Monday February 15 Ag News

Cuming County Beef for Schools needs restocked
Keith Kreikemeier, President, Cuming Co. Feeders
 
We are out of beef for our Beef for Schools program.  ASC Lockers will have a Federal inspector there this Wed - Fri ( Feb 17-19, all 3 days).  If you have anything that would qualify, please call ASC Lockers to set up an appointment.  They also take cull cows & bulls for the Beef for Schools program.  You will NOT be responsible for the processing charge as we have donors to cover that.  
 
ASC Lockers:  402-372-6956
Other Beef for Schools questions: Pat Meiergerd - 402.380.8314  cell  -or-  402.372.2904  office




 Farm Bureau Day at the Nebraska Ag Expo

The second-largest indoor farm show in the U.S. and newly named Nebraska Ag Expo (formerly the Nebraska Power Farming Show) is gearing up for farmers and ranchers February 23-25 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln. Presented by Farm Credit Services of America and AgDirect, the 14th annual farming show will showcase the broadest mix of ag technology, equipment and services found under one roof. Farm Bureau members are encouraged to stop by the Nebraska Farm Bureau booth – #2111 in Pavilion 2 – and visit Farm Bureau member benefit partners at the show.

During COVID-19, safety is a top priority. “We have been working closely with the Lancaster Event Center and Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to determine all the necessary precautions we must take to have a safe and successful Expo,” said Tom Junge, expo director. The event will feature six easy-to-access entrances, wider aisles, additional lunch seating and extra staff to help keep facilities clean and sanitized.

“We urge Farm Bureau members to stop by the Nebraska Farm Bureau booth to receive a member appreciation gift and a Farm Bureau cup for free drinks all three days of the show. In addition, members can enter for a chance to win a remote-controlled cooler from Ford, a surprise gift from MEDICA and tools from Grainger. On Nebraska Farm Bureau Day (Wednesday, February 24) the first 100 people to visit the Farm Bureau booth will also receive a mystery gift,” said Lisa Klutz, director of member benefits, Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Spread across 9.2 acres, the ag expo features the broadest mix of ag-related products and services in the Midwest. Show hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8:30 am to 3 pm on Thursday. Register online for FREE admission at NebraskaAgExpo.com.

“This year, several member benefit partners will have booths alongside Nebraska Farm Bureau. MEDICA and Farm Bureau Financial Services will have staff on hand to answer insurance questions and Ford will have several new vehicles on display. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the various savings programs available, such as Farm Bureau members receiving $500 Bonus Cash on the purchase/lease of eligible new Ford vehicles and $750 Bonus Cash on eligible new Lincoln vehicles,” said Klutz.

“Don’t forget to pick up a red farmer or rancher T-shirt for yourself,” added Klutz. The cost is $10 per shirt, and the money goes to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “Through the work of the Foundation, K-12 students and teachers develop an awareness and understanding of the importance of agriculture in their lives.”

Klutz added, “We look forward to visiting with you at the Nebraska Farm Bureau booth #2111 in Pavilion 2!”

90 NEW Exhibitors at Nebraska Ag Expo
With 90 NEW exhibitors, the Nebraska Ag Expo is the place to be to see the latest agriculture products and services. Here are some new products to check out:

Agtronix [Booth 1223] The Feedpro™ product line offers a continuous flow mixing system consisting of multiple units working together. A superb quality of mix is obtained because each ingredient is added to the other ingredients flowing through the collection auger.

Pattern Ag [Booth 1411] Starting with the belief that the next level of yield gains will be unlocked by the living layer of soil Pattern Ag uses the latest in DNA sequencing to characterize soil biology in enough detail to understand and act on it!

RealmFive Agriculture [Booth 1639] – RealmFive provides the best wireless connectivity built for agriculture, empowering operations with simple, reliable and scalable connectivity.

Hydro Rain [Booth 2238] The B-hyve AG center pivot remote monitoring and control system from Hydro Rain is a FREE subscription service that provides the ability to monitor and control center pivot irrigation systems from a smart connected device.

Metos USA [Booth 2303] Become more efficient with farm & land monitoring solutions that monitor your micro-climate in real-time to make informed decisions, including soil moisture, weather, pests, disease and more.

Razor Tracking [Booth 2513] Razor Tracking’s Agriculture Fleet Management allows farmers the capability of both fleet tracking and asset tracking to manage their entire farm, from equipment to employees.

