Monday April 20 Crop Progress & Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending April 19, 2020, there were 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 87 adequate, and 5 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 87 adequate, and 5 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 2 percent, near 1 last year and 5 for the five-year average.

Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 21 fair, 61 good, and 8 excellent.

Sorghum planted was 1 percent.

Oats planted was 54 percent, well ahead of 25 last year, but behind 60 average. Emerged was 16 percent, ahead of 2 last year, but behind 24 average.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Rain and snow limited Iowa farmers to 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 19, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Areas of southern Iowa saw a foot of snow late Thursday, April 16 through the morning of Friday, April 17. Where possible, field activities for the week included planting, applying anhydrous and dry fertilizer, spreading manure, and tilling fields.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.

In spite of less than ideal conditions, 2 percent of Iowa’s corn crop has been planted, almost one week behind the five-year average.

Half of Iowa’s expected oat crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind average. Six percent of the oat crop has emerged, 5 days behind average.

Livestock producers in southern Iowa reported calving issues due to the snowfall and colder temperatures.



U-S Winter Wheat in Good-to-Excellent Condition Drops 5 Percentage Points

In its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday, USDA NASS estimated that 57% of the nation's winter wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition, down 5 percentage points from 62% the previous week. Forty-six percent of the winter wheat crop in top winter wheat-producer Kansas was rated good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from 50% the previous week.

Row-crop planting ended the week slightly ahead of last year's pace.

In its first soybean-planting report of the season, USDA NASS estimated 2% of the crop was planted as of Sunday, April 19, slightly ahead of 1% at the same time last year and also for the five-year average.

Corn planting moved ahead 4 percentage points last week to reach 7% complete as of Sunday, ahead of 5% last year at this time, but behind 9% for the five-year average. Texas was 64% planted, Illinois was 8% planted and Iowa was at 2%.

Spring wheat planting, on the other hand, was running well behind the average pace. Seven percent of spring wheat was planted of Sunday, ahead of 4% last year but well behind the five-year average of 18%. 

Sorghum was 19% planted, slightly ahead of 17% last year but equal to the five-year average. Oats were 39% planted, compared to 34% last year and a 47% average. Oats emergence was at 18%, compared to 17% last year and a 22% average. Barley was 16% planted, ahead of 14% last year, but behind the five-year average of 24%.

Cotton planting was 11% complete, compared to 8% last year and a 9% average. Rice was 30% planted, equal to last year but behind the average of 43%. Rice emerged was 18%, slightly ahead of the average of 22%.



Nebraska Corn Board’s latest CornsTalk focused on ag sustainability arrives in time for Earth Day

Residents across the state of Nebraska who subscribe to at least one local weekly or daily newspaper received something extra last week. The latest “CornsTalk” publication was distributed as an insert in all statewide newspapers and is focused on agriculture and the environment. Each year, the Nebraska Corn Board produces and publishes three editions of the newsletter, and this latest focus on agricultural sustainability arrived only days ahead of a major milestone: the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

“We know there are a lot of people who care about our environment and the future of the planet,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “This passion for the land and our resources is something that’s been at the top of farmers’ minds for generations. There’s a lot of misinformation about agriculture’s impact on the environment, which is why our latest ‘CornsTalk’ is so important. We want to set the record straight and show how farmers continue to improve upon production practices to have as minimal impact to the environment as possible.”

In the latest “CornsTalk” issue, titled “Sustainability,” topics such as soil health, water quality, ethanol and sustainable livestock production are addressed and information is backed by science-based research. The issue is filled with surprising facts and statistics showing just how efficient American farmers are in food, fiber and fuel production.

“While April 22 signifies the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I think it’s important to remember that American farmers celebrate Earth Day every day since our country began,” said Debbie Borg, District 4 Director of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Allen. “According to the USDA, over 97% of all farms in the U.S. are family-owned and operated. Farming is a family business and is most often multigenerational. If we’re not improving our environmental footprint and building our soils, we wouldn’t be in business long, and we certainly wouldn’t be setting up the next generation for a very good future.”

In addition to the printed copy that was inserted in local Nebraska newspapers, a digital version of the latest “CornsTalk,” as well as previous issues, are available online at NECornsTalk.com. Additionally, throughout the next few weeks, social media posts on the Nebraska Corn Board’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms will complement the publication.



 Lincoln Premium Poultry Announces Additional Cases of COVID-19

Lincoln Premium Poultry announced three additional cases of COVID-19 today.  Going forward, the company says they will provide a weekly report to the community and media.

