Monday April 8 Ag News

2019 USDA and Nebraska Extension Flood Disaster Relief Meeting for Colfax County

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to implement programs that may aid in flood recovery efforts in the agricultural community and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is leveraging its informational resources through Nebraska Extension, the outreach mission of the land-grant university.

In an effort to update farmers in Colfax County on assistance programs and current resources available, USDA and Nebraska Extension will be hosting a flood disaster relief informational meeting this Thursday from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Oak Ballroom in Schuyler.

Short presentations will be given by Bruce Coffey—FSA, Brach Johnson - NRCS, Aaron Nygren—UNL Extension. Topics being covered included USDA programs for livestock losses, emergency loans, field damage and rehabilitation, and more.  Nebraska Extension will share key publications and online resources at flood.unl.edu. During and following presentations, there will be time for questions. Sponsored by Nebraska Extension and USDA.

There is no fee to attend and water, pop, and a snack will be provided. Please visit croptechcafe.org to view and share this digitally.



Wellness in Tough Times Webinar for Farm and Ranch Families

Farmers and ranchers have many stressors in their lives. Weather challenges and disasters like many Nebraskans have recently experienced have led to uncertainty in their crop and livestock operations. Machinery breakdowns, debt loads, volatile markets, sleep deprivation, changing regulations, and the stress of holding onto a multi-generational farm/ranch all play a part of the stress and mental health of a farmer or rancher. Farmers and ranchers know the importance of planning and talking about their financial health to bankers, financial planners, spouses, etc. but might not realize how important it is to spend time on their mental health.

A free webinar will be offered April 23 via the web for farm and ranch families.  The webinar will be at noon (CST) and can be accessed at go.unl.edu/farmstresswebinar.  Wellness in Tough Times will be presented by Nebraska Extension Educators Glennis McClure and Brandy VanDeWalle starting at 12 p.m. (CST). This free webinar is available for farm and ranch families to participate and will provide strategies for dealing with the stress of farming or ranching in today’s difficult economic environment.

Participants will learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress; understand the role stress plays in our lives; and strategies and resources to manage stress.

For more information about this webinar, contact Brandy VanDeWalle at brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu or (402) 759-3712.

Dates and locations for a separate workshop available to agribusiness professionals and service providers working with farmers and ranchers will be released soon:  Communicating with Farmers Under Stress. For more information on this workshop contact Susan Harris-Broomfield susan.harris@unl.edu



Flood Damage Estimate Soars to $12 Billion

AccuWeather estimates the total damage and economic loss caused by record-breaking flooding in the Midwestern U.S. this spring will total $12.5 billion, based on an analysis of damages already inflicted and those expected by additional flooding, as well as the lingering health effects resulting from flooding and the disease caused by standing water.

AccuWeather's damage estimate factors in official states' estimates while incorporating independent methods to evaluate all direct and indirect impacts of the flooding damage based on a variety of sources and statistics.

The flooding erupted in the wake of a historic bomb cyclone and the economic damage rivals that of some of the worst hurricanes to hit the U.S. The $12.5 billion estimate for flooding this spring would compare to Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Irene (2011).

"Our decades of experience forecasting high-impact weather events and witnessing the damage left behind enable us to calculate damage estimates that have proven to be the most accurate," said Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather founder and CEO. "These losses occurred in farm states that contribute significantly to the nation's Gross Domestic Product. With the ground already saturated and more flooding rain expected, our independent forecast shows that the aggregate economic toll of these floods will be far greater than official estimates initially suggest. Official estimates of damage do not fully take into account uninsured losses as well as lost work hours and damage sustained by contaminated water, in addition to a range of other direct and indirect impacts."

AccuWeather's $12.5 billion estimate includes damage to homes, their contents, and cars, business and farm losses - including crops and livestock - contamination of drinking water wells, infrastructure damage, auxiliary business losses and the long-term impact from the flooding, which will likely contribute to, and exacerbate, health issues.



Importance of Cow Nutrition from Calving through Breeding
Steve Niemeyer – NE Extension Educator

For cow-calf producers, the last few months have been very challenging from a weather standpoint.   This has left many first-calf heifers and cows in less than optimum in terms of body condition at the time of calving.   Weather conditions have also significantly depleted feed resources available as many producers have had to feed earlier and more than normal.

