Monday May 11 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending May 10, 2020, there were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 18 short, 77 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 2 percent very short, 14 short, 81 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn planted was 79 percent, well ahead of 43 last year, and ahead of 60 for the five-year average. Emerged was 30 percent, well ahead of 7 last year, and ahead of 18 average.

Soybeans planted was 54 percent, well ahead of 18 last year and 23 average. Emerged was 6 percent, ahead of 1 both last year and average.

Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 9 poor, 22 fair, 59 good, and 8 excellent. Winter wheat headed was 1 percent, near 2 last year, and behind 8 average.

Sorghum planted was 15 percent, ahead of 6 last year, and near 11 average.

Oats condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 30 fair, 57 good, and 7 excellent. Oats planted was 91 percent, ahead of 80 last year, and near 90 average. Emerged was 70 percent, well ahead of 44 last year, but near 72 average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 19 fair, 72 good, and 5 excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

There were 4.7 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 10, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Showers early in the week briefly slowed planting progress and below normal temperatures delayed emergence.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 4% very short, 15% short, 78% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2% very short, 8% short, 86% adequate and 4% surplus.

Iowa farmers have planted 91% of the expected corn crop, almost a month ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of the 5-year average. Less than 5% of the crop remains to be planted in Northwest and North Central Iowa. One-third of the expected corn crop has emerged.

The soybean crop moved to 71% planted, a full month ahead of last year and over 2 weeks ahead of the average. Northwest and North Central Iowa also lead the way in soybean planting with less than 20% remaining to be planted.

Only 2% of Iowa’s expected oat crop remains to be planted, with 77% of the oat crop emerged. The first oat condition rating of the season was 0% very poor, 2% poor, 19% fair, 67% good and 12% excellent.

The first hay condition rating of the season was 0% very poor, 3% poor, 26% fair, 61% good and 10% excellent.

Pasture condition rated 62% good to excellent. Cooler than normal temperatures slowed growth in pastures and hay fields. Livestock conditions were good with little to no stress reported.



U.S. Corn 67% Planted; Soybeans 38% Planted

U.S. corn planting slowed somewhat last week but still ended the week well ahead of last year and the five-year average, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.

NASS estimated that 67% of the nation's intended corn crop was planted as of Sunday, May 10, a gain of 16 percentage points from the previous week. That wasn't quite as impressive as the 24-percentage-point jump in planting progress the previous week, but it was still enough to put this year's current pace at 39 percentage points ahead of last year at the same time and 11 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 56%.

Corn emergence also saw a significant jump last week, with 24% of the crop emerged as of Sunday, up from 8% last week. That was well ahead of 9% last year and slightly ahead of the average pace of 22%.

Meanwhile, soybean planting maintained a steady pace last week, moving ahead another 15 percentage points to reach 38% complete as of Sunday. That is well ahead of 8% last year and 15 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 23%.

In its first soybean emergence report of the season, NASS estimated that 7% of the crop was emerged as of Sunday, ahead of both last year's 1% and the five-year average of 4%.

After holding steady the previous week, winter wheat conditions saw another drop last week. NASS estimated that 53% of the nation's winter wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, down 2 percentage points from 55% the previous week. The current good-to-excellent rating is below 64% a year ago.  Winter wheat was 44% headed as of Sunday, ahead of 38% last year but behind the five-year average of 50%.

Spring wheat planting continued its steady but slow progress as well last week. NASS estimated that 42% of the crop was planted as of Sunday, slightly ahead of 38% last year but still 21 percentage points behind the five-year average of 63%.  Sixteen percent of the spring wheat crop had emerged, ahead of 8% last year but behind the five-year average of 29%.

Sorghum was 28% planted, ahead of 23% last year but behind the five-year average of 30%. Oats were 78% planted, compared to 59% last year and a 78% average. Oats emergence was at 55%, compared to 41% last year and a 59% average. Barley was 60% planted, ahead of 53% last year, but behind the five-year average of 68%.

Cotton planting was 32% complete, compared to 24% last year and a 27% average. Rice was 70% planted, ahead of 53% last year but behind the average of 75%. Rice emerged was 43%, behind the average of 57%.

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Nebraska Extension launches online platform for exchange of carbon sources needed by livestock producers

Nebraska Extension is calling on municipalities, lawn care companies, farmers and others to donate or sell wood chips, hay, lawn waste and other carbon sources to livestock producers hit hard by COVID-19.

Livestock producers – particularly swine producers – are being faced with having to euthanize animals as meat processing plants have reduced or temporarily halted processing of livestock due to COVID-19. Composting is one of several ways that producers can dispose of animal carcasses, but most don’t have access to the large amounts of carbon, such as mulch, hay, manure or lawn waste, needed to safely perform composting of large volumes of carcasses.

