science shows he was on to something. A study co-authored by scientists at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain found that corn production and irrigation in the U.S. Corn Belt, along with the influence of the area’s shallow groundwater, have altered precipitation patterns in the region. According to the study, irrigated corn production increases the region’s “precipitation recycling” which provides a boost to rainfall during the growing season.

Precipitation recycling is when evapotranspiration (ET) from the land surface contributes to precipitation within the same region. The precipitation recycling ratio is the fraction of precipitation that falls from local ET processes. In this case, the local processes are corn production, irrigation, and shallow groundwater. Precipitation recycling varies over time but typically peaks in summer months with the maturing of the crop.

Using computer modeling, the scientists found the recycling ratio in the U.S. corn belt was 18% during the summer growing season. They estimate the ratio would be just 14% without crop production. According to the scientists, the “combination of shallow groundwater that fed moisture to the surface, leafy corn plants that released moisture to the atmosphere, and evaporation from irrigation systems” boosted the recycling ratio almost 30%. The effect was most pronounced in dry years when little moisture arrives from other regions.

The scientists’ believe the study “underscores the critical role of groundwater hydrology and agricultural management in altering the regional water cycle, with important implications for regional climate predictions and food and water security.” The findings are also a reminder that management actions can have implications beyond the immediate areas where they are taken. For example, could irrigation restrictions in western Nebraska have implications for dryland farmers in the east? The study suggests they might.



U.S. Ag Imports Outpace Exports . . .
NeFB - Ag Economic Tidbits

U.S. imports of agricultural goods outpaced exports by $37 billion in 2024, meaning the U.S. ran a trade deficit in agricultural goods for the third consecutive year. Exports last year rose to $176 billion, a 1% gain, but imports grew even more, rising 9% to $212 billion. The export value of red meats (beef, pork, and lamb) and corn saw growth, increasing 5% and 9%, respectively. Both rebounded from declines in 2023. According to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) beef exports increased 5% to $10.45 billion while pork exports surged 6% to hit a record $8.63 billion. The values of other Nebraska export products were down. Wheat exports were down 2%, animal feed and oil meal was off 10%, and soybeans were off 12%.

The volume of agricultural exports was up as well in 2024, surging 21% following a 17% drop in 2023. Corn exports led the way, rising 37%, wheat was up 22%, and soybeans were up 7%. Pork tonnage was up 4% while beef tonnage was down 0.05%. Karen Braun of Reuters reported export volumes shipped to Japan and South Korea saw significant growth last year, up 43% and 107%, respectively. Braun also noted exports to Mexico and Columbia were up 29% and 20%, respectively, over previous highs. Lower priced U.S. commodities were cited as the reason for the growth.  

The U.S. historically hasn’t ran trade deficits in agricultural goods, but trade deficits are neither inherently good nor bad. It is simply an accounting of the flow of goods between one country and the rest of the world. To a large extent, U.S. trade in agriculture with other nations is complimentary. The U.S. sells beef, corn, and soybeans to the rest of the world while importing coffee, wine and liquor, vegetables, and fruits.

USDA projections for 2025 are mixed. The value of livestock, corn, and sorghum exports is projected to be higher. The value of wheat, feed, and soybeans is projected to be lower. Agriculture imports are likely to grow given continued strength of the U.S. economy. Of course, another spat of higher tariffs could change the outlook quickly.



ANNUAL NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS

Nebraska egg production during the year ending November 30, 2024 totaled 2.52 billion eggs, up 13% from 2023.

Nebraska's layer numbers during 2024 averaged 8.45 million, up 13% from 2023, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2024 was 298 eggs, unchanged from 2023.

Total number of chickens on hand on December 1, 2024 (excluding commercial broilers) was 10.8 million birds, up 2% from last year.

The total value of all chickens in Nebraska on December 1, 2024 was $74.2 million, up 28% from December 1, 2023. The average value increased from $5.50 per bird on December 1, 2023, to $6.90 per bird on December 1, 2024.

Iowa Chickens & Eggs
Egg production during 2024 was 13.4 billion eggs, up slightly from the previous year.

The average number of all layers on hand in Iowa during 2024 was 43.8 million, down 2 percent from the previous year, according to the Chickens and Eggs – 2024 Summary from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Eggs per layer for 2024 was 307, up 2 percent from 2023.

Total inventory of all chickens (excluding commercial broilers) on December 1, 2024, was 57.2 million birds, up 4 percent from the previous year.