“All three employees worked on night shift in the 2nd processing part of our facility, all connected employees have been notified, and all are self-isolating at home with pay” said Jessica Kolterman, Director of Corporate and External Affairs.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases at the company to six.  Lincoln Premium Poultry is in the process of notifying individuals over 65-years of age that they will be given the option to self-isolate at this time.  Additionally, Lincoln Premium Poultry is working to implement additional protection measures recommended by UMNC on their visit last Friday. The company had previously limited visitors to the facility, stopped food service and installed dividers on tables, implemented nightly intense cleaning interventions, is taking the temperature of all entering their facilities and has provided masks to their workforce.  They have also provided a $2/hour increase to all hourly workers, which began in March, and will be providing chicken for their team members.  This virus is not foodborne and cannot be transmitted through food or potable water.

“We have been extremely aggressive in fighting for tests for our team members,” said Kolterman, “which is why we believe we have seen these positives.  Without aggressive testing, we won’t know what we are dealing with so we will continue to advocate for increased testing among our team.”

Kolterman emphasized the importance of food processing in the country, sharing that Lincoln Premium Poultry will strive towards continued production as much as possible. “If food processing facilities continue to shut down the meat supply in this country will rapidly dwindle.  We are working hard to implement interventions to prevent that from happening.”

Lincoln Premium Poultry was founded in 2016 in Fremont, Nebraska and began operations on September 9, 2019.



Nebraska Ethanol Board - DONATIONS NEEDED
from Gov. Pete Ricketts daily COVID-19 update

Since April 5, more than 21,000 gallons of hand sanitizer has been produced at a temporary production facility at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The product has made its way into hospitals, nursing homes, blood banks, daycares, fire stations, and many other healthcare facilities. The need for hand sanitizer continues, but our supply of materials is dwindling. Many organizations have stepped up to donate supplies at a time when they too are hurting, in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19. They too have limits. If you are able to support these efforts, please consider giving at the link below. If you aren't able to give, PLEASE share this link with friends, businesses, or others who can help. We will continue to produce sanitizer as long as supplies allow. Thank you for your support!

https://fundraise.nufoundation.org/NEHandSanitizer



ASA Survey: Soy Farmers Concerned about COVID-19 Share Impacts & Needs

Stress levels high over family & worker health, need for rural broadband, qualification for and clearer access to essential resources; USDA CFAP announcement opportune for soy

Washington, D.C. April 20, 2020. Stress levels are high among America’s soybean farmers, so much so that the terms “stress,” “anxiety,” and “concerns over mental health” were used dozens of times in an informal survey released this week by the American Soybean Association (ASA).

The survey was an initiative of the ASA COVID-19 Task Force, a 12-person group formed in March consisting of ASA board members and senior staff, state affiliate leaders, and a representative from sister soybean organizations United Soybean Board (USB) and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). It was sent to approximately 140 farmer leaders serving on the boards of ASA, USB and USSEC, with 60% of those persons participating. In many cases, as with feeling stressed and the need for improved internet access in rural America, the consensus was clear.

Ryan Findlay, CEO of ASA responded, “We were struck immediately by how many respondents talked openly about the high levels of stress and anxiety on their farms. Fear at smaller operations that critical workers will get sick, concerns over taking care of elderly parents and children not able to attend bricks-and-mortar classrooms right now, worries over workers scared they will get sick not showing up—and that’s only the important human aspect before you even get into prices, loan access and aid concerns, input delays and a host of problems hitting tangential industries like pork, beef, poultry, and dairy on which our industry relies.”

86 anonymous surveys were submitted, with answers coming from 26 of the U.S.’s 30 primary soybean-producing states and farms of various sizes. Questions addressed concerns and reactions to both employee safety and sustaining operations during the coronavirus outbreak.

An overwhelming majority – 82% –indicated they are practicing social distancing, washing hands, and other practices to minimize exposure, with very few (3%) indicating they are not making any changes. 73% of respondents were moderately or extremely concerned about their farm being impacted by COVID-19. 44% said the pandemic has already affected their farms, and another 33% feel trouble is likely on its way. While more than a fourth are uncertain how to respond to exposure, most are working on plans for both employee safety and continuing operations should persons become sick. Yet, the prevalence of open-ended responses citing fear and stress is deeply concerning.

“It is even more evident that we must all be aware of the importance of checking on our neighbors, making sure they have resources not just to farm, but to maintain both physical and, importantly, mental health in what is an ongoing time of extreme stress in our ag communities. For soy, we have felt impacts first from China trade issues, and now from coronavirus, that are compounding an already weakened farm economy. We want to do our part at ASA to protect grower interests in D.C. and assure their well-being on the farm,” asserted Findlay.

Regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, 55% are unsure if CARES offers adequate relief for agriculture, and another 40% said no. Additional aid resources and clarity on existing resources were requested, with interest high regarding CARES programs such as the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), which program farmers are ineligible for at this time. H-2A worker inclusion, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funding and other financial assistance-related answers were common.