Artex Mfg. [Booth 3003] The ARTEX Mfg. Trax units spread materials up to 60 feet with the cyclone attachment, getting the job done without compacting soil. Add on the Raven optional variable rate system to spread with perfect precision and a lot less work.

PhiBer Manufacturing [Booth 3541] The PhiBer Manufacturing Dash is designed to increase sprayer efficiency while keeping chemicals separated. On average, an additional 320 acres per day can be completed, increasing sprayer capacity by up to 20%.

Fendt [Booth 4101] See the newly released Fendt tracked tractors at the Nebraska Ag Expo! The Fendt 1100 Vario MT tractors range from 511 - 673 hp with four models including the 1167 Vario MT, the largest two-tracked tractor in the market at 673 hp. The Fendt 900 Vario MT includes three models ranging from 380 - 431 hp.

Show hours run 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and 8:30 am to 3:00 pm Thursday. Register online for FREE admission at NebraskaAgExpo.com.

The Nebraska Ag Expo is produced by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association in conjunction with local Nebraska and Iowa farm equipment dealerships. The show is sponsored by: Diamond Sponsor – Farm Credit Services of America and AgDirect; Platinum Sponsor – Nebraska Farm Bureau; Gold Sponsors – Stine Seed Company and Sukup Manufacturing; and Media Sponsors – Midwest Messenger and Rural Radio Network.

The Nebraska Ag Expo. New name. Same great show!



2021 Beef Feedlot Rountables available via webinar

Beef feedlot managers, owners, employees and allied industries will learn new information related to feedlot management at Nebraska Extension’s 2021 Beef Feedlot Roundtables via webinar in February and March.

“We are hoping feedyard employees and managers find useful information here to use in their own operations and can find a flexible time one of these two weeks to join us,” said Galen Erickson, beef feedlot nutrition specialist. “These will replace our in-person meetings we normally provide across the state annually in February.”

For producer ease of use, the 2021 webinar will offer three separate sessions on either Feb. 23, 24, and 25 from noon to 2 p.m. Central Time (CT) or March 2, 3, and 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. Central Time (CT) to fit people’s schedules at one of two offered times. Topics will repeat each week.  

University and industry leading representatives will speak about animal handling practices, fed cattle marketing, research updates, the value of manure, using cover crops and more.  

The webinar series begins Feb. 23 with Jesse Fulton, Nebraska’s new Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance Coordinator, by sharing the ins and outs of feedyard audits. Following an overview on audits, Ruth Wiowode, assistant professor of animal science, will present on animal handling certification options, and Brian Vander Ley, assistant professor and veterinary epidemiologist within IANR’s Great Plains Veterinary and Educational Center, will discuss having a secure beef plan that will benefit livestock producers and veterinarians.  

Cattle marketing has been a challenge this past year, and some new policies are being used in the industry. Ashley Kohls with Nebraska Cattlemen and Elliott Dennis with UNL will discuss these policies and implications for feedyards. New research pertaining to beef nutrition and management will be also be shared mid-webinar by Nebraska Feedlot Extension Specialist Galen Erickson. Topics from the 2021 beef report include growing calf and yearling management, genetic selection tools, animal behavior, nutrient management and more.

Concluding the webinar series will be perceptions of manure’s value and what feedyards should know about using cover crops presented by the Rick Koelsch, UNL professor of biological systems engineering, and Mary Drewnowski, beef extension specialist.  

Full webinar schedule is as follows:

Feb. 23, from noon-2 p.m. or March 2, from 3-5
    Feedyard Audit: Jesse Fulton, Nebraska BQA
    Animal Handling: Ruth Wiowode, UNL
    Secure Beef Plan: Brian Vander Ley, GPVEC

Feb 24, from noon – 2 p.m., or March 3 from 3-5  
    Policy Implications for Fed Cattle Marketing: Ashley Kohls, Nebraska Cattlemen; Elliott Dennis, UNL
    Research Update: Galen Erickson, UNL

Feb 25, from noon -2 p.m. or March 4, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
    Perceptions of Manure’s value: Rick Koelsch, UNL
    What Feedyards Should Know about Using Cover Crops: Mary Drewnoski, UNL

Register for the February webinars here https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwsde2srj4sG93JCTOQXpnQYTqxLzlbtVBn, and for the March webinars here https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlcOuopzgoG9cSU7EufJKVnLmwoKgfzaT1.   

