Tuesday August 21 Ag News

Correct Timing Makes The Best Silage
Larry Howard, NE Extension Educator, Cuming County

Harvest timing is critical for success.   Timing needs to be based on moisture content of the silage.   Silage chopped too early and wetter than seventy percent moisture can run or seep and it often produces a sour, less palatable fermentation.   We often get this wet silage when we rush to salvage wind or hail damaged corn.   Live green stalks, leaves, and husks almost always are more than eighty percent moisture, so wait until these tissues start to dry before chopping.

Normal corn, though, is often chopped for silage too dry, below sixty percent moisture.   That could easily happen this year with early corn maturity.   Dry silage is difficult to pack adequately to force out air.   The silage heats, energy and protein digestibility declines, and spoilage increases.   If your silage is warm or steams during winter, it probably was too dry when chopped.

Many corn hybrids are between 60 to 70 percent moisture after corn kernels dent and reach the one-half to three-quarters milkline.   This guide isn’t perfect for all hybrids, though, so check your own fields independently.

Corn kernels in silage between black layer and half milkline are more digestible.   Drier, more mature corn grain tends to pass through the animal more often without digesting unless kernels are processed.   Also, older leaves and stalks are less digestible.

So chop your silage at the proper moisture level this year.   The outcome will be better feed and better profits.

Cover And Forage Crops Following Early Bean And Corn Harvests
Corn and beans harvested early can leave your ground bare for seven to nine months.   Instead, you can plant some crops to grow and cover it until next season.

After silage harvest or combining corn or beans early, ground that lies bare has two things working against it.   One is exposure to wind and water erosion.   And two, it is not growing anything.   Cover crops might help you overcome both problems.

But what should you plant?   UNL Extension Forage Specialist, Bruce Anderson states that this depends on what you want to achieve with your cover crop.   For example, hairy vetch and winter peas are good cover crops if you want to improve your soil by planting a legume that will provide 30 to 40 pounds of nitrogen per acre for next year’s crop.   Or maybe use a deep-rooted radish to breakup some hardpans.

Are you still hoping for some feed this fall?   Then oats, spring barley, annual ryegrass, and turnips might be better choices.   These plants have the greatest forage yield potential in the fall.   Oats and barley will die over winter so they won’t interfere with next year’s crop.   But, dead residue from oats and barley is not very durable, so it provides less effective soil protection and for a shorter duration.

For better soil protection, winter rye is the best choice among the cereals.   And cereal rye can provide abundant grazable growth early next spring to get cows off of hay sooner.   Wheat and triticale also can be good cover crops.   Of course, wheat then can be harvested later for grain while triticale makes very good late spring forage.

What is becoming especially popular is planting a mixture of several types of plants to reap some of the benefits of each one.

Cover crops can preserve or even improve your soil, and can be useful forages as well.   Consider them following your early harvests.



Kernel Processing at Harvest was calculated to Improve Silage 6.5%
Steve Niemeyer – Extension Educator

Corn silage is frequently used in beef cattle diets as a roughage source. Increasing the nutrients available from corn silage through genetic improvement and processing are two ways that feed quality can be improved. Research conducted by the University of Nebraska compared three different corn hybrids to each other and also evaluated the impact of kernel processing at harvest on silage quality. The three hybrids evaluated included a control variety, a brown midrib variety and a brown midrib variety with a softer endosperm. Half of each of the hybrids planted were harvested with kernel processing and the other half without, resulting in six different silages to compare to one another. Kernel processing is where the harvested corn goes through a counter-rotating roller that cracks or flattens the corn kernels between the cutterhead and blower. These three hybrids were harvested at the Eastern Nebraska Research and Education Center near Mead, Nebraska between September 2 and 12, 2016 and stored in sealed AgBags®.

After the silage had fermented, 360 crossbred yearling steers averaging 882 pounds were divided into 36 pens with 10 steers per pen. The 36 pens were divided equally across the three hybrids with 12 pens per hybrid. Each of the hybrids was further divided with six of the pens being fed silage that was not kernel processed and six of the pens being fed silage that was. The corn silage was fed as 40% of a finishing diet. The cattle were fed for 104 days prior to harvest.

Cattle fed the two hybrid varieties that contained the brown midrib trait were shown to have improved average daily gains and lower feed to gain when compared to the control variety of corn silage. Across the three hybrids, kernel processing tended to reduce feed intake with there being no difference in average daily gain when compared to non-processed silage. This resulted in a 2.6% improvement in efficiency when kernel processed silage was fed at 40% of the diet. This would calculate to be an estimated improvement of 6.5% (2.5/0.4) for silage that was kernel processed when compared to not processing the silage.

