Friday March 15 Ag News

Platte Valley Cattlemen -- March meeting postponed
Boyd Hellbusch, PVC President

Due to all the flooding in the area,  we are postponing our March 18th meeting to the following Monday, March 25.  Our agenda will stay the same as usual.  Please be safe out there in everything that you are doing.



USDA FSA Resources Available for Producers Impacted by Severe Weather
Bobbie Kriz-Wickham, Public Affairs/Outreach Coordinator
Nebraska State Office, USDA-Farm Service Agency
On behalf of FSA State Executive Director Nancy Johner, below we have listed out the programs that may be important to our producers in the coming weeks and months. 

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): This program financially assists producers when they suffer loss of livestock due to adverse weather. As producers assess their individual situations, whether it be the blizzard in the West or the flooding in the East, here are a couple of key things to keep in mind:

1)      If you have suffered a loss of livestock, you need to report those losses to your FSA county office within 30 days of when those losses become apparent. This 30-day notification window is critical. A phone call to the county office works for this notification.
     a.       Keep in mind, outside of the immediate situations, some producers had some extreme weather in February where folks suffered livestock losses, so depending on when those losses occurred in February, that notification window is closing.

2)      Documentation of losses also is critical. FSA will need some sort of supporting evidence of your losses, and this can include things such as: veterinarian certification, other independent third party certification, rendering receipts, dated photos or video. Those things are an important part of the application process.

3)      FSA will also need to know the type or weight of the animals lost. Adult animals, so bulls and cows, vs. calves or yearlings, are broken out differently in the LIP program, so that part of the record is important.

4)      Information about the specific weather conditions that caused the losses also is important.

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): This program covers some livestock losses that do not fall under the Livestock Indemnity Program. Specific to the current adverse weather situations in Nebraska, ELAP may be applicable as it can, in certain situations, financially assist with livestock feed losses, such as bales that may have been destroyed in the flood.

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): ECP can provide some cost-share assistance to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. It also can provide cost-share assistance to help restore fences damaged or lost due to natural disaster. There is quite a bit to this program, and it doesn’t trigger automatically. FSA county committees will need to make a request for this program in their local areas. It is critical that producers, if they think they may want to access this cost-share resource, contact their county office about this program before taking any action to repair damages.

The common thing you’ll find with any of these resources above is our request that impacted producers contact their county FSA office. County office staff will be able to provide individuals with detailed information for their individual situation. County office contact information can be found at offices.usda.gov.

We do have some offices that had to close, due to either the blizzard in the West or flooding in the East. Most of the offices now are open out West. We do still have a few closures in the East, but hope to be back up next week.

In closing, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ne to access this same information.    



NebExt Communication: Mental Health and Well-being Resources
Jean Ann Fischer, MS, RDN, LMNT, Nebraska Extension,

With the current climate of finances and weather within the state, the Nebraska Extension Mental Health Initiative Team has prepared resources to assist you in working with clients under stress.

Remember that during a crisis it is important to:
·       Pull together rather than apart.
·       Seek and ask for help.
·       Create open channels of communication.
·       Adopt new roles in a flexible manner.
·       Take care of yourself. It’s important to eat well, get adequate sleep and reach out to our loved ones.

This video will walk you through the resources provided: https://unl.zoom.us/recording/share/B0uteUo5qG4QIfd5DppqPPOiYdDAQUGxw7H94x90LWE

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Nebraska Rural Response Hotline  1-800-464-0258



Nebraska Farm Bureau Launches Disaster Relief Fund and Information Exchange Portal

The Nebraska Farm Bureau has launched relief efforts to aid Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities suffering from the natural disasters that have impacted the state. The relief efforts include the establishment of a disaster relief fund and launch of an online agriculture disaster exchange portal to connect those in need with those who can help.

“Nebraska is a special place with special people. Many of our friends and neighbors across the state are suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost or are missing loved ones, and to all those who have been impacted by the recent blizzard and massive flooding events,” said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president. “We want to do what we can to help. We believe our relief fund and information exchange can be of assistance.”

Money donated to the Disaster Relief Fund will be targeted to aid Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and rural communities affected by recent storms and flooding. Priority will be given to efforts to restore health and safety in rural communities and to farm and ranch households that have been damaged or displaced by the natural disaster.

“The fund’s targeted recipients are farm and ranch families and rural communities in the disaster areas who have immediate needs as a result of the natural disaster, those who cannot get assistance from other sources, those who will have to wait until they receive other assistance, and those who have losses not covered by insurance,” said Nelson. 

