NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending June 23, 2013, rainfall across much of the State combined with above normal temperatures to boost the growth of young crops, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Rainfall amounts of two inches or more were recording in northern rangeland counties and portions of the eastern Panhandle. However, most totals were less than an inch. Damaging hail was reported in a number of counties, however most storms were localized. High winds made herbicide application a challenge. Hay harvest was active with high humidity and rain limiting good drying conditions. Temperatures were 3 to 5 degrees above normal across the east and south and near normal elsewhere. Most of the wheat in the southern third of the state was turning color with harvest expected to begin near July 4th. Statewide, producers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 27 short, 65 adequate, and 1 surplus, well above previous year. However, very short moisture conditions continue to exist in portions of South Central, Southwestern and Northwestern Nebraska. Statewide, subsoil moisture supplies rated 20 percent very short, 34 short, 46 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 22 fair, 60 good, 15 excellent.
Soybean conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 22 fair, 67 good, and 9 excellent. Soybeans emerged was 95 percent, behind last year’s 100 but near 96 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 30 fair, 38 good, and 24 excellent. Sorghum emerged was 91 percent, behind last year’s 97 but near 89 average.
Wheat conditions rated 26 percent very poor, 25 poor, 31 fair, 17 good, and 1 excellent. Wheat headed was 98 percent, compared to 100 last year and 99 average. Wheat turning color was 40 percent, well behind 98 last year and 57 average. Wheat ripe was 1 percent, well behind 60 last year and 14 average.
Oat conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 31 fair, 47 good, and 9 excellent. Oats headed were 77 percent, behind last year’s 96 but near 79 average.
Alfalfa conditions were 2 percent very poor, 11 poor, 35 fair, 46 good, and 6 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 84 percent complete, behind last year’s 99 but near 86 average. Alfalfa second cutting was 2 percent complete, well behind last year’s 63 and 16 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 12 short, 82 adequate, and 1 surplus. Pasture and range condition was 10 percent very poor, 26 poor, 40 fair, 21 good, and 3 excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 25 percent very short, 36 short, 38 adequate, and 1 surplus.
Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-06-24-2013.txt
Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE®ion=HPRCC
Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP
Iowa Crops & Weather Report
Warm and mostly dry weather allowed farmers to make progress getting crops planted during the week ending June 23, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there was an average of 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork. The week had the most days suitable for fieldwork in over a month, and the second most for the year. South East Iowa had the most suitable conditions for fieldwork and had 5.4 days suitable.
Moisture levels for both topsoil and subsoil continue to be rated mostly adequate and surplus. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 34 percent surplus.
Iowa’s corn crop was 96 percent planted, marking the first year since 1993 that any corn remained to be planted this late in the year. Ninety-three percent of the corn crop has emerged, normally all corn would be emerged. Corn condition showed a very slight improvement, and was rated 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 44 percent good and 10 percent excellent. Ninety percent of the soybean crop has been planted, an advancement of 13 percentage points from last week, but still below the normal 98 percent. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged; still well behind the five-year average of 94 percent. The soybean condition rating improved slightly, and was rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 44 percent good and 9 percent excellent. Sixty-seven percent of the oat crop was headed, almost catching up with the normal 72 percent headed. The oat condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 56 percent good and 12 percent excellent.
Farmers took advantage of the dry weather to make good progress harvesting alfalfa. The first cutting of alfalfa hay increased over 40 percentage points from last week, and now stands at 72 percent complete, still behind the five year average of 77 percent. Hay condition was rated at 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 52 percent good and 15 percent excellent. Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 47 percent good and 23 percent excellent.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
A welcome period of much warmer and drier weather prevailed across most of Iowa through Thursday (20th) night. Daytime high temperatures were mostly in the 80’s with just a few light showers scattered across the state. The warmest weather came over the weekend but was accompanied by torrential rains over parts of northeast Iowa. Isolated heavy rain fell in parts of the northeast Friday (21st) morning and was followed by more widespread heavy rain early Saturday morning (22nd) and again Saturday night into Sunday (23rd) morning. Rain totals included 8.99 inches at Dorchester, 8.74 inches at Yellow River State Forest (both Allamakee Co.) and 7.58 inches at Bluffton (Winneshiek Co.). Meanwhile, no measureable rain fell during the reporting week over parts of central and southeast Iowa such as at Ames, Newton, Grinnell, Washington and Fairfield. The statewide average precipitation was 0.81 inches while normal for the week is 1.17 inches. Temperature extremes for the week ranged from a Wednesday (19th) morning low of 52 degrees at Elkader to afternoon highs of 94 degrees at Sioux City on Friday (21st) and Muscatine on Saturday (22nd). Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 3.5 degrees above normal. Finally, with the warmer and more humid weather, there were several days with scattered reports of high winds and large hail. The most widespread severe weather came on Friday morning over northeast and extreme northern Iowa with golf ball size hail reported near Ringsted in Emmet County and near Independence in Buchanan County.