This research would indicate that the use of kernel processing can improve the quality of silage as feed in beef cattle diets across corn hybrids, including those containing brown midrib traits. Kernel processing can have additional benefits such as breaking up cobs into smaller pieces and crushing plants which can improve silo compaction. Kernel processing at the time of silage harvest does increase cost. The cost of kernel processing should be compared to the expected value to be gained from feed improvement to determine if the additional cost is justified.


Popular Ag Sack Lunch program returns for ninth year

The popular Ag Sack Lunch program, an initiative to increase agricultural awareness with Nebraska young people and their families, is back for its ninth year.

The program provides a free lunch and an ag-focused learning experience to fourth-graders who come to Lincoln each year to tour the state capitol building as part of their educational curriculum.  While they eat their lunch, students hear a presentation about the crops and livestock species that are raised in Nebraska and the important role agriculture plays in Nebraska’s economy.

The sack lunches consist of Nebraska-produced food items to help students appreciate where their food comes from.  They also receive card games called “Crazy Soybean” and “Old Corn Maid,” which include ag facts, to take home to play with their families and friends.

Since the inaugural offering during the 2010-2011 school year, nearly 40,000 students have participated in the Ag Sack Lunch program. Last year the program provided 5,000 lunches. That number will increase by another 250 this year. 

The program is sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB), the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Beef Council and Midwest Dairy. 

“Over the last eight years, the Ag Sack Lunch Program has been successful in helping our fourth-graders understand where their food comes from and how Nebraska’s farm production methods help protect the environment while ensuring food safety and promoting animal health,” says Victor Bohuslavsky, NSB executive director. “Participating teachers continue to tell us how their students learn so much from the presentations.”

“It is a great program and we appreciated it very much,” says Craig Ehlers, a teacher from Elkhorn. “I think this program is important for students like ours who don't have much interaction, knowledge, or experience with agriculture. I think our students take Nebraska's agriculture for granted and this helps them to appreciate what farmers and ranchers do for our state.”

Bellevue teacher Rebecca Wilson offers similar praise. “The students are always engaged and learn so much about our state’. It is so nice that lunch is provided and has a good amount of food that is great quality for the kids to eat,” she says.

Ag Sack Lunch invitations have been sent to fourth-grade teachers at 660 elementary schools in 44 eastern Nebraska counties. Reservations for the 2018-2019 school year are limited to 5250 students on a first-come, first-served basis. These spots fill up quickly, so teachers are urged to sign up as soon as possible—even if their state capitol tour dates have not been finalized yet. Reservations can be placed online at agsacklunchprogram.com.



2 WATER QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS RECEIVE 2nd ROUND OF FUNDING TO SCALE UP EFFORTS

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the extension of two water quality demonstration projects that are focused on innovative ways to encourage adoption of water quality-focused conservation practices. The projects were initially funded in 2015 and are being extended for three years to scale-up their efforts and accelerate practice implementation in support of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

“These extensions will allow us to build on the strong foundation that has already been established by these projects,” Naig said. “From the start we have recognized we will need innovative approaches to engage farmers and encourage adoption of water quality-focused practices. Extending these projects allows us to add new partners and continue to work with local farmers and agribusinesses to achieve water quality improvement goals,” Naig said.

The projects receiving extensions are:

Driving Cover Crop Adoption through Education and Technical Assistance and Showing Environmental Benefits – The project is led by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) and encourages farmers to integrate cover crops into their operation through partnerships with ag retailers and supply chain initiatives. Starting in 2018 this project will integrate a training program and incentive structure for agronomists and Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) to encourage farmer adoption of water quality focused practices.

Integration of Cover Crops into Livestock Operations – The project is led by Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and works with livestock producers in the Floyd, North Raccoon and East Nishnabotna River watersheds to demonstrate value of incorporating cover crops as part of farming operations with livestock. The project is being expanded to assess soil health metrics along with economic benefits of cover crops.

More details about these projects and other demonstration projects that are part of the Iowa Water Quality Initiative can be found at https://www.cleanwateriowa.org/farm-1/. 

These projects will receive over $1 million in additional funding through the Iowa Water Quality Initiative over the next three years. In addition to the state funds, these two projects will generate an estimated $4.5 million in matching funds to support water quality improvement efforts as well as other in-kind contributions.

