Tuesday July 6 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending July 4, 2021, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 36% short, 56% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 38% short, 53% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 14% fair, 53% good, and 29% excellent. Corn silking was 2%, near 4% last year, and behind 9% for the five-year average.

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 2% poor, 16% fair, 56% good, and 24% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 46%, ahead of 39% last year and 27% average. Setting pods was 2%, near 4% last year and 1% average.

Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 24% fair, 52% good, and 13% excellent. Winter wheat harvested was 7%, behind 14% last year and 16% average.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 14% fair, 63% good, and 22% excellent. Sorghum headed was 2%, behind 7% last year, and near 6% average.

Oats condition rated 4% very poor, 9% poor, 31% fair, 47% good, and 9% excellent. Oats headed was 97%, near 96% last year and 95% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 12% fair, 76% good, and 12% excellent. Dry edible beans emerged was 95%, equal to last year. Blooming was 4%, near 7% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 4% very poor, 10% poor, 57% fair, 25% good, and 4% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Apart from Southeastern Iowa, little to no precipitation allowed farmers 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 4, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included spraying post emergence herbicides and harvesting hay.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 14% very short, 36% short, 48% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 18% very short, 45% short, 34% adequate and 3% surplus. Moisture levels vary widely as subsoil moisture levels in northwest Iowa rated 84% short to very short while levels in southeast Iowa rated 84% adequate to surplus.

Spotty rains benefitted crops but farmers reported more moisture is needed, especially in the northern two-thirds of the State. Across Iowa, there were scattered reports of corn silking. Iowa’s corn condition rated 62% good to excellent.

Thirty-nine percent of soybeans were blooming, 6 days ahead of the five-year average. Five percent of soybeans are setting pods, 5 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 59% good to excellent.

Oats headed or beyond reached 94% with 50% turning color, 4 days ahead of normal. There were scattered reports of oats for grain being harvested. Iowa’s oat condition rated 55% good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 30% complete, 1 day behind the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 54% good to excellent.

Pasture condition was rated 39% good to excellent. Producers reported heat stressed livestock. Some producers had to start supplemental feeding.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report

National condition ratings for corn and soybeans held mostly steady last week, but good-to-excellent ratings for both crops remain the third lowest in the past 12 years, USDA NASS said in its weekly Crop Progress report on Tuesday. The report is normally released on Mondays but was delayed this week due to the Independence Day holiday.

Nationwide, corn condition was rated 64% good to excellent as of Sunday, July 4, unchanged from the previous week. That is the third-lowest good-to-excellent rating for corn in 12 years, only higher than in 2012 and 2019.  Corn silking was estimated at 10%, slightly ahead of 9% last year but behind the five-year average of 14%.

Nationwide, soybean conditions also held mostly steady, falling just 1 percentage point last week to reach 59% good to excellent as of Sunday. As with corn, that puts this year's current good-to-excellent rating at the third-lowest in the past 12 years.  NASS estimated that 29% of the crop was blooming as of Sunday, equal to last year's pace but 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 24%. Three percent of soybeans were setting pods, equal to the five-year average.

Spring wheat conditions continued to slide last week as hot, dry weather continued to roast northern and western parts of the country. As of Sunday, spring wheat was rated just 16% in good-to-excellent condition, down another 4 percentage points from 20% the previous week. That remains the lowest rating for the crop since 1988.  Sixty-nine percent of the spring wheat crop was headed, 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 62%.

Winter wheat harvest slowed somewhat last week due to rain in parts of the Southern Plains. Nationwide, harvest progressed 12 percentage points during the week to reach 45% complete as of Sunday. That is 8 percentage points behind the five-year average of 53%.  Winter wheat condition -- for the portion of the crop still in fields -- was rated 47% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from 48% the previous week.

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Disease Reports from the UNL Diagnostic Clinic
Kyle Broderick - Extension Educator and Coordinator of the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic

The following diseases were reported in samples submitted to the UNL Plant & Pest Diagnostic Lab from June 15-June 30.

