NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending June 25, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. A few southern counties received half an inch to an inch of rain; however, much of the State remained dry. The dry conditions allowed winter wheat harvest to begin. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 14 percent very short, 42 short, 44 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 33 short, 60 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 20 fair, 62 good, and 12 excellent.
Soybean condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 23 fair, 63 good, and 7 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 7 percent, equal to last year, and near 8 for the five-year average.
Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 13 poor, 36 fair, 42 good, and 6 excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 92 percent, ahead of 86 last year and 76 average. Mature was 27 percent. Harvested was 1 percent, near 3 last year, and behind 8 average.
Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 35 fair, 57 good, and 7 excellent. Sorghum emerged was 97 percent, near 94 last year, and ahead of 92 average. Headed was 3 percent, near 0 both last year and average.
Oats condition rated 1 percent very poor, 9 poor, 33 fair, 50 good, and 7 excellent. Oats headed was 97 percent, ahead of 91 last year and 85 average. Coloring was 52 percent, ahead of 46 last year.
Alfalfa condition rated 1 percent very poor, 6 poor, 28 fair, 58 good, and 7 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 97 percent complete. Second cutting was 26 percent.
Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 36 fair, 50 good, and 6 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 92 adequate, and 0 surplus.
IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT
Iowa experienced below normal temperatures across the state with mostly isolated precipitation during the week ending June 25, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included herbicide application, side-dressing, cultivating, and haying.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Southeast Iowa’s topsoil moisture levels continued to fall with 78 percent rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.
Seventy-nine percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition.
Soybean emergence reached 96 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent.
Oats headed reached 84 percent this week, 4 days behind last year but equal to average. Oats coloring reached 10 percent, 4 days behind last year and 3 days behind average. Oat condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 10 percent complete, 5 days behind average. Hay condition rated 84 percent good to excellent.
Pasture condition deteriorated slightly to 66 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were described as good.
USDA Weekly Crop Progress
Soybean and spring wheat conditions dropped last week, while corn conditions held steady from the previous week, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress report released Monday.
This week's crop progress report showed 4% of U.S. corn was silking, down from 5% a year ago and down from the five-year average of 5% silking. Sixty-seven percent of the corn crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, the same as the previous week.
USDA said 94% of U.S. soybeans were emerged, even with a year ago and above the five-year average of 91%. Nine percent of soybeans were blooming, up from 8% a year ago and above the five-year average of 7%. Sixty-six percent of the soybean crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down one percentage point from the previous week.
USDA also reported that 41% of winter wheat was harvested as of Sunday, down slightly from 42% a year ago, but above the five-year average of 39%. Forty-nine percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good-to-excellent condition.
Meanwhile, spring wheat was 36% headed, down from 52% a year ago, but slightly above the five-year average of 35%. Forty percent of spring wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down one percentage point from the previous week's 41%.
In other crop reports, cotton was 98% planted, near the five-year average of 99%. Cotton squaring was 34%, ahead of the average of 30%. Cotton setting bolls was 7%, ahead of the average of 5%. Rice was 9% headed, slightly behind the five-year average of 11%. Sorghum headed was 20%, slightly behind the average pace of 22%. Barley headed was 27%, well behind the average pace of 38%. Oats were 73% headed, near the average pace of 74%.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Monday June 26 Ag News
Adult Emergence of Suspected Wheat Stem Maggot from Infested Corn Plants
Robert Wright - NE Extension Entomologist
On June 13 we reported on an insect suspected to be wheat stem maggot infesting corn fields following wheat and rye cover crops. Twenty-five corn plants were sampled from these fields for dissection to isolate larvae or were transplanted into containers with cages to capture adult emergence.
On June 20, adults began emerging from these containers. They were from across the entire geographic region that was sampled. In most cases a single fly emerged from an infested plant with a few plants having two adult flies. These adult flies are approximately 1/5 inch long and show all the basic characteristics of a wheat stem maggot. We are currently working with Jim Kalisch, entomology extension associate, to confirm and ensure proper identification of this pest.
Reports of wheat stem maggot infesting corn are rare. However, in 2005 and 2015 wheat stem maggots were reported damaging corn and causing 5-10% stand loss in northeast Nebraska fields. Some university researchers indicate corn as a non-host for the wheat stem maggot. To better understand the interaction between this insect and corn we have placed a number of newly emerged adults (male and female) in cages with healthy corn plants to determine if they can complete their lifecycle (egg to adult) with corn as the only available host. Such information will be critical for determining the suitability of corn as a host for this pest.
Many producers and consultants may be wondering about the adults that are currently emerging from infested corn fields. As indicated earlier, little is known about the interaction between this pest and corn, but it is our opinion that these adults will leave these corn fields in search of a more suitable host. We would also expect that healthy corn plants in these fields have reached a developmental stage where infestations are unlikely to cause significant damage.
Cost-share deadline is June 30th for irrigation flow meters
Another flow meter has been added to the approved list by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors. At their June meeting, the board approved the inclusion of the McCrometer Duramag flow meter. There are now 8 approved flow meters that producers can install on their irrigation systems prior to January 1, 2018. The district is also offering cost-share of $500 per flow meter to producers who apply for the funding by this Friday, June 30th. Contact your local NRCS office or the LENRD office to apply.
LENRD Assistant General Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “These incentives are available for producers on a first-come, first-served basis. There is enough grant money to cost-share on 3,000 meters. Therefore, it’s very important that producers apply at their local NRCS office or the LENRD office by June 30th.”
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “A list of the approved meters as well as a list of the LENRD Certified Flow Meter Installation Contractors can be found on the district’s website. These contractors have already completed the required flow meter installation training.” Becker added, “If you do not want to become certified to install your own meter, you must select a certified installer from the list.” If you would like to be trained to install your own flow meter, please contact the LENRD.
In other action, the City of Pierce requested financial assistance for the construction of a test well to be used to evaluate site feasibility for the potential construction of a new Public Water Supply well. The board voted to approve the request of $5,000 for the construction of the well through the LENRD’s Public Water Supply Test Well Cost-Share Program. LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “We’re always looking for ways to help our communities, especially in finding a safe drinking water supply. This is a good program for the cities and towns across our district, and it also gives us an opportunity to utilize the test well for water quality monitoring purposes.”
WORMS AND BUGS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Worms and bugs are causing growth problems for alfalfa in all corners of our region. Stay tuned as I describe what to look for in your fields and what to do about them.
From alfalfa weevil larvae and adults to potato leafhoppers to army worms, cutworms, and alfalfa caterpillars to all sorts of aphids, somebody, somewhere has had enough of each of these insects feeding on their alfalfa to hurt new seedlings or regrowth. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid these problems thus far, don’t assume you are safe for this year. Large numbers of butterflies and moths are flying around most fields, so another generation of many insects could occur anytime.
I’d love to generalize and tell you exactly how many insects per square foot or sweep of a net is needed to economically justify a control treatment. But each insect is different. It can range from one spotted alfalfa aphid per seedling to 100 pea aphids on 20-inch alfalfa. Or from one or two armyworms per square foot in new stands to at least 10 alfalfa caterpillars per sweep in established stands.
What we use for control also varies. Simply cutting often works for many soft bodied insects. Control using natural organisms like the Bt in Dipel and Thuricide will work for some insects. And of course, insecticides. But what to use will differ for each insect.
So my take home message today is to look and identify. Look for slow regrowth or weak seedlings and look for insects that might cause the problem. Be sure to dig in the soil and dead litter to find insects hiding during the day. Then identify exactly what the insect is, taking it to your county extension office if necessary. Remember, many insects you find will be beneficial or unimportant.
And finally, use appropriate treatments to protect your alfalfa.
Register Now for July Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics
Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. The clinics offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.
Clinic Sites and Dates
Norfolk — Wednesday, July 12
Fairbury — Thursday, July 20
Norfolk — Wedneday, July 26
Valentine — Thursday, July 27
To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.
NCTA ranks in Top 30 trade schools
The two-year technical agriculture college at Curtis, Nebraska, has again gained national attention with a ranking by Forbes business magazine.
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which is part of the University of Nebraska system, was listed among 2017 Top 30 Two-Year Trade Schools.
NCTA was ranked number 27 by Forbes in its first-time analysis and rating of two-year “trade schools” in the United States, said NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.
“Forbes used federal government data to do an analysis of two-year trade schools across the United States to compare how well they performed based on graduate earnings, college affordability and academic quality,” Rosati said.
“The colleges that made their list of ’the best in the US’ were primarily nursing colleges and engineering technology colleges. Only one agriculture college made this list – the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture,” Rosati added.”
Carter Coudriet, the contributing writer who explained the selection methodology and the rankings in the digital magazine, wrote in the June 19 online edition that this was the first time the magazine looked at two-year schools which emphasize technical skills.
Dean Rosati announced the recognition Saturday to applause from the school’s Aggie Alumni Association 2017 Annual Banquet, which was held in Broken Bow.
“This assessment is the latest in a series of many documenting that NCTA provides access to outstanding academic programs in a cost-effective manner,” Rosati noted. “I appreciate the creativity and hard work from the college’s faculty and staff that results in this type of student success.”
NCTA offers associate of science or associate of applied science degrees and certificates in agricultural business management, agricultural education, agricultural equipment, agronomy, animal science, equine management, horticulture, irrigation technology, veterinary technology, and welding.
NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU AWARDS STUDENT PROJECTS GRANTS TO 4H AND FFA STUDENTS IN HITCHCOCK, CHASE, ANTELOPE, AND SALINE COUNTIES
Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants were awarded to four deserving student Farm Bureau members in Hitchcock, Chase, Antelope, and Saline Counties. Each student was awarded one thousand dollars to be used to either begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project.
“Farm Bureau is excited to support student members in their real-world endeavors,” Steve Nelson, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau said June 26. “Through the Student Project Grants, Farm Bureau student members are able to create their own business or build career skills through an existing operation.”
The concepts learned and real-world challenges they face will help them with future work experiences as they learn valuable lessons from the outcomes. “We are eager to help students and advance their innovative ideas,” Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement for Nebraska Farm Bureau said.
These grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards growing or starting their 4-H or SAE project. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.
Grant recipients are as follows:
· Kassidy Kisker is a member of Hitchcock County Farm Bureau. As part of her SAE project, Kisker raises, breeds, shows, and sells Boer goats. She plans to use the money to expand her herd by raising and breeding her own goats. She also hopes to help younger 4-Her’s show at the county fair by renting or selling her goats.
· Logan Mendenhall is a member of Chase County Farm Bureau. Mendenhall will use the grant money to wire trailers and specifically build a wiring service cart and purchase a Miller 251 welder for his trailer wiring SAE project. Mendenhall began his business by wiring trailers for his father and has continued to pick up business around his hometown of Imperial.
· Marie Meis is a member of Antelope County Farm Bureau. Meis has a website about her family farm where she explains what they grow and why it’s important. The SAE project has grown, and Meis has received first place in the FFA Agriculture Communications Proficiency awards. Meis will use the grant money to purchase a laptop and continue developing her family farm website.
· Peter Spilker is a member of Saline County Farm Bureau. Spilker has a cow-calf herd that he started in the spring of 2014. As his herd expands he plans to use the grant money to buy capital cost items, such as corral panels and a squeeze chute for his animals.
Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau student membership. Students must be ages 16-23 to participate. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.
Perdue to Travel to China to Mark Return of U.S. Beef
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to China this week, joining with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, to formally mark the return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market after a 13-year hiatus. In events in Beijing and Shanghai on Friday, June 30, 2017 and Saturday, July 1, 2017, Perdue will meet with Chinese government officials to celebrate the return of American beef products to the enormous market after shipments were halted at the end of 2003. On Friday in Beijing, Perdue and Branstad will ceremonially cut prime rib that originated in Nebraska and was shipped by the Greater Omaha Packing Company.
“I will be proud to be on hand for the official reintroduction of U.S. beef to China,” Perdue said. “This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the American economy in general. We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to our ranchers for a long, long time. There’s no doubt in my mind that when the Chinese people taste our high-quality U.S. beef, they’ll want more of it.”
President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, officials with the U.S. Trade Representative, and Secretary Perdue announced the deal brokered to allow the return of U.S. beef to China on May 11, 2017 as part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan. The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in China on June 19, 2017. China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the final details of a protocol to allow American companies to begin shipping beef exports to China. To date, producers and processors in Nebraska and Kansas are eligible to ship beef products to China, having followed requirements set forth in the USDA Export Verification Program and according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service export requirements. USDA maintains a public list of companies that are eligible, and will continue to update it as more companies complete the export documentation requirements.
China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion.
Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines help kids do the job safely
A coalition of farm and ranch parents, and high-profile agricultural organizations, has released a set of Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines to assist parents and others in assigning appropriate tasks for youth who live or work on farms and ranches.
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety made the announcement on opening day of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) annual conference. The first 20 in a set of 50 guidelines were released.
Since 2001, there has been a steady decline in the number of non-fatal injuries to farm youth. Despite this, every 3 days in the United States, a youth dies in an agricultural incident. For youth younger than 16 working in agriculture, the number of fatal injuries is consistently higher than all other industries combined.
“Too many of these injuries and deaths are associated with children performing agricultural work that does not match their development level/abilities,” said Marsha Salzwedel, project leader and youth agricultural safety specialist at the National Children’s Center. “These voluntary guidelines help parents and supervisors determine if a youth is able to safely perform various farm tasks.”
A Steering Committee was formed to help guide the project. Participating organizations included farm and ranch parents, American Farm Bureau Federation, National FFA, 4-H, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Penn State University, Utah State University, Progressive Agriculture Foundation, COUNTRY Financial, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Cullars Farm, Wisconsin Young Farmer and Agriculturalists, and others.
“All incidents are tragic, but ones involving a youth are especially tragic,” said Eric Vanasdale, senior loss control representative, COUNTRY Financial. “I participated in this steering committee because I wanted to make sure clear and easy to use safety materials are available for all farmers and farm workers. I am proud of the materials this group created and look forward to helping create safer working environments on our farms.”
Built upon the 1999 North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT), the updated and interactive Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines are based on the latest scientific research, including child growth and development, agricultural practices, child injury prevention and agricultural safety. The 1999 NAGCAT announcement came at this same conference, held in Ocean City, Md., when ISASH was known as National Institute for Farm Safety.
“These guidelines aren’t just a piece of paper anymore,” said Salzwedel. “The new guidelines can be found on cultivatesafety.org/work in an interactive format, as well as in read-only and print versions. Skin tones can be modified to make them culturally appropriate and equipment colors can be changed to make them more appealing to equipment manufacturers. Information on the benefits of farm work, supervision and child development is also available on the website.”
