Monday January 25 Ag News

 AGP Announces Election of Directors/Officers

Ag Processing Inc a cooperative (AGP) announced today the election of three directors to serve three-year terms on the Board. The elections took place during the 2020 AGP Annual Meeting, held virtually on January 22, 2021.

Newly elected to the Board is Rob Jacobs, General Manager of Farmers Cooperative Elevator headquartered in Ocheyedan, Iowa. Re-elected to the Board are Bruce Granquist, producer from LaBolt, South Dakota, and Larry Oltjen, producer from Robinson, Kansas.

Following the annual meeting, the AGP Board elected Lowell Wilson as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Wilson, a producer from Primghar, Iowa, has served on the Board of Directors since 1985 and held the position of Vice Chairman since 1995. Lowell Wilson has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ag Processing Inc (AGP).Wilson succeeds Brad Davis of Goldfield, Iowa, who recently retired after 27 years on the AGP Board and over 46 years of experience in the cooperative system.

“I am very honored to have been elected to serve as Chairman of AGP,” Wilson said. “We have achieved great things at AGP and I believe we will continue our success in the years ahead. I look forward to working with the Board and management in leading the cooperative to further build upon its strong business foundation. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I also want to sincerely thank and express our gratitude to Brad Davis for his leadership and service to AGP, our member/owners, and agriculture.”

The Board also elected Dean Isaacson, retired General Manager of Western-Consolidated Co-op in Holloway, Minnesota, as Vice Chairman. Chuck Schafer, General Manager of North Iowa Cooperative Elevator in Thornton, Iowa, was elected Secretary-Treasurer.

AGP (agp.com) is a leading agribusiness with primary operations as a major U.S. soybean processor/refiner producing and marketing soybean meal, refined soybean oil, and biodiesel. AGP businesses also include agricultural product trading in domestic and international markets and numerous U.S. grain elevator operations. AGP is owned by 148 local and regional cooperatives representing over 250,000 farmer-producers across the United States. Corporate headquarters are located in Omaha, NE.  



Nominations accepted for Nebraska school greenhouse award

A Nebraska school greenhouse demonstrating excellence in food production will receive the first-ever Greenhouse to Cafeteria Award later this year, presented by the Center for Rural Affairs, in collaboration with Nebraska FFA.

Nominations are currently being accepted at cfra.org/greenhouse-cafeteria. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2021.

In 2019, the Center for Rural Affairs began offering schools financial and technical assistance to revamp greenhouse education. The organization currently assists 10 schools.

“A goal of this program is to see year round agriculture education in schools, specifically around food cultivation,” said Justin Carter, project associate with the Center. “The ultimate end goal is to see greenhouse-grown foods supplying the cafeteria.”

While the Center strives to assist schools, staff recognizes existing programs already supply fresh food to Nebraska school lunchrooms.

“With this award, we hope to lift up these schools to show their achievements and offer an example of outstanding production education,” Carter said. “Down the road, we would like to encourage mentorship and collaboration between schools to multiply greenhouse programs across the state.”

Carter hopes to see plenty of applicants, even though instructors have a lot on their plate during this difficult time.

“We want to lay the groundwork for this program,” Justin said. “We hope these applications will help us learn more of what’s happening around the state and how we can assist schools in the wake of the pandemic.”

The project is funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant.



NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending January 24, 2021, topsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 44% short, 39% adequate, and 1% surplus, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 48% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 6% very poor, 12% poor, 48% fair, 33% good, and 1% excellent.  

The next report will be issued February 22, 2021.



NEBRASKA MILK PRODUCTION

Milk production in Nebraska during the October- December 2020 quarter totaled 367 million pounds, up 3% from the October-December quarter last year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of milk cows was 60,000 head, 2,000 head more than the same period last year.

U.S. October-December Milk Production up 3.0 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the October - December quarter totaled 55.6 billion pounds, up 3.0 percent from the October - December quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.43 million head, 59,000 head more than the July - September quarter, and 81,000 head more than the same period last year.

December Milk Production up 3.2 Percent
Milk production in the 24 major States during December totaled 18.1 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from December 2019. November revised production, at 17.3 billion pounds, was up 3.5 percent from November 2019. The November revision represented an increase of 56 million pounds or 0.3 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,027 pounds for December, 40 pounds above December 2019.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.92 million head, 107,000 head more than December 2019, and 12,000 head more than November 2020.