These funds will allow the projects to focus on scaling up implementation of conservation practices identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The projects will continue to build on the development of new and innovative practice delivery mechanisms within the project areas.



Cattlemen Talk Policy with Officials at Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair provides an excellent opportunity for all Iowans to come together each summer to learn about and celebrate the rich agricultural heritage our state is known for. With Iowa’s congressional delegation back in their districts for the August recess, it is also perfect timing to invite elected officials to sit down to discuss cattle industry issues, take a walk through the cattle barn to catch up with constituents and congratulate young exhibitors on their accomplishments, and have a bite of beef at Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters. At the 2018 Iowa State Fair, ICA hosted state and federal officials to do just that.

Member-leaders and staff were on hand to visit with Governor Reynolds and Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, congressional representatives including Senator Joni Ernst, Congressman David Young, Congressman Steve King, and Congressman Dave Loebsack, and even a couple of regulatory appointees, EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler and Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Brian Quintenz.

ICA leaders took these opportunities to continue building key relationships with these leaders and also discuss important policy issues developed through ICA’s grassroots process, including trade, the 2018 Farm Bill, regulation of fake meat products, labor needs, electronic logging device and hours of service regulation, and oversight of cattle futures trading.

Below is an update on some of the federal issues ICA is currently working on:

Trade & Market Access:
Cattlemen and women support open markets and science-based trade. Beef exports account for around $300 a head for U.S. producers.

NAFTA renegotiation is a top priority. There is optimism that a bi-lateral deal with Mexico may be complete by early September which would bring Canada back to the table to work out a trade agreement as well.

Cattlemen are also concerned about the impacts of trade dispute with China. Though the Chinese market for beef remains relatively underdeveloped, the devastating effect on the pork industry will negatively impact beef too by bringing more pork on to the domestic market and forcing beef to compete at a lower price. Though China’s bad acts of intellectual property theft cannot be ignored, unrestricted access to the Chinese market is crucial for American agriculture.

2018 Farm Bill:
The House and Senate have passed different versions of the Farm Bill and the next step is Conference Committee. Conferees have been announced and include Senator Ernst.

ICA's priorities include full funding for the Food and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank. Iowa is one of the most livestock dense states, which puts us at increased risk of having a disease outbreak and means that we have the most to lose. An FMD outbreak would be catastrophic, not only for the livestock industry, but our state and nation’s economy. The $150 million/year for 5 years to fully fund an FMD vaccine bank is an inexpensive way to protect from loss estimated to be over $128 billion over ten years for the beef and pork industries alone.

In the conservation title, ICA encouraged the delegation to protect EQIP funding, improve CRP by increasing the opportunity to integrate cattle production through haying and grazing. Cattlemen would also like to see the Farm Bill improve the accuracy of U.S. Drought Monitor for disaster relief, protect trade promotion programs (Market Access Program & Foreign Market Development) and maintain research funding

Electronic Logging Device/Hours of Service Regulation:
Combined with Hours of Service requirements, this mandate would eliminate needed flexibility for livestock haulers to get livestock to their destination without compromising animal health or welfare. Livestock haulers are currently under an extension for compliance (do not currently have to comply with ELD mandate) and the Senate recently passed a one-year extension for delay. A House committee has passed the same language, but it still needs to pass full House. Bills have been introduced in the House and Senate (sponsored by Iowans) that would provide long-term solutions to HOS rules and the Department of Transportation is still considering a petition, supported by ICA, that requests a five-year ELD waiver for livestock haulers. The Department has not indicated when they will respond to the petition.

Fake Meat:
Growing popularity of plant-based and lab-cultured alternative proteins has led to the need for a decision on how these products will be regulated. ICA seeks to protect consumers from misleading labels and protect the beef industry from disparaging labels such as “clean meat."

ICA supports House Ag Appropriations language that supports regulation of fake meat products by USDA (not FDA). FDA did not enforce labeling rules for plant-based products claiming to be “milk” and USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is the premier public health agency for regulating meat and poultry products and is perfectly capable of regulating production that does not involve slaughter. In fact, 67% of the facilities that FSIS inspects are “processing only,” meaning they do not slaughter live animals.

Labor:
Shortage of labor continues to be a limiting factor for Iowa livestock producers to expand their operations. The industry needs a legal path for immigrants to be in the U.S. to fill jobs in all sectors, especially meat processing. HR 6417 Ag and Legal Workforce Act has been introduced in House and focuses on the ag labor issue.



