NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 4 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.46 million cattle on feed on January 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 4 percent from last year. Placements during December totaled 465,000 head, up 13 percent from 2018. Fed cattle marketings for the month of December totaled 470,000 head, up 9 percent from last year. Other disappearance during December totaled 15,000 head, down 5,000 head from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 3 PERCENT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 670,000 head on January 1, 2020, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 3 percent from both December 1, 2019, and January 1, 2019.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December 2019 totaled 72,000 head, down 35 percent from November 2019 and down 15 percent from December 2018. Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during December 2019 totaled 90,000 head, up 18 percent from November 2019 but down 2 percent from December 2018. Other disappearance from feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head in Iowa totaled 2,000 head.
Note: Iowa cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head estimates will be released on January 31, 2020.
United States Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.0 million head on January 1, 2020. The inventory was 2 percent above January 1, 2019. The inventory included 7.37 million steers and steer calves, up 1 percent from the previous year. This group accounted for 62 percent of the total inventory. Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.59 million head, up 4 percent from 2019.
On Feed - (1,000 hd - % Jan 1 '19)
Colorado ......: 1,090 108
Iowa .............: 670 97
Kansas ..........: 2,420 104
Nebraska ......: 2,460 96
Texas ............: 2,960 108
Placements in feedlots during December totaled 1.83 million head, 3 percent above 2018. Net placements were 1.76 million head. During December, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 465,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 455,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 413,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 295,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 95,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 105,000 head.
Placements (1,000 hd - % Dec '18)
Colorado ......: 140 97
Iowa .............: 72 85
Kansas ..........: 435 110
Nebraska ......: 465 113
Texas ............: 410 100
Marketings of fed cattle during December totaled 1.83 million head, 5 percent above 2018. Other disappearance totaled 67,000 head during December, 11 percent below 2018.
Marketings - (1,000 hd - % Dec '18)
Colorado ......: 145 104
Iowa .............: 90 98
Kansas ..........: 430 105
Nebraska ......: 470 109
Texas ............: 365 106
NEW CROP, COW-CALF BUDGETS AVAILABLE FOR 2020
Two decision-making tools created by Nebraska Extension for agricultural producers across the state have been updated for the new year.
The 2020 Nebraska crop budgets (https://cropwatch.unl.edu/budgets) and representative cow-calf budgets (https://go.unl.edu/cow-calfbudgets) are now available to provide producers with cost-of-production estimates.
Both sets of budgets are available as PDFs and Excel files, which feature tools that allow users to enter information into worksheets to calculate estimated production costs.
“Both the crop and livestock budget files are made available online so producers can download, then modify, production and expense figures to more closely match their various enterprises,” said Glennis McClure, a Nebraska Extension educator in the Department of Agricultural Economics. “Understanding enterprise cost of production in agriculture is important in product mix decision-making, pricing, marketing and financial analysis.”
The crop budgets include 82 production budgets for 15 crops produced in Nebraska, along with cost data for power, machinery and labor. They were compiled by a team led by Robert Klein, an extension crops specialist, and McClure, utilizing a template created by Roger Wilson, a retired extension farm and ranch management analyst.
There are five cow-calf budgets that offer representative herd data for different regions of the state. Background stories are included to assist producers with information relevant to each budget, which may guide producers in determining their own costs. McClure led the cow-calf budget effort, which was compiled from information gathered from producer panels that have met as part of the university’s multidisciplinary Beef Systems Initiative.
LENRD board learns about the Northeast Nebraska Growing Together Initiative
In 2018, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) board of directors approved a motion to fund a portion of the riverfront development project to revitalize downtown Norfolk, paving the way for a brighter future for Northeast Nebraska.
At their January meeting, former state senator Mike Flood, and Norfolk mayor Josh Moenning updated the LENRD board on their $1 million investment to the riverfront project. The two also summarized the goals of the Northeast Nebraska Growing Together initiative, explaining the history and future of population loss in the area and how to change the downward trend. The Aksarben Foundation has organized and funded the initiative.
“It was a big commitment made by the board to join with the city to invest in this recreation project that is leading to new development and growth,” Moenning said. Flood added, “It’s important that the city and the NRD are on the same page. We’re all pulling in the same direction.”
Moenning said designs will be finalized for Johnson Park improvements, river restoration, and other downtown projects in the coming years. Some projects, such as the River Point Square, will begin this year.
