Friday May 8 Ag News

Chilling Injury in Corn and Soybeans
Nathan Mueller, NE Extension Educator
(2015 article, still very relevant today)

If you're considering going to the field this week to start planting, be sure to check predicted temperatures for the critical 48 hours after planting as well as average soil temperatures for the previous seven days to avoid germination problems.

Corn Cold Stress
Corn seed is very sensitive to soil and soil water temperatures below 50°F during the first 48 hours after planting. This is when water rushes into the seed to rehydrate the cells through a process known as imbibition. If temperatures are below 50°F, cells can rupture, which can lead to nonviable swollen kernels and aborted growth of the radicle (root) and coleoptile (shoot). Cold temperatures will interfere with proper hydration of cell membranes and could lead to chilling injury and reduced yield.

When temperatures remain above 50°F for the first 48 hours after planting, seeds can be expected to germinate. If the soil temperature dips below 50°F after the imbibition period, it usually isn't an issue as the seed will be taking in water through a slower process known as osmosis. With cooler temperatures germination will be delayed, but should occur.

Soybean Cold Stress
Cold stress also can occur in soybean if the soil temperature falls below 50°F during the first 48 hours after planting.

The germination stage of soybean consists first of a very fast uptake of water (imbibitional phase) followed by a much slower uptake of water (osmotic phase). Chilling during the first phase can cause severe problems because the imbibed water is needed to rehydrate the cotyledons and embryo to the point that cell membranes become functional. Cold temperatures interfere with proper hydration of those membranes. The imbibitional phase typically is not very long (less than 24 hours) and can occur with relatively little soil moisture since the seed is dry. Thus, getting a cold rain 0-24 hours after you plant can lead to chilling injury in soybean and lower stands.  A study by UNL researcher W.J. Bramlage et al. showed that when the soybean seed coat was removed, imbibition injury occurred within 30 minutes. With a seed coat, imbibition is slower and a longer exposure would be needed before chilling injury occurs.

A key point to consider is that chilling injury is likely to be greater if soil temperatures were cold (conservatively, less than 50°F) at planting rather than becoming cold 24 or more hours after sowing. (The 50°F threshold is a change from previous CropWatch articles that listed 40°F as the injury threshold for soybeans during the imbibition stage.) The longer the seed is in the ground at warm soil temperatures before cold temperatures occur, the less likelihood there is of chilling injury. The bottom line is: You can consider planting soybeans if you think soil temperatures won't get cold (less than 50°F) for at least 24-48 hours after planting. If you planted two or more days before the cold rain, there should be no imbibitional injury due to cold temperature.

Checking Soil Temperature in Your Field
If you're thinking about planting:
-    Check the average soil temperatures for the last seven days.
-    Check the air temperature predicted for your area for the next 48 hours after planting. Note that soil temperatures, particularly in wet soils, change more slowly than air temperatures.
-    Test the soil temperatures in your field. Get a thermometer with a probe (for example, a meat thermometer that's kept for soil tests). On the day you'd like to plant, take a reading just after dawn — this is the coldest period during a 24-hour timeframe — to determine today's soil temperature.

If the results of these tests indicate soil tests are currently below 50°F or are expected to drop for much of the 48-hour imbibition period, consider delaying planting. Wait until you feel confident that soil temperatures will be above 50°F for the 48 hours after planting.



NIBSI gains momentum with four new faculty hires

The Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has hired four new faculty as part of the Nebraska Integrated Beef Systems Initiative (NIBSI).

Launched in 2016, NIBSI is designed to leverage the many systems-based efforts underway at Nebraska to advance science-driven innovation in the development of resilient systems for food animal production, health and well-being, and to train the diverse workforce required.

Clinton Krehbiel, Animal Science Department head says there is no other place that can put a team like this together.

“Each of the new faculty members has unique talents, and each fills a gap in our program and really move us forward not only in the NIBSI hub, but animal agriculture in general. I am super excited for all of them to be on board,” Krehbiel said.

Kacie McCarthy
Kacie McCarthy has been appointed as assistant professor and beef cow-calf specialist, based in the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. McCarthy has already begun her teaching and extension duties. In January, McCarthy began teaching a 400-level cow-calf management class to about 60 students. In the fall she will also be teaching livestock management on range and pasture.

McCarthy will collaborate with faculty in the Center for Grassland studies to establish a more cohesive cow-calf ranch internship program. She will transition to a leadership role within the Nebraska Beef Industry Scholars program and plans to assist with the industry study tour. McCarthy will also have statewide cow-calf extension responsibilities. She will develop extension programming around reproductive and nutrition topics.

