Friday September 25 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

 NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 6%

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.28 million cattle on feed on September 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This inventory was up 6% from last year. Placements during August totaled 505,000 head, up 13% from 2019. Fed cattle marketings for the month of August totaled 435,000 head, down 5% from last year. Other disappearance during August totaled 10,000 head, down 5,000 head from last year.



IOWA CATTLE ON FEED

Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 610,000 head on September 1, 2020, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Cattle on Feed report. This was down 2% from August, and down 3% from September 1, 2019. Iowa feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head had 485,000 head on feed, down 3% from last month but up 1% from last year. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in all Iowa feedlots totaled 1,095,000 head, down 2% from last month and down 1% from last year.

Placements of cattle and calves in Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August totaled 75,000 head, up 19% from July and up 6% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head placed 42,000 head, up 20% from July but down 18% from last year. Placements for all feedlots in Iowa totaled 117,000 head, up 19% from July but down 4% from last year.

Marketings of fed cattle from Iowa feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head during August totaled 83,000 head, up 19% from July and up 20% from last year. Feedlots with a capacity of less than 1,000 head marketed 54,000 head, down 7% from July and down 30% from last year. Marketings for all feedlots in Iowa were 137,000 head, up 7% from July but down 6% from last year. Other disappearance from all feedlots in Iowa totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Up 4 Percent
    
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on September 1, 2020. The inventory was 4 percent above September 1, 2019. This is the highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

By State  (1,000 hd)  Sept 1 '20   -  % of Sept 1 '19
Colorado .......:               1,040          112                 
Iowa .............:                  610           97                  
Kansas ..........:                2,470          106               
Nebraska ......:                2,280          106               
Texas ............:                2,850          104               

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 2.06 million head, 9 percent above 2019. Net placements were 2.00 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 405,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 335,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 470,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 522,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 230,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 95,000 head.

By State -              (1,000 hd  -  % Aug '19)
Colorado .......:            180           106             
Iowa .............:              75           106             
Kansas ..........:             540           123             
Nebraska ......:             505           113             
Texas ............:             440           101             

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.89 million head, 3 percent below 2019.  Other disappearance totaled 55,000 head during August, 10 percent below 2019.

By State -              (1,000 hd  -  % Aug '19)
Colorado .......:              155            76              
Iowa .............:                83           120             
Kansas ..........:               470           109              
Nebraska ......:               435            95              
Texas ............:               430            96              



LENRD board officially declares a district-wide drought

At their September meeting, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors voted to officially declare a drought across the district, which is comprised of all or parts of 15 counties in northeast Nebraska.  The LENRD board will continue to meet and discuss potential plans to respond if conditions worsen to a D4 drought.  Their Drought Mitigation Plan is used to protect the health and welfare of the public as directed by the LENRD’s Groundwater Management Plan.

In other business, the board voted to establish the average cost of Deep Soil Sampling for Fiscal Year 2021 as $55.99 per sample and to limit the number of cost-shareable samples to 1 sample per every 25 acres.

The board approved a contract with Derek and Austin Becker of Norfolk to complete Flow Meter Preventative Maintenance Services in the LENRD’s portion of Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Wayne, and Thurston Counties.

The board also certified 129 parcels of irrigated acres at the certification hearing held during the board meeting.

The LENRD board & staff meet each month to develop and implement management plans to protect our natural resources for the future.  The next LENRD board meeting will be Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30 p.m.  Watch for further updates and stay connected with the LENRD by subscribing to their monthly emails.



Power line safety important for farmers heading into fall harvest

While many Nebraskans are dusting off their fall clothes in preparation for the cool autumn weather, farmers are headed to their fields to begin the annual harvest. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) wants to remind large equipment operators to keep safety front of mind and “Look up and Look Out” for power lines as they head back to the fields.

NPPD Vice-President of Energy Delivery Art Wiese says coming close to, or hitting, power lines becomes a significant hazard during the harvest season. “It’s easy for an equipment operator to accidentally get a piece of equipment too close to a powerline or even make contact if they are not aware of their surroundings,” noted Wiese. “If large equipment gets too close to a power line, electricity can arc from the line to the equipment, potentially causing major damage and severe injury to the operator.”

NPPD encourages equipment operators to keep their machines 20 feet away from power lines to avoid the possibility of any electricity arcing from the line to the equipment.