For more information or to request a registration form, contact Galen Erickson at 402-472-6402 or gerickson4@unl.edu.

2021 Beef Feedlot Roundtables are sponsored by Nebraska Extension.



How Valuabull?
Aaron Berger – NE Extension Educator

The spring bull sale season is underway.   Catalogs are being studied, EPDs and individual animal performance numbers are being compared, and choices are being made as to which bulls will be the next herd sires. One of the primary drivers in the choice of which bull will be bought is the bull’s price. The perceived breeding value and the expected value of a bull’s offspring are evaluated by the potential purchaser and compared to the bull’s price. As long as the perceived value the bull is expected to bring to the operation exceeds the bull’s cost then the bidding continues.  

When evaluating how much one can afford to pay for a bull, remember to take into account not only the bull’s purchase price, but also the annual care and feed cost that will be associated with using that bull to sire calves. The expected cull value of the bull when he leaves the herd should be credited against the cost of ownership. When all of these costs and credits are taken into account, then the total expected bull cost can be calculated.

Next consider how prolific you expect a bull to be in siring calves.   The expected number of years of service, the bull to cow ratio and expected pregnancy rates all impact total calves sired.   Once this expected number is tabulated, then bull cost per calf produced can be calculated.

Bull costs can be a significant expense to the cow-calf enterprise. Nebraska Extension has developed an Excel® spreadsheet tool called the “Breeding Cost Cow-Q-Lator” https://beef.unl.edu/breeding-cost-cow-q-lator that provides producers with a framework from which to calculate what estimated bull breeding costs are per cow and per calf produced.

This spreadsheet also allows producers to compare the cost of using natural service to artificial insemination (A.I.) and to evaluate that as a breeding opportunity. The benefits of estrus synchrony, proven success of fixed time A.I., combined with the prospect of using the best bulls in the industry can make A.I. a cost-effective option to use alone or in combination with natural service.

Conclusion
Taking the time to evaluate breeding expenses and bull cost based on cost per calf produced or cost per pound of calf produced can give insight into the value of a bull. The “Breeding Cost Cow-Q-Lator” can be a helpful tool for producers to utilize in evaluating what they can afford to spend on a bull in comparison to the expected value he will produce.



Cattle brand reform: Keep it simple, fair for all producers.

     Two bills to change the state’s system of livestock brands would amount to a tax shift, favoring large operators and disfavoring smaller operators, the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska said at hearings Feb. 9 before the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee.

     One bill, LB 572, would give the 100 registered feedlots in Nebraska an additional discount on brand inspection, but it would hike fees for cow-calf producers and most of the feedlots in the state.

     The other bill, LB 571, would create a registration system for backgrounder feedlots, so they could receive steep discounts too.

     On the other hand, fees would dramatically increase to renew brand registrations and to register a new brand. Brand inspectors would charge for the miles they travel to inspect livestock at ranches, and bill an hourly fee to research brand records.

     The brand inspection fee would decrease by just 5-cents per head for two years for most cattle owners, than have a new cap of $1.50 per head. However, the 25-cents to 50-cents per head currently being paid by the registered feedlots would be cut in half.

     “It’s a shift,” ICON’s Dave Wright said. “The burden falls on the smaller operator, so the brand inspection fee for big feedlots can be reduced even more than it is already.”

     Currently, registered feedlots pay an inspection fee based on their one-time annual capacity, which they turn twice or more a year, not the actual cattle that come and go.

     The Independent Cattlemen (ICON) favors a simple alternative, LB 614, which would eliminate the category of registered feedlots in Nebraska. That way, every cattle owner would pay the same $1 per head inspection fee with the potential for a future reduction for All.

     Dr. Don Cain, DVM, urged the committee not to advance either LB 571 or LB 572, and Cain talked about the fragile nature of electronic ID tags, which is another trend in big feedlots.

     The need for cattle ownership verification by a third party is self-evident, Cain said, citing examples of significant cattle thefts, fraud and corruption. He noted that electronic IDs can be lost, removed or replaced without penalty; and that electronic IDs rely on radio frequencies and technologies that are ever-changing.

