Monday April 21 Ag News

 Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation Seeking Applicants for Scholarship

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is inviting applications for the Nebraska Rural Radio Foundation Scholarship in honor of Max and Eric Brown. This funding is designed to assist agricultural producers and rural residents of Nebraska who are undergoing transitions, helping them to sustain their livelihoods, contribute to their communities, and foster positive change in rural areas.

Apply by May 1 here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/79bbd89d804949bca6039167b812a35a.

Qualified applicants shall:
• Be 25 years old or older
• Be legal residents of the United States
• Show demonstrated commitment to the future of the industry of agriculture and rural communities in Nebraska
• Be enrolled in post-secondary education institution in Nebraska including, but not limited to, college/university; community college; vocational, technical, or trade school

PREFERENCE shall be given to applicants:
• Pursuing first undergraduate degree or technical training
• Pursuing education directly related to Nebraska agriculture
• Pursuing education related to rural healthcare

Awards are up to $2,500 per recipient. The scholarship aims to support educational opportunities for agricultural producers and rural Nebraskans who are facing transition, to enable them to continue to live, work, and make a positive impact in their rural communities.



Bacon Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Support Youth Leadership Organizations

Washington - Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) along Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Don Davis (D-NC-01), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX-15), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01),Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19),  Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), and David Valadao (R-CA-22) last week introduced the bipartisan Youth Lead Act.

This bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to support the operations of Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and the Scouts. These are preeminent youth leadership organizations in the United States with approximately eight million youth taking part. Participation in these organizations helps children make lifelong friendships and learn leadership and life skills.  The grant program authorizes $5 million annually from 2024 to 2028.

 “Every year I meet with youth involved in FFA, 4-H, and Scouts,” said Rep. Bacon. “They are always impressive and possess a strong work ethic, valuable life skills, and a commitment to teamwork. Ensuring our youth can participate in these great organizations helps to secure our country’s future leadership in agriculture and numerous other industries.”



CAP Webinar: USDA NRCS Programs and Details
Apr 24, 2025 12:00 PM
Robert Lawson, State Conservationist, Nebraska NRCS State Office;
Conor Ward, Assistant State Conservationist – Partnerships, Nebraska NRCS State Office
Brad Lubben, Agricultural Policy Specialist, UNL

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial assistance programs and conservation planning technical assistance to agricultural producers and landowners as they protect natural resources while feeding a growing world. This webinar will offer an update from NRCS and cover the status of and participation/benefit information related to financial assistance programs like: EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program), RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program), and ACEP (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program).

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.



CAP Webinar: Nebraska Farm Service Agency Program Updates for Ag Producers
May 8, 2025 12:00 PM
Pat Lechner, Price Support, Conservation and Environmental Programs Chief, Nebraska FSA
Kelli Woita, Farm Loan Program Specialist, Nebraska FSA State Office
Brad Lubben, Extension Agricultural Policy Specialist, UNL

With Spring getting into full swing and drought an ongoing reality, Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is busy assisting its farmer/rancher customers. This webinar will provide an update on FSA activities, including Spring acreage certification, an update on the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), a drought assistance programs overview, and a conversation about FSA farm loans in a challenging agricultural economic climate.

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.



Agricultural Land Management Quarterly
May 19, 2025 12:00 PM
Jim Jansen and Anastasia Meyer, Agricultural Economists, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Offered since 2019, the quarterly webinars address common management issues for Nebraska landowners, agricultural operators, and related stakeholders interested in the latest insight on trends in real estate, managing agricultural land and solutions for addressing challenges in the upcoming growing season.

The May 2025 webinar will cover trends in Nebraska cash rental rates for 2025, including financial implications of changing commodity prices and adjusting cash rents. Proper communication between landlords and tenants will be discussed, along with decision-making considerations for managing land.

Submit questions ahead of time at cap.unl.edu/landmanagement

Miss the live webinar or want to review it again? Recordings are available — typically within 24 hours of the live webinar — in the archive section of the Center for Agricultural Profitability's webinar page, https://cap.unl.edu/webinars.



DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY LAB TO SUPPORT LI’S RESEARCH ON BIOENERGY CROPS

The U.S. Department of Energy has named University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientist Huang Li as one of 30 “New Investigators” who will receive support to pursue genomic research relating to the bioeconomy.

