Friday February 14 Ag News

Don’t Let the March 16 Deadline Pass By You
Contact USDA Farm Service Agency Now to Enroll in Key Safety Net Programs
Nancy Johner, State Executive Director in Nebraska, USDA Farm Service Agency

Farmers, the clock is ticking. March 16 is the final day to make what is likely one of the most important business decisions you will make for your farming operation this year.

If you have not already visited your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office to make your election for either the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program and to sign your annual enrollment contract, you should call and make your appointment now.

Many of you will soon be focused on spring planting and other outdoor activities. I cannot stress enough the importance of not letting this deadline get lost in the hectic day-to-day obligations of farm life. If you fail to enroll for 2019 ARC or PLC, you will be ineligible to receive a payment for the 2019 crop year.

ARC and PLC provide financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices or revenues and are vital economic safety nets for most American farms. These programs cover 20 commodities produced in the United States, including Nebraska commodities such as corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum, dry peas, chickpeas, sunflowers, and others.

FSA anticipates more than 1.7 million producers will enroll in ARC or PLC nationwide - that’s a large number of producers to assist in a short period of time. As of Feb. 10, FSA records in Nebraska show that over 60 percent of farms here have not yet completed the ARC or PLC selection and enrollment process for the 2019 crop year.

When you call for an appointment, inquire about deadlines and options for also enrolling in 2020 ARC or PLC and updating PLC payment yields. Our staff will help you make the most of your visit or set you up with a future appointment to help check these other FSA program actions off your lengthy “to do” list.

If you’re still unsure about the choice of ARC or PLC, we offer online decision tools, including an on-demand webinar recorded with Nebraska Extension, to help you determine the best program election for your farming operation. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ne to access these tools.



Manure Nitrogen Use for Increased Profit and Environmental Protection
Charles Wortmann - NE Extension Soil and Nutrient Management Specialist

Land application of organic materials is important in Nebraska. This article builds on an earlier CropWatch article. Since then, the data were further analyzed and the results further interpreted. This article avoids much repetition of the 2019 article but gives some new or revised information.

Land application of manure and other organic materials supplies much N to Nebraska’s crop production. In contrast to most other nutrients applied in organic materials, the availability of manure-N and its fertilizer-N substitution value is not well-predicted. Supplementing manure N with in-season fertilizer-N application according to crop need expressed by canopy light reflectance is a means to most profitable manure- plus fertilizer-N use.

Research was conducted at six sites for three years and two sites for two years in which the organic N availability was assessed and sensor-directed in-season N application was fine-tuned involving a comparison of six livestock manures, three municipal biosolid (treated sewage) products and an industrial by-product. All were solids.

Organic N Availability
The average fertilizer-N equivalence of applied organic N was 44% for the first crop, 21% for the second crop, and 10% for the third crop after manure application (44-21-10) for a total of 75% availability during the three years following application. For comparison, with current UNL recommended equivalences for organic N in year 1, 2 and 3 after application are:
-    25-15-7 for feedlot manure, 63% of average availability;
-    15-15-7 for compost, 49% of average availability;
-    30-15-7 for poultry manure with litter, 69% of average availability; and
-    35-15-7 for poultry manure without litter and for uncomposted solid municipal biosolids, 76% of average availability.

The current estimates of organic N availability which are lass than 20 years old are intentionally conservative to protect against yield loss, such as due to uneven application. However, manure application equipment and awareness has improved for much more uniform application. The manure N credit can be increased for maximizing profit and reduced loss of N to the environment such as nitrate-N leaching to aquifers and emission of nitrous oxide. If such losses are of sufficient environmental concern, the manure N credits may be even greater than the 44-21-10 due to the variations in availability across locations and years.

There was much variation in the fertilizer N equivalence across site-years but, on average, it was similar for all of the organic materials tested although these differed for C:N ratio and the hemicellulose, cellulous, and lignin contents. On average the fertilizer-N equivalence of applied organic N was similar for rainfed and irrigated fields but greater for lower (< 3%) soil organic matter sites compared with higher (> 6%) soil organic matter sites.

In-Season N Application to Manured Fields
The variation in fertilizer-N equivalence from site to site indicates the low predictability and an opportunity for profit gain and environmental protection through sensor-guided in-season N application to manured fields. With 60 lb /ac of fertilizer-N applied pre-plant, the average in-season fertilizer-N rate was 43% less with manure applied compared with no manure for the year of application and 17% less for the second and third year after application. The in-season fertilizer-N rate decreased with increased manure rate. The in-season fertilizer-N was efficiently used resulting in 30.5 lbs of additional grain yield per lb of in-season fertilizer-N applied and 82% of the in-season fertilizer-N was recovered by the crop.



EPA must get atrazine rule right

The Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association are urging farmers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Agency released its Preliminary Interim Decision (PID) regarding the herbicide atrazine.

Atrazine is an effective weed control herbicide that was almost banned in 2016. In 2019, EPA pledged to use credible, scientific evidence and economic benefits information in the atrazine registration review. However, studies found to be flawed – in which the errors were acknowledged by the EPA – continue to be included in the registration review while credible studies continue to be excluded.

“Atrazine is an important tool for corn farmers,” said Dan Nerud, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association and farmer from Dorchester. “Atrazine is a powerful weed controller on much of our 90 million corn acres in the United States. We need EPA to listen to the number of credible scientific studies and protect our right to use atrazine.”