If a power line falls onto a vehicle or piece of equipment, anyone inside the vehicle should remain there until help can arrive and deenergize the power line. When a powerline is touching a vehicle or lying on the ground, it can electrify both the vehicle and the ground in the surrounding area. If a fire forces you to exit the vehicle then do so by jumping away from the vehicle, landing on two feet and shuffling as far away from the area as possible.

“If a power line is touching a vehicle, anyone inside the vehicle should avoid touching both the ground and the vehicle at the same time. If someone were to do this, it could result in serious or fatal injuries,” NPPD Transmission and Distribution Construction and Maintenance Manager Scott Walz said. “Taking the precautionary effort to look up and look out for powerlines can promote a safe work environment, and our hope is that everyone working this harvest season can do so in a safe manner.”

- Each day review all farm activities and work practices that will take place around power lines and remind all workers to take precautions

- Know the location of power lines and when setting up the farm equipment, be at least 20 feet away from them. Contact your local public power provider if you feel this distance cannot be achieved.

- Use caution when raising augers or the bed of a grain truck or wagon. It can be difficult to estimate distance, and sometimes a power line is closer than it looks. For large equipment, use a spotter to make certain the equipment stays a safe distance from the line.

- Always adjust portable augers or elevators to their lowest possible level – under 14 feet – before transporting them. Variables like wind, uneven ground or shifting weight can cause unexpected results.

NPPD recommends that farmers review the following safety precautions before entering the fields to begin harvest operations, or for more details and video footage follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?edufilter=NULL&v=Hfikot58Fkk.   



EXTENSION WEBINAR TO DISCUSS ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NEBRASKA AGRICULTURE

A webinar scheduled for noon on Thursday will present the findings of a new University of Nebraska-Lincoln study on the impact of the Nebraska agricultural production complex, to be released on the same day.

Agriculture is a pillar of the Nebraska economy, with the state’s total net farm income accounting for a little over 5% of total personal income, on average. This ranks Nebraska third-highest of the 50 states — and highest for any state with a population over 1 million.

This study is a joint collaborative effort of the Department of Agricultural Economics and the Bureau of Business Research within the Department of Economics and is funded internally by the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It draws on substantial expertise in key issues affecting agriculture such as irrigation, natural resources, the agricultural equipment industry and community economic development.

The webinar will be led by Dr. Brad Lubben, associate professor and extension policy specialist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, and Dr. Eric Thompson, Karl H. Nelson Assoicate Professor of Economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research. It is being presented by the extension Farm and Ranch Management team in the Department of Agricultural Economics as part of its weekly webinar series.

Registration for the webinar is free and can be completed at farm.unl.edu/webinars.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Reminds Us It’s Harvest Time Safety First

As we move into the fall of 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic still upon us, it is a year we won’t soon forget. Students may or may not be back in the classroom and we all may be either working from home or may be back at the office. But farmers and ranchers are working to move cattle and to start on harvest.

As the uncertainty of 2020 lingers through the year, this is a time when we especially need to slow down and pay more attention on farms, ranches, and on roads and highways.

Here are a few tips to remember as we see, large slow-moving machines on our roads coming in and out of fields across the state.

    Farmers: Get plenty of rest and slow down to avoid accidents on the farm. Don’t hurry through equipment repairs, take your time with backing up large pieces of machinery, keep your hands away and don’t wear loose clothing around moving auger parts.

    Drivers: Drive without distractions. We hear it all the time: Don’t text or check your smartphone while driving. But distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of vehicular accident and during harvest time it could be especially dangerous as there may be more slow-moving vehicles on our roads and highways.

    Farmers: If you’re driving farm equipment on public roads, it’s especially important that you’re clearly marked so motorists can see you in time to slow down — considering you’re probably driving less than 25 MPH. Make sure your lights are working and that all reflecting tape and slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems are properly placed. Remember to wipe down some of these safety features if your equipment is dusty to ensure they can be seen. Also use flashers on public roads.

    Drivers: If you are following behind a slow-moving vehicle, please play it safe and wait to safely pass and remember slow moving vehicles usually go from one field or pasture to another and turning may take extra time, so be patient. Most farmers will do their best to create space so you can pass, but awareness of where you’re driving and patience on everybody’s part is the best way to keep the roads safe during harvest season.

