Friday September 12 Ag News - Miyoshi NRD HoF - Temporary Grain Storage - Mizzou farm income forecast rises - Prop 12 fix and a new farm bill - plus more!

 How much milk does a calf really need?
Alfredo DiCostanzo, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator

A few weeks ago, I ran into an interesting article online. The article referred to limit-grazing wheat pasture to raise fall cows and their calves through the winter.

It was not the winter wheat grazing by cows and their calves that caught my attention. I believe if the production system is in an area where winter wheat grows, then grazing fall cows and their calves is an excellent option and, as the article wisely stated, it will be difficult to purchase or find enough stockers this fall to use up wheat.

What truly caught my attention was the amount of milk a table in the article listed for these fall cows. Cows were first milked (likely by removing calves and weighing them and then permitting them to suckle for some time and weighing them again) in January and then again in May. Milk production was 25 lb in May and 27 lb in January. At 12% milk solids, these cows were producing 3 to 3.25 lb of nutrients daily. This is a tremendous metabolic output and great testimony to the effects of genetic selection.

Yet, everything costs. Although the article was focused on using a resource: winter wheat, a forage packed with nutrients. My mind wandered from that to what would happen if these cows or their spring-calving contemporaries were in a less than nutritionally ideal situation.

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form into another. If we translate this to nutrient requirements, a 1400-lb cow milking 25 lb of milk would require 20 lb of TDN and 3.5 lb of crude protein daily. If this cow consumes 34 lb of dry matter daily, then her diet must contain 59% TDN and 10% crude protein to meet these needs.

If you review results from the best hay or haylage you may have harvested, achieving 59% TDN concentration is not easy. If that hay or haylage contains legumes, it is not difficult to reach 10% crude protein.

From a cow perspective, the question is: can a 1,400 lb cow consume 34 lb of dry matter? That is 2.4% of the cow’s body

weight as intake. I have not seen a cow do that, but we will leave this discussion for another day. The point is that if her intake limit is truly 2.3% then she can only consume 32 lb of dry matter. This drop in intake has the effect of increasing the quality of the feed needed to 62.5% TDN and 11% crude protein. Unless it was alfalfa haylage or small grain silage, it is unlikely we have harvested hay reaching 62.5% TDN.

The other consideration here is what is a 300- to 600-lb calf going to do with 25 lb of milk? The article refers to fast rates of gain (3.5 lb/day) on wheat pastures while suckling these heavy milking cows. Also, cows gained 2 lb daily between January and May. Again, if the system can support it, this is a good use of this resource—sustainable some might say!

The challenge again is what if the cow has the genetic potential to milk 25 lb and her environment cannot sustain it? I would propose that a selected few locations and climatic conditions in this country are favorable to these extremes in productivity by the forage resource. Drought and competition for the resource reduce access by systems that manage cow-calf pairs.

When production conditions are not favorable to sustain this productivity, the producer is left with high-milking capacity genetics and associated costs. Cows will not deliver this production, but the costs associated with maintaining those cows are high as their metabolic machinery is prepared to deliver high milk yield. Likely, the calves will also have greater maintenance requirements and thrive less in stressed environments.

Ultimately the question is, what can the environment where I raise cows handle? Often in this industry, experts focus on cow weight. Cows are too heavy! We must watch the weaning weight-to-cow weight ratio, etc.

The same 1,400 lb cow fed at maintenance (zero milk yield and a fetus growing slowly during her third trimester of gestation) requires 11 lb of TDN and 1.7 lb of crude protein. Do we really need her to be milking 25 lb towards the end of her lactation? Feeding the cow so she can produce 25 lb of milk so she can feed her nearly weaned calf involves complex digestion, absorption and metabolic pathways that inherently duplicate processes (forage vs milk ingestion; forage vs milk digestion; milk synthesis vs lean, bone, and fat growth).

Some smart climate-change guru might suggest that this system does not appear sustainable!



NRD Hall of Fame Inductees Announced at Husker Harvest Days

During Husker Harvest Days Sept. 10, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) recognized three individuals, who will be inducted into the NRD Hall of Fame later this month.

“Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts involve many dedicated individuals working to protect our natural resources,” said Martin Graff, president of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD). “We’re proud to recognize these outstanding individuals for the significant improvements they’ve made to our natural resources, and the NRD Hall of Fame is one small way to thank them.”

Annually, Nebraska’s NRDs nominate and vote for individuals who have made significant contributions to improving the state’s natural resources. Hall of Fame categories include an NRD Director, NRD Employee and NRD Supporter. The NRD Supporter includes an individual outside the NRD system who has shown tremendous care and leadership in Nebraska’s ongoing conservation efforts.

