Monday June 15 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending June 14, 2020, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 26% short, 60% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9% very short, 17% short, 72% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 26% fair, 54% good, and 17% excellent.

Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 19% fair, 62% good, and 16% excellent. Soybeans emerged was 94%, well ahead of 68% last year, and ahead of 84% for the five-year average. Blooming was 4%.

Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 9% poor, 45% fair, 38% good, and 5% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 85%, ahead of 79% last year, but behind 92% average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 44% fair, 51% good, and 4% excellent. Sorghum planted was 97%, well ahead of 73% last year, and ahead of 88% average. Headed was 1%.

Oats condition rated 1% very poor, 15% poor, 29% fair, 50% good, and 5% excellent. Oats headed was 69%, well ahead of 38% last year, and ahead of 62% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 26% fair, 66% good, and 8% excellent. Dry edible beans planted was 93%. Emerged was 62%.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 4% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 59% good, and 7% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

While some areas of Iowa saw significant precipitation, statewide there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 14, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included planting, harvesting hay, spraying and applying nitrogen.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 6% short, 85% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 4% short, 87% adequate and 9% surplus.

Virtually all of the corn crop has emerged. Corn condition rated 83% good to excellent. Although soybeans remain to be planted in southwest Iowa, farmers in the rest of the state have nearly all completed planting. Emergence reached 93%, almost 3 weeks ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of average.

Soybean condition rated 82% good to excellent.

Oats headed progressed to 42%, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind average. Oat condition rated 83% good to excellent.

One-quarter of the first cutting of alfalfa hay was completed during the week ending June 14, 2020, reaching 79 percent complete. Only Southwest Iowa producers have been unable to complete at least three-quarters of their first cutting of alfalfa hay. Hay condition rated 75% good to excellent.

Pasture condition remains at 70% good to excellent. Movement of grain from farm to facilities was noted. No major livestock issues were reported for the week.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report: Corn Condition Drops; Soybeans 93% Planted

Corn planting in much of the U.S. had wrapped up by the end of last week, while the condition of the portion of the crop that had emerged fell, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Monday.  Nationwide, 95% of corn had emerged, 21 percentage points ahead of last year and 3 percentage points ahead of the average pace of 92%.  NASS estimated that 75% of the nation's corn crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, down 4 percentage points from last week. That puts this year's current good-to-excellent rating roughly in the middle of the range of the past 10 years.

Soybean planting also moved closer to the finish line last week, gaining 7 percentage points to reach 93% complete as of Sunday. That put this year's current progress 21 percentage points ahead of last year's pace and 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 88%.  Soybean emergence was estimated at 81% as of Sunday, 32 percentage points ahead of last year's 49% and ahead of the five-year average of 75%.  NASS estimated national soybean crop condition at 72% good to excellent, the same as the previous week and the fourth-highest good-to-excellent rating in the most recent 10 years.

Winter wheat was 91% headed at the end of last week compared to 87% last year at the same time and a five-year average of 94%. Winter wheat harvest picked up speed, moving ahead 8 percentage points last week to reach 15% complete as of Sunday, equal to the five-year average.  Winter wheat condition was rated 50% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from 51% the previous week. The current good-to-excellent rating is below last year's 64%.

NASS reports spring wheat emergence was estimated at 95%, slightly ahead of last year's 92% and just 2 percentage points behind the average of 97%. Spring wheat headed was estimated at 4%, behind the average of 8%.  Spring wheat condition was estimated at 81% good to excellent, down 1 percentage points from 82% the previous week but above last year's 77%.



Ricketts Proclaims “Dairy Month” in Nebraska

Today, at an afternoon press briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed June as “Dairy Month” in Nebraska.  Nebraska State Dairy Association President Mike Guenther accepted the official proclamation on behalf of the state’s dairy farmers.

Gov. Ricketts on Dairy Month
·       Dairy Month started out as a way to distribute extra milk during the warm months of summer.
·       Nebraska’s dairy farm families pride themselves on producing wholesome dairy foods that provide great-tasting nourishment.
·       Nebraska has a strong dairy farming heritage, which is evident in the 127 dairies across the state.  100% of these dairies are family owned.
·       Thank you to the dairy farmers who work hard to help us keep our refrigerators stocked with fresh milk and other dairy foods.