For cows to start cycling, conceive and maintain a 365 day calving interval, it is important that thin cows, those in a less than a body condition score of 5, be gaining weight from calving through breeding.   Cows in a body condition score of 5 or 6 need to be at least maintaining body condition during this time.   Now is a good time to assess both cow body condition and feed resources and develop a plan to provide adequate nutrition to meet cow needs.

Steps to Assess Current Conditions and Develop a Feeding and Management Plan
1.    Body condition score cows, making note especially of higher risk females that may need additional energy and protein to meet nutrition needs.   Resources on  can be found at the beef.unl.edu website.
2.    Inventory feed on hand, noting both quantity and quality.
3.    Prioritize quality of feedstuffs to younger and thinner females.
4.    If possible, sort thin and adequate condition scores into different feeding groups.   This will help develop a feeding plan that will maintain cows in adequate body condition or will provide needed weight gain for thin cows prior to and through the breeding season.
5.    When additional feed resources will need to be purchased to meet cow nutrient requirements, consider pricing them on a price per unit of protein and energy to find the best buy.   The Feed Cost Cow-Q-Lator is an Excel® spreadsheet tool that allows producers to compare different feed options to one another.
6.    Identify ways to minimize feed waste and effectively utilize feed resources.
7.    If feeding daily, consider the use of the ionophore monensin to improve feed efficiency for cows.
8.    The use of CIDRs (Controlled Internal Drug Release) on cows that are at least 20 days post calving can help initiate estrus in cows that are on an adequate plane of nutrition.
9.    For thin, lactating, non-cycling cows, early weaning of calves can provide an effective way to drastically reduce cow nutrient requirements and also induce estrus. 

Nebraska Extension has both Specialists and Educators who can assist producers with developing rations to meet cattle nutrient needs. Taking time to assess both cow body condition and feed availability can help producers develop an effective plan for a successful breeding season.



NCTA alumna to be graduation speaker

An agricultural graduate and family farmer from Dodge, Nebraska, will deliver the 2019 commencement address at the University of Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

Joan (Wieczorek) Ruskamp, a 1980 alumna, will join University of Nebraska leaders in delivering messages at the 1:30 p.m. commencement on Thursday, May 2, announced Ron Rosati, NCTA dean.

“We are honored to welcome back to Curtis Joan and Steve Ruskamp, who are both graduates of this institution, for our 2019 NCTA Aggie graduation activities,” Rosati said.

“As Joan is not only a graduate but an agricultural advocate, active ag producer, grandmother and community leader, I am sure Joan’s message will resonate with our NCTA Aggie students and their families,” Rosati added.

University of Nebraska Vice President Mike Boehm will confer degrees. He will be joined by two members of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and other dignitaries. Regent Bob Phares of North Platte and Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha will deliver remarks.

Rosati said the Class of 2019 will include students receiving associate degrees or certificates from four divisions – Agribusiness Management Systems, Agronomy and Agricultural Mechanics, Animal Science and Agricultural Education, or Veterinary Technology.

Students are currently finalizing semester projects and internships in the next two weeks, and will be taking final exams April 24 -April 30, Rosati said.

Joan and Steve Ruskamp studied in the two-year college in the late 1970s when the institution was known as the University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture (UNSTA).

Joan earned her associate degree in veterinary technology in May, 1980, and Steve in agriculture production in 1976. They married in 1981 and began their farming career and family at a location west of Dodge which has been in the Ruskamp family for more than a century.

There, they have raised five children while growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa along with finishing cattle in a 4,000-head feedlot. Joan applies her college skills in animal health and management in the family’s operation. Her primary jobs are walking pens of cattle, doctoring and processing the feedlot cattle, and serving as office manager.

Many will know her agricultural literacy and advocacy work in Common Ground Nebraska and as past president of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) for the national beef checkoff. She serves her community as a volunteer 4-H leader and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

Ruskamp also has been active in the beef industry serving in the Dodge County Cattlemen, Nebraska Cattlemen, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, American National CattleWomen, Nebraska Farm Bureau and Nebraska Soybean Association.

In addition to five children, the Ruskamps have three sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law and six grandchildren.

“Joan Ruskamp serves as an outstanding model for our NCTA graduates.” Rosati said. “Her outstanding career demonstrates the success that is possible by combining an NCTA degree with a strong work ethic, intelligence and integrity.”