Iowa:  Milk production in Iowa during December 2020 totaled 466 million pounds, up 4% from the previous December according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during December, at 220,000 head, was 1,000 more than last month and 5,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,120 pounds, up 40 pounds from last December.



Iowa Families Invited to Apply Now for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program
 
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible farm owners to apply for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“The Century and Heritage Farm program is a great way to recognize the strength and resiliency of Iowa’s multi-generation farm families, especially after an exceptionally challenging year,” said Secretary Naig. “I always look forward to celebrating along with the families and hearing stories about their incredible farming legacies. I am very grateful for the investments they make to protect our rich farmland and their continued commitment to our state’s agriculture community.”

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.

Applications may also be requested from Kelley Reece, coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program, at 515-281-3645 or Kelley.Reece@IowaAgriculture.gov. Written requests can be mailed to Century or Heritage Farm Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

To be included in the 2021 Century or Heritage Farm Program completed applications must be received by the Department by June 1, 2021.

This marks the 45th anniversary of the Century Farm program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 20,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition.

This is the 15th anniversary of the Heritage Farm program; more than 1,000 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006. To search for previous Century and Heritage Farm recipients, visit centuryfarms.iowaagriculture.gov. Photos from past recognition ceremonies are also available on the Century and Heritage Farm Program website.

The ceremonies recognizing the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 19-20, in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.



USDA Cold Storage December 2020 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on December 31, 2020 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 11 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 11 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 30 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 32 percent from last month but down 54 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on December 31, 2020 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 10 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were down 2 percent from the previous month and down 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 16 percent from last month but down 4 percent from December 31, 2019.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on December 31, 2020 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from December 31, 2019.  Butter stocks were up 9 percent from last month and up 44 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on December 31, 2020 were down 10 percent from last month and down 18 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 6 percent from a year ago.



Thompson Welcomes Ag GOP Committee Members Recommended by Steering Committee for the 117th Congress
 
Today, the Republican Steering Committee announced its recommendations of members to serve on the House Agriculture Committee. Following the announcement, Republican Leader Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement:

“Any farm or ranch operation requires a strong and highly effective farm team, and agriculture policy is no different. I’m honored to welcome these fearless and qualified advocates to the House Agriculture Committee. The diverse expertise, backgrounds, and districts of our new and returning members will be a valuable asset as we work to restore a robust rural economy and begin crafting the next Farm Bill.”

The new Republican House Agriculture Committee Members are as follows:
Rep. Michelle Fischbach, MN
Rep. Tracey Mann, KS
Rep. Randy Feenstra, IA
Rep. Micheal Cloud, TX
Rep. Kat Cammack, FL
Rep. Barry Moore, AL
Rep. Mary Miller, IL

The following Republican Members are returning to the Committee:
Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, PA
Rep. Austin Scott, GA
Rep. Rick Crawford, AR
Rep. Scott DesJarlais, TN
Rep. Vicky Hartzler, MO
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, CA
Rep. Rodney Davis, IL
Rep. Rick Allen, GA
Rep. David Rouzer, NC
Rep. Trent Kelly, MS
Rep. Don Bacon, NE
Rep. Dusty Johnson, SD
Rep. Jim Baird, IN
Rep. Jim Hagedorn, MN
Rep. Chris Jacobs, NY
Rep. Troy Balderson, OH



Ogallala Aquifer Virtual Summit to Engage Stakeholders in Tackling Tough Questions

This event will be February 24-25, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CST). Through panels and facilitated workshops, participants will discuss and identify actionable activities and priorities that could benefit producers, communities, and this critical groundwater resource.

At 8 a.m. (CST) on February 24 and 25, producers and other water management leaders will grab their coffee cups, fire up their devices, and wade into a series of highly interactive conversations designed to tackle several tough questions faced by communities that rely on the declining Ogallala aquifer resource. For example, what on-farm, district, or state-level decisions and policies could support shifts in water management to ensure future generations will be able to continue to farm and live in the Ogallala region? What can be done so that rural communities remain vital in parts of the region where aquifer depletion means irrigated agriculture will no longer serve as much of an economic backbone in coming years or decades?