In the fall, harvest time can be one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year for the agriculture industry. Remember, we share our roads and highways and in 2020 if we work together, we can keep everyone safe.



OAT AND BRASSICA QUALITY IN FALL AND WINTER
Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator
 
Cover crops can provide great fall and early winter forage for grazing before killing frosts stop growth. After the cover crop winter freezes, turns brown, and does not look “good” is it still good quality?
 
Oats and brassicas planted in late summer and early fall will change in quality from October through January, but it might be less than we would expect. With an oat and brassica mix the plants will likely die in the late fall after several hard-freezing temperature events. Growing oats will have 60 to 75% Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) and have 12 to 20% Crude Protein (CP). Turnips and other brassicas will have a 70 to 80% TDN and 14 to 22% CP. This makes great grazing for any class of livestock.
 
A study at UNL looked at forage quality of stockpiled oats and brassicas progressing from fall growth into the winter. The mix was planted early September and late August in southern Nebraska. After the forage had died it was sampled again, in mid-January. The oats still had 15% CP and between 61 and 71% TDN. The entire brassica plants were 72% TDN and 14-24% CP and the leaves alone were 25% CP.
 
At this point in the year, planting a fall forage crop may not produce much due to the low number of growing degree days left. However, the point to consider is if there is some growth potential,  stockpiling or deferring grazing will maximize production without sacrificing very much quality.
 
To review: Oats and brassicas maintain forage quality well into the winter. This allows to defer grazing to have more quantity and still high quality.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for October

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in October 2020. The clinics are one-on-one meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

The attorney and financial advisor specialize in legal and financial issues related to farming and ranching, including financial and business planning, transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, debt structure and cash flow, agricultural disaster programs, and other relevant matters. Here is an opportunity to obtain an independent, outside perspective on issues that may be affecting your farm or ranch.

COVID-19: For the time being the clinics are being conducted as conference calls or as Zoom meetings.  It is therefore possible to attend a clinic from any location in the state. In-person clinics are expected to resume in the near future, at which time locations will be announced.

Clinic Sites and Dates
    Wednesday, October 14th
    Thursday, October 21st

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  Funding for this work is provided by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Legal Aid of Nebraska.



Chief Ethanol Now Producing USP Grade Ethanol
 
Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc. (Chief Ethanol) is currently producing USP Grade Ethanol from its ethanol plant in Hastings, Nebraska. Chief Ethanol has modified its current process operations to produce higher grades of ethanol for use as the active ingredient in hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 health emergency as allowed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Chief Ethanol is able to provide long-term supply of higher grades of ethanol into industrial alcohol markets. This includes Specially Denatured Alcohol that passes FCC and USP purity testing.

“We ambitiously set out to provide the higher purity needed to help with the COVID-19 hand sanitizer shortage. We were able to utilize the plant’s unique design and operational flexibility to quickly pivot to meet the increased demand for high purity ethanol,” said Duane Kristensen, Vice President of Operations for Chief Ethanol. The plant is capable of providing close to 10 million gallons per year of higher purity ethanol with plans for increased production. The plant has two 250,000 gallon dedicated storage tanks to help meet customer needs immediately.

“The transformation of one of the nation’s first ethanol plants to a modern industrial and fuel alcohol biorefinery, along with the superior location with access to BNSF and UP rails, provides a bright and promising future for our stakeholders,” added Kristensen. "We hope to continue to promote long term relationships with our existing and new industrial alcohol customers that will provide longevity in the supply chains of consumer products.”   



Nebraska Corn Growers Association Welcomes EPA Decision on Atrazine

The Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) welcomed an announcement on Friday from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on an interim decision regarding the reregistration of atrazine. After over 60 years of use and 7,000 research studies EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler declared atrazine, along with propazine and simazine, safe for continued use in controlling resistant weeds. This interim decision is a major milestone for Nebraska’s corn farmers.

“The announcement is a key step forward for Nebraska’s corn farmers during a time of economic uncertainty,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Without this decision, costs of replacement weed control products would add between an additional $29 to nearly $60 an acre for producers. Something our industry just can’t afford.”