On May 1, students will be recognized in special Aggie honors and graduation events beginning at 1 p.m. with an initiation of new members into Phi Theta Kappa academic honorary for two-year colleges, a community picnic at 5:30 p.m., awards night at 7 p.m., followed by NCTA belt buckle presentations.

Doors to graduation will open at 1 p.m. at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, located at 301 Garlick Avenue. All are invited to attend however, there will not be reserved seating for families and guests.

Additional information about the graduation events can be found at the NCTA web site at ncta.unl.edu or by contacting the Dean’s Office at 308-367-5200.



Nebraska Extension Field Scout Training

A May 8 Nebraska Extension training course is scheduled for industry representatives and corn and soybean growers wanting to learn how to better manage corn and soybean pests.

“The training is designed for entry-level scouts who are working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers in Nebraska and neighboring states”, said Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator. Glewen says the training course is also ideal for growers who scout their own fields or are interested in improving productivity, as well as for students being employed by agribusinesses.

The course is from 8:25 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. with registration at 8:00 a.m. at the University of Nebraska’s Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead.

“Past participants have consistently given the training high marks and state that the knowledge gained from attending improved their scouting skills,” Glewen said.

“Some of the benefits registrants stated the training provided included practical/working knowledge and better accuracy in field scouting,” Glewen said. “Other participants appreciated the hands-on, practical format.”

Topics include:
- Factors Influencing the Growth and Development of Corn and Soybeans
- Crop Diseases and Quiz
- Weed Control Management; Identifying Weeds – Plant Morphology, Herbicide Management; Using a Key to Identify Weed Seedlings
- Corn and Soybean Insect Management
- Nutrient Deficiencies in Corn and Soybeans

Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits are available. 7.5 CCA credits have been applied for and pending (6 Pest Mgmt. 1 Crop Mgmt., and .5 Fertility/ Nutrient Mgmt.).

Fee for this training is $165 which includes a resource book. Or for participants attending the training only (no resource book) the fee is $60. Pre-register to reserve your seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, and workshop materials. About the optional resource book - the instruction manual contains a variety of reference materials that are excellent resources for crop scouting professions. Registration fees do not include the cost of lodging.

For more information or to register, contact Nebraska Extension at (402) 624-8030, (800) 529-8030, e-mail Keith Glewen at kglewen1@unl.edu, or online at https://enre.unl.edu/crop.

Download the flyer at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enre/2019MayFieldScoutTraining.pdf.



The Cycle of Reproduction - Cattlemen's Webinar Series
April 18, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. CST

Every management decision you make can impact the success of your breeding season. It is important to understand how your management decisions can impact the success of future breeding seasons, from the time you wean and/or select your replacement heifers until they are determined pregnant and even after that replacement heifer is pregnant. This presentation, hosted by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, will cover how to make the right management decisions for your cow herd to be productive and profitable now and in the future.

Meet the Speakers

George Perry, PhD. Professor, Beef Reproductive Mgt Specialist - South Dakota State University
Dr. Perry was raised in south-central Texas. He received his Bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Texas A&'M University, and his M.S. and PhD. from the University of Missouri. His research efforts are in the area of factors that influence reproductive efficiency, pregnancy success, and embryo mortality.

Adam Summers, PhD. Assistant Professor - New Mexico State University
Dr.  Adam Summers is an Assistant Professor in Animal Science at New mexico State University with an emphasis in reproductive physiology. Dr. Summers grew up in Northern Utah and received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Utah State University in Animal Science. He completed his PhD. at the University of Nebraska in 2012. His research focuses on increasing livestock productivity, efficiency, and reproductive longevity through improved management strategies.

Register Now... http://www.beefusa.org/cattlemenswebinarseries.aspx. 



Rep. Jason Smith Fires Up Family Business Estate Tax Coalition

Helping lawmakers, especially new members of Congress, get a good handle on the overall importance of farming and ranching is the first step to securing support for repealing the estate tax, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) recently told several members of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition. The American Farm Bureau Federation is a member of the coalition.

Smith, a seventh-generation Missouri family farm owner who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee, along with Rep. Sandford Bishop (D-Ga.), earlier this year introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 218).

“There’s a lot of opportunity to provide basic education about agriculture” to members of Congress who may not know a lot about farming, Smith said, noting that getting additional support for estate tax repeal legislation, especially from Democratic members, would take time.