LENRD general manager Mike Sousek, said, “One of the 12 responsibilities of the NRDs is the development of recreational facilities. The LENRD’s investment in the riverfront development project will work towards bringing more people back to the area and will compliment the efforts that will be made through the Growing Together initiative. This is all part of the LENRD’s mission to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Northeast Nebraska.”
In other business, the board made a motion to direct staff to send non-compliance notification letters to well owners who have not yet submitted groundwater use reports (flow meter readings) for all active high-capacity wells. The deadline to submit the reports to the LENRD is December 1st of each year.
The board also elected officers for 2020... Gary Loftis, Craig, Chairman; Kurt Janke, Wayne, Vice-Chairman; Dennis Schultz, Wisner, Treasurer; Matt Steffen, West Point, Secretary; Joel Hansen, Wayne, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) Alternate; Scott McHenry, Norfolk, NARD Delegate.
The next LENRD board meeting will be Thursday, February 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Wayne State College.
Bostelman Introduces Flood Task Force Bill
This week, Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard introduced LB1201, a bill that aims at identifying existing resources that communities can use in response to flood events and evaluating floodwater management issues.
"Nebraskans in District 23 and across the state suffered from the worst flooding in memory in 2019. Nebraskans stepped up and pulled together to bring our state through this tough time. By working together and delivering this bill, we can plan so our communities can be prepared for the future, " said Sen. Bostelman.
Six additional Senators joined LB1201 as cosponsors. A hearing date for the bill will be set in the near future.
Sen. Bostelman has been a leader in evaluating the state’s future planning and needs for flood response. As co-chair of LR241, Sen. Bostelman held meetings to evaluate the impact of flood on the state. During the interim study, he visited the Lincoln well field, Ashland National Guard camp, Loup Canal at Genoa, Schuyler, Winslow, and Spencer Dam as well as met with numerous emergency managers, county highway superintendents, commissioners, public power, private landowners, and city officials.
A copy of the bill can be found here:
https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=41601.
Iowa Corn Discusses Rented Land at the Iowa Power Farming Show
Iowa Corn is hosting panel discussions at the Iowa Power Farming Show on January 28 and 29, 2020. Join Iowa farmers and Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Julie Kenney, as they share success stories of tenants working with their landlords to improve conservation and profitability on rented land. Moderated by The Nature Conservancy’s Mike Dunn. A free lunch will be available for attendees following the seminars.
WHAT: Iowa Power Farming Show
WHEN: January 28-29, 2020
Seminars: January 28, 11 A.M. Mezzanine Meeting Room #2
Doug Gronau, Crawford County farmer
Gary Petersohn, Ringgold County farmer
Roger Zylstra, Jasper County farmer
January 29, 11 A.M. Mezzanine Meeting Room #2
Julie Kenney, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Story County farmer
Keaton Krueger, Boone County farmer
Lance Lillibridge, Benton County farmer
WHERE: Iowa Events Center, 833 5th Ave, Des Moines, IA
While there, visit Iowa Corn booth #852 at the east entrance to the Community Choice Convention Center. ICGA members who stop at the booth can update contact information and enter to win prizes. If you are not a member, you are able to sign up at the booth and receive a free hat.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Host the National Pork Board
On Jan. 9, members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted the National Pork Board’s board of directors and Pork Checkoff staff members at the Miami International Airport to showcase ongoing work its team does every day to help protect the nation from foreign animal disease and plant and animal pests.
“The tour was really eye-opening,” said Bill Luckey, a wean-to-finish producer and National Pork Board member from Columbus, Nebraska. “It was fascinating to watch the dogs work and the officials do their job to help protect our borders and our livelihood. I’m confident that they’re doing their best to safeguard our industry.”
During a typical day in 2018, CBP agriculture specialists across the nation seized 4,552 prohibited plants, meats, animal byproducts and soil, along with intercepting 319 insect pests at U.S. ports of entry. Of recent note was the seizure of nearly 14 pounds of raw unknown meat, pork hot dogs and raw ruminant tripe at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Having the Beagle Brigade on duty goes a long way in making these kinds of statistics possible. To that end, the livestock industry would like to see even more dogs and handlers on the job.
“I came away more well informed about how CBP works, including how the dogs intercept contraband,” said Gene Noem, an Ames, Iowa producer who serves as National Pork Board treasurer. “I hope to see the beagle program get even stronger in the future to help safeguard all of our ports of entry.”