Corn Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 92% of the 2012 corn acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 23, : June 16, : June 23, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado ..........: 100 90 98 99
Illinois ..............: 100 94 100 99
Indiana .............: 100 97 100 98
Iowa ................: 100 89 93 100
Kansas ............: 100 98 99 100
Kentucky .........: 100 95 99 100
Michigan ..........: 100 97 100 99
Minnesota ........: 100 86 90 100
Missouri ...........: 100 90 97 96
Nebraska ..........: 100 100 100 100
North Carolina ...: 100 100 100 100
North Dakota ....: 100 81 87 99
Ohio ................: 100 98 100 99
Pennsylvania ....: 95 97 97 94
South Dakota ...: 100 95 100 99
Tennessee .......: 100 97 100 100
Texas ..............: 100 98 100 99
Wisconsin .......: 100 75 84 100
18 States .........: 100 92 96 99
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Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending June 23, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado ........: 11 8 29 48 4
Illinois ............: 2 7 24 50 17
Indiana ...........: 1 3 20 55 21
Iowa ..............: 3 11 32 44 10
Kansas ..........: 2 6 34 51 7
Kentucky .......: 1 2 15 58 24
Michigan ........: 2 4 20 59 15
Minnesota ......: 2 5 34 50 9
Missouri .........: 3 9 34 45 9
Nebraska ........: - 3 22 60 15
North Carolina .: - 3 24 58 15
North Dakota ..: 2 4 23 57 14
Ohio ..............: - 2 16 52 30
Pennsylvania ..: - - 13 72 15
South Dakota ..: 2 4 28 52 14
Tennessee ......: - 5 17 56 22
Texas .............: 2 7 26 47 18
Wisconsin .......: 2 6 32 43 17
18 States ........: 2 6 27 51 14
Previous week .: 2 6 28 52 12
Previous year ..: 4 10 30 45 11
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Soybeans Planted - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 23, : June 16, : June 23, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas ......: 99 79 88 92
Illinois ...........: 100 90 96 93
Indiana ..........: 100 93 96 94
Iowa ..............: 100 77 90 98
Kansas ..........: 98 81 88 91
Kentucky .......: 99 63 77 87
Louisiana .......: 99 92 98 98
Michigan ........: 100 100 100 99
Minnesota ......: 100 84 94 100
Mississippi .....: 100 96 98 100
Missouri .........: 100 70 84 84
Nebraska ........: 100 99 100 99
North Carolina .: 85 57 68 84
North Dakota ...: 100 87 92 99
Ohio ...............: 100 97 100 97
South Dakota ..: 100 91 98 97
Tennessee ......: 98 62 73 89
Wisconsin ......: 100 72 85 99
18 States .......: 99 85 92 95
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Soybeans Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 23, : June 16, : June 23, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 98 67 78 84
Illinois ...........: 99 67 87 85
Indiana ..........: 99 83 90 86
Iowa ..............: 100 56 75 94
Kansas ..........: 91 60 78 83
Kentucky .......: 98 46 60 80
Louisiana .......: 98 86 94 97
Michigan ........: 99 87 95 94
Minnesota ......: 100 64 81 98
Mississippi .....: 100 91 93 98
Missouri .........: 92 49 67 74
Nebraska .......: 100 90 95 96
North Carolina .: 68 47 57 71
North Dakota ..: 100 52 76 93
Ohio ..............: 100 86 96 92
South Dakota .: 100 70 84 87
Tennessee .....: 91 40 54 74
Wisconsin .....: 99 49 69 94
18 States ......: 98 66 81 89
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Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending June 23, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
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State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas ......: 5 3 37 43 12
Illinois ...........: 2 6 23 51 18
Indiana ..........: 1 3 24 55 17