Support for Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines came from CHS Foundation, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and generous donors to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
CWT Assists with 1.7 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creamery, Dairy Farmers of America and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 1.695 million pounds (769 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from June through September 2017.
So far, this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 39.953 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.013 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 17 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 436.553 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
New Leaders Program Launches Fourth Year with Great Success
The 2017 class of the National Corn Growers Association - DuPont New Leaders Program, now entering its fourth year of helping farming couples and individuals become better communicators, leaders and advocates for agriculture, held its first session last week in Johnston, Iowa.
"We're pleased to see this important program continue for a fourth year with DuPont's generous support," said Pam Johnson, NCGA past president and a corn grower from Iowa. "NCGA has always believed that farmers themselves are the best leaders and spokespersons for agriculture, and this program is designed in particular for men and women just getting started in visible roles in the ag industry."
Johnson, who was present for the first New Leaders Program class, again represented NCGA. This first step in NCGA's leadership ladder involved workshops with interactive sessions designed to increase confidence in public speaking and greater understanding of the legislative process, including work in social media advocacy and state-level association engagement. Also during this first session, participants heard from Pioneer leadership on a vast array of scientific advances, including the use of CRISPR Cas technology in agriculture.
This year, 31 participants representing 12 states are involved in the program. Participating this year are: Alec and Rachel Amundson, Iowa; Joseph Barlow III, Va.; Lamont Bridgeforth, Ala.; Nathan Brinkmann, Ill.; John Bruning Jr., Md.; Daniel Carpenter, Mo.; Tyler Everett, Ind.; Wesley Graham, Miss.; Hagan and Beckah Hunt, Texas; Tyler and Terra James, Texas; Shane King, Md.; Justin and Christy Koehler, Neb.; Tim and Mia Kozojed, N.D.; Kate Lambert, Mo.; Mark Reif, Mich.; Michael and Jessica Strasburger, Ind.; Brett and Krista Swanson, Ill.; Chet and Maria Vander Velde, Iowa; Ty and Sarah Whittington, Ohio; and Joshlin and Addie Yoder, Mo.
The New Leaders Program is implemented in three phases, with two plenary sessions: in Iowa last week and at Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California in February of 2018. Between these sessions, participants will take part in regularly scheduled policy and issue-specific webinars. They are also asked to take part in communications or other programs at the state and national level.
At these sessions, participants will gain knowledge of communications and leadership skills and many of the top issues confronting American corn growers. They also will have the opportunity to see our farmer leaders in action during agriculture's premier trade show.
All-American July 4th Cookout Down Slightly, Remains Under $6 Per Person
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.70, or $5.57 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year.
“As expected, higher production has pushed retail meat prices down,” said AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton.
Competition in the meat case is making grilling for July 4th even more affordable for consumers this year, Newton noted.
“Retail pork prices also declined in 2017, largely due to more pork on the market and ample supplies of other animal proteins available for domestic consumption. Lower beef prices are most likely putting downward pressure on pork prices,” he said.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
With regard to drivers behind the moderate decrease in dairy prices, Newton said, “We continue to see stability in dairy prices because of the improving export market. Chocolate milk will be a little more affordable this July 4th, in part because some retailers are promoting it as a sports recovery drink superior to other sports drinks and water.
He also noted the retail price of American cheese has declined due to very large inventories and a lot of competition in the cheese case.
Newton said retail dairy and meat prices included in the survey are consistent with recent trends and are expected to continue to be stable.
Commenting on watermelon prices, Newton said, “Although U.S. farmers continue to increase watermelon production, consumer demand has also increased, contributing to higher retail prices.”
A total of 97 Farm Bureau members in 25 states served as volunteer shoppers to check retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average., That figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $55.70 marketbasket would be $8.74.
Monsanto Statement on Arkansas Plant Board Decision on Dicamba
On Friday, the Arkansas State Plant Board recommended an action that will prevent farmers from having access to all of the available weed control options. The recommendation made by the Plant Board to ban the use in Arkansas of the only remaining dicamba product previously approved for in-crop use with dicamba-tolerant crops blatantly ignores the interests of Arkansas farmers. The Plant Board’s decision was made without hearing directly from farmers about the impact of removing a valuable weed-management tool, without providing sufficient notice to the public and without allowing the opportunity for public input. The Plant Board did not allow farmers to describe how the Board’s mid-season action to abruptly remove a valuable weed management tool would affect their operations in connection with the approximately 1.5 million acres of dicamba-tolerant seed already planted throughout Arkansas. Instead the Board based its decision on off-target movement claims that are still being investigated and have not been substantiated.
Based on a prior decision by the Plant Board, Monsanto has not sold any dicamba products within Arkansas. Experience in the other 33 states where farmers have access to and the ability to fully use dicamba herbicide technology would indicate that decisions to prevent the full usage of dicamba technology have not been beneficial to Arkansas farmers. Arkansas farmers should not be forced to continue to operate at a disadvantage to farmers in other states where bans like the Board’s current proposed action do not exist.
The Plant Board’s proposed ban now moves to the Governor’s office for consideration. We encourage all impacted farmers to reach out to Governor Hutchinson to share their concerns about the effects this decision will have on their operations. It is critical that the State hear from those most impacted by this proposed ban.
Robert Wright - NE Extension Entomologist
On June 13 we reported on an insect suspected to be wheat stem maggot infesting corn fields following wheat and rye cover crops. Twenty-five corn plants were sampled from these fields for dissection to isolate larvae or were transplanted into containers with cages to capture adult emergence.
On June 20, adults began emerging from these containers. They were from across the entire geographic region that was sampled. In most cases a single fly emerged from an infested plant with a few plants having two adult flies. These adult flies are approximately 1/5 inch long and show all the basic characteristics of a wheat stem maggot. We are currently working with Jim Kalisch, entomology extension associate, to confirm and ensure proper identification of this pest.
Reports of wheat stem maggot infesting corn are rare. However, in 2005 and 2015 wheat stem maggots were reported damaging corn and causing 5-10% stand loss in northeast Nebraska fields. Some university researchers indicate corn as a non-host for the wheat stem maggot. To better understand the interaction between this insect and corn we have placed a number of newly emerged adults (male and female) in cages with healthy corn plants to determine if they can complete their lifecycle (egg to adult) with corn as the only available host. Such information will be critical for determining the suitability of corn as a host for this pest.
Many producers and consultants may be wondering about the adults that are currently emerging from infested corn fields. As indicated earlier, little is known about the interaction between this pest and corn, but it is our opinion that these adults will leave these corn fields in search of a more suitable host. We would also expect that healthy corn plants in these fields have reached a developmental stage where infestations are unlikely to cause significant damage.
Cost-share deadline is June 30th for irrigation flow meters
Another flow meter has been added to the approved list by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors. At their June meeting, the board approved the inclusion of the McCrometer Duramag flow meter. There are now 8 approved flow meters that producers can install on their irrigation systems prior to January 1, 2018. The district is also offering cost-share of $500 per flow meter to producers who apply for the funding by this Friday, June 30th. Contact your local NRCS office or the LENRD office to apply.
LENRD Assistant General Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “These incentives are available for producers on a first-come, first-served basis. There is enough grant money to cost-share on 3,000 meters. Therefore, it’s very important that producers apply at their local NRCS office or the LENRD office by June 30th.”
LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “A list of the approved meters as well as a list of the LENRD Certified Flow Meter Installation Contractors can be found on the district’s website. These contractors have already completed the required flow meter installation training.” Becker added, “If you do not want to become certified to install your own meter, you must select a certified installer from the list.” If you would like to be trained to install your own flow meter, please contact the LENRD.
In other action, the City of Pierce requested financial assistance for the construction of a test well to be used to evaluate site feasibility for the potential construction of a new Public Water Supply well. The board voted to approve the request of $5,000 for the construction of the well through the LENRD’s Public Water Supply Test Well Cost-Share Program. LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “We’re always looking for ways to help our communities, especially in finding a safe drinking water supply. This is a good program for the cities and towns across our district, and it also gives us an opportunity to utilize the test well for water quality monitoring purposes.”
WORMS AND BUGS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Worms and bugs are causing growth problems for alfalfa in all corners of our region. Stay tuned as I describe what to look for in your fields and what to do about them.
From alfalfa weevil larvae and adults to potato leafhoppers to army worms, cutworms, and alfalfa caterpillars to all sorts of aphids, somebody, somewhere has had enough of each of these insects feeding on their alfalfa to hurt new seedlings or regrowth. If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid these problems thus far, don’t assume you are safe for this year. Large numbers of butterflies and moths are flying around most fields, so another generation of many insects could occur anytime.
I’d love to generalize and tell you exactly how many insects per square foot or sweep of a net is needed to economically justify a control treatment. But each insect is different. It can range from one spotted alfalfa aphid per seedling to 100 pea aphids on 20-inch alfalfa. Or from one or two armyworms per square foot in new stands to at least 10 alfalfa caterpillars per sweep in established stands.
What we use for control also varies. Simply cutting often works for many soft bodied insects. Control using natural organisms like the Bt in Dipel and Thuricide will work for some insects. And of course, insecticides. But what to use will differ for each insect.
So my take home message today is to look and identify. Look for slow regrowth or weak seedlings and look for insects that might cause the problem. Be sure to dig in the soil and dead litter to find insects hiding during the day. Then identify exactly what the insect is, taking it to your county extension office if necessary. Remember, many insects you find will be beneficial or unimportant.
And finally, use appropriate treatments to protect your alfalfa.
Register Now for July Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics
Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. The clinics offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.
Clinic Sites and Dates
Norfolk — Wednesday, July 12
Fairbury — Thursday, July 20
Norfolk — Wedneday, July 26
Valentine — Thursday, July 27
To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.
NCTA ranks in Top 30 trade schools
The two-year technical agriculture college at Curtis, Nebraska, has again gained national attention with a ranking by Forbes business magazine.
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which is part of the University of Nebraska system, was listed among 2017 Top 30 Two-Year Trade Schools.
NCTA was ranked number 27 by Forbes in its first-time analysis and rating of two-year “trade schools” in the United States, said NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.
“Forbes used federal government data to do an analysis of two-year trade schools across the United States to compare how well they performed based on graduate earnings, college affordability and academic quality,” Rosati said.
“The colleges that made their list of ’the best in the US’ were primarily nursing colleges and engineering technology colleges. Only one agriculture college made this list – the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture,” Rosati added.”
Carter Coudriet, the contributing writer who explained the selection methodology and the rankings in the digital magazine, wrote in the June 19 online edition that this was the first time the magazine looked at two-year schools which emphasize technical skills.
Dean Rosati announced the recognition Saturday to applause from the school’s Aggie Alumni Association 2017 Annual Banquet, which was held in Broken Bow.
“This assessment is the latest in a series of many documenting that NCTA provides access to outstanding academic programs in a cost-effective manner,” Rosati noted. “I appreciate the creativity and hard work from the college’s faculty and staff that results in this type of student success.”
NCTA offers associate of science or associate of applied science degrees and certificates in agricultural business management, agricultural education, agricultural equipment, agronomy, animal science, equine management, horticulture, irrigation technology, veterinary technology, and welding.
NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU AWARDS STUDENT PROJECTS GRANTS TO 4H AND FFA STUDENTS IN HITCHCOCK, CHASE, ANTELOPE, AND SALINE COUNTIES
Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants were awarded to four deserving student Farm Bureau members in Hitchcock, Chase, Antelope, and Saline Counties. Each student was awarded one thousand dollars to be used to either begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project.
“Farm Bureau is excited to support student members in their real-world endeavors,” Steve Nelson, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau said June 26. “Through the Student Project Grants, Farm Bureau student members are able to create their own business or build career skills through an existing operation.”
The concepts learned and real-world challenges they face will help them with future work experiences as they learn valuable lessons from the outcomes. “We are eager to help students and advance their innovative ideas,” Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement for Nebraska Farm Bureau said.
These grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards growing or starting their 4-H or SAE project. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.
Grant recipients are as follows:
· Kassidy Kisker is a member of Hitchcock County Farm Bureau. As part of her SAE project, Kisker raises, breeds, shows, and sells Boer goats. She plans to use the money to expand her herd by raising and breeding her own goats. She also hopes to help younger 4-Her’s show at the county fair by renting or selling her goats.
· Logan Mendenhall is a member of Chase County Farm Bureau. Mendenhall will use the grant money to wire trailers and specifically build a wiring service cart and purchase a Miller 251 welder for his trailer wiring SAE project. Mendenhall began his business by wiring trailers for his father and has continued to pick up business around his hometown of Imperial.
· Marie Meis is a member of Antelope County Farm Bureau. Meis has a website about her family farm where she explains what they grow and why it’s important. The SAE project has grown, and Meis has received first place in the FFA Agriculture Communications Proficiency awards. Meis will use the grant money to purchase a laptop and continue developing her family farm website.
· Peter Spilker is a member of Saline County Farm Bureau. Spilker has a cow-calf herd that he started in the spring of 2014. As his herd expands he plans to use the grant money to buy capital cost items, such as corral panels and a squeeze chute for his animals.
Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau student membership. Students must be ages 16-23 to participate. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.
Perdue to Travel to China to Mark Return of U.S. Beef
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to China this week, joining with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, to formally mark the return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market after a 13-year hiatus. In events in Beijing and Shanghai on Friday, June 30, 2017 and Saturday, July 1, 2017, Perdue will meet with Chinese government officials to celebrate the return of American beef products to the enormous market after shipments were halted at the end of 2003. On Friday in Beijing, Perdue and Branstad will ceremonially cut prime rib that originated in Nebraska and was shipped by the Greater Omaha Packing Company.
“I will be proud to be on hand for the official reintroduction of U.S. beef to China,” Perdue said. “This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the American economy in general. We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to our ranchers for a long, long time. There’s no doubt in my mind that when the Chinese people taste our high-quality U.S. beef, they’ll want more of it.”
President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, officials with the U.S. Trade Representative, and Secretary Perdue announced the deal brokered to allow the return of U.S. beef to China on May 11, 2017 as part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan. The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in China on June 19, 2017. China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the final details of a protocol to allow American companies to begin shipping beef exports to China. To date, producers and processors in Nebraska and Kansas are eligible to ship beef products to China, having followed requirements set forth in the USDA Export Verification Program and according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service export requirements. USDA maintains a public list of companies that are eligible, and will continue to update it as more companies complete the export documentation requirements.
China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion.
Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines help kids do the job safely
A coalition of farm and ranch parents, and high-profile agricultural organizations, has released a set of Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines to assist parents and others in assigning appropriate tasks for youth who live or work on farms and ranches.
The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety made the announcement on opening day of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) annual conference. The first 20 in a set of 50 guidelines were released.
Since 2001, there has been a steady decline in the number of non-fatal injuries to farm youth. Despite this, every 3 days in the United States, a youth dies in an agricultural incident. For youth younger than 16 working in agriculture, the number of fatal injuries is consistently higher than all other industries combined.
“Too many of these injuries and deaths are associated with children performing agricultural work that does not match their development level/abilities,” said Marsha Salzwedel, project leader and youth agricultural safety specialist at the National Children’s Center. “These voluntary guidelines help parents and supervisors determine if a youth is able to safely perform various farm tasks.”
A Steering Committee was formed to help guide the project. Participating organizations included farm and ranch parents, American Farm Bureau Federation, National FFA, 4-H, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Penn State University, Utah State University, Progressive Agriculture Foundation, COUNTRY Financial, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Cullars Farm, Wisconsin Young Farmer and Agriculturalists, and others.
“All incidents are tragic, but ones involving a youth are especially tragic,” said Eric Vanasdale, senior loss control representative, COUNTRY Financial. “I participated in this steering committee because I wanted to make sure clear and easy to use safety materials are available for all farmers and farm workers. I am proud of the materials this group created and look forward to helping create safer working environments on our farms.”
Built upon the 1999 North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT), the updated and interactive Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines are based on the latest scientific research, including child growth and development, agricultural practices, child injury prevention and agricultural safety. The 1999 NAGCAT announcement came at this same conference, held in Ocean City, Md., when ISASH was known as National Institute for Farm Safety.
“These guidelines aren’t just a piece of paper anymore,” said Salzwedel. “The new guidelines can be found on cultivatesafety.org/work in an interactive format, as well as in read-only and print versions. Skin tones can be modified to make them culturally appropriate and equipment colors can be changed to make them more appealing to equipment manufacturers. Information on the benefits of farm work, supervision and child development is also available on the website.”
Support for Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines came from CHS Foundation, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and generous donors to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.
CWT Assists with 1.7 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creamery, Dairy Farmers of America and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 1.695 million pounds (769 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from June through September 2017.
So far, this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 39.953 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.013 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 17 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 436.553 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.
Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program in the long term helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.
New Leaders Program Launches Fourth Year with Great Success
The 2017 class of the National Corn Growers Association - DuPont New Leaders Program, now entering its fourth year of helping farming couples and individuals become better communicators, leaders and advocates for agriculture, held its first session last week in Johnston, Iowa.
"We're pleased to see this important program continue for a fourth year with DuPont's generous support," said Pam Johnson, NCGA past president and a corn grower from Iowa. "NCGA has always believed that farmers themselves are the best leaders and spokespersons for agriculture, and this program is designed in particular for men and women just getting started in visible roles in the ag industry."
Johnson, who was present for the first New Leaders Program class, again represented NCGA. This first step in NCGA's leadership ladder involved workshops with interactive sessions designed to increase confidence in public speaking and greater understanding of the legislative process, including work in social media advocacy and state-level association engagement. Also during this first session, participants heard from Pioneer leadership on a vast array of scientific advances, including the use of CRISPR Cas technology in agriculture.
This year, 31 participants representing 12 states are involved in the program. Participating this year are: Alec and Rachel Amundson, Iowa; Joseph Barlow III, Va.; Lamont Bridgeforth, Ala.; Nathan Brinkmann, Ill.; John Bruning Jr., Md.; Daniel Carpenter, Mo.; Tyler Everett, Ind.; Wesley Graham, Miss.; Hagan and Beckah Hunt, Texas; Tyler and Terra James, Texas; Shane King, Md.; Justin and Christy Koehler, Neb.; Tim and Mia Kozojed, N.D.; Kate Lambert, Mo.; Mark Reif, Mich.; Michael and Jessica Strasburger, Ind.; Brett and Krista Swanson, Ill.; Chet and Maria Vander Velde, Iowa; Ty and Sarah Whittington, Ohio; and Joshlin and Addie Yoder, Mo.
The New Leaders Program is implemented in three phases, with two plenary sessions: in Iowa last week and at Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California in February of 2018. Between these sessions, participants will take part in regularly scheduled policy and issue-specific webinars. They are also asked to take part in communications or other programs at the state and national level.
At these sessions, participants will gain knowledge of communications and leadership skills and many of the top issues confronting American corn growers. They also will have the opportunity to see our farmer leaders in action during agriculture's premier trade show.
All-American July 4th Cookout Down Slightly, Remains Under $6 Per Person
A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.70, or $5.57 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year.
“As expected, higher production has pushed retail meat prices down,” said AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton.
Competition in the meat case is making grilling for July 4th even more affordable for consumers this year, Newton noted.
“Retail pork prices also declined in 2017, largely due to more pork on the market and ample supplies of other animal proteins available for domestic consumption. Lower beef prices are most likely putting downward pressure on pork prices,” he said.
AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.
With regard to drivers behind the moderate decrease in dairy prices, Newton said, “We continue to see stability in dairy prices because of the improving export market. Chocolate milk will be a little more affordable this July 4th, in part because some retailers are promoting it as a sports recovery drink superior to other sports drinks and water.
He also noted the retail price of American cheese has declined due to very large inventories and a lot of competition in the cheese case.
Newton said retail dairy and meat prices included in the survey are consistent with recent trends and are expected to continue to be stable.
Commenting on watermelon prices, Newton said, “Although U.S. farmers continue to increase watermelon production, consumer demand has also increased, contributing to higher retail prices.”
A total of 97 Farm Bureau members in 25 states served as volunteer shoppers to check retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.
The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.
The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.
“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average., That figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.
Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $55.70 marketbasket would be $8.74.
Monsanto Statement on Arkansas Plant Board Decision on Dicamba
On Friday, the Arkansas State Plant Board recommended an action that will prevent farmers from having access to all of the available weed control options. The recommendation made by the Plant Board to ban the use in Arkansas of the only remaining dicamba product previously approved for in-crop use with dicamba-tolerant crops blatantly ignores the interests of Arkansas farmers. The Plant Board’s decision was made without hearing directly from farmers about the impact of removing a valuable weed-management tool, without providing sufficient notice to the public and without allowing the opportunity for public input. The Plant Board did not allow farmers to describe how the Board’s mid-season action to abruptly remove a valuable weed management tool would affect their operations in connection with the approximately 1.5 million acres of dicamba-tolerant seed already planted throughout Arkansas. Instead the Board based its decision on off-target movement claims that are still being investigated and have not been substantiated.
Based on a prior decision by the Plant Board, Monsanto has not sold any dicamba products within Arkansas. Experience in the other 33 states where farmers have access to and the ability to fully use dicamba herbicide technology would indicate that decisions to prevent the full usage of dicamba technology have not been beneficial to Arkansas farmers. Arkansas farmers should not be forced to continue to operate at a disadvantage to farmers in other states where bans like the Board’s current proposed action do not exist.
The Plant Board’s proposed ban now moves to the Governor’s office for consideration. We encourage all impacted farmers to reach out to Governor Hutchinson to share their concerns about the effects this decision will have on their operations. It is critical that the State hear from those most impacted by this proposed ban.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Friday June 23 Cattle on Feed + Ag News
NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP SLIGHTLY
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.35 million cattle on feed on June 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up slightly from last year. Placements during May totaled 445,000 head, up 10 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of May totaled 530,000 head, up 14 percent from last year. Other disappearance during May totaled 15,000 head, down 5,000 head from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 680,000 head on June 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from May 1, 2017, but up 8 percent from June 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 550,000 head on feed, down 7 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,230,000 head, down 3 percent from last month but up 3 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during May totaled 85,000 head, a decrease of 11 percent from last month but up 33 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 35,000 head, down 15 percent from last month, but the same as last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 120,000 head, down 12 percent from last month but up 21 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during May totaled 82,000 head, the same as last month but up 14 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 69,000 head, up 21 percent from last month and up 15 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 151,000 head, up 9 percent from last month and up 14 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 9,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 3 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on June 1, 2017. The inventory was 3 percent above June 1, 2016.
On Feed by State (1000 hd - % LY)
Colorado .......: 970 109
Iowa .............: 680 108
Kansas ..........: 2,270 105
Nebraska ......: 2,350 100
Texas ............: 2,650 102
Placements in feedlots during May totaled 2.12 million head, 12 percent above 2016. Net placements were 2.05 million head. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 400,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 315,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 529,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 550,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 235,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 90,000 head.
Placements by State (1000 hd - @ May '16)
Colorado .......: 160 119
Iowa .............: 85 133
Kansas ..........: 440 105
Nebraska ......: 445 110
Texas ............: 640 114
Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.95 million head, 9 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 70,000 head during May, 5 percent below 2016.
Marketings by State (1000 hd - % May '16)
Colorado .......: 140 108
Iowa .............: 82 114
Kansas ..........: 435 109
Nebraska ......: 530 114
Texas ............: 440 102
2017 NC Road Trip
Join the Nebraska Cattlemen Staff as they hit the road at a location near you. Exclusive to current and prospective members. Non-members must be a guest of a current member.
Topics to Fuel Your Mind:
* Legislative Update
* DC Update
* Beef Trade to China
* Property Tax
* Affiliate 101
Monday, July 24
Fremont - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm - Christensen Field Meeting Room, 1710 W 16th West Lindon & Ridge Rd.
Albion - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Boone Co Fairgrounds, Casey's Building, 100 W Fairview St.
Tuesday, July 25
Cairo - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm - Centura Hills Golf Club, 312 Centura Hills Drive
Nelson - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Community Center, 333 South Main
Wednesday, July 26
Oxford - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm
Gothenburg - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Gothenburg Senior Center, 410 20th St.
Thursday, July 27
Anselmo - Meal and Meeting start at 12:00 pm - Furbor & Grill, 220 E Smith Ave.
Alliance - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Newberry's, 104 W 4th
Nebraska Cattlemen Comment on Final Agreement for U.S. Beef Exports to China
Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the Trump Administration for reaching a consensus with Chinese officials on the technical protocol needed to resume U.S. beef exports to China.
"Nebraska's beef producers have waited for 13 years for the opportunity to access China's estimated $2.6 billion market. Chinese officials have spent considerable time in Nebraska in recent years, and NC members played an active role in showcasing the high quality beef we produce in our state. NC is pleased these trips helped China gain confidence in restoring beef trade with the United States, and we are very excited for Nebraska beef to be on the menus in China," said NC President Troy Stowater.
The protocol lists several requirements that U.S. producers will need to meet in order to ship beef to China. Beef exports must come from cattle that are under 30 months of age, are born in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, and can be traced back to a U.S. birth farm or first U.S. port of entry. Changes in ownership will not have to be tracked.
U.S. beef destined for China may not contain residues of growth promotants, feed additives and other chemical compounds prohibited by Chinese law. Testing will occur at point of arrival. If a shipment were to include a prohibited substance it wouldbe rejected, returned to the U.S. or destroyed.
Chilled or frozen bone-in and deboned beef products are eligible for shipment. Qualified beef products produced after May 24, 2017 may be shipped once a plant is approved by USDA as eligible to export to China.
Nebraska is home to numerous harvest plants, and product equivalent of 2,600 head of cattle is exported worldwide from Nebraska every day. Given China's rapidly expanding middle class, Nebraska's livestock industry is poised to benefit tremendously from restored beef trade with China.
"In recent years, China has become one of the largest import markets for beef, and these terms are a reflection of China's trust in the safety and quality of U.S. beef. We hope that by getting our foot in the door we can develop a long lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with China," said Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and NC member from Cozad.
The technical terms of the deal mark the final steps needed before U.S. beef can begin arriving in China by July 16, 2017. A full list of requirements can be found on USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and Food Safety Inspection Service websites.
SUCCESSFULLY SEEDING FORAGES INTO WHEAT STUBBLE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Wheat stubble can be an excellent seedbed to plant forages into using no-till. It may take some advance planning, though, to be successful.
What is the most important step in double-cropping forages after wheat harvest? If you answered – getting a good stand – congratulations, you’re absolutely right. Without a good stand, nothing else you do is going to make much difference.
Sounds simple enough, right? So what’s the trick to getting good stands? Well maybe, just maybe, it’s planting no-till immediately after combining the wheat.
Spotty stands often result from top soil drying out rapidly after wheat has been combined. This may not be a serious situation under irrigation, but it can ruin dryland stand establishment. Fortunately, there usually is moisture near the soil surface during combining. Plant without delay before this moisture evaporates for better stand success.
No-till planting of turnips, summer annual grasses, or other cover crops into wheat stubble has many advantages. Most importantly, soil moisture is conserved. In addition, erosion is reduced, weed seeds remain buried, and tillage expenses are eliminated.
Of course, there are other challenges to getting a good stand. Planting equipment must be adjusted and operated properly when planting into heavy straw residue. Another challenge is weeds, either annual weeds that develop after wheat is combined or volunteer wheat that sprouts later in the summer. Be ready with post-emerge herbicides like Select Max or Poast Plus when appropriate for latter emerging weeds or volunteer wheat.
Wheat stubble makes a good seedbed but it takes a good plan to make it a success.
New Pivot Control Lite Upgrades to Remote Control
FieldNET by Lindsay, Omaha, has added a new product to its industry-leading line of remote pivot monitoring and control solutions -- Pivot Control Lite. This innovative product provides growers with a simpler, more cost-effective option to retrofit virtually any brand of new and existing electric center pivots with remote management.
"Pivot Control Lite is the simplest and most economical way to add remote control and monitoring capabilities to center pivots," said Reece Andrews, product manager and FieldNET business manager at Lindsay Corporation. "This lower cost option is the perfect solution for farmers who don't need or want some of the more premium capabilities that come with the full Pivot Control solution."
By retrofitting an existing system with Pivot Control Lite, farmers gain the advantages of FieldNET's award-winning web and mobile app capabilities, including instant notifications and status updates. This compact yet powerful solution gives growers the ability to:
- Check the status of their pivot anytime from virtually anywhere via smartphone, tablet or computer
- Receive immediate and customizable text message alerts when the operational status of the pivot changes
- Remotely change the application depth, reverse or stop the pivot, control the end-gun and run variable rate plans
- Utilize FieldNET Advisor, the only fully-integrated smart irrigation management solution that delivers recommendations on when, where and how much to water
- Consolidate different brands of pivots onto one easy-to-use interface, so all irrigation equipment can be monitored and controlled via the same FieldNET web portal and mobile applications
- Easily transfer the equipment from one pivot to another on leased or rotational land
- Update to Pivot Control Lite instead of replacing older panels
"This is an especially great solution for growers with leased land where they have no ownership of the pivot but want the benefits of remote monitoring and control," Andrews said. "Its location at the last tower makes it extremely simple to install any time of the year."
