Tuesday February 2 Ag News

 LENRD/NRCS Local Working Group Meetings Planned

A Local Working Group that provides advice on the priorities for many U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation programs will meet February 11, 2021 from 5:30pm to 7pm via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting Link can be found below and via the Lower Elkhorn NRD’s website:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85397138634?pwd=WVBaNkZKalQ5ajBPSHRVOXpkTjJWQT09
For audio only, dial:  +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 853 9713 8634
Passcode: 561184

The public is encouraged to attend and express their natural resource concerns. Ideas generated from the public will help the U.S. Department of Agriculture tailor their natural resource programs to meet the needs identified locally.

There is a Local Working Group in each Natural Resources District (NRD).  Membership on the Local Working Group includes Federal, State, county, Tribal or local government representatives according to Robin Sutherland, District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) whose agency guides the Local Working Group.

“The Local Working Group recommends to the NRCS State Conservationist how conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), or Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) would be used most effectively in their area.  This recommendation can include special target areas, cost share rates on conservation programs, which conservation practices should have cost assistance, or how many dollars could be needed,” said Sutherland.  This work group allows local input into how Federal dollars are spent, she said.

Typically, Nebraska NRCS obligates anywhere between $45 million to over $75 million dollars to farmers and ranchers statewide through NRCS conservation programs.  These programs helped landowners and operators make natural resource improvements to their land, water, or wildlife.  This funding was allocated according to the priorities set by the Local Working Group.

For more information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services they provide, contact your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Change of speakers for Platte Valley Cattlemen banquet

There has been a change of speakers for next Saturday’s Platte Valley Cattlemen's Banquet.  Due to a COVID exposure, University of Nebraska Athletic Director Bill Moos is unable to attend. In his place will be University of Nebraska President Ted Carter. It should be a very interesting and they look forward to you joining them at the Humphrey Community Center, Saturday, February 13 with the social hour beginning at 5:30 and later enjoying the band “Side Step”.

See you next Saturday!



DECIPHERING A HAY TEST: CRUDE PROTEIN
– Ben Beckman, NE Extension Educator

Last week we looked at the impact moisture has on a hay analysis and how the dry and as received values are used to develop and feed a ration.  Today, we’ll take a look at crude protein.

Protein values in hay tests are typically reported as percent Crude Protein (CP).  This measures the nitrogen portion of the hay.   For cattle and other ruminants, protein serves two functions.  First, protein is important for a healthy population of rumen microbes.  These microorganisms aid in digesting grasses and hay that the animal alone couldn’t process.  However, a consistent source of protein is needed to maintain a functioning population.

Second, protein is important for animal maintenance and growth.  All animals will require some base level of protein to survive, but growing animals and animals with additional demands like pregnancy or lactation may require even greater amounts.

In some cases, when hay gets too hot, the nitrogen chemically bonds to carbohydrates and is unavailable for an animal to utilize effectively. This often happens when hay is stored with moisture concentration above 20% or when fermented feeds like silage are harvested below 65% moisture. When this happens, crude protein does not accurately represent the available protein.  Often, these feedstuffs are discolored and may have a sweet or tobacco-like odor.

In these cases, adding heat damaged protein or insoluble crude protein test to your analysis is recommended.  This will provide an adjusted crude protein content if more than 10% of the reported crude protein is unavailable for animal use and should be the basis used to form the rations.

Understanding protein in a diet may seem straight forward, but can have a few nuances to keep in mind.  Protein is critical for proper animal growth and maintenance, as well as healthy rumen function and, if you do find feed that was improperly stored, the damaged proteins need an additional heat damaged protein test to provide true availability.  



Study Finds Biofuels Positive Impact on Iowa Economy Remains Strong, But Reduced by Market Challenges

A new study released today finds biofuels continue to have a significant positive impact on Iowa’s economy, but recent market challenges reduced the job and household income impacts of ethanol and biodiesel production in the state.

The study, authored by John Urbanchuk of ABF Economics and commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), found the production of ethanol and biodiesel accounts for nearly $4 billion in state GDP, supports 37,000 direct and indirect jobs, and boosts Iowa household income by $1.8 billion. All three metrics are down 20 to 25 percent compared to 2019.

