Wednesday June 04 Ag News

 ALFALFA INSECT UPDATE 
- Samantha Daniel, NE Extension Educator 

As we approach the first cutting for alfalfa across the state of Nebraska, it is important to continue to monitor your fields for pest insect activity.

One of the most significant insect pests of alfalfa in Nebraska is alfalfa weevil. Plant injury from alfalfa weevil feeding damage appears as pinholes in the terminal leaves, with leaves becoming skeletonized as feeding severity increases. Larvae are 1.5mm to 8.5mm long with a black head, wrinkled green body, and white stripes along the back and sides and will curl into a C-shape when disturbed. Scouting for alfalfa weevil up to and even during the first cutting can help to mitigate economic losses. While you are actively cutting your alfalfa field, take some time to inspect your equipment for larvae. Threshold tables can be found on the CropWatch website.

Aphids are another insect pest of alfalfa, and while they are considered a secondary pest, populations sometimes surpass treatment guidelines. Heavily infested plants will be discolored and stunted. There are four species of aphid found in Nebraska alfalfa: pea aphid, cowpea aphid, blue alfalfa aphid, and spotted alfalfa aphid. Descriptions and species-specific thresholds can be found on the CropWatch website.

A variety of insecticides are labeled for alfalfa insect pest control, including pyrethroids and products containing indoxacarb (such as Steward). Pyrethroids are more harmful to natural enemies, while indoxacarb is more selective and may help to maintain beneficial insect populations. This can be especially important in fields with high aphid populations as they have a wide range of natural enemies including lady beetles, lacewings, and syrphid fly larvae. When alfalfa reaches 50% or more bud stage, it may be more profitable to cut the alfalfa early rather than treat it.



Smith, Feenstra Urge USTR to Improve Market Access for U.S. Agricultural Products in India

Last week, Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) led a letter to United States Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging improved market access for American agricultural exports – specifically U.S. ethanol, distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal (SBM) – in India. 

In their letter, the lawmakers wrote:

India has publicly expressed its willingness to proceed in high-volume agricultural trade negotiations with the U.S., increasing demand for American farmers. The long-term demand opportunity for DDGS alone could be two million metric tons per year valued at $500 million, which would turn into the second largest export market (behind Mexico). For ethanol, India is already our 3rd largest export destination at 170 million gallons valued at $393 million, however further reducing existing market barriers would allow for over $400 million of additional exports. We are encouraged that the United States and India have been making rapid progress so far in negotiations on reciprocal trade, and are hopeful that farmers throughout the United States can benefit from results in the near future related to exports to India of DDGS and SBM, which comply with its strict non-GMO import restrictions.

President Trump’s America First agenda includes increasing exports of U.S. agriculture products to reduce the trade deficit. Each year, American farmers continue to increase yield per acre with fewer inputs. Since 2010, corn and soybean production have increased by 20 percent and 31 percent, respectively. Unfortunately, commodity prices have dropped by over 30 percent in the past three years, intensifying the need to expand export markets to keep up with increasing supplies. We believe U.S. Ethanol, DDGS, and SBM exports to India represents an easy win for American farmers and will be a terrific way to begin addressing the federal trade deficit through mutually beneficial trade with India.

The letter is supported by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, and the Iowa Soybean Association.

This comes as historic advances are made in negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with India, the framework of which was announced by Vice President J.D. Vance and USTR in April. Further, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is slated to travel to India, among other countries, this year in efforts to continue discussions to open new markets for agricultural exports.

Additional members who signed the letter include: Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Tony Wied (R-WI), Don Bacon (R-NE), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Mike Flood (R-NE), Ron Estes (R-KS), Mike Carey (R-OH), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Max Miller (R-OH), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Brad Finstad (R-MN), and Mark Messmer (R-IN) 



Iowa Beef Summer Coloring Contest

School is out for summer! What better way to kick off the season of sunshine, baseball games, and backyard BBQs than with a fun, beef-inspired activity for the kids? 

Between T-ball games, grilling your favorite beef recipe, and prepping those last-minute county fair projects, you may be searching for something relaxing and easy to keep your children entertained. We’ve got you covered! 