Pivot Control Lite also comes with an optional cable theft detection package, so even when the pivot is powered off, Pivot Control Lite will be actively monitoring the span cable.
"Thieves can strip miles of cable very quickly and often go unnoticed," Andrews said. "With cable theft detection, an email or text alert will be sent when a disruption in continuity is detected. This is valuable, real-time information that can be passed to law enforcement or neighbors to prevent further theft."
Kansas Department of Agriculture Hosts ADT Forum in Manhattan
Ranchers, veterinarians, feedyard owners, livestock market owners, and other livestock industry professionals gathered at the K-State Alumni Center on June 22 for a forum to discuss challenges and solutions in animal disease traceability (ADT). The Kansas Department of Agriculture hosted the forum, which featured officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
The forum was similar to other public events held by USDA APHIS around the country this spring and summer, providing opportunities for industry stakeholders to engage in the discussion about the successes and challenges of the current ADT framework, specifically for traceability in cattle and bison. Breakout groups addressed specific questions related to official IDs, documentation, feeder cattle and overall questions in the ADT system.
Animal disease traceability is critical to ensure a rapid response when animal disease events take place. KDA leads annual emergency preparedness exercises to practice the state’s response plan to a foreign animal disease event, and these exercises have highlighted the importance of traceability if such an emergency would take place. Traceability can also play a role in adding value to the Kansas beef industry by expanding domestic and international market access.
“Agriculture makes up 43 percent of the Kansas economy, and beef is a huge part of that, so we know traceability is important to our state,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas animal health commissioner. “We consistently focus time and resources on how we can best protect and enhance the Kansas livestock industry, so it was essential to us to be highly engaged in the USDA discussion about animal traceability.”
The federal Traceability for Livestock Moved Interstate rule went into effect in March 2013 and established minimum national official identification and documentation requirements for the traceability of livestock moving interstate. This series of public meetings has presented an opportunity to gather input on the ADT system.
“These forums across the country have been invaluable to us as we look to the future of animal disease traceability in the U.S.,” said Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny with USDA APHIS. “We have heard unique issues brought up at each meeting, but we have heard consistent messages as well, and we appreciate the contributions of everyone who has participated in this process.”
Two more regional meetings will be held followed by the NIAA/USAHA Traceability Forum in September to complete this public meeting series. In addition, USDA APHIS is accepting comments on the ADT system through July 31. A link to this comment site, in addition to more information about the past and future ADT public meetings, can be found on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/ADT.
NMPF Leaders Applaud European High Court Ruling Preventing Imitators from Using Dairy Names
The recent European Court of Justice ruling upholding European Union regulations that prevent plant-based dairy alternatives from using terms like “milk,” “cheese” and “yogurt” is a victory for the same battle occurring in the United States, leaders of the National Milk Producers Federation told their French dairy counterparts here today.
During a visit Friday with French dairy cooperative Sodiaal and the French Dairy Interbranch Organization (CNIEL), NMPF’s board officers applauded the European high court’s ruling that upholds the standards of identity and labeling for milk products, and emphasized that NMPF will continue to fight for the enforcement of existing U.S. dairy food regulations.
“The European Court of Justice did just what we’re asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do: Uphold and enforce current standards of labeling for milk and milk products,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. NMPF is leading efforts on Capitol Hill to pass the DAIRY PRIDE Act, legislation that would require FDA to develop a timetable for enforcing standards of identity for dairy foods.
“It’s encouraging and appropriate that the court soundly rejected the argument that consumers understand the inherent composition and nutritional differences between real dairy products and plant-based imitators,” Mulhern said. “None of the fake milk products provides the same high-quality nutrition package as real milk. It is past time that manufacturers of these products, which are concoctions of powdered plant ingredients and water, abide by existing standards, whether in Europe or the United States.”
Last week, the European court’s decision prohibited TofuTown, a German plant-based foods company, from using dairy-specific terms in its labeling or advertising, noting that current European regulations expressly reserve the term “milk” for products derived from animals. The court further clarified that such regulations “reserve designations like ‘cream’, ‘chantilly,’ ‘butter,’ ‘cheese,’ and ‘yoghurt’ solely for milk products, that is, products derived from milk.”
NMPF’s officers met this week with their European counterparts in Denmark, Germany and France to discuss mutual issues of interest, including the concern that imitation dairy foods are falsely marketing themselves as containing the same nutrition as real milk, cheese and yogurt. The groups also discussed the damage caused by the emerging use of anti-science-based fear tactics to market dairy products, such as the “non-GMO” movement.
“There’s no doubt that our colleagues here in Europe are facing similar challenges regarding consumer confusion around a variety of issues,” said Randy Mooney, chairman of NMPF. “It’s been beneficial to share learnings on such challenges and try to find solutions. On the matter of milk standards of identity, we’re hopeful this recent EU ruling will inspire our own FDA to begin enforcing its regulations.”
HOUSE FISCAL 2018 BUDGET PLAN TO BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK
The House Budget Committee next week will offer its fiscal 2018 budget resolution, which is expected to call for $150 billion in cuts from mandatory programs over the next 10 years. A third of the cuts may come from agricultural programs, including food stamps. But at a Farm Bill hearing Thursday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said the agriculture community “has repeatedly answered the call for reform and has done more than its fair share to help generate [budget] savings.” He pointed out that the 2014 Farm Bill was expected to save $23 billion over 10 years, but the most recent Congressional Budget Office projections show it will save $104 billion.
Rail Deliveries to U.S. Ports Outpace 2016
Year-to-date rail deliveries of U.S. grain to port for export are up noticeably from the same time last year. Deliveries of grain are up mainly due to increasing demand from Asia and Latin America.
Year-to-date rail deliveries of grain are up 23 percent in the Pacific Northwest; up 30 percent in the Texas Gulf; up 137 percent in the Mississippi Gulf; and up 18 percent in the Atlantic region.
For the same period, increased rail deliveries can also be reflected in increased U.S. grain inspected for export, which is currently up 26 percent from last year (Table 16).
In addition, cross-border movements of grain, which are shipped primarily to Mexico, are up 10 percent from last year, and Interior grain inspections are up 24 percent for the same period.
Year-to-date grain inspections are up substantially in each of the other major export regions, with the exception of the Atlantic.
NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS
All layers in Nebraska during May 2017 totaled 8.11 million, down from 9.20 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during May totaled 203 million eggs, down from 229 million in 2016. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,499 eggs, compared to 2,486 eggs in 2016.
Iowa egg production during May 2017 was 1.35 billion eggs, up 4 percent from last month and up 12 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during May 2017 was 54.4 million, down 1 percent from last month but up 9 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for May were 2,486, up 4 percent from last month and up 3 percent from last year.
U.S. May Egg Production Up 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.86 billion during May 2017, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.73 billion table eggs, and 1.14 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.06 billion were broiler-type and 77.7 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during May 2017 averaged 372 million, up 2 percent from last year. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,385 eggs, up 1 percent from May 2016.
All layers in the United States on June 1, 2017 totaled 371 million, up 1 percent from last year. The 371 million layers consisted of 311 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.3 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.16 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on June 1, 2017, averaged 77.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from June 1, 2016.
Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 7 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during May 2017 totaled 53.0 million, down 7 percent from May 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 46.2 million on June 1, 2017, down 14 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 298 thousand during May 2017, down 9 percent from May 2016.
Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during May 2017 totaled 821 million, up 2 percent from May 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 674 million on June 1, 2017, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 8.16 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during May 2017, up 1 percent from May 2016.
Jury Awards Nearly $218MM to Kansas Corn Producers In First Syngenta GMO Corn Class Action Lawsuit
A Kansas jury sided with Kansas corn producers in the first of eight certified state class action lawsuits involving the nation's corn growers' claims that Switzerland-based Syngenta's actions with its genetically modified strains of corn led to the loss of an important market for U.S. corn and causing them economic harm. After a half day of deliberation, the jury found Syngenta negligent and awarded $217,700,000 in compensatory damages to the class of more than 7,000 Kansas corn growers, who were represented in the lawsuit by four Kansas corn producer plaintiffs. (Five Star Farms et al v. Syngenta AG et al, No. 2:14-cv-02571)
The Kansas plaintiffs alleged they suffered significant economic damages when Syngenta sold two genetically modified strains of its corn seed – Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Duracade – to the U.S. market prior to China approving them. China, a major importer of U.S. corn, began refusing all shipments of U.S. corn in 2013 after a genetic trait found in Viptera - MIR162 - was detected in shipments from the United States. The genetic trait at the time was not approved in China. With the loss of the Chinese market, corn growers in Kansas and across the United States saw the price of corn plummet and suffered long-lasting economic damage, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs were represented by Don Downing of Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C., Scott Powell of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, Patrick Stueve of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP and William Chaney of Gray Reed & McGraw LLP.
The four co-lead counsel issued a statement: "The verdict is great news for corn farmers in Kansas and corn growers throughout the country who were seriously hurt by Syngenta's actions. This is only the beginning. We look forward to pursuing justice for thousands more corn farmers in the months ahead."
The Kansas class action lawsuit, which began June 5, was heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. It is the first of eight state class action lawsuits certified in this Multi-District Litigation so far. The other certified state class action lawsuits involve Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota corn producers. Numerous other state class action lawsuits in this matter are awaiting certification.
Nationwide, losses to U.S. corn growers due to the loss of the Chinese market are estimated to exceed $5 billion.
Syngenta statement on the jury verdict in the Viptera state-wide, federal class-action trial in Kansas City, Kansas
We are disappointed with today’s verdict because it will only serve to deny American farmers access to future technologies even when they are fully approved in the U.S. The case is without merit and we will move forward with an appeal and continue to defend the rights of American farmers to access safe and effective U.S.- approved technologies.
Syngenta commercialized Agrisure Viptera in full compliance with U.S. regulatory and legal requirements, including USDA, EPA, and FDA regulations. Viptera had also received approval in the key import markets recommended at the time by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and other industry associations.
Syngenta believes that American farmers should have access to the latest U.S.-approved technology to help them increase their productivity and yield. American farmers shouldn’t have to rely on a foreign government to decide what products they can use on their farms.
USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing in Drought-Stricken Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. All or parts of these states are experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions – indicated as categories D2 and D3 on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Due to reduced availability of forage, ranchers in the hardest hit locations have already been culling their herds,” said Perdue. “Without alternative forage options like grazing CRP lands, livestock producers are faced with the economically devastating potential of herd liquidation.”
CRP is a voluntary program administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land and, when needed, provide emergency relief to livestock producers suffering the impacts of certain natural disasters.
Emergency grazing is authorized to begin immediately and extends through Sept. 30, unless conditions improve. Producers must work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a modified conservation plan that is site specific, including the authorized grazing duration to reflect local wildlife needs. FSA State Committees will monitor emergency grazing implementation at the local level to mitigate adverse impact on nesting areas and established CRP vegetation.
“If the drought continues and pasture recovery becomes less likely, feed supplies will decline, the quality and quantity of hay is reduced and stock water becomes scarce – considerable stressors for both the livestock and our producers,” said Perdue. “If opening up grazing lands reduces even some of these stressors for these ranchers, then it’s the right thing for us to do.”
Eligible CRP participants can use the acreage for grazing their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage. There will be no CRP annual rental payment reductions assessed for acres grazed.
R-CALF: Judge Bars Montana Involuntary Beef Checkoff Tax
The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana affirmed a ruling that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beef Checkoff program, as currently administered, violates the First Amendment. The District Court put in place a preliminary injunction prohibiting the private Montana Beef Council from retaining beef checkoff funds without the payers' consent.
The court took action after a magistrate previously recommended the injunction in December 2016, agreeing with plaintiff in the suit - the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) - that the Checkoff was being run unconstitutionally.
"The Government violates the First Amendment when it compels a citizen to subsidize the private speech of a private entity without first obtaining the citizen's 'affirmative consent.' ... What distinguishes unconstitutional subsidies for private speech from constitutional subsidies of government speech is not the content of the speech, but rather that the latter is 'democratic[ally] accountab[le].' ... The USDA does not control how the Montana Beef Council spends the money that it obtains from the federal Beef Checkoff Program", the court wrote in its decision.
The Beef Checkoff is a federal tax that compels producers to pay $1 per head every time cattle are sold, half of which is used to fund the advertisements of private state beef councils, like the Montana Beef Council. The Montana Beef Council is a private corporation whose members include representatives of the largest multinational beef packers. The council promotes the message that there is no difference between domestic beef produced under U.S. food safety laws and beef produced in foreign countries. It has paid for advertisements for the fast-food chain Wendy's, for example, to promote hamburgers that use North American beef, meaning beef that can come from anywhere on the continent, but not necessarily Montana or even the United States.
"For well over a decade R-CALF USA members fought to reform what we considered a terribly mismanaged national beef checkoff program. And, for well over a decade we faced an impenetrable wall of top-ranking USDA officials whose connections to the multinational meatpackers' lobby caused them to steadfastly oppose every single reform proposal we advanced", said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. "Yesterday, after a meaningful, law-based evaluation of our concerns, we won. We hope this will be just the first step of correcting over a decade's worth of beef checkoff program mismanagement."
Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Mike Lee of Utah have put forth bipartisan legislationthat would seriously reform the checkoff programs to make them more transparent and accountable to producers.
David Muraskin of Public Justice, lead counsel for the plaintiff in the case, said that the District Court's decision will "finally provide Montana ranchers leverage to control how their money is spent and their goods are advertised. Without government accountability and control the checkoffs amount to nothing more than a massive transfer of wealth from farmers and ranchers to multinational corporations, which is against our values and laws."
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.35 million cattle on feed on June 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up slightly from last year. Placements during May totaled 445,000 head, up 10 percent from 2016. Fed cattle marketings for the month of May totaled 530,000 head, up 14 percent from last year. Other disappearance during May totaled 15,000 head, down 5,000 head from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 680,000 head on June 1, 2017, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was unchanged from May 1, 2017, but up 8 percent from June 1, 2016. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 550,000 head on feed, down 7 percent from last month and down 4 percent from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,230,000 head, down 3 percent from last month but up 3 percent from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during May totaled 85,000 head, a decrease of 11 percent from last month but up 33 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 35,000 head, down 15 percent from last month, but the same as last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 120,000 head, down 12 percent from last month but up 21 percent from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during May totaled 82,000 head, the same as last month but up 14 percent from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 69,000 head, up 21 percent from last month and up 15 percent from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 151,000 head, up 9 percent from last month and up 14 percent from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 9,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 3 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on June 1, 2017. The inventory was 3 percent above June 1, 2016.