Extension specialists Dr. Benny Mote and Dr. Amy Schmidt worked with University of Nebraska-Lincoln web developers to launch DisasterCARE.unl.edu, a site that allows municipalities, businesses, or individuals with carbon materials to list their available products, and for producers to search for needed materials.

“This is an extremely difficult spot for producers to be in, both financially and emotionally,” said Mote. “Helping connect producers with a carbon source gives them one less thing to worry about.”

Those who wish sell or donate carbon sources can visit DisasterCARE.unl.edu, create an account, and fill out a simple form in which they provide information on the type of carbon they can provide, how much they have, where they are located and whether they can assist with loading or delivery. Producers in need can create an account to view and connect with suppliers of carbon sources.

“It’s a very simple tool, but critically important,” said Ashley Mueller, Nebraska Extension disaster educator. “We all remember the outpouring of hay donations to help Nebraska farmers affected by the 2019 floods feed their livestock. Producers this year are facing a new set of challenges, and we hope that Nebraskans will once again step up and lend a helping hand.”

Additional resources for swine producers affected by COVID-19 are available at animalscience.unl.edu/swine, including information about financial assistance for impacted producers. Additionally, Nebraska Extension has compiled resources for families, individuals, businesses, and producers at disaster.unl.edu/coronavirus-covid-19-resources.



Fischer Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators in Urging Indemnity Support for Pork Producers During Pandemic

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joined a bipartisan letter with 13 of her Senate colleagues to congressional leaders seeking additional funding for programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would assist pork producers who are being forced to depopulate livestock herds because of restaurant and meat processing plant closures during the pandemic. Farmers are facing an animal welfare crisis due to overcrowding and the challenge of providing enough feed and water available to each animal. There are pigs in various stages of the six month growth process that have nowhere to go.

“The crisis is immediate. Pork producers send to market over two million pigs each week. If twenty percent of processing is idle, that means somewhere around 400,000 animals per week must be disposed of in some manner other than processing. Accordingly, government support is needed in the management of a sensible depopulation of the herd until plant operations stabilize,” the senators wrote.

“Given these significant social and economic consequences, we must prioritize funding in the next coronavirus response package to include indemnifying producers who are depopulating herds due to processing plant closures. Assistance is needed for humane euthanization and disposal which will require the coordination of the human, animal, and environmental health communities,” the senators continued.

The letter to congressional leaders was signed by Fischer along with Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).



Scouting Advised for Alfalfa Weevil
Robert Wright - Extension Entomologist

Alfalfa weevils have been reported damaging alfalfa in north central Kansas. As temperatures warm up, expect to see alfalfa weevil larvae in southern Nebraska and slightly later, in northern Nebraska.

The larvae of Alfalfa weevils feed on first cutting alfalfa as larvae, and adults (and sometimes larvae) feed on the regrowth after the first cutting.

Even with the pressure of planting row crops, it is essential that producers growing high quality alfalfa hay make time to monitor fields for weevils now and over the next few weeks. In the Panhandle and in the northern tier of counties there may be two flushes of weevil larvae this spring, leading to regrowth damage after the first cutting.. Observations indicate the cause may be due to significant survival of both adult and larval weevils.

Life Cycle
Most alfalfa weevils overwinter as adults, become active as temperatures increase, and lay eggs. Some may lay eggs in the stem during fall and, if winter is not too severe, will successfully overwinter. These eggs will hatch earlier than those laid in spring. This is most likely to occur in southern counties.

In some areas of Nebraska, alfalfa weevils are not following this seasonal pattern. In the Panhandle and in the northern tier of counties there may be two flushes of weevil larvae in the spring. In the last few years some areas of the state have received damage to regrowth after the first cutting due to a combination of late larval feeding and adult feeding. This is something to be aware of after the first cutting.

While alfalfa weevil damage has been spotty in much of Nebraska over the past few years, the potential for damage always exists. Even with the pressure of planting row crops, it is essential that producers growing high quality alfalfa hay make time to monitor fields for weevils over the next few weeks.

Scouting
Alfalfa weevil damage consists of small holes and interveinal feeding on the newest leaflets near the stem tips. The larvae are small (1/16 to 3/8 inch long) and pale yellowish green, becoming a darker green when larger. These legless worms have black heads and a white stripe the length of the back (Figure 1). The alfalfa weevil larvae spend nearly all their time on the plant. They curl into a C-shape when disturbed.

Once the alfalfa is high enough to use a sweep net, take a sample to establish whether weevils are present. If they are, randomly select at least five sampling sites from across the entire field. At each site, gently pick or cut at least 10 alfalfa stems at ground level. Shake the larvae off the stems by beating the stems into a deep-sided bucket. Count the larvae and determine the average number of larvae per stem. Make sure to check for small larvae that may be enclosed in new, folded leaflets at the tips of the stems. Measure stem lengths and determine the average stem height.