Force Majeure Webinar Thursday at Noon

The UNL Dept. of Ag Economics and the Farm and Ranch Managment team will explore the legal issues surrounding agricultural contracts and potential avenues available to all parties during extraordinary events like the ongoing pandemic.

A webinar entitled "Force Majeure: How Extraordinary Events Can Impact Ag Contracts" will be held on Thursday, June 18 at noon CDT.  Register at farm.unl.edu. 

Many agricultural contracts have an “act of God” clause, which usually provides that, when an unforeseen extraordinary event occurs, neither party is held to the agreement. For contracts that do not have such a clause, other elements of general contract law may relieve one or both parties of liability for not performing under the contract.

Dave Aiken, a professor and agricultural law specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, will explore these issues as they might apply to the agriculture industry as a result of the pandemic.



ICON’s 15th Annual Meeting & Convention Rescheduled

The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska will be postponing their 15th Annual Meeting & Convention from Friday June 19th, 2020 to tentative Friday November 13th, 2020 in Broken Bow, NE due to continued restriction from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Be assured that ICON continues to be on the front line fighting for and working for the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska. Our focus continues to be on reinstatement of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, property tax reform, fair cattle market restructuring and the voice for the Mother Cow in the state of Nebraska.



Planted Non-Bt Corn? Plan to Scout for European Corn Borer
Amy Timmerman – NE Extension Educator

Farmers have enjoyed the benefits of Bt corn since its introduction in 1996, particularly “in the bag” transgenic protection from insect pests and the yield loss they inflict. European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis, was particularly challenging and the target of the first Bt hybrids. The adoption of Bt corn in the U.S. prompted a widespread suppression of ECB. Even so, ECB still shows up in conventional cornfields and can be a devastating pest.

In 2019, approximately 15% of corn in Iowa and 17% of corn in the U.S. did not contain a Bt trait and would be susceptible to ECB infestation. Non-Bt corn hybrids have been of interest recently due to lower seed costs of non-Bt corn amid low crop values. For farmers who opted out of Bt corn this year, scouting for ECB (and other corn pests) will be essential. A comprehensive guide to understanding ECB and its association with other pests is available from the ISU Extension Store and can serve as a management guide.

Scouting for European corn borer in conventional corn
ECB larvae feed on almost any part of the corn plant except the roots. On leaves, feeding can appear as shotholes or a windowpane effect. They can also tunnel into the stalk, midrib of the leaf, or ear shanks. The result of ECB feeding injury is poor ear development, broken stalks, and dropped ears. Reduced grain quality from ear molds can occur due to ear feeding increasing infection by pathogens.

There are typically two generations of ECB in Nebraska, and each generation has unique scouting requirements to ensure effective management. Life stages and behaviors can be predicted based on degree day accumulation from the date when adults are first captured in the spring, which is called the biofix. Therefore, monitoring for adults is essential for timely scouting and treatment decisions.

First generation: scout for larvae
Corn should be scouted for first generation larvae once susceptible plants reach V6 to determine the number of live larvae. Look for feeding injury in the whorl and on the youngest leaves; plants without these symptoms are unlikely to contain larvae. For every 40-50 acres, 20 consecutive plants should be sampled in five areas to obtain a representative sample of 100 plants. If more than one hybrid is planted in the field, consider each hybrid as a separate field for scouting and treatment determination. A cost-benefit analysis table can help determine if an insecticide is economically justified to control an infestation in vegetative corn. Early-planted fields will likely have higher populations of first-generation ECB.

Second generation: scout for egg masses
Adults produced from the first generation begin laying eggs when the corn is around VT-R1, and egg-laying lasts for about 20 days. Degree days can be used to determine when egg-laying begins, and scouting should occur 8-10 days after that date. Eggs are laid primarily on the underside of leaves. Use the same sampling plan as before (20 consecutive plants in five areas of the field) and count egg masses on seven leaves: the ear leaf plus three leaves above and below the ear leaf. After R3, when silks are brown, scouting for new egg masses is unnecessary if the ET was not reached.

