Wednesday September 16 Ag News

 Larry Howard FINALLY Gets a Retirement Party

After 35 years as an Extension Educator in Cuming County, Larry Howard has retired. To honor his service and role in our county, please join NE Extension-Cuming County for an open house on October 3, 2020 from 2:00-4:30pm in the Nielsen Center foyer. Please be aware pandemic safety precautions will be in place. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office at 402-372-6006.



Farmers Union Coop, Frontier Coop Members Approve Unification Vote

Following a three-week voting period, Farmers Union Coop Association members approved the proposed unification with Frontier Cooperative. The unification of the two cooperatives will be effective September 1, 2020.
 
Under Nebraska law, a majority of members casting ballots from Farmers Union Coop Association needed to vote ‘Yes’ to approve the unification. The results of the vote show that the unification passed with 77% voting Yes.
 
“We are excited about the possibilities this unification brings to us to grow our business in the future,” says Randy Carlholm, General Manager, Farmers Union Coop Association. “We believe it will bring positive benefits to the cooperative, its members and its employees.”
 
Farmers Union Coop Association is a farmer-owned cooperative operating four locations in Cedar Bluffs, Wahoo, Bruno and Prague, Nebraska. Since 1888, Farmers Union Coop Association has provided value and services to help its patrons be successful.

Prior to the vote, there was a due diligence period, in which the boards identified specific benefits for both members and employees. The benefits identified include strengthening member service to continue investing in technology, talent, assets and programs; the ability to compete and grow more effectively over a greater combined area, capacity and capability; and the ability to strategically position the companies for the future.
 
Frontier Cooperative CEO, Jeremy Wilhelm was appreciative of the diligence shown to the unification process.
 
“The Boards of Directors and leadership teams spent time analyzing this opportunity before presenting it for a vote,” said Wilhelm. “The outcome of the vote shows the commitment to helping both cooperatives be a better organization, and now we will focus on continuing to provide excellent services, technology and products to our members.”
 
The name of the unified cooperative will be Frontier Cooperative, with the home office remaining in Lincoln, Nebr. The integration phase will take place between now and September 1, which includes onboarding the employees with training in accounting software, transitioning scale interfaces, updating signage, uniforms, etc. Frontier Cooperative will then operate approximately 55 grain, agronomy, energy and feed locations across 14 counties in eastern Nebraska.
 
The unified cooperative will be led by Wilhelm and a 19-member Board of Directors. The board will consist of 18 current Frontier Cooperative board members and 1 current Farmers Union Coop Association board member. The 19-member board will remain until the board election at the 2021 annual meeting.
 


100th Shuttle Train Comes To Frontier Coop, Syracuse

Frontier Cooperative saw its 100th shuttle train come through the Syracuse Shuttle Facility the week of August 3rd, marking several milestones since the facility’s first train in April 2017. In that time, nearly 45 million bushels of corn has passed through the Syracuse Frontier facility.
 
Talks of the project started back in 2015, and almost two years later, the construction was completed in partnership with Union Pacific (UP) and Omaha Public Power District (OPPD).
 
“It’s been a great partnership, and we’re hoping to gain other partners with future economic development,” says Brook Aken, economic development manager for OPPD.
 
On Thursday when the 100th train was being loaded, representatives from UP, OPPD, and Syracuse Chamber of Commerce were there to witness and celebrate the milestone.
 
“Union Pacific and Frontier Cooperative have enjoyed a great relationship for many years. The addition of the Syracuse facility has allowed our business relationship to grow and provides significant value for both entities. One hundred trains is a terrific milestone, and we congratulate Frontier Cooperative on the success of the facility,” says Bruce Kroese, Assistant Vice President - Grain & Grain Products, Union Pacific.
 
Frontier Coop CEO Jeremy Wilhelm explains how great it is to see something go from concept to implementation that has had such a positive impact on the local community.
 
“This impact will be here for 40 to 50 years down the road for the next generation(s) to enjoy, says Wilhelm.”
 
