NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 7 PERCENT
Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.37 million cattle on feed on May 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was down 7 percent from last year. Placements during April totaled 310,000 head, down 29 percent from 2019. Fed cattle marketings for the month of April totaled 315,000 head, down 28 percent from last year. Other disappearance during April totaled 15,000 head, unchanged from last year.
IOWA CATTLE ON FEED REPORT
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 620,000 head on May 1, 2020, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 2% from April and down 9% from May 1, 2019. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 585,000 head on feed, down 2% from last month and down 6% from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,205,000 head, down 2% from last month and down 8% from last year.
Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during April totaled 62,000 head, down 10% from March and down 27% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 27,000 head, down 53% from March and down 59% from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 89,000 head, down 29% from March and down 41% from last year.
Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during April totaled 68,000 head, down 35% from March and down 40% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 40,000 head, down 50% from March and down 44% from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 108,000 head, down 42% from both March and last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 6,000 head.
United States Cattle on Feed Down 5 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 11.2 million head on May 1, 2020. The inventory was 5 percent below May 1, 2019.
On Feed: By State (1,000 hd - % May 1 '19)
Colorado ......: 950 - 90
Iowa .............: 620 - 91
Kansas ..........: 2,320 - 97
Nebraska ......: 2,370 - 93
Texas ............: 2,690 - 96
Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.43 million head, 22 percent below 2019. Placements were the second lowest for April since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.36 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 295,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 180,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 315,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 392,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 180,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 70,000 head.
Placements: By State (1,000 hd - % April '19)
Colorado ......: 115 - 68
Iowa .............: 62 - 73
Kansas ..........: 355 - 82
Nebraska ......: 310 - 71
Texas ............: 330 - 80
Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.46 million head, 24 percent below 2019. April marketings are the lowest since the series began in 1996. Other disappearance totaled 70,000 head during April, 17 percent above 2019.
Marketings: By State (1,000 hd - % April '19)
Colorado ......: 120 - 73
Iowa .............: 68 - 60
Kansas ..........: 310 - 74
Nebraska ......: 315 - 72
Texas ............: 390 - 84
The Beef Checkoff recognizes beef farmers and ranchers working hard to keep beef on the table
As Americans fire up their grills for Memorial Day, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is highlighting the hard-working beef farmers and ranchers who make grilling season possible in a new video.
The video, which will be released this Memorial Day weekend, takes consumers on a journey through a hard day of work raising beef, from dawn to dusk – all in 30 seconds. As the day’s work comes to a close, the Utesch family, of the Triple U Ranch in Iowa, gathers together to savor some delicious real beef burgers. The video then ends with the Barthle family, of the Barthle Brother’s Ranch in Florida, on horseback, as the video proudly proclaims: “Summer Grilling Season Brought To You By Beef Farmers and Ranchers.”
In addition to showcasing life on the ranch, the video highlights the commonality of families gathering around the dinner table in an effort to help consumers feel connected with the farmers and ranchers who raise the high-quality, delicious beef they know and love.
“Beef sizzling on grills during the summer months has brought families together for generations,” said Buck Wehrbein, Federation Division chair at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “Cattle producers are happy to provide the high quality, tasty beef our customers have come to know and expect. With this video, consumers get an inside look at the lives of farmers and ranchers, and all of the work that goes into getting beef on our grills.”
The video, which will be shared on social and digital media, is a just a small glance into what is to come this summer from the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. This summer, the brand will focus on how grilling brings people together, whether physically or virtually and will continue to recognize those who raise beef starting with National Beef Burger Day, formerly known as National Hamburger Day, on May 28.
To see the brand’s latest efforts, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.
May is Beef Month: Celebrate National Beef Burger Day on May 28
Beef Checkoff designates official day to indulge in delicious and nutritious beef burgers
Nothing says summer quite like the smell and sound of real beef sizzling on the grill, and there’s no better time to enjoy a juicy burger than on May 28 for National Beef Burger Day. While beef burgers are always a good idea, this year, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand, funded by the Beef Checkoff, partnered with National Day Calendar to designate May 28 as National Beef Burger Day and create a special occasion for consumers as well as farmers and ranchers across the country to come together and celebrate their love of real beef burgers.
As consumers continue to have more “burger” options available to them, National Beef Burger Day, previously known as National Hamburger Day, is all about honoring America’s favorite grilling protein – beef! According to Google, hamburgers were one of the most searched recipes last month, and that makes sense as 95 percent of today’s consumers are eating beef and are eating beef more frequently than ever before, according to the Consumer Beef Tracker managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.