To determine if an insecticide is economically justified, use the cost-benefit analysis table for reproductive stage corn. Treatments for second-generation ECB must be timed accurately to be effective. Applications should be made soon after egg hatch but before larvae enter the leaf axil, sheath, collar, ear tip, or before they bore into the stalk or ear shank. Depending on the duration of egg-laying, a second application may be warranted. Fields at VT-R1 and with green silks are most attractive to female moths. Late-planted corn will typically have the largest population of second-generation ECB.



McVey to lead UNL School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Dr. David Scott McVey has been selected as the new director of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In this role, which he will begin on July 13, he will also serve as the associate dean of the UNL/Iowa State University Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine.

McVey brings a wealth of experience to the position. Over the course of his career he has been involved in teaching, discovery research, translational research, diagnostic medicine, clinical medicine and surgery, biologicals development and organizational leadership within the field of veterinary science.

Most recently, McVey was the director of the USDA Center for Grain and Animal Health Research in Manhattan, Kan. Previously, he has held tenure positions at both Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he served as the director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Center. He has also worked in vaccine research at Pfizer and as a practicing veterinarian.

McVey received his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his doctorate in philosophy, veterinary microbiology and immunobiology at Texas A&M University.

“Dr. McVey brings tremendous experience and insight to the position,” said Mike Boehm, vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the University of Nebraska. “His experience in veterinary research, academia and industry and the multiple perspectives he has attained through the course of this career are tremendously valuable to the future of the school.”

McVey said he was excited to return to UNL, and especially to interact with the faculty, staff and students in the program.

“All of the departments within the school of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences have a very strong tradition, and they’ve done very well,” McVey said. “This position is an opportunity to make sure the plow stays in the ground and that all the good momentum continues as the school grows to meet the needs of the university and the future of veterinary medicine.”

McVey succeeds Clayton Kelling, who will retire later this year.

The School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is Nebraska's leading institution for education, research, extension and outreach related to veterinary medicine and veterinary science. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine allows students complete the first two years of veterinary medicine education at the University of Nebraska, then transfer to the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the final two years of study. UNL students who participate in this program pay in-state tuition for all four years.



Nebraska Corn Board seeks director for District 3

The Nebraska Corn Board is seeking petitions for its District 3 Director, which includes Hamilton, Merrick, Polk and York counties. The position was reopened in an effort to seek candidates from the District and allow enough time to gather farmer signatures in the midst of COVID-19. Current director, Brandon Hunnicutt, farmer from Giltner, has indicated he will seek reappointment.

Appointment to the District 3 position will ultimately be made by the Governor of Nebraska. Any candidate for appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board. Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in the state for a minimum period of five years, and derive a substantial portionof their income from growing corn.

Petitions may be obtained by mail (Nebraska Corn Board - P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln NE 68509), by phone (800-632-6761) or email (nikki.bentzinger@nebraska.gov). A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district. All petitions must be received by the Nebraska Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, July 16, 2020.

The Nebraska Corn Board is funded through a producer checkoff investment of ½-cent-per-bushel checkoff on all corn marketed in the state and is managed by nine farmer directors. The mission of the Nebraska Corn Board is to promote the value of corn by creating opportunities.



USDA FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP CONTROL SOIL EROSION ON CROPLAND

Farmers know when they lose soil, they lose profits. Preventing soil erosion is good for the environment and for producers’ bottom line.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to help Nebraska’s farmers control erosion on their cropland. This funding is available through the Ephemeral Gully Control Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Eligible producers have until July 13, 2020, to apply.

Controlling erosion is especially important for recipients of USDA program benefits – like federal crop insurance subsidies and conservation program payments. USDA program participants are required to control erosion on all cropland determined to be highly erodible. The funding available through this special initiative can help farmers meet that requirement.

Nebraska State Conservationist Craig Derickson said, “Conservation practices such as cover crops and grassed waterways are good solutions for controlling ephemeral gullies, which is required by conservation compliance provisions.”

According to NRCS, over the last couple decades, there has been a continual decrease in grassed waterways and terraces being used. On some fields, this has led to increased erosion and ephemeral gullies.

Derickson said, “Ephemeral gullies are those rough spots where water concentrates and causes soil to wash away, creating small ditches. While the damage to cropland appears to be small, if not controlled, the negative impacts like loss of inputs, decreased soil health and yields can be significant. Plus, it can cause farmers to be out of compliance with USDA’s Food Security Act requirements.”