Soybean
East District — Phytophthora root and stem rot, Rhizoctonia damping off, Fusarium root rot, Phyllosticta leaf spot
Southeast District — Phytophthora root and stem rot, Rhizoctonia damping off
North District — Rhizoctonia damping off, Bacterial blight

Corn
East District — Fusarium root rot
Southeast District — Rhizoctonia damping off, Fusarium root rot
South District — Fusarium root rot

Wheat
East District — Wheat streak mosaic virus, Septoria leaf spot, Tan spot, Black Chaff, Stripe rust, Leaf rust
Southeast District — Wheat streak mosaic virus, Tan spot, Septoria leaf spot
Southwest District — Wheat streak mosaic virus, Black chaff
South District — Wheat streak mosaic virus, Fusarium Head Blight

Resources
Find more information and photos about each of these diseases in the Crop Disease Management section of CropWatch for Wheat, Soybean, and Corn. If you'd like to submit a sample to the clinic for diagnosis, check out this CW story, Quality Samples Lead to Better Diagnosis, for tips on packaging and sending samples.

Visit the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic page in CropWatch for:
    information on how to submit crop and pest samples
    a sample submission form
    a fee schedule for diagnostic services

Link: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/plantdisease/unl-diagnostic-clinic-lincoln.



DECISIONS AFTER WIND, HAIL DAMAGE TO CROPS
– Brad Schick, NE Extension Educator

What to do with severely damaged corn or soybeans after wind and hail? What are some good options?

With severe storms bringing wind and hail, planting another crop or forage may be an option for those impacted to consider, especially with a good chunk of summer growing still ahead. Take into consideration lost residue for winter grazing if still taken for grain. Before any decisions are made, contact your crop insurance agent to make sure things are done correctly. While damage may look bad on corn and soybeans, it is recommended to wait 7 to 10 days before assessing your crop damage to allow time for the plants to recover. Visit cropwatch.unl.edu/hailknow for some additional resources.

If grazed or hayed forages are needed this year, a summer or a cool-season annual could be planted and perform well. Be sure to check the label of the herbicides applied to the corn or soybeans, as some have limitations or could damage the annual forage crop. Previously applied herbicides generally affect millets more than sundangrass, forage sorghum, or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. These summer annuals can usually be grazed, hayed, chopped, windrow grazed, or stockpiled for winter.  If grazing, be sure to take appropriate precautions to prevent issues with nitrates in stressed plants and prussic acid in sorghum species.

If a later forage option is wanted, oats and a brassica such as rapeseed should be considered. Planting for these cool season species should wait until early August which is still a long way off. If grazing, make sure cattle are turned out full and with plenty of fresh water available to reduce the chance of bloat from these high quality forages. Another benefit of these later plantings is suppression of our winter and spring annual weeds.

There are many forage options available to fill in behind storm damaged crops.  Be sure to double check your herbicide label for restrictions before selecting a species and, before anything is done, contact your crop insurance agent to make sure things are done in compliance.



Midwest Dairy Awards Nebraska Division Educational Scholarships to Three College Students

Midwest Dairy announces that three students will receive $500 - $1,500 scholarships to help cover costs as full-time students at an accredited college. Recipients were chosen based on past and present leadership involvement in their school and community, and past and present involvement in the dairy community. On the application, the recipients addressed what they see as the biggest challenge facing the dairy industry and how their future career plans address those challenges.

Congratulations to the following 2021 scholarship recipients:
·        Taylor Larson, from Creston, Nebraska, was awarded $1,500 and is headed into her second year at Northeast Community College, majoring in Business and minoring in Entrepreneurship. Taylor is the daughter of Bob and Kelsey Larson.

·        Tyler Gilliland, from Wayne, Nebraska, was awarded $1,000 and will be a junior at South Dakota State University, with a major in Dairy Production and minor in Precision Agriculture. Tyler is the son of Terry and Shelley Gilliland.

·        Garrett Lange, from Wynot, Nebraska, was awarded $500 and plans to graduate in 2025 from South Dakota State University with a major in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Garrett is the son of Roger and Alison Lange.