In celebration of National Beef Burger Day, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is encouraging consumers and producers to share a photo of their favorite real beef burger and use the hashtag #BeefBurgerBrag, as well as tag @BeefItsWhatsForDinner on Facebook leading up to May 28. Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. will be giving away a grilling pack to several lucky beef burger lovers in appreciation for sharing their #BeefBurgerBrag. The contest closes May 29, and winners will be announced on June 1!
Burger fans can also mark Beef Burger Day online by creating social content and posts using National Beef Burger Day stickers, frames and GIFs. These can be found by searching #beefitswhatsfordinner in GIF search functions or by visiting https://giphy.com/beeffordinner/
As part of the National Beef Burger Day celebration, Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. is also recognizing the role fellow agriculture commodities play in creating delectable beef burgers with an infographic highlighting just how many different elements go into creating the perfect beef burger.
“There is no substitute for a real beef burger sizzling on the grill to kickoff summer,” said Buck Wehrbein, Federation Division chair at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “On National Beef Burger Day we not only celebrate America’s love of beef burgers, but also the beef farmers and ranchers across the country who work hard every day to put beef on the grill.”
To find beefy burger inspiration for National Beef Burger Day and see the latest efforts on behalf of beef farmers and ranchers, visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.
Pork Cares Campaign Provides for Nebraska Food Banks
In the midst of COVID calamity Columbus pig farmer Bill Luckey had an idea. As fate would have it, Dr. Benny Mote and Dr. Gary Sullivan with the University of Nebraska were discussing a similar idea. One serendipitous phone call later the wheels began to churn and suddenly “Pork Cares Campaign” was in motion.
The Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) and the University of Nebraska Department of Animal Science and Loeffel Meat Lab are pleased to announce the new “Pork Cares” initiative to connect Nebraska Pork Producers with the food-insecure in Nebraska.
Through Pork Cares the NPPA and UNL are helping Nebraska pork producers donate pigs to Nebraska food bank feeding programs. Directed by Meat Lab Manager Calvin Schrock, students, staff and faculty have stepped up to operate UNL’s Loeffel Meat Lab where the pork is processed and packaged. The Food Bank of Lincoln will then distribute the donated pork throughout Nebraska during this time of markedly increased demand from food banks and food pantries.
“COVID-19 has rattled the entire food supply chain impacting everyone from farm to fork according to NPPA President John Csukker. The collaboration between NPPA and UNL is a unique opportunity to put pork on the tables of Nebraska’s food insecure while finding a home for pigs that might otherwise go to waste. We are proud of Nebraska’s pork producers for stepping up to make this project possible and help those in need even as they themselves face market challenges and supply chain disruptions.”
Dr. Benny Mote, UNL Swine Extension Specialist echoes those thoughts, “The Pork Cares Campaign is the epitome of the Nebraska spirit. Producers are trying to help those in need regardless of how much help they might need themselves. Pork Producers who are faced with decisions that were simply unfathomable even a few weeks ago are reaching out to help even while their own livelihoods hang in the balance. Those of us at the University that are helping with the harvest are humbled to be part of such a noble campaign to take pigs that producers were not able to get into normal market channels and process them into nutritious and delicious pork for our local food banks.”
Scott Young, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Lincoln is fully on board with the effort. “The Food Bank thrives when we connect into win-win-win propositions. This project goes further than that. We are grateful and promise to put the products being produced to great use.”
Such a worthy project, however, is not without costs. While the pigs for Pork Cares Campaign are being donated by Nebraska pork producers there are transportation and processing costs being incurred. Pork Cares is currently seeking donations for this effort. Donations can be made by clicking on the link located at www.nepork.org or sent to Nebraska Pork Producers Association, 4435 O Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68510.
The man who started it all, Bill Luckey wraps it up, “It’s exciting, it’s a good thing. We are doing our best to make lemonade out of lemons. We’ll do our best to keep it going and see where it takes us. Any donations for the project will be greatly appreciated.”
2020 Soybean Gall Midge Alert Network
Justin McMechan - Crop Protection and Cropping Systems Specialist
In 2018, soybean gall midge emerged as a new species causing significant injury and yield loss to soybean in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota. The rapid widespread emergence of this new pest has left growers, consultants and researchers with significant gaps in critical information that is necessary to mitigate and manage this new threat.