Iowa ..............: 3 9 35 44 9
Kansas ..........: 1 2 30 63 4
Kentucky .......: 1 2 14 68 15
Louisiana .......: 2 5 29 53 11
Michigan ........: 2 6 25 55 12
Minnesota ......: 1 5 36 52 6
Mississippi .....: 1 6 36 49 8
Missouri .........: 2 8 35 49 6
Nebraska ........: - 2 22 67 9
North Carolina .: - 3 28 58 11
North Dakota ..: 2 4 25 56 13
Ohio ..............: 1 2 19 63 15
South Dakota .: 1 3 29 55 12
Tennessee .....: - 4 15 66 15
Wisconsin .....: 1 5 32 48 14
18 States ......: 2 5 28 54 11
Previous week .: 1 5 30 54 10
Previous year ..: 4 11 32 45 8
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Winter Wheat Harvested - Selected States
[These 18 States harvested 88% of the 2012 winter wheat acreage]
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: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 23, : June 16, : June 23, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas ......: 100 37 73 92
California .......: 61 60 80 56
Colorado ........: 40 - 2 10
Idaho .............: - - - -
Illinois ............: 82 - 12 34
Indiana ...........: 68 - 7 25
Kansas ..........: 94 - 8 39
Michigan ........: 1 - - -
Missouri .........: 96 6 23 50
Montana .........: - - - -
Nebraska ........: 29 - - 6
North Carolina .: 92 17 48 84
Ohio ...............: 17 - 1 6
Oklahoma .......: 98 30 55 81
Oregon ...........: - - - -
South Dakota ..: 1 - - -
Texas .............: 83 50 55 69
Washington ....: - - - -
18 States .......: 63 11 20 37
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Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending June 23, 2013
[National pasture and range conditions for selected States are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Alabama .......: 3 7 29 53 8
Arizona .........: 54 30 14 2 -
Arkansas ......: - 2 26 59 13
California .......: 15 80 5 - -
Colorado .......: 33 29 23 15 -
Connecticut ...: - - 36 64 -
Delaware .......: 1 2 17 76 4
Florida ..........: 1 2 25 65 7
Georgia .........: - 1 17 57 25
Idaho .............: 3 17 46 32 2
Illinois ............: - 2 9 59 30
Indiana ...........: 1 3 22 56 18
Iowa ...............: 1 6 23 47 23
Kansas ...........: 25 18 22 30 5
Kentucky ........: 1 3 19 56 21
Louisiana ........: 2 5 28 59 6
Maine .............: - - 11 59 30
Maryland .........: 1 1 6 72 20
Massachusetts.: - - - 100 -
Michigan .........: 1 3 29 44 23
Minnesota .......: 1 4 19 55 21
Mississippi ......: - - 27 66 7
Missouri ..........: 1 2 23 61 13
Montana ..........: 2 6 28 48 16
Nebraska .........: 10 26 40 21 3
Nevada ............: 25 20 34 17 4
New Hampshire : 1 2 16 65 16
New Jersey ......: - - 25 30 45
New Mexico .....: 64 27 9 - -
New York .........: 1 5 22 55 17
North Carolina ..: - 2 23 63 12
North Dakota ...: 1 2 13 56 28
Ohio ...............: - 4 24 54 18
Oklahoma .......: 11 10 32 41 6
Oregon ...........: 6 17 40 32 5
Pennsylvania ..: 1 11 29 47 12
Rhode Island ..: - - 25 75 -
South Carolina : - - 12 77 11
South Dakota .: 1 4 21 60 14
Tennessee .....: - 2 17 68 13
Texas ............: 14 23 31 26 6
Utah ..............: 4 19 38 39 -
Vermont ........: 3 3 25 58 11
Virginia ..........: - 2 16 58 24
Washington ...: 4 13 28 52 3
West Virginia .: - 2 20 66 12
Wisconsin .....: - 3 16 54 27
Wyoming ......: 9 27 31 28 5
48 States ......: 8 15 24 42 11
Previous week.: 9 14 25 42 10
Previous year .: 12 22 32 30 4
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90-Day Forecast Shows Above Normal Temperatures for Nebraska
Al Dutcher, UNL Extension State Climatologist
Most of Nebraska saw a dramatic decrease in precipitation over the past two weeks as the jet stream shifted north, leading to widespread thunderstorm activity to the Dakota’s.