This event is being led by the USDA-NIFA Ogallala Water Coordinated Agriculture Project (OWCAP) team, along with the Kansas Water Office, Texas A&M AgriLife, and the USDA-ARS supported Ogallala Aquifer Program, and support from individuals in all eight Ogallala states. Between the pandemic, an extended period of drought, and lower commodity prices, summit organizers wondered if producers and other water management leaders would be inclined to meet virtually. Together, they assessed that the value of this event, which encourages people to meet one another and exchange a wealth of practical and technical expertise, would not be diminished if held online. In fact, more than ever, having an opportunity to help people connect and hear from one another and from producers in particular on many important dimensions of the water-dependent future of this region, seemed right and necessary. This event will serve as the capstone outreach event for OWCAP, an interdisciplinary, collaborative research and outreach project underway since 2016 involving researchers from 9 institutions based in 6 of the 8 Ogallala states.

Topics covered during the summit will include updates on projects, new programs, activities and policies that were inspired at least in part due to an earlier 8-state Ogallala summit event held in Garden City, Kansas in April of 2018. Together, participants will share their expertise and identify opportunities and gaps requiring attention, resources, and expanded collaboration within and across state lines to benefit agriculture and the region’s communities.

“The increasing depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer is one of the most daunting water problems in America. Extending and restoring the life of this resource, and, in turn, the economies and livelihoods that depend on it, will require collaboration across a diverse range of water-focused stakeholders and entities,” said Connie Owen, Director of the Kansas Water Office. “This summit will provide a unique opportunity to foster and strengthen that collaboration. It will cover emerging innovations, research, and policies as well as help identify opportunities for working together across state lines to address the water-related challenges facing this region and its communities.”

Registration for the summit costs $40; the fee for producers and students attending the 2-day event is $20. Participants from each of the eight states overlying the Ogallala aquifer will be represented: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. A detailed schedule of this event is available at https://www.ogallalawater.org/. Members of the media are invited to attend.



Census: 96 Percent of U.S. Farms Are Family-Owned

Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms, account for 87% of land in farms, and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report released by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The farm typology report primarily focuses on the "family farm," defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the producer and individuals related to the producer.

The report classifies all farms into unique categories based on two criteria: who owns the operation and gross cash farm income (GCFI). GCFI includes the producer's sales of crops and livestock, fees for delivering commodities under production contracts, government payments, and farm-related income.

"Classifying America's 2 million farms to better reflect their diversity is critical to evaluating and reporting on U.S. agriculture," said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. "Typology allows us to more meaningfully explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today as well as their impact on the economy and communities around the country."

The data show that small family farms, those farms with a GCFI of less than $350,000 per year, account for 88% of all U.S. farms, 46% of total land in farms, and 19% of the value of all agricultural products sold. Large-scale family farms (GCFI of $1 million or more) make up less than 3% of all U.S. farms but produce 43% of the value of all agricultural products. Mid-size farms (GCFI between $350,000 and $999,999) are 5% of U.S. farms and produce 20% of the value of all agricultural products.

The data also show that the number of family farms decreased by 4% (almost 80,000 farms) since 2012. Large and mid-size family farms experienced steeper declines, decreasing 13% and 8%, respectively. Small family farms experienced a smaller decline (3%).

Other key findings from the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report include:

- Southern and New England states have the highest share of small family farms. Midwestern and Northern Plains states have the lowest share. Conversely, the share of mid-size and large-scale farms is highest in the Midwest and Northern Plains states.

- Farm specialization varies by farm size. The majority (57%) of small family farms specialize in cattle (34%) or "other crops" such as hay and forage production (23%). Over half (53%) of mid-size farms specialize in grains and oilseeds. Large-scale family farms vary more in product specialization, though they are more likely than other family farms to specialize in dairy production or specialty crops.

- Small family farms account for 45% of all direct sales to consumers, compared to 17% for mid-size family farms and 23% for large-scale family farms.

- Compared to producers on mid-size and large-scale family farms, small family farm producers are more likely to be women, age 65 or older, and report being of Hispanic origin or a race other than white. They are also more likely to be new and beginning farmers (farmed 10 years or less) and to report having military service.



Growing the Future of Agriculture through Give FFA Day

In the spring of 2020, teachers across the country found new ways to reach their students. The same is true for ag educators and FFA advisors.

As the country dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, FFA advisors across the country found ways to continue sharing the message of agriculture and teaching the next generation of leaders. Through generous donations from FFA supporters, students and teachers across the country were able to continue to make a difference.

For more than 90 years, the organization has strived to make a difference in students’ lives. FFA knows it is growing the future generation of leaders and through their programming, students can find their path to success.

