Friday January 10 USDA Reports + Ag News

NEBRASKA 2019 ANNUAL CROP PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Corn for grain production in Nebraska based on year-end surveys is estimated at 1.79 billion bushels, down slightly from 2018, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Yield of 182 bushels per acre is down 10 bushels from last year. Farmers harvested 9.81 million acres of corn for grain, up 5 percent from 2018. Corn for silage production is 4.60 million tons, down slightly from last year. Silage yield of 23.0 tons per acre is up 2.0 tons from last year. Corn for silage harvested acreage of 200,000 acres is down 20,000 acres from last year. Corn acreage planted for all purposes is 10.1 million acres, up 5 percent from last year. 

Soybean production for 2019 totaled 283 million bushels, down 13 percent from 2018. Yield, at 58.5 bushels per acre, is up 0.5 bushel from a year earlier. Area for harvest, at 4.84 million acres, is down 13 percent from 2018. Planted acreage totaled 4.90 million acres, down 13 percent from last year.

Sorghum for grain production in 2019 is estimated at 12.1 million bushels, down 24 percent from 2018. Yield, at 93.0 bushels per acre, is down 1.0 bushel from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 130,000 acres, is down 24 percent from 2018. Sorghum for silage production is 600,000 tons, up 173 percent from last year. Silage yield of 10.0 tons per acre is down 1.0 ton from last year. Sorghum for silage harvested acreage of 60,000 acres is up 40,000 acres from last year. Sorghum acreage planted for all purposes is 200,000 acres, down 30,000 acres from last year. 

Alfalfa hay production, at 3.61 million tons, is down 1 percent from a year earlier. The average yield, at 3.80 tons per acre, is down 0.50 ton per acre from 2018. Area harvested, at  950,000 acres, is up 12 percent from 2018. Alfalfa haylage and greenchop production, at 205,000 tons, is up 105 percent from last year. Average yield, at 4.10 tons per acre, is up 0.10 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 50,000 acres, is up 25,000 acres from last year. Seedings of alfalfa during 2019 totaled 140,000 acres, up 20,000 acres from a year earlier. 

All other hay production, at 2.48 million tons, is down 26 percent from last year. The average yield, at 1.65 tons per acre, is down 0.15 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 1.50 million acres, is down 19 percent from 2018. All other haylage and greenchop production, at 145,000 tons, is up 42 percent from last year. Average yield, at 5.80 tons per acre, is down 1.00 ton per acre from last year. Area harvested, at 25,000 acres, is up 10,000 acres from last year. 

Proso millet production in 2019 is estimated at 3.29 million bushels, up 27 percent from last year's production. Yield, at 31.0 bushels per acre, is down 1.0 bushel from a year earlier. Area harvested for grain, at 106,000 acres, is up 31 percent from 2018. Area planted, at 115,000 acres, is up 21 percent from last year.

Oil sunflower production in 2019 is 33.8 million pounds, down 1 percent from last year. Yield, at 1,300 pounds per acre, is down 120 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at  26,000 acres, is up 8 percent from 2018. Area planted, at 28,000 acres, is up 12 percent from last year. Non-oil sunflower production of 11.1 million pounds is down 17 percent from last year. Yield, at 1,300 pounds per acre, is down 100 pounds from a year earlier. Area harvested, at  8,500 acres, is down 1,000 acres from 2018. Area planted, at 9,000 acres, is down 25 percent from last year. 

Sugarbeet production is estimated at 1.07 million tons, down 24 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 25.4 tons per acre, down 6.5 tons from the previous year. Acres harvested are estimated at 42,100 acres, down 5 percent from the previous year. Area planted, at 44,000 acres, is down 1,500 acres from last year.

Dry edible bean production is estimated at 1.88 million cwt with a yield of 1,940 pounds per acre. Area harvested is estimated at 97,000 acres with total acreage planted of 120,000 acres. Beginning in 2019, chickpeas are excluded from the dry edible bean estimates. 

Dry edible pea production is estimated at 667,000 cwt, down 26 percent from 2018. Yield is estimated at 2,300 pounds per acre, up 460 pounds from last year. Acres harvested are estimated at 29,000, down 41 percent from a year ago. Total acreage planted is 31,000 acres, down 47 percent from last year.

Potato production is 9.46 million cwt, up 2 percent from 2018. Yield, at 480 cwt per acre, is unchanged from a year earlier. Area harvested, at 19,700 acres, is up 400 acres from 2018. Area planted, at 20,000 acres, is up 500 acres from last year.



NEBRASKA DECEMBER 1, 2019 GRAIN AND HAY STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on December 1, 2019 totaled 1.48 billion bushels, up 2 percent from 2018, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 940 million bushels are stored on farms, up 3 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 540 million bushels, are up slightly from last year. 

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 261 million bushels, down 13 percent from last year. Onfarm stocks of 88.0 million bushels are down 27 percent from a year ago, while off-farm stocks, at 173 million bushels, are down 3 percent from 2018. 