“Atrazine is a safe and effective tool for corn farmers that benefits the environment from unnecessary tillage,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “Nothing can equate to the effectiveness of atrazine. There isn’t a comparable option. Any alternative would also increase farmers’ costs of production at a combined expense of $30 per acre.”

The public comment period is now open and farmers can voice their support for atrazine at nebraskacorn.org. Farmers have until March 2, 2020 to submit their comments.



USDA TO SURVEY FARMERS’ PLANTING INTENTIONS FOR 2020

As the 2020 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.

“Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’ Northern Plains Regional Director, Nicholas Streff. “The March Agricultural Survey provides the factual data that underpins these projections, making it one of the most important surveys we conduct each year.”

NASS will mail the survey questionnaire in February, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2020, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed stored on their farms. NASS encourages producers to respond online or by mail. Those producers who do not respond by the deadline may be contacted for a telephone or personal interview.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Survey results will be published in the Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks report to be released on March 31, 2020. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications. For more information call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at 800-582-6443.



Nebraska Ethanol Board March 4th board meeting to be held in Lincoln

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will hold a board meeting in Lincoln on Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. The meeting will be at Hyatt Place (600 Q Street) in Meeting Rooms I & II. Highlights of the agenda include:
    Fuel Retailer Update & Feb. 20 Lincoln E15 Workshop Recap
    E30 Demonstration Update
    Renewable Fuels Nebraska Update
    Nebraska Corn Board Update
    Marketing Programs
    State and Federal Legislation

This agenda contains all items to come before the Board except those items of an emergency nature.



Concerned about revisions to Nebraska cattle brand system
Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska Press Release
 
Nebraska’s cattle inspection and identification system is currently threatened by two bills in the state legislature.

Under one bill, LB 1165, the Nebraska Brand Committee would be eliminated.

Under another bill, LB 1200, the brand system would be revamped.

Several ranchers who have looked at the bills believe neither are good for the industry.

LB 1165, sponsored by Gering Sen. John Stinner, would eliminate brand inspection and repeal much of the law associated with it.

It seems counterproductive to eliminate brand inspection in Nebraska, which is one of the leading cow-calf states in the U.S. When cattle thefts occur anywhere in Nebraska, the brand committee investigates. It is probably the most popular state agency in western Nebraska because of the work it does.

One reason the brand committee is popular is that it is financially sound and does not rely on tax money. Costs are paid by a modest user fee of $1 per head.

LB 1200, sponsored by Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer, moves registered feedlots to a different pay status for animal identification, effectively removing a significant amount of funds necessary to pay for the work of the Nebraska Brand Committee. The cost of cattle theft investigations could be shifted to county property taxes, instead of user fees, and property taxes are already disproportionately high.

Also, under LB 1200, cattle could be inspected once, and that identification would follow the animal from there on, often via an electronic ear tag.

That could open the door for disease liability to be pinned on the ranch, even if a disease originated in a feedlot or packing plant.

Electronic IDs (EIDs) also pose significant costs for ranchers as well as jeopardize the privacy of business records, if herd information were to be hacked. Although EIDs are supposedly tamper-proof, they are not 100% retained and can be physically moved from one animal to another.

Nebraska’s existing system, with a physical brand on each animal and a paper trail whenever the animal changes owners, provides solid evidence of ownership when questions arise. Electronic IDs do not leave a paper trail.

The Independent Cattlemen encourage ranchers to attend the hearings on both bills, to talk about why they support the existing brand system.

The hearings begin at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 in the Warner Chamber of the State Capitol.



Naig to Lead Trade Mission to Mexico

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will lead a trade mission delegation to Mexico February 16-20. The mission, coordinated by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), is focused on increasing exports of manufactured products and agriculture goods.

“I led a trade mission to Mexico in 2017, as the U.S. was starting to talk about updating NAFTA. We are fortunate to be returning only weeks after the signing of the USMCA,” said Secretary Naig. “I expect a sense of excitement and optimism among the representatives from both countries, and I look forward to engaging in positive and productive conversations that help grow this critical market for Iowa ag exports.”

Iowa companies exported $2.1 billion in goods to Mexico in 2018. Mexico is Iowa’s second-largest export destination and the leading export market for corn, exporting $547 million in corn in 2018. In addition, Mexico is the largest destination for animal feed and sugars. In 2018, Mexico imported $229 million in animal feed and $190 million in sugars from Iowa.

Mission participants include members of the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Pork Producers Association, manufacturing industry representatives and IEDA staff. Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs. 

The IEDA’s International Trade Office connects Iowa companies with markets for their products and services, educates Iowa businesses on exporting, and assists global companies wishing to establish or expand operations in Iowa. To learn more about these services or other trade missions the IEDA is planning, visit iowaeda.com/missions.



Perdue Proclaims February 16-22 as Grain Bin Safety Week

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a proclamation naming February 16-22 as Grain Bin Safety Week. “We hope grain operators, farmers and community leaders will join us in expanding knowledge of safe practices not just during National Grain Bin Safety Week, but year-round,” said Secretary Perdue. “Tragedies like the one Governor Noem’s family experienced happen too frequently and call for greater action, which is why I have signed a proclamation naming February 16-22 Grain Bin Safety Week.”

The purpose of Grain Bin Safety Week is to promote education and awareness of hazards and safe work practices in an effort to reduce the number of accidents associated with grain handling and storage. In 2018, there were 30 documented grain entrapment cases with half of those entrapped resulting in a fatality. With the number of accidents increasing, we must intensify efforts to educate farmers.