Currently, the Frontier Syracuse facility holds 3 million bushels of grains storage, with an additional 1 million bushels of storage being added this fall, which will increase total storage to 4 million bushels.
 
Frontier operates four other train loader facilities across the company, but none that are as shiny and new as the Syracuse one. Prior to the Syracuse rail shuttle facility being built, the bushels were trucked and absorbed elsewhere, such as local ethanol plants and processing plants. Adding the Syracuse facility created more options and opened up more opportunities to export to new markets.
 
According to Frontier Coop CEO Jeremy Wilhelm, the Syracuse facility helps move large grain volumes across the country, but most of the grain that leaves Syracuse is shipped to the West Coast, primarily California, and some to Mexico.
 
Shuttle trains are typically 110-car units, which hold approximately 440,000 bushels of corn. To break that down even further, that’s about 4,000bu per car, which equals about four semi-loads per car. With the speed and efficiency of the Syracuse rail facility, it takes about four minutes to load one train car. The facility at Syracuse features two 20,000bu/hour legs and two high-capacity dumping pits, which keeps the process flowing smoothly.
 
Frontier Coop typically has the logistics schedule of the trains about five to seven days in advance. A train can be tracked online to get a good idea of its status, and when it will arrive. The UP requires shippers to load trains in 15 hours or less. That being said, the staff at the Syracuse rail facility, or any of the company’s shuttle loading facilities, must run a pretty tight ship—or in this case—train.
 
“It doesn’t matter when the train comes in. When it gets here, your time starts,” says Wilhelm.
 
This particular train arrived around 9pm on Wednesday evening, with crews standing by to start the process. It takes about seven to eight staff members to effectively and efficiently load the train and send it back down the tracks—one to open lids, one to shut lids and place seals, one locomotive operator (who must be certified), one to sample and grade the grain, one to load the grain, and one or two staff members rotating to provide relief among the crew. In addition, the USDA federal grain inspection team works alongside the Frontier staff to grade and inspect the grain, certifying the quality of grain in each train car.
 
“We can’t load until USDA arrives,” says Wilhelm.
 
The Syracuse facility will receive a GPS ping when the approaching train is in Nebraska City 20 miles away, letting the staff know it’s almost go-time.
 
“A train that shows up at 8am on a Tuesday is a pretty perfect scenario, but it doesn’t happen that way very often,” says Wilhelm.
 
In addition to the rail facility, just down the road in Syracuse is one of Frontier’s two dry fertilizer plants. In 2.5 years of operation, 83,000 tons of fertilizer went through the Syracuse plant.
 
Overall, Frontier Cooperative is very pleased about the success of the Syracuse facility and the opportunities that it has opened up for the community, company, and the agricultural industry.
 
“Not only has this facility provided good jobs for the community of Syracuse, it has opened up access to markets that the surrounding area did not have before,” Wilhelm says. “Which also means a more competitive basis for our farmers to enjoy for many years to come.”



HUSKER RESEARCHERS LINKING CATTLE BEHAVIOR TO EFFICIENT BEEF PRODUCTION

Range cattle spend most of their time grazing, ruminating, resting and watering. Using collars fitted with GPS and accelerometers, technology similar to that found in a Fitbit that collects data on movement patterns, University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers are tracking the movements and behavioral patterns of beef cattle and how they link to efficient beef production systems.

Mitchell Stephenson, a range and forage management specialist at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff, said he and other researchers involved in the project were looking at how specific behaviors exhibited by cattle translated to an animal’s traits.

“When you look at the behaviors, you can link them together,” Stephenson said. “Looking at production efficiency, milk production and behavioral characteristics are really what make this study unique.”

Lead researcher Travis Mulliniks, a range cow production systems specialist at the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, said understanding the relationships between cattle traits and behaviors could be used to better understand how milking ability influences cow-calf relationships and ultimately increase producer profitability and efficiency. He and Stephenson are working with Samodha Fernando, a rumen microbiologist in the university’s Department of Animal Science, to use technology to better understand those links between traits and behaviors.