Hannah Everetts, agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor in Ohio, recognizes that it is through generous supporters that she was able to continue to share the FFA message. "Thank you for recognizing that the students in our program matter and that what we do as educators matters in our classroom,” she said. “Thank you, donors. Thank you for all that you do to support our classrooms all across the country.”

Once again, during National FFA Week, individuals will have an opportunity to step up and support FFA and agricultural education through Give FFA Day on Thursday, Feb. 25. This year, the organization has a goal of getting 1,500 donors during the 24-hour period.

FFA corporate partners will also participate in increasing contributions by matching them dollar-for-dollar on Give FFA Day. The first $25,000 donated will be matched by Carhartt, and the second $25,000 will be matched by John Deere. Other challenges will be announced throughout the day.

In addition, former FFA members and FFA alumni are encouraged to donate $19.71 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the National FFA Alumni, which was chartered in 1971.

“Thanks to our donors, we are able to help continue to build the next generation of leaders,” said Kimberly Coveney, annual fund manager of the National FFA Foundation. “Give FFA Day is an opportunity for individuals across the country to give back to an organization that is making a difference in the lives of young people while sharing the story of agriculture. Every donation counts. By coming together to give on this one day, donations of any amount are amplified.”

To prepare for Give FFA day, visit FFA.org/GiveFFADay. See how you can give back to the organization.



Cattle on Feed Update
Josh Maples, Extension Economist, Dept of Ag Econ, Mississippi State University

The latest Cattle on Feed report was released this past Friday. Included in this report were placements and marketings for December 2020 and the on-feed total for January 1, 2021. The biggest surprise in the report was the nearly 1% larger placement total during December 2020 than during December 2019. Pre-report estimates were for lower placements than a year ago and the small increase was slightly outside the range of expectations. Total placements were 1.84 million head which is the 2nd largest total for December (behind 2005) since the series began in 1996.
 
At the state level, the biggest placement increases from December 2019 by number of head were in Iowa, Colorado, and Nebraska which were up 21,000, 15,000, and 15,000 head, respectively. Placements in TX and Oklahoma were lower than a year ago, down 30,000 and 16,000, respectively. This was the last Cattle on Feed report for the volatile 2020. A look back at the monthly placement totals for the year show a 4.1% decline in placements during calendar year 2020 as compared to 2019. This was due in part
 
This report also included placements by weights. Placements of heavier cattle increased in December as compared to a year ago with the exception of the greater than 1,000 pounds category. Cattle weighing 900-999 pounds were 15.8% higher compared to December 2019. Placements in the 800-899 pounds group were up 7.5% and the 700-799s pound group were up 2.9%. The under 600 pounds category and the 600-699 pounds category were down 1.1% and 4.4%, respectively.

Also included in this report was the quarterly update of cattle on feed by class. The estimates for feedlot mix on January 1, 2021 were 61.85% steers and 38.15% heifers. This is up slightly from these same estimates in October 2020 and very near the feedlot mix reported in January 2020. The percentage of heifers in the feedlot mix trended up from 2015-2019 as a result of the cattle cycle but 2020 quarterly totals were slightly lower than 2019 due in part to the feedlot disruptions in the spring and summer.
 
Marketings of fed cattle were up 1% which was near the pre-report expectations. This was the 2nd largest marketings total for a December since 1996, trailing only 2010. Altogether, the total number of cattle on feed on January 1 was very near year-ago levels. Looking ahead, higher feed prices are likely to impact feedlot decisions including a potential preference toward larger placements.



January 2021 Dairy Market Report Now Available

2021 has opened with a mix of bullish and bearish market indicators, as the dairy industry moves through another major surge of the coronavirus pandemic and the federal policy outlook is uncertain with a new administration and Congress in Washington.

The U.S. average all-milk price reached its peak for the 2020 calendar year in November and isn’t expected to reach similar levels until the second half of the year, at the earliest. Meanwhile, milk production continues to rise: compared with a year earlier, November U.S. milk production was 3.0 percent higher, total milk solids production was 3.3 percent higher, and total U.S. dairy cows were up by 62,000. All three were the highest rates of increase in several years.

Growth in total domestic commercial use of milk in all dairy products ticked up during September–November. Still, a temporary lull in government purchases of dairy products at the end of 2020 was accompanied by a drop in the monthly survey cheese price of more than eighty cents a pound from November to December. This took the Class III price down by $7.62 /cwt from the previous month. That development in turn reestablished a relatively normal relationship between December federal order class prices, generating mostly positive producer price differentials in the seven component pricing orders for the first time since last May.