     Electronic IDs pose significant costs for ranchers as well as jeopardize the privacy of business records if herd information were to be hacked.

     Electronic IDs do not leave a paper trail. On the other hand, Nebraska’s existing system, with brand and a physical inspection on each animal and a paper trail whenever the animal changes owners, provides solid evidence of ownership when questions arise.

     ICON urges cattle owners to call the Senators on the Legislature’s Agriculture Committee and urge them to kill LB 571 and 572, and to Advance LB 614.



Livestock Inventory Records Important for Disaster Programs

Nebraska producers are reminded to keep updated livestock inventory records. These records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster and are an important part of disaster assistance program applications, including applications for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP).

When disasters strike, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist producers who suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to eligible natural disasters.

To participate in livestock disaster assistance programs, producers will be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is apparent. For grazing or feed losses, producers must submit a notice of loss to their local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent and should maintain documentation and receipts.

To be eligible for livestock deaths, producers must submit evidence to support their losses. Some examples of records that could be used to help support a claim include: veterinary records, contemporaneous producer records, veterinary certification existing at the time of the event, balance sheets, brand inspection records, loan records, docking records, bank statements, shearing records, farm credit balance sheets, property tax records, ear tag records, trucking and/or livestock hauling records, sales and purchase receipts, inventory records used for tax purposes, private insurance documents, chattel inspections, and canceled check documentation.

To be eligible for livestock injuries, producers must submit one of the following documents that indicate an injured animal: sales receipt from a livestock auction, sale barn or other similar livestock sales facility; private insurance documents; or processing plant receipt. At a minimum, these records must include livestock kind, type, and weight, and the price for which the animal was sold.

For more information on documentation requirements associated with receiving disaster-related assistance, contact your local FSA office.



Study Finds the Iowa Biofuel Standards Legislation Will Grow Iowa’s Economy, Boost State and Local Tax Revenue

A study released today finds the Iowa Biofuel Standards legislation will support thousands of new Iowa jobs and hundreds of millions in new household income over the next five years, while boosting state and local tax revenue.

The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) found the Iowa Biofuel Standards bill, HSB 185/SSB 1179, will support more than 3,500 new jobs and generate nearly $550 in household income by 2026. It will also add over $450 million to Iowa’s GDP, which in turn generates an estimated $182 million in new state and local tax revenue by 2026. The study expects the benefits to continue to increase after the five-year period analyzed in the study.

“If you look at it from a state of Iowa standpoint, from a consumer standpoint, from a taxpayer standpoint, this is a really good piece of legislation,” Shaw said. “The Iowa Biofuel Standards will boost farm income and support thousands of jobs while generating millions in tax revenue to help with Iowa’s economic recovery. The standards bill will create stable market demand for Iowa farmers and biofuels producers right here in Iowa, provide retailers with the resources they need to upgrade infrastructure to offer higher biofuel blends, and give consumers greater access to cleaner, lower-cost fuel options. It will do all of this while also adding to the bottom line of both Iowa families and the state’s general fund. It’s a win all the way around.”

Governor Kim Reynolds introduced the bill into the Iowa Legislature last week to establish biofuel standards for fuel sold across Iowa and provide Iowa retailers with increased funding to upgrade infrastructure to offer higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel. The bill sets a 10 percent minimum ethanol standard for gasoline fuel and an 11 percent minimum biodiesel standard for diesel fuel. Both standards have limited exceptions. The biodiesel standard would step up to 20 percent biodiesel blends during the summers beginning in 2024. The governor would have the discretion to increase the ethanol standard to 15 percent blends beginning in 2025.

The bill also budgets $5 million from Iowa’s general fund for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) on top of $5 million from the separate Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund called for in the Governor’s budget proposal. RFIP is a public-private partnership that provides cost-share grants for retailers to upgrade fueling equipment to offer higher biofuel blends. The bill also contains reforms to existing biofuels tax credits to more than offset the increase in RFIP funding, leaving tens of millions of additional tax dollars in the state’s general fund over the next five years.



Students Celebrate Agriculture and Leadership Around the Country

Agriculture is part of our daily lives—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Next week, more than 760,000 FFA members across the country will share the story of agriculture as part of National FFA Week.

Today, FFA provides the next generation of leaders who will change the world. As the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the nation, FFA helps young people meet new agricultural challenges by helping members develop their unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. FFA members are our future leaders, our future food-suppliers, our future innovators and so much more!