The trio received a three-year, $299,999 USDA Critical Agricultural Research and Extension grant this spring to evaluate the impact of milk production on cow-calf productivity, grazing behavior and profitability at the university’s Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, a nearly 13,000-acre research facility in Grant, Hooker and Cherry counties.

“This is the only study that I know of, ever, that is using this technology and looking at cattle in this way,” Mulliniks said.

The grant will allow Mulliniks and his team to study the complexities of the cow’s milk production on its calf’s performance and behavior. For example, if a cow produces a lot of milk, the team will analyze whether its calf spends more time milking or grazing and if the grazing preference may be tied into average daily gain.

The team is tracking the movement of 30 cows and calves using a GPS collar and accelerometers. The researchers are able to evaluate the influence of a cow’s milk ability, measured by periodic milking of the cows using a milk machine, on suckling and grazing behaviors of calves. This will then be tied into production characteristics such as weaning weight.

Selby Boerman, a graduate student working on the project, milks each beef cow five times during the lactation period. She records the amount of milk produced over 24 hours and analyzes the fat and protein content, which could play a big role in the production characteristics of cows.

Boerman also monitors the cow-calf pairs and records the time the calves spend nursing. Her visual observations help refine the accelerometer algorithms to nail down the unique signature of each animal to exactly when they are nursing.

Another aspect of the study involves taking fecal samples from the cows and calves, which researchers analyze to see which grasses and forbs the cows and calves consume over the growing season.

“Basically, we can reconstruct their diet, even to the general idea of some percentages of different species in their diet, based on what we see in the fecal matter,” Stephenson said.

The reconstructed diet allows the team to study the crossover in diet between cows and calves and take note of how their diet changes throughout the growing season.

In gathering a tremendous amount of data daily, the team is focused on ways that precision livestock management can add value for a producer.

“Our technology collects the data, and we can see changes in behavior over time,” Stephenson said.

“Getting this data in real time is where the technology is going and will aid producers in making decisions at the individual animal level — this is precision livestock management.”

Mulliniks, too, is focused on the potential benefit of the technology for producers.

“It’s not as simple as range science or animal nutrition; it is very complex,” he said. “That’s why you can’t necessarily tease apart some of these projects and why we look at it as an integrated system.”



Upcoming Cattlemen to Cattlemen Episode on Sustainability and Next Generation DDGs Features Corn Farmers

Beef and Corn: Working Together in a Sustainable System is the topic of the upcoming panel show on the National Cattlemen Beef Association’s series Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV. Panelists will discuss sustainability practices on their farms, the benefits of next-generation feed products, how the ethanol industry has impacted corn and beef producers, and more.

“1.25 billion bushels of corn plus the majority of distillers grains goes towards feeding beef cattle,” said NCGA President Kevin Ross. “Adding corn into the cattle diet increases feed efficiency reflected in the rate of daily gain. It also promotes faster growth, reduces days to finish, and produces steaks with a higher marble score.”

One out of four bushels of added corn demand is due to beef and pork, with the beef industry providing $5.7 billion in corn value. DDGs account for nearly 8 percent of total domestic corn usage.

“It’s important for us to collaborate with our animal ag partners because they are such a large customer of corn,” Ross added. “That’s why we’re engaged and sponsoring programs like Cattlemen to Cattlemen and the Cattlemen Education Series, so together, we can help provide the latest industry news to producers.”

NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen is a television show for cattlemen created by cattlemen. The episode featuring corn growers is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22 on RFD-TV at 8:30 p.m. Eastern. The show is hosted by Colorado cattle producer Kevin Ochsner.