“Kacie will strengthen our outreach component with producers but also be a pipeline for our beef educators throughout the state,” Krehbiel said. “She has great expertise in all things cow-calf production. She’ll fill a nice niche for the ranching community for those producers.”

McCarthy grew up on a small family farm and ranch in northern California, and began her undergraduate career at California State University-Chico playing softball. She later transferred to Colorado State University, where she received her undergraduate degree in animal science. McCarthy received her master’s in animal science and ruminant nutrition at Mexico State University. During her time there she was a coaching graduate assistant for the softball team while working in the animal science department. She pursued her passion of focusing on research and cow-calf extension work and got her doctorate from North Dakota State University, studying mineral and energy implementation strategies to beef cattle on pasture.

Ruth Woiwode
Ruth Woiwode has been appointed as assistant professor of behavior and well-being, based in the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Woiwode has a split appointment and responsibilities in each part of the land grant mission with 50% extension, 30% research and 20% teaching. Woiwode will step into the brand-new role on Aug. 17 and will work to build an animal well-being program that will be relevant to beef producers in Nebraska and beyond.

In her extension appointment, Woiwode will work with educators across the state for broader implementation of the beef quality assurance program. She also will develop educational materials around the beef quality assurance program to help support the current educators already teaching statewide.

Woiwode brings extensive industry experience that will help inform research focused on management strategies, handling practices and technology to ensure animal well-being across the livestock industry. Woiwode has provided support and leadership in the implementation of a nationally adopted animal care program, and led the response to a national crisis driven by activist scrutiny. Woiwode’s experience working with meat plants can support the development of humane animal handling programs across the state, including the Loeffel Meat Laboratory.

As a North Dakota native, Woiwode received earned a degree in business administration and used that training while employed for nearly ten years before returning to school.  She finished her education at Colorado State University, where her graduate advisor was internationally recognized animal welfare expert Temple Grandin.

“I left my interview feeling twice as excited as I was going into it,” Woiwode said. “I really felt that I was among peers; it was a place that could be home for a long time.”

Yijie Xiong
Yijie Xiong has been appointed as assistant in professor precision livestock management, based in the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Xiong will also contribute 25% to the Biological Systems Engineering Department as part of her engineering background. Xiong’s appointment will include responsibilities in both of research and extension, set to begin on Aug. 17.

“Yijie brings new capacity in precision livestock management. This is not a brand-new area for us, but she will be first to develop technologies to advance management of beef cattle that can translate to all livestock species,” Krehbiel said.

Xiong will develop research and extension programs to integrate technologies into management systems for intensive and extensive livestock production – especially beef production. Xiong says it has been a luxury to have been able to work with many species of animals including swine, poultry, beef and dairy throughout her life and education.

Xiong will use her engineering and provide additional strengths to multi-disciplinary approach. She hopes to provide inputs in solving the challenge of animal welfare and health, balancing profitable beef production with environmental stewardship.

Xiong received her bachelor’s degree from China Agricultural University. She received her masters and doctorate in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

“This opportunity is very exciting for me, it is truly my career goal and matches my background, as well,” Xiong said.

Pablo Loza
He Pablo Loza has been appointed as feedlot nutrition and management specialist, based at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center at Scottsbluff. will be responsible for developing, finding and conducting research trials and overseeing the Panhandle Research Feedlot. He will also work in collaboration with other research and extension professionals in the Panhandle and statewide to provide leadership in beef growing and finishing expertise.

“I am very happy to be back at UNL and Nebraska and looking forward to being part of the Panhandle Research and Extension Center team,” Loza said.

Loza’s appointment includes responsibilities in both research and extension. He will lead projects to identify and develop enhanced nutrition and management strategies for growing and finishing beef cattle, with the goal of improving efficiency, profitability, animal well-being and management systems for feedlot cattle. In extension, he will focus on enhanced management strategies for beef cattle to help improve profitability, animal well-being and environmental quality. He will also provide educational and professional support for feedlot consultants and extension educators.

Since 2017, Loza has been director of the experimental farm at the National University of Cordoba at Cordoba, Argentina. He also has performed research in the Unties states in Nebraska, Colorado and Louisiana. He received a doctorate from Nebraska in 2008 in ruminate nutrition, and master’s in ruminant nutrition from Colorado State University.