For more information, and to apply for funding through this special initiative, contact NRCS before July 13. Due to the on-going COVID-19 public health situation, producers are encouraged to call local offices to set up an appointment with NRCS staff over the phone.



Naig Reflects on 2020 Iowa Legislative Session

As the 88th General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature drew to a close, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reflected on key policies passed this year.

“This year’s legislative session was unlike any other in the past century due to the pandemic,” said Secretary Naig. “I appreciate the work of the legislature to push several priorities across the finish line with bipartisan support.”

Priority items headed to Gov. Kim Reynolds’ desk include continued funding for water quality projects, renewable fuels infrastructure incentives, and foreign animal disease prevention.

Foreign Animal Disease Preparedness and Response
The Iowa Legislature renewed its commitment to the Department’s foreign animal disease preparedness and response efforts. The Department will receive $500,000 to continue its collaboration among veterinarians, producers, industry representatives and the USDA to prevent, prepare and respond in case of a foreign animal disease outbreak.

These funds will help Iowa livestock producers by providing continued education and resources to increase biosecurity efforts to prevent a disease outbreak. The funding will support emergency response coordination, district veterinarians, and technology to prepare for future foreign animal disease outbreaks that may occur.

“Iowa’s livestock industry is critical to the nation’s food supply. A foreign animal disease outbreak would be devastating to the food supply chain and our state’s economy,” said Secretary Naig. “We are continuously working with our federal and industry partners to prevent an outbreak. We must also be prepared to respond quickly to trace, contain and eradicate the disease if an outbreak occurs within the United States.”

Water Quality Initiative
Secretary Naig requested and received continued funding for the Iowa Water Quality Initiative in fiscal year 2021.

The Water Quality Initiative is intended to accelerate the adoption and implementation of rural and urban soil conservation and water quality projects in priority watersheds. On a cost-share basis, WQI funds help offset the cost of education and outreach, community planning, feasibility assessments and the implementation of conservation practices, which support the goals outlined in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy.

“As we continue implementing the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, we need additional funding to build upon successful water quality projects happening across the state,” said Secretary Naig. “We are building nitrogen-reducing wetlands at the fastest pace in our state’s history, and we’ll continue to look for ways to scale up outreach, design, engineering and construction for more projects.”

Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program
The Department will receive $3 million for its Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program, which funds the installation of ethanol dispensers and blenders, biodiesel dispensers and blenders and biodiesel terminals throughout the state.

The program increases the production, distribution, and consumption of homegrown, value-added agricultural products. The ethanol and biodiesel industries provide additional markets for Iowa farmers, high-quality jobs for rural communities, reduced dependence on foreign oil, and additional choices for consumers at the pump.

To date, the program has awarded or obligated more than $36 million to help fund 335 E85 dispensers/blenders, 54 E15 projects, 343 biodiesel dispensers/blenders and 141 biodiesel terminals across Iowa. The private sector has responded by investing over $200 million in these same projects.

“Biofuels are a win for Iowa’s agriculture community, consumers and the environment,” said Secretary Naig. “Our biofuels producers have taken a huge hit during COVID-19. Many renewable fuel facilities have reduced or ceased production because of decreased demand. The Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program helps support the recovery and long-term growth of the renewable fuels industry.”



IRFA Applauds Iowa Legislature for Funding Iowa’s Biofuel Infrastructure Program

Sunday morning the Iowa legislature authorized another year of funding for Iowa’s cost-share biofuel infrastructure program, a move that ensures access to biofuels will continue to grow throughout Iowa.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) provides Iowa fuel retailers with cost-share grants to add the necessary equipment to their stations to offer higher blends of biofuels. RFIP has led to millions of dollars of private economic investment and hundreds of new stations offering E15, E85, and biodiesel blends at the pump. The program’s funding of $3 million for FY2021 was included in HF 2642, a bill to fund the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund. It passed the Senate 45-3 and passed the House 63-29.