Panel participants include Mike Drinnin (Columbus, NE) of Drinnin Feedlots where the episode is filmed; NCGA President and southwestern Iowa farmer Kevin Ross; Kansas farmer who raises both beef and corn Kylee Geffert; Dr. Galen Erickson, a ruminant nutritionist from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Brandon Hunnicutt, NCGA Board Member and farmer from Giltner, NE; Jarad Drinnin, who manages Drinnin Feedlots; and Cassie Aherin, Project Manager of the Eco-System Services Market Consortium.



NEW Cooperative breaks ground on Port of Blencoe

On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, NEW Cooperative held a ground breaking ceremony for the Port of Blencoe along the Missouri River. Due to rainy conditions the ceremony was moved from the site of the new port to the shop at the nearby Blencoe location. The shipping and receiving port will be located 2.5 miles west of the Blencoe exit 105 on Interstate 29.

Once completed next summer, this 38-acre site will be the most northern active port on the Missouri River. The Port of Blencoe is expected to annually accommodate 240,000 tons of soybeans, corn, dried distillers grains (DDGS), dry fertilizers and ag lime and will have the capacity to unload, clean, and reload up to nine barges at a time.

“Through NEW Cooperative, the new port will allow western Iowa farmers direct access to world export and import markets,” Dan Dix, NEW Cooperative general manager said. Iowa farmers need every advantage they can get. Years of low commodity prices, droughts, tariffs, and most recently the derecho have devastated Iowa producers. This project is designed to bring some much-needed help to an industry so vital to us all.”

Special guest speakers at the ground breaking ceremony included; Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director from Soy Transportation Coalition, Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Tammy Bramley, Monona County Board of Supervisors, and Iowa Governor, Kim Reynolds

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said NEW Cooperative is more than just a partner in the field. “With the addition of this port here on the Missouri River, as an innovator in moving grain to international markets, you’ll be instrumental in opening up an untapped world of opportunities for business and industries in this region,” Reynolds said.

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, also spoke. Steenhoek said, “In my role with the Soy Transportation Coalition, it is our aspiration to decrease the number of logistical steps between a farmer growing soybeans and an international customer. This an opportunity to decrease the number of those logistical steps will translate into farmers receiving a greater economic value for the soybeans they produce. As a farmer-owned and led company, NEW Cooperative’s investment in a new supply chain option shortens the distance between the farmer and the overseas customer.

The Port of Blencoe has the capacity to attract, develop, and retain business activity that brings a flow of revenue into Monona County that in turn generates income and other jobs through an economic multiplier effect.

Dix said NEW Cooperative’s goal is to load barges late this fall and start upstream deliveries in the spring 2021. Upstream shipments of fertilizers, aggregates, and other commodities will arrive into the site to be stored and marketed through wholesale partners as well as NEW’s customers.

“I believe this Port has the potential to grow into a sizeable engine of economic growth for area industries and their surrounding communities. The over the fence opportunities on this 38 acre site offers are endless.” said Dix.



Farm Futures survey finds large soybean acreage increase in 2021

An August 2020 survey conducted by the Farm Futures team found farmers across the country are eager to plant more soybeans in 2021. Survey respondents reported a slight decline in corn acreage in favor of soybeans for next year’s crop as a recent uptick in soybean demand sparked a rally.

Farm Futures respondents indicated planting 0.3% fewer corn acres in 2021/22 after demand destruction eroded 440 million bushels from the 2019/20 demand pipeline. While 2020/21 corn planting progress was largely underway when the pandemic caused corn demand to evaporate, farmers now have over six months of pandemic experience under their belts.

While ethanol and livestock demand have struggled to break through pandemic plateaus, farmers are predicted to plant 91.8 million acres of corn next spring. Given favorable planting and growing conditions, 2021 could be a chance for farmers to sow record-setting corn yields and volumes as demand continues to recover amid the pandemic.

The recent run-up in soybean prices has made U.S. soy acreage a hot prospect in the commodity markets. Farm Futures respondents projected planting nearly 4.1 million more acres of soybeans in 2021 compared to 2020, totaling 87.9 million acres. If realized, 2021 soybean acreage will be the third highest planted soy acreage on record.