Economic Thresholds
Economic thresholds have been derived by North Dakota State University entomologists (Beauzay et al. 2013) from a two-year study conducted at the UNL Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center near Mead in 1990 and 1991 (Peterson et al. 1993). These guidelines can fluctuate depending on growing conditions and variety.

Deciding whether to treat or re-sample depends on the average number of weevils per stem, the stem length, treatment costs, and the value of the alfalfa. When alfalfa reaches 50% or more bud stage, it may be more profitable to cut the alfalfa early than treat it.

Insecticides
Because alfalfa weevil natural enemies (e.g., lady beetles and parasitoid wasps) have the potential to keep weevils from reaching economic injury levels, use insecticides only when necessary.

Many insecticides are registered to control alfalfa weevil larvae. See the most recent edition of the Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska with Insecticide and Fungicide Information (EC130) for rates and restrictions of commonly used insecticides for alfalfa weevil larval control. They differ in their modes of action and pre-harvest intervals.

Highly effective insecticides for alfalfa weevil control include those that are pyrethroids (active ingredient ends in "thrin") and products containing indoxacarb (e.g., Steward).

Pyrethroid insecticides also provide aphid control but can have detrimental effects on beneficial insects. Indoxacarb products are more selective and do not affect most beneficial insects but will not provide aphid control.



UNL AgEcon Upcoming Webinars

Universtiy of Nebraska-Lincoln Agricultural Economics - Farm & Ranch Management team continues their series on COVID-19's impact on agriculture in Nebraska continues over the next three weeks.

Thursday, May 14, noon (central):
Meat Packing Industry: How Capacity, Workers and Supply Chain Flow Have Changed due to COVID-19
Steve Kay, Editor and Publisher of Cattle Buyers Weekly, will discuss what is currently happening in the meat packing industry and what this looks like moving forward through the next production cycle. Includes time for questions and answers.
   
Thursday, May 21, noon (central)
Managing Behavioral Health: A Key to Farming and Ranching in the Era of COVID
With Dr. Christine L. Chasek, LIMHP, LADC, LPC, University of Nebraska at Kearney, and Dr. Michael R. Rosmann, Ag Behavioral Health.
Farm and ranch families can develop behavior plans that include: signs of physical and emotional distress, daily behavior practices that nurture one another, looking out for neighbors and loved ones while maintaining physical distance, building a support team that can be contacted when needed, and resources that are available free to Nebraskans.
   
Thursday, May 28, noon (central):
Ethanol: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Roger Berry, administrator with the Nebraska Ethanol Board, will look at where we have come from with ethanol, where we are today due to a multitude of economic disruptions in the ethanol industry with the big disrupters being federal policy and COVID-19. Roger will get out his crystal ball and talk about the opportunities of the future for ethanol, focusing on the big picture and what it all means for Nebraska agriculture.

Register for upcoming webinars and watch recordings of past webinars at farm.unl.edu.



2020 Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum Cancelled - Save the Date for 2021!

The Nebraska Ethanol Board has made the decision to cancel the Ethanol: Emerging Issues Forum 2020 due to Coronavirus precautions. 

But..... Plan to join them for the 2021 Forum on March 24-25 in LaVista (Omaha), Nebraska. More details and a link for registration will be made available at a later date.

This 16th annual event brings together ethanol producers and others integrally involved in production, technology, policymaking and marketing of biofuels and its co-products from across the country.



UNMC ag center offers respiratory protection recommendations during COVID-19 pandemic

Protecting lungs from risks such as chemicals and dust is critical to keeping agricultural producers healthy.

Despite current shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers and agricultural workers still need respiratory protection for many tasks in agriculture. The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, in partnership with the Ag Health and Safety Alliance and the High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety have developed recommendations for conserving respiratory inventory while supplies are limited.

Reuse of two-strap disposable respirators is not recommended practice, but in a time of limited availability, it may need to be considered. This type of respirator should only be reused within the following guidelines:
-    A disposable respirator can be worn more than once, but it cannot be shared with another person.
-    Store respirator in a clean, dry place between uses.
-    Conduct seal checks each time you put on or adjust the respirator. (CS-CASH seal check video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8Inww-1avg)
-    Do not attempt to clean the respirator with disinfectants, wipes, soap and water, or an air compressor.
-    Avoid putting on, taking off or adjusting the mask with contaminated hands. Wash your hands before and after adjusting or removal.
-    Discontinue use and throw away when it is splashed on, becomes dirty, becomes difficult to breathe, or when a seal cannot be obtained.