Iowa State at Farm Progress Show

Soil, water and crops; they go together like Iowa State University, farmers and agriculture. Those elements along with Iowa State researchers, faculty and extension specialists are part of the Iowa State tent at Farm Progress Show near Boone, Aug. 28-30. Even Cy makes an appearance at the Iowa State exhibit tent on Wednesday afternoon.

Displays in and around the Iowa State exhibit tent at the corner of Central Avenue and Seventh Street are positioned to generate conversations where Farm Progress Show visitors inform researchers and faculty of issues they face and learn about university research addressing those or similar issues. There are numerous opportunities to experience research findings, interact with faculty and student innovations, and get acquainted or reconnected with those in the Iowa State tent.

Water Quality
A team of scientists has information about lower risk, high efficiency in-field practices, demonstrations of edge-of-field practices and field drainage monitoring to engage visitors in conversations about options to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loss. Learn about the benefits of no-till and multiple benefits of cover crops. Find out if you have a location suitable for a saturate buffer and explore edge of field practices demonstrated in the On-the-Edge trailer. Learn about a new field drainage monitoring project.

Soil Health
Soil health is a combination of biological, physical and chemical properties impacting the function and productivity of the soil. Soil property demonstrations show that soil is anything but an inert growing medium. See root growth in compacted and non-compacted soils, soil filtering for chemicals and soil’s ability to capture water, as well as the decomposition of underwear showing biological activity of fields with different management practices.

Digital Ag
An Iowa State team of scientists and students are developing new technology that speeds up and improves accuracy of field scouting. The researchers from agronomy and mechanical engineering are introducing their new technology, including smartphone app, UAV and robot.

Ask the Experts
A full schedule of extension specialists will be on hand to visit about ag production topics – everything from farm related economics to soil nutrient management and current crop diseases and pests. It's a good time to touch base with local field agronomists and ag engineering specialists as well as researchers based on campus.

Land Grant
The Land Grant Legacy project is the first attempt by any state to identify and digitally map land claimed under the Morrill Act of 1862. Locate Iowa land parcels that generated funds for Iowa State University and 25 other land grant colleges. Test your knowledge of the development of Iowa’s agricultural education.

Monarchs
Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium has three years of efforts and more than 40 member organizations and agencies working to restore monarch habitat and increase their population. Learn five ways to help monarchs and take home a monarch seed mix list.

Weeds
Visit the display north of the Iowa State tent to test weed identification skills, then come inside to learn about several common Iowa weeds that have evolved resistance to herbicides. Learn how herbicides work, see demonstrations showing how different herbicide groups work on different weeds at various stages of growth. Find out how to diversify weed management practices.

Manure manifold calibration demonstrations
Dan Andersen, an extension agricultural engineer who’s also known as Dr. Manure, will demonstrate results of his manure manifold calibration research measuring uniformity of outlet discharge. Two models are on display and running.

Iowa State’s south lawn
CY-GER and the Cyclone Power Pullers returned from national competition in June with top honors for the tractor’s appearance, maneuverability and innovation. Many of the tractor’s strengths are in its articulated, four-wheel-drive design. Check it out.

Team PrISUm touts their car as the world’s first solar utility vehicle, capable of hauling four people and groceries – complete with an entertainment screen. Visit with the team and explore the car.

Additional Iowa State speakers and displays can be spotted around the show grounds. Look for Iowa Concern Hotline in the Health and Safety Tent and the Beginning Farmer Center in Wallaces Hospitality tent. Check at the Iowa State tent information booth for locations of additional Iowa State exhibits.



NCGA Joins Efforts to Block WOTUS

On Monday, a broad coalition of agriculture organizations, including the National Corn Growers Association, asked a federal district court in South Carolina to stay its order striking a rule that delayed implementation of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule. Absent a stay, the court order puts the 2015 rule in effect in the 26 states where courts have not already stayed its implementation.

The coalition warned of the “patchwork regulatory regime” created by allowing implementation of the WOTUS rule in about half the nation.

“Enormously consequential national regula­tions like the WOTUS rule—which subject commonplace activities involved in building, farming, and pest management to a complex and burdensome federal permitting and enforcement scheme—should not apply differently depending on whether the activity happens to be located on one side of a state line or the other,” the organizations wrote in their filing with the court.