Price ratio favors beans
Market incentives justify this move. The current new crop soybean – corn price ratio strongly favored soy acreage over corn throughout this summer. Chinese soy demand soared higher in late May as the world’s second largest economy began booking orders for new crop soybeans. Since June 1, China has booked 294.8 million bushels of 2020/21 soybeans.

With Brazilian exportable supplies heavily depleted as soybean harvest approaches in the U.S., soybeans may find enough favor in international channels this winter to justify a nearly 5% increase in soybean acreage next year.

Contrary to recent trends in falling wheat acreage, Farm Futures survey respondents indicated a shift from spring wheat acreage to winter wheat in the August 2020 survey. If realized, a higher 2021 winter wheat acreage would reverse seven consecutive years of shrinking winter wheat acres. Excluding durum acres due to a statistically insignificant response rate, other spring and winter wheat acreage is predicted to total 42.7 million acres in 2021, up 0.3% from 2020.

A lower dollar and increased consumer demand for pasta amid the coronavirus pandemic reignited both domestic and international attention to U.S. wheat. As international wheat movement increases in the wake of the pandemic, export demand will be critical to supporting wheat prices and by extension, wheat acreage.

Farm Futures surveyed 1,044 respondents on July 14-27 via an email questionnaire.



American Dairy Consumption Reaches All-Time High

Americans are turning to dairy products at a rate never seen before, according to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS). New ERS data on annualized per capita consumption of dairy point to cheese, butter and yogurt categories driving substantial growth in per capita consumption of dairy, which reached a record high in 2019.

"Since the USDA began tracking per capita dairy consumption in the 1970s, the trend has continued upward for five straight decades, increasing 21% since 1975," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. "While Americans have always turned to dairy products as fresh, nutritious staples in their diets, they also value the versatility of dairy in new, delicious, and more accessible products. Thanks to its continued innovation and ingenuity, the dairy industry is poised to continue to grow and deliver nutritious products for Americans."

In the past decade alone: domestic per capita consumption of cheese is up 19%; per capita butter consumption is up 24%; per capita yogurt consumption is up 7%. Ice cream per capita consumption also rebounded in 2019, increasing by a half-percent over 2018.

Overall, ERS data show American dairy per capita consumption across products consistently increasing each year, with 2019 up 6% over the past five years, 10% over the past 15 years, and 16% over the past 30 years.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 9/11/2020

According to EIA data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association for the week ending September 11, ethanol production eased 1.6% lower, or 14,000 barrels per day (b/d), to 926,000 b/d—equivalent to 38.89 million gallons daily. Production remained 7.7% below the same week in 2019 as a result of the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The four-week average ethanol production rate was unchanged at 930,000 b/d, equivalent to an annualized rate of 14.26 billion gallons (bg).

Ethanol stocks narrowed by 1.0% to a five-week low of 19.8 million barrels, which was 14.8% below year-ago volumes. Inventories decreased across all regions except the East Coast (PADD 1) and Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

The volume of gasoline supplied to the U.S. market, a measure of implied demand, took a step in the right direction, up 1.0% to 8.48 million b/d (129.97 bg annualized). Gasoline demand remained 5.2% lower than a year ago.

Refiner/blender net inputs of ethanol followed, rising 1.8% to 845,000 b/d, equivalent to 12.95 bg annualized, which was 6.6% below the year-earlier level.

Imports of ethanol arriving into the West Coast were 36,000 b/d, or 10.58 million gallons for the week. This marks the sixth time in eight weeks that imports were reported. (Weekly export data for ethanol is not reported simultaneously; the latest export data is as of July 2020.)



ACE Helps Retailers Determine E15 Compatibility by Launching “Flex Check” Tool

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today launched a tool on its fuel-marketer focused flexfuelforward.com website to provide retailers with a free way to check if their equipment is already E15 compatible. Available 24/7, the “Flex Check” E15 compatibility tool will arm retailers with the confidence and information they need to make a conversion all in one place.