“IRFA members are grateful the Iowa legislature sees the value that ethanol and biodiesel production bring to our state by prioritizing this proven program that helps ensure the growth of biofuels production and use.” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Policy Director Nathan Hohnstein. “This is great news at a time when it was truly needed. Response to the COVID-19 pandemic brought a deep cut to biofuels demand and while the slow climb of recovery has begun, many Iowa ethanol producers are still operating under capacity. Continuing the RFIP program will provide not only a boost in demand as more Iowa retailers add ethanol and biodiesel to their stations, but also increase consumer choice and save Iowans money at the pump.

“While the level of funding is below what we sought this year, we realize the legislature is dealing with tough financial decisions just like we are and we appreciate them maintaining the $3 million funding the program has historically received. We will continue to work with Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary Mike Naig, and other elected officials to look for nontraditional sources of funding for this vital program. We know that demand for the cost-share grants will be at an all-time high, and given the precarious state of Iowa’s ag economy we cannot afford to run short of funds when they are needed most.”

To date, RFIP has awarded $36 million in grants for over 800 projects statewide that have spurred $200 million in private investment. Reimbursement can be up to 70 percent of the installation costs, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project, with a five-year commitment to sell E15, E85 or biodiesel blends.  



ICA to Host Cattle Market Webinar with Corbitt Wall, Brad Kooima and Jordan Levi

Price discovery and producer leverage are urgent issues affecting cattle producers in Iowa and across the country. The Iowa Cattlemen's Association will host a webinar on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. CST with three industry leaders to discuss the current challenges and possible solutions to the problem.

Join ICA staff member Katie Olthoff as she moderates a panel featuring Corbitt Wall, Brad Kooima and Jordan Levi. The group will discuss fed cattle marketing trends and how they affect price discovery and producer leverage before diving into industry-led initiatives such as Senator Grassley's proposed 50/14 mandate and "Bid the Grid" concept.

About the Panelists: 

Corbitt Wall, DV Auction Livestock Market Analyst
You might recognize his name from the weekly “Feeder Flash” videos reporting 5 days a week on the feeder cattle market. From Corbitt Wall’s early days of taking delivery of country cattle purchases he found a passion in feeder cattle reporting. Corbitt has been a loud voice on many issues in the cattle industry including the need for more cash negotiated trade in the south. 

Brad Kooima, ICA Feedlot Council & NCBA Cattle Marketing Working Group Member from Rock Valley, IA
Brad has been a broker since 1980 and is the President of Kooima Kooima Varilek Trading in Rock Valley, IA. He currently sits on ICA's Feedlot Council and NCBA's Cattle Market Working Group. He's been feeding cattle since 1974 and currently remains engaged in farming with his son. His passion is to work for the independent cattle producer and work towards policy that ensures cattlemen and women have the opportunity to maintain their business and their way of life. 

Jordan Levi, NCBA Cattle Marketing Working Group Member
Jordan is the program manager and founder of Arcadia Asset Management, the investment manager to Arcadia Commodity Opportunity, LLC. Concurrently, he is the founder of the Fed Cattle Exchange which began operations in 2016. In March of 2018, Jordan, his firm and partners facilitated the purchase of Five Rivers Cattle, the world’s largest cattle feeding operation with a onetime capacity of approximately 900k head.  He is a part of the Nebraska Cattlemen's Association and is actively engaged in the NCBA Cattle Marketing Working Group.  

Webinar Details:
Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.

The webinar will be hosted on Zoom and Facebook Live, and will offer an opportunity for viewers to ask questions to the panelists. Interested parties are encouraged to pre-register at www.iacattlemen.org.

The webinar is sponsored by: AgriVision Equipment Group, Farm Credit Services of America- Sheldon & Red Oak, First National Bank Massena, Frontier Bank, Iowa State Savings Bank, Midwest PMS LLC, Peoples Bank - Lester, Security Savings Bank



Iowa FFA Delegates Elect New State Officers

The Iowa FFA Annual Delegate Meeting was held virtually. The new Iowa FFA Officer team was elected and announced.

These nine leaders will live out their year of service speaking with FFA members from across the state, presenting leadership camps and workshops, and traveling around Iowa and the United States. They will have the opportunity to take part in Iowa FFA Foundation activities, FFA District Leadership Programs, Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium, the National FFA Convention, and a wide variety of FFA Career Development Events. Their largest responsibility will be to coordinate and conduct the 93rd Iowa FFA Leadership Conference for over 6,000 FFA members, advisors, parents, and guests.