The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2024, was 229 million dollars, up 12 percent from December 1, 2023.

Chickens and Eggs 2024 Summary
United States Egg Production Down 1 Percent: Egg production during the year ending November 30, 2024 totaled 109 billion eggs, down 1 percent from 2023. Table egg production, at 93.1 billion eggs, was down 1 percent from the previous year. Hatching egg production, at 15.4 billion eggs, was down slightly from 2023.

United States Average Layers Down 2 Percent: Layers during 2024 averaged 375 million, down 2 percent from the year earlier. The annual average production per layer on hand in 2024 was 290 eggs, up 1 percent from 2023.

United States December 1 Chicken Inventory: The total inventory of chickens on hand on December 1, 2024 (excluding commercial broilers) was 514 million birds, down 2 percent from last year.

United States Total Value: The total value of all chickens on December 1, 2024 was $4.13 billion, up 8 percent from December 1, 2023. The average value increased from $7.31 per bird on December 1, 2023, to $8.05 per bird on December 1, 2024.



Iowa Pork Producers Combat Hunger
    
Iowa pork producers are stepping up once again this year to fight food insecurity with the return of Pork in the Pantry. In 2024, pork producers across the state donated more than $45,000 worth of pork to local food pantries, providing an estimated 60,000 servings of protein to Iowans in need.

Organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), Pork in the Pantry offers up to $1,000 in funding per county pork producer organization to purchase and donate pork to local food pantries. Counties handle the purchasing and donations, and IPPA reimburses them, making it easy to give back.

“Food insecurity continues to be a serious challenge in Iowa, but through Pork in the Pantry, we’re making a tangible impact in our communities,” said Aaron Juergens, a pig farmer from Carroll who serves as the IPPA president. “Pork producers are deeply committed to giving back, and this program is a powerful way for us to provide nutritious, high-quality protein to those who need it most."

Not only does Pork in the Pantry help those in need, but county organizations also source their pork locally, supporting both food pantries and local businesses. Food banks frequently run low on meat products, so this program ensures that food-insecure Iowans receive much-needed, high-quality protein.

Last year’s success was made possible by 39 county pork producer organizations, and we’re hoping for even more participation this year. Any county pork producer organization that wants to make a difference in 2025, is invited to join us in Pork in the Pantry and help get nutritious pork to those who need it most.

Donations to food pantries will go through March 23. For more details on how to participate, visit IowaPork.org.



No increase in dust explosion incidents last year, decrease in injuries

Nine U.S. grain dust explosions in 2024 caused two injuries and no fatalities, according to a nationwide annual summary.

These numbers are similar to last year’s (nine explosions, 12 injuries and no fatalities) and on-par with the 10-year national average of 8.6 explosions.

“Considering the reduced number of injuries, the grain dust explosions are of low magnitude. But look at the damage it can cause to the facility in terms of downtime, repair costs and litigations,” said Kingsly Ambrose, Purdue University professor of agricultural and biological engineering and the report’s author.

The explosions occurred in four feed mills, three grain elevators, one ethanol plant and one corn processing plant.  

The probable ignition sources were identified in two cases as smoldering grain, two as equipment malfunction, one as welding work and one as cutting work. Three ignition sources were unknown.  

Grain dust, which caused six explosions, was the most common fuel source. Other fuel sources included smoldering grain and smoldering feed.

Nine states had one explosion each: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Ambrose said work to prevent explosions can start before harvest.

“Keep your equipment in good, working condition, and do preventative maintenance before the start of harvest or handling season,” Ambrose said. “Check for repairs so you don't have any accidents. For example, belt misalignment in a bucket elevator can lead to friction, heat generation and an increased risk of dust explosion.”

In 2024, two explosions originated from smoldering grain. Once grain is harvested, Ambrose urges people to pay close attention to the conditions the grain is kept in. Improper aeration leads to fungal growth, which causes grain and feed to smolder, increasing the risk of igniting dust in the grain bins.

“Dust is no good, both for dust explosions and for human health,” Ambrose said. “Housekeeping is very important. Keep the place clean. Make sure there is no visible settled dust or suspended dust in the air.”



Boosting Ethanol Can Again Help Avert Farm Crisis

In his annual address on the state of the U.S. ethanol industry, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper highlighted the industry’s pivotal role in American agriculture and outlined how ethanol can once again help the farm sector thrive in the face of current economic challenges—if the right actions are taken by a new Congress and White House.