To aid farmers and ranchers in recovery, the Nebraska Farm Bureau has also opened the Agriculture Disaster Exchange portal. The online portal housed on the Nebraska Farm Bureau website allows members to share information, providing a place for those in need to make requests for assistance and for those looking to help, to offer it.

“The Agriculture Disaster Exchange operates like an online ‘want ad’ page. If a member has extra hay to sell or donate to a livestock producer in need, they can post it there. If a member needs help or equipment to remove debris after flooding, they can post that type of request as well. Those are just examples of how the exchange can be used by our members. The goal is to provide an online clearinghouse so members can interact and help each other during tough times,” said Nelson.

To donate or apply for aid from the Disaster Relief Fund, utilize the Agriculture Disaster Exchange portal, or access other disaster assistance resources, visit www.nefb.org/disaster.

Donations will be made to a fund established in the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit. Any donations made to the fund are tax-deductible.



Frontier Cooperative & Midwest Farmers Cooperative Unification Proceeds to Member Vote

This week, the Boards of Directors for Frontier Cooperative and Midwest Farmers Cooperative voted to sign a definitive agreement. Signing the definitive agreement means the Boards approved moving forward with a member vote to unify the two cooperatives. This decision came after completing due diligence during which employee teams evaluated the benefits and risks of this unification.

Neil Stedman, Board Chair for Midwest Cooperative, was happy with the extensive investigation completed as part of the due diligence process. “During the due diligence period we heard from both members and employees to ensure that we are making the right decision for both cooperatives. We wanted to understand all concerns and challenges that could impact our cooperative now and in the future,” said Stedman.

“I am excited about this opportunity for Frontier Cooperative and Midwest Farmers Cooperative,” said Greg Sabata, Board Chair for Frontier Cooperative. “As a Board, we always want to look to the future so we can make decisions now that will benefit us in the long-term. This unification will allow us to continue to grow, compete and succeed in Nebraska.”

During the due diligence study, employee teams identified specific benefits for both members and employees that demonstrated to the Boards the suitability of moving forward with this unification at this time. The benefits identified include strengthening member service to continue investing in technology, talent, assets, and programs; the ability to implement the best practices of both organizations; the ability to compete and grow more effectively over a greater combined area, capacity and capability; and the ability to strategically position the company for the future.

“This is a unification of equals. Midwest Farmers Cooperative has a similar culture to us, is similar in size and has similar services,” said Randy Robeson, CEO of Frontier Cooperative. “We want to be better able to support our members and their farming operations as a result of this unification.”

Jeremy Wilhelm, CEO of Midwest Farmers Cooperative, agrees. “As we look at ways to grow our business, we want to find opportunities that allow us to continue to invest in technology, people and assets. These investments are key pieces of the puzzle that allow us to grow our cooperative for our members and employees in the future,” Wilhelm said.

Over the next week, the two cooperatives will hold member meetings to communicate in more detail about why the Boards of Directors for Frontier Cooperative and Midwest Farmers Cooperative decided to move forward with a member vote for unification. Member voting packets will be mailed in the coming days following the member meetings.

About Frontier Coop
Frontier Cooperative Co. is a member-owned cooperative with 22 branches located primarily in eastern Nebraska, with the home office located in Brainard, Nebr. Frontier Coop offers products and services in Grain, Agronomy, Energy, and Feed and has been proudly serving local producers for over 100 years. Frontier Coop prides itself on being a progressive leader in today’s agricultural world.

About Midwest Farmers Cooperative
Midwest Farmers Cooperative is a farmer-owned cooperative operating 28 locations throughout southeast Nebraska. For nearly 100 years, it has provided value and services to help its patrons be successful. Midwest Farmers Cooperative is a full-service cooperative with products and services offered in Grain, Agronomy, Energy and Feed.



OPEN HOUSE MEETING, PUBLIC INPUT FOR UPPER BIG BLUE NRD’S WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Landowners and residents of the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) are invited to attend an open house to learn more about the Upper Big Blue NRD’s recent water resource planning efforts that address both water quality and quantity.

This joint planning process, the first of its kind in Nebraska history, began in fall 2018 and will be complete in summer 2018. Partial funding for this project is provided by the NDEQ through a nonpoint source pollution grant.

The open house meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Upper Big Blue NRD Office (319 E. 25th Street, York, NE 68467).  No formal presentations are planned.

The open house will feature informational displays and handouts detailing the community-guided planning efforts resulting in a draft Water Quality Management Plan and a set of goals and objectives for a to-be-developed Voluntary Integrated Management Plan.