“This is a talented group of Nebraska Division Educational Scholarship recipients who have demonstrated a commitment to increasing their education and staying connected to the dairy industry,” said Tracy J. Behnken, Midwest Dairy Farmer Relations and Communications Manager in Nebraska. “It is important to recognize their achievements and hard work and encourage their continued successes. We are looking forward to seeing what they do with their education and the innovation they will bring to our industry.”

For more information about the of Nebraska Division Educational Scholarship, please visit https://www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/dairy-scholarships/ and link to Nebraska.



Free Farm and Ag Law Clinics Set for July

Free legal and financial clinics are being offered for farmers and ranchers across the state in July 2021. The clinics are one-on-one in-person meetings with an agricultural law attorney and an agricultural financial counselor. These are not group sessions, and they are confidential.

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

Clinic Dates
    Thursday, July 8 — Grand Island
    Wednesday, July 14 — Norfolk
    Thursday, July 15 — North Platte
    Thursday, July 15 — Valentine
    Tuesday, July 20 — Fairbury
    Thursday, July 22 — Lexington
    Thursday, July 29 — Norfolk

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



Reece Andrews named recipient of IA’s 2021 Innovator Award

The Irrigation Association is excited to announce that Reece Andrews of Omaha, Nebraska, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Innovator Award, sponsored by Hunter | Senninger. The IA’s Innovator Award honors individuals who have made significant, tangible contributions to the irrigation industry within the past five years.

Andrews is a product manager for Lindsay Corporation. He has led the development of numerous industry-advancing technologies during his career, which have resulted in a number of products that significantly support growers in improving the health of their crops, while conserving natural resources. His work in developing remote pivot technologies has helped growers save water and reduce their fuel costs, labor, and wear and tear, while also reducing the carbon footprint.

“Reece Andrews is known for his passion for solving customer problems and developing products that not only help growers but also serve the environment,” said IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE. “He is a true innovator, and we look forward to more of his contributions in the years to come.”

Andrews holds numerous patents for irrigation products, and many of the products he led development of have been recognized with awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and World Ag Expo, as well as the IA. Two of the irrigation control systems he was directly responsible for were winners of the 2007 and 2014 IA New Product Contests. Most recently, he led the development of the FieldNET Pivot Watch universal pivot monitoring solution.

“I am honored to be named the 2021 Innovator Award recipient. I have spent most of my career as a product manager developing solutions to help growers maximize the value of their irrigation systems, while enhancing their work-life balance,” Andrews said. “I want to thank the Irrigation Association and the team at Lindsay Corporation I work with to bring innovative products to our customers. I look forward to continuing to drive ground-breaking advancements in our industry for years to come.”

Andrews and the other 2021 IA award recipients will be featured guests on a webinar hosted by the IA this fall. More information about this and other IA awards and past recipients can be found at www.irrigation.org/awards.



Annual OnRamp Agriculture Conference Brings Together Notable Corporations, Investors & Startups on July 15 to Discuss the Future of Agtech & FoodTech

To discuss the future of AgTech and FoodTech innovation and investment trends, gener8tor, The Combine, and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will bring together more than 400 leading corporations, investors and startups across agriculture and food industries on Thursday, July 15, 2021. The second annual OnRamp Agriculture Conference will feature discussions around agrifood investment trends, emerging technologies, how farmers are taking the lead on technology innovation, and more.

Leading AgTech and FoodTech companies that will be participating in the OnRamp Agriculture Conference include BASF, Syngenta, CLAAS, WinField United, Finistere Ventures, AGI, and Indigo Ag, among others. In addition to investment trends and predictions, the conference will cover new technologies that are reinventing the industry, the policymakers and leaders behind these innovations, and what this means for the future of food.

“Knowledge sharing and purpose-driven conversations are what keep us moving forward. In order to make long-term, sustainable progress for our environment and food systems, it is critically important to facilitate connections between startups, corporate executives and investors, as well as offer insight into how we can continue to partner with one another. These are vital conversations for our future,” said Gaby Novakovic, lead organizer of the OnRamp Agriculture Conference.

The Keynote address will feature Shiri Ailon, Head of Group Integration at Synergies and Syngenta Group Ventures, and Erin VanLanduit, Head of Corporate Ventures at Cargill.