NCBA Welcomes "Positive Step" on Hours of Service for Livestock Haulers

Today Allison Rivera, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, released the following statement in response to the announcement from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Hours of Service (HOS) regulations:

“We are grateful for FMCSA’s willingness to consider options for flexibility on Hours of Service rules. NCBA will continue to work constructively to find a long-term solution that gives livestock haulers the flexibility they need within Hours of Service to protect the welfare of animals in their care. The proposals released today are a positive step towards focusing on needed changes to Hours of Service, but more specific changes that address the unique realities of the livestock hauling industry are still needed. We will continue to work with FMCSA to provide flexibility for the livestock hauling industry.”

Background
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today announced that it is seeking public comment on revising four specific areas of current hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, which limit the operating hours of commercial truck drivers.



Cattle Market Overriding Themes
Josh Maples, Extension Economist, Dept of Ag Econ, Mississippi State University

Large supplies, record exports, and trade concerns are just a few of the topics that have dominated the headlines in 2018. We are now fully transitioning into a primary calf selling time of the year for cow-calf producers and into an active buying time for stocker producers. I'm going to try to sum up a few of the more prominent factors affecting cattle markets and discuss how they could impact cattle prices this fall and beyond.

Larger beef production continues to put downward pressure on prices. Beef production rose by 6.4 percent in 2016 and 3.8 percent in 2017. Current forecasts suggest about a 4 percent increase in 2018, and 1.5 percent in 2019. Put it all together and that would be about a 16 percent increase in beef production in just four years. This would be the fastest four-year growth since 1973-1977. The increases are slowing, though. All signs are pointing to slower herd expansion in 2018 and 2019. With respect to the cattle cycle, recent cowherd trends suggest 2020 could potentially mark the end of the current U.S. cattle inventory build-up. It is important to note that this would not be the end of a cycle - just the increasing segment of the cycle.

While large supplies remain the biggest headwind to stronger prices, strong domestic and international demand for U.S. beef is providing price support. A strong domestic economy is supporting beef sales despite larger supplies of beef and also larger supplies of competing proteins chicken and pork. Internationally, robust exports have supported the demand profile for beef and, therefore, cattle. January through June exports were 14.7% larger than the same period in 2017 -- and 2017 was a great export year.

Feeder cattle prices have fared relatively better than live cattle prices this year relative to year-ago levels. Production and disappearance forecasts suggest 2018 fed cattle prices are expected to average 2 to 4 percent below 2017 while calf and yearling prices are expected to be very similar to 2017 levels. One driver is lower corn prices. The latest USDA estimates for corn production call for another big corn crop on top of already large supplies. This is providing support for feeder cattle prices as it makes it less expensive to add pounds.

Looking at the rest of 2018, feeder prices are expected to be a little lower than during the same period of 2017. We typically see seasonal feeder price declines heading into September and October and the large supplies of calves this year provide some reasoning for that seasonal pattern to hold this year. Looking beyond 2018, the slower herd growth numbers begin to paint a brighter price picture for 2019 and 2020. If the strong domestic economy maintains or grows and exports continue to gain steam, it is not difficult to project higher prices in the Fall of 2019 compared to Fall 2018.



New Consumer Study Reveals Growing Interest in Lamb

A recent survey conducted by the American Lamb Board (ALB) assessed US consumers' knowledge and preference levels of domestic and imported lamb. The data collected from the lamb usage and attitude study will assist industry stakeholders in making strong, strategic decisions about how to market U.S. lamb.
          
"The American Lamb Board has devoted more than a decade to building awareness and demand for Lamb," said Megan Wortman, ALB executive director. "As we work through our 2018 strategic plan, advancing American Lamb's value proposition is a core element. Understanding consumer attitudes and product usage patterns are also critical components."

The online study was conducted during 2018 among 2,084 U.S. adults aged 18-74 years. The American Lamb Board has three target audiences including: Infrequent Lamb Users (those who eat lamb less than four times a year and/or only in restaurants), Thoughtful Eaters (those who are concerned about where their food comes from and how it's grown) and Millennials (those who were born between 1980-2000 and who are also interested in food and where it comes from).

"This study revealed positive trends for lamb in the US," said Jim Percival, ALB board chairman and sheep producer from Xenia, Ohio. "Among the General Population, 24% reported eating lamb in the last year, up from 20% in 2011 and 21% in 2006. This is significant progress," he added.