With USDA set to announce Higher Blend Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) grant recipients any day now, ACE’s focus turns to marketers who have fueling equipment already E15 compatible but may not be aware of that fact.

“Adding new E15 and flex fuel locations with programs like HBIIP makes ethanol blended fuel more available and visible, but to move significant gallons, we need widespread conversions on top of new construction,” said Ron Lamberty, Senior Vice President of ACE. “A huge number of retailers have E15 compatible equipment and could sell it tomorrow without a big investment. But they don’t know, because they’ve been told by their petroleum suppliers it’s impossible for most stations to offer E15, and very expensive for others. We just want them to check, because we know a lot of them will be very surprised.”

“It’s encouraging to see the President use twitter to draw attention to the fact states can allow E15 to be sold through E10 pumps,” Lamberty said. “However, we don’t know how many states will make this permissible, and for those that do, we don’t know how long it will take. EPA will also have to change some rules, but in the meantime, station owners can use Flex Check, and may not have to wait.”

The Flex Check compatibility tool uses National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) studies and ACE’s research with equipment companies to give retailers a place to enter the manufacturer or model of tanks, piping, and other equipment they have on site, and find out if they are already E15 compatible.

“Some stations owners will be able to download documentation they need to provide EPA if they decide to sell E15,” Lamberty added, “and if they’re not ready to sell E15, this tool will help them identify parts of their system that need to be replaced, and most retailers will be surprised at how cost effective adding E15 can be.”

 

Retail Fertilizer Prices Remain Varied

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to be mixed the second week of September 2020, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. Just like last week, five of the eight major fertilizers were lower, while the remaining three nutrients were higher.  Also like last week, no fertilizer was up or down a significant amount, which DTN designates as 5% or more.

The five fertilizers that were slightly lower were potash with an average price of $345 per ton, down $8 from last month; 10-34-0 $459/ton, down $6; anhydrous $434/ton, down $13; UAN28 $216/ton, down $5; and UAN32 $253/ton, down $6.

The three fertilizers that were higher include DAP with an average price of $434/ton, up $8; MAP $445/ton, up $10; and urea $360/ton, up $5.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.39/lb.N, anhydrous $0.26/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.39/lb.N.

Retail fertilizer prices continue to be considerably lower in price from a year ago. Anhydrous is 16% lower, UAN28 is 15% less expensive, UAN32 is 13% lower, urea is 12% less expensive, DAP is 11% lower, potash is down 10%, MAP is 8% less expensive and 10-34-0 is 3% lower from last year at this time.



Farmers Union, MANRRS Team Up to Strengthen Diversity and Inclusion in Agriculture

In light of the fact that racial and ethnic minority groups are vastly underrepresented in agricultural professions, National Farmers Union (NFU) and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) are working together to foster diversity and inclusion in the field.

During an online ceremony, NFU President Rob Larew and MANRRS National President Dr. Antomia Farrell signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) summarizing the ways in which their organizations will collaborate to provide educational and leadership opportunities for young people of all racial and ethnic identities, develop federal policy priorities, and extend each other’s reach within agricultural communities.

“Agriculture is a much more homogenous profession than it should be; even though 40 percent of Americans identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color, just 5 percent of farmers do. This lack of racial and ethnic diversity translates to a lack of new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, which holds back progress and innovation for everyone in farming,” said Larew. “Together with MANRRS, which has been doing the important work of promoting diversity in agricultural spaces for 35 years, we hope to ensure that the next generation of agricultural professionals will be more representative of the American population as a whole.”

The partnership is a natural next step for the two organizations, both of which have long been committed to racial equity. NFU, which has represented racially diverse farmers for more than 80 years, has primarily approached the issue through legislative action; the group was an early supporter of the Civil Rights movement and has backed legal challenges to institutional discrimination against Black farmers. MANRRS, on the other hand, is a national society that offers professional and academic development as well as networking opportunities for ethnic minorities in agricultural sciences and related fields. By leveraging each other’s expertise, NFU and MANRRS hope to strengthen both organizations’ efforts.