2025 NRD Hall of Fame inductees:
    NRD Director – James Meismer, Paxton, Nebraska
    NRD Employee – John Miyoshi, Wahoo, Nebraska
    NRD Supporter – Martha “Marty” Link, Lincoln, Nebraska

John Miyoshi – NRD Employee
With 33 years of service, John Miyoshi is recognized for his leadership and dedication to conservation. As the Lower Platte North NRD general manager, Miyoshi oversaw multi-million-dollar budgets and led major projects in soil conservation, water quality and quantity, and flood control. He was instrumental in securing federal funding for the Upper Wahoo Creek Watershed flood reduction dams, that began construction this year.

Miyoshi championed innovation, especially in GIS and data management, helping NRD and NRCS staff work more efficiently. He played a key role in projects like the Sand Creek Environmental Restoration Project (Lake Wanahoo), the Western Sarpy/Clear Creek Levee Project, and rural water systems for Bruno and Colon, Nebraska.

Known for building strong partnerships across all levels of government, Miyoshi brought people together around shared goals—even on controversial efforts. His legacy includes the establishment of the Lower Platte North NRD’s Ground Water Quality and Quantity Management Area, reflecting his commitment to protecting Nebraska’s resources.

James Meismer – NRD Director
James Meismer served 34 years on the Twin Platte NRD Board. His impact extends statewide through his 28 years on the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board, where he chaired the Legislative Committee.

A strong advocate for sound water policy, Meismer served on the Water Policy Task Force, whose work helped establish integrated management of groundwater and surface water in Nebraska. He also contributed to conservation at the federal level as an advisor to the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust now the Crane Trust.

A respected farmer, rancher, and veterinarian, Meismer is known for his commitment to protecting Nebraska’s natural resources.

Martha “Marty” Link – NRD Supporter
With a 32-year career at the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, Marty Link is known for leadership, technical expertise, and enduring partnership with Nebraska’s NRDs. A professional geologist and Buffalo County native, Link played a pivotal role in groundwater protection, beginning with the Groundwater Management Area Program and later supervising the groundwater, wellhead protection, and nonpoint source programs.

Link championed collaboration with NRDs, mentored staff, and helped shape local groundwater management plans. Known for her approachability and ability to translate complex science into plain language, Link built trust across all 23 NRDs. She was a regular presence at NRD board and manager meetings, the Water Programs Conference, and NARD events.

Her legacy reflects a deep passion for natural resources and a unique ability to connect with everyone—from farmers to EPA officials.

Natural Resources Districts Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at the NRD annual conference dinner banquet in Kearney, Nebraska, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.



Temporary Grain Storage
Nicole Luhr, Water and Cropping Systems Educator, Nebraska Extension

It has been an unusually wet summer with a lot of precipitation in the area. Given a field hasn’t been hailed out, the crops should have pretty good yields. The question is, what if you don’t have bin capacity for all the grain after it gets harvested?

There are a couple of temporary grain storage options that may work for your operation. Option one is a grain pile with a tarp cover; the other option is a grain bag.

Grain piles are used as a short term storage alternative and should be on an elevated location away from water in an area accessible to equipment. They should be in a cone or windrow shape to assist with water runoff. Plastic sheeting or gravel can be laid down to help minimize moisture uptake from the soil. A packed clay base could also be used to be more elevated and breathable. Side walls are not required for ground piles, but are helpful in supporting the pile. Grain tarps can then be used to cover the pile to keep out additional moisture and secured down with sandbags, tires, or gravel tubes. In order to reduce spoilage, aeration tubes or fans may be installed to keep air moving. Given the corn is less than or equal to 15% moisture, the maximum ideal storage time is one to three months; if soybean moisture is less than or equal to 13%, the maximum ideal storage time is less than a month since they are sensitive to moisture.

Grain bags are like silage bags that are designed to hold grain on flat ground. They can accommodate for short to medium term storage of 6 to 12 months under ideal conditions. Filling grain bags does require special equipment and they need to be monitored for punctures, pests, and condensation. Make sure a grain bag is on higher level ground that is level and well-drained. Keep space between bags for air flow and access. Given the corn is less than or equal to 15% moisture, the maximum ideal storage time is 6 to 12 months; if soybean moisture is less than or equal to 13%, the maximum ideal storage time is 3 to 6 months since they are also sensitive to damage.

Some best practices for having grain piles or using grain bags include monitoring the grain condition and temperature regularly, inspecting covers and edges often for any shifting or holes, and keeping the perimeter mowed and treated to deter rodents. It’s a good idea to remove the grain from storage as soon as possible to avoid unwanted spoilage, especially if conditions deteriorate.