If using a reusable respirator such as a half-facepiece, full-facepiece or powered air purifying respirator, the following recommendations should be observed:
-    Clean and sanitize the respirator after each use. This type of respirator can be shared only if it is cleaned and sanitized properly.
-    Store respirator in a clean, dry place between uses.
-    Avoid putting on, taking off or adjusting the mask with contaminated hands. Wash your hands before and after adjusting or removing.
-        Change P100 filters after eight hours or 30 days, whichever comes first. If there is a shortage, continue to wear the P100 filter until it becomes dirty or difficult to breathe comfortably.
-    Change cartridges according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If there is a shortage, change the cartridge when you can smell or taste what you are protecting yourself against.
-    To prolong the life of the cartridge, add pre-filters to cartridges that don’t have built-in pre-filters.
-    Check and replace valves and head cradle as needed to ensure the respirator is in good working order.

A guide for choosing agricultural respiratory protection can be found at: www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/_documents/outreach_resp_selection_guide_jun14.pdf.

Cloth face coverings are not an acceptable replacement for a respirator at preventing exposure to respiratory hazards in the agricultural workplace. They should only be used as a means of infection control.

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public setting where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, farm supply stores, machinery dealerships), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. This practice may help people who have the virus and not know it from spreading it to others, but it does not provide you with protection from any other respiratory hazards or COVID-19. Follow CDC guidance for cleaning and removing cloth face coverings: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

Consider alternative controls that reduce exposure to respiratory hazards and thus reduce reliance on personal protective equipment (PPE). Examples include:
-    Eliminate the process/task that creates hazardous dusts or gases.
-    Use an alternative pesticide product that requires less PPE or the PPE that you have available.
-    Ventilate and control dust at its source to reduce exposure in confined spaces.
-    Hire an applicator or other contractor who has the required PPE.

When applying pesticides, the label is still the law. You must wear the PPE required by the product labels. If the label required respirator is not available, consider using a respirator that provides greater respiratory protection.

To find out more about best practices for respiratory protection during the COVID-19 pandemic visit: www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/_documents/COVID-19-Respirator-Reuse.pdf.



Will There be Enough Grass for Grazing this Summer?

Predicting grassland productivity is a major challenge for ranchers and other land managers with grazing livestock. This productivity is key each spring when they are trying to decide how many cattle to turn out to pasture, how long to graze an area, or where forage might be abundant.

An online tool designed to help make such decisions is once again available this spring--with some new upgrades to ensure that it serves a wider audience and provides more helpful and detailed information. The Grassland Productivity Forecast or "Grass-Cast" at https://bit.ly/3cwAyfq was developed in 2018 by scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), along with other Federal agencies and several universities. It was originally designed for ranchers and grassland managers in the Northern Plains and was expanded in 2019 to cover the Southern Plains. Later this spring it will be expanded again to cover much of New Mexico and Arizona. Grass-Cast also will now be providing forecasts for individual 6-mile x 6-mile areas, rather than the county-by-county results available in previous years.

"It's increasingly popular with ranchers and other land managers, who are hearing about it from our partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Forest Service, Farm Service Agency, and University Extension. Still, we are always looking for ways to make it more useful, so we welcome any suggestions," says ARS economist Dannele Peck, who oversees Grass-Cast as director of the USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub.

During the 2019 season, the Grass-Cast website was visited nearly 3,000 times by over 1,800 different users.

Grass-Cast uses over 30 years of historical data about weather and vegetation growth--combined with seasonal precipitation forecasts--to indicate whether grasslands are likely to produce above-normal, near-normal, or below-normal amounts of vegetation. It is the result of a partnership between ARS, NRCS, Colorado State University, University of Arizona, and the National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The first Grass-Cast maps for the 2020 season were released in mid-April and will be updated every two weeks until the end of August to incorporate newly observed weather data. Grass-Cast becomes more accurate as the growing season progress so it should be consulted more than once. Land managers typically start paying close attention to the forecasts in May and June, when the risk of drought might prompt them to sell yearlings or older cows, wean calves early, buy feed, or move livestock to areas where grass is more plentiful.

Grass-Cast has some limitations, though. It cannot tell the difference between desirable and undesirable forage species, so land managers need to know what proportion of their pastures are weedy, and how those weeds will respond to rain, or a lack of it. They should also combine the forecasts with their knowledge of local soils, plant communities, topography, management history, and other conditions that affect vulnerability to drought, Peck says.

The Grass-Cast website provides tutorial videos, printable handouts, scientific papers, and other features.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.



Center Pivot Safety, an Essential Part of a Satisfying and Profitable Year
Steve Melvin - NE Extension Educator Irrigated Cropping Systems

Center pivots have revolutionized irrigation, greatly increasing water application efficiency and have become a way of life on many irrigated farms.