The members of the 2020-2021 Iowa FFA Officer Team are:
President: Mickayla McGill, Knoxville FFA, Knoxville
Secretary: Mia Gibson, North Fayette Valley FFA, West Union
Reporter: Blake Van Der Kamp, Diamond Trail FFA, Monroe
NC Vice President: Bronson Forsyth, Charles City FFA, Charles City
SC Vice President: Devin DeVore, Osceola Big Chief FFA, Osceola
NW Vice President: Haley Williams, Lawton-Bronson FFA, Lawton
NE Vice President: Carson Brincks, South Winneshiek FFA, Calmar
SW Vice President: Cory Miller, Denison FFA, Denison
SE Vice President: Kabe Boysen, Wapello FFA, Wapello



Rising Milk Sales Bust ‘Death of Dairy’ Myth

For years, a variation of this sentence has appeared in nearly every news story that touches on fluid milk consumption: “Milk sales are down while plant-beverages are rising.”

It’s easy shorthand to use because while it has been a factually accurate statement in its own limited scope, it can be used toward fantastical ends, such as overhyping the rise of plant-based drinks or crafting a false narrative about dairy trends when dairy, as a whole, is seeing its highest per-capita consumption levels in decades. The assertion will never require a correction in a newspaper, so it persists.

Except … it’s no longer true. The coronavirus crisis appears to be resetting consumer grocery habits, and early signs are that that some of these changes -- including increased milk purchases -- are continuing as the country re-opens. If current trends hold, milk’s revival may finally force a revision of one of the few non-fake talking points the “death of dairy” myth ever had.

This year’s data tells the story. While milk outsells plant-based imitators by a margin more than 10 to 1, 2020 began as another year of slow decline for milk sales in stores. And indeed, as the shorthand would have it, plant-based volumes were increasing.

Then the crisis hit – and behavior changed.

As consumers emptied store shelves, both dairy and plant-based beverages saw gains – but the sizes of those gains were drastically different. While consumers bought 7.9 million more gallons of plant-based beverages during the two peak weeks in March than they did during the same period a year earlier, milk demand exploded by more than 45 million gallons, erasing its year-to-date decline in less than two weeks.

This dramatic turnaround was important for dairy farmers. Literally, retail consumers helped keep dairies in business as food-service orders disappeared and federal disaster assistance hadn’t yet arrived. But after the shock of lockdowns faded and everyone had already stocked up, something interesting happened: People still bought more milk. That five-to-one advantage established in March has stayed steady through May.

When times got tough, consumers seemed to want to return to the comfort of natural, wholesome and nutritious foods like milk, eschewing the marketing hype of plant-based imitators whose taste and nutrition profile stack up poorly against the real thing.

Future retail trends are tough to predict, especially in this environment. When life becomes more “normal” and as restaurants re-open, do consumers bring home as many bottles of milk from the grocery store? When schools return, do parents buy less milk for their children? These are open questions.

What we do know is this: Milk is back in grocery carts, in a big way. Its gains are much greater than its self-proclaimed competitors, and they’re showing signs of sticking. Consumers are navigating new grocery realities – and they are creating them as well. The return of milk may be one that’s built to last. That makes it time to pause the “milk is struggling” stories. And it means even less support for the “death of dairy” myth.



Dietary Guidelines Committee Should Consider Full Range of Studies, NMPF Says

The committee charged with recommending dietary guidelines for Americans needs to consider the full range of studies on different types of fats and their role in a healthy diet when crafting its final report, noting that scientific understanding has evolved, the National Milk Producers Federation said in letters to Dr. Barbara Schneeman, the chairwoman of the committee, as well as the secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services.

“We would like to reiterate our strong view, as explained more fully in previous comments to the DGAC, that a body of science in recent years has found that dairy foods, regardless of fat level, appear to have either neutral or beneficial effects on chronic disease risks,” NMPF wrote in a letter co-signed with the International Dairy Foods Association sent earlier today. “We are concerned that a number of well-recognized studies appear to have been excluded from consideration.”

Focusing on the need for the most robust review of science possible, the letter asks the committee “to complete its review by including all relevant scientific studies that bear on these questions and, if the findings so indicate, recommend Americans incorporate dairy foods in all forms as an integral part of all dietary patterns.”