These efforts were in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and the Nebraska Department of  Natural Resources (NeDNR), the respective state partner for each plan. Upper Big Blue NRD staff, representatives from NDEQ and NeDNR, and the consultant team will be available for discussion and questions during the open house. The meeting will also include information and resources about how communities and area residents can help manage the district’s shared resource.

The Water Quality Management Plan is guided by goals and objectives developed by district-wide citizens who are stakeholders for all types of water uses including agriculture and urban users. The plan addresses restoration and water quality protection by identifying several priority areas for initial focus, including two segments of Beaver Creek, Recharge Lake, School Creek, Lake Hastings, two segments of Lincoln Creek, and Oxbow Trail Reservoir. Pollutants of concern include nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), E. coli bacteria, sediment, herbicides (atrazine), and pesticides. The draft plan will be made available on the NRD website, and the public is encouraged to provide feedback on it by May 15, 2019.

The Voluntary Integrated Management Plan will address the sustainability and quantity of hydrologically connected groundwater and    surface water. This plan will be developed after completion of the Water Quality Management Plan is complete.   The Voluntary Integrated Water Management Plan’s goals and objectives were also developed by the same district-wide water use stakeholders who volunteered a great amount of their personal time for this joint planning process.



USDA INITIATIVE FUNDS ENCOURAG PLANTING COVER CROPS.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is leading a state-wide effort to enhance the adoption of soil health management through the Advanced Cover Crop Initiative. Landowners interested in applying for funding to establish cover crops should submit their application at their local NRCS office by April 19.

According to NRCS, the purpose of this initiative is to provide funding to producers to plant cover crops to improve soil health. Participating landowners will be required to plant cover crops for a total of five years on the same acres and share their what they’ve learned.

NRCS Soil Health Specialist Aaron Hird said, “We know cover crops are effective in building soil structure and reducing erosion. But we also know it can seem risky to try new conservation practices. This initiative financially supports farmers trying a new management system and will contribute to building a community of experienced cover crop users who can then share their knowledge and experiences with their neighbors.”

Producers participating in this initiative will have the option to conduct strip trials of various cover crop management strategies. Producers will receive funding assistance to demonstrate soil health management by planting cover crops. NRCS and involved partners will facilitate using these projects for public field days and the development of case studies showcasing the changes observed.

NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be used to fund this initiative. Producers selected will receive this EQIP funding to plant cover crops for 5 years.

For more information on the Advanced Cover Crop Initiative, visit NRCS at the USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Iowa Custom Rates Expected to Jump 7 Percent in 2019

Prices for performing custom work are expected to jump in 2019, according to data gathered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach economists. The 2019 Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey showed a 7 percent price increase across all surveyed categories.

The 2018 Custom Rate Survey, which is available in the March issue of Ag Decision Maker or through the ISU Extension Store, was conducted by Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State.

“Even with stable fuel prices and thin profit margins in crop production on the horizon, the majority of operations reported a rate increase,” said Plastina.

Changes from 2018 to 2019 varied across categories, with complete harvesting and hauling for corn and soybeans increasing by 6 percent and hired labor going up by 7 percent.

“I believe this is more indicative of part-time custom workers paying more attention to covering all costs and actually profiting from this activity than of a substantially higher demand for their services,” Plastina said.

The survey received input from 121 farmers, custom operators and farm managers to determine estimated pricing for custom work. Custom rates are provided for tillage, planting, drilling, seeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, drying and hauling grain, harvesting forages, complete custom farming, labor and both bin and machine rental.

The reported rates are expected to be charged or paid in 2019, including fuel and labor. The average prices for diesel fuel was assumed to be $2.94 per gallon. The values presented in the survey are intended only as a guide.

There are many reasons why the rate charged in a particular situation should be above or below the average. These include the timeliness in which operations are performed, quality and special features of the machine, operator skill, size and shape of fields, number of acres contracted and the condition of the crop for harvesting. The availability of custom operators in a given area will also affect rates. Any custom rate should cover the cost of operating the farm machinery (fuel, repairs, depreciation, interest) as well as the operator’s labor.

The Ag Decision Maker website offers a Decision Tool, a downloadable Excel file (www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/crops/xls/a3-29machcostcalc.xlsx), to help custom operators and other farmers estimate their own costs for specific machinery operations.