“Biofuels still provide a major boost to Iowa’s economy, but quite frankly, the report is a wake-up call to redouble our efforts at the state level,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Midwestern states like Iowa must be aggressive to drive local demand for biofuels in a meaningful way, thereby providing a sturdy market foundation, even as we supply the rest of the United States and markets around the world. IRFA will continue to work with Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Legislature to improve our biofuels policies and programs.”

In 2020 Iowa biodiesel production increased slightly, but the COVID-19 pandemic, trade disputes, and Renewable Fuel Standard exemption abuse led to ethanol production decreasing by half a billion gallons compared to the previous year.

“The renewable fuels industry continues to make a significant contribution to the Iowa economy in terms of job creation, household earnings, and state and local tax revenue,” stated Urbanchuk. “Further, policy and regulatory actions taken by Iowa, and other Midwestern states, to boost the use of biofuels locally will provide a buffer from the uncertainty of federal policy and export demand. By creating a larger and more stable local demand situation, Iowa can greatly enlarge the latent economic benefits of biofuels production represented by the more than 800 million gallons of unutilized ethanol production capacity and 50 million gallons of unutilized biodiesel production capacity. Putting this existing manufacturing infrastructure to work would greatly increase the GDP, household income and job benefits related to Iowa biofuels production.”



Naig Presents 2021 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the winners of the 2021 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards are Reif Oil Company from Burlington, Iowa, and Sapp Bros., Inc., from Omaha, Nebraska.

“I’m pleased to present the renewable fuels marketing awards to Reif Oil Company and Sapp Bros., Inc. for their efforts to add more ethanol and biodiesel pumps at convenience stores and travel centers across the state,” said Secretary Naig. “When fuel retailers invest in renewable fuels infrastructure, drivers gain access to more affordable, cleaner-burning fuels at the pump.”

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship launched the Secretary’s Ethanol and Biodiesel Marketing Awards to recognize fuel marketers that have gone above and beyond to build demand and raise awareness of the benefits of renewable fuels.

Secretary’s Ethanol Marketing Award – Reif Oil Company, Burlington, Iowa
Reif Oil Company is a family-owned and -operated small business that was founded in 1978. It sells and distributes fuel across the Midwest, including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. It also operates eight wholly-owned Fast Break convenience stores.

Reif Oil Company began expanding their fuel product portfolio to include high-blend ethanol products with the installation of their first E85 dispenser in 1999. Following significant capital investments to their retail infrastructure over the last several years, they now offer E85 at approximately 14 fueling positions and E15 at approximately 75 fueling positions across their company portfolio.

Reif Oil Company has participated in the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program and was awarded $650,000 through the USDA Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program.

Reif Oil Company is an advocate for renewable fuels and helped Phillips 66 and Shell Oil embrace E15 as a standard fuel. By working collaboratively with brand partners to incorporate E15 into their product offerings, Reif Oil Company is helping expand consumer access to E15 locally. The company is also creating a roadmap for branded fuel marketers across the nation to begin offering E15.

Reif Oil Company was nominated by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association and FUELIowa.

Secretary’s Biodiesel Marketing Award – Sapp Bros., Inc, Omaha, Nebraska
Sapp Bros., Inc. owns 17 full-service travel centers primarily located on Interstate-80 stretching from Utah to Pennsylvania.

Sapp Bros., Inc. began investing in biodiesel in 2005. In 2011, the company started making significant infrastructure investments in biodiesel terminals throughout western Iowa. These investments have grown the company’s blended biodiesel fuel sales to 36 million gallons annually in Iowa.

Sapp Bros., Inc.’s commitment to marketing biodiesel has benefited Iowa’s biodiesel production facilities and the surrounding communities. It has also created additional markets for farmers to sell their feedstocks.

Sapp Bros., Inc. was nominated by FUELIowa and RINAlliance.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Industry
Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel. Iowa has 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 4.5 billion gallons annually. In addition, Iowa has 11 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce over 400 million gallons annually.

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program offers cost-share grants to help fuel retailers install E85 dispensers, blender pumps, biodiesel dispensers and biodiesel storage facilities. To date, the program has distributed or obligated over $38.2 million with $220 million added in private economic activity. The grant program is managed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.