Pivots, like every machine on the farm, have several potential hazards, making it important to review safety procedures each year with every person on the farm. Every person that will operate the system should read all the safety instructions in the machine’s manual or be trained by a knowledgeable trainer. This article is not intended to be a comprehensive list of safety precautions; always read and understand the safety instructions in your specific irrigation system’s manual and refer to the safety stickers on the equipment when in the field.

The majority of the pivot systems are powered at some level by electricity. The industry has done an excellent job of producing safe equipment, which are by in large correctly installed by qualified dealers and electricians. However, because 480 V power is being used, safety must always be a top priority because it can kill you.

Other hazards like falling or becoming entangled in drive shafts must be taken seriously as well.

Electrical Safety
The most important electrical safety rule of thumb is: All equipment will fail. Job one for the manufacturer, installer, operator, and maintenance personnel is to make sure that when it does fail, it fails in a safe manner that will not harm people or animals.

One of the most common, as well as one of the biggest safety hazard with not just irrigation equipment, but all high voltage equipment on the farm, is not having the 4th grounding wire present or correctly connected all the way back to the power grid or generator. Having the grounding rod correctly installed and connected is a requirement, but is not a foolproof personal safety device by itself. Grounding rods can be installed in situations where it is of little good because of soil type or after a lightning strike. Some dealers have meters to check the rod installation for its resistance level if you would like to have it checked out. Checking the integrity of the 4th wire grounding system back to the power grid or generator is a job for your electrician or pivot service technician unless you are competent electrician yourself.

A recommended procedure is to always touch high-voltage equipment first with the back of your hand – because if it is hot and you grab it with your fingers, you may not be able to let go. Also, if you suspect a problem with the equipment, fix it right away by calling your dealer if you are not qualified to do the work yourself. Never slug or put a jumper wire around fuses to get the equipment running with the idea you will fix it later. Slugged fuses will kill people. A slight electrical tingle today may indicate a problem that can kill you under different environmental conditions tomorrow. The short term gains of getting the system running a day or two sooner is not worth the risk of someone being killed.

If the system is powered in any way with electricity, always turn the disconnect switch to the off position and follow Lock Out/Tag Out procedures described in the operators manual before doing any work on it. An example of part of the Lock Out/Tag Out procedures may be placing a padlock on the disconnect switch to prevent someone else from turning it back on and starting the system (Figure 1). Pivots are a long machine, and it is difficult for people to see if someone is working on it. In addition, with remote start systems today, it is more important than ever – even if you are just fixing a flat tire, let alone if you are working on the electrical system.

Lock Out/Tag Out procedures are something most farmers never think about. We figure we are working by ourselves and no one is going to turn on the equipment. However, one such case was shown in the feature film “SILO” in several locations across the state this past winter. It tells the story of two men that become entrapped in a grain bin because a third person not knowing the two are in the bin starts loading a truck. If they would have just turned off the power and put a padlock on the disconnect the tragedy could have been prevented. Another good lock out procedure is to always but the ignition key of any motorized vehicle in your pocket before starting to work on it.

Stay away from pivots if lightning is in the area because they are notorious for being struck.

The pivot panel high voltage disconnect switch does not turn off all of the power inside the panel. So if you need to work inside the panel to fix a problem or even just clean out a nest from a mouse that got in the panel through conduit that was not properly installed, make sure to turn the power off to the main disconnect switch or call your dealer if you are unsure how to turn it off. A voltmeter is a handy tool to check to make sure the power is off. The best procedure to use when using a voltmeter is to check the wires with the meter before the electricity is turned off to make sure the meter is working, then turn the power off and recheck to make sure the right switch is turned off.

Other Safety Hazards with Pivots
The biggest non-electrical safety hazard with pivots is missing driveshaft covers. Even though the tower motors are small, the center drive gear reduction results in an incredible amount of torque on the driveshaft. If someone is caught in the driveshaft, they can be seriously injured or killed. It is important to keep all safety equipment including shields in good repair.

Falls are another concern when working on pivots. Never climb on a pivot if it is running or wet. The best method to perform overhead work on a pivot is to use a personal lift device.

If the pivot has been applying pesticides or the field has been treated, follow all safety instructions on the pesticide label regarding reentering the field and personal protective equipment.

Never park or place anything on the pivot tracks. Pivots are an all-wheel drive machine capable of crawling up and over or crash themselves on anything placed in the way.

Pivots are an essential part of many irrigated farms and by following the safety procedures and keeping the system in good repair, they will provide a safe and efficient method of applying irrigation for many years to come. For more information and references go to: go.unl.edu/pivotsafety.