Cover Crop Acres Increase but Rate of Growth Declines in 2018

According to Iowa Learning Farms 15-year evaluation data, Iowa cover crop acres grew last year by approximately 16 percent, resulting in approximately 880,000 total acres. While the positive growth at a time when farmers are reporting shrinking profit margins is notable, this represents a 6 percent decline in new cover crop acres compared to last year’s estimate and a 19 percent cumulative decline since 2015, a year in which 35 percent of all the cover crop acres were new. This number is still well below the goal of 12.5 million acres of cover crops called for in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

Since 2009, Iowa Learning Farms, based at Iowa State University, has been tracking cover crop data reported by farmers and landowners who attend an ILF workshop and field day. In recognition of its 15-year anniversary, ILF also conducted a mailed survey of all farmers and landowners who had participated in field days since 2005. Eight hundred ninety-nine people responded to the survey, reporting 131,389 acres of cover crops on their land or 15 percent of the overall estimated cover crop acres in Iowa.

Many of the new acres were planted by experienced cover crop farmers. The majority (85 percent) of respondents to the 15-year evaluation questionnaire started seeding cover crops at least three years ago. Only 6 percent of respondents reported implementing cover crops for the first time on their land last fall. Those respondents with cover crops reported an average of 44 percent of their total row crop acres in cover crops, representing a consistent value over the last three years.

“It is encouraging to see growth in cover crop use among experienced cover crop farmers, even with low crop prices and a fall with less than ideal weather,” said Jamie Benning, ISU Extension and Outreach water quality program manager and Iowa Learning Farms adviser. “I am concerned that the rate of growth has declined for the third year in a row and that the number of first-time cover crop users declined significantly this year. For this reason, ILF is already ramping up this spring with cover crop events to reach new farmers.”

All of the respondents who planted cover crops for the first time in 2018 used cost share and planted an average of 100 acres, higher than last year’s average of 89 acres. Overall, 66 percent of the total reported cover crop acres were planted with cost share, while 78 percent of the new acres were planted with cost share.

Iowa Learning Farms has held 265 conservation field days and workshops since 2005 on cover crops, strip-tillage, saturated buffers, prairie strips and more. These events drew an attendance of 13,621 people — 72 percent are farmers and landowners. Cover crop field days in 2019 will stress the benefits and best practice management for implementing cover crops.

ILF continues to work with ISU Extension and Outreach and other Iowa partner organizations to raise awareness of beneficial conservation practices such as cover crops among landowners and farmers. The complete 15-year Iowa Learning Farms report will be released in early April 2019, and will be found at www.iowalearningfarms.org.



2018 Fats and Oils Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks

As part of the Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program at USDA, the 2018 Annual Summary of the Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks contains data and annual totals for January through December of 2018.

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 63.0 million tons in 2018, an increase of 9 percent from 2017.  Crude oil production was 24.1 billion pounds, up 9 percent from 2017.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 1.91 million tons in 2018, down 4 percent from 2017.  Crude oil production was 1.64 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2017.

Tallow was published in three categories (edible, inedible, and technical). The largest percentage of tallow production was inedible tallow at 3.88 billion pounds in 2018.  Choice white grease production was 1.29 billion pounds in 2018.



2018 Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production

As part of the USDA Current Agricultural Industrial Reports (CAIR) program, the 2018 Annual Summary of the Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production contains data and annual totals for January through December 2018.

Total corn consumed for alcohol for 2018 was 5.67 billion bushels, up 1 percent from 2017. Corn for beverage alcohol in 2018 totaled 35.6 million bushels, down 1 percent from 2017. Corn for fuel alcohol was 5.55 billion bushels in 2018, up 1 percent from 2017. 

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 23.7 million tons during 2018, up 2 percent from 2017. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 16.2 million tons in 2018, up 1 percent from 2017.  Distillers dried grain (DDG) was 4.61 million tons in 2018, down 12 percent from 2017.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 3.61 million tons during 2018, down 9 percent from 2017. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 3.11 million tons, down 13 percent from 2017.

Dry and wet mill carbon dioxide captured was 2.79 million tons in 2018, up 12 percent from 2017.



NCBA Cattlemen Webinar Series - Planning for synchronization success

March 21, 2018 @ 7pm Central
Dave Patterson, PhD. – University of Missouri
Sandy Johnson, PhD. – Kansas State University

Many cattle synchronization protocols have data that demonstrates them working very effectively.  Details such as the goals of your operation, facilities, and labor are important in choosing the protocol that will be the most successful in your operation.  In this presentation we will discuss how to choose the protocol that will fit your operation the best and help you understand what it will take to successfully implement that protocol.

More info and registration here:  http://www.beefusa.org/cattlemenswebinarseries.aspx. 