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 53.2 million bushels, down 14 percent from a year ago. Onfarm stocks of 5.90 million bushels are up 59 percent from 2018, and off-farm stocks of 47.3 million bushels are down 19 percent from last year. 

Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 10.3 million bushels, down 12 percent from last year. On-farm stocks of 1.40 million bushels are down 50 percent and off farm holdings of 8.92 million bushels are up slightly from last year.

On-farm oats totaled 670,000 bushels, up 63 percent from 2018. 

Hay stocks on Nebraska farms totaled 4.20 million tons, down 7 percent from last year.

Grain storage capacity in Nebraska totaled 2.18 billion bushels, up 7 million bushels from December 1, 2018. Total grain storage capacity is comprised of 1.20 billion bushels of on-farm storage, unchanged from last year, and 980 million bushels of off-farm storage, up 7 million bushels from last year.



NEBRASKA WINTER WHEAT SEEDINGS

Winter wheat seeded area for 2020 is estimated at 900,000 acres, down from last year's seeded area of 1.07 million acres, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.



IOWA 2019 CROP PRODUCTION

Corn for grain production in Iowa for 2019 is estimated at 2.58 billion bushels, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Production 2019 Summary report.  Current year production is 3 percent more than the previous year’s 2.50 billion bushels.  Iowa has led the Nation in corn production for the last 26 consecutive years and 41 of the last 42 years.  Iowa's corn for grain yield is estimated at 198 bushels per acre.  Area harvested for grain is estimated at 13.1 million acres, 300,000 acres above 2018.  Corn planted for all purposes in 2019 is estimated at 13.5 million acres.

Corn for silage production is estimated at 7.92 million tons, up 43 percent from 2018.  The silage yield estimate of 22.0 tons per acre is up 1.5 tons per acre from 2018.  Producers harvested 360,000 acres of corn for silage, up 33 percent from 2018. 

Soybean production is estimated at 502 million bushels in 2019.  This is down 9 percent from last year’s 550 million bushels.  The Iowa soybean crop yielded 55.0 bushels per acre in 2019.  The harvested acreage of 9.12 million is down 710,000 acres from 2018.  Soybean planted acreage, at 9.20 million, is down 750,000 acres from 2018.   

All hay production for the state is estimated at 3.12 million tons, up 4 percent from the 3.00 million tons produced in 2018. Producers averaged 3.05 tons per acre, down from 3.19 tons in 2018. All hay harvested acres are estimated at 1.02 million acres, up 80,000 acres from 2018.

Alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures production is estimated at 2.38 million tons, up 4 percent from 2018.  Producers averaged 3.40 tons per acre, down 0.30 ton from 2018.  Harvested acres are up 80,000 from last year, to 700,000 acres.  Iowa producers seeded 140,000 acres of new seedings of alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures in 2019, up 33 percent from 2018.   Other hay production is estimated at 736,000 tons, up 5 percent from 2018.  Producers averaged 2.30 tons per acre, up 0.10 ton per acre from the 2018 yield. Harvested acres of other hay, at 320,000, are equal to 2018 acres.



IOWA GRAIN STOCKS

Corn stored in all positions in Iowa on December 1, 2019, totaled 2.14 billion bushels, down 2 percent from December 1, 2018, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report.  Of the total stocks, 62 percent were stored on-farm. The September - November indicated disappearance totaled 845 million bushels, 7 percent above the 794 million bushels from the same period the previous year. 

Soybeans stored in all positions in Iowa on December 1, 2019, totaled 514 million bushels, 3 percent below the 528 million bushels on hand December 1, 2018.  Of the total stocks, 43 percent were stored on-farm.  Indicated disappearance for September - November is 146 million bushels, 32 percent above the 111 million bushels from the same quarter the previous year. 

Iowa on-farm storage capacity on December 1, 2019, was 2.10 billion bushels, unchanged from December 1, 2018, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report.  Iowa’s 860 off-farm storage facilities have a storage capacity of 1.51 billion bushels, up 10 million from the previous year.  As of December 1, 2019, Iowa had a total of 3.61 billion bushels of storage capacity, the largest total storage capacity of any state.

On-farm capacity included all bins, cribs, sheds, and other structures located on farms that are normally used to store whole grains, oilseeds, or pulse crops. Off-farm capacity included all elevators, warehouses, terminals, merchant mills, other storage, and oilseed crushers which store whole grains, soybeans, canola, flaxseed, mustard seed, safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, Austrian winter peas, dry edible peas, lentils, and chickpeas/garbanzo beans.  Capacity data exclude facilities used to store only rice or peanuts, oilseed crushers processing only cottonseed or peanuts, tobacco warehouses, seed warehouses, and storage facilities that handle only dry edible beans, other than chickpeas/garbanzo beans.