Webinar series to focus on range and pasture management

Nebraska Extension will host a six-part webinar series this fall to help landowners and livestock producers better understand how to identify, grow and manage grasses in pastures and rangelands. From the comfort of your computer, interact with participants and presenters and gather information specific to your pasture’s location.

The Knowing, Growing and Grazing Grass webinar series will run Monday and Thursday evenings, Oct. 13 through Oct. 30, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. MT (7:30 to 8:45 p.m. CT). Two optional sessions will also be held on Oct. 21 and 28. The course is limited to 30 participants.

“This series will give producers a solid foundation in range and pasture management,” said Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension educator and program coordinator. “Whether it’s plant identification, understanding stocking rates or using drought insurance tools, participants will leave with practical, usable information.”

Topics covered in the series will include:
    Plant identification and learning to recognize desirable grass species
    Management practices to improve forage production and plant vigor
    Understanding and calculating stocking rates
    Using tools like USDA Web Soil Survey and Rangeland Analysis Platform to estimate forage production
    Developing grazing plans and managing drought risk through Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance

Participants are invited to submit their plant photos for identification. All webinars will be interactive and recorded for later viewing.

The registration fee is $100 per person and includes a copy of Grassland Plants of South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains and a printed resource notebook featuring Nebraska Extension NebGuides and Circulars. Materials will be mailed ahead of the course.

Registration is due by Oct. 1 to ensure materials arrive in time. To register, visit: https://go.unl.edu/Knowing_Grass

A computer and internet connection are required to participate.

For more information, contact Aaron Berger at 308-235-3122 or aberger2@unl.edu.



I-29 Moo University webinar On September 16 To Focus On Manure Scoring To See How Cows Are Working With Their Diets

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Tuesday, September 16 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT, focusing on manure scoring with Dr. Mary Beth Hall.

Dr. Hall, owner of The Cows Are Always Right dairy consulting business, she counsels with producers to improve feeding and profitability. She was formerly with the USDA-ARS U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in Wisconsin.

Her program on Tuesday, September 16, “Manure Evaluation for Reading Your Cows: It Doesn’t Just Happen” will focus on what we see when we walk herds, we see manure. Did you ever consider that the way manure looks and what is in it could tell you about how the cows are working with their diets? In this presentation She’ll discuss how rumen and gut function can change manure characteristics, what those changes look like, and how evaluation of manure, feeds, diets, cow performance, and management can be brought together to look for ways to improve herd performance.

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/EVALUATINGMANURE

 For more information, contact: in Iowa, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; or in South Dakota, Maristela Rovai, 605-688-5488.



USGBC Welcomes African, Latin American Feed Professionals For Detailed Training Course

The U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC) recently welcomed two teams, based in Africa and Latin America (LTA), to Iowa State University (ISU) for simultaneous feed manufacturing and milling training courses aimed at improving operational efficiency in participants’ domestic industries.

“A key component of the Council’s feed grain demand growth in Africa is establishing local leaders in various countries who can instruct their peers and build capacity from the ground up,” said Mohamed Salah Bouthour, USGBC deputy regional director for Africa.

“By inviting feed industry stakeholders to this training course, we can organically build the African feed and livestock sector while establishing a loyalty to U.S. agricultural products.”

The LTA team engaged in a two-week, specialized curriculum centered around feed milling quality and storage, with the goal of setting up commercial trials highlighting the feed milling advantages of using U.S. corn once the participants returned home.

Key topics covered by ISU professors and research directors included maintaining grain quality, the nutritional value of U.S. corn and corn co-products for different species of animals and fish as well as the principals of feed pelleting.

In addition to the classroom-style lectures, attendees also participated in hands-on exercises to apply knowledge and techniques presented by ISU experts. These included milling and particle size analyses, batching and mixing uniformity, pellet durability and hardness testing, safety, biosecurity and more.

The groups toured important nearby U.S. corn export and utilization supply chain participants such as an ethanol plant and farms to observe how U.S. corn is grown and applied as feed, biofuels or co-products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).

“The overall program was focused on implementing best practices in commercial feed milling that encourage the use of U.S. corn and co-products in the international feed industry,” said Alexander Grabois, USGBC manager of global strategies and trade.

"By highlighting the efficiency advantages of U.S. corn, we can help international customers make their operations more successful and in turn expand their need for quality feed grains and their co-products."