Friday’s announcement concludes the registration review process where EPA is required to periodically re-evaluate existing pesticides. During this process, NeCGA’s grassroots efforts submitted thousands of comments from Nebraska corn farmers in support of the product. The next step for the triazines is a draft biological evaluation required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which is expected to be published in October.

“This is not the last time that the EPA will review atrazine. On behalf of our members, NeCGA will keep a watchful eye going forward, ensuring that agriculture has a voice in the process and that the agencies involved utilize high-quality, scientific studies,” said Brunkhorst. “The EPA stated again today that they will use the best available research when making determinations. Something we have long advocated for.”



Nebraska Corn Welcomes Next Generation Fuels Act

The Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Corn Growers Association today said legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives will boost long term corn demand for clean, affordable ethanol. The Next Generation Fuels Act recognizes the high octane, low carbon benefits of corn ethanol.

“The benefits of higher blends of ethanol are numerous and we have the potential to make our fuels even better,” said Dan Nerud, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Ethanol is a natural octane booster. Low carbon, high octane ethanol blends result in additional fuel efficiency and they greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Next Generation Fuels Act establishes a new 98 Research Octane Number (RON) standard for gasoline and requires sources of additional octane result in at least 30% fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than unblended gasoline. This will ensure the progress already made to lower emissions through cleaner renewable fuels continues. Through advanced engine design features that take advantage of this new fuel, automakers will be able to increase engine performance and significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency.

A new 98 RON would support mid-level blends like E25 (a 25% ethanol blend) and E30 (a 30% ethanol blend) which would generate new corn grind.

Due to its high-octane rating and other properties, ethanol is an efficient octane source. It is also the most cost-effective octane source, providing the greatest efficiency gains at the least cost to drivers while displacing the most harmful components of gasoline.
 
“The Next Generation Fuels Act is a step in the right direction in supporting our state’s corn farmers, but also providing clean-burning, high efficiency fuels for the American people,” said David Bruntz, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and farmer from Friend. “Ethanol greatly benefits consumers, our environment and our state. It’s time we remove regulatory barriers to enable the benefits of higher ethanol blends.”



Iowa Corn Growers Association Welcomes Next Generation Fuels Act

The Iowa Corn Growers Association® (ICGA) welcomes legislation introduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives that will boost long-term corn demand for clean, affordable ethanol. The Next Generation Fuels Act recognizes the high octane, low carbon benefits of corn ethanol.

“The introduction of the Next Generation Fuels Act is welcome news not only for corn farmers but also for consumers,” said ICGA President Carl Jardon. “Ethanol blends in the range of E25 allow drivers to travel further with fewer fill-ups and fewer harmful emissions due to providing an efficient and cost-effective higher octane level. ICGA is looking forward to working with elected officials to see the Next Generation Fuels Act through.”

The Next Generation Fuels Act establishes a new 98 Research Octane Number (RON) standard for gasoline and requires that sources of additional octane result in at least 30 percent fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than unblended gasoline. This will ensure the progress already made to lower emissions through cleaner renewable fuels continues. Through advanced engine design features that take advantage of this new fuel, automakers will be able to increase engine performance and significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency. A new 98 RON would support mid-level blends like E25 and E30 which would generate new corn grind.

The Next Generation Fuels Act is sponsored by Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Illinois). ICGA looks forward to working with our representatives in Washington to continue to build support for policies that take greater advantage of ethanol’s benefits.



Iowa's Best Burger Named At The Twisted Tail

The Twisted Tail in BeeBeeTown is well known for its ribs, which won first prize in the 2013 Iowa State Fair Farm Bureau Cookoff. And now, the restaurant can add “Iowa’s Best Burger” to its list of awards.

The western Iowa restaurant has been owned by Ed and Ruth Spencer since 2011, and is managed by two of their three children, Luke and Hannah. In addition to the restaurant, the family also farms and runs a real estate and auction business.

Throughout the past few months, the family has worked together to ensure that their patrons have been able to continue enjoying the Twisted Tail’s delicious meals. “You will often see the grandchildren helping bus tables on Friday and Saturday nights,” says Hannah (Spencer) Johnsen.

During the COVID shutdown the restaurant operated on a takeout only basis from March 18th to May 13th, however, they are now open again for dine in and takeout. All tables are at least six feet apart, and the former reception and party rooms now hold tables to allow for more social distancing between customers.