IOWA HAY STOCKS
All hay stored on Iowa farms as of December 1, 2019, is estimated at 2.18 million tons, an increase of 6 percent from December 1, 2018, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. This is the third lowest recorded amount of hay stored in December. Disappearance from May 1, 2019, through December 1, 2019, totaled 1.28 million tons, compared with 1.30 million tons for the same period in 2018.



USDA Crop Production 2019 Summary

Corn for grain production in 2019 was estimated at 13.7 billion bushels, down 5 percent from the revised 2018 estimate. The average yield in the United States was estimated at 168.0 bushels per acre, 8.4 bushels below the 2018 yield of 176.4 bushels per acre. Area harvested for grain was estimated at 81.5 million acres, up less than 1 percent from the revised 2018 estimate.

Sorghum: Grain production in 2019 was estimated at 341 million bushels, down 6 percent from the 2018 total. Planted area for 2019 was estimated at a record low 5.27 million acres, down 7 percent from the previous year. Area harvested for grain, at 4.68 million acres, was down 8 percent from 2018. Grain yield was estimated at 73.0 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushel from 2018.

Soybean production in 2019 totaled 3.56 billion bushels, down 20 percent from 2018. The average yield per acre was estimated at 47.4 bushels, down 3.2 bushels from 2018. Harvested area was down 14 percent from 2018 to 75.0 million acres.

All cotton production is estimated at 20.1 million 480-pound bales, up 9 percent from 2018. The United States yield is estimated at 817 pounds per acre, down 47 pounds from last year. Harvested area, at 11.8 million acres, is up 16 percent from last year.



USDA Grain Stocks

Corn stored in all positions on December 1, 2019 totaled 11.4 billion bushels, down 5 percent from December 1, 2018. Of the total stocks, 7.18 billion bushels are stored on farms, down 4 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 4.21 billion bushels, are down 6 percent from a year ago. The September - November 2019 indicated disappearance is 4.52 billion bushels, compared with 4.54 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on December 1, 2019 totaled 3.25 billion bushels, down 13 percent from December 1, 2018. Soybean stocks stored on farms totaled 1.53 billion bushels, down 21 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 1.73 billion bushels, are down 5 percent from last December. Indicated disappearance for September - November 2019 totaled 1.22 billion bushels, up 8 percent from the same period a year earlier.

All wheat stored in all positions on December 1, 2019 totaled 1.83 billion bushels, down 9 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 519 million bushels, up 3 percent from last December. Off-farm stocks, at 1.31 billion bushels, are down 13 percent from a year ago. The September - November 2019 indicated disappearance is 512 million bushels, 35 percent above the same period a year earlier.

Grain sorghum stored in all positions on December 1, 2019 totaled 249 million bushels, down 4 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 30.2 million bushels, are down 32 percent from December 1 last year. Off-farm stocks, at 219 million bushels, are up 2 percent from a year earlier. The September - November 2019 indicated disappearance from all positions is 156 million bushels, up 11 percent from the same period in 2018.



U.S. Winter Wheat Planted Acres Down 1 Percent

Winter wheat seeded area for 2020 is expected to total 30.8 million acres, down 1 percent from 2019. Approximate class acreage breakdowns are: Hard Red Winter, 21.8 million; Soft Red Winter, 5.64 million; and White Winter, 3.37 million.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Membership Meeting is Jan 20
Boyd Hellbusch, PVC President

The next monthly meeting of the Platte Valley Cattlemen is right around the corner.  As always, January is our membership month. January could be one of our most important meetings of the year; your membership is something that keeps this organization alive and vibrant. No matter what age you are, the Platte Valley Cattlemen are always open to new members who are passionate about the Beef Industry.

We would like to thank our sponsors for this month.  Lindsay Co-op is sponsoring our meal for the night, and Tredas will be sponsoring the social hour.  We thank both of you for your help and support to this organization.

Our Speaker for the month is Dr. Jeff Fox.  He is going to share with us about how to “make a secure beef plan” if an outbreak such as Foot and Mouth would ever breakout in our beef, and how we can ensure the future of the beef supply market.   Jeff is a graduate of Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine.  While at KSU, Jeff completed a certificate in Feedlot Health and Production Management as well as receiving a Master of Science degree.  Additionally, he has several years of experience in production operations ranging from cow-calf to meat processing.  Jeff has held several positions in the feedlot industry since graduation from veterinary school including staff veterinarian, private feedlot consulting and the pharmaceutical industry.  Jeff is currently the owner of Bovine Veterinary Management Resources, LLC.  Jeff lives in Beemer, Nebraska, with his wife Rhonda and their three children.



Nebraska Corn Board partners with Casey’s to offer higher ethanol blends

Through a new partnership between the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) and Casey’s General Stores (Casey’s), motorists in the state will have increased access to higher blends of American Ethanol. Through its blender pump incentive infrastructure program, NCB provided grant assistance to help Casey’s upgrade existing fuel pumps to offer Unleaded88, a 15% ethanol blend. Twelve Casey’s locations in Nebraska have been upgraded – nine in Omaha, one in La Vista, one in Papillion and one in Norfolk.