Also, at ports of entry, the National Pork Board and its allies want to see more secondary screening of people who indicate that they were on a farm or near livestock outside of the country. In fact, if CBP does not follow-through when this is the case, Paul Sundberg, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center, asks that people send him an email about it to help improve the process nationwide.
Pork Checkoff’s Veterinary Team Continues to Drive ASF Collaboration
On Jan. 16, staff members of the National Pork Board's veterinary team, including newly announced team member, Pam Zaabel, DVM, met with USDA officials at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, to share and discuss research priorities and gaps for African swine fever (ASF) in 2020 and beyond.
Along with pork industry partners from the National Pork Producers Council and the North American Meat Institute, Pork Checkoff staff participated in the daylong meeting that focused on what government-based groups are doing on a variety of issues related to ASF. Helping to spearhead the meeting was the Checkoff’s Lisa Becton, DVM, director of swine health, who also presented key ASF priorities of the National Pork Board’s Swine Disease Council task force.
Representatives from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, the Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service and the Department of Homeland Security offered insights into ongoing work on ASF diagnostics and vaccines. Top ASF researchers, Manual Borca and Doug Gladue from the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, also gave updates on ASF vaccine and diagnostic work that is showing promise.
“This type of meeting is critical to ensure that all U.S. groups with a stake in ASF are on the same page and are moving forward on mutual objectives as quickly as possible,” Becton said. “It’s great that the Checkoff can continue to foster collaboration on ASF work as we strive for real-world solutions to protect our industry.”
Dave Pyburn, the Checkoff’s chief veterinarian, said that his team will continue its focus on ASF and all foreign animal diseases that pose a real threat to the U.S. pork industry.
“Disease prevention and rapid, effective response to disease outbreaks are our top priorities,” Pyburn said. “Leading to gather of groups at meetings such as this goes a long way in achieving those goals.”
Altoona Chef Wins Culinary Contest that Kicks Off Iowa Pork Congress
Facebook should be giving this year's winner of the Taste of Elegance competition a big thumbs-up "like."
Chef Ben Hayes of the Peace of Cake Café at the Facebook facility in Altoona, Iowa, took home the 1st place honors - or Chef Par Excellence - at the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) Taste of Elegance competition. This year's contest, held annually at the beginning of Iowa Pork Congress week, challenged chefs to prepare an entrée featuring a single serving of a crown roast of pork.
Hayes is in charge of the kitchen at Facebook's Altoona and Pleasant Hill facilities, where 1,000 employees eat daily. For the Taste of Elegance competition, he prepared East Meets Midwest, which was a crown roast marinated in five spices and slightly charred. The rib pork chop from the crown roast was served with a marmalade, chiles and miso pickles. The judges commented on how perfectly executed the dish was, making it "hard to beat."
Hayes received $1000 and a plaque in his effort to prepare the top entrée in a field of 9 chefs.
The judges selected Chef Ken VanMilligen of St. Kilda Surf & Turf in Des Moines for second place. VanMilligen also received the People's Choice Award by those who attended the Taste of Elegance competition. VanMilligen prepared a rib from the crown roast that was served with a butternut squash puree. He received a plaque for each award and a total of $750.
Third place and the Media's Choice Award went to Diego Critelli of The River Center in Des Moines. Critelli also received two plaques and $500. His crown roast of pork entry was served with figs and balsamic.
A crown roast of pork is made by forming a regular bone-in pork loin. Kelsey Sutter, IPPA's marketing/programs director, said "The crown roast traditionally would be tied into a crown and stuffed to create a beautiful centerpiece for a special occasion. In this contest, chefs were challenged with cooking the roast whole and then serving it up for our judges in individual tomahawk or French cut chops to modernize this roast."
One of the judges, Chef Kevin Scharpf of Dubuque, applauded the choice of that cut for the competition. "This a great idea as many chefs are looking at bringing back cuts and dishes from the past and modernizing them for today's consumer. The crown roast of pork is a perfect example of that." Scharpf was the winner of the 2014 Taste of Elegance competition.
The Taste of Elegance is a Pork Checkoff-funded culinary competition designed to inspire innovative and exciting ways to menu pork in restaurants. This event brings together talented chefs from across Iowa.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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