Nebraska has had only a few pockets of above normal moisture in the last two weeks. Portions of the Panhandle, northeast, south central, and east central Nebraska have benefited from recent activity, but a substantial portion of the state received below normal moisture. The northern Sandhills and areas south of I-80 have received less than 50% of normal precipitation.
Temperature trends the past two weeks have been polarized with below normal conditions in the east and above normal in the west. At this point, the primary concern lies with southwest, west central, and south central Nebraska where the combination of below normal moisture and above normal temperatures will likely result in a significant increase in irrigation as the corn crop enters its rapid growth stage.
Some dryland production areas, particularly in central and eastern Nebraska, may actually benefit from a dry period after a soggy April and May. Corn roots should extend deeper into the profile in search of water, which will lessen the chance for shallow rooting syndrome. (This continues to be a problem for areas of northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin plagued by excessive moisture.)
Weather models indicate widely scattered precipitation events for the next two weeks, with the driest conditions indicated for eastern Nebraska. In addition the upper air ridge is predicted to dominate the central U.S., leading to sustained above normal temperatures for Nebraska.
If this scenario verifies, pasture growth across the Sandhills and Panhandle will slow and irrigation demands will intensify. Communities that had well water issues last summer will need to be closely monitored as it is being reported that water tables in the deeper aquifers have shown little recovery during the past two months of moisture. Although irrigation is starting later than last year, water tables are considerably lower and it will not take as much irrigation pressure to impact water supplies in many of our rural communities.
There is not much information regarding precipitation to glean from the latest Climate Prediction Center (CPC) outlooks for July and July through September. CPC assigns an equal chance of below normal, normal, or above normal precipitation for both periods. Above normal July temperatures are assigned to western Nebraska, while all of the state is expected to experience above normal temperatures during the next three months.
As long as normal moisture falls during the next 60 days across eastern Nebraska, the above normal temperature prediction shouldn’t lead to significant yield declines as long as it doesn’t get blazing hot. That being said, if the moisture trends of the past two weeks continue, stress problems could appear by mid-July as the corn crop rapidly depletes soil moisture profiles. If the CPC forecast holds true, there would be an increased probability of non-stop irrigation in some areas by August.
Public Invited to Tom Dorn Farewell June 26
A Farewell Open House will be held for Extension Educator Tom Dorn this Wednesday, June 26, in Lincoln. The event will be 4-6 p.m. at the Lancaster County Extension Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road.
Over the years Dorn has been a regular contributor, covering grain drying and storage issues and other ag topics and providing crop reports. His website on grain storage management is a rich resource of valuable information for growers.
Dorn began his Extension career in 1980 as an Extension Technologist and has served as an irrigation and conservation specialist in northeast Nebraska, an ag agent in Holt and Filmore-Thayer-Nuckolls counties, and in 1997 became an extension educator in Lancaster County. Over the years he has received a number of awards for his service to Nebraska agriculture and Extension.
Herbicide Challenges when Replanting to Forages
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
It's June and somewhere in Nebraska natural crop disasters from flash floods, hail, tornadoes, or even drought may necessitate replanting to another crop. Replanting a grain crop may be nearly impossible due to herbicide carryover or the late planting date. As a result, annual emergency forage crops might be your only choice.
Unfortunately, previous herbicide use can cause problems for forages. Many pre-emergence herbicides for corn and milo will injure pearl millet and foxtail millet. Sudangrass, forage sorghum, and sorghum-sudan hybrids will tolerate moderate levels of atrazine; and safened seed can be used if several other herbicides have been applied. These sorghums also tolerate most herbicides labeled for use with grain sorghum. Another possible emergency forage crop is short-season corn as silage or as late season pasture, especially if corn herbicides eliminate other possibilities.
Soybean herbicides with residual soil activity can cause even bigger problems for replanting to forages. Summer grasses are sensitive to most soybean herbicides. Sunflowers for silage and replanted soybeans for hay or silage are among the few alternatives compatible with soybean herbicide carryover.
Even when you find out that an annual forage will grow, sometimes you may not be allowed to feed it legally. Many row crop herbicides have specific restrictions or at least lack approval for use with forages.