The department’s Joint Genome Institute promotes research to improve energy crops, produce bioproducts, break down waste and keep biomes healthy. Each year, the institute designates a set of “New Investigators,” principal investigators who have not previously led projects supported by the institute’s Community Science Program.

The initiative “allows us to work and share our tools with a widening circle of researchers whose work aligns with DOE missions,” the institute said in announcing the scientists selected. “Utilizing the JGI’s resources, these researchers will investigate a diverse array of projects.”

“It is great to represent UNL and join colleagues around the globe in this cohort,” said Li, research assistant professor of biochemistry and Heuermann Research Fellow who works collaboratively at the university’s Center for Plant Science Innovation.

Li’s research with the Joint Genome Institute will analyze how modified green algae and oilseed crops differ in gene expression level and network. The collaborative project will aim to identify promising targets and components to improve respiration and energy efficiency at the cellular level.

The findings could lead to breakthroughs in optimizing biofuel crops, increasing their growth rate and yields while reducing energy loss and resource inputs.

Li’s research for the project is built upon the work of plant evolutionary genomics in the lab of Jeff Mower, professor of agronomy and horticulture, and closely related to a paper they and collaborators published in 2024 in Nature Communications. The publication described the story of a mitochondrial pathway switch in plant and algal species, with insights into evolutionary adaption that could inform crop improvement.

Those basic findings have the potential to help plants redirect biochemical energy to growth and increased yield via gene editing and crop breeding. As a result, crops such as camelina, corn and soybeans could recover more quickly from stress, maintain higher yields and use less fertilizer.

The Joint Genome Institute is a state-of-the-art genomics facility pursuing innovation for biotechnology and biomanufacturing. By providing high-throughput platforms, expert domain knowledge and integrative solutions, the institute offers investigators strategies specifically suited to research specialties in bioeconomy fields.



NEBRASKA 2024 HEMP ACREAGE
Industrial hemp grown under protection in Nebraska in 2024 totaled 11,216 square feet, down from 14,610 square feet in 2023, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

National Hemp Report
All industrial hemp: In 2024, the value of hemp production in the open and under protection for the United States totaled $445 million, up 40 percent from 2023.

Industrial hemp in the open: Planted area for the Nation in 2024 for all utilizations totaled 45,294 acres, up 64 percent from 2023. The value of hemp production in the open for the United States totaled $417 million, up 46 percent from last year. Area harvested for all purposes in the open totaled 32,694 acres, up 55 percent from 2023.



I-29 Moo University Forage Webinar Series Begins May 1

The I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association have joined forces to continue the annual Forage Webinar Series from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on May 1. A variety of forage topics will be discussed, including a spring forage climate outlook, a forage market outlook and a discussion on interseeding with summer annuals.

Attendees will hear from nationally recognized leaders on their topics:Dairy cattle
    Madelynn Wuestenberg is an agricultural climatologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, dedicated to enhancing climate resilience in Iowa’s agriculture and food systems. She will analyze the most recent climate outlooks and where to find reliable weather information.
    Paul McGill is the owner and manger of Rack Valley Hay Auction. He will share his insights on where the hay market is headed and what the season looks like from his perspective.
    Shelby Gruss is the Iowa State extension forage specialist and has a strong interest in forage cover crops. Her presentation will explore the opportunity to extend the productivity of a declining alfalfa stand by interseeding a summer annual. Gruss will cover how to assess stand health to determine if supplemental forage is needed and outline practical strategies for successful integration and management.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/SPRINGFORAGE25

For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Madison Kovarna, 605-688-4116.



I-29 Moo University Webinar May 8 to Focus on Vaccine for Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, May 8 from 12 to 1 p.m. CDT. Alan Young will discuss avian influenza vaccine development.

Young founded VST/Medgene Labs to assist in the translation of early-stage technologies to the marketplace and develop new vaccine and diagnostic tools for human and veterinary medicine. He is a professor at South Dakota State Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory and chief technology officer for Medgene Labs.

Webinar attendees will learn how Medgene’s platform is being applied toward a vaccine for avian influenza in dairy cattle.

There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at https://go.iastate.edu/VACCINE.

 For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Madison Kovarna, 605-688-4116.



Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan Workshop Helps Protect Flocks from Disease

Sheep producers are invited to attend Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan Workshop on May 9.

Sheep producers will learn how to best protect their flocks from disease and prepare for the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. Attendees will also hear from guest speaker Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle of Preventalytics and receive a tour of the Iowa State Sheep Teaching Farm.

“Stopping disease transmission from farm to farm and animal to animal is the first step in protecting your sheep from diseases. Each producer can create a plan tailored to their operation and how they conduct daily management and business continuity," commented Carolyn Ihde, small ruminant outreach specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.  

Attendees will also learn about:
    Preventing common diseases from spreading to sheep
    Understanding what to expect if foot-and-mouth disease is diagnosed in the U.S.
    Preparing for business continuity
    Learning options for implementing biosecurity measures on sheep
    Creating a map with lines of separation

The workshop will be offered at the Iowa State Sheep Teaching Farm pavilion, located at 3726 520th Ave. in Ames, from 1-5 p.m. There is no cost to attend.

Registration is available online for the workshop https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8oNI9eKSh7BDYjpcgZqbeFJdZiEBqN2siMqGBNI4T34Nk6g/viewform?pli=1, or those interested can contact Carolyn Ihde at cihde@iastate.edu with questions.

"Don't miss this opportunity to safeguard your flock and ensure business continuity in the event of a disease outbreak," Ihde said.

This training is made possible, in part, by a USDA NADPRP Grant to the American Sheep Industry Association. Attendees will gain valuable information, hands-on experience and a binder containing all resources from the SSWS website.



USTR’s Final Actions on 301 Shipbuilding an Improvement, NCGA Says

The Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday released final actions related to Section 301 fees on Chinese-made vessels arriving at American ports, making significant changes from the initial proposed actions. The development comes after the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) called for USTR to consider the impacts that the fees would have on farmers and provided suggestions for improvement.

While direct impacts on agriculture are still being determined, the final proposal is a step in the right direction to mitigate impacts on shipments of commodities, which directly impact corn growers, say agricultural leaders.

“Our concern all along has been that any fees placed on Chinese vessels could be passed on to American farmers who rely on those ships to export corn,” said NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “While we are still working to understand how this new version will impact the corn industry, we believe this final action is more workable than the initial proposal.”

NCGA estimated that the original proposal could have cost corn growers as much as $0.64 per bushel, which translates to 14% higher costs from current price levels. The added cost had the potential to reduce U.S. corn exports and impede market access.

Instead, the released action specifies that fees will be assessed on Chinese vessel operators and Chinese-built ships per voyage, not per port call, as was originally proposed. Additionally, fees cannot be imposed more than five times per year. And short voyages, vessels arriving empty, and vessels carrying less than 50,000 tons will be exempt from the fees.

The action will occur in two phases to allow businesses to adjust, and for the first 180 days, applicable fees will be set at zero.

The restrictions are an outgrowth of the Trump administration’s efforts to address a report showing China has given its shipbuilding and maritime industry an unfair advantage through financial support, barriers for foreign firms, intellectual property theft, procurement policies and forced technology transfers.

To address the issue, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a proposal in March to place fees and other restrictions on Chinese vessels.



U.S. Grains Council Reacts To USTR Action On Maritime Shipping

Last week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its notice of action and proposed action in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. The notice included targeted coverage that will allow most U.S. grain and co-product exports to continue without added costs on Chinese built, but not Chinese operated, bulk vessels.

“This decision, resulting from a year-long investigation and a bipartisan hearing, was made with the best interests of U.S. grain producers in mind and the Council thanks the USTR for moving to protect U.S. exporters and their trading partners abroad,” said Ryan LeGrand, USGC president and CEO.

“The Council has been in close contact with the USTR offering the perspective of the grain industry and stressing the importance of exports. I’m thankful the USTR requested feedback from key constituencies to formulate a better policy for everyone who will be impacted by the decision.”

These actions are intended to increase production of U.S.-built ships to stimulate domestic manufacturing while protecting U.S. importers and exporters from future risk by ensuring a strong, independent logistical network.

The Council will continue to work with the USTR on behalf of its members to advocate for the financial health of the U.S. agricultural industry through fair and dependable international trade relationships.