On Feed by State (1000 hd - % LY)
Colorado .......: 970 109
Iowa .............: 680 108
Kansas ..........: 2,270 105
Nebraska ......: 2,350 100
Texas ............: 2,650 102
Placements in feedlots during May totaled 2.12 million head, 12 percent above 2016. Net placements were 2.05 million head. During May, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 400,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 315,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 529,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 550,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 235,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 90,000 head.
Placements by State (1000 hd - @ May '16)
Colorado .......: 160 119
Iowa .............: 85 133
Kansas ..........: 440 105
Nebraska ......: 445 110
Texas ............: 640 114
Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.95 million head, 9 percent above 2016. Other disappearance totaled 70,000 head during May, 5 percent below 2016.
Marketings by State (1000 hd - % May '16)
Colorado .......: 140 108
Iowa .............: 82 114
Kansas ..........: 435 109
Nebraska ......: 530 114
Texas ............: 440 102
2017 NC Road Trip
Join the Nebraska Cattlemen Staff as they hit the road at a location near you. Exclusive to current and prospective members. Non-members must be a guest of a current member.
Topics to Fuel Your Mind:
* Legislative Update
* DC Update
* Beef Trade to China
* Property Tax
* Affiliate 101
Monday, July 24
Fremont - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm - Christensen Field Meeting Room, 1710 W 16th West Lindon & Ridge Rd.
Albion - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Boone Co Fairgrounds, Casey's Building, 100 W Fairview St.
Tuesday, July 25
Cairo - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm - Centura Hills Golf Club, 312 Centura Hills Drive
Nelson - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Community Center, 333 South Main
Wednesday, July 26
Oxford - Meal at 12:30 pm Meeting 1:00 pm
Gothenburg - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Gothenburg Senior Center, 410 20th St.
Thursday, July 27
Anselmo - Meal and Meeting start at 12:00 pm - Furbor & Grill, 220 E Smith Ave.
Alliance - Meal at 7:00 pm Meeting at 7:30 pm - Newberry's, 104 W 4th
Nebraska Cattlemen Comment on Final Agreement for U.S. Beef Exports to China
Nebraska Cattlemen applauds the Trump Administration for reaching a consensus with Chinese officials on the technical protocol needed to resume U.S. beef exports to China.
"Nebraska's beef producers have waited for 13 years for the opportunity to access China's estimated $2.6 billion market. Chinese officials have spent considerable time in Nebraska in recent years, and NC members played an active role in showcasing the high quality beef we produce in our state. NC is pleased these trips helped China gain confidence in restoring beef trade with the United States, and we are very excited for Nebraska beef to be on the menus in China," said NC President Troy Stowater.
The protocol lists several requirements that U.S. producers will need to meet in order to ship beef to China. Beef exports must come from cattle that are under 30 months of age, are born in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, and can be traced back to a U.S. birth farm or first U.S. port of entry. Changes in ownership will not have to be tracked.
U.S. beef destined for China may not contain residues of growth promotants, feed additives and other chemical compounds prohibited by Chinese law. Testing will occur at point of arrival. If a shipment were to include a prohibited substance it wouldbe rejected, returned to the U.S. or destroyed.
Chilled or frozen bone-in and deboned beef products are eligible for shipment. Qualified beef products produced after May 24, 2017 may be shipped once a plant is approved by USDA as eligible to export to China.
Nebraska is home to numerous harvest plants, and product equivalent of 2,600 head of cattle is exported worldwide from Nebraska every day. Given China's rapidly expanding middle class, Nebraska's livestock industry is poised to benefit tremendously from restored beef trade with China.
"In recent years, China has become one of the largest import markets for beef, and these terms are a reflection of China's trust in the safety and quality of U.S. beef. We hope that by getting our foot in the door we can develop a long lasting and mutually beneficial relationship with China," said Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and NC member from Cozad.
The technical terms of the deal mark the final steps needed before U.S. beef can begin arriving in China by July 16, 2017. A full list of requirements can be found on USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service and Food Safety Inspection Service websites.
SUCCESSFULLY SEEDING FORAGES INTO WHEAT STUBBLE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
Wheat stubble can be an excellent seedbed to plant forages into using no-till. It may take some advance planning, though, to be successful.
What is the most important step in double-cropping forages after wheat harvest? If you answered – getting a good stand – congratulations, you’re absolutely right. Without a good stand, nothing else you do is going to make much difference.
Sounds simple enough, right? So what’s the trick to getting good stands? Well maybe, just maybe, it’s planting no-till immediately after combining the wheat.
Spotty stands often result from top soil drying out rapidly after wheat has been combined. This may not be a serious situation under irrigation, but it can ruin dryland stand establishment. Fortunately, there usually is moisture near the soil surface during combining. Plant without delay before this moisture evaporates for better stand success.
No-till planting of turnips, summer annual grasses, or other cover crops into wheat stubble has many advantages. Most importantly, soil moisture is conserved. In addition, erosion is reduced, weed seeds remain buried, and tillage expenses are eliminated.
Of course, there are other challenges to getting a good stand. Planting equipment must be adjusted and operated properly when planting into heavy straw residue. Another challenge is weeds, either annual weeds that develop after wheat is combined or volunteer wheat that sprouts later in the summer. Be ready with post-emerge herbicides like Select Max or Poast Plus when appropriate for latter emerging weeds or volunteer wheat.
Wheat stubble makes a good seedbed but it takes a good plan to make it a success.
New Pivot Control Lite Upgrades to Remote Control
FieldNET by Lindsay, Omaha, has added a new product to its industry-leading line of remote pivot monitoring and control solutions -- Pivot Control Lite. This innovative product provides growers with a simpler, more cost-effective option to retrofit virtually any brand of new and existing electric center pivots with remote management.
"Pivot Control Lite is the simplest and most economical way to add remote control and monitoring capabilities to center pivots," said Reece Andrews, product manager and FieldNET business manager at Lindsay Corporation. "This lower cost option is the perfect solution for farmers who don't need or want some of the more premium capabilities that come with the full Pivot Control solution."
By retrofitting an existing system with Pivot Control Lite, farmers gain the advantages of FieldNET's award-winning web and mobile app capabilities, including instant notifications and status updates. This compact yet powerful solution gives growers the ability to:
- Check the status of their pivot anytime from virtually anywhere via smartphone, tablet or computer
- Receive immediate and customizable text message alerts when the operational status of the pivot changes
- Remotely change the application depth, reverse or stop the pivot, control the end-gun and run variable rate plans
- Utilize FieldNET Advisor, the only fully-integrated smart irrigation management solution that delivers recommendations on when, where and how much to water
- Consolidate different brands of pivots onto one easy-to-use interface, so all irrigation equipment can be monitored and controlled via the same FieldNET web portal and mobile applications
- Easily transfer the equipment from one pivot to another on leased or rotational land
- Update to Pivot Control Lite instead of replacing older panels
"This is an especially great solution for growers with leased land where they have no ownership of the pivot but want the benefits of remote monitoring and control," Andrews said. "Its location at the last tower makes it extremely simple to install any time of the year."
Pivot Control Lite also comes with an optional cable theft detection package, so even when the pivot is powered off, Pivot Control Lite will be actively monitoring the span cable.
"Thieves can strip miles of cable very quickly and often go unnoticed," Andrews said. "With cable theft detection, an email or text alert will be sent when a disruption in continuity is detected. This is valuable, real-time information that can be passed to law enforcement or neighbors to prevent further theft."
Kansas Department of Agriculture Hosts ADT Forum in Manhattan
Ranchers, veterinarians, feedyard owners, livestock market owners, and other livestock industry professionals gathered at the K-State Alumni Center on June 22 for a forum to discuss challenges and solutions in animal disease traceability (ADT). The Kansas Department of Agriculture hosted the forum, which featured officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).
The forum was similar to other public events held by USDA APHIS around the country this spring and summer, providing opportunities for industry stakeholders to engage in the discussion about the successes and challenges of the current ADT framework, specifically for traceability in cattle and bison. Breakout groups addressed specific questions related to official IDs, documentation, feeder cattle and overall questions in the ADT system.
Animal disease traceability is critical to ensure a rapid response when animal disease events take place. KDA leads annual emergency preparedness exercises to practice the state’s response plan to a foreign animal disease event, and these exercises have highlighted the importance of traceability if such an emergency would take place. Traceability can also play a role in adding value to the Kansas beef industry by expanding domestic and international market access.
“Agriculture makes up 43 percent of the Kansas economy, and beef is a huge part of that, so we know traceability is important to our state,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas animal health commissioner. “We consistently focus time and resources on how we can best protect and enhance the Kansas livestock industry, so it was essential to us to be highly engaged in the USDA discussion about animal traceability.”
The federal Traceability for Livestock Moved Interstate rule went into effect in March 2013 and established minimum national official identification and documentation requirements for the traceability of livestock moving interstate. This series of public meetings has presented an opportunity to gather input on the ADT system.
“These forums across the country have been invaluable to us as we look to the future of animal disease traceability in the U.S.,” said Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny with USDA APHIS. “We have heard unique issues brought up at each meeting, but we have heard consistent messages as well, and we appreciate the contributions of everyone who has participated in this process.”
Two more regional meetings will be held followed by the NIAA/USAHA Traceability Forum in September to complete this public meeting series. In addition, USDA APHIS is accepting comments on the ADT system through July 31. A link to this comment site, in addition to more information about the past and future ADT public meetings, can be found on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/ADT.
NMPF Leaders Applaud European High Court Ruling Preventing Imitators from Using Dairy Names
The recent European Court of Justice ruling upholding European Union regulations that prevent plant-based dairy alternatives from using terms like “milk,” “cheese” and “yogurt” is a victory for the same battle occurring in the United States, leaders of the National Milk Producers Federation told their French dairy counterparts here today.
During a visit Friday with French dairy cooperative Sodiaal and the French Dairy Interbranch Organization (CNIEL), NMPF’s board officers applauded the European high court’s ruling that upholds the standards of identity and labeling for milk products, and emphasized that NMPF will continue to fight for the enforcement of existing U.S. dairy food regulations.
“The European Court of Justice did just what we’re asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to do: Uphold and enforce current standards of labeling for milk and milk products,” said Jim Mulhern, NMPF president and CEO. NMPF is leading efforts on Capitol Hill to pass the DAIRY PRIDE Act, legislation that would require FDA to develop a timetable for enforcing standards of identity for dairy foods.
“It’s encouraging and appropriate that the court soundly rejected the argument that consumers understand the inherent composition and nutritional differences between real dairy products and plant-based imitators,” Mulhern said. “None of the fake milk products provides the same high-quality nutrition package as real milk. It is past time that manufacturers of these products, which are concoctions of powdered plant ingredients and water, abide by existing standards, whether in Europe or the United States.”
Last week, the European court’s decision prohibited TofuTown, a German plant-based foods company, from using dairy-specific terms in its labeling or advertising, noting that current European regulations expressly reserve the term “milk” for products derived from animals. The court further clarified that such regulations “reserve designations like ‘cream’, ‘chantilly,’ ‘butter,’ ‘cheese,’ and ‘yoghurt’ solely for milk products, that is, products derived from milk.”
NMPF’s officers met this week with their European counterparts in Denmark, Germany and France to discuss mutual issues of interest, including the concern that imitation dairy foods are falsely marketing themselves as containing the same nutrition as real milk, cheese and yogurt. The groups also discussed the damage caused by the emerging use of anti-science-based fear tactics to market dairy products, such as the “non-GMO” movement.
“There’s no doubt that our colleagues here in Europe are facing similar challenges regarding consumer confusion around a variety of issues,” said Randy Mooney, chairman of NMPF. “It’s been beneficial to share learnings on such challenges and try to find solutions. On the matter of milk standards of identity, we’re hopeful this recent EU ruling will inspire our own FDA to begin enforcing its regulations.”
HOUSE FISCAL 2018 BUDGET PLAN TO BE UNVEILED NEXT WEEK
The House Budget Committee next week will offer its fiscal 2018 budget resolution, which is expected to call for $150 billion in cuts from mandatory programs over the next 10 years. A third of the cuts may come from agricultural programs, including food stamps. But at a Farm Bill hearing Thursday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said the agriculture community “has repeatedly answered the call for reform and has done more than its fair share to help generate [budget] savings.” He pointed out that the 2014 Farm Bill was expected to save $23 billion over 10 years, but the most recent Congressional Budget Office projections show it will save $104 billion.
Rail Deliveries to U.S. Ports Outpace 2016
Year-to-date rail deliveries of U.S. grain to port for export are up noticeably from the same time last year. Deliveries of grain are up mainly due to increasing demand from Asia and Latin America.
Year-to-date rail deliveries of grain are up 23 percent in the Pacific Northwest; up 30 percent in the Texas Gulf; up 137 percent in the Mississippi Gulf; and up 18 percent in the Atlantic region.
For the same period, increased rail deliveries can also be reflected in increased U.S. grain inspected for export, which is currently up 26 percent from last year (Table 16).
In addition, cross-border movements of grain, which are shipped primarily to Mexico, are up 10 percent from last year, and Interior grain inspections are up 24 percent for the same period.
Year-to-date grain inspections are up substantially in each of the other major export regions, with the exception of the Atlantic.
NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS
All layers in Nebraska during May 2017 totaled 8.11 million, down from 9.20 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during May totaled 203 million eggs, down from 229 million in 2016. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,499 eggs, compared to 2,486 eggs in 2016.
Iowa egg production during May 2017 was 1.35 billion eggs, up 4 percent from last month and up 12 percent from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during May 2017 was 54.4 million, down 1 percent from last month but up 9 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for May were 2,486, up 4 percent from last month and up 3 percent from last year.
U.S. May Egg Production Up 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 8.86 billion during May 2017, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.73 billion table eggs, and 1.14 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.06 billion were broiler-type and 77.7 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during May 2017 averaged 372 million, up 2 percent from last year. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,385 eggs, up 1 percent from May 2016.
All layers in the United States on June 1, 2017 totaled 371 million, up 1 percent from last year. The 371 million layers consisted of 311 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 56.3 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.16 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on June 1, 2017, averaged 77.1 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from June 1, 2016.
Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 7 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during May 2017 totaled 53.0 million, down 7 percent from May 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 46.2 million on June 1, 2017, down 14 percent from a year ago. Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 298 thousand during May 2017, down 9 percent from May 2016.
Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during May 2017 totaled 821 million, up 2 percent from May 2016. Eggs in incubators totaled 674 million on June 1, 2017, up 2 percent from a year ago. Leading breeders placed 8.16 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during May 2017, up 1 percent from May 2016.
Jury Awards Nearly $218MM to Kansas Corn Producers In First Syngenta GMO Corn Class Action Lawsuit
A Kansas jury sided with Kansas corn producers in the first of eight certified state class action lawsuits involving the nation's corn growers' claims that Switzerland-based Syngenta's actions with its genetically modified strains of corn led to the loss of an important market for U.S. corn and causing them economic harm. After a half day of deliberation, the jury found Syngenta negligent and awarded $217,700,000 in compensatory damages to the class of more than 7,000 Kansas corn growers, who were represented in the lawsuit by four Kansas corn producer plaintiffs. (Five Star Farms et al v. Syngenta AG et al, No. 2:14-cv-02571)
The Kansas plaintiffs alleged they suffered significant economic damages when Syngenta sold two genetically modified strains of its corn seed – Agrisure Viptera and Agrisure Duracade – to the U.S. market prior to China approving them. China, a major importer of U.S. corn, began refusing all shipments of U.S. corn in 2013 after a genetic trait found in Viptera - MIR162 - was detected in shipments from the United States. The genetic trait at the time was not approved in China. With the loss of the Chinese market, corn growers in Kansas and across the United States saw the price of corn plummet and suffered long-lasting economic damage, according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs were represented by Don Downing of Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C., Scott Powell of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, Patrick Stueve of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP and William Chaney of Gray Reed & McGraw LLP.
The four co-lead counsel issued a statement: "The verdict is great news for corn farmers in Kansas and corn growers throughout the country who were seriously hurt by Syngenta's actions. This is only the beginning. We look forward to pursuing justice for thousands more corn farmers in the months ahead."
The Kansas class action lawsuit, which began June 5, was heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. It is the first of eight state class action lawsuits certified in this Multi-District Litigation so far. The other certified state class action lawsuits involve Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota corn producers. Numerous other state class action lawsuits in this matter are awaiting certification.
Nationwide, losses to U.S. corn growers due to the loss of the Chinese market are estimated to exceed $5 billion.
Syngenta statement on the jury verdict in the Viptera state-wide, federal class-action trial in Kansas City, Kansas
We are disappointed with today’s verdict because it will only serve to deny American farmers access to future technologies even when they are fully approved in the U.S. The case is without merit and we will move forward with an appeal and continue to defend the rights of American farmers to access safe and effective U.S.- approved technologies.
Syngenta commercialized Agrisure Viptera in full compliance with U.S. regulatory and legal requirements, including USDA, EPA, and FDA regulations. Viptera had also received approval in the key import markets recommended at the time by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and other industry associations.
Syngenta believes that American farmers should have access to the latest U.S.-approved technology to help them increase their productivity and yield. American farmers shouldn’t have to rely on a foreign government to decide what products they can use on their farms.
USDA Authorizes Emergency Grazing in Drought-Stricken Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. All or parts of these states are experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions – indicated as categories D2 and D3 on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Due to reduced availability of forage, ranchers in the hardest hit locations have already been culling their herds,” said Perdue. “Without alternative forage options like grazing CRP lands, livestock producers are faced with the economically devastating potential of herd liquidation.”
CRP is a voluntary program administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) available to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land and, when needed, provide emergency relief to livestock producers suffering the impacts of certain natural disasters.
Emergency grazing is authorized to begin immediately and extends through Sept. 30, unless conditions improve. Producers must work with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a modified conservation plan that is site specific, including the authorized grazing duration to reflect local wildlife needs. FSA State Committees will monitor emergency grazing implementation at the local level to mitigate adverse impact on nesting areas and established CRP vegetation.
“If the drought continues and pasture recovery becomes less likely, feed supplies will decline, the quality and quantity of hay is reduced and stock water becomes scarce – considerable stressors for both the livestock and our producers,” said Perdue. “If opening up grazing lands reduces even some of these stressors for these ranchers, then it’s the right thing for us to do.”
Eligible CRP participants can use the acreage for grazing their own livestock or may grant another livestock producer use of the CRP acreage. There will be no CRP annual rental payment reductions assessed for acres grazed.
R-CALF: Judge Bars Montana Involuntary Beef Checkoff Tax
The U.S. District Court for the District of Montana affirmed a ruling that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Beef Checkoff program, as currently administered, violates the First Amendment. The District Court put in place a preliminary injunction prohibiting the private Montana Beef Council from retaining beef checkoff funds without the payers' consent.
The court took action after a magistrate previously recommended the injunction in December 2016, agreeing with plaintiff in the suit - the Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) - that the Checkoff was being run unconstitutionally.
"The Government violates the First Amendment when it compels a citizen to subsidize the private speech of a private entity without first obtaining the citizen's 'affirmative consent.' ... What distinguishes unconstitutional subsidies for private speech from constitutional subsidies of government speech is not the content of the speech, but rather that the latter is 'democratic[ally] accountab[le].' ... The USDA does not control how the Montana Beef Council spends the money that it obtains from the federal Beef Checkoff Program", the court wrote in its decision.
The Beef Checkoff is a federal tax that compels producers to pay $1 per head every time cattle are sold, half of which is used to fund the advertisements of private state beef councils, like the Montana Beef Council. The Montana Beef Council is a private corporation whose members include representatives of the largest multinational beef packers. The council promotes the message that there is no difference between domestic beef produced under U.S. food safety laws and beef produced in foreign countries. It has paid for advertisements for the fast-food chain Wendy's, for example, to promote hamburgers that use North American beef, meaning beef that can come from anywhere on the continent, but not necessarily Montana or even the United States.
"For well over a decade R-CALF USA members fought to reform what we considered a terribly mismanaged national beef checkoff program. And, for well over a decade we faced an impenetrable wall of top-ranking USDA officials whose connections to the multinational meatpackers' lobby caused them to steadfastly oppose every single reform proposal we advanced", said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. "Yesterday, after a meaningful, law-based evaluation of our concerns, we won. We hope this will be just the first step of correcting over a decade's worth of beef checkoff program mismanagement."
Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey and Mike Lee of Utah have put forth bipartisan legislationthat would seriously reform the checkoff programs to make them more transparent and accountable to producers.
David Muraskin of Public Justice, lead counsel for the plaintiff in the case, said that the District Court's decision will "finally provide Montana ranchers leverage to control how their money is spent and their goods are advertised. Without government accountability and control the checkoffs amount to nothing more than a massive transfer of wealth from farmers and ranchers to multinational corporations, which is against our values and laws."
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Thursday June 22 Ag News
Smith Questions U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer on Agriculture Trade Priorities
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) questioned U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on agriculture trade priorities in today’s Ways and Means Committee hearing on President Trump’s trade agenda. Smith focused on China’s approval of U.S. biotechnology products, but he also stressed the importance of NAFTA as well as duty-free treatment of travel goods under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Transcript
Congressman Smith
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ambassador, for your service and for sharing your time here today. I certainly want to associate my comments and concerns with those of my colleagues who have raised the issue of NAFTA and agriculture, and the progress that has been made with NAFTA. I know producers across rural Nebraska certainly appreciate the gains that have been made, and I think you’ve heard from us numerous times – they call us the agriculture delegation here on the committee – on how important these issues are, that we not undermine the successes NAFTA has brought to U.S. agriculture.
Shifting gears just a bit, thank you for the work you, the President, and others in the administration have done pressing China on a number of trade issues. This isn’t just a market access issue for the biotech firms. The lack of approval for these products also forces U.S. producers to choose between using the most current seed varieties or continuing access to China’s 1.3 billion consumers. It’s obviously a big deal. As agreed to under the U.S.-China 100-day plan, China’s National Biosafety Committee (NBC) recently met to review approval petitions for eight U.S. biotech products which have seen their approval for the Chinese market delayed by an average of five years, pretty astonishing. Following the NBC meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture approved only two of the eight pending products. Approval of only two of these eight products is disappointing, and I am concerned China will not honor the spirit of the 100-day plan and approve the remaining six products. I understand the NBC is set to meet again by the end of June, giving us opportunity to have the other six products approved. What is USTR doing to ensure China follows through and approves the remaining six products before the conclusion of the 100-day plan?
Ambassador Lighthizer
Thank you, Congressman. First of all, I would say that there was some progress made in the 100-day plan, as you suggest, and this is one of the principal areas where there was progress. We are continuing to press China. We expect and will require that they, after they follow their process, very quickly approve all eight applications. This is important not just because of those [applications] but because it actually delays U.S. farmers from implementing a lot of these high-tech techniques in the domestic market as well as internationally. So I can assure you Secretary Ross, who is very focused on this, is making it very clear that this has to be done. We’ve been in contact with the Chinese as recently as the last couple days on this, and my feeling is before long we’re going to have all eight of them agreed to. That’s what we expect, that’s what we think was agreed to, and the Secretary, as I say, who actually had that negotiation at that time is very focused on it.
Congressman Smith
Thank you. I know there is great opportunity in being good stewards of our natural resources with biotechnology. We’ve got a great story to tell with how far we’ve come utilizing biotechnology, and I think it is very promising for the future.
I was pleased to see the President’s budget did include renewal of the GSP program, and this is very important. More specifically, the recent GSP reauthorization included language to allow consideration for duty-free access for a variety of travel goods. The previous administration did not provide this consideration for travel goods from all eligible countries as intended by the law and instead only provided it to the least developed and AGOA nations. I appreciated Ambassador Froman’s deferring that expansion to the current administration. Could you give us an update on that effort on GSP and travel goods?
Ambassador Lighthizer
Yes, well, I don’t actually appreciate him deferring it – I say that just in jest. We are in the process of looking at it right now. We’re very close – the documents are in front of me – and I think you’ll see an outcome very soon. My guess is you won’t be disappointed.
Congressman Smith
Okay, thank you again, Ambassador, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Farmers Encouraged to Vote in IA Corn Checkoff Elections
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will hold elections in Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3, 6 and 9 on July 18. Iowa corn farmers elect their peers to serve on the ICPB to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff. The Board's primary activities include domestic and foreign market development, research into new and value-added corn uses, and education about the corn industry.
Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3, 6 and 9 can vote at their local county ISU extension office for their representation on the ICPB for a 3-year term. Anyone who has produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year is eligible to vote in the election.
Producers unable to visit the extension office on July 18 may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available by request until June 26 by contacting the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or at iowacorn.org.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked or returned to the Iowa Corn Office no later than July 18. Results of the election will be made public on July 21.
Candidates are as follows:
Crop Reporting District #1 - Counties: Buena Vista, Clay, Cherokee, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux
- Kelly Nieuwenhuis, O'Brien County
- John Schott, Pocahontas County
Crop Reporting District #3 - Counties: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek
- Greg Alber, Buchanan County
- Ryan Oberbroeckling, Clayton County
Crop Reporting District #6 - Counties: Benton, Cedar, Clinton, Iowa, Jackson, Jones, Johnson, Linn, Muscatine and Scott
- Pete Brecht, Linn County
- Daron Oberbroeckling, Scott County
Crop Reporting District #9 - Counties: Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Louisa, Lee, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington
- Heath Greiner, Davis County
- Stan Nelson, Des Moines County
Comfortable Cattle Provide Better Quality Beef, More Profit
Attendees at a recent cattle stewardship conference in northwest Iowa heard a common, simple message from speakers that when taken to heart can improve a farm’s economic bottom line: comfortable cattle perform better and consequently, are more profitable.
Temple Grandin, nationally noted animal behavior specialist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, pointed out how small changes in cattle handling systems can dramatically improve the flow of cattle through a chute system.
“Cattle don’t like shadows and, just like people, remember a bad experience,” she said. “It’s important to reward the cattle and build their confidence.”
Dean Fish, certified trainer for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, told the more than 140 participants that working cattle slowly is actually working cattle quickly. In other words, excited cattle take longer to move, sort and load. As part of his presentation, Fish demonstrated that cattle have a point of balance, and knowing that is key to understanding whether the animal will move forward, stop or turn.
Program organizer Beth Doran said cattle well-being was a major focus of the conference, with six breakout sessions featuring separate topics: dealing with pain management, designing comfortable cattle facilities, low-stress weaning, processing cattle, managing heat stress and performing a feedlot assessment.
“Cattle producers are involved in a number of practices ranging from weaning and vaccinating to providing daily care and dealing with day-to-day climate change,” Doran said. “When animal handling is performed correctly and using good stewardship, potential stress on both the animal and the producer is greatly reduced.”
Doran, who also is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist in northwest Iowa, pointed out that comfortable, stress-free cattle result in beef that’s more tender and juicy, important qualities for consumer satisfaction.
This conference was organized by the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with local support. Participants met the requirements to become Beef Quality Assurance certified.
More information concerning cattle well-being and stewardship can be accessed from the IBC website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or by contacting a regional ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist.
Record High Total Red Meat and Pork Production for May
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.28 billion pounds in May, up 7 percent from the 4.00 billion pounds produced in May 2016.
Beef production, at 2.16 billion pounds, was 6 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, up 9 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,307 pounds.
Veal production totaled 6.3 million pounds, 6 percent above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,300 head, up 11 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from last year, at 276 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.10 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.95 million head, up 8 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 282 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.8 million pounds, was down 9 percent from May 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 180,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 9 pounds from May a year ago.
By State (mill lbs. - % of May '16)
Nebraska ......: 680.4 - 106
Iowa .............: 588.3 - 109
Kansas ..........: 447.2 - 101
January to May 2017 commercial red meat production was 21.0 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 2 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
USDA Halting Import of Fresh Brazilian Beef
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products intended for the American market. The suspension of shipments will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which the USDA finds satisfactory.
Since March, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been inspecting 100 percent of all meat products arriving in the United States from Brazil. FSIS has refused entry to 11 percent of Brazilian fresh beef products. That figure is substantially higher than the rejection rate of one percent of shipments from the rest of the world. Since implementation of the increased inspection, FSIS has refused entry to 106 lots (approximately 1.9 million pounds) of Brazilian beef products due to public health concerns, sanitary conditions, and animal health issues. It is important to note that none of the rejected lots made it into the U.S. market.
The Brazilian government had pledged to address those concerns, including by self-suspending five facilities from shipping beef to the United States. Today’s action to suspend all fresh beef shipments from Brazil supersedes the self-suspension.
Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:
“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is one of our critical missions, and it’s one we undertake with great seriousness. Although international trade is an important part of what we do at USDA, and Brazil has long been one of our partners, my first priority is to protect American consumers. That’s what we’ve done by halting the import of Brazilian fresh beef. I commend the work of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for painstakingly safeguarding the food we serve our families.”
Soy Growers Support Giancarlo for Chairman of CFTC
Soy growers expressed their support for Chris Giancarlo as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The American Soybean Association (ASA), along with other ag organizations, sent a letter to Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow earlier this week, urging Giancarlo’s confirmation.
“Given his financial industry background, we commend CFTC Acting Chairman Giancarlo for the considerable amount of time and effort he has devoted to understanding the agriculture sector and its use of the derivatives markets,” the groups state in the letter. “In fact, Mr. Giancarlo has visited a number of our members’ farms and facilities over the past few years to learn about the industry first-hand from those who are actual commodity producers and market participants.”
The groups wrote that Giancarlo would strike the right balance in overseeing CFTC’s financial and commodity markets regulation.
USDA Cold Storage May 2017 Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers on May 31, 2017 were down 5 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 10 percent from the previous month and down 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down slightly from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 6 percent from last month and down 59 percent from last year.
Total frozen poultry supplies on May 31, 2017 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 4 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 3 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 13 percent from last month and up 17 percent from May 31, 2016.
Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on May 31, 2017 were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from May 31, 2016. Butter stocks were up 7 percent from last month but down 3 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen fruit stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 13 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 8 percent from last month but up 2 percent from a year ago.
Building A Billion Gallon Market For Ethanol In Mexico
Increasing U.S. ethanol exports requires building new markets from square one with industry partners and government regulators. This market development work, undertaken by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and partners including Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), requires time and persistence to achieve huge potential payoffs.
An illustration of this is a recent regulatory change in Mexico, which now represents a potential ethanol market of 720 million gallons, the equivalent of 5.41 million metric tons of corn (168.42 million bushels).
On June 15, the Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission, known as the CRE, announced an increase to the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended in Mexican gas supplies from 5.8 percent to 10 percent, except in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The announcement modifies the Mexican Official Standard NOM 016-CRE-2016 regarding the quality specifications for fuels by increasing the maximum volume content of anhydrous ethanol as an oxygenate in regular and premium gasoline in Mexico.
“This regulatory change in Mexico is a huge win for building demand and sets up the market nicely for U.S. ethanol sales,” said Chip Councell, USGC chairman and a grain farmer from Maryland. “However, this effort will not automatically or immediately lead to sales. This win is a step along the way and will be followed up by continued, intense market development work by the Council.”
The Council has strategically focused its promotion of ethanol as the fuel component of choice for a more environmentally-friendly Mexican gasoline that helps reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Those efforts started to see real results in 2016 as the Mexican government began privatizing the petroleum market for gasoline and diesel imports.
The Council established a team of recognized scientists that made multiple trips to Mexico to meet with decision makers and educate them on the environmental benefits of ethanol blending. Together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and domestic partners, the Council assisted with two missions to Mexico to find the facts of how and where information was needed and to conduct a technical workshop on the benefits of fuel ethanol use.
The first fuel regulation in Mexico to allow ethanol blending took effect on Aug. 29, 2016, allowing 5.8 percent blending by volume outside of the same three major cities. The Council holds a seat on the technical working committee formed after the passage of this regulation, which is tasked with implementation and possible revisions.
Last week’s announcement is another positive result of this market development work, but the regulatory change is not the last step needed before U.S. ethanol flows freely into Mexico. For example, the infrastructure necessary to meet the volume of demand that could be in store does not currently exist, which creates a new area of work for the Council, its partners and local industry.
In addition, expanding this new regulation to include the three largest cities represents even more untapped potential in the market. Ethanol potential for E10 for these three markets is projected at an additional 480 million gallons, the equivalent of 4.28 million tons (168.42 million bushels).
Combined with the rest of the country, Mexico could represent a 1.2 billion gallon market for ethanol, the equivalent of 10.69 million tons (421.05 million bushels). Because of this enormous potential, the Council will continue its vigilant efforts in Mexico to help both build and capture new ethanol demand.
Trade and Geopolitical Changes Under Spotlight at International Oilseed Gathering
They may be competitors on the world stage, but oilseed producers from across the globe will meet in Sydney next week to discuss trade issues borne out of a number of key geopolitical changes, including international leadership and Brexit, experienced over the last 12 months.
American Soybean Association (ASA) CEO Steve Censky, ASA President Ron Moore and United Soybean Board’s (USB) John Motter, along with U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) representatives Jim Sutter, Roz Leek and ASA Director Jim Miller (Belden, NE), will attend the event.
The Oilseed Producer’s Dialogue (IOPD), will draw producers from Australia, Europe and South and North America to Sydney with the key aim of promoting collaboration across common interests and objectives. It will be held in Sydney June 26-27 before heading on-farm in Central West New South Wales later in the week.
The event will be hosted by the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF), the peak industry body for Australian oilseeds, and Executive Director Nick Goddard is looking forward to showing off Sydney and local farming systems.
“Trade will certainly be a hot topic at this year’s meeting, following the collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, uncertainty around what Brexit might mean for trade in Britain and Europe, and new leadership in the US, France and UK,” Goddard said.
“Biotechnology, and growing pressure from some importing countries around residues, also have the potential to impact trade and will be discussed at length
“Another issue at the forefront of the dialogue will be increasing restrictions by some countries on the way oilseed producers operate, particularly in relation to the use of critical farm chemicals.
“It’s important for us to see what is happening globally with farmers and the limitations being put on farming practices, to look at the big picture of the global oilseed business.
“It really highlights that we all have the same goals, and it helps us to find ways to work together to achieve these goals.”
The IOPD was established in 1998 to develop and promote a sound business environment to allow oilseed producers to remain viable for current and future generations. Members support trade liberalisation, and science-based systems for both Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and sustainable technologies, including biotechnology.
The sessions in Sydney will include presentations from each participating country, and discussions on global markets, international trade, research and development, chemical residues, and new breeding techniques.
Delegates will then head to Parkes, Forbes, Eugowra and Orange for two days, where they will visit several farms, saleyards, crushing plants and other sights.
Corn Insect Bt Technologies Offer Cost-effective, Proactive Protection
When farm economics are challenging, farmers look for ways to bolster profit margins, including reducing input costs. Some may think about planting non-Bt corn, but farmers should consider reasons Bt trait technology is not the place to cut.
Not only are Bt technologies one of the best proactive ways to protect corn yield, but the costs of managing an insect outbreak in corn without Bt protection can be greater than expected.
Farmers should account for all the costs of managing an in-season pest outbreak and ask themselves: Is it worth the risk of planting non-Bt corn?
“Planting corn without Bt technology may seem like a good decision on paper, but farmers should consider what that could mean for their operation during the season,” says Brad Hopkins, Dow AgroSciences biology team leader, global seed treatments and North America insect resistant traits. “Every year brings unique challenges, and Bt technology offers cost-effective yield protection if insect outbreaks occur.”
Hopkins says it is important for farmers to assess potential insect pressure and choose the appropriate Bt trait technology for their acres. In areas with a history of corn rootworm pressure, cutting back on below-ground protection can have substantial impact on yield. Even if corn rootworm is not a major concern, farmers should carefully weigh the impact of cutting above-ground Bt protection.
Planting non-Bt corn, or choosing less-than-adequate protection, comes with potential costs not included in the seed purchase. For example, non-Bt corn requires more time to scout and closely monitor pest infestations. If populations reach threshold levels, insecticide applications mean additional inputs and time in the field. And once corn rootworm infestations develop in fields without below-ground Bt protection, decreased yield potential is a substantial risk.
Those are a few reasons why entomologists like Hopkins still recommend Bt trait technologies as excellent tools for protecting corn yield.
“Bt trait technology is a simple way farmers can get season-long protection against many of the primary insect pests in corn,” Hopkins says. “For the last three seasons, adoption of Bt trait technologies among corn growers has been around 80 percent, which speaks to the effectiveness and efficiency of these technologies.”
Hopkins says insect damage can quickly erode yield. An infestation of corn earworm can reduce yield by as much as 5 percent to 7 percent. Although their numbers have been greatly reduced due to broad adoption of Bt corn, European corn borer can still be common in areas where growers are planting non-Bt corn. Depending on the corn growth stage, a European corn borer infestation could mean a yield loss of 8.3 bushels per acre. According to Extension, if corn is priced at $3.40/bu. with average yield at 180 bu./A, Bt trait technology can provide nearly $78/A of yield protection against European corn borer.
PowerCore®, SmartStax® trait technologies give farmers better solutions
Dow AgroSciences offers a choice for corn Bt trait technology so farmers can plant the right technology on the right acre.
New for 2017, PowerCore® trait technology is a pyramid of three Bt traits that combines three proteins for the broad-spectrum control of above-ground insects in corn. PowerCore is a great choice for farmers with low corn rootworm pressure. Iowa farmer Bob Henderson used PowerCore trait technology during the stewarded launch, and he says it provides the protection he needs against above-ground pests.
“PowerCore trait technology gives us peace of mind so that we don’t have to worry about black cutworms, corn borers or corn earworms,” Henderson says. “All those insects can take a bushel here or two bushels there, but PowerCore alleviates us from having to worry about the above-ground insect pests that attack corn during the season.”
SmartStax® trait technology offers industry-leading protection of above- and below-ground insects, especially for those who have corn rootworm pressure on their farms.
“Dow AgroSciences has been a leader in the corn insect traits market beginning with the Herculex family of traits and then SmartStax trait technology,” Hopkins says. “With the introduction of PowerCore in addition to SmartStax, farmers now have a choice from Dow AgroSciences to plant the right corn Bt trait technology for their farms, depending on field history and agronomic conditions.”
PowerCore and SmartStax are available in the latest germplasm for greater yield potential. Both technologies are available for 2018 planting stacked with the Enlist™ corn trait, and growers can begin ordering PowerCore Enlist hybrids and SmartStax Enlist hybrids from Dow AgroSciences seed companies later this summer.
Dow AgroSciences plans to expand its corn insect trait technology portfolio in the future with SmartStax® PRO, which builds on SmartStax by incorporating RNA interference (RNAi) technology, an additional and new mode of action to protect against corn rootworm. SmartStax PRO is currently in the Dow AgroSciences breeding and development program, with an expected launch by the end of the decade.
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) questioned U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on agriculture trade priorities in today’s Ways and Means Committee hearing on President Trump’s trade agenda. Smith focused on China’s approval of U.S. biotechnology products, but he also stressed the importance of NAFTA as well as duty-free treatment of travel goods under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Transcript
Congressman Smith
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Ambassador, for your service and for sharing your time here today. I certainly want to associate my comments and concerns with those of my colleagues who have raised the issue of NAFTA and agriculture, and the progress that has been made with NAFTA. I know producers across rural Nebraska certainly appreciate the gains that have been made, and I think you’ve heard from us numerous times – they call us the agriculture delegation here on the committee – on how important these issues are, that we not undermine the successes NAFTA has brought to U.S. agriculture.
Shifting gears just a bit, thank you for the work you, the President, and others in the administration have done pressing China on a number of trade issues. This isn’t just a market access issue for the biotech firms. The lack of approval for these products also forces U.S. producers to choose between using the most current seed varieties or continuing access to China’s 1.3 billion consumers. It’s obviously a big deal. As agreed to under the U.S.-China 100-day plan, China’s National Biosafety Committee (NBC) recently met to review approval petitions for eight U.S. biotech products which have seen their approval for the Chinese market delayed by an average of five years, pretty astonishing. Following the NBC meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture approved only two of the eight pending products. Approval of only two of these eight products is disappointing, and I am concerned China will not honor the spirit of the 100-day plan and approve the remaining six products. I understand the NBC is set to meet again by the end of June, giving us opportunity to have the other six products approved. What is USTR doing to ensure China follows through and approves the remaining six products before the conclusion of the 100-day plan?
Ambassador Lighthizer
Thank you, Congressman. First of all, I would say that there was some progress made in the 100-day plan, as you suggest, and this is one of the principal areas where there was progress. We are continuing to press China. We expect and will require that they, after they follow their process, very quickly approve all eight applications. This is important not just because of those [applications] but because it actually delays U.S. farmers from implementing a lot of these high-tech techniques in the domestic market as well as internationally. So I can assure you Secretary Ross, who is very focused on this, is making it very clear that this has to be done. We’ve been in contact with the Chinese as recently as the last couple days on this, and my feeling is before long we’re going to have all eight of them agreed to. That’s what we expect, that’s what we think was agreed to, and the Secretary, as I say, who actually had that negotiation at that time is very focused on it.
Congressman Smith
Thank you. I know there is great opportunity in being good stewards of our natural resources with biotechnology. We’ve got a great story to tell with how far we’ve come utilizing biotechnology, and I think it is very promising for the future.
I was pleased to see the President’s budget did include renewal of the GSP program, and this is very important. More specifically, the recent GSP reauthorization included language to allow consideration for duty-free access for a variety of travel goods. The previous administration did not provide this consideration for travel goods from all eligible countries as intended by the law and instead only provided it to the least developed and AGOA nations. I appreciated Ambassador Froman’s deferring that expansion to the current administration. Could you give us an update on that effort on GSP and travel goods?
Ambassador Lighthizer
Yes, well, I don’t actually appreciate him deferring it – I say that just in jest. We are in the process of looking at it right now. We’re very close – the documents are in front of me – and I think you’ll see an outcome very soon. My guess is you won’t be disappointed.
Congressman Smith
Okay, thank you again, Ambassador, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Farmers Encouraged to Vote in IA Corn Checkoff Elections
The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) will hold elections in Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3, 6 and 9 on July 18. Iowa corn farmers elect their peers to serve on the ICPB to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff. The Board's primary activities include domestic and foreign market development, research into new and value-added corn uses, and education about the corn industry.
Crop Reporting Districts 1, 3, 6 and 9 can vote at their local county ISU extension office for their representation on the ICPB for a 3-year term. Anyone who has produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year is eligible to vote in the election.
Producers unable to visit the extension office on July 18 may vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are available by request until June 26 by contacting the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or at iowacorn.org.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked or returned to the Iowa Corn Office no later than July 18. Results of the election will be made public on July 21.