Ed’s love for history and antiques and their auction business  has contributed to the decor and atmosphere of the restaurant. Antiques, memorabilia and reminders of BeeBeeTown’s history are scattered throughout the restaurant and bar areas.

Made out of 80% lean ground chuck, the winning burger patty is simply seasoned, allowing the true flavor of the meat to shine. The Certified Angus Beef is all locally sourced.

Eleven different burgers are featured on the menu, all using the same 8 oz. (half pound) patty. In addition to the burgers, the Steak Philly, Prime Rib French Dip, and Filet are all fan favorites.
The Best Burger Contest

This is the 11th year for the annual Best Burger contest sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council, through the Iowa State Beef Checkoff Program, and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The Twisted Tail Steakhouse & Saloon joins a great group of past best burger winners from around the state. Along with last year’s winner, Wood Iron Grille of Oskaloosa, previous winners include: 2018 - Café Beaudelaire; 2017- The Smokin’ Hereford BBQ of Storm Lake; 2016 - The Chuckwagon Restaurant in Adair; 2015 - The Cider House of Fairfield; 2014 - Brick City Grill in Ames; 2013 - 61 Chop House Grille in Mediapolis; 2012 - Coon Bowl III in Coon Rapids; 2011 - Rusty Duck in Dexter; and 2010 - Sac County Cattle Company of Sac City.

The designation as Iowa’s Best Burger comes after a two-phase competition. The first phase took place entirely based on votes from the public. For a month starting back in February, burger lovers went online and voted for their favorite Iowa burger, submitting nearly 7,000 votes representing around 630 restaurants. At the end of March, the ten restaurants with the most votes were declared the “Top 10.”

From there, three anonymous judges visit each of the restaurants, focusing on the burger patties and scoring them based on taste, doneness and presentation.

The final judging occurred in August and September, and the winner was revealed on September 21.

If you go:
Address: 2849 335th St, BeeBeeTown (Logan), Iowa 51546
BeeBeeTown is located 9 miles from Missouri Valley, 9 miles from Logan, 10 miles from Neola and 16 miles from Council Bluffs. Use exit #8 on I-880.
Hours:  Wednesday - Sunday: 11 am - 9 pm
Reservations are encouraged for evening dining.



Wild Weather Year the Topic of September 30 Webinar

Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at noon about Iowa’s weather in 2020.

“With 95-99% of Iowa experiencing abnormal dryness or drought and 57 counties affected by the derecho, most Iowans have been impacted by this year’s wild weather,” said Justin Glisan, the state climatologist of Iowa.

During this webinar, Glisan will discuss initial drought formation and expansion across western Iowa, as well as the short and long-term impacts of the drought on the growing season and crop production. Additionally, he will discuss the severe derecho that moved through Iowa on Aug. 10, producing widespread damage in rural and urban areas, including the extreme drought region in west-central Iowa.

As state climatologist, Glisan’s responsibilities include quality control of Iowa weather observations, weekly recommendations to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and weekly and monthly climate summaries for state stakeholders. Glisan also advises the Iowa secretary of agriculture on climatological matters that impact the agricultural sector, such as how trends in precipitation and temperature are changing.

Iowa’s weather and climate observations, which date back to 1872, help tell the story of Iowa agriculture and how resilient and innovative the state’s farmers are and have been.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on Sept. 30, click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172. Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID: 364 284 172.

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available online.

A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the unit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.



Dairy Market Report - September 2020

U.S. milk production is one of several key components of the dairy situation and outlook whose behavior in this unusual year has produced decidedly unique patterns of milk and dairy product prices in 2020. When combined with unusual market behavior among key dairy components, producers are experiencing a roller-coaster ride requiring a strong stomach, and great patience, as markets eventually return to normal.

Still, the economic outlook is much brighter than in the darkest days of the spring, and some of the most visible emblems of recent turmoil – namely negative Producer Price Differentials (PPDs) in milk checks – should soon fade.

Milk production growth in the nation has zigzagged this year from +1.3% in January, to +2.8% in March, to -0.5% in May and back to +2.0% in July. Other actors in dairy’s strange drama have been sales of dairy products at retail, which have been stronger than usual; use of dairy products in food service and institutions, which have been weaker than usual but fluctuating; government purchases of dairy products for food assistance use, which have been much larger than usual; and finally, government direct payments to dairy farmers, which have no recent historical precedent.