In 2019, an alert network was established with funding from the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP), Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) and North Central IPM Center to monitor soybean gall midge adult emergence using cages across 27 sites in four states providing growers and consultants with information to aid in the timing of insecticide applications.
soybean gall midge adult
Continued support from the NCSRP and NSB has allowed for the establishment of 18 sites in Nebraska, including in Cedar, Wayne Stanton, Saunders, Sarpy, Cass, and Landcaster counties. Sites for tracking adult emergence are also set up in Iowa and Minnesota. Covid-19 restrictions have limited South Dakota’s participation in the project.
To sign up to receive alerts regarding adult emergence, send an email with your name, phone number and email address to justin.mcmechan@unl.edu with the subject line “SGM Alert Network”. Those that signed up in 2018/19 do not need to sign up again.
Soybean Gall Midge Mangement Strategies
As a grower or consultant, many of you may be wondering what the best strategies are for managing soybean gall midge in 2020. Our 2019 data suggests that we had no single management strategy that could eliminate soybean gall midge injury. Here are some potential considerations for high risk fields during 2020 season.
- Plant your high-risk fields last (many of you have likely already planted soybean)
- Mowing grassy borders around infested fields prior to emergence showed a potential for reduced infestation in 2019 (this was one field and more research is needed)
- Seed treatments may reduce infestation, but more data is needed
- Foliar insecticides (pyrethroids) applied at 2 days prior to adult emergence and up to 10 days after first emergence showed a yield response. Caution should be taken as this study was conduct on a field with soybean the previous year.
- Soybean gall midge egg laying appears to be limited to plants that are at about the V3 stage and later, as they may need natural fissures (cracks) that form at the base of the stem. Insecticide applications should be delayed until plants are susceptible to gall midge.
As growers consider these management practices, one primary consideration should be the duration of soybean gall midge adult emergence. Data from 2019 indicated an average of 16 days of adult emergence from a given site. This means that foliar insecticide application is unlikely to provide protection for the entire duration of adult emergence.
Although there is no specific indication of when soybean gall midge adults will emerge, we anticipate emergence will occur sometime in early to mid-June.
NEW RESEARCH SHOWS WHEN NEBRASKA’S GROUNDWATER SUPPLY RECHARGES
When it rains, and even when it pours and floods like it did in Nebraska in late 2018 and through much of 2019, the precipitation that hits the surface doesn’t always factor in to recharging the state’s vast and vital groundwater supply.
In fact, the majority of precipitation doesn’t reach those depths. So when does it most often happen? A recent study led by Mikaela Cherry, a doctoral candidate in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources, found that winter precipitation reloads most of the state’s groundwater supply.
And learning when groundwater is recharging, Cherry said, could reinforce current efforts to limit how much nitrate reaches the supply.
Cherry said that exploring the water quality wasn’t part of the initial plan but turned out to be a key unforeseen benefit.
“When we approached the project, it was more about finding the when,” she said.
Cherry started her doctoral program two years ago, and her adviser, groundwater hydrologist Troy Gilmore, told her about a trove of data collected in 2011 by former Husker faculty member John Gates, who coordinated with Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts to gather nearly 800 groundwater samples from across the state that year.
“(Gilmore) said, ‘Here you go,’ and that's how I started working on it,” Cherry said.
The samples allowed for an examination of the isotopic composition of groundwater found throughout Nebraska, and further allowed Cherry and her research team to play a match game of sorts. They compared about 600 of the groundwater samples with corresponding precipitation data. By analyzing the groundwater and precipitation samples’ respective oxygen-18 and hydrogen-2, or deuterium, isotopes, the researchers were able to determine when groundwater samples showed a similar isotopic makeup to winter or summer precipitation. Though there were some areas where groundwater supplies recharged from summer precipitation, the majority of the state saw a winter bias.
Nebraska’s summers are typically wetter than the winter months, so why does the recharge happen more often during a drier season? There are several reasons, Cherry said. One is that potential evapotranspiration from soil and plants exceeds rainfall, meaning that there isn’t excess water available that can become groundwater recharge. Human impact is another reason. Nebraska’s groundwater supply is frequently used for irrigation-powered agricultural operations. In areas of intensive canal irrigation with the Platte River as the source, Cherry found what appeared to be a non-growing (winter) season recharge ratio that actually is mostly Platte River water recharged through canals. In some intensively pivot-irrigated areas, Cherry said, the water cycle has shifted the recharge signature toward the growing season.