The Iowa Beef Industry Council is excited to launch a summer coloring contest—a perfect opportunity for your child to get creative while celebrating Iowa’s beef industry. 
How to Enter:

Joining the fun is simple!
    Download the coloring page from our website https://www.iabeef.org/Media/IABeef2018/Images/coloringpage.jpg. 
    Let your child color their masterpiece using crayons, markers, or colored pencils. 
    Upload a high-quality photo of their finished artwork using the form provided online https://www.iabeef.org/events/kids-coloring-contest. 

This contest is open to children ages 2 through 8, winners will be selected in age-appropriate groups. One winner from each group will receive a $50 beef certificate and a beef swag item just right for their age. 

Moo-re Fun For All Ages:
Keep the beefy fun going all summer long with more activities and resource:
-->    Kid-Friendly Educational Resources https://www.iabeef.org/education/iowa-resources
    Make sure your kids know where their food comes from with these engaging educational resources.
-->    Beef Coloring Book https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/Media/BIWFD/Docs/biwfd-coloring-book.pdf
    Don’t let the end of the coloring contest be the end of their creativity-- download our full beef-themed coloring book!
-->    Kid-Inspired Beef Recipes https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipes/collection/10058/kid-friendly-fare
    Tired of preparing the same meals? Try something the whole family will love. Even the pickiest of eaters will love these!

Let’s color our way into summer—with beef!



DMC Margin Drops $1.13/cwt in April, Mostly on Lower Milk Price

The monthly DMC margin fell $1.13 cwt in April to $10.42/cwt of milk on a lower all-milk price.

The DMC feed cost calculation rose $0.13/cwt of milk from March to April, mostly on a higher premium alfalfa hay price, as smaller corn and soybean meal price changes were nearly offsetting on a milk equivalent basis. The all-milk price was down $1/cwt to $21/cwt.

The DMC Decision Tool on the USDA Farm Service Agency website projects the April margin as the lowest for 2025. It shows monthly margins rising steadily from there to top out at $13.92/cwt in November.



NMPF Applauds Senate Committee for Advancing Whole Milk Bill 

The National Milk Producers Federation applauded the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for supporting by voice vote the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a vital piece of legislation for increasing student milk consumption and nutrition access. 

The bill’s markup today is a critical step in passing this bipartisan legislation, which has already been approved at the House committee level.   

“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is about making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said. “We’re grateful that this common-sense legislation has received such strong support from both sides of the aisle. We commend Senators Marshall and Welch for authoring this bill in the Senate and advocating passionately for its passage, as well as Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar for their bipartisan leadership in moving the bill through committee. Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will allow more schoolkids to access essential nutrients in their diets, and that’s something everyone can get behind.”  

This bill, if signed into law, would provide schools with the option of serving whole and 2% milk. Whole and 2% milk are the most consumed varieties at home, more satiating than lower fat varieties and offer the same 13 essential nutrients including protein, calcium and vitamin D.  Currently, school meal rules in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options.  

The bill is sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, Peter Welch, D-VT, Dave McCormick, R-PA, and John Fetterman, D-PA. In addition, Chairman John Boozman, R-AR and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, both strongly supported the bill as did many other committee members from both parties.  

The House of Representatives is considering similar legislation led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-WA. The House bill was approved by the House Education & the Workforce Committee with bipartisan support Feb. 12, and it now awaits floor action. The full House passed a similar bill in 2023, but that year’s session expired before Senate approval.  

With today’s successful committee vote, the next step is floor action in both the House and the Senate. NMPF has a call to action on its website urging dairy advocates to speak up on the bill.  



Farm Bureau Encourages Broader Access to Nutritious Milk in Schools

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.

“Farm Bureau appreciates the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup and passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This bipartisan legislation will allow schools to offer additional nutritious milk varieties to students. Whole and 2% milk, as well as flavored options, are wholesome choices for children and an important building block for a healthy, balanced diet.

"By offering milk options that align with both modern nutritional research and student preferences, schools can increase milk intake at a critical time, knowing nearly 90% of Americans don’t consume enough dairy.

“We’re grateful to Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) for their leadership in introducing this bill in the Senate, as well as Representatives Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pa.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) for introducing the House version.”