Carefully research your options and any restrictions closely before making your selection.
Nobody likes to replant, but if you must, select a forage that is compatible with your herbicides and livestock.
Wheat Disease Update — Central and Eastern Nebraska
Stephen Wegulo, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist
A survey of wheat fields in Lancaster and Saunders counties on June 19 revealed severe levels of leaf rust and low to moderate levels of Fusarium head blight (scab). Other diseases observed were Septoria tritici blotch, black chaff, and low levels of stripe rust. Warm temperatures have slowed stripe rust development, but have favored leaf rust development. Leaf rust and stripe rust have also been observed in south central Nebraska wheat fields. It is too late to treat wheat fields with fungicides to control fungal diseases. Black chaff, a bacterial disease, cannot be controlled once it occurs.
Scab was observed at low to moderate levels in a grower’s field. Another grower’s field located about 15 miles from the affected field had hardly any scab. Therefore, the occurrence of scab in wheat fields appears to be sporadic and incidence and severity in general are low to moderate in affected fields. Growers in the eastern part of the state where rain preceded and coincided with wheat flowering are encouraged to check their fields for scab.
Nebraska Accepting Apps for Right of Way Hay Permits
Farmers wanting to harvest the hay from state rights-of-way can now apply for permits. The Nebraska Department of Roads has begun taking applications for hay harvesting permits. Owners of land that abuts the state highway right-of-way have until July 30 to apply for a $40 haying permit. After July 30, anyone may apply. Those applying must have one million dollars in liability insurance. Hay harvesting permits are governed in accordance with Chapter 39, Article 13 of the Neb.Rev.Stat. §39-1359.01. The Nebraska Department of Roads has the right to confiscate any hay harvested without a permit.
An Uncertain Future for Farm Policy
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives took up the Farm Bill. As I wrote in the prior week’s Fort Report, Congress and the President have the responsibility to renew and reshape the federal policy that guides our nation’s farm, food, clean energy, and rural development programs. Regrettably, the House failed Thursday to approve its proposal for a new Farm Bill. Frankly, I was shocked by the outcome.
I supported the bill and thought that in the end it would pass. Leading up to the vote, there was a very good, open process that wasn’t stilted or stymied as debate in Washington often tends to be. Members of Congress who had reasonable concerns were able to bring them forward in the form of amendments. While it was an imperfect bill, I felt it achieved significant reforms and was an important step forward for our farm families and rural places.
There is a poor understanding in Washington of the importance of ag policy. There is also a limited constituency for it. Traditionally, we are able to come to a consensus on the food security and farm support issues to create a bill that is reflective of the rural and urban communities in America. With the failure of this Farm Bill proposal in the House, the question must be asked if this signals the end of farm policy processes as we’ve known them.
Some people might welcome that scenario, but others won’t. In the Heartland, we understand that reasonable stabilization policies are important to sustain the profound benefits agriculture provides all Americans. Our farmers provide not only a safe and affordable food supply, they care for our land and water, help create clean energy, and promote economic sustainability in our small towns and rural communities.
The future of farm support programs is uncertain. If we end up extending the existing policy, we don’t save money, we don’t create better risk management tools, and we don’t maintain the robust support for nutrition programs along with the appropriate reforms that this bill sought to balance.
In one bright spot, I was able to get an amendment successfully added to the Farm Bill earlier in the process. The amendment would have capped farm commodity payments at $250,000 per year for any one farm and closed loopholes in current law to ensure payments reach working farmers. This balanced approach helps ensure a robust agricultural marketplace and helps prevent the concentration of land and resources into fewer and fewer hands. The amendment was adopted with bipartisan support and approved with a comfortable margin.
I wish I had a good answer for what will happen next with ag policy. Unfortunately, next steps are unclear, which should be concerning for all Americans. I’m hopeful the opportunity still exists to get the job done on a Farm Bill this year, but this week’s events in the House signal the difficulties involved in passing new farm legislation the traditional way.
Iowa Corn Growers Disappointed in Lingering Farm Bill
The Iowa Corn Growers Association expressed disappointment on the House action to reject the 2013 Farm Bill. "The 2013 Farm Bill vote was close and we have made every effort to be pro-active on our part as farmers to put policy in place to move the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act (2013 farm bill) to passage," said Bruce Rohwer, ICGA president and a farmer from northwest Iowa. "We have worked with our national organization to put the ink on this crucial farm legislation and we are extremely disappointed in the House outcome. We thank our entire Iowa delegation for their support of this important legislation."