Candidates are as follows:
Crop Reporting District #1 - Counties: Buena Vista, Clay, Cherokee, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux
- Kelly Nieuwenhuis, O'Brien County
- John Schott, Pocahontas County
Crop Reporting District #3 - Counties: Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek
- Greg Alber, Buchanan County
- Ryan Oberbroeckling, Clayton County
Crop Reporting District #6 - Counties: Benton, Cedar, Clinton, Iowa, Jackson, Jones, Johnson, Linn, Muscatine and Scott
- Pete Brecht, Linn County
- Daron Oberbroeckling, Scott County
Crop Reporting District #9 - Counties: Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Keokuk, Louisa, Lee, Mahaska, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington
- Heath Greiner, Davis County
- Stan Nelson, Des Moines County
Comfortable Cattle Provide Better Quality Beef, More Profit
Attendees at a recent cattle stewardship conference in northwest Iowa heard a common, simple message from speakers that when taken to heart can improve a farm’s economic bottom line: comfortable cattle perform better and consequently, are more profitable.
Temple Grandin, nationally noted animal behavior specialist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University, pointed out how small changes in cattle handling systems can dramatically improve the flow of cattle through a chute system.
“Cattle don’t like shadows and, just like people, remember a bad experience,” she said. “It’s important to reward the cattle and build their confidence.”
Dean Fish, certified trainer for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, told the more than 140 participants that working cattle slowly is actually working cattle quickly. In other words, excited cattle take longer to move, sort and load. As part of his presentation, Fish demonstrated that cattle have a point of balance, and knowing that is key to understanding whether the animal will move forward, stop or turn.
Program organizer Beth Doran said cattle well-being was a major focus of the conference, with six breakout sessions featuring separate topics: dealing with pain management, designing comfortable cattle facilities, low-stress weaning, processing cattle, managing heat stress and performing a feedlot assessment.
“Cattle producers are involved in a number of practices ranging from weaning and vaccinating to providing daily care and dealing with day-to-day climate change,” Doran said. “When animal handling is performed correctly and using good stewardship, potential stress on both the animal and the producer is greatly reduced.”
Doran, who also is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist in northwest Iowa, pointed out that comfortable, stress-free cattle result in beef that’s more tender and juicy, important qualities for consumer satisfaction.
This conference was organized by the Iowa Beef Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association with local support. Participants met the requirements to become Beef Quality Assurance certified.
More information concerning cattle well-being and stewardship can be accessed from the IBC website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or by contacting a regional ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist.
Record High Total Red Meat and Pork Production for May
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.28 billion pounds in May, up 7 percent from the 4.00 billion pounds produced in May 2016.
Beef production, at 2.16 billion pounds, was 6 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, up 9 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,307 pounds.
Veal production totaled 6.3 million pounds, 6 percent above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,300 head, up 11 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from last year, at 276 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.10 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.95 million head, up 8 percent from May 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 282 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.8 million pounds, was down 9 percent from May 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 180,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 9 pounds from May a year ago.
By State (mill lbs. - % of May '16)
Nebraska ......: 680.4 - 106
Iowa .............: 588.3 - 109
Kansas ..........: 447.2 - 101
January to May 2017 commercial red meat production was 21.0 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 2 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
USDA Halting Import of Fresh Brazilian Beef
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the suspension of all imports of fresh beef from Brazil because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products intended for the American market. The suspension of shipments will remain in place until the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture takes corrective action which the USDA finds satisfactory.
Since March, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been inspecting 100 percent of all meat products arriving in the United States from Brazil. FSIS has refused entry to 11 percent of Brazilian fresh beef products. That figure is substantially higher than the rejection rate of one percent of shipments from the rest of the world. Since implementation of the increased inspection, FSIS has refused entry to 106 lots (approximately 1.9 million pounds) of Brazilian beef products due to public health concerns, sanitary conditions, and animal health issues. It is important to note that none of the rejected lots made it into the U.S. market.
The Brazilian government had pledged to address those concerns, including by self-suspending five facilities from shipping beef to the United States. Today’s action to suspend all fresh beef shipments from Brazil supersedes the self-suspension.
Secretary Perdue issued the following statement:
“Ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply is one of our critical missions, and it’s one we undertake with great seriousness. Although international trade is an important part of what we do at USDA, and Brazil has long been one of our partners, my first priority is to protect American consumers. That’s what we’ve done by halting the import of Brazilian fresh beef. I commend the work of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service for painstakingly safeguarding the food we serve our families.”
Soy Growers Support Giancarlo for Chairman of CFTC
Soy growers expressed their support for Chris Giancarlo as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
The American Soybean Association (ASA), along with other ag organizations, sent a letter to Senate Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow earlier this week, urging Giancarlo’s confirmation.
“Given his financial industry background, we commend CFTC Acting Chairman Giancarlo for the considerable amount of time and effort he has devoted to understanding the agriculture sector and its use of the derivatives markets,” the groups state in the letter. “In fact, Mr. Giancarlo has visited a number of our members’ farms and facilities over the past few years to learn about the industry first-hand from those who are actual commodity producers and market participants.”
The groups wrote that Giancarlo would strike the right balance in overseeing CFTC’s financial and commodity markets regulation.
USDA Cold Storage May 2017 Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers on May 31, 2017 were down 5 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 10 percent from the previous month and down 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down slightly from the previous month and down 4 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 6 percent from last month and down 59 percent from last year.
Total frozen poultry supplies on May 31, 2017 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 4 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 1 percent from the previous month and down 3 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 13 percent from last month and up 17 percent from May 31, 2016.
Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on May 31, 2017 were up 1 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from May 31, 2016. Butter stocks were up 7 percent from last month but down 3 percent from a year ago.
Total frozen fruit stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 13 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 8 percent from last month but up 2 percent from a year ago.
Building A Billion Gallon Market For Ethanol In Mexico
Increasing U.S. ethanol exports requires building new markets from square one with industry partners and government regulators. This market development work, undertaken by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and partners including Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), requires time and persistence to achieve huge potential payoffs.
An illustration of this is a recent regulatory change in Mexico, which now represents a potential ethanol market of 720 million gallons, the equivalent of 5.41 million metric tons of corn (168.42 million bushels).
On June 15, the Mexican Energy Regulatory Commission, known as the CRE, announced an increase to the maximum amount of ethanol that can be blended in Mexican gas supplies from 5.8 percent to 10 percent, except in the cities of Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City.
The announcement modifies the Mexican Official Standard NOM 016-CRE-2016 regarding the quality specifications for fuels by increasing the maximum volume content of anhydrous ethanol as an oxygenate in regular and premium gasoline in Mexico.
“This regulatory change in Mexico is a huge win for building demand and sets up the market nicely for U.S. ethanol sales,” said Chip Councell, USGC chairman and a grain farmer from Maryland. “However, this effort will not automatically or immediately lead to sales. This win is a step along the way and will be followed up by continued, intense market development work by the Council.”
The Council has strategically focused its promotion of ethanol as the fuel component of choice for a more environmentally-friendly Mexican gasoline that helps reduce greenhouse gas pollution. Those efforts started to see real results in 2016 as the Mexican government began privatizing the petroleum market for gasoline and diesel imports.
The Council established a team of recognized scientists that made multiple trips to Mexico to meet with decision makers and educate them on the environmental benefits of ethanol blending. Together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and domestic partners, the Council assisted with two missions to Mexico to find the facts of how and where information was needed and to conduct a technical workshop on the benefits of fuel ethanol use.
The first fuel regulation in Mexico to allow ethanol blending took effect on Aug. 29, 2016, allowing 5.8 percent blending by volume outside of the same three major cities. The Council holds a seat on the technical working committee formed after the passage of this regulation, which is tasked with implementation and possible revisions.
Last week’s announcement is another positive result of this market development work, but the regulatory change is not the last step needed before U.S. ethanol flows freely into Mexico. For example, the infrastructure necessary to meet the volume of demand that could be in store does not currently exist, which creates a new area of work for the Council, its partners and local industry.
In addition, expanding this new regulation to include the three largest cities represents even more untapped potential in the market. Ethanol potential for E10 for these three markets is projected at an additional 480 million gallons, the equivalent of 4.28 million tons (168.42 million bushels).
Combined with the rest of the country, Mexico could represent a 1.2 billion gallon market for ethanol, the equivalent of 10.69 million tons (421.05 million bushels). Because of this enormous potential, the Council will continue its vigilant efforts in Mexico to help both build and capture new ethanol demand.
Trade and Geopolitical Changes Under Spotlight at International Oilseed Gathering
They may be competitors on the world stage, but oilseed producers from across the globe will meet in Sydney next week to discuss trade issues borne out of a number of key geopolitical changes, including international leadership and Brexit, experienced over the last 12 months.
American Soybean Association (ASA) CEO Steve Censky, ASA President Ron Moore and United Soybean Board’s (USB) John Motter, along with U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) representatives Jim Sutter, Roz Leek and ASA Director Jim Miller (Belden, NE), will attend the event.
The Oilseed Producer’s Dialogue (IOPD), will draw producers from Australia, Europe and South and North America to Sydney with the key aim of promoting collaboration across common interests and objectives. It will be held in Sydney June 26-27 before heading on-farm in Central West New South Wales later in the week.
The event will be hosted by the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF), the peak industry body for Australian oilseeds, and Executive Director Nick Goddard is looking forward to showing off Sydney and local farming systems.
“Trade will certainly be a hot topic at this year’s meeting, following the collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, uncertainty around what Brexit might mean for trade in Britain and Europe, and new leadership in the US, France and UK,” Goddard said.
“Biotechnology, and growing pressure from some importing countries around residues, also have the potential to impact trade and will be discussed at length
“Another issue at the forefront of the dialogue will be increasing restrictions by some countries on the way oilseed producers operate, particularly in relation to the use of critical farm chemicals.
“It’s important for us to see what is happening globally with farmers and the limitations being put on farming practices, to look at the big picture of the global oilseed business.
“It really highlights that we all have the same goals, and it helps us to find ways to work together to achieve these goals.”
The IOPD was established in 1998 to develop and promote a sound business environment to allow oilseed producers to remain viable for current and future generations. Members support trade liberalisation, and science-based systems for both Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and sustainable technologies, including biotechnology.
The sessions in Sydney will include presentations from each participating country, and discussions on global markets, international trade, research and development, chemical residues, and new breeding techniques.
Delegates will then head to Parkes, Forbes, Eugowra and Orange for two days, where they will visit several farms, saleyards, crushing plants and other sights.
Corn Insect Bt Technologies Offer Cost-effective, Proactive Protection
When farm economics are challenging, farmers look for ways to bolster profit margins, including reducing input costs. Some may think about planting non-Bt corn, but farmers should consider reasons Bt trait technology is not the place to cut.
Not only are Bt technologies one of the best proactive ways to protect corn yield, but the costs of managing an insect outbreak in corn without Bt protection can be greater than expected.
Farmers should account for all the costs of managing an in-season pest outbreak and ask themselves: Is it worth the risk of planting non-Bt corn?
“Planting corn without Bt technology may seem like a good decision on paper, but farmers should consider what that could mean for their operation during the season,” says Brad Hopkins, Dow AgroSciences biology team leader, global seed treatments and North America insect resistant traits. “Every year brings unique challenges, and Bt technology offers cost-effective yield protection if insect outbreaks occur.”
Hopkins says it is important for farmers to assess potential insect pressure and choose the appropriate Bt trait technology for their acres. In areas with a history of corn rootworm pressure, cutting back on below-ground protection can have substantial impact on yield. Even if corn rootworm is not a major concern, farmers should carefully weigh the impact of cutting above-ground Bt protection.
Planting non-Bt corn, or choosing less-than-adequate protection, comes with potential costs not included in the seed purchase. For example, non-Bt corn requires more time to scout and closely monitor pest infestations. If populations reach threshold levels, insecticide applications mean additional inputs and time in the field. And once corn rootworm infestations develop in fields without below-ground Bt protection, decreased yield potential is a substantial risk.
Those are a few reasons why entomologists like Hopkins still recommend Bt trait technologies as excellent tools for protecting corn yield.
“Bt trait technology is a simple way farmers can get season-long protection against many of the primary insect pests in corn,” Hopkins says. “For the last three seasons, adoption of Bt trait technologies among corn growers has been around 80 percent, which speaks to the effectiveness and efficiency of these technologies.”
Hopkins says insect damage can quickly erode yield. An infestation of corn earworm can reduce yield by as much as 5 percent to 7 percent. Although their numbers have been greatly reduced due to broad adoption of Bt corn, European corn borer can still be common in areas where growers are planting non-Bt corn. Depending on the corn growth stage, a European corn borer infestation could mean a yield loss of 8.3 bushels per acre. According to Extension, if corn is priced at $3.40/bu. with average yield at 180 bu./A, Bt trait technology can provide nearly $78/A of yield protection against European corn borer.
PowerCore®, SmartStax® trait technologies give farmers better solutions
Dow AgroSciences offers a choice for corn Bt trait technology so farmers can plant the right technology on the right acre.
New for 2017, PowerCore® trait technology is a pyramid of three Bt traits that combines three proteins for the broad-spectrum control of above-ground insects in corn. PowerCore is a great choice for farmers with low corn rootworm pressure. Iowa farmer Bob Henderson used PowerCore trait technology during the stewarded launch, and he says it provides the protection he needs against above-ground pests.
“PowerCore trait technology gives us peace of mind so that we don’t have to worry about black cutworms, corn borers or corn earworms,” Henderson says. “All those insects can take a bushel here or two bushels there, but PowerCore alleviates us from having to worry about the above-ground insect pests that attack corn during the season.”
SmartStax® trait technology offers industry-leading protection of above- and below-ground insects, especially for those who have corn rootworm pressure on their farms.
“Dow AgroSciences has been a leader in the corn insect traits market beginning with the Herculex family of traits and then SmartStax trait technology,” Hopkins says. “With the introduction of PowerCore in addition to SmartStax, farmers now have a choice from Dow AgroSciences to plant the right corn Bt trait technology for their farms, depending on field history and agronomic conditions.”
PowerCore and SmartStax are available in the latest germplasm for greater yield potential. Both technologies are available for 2018 planting stacked with the Enlist™ corn trait, and growers can begin ordering PowerCore Enlist hybrids and SmartStax Enlist hybrids from Dow AgroSciences seed companies later this summer.
Dow AgroSciences plans to expand its corn insect trait technology portfolio in the future with SmartStax® PRO, which builds on SmartStax by incorporating RNA interference (RNAi) technology, an additional and new mode of action to protect against corn rootworm. SmartStax PRO is currently in the Dow AgroSciences breeding and development program, with an expected launch by the end of the decade.
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