All this has led to wild fluctuations in average U.S. milk-price results as reported by USDA: $18.00/cwt. in March, $13.60 in May, and $20.50 in July. June and July also saw record high negative PPDs in federal orders, due to the interaction of the resulting unusual fluctuation of dairy product prices.

U.S. dairy exports have been a particular bright spot this year. The country exported more than 17 percent of its total milk solids production during May, June and July, only the second time that exports have exceeded this benchmark for three consecutive months (February through May 2018 holds that record). The United States exported close to three-quarters of total commercial use of dry skim milk during the 12 months through July, a significantly higher percentage of this key product’s commercial use exported than any previous consecutive 12-month period.

Read the full report here:  https://www.nmpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Dairy-Market-Report-September-2020.pdf.  



USDA Reminds Farmers of September 30 Deadline to Update Safety-Net Program Crop Yields

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farm owners of the September 30 deadline to update Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program yields for covered commodities on the farm. This is a one-time opportunity for producers to update yields, which are used to calculate 2020 through 2023 payments.

“Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to update yields for the Price Loss Coverage program,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “Please contact your FSA county office to schedule an appointment.”

Updating yields requires the signature of one owner on a farm and not all owners. If a yield update is not made, no action is required to maintain the existing base crop yield on file with FSA.

For program payments, updated yields will apply beginning with the 2020 crop year which, should payments trigger, will be paid in October 2021. Additionally, recently published updates to the payment limitation and eligibility provisions for Farm Bill programs do not impact payments from ARC and PLC for the 2019 crop year or the 2020 crop year.

The updated yield will be equal to 90% of the average yield per planted acre in crop years 2013-2017. That excludes any year where the applicable covered commodity was not planted and is subject to the ratio obtained by dividing the 2008-2012 average national yield by the 2013-2017 average national yield for the covered commodity.

FSA published a final rule in August 2020 that made updates to payments limitations and payment eligibility for programs, many of which were directed by the 2018 Farm Bill. For ARC and PLC, these updates will not take effect until 2021 crop payments that will be made in October 2022.



NGFA, U.S. agriculture groups urge Trump to remain in the WTO    

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and 61 other U.S. agriculture stakeholders have urged the Trump administration to remain in the World Trade Organization (WTO), and for Congress to vote against any resolution that would end U.S. membership in the international trade body.

In a letter sent this week to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the groups emphasized support for efforts to reform WTO rules, noting that “improvement is needed” to hold WTO members accountable and improve the organizations’ governance, including the selection of a new director-general.

“Continued U.S. membership and active participation will help ensure that necessary reforms are undertaken…,” the letter states. “As long as exports are important to U.S. agriculture, WTO membership will be essential, as well.”

U.S. agriculture is heavily dependent on exports, the letter stated, with more than 20 percent of total U.S. agricultural production destined for foreign markets. The WTO grants U.S. agricultural exporters most-favored nation (MFN) treatment in 163 countries, representing more than 80 percent of the global economy. The trade body also provides rules to guard against arbitrary use of technical regulations to block imports, the groups noted.



Philippines Detects New ASF Outbreaks

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture said on Thursday it had detected new African swine fever outbreaks in six provinces, raising the possibility that the domestic pork shortfall anticipated by year-end will be bigger than initially expected.

A fresh wave of hog infections has hit the world's 10th-largest pork consumer and seventh-biggest pork importer, where more than 300,000 pigs have been culled since last year, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

According to Reuters, new outbreaks have been detected in the provinces of Albay, Quirino, Laguna, Quezon, Batangas and Cavite on the main island of Luzon.

Dar did not detail the extent of new infections, but said a government-funded restocking programme and additional importation of pork and pork-based products from disease-free countries, which he did not identify, could help address domestic supply tightness.

The agriculture department has initially projected a domestic pork shortfall of 121,000 tonnes by year-end.

Philippine pork production is now expected to drop by 20% this year, according to an estimate from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, double its initial projection, because of the disease.

The impact on domestic demand, however, should be partly offset by limited operations of food services due to coronavirus restrictions, it said in a Sept. 21 advisory.

The number of pigs culled since last year accounts for about 3% of the country's total, but USDA has warned local supply problems may persist in 2021, citing industry sources.