Pesticide Container Recycling Continues in 2020

Another growing season is upon us, and with it comes the widespread use of crop protection products. Pesticides are an important tool in agricultural pest management, but they must be handled with care, from purchase to disposal, in order to reap their benefits and minimize their risks. Nebraska’s private and custom pesticide applicators care deeply about the land and the resources it provides, and they understand their responsibility in protecting these things. This is one reason programs such as the Nebraska Pesticide Container Recycling Program have been so successful over the years.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, tens of millions of pounds of pesticides are applied in Nebraska each year, a significant portion of which can be attributed to agriculture. That adds up to a lot of empty plastic containers. The Nebraska Pesticide Container Recycling Program, now in its 29th year, provides a way for private and commercial applicators to safely and responsibly dispose of their agricultural pesticide containers, free of charge.

The COVID-19 pandemic will likely affect the recycling program in 2020. Individual collection sites will have the final say on how they wish to operate. For the safety of their employees and those dropping off containers (recyclers), potential steps to take include:
-    Requiring employees and/or recyclers to wear personal protective equipment such as facemasks and gloves;
-    Marking physical boundaries to ensure social distance;
-    Adjusting site availability (e.g., reducing from May-August to specific days or by appointment only).

Information on specific collection sites will be listed here: https://pested.unl.edu/recycling.

The program accepts only containers that held pesticides for crop, ornamental/turf, forestry, aquatic, and public health pest control, as well as crop oils, surfactants, and adjuvants. Containers that held consumer pesticides (e.g., home and garden products) are not accepted. (Some cities or counties offer household hazardous waste disposal events for these types of products.)

All collection sites in Nebraska accept 1- and 2.5-gallon plastic containers. In addition, some sites accept 15-, 30-, and 55-gallon plastic drums. Check the list of sites for details.

Collection site managers thoroughly inspect containers before accepting them for collection, so make sure you have prepared containers properly.

Before dropping them off at a collection site, you must triple- or pressure-rinse each container according to label directions. It is best to do this at the time of the application, as rinsate can be safely added to a tank load and used as spray. Delayed rinsing can result in dried residue in containers that is difficult to remove.

With the exception of materials that are glued to containers, remove and discard any labels, booklets, and slipcover plastic. Caps cannot be recycled; rinse all caps and discard them as regular trash.

The Agricultural Container and Recycling Council (ACRC), which oversees container recycling nationwide, is a not-for-profit organization funded by manufacturers and distributors of crop protection products. ACRC reports that 10.9 million pounds of plastic were collected nationally in 2019, putting the historical total at over 200 million pounds collected since 1992.

ACRC’s Midwest contractor, G. Phillips & Sons, collected 67,688 pounds in Nebraska in 2019. This is approximately 10% less than the 74,800 pounds collected in 2018.

Recycling is the most sustainable, environmentally friendly method of container disposal. The plastic from recycled containers is used to make industry-approved products such as pallets, drain tile, underground utility conduit, landscape edging, and nursery pots. Instead of adding them to a landfill, consider recycling your containers this year.



IDALS Offers Drive-Up Testing Option to Help Commercial Pesticide Applicators Obtain Certifications

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is taking a creative approach to help commercial pesticide applicators obtain their certifications after COVID-19 caused the cancellation of several in-person testing sessions earlier this spring. 

Starting May 12, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will offer drive-up commercial pesticide applicator exams in Story County. Individuals will take the tests in their automobiles to maintain social distancing guidelines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“We recognize there’s a need to help pesticide applicators complete the in-person testing requirements to ensure the continuity of their businesses,” said Secretary Naig. “We had to get creative to find a solution that also protects the health and safety of the people taking and conducting the exams.”

The Department will hold three testing sessions at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12 and Thursday, May 14. Each session is limited to 20 people. To register, visit https://data.iowaagriculture.gov/pest_signup/.

Additional testing dates and locations will be added. Watch for more information at iowaagriculture.gov/pesticide-bureau.



The Logjam Loosens a Little
David P. Anderson, Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

The logjam in cattle/beef packing caused by corona virus impacted employees has led to sharply reduced cattle slaughter. As companies and various government agencies respond, there is some evidence that the logjam loosened a little over the last week.

Estimated daily weekday fed steer and heifer slaughter bottomed out on April 28th and 29th at 50,000 head. That was down more than 40 percent compared to the 91-97,000 head per day at the end of March. Since the bottom, daily slaughter has been slowly creeping higher. It reached 56,000 on May 1st and 64,000 on May 7th. While certainly nowhere near back to pre-virus levels, which were elevated because of cyclically large cattle numbers, it does represent some improvement.

Saturday steer and heifer slaughter levels have not declined much at all during this time of plant slowdowns as have weekday processing. Typically, far fewer cattle are slaughtered on Saturdays compared to weekdays. April estimated Saturday fed cattle slaughter was less than 1,000 head below April 2019.