NCBA Educates Capitol Hill on Antibiotic Use in Livestock
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today gave an overview to more than 70 congressional staff members on antibiotics used in food producing animals as part of NCBA’s “Beef 101” educational series.
“Beef 101” is an educational program for members of Congress and their staff, developed to continually educate those on Capitol Hill on issues important to the beef industry. Today’s session featured a presentation by Dr. Mike Apley, DVM, PhD, a clinical pharmacologist with Kansas State University, who discussed with attendees the judicious use of antibiotics in the beef industry as one of the critical tools to prevent the spread of disease and maintain a healthy herd.
“The goal of producers is to manage cattle to avoid infectious diseases. Antibiotics are a valuable resource for treating both human and animal diseases,” Apley said. “Farmers and ranchers work with veterinarians to implement comprehensive herd-health management plans, and it’s important for veterinarians and producers to have the ability to best manage herd health and raise healthy cattle, which ultimately means a safe food supply.”
During the presentation, Apley covered common myths about antibiotic use, such as the misconception that 70 percent of antibiotics used in the United States for human and animal uses are used for nontherapeutic use in food animals. In fact, Apley stated, some antibiotics calculated into that total have never been marketed in the United States. He added that a large percentage of the antibiotics used to treat and prevent illness in animals are ionophores, compounds not used in human medicine.
Another myth dispelled during today’s session is that animal antibiotic use is not subject to significant government regulation. Contrary to that myth, all antibiotics labeled for use in livestock production have passed a stringent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process and have been shown to be safe and effective. FDA approves antibiotics to treat specific diseases or conditions at specific dosage rates for a specific time period, and this science-driven process helps protect human health while giving veterinarians and cattlemen the tools they need to keep cattle healthy.
“Producers use antibiotics under the guidance of a veterinarian, and extensive regulations govern the use of animal health drugs. Many factors go into ensuring that veterinarians, farmers and ranchers have access to effective antibiotics to maintain animal health,” said Apley. “Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions and outright misrepresentations about why and how antibiotics are used in the cattle industry. The truth is, cattle producers and veterinarians utilize many tools including vaccines, herd health management, genetics and animal nutrition to continue producing the world’s safest beef.”
EPA Announces May Biodiesel, Ethanol Production Figures
Biodiesel production reached 135 million gallons for the month of May, according to the latest EPA figures, putting the industry on target to once again exceed annual volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Biodiesel, an EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel that has surpassed RFS targets for two consecutive years, is reported under the Biomass-based Diesel category under the RFS.
The numbers show a total of nearly 140 million gallons of Biomass-based Diesel for May, but that total also includes production of renewable diesel. The biodiesel portion of the total was 135 million gallons - putting year-to-date biodiesel production through the end of May at nearly 504 million gallons.
D6 renewable fuel production in May, which is primarily corn-based ethanol, was 1.152 billion gallons, up from 1.084 billion gallons produced in April.
Supreme Court Chooses Not To Hear E15 case
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Executive Vice President Brian Jennings issued the following statement following a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to not take up an appeal involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of E15 blends. (A blend of gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol.)
“Oil companies have spent more time and money trying to stop E15 in the courts than they have on complying with the RFS which ensures consumers have access to affordable choices such as E15, E85, and E30. During this time, ACE has been working with many petroleum marketers who are successfully offering their customers choices between straight gasoline and ethanol-blends, and in every case, ethanol-blended fuel is the most popular choice. We will continue to help retailers make more money and pass savings on to consumers by offering the choice of E15.”
Hog Farmers Thank New York Legislature For Supporting Local Farmers
The New York Pork Producers, the National Pork Producers Council and America’s hog farmers today hailed the New York Legislature for not approving ill-advised legislation banning the use of individual maternity pens pregnant for sows. The measure could have had a devastating effect on local sustainable agriculture in New York by forcing farmers to abandon this humane animal housing system.
Several small farmers in New York use individual maternity pens for pregnant sows, because they allow for individualized care and eliminate aggression from other sows. If passed, the measure would have forced local farmers to abandon such housing, resulting in financial damage and potentially ruining a safe and sustainable source of food for the state’s consumers.