“Now, more than ever, it is critical that startups are engaged to solve some of the major issues facing the agriculture and food industries," said Matt Foley, Program Director for The Combine. "The implications of COVID-19 on the world economy, supply chain, food safety and myriad of other areas make the adoption of new tools and technology critical. The ability to bring innovators together to discuss these issues and form partnerships is both exciting and essential.”

Attendees can expect to hear a variety of topics discussed at the conference including:
● Where is Agrifood Tech Investment Now and What’s on the Horizon? - An Agtech and Foodtech analysis from Finistere Ventures, based on their most recent investment review report
● Farmers on the Forefront: Shifting to a Farmers First Industry - End-users leading the charge from investments, trials, and building technologies on demand
● Evolution of Precision Livestock Technology - Helping to feed the demand of consumers and supporting farmers forecast animal welfare
● Fireside Chat featuring Crop Metrics & CropX - Connecting the Midwest with the Middle East, an acquisition between two worlds with tech-savvy farmers on the forefront and a powerful tech ecosystem leading the charge to deliver a successful irrigation company gener8tor’s OnRamp Conference Series is designed to provide entrepreneurs at various stages of growth with access to high-level corporate leaders and investors. Since 2013, OnRamp has evolved into vertical-specific events featuring conference programming and pitch sessions.

Each conference’s Startup Track offers curated, one-on-one pitch sessions between selected startups and renowned corporations, foundations, and investors to discuss potential customer relationships, strategic partnerships and, if appropriate, investment opportunities. More than 400 one-on-one meetings will be facilitated at this year's OnRamp Agriculture Conference. For those interested in attending, registration details can be accessed here: https://onrampagricultureconference.com/registration.



NCGA Women and Mentors Program Holds First-Ever Conference

The National Corn Growers Association hosted the first-ever in-person meeting of the Women and Mentors program through the generous sponsorship of Bayer and Syngenta. The 15 attendees, who learn invaluable skills through this retreat to help them make an impact on not only the agricultural industry but also in their other endeavors as well.

Noteworthy industry leaders shared their personal leadership experiences and insights gained, including CEO of U.S. Dairy Export Council and former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden, Syngenta Industry Relations Manager Macie O’Shaughnessy and Bayer President of North America Crop Science Jackie Applegate.  Experts led professional development sessions on Quieting our Inner Critic and Making Mentorship Work for You with separate breakout groups for mentees and mentors.

The Women and Mentors Retreat allowed the attendees to network and be supported by other female industry leaders to inspire and empower them. This conference also helped the attendees, who met virtually for three sessions prior to last week, gain a network of individuals invested in seeing more women in leadership roles within agriculture, and to become a mentor or a mentee at the conclusion of the conference.

The group will continue the program with quarterly virtual calls on leadership topics, and plan to continue with an in-person session annually, increasing the size of this network as we encourage up-and-coming female leaders to take the next steps in their leadership journeys.

Those in attendance at the event were Debbie Borg (Neb.); Danie Brandl (Neb.) Deb Gangwish (Neb.); Jancey Hall (Kan.); Joan Ruskamp (Neb.); Chloe Higgins (Neb.); Janis Highley (Ind.); Pam Johnson (Iowa); Andrea Kientzy (Mo.); Dan Nerud (Neb.); Macie O’Shaughnessy (Minn.);  Sue Schulte (Kan.); and Addie Yoder (Mo.).



Research Suggests Use of Biofuels Reduces Cancer Risk

A newly published review of top scientific literature suggests that ethanol-blended fuels widely available at gas stations as E10, E15, or E85 result in less toxic emissions from vehicles and present a lower risk to human health than regular gasoline. The study, a collaboration between The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota and the Energy Resources Center, University of Illinois Chicago, shows that gasoline containing ethanol produces lower emissions of toxic chemicals known to cause cancer.

The work was supported in part by the Renewable Fuels Association and The Hormel Institute.

“Research into this area is critically important because the environmental factors that affect cancer risk are not well understood and may have a huge impact on cancer promotion and progression,” said Dr. Shujun Liu, Assistant Director and head of the Cancer Epigenetics & Experimental Therapeutics section at The Hormel Institute.