“In an environmentally-conscious world, filling up with ethanol is an easy way for us all to do our part for the planet and our overall health,” said John Greer, District 2 Director of NCB and farmer from Edgar. “Ethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel that is less toxic than traditional gasoline, which is good for our air. By investing in our ethanol infrastructure, we’re not only working toward a greener world, but we’re also saving consumers money while boosting Nebraska’s economy. Ethanol is a win for everyone.”

This isn’t the Ankeny, Iowa-based fuel retailer’s first venture into offering higher ethanol blends. This summer, Casey’s added Unleaded88 infrastructure to more than 60 of its locations. In Nebraska, the retailer also began offering E85 at its stores in Ogallala and Cozad.

“We’re offering Unleaded88 at more stores because our guests want it. The benefits of a lower price and higher octane are hard to argue with,” said Jake Comer, fuel pricing manager at Casey’s.

“Unleaded88, or E15, is the most widely tested fuel ever,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the NCB and farmer from Friend. “We know these fuels work well in vehicles and provide countless benefits. The Nebraska Corn Board has worked hard and will continue to work hard to ensure consumers have easy access to these options. We also applaud Casey’s for being an outstanding partner in this process.”

The twelve upgraded Casey’s are located in Norfolk, Papillion, Lavista, and 9 stores in Omaha.  To find all local fuel retailers offering higher ethanol blends, visit getbiofuel.com.

In addition to its support of Casey’s, the NCB invested in eight other fuel retail locations across the state during this current fiscal year. Each year, fuel retailers wanting to upgrade to blender pumps can fill out a grant application to be considered for the program.



NDA’S 2020 POSTER CONTEST HIGHLIGHTS NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE

As Nebraska’s number one industry, agriculture brings people together in many different ways. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is once again asking students to enter its annual poster contest highlighting the state’s ag industry. This year’s theme, “Nebraska Agriculture Brings People Together,” lets students show what they know about Nebraska agriculture while highlighting the many contributions agriculture makes to our state. NDA’s poster contest is open to all Nebraska students in grades 1-6.

“NDA’s annual poster contest generates a lot of interest in Nebraska agriculture, especially from younger students,” said NDA Director Steve Wellman. “The contest is in its 17th year, and it’s designed to give teachers and parents the opportunity to teach children about the vital role agriculture plays in our day-to-day lives. We look forward to seeing the students’ creativity as they show how agriculture brings people together.”

NDA’s poster contest is divided into three age categories: first and second grade students; third and fourth grade students; and fifth and sixth grade students. Entries must be postmarked by the March 2, 2020, deadline.  

NDA will announce the winners of the poster contest during National Ag Week, March 22-28, 2020. National Ag Week highlights the diversity of agriculture and celebrates the food, feed and fuel that farmers and ranchers provide every day. NDA will feature winning entries from this year’s poster contest on its website and in promotional materials and publications. 

Poster contest rules and official entry forms are available online at nda.nebraska.gov/kids. For more information, contact Christin Kamm at 402-471-6856 or by email at christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.  #



Nebraska Soybean Board seeks leaders to represent Nebraska soybean farmers

This year, the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) will be seeking soybean farmers to represent fellow soybean farmers and the industry. Candidacy petition period began on December 1 and concludes on April 15.

How does the election work?
The election is conducted by mail-in ballot in July for District 5 and 7. Soybean farmers who reside in counties that are up for election for 2020 will receive ballots and candidate information regarding NSB’s election process via direct mail. The At-Large position on the Nebraska Soybean Board is open to all soybean farmers in Nebraska and will be elected by the sitting board members at the July board meeting.

What are the 2020 election districts and counties?
     District 5: Cass, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, and Richardson
     District 7: Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Franklin, Hall, Kearney, Nuckolls and Webster
     At-Large: All counties in Nebraska

Who can be a candidate for the NSB seats or At-Large position on the board?
    Be a resident of Nebraska
    Be a resident of the district in which the election is being held
    Be a soybean farmer in Nebraska for at least the previous five years
    Be at least 21 year of age
    Have submitted a NSB candidacy petition

Roles and responsibilities for soybean board member representative:
    Attend every NSB meeting – 8-day fiscal year commitment
    Attend/participate in other educational events sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board
    Receive no salary but are reimbursed for the expenses incurred carrying out board business
    Serve a three-year term that would begin October 1, 2020

To apply for candidacy in District 5, 7 or the At-Large position you must:
    Obtain a NSB Candidacy Petition by contacting NSB’s executive director, Victor Bohuslavsky, at 402-432-5720
    Complete the petition and collect the signatures of 50 soybean farmers in their district
    Return such petition to the NSB office on or before April 15, 2020



Lindsay Corp. Reports $109 Million Revenue in First Quarter

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, Thursday announced results for its first quarter of fiscal 2020, which ended on November 30, 2019.