These four new hires will make UNL’s strong commitment to Nebraska’s beef producers and beef industry even stronger, Krehbiel said.

“We are the beef state. Everything comes together here, and our geography supports production all the way from conception through harvest and consumption. We’ve always had a footprint in beef systems,” he said.



Food Safety & COVID-19 for Producers and Farmers Market

Next week Nebraska Extension Educators John Porter and Cindy Brison will be leading a session to discuss best practices around COVID-19 for producers who intend to be at farmers' markets, as well as providing some “refreshers” and answering questions on food handling, sanitizers, and produce safety. The session is next Thursday, May 14 at 7pm CDT.  The registration link, as well as some links to social media posts (for sharing) are below.

Registration link: https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkd-2rpjsiGtXXKhs8dUx8SBQiSzJdbLSz
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanAgNebExt/posts/3034562706589879
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/652858282236204



Ethanol Update from Renewable Fuels Nebraska

To review, Nebraska has the 2nd largest ethanol industry in the nation, with over 2.6 billion gallons of production capacity on an annual basis. Because of our partnership with the cattle industry, Nebraska has the ability to make a lower carbon intensive ethanol product than nearly any other state. As a result, a significant portion of Nebraska's ethanol production is sold into the low carbon fuel standard market of California. As California and other major metropolitan states begin to re-open, fuel demand will also begin to increase and that will be a key indication for Nebraska's ethanol industry to begin to ramp up our production once again. 

As of May 1, ten of Nebraska's 25 ethanol plants were completely idled. In addition, nearly every remaining plant has reduced their output for a total capacity reduction of nearly one billion gallons, or approximately 38 percent of Nebraska's ethanol industry. Those plants that remain in production are doing so to attempt to continue to produce some amount of distillers grain that is needed for cattle rations across the state, but are doing so at a tremendous loss per gallon produced. Nebraska's 38 percent reduction compares to over a 50% average reduction in ethanol production across the rest of the country. Some data is indicating that we are at or near the bottom of this crisis and demand in many states is beginning to tick back up. When demand does begin to return, plants now idling will begin to restart and that will be a positive development for all sectors of Nebraska's agriculture economy.
   

   
Nebraska Cattlemen Webinar Series

Thank you to all who attended the recent Nebraska Cattlemen Webinar Series. NC hopes that you enjoyed this webinar series that NC staff put together. The Black Swan Event series was jam packed full of informative material. If you were unable to participate, go ahead and watch them online https://nebraskacattlemen.org/resources/webinar-series/ or you can listen to the audio on our podcast https://anchor.fm/nebraska-cattlemen/.

Mark your calendars for the next Nebraska Cattlemen Webinar Series. Our goal is to have a webinar each first Tuesday of the month during 2020.  On Tuesday, June 3, we will be co-hosting a webinar with Kentucky Cattlemen on Risk Management for both the Cow Calf Producer and Feeders. Register today (you will have to complete a new registration for this webinar) https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5-vB4dCcQe-XI0ktGSFRtg. 



Nebraska Cattlemen Response to KETV Editorial
Ken Herz - President, Nebraska Cattlemen

Recently, KETV Channel 7 - an ABC affiliate based in Omaha - ran an editorial from President and General Manager Ariel Roblin. According to Ms. Roblin, viewers should be encouraged to pursue a plant-based diet in light of “the spread of COVID-19 in meat packing plants” and the need to “build a stronger food supply chain.” Her words. We found this editorial not only blatantly false in many regards, but particularly insulting to Nebraska’s livestock producers who are struggling to put food on the table for the American consumer. It also completely discounts the tremendous importance of beef production to Nebraska’s economy. All communities in our state benefit economically from livestock production, including Omaha.

On behalf of Nebraska’s largest livestock organization, Nebraska Cattlemen vehemently disagrees with KETV President and General Manager Ariel Roblin’s recent editorial, “COVID-19 Protein and Diet.”

Politicians are famous for stating “never let a good crisis go to waste.” It appears Ms. Roblin has taken a page out of this playbook with her recent editorial, which ignores the facts on beef’s economic contribution, high nutritional value, and preference among consumers.

Whether Ms. Roblin likes it or not, this state runs on beef production. The livestock industry contributes $13.8 billion to Nebraska’s economy while supporting over 41,000 jobs. For most counties outside Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster, the vast majority of total revenue is derived from agricultural sales and production.