“We need to do everything we can to reduce related cancer risks to protect human health. Advancing research and understanding such as this is our responsibility and will be an ongoing effort.”

The review article, “An Assessment on Ethanol-Blended Gasoline/Diesel Fuels on Cancer Risk and Mortality,” was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021) by Dr. Steffen Mueller of the Energy Resources Center and Dr. Shujun Liu and Gail Dennison of The Hormel Institute. It reviews research on the toxicity of gasoline and expected toxicity reductions with ethanol.

The review focuses on carcinogens, or substances capable of causing cancer, and epigenetics, or how behaviors and environment can affect how your genes work, and the impact of biofuels on each.

According to the National Cancer Institute, people can avoid some cancer-causing exposures, such as tobacco smoke and the sun’s rays, but others are harder to avoid if they are in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, or materials in the workplace.

Epigenetic abnormalities, including DNA hypermethylation, histone deacetylation, and/or microRNA dysregulation, have been demonstrated as a hallmark of cancer. Compared with gene mutations, aberrant epigenetic changes occur more frequently, and the cellular epigenome is more susceptible to change by environmental factors.

The research suggests cancer risks are positively associated with exposure to occupational and environmental chemical carcinogens, including those from gasoline combustion exhausted in vehicles. The toxicity of chemical agents has been thoroughly studied, however less effort has been put into studying the epigenotoxicity (e.g., aberrant DNA methylation that may lead to cancer).

Refiners blend aromatic hydrocarbons into gasoline to prevent the fuel from premature combustion (known as knocking), but ethanol has similar or superior anti-knock properties and is used as a substitute. As the blending of ethanol into gasoline substitutes for these carcinogens like benzene, toluene, xylene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cancer reductions are expected. In their regularly released Fuel Trends Reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency specifically states that “ethanol’s high octane value has allowed refiners to significantly reduce the aromatic content of the gasoline.” The present study finds that this may lead to diminished cancer risk through an altered cellular epigenetic landscape.

The review summarizes the most important findings in the literature on the association between exposures to carcinogens from gasoline combustion, cancer epigenetics and the potential epigenetic impacts of biofuels. While the authors concluded that the available research points to biofuels containing fewer carcinogens and therefore reduced cancer risk, larger exposure studies are still needed to confirm the results.

 “I’m excited to see the research point to what we’ve suspected after years of working in this field - that replacing aromatics with ethanol indeed can have a direct positive impact on human health,” said Dr. Steffen Mueller, Principal Economist at the Energy Resources Center, University of Illinois, Chicago. “To further protect people from the unnecessary promotion of diseases like cancer, it is critical to continue research that examines the human health effects of these emissions.”

The full review article can be accessed through this link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/6930.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published semimonthly online by MDPI. It covers Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Public Health, Environmental Health, Occupational Hygiene, Health Economic and Global Health Research.



Producers Can Now Hay, Graze and Chop Cover Crops Anytime and Still Receive Full Prevented Planting Payment

Agricultural producers with crop insurance can hay, graze or chop cover crops for silage, haylage or baleage at any time and still receive 100% of the prevented planting payment. Previously, cover crops could only be hayed, grazed or chopped after November 1, otherwise the prevented planting payment was reduced by 65%.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) added this flexibility as part of a broader effort to encourage producers to use cover crops, an important conservation and good farming practice. Cover crops are especially important on fields prevented from planting as they help reduce soil erosion and boost soil health.



Broad-Based Growth Drives U.S. Beef and Pork Exports to New Heights

Fueled by impressive growth in a wide range of destinations, U.S. beef and pork export value shattered previous records in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports also reached a new volume high in May, while pork export volume was the third largest on record.

"The outstanding May performance is especially gratifying when you consider where red meat exports stood a year ago," noted USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. "The industry faced unprecedented, COVID-related obstacles at all levels of the supply chain, and a very uncertain international business climate. These challenges are still not behind us, but international demand has been very resilient and the U.S. industry has shown a tremendous commitment to serving its global customers."