Speaking at RFA’s 30th annual National Ethanol Conference, Cooper’s report not only reflected on the industry’s rich history but also looked toward the future under the leadership of President Trump and a new Congress.

“From the early days of ‘gasohol’ during the Carter administration to the transformative passage of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005, the ethanol industry has evolved into a cornerstone of both U.S. energy security and agricultural prosperity,” Cooper said. “The success of ethanol, driven by the RFS, has had a profound impact on American consumers and farmers alike, helping lower pump prices, enhance energy independence, and bolster rural communities.”

Since the RFS was adopted 20 years ago, the U.S. agriculture sector has enjoyed the most prosperous and successful period in its history, Cooper said. But as farm income has plummeted in recent years, the outlook for agriculture has grown more challenging and uncertain.

Looking ahead to 2025, RFA remains optimistic about the prospects for the ethanol industry and its ability to help improve the farm sector’s economic health. Key initiatives, including newly introduced legislation to secure year-round access to E15, offer hope for continued growth.

However, Cooper emphasized that the industry’s continued success depends on the actions of the new administration. Among the most pressing priorities are protecting and expanding the RFS, revisiting tailpipe emissions standards that force production of electric vehicles, and bringing more certainty and stability to biofuel tax credits and trade policies.

“By strengthening policies that support renewable fuels, we not only enhance energy security but also strengthen the rural communities that are the backbone of America’s economy,” Cooper stated. “Two decades ago, the RFS created a thriving market for renewable fuels, pulling family farmers from the brink of economic collapse and sparking the most prosperous era in American agriculture. As farmers now face new financial challenges, it is more critical than ever that we turn to ethanol once again to secure rural America’s future and our nation’s energy security. We’ve seen it work before, and with the right policies in place, it can work again.”



U.S. Soy Announces National NEXTILE Design Challenge Winners

What’s the next wave of sustainable fashion? The answer...soy-based textiles which are on the rise. To spur innovation in this space, U.S. Soy announces Clara Padgham from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the national winner of the NEXTILE: The Soy in Textile Design Challenge. In its second year, the NEXTILE competition is designed to highlight the creativity and originality of students studying design by encouraging the use of sustainable textiles, namely soy-based products.

his year’s competitors were provided with a soy-based product design kit, which included soy silk, soy cashmere, organic pigment, soy wax and other soy products. Participants then had three weeks to submit a textile that could be used in fashion, furniture, décor, or another outlined area for consideration.

Judges included representatives from design and textile industries, U.S. soybean farmers, and Qualified State Soybean Boards. They based their decision on several key areas, including originality, innovation, practicality, and execution.

“We saw another year of incredible talent in the NEXTILE Challenge,” said Carla Schultz, Michigan soybean farmer and United Soybean Board director, who served as a judge of the competition. “The students who participated really displayed creativity and innovation in their designs. It was exciting to see how their soy-based textiles could be utilized in the sustainable products market.”

Padgham’s winning design is a soy woven textile bucket hat which utilizes a number of soy-based components, including soy silk yarn. As the competition winner, Padgham will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

“Consumers value sustainability - they want to know their money is going to a purchase that is both eco-friendly and can last,” said Padgham. “The benefits of soy lend themselves very well to the summer hat I designed. It is a breathable textile, with moisture wicking abilities and low heat retention. Further, soy yarn is durable, creating a long-lasting product.”

Students from 21 universities, colleges, and institutes participated in this year’s competition. Brooke Cowan from Washington University-St. Louis was selected as this year’s runner-up. Cowan will receive a $500 scholarship for their Bio-vera™ clutch with accents.

U.S. Soy has long been a critical ingredient for product innovation, going all the way back to Henry Ford, who used soy-based paints, textile materials and plastics for automobile design. Soy is used in every industry. Farmers can find their products in the streets they drive on, the shoes they wear and the biofuels for their vehicles. The possibilities are endless. There are more than 1,000 soy-based products currently on the market – from tires and firefighting foam to fabrics and turf. You name an industry, and U.S. Soy is almost always an essential component.

U.S. soybean farmers and industry partners consistently push the limits of innovation to discover and deliver solutions to the most significant challenges our world faces, such as food security and climate change. NEXTILE was created to put sustainable soy materials into the hands of the brightest young minds in design to create the next generation of eco-friendly and biobased textile solutions.