Cow and bull slaughter has increased over the last 2 weeks using the estimated daily data. During the first week of May estimated cow and bull slaughter increased by 2,000 head. It was about 4,000 head larger over the last two weeks than the two weeks prior to that. Its worth remembering that the estimated slaughter data is normally revised as the actual data is reported. That might suggest that corona virus has taken a larger toll at fed cattle plants compared to cull cow and bull plants. Within cow slaughter, more dairy cows are going to market while fewer beef cows are being culled compared to a year ago.

Weights continue to run above a year ago. Steer weights have begun to move higher, bucking the seasonal trend of declining weights and were 37 pounds heavier than a year ago in the last reported week. Heifer weights remain above a year ago but have been trending lower seasonally.

Hopefully, we'll continue to see the packing logjam loosen in coming days and weeks to the benefit of producers through higher prices and retailers and consumers through lower prices.



Condensed Version of Beef Quality Assurance Manual Now Available

A more condensed version of the Beef Quality Assurance Manual is now available to BQA followers in digital or print form. The BQA Field Guide is a more compact version of the manual that can be used as a convenient reference piece. It covers the key points of the BQA program without program background and other information that may not be useful in the course of day-to-day operations.

The BQA Program is managed by the producer education team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff.

The digital Field Guide has ten chapters that cover everything from behavior and handling to transportation to emergency action planning. It allows producers to assess their management decisions in a way that recognizes a responsibility to the animals, consumers, the environment and the larger beef industry.

The digital Field Guide contains embedded links and videos that allow producers to interact with various elements of BQA. The digital guide, the print version and the larger, more in-depth Manual represent the foundation for training and certification programs offered nationally and by many states.

“We’re committed to creating tools for producers that allow them to follow practices that reflect the most responsible cattle industry knowledge today,” says Kim Brackett, an Idaho cattle producer and chair of the BQA Advisory Group. “This new BQA Field Guide will be useful for immediately accessing this kind of helpful information while working with cattle.”

The BQA Program is a cooperative effort between beef producers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension staff and other professionals from veterinary medical associations and allied industries. Its goal is to assure consumers that all cattle shipped from a beef production unit are healthy, wholesome, and safe; their management has met FDA, USDA and EPA standards; they meet quality requirements throughout the production system; and they are produced using animal well-being, worker safety, and environmentally-sound production practices.

BQA recommends the use of common sense, appropriate management skills and accepted scientific knowledge to deliver the highest levels of animal stewardship and the production of quality, healthy and safe products. Each aspect of the program is economically logical and part of good business management.

Both the digital and print versions of the BQA Field Guide are now available. To find out more about them or the BQA Manual, or to become BQA certified, visit BQA.org.



U.S. Ethanol Industry Disappointed in New Colombian Duties

The Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MINCIT) this weekend announced it will impose duties of $0.1997/gallon on U.S. ethanol exports to Colombia. The following is a joint statement from leadership of the U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association.

“While we have cooperated fully with investigating authorities in Colombia to demonstrate these final duties are unjustified, the Colombian government sided with Colombia’s ethanol industry. MINCIT’s decision was not supported by evidence and raises questions regarding the Ministry’s compliance with standard CVD procedures.

“The U.S. ethanol industry remains committed to our partners in Colombia, continuing to help the country meet its blending targets and providing benefits to Colombian consumers so they may access a clean, renewable and affordable fuel.”



Mayors Across 10 States Urge EPA to Protect Biofuel & Farm Jobs Amid COVID-19

Mayors from across the U.S. farm belt today condemned oil industry efforts to seize markets from farmers and biofuel producers under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, 70 mayors called on the agency to “reject unjustifiable RFS waiver requests and protect rural communities.”

“Some of us have already seen our local ethanol plant shutter its doors while others have witnessed their local ethanol plant reduce operations,” wrote mayors from 10 states. “This is having devastating ripple effects throughout our economy. Such waivers would further damage our communities and the farmers, workers, and families who depend on a vibrant biofuels industry.”

The letter was offered in support for America’s biofuel producers, who have seen demand evaporate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Communities in our nation’s heartland are accustomed to challenges, but COVID-19 is unlike anything we’ve experienced,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “When biofuel production shuts down, everyone hurts – from farmers and truckers to meatpackers and ranchers that need animal feed and carbon dioxide for refrigeration. The last thing our communities can afford right now is another pitched battle with oil lobbyists seeking to cash in on the pandemic by destroying farm and biofuel markets under the RFS.”

“We’re deeply grateful to America’s mayors for taking up this call to action on behalf of Growth Energy’s members, who work tirelessly to support the communities they call home,” added Skor.