Study Shows Precision Agriculture Improves Environmental Stewardship While Increasing Yields

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), in partnership with the American Soybean Association, CropLife America, and National Corn Growers Association, released a study quantifying how widely available precision agriculture technology improves environmental stewardship while providing economic return for farmers.

Precision agriculture leverages technologies to enhance sustainability through more efficient use of critical inputs, such as land, water, fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides. Farmers who use precision agriculture equipment use less to grow more.

The study highlights how policies and technological advancements can help farmers increase these outcomes.

“We are living in a new age of agriculture, and today’s precision technology on equipment can have an enormous positive impact on farmers and the environment,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Agriculture at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.  “One of our goals at AEM is to encourage the adoption of these technologies by more farmers, so they can all reap the benefits as we continue to focus on sustainability.”

Environmental Benefits
The study explores five key environmental benefits achieved through precision agriculture technology adoption, including:
    Yield benefit through increased efficiency
    Fertilizer reduction by more precise placement
    Pesticide reduction by more accurate application
    Fuel savings due to less overlap and better monitoring
    Water savings through more accurate sensing of needs

“Over the past 18 years, the growth in corn and soybean yields, for example, has coincided with the widespread adoption of precision agriculture technologies,” said John Linder, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President. “As precision agriculture technologies become more widely adopted, there is the potential for significant upward movement in yields and savings.”

Part of Climate Answer
“The reductions in greenhouse gases this study illustrates shows modern agriculture is part of the climate solution,” said Kellie Bray, CropLife America (CLA) Chief of Staff. “Fuel savings alone due to precision ag tools is the yearly equivalent of taking nearly 200,000 cars off the road, all while preventing an area equal to 4.5 Yellowstone National Parks from being added to production because of yield increases.”

Study Highlights
As precision agriculture equipment and technologies are more widely adopted it will lead to significant increases in yields and further input savings: Significant increases in yields and further input savings can be reached as precision agriculture technologies become more widely adopted:
    Productivity has increased an estimated 4% and has the potential to further increase 6 percent with broader adoption.
    Precision agriculture has improved fertilizer placement efficiency by an estimated 7 percent and has the potential to further improve an additional 14 percent.
    Herbicide use has been reduced by an estimated 9% and has the potential to further decrease 15 percent at full adoption.
    Fossil fuel use has decreased an estimated 6 percent with the potential to further decrease 16 percent.
    Water use has decreased an estimated 4 percent because of current precision agriculture adoption with the potential to further decrease 21 percent at full adoption.

Overcoming Barriers
“Soybean growers know from experience that precision agriculture contributes to both short-term and, importantly, long-term yield, environmental, and economic benefits, and this study helps quantify that progress,” says Kevin Scott, South Dakota soy grower and American Soybean Association (ASA) president. “But if we want to get to full adoption of the technology—and realize the immense industry-wide gains in yield and input savings—we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”

AEM, ASA, CLA, and NCGA are working together to advance technologies and practices that will bring pledge to work together on ideas that will bring the potential the study highlights to fruition:
    Promote policies that incentivize innovations in agricultural production
    Improve the infrastructure that makes precision agriculture possible, including wireless broadband over croplands and rangelands
    Grow farm income so producers have capital to invest in their operations
    Increase consumer communication about the environmental benefits of precision agriculture



Fischer Questions Agriculture Secretary Nominee Thomas Vilsack at Senate Confirmation Hearing

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today questioned Thomas Vilsack, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, during his Senate confirmation hearing:

“Agriculture is central to Nebraska’s economy, and during today’s hearing I asked Secretary Vilsack how he plans to address the challenges facing ag producers. He committed to working with me on key issues such as the lack of price discovery in cattle markets and updating beef labeling policies. I will support his nomination and work with him to provide certainty for Nebraska agriculture,” said Senator Fischer.

Last month, Senator Fischer met with Secretary Vilsack virtually to discuss the issues important to Nebraska’s ag producers.



ASA Pleased Vilsack Approved by Senate Ag Committee

The Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday afternoon approved President Biden's nomination of Tom Vilsack to return to the helm of USDA as Secretary of Agriculture.

Kevin Scott, soy grower from South Dakota and president of the American Soybean Association commented, “We recognize the experience Vilsack brings to the role, having served as agriculture secretary eight years during the Obama administration and also as a former governor of Iowa, a significant soy and agriculture state.”