“A lot of great things don’t happen immediately. We can get there, slow and steady,” he said optimistically.

Lawmakers who haven’t been exposed much to agriculture have a hard time understanding that the estate tax can really hurt family farmers, who are far from wealthy.

“Many farmers are truly land-rich, but cash poor,” Smith said, citing a cotton farmer in the boot heel of Missouri who doesn’t need to farm very many acres to go over the estate tax exemption, especially with a cotton picker costing around $600,000.

The 50-plus members of the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition in February sent a letter to Smith, Bishop and Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2019 (S. 215) in the Senate, thanking them for their efforts to eliminate the estate tax.



Nominations Sought for Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards

Nominations for the 13th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted. Deadline for nominations is June 7, 2019.

The 2019 National BQA Awards, funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, recognize five winners in the areas of beef producer, dairy, marketing and education:

·         The beef producer honors include BQA Cow Calf and BQA Feedyard awards, which recognize producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective operations.

·         The BQA / FARM (Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) award honors those dairy operations that demonstrate the best in animal care and handling while implementing the BQA and FARM programs at the highest levels.

·         The BQA Marketer Award acknowledges livestock markets, cattle buyers and supply-chain programs that promote BQA to their customers and offer them opportunities to get certified.

·         The BQA Educator Award celebrates individuals or companies that provide high quality and innovative training to individuals that care and handle cattle throughout the industry chain.

“These awards recognize the industry’s most accomplished representatives of quality in beef production, marketing and education,” according to Glen Dolezal, Ph.D., AVP Technical Services and Procurement, Cargill Protein. “They also demonstrate pride we all have in the work being done to enhance our industry and the products we provide to consumers.”

The National BQA Awards are selected by a committee of BQA certified representatives from universities, state beef councils, sponsors and affiliated groups. Nominations may be submitted by organizations, groups or individuals on behalf of a U.S. beef producer, dairy producer, marketer or educator. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, though the nominees are expected to be involved in the preparation of the application. Past nominees are encouraged to submit their application under the new nomination structure. Previous winners may not reapply.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association manages the BQA program as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. Funding for the BQA Awards is made possible by the generosity of Cargill, which has supported the program since its inception, and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, which sponsors the BQA educator award.

Find the application and nomination requirements here... www.bqa.org.  All nominations are due by June 7, 2019.



More than 100 Bayer-owned glyphosate safety study reports accessible as Monsanto integration continues
Bayer welcomes a science-based discussion with regulators around the globe, the international research community, as well as with consumers on the safety profile of glyphosate. To that end, all 107 Bayer-owned glyphosate safety study reports that were submitted to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as part of the substance authorization process in the European Union (EU) are now accessible on Bayer’s dedicated transparency platform. In doing so, the company delivers on its commitment to more transparency, including its crop protection safety studies following the acquisition of Monsanto. Many of these and other similar studies were submitted to and evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during its own risk assessment of glyphosate.

“Transparency is a catalyst for trust, so more transparency is a good thing for consumers, policymakers and businesses. As an innovation company, safety is our top priority and we are completely committed to doing everything we can to ensure that our products are safe for people and the environment,” said Liam Condon, member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG and president of the Crop Science Division. “By making our detailed scientific safety data available, we encourage anyone interested to see for themselves how comprehensive our approach to safety is. We embrace the opportunity to engage in dialogue so we can build more trust in sound science.”

This new addition to the Bayer Transparency platform follows last December’s publication of more than 300 glyphosate safety study summaries submitted under the EU substance authorization process for plant protection products. Access has now been enabled to all the related in-depth glyphosate safety studies to which Bayer wholly owns the rights.

Due to legal restrictions, Bayer cannot release the glyphosate studies conducted and owned by third parties. For more information, please visit our FAQ page.

Bayer stands behind the safety of glyphosate and will continue to vigorously defend its glyphosate-based products. The company is working diligently to ensure the conversation around glyphosate is accurate and will continue to share information on the strong body of science that confirms glyphosate and glyphosate-based products are safe when used as directed and that glyphosate does not cause cancer. Read more about glyphosate and its importance for modern farming on https://www.bayer.com/en/about-glyphosate-based-herbicides-and-their-role-in-agriculture.aspx.