RFA, Other U.S. Farm & Biofuel Leaders Ask Congress for COVID-19 Relief

America’s top biofuel and farm advocates called on House and Senate leaders to ensure the next round of COVID-19 relief does not overlook U.S. ethanol and biodiesel production. The joint letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoes bipartisan appeals from House and Senate members, as well as governors across the heartland. It was signed by the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, the National Biodiesel Board, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Oilseed Processors Association, the National Renderers Association, the National Sorghum Producers, and Fuels America.

“The situation we face is dire,” wrote biofuel and farm advocates. “More than 130 biofuel plants have already partially or fully shut down as motor fuel demand plunged to 50-year lows. America’s biofuel plants purchase annually more than one-third of U.S. corn and U.S. soybean oil, and the loss of those markets has depressed farm income and will continue to push corn and soybean prices down dramatically. The damage has rippled across the entire agricultural supply chain.”

The letter notes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) excluded the biofuel sector from initial aid under CARES Act, despite urgent letters of support to Secretary Sonny Perdue from broad, bipartisan coalitions in the House and Senate.

“While it is important that biofuel producers are included in any infrastructure or tax legislation designed to hasten America’s long-term economic recovery from COVID-19, relief is needed now to ensure these producers are positioned bring renewable fuel production back online when conditions improve,” wrote the rural leaders. “It is vital that the next COVID-19 relief package include immediate, temporary, and direct assistance to help the U.S. biofuel industry retain its skilled workforce and mitigate the impact of plant closures on the food and feed supply chain and rural communities.”

“We look forward to working with you to ensure that America’s biofuel producers get through the crisis and stand ready to fuel a robust recovery across rural America,” they added.



AGCO Recasts Vision to Underscore Its Commitment to Providing Sustainable High-Tech Solutions

AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and solutions, today announced it is highlighting its commitment to bringing farmers sustainable high-tech solutions by relaunching its vision.

“Our new vision—Sustainable high-tech solutions for farmers feeding the world—better represents our thoughtful approach to helping our farmers and our business continually find better and more sustainable ways to raise the food people need, all around the world,” said Martin Richenhagen, President and Chief Executive Officer of AGCO Corporation. “As the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day last month, we felt it was the right time to stress the importance of sustainability in our company’s vision.”

Agriculture is one of the most essential industries in the world. As the population grows to a projected 10 billion people by 2050, the potential impact agriculture can have on the health of our planet is tremendous. As a global leader in agriculture, AGCO has a responsibility to help ensure we make a positive impact for the farmers who use our solutions, the communities they feed and the environment we all share.

AGCO precision agriculture tools help farms and machines run more efficiently with lower inputs and higher yields. Sustainable productivity arises through technology, innovation and integrated solutions to grow more food and deliver higher farm income.

Environmental concerns are also driving society’s perception of agriculture, including animal welfare. AGCO is a market leader for cage-free egg equipment and creates solutions to reduce stress and maximize comfort while maintaining healthy animals and encouraging natural behavior.

In short, AGCO’s sustainable high-tech solutions enable farmers to do more with less.
-    Advanced farm machines require less fuel and need to make fewer passes in the field, reducing compacted soil and increasing soil fertility.
-    Precision technology and agronomic solutions enable farmers to grow and harvest more per acre, making the most of our farmland.
-    Better sprayer technology enables farmers to apply products only where needed, reducing inputs to grow healthy food.
-    More efficient harvesting equipment means more crops are captured in the field, and better grain and seed storage mean more goes to market.
-    Next-generation biosecurity, housing and feeding solutions mean safer, healthier and more productive conditions for swine and poultry.

“We don’t want to stop at meeting the needs of today’s farmers; we must support future generations,” added Eric Hansotia, Chief Operating Officer of AGCO Corporation. “We need to continuously bring to market high-tech solutions to support farmers in producing nutritious food while reducing resource and environmental impacts.”



Elanco Reports Lower Quarterly Revenue

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2020. The results reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business, particularly actions that the pandemic has prompted us to take with our commercial distribution partners.

Despite the unique factors that contributed to the first quarter performance, our innovation, portfolio, and productivity strategy continues to be our focus and the long-term industry fundamentals and durability remain intact.

"In the first quarter, the COVID-19 pandemic created working capital pressures across our commercial value chain and dampened assumptions about near-term demand from end users of our products. These factors coupled with our recent evaluation of distributor performance has prompted us to tighten our approach across many facets of our distributor relationships.

In the first quarter, the company made initial progress to meaningfully reduce channel inventory, primarily in our U.S. companion animal business, and we expect to further tighten channel inventory across all business areas, primarily in the second quarter.

"The decrease in channel inventory is a structural change that will improve our working capital and maximize our operational flexibility in the current environment and beyond. While the actions we are taking with our commercial partners negatively impact our reported sales performance in the near term, these changes will strengthen our position, optimize our promotional approach and enable us to direct investment to the internal commercial activities that drive demand for our products over the long term."