Kevin Scott, ASA Vice President and Chair of the association’s COVID-19 Task Force said, “A clear need for additional aid was expressed by the bulk of soy growers who responded to the COVID-19 survey, so USDA’s announcement of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) could not be more timely. We appreciate USDA and the Administration for their continued support of agriculture during the coronavirus pandemic and especially appreciate that CFAP will include soy.”

ASA is hopeful that other needs will be addressed, as well. When asked if COVID-19 has highlighted the need for rural broadband, a whopping 85% replied that there is a serious need on either their own farms or their neighbors’ farms for improvements.

As with family safety, the future of farming was a concern, with respondents mentioning funding younger farmers and preserving programs like FFA and 4-H.

There were a few answers given that provided levity. In response to supply disruptions, one person responded, “toilet paper,” and another, asked about impacts, said his wife may have to cut his hair. Lastly, when challenged with additional resources needed, a respondent commented, “Help dealing with the spousal unit working from home!”

ASA does take all answers seriously and is seeking ways to use the insights gained from the survey to better assure the profitability, physical safety, and mental well-being of its members. The ASA COVID-19 Task Force and ASA staff will use the materials submitted to assess ways to best communicate with leaders in Washington, D.C., and collaborate with the soybean community to effectively serve the soy industry and protect its interests during the pandemic.

The objective of the ASA COVID-19 Task Force is to collect information on how COVID-19 is impacting soy farmers and share that information with national leaders, as well as to communicate information from national leaders to soy farmers and the agricultural community.



NCGA Welcomes USDA Assistance Amid COVID-19

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today said much-needed assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would begin to help farmers and their customers recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue on Friday announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), providing $19 billion in immediate relief to support farmers and ranchers, maintain the integrity of the food supply chain and ensure Americans continue to receive and have access to food.

The program provides $3.9 billion for row crop producers, including corn farmers. The livestock industry, corn farmers’ number one customer, will receive $9.6 billion in assistance, ensuring this important market keeps functioning.

“Agriculture is facing immense uncertainty amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NCGA President Kevin Ross. “This much-needed relief will not only provide direct assistance to our nation’s corn farmers but also deliver much-needed relief to our customers who produce and feed livestock. We thank Secretary Perdue for acting quickly and look forward to working with USDA on further program details.”

NCGA is working closely with its members and leaders in Washington, D.C., to address the COVID-19 pandemic and remains committed to creating solutions to help corn farmers and their customers recover from the financial impacts of this crisis. More information can be found at ncga.com/covid-19.



USDA Releases Details of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

As the food and agriculture industries experience significant disruptions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released initial details for a $19 billion emergency aid package to support farmers and ranchers and bolster food security.

The agency plans to provide $16 billion in direct support to family farmers and ranchers, $9.5 billion of which was allocated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The other $6.5 billion will be sourced from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Information about how, when, and to whom these funds will be disbursed has not yet been announced. USDA will also purchase $3 billion worth of fresh produce, dairy, and meat, which will be redistributed to food pantries and other non-profit organizations that serve Americans experiencing food insecurity.

This relief could not come soon enough, according to National Farmers Union (NFU). In a recent letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, the organization highlighted the significant financial pressures family farmers and ranchers are currently enduring as a result of the pandemic and urged him to “swiftly and efficiently implement assistance and distribute resources.”

Following the USDA’s announcement, NFU President Rob Larew expressed appreciation for the agency’s efforts to provide much-needed relief and reiterated importance of dividing aid fairly and establishing longer-term solutions to market challenges:

“In good times and bad, family farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to put food on our tables. But right now, they are facing immense challenges. Critical markets have evaporated overnight, demand has shifted dramatically, processing facilities have halted operations, and commodity prices have cratered – all of which are cutting into already-thin margins. Without immediate assistance, many more family farms could be forced out of business, which would devastate rural communities and threaten our food supply.

“We appreciate the administration’s commitment to help farmers weather this storm. To ensure the most effective use of these funds, payments must be commensurate with demonstrated need, and should be implemented in conjunction with policy that addresses fundamental market challenges. Failure to do so will result in the further consolidation of America’s farms, which will weaken our national food security.”



New RFA Analysis: Ethanol Industry Could See $10 Billion in Losses Due to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic and crude oil glut continue to ravage world fuel markets, U.S. ethanol sales in 2020 could fall by more than $10 billion and the industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) could drop by nearly one-third, according to a new analysis released today by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The economic losses stem from a “pernicious combination of steep production cuts and sharply lower prices” in response to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and the resulting collapse in fuel consumption, according to the report.