"What's more, we are seeing a positive trendline of consumers attitudes with 35% of people who eat lamb saying they like everything about it, compared to just 19% in 2011. For those who eat lamb, the most important attributes are flavor, unique taste and tenderness," said Percival.

"Nearly seven in ten (68%) said they have a strong desire to purchase American-raised lamb," said Percival. "Consumers say they perceive US lamb as being fresher and safer. In addition, they desire to purchase lamb produced by U.S. producers. In fact, when asked about pricing, people feel U.S. lamb would still be a good value, yet not too expensive, if it was priced 10% to 15% more than imported lamb."

Survey participants said they pay attention to country of origin and indicated a preference for lamb produced in the US.

While consumer interest and enjoyment in lamb is growing, respondents said price and availability are the leading barriers to purchasing lamb in the meat case. The study also showed that learning more about preparing lamb, along with increased availability, could increase lamb usage. "This helps us further fine-tune our messages to our target audiences. It also indicates to us that our current strategies should resonate with Millennials and Thoughtful Eaters," says Wortman.

"Half of General Population respondents indicated a willingness to learn how to cook lamb; this is even higher among the target groups as 79% of Infrequent Lamb Users, 59% of Thoughtful Eaters and 56% of Millennials showing an interest in learning about lamb cuts and cooking methods," said Wortman. 

In addition to preparation information, survey respondents desired to hear about locally raised, animal care, and assurances of antibiotic-free and no added hormones.



July Egg Production Up 2 Percent

United States egg production totaled 9.10 billion during July 2018, up 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.90 billion table eggs, and 1.20 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.12 billion were broiler-type and 84.0 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during July 2018 totaled 385 million, up 3 percent from last year. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,364 eggs, down 2 percent from July 2017.
                                   
All layers in the United States on August 1, 2018 totaled 384 million, up 3 percent from last year. The 384 million layers consisted of 323 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 58.2 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.37 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on August 1, 2018, averaged 76.4 eggs per 100 layers, down 2 percent from August 1, 2017.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 21 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during July 2018 totaled 50.8 million, up 21 percent from July 2017. Eggs in incubators totaled 46.7 million on August 1, 2018, up 15 percent from a year ago.

Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 176 thousand during July 2018, down 28 percent from July 2017.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Up 2 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during July 2018 totaled 844 million, up 2 percent from July 2017. Eggs in incubators totaled 687 million on August 1, 2018, up 1 percent from a year ago.

Leading breeders placed 7.63 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during July 2018, up 8 percent from July 2017.
 
NEBRASKA CHICKEN AND EGGS
All layers in Nebraska during July 2018 totaled 8.02 million, up from 7.87 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Nebraska egg production during July totaled 209 million eggs, up from 208 million in 2017. July egg production per 100 layers was 2,609 eggs, compared to 2,642 eggs in 2017.

IOWA
Iowa egg production during July 2018 was 1.38 billion eggs, up 4 percent from last month and up 2 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 July 2018 was 57.4 million, up slightly from last month and up 5 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for July were 2,406, up 4 percent from last month but down 2 percent from last year.



Kansas State University experts confront looming threat of African swine fever in Asia

Kansas State University experts are providing guidance to officials in East Asia on the emerging problem of African swine fever.

Jürgen Richt, Regents distinguished professor and director of the university's Center of Excellence for Emerging and Zoonotic Animal Diseases, known as CEEZAD, is an internationally recognized expert on transboundary animal diseases. He was in Asia to deliver a series of presentations when an outbreak of African swine fever was reported in China on Aug. 1. A second outbreak was reported on Aug. 16, and a third on Aug. 19.

African swine fever is a highly contagious disease of domestic pigs and wild boar. The disease causes high fever, respiratory problems, weakness, and stillbirths. The economic consequences for the pork production industry are grim: Mortality rates among affected animals approach 100 percent. More than 8,000 pigs were culled in response to the initial outbreak, according to news reports.

"Efforts to handle a potential outbreak have not succeeded, so we have to be concerned about the disease spreading across national boundaries," Richt said. "The first outbreak occurred only a little more than 120 miles north of North Korea."

Richt spoke with veterinary medicine faculty and students at Konkuk University in Seoul, South Korea, and with members of South Korean media and swine associations. He said South Korea is not well prepared to handle the outbreak and that the country is working to improve its emergency procedures. Containing the disease is particularly difficult because it tends to spread via wild boars.