The legislation was pushed by the powerful lobbying group the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other radical animal-rights groups even though, if approved, it would have prevented farmers from caring for their animals in a way approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Both organizations recognize individual maternity pens as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows during pregnancy.
“This is about HSUS using New York to advance its national agenda, regardless of the negative impact it would have on the health and safety of the animals and the small independent farmers who care for them.” said New York pork producer John Lash.
Over the past 10 years, HSUS has lobbied other states to pass bans on individual maternity pens. While a few states have enacted bans through ballot initiatives, few state legislatures have approved such a prohibition because of the negative impacts it would have on local producers.
“Decisions about animal well-being and housing should be determined by those who understand the animals and work with them every day,” said Lash.
Industry Groups Cheer New York Bioheat Legislation
Last week, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed legislation that sets a new standard for all heating oil sold in the state, requiring it to contain at least two percent biodiesel (B2, known in the industry as Bioheat®) by 2015. A broad range of industry and environmental groups voiced support for the legislation, which will reduce air emissions and create jobs throughout the nation's largest heating oil market.
"America's advanced biofuel and Bioheat are a great fit for New York's heating oil market" said Shelby Neal, NBB Director of State Governmental Affairs. "Creating a standard that includes at least 2 percent biodiesel will replace about 30 million gallons of petroleum annually with a cleaner burning, renewable fuel."
Biodiesel is the first alternative fuel designated as an advanced biofuel by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reach a billion gallons of annual production. It is domestically produced from agricultural co-products and byproducts such as soybean oil, animal fats, and recycled cooking oil.
"New York State's crop farmers are growing more and more soybeans every year," said Julia Robbins, Executive Director, New York Corn and Soybean Association. "This policy will help provide New York farmers with a new market for the state's soybean oil."
New York City, the largest municipal consumer of heating oil in the country, has already taken advantage of biodiesel's benefits by instituting a citywide 2 percent biodiesel requirement in October of 2012.
"Extensive testing has clearly shown that biodiesel blended with traditional heating oil is safe, seamless, and actually improves fuel efficiency through cleaning and preserving equipment," said John Maniscalco, CEO of the New York Oil Heating Association. "This law extends these tremendous benefits to all New Yorkers and will provide the state with the cleanest, most sustainable heating oil in the country."
Not only is Bioheat cleaner, it creates economic activity that benefits consumers.
"A uniform fuel standard for Bioheat across New York State will promote investment in the heating oil industry and increase the number of green collar jobs and overall opportunity in the state," said John A. Catsimatidis, CEO of United Biofuels, Inc. "These are jobs that can't be shipped overseas and provide economic activity in our own communities."
The legislation calls for all heating oil sold in the City of New York, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland counties to contain at least two percent biodiesel by October 1, 2014, and all heating oil sold statewide to meet this standard by July 1, 2015. The legislation will become effective upon the governor's signature.
The legislation was supported by the City of New York, Office of the Mayor; NYC Citywide Administrative Services; Environmental Defense Fund; American Lung Association in New York; New York League of Conservation Voters; WE ACT for Environmental Justice; Environmental Advocates of New York; New York Public Interest Research Group; Empire State Petroleum Association, Inc.; Oil Heat Institute of Long Island; New York Oil Heating Association, Inc.; United Metro Energy Corp.; New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association; and the National Biodiesel Board.
Canadians Eating More Meat
Consumption of beef and pork rose in Canada last year while chicken consumption fell. According to figures from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Canadian consumption of beef was 20kg per head, which is up 1.1 percent.
Pork consumption rose by four per cent to 16.8kg, but chicken consumption fell by 0.8 per cent to 30kg.
The CAA said that chicken consumption was at its peak in 2007 when it reached 31.6kg per head.
Overall, total per capita meat consumption was up 1 per cent to 66.8 kg in 2012.
"Over the last 40 years Canadians have consumed between 66 and 75 kg of protein annually with a long term average of 69.7 kg per capita," the CAA said. "Gains in all protein categories indicate a more confident consumer for the first time since the global financial crisis in 2008."
Beef consumption last year was hit by lower exports and larger imports in the fourth quarter of 2012 following the XL Foods E.coli recall in September.
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
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