Mizzou economists: 2025 farm income boosted by high cattle prices and one-time payments

Net farm income in the United States is projected to reach $177 billion in 2025, a sharp increase from $128 billion in 2024. This is according to the latest update of the annual U.S. farm income and consumer food price report by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

Record cattle prices and large one-time government payments have boosted 2025 income, but declines in crop prices and projected reductions in future government support raise concerns about the outlook for 2026.

“Despite strong income this year, much of the gain is temporary,” Pat Westhoff, director of FAPRI, said. “As emergency payments dry up and crop prices remain weak, we project a $31 billion decline in farm income next year.”

The report incorporates data available in August 2025, including United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop production estimates and economic forecasts from S&P Global. It also accounts for modifications in key farm programs and tax credits related to biofuel production that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law in July.

Key findings from the update include:
    Corn prices fall significantly due to record production, with the 2025-26 marketing year (Sept. 1 - Aug. 31) average price projected at $4.05 per bushel, slightly above USDA’s latest estimate. Modest price recovery is expected in 2026-27.
    Soybean prices increase slightly to $10.16 per bushel in 2025-26 as reduced acreage and strong biofuel demand tighten supplies. Continued demand from the renewable fuels sector could drive further gains in 2026-27.
    Other crop prices remain weak, with large global supplies pressuring wheat, rice, sorghum and barley. Cotton is a notable exception, with a smaller crop supporting prices at 66.5 cents per pound.
    Cattle prices hit new records. Tight supplies and strong domestic demand push prices even higher in 2026 before increased production brings moderation.
    Dairy production increases as both cow numbers and yields rebound. However, added supply has weighed on prices, especially for cheese and butter. Exports are expected to help offset the pressure.
    Food price inflation rebounds to 2.9% in 2025, driven largely by beef prices, which are projected to rise by more than 10% for the year. Food-at-home inflation is expected to moderate in 2026, but costs at restaurants continue to rise.

Westhoff emphasizes that the projections reflect a snapshot in time and are subject to change as new information becomes available.

“These forecasts are conditional on current policies and market expectations,” Westhoff said. “They provide a useful benchmark for evaluating potential impacts of economic shifts, weather events and future policy changes.”

The update is part of FAPRI’s ongoing efforts to provide policymakers, industry stakeholders and the public with reliable economic analysis of the U.S. agricultural sector.



Pork Producers from 20 States Gather in Washington to Promote Fix to Prop. 12
 
More than 100 pork producers from 20 states traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to call on Congress to deliver an urgent legislative fix to California’s Proposition 12, which is driving up costs for consumers, threatening small family farms, and disrupting interstate commerce.
 
During their time on Capitol Hill, producers met with Members of Congress and staff to share firsthand accounts of how Prop. 12’s costly requirements are forcing sweeping changes across the pork supply chain. Producers emphasized that without federal action, family farms will be left behind, and pork prices could continue to rise.
 
As part of the fly-in, the National Pork Producers Council rolled out a food truck on Capitol Hill, serving breakfast to lawmakers, staff, and media. Branded with the message “Breakfast is Essential. So is Fixing Prop 12,” the truck spotlighted how a patchwork of state laws, spurred by Prop. 12, threatens affordable access to everyday staples like bacon, ham and sausage.
 
“America’s pork producers take pride in providing safe, nutritious, and affordable pork to families across the country,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “The patchwork of laws set in motion by California’s Proposition 12 threatens our mission by raising prices for consumers, reducing choices, and putting thousands of family farms at risk. Congress must act now to ensure a patchwork of regulations does not further threaten this industry we have worked so hard to build.”
 
NPPC also hosted its popular Baconfest reception, which brought together congressional leaders, staff, and industry stakeholders to celebrate America’s pork producers and showcase the vital role pork plays on dinner plates across America.
 
NPPC producers urged lawmakers to include a fix to Prop. 12 in the upcoming Farm Bill 2.0 to restore certainty, protect consumers, and preserve the livelihoods of family farmers.



Farm Groups Call for Full Farm Bill Passage

A coalition of more than 300 national, state, and regional organizations, including the American Soybean Association, urged congressional leaders this week to prioritize the timely development and passage of a full farm bill. The groups thanked lawmakers for their efforts to support agriculture and rural communities but stressed that budget reconciliation measures cannot replace the comprehensive programs provided in a full farm bill.

The coalition highlighted the importance of programs across all farm bill titles for ensuring the long-term stability, competitiveness, and sustainability of U.S. agriculture. They encouraged Congress to prioritize debate and action in the second half of 2025, reflecting the evolving needs of farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

The organizations emphasized their willingness to provide expertise and support to help shape a strong, forward-looking farm bill that serves the entire agricultural sector.