Richt also discussed the challenges facing those trying to develop vaccines for African swine fever. CEEZAD is actively involved in the effort to produce mitigation strategies to control African swine fever and to develop vaccines.

Young Lyoo, dean of the Konkuk University College of Veterinary Medicine, said Richt's information will help provide a front line of defense to save a major industry and protect a valuable protein source.

"Dr. Richt provided not only expert knowledge and opinion on the disease and a control, but also disseminated awareness to the public, government and industry through media exposure," Lyoo said. "His visit showed how important international cooperation is to fight against contagious transboundary disease."

Richt said the disease presents trade problems for China and other Asian countries. China produces nearly half the world's pork.

"African swine fever is a threat to world trade in the pork industry, which will ultimately affect western Europe, the United States and other trade partners," he said.

Stephen Higgs, director of Kansas State University's Biosecurity Research Institute, and Wenjun Ma, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology at the university's College of Veterinary Medicine, also traveled to China to give invited talks at the Conference on Animal Infectious Diseases and Human Health jointly conducted by the Chinese Association of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine and the Chinese Society for Immunology in Harbin, China. Higgs described work at the Biosecurity Research Institute, Richt presented a lecture on Rift Valley fever virus, and Ma discussed his work on bat influenza viruses.

Higgs said the invitations indicate international respect for Kansas State University research in infectious disease and biodefense.

"Our facilities and experts are second to none," Higgs said. "We are keeping a close eye on disease outbreaks around the world and maintaining a rigorous research program to defend against economically devastating livestock diseases."



 Back to School with Beef. It's What's For Dinner.

To help get the school year off to a happy and healthy start, Beef. It's What's For Dinner. is making it easier than ever to incorporate beef into packed lunches with the Best. School. Lunch. Ever! recipe collection.

The Best. School. Lunch. Ever! recipe collection features a variety of simple, yet nutritious recipes with nutrition-packed beef as the superstar main ingredient. The collection can be found at www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com, with nutritionals and serving information for each delectable recipe.

A few standout recipes from the collection include:

- Twist on a classic. While you can't go wrong with a good old PB& J Sandwich, Beefy P B & J Wraps take this lunchbox favorite to the next level. The recipe combines peanut butter and jelly to make an Asian-style sauce that gets paired with beef and wrapped in a warm tortilla.

- Easy and portable. Mediterranean Beef and Veggie Wraps are not only easy to prepare, thanks to a simple ingredient list, but they also allow for ultimate customization. In a crunch for time? Packaged hummus will do the trick. Have a few minutes to spare? The Garlicky White Bean Spread (included in the recipe) makes for a super tasty treat.

- Family fun. Looking for a way to involve the kids in preparing their lunches? Try making Personal Beef Pizzas. This simple recipe gives kids an opportunity to create their very own personal pizza topping creations. While toppings like olives, bell peppers and onions are always a good idea, any veggie goes!

"Beef is the perfect addition to any school lunch," said Shalene McNeill, Ph.D., R.D., executive director of nutrition research for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. "Beef is packed full of ten essential nutrients, including protein and iron, giving kids the fuel, they need to thrive in the classroom. As a registered dietitian and mom, beef is my go-to protein for my kids' lunchboxes."



DFA HELPING DRIVE AG TECHNOLOGY AND DAIRY PRODUCT INNOVATION

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a national cooperative owned by family farmers across the U.S., is focused on helping bring innovation to the farm and the dairy case. Today, the Cooperative and Sprint (NYSE: S) announced that applications are open for the 2019 Corporate Accelerator program that help identify and grow start up businesses.

Sprint and DFA, which is now in its third year of sponsoring the program, will look to recruit ag tech companies as well as early stage food product companies that are dairy-focused.

“At DFA, we’re constantly searching for new ways to elevate and grow the dairy industry,” says Monica Massey, senior vice president and chief of staff at DFA. “For this reason, we are committed to connecting, mentoring and guiding rising entrepreneurs in food and ag.”

Features of the 90-day Accelerator program include:
·         Targeted, strategic meetings with the corporate partner teams to discuss business development, pilots and potential sponsorships;
·         Mentoring from DFA senior members and their networks, as well as from the investor, business development and entrepreneurial communities;
·         Business building sessions around product, brand, marketing and entrepreneurship;
·         State-of-the-art workspace facilities provided at Sprint Accelerator in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District.

“DFA has been a great sponsor and we look forward to continuing our work with them in 2019,” said Doug Dresslaer, managing director of the Sprint Accelerator.