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $109.4 million, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 2 percent, compared to revenues of $112.0 million in the prior year first quarter. Revenues decreased $3.3 million as a result of the divestiture of a company-owned irrigation dealership that occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Net earnings for the quarter were $8.3 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $1.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the prior year first quarter. Net earnings for the prior year first quarter adjusted to eliminate costs associated with the Foundation for Growth initiative were $4.1 million, or $0.38 per diluted share.

"We were pleased to see our fiscal 2020 get off to a solid start, with improved results in both the irrigation and infrastructure businesses," said Tim Hassinger, president and CEO. "Margin expansion gained through our Foundation for Growth initiatives contributed to improved performance in our irrigation business. Outstanding results in our infrastructure business were achieved through revenue growth, margin improvement, and a favorable mix of higher margin revenue."

Irrigation segment revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $82.4 million, a decrease of $5.3 million, or 6 percent, compared to $87.6 million in the prior year first quarter. North America irrigation revenues of $52.6 million decreased $3.9 million, or 7 percent, compared to the prior year, although $3.3 million of the decrease was attributable to the divestiture of a company-owned dealership. Higher irrigation equipment unit volume was offset by the impact of lower average selling prices and lower sales of replacement parts. International irrigation revenues of $29.7 million decreased $1.4 million, or 5 percent, due primarily to the negative impact of changes in foreign currency translation rates.

Irrigation segment operating margin was 11.8 percent of sales in the first quarter, compared to 8.9 percent of sales (9.0 percent adjusted)1 in the prior year. Operating margin improvement resulted primarily from improved cost and pricing performance compared to the prior year.

Infrastructure segment revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $27.0 million, an increase of $2.7 million, or 11 percent, compared to $24.3 million in the prior year first quarter. The increase resulted from higher sales of road safety products along with an increase in Road Zipper System lease revenue compared to the prior year.

Infrastructure segment operating margin was 32.4 percent of sales in the first quarter, compared to 17.1 percent of sales (17.6 percent adjusted)1 in the prior year first quarter. Operating margin improvement resulted from a more favorable revenue mix and from improved cost and pricing performance compared to the prior year.

The backlog of unfilled orders at November 30, 2019 was $69.2 million compared with $49.2 million at November 30, 2018. Included in these backlogs are amounts of $5.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, that are not expected to be fulfilled within the subsequent twelve months.

"Recent progress regarding a preliminary trade agreement between the U.S. and China offers encouragement for U.S. farmers by improving the outlook for agricultural exports," said Mr. Hassinger. "In the international markets we continue to see good activity in Brazil and in developing markets."

Hassinger added, "We like the traction we are getting with our Road Zipper growth strategy and the pipeline of opportunities that are being generated."



Many Candidates Vie for Youth Leadership Team

Fifteen young women and men are competing for three positions on the 2020 Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Youth Leadership Team. The competition will be held during Iowa Pork Congress Jan. 22 and 23, and winners will be named at the evening banquet on Jan. 23.

The Youth Leadership Team is designed for those who are passionate about the pork industry. Contestants are seniors in high school or college students up to age 20 at the time of the event. Candidates will be judged on their knowledge about pork and pig production as shown in a speech presentation, personal interview, media interview, experience, and a test about the topics.

The female contestant with the highest score will automatically be crowned Iowa Pork Queen, and receives a $4,000 scholarship, plaque, crown and sash. Two other applicants will become Premier Pork Youth Ambassadors; each receives a $4,000 scholarship and plaque. All three will assist with state pork promotional and educational activities throughout 2020.

Contestants, their hometowns and counties are:
Brooke Boyle, Danbury - Woodbury County
Christian Koch, Pierson - Plymouth County
Abby Bean, Marathon - Buena Vista County
Alexis Berte, Algona - Kossuth County
Samantha Black, Nevada - Story County
Kylee Brown, Earlham - Madison County
Ellie Cook, Hubbard - Hardin County
Paige Dagel, Sanborn - O'Brien County
Madison Fishback, Washington - Washington County
Caleb Hogan, Monticello - Jones County
Ashley Kahler, Cambridge - Story County
Eric Keller, Gladbrook - Tama County
Macy Loecke, Manchester - Delaware County
Zachary Riedemann, Calumet - O'Brien County
Dalton Weeks, Milo - Warren County



‘SILO’ Feature Film to Screen at the Iowa Power Farming Show

Sukup Manufacturing Co. and the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs are bringing SILO, the first ever feature film about a grain entrapment, to the Iowa Power Farming Show on January 29th, 2020 at 4:30pm CST. The film will screen at Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. The event is presented with the support of the Iowa Power Farming Show, Successful Farming Magazine and Iowa Corn.

Inspired by true events, the 70-minute film follows a harrowing day in an American farm town. Disaster strikes when teenager Cody Rose is entrapped in a 50-foot-tall grain bin. When the corn turns to quicksand, family, neighbors and first responders must put aside their differences to rescue Cody from drowning in the crop that has sustained their community for generations.