“We’re not really sure why,” Cherry said. “It might be that people are over-irrigating, and you have precipitation plus irrigation that leads to recharge in the summer. Or it might be that something to do with the process of irrigation is altering the isotopic composition of groundwater, so it just appears to be more summer-based. Different types of irrigation can impact it differently, but we're not quite sure why.”
Cherry said the research team was surprised that the data showed on such a fine scale when the groundwater recharged in areas with different types of irrigation. That information, she said, could help reinforce water-management practices that strive to limit and reduce nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater supply.
Formed when nitrogen and oxygen combine, nitrates are prevalent in manure and inorganic fertilizers used by many agricultural operations. Nitrate is water-soluble and passes through soil to the groundwater table, where it can settle for decades. If nitrate levels are high in drinking water supplies, consuming it can have adverse health effects, especially for infants. Treating nitrate-rich drinking water is possible but costly.
“By understanding what times aquifers are recharging and vulnerable to contamination, we can improve water-quality best-management practices,” Cherry said. “An example of this might be fall fertilizer application. If we know that recharge is occurring in the non-growing season, then applying fertilizer during this time might mean more contamination than if the fertilizer was applied in the spring. Another issue is groundwater quantity. Climate change might shift precipitation patterns and timing as well as lengthen the growing season, which would impact the overall amount of precipitation that becomes groundwater. Since the majority of the state relies on groundwater for both drinking water and irrigation, these are areas where more information would help inform management decisions.”
The team’s paper was published in the March issue of Hydrological Processes. It was written by Cherry and features contributions from Gilmore; Aaron Mittelstet, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering; Didier Gastmans and Vinicius Santos of Sao Paulo State University; and Gates of CropMetrics.
Funding for the research was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and by the Nebraska Environmental Trust.
Nebraska Extension, UNMC to host discussion on impact of pandemic-related stress on farmers and ranchers
Nebraska Extension and the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Rural Health Initiative will host a discussion about the impact of COVID-related stress on farmers, ranchers and others engaged in agriculture.
The discussion, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. on May 26, will feature a panel discussion with three mental health experts from across Nebraska, followed by a Q&A session. The event will be live-streamed on the Nebraska Extension Facebook page.
The event will be hosted by Nikki Carritt, director of Rural Health Initiatives at UNMC and will feature the following panelists:
Cate Jones-Hazledine, licensed psychologist and owner of Western Nebraska Behavioral Health in Rushville, co-director of Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, Panhandle
Glennis McClure, Extension educator, Farm and Ranch Management Analytics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tara Wilson, associate professor of counseling at Chadron State College, and Co-Director, Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska, Panhandle
To RSVP or learn more, visit the Nebraska Extension Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtension211/. The live stream will be available at https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtension211/live/.
Want to Beef Up Cattle Production? An App for That is Coming
A team of researchers in the Midwest, including Agricultural Research Service scientists from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., is developing a web-based tool that will help cattle producers select the best bull for their herds.
Called iGENDEC, for internet genetic decisions, the tool will give beef cattle producers a way to compare bulls. They can then make breeding decisions based on data available from research studies and multiple genetic evaluation systems.
"The plan is that iGENDEC will be web-based to increase the ease and likelihood of use," said Larry Kuehn, research geneticist at USMARC. "It will provide economic rankings between bulls that producers could choose from so that they can pick which would be most beneficial to their economic bottom line."
Producers will input data from their operation -- breed composition, average weaning weight, marketing program, feed costs, etc. -- and iGENDEC will rank bulls from multiple breeds according to which might improve herd profitability. The program uses criteria that weigh the economic impact of traits according to their expected returns or costs, Kuehn said.
ARS researchers are developing a web-based tool that will help cattle producers select the best bull for their herds. iGENDEC will rank bulls from multiple breeds according to which might improve herd profitability based on data input by producer; breed composition, average weaning weight, marketing program, feed costs, etc.
Early testing has shown promising results. The team used bull sale catalogs for iGENDEC's alpha phase testing. From a quick glance in just one catalog, they saw profit differential between two bulls of at least $20 per mating. "Given that a bull could easily sire 50-100 progeny, this differential could result in at least a $1,000 profit difference between bulls," Kuehn said. "We expect these differences to increase with more traits and wider variation across producers and herds."