Additional details and applications are available at sprintaccelerator.com. The 90-day program will begin on April 1, 2019 and run through June 25, 2019.



Syngenta grows portfolio of innovative, high-yielding NK® soybeans for 2019

Syngenta today announced the expansion of the NK® soybean portfolio with 13 new varieties for the 2019 season, furthering the company’s commitment to helping growers maximize whole-farm profit potential through innovation.

The varieties join an established portfolio of high-yielding products that are proven to perform across environments. In the most recent trials conducted by Farmers’ Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST), NK varieties secured 58 top-three finishes across the country – more than two major competitors’ results combined.1

Developed with the latest seed breeding technology, the new varieties will help growers across the U.S. find the best fit and value for their unique conditions.

“Independent trials confirm that NK soybeans are a strong addition to growers’ seed portfolios,” said Scott Erickson, soybean product manager for NK. “Now with the new 2019 varieties, growers in any environment can find the optimal combination of best-in-class genetics with the newest traits to help maximize return on investment across their farms.”

Born from innovation
All NK soybeans start from one of the industry’s largest and most diverse germplasm pools. Leveraging significant investments by Syngenta in research and development, NK breeders are able to apply an award-winning system of data analytics to pinpoint the high-performing genetics that will provide greater value to growers.

From there, NK breeders tap into a state-of-the-art trait conversion capability that brings the latest, most desirable trait packages to market with the newest genetics. An adaptation of traditional breeding practices, this process significantly shortens the lifecycle of soybeans, with growth stages like emergence occurring an average of three days after planting, VC one week after planting and V1 just 12 days after planting.

An entire season is routinely shortened to less than three months, with the capability to go from seed to seed in as little as seven weeks. As a result, breeders are able to continue advancing genetics while introducing new traits.

“It’s no hyperbole when you hear that NK soybeans add a science-driven boost to growers’ seed portfolios,” said Tracy Doubler, head of North American soybean seeds development at Syngenta. “Our unique techniques produce unique varieties that allow growers to diversify, spread risk and maximize their whole-farm ROI potential.”

Delivering value
NK soybeans provide growers additional value through rigorous seed quality management, as well as a competitive financing offer.

Every step of the NK seed production process is geared toward maintaining the highest quality and purity to ensure that the full yield potential of the seed is maintained. From the seed breeder to the final seed delivery, testing plays a crucial role. In addition to operating three internal quality assurance labs and utilizing two third-party sites, Syngenta regularly tests all NK seed lots on a range of factors.

“Soybean seed is fragile, so we make it a priority to take extra care throughout the harvest and conditioning processes,” Erickson said. “This way we can ensure that the NK soybeans sold by retailers and planted by growers are of the highest quality and ready to produce to their fullest potential and value.”

Additionally, growers may benefit from a 0% financing offer available for NK seed for the 2019 growing season. For details on this offer, or for more information on the new NK soybean portfolio, contact a local NK retailer and visit www.NKsoybeans.com.



 Legend Seeds Transitions from Family Owned to Employee Owned

Legend Seeds proudly announces its transition from a family-owned independent regional seed leader, to an employee-owned independent regional seed leader through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) as of August 1, 2018.

[Legend Seeds employees have grown to more than 100 employees across the upper Midwest since its beginnings in 1990.]

Founded in 1990 by Glen and Janet Davis, Legend Seeds has embarked on its 29th selling season in the seed industry serving dealers and growers across the U.S. and Canada. Since its beginnings, the company has grown to more than 100 employees across the upper Midwest.

"With so much change in the seed industry, we've spent a lot of time planning for the future of Legend Seeds to provide certainty and stability not only for our employees, but for our dealers," said Glen Davis, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Legend Seeds. "This transition to an ESOP will do three things; assure Legend's future for both staff and dealers - allow Legend to continue to operate with its' core values and focus in place - and remain a strong, healthy, independent seed company with an incredibly bright future."

Through the ESOP, all employees of Legend Seeds will become part owners in the company, along with the current shareholders and the Davis family who will remain actively involved in the leadership of the company.

"Our purpose and passion is to be the number one choice on grower's acres and our independence allows us to offer a wide variety of choices for grower needs. Through this structure, we are built to better serve our dealers and growers," said Tim Bratland, Legend Seeds President. "Our Legend family is committed to our customer's success and the success of Legend. Without the dedication, passion, and continual growth of our staff and dealers, we would not be where we are today."