If we suddenly topple the state’s largest employer and taxpayer, what does that do to Nebraska’s overall economy? Think less revenue for good public schools, the university, state and community colleges, roads, infrastructure, health and human services, prisons, etc. Skyrocketing unemployment would also devastate our rural communities beyond all repair. So much for ensuring a vision for the state beyond Omaha and Lincoln.

Ms. Roblin also infers that plant-based alternatives are healthier and better for the immune system. False. Just consider that one serving of real beef provides 10 essential nutrients at 10% or higher than recommended daily values per serving. This includes powerhouses like zinc, iron, and B vitamins in a taste-preferred protein. For this reason, recent research has shown that lean beef, as part of a heart-healthy diet, can support cardiovascular health.

Nebraska’s cattle industry will continue feeding our consumers throughout this pandemic. We will also continue fueling the state’s economy so that essential services are not harmed. But we will do so with one ask. Stop the political fearmongering, especially if your intent is to further some type of agenda. Yes, we ARE better than that.



ICA Applauds Request for DOJ Investigation into Cattle and Beef Pricing

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association supports the announcement by several elected officials to urge a Department of Justice (DOJ) federal investigation into market manipulation in the beef industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 5, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and a bipartisan group of attorneys general from 10 other states asked for the investigation into price differences between boxed beef prices set and collected by packers and live cattle prices received by cattle producers.

ICA has been concerned about the continual decrease in fed cattle prices while boxed beef prices have continued to rise. The spread between these two numbers has burdened feedlot operators while the processing sector seems to be benefiting from the higher beef values.

President Donald Trump told reporters on May 6 that he too has asked the Department of Justice to look into allegations that U.S. meat packers broke antitrust laws because of the differences in prices paid to farmers and ranchers and the prices of boxed beef headed to consumers.

“It shouldn’t be happening that way and we want to protect our farmers,” Trump said. “They are looking into that very strongly—supply and demand should not allow that to happen.”

Back on April 1, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley called on the Departments of Justice and Agriculture to investigate potential market manipulation and other illegal activity by large meat packing companies in the cattle industry.

“With the shelf price of meat at record highs and with the high rate of concentration in the meatpacking industry, there are concerns that the difference in these margins is the result of illegal practices,” Grassley wrote.

ICA applauds the current requests by the the elected officials, joining 20 other state cattlemen’s associations in a recent letter requesting the DOJ and USDA investigate these market disturbances.

“The repeated occurance of these market disruptions in our industry shows an investigation is needed to determine why, under separate events, we are seeing these price differences,” says Matt Deppe, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO. “We need the DOJ to get involved and speed up the timeline because we need information and answers in regard to Holcomb and COVID-19.”

Miller’s office indicated concerns from cattle producers across the state about these price differences and the need to investigate and bring additional awareness to these issues.

The attorneys general say these price margins are a sign that meat packers are using their ability to control the market for processed beef and passing that higher price on to consumers who are currently struggling due to unemployment and reduced incomes.



America’s Meatpacking Facilities Practicing Safe Reopening to Ensure a Stable Food Supply

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. These meatpacking facilities have resumed or plan to resume operations this week following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines specifically created for the meat and poultry sector response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in conjunction with the CDC and state and local health officials have been working around the clock to ensure a safe and stable supply of protein is available for American consumers all while keeping employees safe.

“President Trump took decisive action last week to ensure America’s meatpacking facilities reopen in a safe way to ensure America’s producers and ranchers will be able to bring their product to market,” said Secretary Perdue. “I want to thank the patriotic and heroic meatpacking facility workers who are returning to work this week so the millions of Americans who depend on them for food security can continue to do so.”

The following major meatpacking facilities are resuming operations across the United States this week:
     Tyson Perry, IA (pork)
    Tyson Waterloo, IA (pork)
    Tyson Logansport, IN (pork)
    Tyson Robards, KY (poultry)
    Tyson Portland, ME (further processor)
    Tyson Pasco, WA (beef)
    Tyson Dakota City, NE (beef)
    Aurora Packing, Aurora, IL (beef)
    JBS Green Bay, WI (beef)
    JBS Worthington, MN (pork)
    Smithfield Monmouth, IL (pork)
    Smithfield Sioux Falls, SD (pork)
    Indiana Packers, IN (pork)
    Jennie-O Turkey Store, Wilmar, MN (poultry)
 
Background:
CDC and OSHA have put out guidance for plants to implement to help ensure employee safety to reopen plants or to continue to operate those still open. Under the Executive Order and the authority of the Defense Production Act, USDA will work with meat processing facilities to affirm they will operate in accordance with the CDC and OSHA guidance, and then work with state and local officials to ensure that these plants are allowed to operate to produce the meat protein that Americans need. USDA will continue to work with the CDC, OSHA, FDA, and state and local officials to ensure that facilities implementing this guidance to keep employees safe can continue operating.