Halstrom cautioned that U.S. labor availability remains a major concern and limitation for the industry, and exporters continue to face significant obstacles when shipping product overseas. Due to the ongoing, fluid impact of COVID-19, foodservice restrictions also continue to affect several key markets where dine-in service is either suspended or subject to capacity limits and shorter hours, and tourism has not yet returned in many countries.

"USMEF remains optimistic that international demand will remain strong in the second half of 2021, but the road ahead is not an easy one," Halstrom said. "The U.S. industry must continue to be innovative and aggressive in defending existing market share, while also expanding our customer base by responding to COVID-driven changes in the marketplace and shifts in consumer trends and preferences."

While May beef exports were expected to far exceed last year's low totals, export volume soared to a record 133,440 metric tons (mt), up 68% from a year ago, and value increased 88% to $904.3 million. Driven by record-large exports to South Korea, continued growth in China and a strong rebound in Japan and Taiwan, May marked the third consecutive monthly value record for beef exports, which had never exceeded $800 million before March 2021. For January through May, exports reached 587,838 mt, up 15% from a year ago, while value increased 22% to $3.84 billion.

May pork exports totaled 283,617 mt, up 16% from a year ago and the third largest on record. Export value exceeded $800 million for the first time in May, climbing 31% to $813.2 million, led by the largest exports of the year to Mexico and strong growth in Central America, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and the Philippines. For January through May, pork exports were slightly below last year's record pace at 1.34 million mt, but export value increased 3% to $3.63 billion.

Led by larger shipments to Mexico and the Caribbean, May exports of U.S. lamb were the highest of 2021 at 1,377 mt (up 43% from a year ago), valued at $1.82 million (up 67%). Through May, exports were 53% above last year's pace at 5,733 mt, with value increasing 16% to $7.43 million.



Large Cow Slaughter Continues
David P. Anderson, Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Cow slaughter continues to run ahead of a year ago, led by beef cows. Even with larger slaughter, prices are ahead of last year. Over the last three months, beef cow slaughter totaled 818,000 head, the most since the 837,000 during the same period in 2010. Total cow slaughter over the same period are the largest since 2013. At that time, the industry was reducing the number of beef cows due, mostly, to low prices and then the drought in Texas and the Southwest hit.

Weekly beef and dairy cow slaughter is reported by region. Region 6 includes Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.  Beef cow slaughter in Region 6 over the last three months totaled 204,000, the most since 2011. Slaughter in Region 9, which includes Arizona, California, and Nevada, was the most since 2013. Region 10, the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and Idaho), had their largest beef cow culling in more than a decade. While drought is likely driving more culling, expanded cow packing capacity in the region likely skews the data. Region 8 includes the rest of the mountain West and the Dakotas. Beef cow culling in those states totaled 73,600 head, the most since 2019.

On the dairy side of the ledger, cow culling totaled 667,000 over the last 3 months, the smallest since 2015. Excluding comparisons to 2020, dairy cow culling in the Midwest and California are the smallest since 2015. Culling in Texas, New Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest are larger than prior years.

Cull cow prices usually increase from the beginning of the year until mid-year. Southern Plains 85-90 percent lean cows have increased at a normal seasonal rate to about $65 per cwt at the end of June, about $8 higher than last year. National cutter cows hit $67 last week, also about $8 above a year ago. The cow beef cutout and wholesale 90 percent lean boneless beef are also above a year ago.

Cow culling tends to increase seasonally from mid-year through Fall and prices tend to decline. Drought development in the West and the course of milk prices will affect culling. Large early beef cow culling might affect later culling.



DMC Payments Increase in May
National Milk Producers Federation newsletter

The May margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage program dropped 5 cents from April to $6.89/cwt, which will generate a May payment of $2.61/cwt for $9.50/cwt coverage, as increases in feed costs more than offset gains in milk prices.