There are other genetic evaluation systems available that provide their own selection indices; however, they are not customized to the environments, markets, and types of production of individual producers. The customizable system of iGENDEC will improve upon these indices, Kuehn said.
iGENDEC's potential may also extend from ranch to table. "Consumers may not initially see a direct result, but increased efficiency and profitability for producers will keep beef prices competitive," Kuehn said. "But the tool could be adapted to meet consumer demands and markets for beef, such as improved taste, healthfulness, and environmental impact. If market forces from consumers dictate that they are valued and methods are developed to collect data and develop genetic prediction for these trait complexes, they could be added to iGENDEC."
iGENDEC will move to beta testing later this year and should be available to beef cattle producers in 2021.
The iGENDEC research team includes lead scientist Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Bob Weaber, Kansas State University; Warren Snelling, Mark Thallman, and Kuehn, USMARC; and Bruce Golden, of Theta Solutions.
SHP Welcomes UNL Student as a New Intern
This summer, the Soil Health Partnership welcomes Krystin Oborny to the staff as an intern. Throughout the summer, Krystin will be assisting with various SHP projects as well as interfacing with National Corn Growers Association staff and farmers on a variety of programs.
Krystin will be a senior this fall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is studying Agriculture Education with a minor in Agricultural Economics. Next spring, Krystin will be a student teaching in Humphrey, Nebraska to pursue her end goal of becoming an FFA advisor. Originally from Garland, Nebraska, she grew up raising registered Black Angus cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Over the course of her internship, Krystin will be working on a variety of projects, including helping out in the Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota territories alongside Keith Byerly, Field Manager for Kansas and Nebraska. Additionally, she will be connecting with other National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) teams to learn about the many ways NCGA is helping and promoting the work that farmers are doing.
“We are excited to be able to partner with Nebraska Corn to provide Krystin with a broad spectrum of experiences while she’s working with the SHP program that will hopefully benefit her for years to come,” said Anne Dietz, SHP Director of Operations.
Over the past three summers, Krystin has worked with Pioneer managing a detasseling team as a field assistant. She is excited to join the SHP team in the St. Louis office to gain more experience with marketing and business. She is working this summer to develop her skills in communicating the right messages and help others to perceive agriculture in a positive light.
“I am excited to learn more about soil health,” Krystin said. “I took a soils class in college and found it interesting, so I’m excited to learn more about how important soil is.”
Fertilizer-nitrogen Injury in Corn
Charles Wortmann - Extension Soil and Nutrient Management Specialist
Nitrogen (N) is the most limiting nutrient in corn. However, there is risk of crop injury with band application of fertilizer-N. The injuries are of three types: ammonia gas injury from application of anhydrous ammonia; very high soil pH following application of anhydrous ammonia; and salt damage.
Ammonia gas injury is a concern when the germinating or emerged crop is in place during anhydrous ammonia application. Germinating seed may be damaged when the band is within 4-6 inches of the row, depending on the soil sand content and the rate of application. If injection band is shallow and/or not well covered, especially with dry soil, sufficient ammonia escape can occur to damage plants. Plants may also be damaged if ammonia flow occurs when the applicator is raised from the soil such as at row ends.
Very high and potentially damaging soil pH occurs following anhydrous ammonia application. The ammonia (NH3) quickly reacts with soil water (H2O) to produce ammonium (NH4+). The NH4+ reacts with the negative charge of soil to minimize loss to volatilization and to have low leaching potential. However, the reaction of NH3 with H2O to produce NH4+ results in the release of hydroxyl ions (OH-) and a great increase in soil pH is soil around the anhydrous band. The high soil pH can be damaging to nearby germinating seed and roots.
The salt effect resulting from band application of fertilizer-N and other nutrients may be of greatest concern. This is addressed in more detail in NebGuide G361 on starter fertilizers. Band application of fertilizer-N results in high concentration of NH4+ plus nitrate (NO3-) with NO3- increasing with nitrification of NH4+. The NH4+ and NO3- react with other ions in soil solution to raise the salt concentration, commonly measured as electrical conductivity (EC). The high salt concentration can be damaging if the fertilizer band is too near the seed and roots of growing plants. Typically, roots experiencing excessive concentrations of salts or ammonia will have root tips which are blunted and brown or black. The plants will often be stunted and may have leaves which are purple or reddish-tinted. The high salt effect is relatively more persistent while the risk of ammonia gas injury is very short and the high pH effect is of intermediate duration. The salts are dispersed with rainfall and irrigation. If plants continue to show symptoms of salt damage, irrigate with an inch or two of water if possible. However, the best solution is to avoid creating potential for damage in the future by keeping fertilizer-N injection bands, other than low rate starter bands, several inches away from the seedling.