Whether it is through service projects or community gatherings, National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in developing agriculture's future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.

National FFA Week always runs Saturday to Saturday and encompasses Feb. 22, George Washington's birthday. This year, the week kicks off on Feb. 20 and culminates on Saturday, Feb. 27.

The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of Washington's legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more.

National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to share agriculture with their fellow students as well as their communities. Chapters also give back to their communities through service projects during FFA Week. For example, during FFA Week, the Cleveland FFA chapter in Minnesota will be hosting a supply drive for the local humane society. In Arkansas, Clarksville High School FFA will be reviving the old community garden. Richland High School FFA chapter in North Carolina plans to organize a food drive and Wheatland FFA in Montana will be building park benches. These are just a few examples of how FFA members will be living to serve in their communities.

During FFA Week, the six national FFA officers will connect virtually with chapters across the country –delivering keynotes, greetings, workshops and more!

National FFA Week is also a time for alumni and supporters to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. Alumni and Supporters will celebrate Alumni Day on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and on  Thursday,  Feb. 25, the National FFA Foundation will celebrate Give FFA Day, a 24-hour campaign encouraging the public to support various needs impacting FFA members. If interested in giving, one can visit FFA.org/GiveFFADay. Friday, Feb. 26, all FFA members and supporters are encouraged to wear blue and show their FFA pride!

National FFA Week will be featured on social media as well. Follow the #FFAweek hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and don’t miss @NationalFFA Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat posts.

The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 760,000 student members as part of 8,700 local FFA chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.



Caulfield to address misinformation in the time of COVID-19 at 2021 Virtual Summit

Timothy Caulfield, author and professor of health law and science policy at the University of Alberta, is slated to speak at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2021 Virtual Stakeholders Summit, set primarily for May 5-6. In his keynote presentation, Caulfield will provide his take on addressing misinformation in the time of COVID-19. His latest book, Your Day, Your Way: The Fact and Fiction Behind Your Daily Decisions, will be available at a discounted rate for purchase during registration. Early registration discounts are available through February 28. To register, visit http://bit.ly/AnimalAgSummit.

“In the times of a global pandemic, the dissemination of accurate and research-based information is even more paramount,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of strategic engagement. “Unfortunately, animal rights activists never miss the chance to capitalize on fear and confusion and have repeatedly attempted to tie animal agriculture to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it more important than ever that we engage and communicate factual information. Timothy Caulfield will share valuable insights into how we can turn the communication obstacles of 2020 into engagement opportunities for decades to come.”

Professor Timothy Caulfield is an unrivaled communicator who debunks myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector — from research on stem cells to diets to alternative medicine — for the benefit of the public and decision-makers. Caulfield is the recipient of numerous academic and writing awards, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. In addition, he is the author of several bestselling books including The Cure for Everything: Untangling the Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness and Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash. Caulfield is the host and co-producer of the award-winning documentary TV show, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death.

The Alliance’s annual Summit brings together thought leaders in the agriculture and food industries to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas to connect everyone along the food chain, engage influencers and protect the future of animal agriculture. The 2021 event, themed “Obstacles to Opportunities,” is scheduled for May 5-6 with preconference webinars planned for the five business days prior.

The Virtual Summit agenda featuring many of the exciting and high-caliber speakers you can expect to see at the 2021 event has been posted on the Virtual Summit registration website. Sessions will highlight ways to position animal agriculture as a path forward to climate neutrality, how to elevate the voices of farmers in dialogues surrounding food and agriculture and strategies for virtual stakeholder and influencer engagement.

Be sure to check the Virtual Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA21 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

Get involved:
Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2021 sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/stakeholders-summit/. For more information, contact Casey Kinler at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.

Thank you to our 2021 Summit sponsors: Watt Global Media, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Smithfield, National Pork Board, American Feed Industry Association, United Egg Producers, Country Folks, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit, National Biodiesel Board, Cobb Vantress, Inc., Protect the Harvest, Progressive Dairyman, The National Provisioner, Kemin, American Veal Association, National Chicken Council, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, North Carolina Farm Bureau and Eggland’s Best.

The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Merck Animal Health, C.O.nxt, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, Dairy Farmers of America, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc. and Seaboard Foods.