The May U.S. average all-milk price rose by $0.80/cwt from April to $19.20/cwt, but the May DMC feed cost calculation also rose from a month earlier, by $0.85/cwt. This was the largest one-month jump in the margin program’s feed cost calculation since margin protection first became the main federal safety-net program for dairy in early 2014. Corn prices were higher in May by the equivalent of $0.64/cwt of milk in the formula, which was also the highest ever single-month increase since the inception of dairy margin protection in the formula’s corn-price component. Meanwhile, the blended alfalfa hay price increased by the equivalent of $0.15/cwt of milk in the formula, the highest single month increase in the formula’s alfalfa price component since premium alfalfa was added to it at the beginning of 2019.

The current futures-based price outlook indicates that the national all-milk price will not likely further rise much more than a dollar per hundredweight above its May level through the end of 2021, while the DMC program’s feed cost calculation may not recede much from May, thus raising the prospect that the margin could stay below $9.50/cwt for all of 2021. USDA reported that estimated DMC payments exceeded $446 million as of June 28.

CWT-assisted export dairy sales in June reach nearly ten million pounds
CWT member cooperatives secured 59 contracts in June adding 7.4 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 749,572 pounds of butter, 436,515 pounds of whole milk powder, 1.1 million pounds of cream cheese, and 231,485 pounds of anhydrous milkfat to CWT-assisted sales in 2021. These products will go customers in Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa and South America, and will be shipped June through November.

CWT-assisted 2021 dairy product sales contracts year-to-date total 25.5 million pounds of cheese, 11.2 million pounds of butter, 7.3 million pounds of anhydrous milkfat (AMF), 7.9 million pounds of cream cheese and 17.2 million pounds of whole milk powder. This brings the total milk equivalent for the year to roughly 873 million pounds on a milkfat basis. All these products are scheduled to ship in the first eleven months of 2021.



Raising the Next Generation of Beef Advocates

As the Beef Checkoff celebrates its 35th anniversary, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is shining a light on the successful promotion and research programs that drive the demand for beef. In this first installment, we look forward to the future by developing the next generation of beef advocates through the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program.

Unlike 150 years ago when most families lived an agrarian lifestyle, today fewer than two percent of the U.S. population resides on a farm or ranch.1 These changing demographics have resulted in a large gap between where food is produced and where it is consumed. Now more than ever, it is vital for producers, consumers, and all engaged members of the agriculture community to share their stories, instead of relying on someone else to do it for them.

The Checkoff-funded MBA program was developed in 2009 to bridge the widening chasm between producers and consumers and to help farmers and ranchers share their stories and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry. It is a free, self-guided online course that provides farmers, ranchers, service providers, students, consumers, and all members of the beef community the tools and resources to answer questions about beef and raising cattle.

“Every producer has a story to tell, which is the foundation of becoming a powerful voice for beef,” said NCBA Federation Division Chair Clay Burtrum. “Sharing my ranch experiences and how I raise animals is vital to connecting producers and consumers. We promote a lifestyle that raises a wholesome, nutritious product that is also sustainable as we constantly improve our methods of preserving natural resources and caring for our animals.”

The online lessons address sustainability, beef nutrition, animal welfare and beef safety while taking participants through the beef lifecycle, from pasture to plate. The course also offers historical context on the evolution of the U.S. beef industry from the time the first cattle were brought to North America to today. Upon completion of five interactive online lessons, graduates are equipped with the communication skills and information to be confident in sharing beef stories on social media and in communities to help others better understand how cattle are raised and how beef is part of healthy sustainable diets.

Graduates gain access to a variety of continuing education resources ranging from online courses that delve deeper into specific topics to in-person training, and more. They are also invited to join the MBA Alumni Facebook group, a virtual community to ask questions and get connected to the latest advocacy resources.

Producers across the United States have been joining the conversation and engaging in critical discussions surrounding the beef community, backing their beliefs and systems of thought through social media, writing editorial pieces, posting live videos, and continuing their education through programs such as MBA. With more than 19,000 graduates of the program, MBA continually adapts to meet the changing needs of both producers and consumers.

“MBA is always making enhancements to improve the educational experience and include topics that are top-of-mind for both producers and consumers,” Burtrum said. “It will continue to be a cornerstone program educating future generations of beef advocates.”

For more information and to apply to participate in the MBA program, visit www.MastersofBeefAdvocacy.com.