There are some 2020 reports of corn root injury in south-central and eastern Nebraska but not in western Nebraska.
NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS
All layers in Nebraska during April 2020 totaled 7.96 million, down from 8.62 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during April totaled 184 million eggs, down from 207 million in 2019. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,311 eggs, compared to 2,405 eggs in 2019.
IOWA CHICKEN & EGG REPORT
Iowa egg production during April 2020 was 1.28 billion eggs, down 8% from last month and down 9% from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during April 2020 was 53.8 million, down 3% from last month and down 9% from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for April were 2,368, down 5% from last month and up slightly from last year.
U.S. April Egg Production Down 3 Percent
United States egg production totaled 9.13 billion during April 2020, down 3 percent from last year. Production included 7.93 billion table eggs, and 1.20 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.12 billion were broiler-type and 86.8 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during April 2020 totaled 393 million, down 3 percent from last year. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,322 eggs, up slightly from April 2019.
Total layers in the United States on May 1, 2020 totaled 390 million, down 3 percent from last year. The 390 million layers consisted of 325 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 61.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.35 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on May 1, 2020, averaged 76.8 eggs per 100 layers, down slightly from May 1, 2019.
National Educational Webinars Seek to Provide Context on Current Situations in Beef Industry
A trio of land grant universities including Texas A&M, North Dakota State University and West Virginia, have come together to host a series of webinars called "The Intersection of the Cattle and Beef Industries" to provide an accurate, science- and evidence-based overview of the U.S. beef industry from conception to consumption for cattle producers, consumers and decision makers. The topics include trade, packers, euthanization and local meats, just to name a few.
Webinars that have taken place, and are archived for viewing now...
Overview of MCOOL, Imports and Exports, Packer Profits, Local Meats, Protein Industry Euthanasia, and Beef Check Off
In depth perspective of MCOOL, Imports and Exports
In depth perspective of Packer Profits
In depth perspective: Will we be euthanizing cattle like hogs and poultry?
In depth perspective of Local meats: Challenges and Opportunities
Upcoming webinars and topics....
May 26, 2020, In depth perspective of The Beef Checkoff
May 28, 2020, In-depth perspective of how cattle are priced: a discussion about price and value discovery, and the futures market
June 2, 2020, Virtual Packing Plant Tour
June 4, 2020, In depth perspective of Ground beef, heavy carcasses and imports
June 9, 2020, In depth perspective of Domestic and International supply and demand
June 11, 2020, In depth perspective of Historical Overview of the Beef Industry from the Jungle to Today
June 16, 2020, In depth perspective of Changes in how beef is supplied to grocery stores and restaurants
June 18, 2020, In depth perspective of Steer and Heifer Complex
June 23, 2020, In depth perspective of Cow and Bull Complex
June 25, In depth perspective of Drop credit, hide and offal
Pre-registration is required. For more information, click here.... https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/livestockextension/intersectionwebinars.
Hiland Dairy Announces Virtual Cooking Lesson Contest to Help Make Endless Meal Preparation A Bit Easier
If you have always wanted a cooking lesson with a professional chef, Hiland Dairy is giving you a chance! Enter Hiland Dairy In This Together contest. You could be the recipient of a virtual cooking lesson with Hiland's Team Milk Chef Alli (http://hilanddairy.com/chef-alli/ ) – and win a year's supply of Hiland Dairy products.
Hiland recently launched the contest to address the crucial role that dairy plays in household meals and meal preparation. Now, maybe more than ever, families are gathering around the table to share meals and make memories. It is an excellent opportunity to remind them of milk's role in bringing the family together. Hiland Dairy, the locally made, naturally delicious choice, has always played an essential part in meal preparation.
The promotion runs May 4 through July 31, 2020 and the giveaway includes:
A One-Year Supply of Hiland Dairy (delivered in coupons)
A One-on-One Virtual Cooking Lesson with Chef Alli
To participate, consumers just need to head to http://hilanddairy.com/together.
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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