The House version of the bill passed out of the Education and Workforce Committee in February by a 24-10 vote and awaits further action in both chambers. AFBF shared its support for the bill in a letter sent to Congress.

“We encourage leadership in both the House and Senate to act quickly in bringing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to the floor so that America’s students can choose the most nutritious option with their school meals.”



Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative celebrates Senate Committee passage of Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country based on milk volume, celebrates the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (S. 222) through the Senate Agriculture Committee with strong bipartisan support.

The bill expands the milk and beverage options available to schools and strengthens the schools' ability to choose the best option that meets their students’ nutritional needs.

Among the wider variety of options are whole milk and 2%, both of which are filled with nutrients children need to grow and develop.
Image

“Milk, especially whole milk and 2% varieties, is packed with essential nutrients that our school children require for optimal developmental health,” Heidi Fischer, Edge board president, said. “We are encouraged by the passage of this bill from the Senate Agriculture Committee, as it presents an opportunity for school-age children to enhance their nutrient intake with dairy.”

Moving out of committee, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is one step closer to becoming law and providing a practical, bipartisan solution for school nutritional programs. 




FMMO Changes in Effect as of June 1

June 1, World Milk Day and the start of National Dairy Month, also marked the end of a multi-year process the National Milk Producers Federation initiated and led, with the official implementation of the Final Rule to update Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing formulas.

As of this month, the “higher-of” Class I price mover for most (non-ESL) milk has been restored; dairy product make allowances and Class I differentials nationwide are updated, and barrel cheese is no longer being used to determine the Class III price. A final part of the Rule, to increase the component composition factors for skim milk in all FMMO price classes, will be implemented Dec. 1 to avoid disrupting existing risk management positions.

NMPF successfully argued for these necessary updates in five specific proposals presented at a record-long FMMO hearing from late summer 2023 to early winter 2024. The arguments all flowed from the fundamental principle that FMMO product price formulas must evolve with the changing structure of the dairy industry to properly fulfil their role of accurately translating dairy product prices into milk values embodied in the orders’ classified prices.

USDA not only validated this principle in the Final Rule – it also established a blueprint that will make it much easier to keep the pricing formulas updated in the future, ensuring the FMMO pricing system will never again get as outdated as it has been prior to next week.

NMPF’s exhaustive efforts began in 2021 and included more than 200 meetings to formulate the proposal among NMPF leaders and experts, along with coalition building across agriculture.

A separate “15A” legal proceeding filed earlier this year against the FMMO system by several organic milk companies that are seeking to exempt organic milk from the system does not affect the implementation.



Farmer sentiment reaches a four-year high in May

Farmer sentiment improved for the second consecutive month in May, reaching its highest level since May 2021. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 10 points to a reading of 158, up from 148 in April. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations contributed to the increase, with the current conditions index up 5 points to 146 and the future expectations index jumping 12 points to 164. The sentiment boost was driven by a more optimistic outlook on U.S. agricultural exports and a less negative view of how tariffs will impact farm income in 2025. The May barometer survey took place May 12-16.

The Farm Financial Performance Index increased by 8 points in May to a reading of 109, suggesting producers expect 2025 to be a somewhat stronger income year than 2024. However, the Farm Capital Investment Index declined 6 points to a reading of 55, primarily driven by fewer producers saying now is a good time to invest in their farm operations. Despite the drop in this month’s investment index reading, the index remains stronger than it was in May of the last three years, when readings ranged from 35 to 37. Since November 2024, the investment index has averaged a reading of 54, which is higher than the 35-point average recorded from January through October 2024.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose sharply in May, climbing 14 points from April’s report to a reading of 124 — the highest reading since March 2024. The shift reflects a growing anticipation among producers that farmland values will increase, with 37% of respondents now predicting a rise, up from 25% in April. At the same time, the percentage of producers who expect values to remain steady declined from 60% to 50% in May.

A key factor contributing to this month’s climb in farmer sentiment could be linked to a more positive view of the U.S.’s long-run agricultural trade prospects. In May, 52% of producers said they expect agricultural exports to increase over the next five years, surging from 33% in April and the highest percentage of positive responses to this question since November 2020. Meanwhile, 12% of producers said they believe exports will decline, down from 24% the previous month.