This unique Iowa Power Farming Show event will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producer, Sam Goldberg, Sukup Manufacturing Co. CEO Steve Sukup, and other special guests. Food and beverages will also be provided.

SILO aims to both entertain and educate audiences in an effort to bring community members closer together. The film's unique distribution strategy, The SILO Community Screening Campaign, puts community first and addresses the challenge of bringing high-quality, independent cinema to rural audiences. SILO is not available on traditional streaming services. Instead, the SILO Community Screening Campaign works with agricultural companies, nonprofits and local community organizers to host screenings all around North America.

SILO is produced by Samuel Goldberg and Ilan Ulmer and is directed by Marshall Burnette. The script was written by Jason Williamson, and stars Jack DiFalco, Jeremy Holm, Jill Paice, Jim Parrack, Chris Ellis and Danny Ramirez.

For more information, please visit www.Silothefilm.com.



USDA Proposes Criteria to Strengthen Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published in the Federal Register a new proposed rule specifying four criteria the Agency would consider when determining whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. We invite public comment on the proposed criteria until March 13, 2020.

The P&S Act states that it is unlawful for a packer, swine contractor or live poultry dealer to make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or advantage to a seller or grower of livestock or poultry. An undue or unreasonable preference or advantage is an action that creates excessively favorable conditions for one or more persons, reducing opportunities for optimal pricing and business success for competitors.

The proposed criteria will serve as a basis to determine whether these differences are a reasonable and fair preference or advantage. Under the proposed rule, USDA would consider whether a preference or advantage meets one or more of the criteria below:
-    cannot be justified on the basis of a cost savings related to dealing with different producers, sellers, or growers.
-    cannot be justified on the basis of meeting a competitor’s prices.
-    cannot be justified on the basis of meeting other terms offered by a competitor and,
-    cannot be justified as a reasonable business decision that would be customary in the industry.

USDA would not be limited to considering only these four criteria, but could also take other factors into consideration as appropriate on a case-by-case basis. The proposed rule retains necessary flexibility while providing greater clarity around what may constitute a violation.

These criteria are being provided for public comment for 60 days. Comments will be taken into consideration as we work to finalize these guidelines. Comments must be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov and should reference the document number on the top of the first page of the proposed rule, along with the Federal Register date and page number where the published proposed rule is located. AMS will make all submitted comments available to the public, including the identity of the commenter and any personal information provided.



Livestock Competition Rule Unlikely to Provide Needed Protections to Farmers

More than two years after failing to finalize a set of rules to protect American family farmers and ranchers from anticompetitive and abusive business practices from the increasingly consolidated meatpacking and processing industries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released a long-awaited proposed rule that would more clearly define when a company has shown “undue or unreasonable preference or advantages” for one farmer over another.

Though National Farmers Union (NFU) is encouraged by the administration’s efforts to address this issue, the organization is concerned about a provision that would allow customary industry practices to not be considered as an unfair preference or advantage. Lax antitrust enforcement over the past several decades has enabled the poultry and livestock industries to engage in manipulative and discriminatory practices, making those practices customary. As a result, the rule could strengthen the status quo, leaving farmers with little recourse when confronting unfair but typical treatment. It is unclear if the rule’s other provisions will provide needed protections to farmers.

In a statement, NFU President Roger Johnson expressed his apprehension about the rule and encouraged the administration to move forward with greater protections for family farmers and ranchers:

“Family farmers and ranchers have been plagued by corporate consolidation for as long as this organization has existed – but it’s gotten much worse in recent decades. With almost no oversight, just a handful of corporations have taken control of the poultry and livestock markets. This has made for an extremely lopsided relationship between meatpackers and processors and those who sell to them, where the former sets almost all of the terms and the latter has no choice but to accept them. This has left farmers susceptible to substantial discrimination and abuse.

“Though lawmakers have promised greater protections to farmers experiencing unfair treatment, we’ve seen very little in the way of progress. While Congress and the USDA have spun their wheels for more than a decade, farmers have continued to endure anticompetitive practices with few defenses.

“After so many years of inaction, it is encouraging to see this administration take some small steps to level the playing field. However, this rule does not go far enough to safeguard farmers from unfair treatment, nor does it address many of the other difficulties farmers have been suffering at the hands of powerful corporations. In order to provide farmers with the protections they need and deserve, we strongly urge USDA to strengthen its definition of “undue or unreasonable preference” as well as introduce additional rules to ensure fair treatment and competition in the livestock sector.”



OCM Condemns Latest GIPSA Rule Iteration

On Monday, January 13, 2020, the Federal Register will publish a proposed rule by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This rule aims to specify criteria the Secretary of Agriculture would consider when determining whether an undue or unreasonable preference or advantage has occurred in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act. Upon its initial review of the proposed rule, Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) issued the following assessment:

USDA fails to own up to its longstanding position that the Packers and Stockyards Act is both an antitrust law and a producer protection law. Unlike the previous iteration of this rule, it fails to set out which actions are unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive by meat packers and processors. USDA leaves farmers, ranchers, and poultry contract growers under the threat of retaliation for speaking out against any wrong doing of the packer or processor. A particularly gross omission in this proposed rule is restoration of the right of an individual producer to bring a claim without proving competitive harm to the entire sector.