If the committee fails to examine the validity of existing dietary advice, “this will represent a lost opportunity to share newer science with consumers, health professionals and policy makers and contribute to ongoing confusion about the healthfulness of dairy,” the letter said.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee is discussing its draft conclusions and the final advisory report Wednesday, with final guidelines expected by the end of the year.



NCGA Launches Farm to Virtual Fair Contest

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is kicking-off summer with a new contest, focusing on the benefits of using corn in the feed ration. The contest starts Monday, June 15, 2020, and runs through Monday, November 2, 2020.

“With so many unknowns this year, we wanted to give students participating in their local, county or state 4-H and FFA livestock shows something to look forward to,” said Nebraska farmer and Market Development Action Team Chair Dan Wesely. “That’s why we are calling this the Farm to Virtual Fair contest. Whether you’re able to attend in-person or not, we want to recognize the hard work that goes into caring for and showing livestock.”

To enter the contest, you must follow NCGA (@corngrowers) on Instagram, tag NCGA in the post and use the hashtag #MyCornFedBarn. Participants can enter a photo or video, explaining why they use corn in their feed ration.

“This is an opportunity to engage the next generation of farmers and livestock producers to help them learn the benefits of a corn-fed diet,” said NCGA Market Development Manager Michael Granché. “We are excited to give students something to look forward to and have the chance to win a cash prize for their submission, that they could put towards their future education.”

The first-place winner will win $300, second place will receive $200, and third place will get $100. Winners will be announced by Monday, November 16, 2020. To learn more about the contest, visit www.ncga.com/f2f.



Beef Consumption vs. Demand
Brenda Boetel, Dept of Ag Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Economic growth projections for the US and the world have been revised downward due to the impacts of COVID-19, with many global growth projections having contractions of nearly 3%. The US is expected to have one of the largest individual country contraction rates and is expected to contract nearly 5.7%. What does this mean for the beef market?

Beef is a perishable product, and consumption typically occurs shortly after production. A consistent relationship between consumption and production exists. Consumption does not reflect consumers' perception of beef in the marketplace, but instead is a function of production. Consumption is calculated as beef production plus imports minus exports and disappearance. The remaining is assumed to have been consumed. For the second quarter of 2020, overall beef consumption is expected to be down 12.5% form 2019.

Even though we eat (i.e., consume) the beef produced, it doesn't mean that beef demand remains in a consistent relationship with production. Beef consumption can increase without an increase in beef demand because beef demand and beef consumption are not the same thing. For example, beef consumption might increase because more beef is produced, but beef demand decreases because consumers are willing to pay less for each pound of beef they do consume.

Beef demand is impacted by several factors including beef prices, as well as prices of alternative proteins such as pork and chicken. Additionally, income is another determining factor in beef demand, as well as other factors such as tastes and preferences. Demand reflects consumers' perceptions of beef in the marketplace and is representative of consumers' willingness to pay for beef. The beef demand index calculated at Kansas State University shows a decrease of almost 18% for choice retail beef for April 2020, compared to April 2019.

Typically, more than half of US beef consumption is through foodservice venues, compared to retail venues. Beef products consumed through foodservice vary from those products consumed through retail. The market saw this disruption and change in where beef is consumed manifest through the narrower spread between round and rib primals. Although this spread has begun returning to pre-COVID levels, it will likely experience volatility until the restaurant industry had recovered.

Given a potential months long economic recession, overall beef demand will likely be down even as sit-down restaurants open across the USA. Consumers will likely see a small decrease in beef consumption due to the expected decrease in 2020 beef production quantities, but the respective beef demand will likely be down more as consumers will be less willing to pay high prices for beef. The return to US consumers spending large amounts on highly valued beef cuts will be slow and largely dependent on macroeconomic growth and sit-down restaurants will find creative ways to entice patrons to return, including menu changes with lower price entrees. As such, overall beef demand will likely be down, while demand for higher-valued primals, typically consumed through foodservice, will be down more than the overall beef demand.

What does this mean for cattle prices? Until sit-down restaurants are operating at levels prior to COVID there will likely be differences in the spread between different primals, no matter the amount of cattle processed. It will take months for the US processing sector to work through the backlog of cattle on feed, but as it does so, the spread between wholesale beef and live cattle prices will return to traditional levels, although at likely lower absolute price levels for both live cattle and beef due to the macroeconomic downturn.