ASA is hopeful that the full Senate will swiftly confirm Vilsack’s nomination.



ACE Thanks Senate Ag Committee for Raising Biofuel Issues, Expresses Approval of Vilsack for USDA Secretary

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held its hearing to consider the nomination of Tom Vilsack to return to the position of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture today. American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings issued the following statement thanking biofuel senate champions for raising biofuel issues during the hearing and expressing support for Vilsack’s confirmation:

“ACE thanks Ag Committee Senators Amy Klobuchar (MN), Chuck Grassley (IA), Tina Smith (MN), John Thune (SD) and Joni Ernst (IA) for raising important biofuel questions so Secretary Vilsack could reaffirm his support for the ethanol industry during the hearing. ACE looks forward to Secretary Vilsack’s continued strong advocacy for farmers and renewable fuel producers within the Biden administration as he demonstrated in this role under President Obama.

“We particularly look forward to USDA working with EPA to help get the Renewable Fuel Standard back on track and to recognize the role ethanol is already playing to address climate change, including new research that shows the great strides the industry has made. We also appreciate Vilsack’s vocalized commitments to utilizing and increasing resources to build out infrastructure for higher ethanol blends and looking for opportunities to help ethanol producers hurt from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Finally, we agree farmers have a role to play in addressing climate change, and we intend to work with USDA to ensure systems and markets are in place to reward farmers and biofuel producers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”



NAWG Applauds Senate Panel Action on Secretary Vilsack, Calls for Quick Senate Approval

Today, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a confirmation hearing for President Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and followed with a quick Committee vote this afternoon. NAWG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chandler Goule made the following statement in response.

“Today, Secretary Vilsack demonstrated his qualifications for the job and his vast knowledge of issues important to production agriculture. During his previous tenure as Secretary, NAWG had a great working relationship with Secretary Vilsack and his staff and look forward to him resuming his role at USDA. There are many challenges confronting wheat farmers across the country and it is critical that the incoming Administration fill the many staff vacancies at USDA. We call on the full Senate to move this nomination forward as quickly as possible.”



DMC Margin Falls in December; Payments Expected Well Into 2021

The monthly margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program dropped by $3.09 per cwt in November to $8.78 per cwt in December, mostly driven by lower milk prices, generating payments to producers under the USDA’s flagship risk-management program.

The all-milk price declined by $2.80 per cwt for the month, mostly because of a substantially lower December cheese price. The DMC margin was further lowered by a $0.29 per cwt boost in the feed cost added to it. On a per hundredweight of milk basis, the higher feed cost consisted of cost increases of 19 cents, 7 cents and 3 cents for corn, soybean meal, and alfalfa hay, respectively.

The December margin will generate a payment of $0.72 per cwt for $9.50 per cwt coverage that month; for the year, average DMC payments were $0.73 per cwt per month.

Current futures prices indicate that the monthly all-milk price in 2021 won’t rise above the December level until late summer, while corn and soybean meal prices will remain above December levels at least that long. That means monthly DMC payments will remain above the 2020 average for many months to come.



CWT assists member export sales of 12.7 million pounds in January

CWT assisted member cooperatives in securing 79 contracts resulting in sales of 3 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 3.3 million pounds of butter, 985,466 pounds of anhydrous milkfat (AMF), 3 million pounds of whole milk powder, and 2.4 pounds of cream cheese. The product is going to 56 customers in 15 countries in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, North Africa, Oceania and South America. The product will be shipped during the months of January through June 2021.

These transactions will move the equivalent of 170.2 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis overseas.

Assisting CWT member cooperatives to gain and maintain world market share through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term expands the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



International Leadership Experience for Soybean Farmers Adjusted to Eight-Week Program

Most would agree that farming requires flexibility. Farmer may have to adjust to weather conditions, soil fertility, pest pressures or countless other factors. The same holds true for a new program that has been introduced by the United Soybean Board (USB) to support leadership development. The opportunity, presented by the IFYE Association through funding from USB recognizes the value an international experience can have on young leaders.

In late October, state soybean checkoff organizations were contacted about a new international leadership opportunity for soybean farmers and family members who participate in the soybean check off program. The initial announcement focused on a three-month program living in another country. Based on feedback from young soybean professionals, that has now been adjusted to eight weeks, to reduce time away from operations and better meet the needs of applicants. Research shows that in-depth international experience can have a profound influence on future leadership success.