On May 5, 2020 Secretary Perdue issued letters to Governors across the nation and leadership of major meat processing companies. These letters establish the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) clear expectations for the implementation of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order signed last week.



Peterson Leads Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers in Asking for FEMA Help on Livestock Depopulation, Disposal

In a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump Friday, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson of Minnesota urged the Administration to provide guidance on how the Federal Emergency Management Agency can help farmers depopulate and dispose of livestock following the closure of meatpacking plants due to coronavirus outbreaks and worker safety concerns. Joining Peterson on the letter is House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Jim Costa of California, and a group of lawmakers representing Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota.

“Even as plants begin to reopen, meat and poultry plants are expected to operate below maximum capacity for the foreseeable future in order to maintain appropriate public health and worker safety precautions meaning that, unfortunately, depopulation will continue,” wrote the lawmakers in the letter, pointing out that plant closures and backups have left producers with little to no alternative options.

Specifically, the lawmakers request that the Administration allow for expenses related to livestock depopulation and disposal to be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program.



FIRST ROUND OF U.S.-UK TRADE TALKS BEGINS

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and United Kingdom International Trade Secretary Liz Truss began meeting this week via video conference to formally begin trade talks between the two nations. "Both parties agree that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would contribute to the long-term health of our economies, which is vitally important as we recover from the challenges posed by COVID-19. An FTA is a priority for both countries and we share a commitment to secure an ambitious agreement that significantly boosts trade and investment. We will undertake negotiations at an accelerated pace and have committed the resources necessary to progress at a fast pace," according to a joint statement issued Tuesday. The first round of trade negotiations continue through May 15.

In October 2018, the Trump administration announced its intention to negotiate a trade agreement with the U.K.



NMPF Commends USDA Dairy-Product Purchases for Food Box Program

The National Milk Producers Federation commended Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for pledging to buy $317 million in dairy products as part of its Farmers to Families Food Box Program, an amount that is expected to rise in the months ahead. The products will start being distributed “within days,” according to the USDA’s announcement.

“Innovative solutions are demanded in these unprecedented times, and I applaud USDA for its actions to provide nutritious dairy products to families in need,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, the largest U.S. dairy-farmer group.

The purchases are part of $1.2 billion in contracts for agricultural products that support American producers and communities in need through CARES Act funding generously provided by Congress.



National Farmers Says It’s Time to Recognize U.S. has One Federal Order Milk Market, Not 11 
 
National Farmers Organization dairy leader says it’s time for milk regulators to recognize U.S. milk markets should be treated as one national system, rather than the regional approach USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Orders uses now.

Last week, USDA rejected a request for an emergency hearing to secure a temporary increase in the Class I milk price. Because of COVID-19, major dairy processors proposed a minimum $15.68 Class I milk price in June, July and August.

“In this time when we have great highways and transportation equipment, packed fluid milk products travel across Federal Order lines on a regular basis,” said National Farmers Director of Milk Sales Dick Bylsma. The Federal Milk Marketing Orders were first created more than 80 years ago. 

“The old days when we had somewhat definable lines separating areas of similar supply and demand are gone; when it comes to both supply and demand for milk, the market is national, not regional,” Bylsma said.

  He pointed out that USDA’s Dairy Margin Protection program is national in scope, not regional. “Under the DMC program, we don’t recognize regionalism of milk pricing like we do in the Federal Order system. The DMC program uses a national All-Milk Price to calculate what a dairy farmer will get out of the program.”

National Farmers’ Bylsma’s position is, the system cannot have it both ways. “If the intent is to maintain the regional Federal Orders for the benefit of those few dairy farmers who sell into those higher-priced Class I markets, to be consistent, it makes sense to recognize this in the DMC program and use regional milk prices instead of a national price to determine DMC payments,” Bylsma said.

But Bylsma said a regional system pits one farmer against another and results in lost benefits for everyone. He said a national system distributes benefits equally and allows farmers to work together in their common interest.

“The idea of one national Federal Milk Marketing Order has a lot of merit. Our milk market is no longer regional, and it is time we started recognizing that and act accordingly,” Bylsma said.