Shipments overseas continued to be a bright spot in the dairy economy. Although slipping some in November from prior monthly pandemic levels, exports for all of 2020 remain on track to hit a record level of milk solids exported during a calendar year.

View full report here: https://www.nmpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dairy-Market-Report-Jan.-2021.pdf.  



Ranch Group Applauds Made in America Executive Order; Asks for m-COOL

Today, R-CALF USA sent a letter supporting President Biden’s Executive Order signed today on Made in America. The letter in its entirety states:

“Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of America’s independent cattle farmers and ranchers we applaud your “Made in America” Executive Order signed today that strengthens buy American provisions and ensures the future of America is made in America by all of America’s workers.

Please know, however, the single largest segment of American agriculture comprised of three-quarters of a million family farmers and ranchers – the U.S. live cattle industry – can neither assist you in carrying out your Order nor benefit at all from your Order. That is because the product produced from their cattle – U.S.-born, -raised, and -harvested beef – is no longer distinguishable from imported beef or beef from imported cattle following Congress’ repeal of the U.S. mandatory country of origin labeling law (m-COOL) for beef in 2015.

Therefore, until your Administration and/or Congress reinstates m-COOL law for beef, your Order as it may apply to directing American-sourced beef for federal procurement programs, including school lunches, will remain untenable and recipients of such programs will as likely as not be receiving beef sourced exclusively from foreign cattle. Even when beef is affixed with a voluntary “Product of U.S.A.” label, that label denotes only that the product has received minimal processing in the U.S., such as being unwrapped from its original package and re-wrapped in a new package.

America’s hard-working family cattle farmers and ranchers deserve the opportunity for both their government and America’s consumers to choose to purchase beef from cattle exclusively born, raised and harvested in the United States. We have drafted proposed legislation to accomplish this important goal and would be pleased to share it with you at your request.

R-CALF USA is the largest producer-only cattle trade association in the United States and we wish to work with you to ensure that America’s family-owned cattle farms and ranches can participate in building a future for America where Americans can choose to purchase American beef, an action that will strengthen America’s domestic food supply chain.”



Crappie Masters-NCGA-RFA Partnership Highlights Benefits of E10 in Marine Engines

Combating the myths that exist about the use of gasoline blended with 10-percent ethanol has been the primary goal of the partnership between Crappie Masters, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail kicked-off over the weekend with a two-day national qualifier at St. Johns River in Deland, Fla., where Robert and Tommy Sellers took home top honors and once again the winners powered their way to victory with E10 fuel.  NCGA and RFA are co-title sponsors for the fifth year in a row.

“We are looking forward to another great season being teamed up with the National Corn Growers Association and Renewable Fuels Association coming off our sixth straight year of all winners of the national tournament trail using E10 fuel in their boat,” said Crappie Masters President Mike Vallentine. “The anglers have been receptive to learning about ethanol fuel and now have full confidence after seeing nothing but positive engine performance results.”

Last year, Crappie Masters expanded their reach by starting state chapters. This structure has been expanded again this year, bringing the total number of state chapters to 16. Because of this, memberships in Crappie Masters tripled, the average age of anglers was reduced, and their social media presence was greatly expanded. The state chapters are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, north Louisiana, south Louisiana, east Mississippi, west Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, middle Tennessee, and west Tennessee.

“The expansion of Crappie Masters gives us an opportunity to reach more anglers and talk about the many benefits of corn-ethanol,” said NCGA Ethanol Action Team Chair and Iowa farmer Mark Recker. “Ethanol is an environmentally friendly fuel additive that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, keeping the waterways anglers’ fish clean.”

“We are excited to get back to educating boaters and anglers on the benefits of using ethanol with the new season and new state chapters,” said RFA Vice President for Industry Relations Robert White. “Winning teams have shown over the years that choosing to use a domestic, renewable, cleaner-burning fuel that helps keep our air and waterways clean is easy, and it can help bring home the trophies, too.”

Crappie Masters Television will also highlight each tournament. The weekly show can be found on the Pursuit Channel, which is on DIRECTV 604, Dish Network 393, Verizon, CenturyLink and Roku.

The next Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail event is Feb. 26-27 at Lake D’Arbonne in Farmerville, La. The 2021 Crappie Masters Tournament Trail season runs through Sept. 25.