“IFYE has added flexibility to the program timeline as outlined in the original proposal for this experience. It is much more than a visit,” said Dan Farney, USB Chair and Illinois Farmer. “The opportunity for participants to live and participate with residents, and interact with leaders and officials of another country, enhances leadership skills that last a lifetime.”

Eight individuals will be selected for this opportunity. Candidates interested in this soybean-focused leadership opportunity need to apply by completing and submitting the IFYE application. The application process and interviews will soon be concluding followed by final selections confirmed by USB. Once final selections are confirmed a teleconference orientation will begin that is slated to start in early March. Plans are for participants to depart for their host countries in June. The program will conclude after eight weeks, and will include a debriefing with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service in Washington, D.C.  More information about the program is available on the IFYE website at ifyeusa.org under exchange programs.

USB is partnering with IFYE, formerly known as the International Farm Youth Exchange. This 72-year-old international exchange organization offers a customized international leadership experience for soybean industry young adults age 19 and above. The young leaders selected for this USB program will live with two to three host families, spend time at the U.S. Embassy for a first-hand trade relations experience with USDA Foreign Agriculture Service staff, meet with in-country government agriculture officials, agriculture leaders, and may include experiences at in-country soybean processing facilities.



Meat and Poultry Workers COVID-19 Case Rates 60 Percent Lower than General U.S. Population

New analysis of independent data show that reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers are 60% lower than in the general U.S. population and two-thirds lower than case rates in the sector in May 2020.

According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN), the meat and poultry sector was reported to have an average of 32.64 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in January 2021, two-thirds lower than the average of 98.39 new reported cases per 100,000 workers per day in May 2020.

The New York Times reports that in January 2021, the average new case rate for the U.S. population climbed to 78.59 cases per 100,000 people per day, more than 11 times higher than the new case rate in May.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:

"Meat and poultry workers are substantially less likely to be infected with COVID-19 than the general population as a result of the comprehensive protections instituted since the spring of 2020, when the pandemic’s impact on our sector peaked.

"Meat Institute members are fully committed to continuing these proven measures and moving forward to vaccinate frontline meat and poultry workers as soon as possible and many can even assist in vaccine distribution for all Americans.”

Since the Meat Institute and the United Food & Commercial Workers, America’s largest food workers union, jointly urged state governors to follow federal guidance and prioritize frontline meat and poultry workers for COVID-19 vaccination, employers have taken concrete steps to educate workers about vaccination and facilitate access to vaccines.



Organic Valley to Pioneer use of Satellite Technology to Improve Pasture Grazing

Organic Valley is launching a pilot program that uses satellite photography to measure pasture health on its dairy farms, providing its farmers with nearly real-time feedback every week to support dairy herd nutrition, protect and improve their pastures, and benefit the environment.

Organic Valley farmers divide their perennial pastures into smaller sections called paddocks, and move their herds frequently between them based on the maturity and quality of forage available. This frequent movement is known as “intensive rotational grazing,” and is a key practice within regenerative farming systems.

Organic Valley is the nation's largest organic, farmer-owned cooperative and one of the world's largest organic consumer brands. Nationwide, Organic Valley farmers manage more than 189,000 acres of pastureland.

“Rotational grazing requires farmers to measure the forage in each paddock on a regular basis, a manual and time-intensive practice,” said Wade Miller, Organic Valley senior director of farm resources. “Satellite photos measure the forage in each paddock remotely, greatly easing the farmer’s labor and time burden. Based on university trials, we expect our farmers will be able to capture at least a 20% increase in pasture utilization through the use of this technology.”

As an innovator in regenerative farming practices, Organic Valley cows spend more time grazing outside than 95% of the dairy cows in the United States. Benefits of this practice include:
    Improved pasture and soil health, greater biodiversity, improved water quality, and resource conservation.
    Pastures that pull carbon out of the air and store it in the soil and plant biomass, helping counteract climate change.
    Happier, healthier cows that spend their days with other cattle, outside in the fresh air.

“Through this pilot program, we will test the technology on a cross-section of farms nationwide in 2021, and will make it available to all Organic Valley farms in 2022,” Miller added.