USDA is obviously attempting to minimally meet the 2008 Farm Bill Congressional mandate with this rulemaking. OCM will be further reviewing the rule and its impact alongside our stakeholders as we continue to fight for the rights of America's farmers and ranchers.

OCM had applauded the December 2016 version of this proposed rule, which would have allowed farmers to hold agribusinesses accountable for practices like retaliation, bad faith cancellation of contracts, or collusion efforts among packers to force individuals out of the market, while relieving farmers and ranchers from the requirement to demonstrate competitive injury. The 2016 proposed rule, along with two others, had been the product of a nearly 10-year rulemaking process.



SHIC Receives Extension from National Pork Board and Reviews 2019 Results

When the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) was formed July 1, 2015, it was with the understanding it was a five-year project. The proposal language surrounding the Center’s formation stated, “Funding of the Center past its five-year life will depend on it being able to demonstrate a sufficient return on the investment to justify keeping it running.” Following presentation and approval of SHIC’s 2019 Progress Report on January 7, 2020, the National Pork Board (NPB) Board of Directors voted to extend the project for two more years, using SHIC’s existing funds. NPB also agreed to continued consideration of future funding and coordination beyond the two-year extension. In the 2019 report, it is clear African swine fever (ASF) required significant resources, however, SHIC remained faithful to its mission to protect the health of the US swine herd through comprehensive preparedness, monitoring, response, and communications activities. The 2019 Progress Report details progress in each of these areas.

Preparedness Activities on Behalf of US Swine Herd Health
    Developed the Diagnostic Assay Catalog which includes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for detection of emerging disease and made available to all diagnostic labs
    Developed PCR and ELISA tools now widely available to labs in the US
    Researched priority pathogens porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and African swine fever (ASF)
    Administered USDA-Foreign Ag Service grant to fund the analysis of Vietnamese field oral fluid samples
    International transportation biosecurity practices of four cooperating US breeding stock companies were analyzed
    Due to a Senecavirus A (SVA) outbreak in Brazil, investigated the possibility a Brazilian feed mill and/or its ingredients could be a source of the pathogen’s transmission

Monitoring Swine Disease Transmission Vectors
    SHIC and the National Pork Board (NPB) co-funded a project analyzing the risk of ASF and classical swine fever (CSF) being introduced into the US through prohibited swine products by air passengers
    Joined with the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV), National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and NPB to meet multiple times with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during 2019 to voice concerns about the lack of secondary screening of travelers after declaring contact with foreign farms or animals relating to ASF and FAD threats

Improving Transport Biosecurity Domestically
    Funded pilot study to investigate the transfer of contamination from livestock trailers to barns during marketing events
    Evaluating if implementing a staged loading procedure will prevent the transfer of swine pathogen contaminated particles from livestock trailers to barns

Investigating Common Inputs as Vectors for Disease Introduction
    Kansas State University project improved the half-life calculations of ASF in feed ingredients exposed to transatlantic shipment conditions
    Examined 14 feed additives to determine their ability to negatively affect viral survival and be cost-effective mitigants
    Encouraged the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) as they updated feed mill biosecurity guidelines
    Participated in a feed processor ASF task force to define prevention, detection, and response protocols for feed ingredients, feed manufacture, and on-farm feed delivery
    Sponsored a workshop to increase understanding of the vitamin supply chain and identify potential risk factors for introducing foreign animal disease to the US
    Brought together soybean industry stakeholders to increase understanding of the soy supply chain and identify potential risk factors for introducing foreign animal disease into the US

Improving Swine Health Information
    Continued to support the Morrison Swine Health Monitoring Project (MSHMP) which monitors approximately 50% of the US sow herd for economically important pathogens
    Described key differences in the biosecurity aspects of breeding herds with relatively low porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) incidence, compared to those with relatively high PRRS incidence
    Funded a study applying machine-learning to predict porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PED) outbreaks on sow farms
    Funded thorough study of the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), its associated organizational structure and operations, and industry participation and execution across the various segments of the US poultry industry to assess the potential for establishing a similar program for the US swine industry

Surveillance and Discovery of Emerging Disease
    New variant of porcine sapovirus identified in 2019 and appears to be the first detection of a single porcine sapovirus infection in piglets with diarrhea in the US
    Real time RT-PCR to detect viral RNA in clinical samples and determine the viral load being developed
    Developed and evaluated a serum/oral fluid ELISA to detect antibodies against atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV)
    Improvements made toward a nationally coordinated swine health surveillance system to prepare, detect and rapidly respond to emerging and foreign animal diseases were investigated
    Streptococcus equi ssp zooepidemicus confirmed in assembly yards resulting in isolates being sequenced, a species-specific PCR being developed, and a challenge study being done
    Continued further diagnostic work into understanding a hemorrhagic tracheitis syndrome in Canada

Responding to Emerging Disease
    US pork industry created the National Swine Disease Council made up of key industry leaders, the North American Meat Institute and representatives from SHIC, NPB, NPPC, and AASV along with USDA and state animal health official representation
    In collaboration with AASV, held a webinar titled Disease Management of Viral Myelitis for veterinary practitioners and pork producers.