To better understand U.S. producer views on trade, the May survey revisited a barometer question first asked in the fall of 2020. Producers were asked to rate their agreement with the statement, “Free trade benefits agriculture and most other American industries.” On average, 49% of respondents “strongly agreed” with the statement during the fall 2020 surveys. In contrast, only 28% of respondents chose “strongly agreed” in May 2025. Additional evidence of changing views comes from responses to questions about the impact of U.S. tariff policies on their farms’ income. In March and April, 57% and 56% of producers, respectively, responded that tariffs are likely to have a “negative” or “very negative” effect on their farm’s income. However, by May, only 43% of respondents said they expected a negative impact, while those indicating “no impact” rose to 30%, up from 19% in March and 22% in April.

The May survey also included two questions related to farm labor to learn more about whether producers are facing challenges in hiring adequate labor for their farm operations. Just over half (51%) of respondents reported that they typically hire nonfamily labor. Among this group, one in four said they expect to face difficulties hiring adequate labor due to the U.S. administration’s immigration reduction policies. Specifically, 10% anticipate having a “lot of difficulty,” while 16% expect “some difficulty” in hiring adequate labor. While the Ag Economy Barometer’s survey does not explicitly target specialty crop producers who more commonly rely on nonfamily labor, these results suggest labor availability could be an emerging concern for some U.S. crop and livestock operations.

“While the uptick in sentiment is certainly notable, it’s important to recognize that producers are navigating a complex mix of optimism and caution,” said Michael Langemeier, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “Producers’ expectations for exports and farm income have improved, but concerns remain about capital investment and, for some operations, the potential for labor shortages due to immigration policy changes.”



Feeding Quality Forum Dates Set Earlier in August

When you’re feeding cattle, it counts to keep track of every calf, pound and dollar. That’s why customer-focused feeders and cow-calf producers should plan to attend Feeding Quality Forum in Rochester, Minn., on August 14 and 15, 2025.  

Attendance grows each year as more cattlemen learn the value of spending two half-days absorbing timely information for producing premium beef. Beyond the event’s educational sessions, networking between segments of the beef supply chain is invaluable—from feeders and cow-calf operators to allied industry and university researchers.

Register for half-price ($125) through June at FeedingQualityForum.com. Registration costs $250 from July 1 to 21. Students can register for $50 until July 21.

First on the agenda is the pre-event packing plant tour at Upper Iowa Beef. Space is limited to 30 attendees for the tour, and the cost is an additional $50.

Kicking off on the main stage, returning speaker, Dan Basse, AgResource Company, will review domestic and global agricultural markets. The afternoon is followed by Prime discussions detailing the growing demand for high-quality beef within retail and foodservice, followed by opportunities for producers.

Celebrate the 2025 Industry Achievement Award winner, Gary Smith, Texas A&M University professor emeritus, during the reception and dinner featuring the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. The evening discussion will be a Ted-Talk style conversation between CAB President John Stika and Smith, where they’ll dive into his decades of research and how he witnessed the beef industry evolve throughout his career.

The event wraps up on Friday, August 15, after the morning sessions. Starting with managing the cow and the carcass, Brian McCulloh, Woodhill Angus, will share how modern cattle genetics and tools available today allow cattlemen to make faster progress where it counts. Next up, Kelli Retallick-Riley, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), will give a research-focused update on bovine congestive heart failure and work being done through AGI’s Heart Health Initiative. Then, a conservation panel will discuss practical ways South Dakota ranchers are working with Ducks Unlimited and Natural Resources Conservation Service to incorporate land stewardship practices that increase productivity for crops and livestock. Stika retakes the stage to review the current state of grading and camera technology to determine red meat yield. The closing session with Tim Schiefelbein, Schiefelbein Feeders, covers marketing strategies for your unique goals and management style.

The event will wrap up by 1 p.m. after attendees enjoy a Certified Angus Beef ® brand lunch. Find more details at FeedingQualityForum.com.

Feeding Quality Forum is sponsored by Alltech®, AngusLinkSM, Diamond V®, Drovers, Feed Lot®, Rabo AgriFinance, Select Sires Inc., Selko® and Upper Iowa Beef.