U.S. Soy Shoes Donated to Frontline Workers

U.S. Soy is helping bring comfort to health care professionals who are working tirelessly on the frontlines during COVID-19. Okabashi, an American company that counts on U.S. soy for all its sandals, pledged to donate up to 10,000 pairs of soy-based sandals to health care workers for every order placed through its website or Zappos.

“We’ve already donated over 5,000 pairs so far, and still counting!” said Okabashi President Kim Falkenhayn. “We are sending them all over the country. Now more than ever, we’re all in this together.”

Only 2% of shoe companies operate in the U.S., and Okabashi is proud to source American materials, including U.S.-grown soybean oil. Okabashi committed to producing their footwear with sustainable and renewable materials using soybean oil to displace petroleum. The company’s shoes are approximately 45% U.S. soy by weight. U.S. Soy meets Okabashi’s high standards for performance, offering both strength and softness, as well as qualified them to be recognized as a USDA Certified Biobased Product in the USDA’s BioPreferred Program.

With large-scale soybean production in the U.S. — U.S. soybean farmers produced more than 11 million metric tons of soybean oil in 2018 alone — Okabashi has the reliable supply of materials they need for this large-scale donation.

Customers can purchase a pair of soy sandals for themselves and write a note of encouragement to a health care worker who will receive a pair directly from Okabashi with the personal message. The soy checkoff is proud to recognize a U.S. soy customer that is donating soy-based products to the health care sector. The health care and agriculture industries share a commitment to the safety and security of our communities, while bolstering our economy during these difficult times.

“It’s neat to see the soybeans I grow not only being used in a unique way that supports demand for our product, but also to support frontline workers during this crisis,” said soy checkoff farmer-leader Belinda Burrier. “It’s one of the reasons I’m proud to grow soybeans. It shows the importance of continuing to look for new ways that U.S. Soy and our partners can give back to communities across the country.”

This donation is just one of the many that U.S. Soy is proud to be a part of. With other partners, soybean farmers have helped provide meals of U.S. pork to food-insecure families through the Drive to Feed Kids program and bottles of soy-based hand sanitizer to the New York City Fire Department, facilitated by the National Biodiesel Board. The New York Corn and Soybean Growers and SYNLawn, a company that uses U.S. soy in its artificial grass, also joined NBB and the New York Fire Department Incident Management Team to provide hundreds of meals from New York restaurants to firefighters, dispatchers, mechanics and other essential employees.

“These donations showcase not only the versatility and growing industrial uses the soybean checkoff is working to secure for our farmers, but also the sense of community U.S. Soy has with these partners,” said USB Vice President of Communications and Marketing Strategy Mace Thornton. “We’ve made it a priority to leverage these partnerships and collaborations to expand the use of soybean oil and step up in times of need.”

USB regularly collaborates with companies such as Goodyear on research to learn how to incorporate soy into new technology. Today, there are more than 1,000 different soy-based products available, including everything from turf grass to machinery lubricants to asphalt. USB is committed to continuing its work to research, develop and expand new uses, build demand for U.S. soybean farmers and improve infrastructure to outlast times of crisis. To learn more about these innovations and soy-based products, visit soynewuses.org or unitedsoybean.org.



Corteva Files Motion with Appeals Court Over Dicamba Suit

Corteva, Inc. filed a motion to intervene in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of the dicamba herbicide marketed as XtendiMax Herbicide with VaporGrip Technology.

Corteva was not a party to the lawsuit, and until June 3, the case appeared to involve only the XtendiMax registration. The Ninth Circuit Court nevertheless vacated in its June 3 decision the EPA's registration of XtendiMax and Enginia herbicides, as well as Corteva's registration for DuPont FeXapan with VaporGrip Technology.

Corteva is seeking to intervene to preserve our rights and to support the rights of customers to use the impacted dicamba weed control technologies.

"We believe dicamba is an effective weed management tool for farmers when used according to the label. We also seek to preserve the role of the U.S. EPA to administer the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), including granting or cancelling crop protection product registrations, for the benefit of agriculture and society," the corporation said in a release.