The Soil Health Institute Announces Speakers for its Annual Meeting: “Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life”

The Soil Health Institute (SHI), the non-profit charged with safeguarding and enhancing the vitality and productivity of soils, announced today its lineup of agricultural leaders, scientists, and practitioners who will speak at its annual meeting, “Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life.”

The two-day virtual event on August 11 and 12, 2021 will kick off with a keynote presentation from Moira Mcdonald, Director of the Environment Program with the Walton Family Foundation.

Other highlights of the event will include:
    Panel Discussion: Three farmers will describe their experiences adopting a soil health system.
    Taryn Barclay, Cargill’s Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, will lead a session on the “Business Case for Regenerative Soil Health Systems.”
    Dr. Julie Howe and Dr. Terry Gentry, both with Texas A&M University, will present their assessments on the “State of the Science: Impacts of Fertilizers, Manures, Pesticides, and Biological Additives on Soil Health.”
    Dr. Arnab Bhowmik of North Carolina A&T State University will describe how soil microbial processes impact nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas emissions.
    Dr. Ashley Shade of Michigan State University will share insights from her research into how soil microbial interactions influence their resilience, and Dr. Elizabeth Rieke, Soil Microbiome Scientist with the Soil Health Institute will provide results of a continental assessment on how tillage impacts soil microbial communities that serve various roles in healthy soils.
    Marc Bernard will describe “4 per 1000,” the international initiative among approximately 40 countries using soil health as a framework to increase soil carbon sequestration by 0.4% per year.
    Dr. Rodrigo Nicoloso of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) will address how the depth of carbon storage is affected by management – a key issue for carbon markets.
    Dr. Cristine Morgan, Chief Scientific Officer with the Soil Health Institute, will introduce the concept of “Soil Health Targets,” the Institute’s approach for establishing and scaling soil health interpretations for farmers, conservation planners, and others.

These and more topics will be covered. There is no cost to attend the event, but you must register at https://soilhealthinstitute.org/2021-annual-meeting. The website also includes a detailed schedule, a full list of speakers, and their bios.

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) will be available for Tri-Society members who attend the virtual conference.

“We are excited to bring together this esteemed group of professionals to share their soil health knowledge that can significantly benefit farmers and the environment,” said Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, CEO of the Soil Health Institute. “Whether you’re a grower, agribusiness, consultant, scientist, field conservationist, government or NGO employee, this conference has valuable information for you to advance the science, adoption, and environmental benefits of soil health.”

For more information about “Enriching Soil, Enhancing Life,” speaker bios, the schedule, and to register, visit https://soilhealthinstitute.org/2021-annual-meeting.



The Surprising Cause Behind Yellow Corn Leaves

Corn plants with yellowing leaves along the edges of fields can be a common sight this time of year, but growers may be unsure as to the cause, especially if they’ve checked their soil nutrients and found them adequate for corn growth. Potassium deficiencies are often blamed, however, that’s usually not the correct culprit, especially in the drought conditions many farmers are currently experiencing.

“Our environment is dynamic,” said Matt Montgomery, Pioneer Field Agronomist. “Yes, these are potash deficiency symptoms, but the issue isn’t potash. The issue in this case is moisture availability, and that’s because we’ve had this combination of drought and grass roots competing for moisture. If we looked at nothing but symptoms, we would have jumped to incorrect conclusions.”

Yellowing leaves are often a sign of a problem with the nutrient uptake process, either due to water competition from nearby grass or drought conditions. Corn plants get 13 of the 16 required nutrients for growth through the soil, either through direct contact as roots grow or via mass flow or diffusion. Both mass flow and diffusion require water in the soil to function.

Mass flow is the process by which nutrients are dissolved in water and taken in by the plant roots. Mass flow is responsible most transport of nitrate, sulfate, calcium and magnesium.

Diffusion is the third nutrient uptake process and the one most likely responsible for potassium-deficient corn plants displaying yellow leaves. Diffusion occurs when nutrients move from a high-concentration area to a low-concentration area to reach equilibrium. Higher concentrations of nutrients in the soil move via a thin film of water molecules to the lower concentration root surfaces where they can be taken up. This process is particularly important for the transport of phosphorous and potassium.