African Swine Fever
    Funded a project to report the current state of knowledge regarding possible strain differences and pathogenicity of ASF
    USDA-Foreign Ag Service grant awarded to SHIC, with active support from NPPC, funds project in Vietnam helping to build strategic partnerships while increasing trade of US pork to the region including swine health field projects ultimately informing North American pork producers about effective ASF preparedness and response

Funded by America’s pork producers to protect and enhance the health of the US swine herd, the Swine Health Information Center focuses its efforts on prevention, preparedness, and response. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research for the benefit of swine health.



Registration Open for NFU's 118th Annual Convention

Registration is open for National Farmers Union's 118th Anniversary Convention! The annual gathering will be held March 1-3, 2020, at the Hyatt Regency Savannah in Savannah, Georgia.

The convention provides Farmers Union members and attendees the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow through policy discussion, breakout sessions, and farm tours. This year's event will offer new learning opportunities while still maintaining a focus on the issues that matter most to our family farmers and ranchers, such as the farm economy and providing meaningful support to the men and women who feed, fuel, and clothe us.

Additionally, NFU's annual grassroots policy making process culminates at the convention. Elected delegates from Farmers Union state divisions will discuss and vote on the organization's policy positions and priorities. The resulting policy book guides the work National Farmers Union staff does in Washington, D.C. for the subsequent year.

Convention details and registration can be found here.... https://nfu.org/convention/. 

Three Vie for Farmers Union Presidency
As current National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson plans to step down at the end of his term, the organization is preparing for an election for his successor at the annual convention in March.   Three candidates filed to run for the position before the December 31 deadline:

Rob Larew, who was raised on a West Virginia dairy farm, has served as NFU's Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications since fall 2016. In that role, he oversees the organization's legislative advocacy in Congress and the executive branch as well as its public relations activities. Prior to his employment with NFU, Larew served over 22 years in Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), most recently as the staff director of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Donn Teske has led Kansas Farmers Union (KFU) as its President since 2001. During that time, he also held the position of National Farmers Union Vice President for four years, from 2014 to 2018. Prior to his time at KFU, Donn worked for the Kansas Rural Center and for Kansas State University Agricultural Economics Department as a farm financial analyst. He also serves on the board of a dozen state, regional, and national boards concerning agriculture and the environment. A fifth generation farmer, Teske co-owns and operates an organic grain operation in Pottawatomie County with his wife.

Mike Eby has served as spokesperson and chairman for the National Dairy Producers Organization for the last five years. He, his wife, and their four children live on his family's seventh-generation farm in Lancaster County. Up until 2016, they milked 60 cows, but have since transitioned to grass-fed beef and crops. In addition to his role for NDPO, Eby sits on the board of Pennsylvania Farmers Union and Allied Milk Producers and serves as the President of Family Dairy Farms. Previously, Eby held a number of agriculturally-related jobs, including AI technician, feed salesman, and farm radio account executive.

All three candidates will have an opportunity to give a campaign speech at the convention. Elected delegates from Farmers Union state divisions will then select a winner in a weighted vote.



Soaring Pork Prices Keep China's Inflation At Seven-Year High

Soaring pork prices that nearly doubled in December over a year ago kept inflation at a seven-year high despite government efforts to ease meat shortages caused by a disease outbreak, official data showed Thursday.

The Associated Press reports that surging inflation adds to challenges for communist leaders who are trying to shore up slowing economic growth and resolve a tariff war with Washington.

The price of pork rose 97% over a year earlier despite increased imports of China's staple meat and the release of thousands of tons from government stockpiles.

Food prices rose 17.4% and overall consumer inflation was 4.5%, well above the ruling Communist Party's official target of 3%. That matched November's inflation, the highest since 2012.

China produces and consumes two-thirds of the world's pork but supplies plunged as authorities destroyed pigs and blocked shipments to contain an outbreak of African swine fever that was confirmed in August 2018. Farmers have allowed herds to dwindle.

Global pork prices have climbed as Chinese importers buy more from Canada, Europe and other suppliers, the AP reports.

Beijing announced in September it would lift punitive tariffs imposed on U.S. pork and soybeans during its trade war with Washington. That would ease pressure on Chinese pig farmers who use soy as animal feed.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast in October that China's 2020 pork production would fall 25% from a year earlier. The forecast gap of 12 million metric tons would be equivalent to almost the entire U.S. annual production.