“The fact that communities of color are not well represented in agriculture is not because they aren’t interested; it’s often because they don’t have access or exposure starting from an early age. As a result, many young people don’t even know that agricultural professions are an option for them,” Farrell noted. “That’s why MANRRS works to expand academic and professional opportunities for those who might not otherwise have them. In our partnership with National Farmers Union, we look forward to building on that work by offering our members the chance to participate in new educational programs and in grassroots advocacy.”



Brookside Agra Develops Fall Biomass Digester Program to Return 20-30% of Nutrients Back into Soil

Savvy growers want to know how they can get more out of their soil and biomass post-harvest and reduce input costs. The plant and soil experts at Brookside Agra have developed a unique Digester Program that utilizes its natural products H2OExcel and Advanced Bio Pro to return 20-30% of valuable biomass nutrients back into the soil, therefore reducing the amount of nutrients growers would need to apply in the spring.

When using Brookside Agra's Digester Program that contains a biological combined with the components that support beneficial microbes and bacteria in the soil, growers should see a fairly quick response, said Ben Elliott, Soil and Plant Nutrition Specialist with Insight Bio Ag, LLC. The goal is to break down the biomass to make it easier to handle the following spring and return as much of its stored nutrients back into the soil in the forms that are stable and can be utilized for the next crop.

"A unique chemistry that I fully support from my research and use in the fields is a combination of Advanced Bio Pro and H2OExcel from Brookside Agra. Advanced Bio Pro is a proprietary blend of stable, highly active microbial cultures, enhancers and nutrients. H2OExcel works to change the polarity of water and soil to increase biological activity, interact with soil capillarity pressure and defend against dehydration of both the soil and plants by keeping water available deeper within the soil profile," said Elliott. "When using Brookside Agra's Digester Program, I see those nutrient numbers climb into the 20% plus ranges. Of course, the results always depend on the climate and soil conditions. However, I always see this system pay growers back. As you approach the 20-30% range, there is enough value in the nutrients released from the biomass back into the soil that allows for incremental reductions in applied nutrients."

According to Elliott, if he just lets the biomass lay in the fields that he monitors, there is only about 2% of the measured nutrients that can be returned to the soil. Where nitrogen is added, that number only goes up to about 6%. The value of the nutrients released compared to the cost of the nitrogen and the labor generally does not pay anything back.

“If using a biological alone, the process can still be slow and of little effect,” said Elliott. “It is important to remember that biologicals function according to environmental factors like temperature and moisture. If a biological is applied alone, it may only have species that respond to those environmental factors present in the soil when they are applied. The key to a successful digester program is getting as many biologicals in the sprayer as possible and giving them the food they need to multiply rapidly.”

Elliott recommends not conducting any tillage operations in the fall in order to maintain the integrity of the biological ecosystems being constructed during this process.

"I always recommend that standing biomass should always be put in contact with the ground before applying a digester program, but if that is not practical for your operation, it is not absolutely necessary," said Elliott. "Using a digester program also allows the biologicals both already present, and added to the field, to maintain the integrity of the soil structure and improve the ease of water infiltration."

Initiating practices like Brookside Agra's Digester Program and using products like H2OExcel is a great way to actively start adapting soil health methods and working toward a better understanding of soil, inputs and yields, said Elliott.

"Maintaining a proper balance of nutrients throughout the growing cycle will always lead to greater efficiency when breaking down biomass and securing nutrients in proper form in the soil," he said. "This practice will also lead to higher numbers of active soil organic matter, resulting in more efficient use and retention of water in the soil profile, which is absolutely necessary to create a positive return of nutrients from biomass."

For more information about starting a fall Digester Program and Brookside’s customizable Digester ROI Calculator, contact Brookside Agra at 618-628-8300.