NBB Commemorates National Biodiesel Day with Biodiesel Success Stories

National Biodiesel Day takes place March 18, in honor of Rudolf Diesel’s birthday. In the 1890s, Rudolf invented the diesel engine, which was designed to run on peanut oil. Rudolf knew early on the prominent role plant oils could play in fueling the future’s vehicles.

“It’s amazing, in this day and age, to see a concept like Rudolf Diesel’s that has the longevity to continue to deliver for what’s now over 100 years,” said National Biodiesel Board CEO Donnell Rehagen. “Obviously, the diesel engine has improved since those first models, but the concept is largely the same. It’s hard to improve on something with such staying power, but we’ve been able to do that with biodiesel. Our industry owes its origins to Diesel, but our staying power is a function of our commitment to continued improvement, our dedication and our passion. Our industry has seen its challenges as every new product does, but, more than two decades into commercial biodiesel production in the U.S., we just never took no for an answer. The success of our early pioneers challenged us and others to think bigger, think bolder, and think without limits. And now, here we are, a nearly 3 billion gallon-a-year industry.”

On Biodiesel Day, NBB celebrates a few of the many biodiesel champions who helped make this industry the success it is today:

Biodiesel Researcher, Earl Christensen, a Senior Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has continuously put biodiesel to the test. Over the last eight years, Christensen and his colleagues have done extensive testing on biodiesel, and the findings have impressed him. “As we did more and more long-term storage testing, I was a bit surprised at how stable all these recent samples were.” Christensen said. “Today’s biodiesel can be very stable and can be stored for a long time, especially as a blend, so we have started looking at even longer storage times and more storage scenarios.” Christensen’s work at NREL has given him a strong appreciation of biodiesel. “I’m entirely neutral on how we reduce the amount of petroleum we use, but from what I’ve seen of biodiesel, I think it is a really great path for us to supplement our diesel usage in a way that reduces emissions and ultimately gets us all to where we want to be.”

Policymaker, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, is a biodiesel advocate veteran. The Iowa Republican has made the biodiesel industry a chief concern for much of his 37-year tenure on Capitol Hill. He led the way in 2004 and 2005 when Congress passed two landmark measures that have helped spark the industry’s growth to 2.5 billion annual gallons and beyond: the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the Biodiesel Tax Incentive. Grassley, a family farmer himself, has been proud to bring his legendary tenacity to bear for biodiesel. “There is an abundance of soybeans in my state [Iowa], and the value added beyond exports is very important to our economy,” he said. Biodiesel also helps reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of energy and improves national security. “The fuel is clean burning and low-carbon, so it’s very good for the environment, and you create good paying jobs in rural America, where the small towns often don’t have that.”

Biodiesel Producer, HERO BX, is an industry leader who got their start in 2004 with its first production plant in Erie, PA. Owner Pat Black believes highly in the societal benefits biodiesel brings to the table. “We are making fuel out of byproducts that would otherwise be dumped in a landfill or poured down the drain,” Black said. At the same time, the industry has brought an economic revitalization to many communities across the country. “Erie used to get 50 percent of its GDP from manufacturing, but that has fallen off as it has across the country,” Black said. “I wanted to build that back up, because the best-paying jobs with the most sustainable wages are in manufacturing.” HERO BX now directly employs about 100 people in Pennsylvania and another facility in Alabama, while indirectly supporting contractors, logistics providers, and others throughout the supply chain. Nationally, the industry supports more than 60,000 jobs across the country.

Soybean Industry Leader, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, has been making big strides in the biodiesel sector. The biodiesel industry passed a major milestone on May 1, 2018 when fuel retailers throughout Minnesota began dispensing B20. Minnesota’s statewide standard, which calls for B5 in the winter months and B20 in the summer, is the fruit of nearly two decades of labor by the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and its allied confederation of farmers, lawmakers and associations. The entire soybean industry has been a key ally in the biodiesel industry’s growth in the U.S.

The School System of Medford, NJ began using biodiesel to help the local schools be more progressive about emissions. The Medford, NJ school system originally switched its bus and vehicle fleet to a B20 biodiesel blend in 1997 in the pursuit of emissions reduction and the fuel has delivered beyond expectations, according to Joe Biluck, who recently retired as Director of Operations and Technology. As the longest-running user of biodiesel among school districts nationwide, Medford has experienced direct improvements in fleet operations as well as many indirect benefits. The district has built goodwill in the community, created learning opportunities for students, bolstered pride among district staff, and even become a better magnet for educational talent.