RFA warned that these economic damages go far beyond the ethanol sector. America’s farmers will also be negatively impacted, as ethanol typically provides a market for two out of every five rows of corn and more than one-third of the annual sorghum crop. Meanwhile, the industry normally supports 350,000 jobs across all sectors of the economy, and contributes valuable co-products like distillers grains, corn distillers oil, and captured carbon dioxide to the food supply chain.

Building on the results from a recent Purdue University study, the RFA analysis estimates that ethanol production could fall by approximately 3 billion gallons in 2020, representing a nearly 20 percent cut from levels that would have otherwise been expected. Mainly due to lower usage and high inventories, ethanol prices could be 56 cents per gallon lower on average from March to December than they otherwise would have been; as a result, ethanol sales fall to $12.5 billion in 2020, a 46 percent reduction from the $23 billion that would have been expected absent COVID-19.

“This sobering new analysis underscores the magnitude of the economic devastation being suffered in the ethanol industry,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Roughly half of the ethanol industry is shut down today, as fuel demand has collapsed in response to COVID-19, and it is clear we have a long and bumpy road to recovery ahead of us. Corn demand and prices have plummeted as plants have idled, jobs are being lost, and rural communities are being destabilized. On the heels of last week’s agriculture relief package that excluded any assistance for ethanol, we urge the administration and Congress to take immediate action to help the renewable fuels sector survive. We simply cannot afford to lose an industry that has become part of the fabric of rural America.”

In its annual economic impact analysis for 2019, ABF Economics found that the ethanol industry contributed $43 billion to U.S. GDP and supported nearly 350,000 jobs in 2019. But based on today’s RFA analysis, it is expected that the industry’s contribution to GDP could shrink to $30 billion in 2020, nearly one-third less than last year. Further, if the scenario in the RFA analysis plays out, the industry would support nearly 280,000 jobs across all sectors in 2020, a reduction of about one-fifth from 2019.



Growth Energy Joins U.S. Governors Calling on USDA to Protect Biofuel Jobs, Farm Communities

Growth Energy offered thanks to four governors, who sent a letter urging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to allocate additional resources under the COVID-19 relief package to address the “economic harm and job losses that biofuel producers are suffering.” An initial tranche of aid, announced yesterday by USDA, included welcome funding for farmers and ranchers, but no direct relief for U.S. biofuel producers.

“Biofuel plants are the beating heart of the rural economy, and strong support from USDA is vital to keeping U.S. agriculture intact through the worst of this crisis,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Ethanol production provides jobs for our communities, a market for our farmers, sanitizer for our hospitals, animal feed for livestock operations, clean fuel for our vehicles, and vital carbon dioxide (CO2) for meatpackers, and municipal water treatment. We’re grateful to rural champions like Governors Reynolds, Walz, Ricketts, and Noem who are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s biofuel industry to keep our vital supply chain moving.

“As more plants are forced to close, the damage will only continue to spread. We urge lawmakers and the USDA to take immediate, additional steps that are still needed to keep our plants open and protect the economic engine that will fuel America’s recovery.”

Signed by U.S. Governors Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, and Kristi Noem of South Dakota, the letter also offered a powerful rebuke against recent oil-backed efforts to “waive blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard for petroleum refineries.” They note, “Using this global pandemic as an excuse to undercut the RFS is not just illegal; it would also sever the economic lifeline that renewable fuels provide for farmers, workers and rural communities across the Midwest.”



Farmer Co-ops Urge Attention to Farmer Mental Health Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) today sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praising the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) response to the COVID-19 pandemic and urging him to broaden that response by focusing on the impact the crisis is having on the mental health of producers around the country.

“The financial relief measures the Department is providing to production agriculture is a much-needed tourniquet, but this pandemic is exacerbating the ongoing mental health problems for some farmers and ranchers. We have reached the point where producers are making heartbreaking decisions to destroy or abandon their produce, dump their milk, and even destroy livestock,” the letter states. “The frustration of seeing the value of your hard work going for naught can compound feelings of depression. For some, mental health may become as or more important than financial health. Unfortunately, money will not heal all problems.”

The letter notes that USDA, together with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, has been active for several years to help producers struggling with farm stress. USDA could leverage this experience at this time to provide a lifeline to farmers and ranchers struggling with the impacts of this crisis.

The letter suggests that USDA convey to producers that:
-    You are not alone. Producers across the country are facing similar challenges. We all need to step up, particularly in rural America, and reach out to our neighbors.
-    This is not your fault. The current environment is something you could have never predicted or planned for and the difficult decisions you are being forced to make on your farm are no fault of your own.
-    You will get through this and we are here to help you do that. There will be challenging days ahead, but there are resources available on how to cope and manage the stress and emotional toll this pandemic is causing.

"Now more than ever, your role as Secretary is commanding the attention and trust of nearly every producer in the country," the letter says. “We would like to suggest using this platform to extend a lifeline to producers who may be struggling.”